The Saints' Everlasting Rest - Richard Baxter

profaneness.
4. Men of wealth and authority, and that have many dependants, have
excellent advantages for this duty. O what a world of good might gentlemen
do if they had but hearts to improve their influence over others! Have you
not all your honor and riches from God? Doth not Christ say, "Unto
whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required'?" If you speak to
your dependants for God and their souls, you may be regarded, when even a
minister would be despised. As you value the honor of God, your own
comfort, and the salvation of souls, improve your influence over your tenants
and neighbors; visit their houses; see whether they worship God in their
families; and take all opportunities to press them to their duty. Despise them
not. Remember, God is no respecter of persons. Let men see that you excel
others in piety, compassion, and diligence in God's work, as you do in the
riches and honors of the world. I confess you will, by this means, be singular,
but then you will be singular in glory; for few of the mighty and noble are
called."
5. As for the ministers of the Gospel, it is the very work of their calling
to help others to heaven. Be sure to make it the main end of your studies and
preaching. He is the able, skilful minister, that is best skilled in the art of
instructing, convincing, persuading, and consequently, of winning souls; and
that is the best sermon that is best in these. When you seek not God, but
yourselves, God will make you the most contemptible of men. It is true of
your reputation, as Christ says of your life, "He that loveth it shall lose it."
Let the vigor of your persuasions show that you are sensible on how weighty
a business you are sent. Preach with seriousness and fervor, as men who
believe their own doctrine, and know their hearers must be prevailed with, or
be damned. Think not that all your work is in your studies and pulpit. You
are shepherds, and must know every sheep, and what is their disease, and
mark their strayings, and help to cure them, and fetch them home. Learn of
Paul, not only to teach your people "publicly," but "from house to house."
147