This is from one of my all-time favorite books, The Saint’s Everlasting Rest by Richard Baxter.
Here, Baxter gives us ten pearls of wisdom for sharing the gospel with others:
- Aim at the glory of God
- Do it speedily.
(“That physician is no better than a murderer, who negligently delayeth till his patient be dead or past cure.”) - Let your exhortation proceed from compassion and love.
(“To jeer and scoff, to rail and vilify, is not a likely way to reform men, or convert them to God. Go to poor sinners with tears in your eyes, that they may see you believe them to be miserable, and that you unfeignedly pity their case.”) - Do it with all possible plainness and faithfulness.
- Do it also seriously, zealously, and effectually.
- Do it with prudence and discretion–choose the fittest season.
- Let all your reproofs and exhortations be backed with the authority of God.
- Be frequent with men in this duty of exhortation.
- Strive to bring all your exhortations to an issue.
- Be sure your example exhorts as well as your words.
(“Let them see you constant in all the duties you persuade them to.”)