[We should not be contented to go to heaven alone: we should say with the church of old, "Draw me; and we will run after thee0." It is the height of impiety to ask, " Am I my brother's keeper?" We are all appointed to watch over each other: What the Minister is amongst his flock, that every Parent and Master is among his children and servants. We should employ all the influence we possess, for the advantage of those around us. God testified his approbation of Abraham on account of his fidelity in improving this talent ; and inflicted signal judgments upon Eli for neglecting to exert his parental authority. If, like Lot, we cannot prevail upon our relatives to follow our advice, we shall not be responsible for them : but if they perish through our neglect, their blood will be required at our hands p. We should therefore warn our children and servants to flee from the wrath to come. We should open to them the way of salvation through faith in a crucified Saviour. We should declare faithfully to them, that there is "no other name given under heaven whereby we can be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ ; " and we should urge them with all possible earnestness to embrace his covenant, and seek accept- ance through him : In short, we should separate both ourselves and them from an ungodly world, and " seek to be found in Christ, not having our own righteousness, but that which is of God by faith in him."]
We are aware that many objections will arise against this advice : which therefore we will briefly consider.
1. We are in the ark already —
[It is granted, that as far as the ark designates the visible Church of Christ, we are all inclosed in itq. But we must dis- tinguish between the visible and the invisible church. Our blessed Lord has taught us carefully to distinguish between the fruitful and unfruitful branches ; which, though they are both " in him," will be very differently dealt with by the great Hus- bandman''. The Gospel net incloses many fishes; but the good only will be preserved : the bad will be cast away s. In the field, the tares grow together with the wheat : but a separation will be made at last ; the one for the fire of hell, the other for the granary of heaven *. The Jews were the peculiar people
0 Cant. i. 4. p Ezek. xxxiii. 8, 9.
i In the baptismal service we pray, that, " as Noah and his family were saved in the ark from perishing by water, so we, being received into the ark of Christ'1 s Church, may so pass the waves of this trou- blesome world, that we may be finally brought to the land of ever- lasting life."
r John xv. 2. s Matt. xiii. 47, 48. t Matt. xiii. 30.