Rules of Conduct Towards Those to Whom Some Particular Care and Regard Will Be Requisite
§ 1. First, to Deacons, or those who stand in their place. Their business will be to provide for the Lord’s table, for yours, and for the poor’s. — Let such persons be chosen to this office, if possible, as you can entirely trust, and who are esteemed and beloved in their place. — Leave charitable cares to them, and consult them before you propose any to communion. — For this purpose have a meeting with them at some private house once a month, a little before the preparation day.
§ 2. Secondly, towards other persons of eminence in the congregation, whether on account of age, circumstances, or character, discover a very tender regard. The’ aged visit jand pray with. — Bear to hear their stories of what passed when they were young, — and if there be any remains of wisdom in them, you may profit much by their conversation. — As to persons of wealth, honour, and learning, do not idolize them; por give yourselves so much Ho their company as to Aeglect others, — yet you will do well to remember, that some peculiar honour and attention are justly their due. — Never forget that while the common people are not to be despised, they are not to be too much trusted. — Eight or ten of the most substantial and intelligent persons in a congregation often turn the whole; endeavour therefore not only to secure the affection but the
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reverence of such. This can only be done by a prudent and steady conduct, and by solid and strong sense, both in the pulpit and in conversation. Beware they do not think you a weak but well-meaning man. As to pperson8 of eminent piety, discover a great regard for them, be their circumstances what they may. — Talk often with them, and pray with them. And those whom God has favoured by peculiar visits of his grace and interpositions of his providence, honour, love, and serve with a peculiar zeal. Who are we that we should slight those whom God honours?
3. Discover a great concern (or the welfare of youth. Sometimes preach expressly to them. — Present them useful books. — Often address them in public, when the whole discourse is not designed for them, — and oflen do it in private. — When you see them under convictions, labour to the utmost to fix them, and when you are satisfied with their state, bring them early into the church fetlowsliip and the communion. — If any before or after communion get intol)ad company, warn them seriously, tenderly, and affectionately. Single out two or three hopeful youths to watch over the rest.
§ 4. Have an especial regard to the afflicted. When you receive notes to pray for any, keep them; and when you return home look them over and make memorandums of their cases; both to give them a place in your present devotions, and that you may visit them. Mention their cases, in public prayer, with a prudent copiousness; but much more largely when with them in private. Endeavour to assist afflicted persons in temporals as well as in spirituals.
% 5. Be moderate in opposing those who have notions of religion different to yourselves. — Bear with their zeal, — be yourselves an example of candour and meekness. — Seldom run upon their notions in the pulpit directly. — When you do, avoid every thing that looks like spleen against their persons. Do your utmost to gain their affections by serving them to the extent of your power.
% 6. To those who are disaffected to your person and ministry, be not sharpsighted to see it; and when it is so. plain that it cannot be overlooked, if they are good men, talk over the affair mildly with them; and endeavour to effect a reconciliation if possible; and if that cannot be done, dismiss them with as good a testimonial, as to their character, as their case will bear. — If they are vicious men, be still, till an opportunity of exposing and overbearing them at once offers.
7. When any fall under censure, inquire diligently into the fact; and then consider whether they should be admonished, suspended, or exconimunicated. Let suspension, however, generally precede excommunication. — Let some person always be sent to hear the excuses of the party accused. — If they cannot clear up their reputation, propose the matter at a church meeting; — If the case be notoriously bad, pronounce sentence at the table of
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the Lord with great solemnity. — Pray for such persons seriously and afTectionately, and make them one pastoral visit afterwards. — If they repent afler a proper time of trial, restore them tenderly, but awfully; and let the confession be public, if the offence has been so. — Have a strict eye upon them afterwards, and admon« ish them frequently if you perceive them wavering or going astray.