Two Discourses Addressed to Young Persons, Sermon 1

Two Discourses Addressed to Young Persons · Sermon 1

p. 1YOUNG PERSONS Excited to Seek the LORD in their Youth. A SERMON Preach'd at Marblehead, October 8th. 1727.

II. CHRON. XXXIV.3.

In the Eighth Year of his Reign, while he was yet Young, he began to seek after the God of David his Father.

THE Beloved Apostle Iohn, writing to Gaius, in his Third Epistle, ver. 4. says, I have no greater joy, than to hear that my Children walk in the Truth. And truly, what greater ground of Joy & Comfort can there be to a Minister of the Gospel, who has his Heart set for the Conversion of Souls to God, than to see the Children of his People earnestly seeking and serving the Lord, according to the Truths of the Gospel? The Lambs in the Flock are a great Part of our Charge, and the Hopes of the Flock; and that they may be kept from wandring p. 2out of the path of Life, or when they have gone astray may be r…overed and brought into the Fold of Christ, is a very great part of the Work of the Evangelical Ministry. Hence the Apostle directs Titus, to exhort Young Men to be sober-minded, Tit. II 6. And hence, you find the Word of God so often addressed unto Young People, that they would remember their Creator in the days of their Youth; and so often setting Examples before them of those that in their Youth turned unto God, and sought Him with their whole Heart; and so often the Commend given unto the Young Disciples, as the Beloved Disciples; all of it to encourage and perswade our Young People to become virtuous, sober, & Religious betimes.

To this purpose serve the Words of my Text. For whatsoever Things were written aforetime are written for our Instruction.

IN This, and the following Chapter, we have an account of good Iosiah's Reign, succeeding the Reigns of a wicked Manasseh & Amon; and it is recorded of him, That he did that which was Right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his Father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left; For in the Eighth Year of his Reign, &c. Iosiah was but Eight Years old when he began to reign, as we see in ver. 1. and he began to seek after God in the Eighth Year of his Reign, as the text tells us, so that while he was yet but a very Young Man, in the Sixteenth Year of his Age, so soon as he came to Years of Discretion and Understanding, we find him beginning to seek the Lord. This is recorded of p. 3him to his Commendation, and was that which laid the Foundation of his great Serviceableness, in his more advanced Years. Herein he did but what was his Duty, what he owed to God, & his own Soul; and he reaped the Advantage of it afterwards, for his Reign was more peaceful and prosperous, than that of the wicked Kings that went before him, or any that came after him, and he lived not to see the Evil which God bro't upon Jerusalem. From the Words we may raise this DOCTRINE, viz.

DOCTRINE. THAT it is the Duty and Interest of Young Persons to seek the Lord, while they are yet Young.

In speaking to which I will

1. BRIEFLY shew what is imployed in seeking the Lord. And then,

2. WHY Young Persons should seek the Lord, while they are yet Young.

I. WHAT is implied in seeking the Lord. Tho' sometimes seeking the Lord is to be understood in a limitted & restrained sense, and so it means Prayer, and calling upon God; yet here it is evidently to be understood in a large and more extensive meaning; for 'tis mentioned as the Characteristick of Iosiah's Religious Temper and Disposition, & therefore includes in it the whole of Religion, even all that Duty which we owe to God, and our own Souls.

And accordingly,

1. SEEKING after God implies in it, a devout p. 4and reverent Respect to the Divine Being & Perfections. That which we seek after we have a respect and value for: we look upon it as certain, and worth our having. Now our respect and value for God turns upon the serious, decent, and awful Apprehensions which we entertain in our Minds, of His Being, and adorable Perfections; that is to say, that our Hearts are ever kept under the strong and powerful Impressions of a fixed Belief, and Acknowledgment, that as He hath manifested Himself, so He is Infinite, Eternal and Unchangeable, in His Being, Wisdom, Power, Holiness, Justice, Goodness, and Truth. This is to be lay'd in the Foundation of our Seeking after God. And thus should Young Persons maintain upon their Minds the awful Apprehensions of it, that verily there is a God; a God that made the Heavens, the Earth and the Sea, and all things that therein are; and therefore a God that made them, that has given Life & Breath to them, that upholds them in Life, and Preserves and Defends them, and Feeds and Cloaths them, and in whom it is that they live, and move, and have their Being. And because the Name of this God is Holy and Reverend, therefore they should be exceeding careful that they do not Injure, and Prophane, and Blaspheme, & take His Holy Name in vain; but should always think, and speak reverently of God, and maintain an holy Aw of God, His Name, Titles, Attributes, Worship, Word, and Works, upon their Hearts.

2 SEEKING after God implies in it, a sincere and hearty choice of the Lord for our God. That which we seek after, we make Choice of; our p. 5Affections are set upon it, and our Will embraces it, and determines for it. Thus Young Persons should seek after God, by a sincere and unfeigned Choice of the Lord for their God, dedicating themselves to Him, and resolving to be for the Lord, and for no other. Their Wills should close with Him, by a serious Choice of the Everliving Jehovah, God Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for their God and Father, their Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Their Affections should close with this God, by loving Him with all their Heart, with all their Soul, with all their Mind, and with all their Stre…gth; and the earnest Desire of their Souls should be after God in Christ, that they may enjoy His Favour, which is better than Life; and that the Divine Image may be stamped upon them in Righteousness and true Holiness, the Dignity & Glory of their Nature. They should say with the Psalmist, Psal. lxiii.1. O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee; my Soul thirsteth for Thee; my Flesh longeth for Thee. They should choose an Interest in Christ, as the one thing needful, and prefer it above all the Enjoyments of this World. They should make Choice of that Good part which cannot be taken away from them, even a Portion in Heaven, which will be equal to the Nature & Duration, of their Immortal Souls; that when they come to Dye, and leave this World, they may go to the House not made with Hands, Eternal in the Heavens.

3. To seek after God implies in it, a diligent use of all proper Methods to obtain Him. That which we seek for, we are wont to search after p. 6it, to take pains to find it, and use all likely Methods to obtain it. And thus should Young Persons seek after God, in the diligent use of all appointed Means, and in improving all the proper Methods, by which God may become their God, and Portion for ever. And what are the proper Methods herefor? But the Exercise of those various Duties of Religion, Sobriety, the Fear of God, and Obedience to His Commands, which God Himself hath directed us to. Thus then they should seek after God, in a diligent Attendance upon all the Duties of Religion; by the Performance of the Duties of Natural Religion, in their earnest Prayers to God, publick and private, in their Families, and in their Closets, and in Praising of Him; and in all the Acts of Instituted Religion, remembring to keep Holy the Sabbath Day, seriously attending upon the Word & Ordinances of God in His House, coming under the Baptism of the Lord, and carefully living up to their Baptismal Engagements, and by preparing themselves for, and approaching to the Holy Table of the Lord, that they may receive the Childrens Bread. Thus we find it recorded of good Iosiah, that he took care of the Service of the House of God, and kept the Passover.

THUS Young Persons should seek the Lord, by an universal Obedience to His holy Commandments, Psal. CXIX.9. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way, by taking heed thereto according to thy Word. They should diligently read, and hear the Word of God, and meditate upon it, and endeavour to govern their Practice according to it. p. 7They should observe what that Word says, and take heed to obey and do it. They should improve it as a Lamp to their Feet, and a Light to their Path; make it the Rule of their walk, and according to the Directions thereof, live Soberly, Righteously and Godly in this present World, that they may not injure any in Word, or in Deed, but may be meek and humble, beneficent and kind, and full of all Goodness & Charity to all about them. Thus Iosiah, when he had found the Book of the Law read therein, and formed his Practice according to it.

4. SEEKING after God implies in it, unfeigned Repentance of all Sin. When we are seeking after any thing, we endeavour to remove every thing out of the way that would hinder our finding it. Now Sin is the only thing that would hinder our obtaining the Favour of God; and therefore this must be put away, by unfeigned Repentance. Thus therefore Young Persons should seek after the Lord, by Repenting of all their Sins, and turning from them, with all their Heart & Soul. 'Tis a Direction given to Young Persons, Prov. I.23. Turn you at my Reproof. They should therefore look upon their past Sins with Abhorrence and Detestation, and loath themselves in their own Eyes, and mourn and lament before the Lord because of them, and judge & condemn themselves, as unworthy of the least Mercy from God, and deserving of His highest Displeasure, for their manifold & aggravated Transgressions: they should resolve for the Time to come, to have nothing more to do with the unfruitful Works of Darkness, and be ever upon their Watch p. 8and Guard against Sin, and strenuously resist all Temptations thereto: they should make it their great Care to flee Youthful Lusts, to keep themselves pure and unspotted from the World, and approve themselves blameless and unrebukable, as the Children of God, in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation. These things are implied in seeking after God. I pass,

II. TO shew why Young Persons should thus seek the Lord, while they are yet Young.

And here,

1. GOD Himself requires of Young People, and Commands them thus to seek after Him. Hence is that, Eccl. XII.1. Remember thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth. q d. While thou art yet Young, remember there is a God, who made thee to serve and glorify Him; and remember to make it the main Business of thy Life to answer the End of thy Creation, to love this God, to devote thy self to Him, to obey His Commands, and shun all that would be offensive to Him. Thus it is a Rule and Injunction given to Young Persons, 2 Tim. II.22. Flee Youthful Lusts: be very careful to guard against all the Vices that Youth is most inclined and addicted to. This sufficiently shews that God requires it of Young People to seek after Him. And has God commanded Thee, and wilt thou dare to disobey Him! Has He not all imaginable Right to require this of Thee? and art thou not under the most strong and powerful Obligations to do what He requires? Is He not thy God; the God that p. 9hath made thee? thy Father that hath bought thee, and established thee? And oughtest thou not to live in Obedience to Him from whom thou receivest thy very Being? Is He not the God that preserves thee, that daily takes care of thee, and supplies thy Wants, and redeemeth thy Life from Destruction? And shouldest thou not in gratitude to Him for all his Benefits to thee, be ready to yield Obedience to whatsoever He enjoyns thee? Is not all thy Hope of Eternal Life and Happiness founded upon His Infinite Grace and Mercy to thee? Canst thou expect to be saved without the Strength of His Arm, and the Wonders of His Grace appearing for thee? And wilt thou not then remember to hearken to His Voice, and diligently enquire after Him? Yea, cannot He punish thee, and make thee miserable in the place of Torment forever, if thou shouldst be disobedient to His Command? And knowing the Terrors of the Lord, wilt thou not be perswaded to become a willing and obedient Subject to Him? O that our Young People would be prevailed withal to consider the manifold Obligations lying upon them to obey the Heavenly Voice, and yield a ready Compliance with what the Lord their God requires of them.

2. THERE is the Example of many others who have sought after God while they were yet Young. The Sacred Scripture gives you many Instances of such as began betimes to seek after God. David did so, who could say, Psal. LXXI 9. Thou art my Hope, O God, thou art my Trust from my Youth. It was a Young Ioseph, who could say, when tempted to Uncleanness, Gen. XXXIX.9. p. 10How can I do this great Wickedness, and Sin against God. Moses had made his Choice of God while he was yet Young, of whom it is said, Heb▪ XI.24,— When he was come to years (of Discretion,) he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's Daughter, chusing rather to suffer afflictions with the People of God, than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater Riches, than the Treasures of Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompence of Reward. Obadiah could say, as 1 Kin. XVIII.12. I thy Servant fear the Lord from my Youth. Of Iosiah 'tis here recorded that (in the Sixteenth Year of his Age) while he was yet Young he began to seek after the Lord. And we are told of Timothy, 2 Tim. III.15. That from a Child thou hast known the Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to Salvation. Thus we have several Examples, upon sacred Record, and thro' the Mercy of the most High are not without some in our Days, of Young Persons seeking after the Lord: And what is the end of these Examples being set before you, but to shew you your Duty, and encourage you to it. O that a Principle of laudable Ambition might fire the Breasts of our Young People, that they may be excited to go and do likewise.

3. IT will be every way unspeakably to the Advantage of Young People to seek after the Lord.

Here,

1. THIS will be of all things most profitable to Thee. Persons in their Youth are striving to make to themselves an Interest in this World; they are plotting & contriving, they labour and toyl, that they may get something of this Worlds p. 11Good, and if possible lay up for a rainy Day▪ But alas! what are all the Gains of this World, compared with the Gains of serious Religion and Godliness? If thou will seek God, and serve Him, and Live a Sober and Religious Life, this will bring in the greatest Revenue to thee. This will secure a Sufficiency of the Good things of this Life in the Covenant promise of God: for Godliness has the promise of the Life that now is. 1 Tim. IV.8. And our Blessed Saviour hath assured thee, if thou wilt seek first the Kingdom of God, & His Righteousness, that all these things shall be added unto you. Mat. VI.33. So that in this way of Seeking and serving God, you will most of all promote your Temporal Interest and Advantage; having these Things secured in the promise to thee, which is more than any Wicked Man has.

BUT besides all of this, by your thus Seeking the Lord in your Youth, you will bring in the greater Spiritual profit and Gain to you. You have precious and immortal Souls in you, and the more their Interest is advanced, the greater will be the profit you will reap thereby to yourselves. Now by your seeking after God in your Youth, by being Religious betimes you will gain the inward Peace and Satisfaction of your own Minds, the Rejoycing & Testimony of your Consciences for you, which alone will be better unto you than all this World, without it. Thus the Keeping the Commandments is its own Reward, Psal. XIX.11. In keeping them there is great Reward. This also will be a means to possess you with the Grace of God, the Merchandize p. 12whereof is better than Silver, & the Gain thereof than fine Gold; and the sooner you begin to seek after God, the more you may expect …o have your Graces increased; and by a due improvement of them, lay in a greater St…ck against a Time of Need. And over and above, this will secure to you the Everlasting Happiness of your Souls, and increase your Weight of Glory, by your early dedicating yourselves to the Service of God, and longer Continuance therein. And say now, what is all the Profit and Gain of this World compared with this? especially if for the sake of this World, you should neglect God, and loose your own Souls. Mat. XVI 26. What is a Man profited, if …e shall gain the whole World, and loose his own Soul? or what shall a Man give in Exchange for his Soul?

2. IF thou wilt Seek after God while thou art yet Young, this will greatly tend to thy Honour. Young Persons are apt eno' to think of making a Figure in the World; and they ought to be concerned for their Good Name, and be careful to gain a Reputation; a laudable Ambition should put them upo… striving to excell; for we are told Prov. XXII.1. A Good Name is rather to be chosen than great Riches; and loving Favour rather than Silver and Gold. But, alas! how very much are young Persons prone to mistake the way to establish their Reputation? 'Tis not to gratify their Lusts, to follow their carnal Appetites, to allow themselves in fashionable vices; this is not the way to Excellency and Dignity; but this will tend to bring a Blot upon thy Name, to Brand thee with the mark of Infamy. p. 13How natural is it to observe upon the Conduct of Young Persons, and to say of a vitious Young Man, "there goes a profligate debauched Young Fellow; and his Name becomes a Stench in the Nostrils of all sober, vertuous, and thinking People. But the true Way to get a Reputation, and gain Applause is to do those things that are Vertuous & praise worthy. Hence we are told, Prov. XII.26. The Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour. This, O Young Man, will be the way to make thy Name as precious Oyntment, the Perfume of it will be grateful whereever it comes. The better Part of Mankind will value, esteem, and honour thee; Good People will rejoyce to see thee, and say of thee, that is an Excellent Young Man; and even the Vain and Profligate, who hate the Practice of Virtue, and will openly laugh and sc…ff at thy Preciseness, will yet have an inward Esteem and Veneration for the truly Religious Young Man. So that thy Vertue and Religion will be the most likely way, literally to bring thee to Honour, by promoting thee to Places of Eminency and Dignity among Men. Hence the Wise Man says of that Wisdom which is the Fear of the Lord, Prov. IV.8. Exalt her and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to Honour when thou dost embrace her.

BESIDES this will put the truest Mark of Honour upon thee, as it will bring thee into a near Conformity to the Divine Likeness. This will raise thee above the Level of the Brute, & render thee one of the precious Sons of Sion, and thou shalt be Honourable in the Eyes of thy God. And what greater Advancement canst thou Desire? p. 14than to be one of the Children of the most High, to have the Eternal Son of God Himself encircle thy Brows with a radiant Crown, and seat thee with Himself on a Throne of unfading Glory. Yet so shall they be Honoured who thus devote themselves to the Service of God. John XII.26. If any Man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there shall my Servant be; if any Man serve me, him will my Father Honour.

3. THUS to seek the Lord, while thou art yet Young, will afford you the truest Joy and Pleasure. This seems to be a very inticing Bait with Young Persons, who have their Hearts so much set upon their Pleasures; and therefore the great Adversary of Souls fails not to improve it to the best Advantage, on his side, to draw away the Minds of Young People from their Duty to God and their own Souls. They are ready to think that this and the other carnal Joy and sensual Pleasure must be gratified: and they are prone vainly to imagine that if they should become sober, and virtuous, they should be tied up to such strait Rules, as never more to know what Pleasure means. But stay, O Young Man, and think seriously a little; and then say which is the Way to have Pleasure. What are all the Pleasures thou art prone to be so fond of? At the best they are but of the lowest Kind, such as tend only to the gratifying of thy Body, and the lower Appetites. And wherein, after thy fullest Career in those low dreggy Pleasures, art thou better than the Beast, who is capable of them all, it may be in a higher degree of Sensation? What are all these to the Joy and Pleasure p. 15of the Soul, which is to be found in the Ways of Wisdom? Her Ways are Ways of Pleasantness and all her Paths are Peace. Prov III.17. When thou hast tried all the Pleasures thou canst think of, in the Ways of Sin, thou wilt find none of them to be equal with the rational Satisfaction, arising from an Orderly walk: and yet these are greatly below the true refined Spiritual Pleasures, resulting from a Life of true Religion and Godliness, the assurance of Gods Love, Peace of Conscience, Joy in the Holy Ghost.

BESIDES; all the Pleasures of Sin are followed sooner or later with the Lashes & Stings of an awakened and enraged Conscience. Thy guilty Conscience will one Day stare thee in the Face, and the dismal & ghastly Wounds, it will then give unto thy Soul, will abundantly over-ballance all the pretended Pleasures thou hast enjoyed, Prov. XXIII.32. At last it biteth like a Serpent, and stingeth like an Adder. Whereas the Pleasures of a Godly Life have no such horrid self-Reflections, are attended with no such remorse & horror; but afford a new Joy in the review of them.

NAY further all the Pleasures of Sin are but for a Season; as 'tis said of the Laughter of fools, Eccl. VII.6. 'Tis like the crackling of thorns under a pot: It may make a noise, but it is not lasting; and when it ends, will end either in a bitter Repentance, or in the amazing Horrors of of Eternal Fire. 'Tis said of him that indulges himself in sensual Pleasures, Prov. VII.22, 23. He goeth after her as an ox to the slaughter, as a fool to the correction of the stocks; till a dart strike thro' his liver, as a bird hasteneth to the snare, & knoweth p. 16not that it is for it's life. But the Pleasures of a life of serious Godliness are solid, substantial, & durable; they are true Pleasures, and lasting Joys. Tho' they may admit of an Interruption, as to the actual Experience of them, at times; yet they will never leave thee, as long as thou art in the World; and when thou shalt be here no more, they will follow thee into the Eternal World, where thou shalt be swallowed up iwith endless and uninterrupted Joys; while the Wicked shall lie down in pure and endless Sorrow, Psal. XVI.11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of Ioy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

But,

4. To seek the Lord while thou art yet Young, is the way to save thy Immortal Soul forever. And what can be of greater Importance & Concern-to thee, than the Salvation of thy own Soul? What, I beseech thee, is needful for thee, if this is not? Dost thou think it needful to take care of thy Body, and provide for the comfortable Support of it? And is it not infinitely more needful that thy Soul be provided for? Is it needful for thee to comply with the inclination of thy Friends, and gratify thy Companions? And is it not infinitely more necessary to please thy Maker, and best Friend, that thou mayst be happy in his Favour? Whenever thou art tempted to do any thing contrary to the Law of God, upon the pretence of necessity, for thy Body, or thy Friend; think seriously with thy self, That but one thing is needful, and that is, that thou shouldst save thy precious Immortal Soul. Does p. 17not thy Soul lie wounded, bleeding, perishing▪ under the Power of Sin, the Energy of the Devil, and the tremendous Wrath of an Angry and Almighty God? And will not you do all that you can to rescue it from this Misery, and preserve it from Eternal Perdition? Is it not absolutely necessary, and thy highest wisdom, that you should do so? Why, this is the Way to save thy Immortal Soul from all this Misery, and to render it compleatly Happy, to seek after GOD, to live Religiously, and walk in Obedience to the Divine Commandments, while thou art yet in thy Youth. For how canst thou hope to enjoy God, unless thou art faithful in His Service? or to see Him, if thou art not like Him? Without Holiness, no Man shall see the Lord. Heb. XII.14. How can you think of entring into the Kingdom of God, unless thou art new born? Has not our Saviour plainly said, Joh. III.3. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Thou mayst call thy self a Christian, and say thou hast Faith, but without this all thy pretentions are vain; thy Faith is but a lifeless thing, while destitute of the works of Obedience to the Law of God. So that unless thou dost truly seek after, and serve God, repent of thy Sin, and lead a holy Life, thou wilt be miserable for ever. We are told, Rom. VIII.13. If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die. If ye live in the service of Sin, fulfilling the desires of the Flesh and of the Mind, walking according to the course of the World, in gratifying your fleshly and carnal Appetites, ye shall die, & your Souls will be damned for ever, p. 18and it will be beyond the power of Heaven & Earth to save thee, if thou shouldst dye in thy Sins. For God will judge thee, and condemn thee for all thy evil ways; and who is he that shall shall deliver thee? Eccl. XI.9. Rejoyce, O young man, in thy youth, and let thine heart cheer thee, in the days of thy youth; and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. And what wilt thou do when God riseth up? what wilt thou answer Him when He visiteth, and calleth thee to an Account for all thy sinful and ungodly Courses? Verily, the Eternal Salvation or Damnation of thy Soul turns upon thy seeking and serving God; and therefore thou oughtest to begin this now, in the days of thy Youth.

BUT I pass to make Improvement of this DOCTRINE.

USE. I. HENCE then, it must needs highly concern those that are far advanced in Years, to make speed & haste in their Seeking after God. If it be the Duty and Interest of Young People to seek the Lord, while they are yet Young; surely it must be your Duty and Interest, who have grey Hairs scattered here and there upon you. Alas; It is to be feared that there are many that have passed their Youth, that are got into advanced Age; yea, are there not some that have arrived even at Old Age? and yet unto this very Day, they have never truly, sincerely, heartily sought after God; but remain utter strangers to God, & Christ, and a Life of serious Religion, and Godliness: p. 19their Hearts are still in love with their Lust, their Language is profane, and impure, and their Actions are directly contrary to the holy Laws of God. And thinkest thou, O old Sinner, that thou shalt find favour with God, and be accepted to Mercy with Him, while thou art going on in thy Evil ways? O what will become of thee, when thou dyest? What a dreadful End will Death make of thee, if thou dost not truly seek the Lord, before thou liest down in the Grave? Has not thy Life been hitherto spent to the dishonour of God? Hast thou not been daily adding to the load of thy Guilt? that well mayst thou say, my Crimes are more than can be reckoned up. Canst thou answer for one of thy innumerable Sins, when thou comest to stand before the Bar of God? And, what a poor inch of Time hast thou now left, to correct the Errors of thy past Life, to make thy Peace with God, and prepare for a dying Hour in? If God should say to thee, set thy House in Order, this Night thou shalt Dye; what would become of thee? Art thou ready to entertain such a Summons? Or, art thou sure of any more than the present Time, to provide for it? At best; How few are the residue of thy Days, when thou hast, as it were, one foot already in the Grave? And does it not then highly concern thee, O old Sinner, to be up and doing, to use all Diligence to redeem the few remaining Minutes that may be left thee, that if possible thou mayst dispatch this great work, e'er Death overtakes thee? O set thy self hereunto in good earnest. If thou wilt be in good earnest in thy seeking after God, p. 20Old, and full of Sins as thou art, I may assure thee that there is room for thee to find Favour with God, and He will yet have Mercy on thee, (Matth. XX.6.) But then, because the greatest part of thy Time has been consumed in the service of Sin, thou needest to be so much the more fervent and importunate, in thy Prayers & Crys to God; so much the more deep, humble, broken and thorough in thy Repentance; so much the more diligent in thy Watchfulness, Labours, and Activity in the Service of God, lest you should not have time eno' left to you, to do what the Lord thy God requires of you, that thou mayst be saved in the Day of the Lord. O that those of you that are advanced in Years, would seriously consider these things, and immediately set your selves to seek the Lord.

II. HENCE, Parents should be exceeding careful to instruct their Children in seeking after the Lord. If Young Persons should seek after the Lord, while they are yet Young, then they ought to be taught and instructed in their Youth, how, in what way, and by what means, they may become Religious and Virtuous. For they are not born with natural Dispositions to the Service of God, but the contrary; and they need to have their natural Temper and Inclination altered, and meliorated by a good Education. And whom does this so nearly concern, as their Parents? whom the bonds of Nature oblige to be thoughtful of the welfare of their Children. This then teaches us, that it is the important Duty incumbent upon Parents, to take all prudent Care and use all proper Methods, that their Children may p. 21become an instructed Seed. 'Tis not eno' that they are put to School to learn to read, and to furnish them with such Knowledge as may be of use to them in the Affairs of this World; but they should instruct them in such Knowledge as may have a happy influence to purify their Minds, and reform their Manners; that their Spiritual, and Eternal Interest may be promoted thereby. To this end, they should acquaint them with the Doctrines, and Duties of the Gospel, and set before them the Counsels, and Directions, and Warnings of the Word of God, and add their own Counsels and Charges upon them. Thus Solomon says, Prov. IV.3. I was my Fathers son, and he taught me. If Children be left to themselves, and no prudent care is taken to give them a virtuous Education, it is not to be wondred at, if they bring their Parents to shame.

BUT then how exceeding Careful should Parents be, to set their Children a good Example, as well as instruct and Charge them. Examples will ordinarily have a more prevailing Influence upon them than Precept. If therefore you would have your Children seek and serve God; let them see you going before them in all the Duties of a Religious Life. If you would have them to live soberly, and righteously; let them see you setting them an Example of Sobriety in your Behaviour, and Righteousness and Mercy in all your Dealings. This will be the way for them to learn, from you, those things that are virtuous and praise-worthy; and having the principles of virtue rivited in them, by Precept p. 22and Example, when they are Young, they will be likely to act upon those Principles all their days after. Hence, Prov. XXII.6. Train up a Child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. 'Tis said of Iosiah, in my Text, he began to seek after the God of David his Father. The Example of David, tho' at a great remove from an immediate Father, seems to have had a great Influence upon him, and he resolves the God of David, should be his God, and that he would walk in the ways of David; and so David becomes a Father to him. In a word, If you that are Parents, neglect to bring up your Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord, what a dreadful Account will you have to give to God another Day, when the Souls of your Children, perishing under the Wrath of God, shall cry against thee, and accuse your Neglect of them, as one great Reason, of their going down to the Place of Torment.

Lastly. O let our Young People be perswaded to seek the Lord, while they are yet in their Youth. It is a matter of unspeakable Grief to us, to see them walking in the vanity of their Minds, gratifying a Carnal corrupt Heart, and complying with the Suggestions of the grand Adversary, liable to the amazing Wrath and Curse of God both in this World, and in that which is to come; and therefore we earnestly call upon you to turn from your Evil ways to the living God. O that you would be prevailed upon seriously to be think yourselves, e'er 'tis too late, and early enquire after God.

p. 23Therefore,

1. LET the Conviction of your undone Estate by Nature, put you upon seeking after God in your Youth. Look into your own Heart, and wayes, and see what an impure and filthy thing thou art; how loathsome and abominable thy Sins have rendred thee to an infinitely Holy God. Call to mind the Wrath of God, which He has denounced, and will manifest in flaming Fire, upon all Unrighteousness and Ungodliness of Men. Think how often you have broken, the holy and righteous Commandments of God, Young as you are; and that because of these things the Wrath of God comes upon the Children of Disobedience: and if you are found in your Sins you will be undone for ever. And let the Conviction of this your wretched, undone, miserable Estate, put you upon resolving to continue no longer in your Unregeneracy, at a distance from God, and a stranger to all true Happiness; but immediately set upon the great Work of Repentance; go, and humble and abase your selves before God, lament and bewail your Sin and Folly, and say, wherein I have done Iniquity, I will do so no more. Now lay apart all Filthiness and surperfluity of naughtiness, cleanse your selves from all filthiness both of Flesh and of Spirit, and perfect Holiness in the fear of God. Let a sense of your misery drive you to God, and put you upon the most earnest, and importunate Cries to Heaven, that God would be merciful to all your Unrighteousness and forgive all your Sins. Let not a day pass you, without your secret Devotions before the Lord, in which you wrestle with p. 24Him for the Blessing; and accept of, and plead the Infinite Merits of the Son of God, that you may be washed and purified, pardoned and justified, and that your Souls may be saved in the Day of the Lord.

2. TAKE the Word of God for the Rule of your Walk. This gives you the fullest, and clearest Directions in your seeking after God. 'Tis a sure Word, and will enlighten your Eyes, and shew you the way in which you should go; 'tis a perfect Word, and there is no error in it, and you cannot miss your way while you heedfully attend to it; it is a sure Word and stedfast for ever, and will make you wise to Salvation. Receive then with meekness the ingrafted Word, that is able to save your Souls. Diligently attend to the Word Preached, which is the Power of God to the Salvation of them that believe; and neglect no Opportunity of sitting under the Instructions of Wisdom. Daily, and seriously read the Word of God, and make it the man of your Counsel. Be much in Meditation on the Word of God, hide it in your Hearts, that you may not offend against Him. Call to mind the precious Promises of it, and be encouraged to Holiness; think on the terrible Comminations contained in it, and dread falling into the Hands of the living God. And let it be your constant care to live up to what that Holy Word requires of you; in all Places, when you are abroad, as well as at home▪ at all Times, upon Week Days, as well as upon the Lord's Day; and in whatever you do; and as well when no Eye seeth you, as well as when the Eye of your Parents p. 25and Friends are upon you. Thus take the Word of God for the Rule of your walk, and having begun well, let not your goodness be, as the Morning Cloud, and the Early Dew, which soon passeth away; but hold out to the End, that you may be Saved.

3. GUARD against Evil Company. Company is pleasant; and our Social Nature renders it delightful to us to Converse together; and because there is a peculiar Charm in agreable Society and Conversation, therefore we are very apt to learn the Ways, and contract the Manners of those we converse with. Hence it is an old Observation, that "A Man is known by his Company." This makes it exceeding Dangerous to Associate with the Wicked; and there is scarce any thing more fatal and destructive to Young Persons, than bad Company: so that you had need to be upon your Guard against this snare. Hence is the Direction of the Wise Man, Prov. XXII.24, 25. Make no Friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go; lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy Soul. How often have we seen many a hopeful Young person, that under the advantages of a Religious Education, has begun to seek the Lord, and walk in the paths of Virtue; who has had all his Principles of Virtue overthrown, and his blooming Hopes niped in the Bud, by falling into the hands of bad Company? Their Evil Example, their Inticements and Solicitation, and their Flouts and Scoffs at all that is Serious and Religious, has Poisoned him, and proved Pernicious to him. Wherefore guard yourselves strongly p. 26against the Infection; have no more Fellowship with the Workers of Iniquity, than the necessary Occasions and Business of Life obliges you to; take no Delight in their Friendship and Communion, walk not in the way of the Ungodly, stand not in the Path of Sinners, nor sit in the seat of the Scornful. And when at any Time you are obliged to be with them, keep thy Heart with all Diligence, watch over the Door of thy Lips, and make a Covenant with thy Eyes and Ears, and Hands, that they shall not learn by them to transgress. Think of the Words of Solomon, Prov. XIII.20. He that walketh with the wise shall be wise, but a Companion of Fools shall be destroyed. Remember you would not be willing to be Companions with them in their Misery, as well as in their Sins; and therefore be a Companion of all them that Fear God.

4. BEGIN to seek the Lord now immediately. Think, O Young Man, that Eternity, the Eternity of thy Happiness, or Misery, greatly depends upon thy Improvement of the present Time: And will you then Delay in a matter of such infinite Concernment to you? O do what is to be done for thy Soul, and thy Eternal Welfare, now, now, while the Spirit of God is striving with thee; now, while the Offers of Grace & Mercy are made to thee; now, while God is waiting upon you, and affording you Life, and Health, and many precious Opportunities to make your Calling and Election sure. It was said to David, 1 Sam. XIX.11 If thou save not thy life to night, tomorrow thou shalt be slain: And thou knowest not, but if thou shouldest neglect to take care of p. 27the life of thy Soul, this very Night, before to morrow thou mayst be irrecoverably lost among the faln, and slain. O then set about this Work, this very Night, before thou sleepest; Behold, now is the Accepted Time, now is the Day of Salvation.

THAT I may press you to be in good earnest about this great and important Affair, suffer me a little particularly to Reason the Case with you.

Is it not most Fitting and Reasonable, that you should begin to seek the Lord while you are yet Young? Is not this the proper Opportunity, the peculiar season for it? And should you not be ambitious to do every thing in its season? Is it not Reasonable that you should do so. If you will not seek after the Lord in your Youth▪ when will you? All other Seasons are very unfit compared with this; as will be seen, if you consider the Disadvantages of Infancy and Old Age.

ON the One Hand, Infancy is no such proper season to seek the Lord in. The poor Infant is a helpless and thoughtless thing, he has as yet but an imperfect Beginning. The Organs of the Body are not as yet sufficiently Maturated for the Soul to manifest it self by, and exert its strength …nd vigour. Tho' the Young Thing, for some of the first Years of its Life, may have a working Fancy, and abundance of Notions, and imperfect Ideas, floating in the Brain; yet it is not able to make a right Judgment of things, for want of a stock of Knowledge, Experience, p. 28and Improvement. And hence it is not capable of knowing God, or it self a right. The Service of God is a Reasonable Service, and the Result of Choice; and hence, because the Infant state is as yet Ignorant of God, and for want of riper Years, is incapable of Distinguishing between Good and Evil, and determining the Choice of the will for God, and Religion; therefore none will suppose this to be a fit and proper season to seek the Lord in. Infancy is too Young, and wants Judgment to make a right Choice.

ON the other Hand; Old Age. is got into its declining state; the vigour of the Mind is greatly impaired, thro' the decays of the Body; and there is but a little time to accomplish any manner of Business in; which makes it an improper season to begin any thing of Importance, when the strength is abated, and the Glass almost run out. It requires a great deal of Labour and Pains to seek after the Lord, in the Exercise of Repentance and New Obedience; it requires a due Application of the Mind, a diligent watchfulness to Duty, and against all Sin; a vigorous Resisting and Subduing of Corrupt Inclinations, and Passions, and a gradual reducing of our Natural Man under the Power and Dominion of the Spiritual. Now, he that has lived to Old Age in the Service of Sin and Lust, not only has done nothing at all about this great Work, but is an utter stranger to it, and is grown Old in Aversion against it. And how improper a season then is it, to say no more, for such an one to begin so hard and difficult a Work, which is wholly new and strange to him, and when his strength is p. 29exhausted, and his Days expiring. However it may be possible for an Old Sinner to be Converted, yet sure it is no proper seaso…, not such as a wise Man would choose, to begin a Work, which he is unacquainted with, and has so little Time for.

SINCE therefore neither Infancy, nor Old Age are proper Seasons, but have their peculiar Disadvantages attending of them, this plainly shews you that the time of Youth is the most fitting Opportunity to begin to seek after the Lord.

2. WILL it not be much more Hard & Difficult for you to seek after the Lord, if you shall slip the Season of Youth. When thy Youth is spen… and gone, will it not require greater Labour and Pains, and cost thee so much the more Sorrow and Anguish, to work out thy own Salvation, that if thou hadst began it while thou art yet Young▪ For do but consider; The longer thou walkest in the ways of Sin, the stronger hold, and the surer possession does it get of thee. The repeated Acts of Sin strengthen the Habits; and so it will be more natural and easy to thee to hold on in thy wonted Course, and thy Lust will become the more uncontroulable, and its Power over thee more unconquerable. Hence, of Consequence, it must needs cost thee greater Labour and Pains to subdue those Lusts, and overcome those radicated Habits and Customes. It might be easy in Youth, while as yet the Soul has not contracted so strong an Aversion to the Will of God, and is not brought under the Power of any Evil Custom; it might be then more easy to seek & serve the Lord; but when p. 30thou hast for a long while indulged thy Natural Appetite, slighted the Word of God, and accustomed thy self in the ways of Sin; then thou wilt find it so hard and difficult to alter the Temper of thy Mind, and give over thy corrupt Pract…ces, that it will be next to Impossible for thee. Hence we are told, Jer. XIII.23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard his spots? Then may ye that have been accustomed to do Evil, learn to do well. Let him that is grown Old in Sin, say, if he does not find it the most hard and difficult thing to alter his old Practices, and change the bent of his Inclination, which has so long been devoted to the service of Sin. Besides, by such a long continuance in the ways of Sin, the Soul, which is Assimilated to them, contracts a liking to them, and takes so much the more Delight and Pleasure in them: and then how exceeding Difficult must it needs be, to eradicate out of the Soul, what it has so long been accustomed to, and what is so delightful and pleasing to its vitiated Appetites. Now then, if, after thou shouldest have spent the greater part of thy Days in the service of thy Lusts, thou shouldest begin to bethink thy self, and have some serious Purposes to al…er the course and tenour of thy life, to devote thy self to the Service of God, and take some care about the Salvation of thy Soul; think you, that it will not cost thee, more bitter Repenting tears, more distressing fears, and Anguish of Soul; lest thou shouldest not be sincere, lest it should be all too late for thee, and thou shouldest miss of the Salvation of thy Soul; than if thou hadst seriously p. 31engaged thy self in the Service of God, and thy Soul, while thou wast yet in thy Youth? Verily, you may reasonably expect it will. For thou wilt have more Sins to Repent of, greater Aggravations will then attend thy Crimes; and therefore they may well stare thee in the Face with the more ghastly Countenance, and strike thee with the greater Horror, and so render the Pangs of the New Birth so much the more terrible & agonising to thee O then by no means suffer thy self to be prevailed upon, to put off thy seeking after the Lord till thou hast got beyond the Days of thy Youth, les… you bring upon yourself the greater Difficulty, and the more encreased Sorrows.

3. AND will there not be infinite Hazard lest you never seek after the Lord, so as to find Mercy with Him, if you do it not in your Youth? Thy Neglect of the season of Youth will not only render thy Indisposition to the Work of Religion, the stronger, but it will render it extream hazardous, lest you should go on irreclaimably in your Evil Courses, till it is all too late for thee to think of the Service of God, and the Welfare of thy Soul. For if the proper season and opportunity for this Work be neglected, the Danger is very great, lest thou shouldest never have an other. It was the extream folly of Felix, that when Paul reasoned of Righteousness, Temperance, and Judgment to come, he said, Act. XXIV.25. Go thy way, for this Time; when I have a convenient season, I will send for thee. He received Conviction of the Irregularity of his ways, his Conscience smote him, and he feared p. 32the Judgment to c…me; and had he hearkened to those Convictions▪ and complied with them, it had been well for him; but he put them off for an other convenient season, which we don't know that ever he had, and so Perished in his Sin and Folly. Thus does it prove with many a Young person; while they are in their Youth, their Hearts are tender, Convictions are more easily excited and stirred up, and they are more apt to …eceive the Impressions of the Word and Spirit of God; they are often told, and they see something of the Necessity of their forsaking their Evil Courses, and turning unto God; and they sometimes, it … be often, come to some Purposes with themselves to amend their Ways and Doings; but they let slip the time and season of Youth, before they put their Purposes in execution, hoping for another, and more convenient season, and so run the hazard of never having another Opportunity of making their Peace with God, and securing their own Salvation. And truly the Danger of this is extreamly great.

FOR, to hint at two things,

1. Is it not exceeding hazardous, lest God give you up to penal Blindness of Mind, and Hardness of Heart? This is a most terrible Judgment of God; and what more likely to pull down this Judgment upon you, than to neglect to seek the Lord while you are yet Young? For they that go on in Sin, pass the time of their Youth, under the Gospel; they Sin against the clearest Light, against the loudest Calls, and Invitations of Mercy; they resist the most strong & forcible p. 33Convictions, Arguments, and Perswasions; they act counter to many Purposes and Resolutions for a Sober and a Godly Life; they slight and reject the present Offer of Mercy, upon the Presumption, that when they have spent the chief of their Days and Strength in the service of Sin and Satan, it will then be time eno' for them to think of serving God. And now, what can be more provoking to the Lord than this is? Does not this make it to be exceeding hazardous, lest God in His Wrath utterly cast them off▪ lest the Holy Spirit of God wholly withdraw from them? and then Wo unto them, when I depart from them, saith the Lord. Awful are the Words, Isa. VI.9, 10. Hear ye indeed, and understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not; make the Heart of this people fat, and make their Ears heavy, and shut their Eyes; lest they see with their Eyes, and hear with their Ears, and understand with their Heart, and Convert, and be healed. Say now, if God should thus in Judgment, Seal any of you up under this Judicial Obduracy, how will it be possible for you then to be Saved? And yet this Hazard you run, if you do not seek the Lord, while in your Youth.

2. Is it not also exceeding hazardous, Lest Death overtake you, e'er you begin to seek the Lord, if you do it not in your Youth? Is not your time of Life very short at the most, and uncertain at the best? And is there not great danger then, lest by neglecting the present Opportunity of your Youth, you should never have another season, to provide for your Eternal Happiness by a holy and a righteous Life? At the p. 34longest, the Life of Man is but short; and this makes it hazardous lest if you do not begin betimes, while you are yet Young to seek the Lord and walk in the ways of Religion and Vertue, that all the remainder of your Life will not be sufficient for the well and thorough Accomplishment of so great and difficult a Work, as that of a real and unfeigned Repentance, and a Course of holy Obedience. But then, the Danger rises higher, when you consider, that you hold your Lives at a very uncertain tenor, and may be cut off by innumerable, unseen Accidents and Causualties, e'er you are aware; and so you may have none of that Time left unto you, to improve for your Eternal Interest, which you hope and presume will remain unto you, beyond the Days of Youth. When once Death has seized upon you, it will then be all too late, to think of altering your Course, and leading a New Life. The perishing Soul will then go down to Hell, while it was dallying, and putting off it's Repentance, and turning to God, and have an Eternity to reflect upon it self, with utmost horror and anguish, for its folly and madness, in procrastinating and putting off this great Concern; and then roar out, with inexpressible Agony, O all is too late! all's too late! there is now no more space left me for Repentance!

So that the Infinite Danger lest thou shouldst never secure an Interest in the Divine Favour, if thou neglectest to improve the Time of Youth for it, should be instead of all Arguments to thee, to prevail upon thee, now to seek the Lord. This is the force of our Saviour's reasoning, Joh. p. 35IX.4. I must work the Work of Him that sent me, while it is Day, the Night cometh when no man can work. When the Night of Death is come, and thou knowest not how soon it may come, then thou canst do nothing at all about working out your own Salvation. Thus also our Saviour said to the Inhabitants of Ierusalem, Joh. XII.35. Yet a little while is the Light with you, walk while ye have the Light, lest Darkness come upon you. Yet a little while, it will not be long, e'er Darkness and Death overtakes you; well then, walk while ye have the Light, now, while the Day light of Life and Mercy, lasts with you, and therefore now, while you are yet in your Youth, lest Darkness come suddenly upon you, and you stumble, and fall, and perish for ever.

4. To have done; Will not God be highly pleased with your Seeking after Him, while you are yet in your Youth? As God ever delights in His own Glory, so He cannot but be highly pleased with those that are forward to advance it. What Father is not wondrously gratified with the ready Obedience of his Young Son? Or Master, with the attentive Eye, and diligent Hand, of his young Servant? And who more pleasing to the great Lord of all, than he that early lists in his Service? or more welcome to Him, than those that from their Youth up, own, submit to, and obey Him? Hence we read, Prov. VIII.17. I love them that love me▪ and they that seek me early shall find me. Those that truly seek the Lord in their advanced Age, shall find Mercy with Him; but He has a more endeared Affection for them that do so in their early Days; they shall be sure to find p. 36Him, whatever others do; and he says of them, with pleasure, as Jer. II.2. I remember the Kindness of thy Youth. Who more dear to our Lord, and more highly beloved of Him, than the Apostle Iohn, who is supposed to be the youngest of His Disciples, and is described by this Character, the Disciple whom Iesus loved. If thou wilt set thy self to seek the Lord while thou art yet Young, this will render thee amiable & delightful in the eyes of all Good People; it will be the Joy and Satisfaction of your Ministers, who long after your Conversion; yea, it will make Joy among the Holy Angels of God: and more than so, God Himself will rejoyce over you, as over a returning Prodigal; most readily receive, and kindly welcome you, and say of you, as Jer. XXXI.20. Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant Child? Since I spake against Him, I do earnestly remember him still, therefore my Bowels are moved towards him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.