Remains of Joseph Alleine, Treatise 4
A serious call to Christians, to win Souls to Christ with helps thereunto.
Prov. 11. 30.
And he that winneth Souls is wise.
IN this verse we have set forth unto us the excellency of a Righteous man: and that in two things. First, He is more useful than others. Secondly, He is more skilful than others.
First. He is more useful than others. The fruit of the Righteous is a tree of life. The Righteous is not a barren tree; but he is a fruitful bough, as Joseph was. And he doth not bring forth his fruit unto himself. His fruit is a tree of life. As the tree of life would give life to them that should eat thereof: so the fruit of the Righteous is such, that those th…t will hearken to his Counsel, shall partake with him of eternal life. When others are as thorns and brambles, fruitless, unuseful, of no value in Gods world? the Righteous is a fruitful tree, and as a tree of life in the midst of the world.
Secondly, He is more skilful and …wise than others; And would you know wherin his wisedome lyes? It is in winning of Souls.
Doct. That it is a chief part of a Believers, duty, and the chief point of a Believers wisdom to gain Souls unto God.
First, 'Tis the [duty] of a Believer to gain Souls. Though he must begin at home, with his own soul, yet he must not Terminate there; but he must look abroad after others Souls. He must not be as a tree that bringeth forth fruit to himself alone: but he must be a tree of life, that whosoever plucketh of his fruit, to make use thereof, shall live.
And then Secondly, 'tis his [wisedom.] As in the text, so Daniel. 12. 3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. They be the wisemen that turn others to Righteousnesse.
Here I shall shew you. (First,) That 'tis … chief part of his duty. (Secondly,) That … a chief point of his wisedome to gain Souls.
Firstly, That 'tis a chief part of his duty and this appears,
First, Because this is one chief point of … love to Jesus Christ. Wherein did Paul discover his love to Jesus Christ in any thing, as … this, in his zeal and industry to save Souls? Rom. 9. 1, 2, 3. And thus doth Moses evidence his love. Exo. 32. 31, 32. If you would shew your Love to Jesus Christ, this is the best way in all the world to evidence it. Math. 25. You may see how carefully Christ takes notice of any kindness done to the bodies of his elect: but O how much more will he take notice of the love to the Souls of his Elect?
(Secondly,) Because this is the chief point of our love to our Brethren. You know that Christ tels us that all the Law and the … phets hang upon this, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, &c. And thy Neighbor as thy self. If the Law doth bind thee to preserve the Chastity and estate of thy Neighbor, how much more doth God require of thee that thou preserve the Soul of thy Neighbour? This is the principal point of love. Jam. 5. 20. He that converteth a sinner from the error of his wayes shall save a Soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins, If God requires that thou help thy Neighbours Ox and his Ass, how much more must thou help thy Neighbors Soul from hell?
(Thirdly,) Because this is the principal means of bringing glory to Christ. Every soul that is brought in to Christ is a Jewel put into the Crown of Christ. And wouldest thou not be ambitious of such a service as this? Every soul thou bringest into Christ is an eternal Monument, set up by thee to the name of Jesus Christ. Wouldest thou have much service done for Jesus Christ? O then labor to bring in Souls to him, that may do his work here in the world. Wouldest thou have much praise to the name of Christ? O then labor to bring in Souls to Jesus Christ. Every Soul brought in to Jesus Christ is a Trumpet of his praise. The glory of a King is in the multitude of his subjects. And so 'tis of Christ. This is the great way wherein we are capable to further the glory of Christ in the world, to bring in many Souls to Jesus Christ.
(Fourthly,) Because this is a principal subject of our prayers. This is one grand petition. Thy Kingdome come. In which petition we pray, that the Kingdom of grace may be advanced, our selves and others brought into it, and kept in it. Now 'tis a great part of a Christians business to live sutable to his prayers.
Secondly, That 'tis the chief point of a Christians wisdome to gain Souls unto Christ. This appears,
(First,) Because Souls are the goodly pearls that are of great price with Christ. O there is no Merchandise like to that of Souls. No gain like to the gain of Souls. One Soul is of more worth than all the world. You may see of how great price Souls are with Jesus Christ, by the great price that he laid down for Souls. Did Christ spend, his blood for Souls; and wilt thou not spend thy breath for Souls? This is a principal part of wisdome, to deal like wise Merchants, in goodly pearls. A wise man will not spend his time for trifles, that is Childish; but his wisdome doth appear in the weight of those things that he layes out his time and pains upon. Oh if you would appear to be wise, lay out your time and strength for Souls! If thou couldest gain but one Soul, what a happy gain would that be?
(Secondly,) Because Souls will be the most glorious Crown in the day of Christ. No Crown like to this, the Crown of Souls. The time is coming, when a Crown of Soul… will be found to be of another manner of value than a Crown of gold. What was the Crown that Paul wishes for? It was for the Souls that he had converted. 1 Thes. 1. 19. What is our hope, or joy, or Crown of rejoycing! are not even ye in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? Why were these Pauls Crown? because he had converted them by his Ministry, upon the same account he cals the Phillipians (Phil. 4. 1.) My joy and Crown of rejoycing.
Thirdly. Because we shall most effectually promote the good of our own Souls by endeavoring to gain others Souls. By teaching of others thou shalt teach thy self. By exhorting others, thou shalt excite and stir up thy self. And nothing will redound to thy advantage so much as thy laboring to gain Souls; though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I bé glorified.
(Fourthly,) Because this will be an evidence of our own sound conversion, if we lay out our strength and time to convert others. In John 1. 41. We shall see those young converts, when they were but touched, they labor to bring in others presently. So that if thou wouldest evidence thine own sincerity to thy Soul, thou shouldest lay out thy endeavor for the good of others Souls.
First Use, Is it so that 'tis a chief part of a Christians duty, anda chief point of a Christians Wisedom, to gain Souls to Christ? Then here is matter of Reproof; to reprove those that profess the name of Christ; that lay out their zeal no more this way. That lay not out their strength to gain Souls. Yea that do not long for, nor endeavor after the conversion of Souls. Surely, this speaks sadly to those that wholy neglect this duty. But how exceedingly are many of the people of God themselves to be blamed for their Negligence in this? doth not thy heart know that there is a brother of thine doth live in such a sin; and yet thou never tel him of it? What a great evil is this! and unsutable to the pattern of the Lord Jesus Christ? How did he go up and down doing good? and so taken up with Souls, that he could scarce spare time to eat his bread: insomuch that his carnal friends began to take hold of him, and thought that he had been beside himself. O how far art thou from this, that thy friends may live in their sins, and dye in their sins, before thou wilt labor to save their Souls? The devil he laboreth to destroy Souls; and how few be there that do labor to save Souls? He may carry away the poor soul, and none labours to take the soul from him. We should be watchful and vigilant for souls; for our own souls. and others souls: because this enemy is always taking opportunities to destroy souls. Sure it argues that you have very little Lov… to Jesus Christ, that you do no more for souls. That you have little zeal for Jesus Christ, and that you have little Love for your Brethren, that you take no more care for their souls. It may be you are careful for the bodies of those that are under your charge; but how little do you for their souls? How many live without the worshi of God in their Families? Without Catechizing their Children or instructing them? And think they have done well if they provide for their bodies. Oh, but man God will find out thy neglects: it was their souls that was thy charge also. If you look onelyonly after their bodies, this you will do for your swine. And will you do no more for your Childrens souls than for your swine? many are ready to say as Cain, am I my Brothers keeper? If this be not the language of thy tongue, is not this the language of thy Life? What dost thou do for thy brother to save his soul from death?
Second Use, is of exhortation. To stir you up to perform this duty to labor to be skilful in this duty, to win souls to Christ. Brethren, if you would be wise indeed, and if you will gain indeed, labour to gain souls. Oh look upon the woful condition of perishing souls! How few of thy friends and acquaintance hast thou good grou…ds to think they have a share in Jesus Christ? What wilt thou have no compassion of thy Brothers soul? Thou wouldst have compassion on the body of thy Neighbor: If thou sawest the house on fire about them, and they asleep, wouldest thou not be stirred up, and with zeal forget thy self, and labor to call upon them and awake them? O how many of our carnal friends do remain in a carnal state, and we sit stilland let them alone! I beseech you stir up your souls to relieve the souls of others. This is the best Charity and best pleasing to Christ.
It may be many of you have not wherewith to shew your Charity to the bodies of your brethren: but this way thou mayst shew it, in shewing kindnesse to their souls. Exhort them, and strengthen them in their duty: comfort them, support them. If thou canst not give them an alms, give them an exhortation.
But you will say what should we do, or what means must we make use of to do good to to souls?
I answer, you must do it.
First, By Scripture demonstration. When thou goest to deal with souls, be sure to make use of Gods weapons. Bring the word of God with thee. Go forth in the name of God. Pour out thy supplication to God to prosper the work. And then shew thy brother the Scripture, to convince him out of the Scripture, as Apollos did. Thou canst never throw down the devils strong holds, but by the use of Gods own weapons. No Cannon but this will batter down the strong holds of sin and Satan. Therefore bring the Scripture with thee to him.
Secondly, By earnest supplication. This was Pauls course who did so earnestly thirst for the salvation of his brethren. He strove mightily with God in prayer for them. Rom. 10. 1. My hearts desire and prayer is, that Israel may be saved. Carry thy friends to God, and go to God by prayer, and weep over their carnal and unsanctified state. Bring thy dead Husband and child &c. to God, and put up thy Request to God for them, as Abraham did Ishmael. O That they might live before thee! How did the prophet prevail l y his prayers for the restoring the dead child? As the prophet did pray in life into the dead child, so thou shouldest strive with God in prayer for dead souls. If thou didst but wrestle with God for thy dead wife, or child, or neighbor What dost thou know what God might do for them? What knowest thou O man, but thou mayest save thy Wife? &c. Thus we are taught by our Lord in that great petition Thy Kingdom come. Thus if thou strive by the word of God and prayer, then thou mayest be like to prevail mightily for the good of souls, thou dost converse with.
3. By kind Obligation. This is another way by which thou shouldest labor to gain souls. Observe that great rule of the Apostle be pittiful, be courteous, tis the Rule that he gives. Labor by kindness and courtesie to gain upon all thou dost converse with, that thou mayst get within him, that thou mayst be in a capacity to do good to his soul. Sh…wing all meekness to all men. And when thou art thu… kind to all men, this will be a means to do good to them by what thou dost. If they be such as stand in need of thy Charity, open thy hand to relieve their necessity, and that will be a way to open their hearts to thee to receive in thy counsel.
Fourthly, By faithful reprehensions. Lev. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Neighbor, and not suffer sin to rest upon him. Observe that 'tis; quite contrary to Christian Lovo to suffer sin to lye upon him: for 'tis c…lled hating of him. Oh Brethren, shew your Love to the souls that you are among by this, by the faithful rebuking of their sins that they fall into. Manifest it not as a token of your displeasure, but as an ordinance of God. Deal with him in all gentleness and meekness. Not gentle with their sins; you must be plain and saithful with their souls. You must shew them the danger of such a way: but you must do it with such tenderness to them as may make this bitter pill to go down. How do many souls miscarry to all eternity for want of professors faithful dealing with them? Oh is it not enough that we have the guilt of our own sins upon us, but must we needs have the guilt of our Neighbours sin upon us too? Ah Brethren, this is enough to convince us that we have little Love to our Brethrens souls, in that we have so little care to reprove their sins.
Fifthly, By your convincing conversations. Live before all thou dost converse with, in the convincing power of a holy Life. This is the way to convince them, 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2. Likewise you wives be in subjection to your own husband, that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word, be won by the conversations of the wives: while thy behold your chast conversation coupled with fear.
Observe here. (First,) That even those that be weakest, and seemingly out of a capacity to win souls, may by their Godly conversations win souls. Women, who more weak than they? Do not you think that this belongs onelyonly to Ministers to win souls: this belongs to all.
(Secondly,) Observe that a careful and tender walking in the duties of our Relations towards men, with a conjunction with the duties of piety towards God, is a most powerful means to convert souls. When wives shall be strict in their profession, and yet not be in subjection to their husbands, this will offend the men, and not work upon them. Your profession and practice must one answer the other: and then you are like to gain others, I beseech you take this course to gain souls to Christ, let there be a suteableness in all the parts of your conversation, be the same at home that you are abroad: and bring forth your Religion into your Shops, and Trades, and Fields: That whosoever converse with you may see the power of Godliness in you.
Sixthly. By your frequent exhortations. Hebrews. 3. 13. But exhort one another dayly, while 'tis called to day, lest any be hardned through the deceitfulness of sin. Observe it, 'tis not the duty of Ministers onelyonly to abound in exhortations, but 'tis the work of you all. Every one must look to his Neighbours Soul: and that daily. There must be instancy and frequency in this work: and the reason, is, lest he be hardned. Dost thou see such a Neighbour fall into sin? go to him. It may be thou wilt do it hereafter: why it may be the man may be hardned. It may be the man may dye: or thou mayest not have the opportunity: or you may be removed from one another; and the work may be for ever cut off, if thou Neglect it.
Seventhly. By your careful observation, of all those advantages that God hath put into your hands for the dealing with your Brothers Soul. Consider and study with thy self, what advantages thou hast upon him.
(First,) Take the advantage of affliction. It may be he is taken down by affliction Now go and warn him of his sin. It may be now he will hearken to thee. Job 36. 8. 9. 10.
(Secondly,) Make use of thy Relation. It may be thou art some near Relation in the flesh to him: take that advantage to be dealing with him, for his eternal good.
(Thirdly,) Make use of his dependance upon thee. It may be he is such a one as is concerned in thy good-will to him: it may be he works for thee, or depends upon thy Charity for his livelyhood: take this advantage upon him: it may be he will hearken to thee.
(Fourthly,) Make use of thy interest in him. It may be he hath some affection for thee: make use of it for God. And this may be a means to win him to Christ.