The Need For Exhortation

I am pleased with some "Primitive Baptists" who are returning to the true primitive or original Baptist faith in regard to the necessity of saving faith in Christ (and the Gospel) for eternal life, the sure and certain perseverance in the faith by those who are truly elect and called, the support of the ministry, etc. However, the words of Elder John M. Watson in regard to "exhortation" in preaching I find still greatly lacking in this return to the ancient faith of Baptists. 

Watson observed in his day how many of his brethren, his "ultra" Two Seed brothers, began to omit exhortation and invitation in their public addresses to saints and sinners. Listen to what he said in his book "The Old Baptist Test." (See here for more of these citations with my observations thereon)

"A gospel without exhortation; without a call on the sinner to repent and believe; a gospel which does not in word address itself to all; is not the gospel which Christ ordained subordinately for the bringing in of his "other sheep."" (page 86) 

Preacher brothers need to look sinners straight in the eyes while teaching and exhort them to repent and believe in Christ and be converted. Further, they need to do it with some pleading as did the apostles.

Watson also wrote:

"Let us take a practical example. We have it on record in the 13th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. When Paul and Barnabas preached at Antioch of Pisidia, had any of our ultra brethren been there and heard their zealous appeal to all those present, they would have called them Arminians." (ibid)

Watson also wrote:

"Let us see: The zealous preacher calls on all to repent, earnestly, faithfully and I may add, gospelly, but alas! the old brother whose head has got wrong, whose heart has grown cold, says all cannot repent, some have not the power to do so. How does he know? Peradventure the Lord has given the power to repent to the very ones whom he has in his feelings excluded.." (page 87)

Let us imitate our forefathers in this respect, men like John Bunyan, Hanserd Knollys, Charles Spurgeon, etc. 

I believe in giving invitations at the conclusion of preaching. Why is this viewed as wrong by Hardshells? Thankfully there are some "Primitive Baptists" (as in the Eastern Association) who still exhort and call upon sinners to repent and believe, even pleading with them to flee from the wrath to come. Give opportunity for sinners to come forward and ask for prayer, or to confess their desire to be saved and to follow Christ. Just because some have abused "altar calls" does not make them wrong.

It seems to me that if a preacher has a true burden for souls to be saved (as John Leland had), then he will address sinners in the most direct manner and give them warning and admonition.