Invitations to the Gospel Feast, Sermons · Sermon 1
SERMON I.
LUKE XIV. 16, 17.
Then ſaid he unto him, A certain man made a great ſupper, and bade many:
And ſent his ſervant at ſupper time, to ſay to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready.
THESE Words here ſpoken by our Bleſſed Redeemer, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, are the beginning of a Parable. For we have much the ſame Diſcourſe as to the Scope and Subſtance of it (tho' differing in ſundry Particulars) Mat. 22.2. v. &c. and there 'tis call'd a Parable. v. 1. Jeſus anſwered and ſpake unto them again by Parables. The Parable which our Text is the beginning of, is of a Great Man (there call'd Lord, v. 21, 22. and King, Mat. 22.2.) making a great Supper, a great Feast, and by his Servants Inviting many Guests; the firſt that were Invited made Excuſes and would not come, v. 18. — 20. Hereupon, that Lord, whoſe kindneſs was thus deſpiſed, was Angry, and reſolv'd that the deſpiſers of his offered kindneſs, ſhould not taſte of his Supper; and ſo order'd his Servants to go into the Streets and Lanes, and to Invite others to the Feaſt, even the Poor, Maimed, Halt and Blind, and thoſe alſo who were in the High wayes and Hedges, yea to Compell them to come in, that his Houſe might be filled. It's very probably thought, that in this Parable one thing mainly intended by our Saviour was, to ſet forth the Rejection of the Jews for their refuſing of Goſpel Offers & Invitations, and the Calling in of the Gentiles. However, by a Man (a Lord, or King) here making a Feaſt and bidding many to it, we may underſtand God and Christ ſending forth Ministers to Invite Sinners to believe in Chriſt, to accept the Benefits Offer'd in the Goſpel; many refuſe theſe Offers, they wont accept the Goſpel-Bleſſings they're Invited to, ſuch ſhall not taſte of the Feaſt, they ſhall periſh for ever. But tho' ſome thus refuſe Goſpel-Offers, God will make them to others, and would have his Servants, Miniſters Compell them to come in, that is, be very urgent with them to accept the Benefits Offer'd in the Goſpel. It ſeems our Saviour when He ſpake this Parable about a Feaſt, was then Himſelf at a Feaſt, v. 1. He went into the Houſe of one of the chief Phariſees to eat Bread on the Sabbath-Day. It's likely this was ſomething more than an ordinary Meal, even a conſiderable Feast or Entertainment, where many Gueſts were, becauſe 'tis ſaid, v. 7. He marked how they choſe out the chief Rooms; and thence caution'd them that when they were bidden to a Wedding, not proudly to ſeek for chief Places. When our Lord was thus at a Feaſt, He took occaſion to Spiritualize the preſent Affair, to ſet forth Spiritual things under the Notion or Similitude of a Feaſt. So when He had Miraculouſly Fed many with a few Loaves, He took occaſion to ſpeak of the Meat that endures to Everlaſting Life, Joh. 6.27. When He ask'd the Woman of Samaria for ſome Water to drink, He took occaſion to ſpeak about Living-Water — ſpringing up unto Everlaſting Life, Joh. 4.10, 14. From our Saviour's Practice herein, we ſhould be quicken'd to Spiritualize the Matters that occur, the Affairs before us; thence taking occaſion to ſpeak thoſe things which may be of Spiritual uſe and advantage. Providence gives us many fair Handles (or Opportunities) for this, if we had but Wiſdom and Grace to Improve them. If we were prudent and careful in this matter, we might frequently and eaſily do much Good, without any more Coſt or Labour than that of a few Words. Our Text, with the remaining part of the Parable, ſeem to be Introduc'd by way of Reply, to what was ſaid by one at Meat with our Saviour. Our Lord advis'd the Man who gave Him an Invitation to Eat, when he made an Entertainment, to Invite the Poor and Indigent who were not likely to Invite him again, nor make him any requital; if with a right Spirit he did thus, he ſhould be Recompens'd at the Reſurrection of the Juſt, v. 12. — 14. Hereupon, one that ſat at Meat and heard theſe things, ſaid, Bleſſed is he that ſhall eat Bread in the Kingdom of God. To this ſaying, our Text is ſubjoined and annexed, Then ſaid he unto him, that is, then ſpake Chriſt to him that had uttered thoſe words (tho' in the hearing alſo of the reſt) A certain Man made a great Supper, and bade many, &c. This Great Man Inviting many to a great Supper (or ſumptuous Feaſt) may ſignifie (as was hinted before) God's Inviting Sinners to accept Spiritual, Saving Benefits Offered to them in the Goſpel. From the Words therefore we may obſerve this,
DOCTRINE. GOD'S Inviting Sinners to accept of Spiritual, Saving Benefits Offered in the Goſpel; may be compared to a great Man's Inviting many Perſons to a Sumptuous Feast.
Here I ſhall indeavour to ſet forth ſome Parallel, or ſhew in ſome General Heads; wherein God's Offering Spiritual Saving Benefits to Sinners in the Goſpel, may be compar'd to a great Man's Inviting many to a Sumptuous Feaſt.
1. Various Sorts of Perſons, are commonly Invited to a Great and Sumptuous Feast. To ſuch a Feaſt, it's common to Invite Perſons of each Sex, Men and Women: Perſons of different Age, ſome Younger ſome Older ones: Perſons of different Rank or Quality, ſome of an Higher and ſome of a Lower Station. So where the Goſpel is Preached, God Offers Spiritual Saving Benefits to various Sorts of Perſons, even to all Sorts be they who they will that ſit under ſuch Preaching: none are exempted or excluded. Col. 3.11. There is neither Greek nor Jew, Barbarian, Scythian, Bond or Free, but Christ is all and in all. Gal. 3.28. Three is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither Bond nor Free, there is neither Male nor Female: for ye are all one in Christ Jeſus. All theſe various Sorts of Perſons are equally welcome to Chriſt, ſhall be equally Benefitted by Him as to all Saving Bleſſings; if they'l heartily accept of Him as Offered in the Goſpel. I may therefore ſay, that Spiritual Saving Benefits are Offered to all Sorts of Perſons, where the Goſpel is plainly and Faithfully Preached. And to mention ſome particular Heads, I may ſay, ſuch Benefits are offered,
1. Both to Men and Women. There's no difference between Male and Female, as to this matter: both, as proceeding from Fallen Apoſtate Adam, are ſhapen in Iniquity and conceiv'd in Sin; a Seed of Evil doers, Children of Wrath by Nature. They're by Nature equally Sinful and Guilty, Heirs of Wrath, Obnoxious to Hell and Damnation. They equally need Chriſt, that only Saviour of Sinners; and he Dy'd to Save thoſe of each Sex. Act. 5.14. And of Believers were the more added to the Lord, Multitudes both of Men and Women. Both Men and Women Believed and were Baptized, Act. 8.12. Thoſe of each Sex, ſhall be equally welcome to Chriſt, if they'l come. Joh. 3.16. Whoſoever believeth in him, ſhall not periſh but have Everlaſting Life. Tho' according to the different Uſages and Cuſtoms of different Nations and Countreys, Men and Women are not equally capable of like Dignities and Priviledges among Men; yet as to better Dignities and Priviledges than any which Men can confer, even thoſe that are Spiritual and Saving, there's no difference between them. Male and Female, one as well as the other are equally Invited to accept of Chriſt and Salvation thro' Him, and if they'l accept them on Goſpel Terms they ſhall be equally welcome to them.
2. To Perſons of various Nations. The Iſraelitiſh Nation were once God's peculiar People, diſtinguiſh'd by having the Divine Oracles committed to them, while God dealt not ſo with every Nation. Pſal. 147.19, 20. with Rom. 3.2. The Common Wealth of Iſrael had the Covenants of Promiſe, while others had not, Eph. 2.12. They had the Way of Life thro' the Promiſed Meſſiah made known to them, Salvation is of the Jews, Joh. 4.22. Thus they were Priviledg'd with theſe Revelations of God's Will, while other Nations (generally ſpeaking) knew but little or almoſt nothing of theſe things. And hence we find, all Mankind ſometimes diſtinguiſh'd or diſtributed into Jews and Gentiles. Rom. 3.29. Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not alſo of the Gentiles? Yea of the Gentiles alſo. But now, that diſtinction which there once was between Jew and Gentile, as to the Covenant Priviledges, or nearneſs to God, is removed; The middle wall of Partition is broken down, Eph. 2.14. If an Iſraelite, and one of another Nation, heartily receive Chriſt; they ſhall be equally welcome to Him and Benefitted by Him. In this caſe, there's no difference between Jew and Gentile; for all have Sinned and come ſhort of the Glory of God — It is one God which ſhall Juſtifie the Circumſicion by Faith, and the Uncircumſion thro' Faith, Rom. 3.22, 23, 30. Tho' while our Saviour dwelt in Fleſh here on Earth, He Limited the Commiſſion of His Apoſtles as to their Preaching, Mat. 10.5, 6. Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any City of the Samaritanes enter ye not; but go rather to the loſt Sheep of the houſe of Iſrael; Yet after His Reſurrection from the Dead, He Inlarg'd their Commiſſion ſaying, Mat. 28.19. Go teach (or Diſciple, as the word ſignifies) all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt, &c. Chriſt has broken down (as was hinted before) the Wall of Partition between Jews and Gentiles. He's a Light to the Gentiles, as well as the Glory of his people Iſrael. Luk. 2.32. Wherever the Goſpel comes, he now Commands all men every where to repent, Act. 17.30. And indeed, In every Nation he that fears God and worketh righteouſneſs, is accepted with him, Act. 10.35. Therefore let Perſons be of what Nation ſoever, of what Colour ſoever, whether White or Black; yet where the Goſpel comes, it Invites them all to accept of Chriſt and Salvation thro' Him. Indians, Negroes, the blackeſt Ethiopians as well as any others, are equally welcome to Chriſt if they'l accept Him on Goſpel termes. None ſhall be Pardoned on Earth or made happy in Heaven, meerly for their being of this or that Nation, of this or that colour White or Black; nor ſhall any be rejected on any ſuch accounts as theſe, Perſons of all Nations whatſover, equally need Saving benefits by Chriſt; and ſhall be equally wellcome to them and veſted in them, if they will accept them as offer'd in the Goſpel. Again, Saving benefits are offered,
3. Both to Perſons Old and Young.
1. Old Sinners need a Saviour. And notwithſtanding they have liv'd long in Wickedneſs, yet if they'll heartily Submit to Chriſt they ſhall be Saved. God extends His Patience and Forbearance to ſome Sinners, a very great while indeed: They're Suffer'd to live Long tho' they live Wickedly. Wherefore do the Wicked live, become Old? &c. Job. 21.7. Tho' a Sinner do evil an hundred times, and his Days be prolonged, &c. Eccl. 8.12, 13. A Perſon's living to be Old, is no ſure Sign that God is at Peace with him. Iſai. 65.20. — The Sinner being an hundred Years Old ſhall be Accurſed. If Perſons are never ſo Old, yet if Unbelieving; then the Wrath of God abideth on them, Joh. 3.36. Yet if even ſuch Old Sinners, who have ſpent their Youth, Health, Strength, all their many paſt Years in the Service of Sin and Satan, Provoking of God and Injuring of their own Souls; I ſay, if ſuch will Sincerely Repent of Sin and Accept of Chriſt as Offer'd in the Goſpel, they ſha…l certainly be Pardon'd and Sav'd for ever. It's a Faithful Saying worthy of all Acception, that Chriſt came to ſave Sinners, even the Chief of them, 1 Tim. 1.15. Chriſt is able to Save to the Uttermoſt thoſe that come to God by Him, Heb. 7.25. But is he Willing too? Yes Indeed, for He ſays, Joh. 6.37. Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wiſe cast out. Here's wondrous Grace indeed, that even the Worſt, Oldeſt, Vileſt Sinners, the Chief of them, if they'll Heartily come to Chriſt ſhall be Freely and Fully Saved by Him. If then there be any Old Unconverted Sinners in this Congregation, that have ſpent all their paſt time in Neglect and Contempt of God; if there be any ſuch here, hearken to what I ſay, Full, Compleat Salvation thro' Jeſus Christ is now once more Freely Offered to you. If you Old Sinners, Great Tranſgreſſors, who have ſo long Deſpis'd the Riches of God's Goodneſs, Forbearance, and Long-Suffering; will now once at laſt Sincerely Turn from your Sins to God in Chriſt Jeſus, you ſhall then be Welcome to Chriſt, and be Saved by Him for ever. Oh, Admire at this Amazing Grace and Patience of God! Accept the Invitation, Defer no longer. Your Time on Earth can't be long, your Days muſt needs be near their End; you'll have but very few if any more Offers of the Goſpel, your Old Age will ſoon be ended. Therefore to Day, after ſo long a Time as it is ſaid to Day, if ye will hear his Voice, harden not your Hearts, Heb. 4.7. You that are Old Sinners, pray Conſider theſe Things, they are for your Life, for the Life of your Souls: Therefore mind them moſt Seriouſly, before the Things of your Peace be Eternally hidden from your Eyes. And as Spiritual Saving Benefits are thus Offered to Old Sinners, ſo they are,
2. To Young Sinners alſo. Young as well as Old Sinners need a Chriſt, are Invited to Him, and ſhould come to Him. According to the Laws and Cuſtoms of ſome Places, Perſons muſt be of ſuch or ſuch an Age, ſo Old, before they can Claim theſe or thoſe Privileges; or in their own Perſons Enter on and Poſſeſs their Eſtates. Gal. 4.1, 2. The Heir, as long as he is a Child, differeth nothing from a Servant, tho' he be Lord of all: but is under Tutors & Governours, until the Time appointed of the Father. But now, as to the beſt and greateſt Priviledges and Benefits, even Saving Benefits; Perſons as ſoon as capable of making a Rational Deliberate Choice (tho' never ſo Young) are Invited to Accept of them. Young Perſons, yea Children are call'd upon to Believe in Chriſt, Fear God, Walk in the one only Way that leads to Life. Pſal. 34.11. Come ye Children unto me, I will teach you the Fear of the Lord. Eccl. 12.1. Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth. Both Young Men and Maidens, Old Men and Children, let them Praiſe the Name of the Lord, Pſal. 148.12, 13. Little Children ſhould know the Father, 1 Joh. 2.13. It's evident therefore, that Young Perſons, even Children are call'd upon to be Seriouſly and Practically Godly; which they can't be unleſs they Accept of Chriſt by Faith; and if they ſo Accept Him they ſhall be Saved. Hearken then you Young Men, Young Women, Boys and Girls, you Children that are capable of Serious Conſideration, and of making a Rational Deliberate Choice (do you Hearken to what I ſay) the Great GOD your Maker, Lawgiver and Judge calls on you, Invites and Commands you (even every one of you) to repent of Sin and believe in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. The Great God Invites you Young Ones, to come unto Chriſt for Life. He now Offers to be at Peace with you, Reconcil'd to you, to Pardon all your Sins if you'l accept of His Son Chriſt Jeſus on Goſpel Terms. He Invites you to accept the beſt of Bleſſings and Benefits, that poſſibly can be. He Offers to you Pardon of Sin, Grace, Glory, Durable Riches, Treaſures which Moth can't corrupt, nor Thieves take away; an Everlaſting Crown, Kingdom, Inheritance. Oh accept theſe Offers by ſubmitting to Chriſt, refuſe them not by neglecting Him. Young Perſons are often concern'd about Setting up for themſelves, about a good Settlement, about ſome Way or Buſineſs by which they may live comfortably. And would you indeed have ſome way, courſe or Method preſcrib'd, that would be truly good, uſeful, profitable to you? Then I'l direct you to a good way, a right, uſeful, profitable way, the beſt way that can be; you'l find it ſo if you'l take it; 'tis this, heartily Imbrace Chriſt Jeſus as Offered in the Goſpel. Take Him for your Prophet, to teach you by His Word and Spirit: for your Prieſt to reconcile you to God, and to render your Perſon and all your Sincere Performances acceptable to Him: for your King, to rule in and over you, defend, protect and ſave you, from all your Spiritual Enemies. Thus ſubmit to the Lord Jeſus, and then you ſhall thrive and proſper after the beſt manner that can be. God who is Infinitely Wiſe, Powerful, Gracious, Faithful will be your God, Friend, Father, Portion, and will make all things work together for your good, Rom. 8.28. God will be to you a Sun and Shield, will give you Grace and Glory, and withhold no good thing from you, Pſal. 84.11. Godlineſs hath the Promiſe of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.8. Oh Young Ones, be thus wiſe for your ſelves. Be hearty and ſpeedy, in chuſing and accepting theſe Precious Offers made unto you. Moſt ſpeedily and heartily repent of all your Sins, and Imbrace Chriſt Jeſus on Goſpel Terms. Dont think 'twill be time enough to turn from Sin to God in Chriſt Jeſus,
1. When you're grown Old. You dont know that you ſhall live to be Old, nor that you ſhall live a day longer. Boaſt not thy ſelf of to morrow, thou knoweſt not what a day ſhall bring forth, Prov. 27.1. Your Life is a vapour that appears for a little while, and then vaniſhes away, Jam. 4.14. You that are Young, can't but know that you are Mortal. Can't you remember that ſuch and ſuch much about your Age, yea many younger than you, have been ſnatch'd away by Death? You have no Aſſurance of your Lives, for one Month, Week or Day longer. Again, don't defer the concerns of your Spiritual Welfare,
2. Till Sickneſs comes. Some are vainly apt to think, twill be time enough to Repent of Sin and believe in Chriſt, when they come to lye upon a Sick Bed. But tis unſpeakable Folly & Wickedneſs, thus to defer preſent Duty. When Perſons are Sick, they've commonly enough to do to grapple with their Illneſs and Pain; how do they turn, heave and throw to get a little reſt and eaſe, and yet can't get it? They are ſcarce capable, of any ſerious deliberate Thoughts or Conſideration. Yea they're often out of their Senſes (as we call it) depriv'd of the uſe of Reaſon. It's unutterable Madneſs and Wickedneſs, to defer the concerns of Eternity till ſuch a Diſtreſſed, Diſtracted Condition as Sickneſs often occaſions. But beſides all this, you know not that ever you ſhall be Sick; many Young Ones as well as others are taken out of the World, by ſome ſudden Fall, Blow or ſome ſurprizing unthought of Accident or other, and you don't know but you may thus die, and be removed from Time into Eternity in a Moment. And will you defer the concerns of your Everlaſting welfare to ſuch uncertainties as theſe are? Dont defer,
3. Till you have accompliſhed ſuch and ſuch worldly Affairs which you have in view. Some are apt to think, Young Ones eſpecially, that when they come to be Setled in the World, when they're got through ſuch or ſuch a difficult matter that is before them, when they are come into ſome good Way or Method of Buſineſs; then they ſhall have more time and leiſure to mind their Souls, and then they'l mind them in good earneſt: but dont be ſo Fooliſh, Mad and Wicked as to defer on any ſuch accounts as theſe.
For,
1. Your Souls▪ are of more Worth and Value, than any other things you can be concern'd about. Things of greateſt Weight and Worth, ſhould be Firſtly and Chiefly minded, Mat. 6.33. Seek Firſt the Kingdom of God and His Righteouſneſs. What ſhall it Profit a Man, if he ſhould gain the whole World & loſe his own ſoul? Or what ſhall a man gave in exchange for his ſoul? Mat. 16.20. If we ſuppoſe a Man to gain this whole World, and to loſe his Soul while he's Buſied in doing it: he would indeed be a moſt Miſerable Loſer. The Welfare of the Soul is of more Weight, Worth, Value than all the Wealth Honours, Pleaſures which this World can poſſibly afford. Surely then, you ſhould mind your Souls Firſtly, Chriſtly; and other Things afterwards, or only in Subordination to God's Glory and your Spiritual Welfare. If by ſome grievous Fall, you ſhould tear your Cloaths to Pieces, and Grievouſly tear your Fleſh alſo, and break your Bones; doubtleſs in ſuch a Caſe you would be more concern'd to Heal your Wounds than to Mend your Cloaths. Why? Why becauſe the Body is of more Worth than the Cloaths, the latter being only for the Service and Benefit of the former. So your Souls being of Greateſt Worth, you ſhould be more concern'd for their Welfare, than for any or all Outward Affairs whatſoever: All other Things are but empty Bubbles and Trifles compar'd with your Souls. Conſider,
2. You dont know that you ſhall ever attain to that Seiled Compos'd Condition in the World, which you aim at. You propoſe the minding of your Souls in Good Earneſt, after you are Setled in the World, got thro' theſe and thoſe Difficulties, got into ſome Good Way or Method of Buſineſs, &c. But Alas, you dont know that you ſhall ever obtain what you thus propoſe to your ſelves. Early Death may ſoon put an End to all thoſe Propoſals, which in your Mind you Frame to your ſelves. Some have been taken away by Death, in the midſt of great Hurries of Buſineſs; ſome juſt as they were entring into ſuch Buſineſs; ſome juſt as they were about Setling, or a little before Intended Marriage; ſome preſently after Marriage. The Worldly Settlement which many have propoſed to themſelves, has been prevented by their Settlement in the Grave. You dont know but it may be thus with you, & then what becomes of your Precious Immortal Souls, whoſe Welfare you purpoſely Deferred till after ſuch Settlement as you never obtain? I believe there are vaſt Multitudes now in Hell, who once as really Thought and Deſigned as you do, to mind their Souls after ſuch and ſuch Worldly Matters were Accompliſhed; but Death Snatched them away before ever they had that Time and Leiſure they promiſed to themſelves. Therefore, Oh Young Perſons, let no Conſideration whatever make you Defer minding of God and your Souls; let nothing make you neglect the Great and Rich Offers made to you in the Goſpel. Oh you Young Perſons, I am greatly Concern'd for your Precious Souls; therefore I Beſeech you hearken to the Counſels of God for your Good: Moſt carefully avoid, what might hinder your Speedy, Hearty Compliance with them. Dont allow your ſelves in any known. Sin of Omiſſion or Commiſſion; Sins againſt Knowledge terribly Blind the Mind. Harden the Heart, Grieve and Provoke the Holy Spirit of God. Dont Indulge your ſelves in any Wicked Words. Evil communication corrupt good manners, 1 Cor. 15.33. Moſt carefully avoid Bad Company. Prov. 13.20. A Companion of Fools ſhall be deſtroyed. Dont Indulge Idleneſs, tis the Devils School, the Inlet to numberleſs dangerous Temptations. Dont Indulge Pride and Self-Conceit, twill render you hateful to God. God hates a Proud Look, Prov. 6.16, 17. As you ſhould Watch againſt theſe (and …ndeed againſt all known) evils; So on the other hand be adviſed,
1. To maintain a conſtant courſe of ſeriouſly, diligentl… reading the Holy Scriptures. They are Able to make wiſe to Salvation, thro Faith in Chriſt Jeſus; twas Timothy…s Commendation, that from a Chriſt he knew them, 2 Tim. 3.15. Be as much like Timothy in this, as ever you can. Make Gods Word, the Man of your Counſel, the Lamp of your Feet, and Light of your Paths: meditate on it Day and Night: hide it in your hearts that you may not Sin againſt Him, Pſal. 119.9. Wherewith ſhall a young man cleanſe his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
2. D…l…gently attend on the Word Preached. Iſai. 55.3. — Hear and your ſouls ſhall live —. Preaching of the Goſpel — is (Inſtrumentally) the Power of God unto Salvation, Rom. 1.15, 16. The word Preached, when ſeriouſly attended on and accompanied with Gods efficacious bleſſing, begets Souls to Jeſus Chriſt. Begotten by the Word of truth, Jam. 1.18. I have begotten you by the Goſpel, 1 Cor. 4.15. Therefore diligently attend on the Preaching of the Goſpel.
3. Be Submiſſive to Family Order and Government. When Perſons are Proud, Stubborn, Diſobedient to Family Rulers, as Parents or Maſters; they then rebel againſt God, highly Provoke Him, often expoſe themſelves to ſhame and miſery in this Life, and ſometimes to an Untimely Judicial Death. Therefore as you regard Gods favour, your Temporal and Eternal Welfare, ſubmit to Family Order and Government, dont be diſobedient to Parents, Maſters, Miſtreſſes. Children, obey your Parents in all things — Servants, obey in all things your Maſters according to the Fleſh, Col. 3.20, 22. Curſed be he that ſetteth light by Father or Mother, and all the People ſhall ſay, Amen, Deut. 27.16.
4. Remember your Baptiſmal Covenant. Thoſe of you that have been Baptized, have been ſolemnly given up in Covenant to God, conſecrated and dedicated to His holy Service: you're under Covenant Obligations heartily to Repent of Sin, believe in Chriſt, and lead lives of new and holy Obedience. Remember theſe bonds of God upon you, for your Incouragement and Quickening to duty. Gal. 3.27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Chriſt.
5. Dont Reſist the Stirrings and Motions of Gods Holy Spirit. Doubtleſs you Young Ones in your Tender Years, have many Awakenings, Convictions, Motions of the Spirit of God in you; Oh dont Stifle, Quench or Reſiſt them. Dont Rebel and Vex the Holy Spirit, as they, Iſa. 63.10. Dont Reſiſt the Holy Ghoſt, as they, Act. 7.51. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, Eph. 4.30. Dont Reſiſt and Grieve the Holy Spirit, left God ſay, as Gen. 6.3. My Spirit ſhall not always ſtrive with Man. Leſt God give you up to your own Hearts Luſts to walk in your own Counſels, Pſal. 81.11, 12. Never Indulge any known Sin, any thing that you know is Grievous to the Spirit of God; maintain a great Tenderneſs of Conſcience.
6. Meditate much on Death, Judgment, Eternity. Theſe are great Certainties and Realities, Meditate much on them, to Awe you from Sinning, and Quicken you to Repentance, Faith and Practical Godlineſs.
7. Meditate much on the Emptineſs, Vanity, Uncertainty of Outward Temporary Enjoyments. Man in honour, abideth not, Riches cannot profit in the day of Wrath. The pleaſures of Sin are but for a ſeaſon, and they have the ſting of Death in them too. Be not deceived and befooled with ſuch Vanities.
8. Be earneſt and constant in Secret Prayer. Mat. 6.6. Enter into thy Cloſet, and when thou haſt ſhut thy door Pray to thy Father which ſeeth in Secret. Pray for converting Grace, that God would draw you to His Son Chriſt Jeſus. Our Lord ſays: Joh. 6.44. No man can come unto me, except the Father which hath ſent me, draw him. Faith is Gods gift, Eph. 2.8. Pray for Pardon of Sin thro' the Merits of Chriſt. Pſal. 79.9. Purge away our ſins for thy name ſake. Pray for Grace to walk with God. Pſal. 119.133. Order my ſteps in thy word, and let not any Iniquity have dominion over me.
I have now been much longer in Speaking to you Young Perſons, than I thought to be when I began my Meditations on this head; but I dont repent it, twill he time well ſpent if you heartily ſubmit to theſe counſels of God. I'll now recommend to your ſerious conſideration, the words of David to his Son Solomon: 1 Chron. 28.9. And thou Solomon my ſon, know thou the God of thy Father, and ſerve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord ſearcheth all hearts, and underſtandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou ſeek him, he will be found of thee: but if thou forſake him he will caſt thee off for ever.