Sermons on Various Subjects Volume 1, Sermon 3
SERMON III.
On EARLY PIETY.
ECCL. xii. I.
Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth.
THE Amiableneſs of Religion in itſelf, the innumerable Advantages that flow from it to Society in general, as well as each ſincere Profeſſor of it in particular, cannot but recommend it to the Choice of every conſiderate Perſon, and make even wicked Men, as they wiſh to die the Death, ſo, in their more ſober Intervals, envy the Life of the Righteous. And indeed we muſt do the World ſo much Juſtice as to confeſs, that the Queſtion about Religion does not uſually ariſe from a Diſpute whether it be neceſſary or not (for moſt Men ſee the Neceſſity of doing ſomething for the Salvation of their Souls) but when is the beſt Time to ſet about it: Perſons are convinc'd by univerſal Experience, that the firſt Eſſays or Endeavours towards the Attainment of Religion are attended with ſome Difficulty and Trouble, and therefore they would willingly defer the beginning ſuch a ſeemingly ungrateful Work as long as they can. The wanton Prodigal, that is ſpending his Subſtance in riotous Living, cries, A little more pleaſure, a little more Senſuality, and then I'll be ſober in Earneſt. The covetous Worldling, that employs all his Care and Pains in heaping up Riches, tho' he cannot tell who ſhall gather them, does not flatter himſelf that this will do always; but hopes, with the rich Fool in the Goſpel, to lay up Goods for a few more Years on Earth, and then he'll begin to lay up Treaſures in Heaven. And, in ſhort, thus it is that moſt People are convinced of the Neceſſity of being religious ſome Time or another; but then, like Felix, they put off the acting ſuitably to their Convictions, till (what they imagine) a more convenient Seaſon: Whereas, would we be ſo humble as to be guided by the Experience and Counſel of the wiſeſt of Men, we ſhould learn that Youth is the fitteſt Seaſon for Religion; Remember now thy Creator, ſays Solomon, in the Days of thy Youth. By which Word Remember, we are not to underſtand a bare ſpeculative Remembrance, or calling to Mind, (for that, like a dead Faith, will profit us nothing) but ſuch a Remembrance as will conſtrain us to Obedience, and oblige us out of Gratitude to perform all that the LORD our GOD ſhall require of us. For as forgetting GOD, in Scripture Language, implies a total Neglect of our Duty, in like Manner remembring him ſignifies a perfect Performance of it: So that, when Solomon ſays, Remember thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth, it is the ſame as if he had ſaid, keep GOD's Commandments; or in other Words, Be religious in the Days of thy Youth; thereby implying that Youth is the moſt proper Seaſon for it.
I ſhall in the following Diſcourſe, Firſt, endeavour to make good the Wiſe Man's Propoſition imply'd in the Words of the Text, and to ſhew that Youth is the fitteſt Seaſon for Religion.
Secondly, By way of Motive, I ſhall conſider the many unſpeakable Advantages that will ariſe from remembring our Creator in the Days of our Youth.
Thirdly and Laſtly, I ſhall conclude with a Word or two of Exhortation to the younger Part of this Audience.
And Firſt then, I am to make good the Wiſe Man's Propoſition implied in the Words of the Text, and to ſhew that Youth is the fitteſt Seaſon for Religion: Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth.—But in Order to proceed more clearly in this Argument, it may not be improper, firſt, to explain what I mean by the Word Religion. By this Term, then, I would not be underſtood to mean a bare outward Profeſſion or naming the Name of CHRIST; for we are told, that many that have even propheſied in his Name, and in his Name caſt out Devils, ſhall notwithſtanding be rejected by him at the laſt Day: Nor would I underſtand by it barely being admitted into CHRIST'S Church by Baptiſm; for then Simon Magus, Arius, and the Hereſiarchs of old might paſs for religious Perſons, for theſe were baptized; nor yet the receiving the other Seal of the Covenant, for then Judas himſelf might be canoniz'd for a Saint; nor indeed do I mean any or all of theſe together, conſider'd by themſelves; but a thorough, real, inward Change of Nature, wrought in us by the powerful Operations of the Holy Ghoſt, convey'd to and nouriſh'd in our Hearts, by a conſtant Uſe of all the Means of Grace, evidenc'd by a good Life, and bringing forth the Fruits of the Spirit.
The attaining this real, inward Religion, is a Work of ſo great Difficulty, that Nicodemus, a learned Doctor and Teacher in Iſrael, thought it altogether impoſſible, and therefore ignorantly asked our Bleſſed LORD, how this Thing could be? And truly to rectify a diſorder'd Nature, to mortify our corrupt Paſſions, to turn Darkneſs to Light, to put off the old Man, and put on the new, and thereby to have the Image of GOD reinſtamp'd upon the Soul, or in one Word, to …e born again, however light ſome may make of it, muſt, after all our Endeavours, be own'd by Man impoſſible. 'Tis true, in…ed, CHRIST'S Yoke is ſaid to be an eaſy or a gracious Yoke, and his Burthen light; but then it is to thoſe only who have been accuſtomed to bear and draw in it. For as the wiſe Son of Sirach obſerves, At firſt Wiſdom walketh with her Children in crooked Ways, and brings them into Fear; and torments them with her Diſcipline, and does not turn to comfort and rejoyce them, till ſhe has try'd them and proved their Judgment.—No; we muſt not flatter ourſelves, that our depraved Natures can be renewed, unleſs we ſubmit to a great many Difficulties. The ſpiritual Birth is attended with its Pangs, as well as the natural: For they that have experienc'd it (and they only are the proper Judges) can acquaint you, that frequent Acts of Self-denial muſt be exerciſed, a conſtant regular Diſcipline kept up, left, after all, when we come to the Birth, we ſhould want Strength to bring forth.
But if theſe Things are ſo; if there are Difficulties and Pangs attending our being born again, and Diſcipline muſt be called in, what Seaſon more proper than that of Youth; when, if ever, our Bodies are robuſt and vigorous, and our Minds active and courageous, and conſequently we are then the beſt qualified to endure Hardneſs as good Soldiers of JESUS CHRIST.
We find in ſecular Matters People commonly obſerve this Method, and ſend their Children abroad among the Toils and Fatigues of Buſineſs, in their younger Years, as well knowing they are then fitteſt to undergo them. And why do they not act with the ſame Conſiſtency in the grand Affair of Religion? Becauſe, as our Saviour has told us, the Children of this World are wiſer in their Generation, than the Children of Light.
But, Secondly, if pure Religion and undefiled conſiſts in the total Renewal of our corrupted Natures, then 'tis not only a Work of Difficulty, but of Time: For, as the old was not, ſo neither is the new Creation compleated in a Day. No, good Men know, by certain Experience, that it is a long while e'er old Things can paſs away, and all Things become new in them. The ſtrong Man arm'd has gotten too great Poſſeſſion of their Hearts to be quickly driven out, and they are obliged to combat many a weary Hour, e'er their Corruptions, which is the Armour in which the ſtrong Man truſted, be wholly taken from him. Nay, they find their whole Lives ſhort enough to perfect the Work of Regeneration, which they were ſent into the World to do, and never expect to ſay 'tis finiſh'd, till, with their bleſſed Maſter, they bow down their Heads, and give up the Ghoſt.
And, if this be the Caſe, if the Renovation of our Nature be not only difficult, but requires ſo long a Space to compleat it in; then, it highly concerns every one to ſet about it betimes, and to work their Work while it is Day, before the Night cometh, when no Man can work.
Could we, indeed, live to the Age of Methuſalah, and had but little Buſineſs to employ ourſelves in, we might then be more excuſable, if we made no other Uſe of this World, than, what too many do, take our Paſtime therein; but ſince our Lives are ſo very ſhort, and the working out our Salvation requires ſo much Time, we have no Room left for trifling, leſt we ſhould be ſnatched away while our Lamps are untrimmed, and we are entirely unprepared to meet the Bridegroom.
Did we know a Friend or Neighbour, who had a long Journey of the utmoſt Importance to make, and yet ſhould ſtand all the Day idle, neglecting to ſet out till the Sun was about to go down, we could not but pity and condemn his egregious Folly: And yet it is to be feared moſt Men are juſt ſuch Fools; they have a long Journey to take, nay, a Journey to Eternity, a Journey of infinite Importance, and which they are obliged to diſpatch before the Sun of their natural Life be gone down; and yet they loiter away their Time allotted them to perform their Journey in, till Sickneſs or Death ſurprizes them; and then they cry out, What ſhall we do to inherit eternal Life? But, alas! is this a proper Seaſon to ask ſuch a Queſtion? Is this a Time to begin their Journey, when they ſhould be at the End of it; or to enquire what they muſt do, when perhaps they have hardly any Strength or Ability left to do any Thing to the Purpoſe, and when they ſhould be waiting with humble Patience, in hopes of ſpeedily receiving their Wages for Work already done? O fooliſh People and unwiſe! If you offer the Blind for Sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the Lame and Sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy Governor, will he be pleaſed with thee, or accept thy Perſon? ſaith the LORD of Hoſts. But leaving ſuch to the Mercies of GOD, I paſs on to
The Second general Thing propoſed, viz. To ſhew the Advantages that will ariſe from Remembring our Creator in the Days of our Youth; which may ſerve as ſo many Motives to excite and quicken all Perſons immediately to ſet about it.
And the firſt Benefit reſulting from thence is, that it will bring moſt Honour and Glory to GOD. This, I ſuppoſe, every ſerious Perſon will grant, ought to be the Point in which all our Actions ſhould centre; for to this End were we born; to this End were we redeemed by the precious Blood of JESUS CHRIST, that we ſhould promote GOD'S Eternal Glory. And as the Glory of GOD is moſt advanced by paying Obedience to his Precepts, they that begin ſooneſt to walk in his Ways, act moſt to his Glory: For the common Objection againſt the divine Laws in general, and the Doctrines of the Goſpel in particular, is, that they are not practicable, that they are contrary to Fleſh and Blood, and that all thoſe Precepts concerning Self-Denial, Renunciation of and Deadneſs to the World, are but ſo many arbitrary Reſtraints impoſed upon human Nature. But when we ſee mere Striplings not only practiſing, but delighting in ſuch religious Duties, and in the Days of their Youth, when, if ever, they have a Reliſh for ſenſual Pleaſures, ſubduing and deſpiſing the Luſt of the Fleſh, the Luſt of the Eye, and the Pride of Life.—This, this is acceptable with GOD; this vindicates his injur'd Honour; this ſhews that his Service is perfect Freedom, that his Yoke is eaſy, and his Burden light.
But, Secondly, as an early Piety redounds moſt to the Honour of GOD, ſo it will bring moſt Honour to ourſelves: For thoſe that honour GOD, GOD will honour. We find it therefore remark'd to the Praiſe of Obadiah, that he ſerved the LORD from his Youth: Of Samuel, that he ſtood, when young, before GOD in a linnen Ephod: Of Timothy, that from a Child he had known the Holy Scriptures: Of St. John, that he was the youngeſt and moſt beloved Diſciple; and of our Bleſſed LORD himſelf, that at Twelve Years old he went up to the Temple, and ſat among the Doctors, both hearing and asking them Queſtions.
Nor, Thirdly, will an early Piety afford us leſs Comfort than Honour, not only becauſe it renders Religion habitual to us, but alſo becauſe it gives us a well-grounded Aſſurance of the Sincerity of our Profeſſions. Was there no other Argument againſt a Death-bed Repentance but the Unſatisfactorineſs and Anxiety of ſuch a State, that would be ſufficient to deter all thinking Perſons from deferring the moſt important Buſineſs of their Life to ſuch a dreadful Period of it. For ſuppoſing a Man be ſincere in his Profeſſions of Repentance on a Death-bed (which is very much to be doubted) yet he can take no great Comfort in them, becauſe he is uncertain whether his Convictions and Remorſe proceed from a true Sorrow for Sin, or a ſervile Fear of Puniſhment. But a young Saint need fear no ſuch Perplexity; he knows that he loves GOD for his own Sake, and is not driven to him by a Dread of impending Evil: He does not decline the Gratifications of Senſe, becauſe he can no longer bear the Voice of Singing-Men and Singing-Women; but willingly takes up his Croſs, and follows his bleſſed Maſter in his Youth; and therefore muſt have great Confidence of his Sincerity towards GOD. But farther, as an early Piety ſhews the Heart of its Sincerity, ſo likewiſe it brings its preſent Reward with it, as it renders Religion, and all its Duties, habitual and eaſy. A young Saint, was you to aſk him, would joyfully tell you the unſpeakable Comfort of beginning to be good betimes: As for his Part, he knows not what Men mean by talking of Mortification, Self-Denial, and Retirement, as hard and rigorous Duties; for he has ſo accuſtomed himſelf to them, that they are now become even natural, and he takes infinitely more Pleaſure in practiſing the ſevereſt Precepts of the Goſpel, than a luxurious Dives in a Bed of State, or an ambitious Haman at a Royal Banquet. And, oh! how happy muſt that Youth be, whoſe Duty is become a ſecond Nature, and to whom thoſe Things, which ſeem terrible to others, are grown both eaſy and delightful!
But the greateſt Advantage of an early Piety is ſtill behind, viz. That it lays in the beſt Proviſion of Comfort and Support againſt ſuch Times as we ſhall ſtand moſt in Need thereof, viz. all Times of our Tribulation, and in particular againſt the Time of old Age, the Hour of Death and the Day of Judgment.
This is the Argument the Wiſe Man make… Uſe of in the Words immediately following the Text: Remember now, ſays he, thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth, while the evil Days come not, nor the Years draw nigh, wherein thou ſhalt ſay, I have no Pleaſure in them. Obſerve the Time of old Age is an evil Time, Years wherein there is no Pleaſure; and ask thoſe that are grown old, and they will inform you ſo. Cordials ſurely then moſt be exceeding proper to ſupport our drooping Spirits: And, oh! What Cordial comparable to the grateful Review of a well-ſpent Life? When the Eyes, like Iſaac's, are grown dim with Age; when the Keepers of the Houſe, i. e. the Hands, ſhall tremble; as the Wiſe Man goes on to deſcribe the Infirmities of old Age; when the ſtrong Men bow themſelves, i. e. when the Legs grow feeble; and the Grinders, i. e. the Teeth, ſhall ceaſe to do their proper Office, becauſe they are few; for a Perſon then to hear the Precepts of the Goſpel read over to him, and to be able to lay his Hand on his Heart, and to ſay ſincerely, All theſe have I kept from my Youth: This muſt fill him with ſuch unſpeakable Comfort, that I want Words to expreſs, & Thoughts to conceive it. But, ſuppoſing it was poſſible for us to eſcape the Inconveniencies of old Age, yet ſtill Death is a Debt we all muſt pay; and what is worſe, it generally comes attended with ſuch dreadful Circumſtances, that it will make even a Felix tremble. But as for the Godly, that have ſerved the LORD from their Youth, it is not ſo with them; no, they look upon Death not as a King of Terrors, but as a welcome Meſſenger, that is come to conduct them to their wiſh'd-for Home. All the Days of their appointed Time have they waited, and it has been the Buſineſs of their whole Lives to prepare themſelves for the coming of their great Change; and therefore they rejoyce to hear, that they are called to meet the heavenly Bridegroom. Thus die the early (I mean the early, if perſevering) pious; whoſe Path has been as the ſhining Light that ſhineth mere and more, unto the perfect Day. But follow him beyond the Grave, and ſee with what an holy Triumph he enters into his Maſter's Joy; with what an humble Boldneſs he ſtands at the dreadful Tribunal of JESUS CHRIST; and can you then forbear to cry out, Let me die the Death of the Righteous, and let my latter End, and future State, be like his?
Need I then, after having ſhewn ſo many Advantages to ariſe from an early Piety, uſe any more Arguments to perſuade the younger Part of this Audience, to whom in the Third and laſt Place I addreſs myſelf, to remember their Creator in the Days of their Youth?
What! will not a Deſire of bringing Glory to GOD, Honour and Comfort to themſelves; will not the Pleaſure of an habitual Piety, and the comfortable Aſſurance of being ſincere; above all, will not the Hopes of an honourable old Age, a peaceful Death, and a glorious Appearance at the tremendous Day of Judgment; will not theſe, I ſay, prevail with them to leave their Huſks, and return home to eat of the fatted Calf? What will they thus requite their Saviour's Love? That be far from them! Did he come down and ſhed his precious Blood to deliver them from the Power of Sin; and will they ſpend their youthful Strength and Vigour in the Service of it, and then think to ſerve CHRIST, when they can follow their Luſts no longer? Is i… fit, that many who are endowed with excellent Gifts, and are thereby qualified to be Supports and Ornaments of our ſinking Church, ſhould notwithſtanding forget the GOD that gave them, and employ them in Things that will not profit? O why will they not ariſe, and, like ſo many Phineas's, be zealous for the Lord of Hoſts? Doubtleſs, when Death overtakes them, they will wiſh they had: And what hinders them, but that they may live as well now, as they will wiſh they had when they leave the World? Think you that any one yet ever repented that they began to be good too ſoon? But how many, on the contrary, have repented that they began to be good too late? May we not well imagine, that young Samuel now rejoices that he waited ſo ſoon at the Tabernacle of the LORD? Or young Timothy, that from a Child he knew the Holy Scriptures? And if you wiſh to be Partakers of their Joy, let me perſuade you to be Partakers of their Piety.
I could ſtill go on to fill my Mouth with Arguments; but the Circumſtances and Piety of thoſe amongſt whom I am now preaching the Kingdom of God, remind me to change my Style; and inſtead of urging any more Diſſuaſives from Sin, to fill up what is behind of this Diſcourſe, with Encouragements to perſevere in Holineſs.
Bleſſed, for ever bleſſed be GOD and the Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST! I am not ſpeaking to Perſons inflamed with youthful Luſts, but to a Multitude of young Profeſſors, who, by frequently aſſembling together, and forming themſelves …nto religious Societies, are in a ready Way to be of the Number of thoſe young Men who have overcome the wic…d…ne.
Believe me, it gladdens my very Soul, to ſee ſo many of your Faces ſet heavenwards; and the viſible happy Effects of your uniting together, cannot but rejoice the Hearts of all ſincere Chriſtians, and oblige them to wiſh you good Luck in the Name of the LORD. The many Souls that are nouriſhed weekly by the ſpiritual Body and Blood of JESUS CHRIST by your Means; the weekly and monthly Lectures that are preached by your Contributions; the daily Incenſe of Thankſgiving and Prayer which is publickly ſent up to the Throne of Grace by your Subſcriptions; the many Children which are trained up in the Nurture and Admonition of the LORD, by your Charities; and laſtly, the commendable and pious Zeal you exert in promoting and encouraging divine Pſalmody, are ſuch plain and apparent Proofs of the Benefit of your Religious Societies, that they call for a publick Acknowledgement of Praiſe and Thankſgiving to our bleſſed Maſter, who has not only put into your Hearts ſuch good Deſigns, but enabled you alſo to bring the ſame to good Effect.
It is true, it has been objected, That young Mens forming themſelves into Religious Societies has a Tendency to make them ſpiritually proud, and think more highly of themſelves, than … ought to think. And perhaps the imprudent imperious Behaviour of ſome Novices in Religion, who, though they went out from you, … not of you, may have given too much Occaſion for ſuch … Aſperſion.
But you, Brethren, have not ſo learned CHRIST. Far, far be it from you to look upon yourſelves as righteous, and … others, becauſe you often aſſemble yourſelves together. No, this, inſtead of creating Pride, ought to beget an holy Fear in your Hearts, leſt your Practice ſhould not correſpond with your Profeſſion, and that, after you have benefited and edified others, you yourſelves ſhould become Caſt-aways.
Worldly-mindedneſs, my Brethren, is another Rock againſt which we are in Danger of ſplitting. For, if other Sins have ſlain their Thouſands of profeſſing Chriſtians, this has ſlain its ten Thouſands. I need not appeal to paſt Ages; your own Experience, no doubt, has furniſh'd you with many unhappy Inſtances of young Men who, after (as one would have imagin'd) they had eſcaped the Pollutions which are in the World thro' Luſt, and had taſted the good Word of Life, and endured for a Seaſon, whilſt under the Tuition and Inſpection of others; yet when they have come to be their own Maſters, thro' a Want of Faith, and thro' too great an Earneſtneſs in labouring for the Meat which periſheth, have caſt off their firſt Love, been again entangled with the World, and returned like the Dog to his Vomit, and like the Sow that was waſhed to her wallowing in the Mire. You would therefore do well, my Brethren, frequently to remind each other of this dangerous Snare, and to exhort one another to begin, purſue, and end your Chriſtian Warfare, in a thorough Renunciation of the World, and worldly Tempers; ſo that, when you are obliged by Providence to provide for yourſelves, and thoſe of your reſpective Houſholds, you may continue to walk by Faith, and ſtill ſeek firſt the Kingdom of GOD, and his Righteouſneſs; not doubting but all other Things, upon your honeſt Induſtry and Endeavours, ſhall be added unto you.
And now What ſhall I ſay more? To ſpeak unto you, Fathers, who have been in CHRIST ſo many Years before me, and know the Malignity of Worldly-mindedneſs, and Pride in the Spiritual L…fe, would be altogether needleſs. To you, therefore, O young Men (for whom I am diſtreſſed, for whom I fear as well as for myſelf) do I once more addreſs myſelf in the Words of the beloved Diſciple, Look to yourſelves, that we loſe not thoſe Things which we have wrought, but receive a full Reward. Be ever mindful, then, of the Words that have been ſpoken to us by the Apoſtles of the Lord and Saviour. Give Diligence to make your Calling and Election ſure. Beware, leſt ye alſo being led away by the Error of the Wicked, fall from your own Stedfaſtneſs. Let him that thinketh …e ſtandeth, take Heed le…t he fall. Be not high-minded, but fear. But we are perſuaded better Things of you, and Things that accompany Salvation; tho' we thus ſpeak. For GOD is not unrighteous, to forget your Works and Labours of Love. And we deſire that every one of you do ſhew the ſame Diligence, to the full Aſſurance of Hope unto the End: That ye be not ſlothful, but Follower… of them, who thro' Faith and Patience inherit the Promiſes. 'Tis true, we have many Difficulties to encounter, many powerful Enemies to overcome, e'er we can get Poſſeſſion of the promis'd Land. We have an artful Devil, an enſnaring World, and above all, the Treachery of our own Hearts, to withſtand and ſtrive againſt. For ſtrait is the Gate, and narrow is the Way that leadeth unto eternal Life. But wherefore ſhould we fear? ſince he that is with us is far more powerful than all who are againſt us. Have we not already experienced his Almighty Power, in enabling us to conquer ſome Difficulties which ſeemed as inſurmountable then, as thoſe we ſtruggle with now? And cannot he who deliver'd us out of the Paws of thoſe Bears and Lions, preſerve us alſo from being hurt by the ſtrongeſt Goliahs?
Be ſtedfaſt therefore, my Brethren, be immoveable. Conſider the infinite future Rewards as well as preſent Comforts that attend an early Piety. Be not aſhamed of the Goſpel of CHRIST: For it is the Power of GOD unto Salvation. Fear not Man; fear not the Contempt and Revilings which you muſt meet with in the Way of Duty: For one of you ſhall chaſe a Thouſand; and two of you put ten Thouſand of your Enemies to Flight. And if you will be content to be abus'd for a ſhort Time here, I ſpeak the Truth in CHRIST, I lye not; then ſhall ye be exalted to ſit down with the SON of Man, when he ſhall come in the Glory of his FATHER, with his holy Angels to Judgment hereafter. May Almighty GOD give every one of us ſuch a Meaſure of his Grace, that we may not be of the Number of thoſe that draw back unto Perdition, but of them that believe and endure unto the End, to the Saving of our Souls.
Which GOD of his infinite Mercy grant, &c.