Three Sermons Preached at Boston, Sermon 4
SERMON, IV. To ſtir up Young Men and Maidens to Praiſe the Name of the Lord.
PSALM, CXLVIII.12, 13.
Young Men and Maidens, let them Praiſe the Name of the LORD.
THIS Pſalm is an excitation to Praiſe the Name of the Lord. Where you may mind. (1.) The reaſon in general. 1. The excellency of his Name, v. 13. His Name alone is excellent. 2. His works of Creation and general Providence, v. 5. He commanded and they were created, v. 6. He hath eſtabliſhed them for ever and ever, he hath made a decree, which they ſhall not paſs. 3. His ſpecial Providence to his Church, v. 14. He alſo exalteth the horn of his People, the Praiſe of his Saints. (2.) Here is a diſtribution of the Creatures that are called on. 1. The ſuperiour Creatures, v. 2, 3, 4. Praiſe him all his Angels. Praiſe him Sun and Moon, and all the Stars of light. Praiſe him ye heavens of heavens, and the waters that be above the heavens. 2. The inferiour Creatures: Such as are in the Earth, and in the Air, and in the Sea. Theſe are diſtributed into, 1. Irrational, v. 7, 8, 9, 10. Ye Dragons and all deeps: Fire, Hail, Snow and Vapour, Stormy Wind fulfilling his word. Mountains and all Hills, fruitful trees and all cedars, beaſts and all cattle, creeping things and flying fowl. 2. Rational: and they are diſtinguiſhed 1. In reſpect of order, 1. Kings of the … and all People, Princes and all Judges of the earth: The greateſt Men owe glory to God, and it is not beneath them to Praiſe him. 2. The common ſort of People: tho' God don't beſtow ſo much outward Mercy upon them, they owe glory to him, & he accepts of Praiſe from them, as well as from the greateſt. 2. In reſpect of their Sex: Male and Female were created by him, and therefore ſhould Praiſe him. 3. In reſpect of their Age: Old Men and Children. This is an univerſal duty: all muſt Praiſe the Name of the Lord.
DOCTRINE.
It is very defireable that Young Men and Maidens would Praiſe the Name of the Lord.
This was Davids defire, and this is the defire of every godly Man. Childood & Youth is vanity: And it is a common thing for Young Men and Maidens to buſy themſelves otherwiſe; but it is much to be deſired that they would Praiſe the Name of the Lord. It is praiſe-worthy, and a great commendation in them, when they Praiſe the Name of the Lord. It is a Mercy when God beſtows ſuitable comforts on Young Men and Maidens, Zech. 9.17. How great is his goodneſs, and how great is his beauty? Corn ſhall make the Young men chearful, and new wine the maids. But it … a greater Mercy when God gives a ſpirit of …lineſs unto them. We have ſeveral examples of Young Ones in the Scripture, that have had a ſpirit to praiſe the Name of the Lord. Samuel and David and Solomon, and Joſiah and Timothy: And it is much to be deſired that others were of that ſpirit. Young Ones are called on in Scripture to praiſe and glorify God. Eccl. 12.1. Remember thy creator in the days of thy Youth. Pſal. 34.11. Come ye Children, hearken unto me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Many things are needful to compleat the happineſs of a People: and this is very needful among others. Pſal. 144.12. That our Sons may be as plants grown up in their Youth, that our Daughters may be as torner stones poliſhed after the ſimilitude of a Palace.
Q. When are they ſaid to praiſe the Lord?
A. When they carry ſo as is for his praiſe.
1. By worſhipping him in a ſuitable manner. The proper buſineſs of worſhip is glorifying God; when they worſhip him they honour him as God. Pſal. 29.9. In his Temple doth every one ſpeak of his glory. Divine worſhip is too great an honour to be given to any Creature. Rev. 19.10. Worſhip God. So Men glorify God, when they Pray to him, and do in religious manner ask bleſſings of him, and do aſcribe the bleſſings they enjoy unto him. They therein give a teſtimony to the Almighty Power and Goodneſs of God, and they acknowledge their dependance on him. Prayer is Praiſe: the language of Prayer is, Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory. Math. 6.13. So a religious Attending on the Preaching of the Word, is a Praiſing of God. When they are hearing the Word with reverence, they therein acknowledge the Authority and Majeſty of God, and his Divine Truth & Faithfulneſs: We therein acknowledge that his Word is the rule of Faith and Life. That his Word is able to make us wiſe unto Salvation; that it is worthy to be believed and obeyed. Act. 10.33. We are all here preſent before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. So a religious Singing of Pſalms, is giving glory to God. Pſal. 147.1. Praiſe ye the Lord, for it is good to ſing praiſes to our God. So a religious receiving the Seals of Gods Covenant, is praiſing God. There is a thankful Memorial of the Redemption of Chriſt. 1 Cor. 11.26. Ye ſhew forth the Lords death. There is a teſtimony given to the ſaving vertue of Chriſts blood: The cup of bleſſing which we bleſs is it not the communion of the blood of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 10.16.
2. By an holy Converſation. An holy walk is a practical acknowledgement of the gloriouſneſs of God. When perſons lead an humble, honeſt, patient, chaſte and temperate life, they do glorifie God. Joh. 15.8. Herein is my Father glorifyed in that ye bring forth much fruit. In that way they ſhew forth the Praiſes of him that calls them out of darkneſs into his marvellous light. Math. 5.16. That men may ſee your good works and glorify your Father that is in heaven. Sinful works reproach God, but holy works commond him. When Perſons have an holy Converſation they ſhew a fear of God. Eccl. 12.13. Fear God and keep his Commandments. An holy life is a teſtimony to the goodneſs and righteouſneſs of the ways of God. Hoſ. 14.9. The ways of the Lord are right, and the juſt ſhall walk therein. By their Obedience they ſhew that they reverence Gods Authority: the language thereof is, that God is their Lord and they are his Servants, that they will not put ſuch an affrent on him as to violate any of his commands; yea, by their Obedience they ſhew that they lay weight on the promiſes and threatnings of the Word; that they count it profitable to be Obedient, and dangerous to be diſobedient; that they depend upon the word of God.
1. Reaſ. God deſerves it from them as well as from Elder People. It is to be deſired on Gods account: It is an honour due to his Name. Young Ones are bound to God as well as their Parents; they have no liberty to neglect the glory of God: God may challenge it from them, as well as from their Parents. Lam, 3.27. It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth. God is their Creater as well as of Elder Perſons. Eccl. 12.1. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth. They owe their Being to God, and becauſe they owe their Being, they owe their Obedience: and they live upon the Mercies of God, as well as Elder Perſons; they dwell on his Earth, breath in his Air, are enlightned by him, and tho' they are in their ſtrength, yet they depend upon the care of God, for their Food and Raiment, Life & Health. God has nouriſhed & brought them up, Iſai. 1.2. They are under covenant Bonds as well as Elder Ones. Deut. 5.2, 3. The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb, the Lord made not this Covenant with our Fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. They are under firm obligations to God: They will be covenantbreakers, if they neglect to glorify God: they are under covenant-encouragements; God is in a near Relation to them, He is not only their Fathers God, but their God alſo. Exod. 15 2. He is my God and I will prepare him an habitation, my Fathers God and I will exalt him. They are very injurious if they dont praiſe Him.
2. Reaſ. It is a ſign of the preſence of God with his Ordinances. Chriſt has promiſed his preſence with his Ordinances. Math. 28.19, 20. Lo, I am with you alway to the end if the world. This is fulfilled in various degrees; and it is matter of great lamentation, when there is but a little bleſſing upon Ordinances; when the hearts of Men are made fat: as Iſai. 6.9, 10. But when Young Men and Maids do praiſe the Name of God, it is a ſign that the Spirit of God is preſent among them. That is a great promiſe, Iſai. 59.21. My ſpirit that is upon thee, and my words that I have put in thy mouth, ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy Seed. And when Young Ones are praiſing God, it is a manifeſt token of Gods gracious preſence with the means of Grace. Here is a manifeſt token of the favour of God to the People: It is a great bleſſing. Iſai. 44.3. I will pour out my Spirit upon thy Seed and my bleſſing upon thy Offspring. This is more a great deal than for God to bleſs the labour of their hands. Godly Men are wont to Pray much for a bleſſing on Ordinances, they look upon that as a foundation of many other Mercies. And when Young Ones praiſe God, they take notice of the goodneſs of God in hearing their Prayers; it is a ſmile upon the People.
3. Reaſ. It gives great hopes of the continuance of the power of Godlineſs. If Young Ones carry religiouſly that is a foundation of hope for the time to come: tho' ſome of them may die quickly, yet it is probable that many of them will live to old Age. They that are Young now are like to be the pillars of the Church, thirty Years hence. Antient People muſt die quickly, but if Young Ones are hearty in Religion; it is hopeful Religion will not die. There is reaſon to hope that moſt of them that are religious when they are Young, will continue to be ſo when they are Old. There is reaſon to hope that they that floriſh now in Gods houſe, will ſtill bring forth fruit in old age, Pſal. 92.13, 14. That when the outward man decays, the inner man will be renewed, 2 Cor. 4.16. And therefore it is a great encouragement to ſee ſuch embracing Religion. If Religion be upheld in the next Generation, it muſt be by thoſe that are Young now; the burden will lie upon them after a while.
4. Reaſ. It is an encouragement reſpecting their Salvation. When Young Ones carry looſely and corruptly, there is reaſon to fear their damnation; their feet go down to death, their ſteps take hold on hell. Therefore the wiſe Man gives that warning: Eccl. 11.9. Rejoyce O Young in thy Youth, and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy Youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart and in the ſight of thine eyes, but know thou, that for all theſe things God will being thee into Judgment. But when they have a religious Spirit and Converſation, they are in the way to Salvation. If God deſigns to bring Men to Salvation, he will make them to ſeek after it: and more generally he makes them ſeek it in the days of their Youth; Reforming their Manners, crying to God, ſtudying the Scriptures, waiting upon God in his Ordinances, are the Means to prepare Men for Eternal Life: And when the Spirit of Young Ones is much that way, there is occaſion to rejoyce in the hopes of their …ternal Felicity. 2 Epiſt. Joh. 4. I rejoyced greatly that I found of thy Children walking in truth.
USE, I. Then there is great need that Parents ſhould train up their Children religiouſly. Parents are generally careful to bring up their Children to ſome Calling, that they may be fitted to do Service to themſelves, and others; but they ſhould be careful to beſtow religious Education on them. Prov. 22.6. Train up a Child in the way he ſhould go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Eph. 6.4. Bring them up in the nurture and admenition of the Lord. Something is generally done that way, but with too much remiſsneſs. Neglects this way is one of the things, wherein the degeneracy of the Land doth appear: many Parents are not religious themſelves, and it is no wonder that they are negligent in the Education of their Children. But there is great need of it; Children are corrupt by nature; though they have natural Conſciences urging them to that that is good, yet they have depraved diſpoſitions prompting them to evil. There is a natural contrariety in them to the ways of God. Rom. 8.7. The natural mind is enmity to God. And there be many temptations to miſlead them: There be a multitude of temptations to draw forth their corruptions; and there is need of more care than many Parents do take, that they may praiſe the Name of the Lord.
1. By Inſtruction. It is not ſufficient that they are brought to Publick Worſhip, and that they be learn't to Read the Word of God, but Parents ſhould ſee that they profit by Publick Means, and they ſhould be inſtilling the Principles of Religion into them. Timothy had a godly Mother, and he was verſed in the holy Scriptures from a Child, 2 Tim. 3.16. And as Parents ſhould inſtruct their Children in Principles of Faith, ſo alſo they ſhould teach them rules of Obedience. That was one of the deſigns of the book of Proverbs. Prov. 1.4. To give ſubtilty to the ſimple, to the Young man knowledge and diſcretion. The law of nature is much obliterated, and there is great need that the Precepts thereof ſhould be often inculcated, that convincing light ſhould be ſet before them, that they be urged and expoſtulated with, and that rules be preſſed upon them. Prov. 31.2, 3. What my ſon, and what the ſon of my womb, and what the ſon of my vows, give not thy ſtrength unto women, &c. Young People are giddy and heedleſs, and counſel had need to be often renewed.
2. By Example. Bad examples are very infections: had examples teach iniquity; irritate corruption, and make men bold to tranſgreſs. And if Parents give bad examples to their Children, it will be no wonder if they tread in their ſteps. Men live by examples more than by Precepts. Jeroboams example did miſchief to all the ſucceeding Kings of Iſrael. But if Parents give good examples, that is a ground of hope, that Children will follow them; good examples are lovely & amiable, and commend themſelves to the Conſciences of Children, the hearts of Men give an approbation to them, and are drawn on to a liking of thoſe ways; they look on the good examples of their Parents as the honour of their Parents and their honour, and the love they have to their Parents makes their good carriages more lovely in their eyes.
3. By Reſtraint. It was Eli's fault that he did not reſtrain his Children. 1 Sam. 3.13. His ſons made themſelves vile and he reſtrained them not. Parents, have authority to do it, and if other means will not do they muſt exert their authority. It is not enough for Parents, that they do not approve of the iniquities of their Children, they may not ſuffer them to carry ſinfully. A toleration of iniquity in Children makes the Parents culpable, and to be partakers of their ſins. Some Children are much more teachable than others, and there is no need of reſtraining them, but others are violently ſet in ways of ſin, and it don't perplex their Conſciences to go directly againſt the commands of Parents; in ſuch caſes Parents muſt reſtrain them: this is the way to prevent the breaking out of iniquity, and to mend their hearts alſo. Fond indulging of Children is the way to ruine them: Children left to themſelves do many times bring their Parents to ſhame.
USE, II. Of Examination. Whether Young Men & Maidens do Praiſe the Name of the Lord? It becomes us to take notice of this, that we may ſee what cauſe we have of rejoycing or of ſorrow. It is worth the while to obſerve not only how Rulers carry, and how the body of the People carry, but likewiſe to mind what Spirit doth appear in Young ones; they that are Young now are like to have a great influence upon Publick affairs after a while, and the better they carry themſelves, the more hope there is of their being ſerviceable afterwards. Young ones had need particularly conſider, whether they do their duty in Praiſing the Name of God, whether they anſwer the juſt expectation of God and Man in this particular: Do you praiſe the Name of the Lord?
1. Some are diſorderly in the Night time. Parents make them work diligently in the Day time; but in the evening they gather together in companies, and ſpend their time in unprofitable talk: They are like the beaſts that creep forth in the Night. Pſal. 104.20. Thou makest darkneſt and it is night, wherein all the beaſts of the foreſt do creep forth. It is hard to give an account how they ſpend their time, but they are diſorderly: when the Family attends Religious duties, they are abroad, and no account can be given of them. Is this to Praiſe the Name of the Lord? They ſhould joyn with the Family in confeſſing ſin, begging mercy and acknowledging Gods goodneſs; but they don't regard the worſhip of God: Can we think that theſe Perſons are conſcientious, in attending ſecret duties of worſhip? Neglects of Family worſhip are a great contempt of God: Are theſe perſons concerned for the honour of God or the ſalvation of their own Souls? Have they any due regard to the commands of God? doth it lie upon their hearts to give God the Glory of their daily mercies? Do they not plainly manifeſt, that they have not the ſpirit of Religion? they run into danger. Prov. 27.8. As a bird that wandreth from his nest, ſo is a man that wandreth from his place. Is this for the praiſe of the Name of God, that when the Family go to bed, the Young Man is running about the Town? he has no buſineſs, it is for the ſatisfaction of ſome juſt; he throws himſelf into temptation, and ſometimes he gets a wound and a blot.
2. Some of them frequent the Tavern. The Tavern is a place of reſort: there is a great deal of company in the Evening, on wet days, and on publick days. There they are ſpending their time unprofitably: There is a great deal of vain, worldly, proud diſcourſe, and corrupt communication: they are ſwaggering & vaporing; ſometimes they are jeering good Men, and ſcoſting at Religion. Is this praiſing the Name of the Lord? Is this an honour to God? They are not redeeming the time as the rule is, Eph. 5.16. They ſtand about the cup, till they have enflamed one another. Iſai. 5.11. They continue until night, till wine enflame them. They drink till they are giddy, and ſometimes talk wantonly; ſometimes they quarrel and reproach one another; is this to praiſe the Name of the Lord? Prov. 23.29, 30. Who hath wo, who hath ſorrow, who hath contentions, who hath babling, who hath wounds without cauſe, who hath redneſs of eyes, they that tarry long at the wine, they that go to ſeek mixt wine. At the Tavern they waſt what they have earned, the fruit of their labour is conſumed; and they are under temptation to cheat & extort to get more. Taverns are the nurſeries of prophaneſs: if the Men talk of Religion, they talk of it in an irreligious way; their diſcourſes are not ſavoury: God would not have the leſs honour if they were dead and rotten.
3. Some are given to wanton dalliances. Men and Maids will be in company together, toying & dallying; they are ſtirring up corruption in one another. This is not to praiſe the Name of the Lord. They go to Meeting on the Sabbath day & at night they are ſporting with one another: If they would meditate on what they have heard, & pray over the word, that would be for their profit, but they get together, & it is a ſhame to ſpeak of what they do. Eph. 5.12. It is a ſhame to ſpeak of thoſe things that are done of them in ſecret. This is not to praiſe the Name of the Lord. They watch for one anothers company, as the Eagle doth for its prey, & are making proviſion for the fleſh, to fulfil the luſts thereof. When they have been hearing of a Sermon, they get together and are gratifying their carnal affection with wanton talk and geſtures; they throw themſelves into great temptations, and are in danger to commit Whoredom: there be many awful inſtances, of perſons that have brought blemiſhes upon themſelves, & brought themſelves to ſhame thereby.
4. Some neglect the Worſhip of God. They come univerſally to hear the word of God upon the Sabbath, and generally at other times: how they do attend the ſecret duties of Religion, God & their own Conſciences do know, there is reaſon enough to ſuſpect many of them; but there be ſcarce five or ſix of them in a Town, that do attend the Lords Supper. The Lords Supper is a Memorial of the death of Chriſt, therein we ſhew forth the Lords death, 1 Cor. 11.26. Do theſe Men praiſe the Name of the Lord, when they turn their backs on this Ordinance, and refuſe to celebrate this Memorial of Chriſts Paſſion, and to give a teſtimony to the truth of the Goſpel? The Lords Supper is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace: God therein ſets his Seal to the ſaving vertue of the blood of Chriſt: and do they praiſe the Name of the Lord, when they refuſe to receive the Seal of the Covenant? God in this Ordinance makes an offer of Chriſt as ſlain for our Redemption; and do they praiſe the Name of the Lord that refuſe to attend it? The coming to this Ordinance is an open acknowledgment of the truth of the Goſpel; what is the neglecting of it then but an open denial of the truth of the Goſpel? Some it may be do neglect it from tenderneſs of Conſcience, fearing whether they have liberty to come; but many others do neglect it from a careleſs & irreligious ſpirit, they neither come to it, nor are careful to prepare themſelves for it.
USE, III. Of Exhortation, To praiſe the Name of the Lord. David calls on Young Men and Maids to do it; and indeed God calls on you to do it. This work is not left to old People, God expects it from you alſo: You may not ſay that elder People do it now, and you will take your turn when you are older, but heartily engage in this work: if it has been neglected hitherto, let it be neglected no longer; don't rob God of his glory. It is a glorious employment to praiſe God; the Angels of Heaven do employ themſelves that way: this is a debt, you owe to God: he is worthy to be praiſed, Pſal. 18.3. His Name alone is excellent. Praiſe him in all ways of worſhip. Praiſe him in all ways of Obedience.
Motives, 1. All Creatures in the world do it, but Devils & wicked men. There is great variety of Creatures in Heaven & Earth; and they do with one voice proclaim the glory of God. If we look up to Heaven, there the Angels are praiſing God: Thoſe Morning Stars ſing together: the heavenly Hoſts do praiſe God: the Sun & Moon & Stars of light. Look into the Air, there the Clouds & Winds & the Meteors praiſe God. Look unto the Earth & the Sea, and all Creatures therein do give a teſtimony for God. Pſal. 145.10. All thy works ſhall praiſe thee. Indeed the Devils do reproach God, thoſe curſed creatures are enemies to the honour of God; and a number of Men are drawn in to fall in with the ſame deſign. Will you ſeparate your ſelves from the reſt of the Creatures, to joyn in with the Devils and a crew of ungodly men? When the greateſt part of the world are agreed to exalt God, will you forſake them & joyn with the Devil? It becomes you to ſay as David, Pſal. 103.21, 22. Bleſs ye the Lord all ye his hoſts, ye Ministers of his that do his pleaſure: Bleſs the Lord all his works, in all places of his dominion; bleſs the Lord O my ſoul.
2. This will be no burden to you when you come to die. The living know that they muſt die. You don't expect to continue here always: You are but Strangers in the world, and you don't know but you may die quickly; there is nothing in your Nature, or condition, or in the word of God, that doth ſecure long life unto you. Man is as graſs, & the glory of man as the flower of the field that fadeth away, Iſai. 40.6. And if you don't praiſe God, that will make it hard work to die: if you han't done the work that you were ſent into the World for, that will be heavier than the pains of death: it will ſting you to remember your life paſt: how will you dare to go before God to Judgment? It is a doleful condition, when you muſt die, and yet dare not die. Eccl. 5.17. He hath much ſorrow & wrath with his ſickneſs. Conſcience will lay that charge upon you, Dan. 5.23. The God in whoſe hand thy breath is, and whoſe are all thy ways, thou has not glorified. And you will take up that lamentation, Prov. 5.12, 13. How have I hated inſtruction, and my heart deſpiſed reproof; I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ears to them that inſtructed me. But if you improve your time in ſerving God, that will be no affliction to you in the evil day, but a comfort; it will be an eaſe in death, a relief under your pains, a cordial againſt faintings. That was a great comfort to Hezekiah when he lay at the point of death. Iſai. 28.3. He ſaid, Remember now Lord I beſeech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy ſight. If you don't praiſe the Lord, you would (in vain) deſire that God would forget what you had done; it will be a terrour to you to remember and to think that God doth remember what you have done.
3. If you dont praiſe the Lord, it will make your life uncomfortable. The ways of wiſdom are ways of pleaſantneſs, & all her paths are peace, Prov. 3.17. David ſays, It is pleaſant to ſing praiſe to the Lord, Pſal. 147.1. It is agreeable to the nature of Man to walk in the ways of uprightneſs. Men are then in their element, it is the perfection of nature: & it is agreeable to the Conſcience of Man, that approves & applauds an holy life. But unholy living is uncomfortable living. If Men neglect to ſerve God, they put themſelves upon the rack: if Men live a life of diſobedience, they live a miſerable life: they don't enjoy themſelves; corruptions are hard maſters. The wicked is like the troubled Sea that cannot rest, Iſai. 57 20. Every corruption is a tyrant: Mens luſts are ſcourges to them. Wrath killeth the fooliſh man, & envy ſlayeth the ſilly one. So, Pride, Covetouſneſs, Unbelief, are troubleſome task-maſters. And a ſinful & unſactifyed life is diſquieting to the Conſcience; ſuch men have the reproaches of their own hearts: Conſcience is chiding, ſhaming & upbraiding them. When they hear the rebukes of the word, their own hearts do eccho thereunto; and their own Conſcience is making apparitions of danger, & threatning of them with the vengeance of God Some are more ſtupid than others, but upon many occaſions Conſcience will be terrifying them, they have many frightful expectations. Job 15 21. A dreadful ſound is in his ears. They have awful preoccupations of hell. They are ſcared with Death & of Judgment: Sometimes they think of the blackneſs of darkneſs for ever; ſometimes of being among Devils; ſometimes of the everlaſting flames; they carry their tormentor about with them: their hearts are many times meditating terror. They are all their life time ſubject to bondage, Heb. 2.15.
4. God gave you reaſonable Souls for this end that you may praiſe the Name of the Lord. God has given rational Souls to you that you might underſtandingly praiſe the Lord. Surely God is angry with Men if they don't uſe their Souls to that end that they were made for: He will count them worthy to be deſtroyed. And this was the end of your Souls, they are fitted for this end, made capable to know & praiſe God. Why do you imagine that God has endued you with rational Souls? Was it only to keep your body from putrifying? The ſoul of a beaſt would have ſerved that occaſion. Some beaſts that have only ſenſitive ſouls live longer than Men do. Or was it that they might be caterers for the body, to contrive how to get Meat & Drink and Raiment for the body, to be ſervants to the body, an inſtrument for the gratification of your ſenſual appetite? had God no higher deſign than to prepare you to enjoy ſenſual pleaſures, or was it only to make you capable to rebel againſt him? The bruit creatures being deſtitute of rational Souls are not capable to rebel, they can't ſin or diſhonour God, and carry to his reproach: and did God advance you to an higher pitch of excellency, and give you a Soul of a ſuperiour nature, endued with angelical faculties that you might carry like Devils? Did God make you better than the beaſts of the earth, that you might make your ſelves worſe than them? ſurely it was not worth the while for you to be made to diſhonour God. You were made to glorify God, and if this be not done by you, you don't anſwer the end of your creation. Other creatures attend what they were made for, and if you don't attend what you were made for, God may well repent of making you.
5. You commend thoſe that have praiſed and glorified God. Men in former Generations have carryed themſelves differently; ſome have praiſed & glorifyed God: So, Moſes, Noah, Samuel, Hezekiah, Paul, &c. and you extol them; you count them wiſe and worthy Men; they are renowned in all Generations on that account; you look upon them that have ſerved God as the choiceſt of Men; if they were poor and perſecuted, yet you count them Men of whom the world was not worthy, Heb. 11.38. All Generations call them bleſſed. Others have neglected to praiſe & glorify God: as Achan, Gehazi, Doeg, Ahitophel, and Demas, &c. There have been great numbers of men that have neglected the ſervice of God, and been devoted to ſerve their carnal & corrupt affections; and you deſpiſe theſe men in your hearts, you count them fools & mad men, ſome were rich, ſome of them learned, ſome lived in honour; but you have a low opinion of them; you think, it had been better for them, if they had never been born. You paſs that cenſure on them, Pſal. 49.13 This their way is their folly. You count them among the fools in Iſrael; you wonder how they could ſatisfy themſelves, how they dared, how they were not aſhamed to live ſuch a life: they are deſpicable perſons in your eyes; & juſt ſo Men will count of you, when you are dead: if you glorify God, they will bleſs you, if you don't, they will count you a miſerable Man. And will you commend ſuch as glorify God, & not tread in their ſteps? will you condemn thoſe that have not done it, and yet imitate them.
6. Great notice is taken in Heaven how you carry. The Angels have great occaſion to be converſant in this lower World; they are often coming and going, they are deſcending & aſcending, as Jacob ſaw them in a Dream, Gen. 28.12. Being miniſiring Spirits, ſent forth to miniſter to them that ſhall be heirs of ſalvation, Heb 5.14. And they are giving information how you carry your ſelves: and Saints that die and go to Heaven, are able to give an account of the behaviour of others in the Places from whence they come: One would think that you ſhould be concerned that the Saints in Heaven ſhould not hear an evil report of you: undoubtedly they are concerned about the carriages of Men upon Earth. Luk. 15.7. Joy ſhall be in Heaven over one ſinner that repenteth. Saints that are in Heaven will be inquiſitive concerning the ſtate of Religion, and getting the knowledge how it thrives in ſuch a Country, and ſuch a Town; they will be asking after their Acquaintance, and after their Sons & their Daughters; & one would think that many of you ſhould be aſhamed to think what account muſt be given of you, to your friends, if you have any friends in Heaven: It may be ſome would be aſhamed that it ſhould be told at the next Town how they have behaved themſelves, much more ſhould they that it ſhould be told in Heaven. The account that muſt be given of many Perſons is, that they mind little but the World; they are nothing for Religion; they are ſwallowed up in the cares of the World; they have ſomewhat of a Form of goodlineſs, but nothing of the Power; they are panting after the duſt of the earth; they don't ſavour of a gracious Spirit. They go to Meeting on the Sabbath & at other times, but the cares of the World do choke the Seed of the Word. And the account that muſt be given of others is, that they are Phariſaical, Proud Creatures, mind little but their Ornaments: Or that they are of rude behaviour; when they ſhould be in bed they are abroad in company with Wenches, or that they lie about the Taverns; that they are companions of fools. One would think it ſhould go to your heart, to conſider, what diſcourſe there is in Heaven about you; to have an ill name here is a ſhame, but it is more ſhameful to have an ill name in Heaven: you may well bluſh to think that it ſhould be told in Heaven, that much pains has been taken with you, but that hitherto it is all in vain.
7. If you will not Praiſe the Name of the Lord upon Earth, you ſhall not do it in Heaven. Praiſing God is heavenly work; Saints & Angels will ſpend an Eternity in Praiſing & Magnifying God; they will be making Melody to the Lord; and you think they will be very happy, according to that, Pſal. 84.4. Bleſſed are they that dwell in thy houſe, they will be ſtill praiſing thee. But if you neglect to praiſe God here, God will not admit you among the holy ones there, that are praiſing him. There will be a glorious company in Heaven, & you would fain be one among the reſt; you will beg to be admitted, you have deſires that way now, you have your pangs wherein you long to go to Heaven. Numb. 23.10. Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my laſt end be like his. And when you are going out of the World, you will cry earneſtly to God to admit you, and will fill your Mouths with arguments; but you will be rejected God will have no compaſſion on you, but will harden his heart againſt you. He will remember what a life you led here, how you neglected to glorify him, how you did not own his Authority, you did not render to him the glory of his Faithfulneſs; how you preferred other things before him: And he will ſtop his ears againſt your crys. He wont object againſt you that you were poor & low in the World, or the unholineſs of your Parentage, but his objection will be, that you did not honour him. For he ſays, They that honour me, I will honour, 1 Sam. 2.30. And he will not admit you. Math. 25.11, 12. The fooliſh Virgins ſaid, Lord, Lord open to us, but he anſwered & ſaid, Verily, I ſay unto you, I know you not.
8. If you won't praiſe the Name of the Lord on Earth, you muſt do it in Hell. It is commonly ſaid, that wicked men in hell will blaſpheme God; and I do not deny it: that is applyed to them, Rev. 16.11. They blaſphemed the God of heaven becauſe of their plagues, and becauſe of their ſores: Though that is ſpoken directly of Antichriſtians, when God brings his Judgments upon them. But ungodly men in Hell ſhall praiſe God: God will praiſe himſelf by executing miſery on them; he will ſhew forth his own glory when he executes revenge upon them; as he did when he brought his plagues upon Egypt: He cauſed his Name to be declared through the Earth. But beſides this he will extort praiſe from you: now you are ready to flatter your ſelf as if you were in no danger; then you ſhall acknowledge that God is ſtronger than you; that there is no darkneſs now ſhadow of death, where the workers of iniquity ſhall hide themſelves; then you ſhall acknowledge your folly & madneſs in withſtanding the gracious calls of God. You will be found likewiſe to own the Juſtice of God. Now Men have reaſonings in their hearts againſt it; but then they ſhall be forced to give a teſtimony for it. Rom. 3.19. Every mouth ſhall be ſtopped & all the world ſhall become guilty before God. As Pharaoh acknowledged Gods Righteouſneſs. Exod. 9.27. The Lord is righteous, & I & my people are wicked. Before they would not believe the faithfulneſs of God in his threatnings; now they will ſay as, 1 Sam. 7.29. The ſtrength of Iſrael will not lie nor repent, for he is not a Man that he ſhould repent.
Obj. 1. It may be objected, That it is not the manner of Young Men & Maids to ſerve & glorify God: if they ſhould do it they ſhould be ſingular: they must do as others do.
Anſ. This is no vindication of you. Irreligion is wickedneſs though there be never ſo many that practice it. The multitude of Sinners is no juſtiſication of ſin: neither is it any ſecurity: if hand joyn in hand the wicked ſhall not be unpaniſhed. Multitudes of Young ones are burning in Hell for their iniquities. If you heard their groans, you would have little heart to follow their example. Neither are theſe bad examples an inſuperable temptation. Samuel & David, Solomon & Joſiah, did vanquiſh this temptation, and ſo may you too.
Obj. 2. Now is our only time to enjoy our pleaſures.
Anſ. It would be no loſs to you, if you never did enjoy the pleaſure of Sin. There be pleaſures to be injoyed in a way of Religion, & they are far better, leſs cloying, more ſubſtantial, and … durable: the pleaſures of Sin have ſtings in them. Prov. 23.32. At laſt they bite like a ſerpent and ſting like an adder. Eccl. 11.9. Know that for all … things God will bring thee into Judgment. You may get ſuch a wound by indulging your ſelves in the pleaſures of Sin, that may never be cured. And it may be now is your only time, to ſecure eternal life: you have no aſſurance of any time hereafter to do it. The courſe of Nature don't ſecure it unto you. There is no promiſe from God to ſecure it to you: and you are warned to take the preſent time. Iſai. 55.6. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call you upon him, while he is near.
Obj. 3. It is not to be expected that we ſhould be as good us Elder People: we are not guilty of any great Extravagances: You would not have us to be as Religious and as Preciſe as Elderly Perſons.
Anſ. If you be not better than ſome Elderly Profeſſors be, you will never enter into the Kingdom of God. Men go under an apprehenſion that a little Religion will ſecure Salvation, and ſo they give way to worldlineſs and lukewarmneſs, and looſe walking; and they that will run the ventue of it may: But aſſuredly the way to life is narrow: Some that have a Name that they live, are dead. There may be ſeriouſneſs & ſobriety, and conſcientiouſneſs and affection, and zeal, and yet Perſons may be in a periſhing condition: it is a mighty change that prepares Men for Salvation. And I am afraid that the unſavoury carriages of ſome Elder Profeſſors, make ſome Young ones to harden their hearts, and to think that a little Religion will ſerve the turn; but you ſhould remember the words of Chriſt: Math. 5.20. Except your righteouſneſs do exceed the righteouſneſs of the Scribes & Phariſees, you ſhall in no caſe enter into the Kingdom of Heaven
FINIS.
End of the text · Solomon Stoddard, Three Sermons Preached at Boston (1717)