Knowledge and Practice, Part 2 · Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII. Of the Duties of the Young and Old.
First, Of thoſe that concern the younger ſort.
ALL young perſons ſhould conſider that it is their duty, and high concernment, to endeavour to be really good, and truly religious betimes. In order hereunto, I ſhall,
1. Lay down ſome Reaſons and Arguments to preſſe them to it.
2. Anſwer ſuch Objections, and labour to remove ſuch prejudices, as are conceiv'd against it.
3. Give ſome Directions to them, who are willing to be adviſ'd herein.
There are many weighty Reaſons and Arguments to perſwade them to it.
I. God now invites them to it, Eccleſ. 12.1. Remember now thy Creatour in the daies of thy youth, &c. And let them conſider, 1. God hath no need of them, but they have need of him, and cannot poſſibly be happy without him. 2. He is willing to be reconcil'd to them, if they will turn to him, though for their ſins he might juſtly deſtroy them. 3. He offers them better terms and conditions (if they will ſerve him) then they can poſſibly have any where elſe, either in the ſervice of ſin or Satan, Rom. 6.21. What fruit had ye then in thoſe things whereof ye are now aſhamed? for the end of thoſe things is death. The two genuine and natural fruits of ſin are ſhame and death. Is it not then an intollerable indignity and affront put upon the great God of Heaven and Earth for any to refuſe to ſerve him, who offers them ſo fair terms, and to continue in the Devils ſlavery, who (they know) intends the ruine both of their ſouls and bodies?
II. Delaies are exceeding dangerous.
1. Life is uncertain, Prov. 27.1. Boaſt not thy ſelf of to morrow, for thou knoweſt not what a day may bring forth. Young men may reckon upon years, when poſſibly they have not moneths to live. Conſider how quick God is with ſome, cutting them off in their ſins. Time is precious, Redeem it; for on this moment depends Eternity.
2. Grace is uncertain. 'Tis not in mans power to have Grace when he will. The Spirit of God will not alwaies ſtrive with the children of men. To day, and while it is call'd to day, hear his voice, Pſal. 95.7. And harden not your hearts. Gather the Manna while it fals; come in while the door of Grace ſtands open: Take heed of being like Eſau, coming too late for a bleſſing.
3. The longer thou delayeſt, the more unfit, unable and indiſpoſed thou wilt be to return. Now thy parts are freſh, and thy affections vigorous. If thou wilt enter thy ſelf into the School of Chriſt now, what a great deal of knowledge and Grace and ſpiritual experience maiſt thou attain unto? What a good Scholar, a good proficient maiſt thou be?
But if thou delayeſt, then conſider in what a ſad condition thou art. 1. Sin will be every day more and more hardning thy heart, and ſtupifying thy Conſcience, and ſo will make thy return, the more difficult. Now (may be,) thou haſt ſome tenderneſs of Conſcience: Thou wilt quickly loſe it; if thou refuſeſt to hearken to Gods call. 2. The world, and the cares of this life will more and more engage and intangle thy Affections. If thou giveſt not thy ſelf to God while young, before thou art much engaged in the cares and buſineſſes of this life, 'tis very hazardous, whether the world will not carry away thy heart, and whether thou maiſt not loſe thy ſoul in an eager purſuit of theſe outward things. 3. The Devil will get ſtronger poſſeſsion. Every ſoul is either Gods Temple, or the Devils houſe. 'Twill be hard to caſt Satan out, where he hath had many years poſſeſsion. The longer any go on in ſin, the greater power God permits the Devil to have over them. 4. The longer thou delayeſt, the more thou provokeſt God to give thee up to thy own hearts luſts, and to leave thee to thy ſelf. 'Twas a ſad word, Iſa. 6.10. Go and make the heart of this people fat, and ſhut their eies, leſt they ſee with their eies, and hear with their eares, and underſtand with their heart, and convert and be healed. God may juſtly refuſe to hearken to thee, when thou calleſt for mercy, who wouldſt not before hearken to the call of his Grace. The Spirit of God after many repulſes may go away aggrieved. God may ſmite thee with ſtupidity and ſenſleſſeneſſe (that great Spiritual judgment) And then what will become of thee? And beſides, doſt thou think that any man whoſe wiſe ſhould be falſe to him, and run away from him▪ and follow after ſtrangers in her younger time, would receive her at laſt in her old age? Why wilt thou think then to deal ſo with God? Upon the whole matter then, if thou art not converted, and doſt really turn to God when young, 'tis a hundred to one, whether ever thou be converted or no. 'Tis rarely ſeen that men habituated and long accuſtomed to ſin, do ever change their black skins, as the Reverend Mr. Burgeſs well obſerves.
III. Conſider, whether there be any part of a mans life wherein he may reaſonably think he has a liberty to ſerve the Devil? If not, why wilt thou not ſpeedily turn to God? Why ſhould not thy youth be conſecrated unto him? As long as thou remaineſt unconverted, and in the ſtate of Nature, thou art doing the Devil ſervice; And who would ſerve ſuch a Maſter?
IV. Conſider, There are many great advantages that will come unto thee by turning to God betimes.
1. Multitude of ſins and ſorrows will be hereby prevented. Thoſe that get bruiſes and ſtrains when young, feel them when they grow old. O what anguiſh, and pain of Conſcience have they that have lived long in ſin (and committed great ones) if they be brought home to God at laſt! O what a cutting conſideration muſt it needs be to old people to caſt their eyes back upon a life ſpent in ſin and diſhonouring God; and hurting the ſoules of others by their ill example! O what a deal of ſorrow would Manaſſes and Mary Magdalen have eſcaped, if they had been converted in their younger years? So if Paul had been betimes brought home to God, he had not had all that trouble and grief of Spirit for perſecuting the Church.
2. Thou maiſt hereby come to ſome eminency of knowledge, and Grace, and Spiritual experience. A young man that is a good husband betimes upon his trade, we ſay, is like to grow rich; whereas one that has been prodigal in his younger time, and a ſpend-thriſt, if he ſhould in his elder years begin to be wiſe, yet having loſt ſo much time, we are apt to think, he will never do any great matter at it. So they that give up their hearts to God betimes, and conſecrate their younger years to him, O how rich in knowledge and Grace may they grow?
3. Thy joyes and comforts will be the greater. Thou art a hinderer of thy peace and comfort all the while thou art going on in the way of ſin. Thou art feeding on Onions, when thou mightſt have Manna, Thou art feeding on husks with the Prodigal, when thou mighteſt have the fatted calf. What are all the noiſom pleaſures of ſin to the peace of a good Conſcience, the enjoyment of God, the delights and joyes of the Holy Ghoſt?
4. The more ſervice thou wilt do for God Suppoſe a man be call'd at the twelfth hour, alas! 'tis little he can do for God before night. An old man that was late converted, ordered this to be written upon his Tomb-ſtone, Here lies an old man of ſeven years old: Suppoſe a man (after many years ſpent in ſin) ſhould at last be converted, he had need of Methuſelah's age to bewail his former miſcarriages, and to do ſervice for God, whom he hath ſo diſhonoured. Oh think what an honour it is to live to glorifie God, and to do him ſervice! And canſt thou begin too ſoon to honour him, who deſerves ſo infinitely well of thee?
5. It will make not only thy life, but thy death alſo comfortable. When death comes, thou wilt have this good evidence of thy ſincerity, that thou didſt turn to God betimes, in thy youth, and in the flower and prime of thy daies. Thou wilt not then be afraid to look God in the face, nor dread him as an enemy, but think delightfully of him as a long experienced friend, and be willing to ſurrender thy ſoul unto him. 'Tis reported of Adrian, that when he came to die, he cried out, O my ſoul, whither art thou going? thou art going where thou ſhalt never be jovial nor merry more. O my ſoul, whither art thou going? Therefore do thoſe things now, which (when thou comeſt to die) thou wouldſt wiſh thou hadſt done; and leave thoſe things undone, which thou ſuppoſeſt will not yield thee comfort in that hour.
6. And laſtly, The ſooner thou engageſt thy heart to God, and the more ſervice thou doſt him in this life, the greater will be thy reward in Heaven, Gal. 6.7, 8. Be not deceived, God is not mocked; whatſoever a man ſoweth that ſhall he reap. He that ſoweth to his fleſh, ſhall of the fleſh reap corruption; but he that ſoweth to the Spirit, ſhall of the Spirit reap life everlaſting.
I come now to the ſecond thing; to anſwer the Objections that young perſons may make, why they ſhould not turn to God ſo ſoon.
Obj. 1. We ſhall hereby loſe our chief time of pleaſure.
Sol. You ſhall exchange dirt for Gold, and the draff of ſwine for the food of Angels, your ſinfull pleaſures for the delights of the Holy Ghoſt, and the joyes of a good Conſcience. Religion will abridge you of nothing but ſin, which is rank poiſon to your ſouls. It will allow you recreations that are lawful, expedient, ſeaſonable and moderate, and which may fit you more to glorifie God in your general or particular Calling, See the Rules ſet down in the foregoing Chap. under the fifth Direction to the Rich. Pag 490
Obj. 2. We do but as moſt young people do, and as others have done before us.
Sol. If you ſin with others, you muſt expect to ſuffer with others. They that are like Simeon and Levi brethren in iniquity, muſt be brethren alſo in miſery. The old world ſinn'd together, and were drown'd together. You muſt not live by examples, but by precepts. Look not at what others do, but at what God commands, Exod. 23.2. Thou ſhalt not follow a multitude to do evil.
Obj. 3. There needs not ſo much ado to get to Heaven.
Sol. Is it more ado than Gods Word requires? read and judge, Luke 13.24. Strive to enter in at the ſtrait gate, for many, I ſay unto you will ſeek to enter in, and ſhall not be able, Mat. 6.33. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteouſneſs, &c. Eph. 5.15. See that ye walke circumſpectly, not as fooles but as wiſe, redeeming the time, &c. Phil. 2.12. Work out your own ſalvation with fear and trembling. 1 Pet. 4.18. If the righteous ſcarcely be ſaved, where ſhall the ungodly and the ſinner appear? If the righteous hardly, (i. e. with much ſtriving, diligence and watchfulneſs) attain ſalvation; what will become of the negligent ſecure ſinner? Can any think of ever coming to Heaven, which is a ſtate of holineſſe and purity, whoſe hearts diſrelliſh Holineſſe, and cannot away with it, as too much ſtrictneſs and more ado than needs?
Obj 4. We are young enough: We intend to turn to God hereafter, but not yet.
Sol. Concerning the danger of delaies ſee before pag. 510 In all likelihood there are many in Hell, that thought of turning hereafter.
Obj. 5. We ſhall be flouted and jeer'd if we begin to be religious and preciſe ſo ſoon.
Sol. What are reproaches to the great things others have ſuffered for Chriſt? What is the enduring a jeer to the enduring a burning for the ſake of Chriſt? 1 Pet. 4.14. If ye be reproached for the Name of Chriſt, happy are ye, for the Spirit of Glory and of God reſteth upon you. 2 Cor. 6.8. By honour and diſhonour, by evil report and good report; as decievers and yet true. Mat. 5.11. Bleſſed are ye when men ſhall revile you, and perſecute you, and ſhall ſay all manner of evil against you falſly for my ſake, V. 12. Rejoyce, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven.
Obj. 6. We ſhall ſhift as well as others.
Sol. So you may, and yet make but a bad ſhift neither, 'Tis ſmall comfort to have companions in Hell. Dives did not think it would eaſe his torments to have his Brethren come to him.
Obj. 7. We ſee many that once ſeem'd forward in Religion, do fall off, ſome to open prophaneneſſe, and ſome into errour and ſtrange opinions.
Sol. I confeſſe 'tis a very ſad thing to ſee any that ſeemed Lights in the Firmament, to prove Meteors, and falling ſtars. But though ſome fall, yet (through Grace) many ſtand, and continue faithful to the end. There was a Judas among our Saviours own Diſciples, and yet it followes not from thence, that any of the reſt were ſuch. The fals of ſome profeſſors ſhould teach us not to be high-minded, but continually jealous over our own hearts. We ſhould be exceeding humble, and ceaſe from truſting in our ſelves; and put all our trust in God, to be kept by his power through Faith unto Salvation, The Devil aimes all he can to foil profeſsors. If he can but foil one of them, he blurs their profeſsion, makes others ſhie of it, and ſo advances his own Kingdom mightily. Therefore the fall of ſome ſhould not diſcourage us, but make us more humble and watchful, and cauſe us often to examine our hearts whether Gods Glory be our aim and end, and whether we do in humility and integrity walk before him.
Obj. 8. God is merciful. We ſee Mercy was afforded to the thief on the Croſſe, a little before his death.
Sol. 1. 'Tis an example without a promiſe. Here is an example of a late repentance, but where have we a promiſe that God will give repentance at laſt to ſuch as go on in a long courſe of ſin? 'Tis not examples but the promiſes of God that is a foundation for Faith to build upon.
2. This was an extraordinary time. What if our Saviour on this extraordinary occaſion, was pleaſed by this rare Miracle of Mercy to honour his Croſſe, will this afford any ground of hope that he will do ſo ordinarily and eſpecially to wilfull ſinners?
3. We do not find that this thief had ever known Christ before, or had ever neglected or refuſed any offers of Grace made unto him. Thou haſt little reaſon to plead this, who ſitteſt daily under the calls and intreaties of the Goſpel; This caſe will miniſter little comfort to thee, if thou goest on in thy ſins.
I come now in the third place, to give ſome Directions to ſuch as are willing to be adviſed in this matter of ſo much concernment to them.
I Let them take heed of thoſe things that uſually undo young people. Such are.
1. Careleſneſſe, want of conſideration, and laying to heart the things that moſt concern them; going on in a diſſolute negligence, without ever asking themſelves what their ſtate and condition to God ward is?
2 An eager following youthful luſts and ſenſual pleaſures. Therefore the Apoſtle exhorts, 2 Tim. 2.22. To flee youthful luſts, & 1 Pet. 2.11. As pilgrims and ſtrangers to abſtain from fleſhly luſts, which war againſt the ſoul. Let them conſider that the feet of thoſe luſts that have carried away and buried millions of other young perſons in perdition, ſtand ready to carry them the ſame way, if preventing Grace come not in to deliver them.
3. Pride of wit, parts, ſtrength, beauty, &c.
4. A headineſſe and wilful obſtinacy against good counſel. Carnal reaſon, fleſh and blood are uſually young mens counſellors, and very bad Ones.
5. Slighting religion, and whatever is ſerious, as too ſtrict for them.
6. Putting the day of death far from them, and flattering themſelves with hopes of long life.
7. Ill company, that great ſnare of the Devil.
8. Comparing themſelves with ſuch as are worſe than themſelves, thinking that an excuſe for them that others are worſe.
II. Let them be eſpecially careful to be well grounded in the Principles of Chriſtian Religion. If there be a good foundation of ſaving knowledge laid in their minds betimes (ſo that they throughly underſtand how the Religion they profeſſe, is grounded on the Scriptures) they will not be like children, eaſily toſſed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine, as too many now a daies are. And for this purpoſe I refer them to the firſt Part of this Treatiſe containing the Principles of right Knowledges.
III. Let them labour to underſtand betimes, wherein the chief happineſſe of man conſiſts, namely, in the pardon of his ſins, a gracious frame of heart, and communion with God. Every one naturally deſires to be happy; but people commonly miſtake the way to it: Therefore it highly concerns all young perſons to be early acquainted and deeply poſſeſſed how they may ſteer a right courſe both to be happy here, and hereafter.
IV. Let them acquaint themſelves well with the Scriptures; be much in ſecret prayer, and ſelf-reflexion, keep cloſe to the publick Ordinances, and liſten to the awakenings of Gods Spirit, they ſhall meet with in them.
V. Let them take heed of ſinning againſt Conſcience. When Conſcience ſaies, do it not, let them liſten to that voice; let them labour to keep their Conſciences tender.
VI. Let them decline ſuch occaſions and temptations, as they foreſee are like to enſnare them; and eſpecially ill company, which hath ruin'd Thouſands.
VII. Let them acquaint themſelves with ſerious, ſober minded, and experienced Chriſtians. From ſuch they may reap exceeding great benefit.
VIII. And Laſtly, Let them take heed of Spiritual pride, which hath thrown down many young profeſſors from a great hopefulneſſe. Let them remember, the Devil will attempt (if it be poſſible) to foil them, by drawing them either into ſome erroneous Doctrines, or ſome ſcandalous practices. Let them therefore be ſure to ſet the Glory of God before their eyes, and endeavour to walk humbly with God, ſuſpecting themſelves, and leaning on his goodneſſe to preſerve them from falling.
Eccleſ. 12.1. Remember now thy Creatour in the daies of thy youth, while the evil daies come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou ſhalt ſay, I have no pleaſure in them.
Prov. 8.17. I love them that love me, and thoſe that ſeek me early ſhall find me.
Prov. 22.6. Train up a child in the way which he ſhould goe, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Pſal. 119.9. Wherewithal ſhall a young man cleanſe his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy Word.
Tit. 2 6. Young men likewiſe exhort to be ſoberminded.
2 Tim. 2.22. Flee alſo youthful luſts, but follow righteouſneſs; faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1 Kings 18.12. —But I (Obadiah) thy ſervant fear the Lord from my youth.
2 Chron. 34.3. For (Joſiah) in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, began to ſeek after the God of David his Father, &c.
2 Tim. 3.15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wiſe unto ſalvation.
2 John v. 4. I rejoyced greatly that I found of thy children walking in the Truth, as we have received a Commandment from the Father.
Pſal. 32.9. Be ye not as the Horſe, or as the Mule, which have no underſtanding, whoſe mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, leſt they come neer unto thee.
Jer. 22.21. I ſpake unto thee in thy proſperity, but thou ſaidſt I will not hear; this hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedſt not my voice.
Prov. 1.24. Becauſe I called, and ye refuſed, I have ſtretched out my hand, and no man regarded.
V. 25. But ye have ſet at nought all my counſel, and would none of my reproof.
V. 26. I alſo will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh.
Lev. 19.32. Thou ſhalt riſe up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God, I am the Lord.
Iſa. 3.5. And the people ſhall be oppreſsed, every one by another, and every one by his Neighbour, the child ſhall behave himſelf proudly against the ancient, and the baſe againſt the honourable.
So much of the Duties belonging to Young perſons.
I come now to ſpeak to the Ancient.
The main and principal care of thoſe that are in years, ſhould be, to make all ſtrait and even between God and their own ſoules; to ſecure their ſtate in Grace, and their Title to Glory. For their Sun is ſetting, their race is almost run; Though the younger may die, yet the old muſt die, and after death comes judgment.
Let all ancient perſons therefore take theſe following Particulars into their ſerious conſideration.
I. The caſe of all old people that are yet in an unconverted ſtate, is very ſad and dangerous. For, 1. This world, and the contentments thereof are (in a manner) done with them. The evil daies are come upon them, wherein (they muſt needs ſay) they have no pleaſure in them. 2. Uſually they labour under many weakneſſes and bodily infirmities: If they have not the comfort of a good Conſcience to ſupport them, and to be the ſtaffe of their age, how exceeding miſerable muſt they needs be? 3. If they have lived long under the means of Grace, and continued unconverted till old age, 'tis a hundred to one whether they ever be converted or no. 'Tis rare to hear of any that have gone on in a long courſe of careleſſeneſs and ſecurity, and been habituated and hardned in ſin, that in their old age have turned to God. See the Reaſons before mentioned, p. 510. 4. If they die in their ſins, they will receive a greater condemnation. The furnace will be hotter for them than for young ſinners. They have contracted a greater debt. The heap of their ſins is greater: Certainly it will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for Er and Onan who were cut off betimes in their ſins, than for ſinners that are threeſcore or fourſcore years old. If the Judge at the Aſsizes do meet with an old theef, or an old cut purſe, that have had many warnings, and ſtill go on in their wickedneſſe, they ſeldom ſcape. Let all old impenitent ſinners think of this. How may God ſay of ſuch, Heer's an old covetous, worldly-minded man, an old ſwearer, or drunkard, an old hater of Godlineſſe, and ſlighter of Religion, an old ignorant, careleſſe wretch, a neglecter of Family-duties, one that ſhould have inſtructed his children and ſervants, and bred them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, but in ſtead thereof, has given them an ill example, and done me a great deal of diſhonour, &c. I have forborn him fourty, fifty, ſixty years: He has often quenched the good motions of my Spirit, my Ambaſſadors could never prevail with him to leave his ſins. Now therefore O ye evil Angels, this day, this week, this year require his ſoul of him, and bring him to judgment. O how exceeding ſad is the caſe of an old unconverted man or woman!
II. Nothing is more to be admired at than that ancient people ſhould go on in their ſins, not minding ſpeedily and ſeriouſly to turn to God. For, 1. The leaſe of their lives is almost expired, And is it not a ſtrange madneſſe, they ſhould make no proviſion for another world? 2. They have many warnings they must go hence, dim eyes, feeble legs, trembling joynts, Eccleſ. 12.3. The Sun and the Light is darkned, the keepers of the houſe tremble, the ſtrong men bow themſelves, the grinders ceaſe, &c. Their bodily weakneſſes warn them they muſt not ftay long here. 3. They have but a little time to watch, and the Bridegroom will come, and if they get not Oyl into their lamps now, they will be for ever ſhut out.
III. Though their condition be very ſad and dangerous, yet it is not deſperate, if they will yet beſtir themſelves. For let them conſider theſe four things.
1. God hath declar'd a greater delight in the converſion of ſinners, whether young or old, than in their deſtruction and damnation, Ezek. 33.11. Say unto them, as I live ſaith the Lord God, I have no pleaſure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live, turn ye, turn ye from your evil waies, for why will ye die, O Houſe of Iſrael?
2. The promiſes of God do ſtand in force, and will be made good to repenting returning ſinners whether young or old. True Repentance is never too late, but late repentance is ſeldom true. All ſorts of ſins are pardonable to reall penitents and true believers.
3. There is efficacy and vertue enough in Chriſts blood to cleanſe not only young, but old ſinners from all their ſins.
4. Chriſt is willing to accept old ſinners, if they will repent and forſake their ſins, and really turn to him, and cloſe with him on his own terms, being willing to take him not only for their Saviour, but for their Lord and King, and to yield up themſelves in ſincere obedience to him, and to be guided and governed by his Grace and holy Spirit. Chriſt did not come to ſave men, by bringing them to Heaven in their ungodlineſſe, or to Glory in their ſins, but to deſtroy their ſins that would keep them out of Glory.
IV. Though ancient people, that have gone on in a long courſe of ignorance, careleſsneſs, neglect of God, and the concernments of their ſouls, ſhould be convinced they are at preſent in a bad condition, in an unconverted ſtate, yet it does not thence follow, they muſt needs ſo continue, and utterly and finally deſpair; but they ſhould awaken themſelves, delay no longer, and ſpeedily ſet themſelves to get out of this miſerable condition, while there is a poſſibility of eſcaping the danger of it. 'Tis no folly to be wiſe for their ſouls, to be wiſe for Eternity at laſt. Therefore let them remember, now if ever.
V. They ſhould be exceeding careful they do not deceive themſelves with ill grounded hopes of Heaven, peeſuming it will go well with them in the other world, when they have no reall foundation for ſuch a confidence. A falſe ungrounded hope is but a dream of a waking man. If a condemned Malefactor ſhould frame a pardon for himſelf in the priſon, and think to be ſaved by that, would it not prove a miſerable cheat put upon himſelf? Does it not concern every one therefore to conſider, whether the hope of pardon and forgiveneſs they pretend unto, be of Gods granting, or their own framing? whether they have any warrant, or promiſe from Gods Word that they ſhall be ſav'd: Or whether they do only ſtrongly preſume it, without any ſufficient ground. Oh what looſe and ſandy foundations do many build their hopes of Heaven upon? ſuch as theſe,
1. Their outward profeſſion of Chriſtianity, and a formal performance of religious duties. But as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Rom. 2.28, 29. He is not a Jew, who is one outwardly (who has onelyonly the circumciſion of the fleſh) but he is a Jew, who is one inwardly, whoſe heart is circumciſed. So he is a true Chriſtian upon whoſe heart the ſaving work of converſion hath paſſ'd; who hath felt the power of Grace upon his ſoul, really turning it unto God. The fair and broad leaves of an outward profeſſion will nothing avail, if the fruits of real holineſs and ſanctification be wanting. Gal. 6.15. For in Chriſt Jeſus, neither circumciſion availeth any thing, nor uncircumciſion, but a new Creature.
2. Their moral and civil deportment, their fair and honeſt converſation in the world, and freedom from groſſe ſins. Now though outward righteouſneſſe be not only exceeding commendable, but alſo neceſſary to Salvation, yet 'tis a dangerous thing to reſt upon; and by that only, we cannot conclude any man to be in a good ſtate and condition to God ward. For, 1. You ſhall find it many times accompanied with ignorance, or very little ſavoury knowledge of God, and ſpirituall things. 2. Such perſons uſually ſee no neceſſity of regeneration, and the new birth; but content themſelves with a meer moral change and freedom from groſs ſins, and the practiſe of ſome morall vertues; no new nature being wrought in them, but the old nature only varniſhed over with civil education. 3. There you ſhall not find for the moſt part any great prizing of Christ, or labouring to get an intereſt in him; and yet if the ſoul be not really united to him, no juſtification ſanctification, or ſalvation can be expected. 4. The chief care is uſually about an outward fairneſſe, and unblameableneſs of converſation; little care about mortification of inward luſts, & right tempering the affections. True Grace preſſeth upon us heart-duties, as well as externall obedience, & prohibits inward and heart-ſins, as well as outward filthineſſe, 2 Cor. 5.18. If any man be in Christ, he is a new Creature; old things are paſſed away, behold all things are become new. 5. The Glory of God is not the chief aim and end, as it ſhould be in whatever we do, 1 Cor. 10.31. Whether ye eat or drink, or whatſoever ye do, do all to the Glory of God. 6. There is uſually a greater care to perform the Duties of the ſecond Table, then of the first. You ſhall have ſome men very juſt in their dealings, good neighbours, and of a commendable converſation as to the world, who yet (may be) are very negligent and careleſſe of Gods Worſhip, of Family duties, of the Lords day, &c. Nay, many times are profeſſed haters and enemies to the practical power of Godlineſſe: So that we ſee more is requir'd than meer civility, and an outward, moral uprightneſs to ground a hope of ſalvation upon. Paul before his converſion, was concerning the righteouſneſſe of the Law blameleſs, Phil. 3.6. Yet when God had ſavingly enlightened his ſoul, what a doom doth he paſs upon himſelf? and cals his ſelf righteouſneſſe dung, which he accounted Gold before.
3. Some reformation that is wrought in them. They have left ſome ſins they were formerly given to. But 'tis not only the forbearing of ſome ſins, but an inward loathing, hating, abhorring, and forſaking all known ſins, that is a good evidence of a gracious ſtate. There muſt be a care to mortifie inward luſts, and the corruptions of the heart, as well as to abſtain from outward acts of ſin. To mortifie our ſins, is a Sacrifice well-pleaſing to God: In a Sacrifice, theſe two things were requir'd. 1. That it ſhould be ſlain, not die of it ſelf: If thy luſts and ſins rather leave thee, than thou them; or abate and die meerly through age, or the decay of natural vigour, this change is wrought in thee, not by Grace, but by age. 2. A Sacrifice was to be offered to God. If thou do leave thy former ſins, and do it not out of obedience to God, but for thy credit ſake, or profit, or ſome temporal advantage, this is not the Sacrifice God delights in.
4. The good opinion others have of them. Others think them good Chriſtians; why ſhould not they think ſo of themſelves? But let them conſider, that which is a ſufficient ground for another to think well of us, is not a ſufficient ground for us to think well of our ſelves. A fair, outward deportment, free from ſcandal and offence, is a ſufficient ground for another to think well of us; but we muſt feel ſome inward ſaving work of Grace upon our hearts, before we judge our own condition to be good.
5. Comparing themſelves with others, they find they are not ſo bad as many others. But 'tis no ſecurity to any mans ſoul to be better than others, except thoſe others be in a ſafe condition.
6. The untroubledneſſe of their Conſciences. All untroubledneſs of Conſcience is not an Argument of a ſafe condition. Some peace of Conſcience ariſes from ignorance, ſecurity, ſleepineſſe, deadneſſe. 'Tis one of Gods greateſt judgments to afford a man an untroubled Conſcience in a ſinfull courſe. To be like Jonah, ready to be drown'd, and yet faſt aſleep. But now the peace of a good Conſcience uſually followes upon humiliation and ſorrow for ſin, and cloſing with Christ, and reſigning the ſoul up to him for pardon and Grace. Such a Conſcience does not only not accuſe (as the ſlumbring Conſcience of a wicked man may do) but acquits, and diſcharges, and comforts upon Goſpel grounds.
7. They thrive and proſper well in the world. So they may, and yet have all their portion in this life, if they have no other evidence of Gods favour.
8. God is merciful and ready to pardon. 'Tis true, the King of Heaven is a merciful King, pardoning iniquity, tranſgreſſion and ſin. But upon what terms hath he promiſed pardon to ſinners? for our hope of pardon muſt have ſome promiſe in the Word for its bottom and foundation, or elſe we do but meerly delude our ſelves. And we muſt alſo know, that God is juſt, as well as merciful, and his threatnings are the object of our Faith, as well as his promiſes. Try your hopes therefore, before you trust them. Examine and prove whether you are ſuch to whom God hath promiſed pardon, or no? Has God in the Scriptures declared he will pardon ſin to any that go on in their ſins, that repent not of them, nor betake their ſouls to Christ for pardon and Grace? But poſſibly moſt ancient people will here tell me, they do repent, they do believe on Chriſt with all their hearts, and hope to be ſav'd by him. But alas! how miſerably do many delude themſelves both in the nature of Repentance and Faith? never rightly underſtanding what a repenting frame of heart means, nor what it is ſavingly to beleeve in Chriſt. I deſire them therefore to read over once and again thoſe two Chapters concerning Repentance and Faith (which are the ſecond and third in this part of the Treatiſe) and to examine themſelves thereby; that ſo they may not think they are true penitents, and true beleevers, when indeed they are not. And let them take heed of building their hopes of Heaven upon ſuch deceiving foundations as theſe now mentioned.
VI. Ancient perſons ſhould redeem the time that yet remaines unto them, for the working out of their ſalvation. They have but a little while to ſtay here, and they have a great deal of work to do, to retract the ſins of a long life, and to ſecure their interest in Christ. They ſhould not content themſelves with a little formal devotion and the performance of ſome few religious duties, as too many old people are apt to do. They ſhould rid themſelves of worldly employments and buſineſſes, and the cares of this life, (as much as they can) that ſo they may have the more time to beſtow upon their ſoules. Bernard ſaies, Time were a good commodity in Hell, if it were there to be bought. Oh how much would the damned give for a little time, wherein they might have liberty and power to recover themſelves out of that woful ſtate? How much then ſhould all of us both young and old, prize and improve the time now allowed us to ſettle the great affairs of our ſoules, before we go hence and be ſeen no more.
VII. If they have not been well inſtructed before, they ſhou'd think it no diſparagement to apply themſe…ves to their Miniſter, or ſome faithfull, ſpiritual guide to be ſhewed and taught what they muſt do to be ſaved. If a traveller hath most part of the day been travelling out of his way, (though it may trouble and vex him at length to underſtand his errour and wandring) yet there is no remedy for it, he muſt enquire and labour to get into the right way at laſt. Let old perſons conſider, knowledge they muſt have, or they will die in a ſad condition: And therefore let them not ſtand upon their terms, and think inſtruction only belongs to young people. If the old be ignorant, the old muſt be inſtructed, or they will die in their ſins. And therefore it will be wiſdom in all ancient people to aſſociate themſelves with the moſt knowing and experienced Chriſtians, that they may thereby benefit their ſoules, and daily grow both in knowledge and Grace.
VIII. They ſhould ſtudy to bring much honour and glory to God in their latter daies, Tit. 2.1, 2. But ſpeak thou the things which become ſound Doctrine. That the aged men be ſober, grave, temperate, ſound in Faith, in Charity, in patience.
1. They ſhould be exemplary in piety and goodneſs, contrary to other trees, bringing forth moſt fruit in their old age, Pſal. 92.14. They ſhall bring forth fruit in old age, they ſhall be fat and flouriſhing. They ſhould like old Noah, be preachers of righteouſneſs to the younger ſort, exhorting them earneſtly, to conſecrate their youth and beſt daies to God. Multitude of years ſhould teach wiſdom, as tis, Job 32.7.
2. They ſhould be very charitable according to the proportion of their eſtates. And not as too many old covetous miſers do, graſp the world with a dying hand, Dan. 4.27. Wherefore O King, let my counſel be acceptable unto thee, break off thy ſins by righteouſneſs, and thine iniquities by ſhewing mercy to the poor, &c. Luke 11.41. But rather give almes of ſuch things as you have, and behold all things are clean unto you.
IX. And Laſtly, They ſhould be often meditating on the four laſt things, and the life to come, and make it their great buſineſſe to prepare for their diſsolution.
Tit. 2.1. But ſpeak thou the things which become ſound Doctrine.
V. 2. That the aged men be ſober, grave, temperate, ſound in Faith, in Charity, in patience.
V. 3. The aged women likewiſe, that they be in behaviour as becometh holineſſe, not falſe accuſers, nor given to much wine, teachers of good things.
V. 4. That they may teach the young women to be ſober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
V. 5. To be diſcreet, chaſt, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blaſphemed.
Prov. 16.31. The hoary head is a Crown of Glory, if it be found in the way of righteouſneſſe.
Job 32.7. I ſaid, daies ſhould ſpeak, and multitude of years ſhould teach wiſdom.
Job. 5.26. Thou ſhalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a ſhock of Corn cometh in, in his ſeaſon.
Pſal. 71.9. Caſt me not off in the time of old age, forſake me not when my ſtrength faileth.
V. 18. Now alſo, when I am old and gray headed, O God forſake me not, &c.
Iſa. 46.3. Hearken unto me O Houſe of Jacob, and all the remnant of the Houſe of Iſrael, which are born by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb.
V. 4. And even to your old age I am he, and even to hoary hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear, even I will carry, and will deliver you.
Job 20.11. His bones are full of the ſin of his youth, which ſhall lie down with him in the dust.
Pſal. 25.7. Remember not the ſins of my youth, nor my tranſgreſſions; according to thy mercy remember thou me, for thy goodneſſe ſake, O Lord.
Job 13 26. For thou writeſt bitter things againſt me, and makeſt me to poſſeſſe the iniquities of my youth.
2 Sam. 19.35. I am this day fourſcore years old, and can I diſcern between good and evil? can thy ſervant taſt what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of ſinging men, and ſinging women? wherefore then ſhould thy ſervant be yet a burden to my Lord the King.
Acts 21.16. There went with us alſo certain of the Diſciples of Ceſarea, and brought with them one Mnaſon of Cyprus, an old Diſciple, with whom we ſhould lodge.
Pſal. 92.14. They ſhall bring forth fruit in old age, they ſhall be fat and flouriſhing.
2 Cor. 4.16. For which cauſe we faint not, but though our outward man periſh, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Iſa. 40.31. But they that wait upon the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength, they ſhall mount up with wings as Eagles, they ſhall run, and not be weary, they ſhall walk, and not faint.
2 Tim. 4.6. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
V. 7. I have fought a good fight, I have finiſhed my courſe, I have kept the Faith.
V 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteouſneſs, which the Lord the righteous Judge ſhall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them alſo that love his appearing.