Cleansing our Way in Youth, Text (4 of 4)

Cleansing our Way in Youth · Text (4 of 4)

p. 1463 THE Promiſe of Heaven is likewiſe a powerful motive to cleanſe our way. This is the Promiſe, which God hath promiſed us, even Eternal Life (1 Joh. 2.25.) an happineſs becoming His infinite ſufficiency to confer, and us to ſeek after: a pure and perfect Bleſſedneſs. "So glorious and attractive (ſays One) that if duly conſider'd, no Man can poſſibly refuſe it". — This Happineſs is Great, Unſearchably Great. None can comprehend the juſt meaſure, the exact number, and weight of the Treaſures and Glories of Heaven. They paſs underſtanding. And this conſideration tends to daſh all enticements to Sin, and to p. 147animate us (againſt all intervening difficulties) in the purſuit of this glorious Prize.— And it is Holy, as well as Great: Pure and Spiritual. It is what Fleſh and Blood cannot inherit. Our Bodies muſt be ſpiritualiz'd and our Souls purify'd, in order to a capacity for and enjoyment of it. Now what a ſovereign attractive muſt this conſideration be unto holineſs? And how will the ſerious contemplation of Heaven by a kind of natural influence ſpiritualize our tho'ts and purify our affections? They, that have a belief and hope of Heaven, will deſire to anticipate their expected Bleſſedneſs; and therefore will the often looking at the things that are unſeen and eternal: and by thus having their converſation in Heaven, the Holy Heaven, by thus beholding the Glory of the Lord, they will be gradually changed into the ſame Image from glory to glory.

THUS we ſee in ſome meaſure, how the Promiſes have a cleanſing efficacy in reſpect of the Subject-matter.

(2.) THE Promiſes have a cleanſing efficacy from the Tenor and Manner of their Conſtitution and Propoſal. Here it may ſuffice to ſay,

1. THEY are Deliver'd in the fulleſt and cleareſt Terms. "They are not wrapt up in Clouds and dark Aenigmatical Inſinuations, wherein Men muſt exerciſe their Sagacity as well as their Faith". But they ſhine out with the cleareſt Light, and we all with open face behold in them, as in a Glaſs, the great Things, which God hath laid up for them that love him. Here the recompences of pure Religion lye fair & open to proſpect. The Meſſages of Peace are moſt plain, expreſs and explicit, & give us a true conception & full conviction p. 148of thoſe glorious unſeen Realities, of which ſuch as enjoy not Goſpel-revelation can have but very looſe & obſcure apprehenſions. And this gives the Promiſes of the Word an attractive influence.

2. THEY are Confirmed with the moſt inviolable Securities. If the Promiſes were doubtful or uncertain, the encouragement to ſeek an intereſt in them wou'd be but weak and faint: But they are ſtable as the Ordinances of Heaven. They are ratify'd with the ſtrongeſt aſſurances. They are ſure Words of Prophecy, moſt evident and certain, proceeding out of the mouth of God, the God of Truth, and ſealed by an Oath, to ſhew the immutability of his counſel, (Heb. 6.17.) Now this is an excellent character that muſt needs greatly recommend them to us, and beget us to a lively hope. This World's Goods are uncertain Riches: But the Bleſſings offered in the Promiſes are ſure Mercies. And what more proſſing incentive to Religion, than this? It is the Apoſtle's choſen Argument, (1 Cor. 15.58.) Therefore my beloved Brethren, Be ye ſtedfaſt, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foraſmuch as ye know that your labour ſhall not be in vain in the Lord.

3. THEY are altogether free, gracious and gratuitous. They are the pure reſult of free Grace and ſovereign Mercy. As to the Bleſſings themſelves contained in the Promiſes, it is owing to the rich Love and mere Mercy of God, that they are obtainable. The Redemption by Chriſt was the production of free Good-will, and moſt voluntary ſelf-moving Grace. God has ſhewn exceeding riches of Grace in his kindneſs towards us by Chriſt Jeſus, (Eph. 2.7.) God was under no neceſſity, p. 149nor obligation to ſave Sinners. Nay, He might without any impeachment of His Juſtice have cauſed His fury to reſt upon the whole race of ſinful Man, and have puniſh'd as with ſwift deſtruction, and that without remedy, as He did the whole Crew of Apoſtate Angels, who immediately on their revolt were clapt in Chains, and are reſerv'd as Priſoners of Juſtice unto the day of Perdition. Nay, the Righteouſneſs & Holineſs of God demanded this, and call'd for Vengeance to conſume us utterly: But Mercy rejoyced over Judgment, and triumph'd over our Unworthineſs, and provided a Saviour for us; in and thro' whom God is reconciling the World unto Himſelf, and magnifying His Mercy towards Penitent Sinners, without any detriment to His Juſtice, or defilement of His Purity. Here is Love, unmerited, unasked, unforced; Love without Example and beyond Expreſſion! Love which we are as uncapable to conceive of, as we were unworthy to be the objects of! And ſurely this Love of God (if duly conſider'd) muſt conſtrain us, muſt ſtrongly and ſweetly draw our hearts, & warm our cold affections, and kindle in our Souls a flaming Love; Love ſincere and pure, which will be in us a perpetual ſpring of obedience, and a living principle of undefiled Religion. But, as the Love of God, His great and free Love, is ſeen in the Bleſſings procured for us and offered to us: So it is ſeen alſo in the Promiſes themſelves. It is a further inſtance of His Free Grace, that He ſhou'd make Promiſe of the Bleſſings unto us, That He ſhou'd not only invite us, but indent with us▪ and make an everlaſting Covenant in all things well ordered and ſure; Here is free p. 150and condeſcending Goodneſs. God might have ruled us in a way of arbitrary Sovereignty, and have offer'd His Bleſſings in a way of mere Bounty: But He has humbled Himſelf to enter into Bonds, and engage them to us by way of Contract, paſſing His Roya… Word, and confirming it with a ſolemn Oath, that we might have ſtrong Conſolation, and ſtrong encouragement unto Duty.— What Riches of Goodneſs are here! What an obliging and endearing method of Grace is this! And how does the conſideration of God's free and generous Goodneſs in His Promiſes tend to conquer the Sinners obſtinacy, and melt him into grateful Reſentments, and work up his heart to a kindly Repentance.

4. THEY are Conditional. Some indeed aſſert, that the Covenant of Grace is abſolute and unconditionate: but this is contrary to the univerſal ſtrain, and tends to ſubvert the whole deſign, of the inſpired Scriptures. The Word of God inviolably connects the Precepts and Promiſes, Duties and Bleſſings. The latter are manifeſtly and unalterably entail'd upon the former.— As to the Promiſe of Pardon; how evident is it, that we can never receive it, unleſs we have Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, a Faith which worketh by Love, and which purifyeth the heart?— Again, As to the Promiſe of the Spirit, if we wou'd obtain it, 'tis requir'd that we invite Him by Prayer, that we cheriſh His holy motions, conſpire with Him in our endeavours, and improve the Means. "There is a common Grace (ſaith a famous Divine) which God denyeth to no Man, Dr. John Colliges, of Provid. pag. 476.by vertue of p. 151which Men may Read, Hear, Pray, live a civil Life, leave groſs and flagitious courſes of Sin, and thou haſt no reaſon to complain of God for not giving thee his ſpecial diſtinguiſhing Grace, while thou doſt not do what in thee lyes to amend thy ways, and turn to God. Let us leave our diſputing queſtions —and apply our ſelves to our own duty, and do what God commandeth us, for which we have encouragement enough. I dare aſſure thee, that God, neither ever yet was, nor ever will be wanting in His further Grace unto thoſe Souls, that have made a due improvement of His common Grace, & done what in them lay towards their own Salvation".— And to the ſame purpoſe ſpeaks a very Aged and Judicious Divine among us; — "Sinners (ſaith he) can do more towards their own Converſion, Dr. Increaſe Mather. Awakening Truths, tending to Converſion. pag. 71, &c. And, Now or Never. pag. 93, &c.than they do or will do. They have power to avoid thoſe things which are an hindrance of Converſion, and they have power to wait on God in the uſe of means, which has a tendency to promote Converſion. And moſt certainly if Men improve their natural abilities as they ought to do, there will not one Sinner in all the reprobate World ſtand forth at the Day of Judgment, & ſay, Lord, Thou knoweſt, I did all that poſſibly I cou'd do; for the obtaining Grace, and for all that thou didſt withhold it from me. And as to ſuch as do not give diligence to do what they can in order to obtain Grace, This their ſlothfulneſs is the death of their Souls. Prov. 21.25. The deſire of the ſlothful kills him, for his hands refuſe to labour. Prov. 13.4. But the Soul of the diligent ſhall be made fat".— We muſt exert our natural powers, we muſt uſe the means p. 152and be found in the way of Duty, and frame our doings to turn unto the Lord, (Heb. ….4.) elſe it is preſumption to expect ſpecial Grace, and depend on obtaining ſupernatural aſſiſtances. We muſt uſe well the advantages we at preſent enjoy, as ever we expect to have more and better given us. For ſo runs the Promiſe, (Luk. 19.26.) Unto every one which hath (improved what He has already received,) ſhall be given (increaſe of Grace:) and from him that hath (i. e. improveth) not, even that be hath ſhall be taken from him.—Laſtly, As to the Promiſe of Heaven and Eternal Life; How plainly and peremptorily are we told, that Except a Man be born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, that without holineſs no man ſhall ſee the Lord, and that only the pure in heart ſhall ſee God? It is not more certain that Chriſt is the only Saviour, than that He is the Author of Salvation to none but them that obey Him. Theſe Conſiderations are of excellent efficacy to daſh the vain preſumption of careleſs Tranſgreſſors, to arm and antidote us againſt Temptations, to reſtrain from Sin and quicken unto Duty. The Conditionality of the Promiſes is a circumſtance, which gives life to all the reſt, and makes them operative towards the producing a good Life. It is a great advantage to the Promiſes, that God has linkt our hopes and our duty together. And indeed when we conſider the infinite diſproportion between the Reward and our Service; we muſt reſolve, that he had no other deſign in making His Promiſes Conditional, than to engage us by our Intereſt to that holineſs unto which he ſaw our Inclinations did not bind us; that it was p. 153the Artifice of His Love to enſnare us into two Pelicities by propoſing of one, to enforce us to take one Good in the way to another, Vertue in paſſage to Glory.

5. And Laſtly. THE Promiſes are backt with the moſt moving Exhortations and Expoſtulations. The Great God, becauſe He delights to ſhew mercy, deſcends to reaſon the caſe with ſecure Sinners, who forſake their own Mercies, and beſeeches them to embrace His glorious Offers. Thus, (Iſa. 55.1, 2, &c.) Ho, every one that thirſteth, Come ye to the waters, and be that hath no money: Come ye, buy and eat, yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye ſpend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which ſatisfyeth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat that which is good, and let your Soul delight it ſelf in fatneſs. Incline your ear and come unto me; hear and your Soul ſhall live, and I will make an everlaſting covenant with you, even the ſure mercies of David. So, (Iſai. 1.18, 9.) Come now and let us reaſon together, ſaith the Lord, tho' your ſins be as ſcarlet, they ſhall be as white as ſnow,— If ye be willing and obedient.— So alſo, (Prov. 1.22, 3.) How long will fools hate knowlege? Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my ſpirit unto you. So likewiſe, (Hoſ. 10.12.) Sow to your ſelves in righteouſneſs, reap in mercy: Break up your fallow ground: for it is time to ſeek the Lord, till he come and rain righteouſneſs upon you. And ſo, (2 Cor. 5.20 —6.1, 2.) Now then we are Ambaſſadors for Chriſt, as tho' God did beſeech you by us: we pray you in Chriſt's ſtead, be ye reconciled p. 154to God. As workers together with him we beſeech you, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. For he ſaith, Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of Salvation.— Let us fear, leſt ſtighting the promiſe of entring into Reſt, any of you ſhou'd ſeem to come ſhort of it. How ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great Salvation? (Heb. 2.3.—4.1.) —Now what winning Oratory, what raviſhing Suaſion do theſe generous Invitatious, theſe condeſcending Intreaties, and convincing Expoſtulations carry in them? What an edge do they put on the Promiſes, and how ſtrongly do they tend to perſwade the Will, and inflame the affections, and engage us in the love and practice of that Holineſs, without which we cannot inherit the Bleſſed Hope? But Thus much for the Promiſes.

V. THE Hiſtories in the Word have a cleanſing efficacy. A great part of the Bible is Hiſtorical; giving us an account of many memorable matters of Fact, relating to paſt Actions of Men and Events of Providence. The Reading whereof muſt needs be very entertaining to all, and very edifying to them that will be at the pains, when they read, to reflect ſeriouſly and apply wiſely. Of ſuch a nature and tendency is the Account we have in Scripture, Of the Creation and Fall of Man; Of Judgments executed on the Wicked; Of Miſcarriages of Good Men, and Chaſtiſements inflicted on them therefor; Of great outward Afflictions, and inward Temptations, and Difficulties the Children of God have been exerciſed withal; Of the Converſion of great Sinners; p. 155Of the wonderful Appearances of God for His Church, This Subject is fully handled by a Worthy Writer, in a Treatiſe Entituled, Obſervations on the Holy Scriptures. Chap. 2. To which I muſt refer the Reader.and for particular Saints in times of danger or diſtreſs.— The Narratives of thoſe, and other things, which the Scriptures preſent us with, are very inſtructive and a moſt profitable improvement may be made of them. They have a very propitious aſpect upon holy Living. They were written for our ſpiritual profit, & are good to the uſe of edifying, to miniſter Grace unto us. Thus the Apoſtle witneſſes, (Rom. 15.4.) Whatſoever things were written aforetime, were written for our Learning. So, (1 Cor. 10.11.) All theſe things happen'd unto them for Enſamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. And agreably we are told, (2 Pet. 2.6. & Jude ver. 7.) That the Judgments executed on the wicked Sodomites are ſet forth for an example unto thoſe that ſhould after live ungodly. And on the other hand, the Apoſtle Paul tells us, (1 Tim. 1.16.) For this end I obtained mercy, that in me, the firſt or chief Sinner, Jeſus Chriſt might ſhew ſorth all long-ſuffering, for a pattern to them which ſhould hereafter believe on Him.

VI. THE Examples of pure Religion, upon Scripture-record have a cleanſing efficacy. Example is the moſt powerful attractive to Practice. It affords ſuperior Light to direct, and carries in it a peculiar charm to perſwade. Good Examples teach us our Duty with a much fuller emphaſis, than bare Precepts. Example is moſt compendious, moſt pleaſant & efficacious method of inſtruction. It is moſt informing and affecting. It ſpeaks moſt p. 156convincingly and ſtrikes us moſt ſenſibly. The holy Lives of the Saints are a ſilent and moſt effectual reproof of Sinners, and greatly tend to cover them with ſhame. And they are a living incentive to the Penitent; they tend to cheriſh their hopes, by repreſenting their Duty as practicable, & they tend alſo to tempt their ambition, & provoke them to a laudable Emulation.

NOW the Word of God furniſhes us with the beſt and brighteſt Patterns of Holineſs. There is the grand Example of Jeſus Chriſt, which is eminently recommended to our regards. This is a moſt perfect, full, and infallible Example, affording complete, univerſal and unerring direction.—And it is alſo moſt obvious and familiar, excellently accommodated to our preſent imperfect ſtate, and to the different circumſtances and capacities of Men, making our way ſtraight before our face, and leading us in a plain path.— And it is cloathed with ſuch reſpects, as can't but powerfully perſwade us to imitation. 'Tis the Precedent of Him, who is our Sovereign; and carries a binding force with it, & challenges our conformity thereunto as matter of Duty. Again, It is the Preſident of One, who is the Chief among Ten Thouſand; and invites us to ſtudy a reſemblance from the motive of Honour. And moreover, 'Tis the Example of Him, who is our compaſſionate Saviour, who ſubſiſting in the former nature of God, thought it not uſurpation to be altogether equal with God: but made himſelf of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a Servant; and being found in faſhion as a Man, He humbled Himſelf and became obedient unto Death; & this to purchaſe Heaven and Happineſs for us, (Sinners p. 157and Enemies againſt Him,) and to leave us an Example, to lead us in the way thereunto. Now what an endearing and unparallel'd inſtance of Condeſcenſion, Kindneſs and Mercy is here? And how ſhou'd we be induced from the ingenuous principles of Love and Gratitude to follow the ſteps, and imitate the virtues of our deareſt Friend, and moſt generous Benefactor.

BUT further, beſides the perfect Example of Chriſt, we have the Examples of the Saints; which tho' imperfect, yet are not ſuperſeded by the former: But alſo have their ſingular uſe in the Chriſtian Life, even as the Stars are ſometimes profitable to direct as well as the Sun. Hence we are call'd upon, not only to look unto Jeſus the author and finiſher of our Faith, and to conſider Him: but alſo to be Followers of them who thro' faith and patience inherit the Promiſes. And indeed, tho' the Example of Chriſt, in reſpect of it's perfect purity is more ſure to direct us: yet on ſome accounts the Examples of the Saints (they being Men of like paſſions with us, of like moral infirmities, and not only in all points tempted like as we are, even as Chriſt was, but alſo, as He was not, ſometimes overcome by the power of Temptations and overtaken with faults,) may ſeem more ſuited to encourage us. They ſeem to come nearer, and to be more equal and level to us. And for this reaſon, The Lives of many Holy Men are written and regiſtred in the ſacred Pages; And we are bidden to follow them as they followed Chriſt; to obſerve their Vertues and take Example by them, as well as to obſerve their Falls and take warning from them.

SO that, (we ſee) if there be any force in p. 158Example to tempt and allure us unto holy Living, the Word of God muſt needs have a very powerful influence upon us.

THUS I've (in ſome meaſure) made it appear, that the Word of God in it's own nature as a Means, is excellently fitted and greatly tends to purify our way: and have conſider'd the whole Frame of the Word, and ſhewn how all the parts of it do admirably conſpire and harmonize in promoting our Sanctification.— Which was the Second Thing. Paſs we now to the Laſt Particular, which is—

III. THE Word is the choſen Inſtrument of the Holy Spirit, and is ordinarily accompany'd with His Influence. The Word has a perfect natural congruity and aptitude, & an inſtrumental cauſality, to cleanſe and ſanctify us. It has ſo much and no more in it ſelf. But over and above what virtue the Word carries in it's own nature abſtractly conſider'd, there is an additional cooperating influence of the Divine Spirit. Indeed what Help we have by the Word itſelf is the fruit of the Spirit; but this is not the whole of the Spirit's influence in the work of Sanctification. Beſides this, There is an internal agency of the Holy Spirit upon the Heart, a ſecret Divine Power, which accompanying the Word, gives life and efficacy thereunto.

THERE is a Common Grace, or general aſſiſtence of the Spirit, always attending the Word, and diſpenſed to all, tho' not in an equal degree, and proportion, which has a tendency to Converſion, and is ſufficient to take off the idle pretence of ſpiritual impotence, and renders all thoſe p. 159inexcuſable, that under the Goſpel remain carnal and diſobedient. Hence ſuch are ſaid to receive the Grace of God in vain, and to reſiſt the Holy Ghoſt.

AND there is a more Special Grace, or particular Aſſiſtence, accompanying the Word unto the Souls of ſome, which worketh effectually in them, and theſe are ordinarily ſuch as have improved former and leſſer Aſſiſtences. Thoſe who are humbly and diligently uſing the Means, praying for the Spirit, concurring with His holy Motions, and abandoning their evil ways, it is the uſual method of the Spirit, to derive unto them higher and more peculiar Aſſiſtences, to create in them a clean heart, and make them Partakers of the Divine Nature, to make them perfect in every good work, to do the will of God, working in them that which is well pleaſing in his ſight. This is the ſtanding method of the Spirit's proceeding with thoſe, who enjoy the Means of Grace, from which He doth not ordinarily vary. Indeed "the Apoſtle Paul, before his Converſion, was ſo far from being under any preparatory diſpoſition, that he was employing his ſtrength to deſtroy the Faith of Chriſt, at that time, when he was effectually call'd by him". But this is an extraordinarry inſtance, to ſhew the ſovereignty and power of Divine Grace. And they that take encouragement from it to neglect and ſlight the uſe of Means, under a ſhew of waiting for the Spirit, and do magnify this, and nullify that, are Men of ſtrange preſumption, and do caſt a foul indignity on the wiſe appointments of Heaven, and offer violence to the eſtabliſht method of Grace.—The Word and Spirit (in ordinary caſes) have a concomitant, p. 160tho' not equal, Agency in our Converſion and Sanctification; The Spirit as the Efficient, the Word as the Inſtrument. The Spirit ordinarily works by and with the Word. Hence, we find Sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the Truth put together, (2 Theſ. 2.13.) Hence, the Goſpel is call'd, The Miniſtration of the Spirit, The Sword of the Spirit, The Law of the Spirit of Life, The Power of God unto Salvation. Hence, when the Goſpel comes in power, it is ſaid to come in the Holy Ghoſt, (1 Theſ. 1.5.) Hence, The Saints are ſaid to purify their Souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, (1 Pet. 1.22.) and to be the Epiſtle of Chriſt, miniſtred by the miniſters of Chriſt, written not with Ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God; and beholding in the Word as in a glaſs the Glory of the Lord, to be changed into the ſame image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord, (1 Cor. 3.3, 18.) Hence, The Apoſtle makes that appeal to the Galatians, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of Faith? (Gal. 3.2.)—Theſe Scriptures make it ſufficiently evident, that the Word is the ordinary inſtrument of the ſanctifying Spirit, and accompany'd with His ſacred Preſence. It is the Chariot in which He rides forth conquering and to conquer; The Wings, by which He deſcends into the Soul; the Channel in which He conveys the waters of Purification. And we have a gracious Promiſe, (Iſai. 59.21.) that the Word and Spirit ſhall always be concomitant.

THUS I've ſomewhat largely Diſcours'd on the Firſt Article propos'd to conſideration, which was, that The Word of God has a cleanſing influence. I proceed now to ſay ſomething very briefly to—

p. 161Artic. II. Which is this; namely, IF we take heed to the Word of God, we ſhall experience it's cleanſing efficacy.

HERE I might premiſe; That, If ever we expect the Word of God ſhou'd cleanſe us, we muſt neceſſarily take heed unto it. The Word indeed is a means of Sanctification, & a moſt fit & powerful means; but we can never reap any ſaving benefit from it, without a due regard to it, & improvement of it. Therefore the Young Man in order to cleanſe his way, is directed in our Text, to take heed to the Word of God. We muſt obſerve it ſtrictly, as the Original imports. We muſt carefully mark it, and ſet our heart to it. We muſt ſearch the Scriptures for knowlege, as for precious ſubſtance, and muſt hide it in our hearts, and there preſerve it as a Treaſure. We muſt incline our ear to wiſdom and apply our heart to underſtanding. We muſt meditate in the Law of God day and night, and have reſpect to all his ways. We muſt receive and reverence the Word, as the Word of God: We muſt acknowledge it's authority, yield our ſelves up to the power, and acquaint our ſelves with the contents of it. We muſt be much in converſing with the Word Written, and frequent in attending on the Word Preacht: We muſt take heed alſo how we hear and how we read.

WE muſt take heed to the Truths of the Word, as the Standard of our Faith, and hold faſt the form of ſound words, in ſaith and love which is in Chriſt Jeſus. So likewiſe we muſt take heed to the Precepts of the Word, as the Directory of our practice, and obſerve them as Sailors do the Compaſs whereby they ſteer; We muſt inform our ſelves of the Rule, and conform our ſelves p. 162unto it. Again, We muſt take heed to the Threatnings, to learn our danger and quicken us to avoid it, as the Traveller is circumſpect and careful to ſpy and ſhun Praecipes, Sloughs and By-paths. Again, We muſt take heed to the Promiſes, to learn our happineſs, and animate us to purſue it, as the Racer locks to the Prize that is ſet before him: And further, we muſt take heed to the Examples in the Word to imitate them, as a Painter looks on the Object, as the Writer obſerves his Copy, or the Workman his Pattern. In ſhort, We muſt take heed to the whole Word of God. We muſt ſet our hearts to all things whatſoever it teſtifies unto us, (Deut. 32.46.)

WE muſt take heed to the Deſign and Uſe of the holy Word, keep that in our eye, affect our hearts with it, and always uſe the means with ſerious views to the bleſſed End.

MOREOVER, We muſt take heed to the Spirit, by whoſe Inſpiration the Word was written, and by whoſe Bleſſing it is ſucceeded; we muſt realize the neceſſity of His preſence with the Word, we muſt implore His ſpecial Influence to accompany it, rely on His powerful Grace to render it efficacious, lay our Souls open thereunto, obſerve His workings in us, cheriſh convictions, and improve every good impreſſion He makes on us by the Word at any time.

AND if we thus take heed to the Word, we ſhall find it an effectual method to cleanſe our way. This Truth is evident as from other Conſiderations, ſo eſpecially from the Promiſe of God, and the Experience of the Saints.—The Promiſe is unto ſuch. Thus we read, (1 Jam. 1.25.) Whoſo looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth p. 163therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man ſhall be bleſſed in his deed. So, (Mar. 4.24.) Take heed to what ye hear: And unto you that hear ſhall more be given. So (Iſai. 55.1.) Hear, and your Soul ſhall live. — Theſe bleſſed Promiſes unto thoſe that hear, or obſerve and take heed to the Word, are a ſufficient ground of aſſurance, that ſuch ſhall not fail of the Grace of God.— And the univerſal Experience of the Saints is an abundant confirmation of this Truth. 'Twas in this way they all eſcaped the pollutions of the world; they purify'd their Souls in obeying the Truth. To which of the Saints wilt thou turn? If we appeal to the Saints in Light, they will with one voice tell us, that by obſerving the Word of God they were made meet for their Inheritance. If we enquire of the Saints that are in the Earth, they will profeſs with the Pſalmiſt, By the Word I have kept me from the paths of the deſtroyer. The Word have I hid in my heart that I might not ſin againſt God. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they ſeek not his ſtatutes. But my heart ſtandeth in awe of his word. I have hoped for his ſalvation and done his commandments. I will never forget his precepts, for his word hath quicken'd me. I will walk at liberty, for I ſeek his precepts.

OBSERVING the Word is then a moſt ſure and infallible method of cleanſing. The Word of the Lord is try'd. It is a means, that never has fail'd ſuch as have diligently improv'd it; and this is ſufficient Argument, it never will. And as many as take heed unto the Word of God, muſt needs be undefiled in the way, and alſo do no iniquity. Whoſoever is born again, not of corruptible p. 164ſeed but incorruptible, by the word of God, he doth not commit ſin; for his ſeed remaineth in him, and he cannot ſin, (1 Pet. 1.23. & 1 Joh. 3.9. compa.)

THESE few Hints may ſuffice for this Laſt Article.

AND thus I've finiſht the Doctrinal Handling of the Text, and in ſome ſort cleared the Three Points propos'd to be ſpoken to; Namely, That the way of Youth is naturally defiled: That it greatly concerns Perſons in their Youth to get their way Cleanſed: And Laſtly, That if Young Men (or any others) duly obſerve the Word of God, they take a moſt direct and effectual method to cleanſe, and keep, their way from ſinful defilements.

AND now I proceed to make ſome brief APPLICATION of theſe Things diſtinctly.

USE. I. IS the way of Youth defiled, What ground of Self-abaſement is here? How ſhould this ſhame and humble us? How ſhou'd it correct the vanity and mortify the levity of Young Men, to conſider their natural depravation & contracted defilements? Conſider this, ye that forget God; and Be not high-minded, but be ye clothed with humility. Pride not your ſelves in any Privileges of Birth or Education, in any accompliſhments of Body or Mind, in any temporal enjoyments or external advantages of Life, and the like; for ſo long as your way is defiled, this tarniſhes the glory of all, and ſheds a fatal taint into all the Bleſſing you enjoy, renders your Perſons odious in the Eyes of the Holy God, and expoſes you to all the Curſes which His infinite Wiſdom can invent, or His infinite Power inflict, which is ſhame and terror enough. It is owing to ignorance p. 165and inconſideration of theſe things, that ſo many Young Men, as well as others, are vainly p…fft up by their fleſhly mind, and walk in the luſt of Pride. They wou'd rate Themſelves and their Accompliſhments a little lower, did they but conſider what black & filthy feet theſe proud Plumes walk upon; or what roots of bitterneſs they are, which bear theſe gawdy flowers, what corrupt Trees they are, which bear theſe painted fruits. Our original Corruption and actual Pollutions are ſufficient matter of humiliation to us, and a juſt allay of ſwelling arrogance. We may well bemoan our ſelves as wretched Men, 'till we are deliver'd from the Body of this Death, however happy we may be as to Bodily or Mental Endowments, or Worldly Enjoyments. And we ſhould temper the tho'ts of the one, by ſuitable reflections on the other, to make us lowly in our own Eyes, and to keep us from thinking more highly of our ſelves, than we ought to think.

USE. II. DOES it greatly concern Men in their Youth to get their way cleanſed? This might be improved —

1. TO detect the Folly, and ſhow the Miſery and Danger of all Young People, (and much more of Elder People) who contentedly abide in the ſtate of polluted nature, and reſolvedly go on in their ways of iniquity.

2. TO rebuke the madneſs and wickedneſs of thoſe Sons of Belial, th…ſ… Children of the Devil, and Factors for Hell, who try to corrupt and defile …oung Perſons: who not only do iniquity themſelves, but alſo take pleaſure in them that do the ſame, and take pains to hearten & harden deb…cht Youths in ſinful …es, and by curſed Example ſollicitation, or p. 166otherwiſe try to pervert the way of the innocent, and tempt them to practiſe wicked works with themſelves, and ſo to betray them into the ſnare of the Devil, and the miſeries of Hell.

3. TO move and quicken all to ſerious Self-Examination, How they are ſpending, or have ſpent, their Youth, whether in the dangerous Omiſſion, or diligent Proſecution, of ſo weighty a concern, as cleanſing their way.

4. TO Lament and Mourn over the unhappy growth and prevalence of carnality in the riſing Generation among us.

5. TO Exh…rt and Warn all lo…ſe and careleſs Young Men, with diligence and without delay to ſet about the great Work before them, even to cleanſe their hands and purify their hearts.

6. TO Exhort and Excite Parents, Maſters, Tutors, Guardians, and all ſuch as have any inſpection or influence over Young Ones, to a Zealous Concern, and Seaſonable Endeavours to promote purity and holineſs in them, by wholeſome Inſtructions, and ſolemn Charges, by wiſe Reproofs, and authoritative Reſtraints, & due Corrections, by good Examples, by fervent Prayers, &c. Unto the neglect of which vigilant Care over Youth, are very much owing the wickedneſſes of this Degenerate Day.

7. IT might further be improv'd, To commend and encourage thoſe Young People, who are ſeriouſly and ſeduouſly engag'd in the important work of cleanſing their way, as thro' the Grace of God there are ſome, however diſſolute the preſent Time is.

8. TO ſhew how deeply indebted, and what b…nds of gratitude ſuch are in, unto the God of all Grace, whom He has bleſſed with an early Converſion, and a pious Youth, while multitudes of others are periſhing p. 167in their chains of filth, and by Youthful luſts are ruin'd for ever.

THESE Things afford matter for a large Diſcourſe: But it is the Application of the Laſt Prepoſition, that I intend to ſpeak moſt and yet but briefly unto. Let us therefore come to—

USE. III. IS the Word, if duly obſerved, ſuch an effectual means to cleanſe our way? Hence,

1. WE have one very good Argument for the Divinity of the Word. It is no mean Argument, that the Word Written is of Divine Inſpiration, and the Word Preacht of Divine Inſtitution, That they are inſtrumental of the moſt Divine Effects, the moſt Honorary to God, and Beneficial to Man; ſuch Effects as all the Philoſophy of the ſageſt humane Writers cou'd never produce. By the Word, Dead Souls are quicken'd, Hard Hearts ſoften'd, Defiled Conſciences purged, and the whole Spirit, Soul, and Body ſanctify'd, turned from Darkneſs to Light, and from the power of Satan unto God.— Surely, Here is the Wiſdom and the Power of God. Theſe illuſtrious Effects and Triumphs of the Word, evidence it to be the Word of God, & not the Word of Man. And he muſt be ſtrangely blind & ſtupid, that does not in theſe Things read it's Divine Authority and Original.

2. HENCE, It is an invaluable Privilege to enjoy the Word, & what beſpeaks our thankful Praiſes. To have the Scriptures to ſearch, and the Word Preached to hear, is a Great Favour of God; a Bleſſing that cannot be ſufficiently valu'd. 'Tis the greateſt outward Privilege. The Apoſtle declares the Jews of old had manifold peculiar Advantages in the enjoyment of the Divine Oracles. (Rom. 3.1, 2.) And our Saviour tells His p. 168Diſciples, what a great Bleſſing they enjoy'd in the Goſpel, how much greater than they of old; (Luk. 10.23, 4.) Bleſſed are the eyes which ſee the things that ye ſee. For I tell you, that many Prophets and Kings have deſired to ſee thoſe things which ye ſee, and have not ſeen them; and to hear thoſe things which ye hear and have not heard them. We that enjoy the Goſpel, are highly favoured indeed. Unto ſuch may well be apply'd that (in Deut. 32.29.) Happy art thou; who is like unto Thee, O People ſaved by the Lord? Dignify'd & bleſſed even above the darling Saints in the Old Teſtament-Times; how much more then above the Great Ones in the Earth, who have not the Word? Verily, To live under the Light of the Glorious Goſpel, tho' in the meaneſt Cottage or Hovel, is a greater Happineſs, a goodlier Heritage, than without it to live in King's Palaces and the high Places of the Earth. How then ſhould we prize the Goſpel, and be thankful for the Word of Life!

AND it is a Diſtinguiſhing Favour, as well as Great. For there be many Perſons, yea Nations in the World, who have the ſame neceſſity and occaſion for the Word as we, and we as they, and they are Originally no more unworthy than our ſelves, and as capable of the Benefits of the Goſpel, and yet are deſtitute of the Word, and are left to the guidance of Nature's faint confuſed Light, and have no better Inſtructors than the Sun, Moon and Stars; while we have a more ſure word of Prophecy, which is as a ſhining Light, and have Paſtors and Teachers, to feed us with underſtanding, and to teach us the good knowlege of the Lord. In this caſe we muſt ſay, (as in, Rom. 3.9.) What then? are we better than they? no, in n… p. 169wiſe. And as in Luk. 10.21. I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, that thou haſt hid theſe things from the wiſe, & haſt revealed them unto babes: Even ſo, Father, for ſo it ſeemed good in thy ſight. The uncontrollable Liberty and unaccountable Sovereignty of God is to be ſeen and own'd in this conduct of Divine Providence. And ſurely a Favour, ſo incomparably great and ineffably gracious, as the Diſpenſation of the Goſpel, is what challenges the higheſt gratitude. O Let us ever be fill'd with admiring th…t's and the moſt thankful reſentments of the great and diſcriminating Goodneſs of God unto us a giving us His Word. The Pſalmiſt admoniſhes us of this our duty; Pſal. 147.19, 20. He ſheweth his word unto Jacob, He hath not dealt ſo with every Nation.— Praiſe ye the Lord.—And Let us adore the Patience and Forbearance of God towards us, and His ſovereign Grace, in continuing to us His Word, notwithſtanding the viſible contemt ſhown unto it by multitudes among us, and the innumerable Forfeitures we have made of this Privilege. There are many Places in the World, where the Word was once ſent and prevailed mightily, but having abus'd their liberty, and rebell'd againſt the Light, The Candleſtick was juſtly rem…d from them, and the fruitful Field is become an …owling Deſert and a deſolate Wilderneſs. And this alſo had long ſince been our mournful Doom, if God had dealt with us according to our juſt deſert. Aſtoniſhing is the Patience of God towards a ſinful Land!—And further, Many Perſons, who once enjoy'd the warm Sunſhine of the Goſpel, are laid in their cold Graves, and …ld up in the bottomleſs Pit, are gone p. 170beyond all hope and help, while we are ſpared. O the unmerited Goodneſs and wonderful Long-ſuffering of God us-ward! Surely, ſuch diſtinguiſhing Mercy deſerves and demands ſpecial returns of Gratitude.

3. HENCE, We learn the Reaſon and Motive of that Oppoſition which the Word of God meets with from Satan. The Word of God is a Well of Salvation, a Fountain of Truth and Purity. It has a powerful Efficacy to turn Men from Darkneſs to Light, from Sin to Sanctity, and is able to make them wiſe unto Salvation. It inſtructs thoſe, whom Satan wou'd have remain ignorant; it converts thoſe whom He wou'd have abide in their Sins; it ſanctifies thoſe, whom He wou'd fain defile; and comforts thoſe, whom He wou'd have to be diſconſolate. And thus it croſſes his deſigns, and thwarts his intereſts, clouds the glory and weakens the nerves of his Government, leſſens the number of his Subjects, and threatens the the deſtruction of his Kingdom. — And this is the ground of his ſpite and ſpleen, malice and malignity againſt the Word. Hence it is, that the God of this World, whoſe Kingdom lyes in darkneſs & wickedneſs, ſets himſelf to oppoſe the Goſpel & blaſt the endeavours of Miniſters, & by many ſubtil ſtratagems & with indefatigable induſtry labours to undermine and invalidate the Word, to bring it into contemt, to foment prejudices againſt it, and bar it's good Entertainment, to ſtifle Convictions and damp pious Affections kindled in any awaken'd Soul, and to enliven and enrage the Corruptions, that have been chill'd and cool'd, by the Word. That wicked One endeavours to rob us of the good Seed, to ſhake p. 171it out of our minds and memories: and to ſow Tares inſtead of it. Mat. 13.19, 23.

4. SEE the madneſs and miſery of thoſe, who put from them the Word of Life. Such as …ſpiſe the Word & reject the Counſel of God, that, being weary of the Word and Ordinances, as too great a Charge & unprofitable Burden, or to obtain better Worldly Accomodations, do forſake Wiſdom's Gates, and remove there Habitations into the dark Corners of the Land; or that being ſettled in ſuch Places, ſit eaſy and contented without the Goſpel; or that, dwelling in a valley of Viſion, either wholly or greatly neglect to read and hear the Word; Such do manifeſtly reproach the Wiſdom of God and ſlight one of the greateſt inſtances of His wonderful loving kindneſs towards them, and greatly provoke His wrath againſt them; & they deſpiſe and wrong their own Souls; & make them a Prey to every Adverſery; they forfeit many happy advantages, & opportunities for ſecuring their beſt & higheſt intereſt, they loſe many precious Benefits, more worth than a World; They ſeem to court miſery & danger, to chuſe Death, and to be invading their own deſtruction: and unleſs timely Repentance & Reformation prevent, they will have a much ſorer Puniſhment, than ſuch Heathen as never had the Word ſent unto them. And what amazing ſtupidity is here? What Fools are ſuch, & how great Enemies to God & Themſelves!

5. SEE what Adverſaries to God and to Mankind they are, that oppoſe the Spreading of the Goſpel in the World. Who are for baniſhing the Holy Bible, which God has written to us, and the Sacred Officers which Chriſt hath ſet in His Church for the work of the Miniſter, out of p. 172the World; who wou…d hinder the Goſpel of Chriſt, and have His Sanctuary be deſolate, and are for having the Word, neither read nor heard;—what monſters of wickedneſs are ſuch? Who are they, but The Children of the Devil? What are they doing, but Fighting againſt God, and Drowning Men in Perdition? They are doing the Luſts of their Father, the Devil; and the Everlaſting Puniſhment is like to be their wages. Unto ſuch, how fitly may we apply the foul Character of Elymas the Sorcerer, given of him, when he withſtood the Apoſtles, and ſought to turn away from the Faith Sergius Paulus, the Deputy, who deſired to hear the Word of God,— O full of all ſubtilty & all miſchief, thou child of the Devil, thou enemy of all righteouſneſs, wilt thou not ceaſe to pervert the right ways of the Lord? Behold now, the hand of the Lord (the wrath of God) is upon thee! Act. 13.7,—10.

6. HENCE, We infer the Stability, and Duration of the Word and Miniſtry to the End of the World. Is the Word inſtrumental of ſuch happy and illuſtrious Effects (as we've heard,) Do's it bring ſo much Glory to God, and Benefit to Man? Then we may be ſure, that the Golden Candleſtick is fixt on perpetual Foundations, and will not be removed for ever. The Word is the ſtanding means of Grace in the Hand of the ſanctifying Spirit; and ſo long as there will be need of the Sanctification of the Spirit, the Word will be profitable for inſtruction in righteouſneſs. Now ſo long as the Word will be of uſe, we may depend on't, the Divine Spirit will ſecure it's continuance. He will protect His own Inſpirations and Inſtruments againſt the utmoſt Violence of p. 173Hell and Earth, and tranſmit the Oracles of God ſale and pure to lateſt Poſterity. Tho' Fleſh, World, and Devil are united in reſtleſs attempts againſt the Word and Miniſters of Chriſt, yet theſe ſhall ſurvive all their impotent Fury, and nothing ſhall ever be able to put out the glorious Light, or ſtill the joyful Sound.

7. IT is a happy Symptom, and bodes well to a People, when the Word is ſent unto them. The Word is deſign'd and adapted to purify and profit Souls: That is the great End and genuine Efficacy of it. Now the infinitely wiſe God is not wont to ſend the Means, where He do's not deſign the End, and produce the Effect in a greater or leſſer meaſure. Hence is that of the Apoſtle, (2 Cor. 2.14, 5.) Now Thanks be unto God, who always cauſeth us to triumph in Chriſt, and maketh manifeſt the ſavour of His knowledge by us in every place. If we read the ſacred Story and trace the Prophets and Apoſtles and Primitive Preachers of the Word, we ſhall find that in all Places where the Report of the Goſpel was heard, The Arm of the Lord was revealed, an effectual Door was open'd unto them of the Lord, and certain Men clave unto them and believed. We may therefore with ſafety conclude, that, where God ſends His Word and ſettles the Ordinances of His Kingdom among a People, it is with intentions of Mercy towards them, and tho' many may mock and blaſpheme, yet ſome ſhall believe and turn unto the Lord.

8. HENCE, We are inform'd, what is to be look'd upon as true Evangelical Preaching. Namely, That, which, as to matter, is becoming ſound Doctrine; and agreeable to the Oracles of God, and which, as to the method and manner, tends moſt to advance p. 174the great Deſign of the Word, even the Converſion and Sanctification of Souls. Thoſe are true Goſpel-Miniſters who ſpeak forth the words of Truth, and declare the Counſel of God, His whole Counſel, who labour in the Word and Doctrine; who do not ſpend their Miniſtry on little matters of doubtful Diſputation, or barren Speculation, but adapt it to the uſe of godly Edifying, and preach thoſe ſubſtantial Truths, that are according to Godlineſs; who ſtudy to ſhew themſelves approved unto God, Workmen that need not to be aſhamed; rightly dividing the Word of Truth; but ſhun vain Bablings, and endeavour to commend themſelves to every Man's Conſcience in the ſight of God; Not as pleaſing Men, but ſeeking the profit of many, that they might be ſaved; whoſe Aim and Study is, to purify a peculiar People unto God, zealous of good Works, and who draw the Waters of the Sanctuary, which they diſpenſe, out of the Well of Salvation, the Holy Scriptures.— Theſe are Good Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt, and in doing this, they take the beſt Method to ſave themſelves, and thoſe that hear them.

9. HENCE, A Learned and Faithful Miniſtry ſhould be eſteem'd and entertain'd, as a great Bleſſing. One great part of the Work of Miniſters is, to explain, confirm and apply the Doctrines of the written Word, and to repreſent and urge the Duties and Motives of Religion, in the moſt plain and convincing manner they can, with the cleareſt Light and the warmeſt Zeal, to inform the Underſtanding and inflame the Affections of thoſe that hear them. They are to Preach the Word, to be inſtant in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, to reprove, rebuke with all authority, and exhort with p. 175a…ng ſuffering, and Doctrine, and to watch in all things, to watch for Souls, as they that muſt give account.—Now, how neceſſary, how ſuitable a Bleſſing to Mankind is the ſacred Miniſtry! And how great a Benefit, when accompany'd with the Divine preſence and influence! It has pleaſed God by the fooliſhneſs of Preaching to ſave many. And Faithful Miniſters have the Promiſe of His Preſence and Bleſſing to accompany them, even to the end of the World.—Surely then the Enjoyment of a Learned and Pious Miniſtry ought to be reſented, as an invaluable Privilege, by a Perſon or People. And how great is the guilt and folly of thoſe, who undervalue this holy and bleſſed Ordinance, and diſcard it from a pretence of the ſufficiency of the written Word, or from any corrupt motive whatſoever? And how great is the injuſtice and impiety, the wickedneſs and baſeneſs of thoſe, that villify, abuſe and diſcourage the Faithful Miniſters of the Word, and endeavour to ſtop their mouths and break their hearts, by cruel Mockings, by inſulting Cham-iſm, by inſolent Korah-iſm, or by ſacrilegious Niggardlineſs, and the like? And how little love to Chriſt or concern for His Intereſt may thoſe pretend to, who can behold or hear of ſuch unſufferable indignities, and not manifeſt any Tenderneſs or Reſentment?— But how may it hearten and animate Faithful Miniſters under ſuch unworthy Treatment, to conſider, whoſe Servants they are, what Divine Work they are engag'd in, and what an exceeding great Reward is reſerved for them in Heaven? And how wiſe and praiſe-worthy are ſuch, as eſteem Miniſters highly in love for their works ſake?

p. 17610. HENCE, We ſee, what Obligation lies on a Profeſſing People to encourage the Means of Education. The Word Written and Preacht is the ordinary Medium of Converſion and Sanctification. Now in order to obtaining theſe Benefits by the Word, it is requiſite, that Perſons be diligent in Reading & Hearing of it; And in order to theſe, how expedient and neceſſary is it, that there be Schools of Learning; thoſe of a Lower Character, for the inſtructing of Youth in Reading, and thoſe of an Higher, for the more Liberal Education of ſuch, as may be devoted to the Work of the Miniſtry? The Religious Concerns of a People demand the Publick Care and the common Regards of All towards the Means for Educating of Youth, eſpecially to the Schools of the Prophets. Theſe things muſt be upheld and encouraged, or elſe Religion will ſoon bid us farewell, our Glory fade away, and a Flood of Evils break in upon us. The riſing Youth are the hopes of a People, and an inſtructed Seed, a godly Seed, are a Crown and an happy Omen to them. It ſtands them in hand therefore to promote and purſue all proper methods for the propagation of knowlege, purity, and good order among the riſing Generation. And ſuch as do this are to be commended, as truly wiſe & faithful to their own Intereſts, & doing that which has an eminent relation to the Honour of God. And ſo are they, who having at heart the Concerns of Poſterity, are training up their Sons for Prophets, and taking a pious care for the ſucceſſion of a Learned and Godly Miniſtry among them, which is of ſo great neceſſity, importance and advantage to Mankind.

p. 17711. HENCE, It ſhould be the Care of Parents, and all Superiors of whatever character, to bring the Young People under their inſpection, into an early acquaintance with, & affection to, God's Holy Word. Parents, Maſters, Miſtreſſes, and the like, have the Souls of their Young People in part committed to their Charge, and it is their neceſſary Duty to bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. Since the Word is ſo profitable to Souls, they ſhould do their endeavour wiſely and diligently, that the purifying Truths and holy Laws of God may be written on their minds with fair & laſting characters. They ſhould begin early with them, Teach them to Read, Catechize 'em, Hear 'em read the Bible & other pious Books, Explain and Inculcate the Doctrines and Duties of Chriſtianity, Giving them Line upon Line, and Precept upon Precept, here a little and there a little; and bring them to the Houſe of God to attend the Publick Preaching of the Word, Endeavour to poſſeſs them with a juſt Veneration for the Word Preacht, Take an account of the Sermon from them afterward, & preſs it upon them in the moſt ſolemn and pathetical manner to affect their Souls and incline their hearts to wiſdom.— Thus to do, Superiors are bound by all the Tyes of Duty, Intereſt, Comfort and Honour. It is mentioned, (as One obſerves) not only to the praiſe of Young Timothy, but of Thoſe that were concerned in his Education, that From a Child he knew the Holy Scriptures, which were able to make him wiſe to Salvation, thro' Faith which is in Chriſt Jeſus.—And the Apoſtle John ſpeaks of the Elect Lady with honour, rejoycing greatly, that he had found of her children walking in the Truth.

p. 17812. HENCE, We ſhould all examine our ſelves and enquire, what improvement we have made of the Price, that is in our hands: What entertainment we have given to the Word of God; what influence it has had upon us; what benefit we've reaped from it. Let us make ſerious inquiſition into this matter. To move hereunto, conſider; This is an Enquiry of the laſt moment; of ſuch conſequence, that thoſe muſt be charg'd with aſtoniſhing ſtupidity, who can live eaſily and calmly without endeavouring to get the important Caſe comfortably reſolv'd. Again, conſider; Multitudes, that enjoy the Word, do miſs of the purifying and ſaving effects of it; They are planted by Rivers of Water, and fit under the droppings of the Sanctuary, and yet are perfect ſtrangers to ſpiritual purity. To profit by the Word is not the common & infallible Lot of all that enjoy it. Further, Many deceive themſelves with groſs miſtakes about this matter. They take up with a mer…e Orthodox Faith, which is but the Faith of Devils, inſtead of that Faith which purifyeth the heart: They take up with a tranſient delight in the Truth, and have not root in themſelves; As thoſe, Mat. 13.20.-They reſt in ſome partial reformation and ſeeming appearances of Grace. And with theſe things, and the like, they flatter themſelves into ruin.

THESE Conſiderations ſhould put us all upon ſpeedy, diligent, and impartial Self-Examination, how the Caſe ſtands with our ſelves.

13. HENCE, We have one Rule for the Tryal of our ſpiritual State by. The holy Word of God being the ordinary inſtrument of Converſion and Sanctification, Hence, Such as apprehend themſelves p. 179to be Regenerate, in order to know the truth of their Converſion, muſt enquire, whether the Change, they conclude themſelves to have experienced, were wrought by the Word or not. If the Word has had no influence in their apprehended Converſion, there is ſad ground to ſupect the reality of it. They that are born of God, are begotten by the Goſpel; they that are ſanctify'd in Chriſt Jeſus, are ſanctify'd by the Truth, the word of Truth.—And ſuch, as may have forgotten by what means the firſt impreſſion was made on their Souls, Such as drew in the breath of Life inſenſibly in Youth, ſhould now enquire what conformity or correſpondence there is between the frame of their Souls and the form of ſound Words; ſhou'd ſee what characters or footſteps there are in them of the ſanctifying Word of God, and whether they are chang'd into the image of it's purity. And if ſo, then they may be aſſured of the certainty of their Converſion, and that the Goſpel is the power of God to their Salvation, altho' (it may be) they can't call to mind the particular Word, that was the means of their Converſion.

14. HENCE, We learn the great Reaſon and Occaſion of Men's not profiting by the Word, to wit, becauſe they don't duly obſerve and take heed unto it. If Men wou'd get their way cleanſed, they muſt take heed to the Word. But the Generality neglect, diſregard, and diſpiſe the Word. They take little or no care to get a good underſtanding of it; they don't give due credit unto it; they take no pains to lay it up in their minds and charge their memories with it; They ſeldom or never meditate in God's Law; they are little p. 180or nothing affected with the Word: They don't reverence & love & delight in it. The great Things of God's Law are counted & treated by them as a ſtrange Thing. And now unto this neglect of, and diſreſpect unto, the Word of God, is owing the Unprofitableneſs of many under the Goſpel. The Word does not profit them, not being mixed with Faith, nor duly attended to.

THE Laſt Branch of the USE is an EXHORTATION. (1) To Sinners, (2) To Saints.

1. TO Sinners. O Let all, and particularly Young Men, that are yet in a ſtate of carnal and polluted Nature, be perſwaded to purify their Souls in obeying the Truth, and to cleanſe their way by taking heed to God's Word.

TO move hereunto conſider,—

1. THRO' the forbearance of God you have ſtill an opportunity prolonged to you. God might juſtly before now have put an utter end to all poſſibility of your Converſion and Salvation, and have appointed you your portion among the unclean Spirits in Priſon: but thro' the riches of His Patience you are yet ſpar'd, and your day of Grace lengthen'd out; the Spirit ſtriving with you, and the Means of Grace continu'd to you. And O that this Goodneſs of God may lead you to Repentance, and His Long ſuffering may be Salvation to you!

2. Conſider, GOD takes notice of your neglect and abuſe of His Word, He reſents it, and will one Day reckon with you for it. The Author of Salvation, who has purchas'd for you and beſtow'd on you the ſpiritual Advantages you enjoy, has alſo made you Debtor in His Accompt-Book for all the Talents be truſted with you. He takes a Memorandum of your Privileges & Opportunities, and alſo of your p. 181Improvements; of your Receits & your Returns. He obſerves, how long you have enjoy'd the Means of Grace, What ſpace for Repentance has been alow'd you, How many Sabbaths & Sermons, How many Calls & Warnings you have had. And He marks againſt you all your unfruitfulneſs, your impenitence, unbelief, hardneſs of Heart, & uncleanneſs of Way, your miſpence of His Gifts, refuſals of His Calls, & abuſe of His Patience; He beholds your baſe & unworthy deportment under, and contemt of, your invaluable Liberties and Privileges, and His Soul is vexed from day to day with your filthy Converſation, your impurity of heart and life. And He will one Day ſtrictly reckon and ſeverely deal with you therefor. And what a miſerable Account will you have to give up?

3. Conſider, YOU are altogether defenceleſs and inexcuſable. Goſpel-Sinners are left without all excuſe. You have no juſt Apology imaginable to make for your ſelves. You can't plead ignorance, either of the nature or neceſſity of this work of cleanſing your Way; for your Duty in this matter is fully aſſerted and explained. You cannot plead the impoſſibility of the Task, for Examples are ſet before you. Neither can want of ſufficient motive and encouragement be pleaded, for an exceeding great Reward is propounded & aſſured to you. Nor can you plead invincible impotence, for you have the Word, Ordinances & Miniſters of Chriſt; the beſt Means & Helps, & you have the Almighty Spirit of God, whoſe Grace is ſufficient for the Chief of Sinners, & nothing but a reſolved neglect will prevent the enjoyment thereof. Neither finally, can you plead want of Time & Leiſure; … many, that have not liv'd longer under the p. 182Means than you, & have had equal incumbrances, impediments, & avocations, have yet given diligence to cleanſe their way, & have perfected holineſs in the fear of God.—All Pleas & Pretences then are utterly removed. You have no cloke for your ſin, (Joh. 15.22.) How juſtly may God expoſtulate with you, as in Iſa. 5.4. What cou'd have been done more unto my Vineyard, that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it ſhould bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? How unworthy, how unaccountable & inexcuſable is this?—The juſt Charge & Complaint lyes againſt you, (Joh. 6.40.) Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life. And, (Jer. 13.27.) Woe unto thee, wilt thou not be made clean? And, (Prov. 1.14.) I have called, & ye have refuſed, I have ſtretched out my hand, but ye have ſet at naught all my counſel, & did not chooſe the fear of the Lord.—Therefore thou art inexcuſable, O Man, whoſoever thou art. And your own Conſcience will condemn & ſilence you; will bear witneſs againſt you, will ſtop your mouth & ſtrike you ſpeechleſs, in a day when God ſhall judge the ſecrets of Men by Jeſus Chriſt, according to the Goſpel.

4. Conſider, YOUR Goſpel Advantages, (if you periſh at laſt) as they enhance your Sins now, ſo they will inflame your Sentence hereafter. Your Guilt is aggravated by your Goſpel-Privileges. The provocation of your Sins, is increaſed from your living under the Goſpel & Means of Grace. Your Sins are committed againſt the moſt ſhining Light, & endearing Love, againſt all poſſible reſtraints & preſervatives, in contemt of the Word of the Kingdom & the Spirit of Holineſs: which ſpeaks much wilfulneſs, ſtubbornneſs and during preſumption, & infinitely height… the malignity p. 183of your Sins, & the indignity of your offences. So that you are under a vaſtly heavier load of Guilt, than any of thoſe who Sin without the Law.—And conſequently you ſhall alſo receive an heavier Curſe & greater Damnation. As many as have ſinned without the Law, ſhall alſo periſh without the Law, die without mercy, & every tranſgreſſion receive a juſt recompence of reward: How then ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great Salvation, which at firſt began to be ſpoken by the Lord? And of how much ſorer puniſhment, ſuppoſe ye, ſhall they be tho't worthy, who have trodden under foot the Son of God and have done deſpite unto the Spirit of Grace?—We read, Luk. 12.47, 8. That ſervant, which knew his Lord's Will and prepared not himſelf, neither did according to his will, ſhall be beaten with many ſtripes. But be, that knew not, & did commit things worthy of ſtripes, ſhall be beaten with few ſtripes. For unto whomſoever much is given, of him ſhall much be required: & to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Goſpel-Sinners are the Chief of Sinners, and therefore they will be the wretched Objects, on whom vindictive Juſtice ſhall have it's chief & moſt formidable Triumphs throughout the unknown Lengths of Eternity. Abuſed Mercy will be enraging oyl to the fire of God's indignation, & will add infinitely to the weight of their doom, & load it with killing aggravations. Mountains of Guilt & Filth lie upon them now, and a World of inſupportable Woes & Miſeries will be their Portion hereafter. Conſider this ye that forget God; Conſider, that by your impenitence of heart and impurity of life under the Goſpel you are emimently treaſuring up wrath againſt the day of wrath. O Believe & Tremble; p. 184and think not to eſcape the righteous Judgment of God, without ſpeedy Repentance & Reformation.

5. Conſider, THERE is the utmoſt Danger of your final miſcarrying, The World, the Fleſh, & the Devil are all joyn'd in a malicious conſpiracy to ruin you, & are acting with the utmoſt art & unwearied diligence in purſuit of their curſed deſigns againſt you. Theſe Enemies of your Souls, & of all Righteouſneſs, by a thouſand wiles endeavour to render the Word of God of none effect unto you, to impriſon the Truth in unrighteouſneſs, & wreſt the Scriptures to your deſtruction. They ſeek to harden you in unbelief, enmity & diſobedience to the Law of God; To blind your Eyes, that the Light of the glorious Goſpel ſhou'd not ſhine into your hearts; To prejudice you againſt the Truths and Precepts of Religion; To ſuppreſs every pious Thought, to damp every good inclination, & break every devout Reſolution; To inſpire vain thoughts and inflame corrupt affections, To entangle you in the pleaſures of Sin and in the cares & ſnares of the World; & ſo to drown you in perdition.— This tells you that your Caſe is extreamly dangerous.—But further, you are in danger by the ſtroke of Death, which may ſoon irrecoverably ſeal up your hands, and period all your opportunities of doing or getting Good. And moreover, You are in danger of Spiritual Judgments. You have received the Grace of God in vain; And who knows but that He may ere long bereave you of His diſpiſed Word & Ordinances, or blaſt them to you; ſend a famine of the Means: or elſe of the Spirit, ſo that, tho' you may read the Letter, & hear the ſound of the Word, yet you ſhall never ſmell it's ſweet ſavour, nor feel it ſaving power, but rather p. 185wax worſe & worſe under the Means, that ſhould profit you?—O meditate much, ye Goſpel-Deſpiſers, on that awful Text, Iſai. 6.9, 10. (a Text repeated no leſs than 6 or 7 times in the New-Teſtament, to declare it's extraordinary importance & draw your attentive conſideration,) & alſo on that, Mat. 3.10.—Meditate on theſe Texts. Meditate Terror, & Let your hearts tremble, leſt there be written your mournful Caſe & fearful Doom.— But let not any humble contrite Soul pervert thoſe Scriptures to his diſcouragement. Let them be improv'd to quicken you to work out your Salvation with fear & trembling, & give diligence leſt any Man ſail of the Grace of God.— This is the End of all the foregoing Conſiderations, And, Oh! that they may have this effect upon you. Seriouſly ponder them, & let 'em excite you to cleanſe your way by obſerving the Word of God.

AND if this be the Deſire & Reſolution of your Soul, Let me for your encouragement add, that God is ready to aſſiſt you: and for your help let me offer theſe Hints by way of Direction.

1. MOURN over, & be afflicted for, all your paſt neglects & abuſes of the Word. Conſider what an evil & bitter thing it is, that you have been deſpiſing the Word, & breaking the Commandment. Conſider what indignities you have been offering herein to the Bleſſed God, what affront to our gracious Saviour, what outrage againſt the Holy Spirit. Conſider the ingratitude, the injuſtice, and many heinous aggravations of your paſt guilty deportment. And let your Soul be humbled in you, when you remember theſe things; ſpread your caſe before God, pour out your heart in penitent confeſſions of your great guilt, & ardent ſupplications p. 186for Mercy to pardon, & Grace to help you.

2. FOR the Future improve this bleſſed Mean… of Grace, the Word of God, with all Diligence & Care.

1. BE frequent in the Duties of Reading and Hearing. Converſe much with the Holy Scriptures ▪ and be often waiting on God in His Holy Sanctuary.—Imitate the noble Bereans in ſearching the Scriptures daily: and as the Kings of Iſrael were enjoyned, Read in this Book of the Law all the days of your life.—And further, (as the Apoſtle directs, Jam. 1.19.) Let every man alſo be ſwift to hear. Wait daily at Wiſdom's Doors, in ſeaſon & out of ſeaſon. Seek for convenient opportunities of Hearing; embrace 'em readily; improve 'em diligently. If you neglect & omit any occaſion needleſly and wilfully, perhaps you may then miſs an acceptable Time & a good Day for your Souls.

2. ENTER on theſe Exerciſes with due Preparation. Diſmiſs the cares of this World, & the pleaſures of ſenſe, which choke the Word, which ſtop your ears, ſhut your eyes, & harden your heart againſt it. Awaken & ſummon together your moſt ſerious Thoughts, & labour by holy muſing to warm your Souls, and work 'em into the moſt ſolemn Frame. Come to the Word with a free ſpirit, with a good & honeſt heart, with humility, meekneſs & teachableneſs, ſuppreſſing all Pride and Paſſion, all Prejudices & Prepoſſeſſions with reſpect both to Doctrines & Perſons. Come with the diſpoſition of ſerious Learners, & not of cenſorious Carpers.—Come alſo with ſincere views and unfeigned aims at the great End of the Word. Let not Curioſity, Cuſtom, Company, Reputation, Intereſt, or the clamours of a rebuking Conſcience, or any corrupt motive, be your inducement to p. 187Read or Hear the Word at any time; But let a Deſire to pleaſe & honour God, & profit your own Souls, be your governing principle. This is the End, which God propounds in giving us His Word; and this is anſwerable to the nature of the Word, and becoming the dignity of rational Creatures. And if you come with this good intention, you may hope that God will add His Bleſſing; but otherwiſe you have no ground for any ſuch expectation. And further, you muſt by previous Prayer invoke & engage the promiſed Aſſiſtences of the Holy Spirit. The preparation of the heart in Man is from the Lord, & from Him comes down the Bleſſing. God can put your Hearts into, and keep them in, a right Temper, & can teach you to profit. And He hath ſaid, He will be enquired of by the Houſe of Iſrael, to do this thing for them. Therefore ply the Throne of Grace, & Give your ſelves to Prayer, when you apply your ſelves to the Word of Grace, & give attendance to private Reading, or to Publick Hearing.

3. ATTEND Diligently, and with the whole bent of your Soul, when actually engag'd in theſe devout Exerciſes. Be not trifling, perfunctory, heedleſs, remiſs, inadvertent. But experect, vigilant, earneſs, conſtantly & univerſally attentive. Beware of drowſy ſloth, and ſleepy negligence. Beware of a clouded Eye, a cloſed Ear, and a roving Mind. As ever you would profit by the Word, yield the moſt wakeful, ſteddy and lively atten…ion unto it. Conſider, who ſpeaks to you in the Word, even the Great God; Conſider what is ſpoken to you, even Things of the greateſt Concern; & let theſe tho'ts ſtrike an awe upon your mind, & awaken you to give earneſt heed unto the Word.

p. 1884. ENDEAVOUR to Apprehend readily. Be not ſlow of apprehenſion, & dull of bearing, a People of no underſtanding. But let him that readeth, and him that beareth, underſtand. Employ your beſt reaſon & conſideration, & ſet your heart to know & underſtand the words of the Lord. We muſt read & hear with the Spirit & alſo with underſtanding.

5. BELIEVE freely & fully. Realize it, that the Scriptures are of Divine Inſpiration, … yield a ready and firm aſſent unto the Truth of all you find written there. And the Word of Hearing, let that alſo be mixed with Faith, without which it cannot profit you. Whatſoever Doctrine the Miniſters of the Word preach unto you, if they ſpeak according to the Law & the Teſtimony, you muſt receive it not as the word of Man, but as it is indeed the word of God, & that without delay & without reluctance. Be not faithleſs, neither be ſlow of heart to believe. If you believe not our Report, you will not have the Arm of the Lord revealed to you.

6. RECEIVE the Word affectionately & ſubmiſſively. Receive the Truth in the love of it. Eſteem every Word of God highly in Love, as a faithful ſaying and worthy of all acceptation. Delight in the Truth after the inward Man. What is ſaid, however it thwarts your Opinions, Luſts or Intereſts, Receive it with meekneſs. God will give Grace to the humble, and the meek He will teach in His way.

7. APPLY faithfully and wiſely. The neglect of prudent & impartial ſelf-application is the ruin of multitudes. It is the miſery & folly of not a few, they ſhift off what they read & hear upon others, & do not diſcern or conſider it's relation to themſelves, nor apply it to their own Souls. And it is the unhappineſs of others, they apply all p. 189to themſelves right or wrong, without diſcerning be…wixt things that differ, and ſo often pervert the Scriptures to their own deſtruction.—You muſt be ca…eful to avoid both theſe Errors. You muſt be vigilant to ſpy what touches & affects your own Condition, & readily take the Portion carved for you, whether it be an Inſtruction, Rebuke, Advice or Conſolation. Critically remark what points at your caſe, and with all impartiality take it home, and hide it in your heart. Judicious and ſerious Application is the Soul of Hearing and Reading, as well as of Preaching.

8. FORM ſuitable Reſolutions, mixt with pious Ejaculations. Submit to every Word of God, and reſolve on future conformity thereunto: and let that be the ſecret language of your Souls,—Good is the word of the Lord.—Teach me thy way O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: I believe, Lord, help mine unbelief.—Thou haſt commanded us to keep thy Precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy ſtatutes! I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou ſhalt enlarge my heart.— Let theſe in general be the pious breathings of your Souls under the Word. And moreover, form devout Reſolves and Petitions agreeable to the Tenor and Quality of every particular Truth.

9. TREASURE up the Word in your Memories. Be not forgetful Hearers. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly. Hold faſt the form of ſound words, which you read; & keep in memory what is preached to you. This is your Duty, & will be much for your advantage every way, to enrich you with knowlege, to fortify you againſt Error & Sin, & to furniſh you unto every good Thought Word and Work.

10. MEDITATE on the Word ſeriouſly and intenſely. Digeſt what you hear & read, by d…vout After-conſideration and cloſe Reflection. Ponder upon it, and commune with your hearts about i… This will have a happy tendency not only to faſten it in your Memories, but alſo to fix and further its p. 190efficacy on your Souls, and to invigorate and perpetuate it's influence on your Lives. Better read one Chapter or hear one Sermon, and carefully ruminate upon it, than ſeveral in the neglect hereof. Meditation is the beſt Friend and Help to Knowlege & Grace. 1 Joh. 2.14. I have written unto you Young Men, becauſe ye are ſtrong, and the word of God abideth in you.—Therefore Give thy ſelf to meditation, that thy profiting may appear to all. Dwell on the Word by After-thought, revolve it in your mind, preſs and urge it on your heart, and never leave till ſome warm impreſſion be made, Some religious paſſion drawn into vigorous exerciſe.

11. FOLLOW the Word with earneſt Supplications. Labour always fervently in Prayer, that God wou'd ſanctify you thro' the Truth, & teach you to profit by his Word; That He wou'd write every Truth you hear or read, by the Finger of His Spirit on your heart, with deep and indelible Characters; that He wou'd ſeal inſtruction to you and make every Word an ingrafted Word.—And you will find it a moſt wiſe and beneficial practice, to pray over, as well as think over, the Particulars of the Sermon you've heard, or the portion of Scripture you've read, eſpecially if accommodated to your caſe. Repeat them not only to your ſelves, by Meditation; but alſo to God, by Supplication. Turn all into Prayer. Uſe your beſt skill to Form them into an Addreſs to God. No Scripture is ſo Speculative and Doctrinal, but that it is alſo Practical and Devotional. — And when you Pray, Pray in Faith, relving on the efficacious Spirit, and meritorious Blood of Jeſus Chriſt for Aſſiſtence and Acceptance.

12. WATCH againſt all that tends to damp & deſtroy the influence of the Word. Keep down Luſt, which wars againſt the Soul, and rebells againſt the Light; which reſiſts the Convictions and repels the Dictates of the Word. Take heed l…ſt you be harden'd thro' the deceitfulneſs of Sin.— Keep out the World; watch againſt the Inroads of Worldly Cares and Fears, and beware of ſinful Company, and watch againſt Worldly Enticements & Satisfactions; all which tend to chill the influence and quench the efficacy of the Word.— And keep off the Tempter; who with many wiles and unwearv'd labour ſeeks to choke the Word, and ſteal away that Good Thing that is committed to us, & to inſpire vain Tho'ts & inkindle vile Affections & Deſires in us. Stand therefore upon your guard, keep up a lively Care & holy Jealouſy over your ſelves; Keep an eye upon the Enemy, Acquaint your ſelves with His Devices, Watch all his Motions, Reſiſt him ſtedfaſtly; and Keep your hearts with all Diligence.

p. 191In the Laſt Place, …HERISH every good Motion begotten in you by the Word, & purſue ev'ry pious Inclination quickly into exerciſe. Carefully obſerve & preſerve every Beam of Light and Spark of Fire, that drops in upon you. Study to maintain and improve every Heavenly Impreſſion, & to nouriſh good Beginnings. Strike while the Iron is Hot. Take the firſt opportunity, while your Heart is under the warm ſenſe & influence of the Word, to anſwer the Call of God & obey that form of ſound Doctrine, which is d…liver'd you. The Primus Impetus (as One obſerves) affords a great advantage, if it be improved; Poſſibly in the vigour of it, you may overcome thoſe great difficulties & oppoſitions which have been too hard for you formerly, & may otherwiſe give you imp…diment hereafter; and theſe being maſtered, your pro…reſs will be eaſier. Therefore immediately ſet your ſelf to comply with every Direction of the Word, & preſently reduce every gracious diſpoſition into Act. Do's the Word convince you of any Error? Immediately retract the ſame. Do's it reprove you for any Sin? Immediately forbear & repent of it. Do's it condemn you for any indulged Luſt? Immediately ſet about the mortification of it. And whatſoever Grace or Duty has been recommended to you, Immediately come into the Exerciſe & Practice of it. Grieve not the Spirit by Delays. And …ee to it, that you endanger not your Souls by Partiality. Let your obedience to the Word be not only Speedy, but alſo Univerſal. Let all the Powers of your whole Man pay their homage to the Word; & let all the words of the whole Law receive your homage & regards, that you may be perfect & intire, wanting nothing. You know what was the Condemnation of the Young Man in the Goſpel, — One Thing thou lackeſt—. Take heed leſt you fall after the ſame Example of unbelief.

THUS much for the firſt Brach of the Exhortation. In the next place,—

2. I am to Addreſs the Saints, or thoſe that have felt the Divine power and efficacy of the purifying Word. Receive the Exhortation which ſpeaks unto you in a few words.

1. LET God have the Praiſe and Glory of all the purifying Effects of the Word. Eye and Adore the Hand of God, in the cleanſing Efficacy of the Word upon you. Don't burn Incenſe to your own Drag, nor raiſe a Trophee to the power of Means, and the skill of Inſtruments. But Let him that gloryeth, glory in the Lord. Set the Crown on the Divine Efficiency, which worketh all in all. And magnify the Divine Mercy. See the exceeding Grace of God, in what He p. 192has done for your Soul; and pour out your thankful Praiſes.

2 WALK humbly in the ſenſe of your remaining Impurities and Deficiencies. Give to GOD the Glory of His Grace; and take to your Self the ſhame of your imperfections. Conſider your many defilements, and defects, and contrarieties to God's holy Word, mourn over 'em, bluſh for 'em, and Be not high-minded, but Fear. Rejoyce with Trembling.

3. HIGHLY Prize the Word, as one of your beſt Privileges, and conſtantly improve it. It has been the Means under God of producing the moſt noble and excellent Effects in you; has tranſlated you out of your natural ſtate of Darkneſs, Uncleanneſs and Miſery, into an Heavenly ſtate of Light, Purity, and Peace. And ſurely this conſideration ſhou'd ſtrongly commend and endear it to you, as it did to the holy Pſalmiſt, who ſaid, (Pſal. 119.140.) Thy Word is very pure: Therefore thy Servant loveth it.—Maintain a high Value for it, pay a great Regard unto it. Account the Enjoyment of it one of the moſt deſireable Articles of your pr…ſent happineſs. Look on the Word as a Treaſure, better than Thouſand of Gold & Silver. Keep it in the midſt of thine heart. Let it never depart out of thy mouth, nor from before thine eyes. Be much in meditation upon it. Be diligent in the improvement of it. Let not mercy and truth forſake thee: bind them about thy neck, write th…m upon the table of thine heart.

4. STUDY to adorn the Doctrine of God your Saviour in all things. Let your converſation be as becometh the Goſpel. Let your Actions be a continual Comment on the Word, & ſo a bright Ornament to your Profeſſion. As you experience the efficacy of it in your Hearts, let others obſerve the influence of it in your Lives. Let the Purity of the Word be viſibly exemplify'd in your univerſal behaviour, and Holineſs to the Lord be written on your whole Conduct. See that you walk circumſpectly, giving no offence, giving no occaſion to the Adverſary to ſpeak reproachfully, and to blaſpheme the Name of God and His Doctrine. But let your Light ſo ſhine before Men, that others ſeeing your good works may be brought to glorify God in the day of viſitation.

I Shall now ſhut up all with that of the Apoſtle, (Phil. 2.15, 16.) Be blameleſs and harmleſs, the Sons of God, without rebuke, in the midſt of a crooked and perverſe Generation; among whom ſhine ye as Lights in the World: Holding forth the word of Life; that I may rejoyce in the Day of Chriſt, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

AMEN.

End of the text · Thomas Foxcroft, Cleansing our Way in Youth (1719)