A Directory for Youth, Sermon · Remedy 2
The next Sin that I ſhall direct Young Ones to flee, is, An eager purſuit of ſenſual and ſinful Pleaſures, their loving theſe more than God, &c.
I Have ſhewed you already, how ſtrongly Youth is bent upon Pleaſures, Sports, Games, Feaſts, Paſtimes. O! Young Men love theſe as their Lives, and ſome will as ſoon part with their Lives, as with their youthful Pleaſures; they have had Threatnings, Promiſes, Commands, Intreaties, Mercies, Afflictions, yet nothing to this day could prevail with them. What Solomon ſaith of the Fool, Prov. 27. 22. Tho' thou bray a Fool in a Mortar, yet will not his fooliſhneſs depart from him; may be applied here, to that exceſs of affection that is found in young Folks to vain and ſinful pleaſures: there is it's true a great unwillingneſs in others to forgo the pleaſures of Sin, but it ſtrangely tyrannizes over Youth; wherefore I ſhall lay down ſome Arguments, to perſuade you to be willing to flee this Youthful Luſt.
Firſt, Conſider the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, (young People) he was not a Man of Pleaſures, but a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with Griefs, and how unſuitable are you to him, while you pant after vain Pleaſures. I remember I have read of five Men met together, that asked one another, What means they uſed to abſtain and flee from Sin?
The firſt anſwer'd, That he continually thought upon the Certainty of Death, and the Ʋncertainty of the Time of it, and that made him live every day as his laſt.
The Second, Meditated on the ſevere Account he was to give at the day of judgment, and of the everlaſting Torments of Hell, and this kept him from Sin.
The Third, Of the vileneſs and loathſomneſs of Sin, and of the excellency and beauty of Grace and this made him abhor Sin.
The Fourth, Of the everlaſting Rewards and Pleaſures provided for thoſe that did abſtain from Sin, and this prevailed with him.
The Fifth and laſt, Continually meditated on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and of his Love to poor ainners, in dying an accurſed death for them, Snd this made him aſhamed to ſin.
And truly this laſt is the greateſt of all: O what an Argument is this, to conſtrain you Young Ones to flee ſinful Pleaſures; I beſeech you, for Chriſt's ſake, to flee them. Methinks if Chriſt ſhould come and demand your Life and Blood, they ſhould freely go, and will you not part with your brutiſh Pleaſures for him? You are certainly Enemies to the Croſs of Chriſt, while you mind earthly Pleaſures; he lived a ſelf denying life, mortified to all the Vanities of this World, to ſet you an Example; he died alſo to redeem you from a vain Converſation.
O Young Man, view thy Pattern, and imitate your Self-denying Saviour, or you are …one of his. If a Father or Mother come in competition with his Name and Intereſt, you are bound to hate them, Luke 14. 16. much more your youthful Luſts of vile Pleaſure. The Pleaſure of our dear Lord, was to do the Will of his heavenly Father, Joh. 4. 34. Now ſaith the Apoſtle, in Phil. 2. 5. Let the ſame mind be in you, as was in Chriſt. And in Luke 14. 27. Our Saviour ſaith, Whoſoever doth not come after me, cannot be my Diſciple. You are not to come after us Miniſters one ſtep, but as we conform to Chriſt. O look unto Jeſus, Young Ones, did he affect Sports and Games? Did he uſe to ſpend hours at Cards or Dice, &c? You read of whole Nights he redeem'd for, and ſpent in, Prayer, and how he went up and down always doing good. O what a bleſſed way would this be, to recover the licentious Youth of this Age, to the gravity and purity of Religion, if they would write after, and draw each line of their Lives according to this holy Pattern. I have read of an Earl called Elzearus, that was given much to immoderate anger, and the means he uſed to cure this diſordered affection, was by ſtudying Chriſt and his patience, in ſuffering the Injuries and Affronts that were offered to him; and he never ſuffered this Meditation to paſs from him, till he found his heart transformed into the ſimilitude of Jeſus Chriſt. O Young Men, you are all diſtemper'd with the immoderate love of vain pleaſure; O flee to Mount Calvary, to a crucified Jeſus, and there repreſent to thy Soul his Sorrows and Agonies, till thou find this Luſt crucifi'd. Argue thus with thy ſelf, what did ſo dear ſo great and glorious a Perſon as the Son of God, deny himſelf thoſe ineffable pleaſures above, that he had in his Father's boſom, and come down here on earth. and took to himſelf an houſe of Clay, our Fleſh, which proved to him an houſe of mourning all the days of his fleſh, and then dyed an ignominious, painful, accurſed death, and all this for me, to redeem me from the pleaſures of Sin, and deſtroy theſe works of the Devil: And ſhall I think much of denying my ſelf a few draughts of vain delight for him, who drank of the bitter Cup of God's wrath, and the gall and vinegar for me? And then,
Secondly, Conſider that either you muſt forſake theſe ſinful pleaſures for a time here, or your ſweet Saviour for ever hereafter: For …n Man can ſerve two Maſters, he will either love and live to the one, and hate and leave the other, or elſe è contra. Therefore what Chriſt ſaid to the Jews concerning his Diſciples, John 18. 8. If ye ſeek me, let theſe go their way. That may I ſay, to you Young Folk, concerning your ſinful pleaſures, if ye ſeek an intereſt in the bleſſed Jeſus, you muſt let theſe go; it is made the Badge of a graceleſs, chriſtleſs Man, in that of 2 Tim. 3. 4. A lover of pleaſure, more than of God. And our Saviour, in Luke 18. 14. tells you, That pleaſures choke the ſeed of God's Word; they nouriſh the heart, and fatten it into a ſenſleſs ſtupidity. And 1 Tim. 5. 6. the Apoſtle deſcribeth the unconverted Widow thus, She that liveth in pleaſure, is dead while ſhe liveth. And then,
Thirdly, Conſider Young Man, Tbat God will bring thee to judgment for all thy ſinful pleaſures. Is it not enough to embitter all thy pleaſures in the fleſh, to read in Faith that one Scripture, Eccleſ. 11. 9. Rejoyce, O young Man, &c. but know that God will bring thee to judgment. You are apt to think that you ſhall hear of them no more, but be you aſſured all muſt come into the Judgment. O Young Men, how many are now under wrath, that when on Earth, were eager in their purſuit of Games and Sports, &c. O Youth, conſider, the Feet of them that have carried multitudes of your Age to Perdition, ſtand ready waiting for the word of Commiſſion to carry you away alſo. Hence it was, that the primitive Chriſtians uſed to pray, Domine hic ure, hic ſeca, ut in aeternum parcas. Lord, burn here, cut here, that thou may'ſt ſpare hereafter. O remember Abraham's words to him that lived in pleaſure while on Earth, and at laſt dying, and lifting up his eyes in Hell, and calling for a drop of water to cool his tormented tongue, Remember (ſaith Abraham) thou hadſt thy pleaſures in thy life-tme, and Lazarus his ſorrows, Luke 16. 25. O that this were more thought on by our jolly Youngſters! Paul ſaw need of uſing this tremendous Argument in 2 Cor. 5. 10, 11. For we muſt all appear before the judgment ſeat of Chriſt, &c. And then it follows, Knowing the terrors of the Lord, we perſuade Men: To what? why to Self-judging, and Godly-ſorrowing and mourning for Sin, that ſo they may not be condemned of the Lord, at that great and terrible day. Hence Paul himſelf beat down his Body, denied himſelf fleſhly pleaſures, leſt at that day he ſhould be a Caſt-away. Hence Peter interrogates, Seeing all theſe things ſhall be diſſolved at that day of judgment, what manner of perſons ought we to be, in all holy converſation and godlineſs; not in chambering and wantonneſs, 2 Pet. 3. 11. Hence alſo is the force of that great Command to a preſent Repentance without delay, Acts 17. 30. Becauſe God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world by Chriſt. It was this that made voluptuous Felix tremble. O Young Man, had thou but a lively impreſſion of this upon thy heart, O how ſoon would it wither all thy pleaſures at the root? and inſtead of Eaſe, it would fill thee with Remorſe and Bitterneſs. O therefore when this thy Youthful Luſt grows boiſtrous, then …ſe this Goad to awaken thee, and oppoſe …his ſtrong and terrible Argument for the …ooling and quelling thy Luſt after pleaſure, viz. That God will bring thee to Judgment. You read of Moſes when young, and the …emptation of pleaſure ſtrong, yet he choſe …ather to ſuffer Affliction, than to enjoy Sins …leaſures, that are but for a ſeaſon. And why? becauſe he by Faith ſaw a day of final and further recompences at hand, Hebr. 11. 25. And then,
Fourthly, Conſider, That all thy youthfu… pleaſures are but for a ſeaſon, Heb. 11. 25. And you read in Job 21. 13, 14. They ſpen… their days in mirth, and in a moment they g… down to the grave, or hell. Who do? why all your Pleaſure mongers from one Age to another. Look ye, were it poſſible for yo… to have a ſight of the damned in Hell, ther… would you find the many thouſands tha… ſpent their few days on earth in the pleaſure… of Sin. And it's but a while, but you, an… all of your complexion and temper, that love Pleaſures more than God, muſt vaniſh away, and never laugh more; never jeſt it, ga… it more; O the doleful hour is at hand! Th… ſtolen waters of Si…'… pleaſure are ſweet, bu… ſhort, like Naboth's Vineyard, which Ah… ſo …gerly thirſted after; he got it, (it's true) bu… he could not keep it. Sins pleaſures ar… compared to the crackling of thorns under … pot. If any ſhould ask, Why they ſhould be … ſhort? I would have ſuch to bethink them ſelves, Why they ſhould be at all? I am ſure the All wiſe God'… thoughts are not as you… and thoſe whoſe diſtemper'd Souls (th… grace) are begun to be cured, think otherwiſe. Ask a converted Soul, What pleaſure there is in Sin, and he will tell you, it i… the very gall of bitterneſs. Alas! Young Man, it is a diſeaſe upon thee, that make… thee think of any pleaſure at all in Sin; bu… yet that miſtaken Pleaſure of thy ſick and diſeaſed mind is but momentary, and a …ery Shadow. Why then art thou ſo ea…r after Pleaſure? O the great Cheats poor …inners put upon themſelves. Hence plea…ant Sins are called Lying Vanities.
O young man, remember thy time on Earth … but ſhort, 1 Cor. 7. 29. and therefore thy …leaſures in Sin cannot be long: O how ſmall diſtance is there between the Sports and …ames of Youth, and the mortal Pangs and …ains of Death? how ſoon will thy clear …orning be overcaſt with evening Clouds? …e pleaſures of Sin will be quickly over, …t the pain will be for ever; as Job ſaith … mans Life on Earth, Job 14. 1. His days … few, but his Troubles are many; So may …ay of Sin, its pleaſures are few, but its Ter…s are many, like a ſhort Feaſt, but a …ng reckoning; therefore when you are in anger of being enticed with Sin's pleaſures, beſeech you to endeavour and (O that God …ould teach you) to improve this Conſi…eration, that they are but for a ſeaſon. …here is a notable Story that I meet with … Mr Burrough's Moſes his choice, concern…g one Theodorus a young man, who at a …ne of great Feſtivity and Jollity in Egypt … his Fathers Houſe with-drew from all the …mpany, and got alone, and fell a medita…g thus, Here is delight, and content in the …eſt, I may have what I will deſire, but how long will it laſt? And upon this Meditatio…, thinking with himſelf, this will not hol… long, he withdrew himſelf into a privat… Room, and fell down upon the Earth, an… with many Tears cryed out thus unto Go… in Prayer; O Lord (ſays he) my Heart i… open unto thee, I indeed know not what to ask but only this, Lord let me not dye eternally; Lord, thou knoweſt I love thee, O let me li… eternally to praiſe thee! And when his Mother came to him, and would have h… him come to the reſt of the company th… were bidden, he made an excuſe, an… would not, only upon this meditation, b… cauſe he ſaw theſe things were but for a ſe… ſon, and would not laſt. O that it migh… pleaſe the Lord, to give you young o… Wiſdom, and a Heart, alike to know … brevity and vanity of all fleſhly pleaſures, as to draw off your Hearts from them, a… to make your choice of thoſe pleaſures th… are for ever, at the right hand of Go… And then,
Fifthly, Conſider youthful and ſenſ… Pleaſures are vile in their nature. Cic… (though a Heathen) thought not that m… worthy of the name of a man, that ſp… one day in ſenſual Pleaſures: And T… accounted a Life of Pleaſure, a Life of Bea… And what doth God ſay in the Script… of the Perſon that liveth in pleaſure? y… may ſee 1 Tim. 5. 6. Such a one is dead while be liveth. And in the 21. Job 11, 12, 13. Such ſay to the Almighty, depart from us. Pleaſures they alienate, and take away the Heart from God, and the things of God, they ſtuff the heart with manifold Evils, they deaden it with ſecurity, they harden it in Sin, and ſwell it with Vanity, and …our it with an enmity againſt the ſeveri…es and ſtrictneſs of Religion; in a word Pleaſures diſpoſe a Perſon to all manner of …mpieties, and expoſe a perſon to all manner of miſeries. Ariſtotle maketh mention of a parcel of Ground in Sicily that ſends forth ſuch a ſtrong ſmell of fragrant Flowers …o all the Fields thereabouts, that no Hound …n hunt there, the ſcent is ſo confounded with the ſmell of thoſe Flowers: thus in our …icentious Age, Pleaſures hinder us in our ſpiritual chaſe, they take away all ſcent, …nd ſenſe too of Heaven, and heavenly …hings. Who is fit for any holy excrciſe, that hath been immerſing himſelf in ſenſual pleaſures? Can the Heart, that but juſt now …ath been enlarged and let out, or poured …ut in vain and youthful pleaſures, be prepared for the holy preſence of God in Pray…r or Meditation? What think you? doth Chambering and Wantonneſs, doth Ga…ning and Sportfulneſs, fit you for commu…ion with God? O how much ſooner do they ripen you for Hell and Deſtruction. Wherefore, O young man, flee theſe vai… pleaſures, that brutifie and vilifie thy Soul, that reſemble thee to a Beaſt, and ripen the… for the Devil, that cannot ſtand with the infinite Love, but hatred of God. O flee theſe. And then,
Sixthly, Conſider youthful, ſenſual pleaſures, are not only ſhort of their time, and vile in their nature, but moſt bitter and pernicious in their end. Stolen Waters are ſweet, and Bread eaten in ſecret, ſaith Solomon, Prov. 9 17. But in the end it bites like a Serpent, Prov. 32. 27. and ſt…ngeth like a… Adder. O Youth, ſuch are all Sin's pleaſure, whether you believe it or no, y… ſhall be ſure to feel it after a ſeaſon, for your pleaſures are all but for a ſeaſon, and the… followeth the Curſe of the Law, the wrath of God, the terrours of Conſcience, th… guilt of Sin, and theſe are enough to drow… thy pleaſue, and diſtract thy Spirits; like to that kind of Honey, that Hiſtorians te… us of in Affrica, luſciouſly ſweet, but affect, all that eat of it with a mortal Madneſs, and Frenz…, and the reaſon they aſſign is that the Bees gather it from poyſonou… Weeds; thus ſenſual ſinful Pleaſures, a… Solomon ſaith, Eccleſ. 2. 2. affect with madneſs. Hence in the 7 Eccleſ. 2. he affirmeth, that it is better to go to the Houſe of Mourning than Feaſting: You have a Scripture very full and appoſite to this purpoſe in that in 20. Job 16. where Zophar ſpeaking of the wicked Pleaſure-monger, ſaith, He ſhall ſuck the p…iſon of Aſps. There is an old Interpreter *Xantus Pagninus.I have met with, that reads it, He ſhall ſuck the Head of Aſps. The Hebrew word [Roſh] ſignifying both c…put, and veneum, Head and Poyſon. Now what is it to ſuck the Head of Aſps? Pliny in his Natural Hiſtory, tells us that the Aſp, or ſhe Viper, engendring with the Male, takes his Head in her mouth, and being overcome with the pleaſure of the act, bites it off, whereby he periſheth: after which ſhe conceiving, the young within her become impatient of ſtaying their full time, and they eat out through her ſide; whereby ſhe periſheth. And ſo it is with the Senſualiſt that is all for pleaſure in Sin, as if you lo…k back to the 12. ver. of this 20. of Job, you ſhall find though wickedneſs be ſweet in the mouth, yet it is but as the ſucking of the Head of Aſps, they ſhall periſh by it. In the cloſe of the 12. ver. it is ſaid, to be Gall of Aſps, by which is meant, both the bitterneſs, and deſtructiveneſs of ſinful Pleaſures: His Wickedneſs (ſaith Zophar) though ſweet and delicious in his Mouth, that is the act of committing it; yet when its turned in his Bowels, that is after the commiſſion of it, it is the Gall of Aſps. O its grievous to him, he wiſheth he had never done it. So Prov. 5. 4. ſpeaking of the end of Sin's pleaſure, he tells you, its bitter as Wormwood. It is like a Pill, wrapt up in Sugar, which when the Sugar (which was over it) is melted, then the bitterneſs of the Pill ſhews it ſelf: So when the pleaſure of Sin is waſted, then the ſorrow appears. I have read of a moſt pleaſant and luſcious ſort of Fruit in the Weſt-Indies, but withal that theſe dainties are ſo ſauced with the intollerable ſcorching heat of the Sun by day, and a multitude of ſtinging Creatures by night, that the People that dwell in thoſe parts, expoſe themſelves to danger to gather them; which made the Spaniards to call them, the Comfits of Hell; and truly what are the pleaſures of Sin but ſuch Comfits of Hell? there is ſome carnal pleaſure that delights a rank, unhallowed Palate; but here is the miſery of it, they are ſerved in with the ſcorching fiery wrath of God, and the ſtinging of a guilty reſtleſs Conſcience, ſo that the fears of the one, and the anguiſh of the other, are ſurely able to melt away that little pleaſure they afford. O that young ones would ſeriouſly conſider how bitter Sin's pleaſures will be in the end, brevis eſt voluptas peccati, ſed perpetua paena peccatoris. And Bernard ſaith momentarium eſt quod delectat, aeternum quod cruciat. O commune with thine own Heart, enter the Cloſet within thy own Breaſt, and ſay, What ſhall I be taken with a little ſeeming ſweetneſs, and pleaſure in Sin, when within a moment or two, this will be turned into the Gall, yea Poyſon of Aſps. O young men, evermore keep your Eye on the ending of Sin, how it goes off at laſt, you may ſee in Cain, and Spira, with hideous groans, and conſuming griefs; it comes on like an Harlot very Comically, Come, let us take our fill of Pleaſure; but it goes off like Rachel, weeping and bitterly lamenting. Solomon ſaith, in Prov. 23. 17, 18. My Son, envy not Sinners, for ſurely there is an end; and a ſad and woful end too, envy them not, they are rather objects of Compaſſion and Pity, to ſee a Sinner merrily for a minute, ſwallowing the bait of pleaſure, and then to conſider his end is to be torn for ever with the hook of Vengeance; and after a little gigling, and fooliſh mirth, to be caſt into a Lake of …ire and Brimſtone for ever; O ſad end! O happy is he that foreſeeth the bitter end of Sin at laſt, and ſhunneth it, by forgoing, and fleeing the bewitching pleaſure of Sin at preſent, and wiſe is he that takes up (out of the Word of God) the ſame thoughts of Sin, now amidſt all temptations and allurements to it; as the worſt, at laſt will be forced to take up, out of their own experience and feeling, amidſt all the torments of Hell. Sure it is better to go to Heaven with labour, than to Hell with pleaſure, and to be preſerved in Brine, than to rot in Honey (as one ſaith) to be fed upon ſalt Marſhes, and ſhort Commons, and to live, than to be glutted in rank Paſtures, and ſo fatted up for deſtruction. Wherefore, O youth, call not, chooſe not that pleaſure now, that thouſands are ſuffering the wrath of God for in Hell. All you that have adventured, and took the ſweet Bait, my advice to ſuch is, let them vomit up their Morſels again, and ſmite on their Breaſt, and lament with penitent remorſe, that ever they ſhould be ſuch fools, as to delight in that which hath grieved God, and wounded their own Souls, and never any more return with the Dog to the Vomit. And then,
Seventhly, Conſider youthful ſenſual Pleaſures are deceitful, they mock thee, and make a Fool of thee, and then thou makeſt a mock and ſport of Sin. Sin ſm…l… with enticing blandiſhments, as Satan on our firſt Parents, Gen 3 5. O Ye ſhall be as Gods; So here Sin promiſeth, O ye ſhall be thus, and thus advanc'd, and advantag'd: But were our firſt Parents as Gods, by hea…kening to Satan, and eating of the forbidden Fruit? or were they not cheated, and inſtead of being like God, they became like Satan. It is obſerved by the Mythohgiſts, that Pleaſure went out at firſt on occaſion to Bathe her ſelf, and having ſtript off her Cloaths, laid them by the Water ſide; but Sorrow having hid her ſelf in the Covert as unſeen, ſteals the Cloaths away, puts them on, and ſo departs. Hence multitudes are cheated, they run, and ride, court, and woo Pleaſure; which they have no ſooner obtained, but they perceive their Error, alas it is nothing but Sorrow got in Pleaſures Cloaths. O young man, that art ſo eager after Pleaſures, you know not what you ſo earneſtly reach after, do but enquire of thoſe that have detected the Cheat, and they will tell you, there is nothing in all the world ſo deceitful as Sin: it deceived Angels above, and Man beneath, it promiſeth credit, and pays with ſhame; it promiſeth eaſe, and pays with pain; it promiſeth Bread, and pays with Stones; it promiſeth a Paradiſe of pleaſure, and pays with a Wilderneſs of Sorrows; it promiſeth Liberty, and pays with Bondage; it promiſeth Satisfaction and Content, and pays with nothing but vexation and diſappointment. O young man, enquire e're thou ventureſt, enquire cui bon…? to what purpose? What ſhall I gain by Pleaſures? Shall I be more free for, and cheerful in the Service of God? will my Soul be more heavenly? or my Body more healthy? what will come of this pleaſure? will it forward me in the way to Heaven? or Hell? will it pay charges at laſt? This hunting after Senſual Pleaſures, and neglecting God, and my precious Soul what aſpect will it have in its final review? Alas young men, if you would bring things to a cloſe tryal and ſcrutiny, the vail of Sins pretences is ſo thin, that you might preſently detect its falſhood, and in unmasking and diſcovering it Lyes, you would rcceive much advantage, in fortifying you againſt its Allurements. I end this with St. Paul's Exhortation, Heb. 3. 13. Exhort one another daily leſt you be hardned through the deceitfulneſs of Sin. And then,
Eighthly, and Laſtly, Conſider in order to the fleeing of this youthful Sin, of an eager purſuit of vain Pleaſure, that you ſhall not looſe, but gain true pleaſure, and by abandoning the ſpurious and pernicious Pleaſures of Sin, a ſound Converſion of thy Heart and Life to God, will but exchange thy Pleaſures, and exchange is no robbery, Sure it would be a great favour and kindneſs to take from thee the filthy, muddy ditch-waters of Sin, and preſent thee with the pure and precious Waters of Life. Were that man hurt that ſhould have a glaſs of Poyſon took out of his Hand, and a Cup of Sack put in? O youth, I muſt not ſpare to tell thee, that thou wilt never taſte one drop of true Delight and Pleaſure, till thou art converted, and become ſeriouſly Relious: It is no part of God's meaning, when we enter his ſweet Service, that we ſhould be debarred of Pleaſures, for the Ways of Wiſdom are Ways of Pleaſantneſs, and all her Paths are Paths of Peace, Prov. 3. 17. But only that we ſhould exchange the Onions and Garlick of Egypt, for the Milk and Honey of Canaan; Iſaac muſt not be ſacrificed, but the Ram; So here, all ramiſh, and rank Pleaſures muſt, but not the Soulraviſhing, and refreſhing pleaſures at God's right hand, Pſal. 16. 11. O that you would but make Experiment hereof, you will find One Hour's praying, better than a thouſand of prophane fudling; (as Mr. An. Burg. ſaith) thou wilt find one hours enjoyment of Chriſt, as thy Husband by Faith, better then all the wanton Dalliances, and unchaſte imbracements of unlawful objects. So that, young man, thou fleeſt from true Pleaſures, when thou fleeſt not thy youthful ſenſual Pleaſures: the Lord bleſs theſe Conſiderations to thee. Now this brings me to lay down ſome Rules to direct Youth how they may flee the next youthful Sins.