Twelve Single Sermons, Sermon 5

Twelve Single Sermons · Sermon 5

p. 79Sermon, V. Wholſome COUNSELS and WARNINGS, Occaſion'd By the SIN of YOƲNG MEN.

I SAM II. 17.

Wherefore the Sin of the Young Men, was very great before the Lord.

ALL meer Men ſince the Fall of Adam, are Sinners by Nature, ſhapen in Iniquity and conceived in Sin. Yea all meer Men while living in this World, are more or leſs Sinners by Practice too: For there's not p. 80a juſt Man upon Earth, that doth good and ſinneth not, Eccl. 7.20. Yet there are ſome Perſons, more eminently, abundantly, remarkably Wicked than others: they allow themſelves in very heinous, crying, ſcandalous Abominations, working wickedneſs with greedineſs. Such vile Tranſgreſſors, were theſe Young Men ſpoken of in our Text. Theſe Young Men were not profeſſed Infidels and Heathen; no, they were Iſraelites, Children of God's Covenant, enjoy'd His Revealed Will, His Holy Oracles; they were ſome of His Profeſſing People, they had receiv'd Circumciſion the Soul of God's Holy Covenant. Nay more than this, they were Children of a godly Father, of Eli. They were Eli's Sons. ver. 12. Eli was a Prieſt of God, the High Prieſt at this time: he alſo was Judge of Iſrael. chap. 4. ver. 18. By the account we have of Eli in Scripture, he ſeems to have been a very godly Man, tho' criminally Indulgent to his Sons, very faulty in not duly witneſſing againſt their vile Abominations; for which neglect of his▪ God threatned ſuch Judgments to him, and his Family, as ſhould make both the Ears of them that heard them to tangle, 1 Sam. 3.11. Eli being a godly Man, a Miniſter, a Prieſt, it's very probable he gave his Sons a pious Education, godly Inſtructions and Exhortations. We find that he once reprov'd them, tho' not with that ſharpneſs and ſeverity which their Crimes deſerv'd, 2 Sam. 23, 24. Therefore tho' he did not reſtrain and puniſh them as he ſhould have done; yet it ſeems more p. 81than probable, that he gave them very godly Counſels, Inſtructions, Admonitions. But notwithſtanding theſe Sons of Eli had ſo good a Father, were Children of the Covenant, were Circumcis'd, were doubtleſs piouſly inſtructed; yea, tho' they were Mininers, Prieſts by Birth and Office; yet they were notoriouſly and abominably wicked. 'Tis here ſaid, ver. 12. They were Sons of Belial (ſignifying, the moſt ſcandalous Sinners, ſuch us would not bear the Yoke of Government and good Order) that they knew not the Lord. That is, they wickedly and ſcandalouſly diſobey'd Him, liv'd as tho' they knew nothing of His Commands; or were not oblig'd to regard them. Theſe Young Prieſts not only took their own ſhare of the Sacrifices, but they would have it unſeaſonably too; even before Gods part was Offered and Burnt to Him, ver. 16. Yea, they alſo forcibly took from the Offerers, part of what belong'd to them, ver. 13, 14. Yea they were ſo abominably wicked, that they lay with the women that aſſembled at the door of the Tabernacle, ver. 22. Horribly daring and Impudent they were, in their Fornications and Adulteries, thoſe curſed Practices. So ſcandalouſly wicked they were, as that 'tis ſaid in this Verſe containing our Text, Men abhorred the Offering of the Lord. Men abhorred to bring Sacrifices, which muſt paſs thro' the hands of ſuch wicked abominable Miniſters, Prieſts, as theſe were. Our Text therefore ſays of theſe Young Men, their Sin was very great before the Lord. Their Sin was before the Lord, p. 82it was under His Eye and in His Sight, as indeed the Sins of all Men are. For the Eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good, Prov. 15.3. Many Thiefts, Fornications, Adulteries, Murders, and other abominable Crimes, are committed Secretly as to Men; the Crimes are a long time, if not always conceal'd from the Publick notice of Men; but no Sins are Secret as to God. He knows what is done at Midnight in the darkeſt corner, as well as what is done at Noon Day on the Houſe top. But this phraſe, before the Lord, does here more probably ſignify, that theſe Young Men Sinn'd thus abominably at the Tabernacle, the Houſe of God, the place of His ſpecial Preſence and holy Worſhip; at the Tabernacle, where the Ark that Symbol of God's ſpecial preſence was. And ſo 'tis juſtly mention'd as a great aggravation of their impudent wickedneſs. That they ſhould be thus wicked at the very Door of Gods Houſe, where People came to Worſhip the Holy and Heart-ſearching God; this was high and impudent wickedneſs indeed: It's not eaſy for Words to paint out ſuch Crimes in their juſt Colours. It is Criminal at any time, to harbour and nouriſh wicked thoughts in our hearts; but it is an high aggravation of the Crime, to nouriſh ſuch thoughts in the Houſe of God, in the time and place of His Holy Worſhip: and more abominable ſtill, at ſuch a time and place, openly to perpetrate what ſuch indulged Luſts do move for.

p. 83But the Obſervation deſign'd from the Words, is this, viz.

DOCTRINE. Sometimes, thoſe who have had a Pious Education, and ſpecial Means us'd to make them Religious; do yet prove groſly and ſcandalouſly Wicked even in their Youth.

Our Text and Context, yield a plain proof of this ſorrowful Truth. Theſe Men were Young Man, tho' what their particular Age at this time was we dont exactly know. 'Tis certain, they had means to know God's revealed Will (it was part indeed of their Office work to teach it to others, Mal. 2.7.) They were brought up under the Means of Grace: they had had good Methods us'd to make them Religious; yet they proved otherwiſe, they were ſcandalouſly Wicked. Alas, it is too often thus▪ Indeed the way of our Duty is preſcribed, Prov. 22.6. Train up a Child in the way he ſhould go; and when he is old he will not depart from it. Chriſtian Parents ſhould bring up their Children in the mixture and admonition of the Lord, Eph. 6.4. They ſhould do their utmoſt to Train them up in right ways: this is their Duty, and the beſt Method they can take, to make their Children take right Courſes when grown up, if they live to it. Yet ſuch pious Endeavours, dont always prove ſucceſsful. Sometimes the Children of Eminently p. 84Pious Parents, Children that have had eminent means us'd, and great pains taken with them, to make them truly and practically Religious; do yet prove ſcandalouſly and abominably wicked. Pious Abraham, did command his Children and Houſhold after him, to keep the way of the lord, Gen. 18.19. Yet his Son Iſhmael, was a Mocker of his Brother Iſaac. It is probable, that he wickedly mock'd and ſcoff'd at him for pretending to be Heir of God's Promiſe; for the Apoſtle calls this Mocking, Perſecution. Compare, Gen. 21.9. with Gal. 4.29. Iſaac was a very godly Man, and doubtleſs gave pious Inſtructions to his Children, yet his Son Eſau prov'd a Profane Perſon, and deſpiſed his Birthright, Heb. 12.16. No doubt but Pious Jacob, gave goldly Education and Inſtruction to his Children; yet abominable Crimes were committed by ſeveral of them. Simeon and Levi, barbarouſly Murdered the Shechemites; hypocritically proſtituted Circumciſion (the Seal of God's Covenant) as a means to fulfil their revenge, Gen. chap. 34. Another of Jacobs Sons, Reuben his Firſt-born, was guilty of Inceſtuous wickedneſs, of Uncleanneſs with his Fathers Wife, Gen. 35.22. Samuel was an holy Prophet, a religious and righteous Judge in Iſrael, and doubtleſs gave the beſt Counſels and Inſtructions to his Children (as well as ſet an eminent Example before them) yet his Sons were very wicked. They walk'd not in his ways, but turned aſide after Lucre, and took Bribes, and perverted Judgment, 1 Sam. 8.3. The Daughters of p. 85Pious Lot, were ſo wicked as to make their Father Drunk, that when he was thus beſotted he might be Unclean with them, and he was ſo. Gen. 19.30,—38. Godly David, had a Son Amnon who committed an Incestuous Rape, he forc'd his own Siſter; for which wicked Fact, Abſalom (another Son of David) Murder'd him, 2 Sam. 13, 14, 28, 29. Afterwards, this Abſolom rebelled againſt his Royal Father and would have deſtroyed him; but he himſelf died in the Rebellion. Theſe ſorrowful Inſtances now related, prove the Truth of our Doctrine: yea it is too often prov'd, by woful ſorrowful Experience from time to time. How often do the Children of profeſſed Chriſtians, who have been Baptized, brought up under the Means of Grace, had good Family-Inſtruction, had good Examples ſet before them; I ſay, how often do ſuch, fall into vile, ſcandalous Abominations? How often are ſuch Perſons guilty, poſſibly of Fornication, Stealing, Profaning God's Holy Name or Day, Drunkenneſs and other heinous Abominations? It is ſorrowful and lamentable to conſider, that Family Inſtructions, good Examples, precious Sermons have wrought no more good in them; but that notwithſtanding the precious Means they have enjoyed, yet they often become ſcandalouſly Wicked even while they are Young. Well, when ſuch ſinful, ſorrowful things happen, What is the Improvement to be made thereof.

p. 86QUESTION. What are the Counſels, Inſtrustions, Cautions, Warnings proper to be given o… ſuch Occaſions?

ANSWER.

I ſhall Indeavour to mention a few.

Theſe things ſhow us,

1. That it is not in the power of meer Inſtruments or Means tho' never ſo good, to work reſtraining, (much leſs, ſaving) Grace in the Hearts of any. 'Tis juſtly to be accounted a great favour, to enjoy the Means of Grace; there is no Salvation without the Means. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, Rom. 10.17. Yet the beſt Means that can be uſed for the good of Souls, will prove ineffectual; unleſs God adds his efficacious Bleſſing. If Young Perſons have never ſo good Inſtructions given them, never ſo good Examples ſet before them in the Family, or by the Neighbours; if they are never ſo well advantaged as to Publick Ordinances, yet nothing but Divine Almighty Grace can reſtrain them from Sinning, or make them truly Holy. It was God that kept back Abimelech from ſinning, Gen. 20.6. Whoever plants or waters, yet none but God can give the Increaſe, 1 Cor. 3.6, 7 If Ministerial weapons (or Indeavours) are us'd never ſo faithfully; yet 'tis only thro' God (by His efficacious bleſſing on them) that they are Inſtrumental to pull down the ſtrong holds of Sin and Satan, to cast down Imaginations — and to bring into Captivity every thought to the p. 87obedience of Christ, 2 Cor▪ 10.4, 5. It is ſaid of Lydia, That the Lord opened her heart, that ſhe hearkened to the things that were ſpoken by Paul, Act. 16.4. Tho' Paul was ſuch an Eminent Apoſtle, ſuch an Eminent Ambaſſador of Chriſt (labouring more abundantly than others, Cor. 15.10.) yet he might have Preach'd long enough and Lydia got no good by it, if God (who has all hearts in his hand, and can turn them as the Rivers of water) had not opened her heart to receive the Truths Preached. Let us learn then, to prize and value Means and diligently to attend on them ('tis our duty ſo to do) but let us not truſt in them, but truſt in God alone for a bleſſing, Parents, beſides diligently giving the beſt Inſtructions to their Children; ſhould earneſtly and conſtantly Pray, that God would give reſtraining, yea Saving Grace unto them. So, Miniſters ſhould not only declare Gods Mind as plainly as ever they can to their People; but they alſo ſhould earneſtly Pray to God for all that Succeſs they deſire. The beſt Means will do no good without Gods bleſſing.

2. We ſhould grieve and mourn for the ſcandalous Tranſgreſſions of others. We ſhould grieve and mourn firſtly and chiefly for our own Sins: Be aſhamed and confounded for our own ways, Ezek. 36.32. Though our hearty Sorrow for Sin ſhould thus begin at home, yet it ſhould not be confin'd there; but look abroad alſo. We ſhould ſigh and cry for all the Abominations committed by thoſe amongſt whom we dwell, Ezek. p. 889.4. David was grie…ed for the Tranſgreſſions of others, Pſal. 119.158. Lot's Righteous Soul was vexed with the filthy Converſation of the wicked, 2 Pet. 2.7, 8. We ſhould grieve for the heinous, ſcandalous Sins of others,

1. Becauſe God is very greatly Diſhonoured thereby. Rom. 2.23. Thou that makest thy boaſt of the Law; through breaking the Law diſhonourest thou God? When Men break Gods Law by Profane Swearing, vile Curſing, Sabbath-breaking, Drunkeneſs, Fornication, Lying, Cheating, Stealing, Defrauding, &c. They grievouſly Diſhonour God thereby. They practically ſcorn and contemn God, deſpiſe him, as though he was not worthy to be Regarded or Obeyed by them. David's ſcandalous Sin, was a deſpiſing of Gods Command, 2 Sam. 12.9. And what are our Hearts made of, if they won't grieve and mourn, when the infinitely Glorious GOD is thus deſpis'd, contemn'd diſhonoured by bold Tranſgreſſors? We ſhould grieve,

2. Becauſe ſuch Scandals tend to Defile and Corrupt others. A little Leaven leavens the whole Lump. The ſpringing up of a Root of bitterneſs (an evil example) tends to defile many, Heb. 12.15. One ſinner deſtroys much good, Eccl. 9.18. Sometimes one Drunkard, one foul Mouth'd-Perſon, one profane Swearer or Sabbath breaker, does a world of Miſchief in a Place or Neighbourhood by his curſed Example: Many are in danger of being defil'd and ruin'd thereby. We're diſtreſs'd when a Fire breaks out tho' in but One Houſe, leſt it p. 89ſhould ſpread and conſume many; and when a Mortal contagious Sickneſs is brought tho' by but One Perſon into a Town, leſt it ſhould Infect and deſtroy many So, we ſhould grieve and mourn for Scandalous Practices in a Place, left the Sin ſhould ſpread, and ruin many Souls. We ſhould grieve,

3. Becauſe Sinners wound their our Souls by their Tranſgreſſions. We ſhould love our Neighbours as our own Souls, and ſhould grieve for what really hurts them, eſpecially for what hurts their Souls. And Sin is the greateſt hurt any can do to their own Souls; the wages of it is death, Rom. 6.23. When Paul ſaw the Priſon-keeper going to kill himſelf with his own Sword, he cry'd out, do thy ſelf no harm, Act. 16.28. Would it not grieve us, to ſee diſtracted perſons cutting, wounding, gaſhing, burning their own bodies? Why Men are doing worſe than this to themſelves, to their precious Souls, when they are boldly and preſumptuouſly Sinning againſt God. They are heaping up loads of guilt, treaſuring up wrath againſt the day of wrath, provoking and challenging divine Almighty vengeance, and haſtening apace to the Unquenchible flames of Hell (if ſpeedy Repentance prevent not) and ſhould not our very Souls grieve for ſuch things as theſe? Yes truely. Sin in others, ſhould move our pity to their Perſons, our grief and mourning for, and hatred of their offences. And as we ſhould grieve for the Sins of Others, ſo,

p. 903. We ſhould Indeavour, and pray for, the Repentance of thoſe who grievouſly tranſgreſs. Chriſt came not to call the Righteous, but Sinners to Repentance. Sovereign Grace has ſometimes triumph'd in Saving of great Sinners, in giving Repentance and Pardon to Fornicators, Adulterers, Thieves, Drunkards, and other Scandalous t…ſgreſſors, 1 Cor. 6.9,—11. And free Grace, can yet do as great wonders as ever. Therefore Indeavours are to be us'd even with great Sinners, If paradventure God will give them repentance, 2 Tim. 2.15. Therefore we ſhould warn the unruly (1 Theſ. 5.14.) Indeavour to reſtore ſuch as we fallen, Gal. 6.1. So, Lev. 19.17. Thou ſhalt not hate thy Brother in thine heart, thou ſhalt in my wiſe rebuke thy Neighbour; and ſhalt not ſuffer ſin upon him. None knows, how far God may bleſs Indeavours for Saving good to great Tranſgreſſors. Oneſimus (the Servant of Philemon) play'd the Thief, Stole from his Maſter, ran away, was apprehended and put in Priſon; and in Priſon was Converted by Gods bleſſing on the Indeavours of the Apoſtle Paul, who was a Priſoner in the ſame Place. See the Epiſtle to Philemon. Surely then, as we have opportunity and ability, we ſhould reprove offenders, warm them, counſel them, Indeavour to make them ſenſible of their Sin and Danger, and ſo bring them to Repentance. So we ſhould Pray to God for them, that He would indeed take away their heart of Stone and give them an heart of Fleſh; that He would make them true Penitents. For in every p. 91thing, by Prayer and Supplication we ſhould make known our requeſts to God, Phil. 4.6. Poſſibly ſome, when they hear of the great Crimes of others, will readily run out againſt them, ſhow their ill will againſt them, but never Pray to God for them; but ſuch, dont do as they ought.

4. We ſhould be thankful for reſtraining Grace to us and ours, and be more Watchful and Prayerful for the future. Have others fallen into great and crying Abominations, thereby deſerving ſhame, blame and puniſhment among Men; and laying themſelves open to the ſore diſpleaſure of God? And have not we and ours been as bad as they? What's the ground of this difference? If we had had the like Opportunities and Temptations with others, and been left to our ſelves, we ſhould have ſhown our ſelves as bad as any of them all. For the Hearts of all the fallen Children of Men are naturally alike Sinful, deceitful above all things and deſperately wicked. Jer. 17.9. Out of the heart proceed evil Thoughts, Murders, Adulteries, &c. Such Hearts ours are by Nature. And 'tis the undeſerved Grace of God, that keeps us and ours from Sinning, ſo far as we are Reſtrained. The vile ſcandalous Crimes of others, do as it were ſhow what is Originally in our Hearts; therefore we ſhould be Thankful, if we and ours have not broken forth into the like Scandals as they are guilty of. Who maketh thee to differ? When you that are Parents and Maſters, p. 92juſtly condemn the vile Crimes that any Young Perſons are guilty of; conſider, 'tis owing to the meer undeſerved Grace of God, that you, your Children and Servants, have not fallen into the like or worſe Tranſgreſſions. If you and yours with others, ſhould be in a Boat when it overſets (or in ſome other great danger) and while they periſh, you and yours eſcape; would you not be Thankful for ſuch ſingular Preſervation? Surely you ſhould. So when you and yours are kept from thoſe Scandalous Crimes, which many others fall into; you ſhould be Thankful for ſuch diſtinguiſhing reſtraining Grace vouchſafed to you. Again, the Falls of others ſhould quicken us to more Watchfullneſs and Prayerfulneſs, leſt we fall as they have done. When the Apoſtle had mention'd ſundry groſs Sins in others, the Uſe or Application he makes is, Let him that thinking he ſtandeth, take heed leſt he fall, 1 Cor. 10.12. Truly, ſuch things ſhould make us take heed, watch and be careful that we dont offend like them. With reference to the Sins of (and conſequent Judgments on) others, the Apoſtle ſays, Rom. 11.20. Be not high-minded, but fear. Oh, be not high-minded, dont boaſt nor triumph over thoſe that fall, done truſt in thine own ſtrength; but Fear, Watch, Pray, leſt thou fall as they have done. Conſider thy ſelf, leſt thou alſo be tempted, Gal. 6.1. Watch and Pray, that ye enter not into Temptation, Mat. 26.41.

p. 935. Let none truſt in themſelves, meerly on the account of their freedom from Outward Scandals. Poſſibly ſome, when they hear of the Scandalous Falls of others, are apt to deſpiſe thoſe that fall, and to be mightily conceited of themſelves, and to truſt in their own Duties and Righteouſneſs, becauſe they are not chargeable with like Scandals as others are. Thus 'twas with the ſelf-conceited, ſelf-juſtifying Phariſee, who ſaid, Luk. 18.11, 12. —God I thank thee, that I am not as other Men are, Extortioners, Unjuſt, Adulterers, or even as this Publican. I fa…t twice in the week, I give tythes of all that I poſſeſs. So, poſſibly ſome will think, I am no Drunkard, Thief, Fornicator, Prophane Swearer as ſuch and ſuch are; I'm an orderly blameleſs Perſon, I keep Sabbaths, hear Sermons, attend Sacraments, Pray in my Family, &c. therefore ſurely God is pleas'd with me, and will ſave ſuch a godly righteous Perſon as I am. I ſay, we ſhould take heed of ſuch ſelf-conceitedneſs as this is. Reſtraining Grace is a great favour, and ſhould be Thankfully acknowledged as ſuch (as was before hinted) yet it does not intitle us to Heaven. Some who outwardly appear righteous to Men, are inwardly full of iniquity and hypocriſie, Mat. 23.28. Doubtleſs, Formality, Hypocriſie, Self-flattery will ruin Multitudes. Thoſe who go about to eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, will not ſubmit to the righteouſneſs of God, Rom. 10.3. 'Tis not meer freedom from Outward Scandals, that can carry p. 94us to Heaven: we muſt be ſelf-empty, broken hearted for Sin, truſt only in Chriſt's Righteouſneſs for Juſtification, and diligently ſtrive after purity of Heart, as well as Outward blameleſsneſs, if ever we would be Saved.

6. We ſhould bear due witneſs, againſt the grievous Tranſgreſſions of others. Tho' we ſhould pity their Perſons, deſire and pray for their Repentance; yet we ſhould hate, loath, abhor their Sins, (abhor that which is Evil, Rom. 11.9.) and bear due Teſtimony againſt them. Nay tho' our deareſt Relatives ſhould fall into Scandals, yet we ſhould bear due Teſtimony againſt their Sins. Chriſtians ſhould love Chriſt (His Honour and Glory) above Father, Mother, Wife, Children, Siſters, Brethren, yea and above their own Life too, Luk. 14.26. Mat. 10.37. God requir'd His People of Old, to bear due Testimony againſt the Sins of their Dearest Relatives, that others might hear and fear and do no more ſuch wickedneſs, Deut. 13.6,—11. Eli was terribly threatned, for not duly witneſſing againſt and puniſhing, the great Scandals of his Sons ſpoken of in our Text.

7. The great Tranſgreſſions of others, ſhould not make us reflect on any good way they have been brought up in, or on any good Profeſſion they have made, or on any good thing formerly done by them. Poſſibly ſome that were brought up in Praying Families, that were well Catechiſed, had a Religious Education, belong'd to p. 95Private-Meetings deſigned for the Furtherance of Piety, were wont to Pray in Secret, &c. I ſay, Poſſibly ſome ſuch have fallen into grievous Scandals, and ſhall we for the ſake of their Sins, condemn the Manner in which they were Educated, or the Method they once took to promote Religion, or the good things once practiſed by them? No, God forbid. If ſome Church-Members fall into foul Scandals, ſhall we therefore ſay, that all Church-Members are alike; or condemn the good Profeſſion which ſome Scandalous Perſons once made? No, this would be vile and abominable indeed. The Devil, would fain bring the Truths and Ways of God into diſlike and contempt; for the ſake of ill things done by ſome, who once profeſs'd thoſe Truths and Ways. But if we rail againſt, decry or condemn any good Ways and Practices, becauſe of the ill carriage of ſome who once profeſs'd and favour'd them; herein we greatly gratifie the Devil, and do more hurt to the Intereſt of Religion than we're aware of: As it would be unreaſonable and unjuſt, to condemn the Chriſtian Religion in General, becauſe of the helliſh Scandals of ſome profeſſed Chriſtians; ſo 'tis proportionably vile, to condemn any Divine Truth or good Practice, meerly becauſe ſome who once favour'd the ſame, are turned Scandalous Criminals.

8. From the Scandalous Falls of Young Perſons, Houſholders ſhould take occaſion to warn their Young Ones, to avoid ſuch Evils. Prov. p. 969.6. Forſake the folliſh and live. Well, ſay to your Young Ones,

Conſider how fooliſh, how vain, vile, wicked ſuch and ſuch have been; what ſhame and diſgrace among Men, what hurt and damage they have brought to themſelves: how wofully they have diſhonoured God, and expos'd themſelves to His diſpleaſure, Conſider theſe things, and be Warned hereby not to tread in their ſteps. Your Hearts are as bad by Nature as theirs, you are in danger by Snares and Temptations; therefore Watch, Pray, give utmoſt diligence leſt you fall as others have done.

When Solomon adviſeth Young Men, to avoid the Whoriſh Woman, this is one Argument he uſeth, Prov. 7.26. She hath caſt down many wounded: yea many ſtrong Men have been ſlain by her. As if he had ſaid, Oh conſider how others have been Tempted, Inſnared, Ruined; therefore take Warning, beware leſt you fall into the like Snares and Miſchiefs with them; let their Fails, be loud Watch Words, and Awakening Warnings unto you.

9. When Young Perſons fall into grievous Scandals, other Young Perſons ſhould take peculiar Warning thereby, and beware leſt they fall like them. Have Young Men or Young Women, fallen into theſe or thoſe Scandals? Then you that are Young, and poſſibly have much the like Temptations, Snares, Dangers with them; Oh do you take Warning, do you take p. 97heed leſt you alſo be prevail'd upon by your Spiritual Enemies. And that you may not fall into groſs Scandals, as many others have done; take theſe few Directions, viz.

1. Heartily comply with the Terms of the Covenant of Grace. The moſt of our Young Men and Women, are the Children of Profeſſing Parents, viſibly the Children of the Covenant, and Baptiſm the Seal of the Covenant has been ſet upon them; now you Young Ones, who have thus been Conſecrated to God, your Hearts ſhould be right with Him and ſtedfaſt in His Covenant. Gods Holy Covenant does oblige you, heartily to Repent of your Sins, heartily to ſubmit to Chriſt in all His Offices as Prophet, Prieſt and King. You can't really pleaſe God, without thus heartily ſubmitting to Chriſt. They that are in the Fleſh (that is, Unregenerate) cannot pleaſe God, Rom. 8.8. Without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God, Heb. 11.6. If you heartily receive Chriſt and ſubmit to Him on Goſpel Terms, this is the beſt way to keep you from Sinning. 'Tis ſaid to the Saints, Rom. 6.14. Sin ſhall not have dominion over you. Thus to ſubmit to Chriſt, is the only way to keep you from periſhing. He that believeth not ſhall be Damned, Mark 16.16. But if you are formal and hypocritical, cuſtomary and ſuperficial in your Profeſſion and Practices of a Religious nature; if you dont heartily ſubmit to Chriſt, then be aſſured, that you deſpiſe God, you contemn Chriſt, you trample on p. 98His Authority, abuſe His Patience, deſpiſe the Offers of His Mercy and Grace, diſregard His terrible Threatenings; this is great Wickedneſs, and there's great danger leſt God be hereby provoked to ſay of you, let him that is filthy be filthy ſtill: and to ſay of you as of thoſe, Pſal. 81.11, 12. My People would not hearken to my voice, and Iſrael would none of me: ſo I gave them up to their own hearts Luſts, and they walked in their own Counſels. But on the other hand, if you heartily turn to God, comply with the Terms of His Holy Covenant, ſubmit to Chriſt as Prince and Saviour; this will be the beſt way to keep you from Sinning, 'twill be greatly to your advantage. Whoſoever hath, to him ſhall be given, and he ſhall have more abundance, Mat. 13.12. God is a rewarder of them that diligently ſeek him, Heb. 11.6. He ſays, Prov. 8.17. I love them that love me, and they that ſeek me Early ſhall find me.

2. Maintain a conſtant Courſe, of diligently Reading and Studying the Holy Scriptures. Pſal. 119.9. Wherewith ſhall a Young Man cleanſe his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy Word. Gods Word tells Young and Old how they ſhould live, how they ſhould behave themſelves; and gives them the beſt Directions for, the beſt Motives and Arguments to, holineſs and righteouſneſs that can be. Surely then, Young Men and Woman, (yea indeed all Chriſtians) ſhould maintain a conſtant courſe of Reading and Studying Gods Word. Pſal. 119.11. Thy word p. 99have I hid in mine heart; that I might not Sin againſt thee.

3. Humbly ſubmit to Family Government. The Great God, ſtrictly commands Children to obey their Parents, Servants to Obey their Maſters; therefore you Young Ones, if you diſobey your Fathers, Mothers, Maſters, Miſtreſſes, in ſo doing you diſobey God, deſpiſe God, you greatly provoke Him indeed. Many Young Men and Women, Children and Servants are Proud, Haughty, Stubborn; they won't ſubmit to the Yoke of Family Government; they will be in theſe and thoſe Faſhions tho' coſtly, and much above their Rank and Ability; they contend for this and that liberty, liberty to be Unſeaſonably from home, to be out late on Nights, to go and come almoſt when they will, to have frequent needleſs Diverſions; thus they'l proudly and ſtubbornly contend for their own way, tho' poſſibly Parents and Maſters are never ſo much againſt it. Alas, ſuch Perſons a…e in a dangerous Courſe, they're fighting againſt God; it's well if their Pride and Diſobedience be not the Forerunner of ſome grievous Fall. Be not deceived, God is not mocked, Gal. 6.7. You Young Ones, if you caſt off the Yoke of Family Government, you then caſt off Gods Yoke; and you're in great danger leſt God give you up to the Will of your Spiritual Enemies. 'Tis ſaid of Eli's Sons that are ſpoken of in our Text, 1 Sam. 2.25. — They hearkened not to the voice of their Father, becauſe the Lord p. 100would ſlay them. Oh dont diſobey your Parents, leſt God be provok'd to ſlay you. Prov. 30.17. The Eye that mocketh at his Father, and deſpiſeth to obey his Mother, the Ravens of the Valley ſhall pick it out, and the young Eagles ſhall eat it. That is, ſuch Diſobedient ones are like to come to an untimely judicial Death; it often proves ſo. Oh tremble at that Word, Prov. 29.1. He that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck; ſhall ſuddenly be destroyed and that without remedy.

4. Be diligent in lawful Buſineſs. Every Chriſtan that indulges Idleneſs, is in the Way of Temptations; and Young Perſons (who are commonly moſt active) are eſpecially ſo. Idleneſs is Wickedneſs: The ſlothful Servant is called the wicked Servant, Mat. 25.26. Idleneſs is the Devils School. If thou art not doing ſome Work for God, well employed in ſome good thing; the Devil will be ready to employ thee, to offer ſome curſed Buſineſs or other to thee. If you would not fall into vile Scandals, then be diligent in ſome lawful Buſineſs. Rom. 12.11 Not ſlothful in buſineſs, fervent in ſpirit, ſerving the Lord.

5. Religiouſly obſerve Gods Holy Sabbath. The Lords Day, is by the Lords Command to be kept Holy, employed in Holy Exerciſes and Duties. The Scripture requires this, and terribly threatens the profaning of the Sabbath, Neh. 13.17, 18. Jer. 17.27. Take heed therefore, you young Men and Women, that you don't p. 101entertain ſlighty Thoughts of the Sabbath, but count it an Holy and Honourable Day, ſpend it as ſuch in Gods Service, Iſai. 58.13. Diligently attend publick and private Duties of Religion on the Lords Day; let a Savour of Spiritual Divine Things abide on your Souls. And ſurely, if you would avoid your diverting Viſits on the Lords Day Evenings, and ſpend thoſe Evenings at home in minding Spiritual Matters; I ſay, if you young Men and Women would do thus, it would keep you out of the Way of many Temptations, and might be unſpeakably profitable to you. But if you once indulge a Regardleſsneſs of Gods Holy Day, he is highly provok'd thereat; and there's great Danger leſt you ſhould be left to ſome great Wickedneſs.

6. Avoid evil Company. Prov. 13.20. A companion of fools ſhall he destroyed. Alas, How many Perſons, eſpecially young Men and Women, that once appear'd Vertuous, Sober, Blameleſs, have by falling into bad Company been carried away to Folly, and drawn into groſs Abominations? Ill Company has Ruin'd Multitudes. Therefore, If ſinners intice thee, conſent thou not, Prov. 1.10. When vain Companions come, and would call you from your proper Work and Buſineſs, or would intice you abroad at unſeaſonable Times, or if they ſollicit you to do any ill Thing; look on ſuch Perſons not as your Friends but Enemies. They are indeed the Emiſſaries of Hell, the Tools and Meſſengers of the Devil; they are doing Satans Work, even tempting and p. 102ſtriving to Ruin Souls. Carefully ſhun ſuch Companions: Foreſake the fooliſh and live, Prov. 4.14, 15. Enter not into the path of the wicked; and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, paſs not by it, turn from it and paſs away. In theſe two Verſes, there are ſix Prohibitions, requiring us to ſhun ill Examples and Companions. Pſal. 1.1. Bleſſed is the man that walketh not in the counſel of the ungodly, nor ſtandeth in the way of ſinners, nor ſ…tteth in the ſeat of the ſcornful.

7. Don't undulge ſmall Sins, but maintain a conſtant Tenderneſs of Conſcience. Though no Sin is really ſmall in the Sight of God yet ſome Sins are greater than others. Well, Don't indulge thy ſelf in thoſe Sins, which poſſibly ſome may count ſmall Matters, ſcarce worth the minding. One Sin leads to another, and ſmaller Offences to greater Tranſgreſſions. Don't tell a Lye, leſt thou become a common Lyar▪ and it may be a falſe Swearer too. Don't ſo much as ſteal Fruit out of an Orchard o… Garden, leſt thou come to ſteal Things of greater Value. Don't ſteal from thy Parents or M…ſt…r, leſt thou come to ſteal from others, and become a common Thief. Don't uſe wanton, laſcivious Carriage, leſt …ou fall into Fornication and Adultery. Don't take God's Name in vain, leſt thou become an habitual Blaſphemer. Don't drink more than thou needeſt, leſt thou become a common Drunkard. Oh, take heed, and watch againſt the Beginnings of Evil. If thou indulgeſt thoſe Sins which thou reckoneſt p. 103ſmall, there's Danger of thy falling into, and being hardened in great and ſcandalous Tranſgreſſions. Therefore allow of no Sin, though counted never ſo ſmall; but maintain a great Tenderneſs of Conſcience as Job did: Job. 27.6. My heart ſhall not reproach me ſo long as I live.

8. Maintain a constant Courſe ſecret Prayer. Conſider the Deceitfulneſs of thine own wicked Heart, the Temptations of the Devil, who watches to deſtroy thee, the Falls of others once as likely to ſtand as thou art, the many Snares thou art endangered by. Conſider theſe Things, and let them move thee daily and diligently to Pray to God in Secret, that he would keep thee from ſinning againſt him, and would help thee to ſerve him ſincerely, diligently and conſtantly. Mat 6.6. Enter into thy Cloſet, and when thou haſt ſhut thy door, pray to thy Father which ſeeth in ſecret, and thy Father which ſeeth in ſecret, ſhall reward the openly.