*6. “But I am no minister, I have no business to take care of men’s souls.” No! Art thou not a Christian (though not a minister) and is it not the business, the bounden duty of every Christian, to endeavour to bring his neighbour back into the right way, whenever he sees him wandering in vice and delusion? Is not every Christian one anointed with the Spirit of Christ; who, consequently, is bound to tread in his steps, by making his whole life one continued endeavour to save all men from the wrath to come? Thou mayest not, indeed, take upon thee to administer the sacraments, to cast out of the church, or receive the penitent into it again; these are the peculiar offices of those who are so called of God as was _Aaron_: but thou must, at the peril of thy salvation, follow the example of Christ as well as they. Thou, as well as they, must observe the laws of God; especially that of doing good unto all men. Spiritual good above all; since it is not to ministers alone, but to all men that he hath said, _Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him_.
*7. “However we must use prudence.” True; but there are two sorts of it: one, that is from above, the other from beneath. The former of these is unreproveable, and a most precious gift of the Most High. But that which is from beneath hath the appearance indeed of wisdom, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. Where the fear of the Lord is not continually before the eyes, there the foundation of it is already laid. Where faith is weak, there she raises herself; when love grows cold, then she is strong. She informs us how to please God, without displeasing the world; to follow Christ, and yet avoid the cross. As long as the kingdom of God consists in words only she cannot utter all that she has to say. But when it is to be demonstrated in power, then she has recourse to many evasions, and cautions others (out of hearty goodwill) not to venture too far. Then she jumbles light and darkness together; she shifts and turns every way to keep the cross from her shoulders. She swims with the stream, and cares not to converse with those who suffer reproach for Christ’s sake. She keeps on indeed the appearance of godliness as long as possible, and yet holdeth her tongue where the children of God are condemned; nay, sometimes joins in pronouncing their sentence. She does much evil that good may come of it. But who is able to describe all the face of this horrible monster, which is come up out of the bottomless pit? ’Tis true, we must use prudence; but consider well which sort of prudence thou wilt use. Yea, set thyself before this glass, ♦that thou mayest know by which of these thou hast squared thy life and actions hitherto.
♦ inserted the word “that” per Errata
*8. “But we must stay a little; another time may do better: we may do more good by a little delay.” Where has God given thee leave to delay till the next moment, what may be done at this? To let slip an opportunity, in order to reserve thyself for some more favourable time? St. _Paul_ bids us _redeem the time_, or (more exactly according to the _Greek_) buy up every opportunity, _i. e._ lay hold of it, as soon as ever it offers. Reserving thyself for a more convenient season, proceeds purely from false prudence. This reserve accustoms thee to hypocrisy; it continually strengthens the fear from which it flows, and will hinder thee from ever meeting with an opportunity to exert the true power of faith.
9. “To undertake a thing, without being able to effect it, does more hurt than good; therefore ’tis better not to begin.” Thou dost well to compute the charge of building before thou beginnest to build the tower. But whence wilt thou procure the charge? From thy own ability? No; that never can reach it. Begin thy work with full reliance upon God, and draw thy supplies from almighty goodness and wisdom; and, by this means, thou wilt be enabled to accomplish, at his cost, the work once begun.
*Or if God, for holy reasons, should not prosper thy endeavours, it will be a comfort to thee, that thou hast done thy part; and thy conscience will be more easy, than if thou hadst distrusted God, and so never set about it. Perhaps he trieth thee hereby, and though it has not succeeded now, it may at another time. Perhaps thy very endeavours may stir up many to an imitation of thy zeal. But if thou shouldst be disappointed in all thy good purposes, shouldst thou conclude, that thy work of love had been in vain? Examine thyself, whether thy desire of open success in all things, be not the effect of pride lurking within? Be thou satisfied with the inward victory, a true Christian can never be deprived of; which consists in thy continuing unwearied in the patience of hope.