Advice to the young, or, The reasonableness and advantages of an early conversion to God demonstrated, in three discourses on Ecclesiastes xii, I by Joseph Stennett.
         Stennett, Joseph, 1663-1713.
      
       
         
           1695
        
      
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             Advice to the young, or, The reasonableness and advantages of an early conversion to God demonstrated, in three discourses on Ecclesiastes xii, I by Joseph Stennett.
             Stennett, Joseph, 1663-1713.
          
           iv, 183 p.
           
             Printed by J.D. and are to be sold by Andrew Bell...,
             London :
             1695.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- O.T. -- Ecclesiastes XII, 1.
        
      
    
     
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             Advice
             to
             the
             Young
          
           :
           OR
           ,
           THE
           REASONABLENESS
           AND
           ADVANTAGES
           OF
           AN
           Early
           Conversion
           to
           GOD
           DEMONSTRATED
           ,
           In
           Three
           DISCOURSES
           On
           Ecclesiastes
           xii
           .
           1.
           
        
         
           By
           JOSEPH
           STENNETT
           .
        
         
           MICAH
           vii
           .
           1.
           
        
         
           —
           My
           Soul
           desired
           the
           first-ripe
           Fruit.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             I.
             D.
          
           and
           to
           be
           sold
           by
           
             Andrew
             Bell
          
           at
           the
           Cross-Keys
           in
           the
           Poultrey
           ,
           MDCXCV
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           THE
           following
           Sermons
           were
           preached
           above
           a
           Year
           ago
           to
           a
           Congregation
           in
           London
           ,
           and
           since
           transcrib'd
           partly
           from
           some
           brief
           Notes
           I
           had
           reserv'd
           in
           my
           Study
           ,
           and
           partly
           from
           the
           Prints
           of
           some
           remaining
           Ideas
           not
           quite
           worn
           off
           my
           Memory
           ;
           while
           new
           Occurring
           Meditations
           (
           here
           and
           there
           interspers'd
           )
           supplied
           the
           place
           of
           those
           which
           Time
           and
           other
           Thoughts
           had
           effac'd
           .
        
         
           This
           was
           done
           to
           gratify
           a
           worthy
           Friend
           ,
           who
           as
           he
           was
           not
           displeas'd
           in
           hearing
           them
           ,
           so
           was
           desirous
           to
           read
           'em
           too
           :
           And
           after
           that
           ,
           would
           not
           be
           denied
           the
           Liberty
           of
           making
           'em
           publick
           .
        
         
           I
           hope
           it
           will
           not
           be
           thought
           that
           I
           have
           treated
           on
           God's
           Relation
           to
           Man
           as
           his
           Creator
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           Sermon
           ,
           after
           a
           manner
           too
           abstracted
           and
           Philosophical
           for
           a
           practical
           Discourse
           ,
           when
           't
           is
           considered
           that
           we
           live
           in
           an
           Age
           wherein
           some
           Men
           will
           hearken
           to
           no
           other
           kind
           of
           Arguments
           ;
           and
           wherein
           the
           Minds
           of
           others
           can't
           be
           
           too
           well
           fortified
           against
           the
           Contagion
           of
           Atheism
           ;
           especially
           seeing
           I
           have
           taken
           up
           but
           a
           few
           Pages
           in
           pursuing
           that
           Vein
           of
           reasoning
           ,
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           which
           has
           been
           added
           in
           transcribing
           .
        
         
           What
           is
           advanc'd
           in
           these
           Discourses
           I
           have
           labour'd
           to
           sustain
           both
           by
           Scripture
           and
           Reason
           ;
           and
           endeavour'd
           to
           speak
           to
           the
           Understandings
           as
           well
           as
           to
           the
           Affections
           of
           my
           Auditors
           ,
           and
           now
           of
           my
           Readers
           .
        
         
           Those
           who
           apply
           themselves
           with
           seriousness
           and
           attention
           to
           the
           reading
           of
           them
           ,
           (
           I
           hope
           )
           will
           not
           think
           their
           Time
           and
           Labour
           entirely
           lost
           :
           I
           'm
           sure
           I
           shall
           not
           repent
           mine
           in
           composing
           'em
           ,
           if
           it
           shall
           please
           God
           to
           make
           'em
           the
           means
           of
           converting
           one
           
             Sinner
             from
             the
             error
             of
             his
             Way
          
           ;
           
           and
           so
           
             of
             saving
             a
             Soul
             from
             Death
             ,
             and
             of
             hiding
             a
             multitude
             of
             Sins
             .
          
           To
           which
           great
           End
           that
           they
           may
           succeed
           ,
           I
           humbly
           commit
           'em
           to
           the
           Guidance
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Conduct
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           with
           my
           earnest
           Wishes
           and
           Prayers
           .
        
         
           
             J.
             S.
             
          
        
      
       
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           P.
           32.
           l.
           1.
           f.
           the
           r.
           that
           .
           p.
           67.
           marg
           .
           r.
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           p.
           113.
           marg
           .
           f.
           
             wrote
             r.
             written
          
           .
           p.
           126.
           l.
           8.
           r.
           Tabernacles
           ;
           l.
           10.
           f.
           it
           r.
           them
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           Reasonableness
           &
           Advantages
           OF
           AN
           Early
           Conversion
           to
           God
           DEMONSTRATED
           .
        
         
           
             SERMON
             I.
             
          
           
             
               ECCLES
               .
               xii
               .
               1.
               
            
             
               Remember
               now
               thy
               Creator
               in
               the
               Days
               of
               thy
               Youth
               ,
               while
               the
               Evil
               Days
               come
               not
               ,
               nor
               the
               Years
               draw
               nigh
               when
               thou
               shalt
               say
               ,
               I
               have
               no
               pleasure
               in
               them
               .
            
          
           
             HOW
             much
             soever
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             Youth
             are
             busied
             with
             the
             amusing
             Entertainment
             of
             the
             many
             sensible
             Objects
             that
             accost
             'em
             ,
             and
             thereby
             render'd
             unapt
             for
             
             serious
             Reflections
             on
             the
             Vanity
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             on
             the
             Excellency
             and
             Happiness
             of
             a
             Spiritual
             and
             Heavenly
             Conversation
             :
             Yet
             one
             would
             think
             ,
             when
             
               Reason
               ,
               Experience
            
             and
             Religion
             ,
             all
             conspire
             to
             bespeak
             their
             Attention
             ,
             (
             as
             they
             do
             in
             our
             Text
             ,
             and
             indeed
             in
             this
             whole
             Book
             )
             it
             might
             reasonably
             be
             expected
             that
             many
             would
             have
             the
             Justice
             or
             Prudence
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             the
             Curiosity
             ,
             to
             give
             three
             such
             Monitors
             a
             hearing
             .
          
           
             When
             a
             Prince
             excelling
             all
             other
             Men
             in
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             other
             Monarchs
             in
             Wealth
             and
             Splendor
             ,
             has
             so
             much
             Charity
             for
             Mankind
             as
             to
             turn
             a
             Preacher
             ;
             
             Who
             would
             not
             be
             ambitions
             to
             become
             his
             Auditor
             ?
             The
             News
             of
             his
             Wisdom
             and
             Grandeur
             drew
             the
             Queen
             of
             
               Sheba
               from
               the
               utmost
               parts
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
            
             
             to
             become
             an
             immediate
             and
             admiring
             Witness
             of
             what
             she
             had
             before
             ,
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             and
             but
             imperfectly
             heard
             (
             Fame
             it self
             ,
             which
             uses
             so
             mightily
             to
             inhance
             the
             Glory
             of
             other
             Princes
             ,
             having
             ,
             it
             seems
             ,
             detracted
             from
             his
             ,
             which
             so
             far
             exceeded
             the
             common
             Standard
             ,
             that
             its
             Lustre
             was
             lessen'd
             by
             those
             Encomiums
             which
             might
             have
             been
             justly
             counted
             strain'd
             Hyperboles
             ,
             when
             applied
             to
             others
             .
             )
             
             Who
             would
             not
             then
             ,
             at
             least
             ,
             so
             far
             imitate
             that
             Generous
             Princess
             ,
             as
             to
             recollect
             his
             roving
             Thoughts
             
               from
               the
               ends
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
            
             whither
             they
             are
             prone
             to
             wander
             ,
             to
             fix
             them
             on
             a
             Subject
             ,
             which
             the
             Great
             and
             Wise
             Solomon
             recommends
             to
             Youth
             with
             the
             greatest
             Advantage
             of
             Reason
             ,
             and
             Strength
             of
             Argument
             ?
             Curiosity
             (
             if
             no
             other
             Consideration
             should
             )
             would
             undoubtedly
             prompt
             many
             to
             desire
             ,
             with
             the
             
               Queen
               of
               the
               South
            
             ,
             to
             hear
             his
             Wise
             Speeches
             ,
             (
             if
             he
             were
             now
             alive
             )
             and
             to
             undergo
             the
             Charge
             and
             Fatigue
             of
             a
             long
             Journey
             to
             that
             end
             .
             Ought
             we
             not
             then
             to
             put
             a
             High
             Value
             on
             his
             Writings
             ,
             wherein
             we
             have
             that
             very
             Sense
             ,
             which
             so
             much
             astonished
             his
             Hearers
             ,
             when
             he
             spake
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             
               by
               which
            
             (
             as
             't
             is
             said
             of
             
               Abel
               )
               being
               Dead
               ,
               
               he
               yet
               speaks
               to
               us
               ?
            
             Nor
             have
             we
             need
             to
             traverse
             the
             Mighty
             Waters
             to
             hear
             him
             ,
             or
             to
             say
             (
             as
             Moses
             speaks
             concerning
             the
             Law
             )
             
               Who
               shall
               go
               over
               the
               Sea
               for
               us
               ,
               
               and
               bring
               his
               Words
               to
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               hear
               them
               and
               do
               them
               ?
            
             seeing
             they
             are
             so
             very
             near
             us
             in
             the
             Divine
             Treatises
             he
             has
             written
             .
          
           
             And
             as
             his
             extraordinary
             Knowledg
             promises
             us
             much
             ,
             so
             his
             large
             Experience
             may
             justly
             raise
             our
             Expectation
             still
             higher
             .
             
             This
             makes
             a
             Man
             speak
             both
             more
             feelingly
             ,
             and
             with
             more
             Demonstration
             .
             Besides
             ,
             't
             is
             not
             only
             the
             Experience
             of
             a
             Man
             endow'd
             with
             a
             vast
             Stock
             of
             Wisdom
             and
             good
             Sense
             ,
             who
             ,
             consequently
             ,
             was
             able
             to
             make
             very
             curious
             and
             exact
             Remarks
             on
             the
             Event
             of
             Things
             ;
             but
             of
             one
             ,
             who
             by
             the
             Advantage
             of
             his
             elevated
             Station
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Immense
             Riches
             ,
             was
             also
             capable
             of
             furnishing
             himself
             with
             whatever
             the
             World
             could
             yield
             ,
             
             or
             his
             large
             Curiosity
             desire
             .
             And
             tho
             it
             was
             his
             great
             Unhappiness
             and
             Sin
             
               to
               give
               his
               Heart
               to
               know
               Madness
               and
               Folly
               ,
            
             
             after
             that
             criminal
             manner
             he
             confesses
             he
             did
             :
             
             Yet
             even
             this
             may
             make
             way
             for
             his
             Advice
             ;
             since
             he
             that
             here
             decries
             a
             loose
             and
             sensual
             ,
             and
             commends
             a
             strict
             and
             vertuous
             course
             of
             Life
             ,
             is
             one
             ,
             who
             had
             thorowly
             try'd
             what
             Pleasures
             the
             World
             could
             afford
             ;
             and
             upon
             a
             just
             Estimate
             pronounces
             them
             all
             ,
             not
             only
             Vanity
             ,
             but
             
               Vexation
               of
               Spirit
            
             ,
             at
             the
             beginning
             of
             this
             Book
             ;
             and
             at
             the
             latter
             end
             of
             it
             ,
             
             from
             his
             happier
             Experience
             of
             the
             Worth
             and
             Sweetness
             of
             a
             Religious
             Life
             ,
             recommends
             it
             as
             the
             only
             way
             to
             Happiness
             .
             So
             that
             since
             these
             Thoughts
             are
             the
             Result
             ,
             not
             
             only
             of
             his
             Speculation
             ,
             but
             of
             his
             Experience
             too
             ,
             and
             that
             an
             Experience
             so
             dearly
             bought
             ,
             at
             the
             Expence
             of
             so
             much
             Thought
             and
             Invention
             ,
             (
             unhappily
             employ'd
             in
             
               making
               Provision
               for
               the
               Flesh
               to
               fulfil
               the
               Lusts
               thereof
            
             )
             of
             so
             much
             Time
             and
             Treasure
             ,
             
             and
             (
             which
             is
             infinitely
             more
             )
             at
             the
             Expence
             of
             his
             Innocency
             and
             Peace
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             this
             with
             the
             great
             and
             apparent
             hazard
             of
             his
             Soul
             ;
             How
             much
             does
             it
             behove
             those
             that
             are
             Young
             to
             become
             Wise
             at
             his
             Cost
             ,
             and
             to
             attend
             to
             the
             Testimony
             of
             his
             Experience
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             the
             Evidence
             of
             his
             Reason
             ?
          
           
             But
             we
             have
             not
             only
             the
             Wisest
             Man
             in
             the
             World
             giving
             us
             Rules
             in
             a
             matter
             of
             the
             greatest
             Weight
             ,
             and
             confirming
             them
             with
             the
             
               Probatum
               est
            
             of
             a
             very
             large
             and
             long
             Experience
             ;
             for
             ,
             
               behold
               ,
               a
               Greater
               than
            
             Solomon
             
               is
               here
            
             .
             
             The
             
               Wisest
               of
               Men
               wrote
            
             this
             Book
             ;
             but
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Wisdom
               inspired
               it
            
             .
             
             If
             then
             all
             the
             advantageous
             Characters
             of
             Solomon
             should
             not
             much
             influence
             the
             Minds
             of
             Young
             Persons
             to
             regard
             his
             Admonitions
             ;
             yet
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             himself
             ,
             whose
             Dictates
             these
             originally
             are
             ,
             lays
             a
             strict
             Obligation
             on
             them
             to
             
             observe
             'em
             ,
             as
             his
             own
             Divine
             Counsels
             ,
             with
             a
             Religious
             Zeal
             ,
             and
             to
             respect
             'em
             as
             his
             Precepts
             ,
             with
             an
             awful
             Reverence
             .
          
           
             To
             form
             in
             our
             Minds
             a
             just
             Idea
             of
             the
             general
             Drift
             and
             Design
             of
             this
             Book
             ,
             't
             is
             proper
             to
             observe
             ,
             That
             as
             't
             is
             natural
             for
             Man
             to
             seek
             to
             be
             Happy
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             Philosophers
             of
             all
             Ages
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             Nations
             ,
             have
             given
             Rules
             according
             to
             their
             Sense
             of
             Things
             ,
             for
             the
             obtaining
             this
             great
             End
             ;
             We
             have
             Solomon
             (
             a
             very
             Philosophical
             Prince
             ,
             and
             who
             of
             all
             others
             deserves
             best
             to
             be
             term'd
             
               the
               Prince
               of
               Philosophers
            
             )
             giving
             in
             this
             Book
             the
             History
             of
             himself
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             Method
             he
             took
             in
             the
             pursuit
             of
             Happiness
             ;
             recounting
             to
             us
             his
             false
             Steps
             for
             our
             warning
             ;
             and
             at
             last
             making
             both
             the
             End
             and
             Duty
             ,
             and
             Interest
             of
             Man
             ,
             to
             consist
             in
             the
             Service
             and
             Fear
             of
             God
             :
             All
             which
             seems
             to
             be
             compriz'd
             in
             the
             Close
             of
             this
             Book
             ,
             in
             those
             Words
             ,
             
             
               Let
               us
               hear
               the
               Conclusion
               of
               the
               whole
               Matter
               ,
               Fear
               God
               ,
               and
               keep
               his
               Commandments
               ,
               for
               this
               is
               the
               whole
               Duty
               of
               Man
               :
            
             (
             For
             if
             we
             leave
             out
             the
             word
             
               [
               Duty
            
             ]
             which
             is
             not
             found
             in
             the
             Original
             ,
             
             more
             Scope
             is
             given
             to
             the
             Words
             ,
             
               [
               This
               is
               the
               whole
               of
               Man
               ]
               q.
               d.
            
             his
             whole
             Duty
             ,
             End
             and
             Interest
             .
             )
             And
             while
             he
             is
             looking
             back
             with
             Regret
             on
             the
             Loss
             of
             his
             own
             Time
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             Penitential
             Sorrow
             reflects
             on
             the
             Sins
             of
             his
             Youth
             ,
             he
             earnestly
             admonishes
             others
             to
             beware
             in
             Time
             of
             the
             Rock
             on
             which
             he
             split
             ,
             to
             be
             warn'd
             of
             taking
             a
             wrong
             Course
             by
             his
             Fall
             ,
             to
             be
             perswaded
             to
             take
             a
             right
             one
             by
             his
             Repentance
             ;
             and
             ,
             as
             an
             excellent
             Mean
             conducing
             to
             both
             their
             present
             and
             future
             Happiness
             ,
             to
             devote
             themselves
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             possible
             ,
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             (
             in
             the
             Words
             of
             our
             Text
             )
             to
             
               Remember
               their
               Creator
               in
               the
               Days
               of
               their
               Youth
               .
            
          
           
             For
             our
             better
             understanding
             of
             which
             Words
             ,
             Order
             directs
             us
             to
             take
             notice
             of
             those
             in
             the
             two
             last
             Verses
             of
             the
             foregoing
             Chapter
             ,
             on
             which
             they
             have
             an
             immediate
             Dependance
             ;
             where
             the
             Wise
             Man
             seems
             to
             obviate
             an
             Objection
             ,
             which
             some
             ,
             especially
             those
             whose
             youthful
             Heat
             prompts
             'em
             to
             pursue
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             would
             raise
             against
             his
             past
             Discourse
             ,
             which
             so
             much
             depretiates
             'em
             :
             If
             such
             should
             say
             ,
             his
             Morals
             are
             too
             severe
             ,
             he
             answers
             them
             ,
             Chap.
             11.
             
             
               v.
               9.
               
               Rejoice
               ,
               O
               Young
               Man
               in
               thy
               Youth
               ,
               and
               let
               thy
               Heart
               chear
               thee
               in
               the
               Days
               of
               thy
               Youth
               ;
               and
               walk
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               sight
               of
               thine
               Eyes
               :
            
             Which
             (
             according
             to
             some
             )
             is
             a
             Concession
             of
             a
             moderate
             use
             of
             Worldly
             Pleasures
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             thus
             paraphras'd
             .
             
               Imagine
               not
               (
               O
               Young
               Man
               )
               that
               I
               pretend
               to
               make
               it
               a
               Crime
               for
               thee
               to
               be
               Chearful
               in
               the
               use
               of
               the
               good
               Things
               of
               this
               Life
               ,
               which
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               allots
               thee
               :
               No
               —
               Gratify
               the
               Desires
               of
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               and
               entertain
               thy
               Eyes
               and
               other
               Senses
               with
               variety
               of
               pleasant
               Objects
               ,
               provided
               a
               due
               Moderation
               be
               observ'd
               in
               all
               these
               Things
               ,
               so
               that
               thou
               
                 use
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 not
                 abuse
                 'em
              
               ;
               for
               an
               Account
               of
               thy
               Management
               of
               them
               must
               be
               render'd
               before
               the
               just
               Tribunal
               of
               the
               Alimighty
               :
               I
               do
               not
               bid
               thee
               renounce
               the
               Joys
               and
               Comforts
               of
               this
               Life
               ,
            
             
               [
               But
               know
               thou
               ,
               that
               for
               all
               these
               Things
               God
               will
               bring
               thee
               into
               Iudgment
               .
               ]
            
             
               I
               therefore
               caution
               thee
               of
               the
               Danger
               of
               being
               insnar'd
               by
               an
               Inordinate
               Desire
               of
               them
               .
            
          
           
             Others
             interpret
             these
             Words
             as
             an
             
               Ironical
               Permission
            
             ,
             whereby
             the
             Absurdity
             
             of
             the
             wild
             Maxims
             ,
             and
             extravagant
             Sayings
             ,
             with
             which
             Young
             Persons
             are
             wont
             to
             encourage
             themselves
             and
             others
             to
             persist
             in
             a
             vicious
             Course
             ,
             are
             expos'd
             ;
             and
             a
             serious
             Caution
             thereupon
             subjoin'd
             .
             
               Youth
               (
               say
               they
               )
               is
               the
               Time
               of
               Life
               most
               fitted
               for
               Pleasure
               and
               Joy
               ,
               the
               Senses
               are
               then
               most
               lively
               and
               impressible
               ;
               and
               as
               a
               multitude
               of
               charming
               Objects
               are
               continually
               inviting
               us
               ,
               so
               our
               own
               Inclinations
               are
               prompting
               us
               to
               embrace
               '
               em
               .
               Now
               therefore
               is
               the
               Time
               for
               us
               to
               abandon
               our Selves
               to
               Mirth
               and
               Pleasure
               .
            
             Well
             (
             says
             
               Solomon
               )
               Rejoice
               ,
               O
               Young
               Man
               ,
            
             &c.
             
               q.
               d.
            
             
             
               Take
               thy
               own
               Course
               ,
               give
               up
               thy self
               to
               the
               Conduct
               of
               thy
               beloved
               Lusts
               ,
               take
               thy
               fill
               of
               Jollity
               and
               Pleasure
               ;
               but
               mark
               the
               Consequence
               ,
               be
               assur'd
               that
               for
               this
               Course
               of
               Life
               (
               if
               obstinately
               persisted
               in
               )
               the
               Great
               and
               Just
               God
               will
               Judg
               and
               Condemn
               thee
               to
               Eternal
               Pains
               ,
            
             
               [
               Know
               thou
               ,
               that
               for
               all
               these
               Things
               God
               will
               bring
               thee
               into
               Iudgment
               .
               ]
            
          
           
             Which
             last
             Sense
             seems
             to
             me
             most
             Genuine
             ,
             not
             only
             because
             we
             have
             several
             Examples
             of
             this
             Ironical
             way
             of
             speaking
             in
             the
             Holy
             Scripture
             ;
             as
             that
             Saying
             of
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             to
             his
             Disciples
             
             
               [
               Sleep
               on
               now
               ,
               and
               take
               your
               rest
               ]
            
             seems
             to
             be
             ,
             
             both
             from
             the
             Reproof
             for
             Sleeping
             ,
             
             and
             Exhortation
             to
             Watchfulness
             ,
             which
             he
             had
             given
             'em
             just
             before
             ;
             and
             from
             the
             Alarm
             he
             gives
             'em
             ,
             not
             to
             indulge
             their
             Drowsiness
             ,
             but
             to
             
               rise
               and
               be
               going
            
             ,
             (
             for
             the
             Reason
             he
             assigns
             )
             just
             after
             those
             Words
             :
             
             And
             that
             of
             the
             Prophet
             Micajah
             to
             King
             Ahab
             ,
             who
             enquir'd
             of
             him
             ,
             
             whether
             he
             should
             go
             up
             against
             
               Ramoth-Gilead
               ,
               [
               Go
               and
               prosper
               ,
            
             &c.
             ]
             whereby
             he
             assumes
             the
             Language
             of
             the
             false
             Prophets
             ;
             but
             afterwards
             explains
             himself
             in
             express
             Terms
             
               [
               If
               thou
               return
               at
               all
               in
               Peace
               ,
               
               the
               Lord
               hath
               not
               spoken
               by
               me
               .
               ]
            
             
             Not
             only
             do
             such
             Examples
             as
             these
             (
             I
             say
             )
             justify
             this
             Sense
             of
             the
             Words
             last
             given
             ;
             
             but
             that
             which
             seems
             especially
             to
             make
             it
             preferable
             to
             the
             former
             is
             ,
             that
             those
             Phrases
             ,
             in
             the
             Sentence
             we
             are
             examining
             ,
             of
             
               [
               Walking
               in
               the
               way
               of
               one's
               Heart
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               sight
               of
               one's
               Eyes
               ]
            
             can't
             be
             easily
             accommodated
             to
             a
             moderate
             use
             of
             Worldly
             Enjoyments
             ,
             (
             as
             the
             former
             Sense
             supposes
             )
             seeing
             't
             is
             evident
             ,
             they
             are
             used
             to
             quite
             another
             purpose
             in
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             by
             that
             Prohibition
             God
             gave
             the
             
               Israelites
               [
               not
               to
               seek
               after
               their
               own
               Heart
               ,
               
               and
               their
               own
               
               Eyes
            
             ]
             and
             by
             the
             Curse
             Iob
             imprecates
             on
             himself
             ,
             [
             
               if
               his
               Heart
               had
               walked
               after
               his
               Eyes
            
             ]
             Both
             which
             shew
             ,
             
             that
             
               to
               walk
               after
               one's
               Heart
               and
               Eyes
               ,
            
             is
             an
             Expression
             more
             fairly
             applicable
             to
             a
             Dissolute
             and
             Sinful
             Course
             of
             Life
             ,
             than
             to
             a
             Temperate
             use
             of
             Lawful
             Pleasures
             .
          
           
             After
             this
             Ironical
             Permission
             of
             Sinful
             Pleasures
             ,
             and
             the
             
               serious
               Premonition
            
             of
             Judgment
             subjoin'd
             to
             it
             ,
             follows
             a
             Conclusion
             in
             these
             Terms
             ,
             
               Therefore
               remove
               Sorrow
               from
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               and
               put
               away
            
             Evil
             
               from
               thy
               Flesh
               ;
               
               for
               Childhood
               and
               Youth
               are
               Vanity
               .
            
          
           
             Which
             some
             will
             have
             to
             be
             a
             Continuation
             of
             the
             Irony
             ,
             and
             ,
             if
             taken
             in
             a
             proper
             Sense
             ,
             to
             speak
             the
             Language
             of
             those
             Libertines
             ,
             who
             notwithstanding
             what
             he
             had
             before
             said
             ,
             would
             still
             devote
             themselves
             to
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             Sin.
             As
             if
             he
             should
             say
             ,
             
               Cast
               away
               (
               as
               you
               resolve
               to
               do
               )
               all
               serious
               Thoughts
               ;
               Fly
               the
               Occasions
               of
               Trouble
               and
               Sorrow
               ,
               as
               much
               as
               possible
               ;
               avoid
               whatever
               is
               ungrateful
               to
               Flesh
               and
               Blood
               :
               for
               Time
               is
               fleeting
               ;
               
                 Childhood
                 and
                 Youth
              
               ,
               those
               Opportunities
               of
               Delight
               and
               Pleasure
               ,
               will
               soon
               vanish
               ,
               therefore
               the
               Sweets
               they
               afford
               must
               be
               
               reap'd
               in
               their
               Season
               .
            
             For
             thus
             do
             some
             Sensualists
             argue
             ,
             for
             the
             present
             and
             earnest
             pursuit
             of
             Worldly
             Pleasures
             ,
             from
             their
             Vanity
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             shortness
             of
             their
             Continuance
             ,
             which
             ought
             rather
             (
             when
             their
             Eternal
             Ill
             Consequences
             are
             consider'd
             )
             to
             take
             off
             the
             edg
             of
             the
             Appetite
             toward
             '
             em
             .
             So
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
             and
             after
             him
             the
             Apostle
             introduces
             them
             arguing
             ;
             
               Let
               us
               eat
               and
               drink
               ,
               for
               to
               morrow
               we
               shall
               die
               .
            
          
           
             But
             it
             seems
             not
             so
             likely
             that
             the
             Irony
             should
             be
             reiterated
             after
             so
             express
             and
             serious
             a
             warning
             of
             Judgment
             ,
             as
             that
             in
             the
             former
             Verse
             ,
             especially
             seeing
             this
             is
             join'd
             to
             it
             by
             a
             
               [
               Therefore
            
             ]
             ,
             as
             a
             Conclusion
             founded
             thereupon
             ,
             [
             
               Therefore
               remove
               Sorrow
               from
               thy
               Heart
               ,
            
             &c.
             ]
          
           
             I
             should
             rather
             therefore
             give
             the
             Words
             such
             a
             Turn
             as
             this
             ,
             
               viz.
               Seeing
               God
               will
               bring
               thee
               to
               Iudgment
               ,
               therefore
               ,
               Remove
               Sorrow
               ,
            
             &c.
             
               q.
               d.
            
             
             
               Mix
               Innocency
               with
               thy
               Joy
               ;
               be
               Merry
               and
               Wise
               ;
               Reform
               thy
               Life
               ,
               and
               a
               
                 good
                 Conscience
              
               shall
               be
               to
               thee
               
                 a
                 continual
                 Feast
              
               .
               
               The
               Evil
               of
               Sorrow
               need
               not
               possess
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               if
               the
               Evil
               of
               Sin
               be
               extirpated
               from
               thy
               Flesh
               :
               Govern
               thy
               Body
               with
               Temperance
               
               and
               Chastity
               ,
               and
               Joy
               shall
               reign
               in
               thy
               Soul.
               
            
          
           
             Or
             (
             as
             others
             will
             have
             it
             )
             
               Remove
               Anger
               from
               thy
               Heart
            
             ,
             (
             for
             so
             the
             Word
             ,
             here
             translated
             Sorrow
             ,
             
             properly
             signifies
             )
             
               q.
               d.
            
             
             
               Be
               not
               angry
               with
               them
               that
               advise
               thee
               well
               ,
               or
               ,
               be
               not
               displeas'd
               with
               God
               for
               the
               strictness
               of
               his
               Precepts
               ,
               which
               I
               recommend
               to
               thee
               ,
               or
               for
               the
               Severity
               of
               his
               Iudgments
               of
               which
               I
               warn
               thee
               .
            
          
           
             Or
             else
             the
             Passion
             of
             Anger
             ,
             because
             it
             so
             violently
             agitates
             the
             Soul
             ,
             may
             be
             put
             for
             all
             the
             vitious
             Affections
             of
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             then
             the
             meaning
             of
             the
             Words
             is
             ;
             
               Remove
               all
               sinful
               Passions
               from
               thy
               Mind
               :
               And
               put
               away
               Evil
               from
               thy
               Flesh
            
             ;
             
             q.
             d.
             
             
               
                 Give
                 not
                 the
                 Members
                 of
                 thy
                 Body
                 to
                 the
                 Service
                 of
                 Sin.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Which
             Exhortation
             is
             urg'd
             by
             this
             Reason
             [
             
               For
               Childhood
               and
               Youth
               are
               Vanity
               ]
               q.
               d.
               
            
             
               These
               Pleasures
               ,
               thou
               art
               so
               hotly
               in
               chase
               of
               now
               ,
               will
               vanish
               and
               disappear
               together
               with
               thy
               Youth
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               Flower
               that
               soon
               fades
               ;
               and
               why
               shouldst
               thou
               ,
               for
               short-liv'd
               Joys
               ,
               expose
               thy
               Soul
               to
               the
               Hazard
               of
               Eternal
               Misery
               ?
            
          
           
           
             Or
             else
             the
             Sense
             of
             the
             Wife
             Man
             may
             be
             to
             this
             purpose
             ;
             
               I
               have
               reason
               to
               admonish
               those
               that
               are
               Young
               ,
               of
               the
               Evil
               and
               Danger
               of
               a
               Sensual
               Life
               ,
               because
               none
               are
               so
               prone
               to
               be
               insnar'd
               by
               its
               Charms
               as
               they
               ,
               whose
               Imaginations
               ,
               Words
               and
               Actions
               are
               generally
               so
               vain
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               be
               fitly
               term'd
               Vanity
               it self
               ,
               Vanity
               in
               the
               Abstract
               ;
               [
               
                 For
                 Childhood
                 and
                 Youth
                 are
                 Vanity
                 .
              
               ]
            
          
           
             Upon
             which
             he
             adds
             a
             sutable
             Exhortation
             to
             such
             ,
             in
             the
             Words
             of
             our
             Text
             ,
             which
             are
             connected
             to
             those
             above
             with
             a
             Particle
             ,
             which
             in
             our
             Translation
             is
             render'd
             [
             Now
             ]
             ,
             but
             is
             no
             Adverb
             of
             Time
             ,
             
             but
             commonly
             signifies
             [
             And
             ]
             ,
             and
             so
             may
             be
             join'd
             to
             what
             he
             had
             advis'd
             before
             ,
             
               viz
               ,
               —
               Put
               away
               Evil
               from
               thy
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               Remember
               thy
               Creator
            
             ;
             putting
             this
             Sentence
             (
             
               For
               Childhood
               and
               Youth
               are
               Vanity
            
             )
             in
             a
             Parenthesis
             between
             those
             two
             Instructions
             .
             Or
             else
             it
             may
             be
             render'd
             [
             Then
             ]
             or
             [
             Therefore
             ]
             ,
             and
             so
             is
             an
             Inference
             from
             the
             Premises
             ;
             q.
             d.
             
             
               If
               there
               is
               a
               Time
               of
               Iudgment
               to
               be
               expected
               ,
               and
               
                 Childhood
                 and
                 Youth
                 are
                 Vanity
                 ,
                 then
              
               it
               concerns
               such
               to
               
                 Remember
                 their
                 Creator
              
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
           
           
             In
             which
             Words
             we
             have
             Three
             Things
             to
             consider
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             A
             Duty
             enjoin'd
             or
             exhorted
             to
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             
               special
               Time
            
             ,
             of
             engaging
             in
             the
             performance
             of
             this
             Duty
             ,
             prescrib'd
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             The
             Reasons
             of
             it
             intimated
             .
          
           
             I.
             The
             Duty
             exhorted
             to
             ,
             is
             [
             
               Remember
               thy
               Creator
            
             .
             ]
          
           
             II.
             The
             
               special
               Time
            
             of
             engaging
             in
             this
             Duty
             ,
             is
             signify'd
             ;
          
           
             1.
             
             In
             express
             Terms
             
               In
               the
               Days
               of
               thy
               Youth
               .
            
             ]
          
           
             2.
             
             By
             an
             opposite
             Periphrasis
             ,
             which
             contains
             a
             Description
             of
             Old
             Age
             [
             
               while
               the
               Evil
               Days
               come
               not
               ,
               not
               the
               Years
               draw
               nigh
               ,
               when
               thou
               shalt
               say
               ,
               I
               have
               no
               Pleasure
               in
               them
            
             ]
             i.
             e.
             before
             the
             approach
             of
             Old
             Age.
             
          
           
             III.
             The
             Reasons
             hereof
             are
             couch'd
             and
             insinuated
             :
          
           
             1.
             
             In
             the
             Terms
             of
             the
             Duty
             set
             before
             us
             ,
             where
             the
             Relation
             we
             stand
             in
             
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             he
             is
             our
             Creator
             ,
             implies
             the
             Obligation
             we
             are
             under
             ,
             to
             Remember
             him
             ,
             and
             that
             
               in
               our
               Youth
            
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             In
             the
             Terms
             us'd
             to
             signify
             the
             
               proper
               Time
            
             of
             this
             Duty
             ;
             where
             the
             fitness
             of
             the
             Season
             of
             Youth
             for
             entering
             one's
             Self
             into
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Disadvantage
             of
             deferring
             it
             to
             
               Old
               Age
            
             ,
             are
             suggested
             .
          
           
             Of
             these
             we
             shall
             treat
             severally
             in
             their
             Order
             .
          
           
             I.
             To
             explain
             the
             Duty
             to
             which
             we
             are
             exhorted
             ,
             we
             shall
             consider
             ,
          
           
             First
             ,
             The
             Object
             of
             it
             ,
             namely
             
               our
               Creator
            
             ;
             and
             we
             shall
             endeavour
             to
             shew
             what
             is
             included
             in
             that
             Title
             here
             attributed
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             Act
             it self
             ,
             of
             Remembering
             ,
             what
             it
             imports
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             We
             are
             first
             to
             enquire
             what
             is
             included
             in
             this
             Title
             of
             Creator
             ,
             here
             attributed
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             It
             plainly
             and
             expresly
             declares
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             the
             Author
             and
             Original
             of
             the
             Being
             of
             Man.
             
          
           
           
             And
             may
             also
             include
             ,
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             he
             is
             the
             
               Vpholder
               and
               Preserver
            
             of
             our
             Being
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             That
             he
             is
             the
             
               Restorer
               and
               Reformer
            
             of
             Man.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             That
             he
             is
             the
             
               Sovereign
               Arbiter
               and
               Disposer
            
             of
             our
             Being
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             God
             is
             our
             Creator
             ,
             as
             he
             is
             the
             
               Original
               and
               Author
            
             of
             our
             Being
             :
             For
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             He
             created
             the
             Matter
             of
             which
             we
             are
             compos'd
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             that
             of
             all
             the
             other
             Parts
             of
             the
             Universe
             .
             All
             Beings
             of
             which
             the
             World
             consists
             ,
             all
             that
             we
             have
             any
             Notices
             of
             either
             from
             Reason
             or
             Scripture
             ,
             are
             either
             Spiritual
             or
             Corporeal
             ,
             and
             all
             these
             are
             the
             Works
             of
             God.
             Now
             Man
             is
             a
             Creature
             compounded
             of
             both
             these
             kinds
             of
             Being
             ;
             his
             Soul
             is
             a
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             his
             Body
             is
             a
             Material
             Substance
             :
             And
             both
             these
             Constituent
             Parts
             of
             Mankind
             were
             created
             by
             God
             the
             Author
             of
             the
             whole
             Universe
             .
          
           
             And
             here
             we
             consider
             the
             Term
             [
             Create
             ]
             in
             its
             strictest
             Sense
             ,
             namely
             ,
             the
             giving
             a
             Being
             to
             that
             which
             had
             none
             before
             ,
             the
             producing
             of
             Something
             out
             of
             Nothing
             ,
             
               i.
               e.
            
             without
             any
             preexistent
             Matter
             to
             work
             upon
             .
          
           
           
             Now
             it
             must
             be
             granted
             that
             the
             Soul
             and
             Body
             of
             Man
             ,
             either
             are
             from
             Eternity
             ,
             or
             else
             had
             a
             Beginning
             in
             Time
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             had
             a
             Beginning
             ,
             that
             it
             must
             be
             either
             from
             themselves
             ,
             or
             from
             some
             other
             Being
             inferiour
             to
             God
             ,
             or
             from
             God
             himself
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             therefore
             briefly
             prove
             ,
             both
             from
             Reason
             and
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             not
             Eternal
             ,
             but
             had
             a
             Beginning
             ;
             and
             this
             not
             of
             themselves
             ,
             nor
             of
             any
             other
             Being
             but
             God
             himself
             ;
             as
             our
             Text
             does
             import
             ,
             by
             stiling
             him
             our
             Creator
             .
          
           
             1st
             ,
             Our
             Substance
             is
             not
             from
             Eternity
             :
             There
             is
             no
             plausible
             colour
             for
             such
             a
             wild
             Conceit
             ;
             seeing
             there
             are
             no
             Characters
             of
             Eternity
             engraven
             on
             our
             Souls
             ,
             the
             nobler
             part
             of
             Man
             ;
             much
             less
             are
             there
             any
             Vestiges
             of
             it
             imprinted
             on
             that
             Clay
             of
             which
             our
             Bodies
             are
             composed
             .
          
           
             The
             Memory
             we
             have
             of
             our
             own
             Existence
             ,
             extends
             but
             to
             a
             very
             few
             Years
             ;
             therefore
             we
             can't
             pretend
             ,
             that
             we
             remember
             our selves
             to
             have
             been
             from
             Eternity
             :
             Nor
             has
             any
             Eternal
             Being
             revealed
             to
             us
             that
             our
             Substance
             is
             Eternal
             ,
             tho
             we
             knew
             it
             not
             ,
             or
             had
             forgotten
             it
             .
             And
             
             is
             it
             likely
             that
             a
             Being
             ,
             to
             which
             Thinking
             is
             essential
             ,
             should
             have
             so
             excellent
             a
             Property
             as
             to
             exist
             Eternally
             ,
             and
             yet
             labour
             under
             so
             great
             a
             defect
             ,
             as
             the
             entire
             Oblivion
             of
             its
             own
             Eternal
             Duration
             ?
             Is
             it
             to
             be
             imagin'd
             that
             if
             the
             Minds
             of
             Men
             had
             been
             Eternal
             ,
             there
             would
             have
             been
             any
             room
             left
             for
             those
             many
             New
             and
             Great
             Improvements
             of
             Arts
             and
             Sciences
             ,
             which
             have
             been
             so
             often
             seen
             in
             the
             World
             ?
             How
             could
             past
             Eternity
             be
             so
             deficient
             ,
             as
             to
             leave
             any
             thing
             to
             future
             Invention
             to
             discover
             or
             cultivate
             ?
             Is
             it
             probable
             that
             our
             Knowledg
             even
             of
             things
             much
             inferiour
             to
             our selves
             ,
             would
             be
             so
             inconsiderable
             as
             it
             is
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             vilest
             Insect
             ,
             nay
             the
             most
             despicable
             portion
             of
             Inanimate
             Matter
             ,
             should
             so
             puzzle
             the
             most
             Speculative
             and
             Ingenious
             Minds
             ,
             that
             enquire
             into
             their
             Nature
             ,
             if
             those
             Minds
             were
             from
             Eternity
             ?
             Is
             it
             not
             much
             more
             reasonable
             to
             conclude
             ,
             that
             
               We
               are
               but
               of
               Yesterday
               ,
               
               because
               we
               know
               nothing
               ?
            
             And
             can
             it
             be
             thought
             that
             a
             Being
             that
             wanted
             no
             Cause
             for
             its
             Existence
             ,
             should
             need
             a
             Cause
             to
             give
             it
             Properties
             far
             below
             that
             of
             Eternity
             ?
             That
             a
             Being
             which
             can't
             be
             measured
             by
             
             Time
             ,
             should
             yet
             be
             liable
             to
             so
             many
             Changes
             and
             Troubles
             ,
             as
             we
             see
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             are
             continually
             expos'd
             to
             ?
          
           
             And
             if
             the
             Soul
             can't
             justly
             claim
             this
             Property
             ,
             how
             can
             the
             Body
             ,
             which
             consists
             of
             dull
             unactive
             Matter
             ,
             and
             wants
             those
             lesser
             Qualities
             which
             the
             Soul
             possesses
             ,
             be
             imagin'd
             to
             have
             that
             greater
             Excellency
             of
             Eternity
             ,
             which
             the
             Soul
             her self
             can't
             reasonably
             pretend
             to
             ?
          
           
             No
             —
             This
             is
             the
             Divine
             Prerogative
             ,
             and
             is
             not
             to
             be
             attributed
             to
             any
             other
             Being
             than
             the
             Supreme
             ;
             who
             calls
             himself
             ,
             
             
               I
               AM
               ,
               i.
               e.
            
             Being
             in
             the
             Abstract
             ,
             Being
             it self
             ,
             and
             
               IEHOVAH
               ,
               i.
               e.
            
             The
             Eternal
             One
             ;
             
             
               who
               only
               hath
               Immortality
            
             in
             this
             Absolute
             Sense
             ,
             and
             of
             whom
             alone
             it
             can
             be
             said
             ,
             
             
               He
               is
               from
               Everlasting
               to
               Everlasting
               .
            
             
          
           
             For
             what
             is
             Eternal
             is
             Infinite
             and
             Independent
             .
             Infinite
             in
             Duration
             ;
             for
             that
             which
             had
             no
             Cause
             to
             produce
             it
             does
             necessarily
             exist
             ;
             and
             that
             which
             necessarily
             Exists
             is
             infinitely
             Durable
             ,
             and
             Independent
             by
             the
             same
             Reason
             :
             And
             that
             which
             is
             Independent
             ,
             and
             Infinite
             in
             Duration
             ,
             may
             be
             justly
             accounted
             Infinite
             
             in
             all
             other
             Respects
             ,
             and
             so
             
               Infinitely
               Perfect
            
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             sole
             Prerogative
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             Incommunicable
             to
             any
             Being
             inferiour
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             It
             therefore
             follows
             ,
             that
             we
             had
             once
             no
             Being
             ;
             that
             our
             Souls
             and
             Bodies
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             all
             other
             Beings
             (
             except
             God
             )
             had
             a
             Beginning
             .
          
           
             And
             if
             we
             had
             a
             Beginning
             ,
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             
               We
               could
               not
               be
               the
               Authors
               of
               our
               own
               Being
            
             ;
             we
             could
             not
             give
             our selves
             a
             Being
             before
             we
             had
             a
             Being
             .
             Nothing
             can
             be
             thought
             on
             more
             absurd
             ;
             than
             that
             Nothing
             ,
             which
             can't
             act
             in
             any
             sense
             ,
             should
             be
             capable
             of
             Creating
             .
             That
             
               Nothing
               is
               made
               of
               Nothing
            
             ,
             
             if
             taken
             in
             this
             sense
             ,
             is
             a
             true
             Maxim
             ,
             viz.
             That
             Nothing
             can
             make
             its
             No-self
             to
             Be
             :
             But
             is
             not
             to
             be
             construed
             so
             as
             to
             exempt
             God
             ,
             whose
             Power
             is
             Infinite
             ,
             from
             being
             able
             to
             make
             a
             Being
             ,
             which
             did
             not
             Exist
             before
             .
             And
          
           
             3dly
             ,
             
               No
               other
               Being
            
             (
             except
             God
             )
             
               could
               make
               us
               ,
               or
               any
               thing
               else
               ,
               out
               of
               Nothing
               :
            
             For
             how
             can
             less
             than
             an
             Infinite
             Power
             transport
             any
             thing
             from
             Nullity
             to
             Existence
             ,
             seeing
             there
             is
             an
             infinite
             distance
             betwixt
             them
             ?
             As
             appears
             ,
             in
             
             that
             ,
             if
             you
             multiply
             Nothing
             to
             Infinity
             ,
             it
             will
             never
             amount
             to
             any
             real
             Being
             ;
             and
             if
             you
             in
             thought
             diminish
             any
             thing
             that
             exists
             to
             the
             lowest
             degree
             of
             Being
             imaginable
             ,
             you
             can
             never
             make
             it
             appear
             a
             mere
             Nothing
             ?
             This
             Distance
             therefore
             being
             Infinite
             ,
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             proper
             only
             to
             an
             Infinite
             Power
             ,
             to
             make
             that
             Exist
             which
             is
             not
             yet
             in
             being
             ;
             as
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             only
             the
             withdrawment
             of
             that
             Power
             from
             supporting
             the
             Being
             of
             a
             Creature
             ,
             that
             can
             annihilate
             it
             .
          
           
             Besides
             ,
             if
             no
             Being
             ,
             that
             has
             had
             a
             Beginning
             ,
             could
             give
             it self
             Existence
             ,
             and
             all
             things
             inferiour
             to
             God
             ,
             had
             a
             Beginning
             ,
             (
             as
             we
             have
             prov'd
             )
             Then
             no
             Being
             inferiour
             to
             him
             could
             make
             us
             Exist
             ;
             for
             how
             should
             that
             ,
             which
             does
             neither
             necessarily
             Exist
             ,
             nor
             could
             
               give
               it self
               a
               being
            
             ,
             be
             capable
             of
             giving
             being
             to
             any
             thing
             else
             ,
             when
             it
             wholly
             depends
             on
             God
             for
             its
             own
             ?
          
           
             And
             as
             Being
             simply
             consider'd
             is
             the
             most
             Universal
             Effect
             ,
             all
             Creatures
             partaking
             of
             it
             in
             common
             ;
             it
             must
             be
             owing
             to
             the
             most
             Universal
             Cause
             ,
             which
             is
             no
             other
             than
             God
             himself
             :
             Therefore
             he
             only
             can
             Create
             ,
             or
             make
             that
             to
             be
             which
             was
             not
             before
             .
          
           
           
             Nor
             have
             we
             only
             the
             Light
             of
             Reason
             in
             this
             Case
             ;
             but
             that
             of
             Divine
             Revelation
             too
             ,
             
             which
             assures
             us
             ,
             that
             
               In
               the
               Beginning
               God
               created
               the
               Heavens
               and
               the
               Earth
               ,
            
             i.
             e.
             the
             whole
             Universe
             .
             He
             made
             the
             first
             Matter
             ,
             out
             of
             which
             this
             Curious
             Fabrick
             was
             built
             ;
             
             he
             made
             the
             Earth
             ,
             which
             was
             without
             form
             and
             void
             ;
             and
             then
             raised
             a
             beautiful
             Structure
             out
             of
             it
             .
             
             
               Through
               Faith
            
             (
             as
             well
             as
             Reason
             )
             
               we
               understand
               that
               the
               Worlds
               were
               fram'd
               by
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               so
               that
               things
               which
               are
               seen
               ,
               were
               not
               made
               of
               things
               which
               do
               appear
               .
            
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             As
             God
             is
             the
             Author
             of
             the
             Matter
             of
             which
             we
             consist
             :
             So
             is
             He
             also
             of
             our
             Form
             and
             Composition
             (
             as
             well
             as
             of
             that
             of
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Universe
             .
             )
             It
             was
             a
             vain
             Supposition
             of
             Aristotle
             ,
             that
             this
             Frame
             of
             the
             World
             had
             no
             Beginning
             ,
             and
             consequently
             that
             the
             Species
             of
             Mankind
             has
             existed
             from
             Eternity
             ,
             This
             Fancy
             has
             been
             sufficiently
             disprov'd
             by
             the
             reasons
             before
             alledg'd
             against
             the
             Eternity
             of
             the
             first
             Matter
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             for
             if
             That
             be
             not
             Eternal
             ,
             much
             less
             can
             the
             Form
             of
             it
             be
             so
             .
          
           
             Nor
             is
             the
             Epicurean
             Whimsey
             less
             Absurd
             ,
             which
             supposes
             ,
             that
             from
             a
             
             fortuitous
             shuffling
             of
             an
             Infinite
             Number
             of
             self-existent
             ,
             and
             self-moving
             Atoms
             ,
             this
             stately
             Frame
             of
             the
             World
             did
             emerge
             ,
             and
             that
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             Animals
             ,
             sprung
             out
             of
             the
             Earth
             by
             such
             a
             Casual
             way
             of
             Generation
             as
             this
             .
             As
             if
             Dead
             Matter
             could
             move
             it self
             ,
             and
             as
             if
             the
             Collision
             of
             Material
             Particles
             could
             produce
             a
             Substance
             capable
             of
             Reasoning
             and
             
               Iudging
               ,
               Willing
            
             and
             Desiring
             ,
             such
             as
             the
             Soul
             of
             Man
             is
             .
             And
             what
             can
             be
             more
             absurd
             than
             to
             imagine
             ,
             that
             the
             Accidental
             Motions
             of
             those
             minute
             Particles
             could
             frame
             the
             Curious
             Structure
             of
             a
             humane
             Body
             ;
             nay
             the
             whole
             System
             of
             the
             Universe
             ,
             and
             every
             Species
             in
             it
             ?
             'T
             is
             less
             unreasonable
             to
             imagine
             ,
             when
             one
             sees
             a
             Magnificent
             Palace
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             built
             by
             the
             Casual
             jumbling
             together
             of
             the
             Materials
             that
             compose
             it
             ;
             or
             that
             the
             most
             curious
             Watch
             was
             fram'd
             after
             this
             odd
             manner
             ;
             that
             an
             elegant
             Picture
             may
             have
             resulted
             from
             the
             Accidental
             and
             unheeded
             mixture
             of
             Colours
             ;
             or
             an
             Elaborate
             Oration
             or
             Poem
             (
             as
             many
             have
             observ'd
             )
             from
             a
             Confus'd
             shuffling
             of
             the
             Letters
             of
             the
             Alphabet
             .
          
           
           
             'T
             is
             evident
             from
             the
             harmonious
             Combination
             of
             the
             several
             Parts
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             curious
             frame
             of
             each
             Species
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             particularly
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             that
             all
             has
             been
             dispos'd
             in
             
               Number
               ,
               Weight
            
             and
             Measure
             ,
             by
             the
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             and
             Power
             of
             that
             God
             ,
             
             who
             is
             
               Wonderful
               in
               Counsel
               ,
               and
               Excellent
               in
               Working
               .
            
          
           
             And
             this
             Truth
             is
             so
             very
             clear
             ,
             that
             the
             Minds
             of
             the
             generality
             of
             the
             Heathens
             themselves
             have
             been
             penetrated
             with
             the
             Light
             of
             it
             .
             
             And
             therefore
             the
             Apostle
             Paul
             cites
             to
             the
             Athenians
             one
             of
             their
             Celebrated
             Authors
             ,
             
             to
             prove
             ,
             (
             what
             others
             of
             them
             generally
             confess'd
             )
             that
             God
             is
             the
             
               Original
               Author
               of
               Mankind
            
             .
             
             So
             that
             't
             is
             manifest
             from
             Reason
             that
             God
             has
             form'd
             us
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             the
             Sacred
             Historian
             of
             the
             Creation
             expresly
             asserts
             ,
             —
             
               God
               said
               ,
               
               Let
               us
               make
               Man
               in
               our
               Image
               ,
               after
               our
               Likeness
               ,
               so
               God
               created
               Man
               in
               his
               own
               Image
               ;
               in
               the
               Image
               of
               God
               created
               he
               him
               :
               Male
               and
               Female
               created
               he
               them
               .
            
             And
             again
             —
             
               The
               LORD
               God
               formed
               Man
               of
               the
               Dust
               of
               the
               Ground
               ,
               
               and
               breathed
               into
               his
               Nostrils
               the
               Breath
               of
               Life
               ,
               
               and
               Man
               became
               a
               living
               Soul.
               
            
             
             'T
             is
             God
             (
             who
             is
             
               the
               Former
               of
               all
               things
            
             )
             that
             
               hath
               made
               us
               ,
               and
               not
               
               we
               our selves
               .
            
             He
             both
             made
             the
             Matter
             of
             which
             we
             consist
             ,
             and
             moulded
             it
             into
             that
             Form
             which
             we
             bear
             ,
             and
             by
             which
             our
             Species
             is
             distinguished
             from
             those
             of
             other
             Creatures
             .
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             God
             is
             our
             Creator
             ,
             or
             the
             Author
             of
             our
             Being
             ,
             in
             that
             ,
             as
             he
             has
             fram'd
             the
             Species
             of
             Mankind
             in
             General
             ;
             so
             he
             is
             the
             Former
             of
             every
             Individual
             Humane
             Creature
             that
             comes
             into
             the
             World.
             The
             Multiplication
             of
             Creatures
             according
             to
             their
             kind
             by
             Natural
             Propagation
             ,
             is
             a
             Blessing
             of
             God
             pronounc'd
             on
             them
             at
             their
             Creation
             .
             
             But
             this
             way
             ordain'd
             by
             God
             for
             the
             
               Conservation
               and
               Increase
            
             of
             each
             Species
             is
             very
             Mysterious
             and
             Wonderful
             ,
             and
             is
             in
             the
             Scripture
             term'd
             Creation
             ,
             and
             attributed
             to
             God
             as
             such
             .
             The
             Psalmist
             calls
             the
             Generation
             to
             come
             ,
             
               the
               People
               that
               shall
               be
               Created
            
             ;
             
             And
             speaking
             of
             the
             successive
             Dissolution
             and
             Propagation
             of
             Animals
             ,
             
             he
             says
             ,
             —
             
               Thou
               takest
               away
               their
               Breath
               ,
               they
               die
               ,
               and
               return
               to
               their
               Dust.
               Thou
               sendest
               forth
               thy
               Spirit
               ,
               they
               are
               created
               ,
               and
               Thou
               renewest
               the
               face
               of
               the
               Earth
               .
            
             Here
             the
             Term
             of
             Creation
             is
             used
             to
             signify
             the
             Conservation
             and
             Multiplication
             of
             Animals
             in
             the
             ordinary
             
             Course
             of
             Nature
             ;
             and
             that
             (
             as
             well
             as
             the
             first
             formation
             of
             each
             Species
             )
             is
             ascribed
             to
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God.
             
             And
             God
             threatens
             the
             Ammonites
             by
             the
             Prophet
             Ezekiel
             ,
             
             to
             judg
             them
             
               in
               the
               Place
               where
               they
               were
               Created
               ,
            
             that
             is
             ,
             as
             he
             explains
             it
             in
             the
             next
             Words
             ,
             
               in
               the
               Land
               of
               their
               Nativity
               .
            
          
           
             And
             God
             is
             the
             Creator
             in
             this
             respect
             ,
             in
             a
             sense
             beyond
             what
             is
             ordinarily
             imagin'd
             .
             For
             it
             has
             in
             vain
             been
             attempted
             by
             Men
             to
             explain
             the
             Formation
             of
             Plants
             and
             Animals
             ,
             by
             the
             Natural
             Laws
             of
             Motion
             :
             And
             so
             many
             insuperable
             Difficulties
             meet
             'em
             ,
             when
             they
             would
             shew
             how
             their
             Organs
             are
             Mechanically
             form'd
             in
             Natural
             Generation
             ,
             that
             they
             appear
             impossible
             to
             be
             solv'd
             without
             attributing
             to
             an
             Almighty
             Power
             the
             Formation
             of
             every
             Individual
             Creature
             (
             as
             well
             as
             of
             every
             Species
             )
             and
             that
             in
             a
             way
             more
             Immediate
             ,
             at
             least
             more
             Mysterious
             than
             is
             commonly
             supposed
             .
          
           
             Nor
             does
             the
             Conjecture
             of
             the
             Equivocal
             Generation
             of
             some
             Plants
             and
             Insects
             (
             tho'
             it
             has
             generally
             prevailed
             in
             the
             World
             as
             an
             undoubted
             Truth
             )
             seem
             well
             founded
             ;
             since
             that
             Supposition
             
             has
             been
             of
             late
             Years
             greatly
             discredited
             by
             many
             Experiments
             ,
             
             which
             render
             it
             very
             improbable
             ,
             that
             any
             Plant
             is
             rais'd
             without
             Seed
             by
             a
             
               formative
               Power
            
             in
             the
             Earth
             ,
             (
             as
             many
             have
             pretended
             )
             or
             any
             Animal
             spontaneously
             produc'd
             without
             Parents
             .
             And
             these
             God
             uses
             only
             as
             Instrumental
             or
             Occasional
             Causes
             ,
             himself
             being
             the
             Efficient
             Cause
             of
             all
             Generation
             ;
             who
             in
             this
             respect
             (
             as
             the
             Apostle
             fays
             in
             another
             )
             
               worketh
               All
               in
               All
            
             ;
             
             and
             tho'
             he
             finished
             the
             Creation
             in
             Six
             days
             ,
             
             yet
             may
             be
             said
             to
             Create
             still
             ,
             or
             (
             as
             our
             Saviour
             speaks
             )
             
               to
               Work
               hitherto
            
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             it
             appears
             to
             be
             a
             Work
             proper
             to
             the
             Creator
             of
             Man
             ,
             to
             form
             him
             in
             the
             Womb
             ,
             and
             that
             after
             a
             Method
             too
             mysterious
             to
             be
             trac'd
             by
             a
             humane
             Understanding
             ;
             since
             the
             Natural
             Laws
             of
             Motion
             ,
             at
             least
             so
             far
             as
             known
             by
             Men
             ,
             are
             not
             capable
             of
             producing
             so
             Curious
             a
             Piece
             as
             a
             humane
             body
             :
             And
             as
             it
             is
             generally
             supposed
             that
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             are
             Individually
             form'd
             ,
             and
             infus'd
             into
             their
             Bodies
             by
             the
             hand
             of
             God
             ,
             (
             since
             no
             tolerable
             Account
             can
             be
             otherwise
             given
             of
             their
             Production
             )
             so
             it
             must
             be
             granted
             ,
             that
             the
             form
             of
             each
             
             Individual
             humane
             Body
             is
             to
             be
             attributed
             to
             the
             same
             Divine
             Power
             ;
             which
             operates
             after
             so
             unsearchable
             a
             manner
             ,
             that
             every
             Man
             may
             well
             say
             (
             not
             only
             as
             to
             the
             Origin
             of
             Mankind
             in
             general
             ,
             but
             as
             to
             the
             Formation
             of
             himself
             in
             particular
             )
             as
             Iob
             did
             ,
             
             
               Thy
               Hands
               have
               made
               me
               ,
               and
               fashioned
               me
               round
               about
               —
               Thou
               hast
               made
               me
               as
               the
               Clay
               :
               —
               Hast
               thou
               not
               pour'd
               me
               out
               as
               Milk
               ,
               and
               crudled
               me
               like
               Cheese
               ?
               Thou
               hast
               clothed
               me
               with
               skin
               and
               flesh
               ;
               and
               hast
               fenced
               me
               with
               bones
               and
               sinews
               :
               Thou
               hast
               granted
               me
               Life
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             And
             with
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             
             —
             
               Thou
               hast
               cover'd
               me
               in
               my
               Mother
               's
               Womb.
               I
               will
               praise
               Thee
               ;
               for
               I
               am
               fearfully
               and
               wonderfully
               made
               .
               Marvellous
               are
               thy
               Works
               ,
               and
               that
               my
               Soul
               knoweth
               right
               well
               .
               My
               Substance
               was
               not
               hid
               from
               Thee
               ,
               when
               I
               was
               made
               in
               Secret
               ;
               and
               curiously
               wrought
               in
               the
               lowest
               parts
               of
               the
               Earth
               .
               Thy
               Eyes
               did
               see
               my
               Substance
               yet
               being
               imperfect
               ,
               and
               in
               thy
               Book
               all
               my
               Members
               were
               written
               ,
               which
               in
               Continuance
               were
               fashion'd
               ,
               when
               as
               yet
               there
               was
               none
               of
               them
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             It
             hence
             follows
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             the
             Vpholder
             and
             Preserver
             of
             our
             Being
             .
             For
             this
             is
             included
             in
             the
             term
             [
             Creator
             ]
             .
             When
             God
             by
             the
             Prophet
             addresses
             
             himself
             to
             the
             Israelites
             ,
             to
             encourage
             them
             to
             trust
             in
             him
             for
             their
             Preservation
             ,
             and
             to
             dissipate
             their
             fears
             of
             Danger
             ,
             he
             speaks
             to
             them
             under
             this
             Title
             ;
             —
             
               Thus
               saith
               the
               Lord
               ,
               
               that
               created
               Thee
               ,
               O
            
             Jacob
             ,
             
               and
               he
               that
               formed
               Thee
               ,
               O
            
             Israel
             ,
             
               Fear
               not
            
             ,
             &c.
             
             And
             to
             this
             Exhortation
             he
             adds
             a
             Promise
             to
             preserve
             'em
             when
             surrounded
             with
             the
             greatest
             Difficulties
             ,
             to
             be
             with
             them
             in
             passing
             through
             the
             Water
             ,
             and
             through
             the
             Fire
             :
             And
             the
             Psalmist
             makes
             the
             Relation
             he
             stood
             in
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             his
             Creature
             ,
             a
             plea
             for
             his
             Preservation
             ,
             when
             he
             says
             in
             his
             Prayer
             —
             
               O
               LORD
               —
               forsake
               not
               the
               Works
               of
               thy
               own
               hands
               .
            
             
          
           
             And
             the
             Apostle
             Peter
             exhorts
             those
             that
             are
             persecuted
             ,
             
             to
             
               commit
               the
               keeping
               of
               their
               Souls
               to
               God
               ,
               in
               well
               doing
               ,
               as
               to
               a
               faithful
               Creator
               :
            
             So
             that
             from
             hence
             't
             is
             evident
             ,
             that
             the
             Relation
             God
             bears
             to
             us
             as
             our
             Creator
             ,
             includes
             his
             Providential
             Care
             for
             our
             Preservation
             :
             That
             God
             who
             is
             our
             Maker
             ,
             is
             also
             
               the
               Preserver
               of
               Men.
            
             
             As
             it
             was
             impossible
             that
             we
             should
             give
             Being
             to
             our
             felves
             ;
             so
             't
             is
             beyond
             our
             power
             to
             continue
             our selves
             in
             Being
             :
             And
             as
             we
             owe
             not
             our
             Existence
             to
             any
             Being
             Inferiour
             to
             God
             ;
             
             so
             neither
             does
             the
             Duration
             of
             our
             Being
             depend
             upon
             any
             other
             than
             him
             .
             It
             was
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             that
             produc'd
             us
             ,
             consequently
             't
             is
             the
             same
             Will
             that
             preserves
             us
             .
             Before
             he
             
               actually
               will'd
            
             our
             Production
             ,
             we
             could
             not
             exist
             ;
             and
             if
             he
             should
             
               cease
               to
               will
            
             the
             Continuance
             of
             our
             Being
             ,
             it
             would
             immediately
             discontinue
             ,
             and
             be
             annihilated
             :
             'T
             is
             but
             for
             him
             to
             withdraw
             his
             Hand
             ,
             to
             suspend
             the
             Influence
             of
             his
             Power
             ,
             and
             we
             sink
             into
             Nothing
             .
             So
             that
             
               we
               are
               kept
               by
               the
               Power
               of
               God
            
             in
             regard
             of
             our
             Natural
             ,
             
             as
             the
             Apostle
             affirms
             we
             are
             in
             respect
             of
             our
             Spiritual
             State
             :
             And
             since
             the
             Divine
             Will
             is
             equally
             the
             Cause
             of
             our
             Being
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Duration
             of
             it
             ;
             the
             term
             of
             Creator
             attributed
             to
             God
             in
             our
             Text
             ,
             may
             be
             fitly
             extended
             to
             both
             ;
             our
             Preservation
             being
             a
             Continuation
             of
             God's
             Creating
             Work
             :
             for
             in
             this
             respect
             (
             as
             well
             as
             that
             mention'd
             before
             of
             the
             formation
             of
             successive
             Generations
             of
             Men
             )
             according
             to
             the
             words
             of
             Christ
             ,
             God
             
               worketh
               hitherto
            
             .
             
             And
             as
             from
             him
             our
             Being
             is
             deriv'd
             ;
             so
             
               in
               him
            
             alone
             
               we
               Live
            
             ,
             
             
               and
               Move
               ,
               and
               have
               our
               Being
            
             still
             ;
             who
             
               upholds
               all
               things
               by
               the
               Word
               of
               his
               Power
               .
            
             And
             not
             only
             We
             ,
             but
             all
             other
             Creatures
             
             lean
             on
             the
             Almighty
             Hand
             for
             their
             Preservation
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             all
             equally
             owe
             their
             Existence
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             Term
             [
             Creator
             ]
             may
             further
             include
             that
             God
             is
             the
             
               Restorer
               and
               Reformer
               of
               Man.
            
             'T
             is
             true
             it
             does
             not
             necessarily
             follow
             ,
             that
             ,
             because
             he
             has
             made
             ,
             and
             preserves
             us
             ,
             therefore
             ,
             after
             we
             had
             undone
             our selves
             by
             Sin
             ,
             and
             effac'd
             the
             Image
             of
             Holiness
             he
             impress'd
             on
             us
             in
             our
             Original
             Frame
             and
             Constitution
             ,
             he
             also
             must
             needs
             
               actually
               Reform
            
             us
             :
             But
             it
             does
             thence
             follow
             ,
             that
             
               none
               but
               God
            
             can
             restore
             a
             Degenerate
             Creature
             ;
             and
             that
             all
             those
             ,
             whose
             Corrupt
             Nature
             is
             reform'd
             ,
             derive
             that
             Blessing
             from
             the
             Almighty
             Author
             of
             their
             Being
             .
             The
             same
             Divine
             Goodness
             ,
             Wisdom
             and
             Power
             ,
             that
             at
             the
             Creation
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             
             said
             ,
             
               Let
               there
               be
               Light
            
             ,
             (
             which
             Operative
             Word
             produc'd
             Light
             immediately
             )
             is
             necessary
             to
             illuminate
             the
             benighted
             Minds
             of
             Men
             ,
             who
             are
             by
             Sin
             become
             
               the
               Children
               of
               Darkness
            
             ;
             
             and
             
               to
               call
               them
               out
               of
               that
               Darkness
               into
               the
               Marvellous
               Light
            
             of
             Divine
             Truth
             .
             
             Therefore
             the
             Apostle
             Paul
             assures
             us
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             
               that
               God
               ,
               
               who
               at
               first
               commanded
               the
               Light
               to
               shine
               out
               of
               Darkness
               ,
               that
               
               shines
               in
               the
               Hearts
            
             of
             such
             
               to
               give
               the
               Light
               of
               the
               knowledg
               of
               the
               Glory
               of
               God
               in
               the
               face
               of
               Iesus
               Christ.
            
             He
             alone
             ,
             who
             made
             all
             things
             
               very
               Good
            
             in
             their
             kind
             at
             the
             Creation
             ,
             
             and
             who
             then
             
               made
               Man
               upright
            
             ,
             
             is
             able
             to
             rectify
             the
             perverseness
             of
             his
             Will
             ,
             and
             to
             purify
             his
             Heart
             from
             the
             Pollution
             it
             has
             contracted
             :
             To
             create
             in
             him
             
               a
               clean
               Heart
               ,
               
               and
               to
               renew
               a
               right
               Spirit
               within
               him
               .
            
             Nothing
             less
             than
             our
             Creator's
             own
             Divine
             Goodness
             could
             move
             him
             to
             restore
             deprav'd
             Sinners
             ;
             nothing
             less
             than
             his
             own
             Divine
             Wisdom
             could
             contrive
             the
             Method
             of
             their
             Restoration
             ;
             and
             nothing
             less
             than
             his
             Divine
             Power
             could
             put
             it
             in
             Execution
             ,
             and
             accomplish
             it
             :
             He
             contriv'd
             the
             Scheme
             of
             this
             Glorious
             Work
             ,
             He
             appointed
             and
             prepar'd
             the
             Means
             ,
             and
             He
             renders
             them
             effectual
             to
             the
             End
             designed
             .
          
           
             Who
             but
             our
             Creator
             is
             able
             to
             restore
             us
             ,
             and
             reform
             us
             from
             Sin
             ;
             seeing
             Sin
             is
             a
             Privation
             of
             Sanctity
             ,
             a
             Nullity
             oppos'd
             to
             the
             
               Being
               of
               Holiness
            
             ?
             Nay
             a
             state
             of
             Sin
             is
             a
             state
             of
             Rebellion
             against
             God
             ,
             a
             State
             of
             Enmity
             and
             Opposition
             to
             the
             Author
             of
             our
             Being
             ;
             therefore
             worse
             than
             Annihilation
             it self
             :
             because
             that
             which
             
             
               is
               not
            
             ,
             as
             it
             can
             do
             no
             Good
             ,
             so
             does
             no
             Evil
             ;
             as
             it
             is
             not
             for
             God
             ,
             so
             is
             not
             against
             Him.
             But
             a
             sinful
             Creature
             commits
             his
             Sins
             
               against
               him
               ,
               even
               against
               Him
               ,
            
             
             (
             as
             the
             Psalmist
             emphatically
             repeats
             it
             )
             
               and
               does
               Evil
               in
               his
               sight
            
             ;
             actually
             opposes
             ,
             and
             disserves
             Him
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             supreme
             Being
             ,
             and
             sole
             Author
             of
             the
             whole
             Creation
             .
             Therefore
             tho'
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             brought
             us
             out
             of
             Nullity
             ,
             
             and
             gave
             us
             Being
             ;
             nothing
             less
             than
             the
             Blood
             of
             God
             could
             avail
             to
             redeem
             us
             from
             that
             Abyss
             of
             Iniquity
             and
             Misery
             we
             were
             sunk
             into
             by
             our
             Apostacy
             from
             Him.
             
          
           
             Who
             but
             He
             that
             
               establish'd
               the
               World
               by
               his
               Wisdom
               ,
               
               and
               stretched
               out
               the
               Heavens
               by
               his
               Discretion
               and
               Vnderstanding
               ,
            
             could
             have
             form'd
             the
             Method
             of
             our
             Restoration
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             glorify
             his
             
               Holiness
               and
               Iustice
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             his
             
               Grace
               and
               Mercy
            
             by
             it
             ;
             so
             as
             to
             make
             
               Mercy
               and
               Truth
               meet
               together
               ,
               
               and
               Righteousness
               and
               Peace
               to
               kiss
               each
               other
               ,
            
             as
             he
             hath
             done
             by
             recovering
             fallen
             Man
             by
             the
             Sacrifice
             of
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             ?
             What
             Depths
             of
             Wisdom
             appear
             in
             this
             Stupendous
             
               Mystery
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               
               God
               manifested
               in
               the
               Flesh
            
             —
             That
             Sin
             should
             be
             punish'd
             
             with
             the
             utmost
             Severity
             ,
             and
             yet
             the
             Sinner
             spar'd
             by
             Infinite
             Mercy
             !
             That
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             who
             
               knew
               no
               Sin
               ,
               
               should
               be
               made
               Sin
               for
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               might
               be
               made
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               God
               in
               him
               !
            
             And
             the
             same
             Characters
             of
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             that
             appear
             in
             the
             Foundation
             ,
             are
             seen
             also
             in
             the
             whole
             Superstructure
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             in
             every
             part
             of
             this
             great
             Work
             of
             Restoration
             .
          
           
             Nothing
             can
             be
             more
             astonishing
             than
             that
             Infinite
             Mercy
             that
             appears
             in
             this
             Mighty
             Work
             ;
             which
             can
             have
             no
             other
             Author
             than
             that
             Infinite
             Being
             that
             hath
             created
             us
             .
             Who
             ,
             but
             
               He
               that
               made
               us
               ,
               
               would
            
             or
             could
             have
             so
             much
             
               Mercy
               on
               us
            
             ?
             And
             who
             ,
             but
             
               he
               that
               formed
               us
               ,
               would
               shew
               us
            
             so
             much
             Favour
             ,
             as
             to
             rescue
             us
             from
             Sin
             ,
             and
             the
             Curses
             entail'd
             on
             it
             ,
             by
             so
             endearing
             a
             Ransom
             ,
             as
             the
             precious
             Blood
             of
             his
             own
             Son
             ?
          
           
             And
             as
             none
             but
             our
             Maker
             is
             capable
             of
             Redeeming
             us
             ;
             so
             the
             
               frequent
               use
            
             he
             makes
             of
             the
             Term
             [
             Creator
             ]
             in
             his
             Word
             ,
             to
             encourage
             Men
             to
             obey
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             trust
             in
             him
             ,
             may
             well
             be
             suppos'd
             to
             intimate
             the
             Design
             he
             had
             fram'd
             to
             restore
             Sinners
             to
             his
             Favour
             :
             For
             had
             he
             not
             revealed
             himself
             to
             be
             Willing
             ,
             
             as
             well
             as
             Able
             ,
             to
             be
             our
             Creator
             in
             this
             Sense
             ,
             by
             taking
             us
             into
             his
             Hand
             the
             second
             Time
             to
             reform
             us
             ,
             or
             create
             us
             anew
             ;
             there
             would
             be
             no
             room
             for
             us
             ,
             since
             we
             have
             all
             violated
             the
             Laws
             of
             our
             first
             Creation
             ,
             to
             hope
             to
             offer
             any
             acceptable
             Service
             to
             him
             ,
             or
             to
             expect
             any
             Favour
             from
             him
             :
             There
             would
             be
             no
             Incouragement
             to
             remember
             him
             as
             our
             Creator
             in
             the
             first
             Sense
             exclusive
             of
             this
             latter
             ;
             because
             our
             Guilt
             would
             fill
             us
             with
             Terror
             at
             every
             due
             Remembrance
             of
             him
             ,
             who
             ,
             as
             he
             made
             us
             for
             his
             Glory
             ,
             so
             is
             able
             to
             punish
             us
             ,
             and
             might
             justly
             do
             it
             ,
             for
             the
             Indignities
             we
             have
             offer'd
             him
             by
             our
             Sins
             .
             So
             that
             whenever
             God
             is
             pleas'd
             to
             press
             ,
             or
             encourage
             us
             to
             our
             Duty
             in
             his
             Word
             ,
             by
             stiling
             Himself
             our
             Creator
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             consider
             that
             Title
             ,
             as
             tacitely
             including
             his
             being
             our
             Redeemer
             too
             ;
             that
             
               the
               God
               that
               made
               us
            
             ,
             
             is
             also
             
               the
               Rock
               of
               our
               Salvation
            
             .
          
           
             And
             we
             find
             the
             great
             Work
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             in
             Renewing
             and
             Regenerating
             a
             Sinner
             is
             frequently
             term'd
             [
             Creation
             ]
             in
             Holy
             Writ
             ;
             
             both
             to
             signify
             the
             Greatness
             of
             the
             Work
             ,
             
             and
             the
             Resemblance
             this
             New
             Creation
             in
             several
             respects
             
             bears
             to
             the
             first
             ;
             and
             also
             to
             denote
             ,
             that
             both
             those
             mighty
             Works
             are
             to
             be
             ascrib'd
             to
             the
             same
             Author
             ;
             and
             that
             God
             may
             be
             term'd
             our
             Creator
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             that
             he
             gave
             us
             a
             Being
             ,
             but
             also
             in
             that
             he
             often
             makes
             Sinners
             become
             
               New
               Creatures
            
             ,
             by
             
               Renewing
               them
               in
               knowledg
               after
               his
               own
               Image
               ;
               
               and
            
             by
             
               Creating
               them
               in
               Righteousness
               and
               true
               Holiness
               :
            
             
             Who
             are
             therefore
             call'd
             
               his
               Workmanship
               Created
               in
               Christ
               Iesus
               to
               good
               Works
               ,
               
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             And
             't
             is
             worth
             remarking
             ,
             that
             this
             Word
             [
             Creator
             ]
             in
             our
             Text
             ,
             
             is
             of
             the
             Plural
             Number
             in
             the
             Original
             [
             Thy
             Creators
             ]
             ,
             
             as
             if
             design'd
             to
             express
             the
             great
             Obligations
             Men
             are
             under
             to
             each
             Person
             of
             the
             Blessed
             Trinity
             ,
             
             for
             
               Making
               ,
               Redeeming
            
             ,
             
             and
             Sanctifying
             them
             ;
             the
             former
             of
             which
             is
             eminently
             ascribed
             to
             the
             Father
             ,
             the
             Second
             to
             the
             Son
             ,
             and
             the
             last
             to
             the
             
               Holy
               Spirit
            
             ,
             (
             tho'
             all
             concur
             in
             each
             of
             those
             mighty
             Works
             )
             and
             to
             signify
             that
             all
             these
             Works
             may
             be
             fitly
             express'd
             by
             this
             common
             Name
             of
             Creation
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             As
             God
             is
             our
             Creator
             ,
             he
             is
             the
             Soveraign
             Arbiter
             ,
             and
             Disposer
             of
             our
             Being
             .
             He
             is
             the
             Soveraign
             Judg
             of
             the
             
             World
             ,
             inflicting
             Punishments
             ,
             and
             dispensing
             Favours
             ,
             as
             he
             pleases
             .
             He
             that
             has
             made
             us
             ,
             and
             preserves
             us
             ,
             has
             power
             to
             render
             us
             Happy
             or
             Miserable
             :
             He
             has
             the
             Issues
             of
             Life
             and
             Death
             in
             his
             Hand
             .
             He
             that
             hath
             created
             us
             ,
             knows
             all
             the
             Capacity
             we
             have
             of
             Joy
             or
             Sorrow
             ,
             Pleasure
             or
             Pain
             ;
             and
             has
             power
             to
             affect
             us
             with
             either
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             he
             pleases
             .
             He
             can
             make
             his
             Arrows
             of
             Terror
             
               stick
               fast
            
             in
             the
             Conscience
             ;
             
             or
             fill
             the
             Soul
             with
             
               unspeakable
               Ioy.
            
             He
             can
             punish
             or
             chear
             the
             Mind
             with
             his
             immediate
             Frowns
             or
             Smiles
             ;
             or
             he
             can
             convey
             Anguish
             or
             Joy
             into
             the
             Soul
             by
             the
             Occasion
             of
             different
             Impressions
             on
             the
             Tabernacle
             of
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             wherein
             she
             dwells
             :
             He
             can
             dispense
             Punishments
             or
             Pleasures
             by
             his
             own
             Hand
             immediately
             ,
             or
             mediately
             by
             any
             of
             his
             Creatures
             .
             And
             —
             
               when
               he
               giveth
               Quietness
               ,
               
               who
               then
               can
               make
               Trouble
               ?
               And
               when
               he
               hideth
               his
               Face
               ,
               who
               then
               can
               behold
               him
               ?
               whether
               it
               be
               done
               against
               a
               Nation
               or
               against
               a
               Man
               only
               .
            
             
             'T
             is
             
               the
               Lord
            
             (
             as
             Hannah
             speaks
             )
             that
             
               killeth
               and
               maketh
               alive
               :
               He
               bringeth
               down
               to
               the
               Grave
               ,
               and
               bringeth
               up
               .
               The
               Lord
               maketh
               Poor
               and
               maketh
               Rich
               ,
               he
               bringeth
               low
               and
               lifteth
               
               up
               .
            
             Which
             this
             Holy
             Prophetess
             proves
             by
             this
             Argument
             ;
             
               For
               the
               Pillars
               of
               the
               Earth
               are
               the
               Lord's
               ,
               and
               he
               hath
               set
               the
               World
               upon
               them
            
             ;
             where
             his
             
               Soveraign
               Power
            
             over
             Men
             ,
             to
             dispose
             of
             their
             State
             as
             he
             pleases
             ,
             is
             infer'd
             from
             his
             Relation
             to
             them
             as
             their
             Creator
             .
             And
             when
             the
             Angel
             in
             the
             Revelation
             protests
             
               there
               should
               be
               Time
               no
               longer
            
             ;
             He
             
               swears
               by
               him
               that
               created
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               ,
               
               and
               Sea
               ,
               and
               the
               things
               therein
            
             ;
             to
             shew
             ,
             that
             God
             ,
             as
             Creator
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             is
             the
             Soveraign
             Arbiter
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Consummation
             of
             Time
             ,
             and
             of
             Temporal
             Things
             ,
             belongs
             to
             him
             under
             that
             Character
             .
             So
             that
             't
             is
             our
             Maker
             ,
             that
             both
             
               shews
               the
               Path
               of
               Life
            
             ,
             
             and
             holds
             in
             his
             Hand
             the
             
               Keys
               of
               Hell
               and
               Death
            
             .
             
             And
             as
             he
             has
             made
             all
             things
             :
             So
             
               he
               does
               whatsoever
               he
               pleses
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               
               and
               in
               Earth
               ,
               in
               the
               Sea
               ,
               and
               all
               deep
               places
               .
            
             
             And
             ,
             
               Who
               can
               deliver
               out
               of
               his
               hand
               ?
            
             Seeing
             
               he
               doth
               according
               to
               his
               Will
               in
               the
               Army
               of
               Heaven
               ,
            
             
             
               and
               among
               the
               Inhabitants
               of
               the
               Earth
               ;
               and
               none
               can
               stay
               his
               Hand
               ,
               or
               say
               unto
               him
               ,
               What
               dost
               Thou
               ?
            
          
           
             Thus
             have
             we
             endeavoured
             to
             shew
             what
             is
             comprehended
             in
             God's
             Title
             
             of
             [
             Creator
             ]
             on
             which
             we
             have
             taken
             the
             greater
             Liberty
             to
             expatiate
             ,
             because
             hereby
             a
             solid
             Foundation
             is
             laid
             for
             some
             of
             those
             Reasons
             ,
             which
             we
             are
             hereafter
             to
             insist
             on
             ,
             to
             enforce
             the
             Duty
             in
             our
             Text
             ;
             in
             the
             Division
             of
             which
             we
             have
             observ'd
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             Terms
             of
             the
             Duty
             (
             
               Remember
               thy
               Creator
            
             )
             the
             Reasons
             of
             that
             Duty
             are
             in
             part
             insinuated
             .
          
           
             Having
             given
             some
             Account
             of
             the
             Object
             of
             this
             Duty
             ,
             viz.
             God
             ,
             under
             the
             Title
             of
             our
             Creator
             ;
             We
             shall
             now
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Briefly
             explain
             the
             Act
             it self
             of
             Remembring
             him
             ,
             and
             shew
             what
             that
             imports
             .
          
           
             The
             Memory
             is
             that
             Faculty
             of
             the
             Soul
             whereby
             she
             is
             capable
             of
             recalling
             the
             Ideas
             of
             things
             ,
             which
             have
             before
             been
             present
             to
             her
             .
          
           
             But
             here
             ,
             
               to
               Remember
            
             does
             not
             only
             signify
             the
             exercising
             of
             the
             Understanding
             on
             our
             Creator
             ,
             by
             reflecting
             on
             what
             our
             Senses
             ,
             Reason
             ,
             and
             Divine
             Revelation
             may
             have
             suggested
             to
             our
             Minds
             ,
             concerning
             God
             under
             that
             Character
             :
             
             It
             does
             not
             here
             barely
             import
             
               [
               to
               meditate
            
             on
             him
             ,
             
             and
             bear
             him
             
               in
               mind
            
             ]
             but
             ,
             because
             the
             Understanding
             
             directs
             the
             Will
             and
             Affections
             ,
             and
             Men
             move
             and
             act
             very
             much
             according
             to
             their
             Conceptions
             of
             things
             ,
             their
             Desires
             following
             the
             Conduct
             of
             their
             Thoughts
             ;
             this
             Term
             is
             applied
             both
             to
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             other
             .
             Sometimes
             it
             signifies
             to
             Esteem
             and
             Respect
             ,
             
             as
             
               Psal.
               20.
               3.
               
               The
               Lord
               —
               Remember
               all
               thy
               Offerings
               ,
               and
               accept
               thy
               burnt
               Sacrifice
               .
            
             Sometimes
             to
             Trust
             ,
             as
             Psal.
             20.
             7.
             
             
               Some
               Trust
               in
               Horses
               ,
               and
               some
               in
               Chariots
               ;
               
               but
               we
               will
               Remember
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               our
               God.
               
            
             Sometimes
             to
             Worship
             and
             Praise
             ,
             as
             1
             Chron.
             16.
             12.
             where
             after
             David
             had
             exhorted
             to
             sing
             to
             God
             ,
             to
             glory
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             seek
             him
             ,
             because
             of
             his
             mighty
             Works
             ,
             he
             adds
             to
             the
             same
             purpose
             —
             
               Remember
               the
               marvellous
               Works
               that
               he
               hath
               done
               ,
            
             &c.
             
               q.
               d.
            
             Adore
             and
             praise
             him
             for
             them
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             may
             be
             further
             illustrated
             by
             the
             use
             of
             the
             opposite
             Term
             of
             [
             Forgetting
             ]
             which
             sometimes
             signifies
             to
             disesteem
             and
             slight
             ,
             as
             
               Ier.
               2.
               32.
               
               Can
               a
               Maid
               forget
               her
               Ornaments
               ,
               or
               a
               Bride
               her
               Attire
               ?
               yet
               my
               People
               have
               forgotten
               me
               days
               without
               Number
               .
            
             Sometimes
             to
             Distrust
             ,
             as
             Psal.
             78.
             7.
             
             —
             
               That
               they
               might
               set
               their
               Hope
               in
               God
               ,
               and
               nor
               forget
               
               the
               Works
               of
               God
               :
            
             And
             sometimes
             to
             
               neglect
               to
               praise
               and
               worship
               God
               ,
            
             as
             Psal.
             106.
             12
             ,
             13.
             —
             
               They
               sang
               his
               Praise
               ;
               they
               soon
               forgot
               his
               Works
               ,
               they
               waited
               not
               for
               his
               Counsel
               .
            
             Or
             to
             
               forsake
               the
               Service
            
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             
               Deut.
               6.
               12.
               
               Beware
               lest
               thou
               forget
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             that
             is
             ,
             by
             
               going
               after
               other
               Gods
            
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             explain'd
             in
             ver
             .
             14.
             
          
           
             So
             that
             ,
             to
             Remember
             God
             does
             not
             only
             import
             ,
             to
             think
             or
             meditate
             often
             on
             him
             ,
             but
             to
             
               think
               worthily
            
             and
             becomingly
             of
             him
             ;
             and
             to
             pay
             him
             a
             Respect
             in
             some
             measure
             sutable
             to
             the
             Idea
             we
             have
             of
             him
             .
             To
             remember
             his
             glorious
             Perfections
             so
             ,
             as
             to
             esteem
             and
             respect
             him
             ;
             deliberately
             to
             call
             to
             mind
             the
             Number
             and
             Quality
             of
             his
             Favours
             ,
             and
             to
             recollect
             ,
             how
             fit
             an
             Object
             of
             Trust
             ,
             and
             Praise
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             Worship
             ,
             he
             is
             ;
             so
             as
             to
             engage
             our
             Souls
             to
             confide
             in
             him
             ,
             to
             offer
             him
             the
             Sacrifice
             of
             Praise
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Adoration
             and
             Service
             that
             we
             are
             capable
             of
             rendering
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             to
             remember
             our
             Creator
             ,
             is
             to
             remember
             his
             Omniscience
             ,
             Power
             and
             Justice
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             reverence
             and
             fear
             him
             ;
             to
             remember
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             Mercy
             and
             Veracity
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             love
             
             and
             praise
             him
             ;
             and
             to
             remember
             his
             Holiness
             and
             Purity
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             imitate
             and
             obey
             him
             :
             'T
             is
             so
             attentively
             and
             seriously
             to
             meditate
             on
             his
             Nature
             ,
             and
             on
             his
             Works
             ,
             
             that
             
               while
               we
               are
               musing
               ,
               the
               Fire
               may
               burn
            
             (
             as
             the
             Psalmist
             speaks
             )
             that
             our
             Thoughts
             may
             kindle
             a
             holy
             Flame
             of
             Love
             in
             our
             Hearts
             towards
             him
             ,
             which
             will
             break
             out
             in
             becoming
             Acts
             of
             Service
             ,
             and
             Obedience
             to
             his
             Glory
             .
             'T
             is
             to
             serve
             him
             both
             with
             our
             Understanding
             ,
             Will
             and
             Affections
             ,
             to
             devote
             our selves
             entirely
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             And
             as
             our
             
               whole
               Man
            
             is
             to
             be
             dedicated
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             our
             Creator
             ;
             so
             he
             also
             deserves
             the
             whole
             of
             our
             Time
             :
             and
             we
             ought
             to
             begin
             as
             early
             as
             possible
             to
             remember
             him
             :
             For
             this
             our
             Text
             shews
             ,
          
           
             II.
             In
             prescribing
             the
             
               special
               Time
            
             for
             engaging
             in
             this
             Duty
             ;
             which
             now
             falls
             under
             our
             Consideration
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             'T
             is
             prescrib'd
             in
             express
             Terms
             [
             in
             the
             days
             of
             thy
             Youth
             ]
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             By
             an
             opposite
             Circumlocution
             ,
             containing
             a
             Description
             of
             
               Old
               Age
            
             [
             while
             the
             evil
             Days
             come
             not
             ,
             nor
             the
             Years
             draw
             nigh
             ,
             when
             thou
             shalt
             say
             ,
             I
             have
             
             no
             pleasure
             in
             them
             ]
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             before
             the
             approach
             of
             Old
             Age
             :
          
           
             As
             is
             evident
             ,
             both
             in
             that
             these
             
               Evil
               Days
            
             ,
             &c.
             are
             opposed
             to
             the
             
               Days
               of
               Youth
            
             ;
             and
             in
             that
             many
             elegant
             Characters
             are
             used
             to
             decypher
             the
             Infirmities
             and
             Miseries
             of
             
               Old
               Age
            
             ,
             in
             the
             sequel
             of
             this
             Chapter
             ,
             immediately
             after
             the
             Text.
             
          
           
             And
             in
             this
             Description
             of
             
               Old
               Age
            
             ,
             we
             have
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Time
             it self
             expressed
             by
             
               [
               Days
               and
               Years
               ]
            
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Character
             of
             that
             Time
             of
             Life
             ,
             those
             
               [
               Days
               are
               Evil
               ]
            
             ,
             and
             those
             
               [
               Years
            
             such
             as
             (
             we
             shall
             confess
             that
             )
             
               we
               have
               no
               pleasure
               in
               them
               .
               ]
            
          
           
             1.
             
             For
             the
             Time
             it self
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             call'd
             
               [
               Days
               and
               Years
               ]
            
             ;
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             Either
             emphatically
             to
             signify
             one
             and
             the
             same
             thing
             ;
             it
             being
             an
             usual
             Elegancy
             in
             the
             
               Hebrew
               Dialect
            
             ,
             to
             express
             the
             same
             thing
             in
             various
             synonymous
             Terms
             in
             two
             Sentences
             ,
             immediately
             succeeding
             one
             another
             ,
             which
             serve
             partly
             for
             Illustration
             ,
             and
             partly
             to
             inculcate
             Truth
             in
             the
             Mind
             :
             Of
             which
             we
             have
             Instances
             in
             almost
             every
             Verse
             of
             the
             51st
             Psalm
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             many
             other
             
             places
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             as
             't
             is
             easy
             to
             observe
             .
             Or
             else
             ,
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             By
             
               [
               Days
            
             ]
             to
             signify
             the
             Brevity
             and
             Great
             Vncertainty
             of
             the
             Continuance
             of
             that
             Time
             ;
             (
             which
             is
             soon
             swallow'd
             up
             by
             Death
             ,
             as
             the
             fleeting
             Days
             of
             Youth
             are
             soon
             lost
             in
             Old
             Age
             )
             and
             by
             
               [
               Years
            
             ]
             the
             
               tedious
               passing
            
             of
             this
             short
             Time
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             many
             Afflictions
             and
             Infirmities
             a
             Man
             then
             labours
             under
             :
             Tho'
             the
             Time
             is
             very
             short
             in
             it self
             ,
             't
             is
             made
             very
             long
             by
             Misery
             and
             Pain
             ,
             which
             seem
             greatly
             to
             extend
             it
             .
             For
             as
             the
             Soul
             ,
             when
             fill'd
             with
             Pleasure
             and
             Ioy
             ,
             during
             her
             easy
             posture
             ,
             forgets
             the
             Time
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             and
             suffers
             it
             to
             slide
             from
             her
             with
             little
             Notice
             ;
             which
             makes
             it
             appear
             extremely
             short
             :
             So
             when
             she
             is
             fill'd
             with
             Sentiments
             of
             Pain
             and
             Sorrow
             ,
             her
             uneasy
             Situation
             ,
             and
             impatient
             desire
             of
             Change
             ,
             do
             so
             constantly
             apply
             her
             Thoughts
             to
             the
             consideration
             of
             that
             Time
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Continuance
             of
             her
             Misery
             ,
             that
             it
             seems
             very
             long
             and
             irksome
             to
             her
             :
             So
             that
             the
             Duration
             of
             her
             Sorrow
             seems
             always
             to
             increase
             proportionably
             to
             the
             Degree
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             a
             Man
             imagines
             himself
             to
             have
             been
             much
             longer
             under
             an
             
             acute
             than
             under
             a
             slight
             Pain
             ,
             when
             in
             reality
             the
             Time
             of
             their
             Continuance
             is
             equal
             .
             Thus
             every
             Moment
             of
             Time
             becomes
             an
             heavy
             Burden
             to
             one
             in
             Misery
             ,
             who
             (
             as
             Moses
             says
             the
             Israelites
             should
             do
             ,
             when
             under
             punishment
             for
             their
             Sins
             )
             cries
             out
             ,
             
             
               in
               the
               Morning
               ,
               Would
               to
               God
               it
               were
               Evening
               !
               and
               in
               the
               Evening
               ,
               Would
               to
               God
               it
               were
               Morning
               !
            
             —
             And
             't
             is
             well
             known
             that
             this
             is
             the
             Language
             of
             Old
             Age.
             
          
           
             And
             therefore
             ,
          
           
             2.
             
             'T
             is
             express'd
             by
             the
             Character
             of
             
               [
               Evil
            
             ]
             Days
             ,
             and
             Years
             wherein
             
               [
               no
               pleasure
            
             ]
             is
             to
             be
             had
             ;
             which
             may
             be
             thus
             explain'd
             .
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             By
             
               [
               Evil
               Days
            
             ]
             may
             be
             understood
             the
             Decays
             and
             Diseases
             of
             Old
             Age
             :
             
             And
             by
             
               [
               the
               Years
               wherein
               there
               is
               no
               Pleasure
               ]
            
             may
             be
             signified
             the
             Unhappiness
             and
             Misery
             that
             those
             Distempers
             and
             Infirmities
             give
             the
             Mind
             ,
             these
             being
             a
             great
             Occasion
             of
             her
             Sorrow
             ,
             which
             is
             then
             especially
             aggravated
             ,
             when
             the
             Guilt
             of
             the
             Soul
             conspires
             with
             the
             Distempers
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             to
             make
             the
             Man
             compleatly
             miserable
             ;
             so
             that
             
               he
               shall
               say
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             he
             shall
             confess
             or
             complain
             that
             ,
             
               he
               has
               no
               Pleasure
               in
               those
               evil
               
               Days
               ,
            
             that
             he
             has
             no
             Sanctuary
             of
             Ease
             to
             fly
             to
             ,
             no
             Reflection
             to
             make
             that
             can
             allay
             the
             Trouble
             of
             his
             Mind
             ,
             no
             Medicine
             to
             use
             ,
             that
             can
             remove
             the
             Distempers
             of
             his
             Body
             .
             For
             this
             is
             often
             the
             Condition
             of
             those
             ,
             
             who
             
               forgetting
               the
               LORD
               their
               Maker
            
             in
             their
             Youth
             ,
             grow
             Old
             in
             the
             service
             of
             Sin.
             Or
             ,
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             By
             
               [
               Evil
               Days
            
             ]
             which
             is
             a
             
               positive
               Character
            
             ,
             the
             Time
             of
             Old
             Age
             may
             be
             represented
             ,
             as
             attended
             with
             many
             positive
             Afflictions
             and
             Pains
             ;
             and
             by
             [
             the
             Privation
             of
             Pleasure
             at
             that
             Time
             ]
             which
             is
             a
             
               Negative
               Character
            
             ,
             may
             be
             signified
             the
             incapacity
             of
             relishing
             the
             Joys
             and
             Pleasures
             of
             this
             Life
             ,
             that
             accompanies
             those
             unpleasant
             Years
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Organs
             of
             Sense
             are
             very
             much
             enfeebled
             ,
             especially
             when
             Old
             Age
             has
             been
             hastned
             by
             the
             Intemeperance
             of
             Youth
             .
          
           
             And
             now
             ,
             since
             it
             appears
             that
             God
             as
             our
             Creator
             (
             in
             the
             comprehensive
             Sense
             wherein
             we
             have
             explain'd
             that
             Title
             )
             requires
             us
             to
             remember
             him
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             devote
             our selves
             to
             his
             Fear
             and
             Service
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             the
             Time
             of
             our
             Youth
             ,
             before
             
               Old
               Age
            
             ,
             with
             its
             many
             Afflictions
             
             and
             Sorrows
             ,
             overtakes
             us
             ;
             if
             one
             makes
             but
             a
             transient
             Reflection
             on
             these
             things
             ,
             't
             is
             easy
             to
             observe
             that
             the
             Wise
             Man
             in
             this
             Exhortation
             intimates
             ,
          
           
             III.
             The
             Reasons
             of
             the
             Duty
             enjoin'd
             ;
          
           
             1.
             
             In
             representing
             God
             ,
             the
             Object
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             us
             ,
             under
             the
             August
             Character
             of
             [
             our
             
               Creator
               ]
            
             ;
             which
             evidently
             entitles
             him
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             our
             Youth
             .
             And
          
           
             2.
             
             In
             setting
             
               Old
               Age
            
             before
             us
             ,
             as
             a
             Scene
             of
             Misery
             and
             Horror
             ;
             as
             a
             Time
             made
             up
             of
             
               few
               and
               evil
               Days
            
             .
             
             And
             in
             opposing
             them
             to
             the
             better
             Days
             of
             Youth
             ;
             thereby
             to
             insinuate
             ,
             that
             as
             Old
             Age
             brings
             with
             it
             many
             great
             Disadvantages
             and
             Impediments
             to
             obstruct
             our
             Conversion
             to
             God
             ;
             so
             Youth
             is
             attended
             with
             many
             favourable
             Circumstances
             ,
             that
             render
             it
             the
             best
             and
             fittest
             Season
             to
             initiate
             one's
             self
             in
             the
             ways
             of
             Righteousness
             .
          
           
             The
             strength
             of
             these
             Reasons
             I
             shall
             consider
             at
             large
             hereafter
             :
             And
             shall
             content
             my self
             at
             present
             with
             making
             some
             few
             brief
             Remarks
             ,
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             On
             the
             Terms
             used
             to
             prescribe
             the
             
               special
               Time
            
             of
             the
             Duty
             enjoin'd
             in
             the
             Text.
             
          
           
           
             (
             2.
             )
             On
             the
             Terms
             ,
             whereby
             both
             the
             Object
             and
             Act
             of
             this
             Duty
             are
             expres'd
             :
             To
             shew
             how
             fitly
             they
             are
             adapted
             to
             the
             State
             and
             Circumstances
             of
             those
             that
             are
             Young
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             Persons
             to
             whom
             this
             Exhortation
             is
             address'd
             ;
          
           
             With
             which
             I
             shall
             conclude
             this
             Discourse
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             From
             the
             Terms
             used
             to
             shew
             the
             Time
             of
             remembring
             our
             Creator
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             observ'd
             ;
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             That
             this
             double
             Timing
             of
             the
             Duty
             ,
             first
             by
             expresly
             prescribing
             it
             [
             in
             Youth
             ]
             and
             then
             [
             before
             Old
             Age
             ,
             with
             its
             Miseries
             come
             on
             ]
             gives
             the
             Words
             a
             certain
             Force
             and
             Energy
             ,
             proper
             to
             inculcate
             so
             important
             an
             Admonition
             :
             'T
             is
             a
             giving
             
               Precept
               upon
               Precept
               ,
               
               and
               Line
               upon
               Line
               ,
            
             (
             as
             the
             Prophet
             Isaiah
             speaks
             )
             which
             he
             commends
             as
             the
             proper
             Course
             to
             instruct
             the
             Young
             ,
             or
             (
             to
             use
             his
             own
             Words
             )
             to
             
               teach
               them
               Knowledg
               ,
               
               and
               to
               make
               them
               understand
               Doctrine
               ,
               who
               are
               weaned
               from
               the
               Milk
               ,
               and
               drawn
               from
               the
               Breasts
            
             —
             to
             gain
             the
             Attention
             of
             giddy
             and
             unthinking
             Youth
             ,
             many
             of
             whom
             ,
             
             tho'
             God
             condescends
             
               to
               speak
               once
               ,
               yea
               twice
               ,
            
             (
             as
             he
             doth
             here
             )
             are
             yet
             
             so
             dull
             of
             hearing
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             perceive
             the
             Reasonableness
             of
             their
             Duty
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             not
             sufficiently
             to
             consider
             it
             ;
             and
             the
             Danger
             to
             which
             the
             neglect
             of
             it
             exposes
             '
             em
             .
             And
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             We
             may
             further
             observe
             that
             this
             Obligation
             of
             Remembring
             our
             Creator
             ,
             extends
             it self
             equally
             with
             the
             Capacity
             we
             have
             of
             Reflecting
             on
             God
             ,
             as
             our
             Maker
             ;
             and
             increases
             proportionably
             to
             the
             knowledg
             we
             may
             obtain
             of
             him
             .
             So
             that
             none
             are
             entirely
             exempt
             from
             it
             ,
             who
             are
             capable
             of
             exercising
             their
             Thoughts
             on
             God
             :
             and
             therefore
             those
             may
             not
             pretend
             to
             be
             dispens'd
             with
             ,
             who
             have
             not
             arriv'd
             to
             the
             full
             maturity
             of
             Youth
             ,
             if
             they
             are
             in
             any
             degree
             capable
             of
             knowing
             their
             Creator
             .
             As
             far
             as
             they
             are
             able
             to
             take
             notice
             of
             his
             Nature
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Will
             ,
             so
             far
             are
             they
             oblig'd
             to
             worship
             and
             obey
             him
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             is
             further
             cleared
             by
             the
             Opposition
             the
             Wise
             Man
             seems
             to
             make
             ,
             betwixt
             the
             Duty
             in
             our
             Text
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Vanity
               of
               Childhood
               and
               Youth
            
             ,
             mentioned
             just
             before
             :
             So
             that
             if
             we
             take
             [
             Vanity
             ]
             here
             in
             a
             Moral
             Sense
             ,
             the
             Exhortation
             extends
             it self
             to
             Persons
             that
             fall
             under
             either
             of
             those
             Denominations
             ,
             that
             are
             
             either
             in
             the
             state
             of
             Childhood
             or
             Youth
             .
             And
             if
             by
             [
             
               Vanity
               ]
               Natural
            
             Frailty
             and
             Mortality
             be
             intended
             ,
             the
             words
             are
             not
             less
             extensive
             ;
             for
             then
             the
             frailty
             of
             Childhood
             and
             Youth
             ,
             is
             used
             as
             a
             Consideration
             to
             prepare
             the
             way
             for
             this
             Admonition
             ;
             and
             Children
             as
             well
             as
             
               Young
               Men
            
             ,
             are
             therefore
             excited
             to
             give
             themselves
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             their
             Creator
             :
             Because
             neither
             are
             exempt
             from
             the
             danger
             of
             Sickness
             and
             of
             Death
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             may
             be
             further
             collected
             from
             the
             charge
             given
             to
             Youth
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
             to
             remember
             their
             Creator
             ,
             not
             only
             before
             the
             Evil
             Days
             of
             Old
             Age
             are
             come
             ;
             but
             before
             those
             Years
             [
             
               draw
               nigh
            
             ]
             while
             Old
             Age
             is
             yet
             at
             a
             distance
             ▪
             Which
             shews
             that
             none
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             reflecting
             on
             their
             relation
             to
             God
             as
             Creator
             ;
             may
             excuse
             themselves
             as
             too
             Young
             to
             be
             concern'd
             in
             his
             Service
             .
             For
             as
             his
             being
             our
             Creator
             ,
             is
             the
             foundation
             of
             this
             Duty
             of
             remembering
             him
             :
             So
             't
             is
             evident
             ,
             that
             our
             Obligation
             to
             it
             is
             to
             be
             measured
             by
             the
             Capacity
             we
             have
             of
             knowing
             him
             as
             such
             .
             Therefore
             he
             may
             well
             require
             that
             the
             tender
             Buds
             of
             Childhood
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             maturer
             
             Blossoms
             of
             Youth
             be
             consecrated
             to
             him
             ;
             
             who
             sometimes
             
               perfects
               his
               Praise
               out
               of
               the
               mouths
               of
            
             (
             such
             who
             in
             comparison
             of
             those
             of
             riper
             Years
             are
             but
             )
             
               Babes
               ,
               
               and
               Sucklings
            
             ;
             and
             therefore
             ,
             by
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             
             calls
             upon
             
               Young
               Men
               and
               Maidens
               ,
               and
               Children
               ,
            
             as
             well
             as
             
               Old
               Men
            
             ,
             to
             praise
             and
             worship
             him
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             the
             Terms
             of
             [
             
               Remembring
               their
               Creator
            
             ]
             are
             wisely
             adapted
             to
             the
             state
             of
             Youth
             ,
             to
             engage
             them
             early
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             will
             appear
             by
             the
             following
             Remarks
             on
             each
             of
             those
             Terms
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             God
             under
             the
             Title
             of
             Creator
             ,
             is
             fitly
             recommended
             to
             the
             Young
             ,
             as
             the
             Object
             of
             their
             Worship
             and
             Obedience
             .
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             Because
             't
             is
             a
             Term
             that
             easily
             excites
             in
             the
             Mind
             a
             strong
             and
             clear
             Idea
             of
             God's
             infinite
             
               Power
               ,
               Wisdom
            
             and
             Goodness
             .
             And
             the
             Wise
             Man
             having
             to
             do
             with
             Youth
             ,
             whose
             unexperience
             for
             want
             of
             Years
             ,
             and
             whose
             unattention
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             a
             habit
             of
             steady
             thinking
             ,
             renders
             them
             less
             capable
             of
             arriving
             at
             the
             knoledg
             of
             
               the
               Deep
               things
               of
               God
            
             ,
             
             than
             those
             who
             to
             the
             advantage
             of
             a
             long
             observation
             of
             things
             have
             added
             that
             of
             addicting
             themselves
             
             to
             frequent
             Thoughtfulness
             and
             Meditation
             ;
             he
             makes
             use
             of
             that
             Title
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             might
             most
             familiarly
             suggest
             a
             proper
             Notion
             of
             him
             to
             their
             Minds
             .
             He
             exposes
             to
             them
             the
             Alphabet
             of
             the
             Creation
             ,
             out
             of
             which
             even
             Children
             may
             easily
             learn
             to
             spell
             the
             Being
             of
             a
             Deity
             .
             The
             Ignorant
             and
             the
             Young
             ,
             even
             
               those
               that
               run
            
             ,
             
             (
             as
             the
             Prophet
             speaks
             )
             the
             heedless
             and
             unattentive
             ,
             
               may
               read
            
             the
             Characters
             of
             the
             Divine
             Attributes
             ,
             which
             are
             plainly
             engraven
             on
             the
             Pillars
             even
             of
             this
             Material
             World.
             And
             (
             as
             the
             Apostle
             observes
             )
             may
             
               clearly
               discern
               the
               Eternal
               Power
               and
               Godhead
            
             of
             the
             Creator
             ,
             
             who
             is
             Invisible
             ,
             by
             the
             curious
             Fabrick
             of
             this
             
               Visible
               Creation
            
             ;
             so
             as
             to
             render
             them
             altogether
             inexcusable
             ,
             if
             they
             neglect
             to
             glorisy
             God
             according
             to
             those
             sensible
             notices
             of
             him
             ,
             which
             they
             may
             so
             easily
             and
             constantly
             receive
             .
          
           
             For
             as
             the
             sight
             of
             a
             Magnificent
             Palace
             ,
             induces
             us
             to
             consider
             the
             Skill
             and
             Ability
             of
             the
             Architect
             that
             built
             it
             :
             So
             when
             we
             take
             a
             serious
             prospect
             of
             the
             Structure
             and
             Frame
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             or
             of
             any
             part
             of
             it
             ,
             it
             familiarly
             raises
             our
             Thoughts
             to
             its
             Great
             Author
             and
             
             Cause
             :
             For
             as
             
               every
               House
               is
               built
               by
               some
               Man
            
             ;
             so
             't
             is
             natural
             to
             conclude
             (
             with
             the
             Apostle
             )
             that
             
               he
               that
               built
               all
               things
               is
               God.
            
             
             And
             therefore
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             This
             [
             of
             Creator
             ]
             is
             a
             Title
             which
             God
             is
             usually
             pleas'd
             to
             assume
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             to
             distinguish
             himself
             ,
             as
             the
             
               True
               and
               Living
               God
            
             ,
             from
             the
             Idols
             of
             the
             Heathen
             ;
             and
             to
             convince
             their
             Ignorant
             Votaries
             ,
             that
             He
             is
             the
             only
             proper
             Object
             of
             Religious
             Worship
             .
             —
             
               The
               LORD
               is
               the
               True
               God
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Prophet
             Ieremiah
             )
             ;
             
             
               he
               is
               the
               Living
               God
               ,
               and
               an
               everlasting
               King.
               —
               The
               Gods
               that
               have
               not
               made
               the
               Heavens
               and
               the
               Earth
               ,
               
               even
               they
               shall
               perish
               from
               the
               Earth
               ,
               and
               from
               under
               these
               Heavens
               .
            
             (
             Then
             speaking
             again
             of
             the
             True
             God
             ,
             
             he
             says
             )
             
               He
               hath
               made
               the
               Earth
               by
               his
               Power
               ;
               he
               hath
               established
               the
               World
               by
               his
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               hath
               stretched
               out
               the
               Heavens
               by
               his
               Discretion
               .
            
             And
             then
             ,
             
             having
             spoken
             of
             the
             Vanity
             of
             Idols
             ,
             he
             adds
             ;
             
             
               The
               Portion
               of
            
             Jacob
             
               is
               not
               like
               them
               ;
               for
               he
               is
               the
               Former
               of
               all
               things
               .
            
             And
             the
             Prophet
             Isaiah
             introduces
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ,
             
             proving
             himself
             to
             be
             the
             True
             God
             ,
             under
             the
             same
             
               Character
               .
               I
               have
               made
               the
               Earth
               ,
               and
               created
               Man
               upon
               it
               :
               I
               ,
               even
               my
               Hands
               have
               stretched
               
               out
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               and
               all
               their
               Host
               have
               I
               commanded
               .
            
             And
             ,
             a
             little
             after
             ,
             the
             Prophet
             insults
             over
             the
             makers
             of
             Idols
             ,
             
             and
             then
             adds
             ,
             
               Thus
               saith
               the
               LORD
               ,
               
               that
               Created
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               God
               himself
               ,
               that
               formed
               the
               Earth
               and
               made
               it
               ,
               he
               hath
               established
               it
               ,
               he
               created
               it
               not
               in
               vain
               ,
               he
               formed
               it
               to
               be
               inhabited
               ,
               I
               am
               the
               L
               O
               R
               D
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               none
               else
               .
            
          
           
             All
             which
             serves
             to
             shew
             how
             properly
             this
             Title
             [
             of
             Creator
             ]
             is
             used
             in
             our
             Text
             ,
             to
             direct
             the
             Minds
             of
             Youth
             to
             the
             true
             Object
             of
             Love
             and
             Adoration
             ;
             who
             are
             ready
             to
             make
             as
             many
             Gods
             ,
             as
             there
             are
             pleasing
             Objects
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             to
             sacrifice
             themselves
             ,
             and
             all
             they
             have
             to
             those
             inchanting
             Idols
             ,
             that
             strike
             their
             Senses
             with
             any
             agreeable
             Impression
             .
             And
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             This
             is
             a
             Relative
             Title
             ,
             denoting
             the
             
               Natural
               Relation
            
             God
             bears
             to
             the
             World
             :
             For
             the
             Terms
             [
             
               Creator
               and
               Creature
            
             ]
             mutually
             suppose
             one
             another
             :
             And
             not
             only
             his
             Relation
             to
             the
             World
             in
             General
             ;
             but
             to
             Mankind
             ,
             nay
             to
             every
             Individual
             Humane
             Creature
             in
             particular
             in
             the
             Word
             ,
             [
             
               Thy
               Creator
            
             ]
             is
             propos'd
             as
             the
             ground
             of
             that
             Service
             every
             one
             that
             comes
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             
             is
             oblig'd
             to
             pay
             to
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             whose
             Title
             of
             [
             Creator
             ]
             includes
             our
             entire
             dependance
             on
             him
             .
             So
             that
             the
             Wise
             Man
             prudently
             makes
             choice
             of
             a
             Term
             ,
             expressing
             every
             Man's
             Relation
             to
             God
             as
             his
             Creature
             ;
             because
             't
             is
             the
             First
             and
             most
             Evident
             Principle
             ,
             on
             which
             to
             found
             our
             Duty
             of
             Obedience
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             most
             apt
             to
             affect
             the
             Soul.
             For
             ,
             as
             when
             I
             think
             on
             God
             as
             Creator
             of
             the
             World
             in
             General
             ,
             it
             raises
             in
             my
             Mind
             a
             great
             Idea
             of
             his
             Majesty
             and
             Soveraignty
             :
             So
             when
             I
             confider
             him
             as
             
               MY
               Creator
            
             ,
             that
             
               Relative
               Character
            
             gives
             an
             endearing
             force
             to
             the
             reasonable
             Obligation
             I
             find
             my self
             under
             to
             serve
             and
             worship
             him
             ;
             because
             I
             then
             look
             upon
             him
             ,
             not
             only
             as
             
               the
               living
               God
            
             ,
             but
             also
             as
             
               the
               God
               of
               MY
               Life
            
             .
             
          
           
             We
             may
             also
             observe
             ,
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Propriety
             of
             the
             Term
             [
             Remember
             ]
             to
             express
             the
             Respect
             and
             Service
             those
             that
             are
             Young
             owe
             to
             their
             Maker
             .
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             [
             
               To
               remember
            
             ,
             &c.
             ]
             signifying
             the
             Exercise
             of
             the
             Thoughts
             on
             God
             ,
             is
             fitly
             urg'd
             on
             the
             Young
             ;
             because
             as
             the
             most
             early
             Impressions
             are
             the
             most
             deep
             and
             lasting
             ;
             so
             a
             habit
             of
             Holy
             Meditation
             
             is
             soonest
             acquir'd
             in
             Youth
             ,
             when
             the
             Mind
             is
             most
             at
             leisure
             ,
             and
             not
             embarrass'd
             with
             that
             multitude
             of
             Thoughts
             and
             Projects
             about
             the
             Affairs
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             riper
             Years
             are
             usually
             incumber'd
             with
             .
             What
             fitter
             Term
             could
             be
             chosen
             ,
             by
             which
             to
             urge
             the
             duty
             of
             Young
             Persons
             to
             their
             Maker
             ,
             than
             that
             of
             [
             Remembring
             ]
             him
             ?
             seeing
             the
             Memory
             is
             a
             Faculty
             that
             Young
             People
             commonly
             excel
             in
             ,
             and
             in
             which
             they
             often
             glory
             ;
             a
             Faculty
             that
             grows
             ripe
             betimes
             ,
             and
             easily
             retains
             that
             Tincture
             ,
             with
             which
             it
             is
             early
             and
             thoroughly
             imbued
             .
             'T
             is
             as
             if
             Solomon
             had
             said
             ;
             You
             that
             are
             Young
             ,
             ought
             to
             season
             your
             Memories
             with
             the
             best
             Impressions
             betimes
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             most
             capable
             both
             of
             receiving
             'em
             ,
             and
             retaining
             'em
             ;
             and
             to
             fill
             your
             Minds
             with
             the
             thoughts
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Service
             you
             owe
             him
             ,
             before
             they
             are
             crowded
             with
             the
             Concerns
             and
             Business
             of
             a
             perplexing
             World.
             
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             A
             Caution
             seems
             to
             be
             wisely
             insinuated
             in
             this
             Term
             against
             forgetting
             the
             Worship
             and
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             heedless
             Youth
             too
             much
             devoted
             to
             Sensual
             Pleasure
             ,
             is
             often
             guilty
             of
             ;
             for
             tho'
             
             the
             Young
             have
             the
             most
             capable
             Memories
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             very
             prone
             to
             forget
             their
             Duty
             to
             their
             Maker
             .
             And
             how
             aptly
             so
             ever
             they
             remember
             other
             things
             ,
             they
             often
             live
             as
             if
             God
             were
             
               not
               in
               any
               of
               their
               Thoughts
               :
            
             
             For
             they
             commonly
             divert
             and
             dissipate
             their
             Minds
             so
             much
             with
             the
             amusing
             Pleasures
             of
             this
             present
             World
             ,
             that
             they
             don't
             allow
             themselves
             time
             enough
             ,
             either
             to
             look
             backward
             ,
             to
             remember
             that
             God
             who
             created
             'em
             ,
             and
             to
             whom
             they
             owe
             their
             Preservation
             ;
             nor
             forward
             ,
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             only
             in
             his
             power
             to
             renew
             and
             reform
             them
             from
             their
             Vices
             and
             Errors
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             will
             one
             day
             judg
             them
             ;
             who
             as
             he
             is
             their
             Creator
             ,
             has
             the
             Soveraign
             disposal
             of
             their
             Being
             ,
             and
             has
             Power
             either
             to
             save
             ,
             or
             to
             destroy
             :
             In
             whose
             Favour
             is
             Life
             ,
             and
             whose
             Displeasure
             is
             more
             terrible
             than
             Death
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             THE
             Reasonableness
             &
             Advantages
             OF
             AN
             Early
             Conversion
             to
             God
             DEMONSTRATED
             .
             SERMON
             II.
             
          
           
             
               ECCLES
               .
               xii
               .
               1.
               
            
             
               Remember
               now
               thy
               Creator
               in
               the
               Days
               of
               thy
               Youth
               ,
               while
               the
               Evil
               Days
               come
               not
               ,
               nor
               the
               Years
               draw
               nigh
               when
               thou
               shalt
               say
               ,
               I
               have
               no
               pleasure
               in
               them
               .
            
          
           
             HAVING
             before
             explain'd
             the
             Exhortation
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
             which
             the
             Wise
             Man
             addresses
             to
             those
             that
             are
             Young
             ,
             viz.
             To
             
               Remember
               their
               Creator
               in
               the
               Days
               of
               their
               Youth
            
             ;
             or
             to
             devote
             
             themselves
             early
             to
             the
             Worship
             and
             Service
             of
             God
             :
          
           
             We
             are
             now
             to
             consider
             the
             Reasons
             ,
             whereby
             this
             Duty
             is
             enforc'd
             ,
             which
             are
             plainly
             enough
             insinuated
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
             as
             we
             have
             before
             observ'd
             in
             the
             Division
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             In
             the
             Terms
             of
             the
             Duty
             ,
             where
             our
             Relation
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             our
             Creator
             ,
             implies
             the
             Obligations
             we
             have
             to
             adore
             and
             serve
             him
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             In
             the
             words
             used
             to
             signify
             the
             proper
             Time
             of
             engaging
             in
             this
             Duty
             ,
             
               viz.
               [
               In
               the
               Days
               of
               Youth
               ,
               before
               the
               Evil
               Days
               of
               Old
               Age
            
             come
             ,
             &c.
             ]
             Where
             the
             fitness
             of
             the
             time
             of
             Youth
             to
             enter
             one's
             self
             into
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Disadvantage
             of
             deferring
             it
             to
             
               Old
               Age
            
             ,
             are
             intimated
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             Then
             we
             shall
             take
             a
             view
             of
             the
             Reasons
             that
             oblige
             us
             to
             devote
             our selves
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             in
             Youth
             ,
             which
             arise
             from
             the
             Relation
             that
             is
             between
             him
             and
             us
             ,
             as
             he
             is
             our
             Creator
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             his
             Creatures
             :
             And
             this
             in
             that
             large
             and
             comprehensive
             sense
             we
             have
             given
             of
             the
             Term
             [
             Creator
             ,
             ]
             by
             which
             we
             
             have
             laid
             the
             Ground-work
             of
             our
             present
             Reasoning
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             As
             God
             is
             our
             Creator
             and
             Preserver
             ,
             we
             derive
             from
             him
             our
             Being
             ,
             and
             the
             whole
             Duration
             of
             it
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             whole
             of
             our
             Time
             :
             Therefore
             ,
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             He
             has
             an
             equitable
             Claim
             to
             us
             as
             long
             as
             we
             have
             a
             Being
             ,
             and
             to
             our
             Youth
             by
             consequence
             :
             'T
             is
             but
             just
             that
             what
             we
             receive
             from
             his
             hand
             ,
             should
             be
             again
             offer'd
             to
             him
             ;
             that
             since
             we
             live
             by
             his
             
               Good
               Will
            
             ,
             we
             should
             live
             to
             his
             Glory
             .
             Can
             we
             assign
             any
             portion
             of
             our
             Time
             ,
             which
             we
             do
             not
             equally
             derive
             from
             our
             Creator
             with
             the
             rest
             of
             it
             ?
             Why
             then
             should
             any
             of
             those
             Moments
             that
             are
             allotted
             us
             by
             his
             mere
             Favour
             ,
             be
             injuriously
             substracted
             from
             his
             Service
             ,
             and
             abus'd
             to
             his
             Dishonour
             ?
          
           
             The
             great
             God
             ,
             whose
             chief
             End
             in
             all
             he
             does
             ,
             is
             his
             own
             Glory
             ,
             because
             that
             is
             the
             best
             and
             most
             excellent
             End
             of
             all
             ,
             made
             us
             ,
             and
             continues
             our
             Being
             for
             his
             own
             Pleasure
             and
             Glory
             .
             Therefore
             to
             alienate
             any
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             from
             him
             ,
             is
             to
             oppose
             his
             Designs
             ,
             and
             (
             as
             much
             as
             in
             us
             lies
             )
             to
             endeavour
             to
             frustrate
             his
             End
             ,
             and
             sacrilegiously
             to
             rob
             him
             of
             his
             Honour
             .
          
           
           
             Nor
             do
             we
             only
             withhold
             Divine
             Honour
             from
             him
             to
             whom
             it
             is
             due
             ,
             when
             we
             neglect
             to
             employ
             any
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             our
             Creator
             :
             for
             Man
             being
             a
             Creature
             that
             can
             never
             be
             altogether
             idle
             and
             unactive
             ,
             that
             part
             of
             our
             Lives
             ,
             or
             portion
             of
             our
             Time
             which
             we
             divert
             from
             the
             proper
             end
             for
             which
             it
             is
             allow'd
             us
             ,
             is
             not
             only
             stolen
             from
             God
             ,
             but
             devoted
             to
             the
             service
             of
             Sin.
             'T
             is
             to
             snatch
             away
             a
             Sacrifice
             from
             the
             Altar
             of
             the
             True
             God
             ,
             and
             immediately
             to
             offer
             it
             to
             the
             worst
             of
             Idols
             .
             How
             provoking
             must
             this
             needs
             be
             to
             that
             God
             who
             is
             so
             jealous
             of
             his
             Glory
             ,
             that
             he
             
               will
               not
               give
               it
               to
               any
               other
               ?
            
             
             Much
             less
             will
             he
             suffer
             it
             ,
             
             with
             Impunity
             ,
             to
             be
             given
             to
             Sin
             ,
             which
             is
             infinitely
             opposite
             to
             his
             holy
             Nature
             ,
             and
             which
             he
             therefore
             hates
             with
             a
             perfect
             Hatred
             .
          
           
             No
             wonder
             then
             that
             he
             requires
             the
             whole
             succession
             of
             our
             Time
             to
             be
             devoted
             to
             himself
             ,
             
             and
             that
             
               whether
               we
               eat
               or
               drink
               ,
               or
               whatever
               we
               do
               ,
               we
               should
               do
               it
               to
               his
               Glory
            
             ;
             making
             that
             the
             chief
             end
             of
             all
             our
             Actions
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             end
             of
             our
             Being
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Continuation
             of
             it
             .
             And
             this
             seemed
             so
             highly
             reasonable
             to
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             that
             after
             a
             long
             Meditation
             
             on
             the
             Works
             of
             the
             great
             Creator
             ,
             it
             influences
             him
             to
             a
             firm
             Resolution
             to
             honour
             and
             worship
             the
             Author
             of
             his
             Being
             throughout
             the
             whole
             course
             of
             his
             
               Time.
               
               I
               will
               sing
               unto
               the
               LORD
            
             (
             says
             he
             )
             
               as
               long
               as
               I
               live
               ;
               
               I
               will
               sing
               praise
               unto
               my
               God
               ,
               while
               I
               have
               my
               Being
               .
            
          
           
             Now
             if
             the
             whole
             of
             our
             Time
             be
             the
             Propriety
             of
             our
             Creator
             ,
             not
             given
             us
             to
             squander
             away
             as
             we
             please
             ,
             but
             lent
             us
             to
             improve
             to
             his
             Honour
             ,
             then
             he
             may
             justly
             claim
             our
             Youth
             to
             be
             dedicated
             to
             his
             Service
             :
             If
             he
             is
             the
             Proprietor
             of
             the
             whole
             of
             our
             Time
             (
             as
             we
             have
             prov'd
             he
             is
             )
             in
             that
             he
             is
             our
             Creator
             ,
             he
             has
             a
             right
             to
             each
             part
             of
             it
             :
             If
             we
             withhold
             from
             him
             the
             Service
             of
             our
             Youth
             ,
             we
             detain
             a
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             from
             him
             ,
             who
             has
             a
             Natural
             Right
             to
             the
             whole
             of
             it
             .
             And
             that
             part
             of
             Time
             ,
             when
             once
             elaps'd
             ,
             being
             irrevocable
             ,
             there
             remains
             but
             a
             part
             of
             the
             whole
             to
             offer
             ;
             and
             we
             can
             then
             only
             render
             to
             the
             great
             Author
             of
             our
             Being
             ,
             a
             defective
             and
             mutilous
             Sacrifice
             .
             And
             ,
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             As
             our
             Youth
             belongs
             to
             our
             Maker
             ,
             as
             a
             part
             of
             that
             Time
             ,
             of
             which
             the
             
               Summe
               Total
            
             is
             his
             Due
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             his
             Propriety
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             the
             First-fruits
             of
             that
             
             Time
             ,
             the
             succession
             of
             which
             we
             enjoy
             by
             his
             mere
             Favour
             and
             Bounty
             .
             To
             be
             serv'd
             first
             is
             considered
             as
             a
             Token
             of
             Honour
             and
             Respect
             amongst
             Men
             ;
             how
             reasonably
             then
             does
             the
             Infinite
             Dignity
             of
             our
             Creator
             ,
             joyn'd
             to
             the
             Obligations
             we
             owe
             him
             as
             such
             ,
             claim
             at
             our
             hands
             an
             humble
             and
             solemn
             dedication
             of
             that
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             ,
             especially
             to
             himself
             ,
             which
             he
             
               first
               bestows
            
             ,
             and
             in
             which
             he
             
               first
               renders
            
             us
             capable
             of
             offering
             him
             Service
             ?
             The
             Sacred
             Historian
             of
             the
             Creation
             representing
             the
             Sanctification
             of
             the
             Sabbath
             ,
             as
             immediately
             succeeding
             the
             Creation
             of
             Man
             ,
             (
             the
             last
             of
             God's
             Works
             on
             the
             last
             of
             his
             Working-Days
             )
             seems
             to
             signify
             the
             Obligation
             we
             are
             all
             under
             to
             consecrate
             our
             Youth
             ,
             the
             First-fruits
             of
             our
             Time
             ,
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             the
             Author
             of
             our
             Being
             ;
             and
             that
             as
             the
             first
             Day
             our
             first
             parents
             liv'd
             after
             their
             Creation
             ,
             was
             especially
             sacred
             to
             God
             as
             an
             Oblation
             of
             the
             first-fruits
             of
             their
             Time
             ;
             so
             we
             their
             Posterity
             ,
             ought
             to
             devote
             our
             Youth
             to
             our
             Maker
             ,
             and
             to
             serve
             him
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             we
             are
             capable
             of
             knowing
             him
             .
             Righteous
             Abel
             pay'd
             an
             acceptable
             Homage
             to
             his
             Creator
             ,
             
             by
             presenting
             him
             a
             Sacrifice
             of
             
             the
             Firstlings
             of
             his
             Flock
             .
             
             And
             as
             the
             first-fruits
             of
             the
             Holy-Land
             were
             yearly
             consecrated
             to
             God
             as
             the
             Great
             Creator
             and
             Soveraign
             Proprietor
             of
             it
             :
             
             So
             his
             Right
             over
             his
             Creatures
             was
             also
             antiently
             acknowledg'd
             ,
             
             by
             the
             dedication
             both
             of
             the
             first-born
             of
             Cattle
             ,
             and
             of
             Men
             to
             his
             Service
             .
             All
             which
             certainly
             is
             written
             for
             our
             Instruction
             ,
             and
             may
             fairly
             enough
             be
             apply'd
             to
             our
             present
             purpose
             :
             For
             if
             God
             has
             a
             Special
             Right
             to
             the
             first
             of
             all
             we
             have
             ,
             (
             as
             these
             antient
             Institutions
             seem
             to
             signify
             )
             then
             he
             may
             reasonably
             challenge
             the
             first
             of
             our
             Time
             ,
             as
             having
             a
             peculiar
             Title
             to
             that
             part
             ,
             by
             the
             dedication
             of
             which
             we
             acknowledg
             we
             are
             indebted
             to
             him
             for
             the
             whole
             ;
             and
             the
             refusal
             of
             which
             is
             an
             implicite
             Assertion
             of
             our
             Independency
             on
             him
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             owed
             only
             to
             our selves
             our
             own
             Being
             ,
             and
             our
             Time
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             duration
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             they
             think
             very
             preposterously
             ,
             who
             count
             the
             Time
             of
             Youth
             the
             most
             unseasonable
             of
             all
             for
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             when
             't
             is
             evident
             ,
             that
             if
             it
             were
             allowable
             to
             substract
             any
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             from
             him
             (
             as
             it
             is
             not
             ,
             yet
             )
             of
             all
             the
             parts
             of
             it
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             the
             most
             indecent
             
             and
             disrespectful
             to
             withhold
             from
             him
             this
             of
             Youth
             ,
             (
             taken
             in
             a
             large
             sense
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             contain
             Childhood
             ,
             but
             all
             the
             Flower
             of
             our
             Time
             )
             because
             he
             not
             only
             claims
             a
             Right
             to
             it
             ,
             as
             't
             is
             a
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             ,
             the
             whole
             of
             which
             is
             deriv'd
             from
             him
             ;
             but
             as
             it
             is
             
               that
               peculiar
               part
            
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             dedicated
             to
             him
             as
             an
             Homage
             ,
             whereby
             we
             acknowledg
             the
             Obligation
             he
             has
             laid
             us
             under
             for
             the
             whole
             he
             is
             pleas'd
             to
             allow
             us
             .
             Nor
             has
             our
             Creator
             a
             more
             reasonable
             claim
             to
             our
             Youth
             ,
             as
             his
             peculiar
             ,
             because
             't
             is
             the
             first
             part
             ,
             than
             he
             has
             ,
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             Because
             't
             is
             also
             the
             Best
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Faculties
             of
             the
             Soul
             have
             ordinarily
             no
             less
             Gracefulness
             and
             Vigour
             ,
             than
             the
             Members
             of
             the
             Body
             have
             Beauty
             and
             Strength
             ;
             wherein
             we
             are
             most
             capable
             of
             engaging
             in
             any
             great
             Undertaking
             ,
             and
             possess
             suitable
             Advantages
             for
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             it
             (
             as
             we
             shall
             have
             occasion
             hereafter
             to
             shew
             more
             at
             large
             .
             )
             'T
             is
             then
             but
             just
             ,
             that
             he
             that
             made
             us
             what
             we
             are
             ,
             should
             have
             the
             best
             of
             what
             we
             have
             .
             If
             he
             has
             a
             Right
             to
             all
             our
             Time
             in
             general
             ,
             because
             we
             receive
             it
             all
             from
             his
             hand
             ,
             he
             has
             a
             peculiar
             Right
             to
             the
             best
             
             of
             our
             Time
             ,
             as
             that
             which
             his
             own
             Infinite
             Excellency
             ,
             and
             his
             great
             
               Goodness
               to
               us
            
             ,
             direct
             us
             to
             consecrate
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             most
             proper
             for
             an
             Offering
             .
             Why
             has
             our
             Maker
             ordinarily
             adorn'd
             Youth
             with
             so
             many
             delectable
             Flowers
             ,
             with
             so
             much
             Strength
             and
             Agility
             of
             Body
             ,
             and
             Comeliness
             of
             Form
             ,
             such
             a
             Capacity
             of
             Memory
             ,
             and
             Quickness
             of
             Fancy
             ,
             such
             a
             Readiness
             of
             Perception
             ,
             and
             Vivacity
             of
             Spirit
             ?
             Why
             has
             he
             crown'd
             it
             with
             so
             many
             advantageous
             Qualities
             ,
             but
             to
             indicate
             by
             these
             Preparations
             ,
             that
             he
             has
             design'd
             it
             for
             a
             Special
             Sacrifice
             .
             
             The
             word
             used
             in
             our
             Text
             and
             elsewhere
             for
             Youth
             ,
             properly
             signifies
             the
             Choice
             of
             our
             Time
             ,
             our
             Select
             or
             Chosen
             Time
             ,
             and
             does
             import
             not
             only
             that
             our
             Creator
             chooses
             that
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             for
             himself
             ,
             but
             that
             it
             has
             several
             Advantages
             that
             render
             it
             the
             most
             eligible
             ;
             that
             't
             is
             in
             it self
             the
             most
             fit
             to
             be
             chosen
             ,
             and
             set
             apart
             for
             his
             Service
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             therefore
             to
             offer
             a
             great
             Indignity
             to
             our
             Creator
             ,
             to
             refuse
             him
             the
             prime
             of
             our
             Time
             ,
             on
             pretence
             that
             we
             'll
             offer
             him
             our
             Decrepid
             Age
             ,
             the
             worst
             of
             our
             Days
             ,
             and
             the
             very
             dregs
             of
             'em
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             were
             unworthy
             of
             the
             best
             part
             of
             
             what
             he
             has
             given
             us
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             could
             offer
             any
             thing
             beyond
             his
             Deserts
             ,
             who
             has
             given
             us
             our
             All
             ;
             nay
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             Devil
             ,
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             our
             own
             corrupt
             Inclinations
             ,
             were
             more
             worthy
             Objects
             of
             Worship
             than
             the
             ever
             Blessed
             God
             who
             has
             made
             us
             ;
             as
             if
             he
             were
             to
             be
             postpon'd
             to
             the
             vilest
             and
             most
             detestable
             of
             all
             Idols
             ;
             As
             if
             both
             the
             first
             and
             best
             of
             what
             we
             have
             ought
             to
             be
             devoted
             to
             these
             ;
             and
             as
             if
             the
             Lame
             and
             Blind
             and
             Maim'd
             were
             the
             only
             Sacrifices
             becoming
             his
             Altar
             .
          
           
             The
             Priests
             under
             the
             Law
             were
             consecrated
             in
             their
             Youth
             ,
             
             and
             continued
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             the
             Sanctuary
             only
             to
             that
             Age
             wherein
             't
             is
             ordinary
             for
             Natural
             Strength
             visibly
             to
             abate
             ;
             to
             signify
             that
             that
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             ,
             wherein
             we
             are
             most
             capable
             of
             serving
             our
             Maker
             ought
             especially
             to
             be
             devoted
             to
             him
             as
             the
             most
             acceptable
             Portion
             of
             our
             days
             .
             And
             is
             it
             not
             fit
             that
             he
             that
             has
             made
             us
             for
             himself
             ,
             should
             have
             the
             Best
             of
             our
             Service
             ?
             That
             the
             strength
             of
             our
             Bodies
             should
             be
             dedicated
             to
             him
             that
             moulded
             and
             compos'd
             '
             em
             ?
             And
             that
             the
             powers
             of
             our
             Souls
             should
             ,
             in
             their
             most
             flourishing
             and
             vigorous
             state
             ,
             be
             
             offer'd
             to
             the
             great
             Author
             of
             all
             our
             Faculties
             ?
             Ought
             not
             the
             most
             attentive
             Regards
             of
             our
             Vnderstandings
             to
             be
             employ'd
             in
             contemplating
             him
             that
             has
             made
             us
             Rational
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             sprightly
             and
             eager
             Sallies
             of
             our
             Wills
             to
             be
             directed
             towards
             him
             who
             has
             made
             us
             desiring
             Creatures
             ?
             Certainly
             as
             God
             is
             our
             Maker
             ,
             he
             deserves
             as
             well
             as
             requires
             that
             we
             most
             seriously
             contemplate
             ,
             and
             most
             intensely
             love
             him
             ,
             on
             the
             account
             both
             of
             his
             own
             Infinite
             Perfections
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Emanations
             of
             his
             Goodness
             toward
             us
             his
             Creatures
             ;
             and
             consequently
             that
             we
             improve
             the
             best
             of
             our
             Time
             in
             those
             Holy
             Exercises
             of
             meditating
             on
             him
             and
             aspiring
             after
             him
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             As
             the
             Notion
             of
             [
             Creator
             ]
             includes
             ,
             that
             upon
             the
             Supposition
             of
             Man's
             Fall
             by
             Sin
             ,
             God
             alone
             is
             able
             to
             perform
             this
             mighty
             Work
             of
             Reforming
             or
             New-Creating
             him
             ;
             and
             as
             the
             manner
             of
             the
             use
             of
             this
             Term
             in
             the
             
               Holy
               Scripture
            
             further
             intimates
             his
             Willingness
             so
             to
             do
             (
             as
             we
             have
             shewn
             at
             large
             before
             :
             )
             This
             further
             shews
             the
             reason
             we
             have
             to
             devote
             our
             Youth
             to
             his
             Service
             .
             And
             this
             Consideration
             renews
             
             and
             redoubles
             the
             force
             of
             the
             former
             Reasons
             :
             For
             
               what
               is
               Man
            
             (
             fallen
             Man
             )
             
               that
               God
               should
               be
               mindful
               of
               him
               ?
               
               And
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               that
               he
               should
               visit
               him
               ?
            
             What
             great
             Grace
             has
             the
             great
             God
             manifested
             to
             us
             ,
             that
             when
             we
             had
             forfeited
             all
             the
             Blessings
             to
             be
             expected
             of
             him
             ,
             as
             our
             Creator
             ,
             in
             rebelliously
             casting
             off
             that
             Natural
             Obligation
             we
             were
             under
             to
             obey
             him
             ,
             he
             should
             neither
             make
             us
             cease
             to
             be
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             entirely
             dissolve
             that
             Relation
             ,
             by
             forsaking
             the
             Work
             of
             his
             hands
             ,
             or
             annihilating
             us
             ;
             nor
             vindicate
             his
             injur'd
             Authority
             ,
             by
             upholding
             our
             Being
             only
             to
             render
             us
             miserable
             ,
             and
             by
             treating
             us
             as
             his
             Enemies
             rather
             than
             as
             the
             Objects
             of
             his
             Favour
             ;
             but
             on
             the
             contrary
             that
             he
             should
             still
             shew
             respect
             to
             us
             as
             the
             Works
             of
             his
             hands
             ,
             by
             preserving
             our
             Being
             ,
             by
             exercising
             Patience
             and
             Long-suffering
             towards
             us
             ,
             by
             encompassing
             us
             with
             many
             Temporal
             Favours
             ,
             and
             by
             opening
             and
             
               consecrating
               a
               New
               and
               Living
               way
               ,
            
             
             whereby
             we
             might
             return
             to
             him
             ,
             by
             proposing
             to
             us
             Terms
             of
             Peace
             and
             Reconciliation
             
               by
               the
               Blood
               of
               the
               Cross
            
             ;
             
             and
             by
             offering
             to
             
               renew
               us
               in
               the
               Spirit
               of
               our
               Minds
            
             ;
             
             in
             a
             word
             ,
             to
             make
             
             us
             
               New
               Creatures
               after
               his
               own
               Image
            
             ;
             
             that
             so
             we
             might
             be
             not
             only
             again
             intituled
             to
             those
             former
             lost
             Blessings
             ,
             that
             were
             naturally
             suited
             to
             obedient
             Creatures
             of
             that
             order
             and
             rank
             of
             Being
             wherein
             God
             had
             plac'd
             us
             at
             the
             Beginning
             ;
             but
             might
             have
             our
             Happiness
             highly
             improv'd
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             effectually
             secur'd
             by
             that
             new
             and
             nearer
             Relation
             to
             God
             through
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             which
             interesses
             them
             that
             believe
             in
             his
             Name
             in
             those
             unconceivable
             Joys
             which
             he
             has
             merited
             :
             Upon
             which
             account
             our
             Creator
             treats
             those
             that
             are
             thus
             reconcil'd
             to
             him
             ,
             not
             only
             as
             his
             Creatures
             but
             as
             his
             Children
             ;
             and
             since
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             ,
             
             
               whom
               he
               hath
               appointed
               Heir
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               
               is
               not
               asham'd
               to
               call
               them
               Brethren
               ,
            
             he
             refuses
             not
             to
             treat
             'em
             as
             
               Ioint-Heirs
               with
               him
            
             ,
             
             nor
             disdains
             to
             be
             call'd
             their
             Father
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             the
             consideration
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             the
             Author
             of
             this
             New
             and
             Spiritual
             Creation
             ,
             lays
             on
             us
             the
             strongest
             Obligation
             imaginable
             to
             serve
             and
             obey
             him
             ,
             in
             that
             it
             contains
             both
             the
             highest
             Reason
             and
             the
             strongest
             Motive
             of
             that
             Obedience
             :
             For
             as
             it
             is
             very
             reasonable
             that
             we
             should
             obey
             him
             that
             has
             Wisdom
             and
             
             Power
             enough
             to
             change
             and
             reform
             ,
             and
             render
             happy
             such
             sinful
             ,
             deprav'd
             and
             miserable
             Creatures
             as
             we
             are
             ,
             so
             't
             is
             the
             greatest
             Good
             that
             can
             be
             done
             us
             ,
             and
             therefore
             is
             to
             be
             earnestly
             sought
             at
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             infinitely
             gracious
             God
             :
             and
             seeing
             he
             is
             so
             liberal
             as
             to
             offer
             
               to
               give
               his
               holy
               Spirit
            
             ,
             
             the
             Principle
             of
             all
             Grace
             and
             Spiritual
             Life
             ,
             
               to
               them
               that
            
             sincerely
             ask
             and
             diligently
             seek
             it
             of
             him
             ;
             here
             is
             the
             greatest
             Motive
             and
             encouragement
             to
             engage
             us
             in
             his
             Service
             ,
             since
             (
             I
             say
             )
             he
             is
             not
             become
             inexorable
             by
             our
             Sins
             ,
             
             but
             still
             
               waits
               to
               be
               gracious
            
             to
             us
             ,
             
             offering
             to
             
               write
               his
               Law
               in
               our
               Hearts
               ,
               
               and
               to
               put
               his
               Fear
               into
               our
               inward
               Parts
            
             by
             the
             power
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             also
             assuring
             us
             ,
             
             that
             
               in
               keeping
               his
               Commandments
               there
               is
               great
               Reward
               .
            
          
           
             If
             therefore
             the
             first
             and
             best
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             is
             God's
             peculiar
             Claim
             as
             he
             has
             made
             us
             ,
             much
             more
             ought
             we
             to
             offer
             the
             first-fruits
             of
             our
             Time
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             him
             who
             is
             become
             reconcileable
             to
             us
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             and
             is
             both
             able
             and
             willing
             to
             add
             to
             the
             Obligation
             of
             the
             first
             ,
             that
             of
             a
             second
             and
             more
             Glorious
             Creation
             .
             Surely
             we
             owe
             not
             only
             the
             first
             and
             best
             ,
             but
             the
             whole
             of
             our
             Time
             now
             
             upon
             a
             new
             account
             to
             our
             Creator
             ,
             since
             he
             has
             made
             such
             provision
             for
             our
             Reformation
             ,
             and
             so
             for
             our
             Happiness
             ,
             not
             only
             through
             the
             course
             of
             our
             Time
             here
             ,
             but
             through
             an
             entire
             Eternity
             hereafter
             ;
             which
             leads
             me
             to
             the
             last
             thing
             I
             have
             to
             urge
             from
             the
             import
             of
             the
             Term
             [
             Creator
             ,
             ]
             viz.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             As
             this
             Title
             implies
             that
             God
             is
             the
             
               Soveraign
               Arbiter
            
             and
             Disposer
             of
             our
             Being
             ,
             because
             this
             is
             a
             necessary
             consequence
             of
             that
             Relation
             of
             Creator
             ;
             it
             carries
             with
             it
             a
             forcible
             Argument
             to
             engage
             those
             that
             are
             young
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             God.
             
             
               Our
               Times
               are
               in
               his
               hand
               ,
            
             who
             can
             prolong
             or
             contract
             them
             as
             he
             pleases
             ;
             and
             we
             must
             be
             accountable
             to
             him
             for
             the
             Days
             he
             has
             lent
             us
             ,
             and
             receive
             a
             Sentence
             according
             to
             our
             Improvement
             or
             Abuse
             of
             them
             .
             How
             reasonable
             is
             it
             ,
             and
             how
             much
             for
             our
             Interest
             to
             offer
             that
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             to
             our
             Creator
             which
             he
             peculiarly
             lays
             claim
             to
             ;
             nay
             ,
             to
             consecrate
             the
             whole
             of
             it
             to
             his
             Service
             ,
             seeing
             as
             he
             is
             the
             Author
             of
             our
             Being
             he
             has
             a
             right
             to
             the
             Soveraign
             disposal
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             withhold
             any
             part
             of
             our
             Time
             from
             him
             ,
             can
             fill
             up
             the
             Remainder
             of
             our
             days
             with
             pain
             and
             
             
             
             
             
             sorrow
             ,
             or
             cut
             us
             off
             in
             his
             Displeasure
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             our
             days
             ,
             and
             force
             us
             into
             an
             Eternity
             of
             Anguish
             and
             Misery
             ?
             How
             
               terrible
               a
               thing
            
             is
             it
             thus
             
               to
               fall
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               the
               Living
               God
               ,
            
             
             who
             ,
             as
             he
             has
             made
             us
             ,
             knows
             how
             to
             punish
             our
             Disobedience
             with
             all
             the
             kinds
             and
             degrees
             of
             Torment
             of
             which
             he
             has
             made
             ,
             or
             can
             make
             our
             Nature
             capable
             !
             And
             how
             highly
             does
             it
             concern
             us
             to
             dedicate
             the
             Blossoms
             and
             early
             Fruits
             of
             our
             Youth
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             him
             who
             is
             able
             to
             reward
             our
             early
             Obedience
             with
             a
             long
             and
             happy
             Life
             here
             (
             if
             he
             pleases
             )
             ,
             and
             to
             fill
             up
             a
             whole
             Eternity
             in
             communicating
             various
             Pleasures
             to
             the
             Soul
             in
             another
             and
             better
             World
             ;
             who
             knows
             all
             the
             kinds
             and
             degrees
             of
             Joy
             and
             Solace
             we
             either
             are
             or
             can
             be
             capable
             of
             ,
             and
             how
             to
             give
             us
             the
             most
             ravishing
             Delights
             ,
             and
             to
             excite
             in
             our
             Souls
             the
             most
             lively
             sentiments
             of
             that
             Ioy
             which
             is
             
               unspeakable
               and
               full
               of
               Glory
            
             !
             
          
           
             How
             much
             does
             it
             concern
             us
             to
             offer
             to
             the
             Author
             of
             our
             Being
             ,
             the
             Sacrifice
             of
             the
             prime
             portion
             of
             our
             Age
             ,
             seeing
             he
             is
             able
             either
             eternally
             to
             sustain
             our
             Bodies
             and
             Souls
             ,
             by
             his
             Almighty
             Hand
             ,
             from
             sinking
             into
             Nullity
             ,
             amidst
             the
             
             everlasting
             Torments
             of
             Hell
             ,
             that
             so
             our
             Wo
             and
             Misery
             (
             ten
             thousand
             times
             worse
             than
             Annihilation
             )
             may
             become
             eternal
             too
             !
             Or
             can
             uphold
             our
             Being
             by
             his
             
               everlasting
               Arms
            
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             give
             us
             the
             strength
             and
             beauty
             of
             an
             eternal
             Youth
             both
             in
             Soul
             and
             Body
             ,
             and
             to
             entertain
             us
             with
             the
             uninterrupted
             Views
             of
             his
             Divine
             Countenance
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             constant
             Emanations
             of
             his
             Infinite
             Love
             !
             Who
             can
             entertain
             the
             Soul
             with
             continual
             Impressions
             of
             the
             highest
             Joy
             ,
             without
             the
             dissolution
             or
             enfeebling
             of
             her
             Being
             ,
             or
             any
             Faculty
             that
             belongs
             to
             it
             !
             For
             he
             that
             has
             created
             us
             is
             the
             Soveraign
             disposer
             of
             what
             he
             has
             made
             ;
             
             and
             to
             him
             't
             is
             possible
             to
             make
             Men
             even
             to
             
               see
               his
               Face
               and
               live
            
             .
             
          
           
             Nor
             is
             this
             Duty
             of
             dedicating
             our
             Youth
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             our
             Creator
             ,
             
             as
             that
             Character
             involves
             his
             Power
             to
             dispose
             of
             us
             as
             to
             Happiness
             or
             Misery
             ,
             (
             as
             he
             pleases
             )
             barely
             to
             be
             argued
             from
             that
             awful
             and
             stupendous
             Power
             and
             Authority
             ;
             but
             also
             from
             the
             manifest
             discovery
             our
             Creator
             has
             made
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             as
             well
             of
             his
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             ,
             as
             of
             his
             Right
             and
             Power
             .
             For
             he
             has
             declar'd
             ,
             That
             
               the
               Wicked
               shall
               not
               live
               out
               half
               
               
               their
               days
               ,
            
             and
             that
             
               they
               shall
               die
               before
               their
               Time
            
             ;
             
             that
             
               it
               shall
               not
               be
               well
               with
               the
               wicked
               ,
               
               neither
               shall
               he
               prolong
               his
               days
               ,
               because
               he
               feareth
               not
               before
               God.
               
            
             And
             he
             has
             added
             a
             promise
             to
             the
             fifth
             Precept
             of
             his
             Law
             ,
             
             
               (
               which
               is
               the
               first
               Command
               with
               promise
               )
            
             of
             a
             long
             and
             happy
             Life
             to
             those
             that
             shew
             an
             early
             Piety
             by
             their
             obedience
             and
             respect
             to
             their
             Natural
             Parents
             ,
             the
             Instruments
             of
             their
             Production
             ,
             as
             an
             instance
             of
             their
             respect
             to
             their
             
               Heavenly
               Father
            
             ,
             the
             original
             Author
             of
             their
             Being
             .
             As
             the
             Apostle
             well
             expresses
             it
             ,
             
               Children
               obey
               your
               Parents
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               
               for
               this
               is
               right
               .
               Honour
               thy
               Father
               and
               Mother
               ,
               (
               which
               is
               the
               first
               Commandment
               with
               promise
               )
               that
               it
               may
               be
               well
               with
               thee
               ,
               and
               thou
               mayest
               live
               long
               on
               the
               Earth
               .
            
             And
             tho
             God
             in
             the
             Wise
             and
             Mysterious
             way
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             makes
             some
             Exceptions
             from
             these
             General
             Rules
             of
             extending
             or
             contracting
             the
             Time
             of
             Men
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             sometimes
             suffering
             an
             
               accursed
               Sinner
               to
               live
               an
               hundred
               Years
               ,
            
             
             and
             an
             early
             Convert
             to
             die
             betimes
             :
             Yet
             if
             the
             Vices
             committed
             in
             Youth
             be
             impenitently
             persisted
             in
             ,
             that
             an
             eternal
             state
             of
             Misery
             will
             be
             the
             dreadful
             consequence
             of
             
             it
             ;
             as
             on
             the
             other
             hand
             ,
             that
             our
             Creator
             not
             only
             can
             ,
             but
             certainly
             will
             reward
             the
             early
             Consecration
             of
             our
             Time
             to
             him
             ,
             with
             an
             eternal
             state
             of
             Bliss
             ,
             cannot
             be
             doubted
             ,
             by
             such
             as
             read
             and
             give
             credit
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             of
             Truth
             .
             For
             as
             a
             multitude
             of
             Threatenings
             contain'd
             therein
             give
             assurance
             of
             the
             former
             ,
             so
             the
             latter
             is
             no
             less
             confirmed
             by
             variety
             of
             great
             and
             
               precious
               Promises
            
             ,
             which
             ,
             if
             they
             ascertain
             Glory
             to
             all
             the
             Saints
             in
             general
             ,
             must
             not
             only
             comprehend
             those
             that
             were
             sanctified
             betimes
             ,
             but
             may
             reasonably
             raise
             their
             hopes
             to
             expect
             a
             distinguishing
             Reward
             .
          
           
             And
             because
             the
             Title
             of
             [
             Creator
             ]
             comprehends
             that
             of
             a
             Iudg
             ,
             't
             is
             probable
             ,
             that
             Solomon
             ,
             after
             a
             Caution
             to
             Youth
             against
             Sin
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             certainty
             of
             the
             future
             Judgment
             of
             God
             ,
             
             brings
             in
             the
             words
             of
             our
             Text
             by
             way
             of
             Argument
             thereupon
             ,
             [
             Therefore
             remember
             thy
             Creator
             ,
             &c.
             ]
             (
             as
             we
             have
             before
             shewn
             it
             might
             have
             been
             translated
             )
             
               i.
               e.
            
             because
             he
             that
             has
             made
             thee
             ,
             has
             a
             right
             to
             dispose
             of
             thy
             Being
             ,
             and
             will
             judg
             thee
             .
          
           
           
             So
             that
             how
             well
             soever
             it
             fares
             with
             the
             wicked
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             we
             may
             conclude
             with
             the
             
               Wise
               Man
               ,
               
               Tho
               a
               Sinner
               do
               evil
               an
               hundred
               times
               [
               q.
               d.
               
            
             repeat
             his
             Sins
             never
             so
             often
             ]
             
               and
               his
               days
               be
               prolonged
               ;
               yet
            
             (
             says
             he
             )
             
               surely
               I
               know
               that
               it
               shall
               be
               well
               with
               them
               that
               fear
               God
               ,
               that
               fear
               before
               him
               :
            
             and
             that
             implies
             a
             Wo
             unto
             the
             harden'd
             sinner
             ,
             and
             that
             (
             as
             the
             Prophet
             Isaiah
             speaks
             )
             
               it
               shall
               be
               ill
               with
               him
               ;
               
               for
               the
               reward
               of
               his
               hands
               shall
               be
               given
               him
               .
            
          
           
             From
             the
             Reasons
             included
             in
             the
             Term
             [
             Creator
             ]
             ,
             wherein
             our
             Relation
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             implies
             we
             are
             under
             great
             obligations
             to
             remember
             to
             love
             and
             serve
             him
             early
             ;
             We
             pass
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             To
             the
             Arguments
             insinuated
             in
             those
             words
             ,
             which
             express
             the
             
               proper
               time
            
             of
             engaging
             in
             this
             Duty
             ,
             viz.
             
               [
               In
               the
               days
               of
               Youth
               before
               the
               evil
               days
               come
               ,
               and
               the
               years
               draw
               nigh
               ,
               when
               we
               shall
               say
               ,
               we
               have
               no
               pleasure
               in
               them
               ,
               ]
            
             wherein
             the
             Advantages
             that
             attend
             the
             Time
             of
             Youth
             ,
             and
             the
             contrary
             Evils
             and
             Impediments
             that
             accompany
             Old
             Age
             ,
             which
             render
             the
             former
             the
             far
             more
             eligible
             Time
             in
             which
             to
             begin
             to
             devote
             one's
             
             self
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             are
             suggested
             .
             Which
             Advantages
             on
             the
             one
             hand
             ,
             and
             Disadvantages
             on
             the
             other
             ,
             we
             are
             now
             to
             consider
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Then
             it
             behoves
             us
             to
             dedicate
             our selves
             betimes
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             our
             Creator
             ,
             because
             the
             Work
             of
             Conversion
             is
             much
             more
             easily
             perform'd
             in
             Youth
             than
             in
             Old
             Age.
             And
             seeing
             there
             is
             a
             necessity
             of
             our
             turning
             to
             God
             once
             in
             our
             Lives
             ,
             or
             else
             we
             become
             irrecoverably
             miserable
             ;
             Prudence
             directs
             to
             the
             choice
             of
             the
             best
             Time
             for
             so
             weighty
             a
             purpose
             .
             The
             
               Wise
               Man
            
             tells
             us
             ,
             
             
               God
               has
               made
               every
               thing
               beautiful
               in
               its
               season
               ,
            
             and
             that
             
               there
               is
               a
               fit
               time
               for
               every
               Purpose
               under
               the
               Heaven
            
             ;
             
             and
             if
             all
             Wise
             Men
             are
             careful
             to
             choose
             a
             convenient
             season
             for
             the
             common
             Affairs
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             relate
             only
             to
             their
             Temporal
             Interest
             ,
             how
             prodigious
             a
             piece
             of
             folly
             must
             it
             be
             for
             a
             Man
             to
             suffer
             the
             fittest
             season
             to
             escape
             him
             for
             the
             performance
             of
             that
             Work
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             most
             difficult
             of
             all
             others
             to
             be
             well
             done
             ;
             and
             upon
             the
             due
             accomplishment
             of
             which
             ,
             both
             his
             present
             and
             future
             Happiness
             depends
             !
             For
             ,
          
           
           
             (
             1.
             )
             Youth
             is
             the
             best
             Time
             for
             our
             Conversion
             :
             Because
             the
             Soul
             is
             not
             then
             so
             much
             vitiated
             by
             evil
             Habits
             ,
             as
             when
             she
             has
             run
             through
             the
             several
             stages
             of
             Life
             in
             a
             continued
             course
             of
             Wickedness
             .
             Tho
             Sin
             is
             deeply
             enough
             rooted
             in
             our
             Nature
             ,
             which
             is
             all
             defil'd
             with
             the
             Original
             Stain
             :
             Yet
             we
             very
             much
             fortify
             our
             corrupt
             Inclinations
             by
             producing
             them
             into
             Act
             ;
             and
             by
             multiplying
             those
             Sinful
             Acts
             ,
             till
             they
             become
             familiar
             and
             customary
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             till
             we
             
               drink
               down
               Iniquity
               like
               Water
            
             :
             
             So
             that
             the
             difficulty
             of
             turning
             from
             Sin
             encreases
             together
             with
             the
             Time
             of
             our
             continuance
             in
             the
             practice
             of
             it
             .
             
               Can
               the
            
             Ethiopian
             
               change
               his
               Skin
               ,
               or
               the
               Leopard
               his
               Spots
               ?
               
               Then
               may
               ye
               also
               do
               Good
               ,
               that
               are
               accustomed
               to
               do
               Evil
               ,
            
             (
             says
             the
             Prophet
             .
             )
             Is
             it
             to
             be
             thought
             that
             Conversion
             to
             God
             is
             so
             slight
             and
             easy
             a
             matter
             ,
             that
             any
             Time
             may
             serve
             for
             its
             Accomplishment
             ?
             Are
             not
             the
             difficulties
             that
             a
             long
             habit
             of
             Sinning
             will
             lay
             in
             the
             way
             of
             that
             great
             and
             important
             Work
             to
             be
             fear'd
             ?
             Is
             it
             not
             much
             more
             easy
             to
             bend
             a
             Young
             Twig
             than
             an
             Aged
             Oak
             ,
             and
             to
             prevent
             evil
             Habits
             than
             to
             rectify
             '
             em
             ?
             A
             little
             observation
             of
             the
             World
             
             may
             suffice
             to
             inform
             us
             ,
             that
             long
             Custom
             or
             Habit
             is
             so
             bewitching
             a
             thing
             ,
             that
             scarce
             any
             thing
             can
             be
             imagin'd
             more
             ridiculous
             ,
             absurd
             ,
             and
             inconvenient
             than
             many
             things
             which
             the
             long
             usage
             of
             some
             Persons
             ,
             nay
             of
             some
             whole
             Nations
             ,
             has
             authoriz'd
             .
          
           
             And
             if
             Men
             are
             so
             tenacious
             of
             any
             silly
             and
             troublesome
             thing
             which
             they
             have
             been
             much
             addicted
             to
             ,
             and
             sacrifice
             their
             Reason
             ,
             their
             Honour
             and
             their
             Ease
             to
             the
             Tyranny
             of
             Custom
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             prevalent
             must
             a
             long
             habit
             ,
             and
             course
             of
             Sin
             be
             ,
             which
             besides
             its
             deep
             rooting
             in
             our
             Nature
             ,
             and
             besides
             the
             ordinary
             force
             of
             mere
             Habit
             ,
             has
             both
             its
             flattering
             Promises
             and
             Pleasures
             to
             tempt
             us
             to
             its
             Embraces
             ,
             and
             its
             Threats
             and
             Terrors
             too
             (
             in
             suggesting
             all
             the
             mortifying
             Circumstances
             of
             a
             vertuous
             course
             of
             Life
             )
             to
             raise
             in
             our
             Minds
             the
             most
             frightful
             Idea
             of
             Piety
             and
             Religion
             .
             So
             that
             ,
             if
             Custom
             and
             Habit
             in
             general
             be
             proverbially
             stil'd
             a
             Second
             Nature
             ,
             
             the
             habit
             of
             Sin
             may
             of
             all
             others
             most
             fitly
             be
             so
             term'd
             :
             And
             the
             force
             of
             its
             Dominion
             over
             our
             Souls
             ,
             and
             the
             difficulty
             of
             its
             Extirpation
             out
             of
             them
             ,
             must
             needs
             have
             an
             increase
             proportionate
             
             to
             the
             Time
             of
             its
             Duration
             in
             them
             .
             Can
             any
             thing
             then
             be
             more
             evident
             ,
             than
             that
             in
             the
             days
             of
             our
             Youth
             ,
             when
             Sin
             has
             not
             yet
             so
             deeply
             rooted
             it self
             in
             our
             Hearts
             by
             evil
             habits
             ,
             as
             in
             Old
             Age
             after
             a
             long
             course
             of
             Vice
             ,
             in
             a
             multitude
             of
             repeated
             Acts
             ,
             our
             Conversion
             must
             needs
             have
             the
             most
             easy
             and
             kindly
             accomplishment
             ?
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             This
             further
             appears
             ,
             in
             that
             the
             Minds
             of
             the
             Young
             are
             ordinarily
             the
             most
             capable
             of
             Instruction
             .
             It
             was
             a
             saying
             of
             a
             Philosopher
             ;
             
             that
             
               to
               Cure
               a
               Dead
               Man
               and
               Teach
               an
               Old
               Man
               ,
               were
               things
               equally
               difficult
               :
            
             For
             (
             tho
             in
             
               some
               respects
            
             Youth
             is
             sufficiently
             addicted
             to
             Pride
             ,
             yet
             )
             there
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             Natural
             Modesty
             and
             becoming
             Humility
             often
             discernible
             in
             the
             Young
             ,
             arising
             from
             a
             Consciousness
             of
             their
             Ignorance
             ,
             and
             unexperience
             of
             things
             ,
             which
             disposes
             them
             to
             a
             more
             Docible
             frame
             of
             Mind
             ,
             than
             is
             usually
             to
             be
             found
             in
             Elder
             Persons
             ,
             whose
             Maturity
             of
             Age
             often
             makes
             'em
             unwilling
             to
             be
             inform'd
             ,
             especially
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             either
             because
             they
             imagin
             they
             already
             know
             what
             others
             may
             pretend
             to
             teach
             'em
             ,
             or
             because
             they
             are
             unwilling
             to
             undergo
             the
             
             shame
             of
             being
             accounted
             
               so
               long
            
             ignorant
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             their
             concern
             therein
             ,
             which
             every
             body
             ought
             to
             be
             early
             acquainted
             with
             .
             And
             upon
             this
             account
             (
             't
             is
             likely
             )
             our
             Saviour
             tells
             his
             Disciples
             ,
             that
             except
             they
             should
             
               humble
               themselves
               and
               become
               as
               little
               Children
               ,
            
             
             they
             should
             
               not
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
            
             i.
             e.
             unless
             they
             should
             imitate
             Children
             in
             Modesty
             and
             lowliness
             of
             Mind
             ;
             that
             the
             Sense
             of
             their
             Ignorance
             might
             make
             'em
             Teachable
             .
          
           
             Besides
             the
             Minds
             of
             Youth
             are
             generally
             a
             much
             fitter
             Soil
             for
             Truth
             ,
             than
             those
             of
             the
             Aged
             ,
             because
             not
             usually
             so
             over-run
             with
             the
             Briars
             and
             Thorns
             of
             strong
             and
             deeply
             rooted
             Prejudices
             .
             The
             Soul
             of
             Man
             will
             not
             long
             remain
             empty
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             early
             stor'd
             with
             Truth
             ,
             't
             will
             be
             gradually
             stuff'd
             with
             Errors
             ;
             and
             as
             't
             is
             much
             more
             troublesome
             to
             alter
             and
             correct
             a
             Writing
             full
             of
             Nonsense
             and
             Confusion
             ,
             by
             much
             razing
             out
             and
             interlining
             ,
             than
             to
             write
             a
             handsome
             piece
             of
             good
             Sense
             on
             a
             blank
             Paper
             :
             So
             it
             is
             abundantly
             harder
             to
             instruct
             or
             rectify
             a
             Mind
             long
             prepossess'd
             with
             Falshood
             ,
             than
             to
             make
             deep
             impressions
             of
             Truth
             on
             a
             Soul
             
             more
             simple
             and
             unprejudic'd
             ;
             which
             ,
             if
             empty
             of
             Knowledg
             ,
             yet
             is
             not
             fill'd
             with
             Error
             ,
             which
             as
             it
             has
             not
             yet
             learn'd
             to
             judg
             right
             of
             things
             ,
             so
             neither
             has
             been
             much
             us'd
             to
             judg
             wrong
             ;
             and
             if
             not
             happy
             enough
             to
             be
             well
             stock'd
             with
             good
             Notions
             ,
             yet
             is
             not
             so
             unhappy
             as
             to
             be
             crowded
             with
             bad
             ones
             .
          
           
             Now
             seeing
             to
             capacitate
             us
             to
             serve
             God
             ,
             
             who
             
               is
               a
               Spirit
            
             ,
             and
             therefore
             will
             be
             serv'd
             
               with
               our
               Spirits
            
             ,
             (
             without
             which
             
               Bodily
               Exercise
               profiteth
               little
            
             )
             there
             are
             many
             great
             Truths
             to
             be
             learned
             ;
             
             and
             tho
             he
             has
             promis'd
             the
             help
             of
             his
             Holy
             Spirit
             to
             reveal
             these
             to
             the
             simple
             ,
             yet
             seeing
             he
             requires
             us
             to
             be
             diligent
             in
             the
             investigation
             of
             Truth
             ,
             
             and
             very
             attentive
             to
             the
             Voice
             of
             Reason
             and
             Scripture
             to
             that
             End
             ,
             't
             is
             easy
             to
             see
             by
             reflecting
             on
             what
             has
             been
             just
             now
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             Young
             ,
             whose
             Minds
             are
             yet
             unform'd
             ,
             have
             a
             mighty
             advantage
             above
             the
             Aged
             for
             learning
             the
             knowledg
             of
             the
             ways
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             for
             obtaining
             a
             more
             copious
             and
             solid
             understanding
             of
             Truth
             :
             So
             that
             we
             may
             well
             say
             with
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             (
             tho
             perhaps
             he
             speaks
             in
             another
             sense
             )
             
             
               Whom
               shall
               he
               teach
               Knowledg
               ?
               
               And
               whom
               shall
               he
               make
               to
               understand
               Doctrine
               ?
               Them
               that
               are
               wean'd
               from
               the
               Milk
               ,
               and
               drawn
               from
               the
               Breasts
               .
            
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             Again
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             certain
             Tenderness
             of
             Spirit
             attending
             our
             first
             Years
             ,
             and
             not
             ordinarily
             to
             be
             found
             afterwards
             ,
             which
             renders
             Conversion
             more
             feasible
             .
             The
             Heart
             is
             more
             malleable
             ,
             and
             more
             easily
             receives
             Impressions
             from
             the
             Promises
             and
             Threatnings
             recorded
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             Mercies
             and
             Judgments
             distributed
             in
             the
             World
             by
             his
             Providence
             .
             Therefore
             we
             find
             few
             Persons
             ,
             whose
             Education
             has
             given
             them
             any
             tolerable
             means
             of
             the
             knowledg
             of
             Divine
             things
             ,
             who
             do
             not
             remember
             themselves
             to
             have
             been
             much
             affected
             in
             their
             Youth
             in
             attending
             to
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             in
             observing
             some
             remarkable
             Passages
             of
             his
             Providence
             .
             If
             deep
             Conviction
             is
             a
             great
             step
             towards
             Conversion
             ,
             Experience
             shews
             this
             is
             most
             easily
             wrought
             on
             one
             that
             is
             young
             :
             How
             often
             do
             we
             see
             such
             a
             one
             weep
             at
             a
             transient
             glance
             on
             Death
             and
             Iudgment
             (
             in
             a
             Sermon
             )
             ,
             or
             at
             a
             general
             reflection
             on
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             Christ
             for
             
             Sinners
             ,
             while
             the
             cered
             Consciences
             of
             those
             that
             have
             been
             long
             harden'd
             in
             Sin
             hold
             proof
             against
             the
             most
             pathetick
             and
             awakening
             Discourses
             of
             the
             certainty
             of
             Death
             ,
             the
             dismal
             Circumstances
             that
             attend
             a
             Sinner
             at
             the
             approach
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             great
             consequences
             that
             depend
             on
             that
             amazing
             Change
             ,
             or
             against
             the
             most
             lively
             description
             of
             the
             most
             Cruel
             and
             unexampled
             Sufferings
             wherewith
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             was
             tormented
             for
             our
             Redemption
             ?
             That
             makes
             no
             impression
             on
             the
             Adamantine
             Heart
             of
             the
             latter
             ,
             which
             is
             often
             found
             to
             effect
             a
             deep
             compunction
             of
             Mind
             in
             the
             former
             ;
             and
             the
             Eyes
             of
             the
             one
             can
             hardly
             be
             kept
             open
             by
             a
             Discourse
             that
             dissolves
             those
             of
             the
             other
             into
             Tears
             .
             The
             affections
             of
             Fear
             and
             
               Hope
               ,
               Ioy
               ,
               Sorrow
               ,
               Compassion
               ,
            
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             more
             easily
             move
             the
             tender
             Minds
             of
             Youth
             ,
             and
             consequently
             make
             way
             for
             lasting
             impressions
             of
             Piety
             ,
             to
             the
             purposes
             of
             which
             these
             Affections
             ,
             when
             guided
             and
             regulated
             by
             an
             enlighten'd
             Mind
             ,
             do
             mightily
             conduce
             .
          
           
             (
             4.
             )
             The
             Zeal
             and
             Resolution
             which
             the
             warm
             Temper
             of
             Youth
             enages
             them
             in
             ,
             for
             what
             they
             embrace
             ,
             renders
             
             a
             thorough
             Conversion
             to
             God
             more
             easy
             to
             them
             than
             to
             the
             old
             ;
             who
             by
             having
             either
             tasted
             much
             of
             the
             Afflictions
             of
             the
             World
             themselves
             ,
             or
             by
             having
             been
             Witnesses
             to
             the
             Miseries
             of
             many
             others
             ,
             often
             retain
             so
             terrible
             an
             Idea
             of
             Worldly
             Troubles
             ,
             that
             the
             Mortification
             and
             Self-denial
             prescrib'd
             to
             the
             followers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             gives
             them
             a
             strange
             disgust
             for
             a
             strictly
             Religious
             Life
             :
             Besides
             the
             abatement
             of
             their
             natural
             heat
             and
             vigour
             ,
             (
             a
             good
             degree
             of
             which
             is
             useful
             to
             any
             great
             enterprize
             )
             makes
             'em
             with
             the
             Sluggard
             continually
             complain
             of
             
               a
               Lion
               in
               the
               way
            
             .
             
             But
             the
             Young
             who
             have
             not
             been
             so
             baulk'd
             with
             Disappointments
             ,
             nor
             felt
             or
             seen
             so
             many
             Miseries
             ,
             and
             who
             have
             also
             a
             great
             sense
             of
             Honour
             ,
             and
             are
             commonly
             ambitious
             of
             high
             Atchievements
             ,
             and
             disdain
             to
             have
             their
             Attempts
             defeated
             ,
             are
             hereby
             dispos'd
             more
             readily
             to
             take
             up
             the
             Cross
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             to
             
             
               fight
               the
               good
               fight
               of
               Faith
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               lay
               hold
               on
               Eternal
               Life
               .
            
             Add
             to
             this
             ,
             that
             that
             Disease
             of
             Covetousness
             ,
             that
             so
             often
             attends
             the
             Aged
             ,
             who
             from
             experience
             either
             in
             themselves
             or
             others
             ,
             of
             the
             difficulty
             of
             getting
             and
             keeping
             ,
             and
             the
             
             danger
             of
             losing
             ,
             and
             the
             inconveniency
             of
             wanting
             the
             things
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             become
             more
             tenacious
             of
             them
             then
             when
             they
             are
             nearest
             the
             unavoidable
             necessity
             of
             parting
             with
             them
             ;
             that
             this
             Disease
             (
             I
             say
             )
             which
             is
             
               the
               root
               of
               all
               evil
               ,
               
               which
               is
               Idolatry
               ,
            
             
             and
             therefore
             opposite
             to
             the
             true
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             which
             renders
             it
             almost
             
               impossible
               for
               a
               rich
               Man
               to
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
            
             
             does
             not
             so
             usually
             reign
             amongst
             the
             Young
             (
             who
             are
             rather
             apt
             to
             run
             into
             the
             contrary
             extreme
             )
             so
             that
             their
             motion
             in
             the
             ways
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             not
             clog'd
             with
             this
             dead
             weight
             ,
             which
             so
             mightily
             incumbers
             those
             whose
             Hearts
             have
             taken
             deeper
             root
             in
             the
             Earth
             .
             Thus
             we
             see
             how
             much
             more
             easy
             the
             Work
             of
             Conversion
             is
             likely
             to
             be
             ,
             when
             we
             engage
             in
             it
             in
             our
             tender
             Years
             ,
             than
             if
             we
             defer
             it
             to
             Old
             Age.
             
          
           
             But
             all
             this
             while
             I
             would
             not
             be
             thought
             to
             make
             the
             work
             of
             Conversion
             ,
             consider'd
             as
             the
             Act
             of
             God
             ,
             (
             who
             alone
             can
             turn
             a
             Soul
             
               from
               darkness
               to
               light
               ,
               
               and
               from
               the
               power
               of
               Satan
               to
               himself
            
             )
             to
             be
             more
             difficult
             in
             one
             Subject
             than
             another
             ,
             for
             all
             things
             are
             equally
             possible
             to
             him
             ;
             but
             I
             have
             hereby
             made
             
             an
             Essay
             to
             shew
             that
             the
             Heart
             of
             an
             old
             Sinner
             is
             a
             Subject
             much
             more
             untractable
             and
             obstinate
             in
             it self
             ,
             than
             that
             of
             one
             ,
             who
             (
             by
             reason
             of
             his
             Youth
             )
             is
             yet
             but
             a
             Novice
             in
             Vice
             ?
             That
             the
             work
             of
             Mortification
             and
             Sanctification
             is
             commonly
             begun
             with
             less
             difficulty
             ,
             and
             carried
             on
             with
             more
             ease
             and
             speed
             on
             the
             Young
             than
             on
             the
             Old
             ,
             and
             that
             a
             greater
             degree
             of
             Grace
             is
             necessary
             to
             reform
             the
             latter
             than
             the
             former
             ;
             and
             whether
             the
             Almighty
             will
             grant
             such
             an
             extraordinary
             measure
             of
             his
             Grace
             to
             one
             that
             is
             grown
             old
             in
             wickedness
             ,
             may
             well
             be
             doubted
             (
             as
             we
             shall
             shew
             hereafter
             .
             )
          
           
             Since
             then
             the
             work
             of
             Conversion
             is
             of
             the
             greatest
             consequence
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             for
             our
             truest
             interest
             both
             in
             this
             World
             and
             that
             
               to
               come
            
             ,
             certainly
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             perform'd
             in
             Youth
             ,
             seeing
             that
             is
             the
             most
             seasonable
             Time
             ,
             as
             will
             further
             appear
             ,
          
           
             2.
             
             In
             that
             much
             Good
             is
             lost
             ,
             and
             much
             
               Evil
               contracted
            
             by
             deferring
             our
             Conversion
             to
             Old
             Age
             ;
             but
             much
             Evil
             (
             on
             the
             contrary
             )
             is
             prevented
             ,
             and
             much
             
               Good
               obtain'd
            
             ,
             through
             the
             Course
             of
             our
             days
             ,
             by
             an
             early
             turning
             to
             God.
             
          
           
           
             (
             1.
             )
             Much
             Sin
             is
             prevented
             ,
             and
             consequently
             much
             
               Spiritual
               good
               obtain'd
            
             by
             an
             early
             Conversion
             ,
             which
             will
             appear
             to
             be
             no
             small
             advantage
             :
             For
             seeing
             Sin
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             directly
             opposite
             to
             the
             pure
             Nature
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             the
             worst
             of
             Evils
             ,
             and
             seeing
             the
             Excellency
             or
             Vileness
             of
             a
             Creature
             is
             to
             be
             measur'd
             by
             its
             likeness
             or
             contrariety
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             possesses
             absolute
             perfection
             in
             himself
             ;
             it
             necessarily
             follows
             ,
             that
             nothing
             can
             so
             deform
             a
             Creature
             ,
             nothing
             can
             so
             defile
             it
             ,
             nothing
             can
             debase
             it
             so
             much
             ,
             and
             set
             it
             at
             so
             great
             a
             distance
             from
             Excellency
             and
             Perfection
             ,
             as
             Sin
             does
             .
             It
             must
             then
             certainly
             be
             our
             Interest
             to
             break
             off
             our
             Sins
             by
             an
             early
             Repentance
             ;
             since
             every
             sinful
             Act
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             a
             continuance
             in
             a
             course
             of
             Sin
             ,
             does
             so
             much
             corrupt
             ,
             debase
             ,
             and
             deform
             the
             Soul.
             And
             if
             we
             desire
             the
             meliorating
             of
             our
             Nature
             ,
             and
             would
             become
             more
             excellent
             Creatures
             than
             we
             are
             ,
             instead
             of
             degenerating
             and
             becoming
             worse
             :
             It
             highly
             concerns
             us
             to
             begin
             early
             to
             extirpate
             that
             which
             has
             strip'd
             the
             Soul
             of
             much
             of
             her
             Intellectual
             and
             (
             which
             is
             worse
             )
             of
             her
             Moral
             Excellency
             ;
             and
             will
             render
             her
             ,
             by
             so
             much
             the
             more
             
             Vile
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             the
             longer
             we
             indulge
             it
             ;
             and
             to
             devote
             our selves
             betimes
             to
             Religion
             and
             Holiness
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             principal
             Beauty
             and
             Glory
             of
             a
             Rational
             Soul
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             chiefly
             makes
             a
             Man
             resemble
             his
             Creator
             .
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             Much
             Sorrow
             and
             Trouble
             is
             hereby
             prevented
             ,
             and
             much
             Ioy
             and
             
               Pleasure
               obtain'd
            
             and
             secur'd
             .
             For
             tho'
             some
             Examples
             may
             be
             found
             of
             Wicked
             Men
             ,
             who
             in
             respect
             of
             their
             Temporal
             prosperity
             for
             a
             little
             Time
             ,
             may
             be
             said
             to
             
               spread
               themselves
               like
               a
               Green
               Bay-Tree
               ;
               
               not
               to
               be
               in
               Trouble
               like
               other
               Men
               ,
               
               and
               to
               have
               more
               than
               Heart
               could
               wish
               :
            
             Yet
             God
             does
             not
             leave
             himself
             without
             witness
             of
             his
             Displeasure
             against
             Sin
             ,
             in
             that
             he
             often
             
               wounds
               the
               heads
               of
               his
               Enemies
               ,
               and
               the
               hairy
               Scalps
               of
               them
               that
               go
               on
               still
               in
               their
               Trespasses
               ,
            
             
             by
             signal
             Judgments
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             as
             all
             Places
             and
             Ages
             can
             testify
             .
             Nor
             has
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             been
             wanting
             to
             signalize
             the
             Righteous
             by
             frequent
             Instances
             of
             peculiar
             Temporal
             Blessings
             ,
             which
             it
             has
             conferr'd
             on
             them
             .
             However
             ,
             the
             Anguish
             of
             a
             guilty
             and
             self-accusing
             Conscience
             ,
             which
             the
             Wicked
             often
             labour
             under
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             common
             and
             unavoidable
             Afflictions
             
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             which
             make
             a
             very
             deep
             Impression
             upon
             them
             ,
             whose
             Appetites
             are
             fierce
             and
             eager
             after
             sensual
             pleasure
             (
             their
             
               hope
               being
               only
               in
               this
               Life
            
             )
             and
             whose
             Passions
             soon
             fall
             into
             a
             violent
             Ferment
             ,
             because
             they
             want
             the
             Holy
             Art
             of
             allaying
             the
             heat
             of
             them
             by
             serious
             Reflections
             on
             the
             Soveraignty
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             of
             that
             God
             ,
             whose
             Providence
             governs
             the
             Universe
             ;
             these
             things
             I
             say
             occasion
             them
             abundance
             of
             Grief
             and
             Trouble
             ,
             which
             one
             that
             becomes
             an
             early
             Convert
             to
             Holiness
             avoids
             ;
             who
             besides
             the
             joyous
             Testimony
             of
             a
             
               good
               Conscience
            
             ,
             that
             gives
             a
             Relish
             to
             all
             his
             Temporal
             Comforts
             ,
             and
             takes
             away
             the
             sting
             of
             all
             his
             outward
             Trials
             ,
             is
             so
             mortified
             to
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             rais'd
             so
             far
             above
             the
             Interests
             of
             it
             ,
             by
             a
             
               lively
               hope
            
             of
             Eternal
             Bliss
             ;
             and
             is
             so
             thoroughly
             convinc'd
             of
             the
             good
             Conduct
             of
             the
             Divine
             Governour
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             he
             finds
             no
             such
             great
             reluctancy
             in
             himself
             to
             submit
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             pleas'd
             to
             afflict
             him
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             
             if
             it
             be
             both
             
               an
               evil
               and
               a
               bitter
               thing
            
             to
             go
             on
             in
             a
             Course
             of
             Sin
             ;
             and
             if
             all
             God's
             
               Ways
               are
               ways
               of
               pleasantness
               ,
               
               and
               all
               his
               Paths
               are
               Peace
            
             ;
             it
             must
             
             needs
             be
             a
             mighty
             advantage
             to
             enter
             betimes
             into
             so
             sweet
             and
             delightful
             a
             Walk
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             Evils
             of
             Old
             Age
             (
             if
             we
             arrive
             to
             that
             )
             are
             aggravated
             by
             deferring
             Conversion
             till
             then
             ;
             but
             alleviated
             and
             render'd
             tolerable
             by
             an
             early
             Piety
             .
             If
             he
             that
             neglects
             in
             the
             Time
             of
             his
             Youth
             and
             Strength
             to
             make
             provision
             for
             the
             Time
             of
             Age
             and
             Sickness
             ,
             when
             he
             has
             a
             fair
             opportunity
             of
             doing
             it
             ,
             is
             justly
             censur'd
             as
             inconsiderate
             and
             imprudent
             ;
             because
             he
             takes
             not
             care
             to
             prepare
             that
             which
             might
             give
             him
             some
             Relief
             then
             ,
             when
             many
             Infirmities
             will
             certainly
             encompass
             him
             ,
             and
             the
             neglect
             of
             which
             will
             inhance
             his
             Misery
             :
             Then
             to
             neglect
             to
             turn
             to
             God
             in
             Youth
             is
             a
             Folly
             of
             the
             grossest
             kind
             ;
             because
             nothing
             can
             tend
             so
             much
             to
             support
             us
             under
             the
             pressure
             of
             the
             many
             Evils
             that
             attend
             Old
             Age
             ;
             nothing
             can
             tend
             to
             take
             off
             so
             much
             of
             the
             weight
             of
             that
             Burden
             ,
             as
             an
             early
             Conversion
             ;
             and
             nothing
             can
             make
             those
             Miserie
             's
             so
             grievous
             ,
             as
             the
             neglect
             of
             it
             .
             For
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             By
             an
             early
             Conversion
             a
             large
             stock
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             of
             Experience
             ,
             is
             
               treasur'd
               up
            
             ,
             which
             mightily
             strengthens
             
             the
             Soul
             under
             the
             burden
             of
             Age
             :
             A
             long
             Habit
             of
             Mortification
             of
             Sensual
             Things
             ,
             Will
             render
             Carnal
             Pleasures
             insipid
             ;
             
             and
             he
             that
             
               dies
               daily
            
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             in
             the
             Time
             of
             Youth
             ,
             when
             it
             appears
             most
             aimable
             and
             charming
             ,
             will
             not
             feel
             much
             regret
             in
             his
             Mind
             ,
             when
             he
             finds
             
               Old
               Age
            
             has
             almost
             quite
             taken
             away
             the
             relish
             of
             those
             perishing
             Sweets
             ;
             since
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             had
             long
             before
             allay'd
             the
             keeness
             of
             his
             Appetite
             to
             them
             .
             The
             long
             and
             good
             use
             he
             has
             made
             of
             his
             Spiritual
             Senses
             ,
             makes
             him
             patient
             under
             the
             decay
             of
             his
             Natural
             ones
             .
             What
             tho'
             (
             as
             Solomon
             phrases
             it
             )
             
               the
               Keepers
               of
               the
               House
               tremble
               ,
               
               and
               the
               strong
               Men
               bow
               themselves
               ;
               
               and
               fears
               be
               in
               the
               way
               ?
            
             &c.
             How
             can
             this
             make
             him
             unhappy
             ,
             
             whose
             
               inward
               Man
               has
               been
               renew'd
               day
               by
               day
               ,
            
             even
             before
             
               his
               outward
               Man
               decay'd
            
             ;
             Who
             therefore
             is
             become
             
               strong
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               
               and
               in
               the
               Power
               of
               his
               Might
               ,
            
             
             which
             
               strengthens
               the
               weak
               hands
               and
               confirms
               the
               feeble
               knees
               ,
               and
               makes
               them
               that
               are
               of
               a
               fearful
               heart
               strong
               ?
            
             
             What
             if
             
               those
               that
               look
               out
               at
               the
               Windows
               be
               darkned
               ?
            
             How
             can
             Dimness
             ,
             or
             even
             
               loss
               of
               Sight
            
             ,
             render
             him
             miserable
             ,
             who
             through
             the
             course
             
             of
             his
             Life
             has
             endeavour'd
             to
             be
             blind
             to
             those
             Objects
             that
             might
             tempt
             him
             to
             Sin
             ,
             
             having
             
               made
               a
               Covenant
               with
               his
               Eyes
            
             to
             guard
             himself
             from
             it
             ;
             and
             has
             constantly
             pray'd
             that
             God
             would
             
               turn
               them
               away
               from
               beholding
               Vanity
               ?
            
             
             How
             can
             he
             be
             much
             concern'd
             at
             the
             want
             of
             
               Natural
               Light
            
             ,
             
             who
             has
             been
             long
             accustom'd
             to
             see
             things
             that
             are
             invisible
             by
             the
             piercing
             
               Eye
               of
               Faith
            
             ?
             
             How
             can
             he
             be
             much
             discontented
             at
             the
             decay
             of
             the
             once
             quick
             Sensation
             of
             his
             Palate
             ,
             or
             at
             the
             want
             of
             Appetite
             to
             his
             Food
             ;
             
             who
             has
             so
             often
             tasted
             ,
             
             and
             still
             tastes
             
               that
               the
               Lord
               is
               Gracious
            
             ?
             Tho'
             
               all
               the
               Daughters
               of
               Musick
               be
               brought
               low
            
             ;
             
             How
             should
             Deafness
             be
             an
             intolerable
             grievance
             to
             him
             ;
             who
             has
             often
             heard
             ,
             and
             still
             hears
             the
             
               still
               and
               small
               Voice
            
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             speaking
             in
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             
             and
             
               testifying
               with
               his
               Spirit
               that
               he
               is
            
             one
             of
             
               the
               Children
               of
               God
            
             ?
             
             How
             can
             the
             Obstructions
             that
             the
             Organs
             of
             Speech
             suffer
             ,
             which
             render
             his
             Voice
             weak
             ,
             and
             Vnmusical
             ,
             discourage
             him
             ,
             who
             knows
             that
             as
             his
             Praises
             and
             Prayers
             have
             often
             been
             Melodious
             in
             the
             Ears
             of
             God
             ,
             
             so
             they
             still
             are
             very
             pleasant
             to
             him
             ,
             
             who
             chiefly
             minds
             the
             Tuneable
             
             frame
             of
             the
             Heart
             ?
             
             And
             tho'
             
               the
               Sun
               and
               the
               Light
               ,
               and
               the
               Moon
               and
               the
               Stars
               be
               darken'd
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             How
             can
             the
             Infirmities
             that
             impair
             the
             Vnderstanding
             ,
             and
             Iudgment
             ,
             the
             Fancy
             and
             Memory
             ,
             &c.
             be
             insupportable
             to
             him
             ,
             who
             has
             long
             understood
             the
             
               Great
               Mystery
               of
               Godliness
            
             ,
             
             so
             as
             
               to
               know
               the
               only
               True
               God
               ,
               
               and
               Iesus
               Christ
               whom
               he
               has
               sent
               ,
               which
               is
               Life
               Eternal
               :
            
             
             Who
             has
             receiv'd
             an
             indelible
             impression
             of
             this
             Knowledg
             in
             his
             Mind
             ;
             
             and
             has
             the
             
               Law
               of
               God
            
             deeply
             engraven
             
               on
               his
               Heart
            
             :
             And
             whose
             long
             experience
             of
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             ;
             makes
             him
             with
             Holy
             Confidence
             still
             say
             ,
             
             with
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
               I
               know
               whom
               I
               have
               believ'd
               ,
            
             —
             and
             with
             the
             Aged
             Psalmist
             ;
             
             
               Thou
               art
               my
               Hope
               ,
               O
               LORD
               God
               ,
               Thou
               art
               my
               Trust
               from
               my
               Youth
               ?
            
             Who
             (
             however
             weak
             his
             Memory
             is
             as
             to
             other
             things
             ,
             yet
             )
             still
             
               remembers
               his
               Creator
            
             ,
             
             and
             
               will
               not
               forget
               his
               Word
            
             ;
             Nay
             tho
             all
             the
             Evils
             and
             Infirmities
             of
             Old
             Age
             ,
             which
             the
             wise
             Man
             enumerates
             after
             our
             Text
             ,
             attack
             him
             ,
             and
             threaten
             a
             speedy
             Dissolution
             of
             the
             Frame
             of
             his
             Body
             :
             
             How
             can
             this
             dis-spirit
             him
             ,
             
             who
             has
             long
             groan'd
             for
             deliverance
             from
             that
             
               Earthly
               Tabernacle
            
             ,
             
             that
             he
             might
             be
             rid
             of
             those
             remains
             of
             Sin
             that
             lurk
             in
             it
             :
             And
             has
             often
             wish'd
             that
             this
             Vail
             of
             Mortal
             Flesh
             were
             rent
             asunder
             ,
             because
             he
             knows
             it
             hinders
             him
             from
             
               seeing
               God
               Face
               to
               Face
            
             ;
             who
             has
             so
             familiariz'd
             the
             Grave
             to
             himself
             ,
             by
             frequent
             Meditations
             on
             the
             Victory
             his
             Saviour
             has
             obtain'd
             over
             it
             ;
             
             and
             is
             so
             well
             perswaded
             of
             that
             Blessed
             Resurrection
             which
             his
             
               lively
               hope
            
             has
             long
             acquainted
             him
             with
             ,
             
             that
             he
             can
             look
             into
             the
             Gloomy
             
               Valley
               of
               the
               shadow
               of
               Death
            
             without
             Consternation
             ,
             
             and
             chearfully
             
               commit
               his
               Spirit
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               God
               ,
               
               as
               his
               Faithful
               Creator
            
             ;
             
             who
             as
             
               he
               has
               guided
               him
               by
               his
               Counsel
               ,
            
             so
             (
             he
             knows
             )
             
               will
               receive
               him
               to
               Glory
            
             .
          
           
             But
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ;
             if
             Conversion
             be
             deferr'd
             to
             Old
             Age
             ,
             these
             and
             the
             like
             Advantages
             of
             a
             long
             Exercise
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             large
             Spiritual
             Experience
             being
             wanting
             ,
             how
             difficult
             will
             it
             be
             for
             a
             weak
             Mind
             and
             a
             languishing
             Body
             to
             bear
             up
             under
             those
             pressing
             Miseries
             that
             will
             then
             attend
             them
             ?
             And
             it
             will
             be
             no
             small
             Affliction
             to
             a
             late
             Penitent
             ,
             even
             after
             his
             Conversion
             ,
             to
             think
             on
             his
             Imprudent
             neglect
             of
             early
             laying
             up
             this
             Spiritual
             Provision
             ,
             against
             those
             
             Evil
             days
             of
             Age
             ,
             and
             Weakness
             ,
             when
             the
             Soul
             stands
             in
             so
             much
             need
             of
             it
             ,
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             An
             early
             Conversion
             has
             greater
             Characters
             of
             Sincerity
             and
             Truth
             than
             a
             late
             One
             ;
             thereby
             administers
             great
             Ease
             and
             Comfort
             amidst
             the
             Infirmities
             of
             Age.
             For
             ,
             as
             the
             true
             Peace
             and
             Comfort
             of
             the
             Soul
             results
             from
             the
             good
             and
             safe
             posture
             wherein
             she
             finds
             her self
             :
             So
             according
             to
             the
             Evidence
             or
             Obscurity
             of
             the
             proofs
             a
             Man
             finds
             in
             himself
             of
             the
             reality
             of
             his
             Conversion
             to
             God
             ;
             the
             more
             stable
             or
             wavering
             is
             his
             Hope
             and
             Comfort
             .
             Now
             those
             that
             have
             been
             converted
             in
             their
             Youth
             ,
             have
             usually
             much
             clearer
             Evidences
             of
             the
             Truth
             of
             their
             Conversion
             ,
             than
             they
             who
             have
             been
             reclaim'd
             from
             Sin
             by
             a
             late
             Repentance
             :
             And
             therefore
             the
             Joy
             of
             the
             former
             commonly
             far
             surpasses
             that
             of
             the
             latter
             .
          
           
             How
             often
             does
             the
             disturb'd
             and
             doubtful
             Mind
             of
             a
             late
             Penitent
             ,
             thus
             commune
             with
             her self
             :
             I
             find
             indeed
             an
             
               unwonted
               Sorrow
            
             in
             my self
             on
             the
             account
             of
             Sin
             ;
             But
             how
             shall
             I
             be
             assur'd
             that
             't
             is
             a
             
               Godly
               Sorrow
               ,
               
               that
               works
               a
               Repentance
               to
               Salvation
               not
               to
               be
               repented
               of
               ?
            
             Is
             it
             not
             wholly
             from
             a
             fear
             of
             Evil
             of
             
             Punishment
             ,
             and
             not
             at
             all
             from
             the
             Sense
             of
             the
             Evil
             of
             Sin
             ?
             Not
             because
             I
             have
             violated
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             only
             because
             I
             have
             render'd
             my self
             obnoxious
             to
             the
             Curse
             of
             it
             ?
             Is
             it
             not
             rather
             because
             I
             have
             weaken'd
             my
             Body
             ,
             and
             hasten'd
             Old
             Age
             by
             my
             Vices
             ;
             than
             because
             I
             've
             defil'd
             my
             Soul
             ,
             and
             enfeebled
             her
             Powers
             by
             them
             ?
             I
             feel
             in
             my self
             some
             Abhorrence
             and
             Aversion
             from
             the
             Sins
             I
             formerly
             took
             Pleasure
             in
             ;
             But
             is
             this
             the
             Effect
             of
             the
             sickness
             of
             my
             Soul
             ;
             or
             of
             the
             Distempers
             of
             my
             Body
             ?
             
             Do
             I
             really
             loath
             my
             former
             disorders
             ,
             and
             is
             Temperance
             my
             choice
             ?
             Is
             it
             not
             rather
             the
             weakness
             of
             my
             Appetite
             ,
             and
             the
             decay
             of
             my
             Palate
             ,
             that
             makes
             me
             abstemious
             ?
             I
             delight
             not
             in
             
               sensual
               Mirth
            
             and
             Jollity
             as
             formerly
             :
             But
             may
             I
             not
             justly
             question
             ,
             whether
             this
             does
             not
             more
             proceed
             from
             the
             weakness
             of
             my
             Fancy
             ,
             than
             from
             the
             tenderness
             of
             my
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             the
             rectitude
             of
             my
             Will
             ?
             I
             seem
             somewhat
             mortified
             to
             the
             things
             of
             the
             World
             :
             But
             is
             not
             this
             rather
             a
             kind
             of
             Natural
             than
             a
             Moral
             Death
             ?
             A
             dying
             to
             the
             World
             of
             Necessity
             and
             not
             of
             Choice
             ?
             Do
             I
             forsake
             it
             because
             't
             is
             unworthy
             of
             my
             Love
             ;
             and
             not
             rather
             ,
             
             because
             it
             has
             first
             forsaken
             me
             ;
             and
             is
             uncapable
             of
             affording
             me
             its
             former
             Pleasures
             ,
             now
             the
             Evil
             days
             of
             Old
             Age
             have
             overtaken
             me
             ?
             I
             find
             in
             my
             Soul
             an
             earnest
             desire
             after
             Holiness
             :
             Is
             it
             because
             I
             take
             delight
             in
             pleasing
             God
             ;
             or
             only
             because
             I
             fear
             to
             suffer
             the
             weight
             of
             his
             Displeasure
             ?
             Is
             it
             because
             I
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             live
             a
             Holy
             Life
             ,
             now
             when
             the
             best
             ,
             and
             almost
             the
             whole
             of
             my
             Time
             is
             spent
             ;
             
             or
             only
             that
             I
             may
             
               die
               the
               Death
               of
               the
               Righteous
               ,
               and
               that
               my
               last
               end
               may
               be
               like
               his
               ?
            
             I
             am
             now
             willing
             to
             devote
             my self
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             :
             But
             why
             have
             I
             not
             done
             it
             long
             before
             ,
             when
             I
             had
             Time
             and
             Strength
             ,
             and
             other
             Advantages
             to
             serve
             him
             with
             ?
             Is
             it
             not
             rather
             to
             serve
             a
             turn
             of
             my
             own
             ,
             than
             to
             serve
             him
             ,
             that
             I
             offer
             my self
             so
             late
             to
             his
             Service
             ?
             Have
             I
             not
             Reason
             to
             doubt
             whether
             I
             am
             sincerely
             willing
             to
             choose
             my
             blessed
             Lord
             ,
             as
             my
             Head
             and
             Ruler
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             my
             Sanctuary
             and
             Saviour
             ?
             And
             whether
             I
             am
             willing
             to
             be
             purified
             as
             well
             as
             redeem'd
             ,
             to
             be
             sanctified
             by
             his
             Grace
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             justified
             by
             his
             Righteousness
             ?
             
               The
               Heart
               is
               deceitful
               above
               all
               things
            
             ;
             
             And
             how
             shall
             I
             be
             assur'd
             that
             I
             do
             not
             deceive
             
             my self
             about
             the
             safety
             of
             my
             Soul
             ?
          
           
             These
             and
             such
             like
             Thoughts
             often
             occasion
             great
             Hesitations
             in
             the
             Mind
             of
             an
             Aged
             Convert
             ,
             and
             make
             him
             doubt
             of
             the
             sincerity
             of
             his
             Heart
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             security
             of
             his
             State.
             
          
           
             Whereas
             ,
             on
             the
             other
             hand
             ,
             He
             who
             after
             an
             Initiation
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             in
             Youth
             ,
             and
             a
             Proficiency
             therein
             thro'
             the
             Time
             of
             his
             Strength
             ,
             is
             at
             last
             arriv'd
             to
             a
             good
             Old
             Age
             ,
             may
             greatly
             solace
             himself
             in
             scanning
             over
             the
             Marks
             and
             Proofs
             of
             the
             Truth
             and
             Reality
             of
             his
             Conversion
             ,
             which
             are
             Great
             and
             Numerous
             .
          
           
             He
             deeply
             mourn'd
             for
             Sin
             at
             an
             Age
             when
             Sorrow
             and
             Pensiveness
             seem
             most
             unseasonable
             in
             the
             Judgment
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             warmth
             of
             the
             Imagination
             and
             the
             briskness
             of
             the
             Senses
             dispose
             most
             to
             Carnal
             Mirth
             :
             He
             loath'd
             Sin
             ,
             when
             it
             seem'd
             most
             Charming
             ,
             and
             deny'd
             himself
             its
             Sensual
             Pleasures
             ,
             at
             an
             Age
             when
             they
             have
             the
             highest
             Gust
             ;
             and
             when
             their
             evil
             Consequences
             almost
             quite
             disappear
             thro'
             their
             great
             supposed
             Distance
             .
             He
             forsook
             the
             World
             ,
             when
             't
             was
             just
             spreading
             
             its
             Charms
             before
             him
             ,
             and
             making
             its
             Court
             to
             him
             after
             the
             most
             obliging
             Manner
             .
             
             He
             
               hunger'd
               and
               thirsted
               after
               Righteousness
            
             ,
             at
             a
             Time
             when
             it
             had
             the
             most
             Affliction
             and
             Bitterness
             attending
             it
             ;
             and
             dedicated
             himself
             to
             God
             then
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             a
             large
             prospect
             of
             hard
             Services
             and
             Sufferings
             to
             undergo
             for
             his
             sake
             .
          
           
             And
             accordingly
             his
             Life
             since
             his
             Conversion
             yields
             a
             multitude
             of
             Instances
             that
             prove
             the
             sincerity
             of
             it
             .
             The
             proof
             of
             his
             
               Faith
               in
            
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             
               Love
               to
            
             him
             ,
             has
             been
             like
             that
             of
             Gold
             and
             Silver
             in
             the
             melting
             Furnace
             ,
             amidst
             various
             temptations
             .
             He
             has
             had
             occasion
             to
             give
             ample
             proofs
             of
             his
             Fidelity
             to
             the
             
               Captain
               of
               his
               Salvation
            
             ,
             
             by
             having
             long
             warr'd
             under
             his
             Banner
             :
             And
             has
             Reason
             to
             believe
             himself
             to
             have
             been
             truly
             converted
             in
             his
             Youth
             ;
             since
             all
             the
             flattering
             Sweets
             ,
             and
             Pleasures
             of
             the
             World
             could
             never
             seduce
             him
             ;
             nor
             all
             the
             threatning
             Frowns
             ,
             and
             Troubles
             of
             it
             terrify
             him
             into
             a
             change
             of
             his
             Resolution
             for
             the
             Service
             of
             his
             God.
             And
             his
             having
             held
             out
             
               so
               long
            
             ,
             gives
             him
             hope
             that
             
               he
               shall
               hold
               out
               to
               the
               end
            
             ;
             
             and
             since
             he
             finds
             his
             
             Faith
             has
             on
             it
             the
             Character
             of
             [
             unseigned
             ]
             ,
             
             his
             Ioy
             must
             needs
             abound
             ;
             when
             he
             considers
             ,
             that
             he
             that
             is
             the
             
               Author
               of
               that
               Faith
               ,
               
               is
               the
               Finisher
               of
               it
            
             too
             :
             That
             he
             that
             long
             ago
             began
             ,
             and
             hath
             long
             cherish'd
             the
             Work
             of
             Grace
             in
             his
             Soul
             ,
             
             will
             carry
             it
             on
             until
             the
             Day
             of
             
               Iuesus
               Christ
            
             :
             And
             that
             as
             he
             has
             the
             evident
             Signs
             of
             Faith
             in
             the
             Sanctification
             of
             his
             Heart
             ;
             
             so
             he
             shall
             have
             the
             end
             of
             it
             too
             in
             the
             Salvation
             of
             his
             Soul.
             And
             it
             hence
             follows
             ,
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             That
             an
             early
             Conversion
             furnishes
             Old
             Age
             with
             comfortable
             Reflections
             on
             Time
             past
             ;
             and
             on
             the
             contrary
             the
             thoughts
             of
             an
             ill-spent
             Life
             are
             then
             most
             grievous
             ,
             when
             we
             are
             near
             the
             Close
             of
             it
             .
             What
             a
             dreadful
             thing
             must
             it
             be
             for
             an
             Old
             Man
             ,
             
             
               whose
               Bones
               are
               full
               of
               the
               Sins
               of
               his
               Youth
               ,
            
             to
             look
             back
             upon
             his
             former
             course
             of
             Life
             !
             Suppose
             him
             a
             late
             Penitent
             of
             the
             
               Eleventh
               Hour
            
             ;
             
             and
             that
             God
             is
             pleas'd
             even
             then
             to
             indulge
             him
             a
             Pardon
             ▪
             With
             what
             horror
             will
             he
             review
             his
             Life
             !
             What
             a
             loathsome
             sink
             of
             Abominations
             must
             he
             rake
             into
             !
             What
             innumerable
             Evils
             will
             he
             see
             himself
             encompass'd
             with
             !
             And
             with
             what
             a
             mighty
             
             weight
             will
             they
             press
             his
             Soul
             !
             Is
             it
             likely
             that
             that
             God
             whom
             he
             has
             so
             long
             
               wearied
               with
               his
               Iniquities
            
             ,
             
             and
             press'd
             with
             his
             Sins
             ,
             
             
               as
               a
               Cart
               is
               press'd
               with
               Sheaves
               ,
            
             will
             shew
             him
             Mercy
             now
             ,
             without
             giving
             him
             a
             taste
             how
             Bitter
             as
             well
             as
             how
             Evil
             a
             thing
             Sin
             is
             ?
             
             And
             without
             shewing
             him
             that
             ,
             if
             he
             be
             sav'd
             ,
             
             it
             shall
             be
             
               so
               as
               by
               Fire
            
             ?
             Is
             it
             strange
             if
             that
             God
             to
             whose
             Calls
             he
             has
             been
             long
             deaf
             ,
             and
             from
             whose
             Reproofs
             and
             Counsels
             he
             has
             so
             often
             turned
             away
             ,
             should
             suffer
             him
             to
             call
             a
             while
             in
             the
             Distress
             and
             Bitterness
             of
             his
             Soul
             ,
             before
             he
             condescends
             to
             give
             him
             an
             
               answer
               of
               Peace
            
             ?
          
           
             And
             seeing
             it
             is
             the
             ordinary
             course
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             when
             he
             converts
             Men
             ,
             first
             to
             impress
             their
             Minds
             with
             great
             Horrour
             from
             the
             sense
             of
             Sin
             ;
             as
             well
             to
             make
             'em
             loath
             and
             consequently
             to
             forsake
             their
             Vices
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             'em
             highly
             value
             his
             Favour
             ,
             and
             adore
             his
             pardoning
             Grace
             ;
             it
             seems
             necessary
             in
             an
             ordinary
             way
             ,
             that
             an
             old
             and
             harden'd
             Sinner
             should
             undergo
             the
             
               Terror
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             to
             a
             high
             degree
             ,
             
             because
             the
             long
             time
             he
             has
             spent
             in
             the
             service
             of
             Sin
             ,
             gives
             him
             so
             great
             an
             occasion
             of
             Remorse
             ,
             
             when
             his
             Conscience
             is
             once
             enlighten'd
             and
             awaken'd
             ;
             and
             because
             to
             extirpate
             these
             long
             and
             deep
             habits
             of
             Sin
             ,
             there
             is
             need
             of
             a
             kind
             of
             violent
             Turn
             in
             the
             Soul.
             
             For
             as
             the
             
               evil
               Spirit
            
             tore
             the
             poor
             Man
             (
             in
             the
             Gospel
             )
             when
             forc'd
             to
             leave
             him
             ;
             so
             't
             is
             not
             usual
             that
             Sin
             leaves
             a
             Man
             ,
             of
             whose
             Soul
             it
             has
             had
             a
             long
             possession
             ,
             without
             occasioning
             great
             convulsions
             of
             Mind
             ,
             and
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             rending
             the
             Soul
             in
             pieces
             :
             And
             how
             hard
             will
             this
             be
             to
             be
             endur'd
             ,
             at
             a
             time
             when
             
               the
               Spirit
               of
               a
               Man
               can
            
             scarce
             
               bear
               the
            
             common
             Infirmities
             of
             Age
             ?
             
             Who
             then
             
               can
               bear
               a
               wounded
               Spirit
            
             ?
          
           
             And
             when
             these
             terrors
             of
             Mind
             are
             over
             ,
             and
             these
             pangs
             of
             Conscience
             that
             give
             hope
             of
             a
             
               new
               Birth
            
             are
             succeeded
             with
             some
             Peace
             that
             follows
             that
             happy
             Change
             ;
             
             yet
             who
             knows
             how
             far
             it
             may
             be
             allay'd
             ,
             and
             how
             often
             interrupted
             by
             reiterated
             Scruples
             and
             Fears
             ?
             And
             how
             long
             the
             Soul
             that
             has
             been
             so
             violently
             mov'd
             may
             retain
             her
             doubtful
             Vibrations
             ,
             after
             such
             astonishing
             Impressions
             of
             Divine
             Wrath
             ,
             in
             a
             time
             when
             even
             Natural
             Infirmities
             render
             the
             Mind
             weak
             and
             timorous
             ;
             
             and
             when
             
             the
             
               King
               of
               Terrors
            
             ,
             who
             daily
             expects
             the
             Aged
             ,
             loudly
             alarms
             the
             tremulous
             Soul
             to
             prepare
             speedily
             to
             pass
             into
             Eternity
             ,
             the
             near
             approach
             of
             which
             mighty
             Change
             must
             needs
             add
             terror
             to
             every
             Scruple
             ;
             and
             when
             Satan
             a
             subtle
             Adversary
             (
             of
             whose
             Devices
             ,
             
             for
             want
             of
             experience
             ,
             
               he
               is
            
             in
             a
             great
             measure
             ignorant
             )
             shoots
             his
             fiery
             and
             invenom'd
             Darts
             to
             weaken
             the
             Hope
             ,
             
             and
             to
             heighten
             the
             Fears
             ,
             and
             to
             increase
             the
             Troubles
             of
             the
             Soul
             ?
             Who
             knows
             (
             I
             say
             )
             what
             gloomy
             and
             dark
             Intervals
             these
             things
             may
             occasion
             ?
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             God
             can
             surmount
             all
             these
             Difficulties
             by
             proportionate
             effusions
             of
             his
             Grace
             ,
             and
             can
             fill
             such
             a
             Soul
             (
             if
             he
             pleases
             )
             with
             unspeakable
             Joy.
             But
             is
             it
             likely
             that
             he
             should
             indulge
             those
             with
             the
             highest
             and
             most
             uncommon
             Privileges
             ,
             that
             hold
             out
             longest
             in
             Rebellion
             against
             him
             ?
             And
             may
             such
             reasonably
             expect
             he
             will
             go
             out
             of
             his
             ordinary
             Methods
             to
             meet
             them
             ,
             that
             have
             all
             their
             Life
             past
             
               gone
               astray
            
             from
             him
             ?
             And
             that
             he
             will
             bestow
             the
             sealing
             Evidences
             of
             his
             Holy
             Spirit
             on
             them
             to
             a
             degree
             which
             he
             does
             not
             always
             allow
             his
             early
             Disciples
             ,
             and
             those
             that
             have
             long
             follow'd
             
             him
             ?
             May
             it
             not
             rather
             be
             thought
             ,
             That
             tho
             God
             should
             
               forgive
               their
               Iniquities
               ,
               
               he
               'll
               take
               Vengeance
               of
               their
               Inventions
               ?
            
             That
             tho
             they
             should
             
               die
               in
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             
             they
             'll
             set
             in
             a
             Cloud
             ,
             and
             go
             to
             the
             Grave
             with
             
             Hezekiah's
             Lamentation
             ,
             when
             under
             the
             sense
             of
             the
             Wrath
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             under
             punishment
             for
             his
             Sins
             .
             Ireckon'd
             (
             says
             he
             )
             
               till
               Morning
               ,
               
               that
               as
               a
               Lion
               he
               will
               break
               all
               my
               Bones
               :
               From
               Day
               even
               to
               Night
               wilt
               thou
               make
               an
               end
               of
               one
               .
               Like
               a
               Crane
               or
               a
               Swallow
               ;
               so
               did
               Ichatter
               ,
               I
               did
               mourn
               as
               a
               Dove
               :
               Mine
               Eyes
               fail
               with
               looking
               upward
               ,
               O
               LORD
               ,
               I
               am
               oppressed
               ,
               undertake
               for
               me
               .
               What
               shall
               I
               say
               ?
               He
               hath
               both
               spoken
               unto
               me
               ,
               and
               himself
               hath
               done
               it
               ;
               I
               shall
               go
               softly
               all
               my
               Years
               in
               the
               bitterness
               of
               my
               Soul.
               
            
             And
             with
             that
             of
             Iob
             ;
             
             
               Thou
               writest
               bitter
               things
               against
               me
               ,
               and
               makest
               me
               to
               possess
               the
               iniquities
               of
               my
               Youth
               .
            
             Is
             it
             strange
             ,
             if
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             consum'd
             their
             Time
             in
             Sin
             ,
             and
             have
             grown
             old
             in
             Wickedness
             ,
             
             their
             Eyes
             should
             be
             
               consum'd
               with
               grief
               and
               wax
               old
               with
               Sorrow
               ?
            
             And
             if
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             wallow'd
             long
             in
             Vice
             ,
             so
             they
             should
             be
             made
             to
             swim
             long
             in
             Tears
             ,
             
             and
             
               to
               water
               their
               Couches
               with
            
             continual
             weeping
             ?
          
           
           
             But
             what
             a
             comfortable
             Review
             of
             his
             Life
             may
             an
             early
             Convert
             take
             in
             old
             Age
             ?
             What
             joy
             to
             look
             back
             on
             that
             solemn
             Oblation
             of
             the
             first-fruits
             of
             his
             Time
             which
             he
             made
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             on
             the
             early
             favour
             which
             God
             express'd
             to
             him
             !
             To
             
               remember
               the
               kindness
               of
               his
               Youth
               ,
               and
               the
               love
               of
               his
               Espousals
               ,
            
             which
             even
             God
             himself
             delights
             to
             remember
             !
             
             To
             turn
             over
             the
             large
             Volumes
             of
             his
             Experience
             ,
             to
             look
             on
             past
             Temptations
             and
             Conflicts
             ;
             these
             Reflections
             will
             give
             him
             a
             pleasure
             as
             much
             beyond
             that
             of
             an
             antient
             Sailor
             ,
             when
             he
             thinks
             on
             the
             many
             Rocks
             and
             Sands
             and
             Storms
             he
             has
             escap'd
             ,
             and
             that
             of
             a
             valiant
             Soldier
             ,
             when
             he
             recollects
             how
             many
             Dangers
             he
             has
             past
             ,
             and
             how
             many
             Victories
             he
             has
             obtain'd
             ;
             as
             he
             conceives
             the
             interest
             of
             the
             Soul
             is
             beyond
             that
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             and
             that
             Eternal
             Life
             is
             to
             be
             valued
             above
             Temporal
             .
             With
             what
             Admiration
             mixt
             with
             Joy
             will
             he
             be
             fill'd
             ,
             when
             he
             calls
             to
             mind
             what
             God
             has
             done
             for
             him
             !
             For
             tho
             the
             failings
             of
             his
             Life
             (
             
               since
               no
               Man
               lives
               and
               sins
               not
            
             )
             give
             him
             occasion
             of
             
               Godly
               Sorrow
            
             and
             Humiliation
             ,
             
             yet
             these
             will
             not
             hinder
             a
             Religious
             Ioy
             from
             reigning
             in
             his
             Soul
             ,
             from
             his
             happy
             
             experience
             of
             the
             Mercy
             of
             his
             God
             ;
             which
             will
             make
             him
             with
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
             glory
             
               in
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
            
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             his
             Contrition
             ,
             and
             (
             tho
             in
             himself
             
               he
               is
               nothing
            
             )
             will
             make
             him
             say
             with
             the
             
               Psalmist
               ,
               
               By
               my
               God
               I
               have
               run
               through
               a
               Troop
               ,
               and
               by
               my
               God
               I
               have
               leaped
               over
               a
               Wall
               !
            
             With
             what
             delight
             will
             he
             recollect
             the
             signal
             favours
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             that
             beautify
             the
             History
             of
             his
             Life
             !
             
             How
             his
             God
             
               has
               spread
               his
               Table
               ,
               and
               fill'd
               his
               Cup
               in
               the
               presence
               of
               his
               Enemies
            
             ;
             
             and
             has
             
               made
               both
               his
               Rod
               and
               his
               Staff
               co
               comfort
               him
               .
            
             With
             how
             much
             pleasure
             will
             he
             turn
             his
             Mind
             to
             the
             House
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             think
             how
             often
             he
             has
             gone
             thither
             
               with
               the
               voice
               of
               Ioy
               and
               Praise
               ,
               
               with
               the
               Multitude
               that
               kept
               Holiday
               !
            
             
             How
             oft
             he
             has
             
               beheld
               the
               Beauty
               of
               the
               LORD
               ,
            
             while
             he
             has
             been
             
               enquiring
               in
               his
               Temple
            
             !
             How
             he
             has
             been
             
               stay'd
               with
               Flagons
               ,
               
               and
               comforted
               with
               Apples
               ,
            
             when
             sick
             of
             Love
             to
             his
             Saviour
             !
             How
             he
             has
             
               sat
               down
               with
               great
               delight
               under
               his
               shadow
               ,
            
             
             while
             
               his
               Fruit
            
             has
             been
             
               sweet
               to
               his
               Taste
            
             :
             How
             he
             has
             been
             
               satiated
               as
               with
               marrow
               and
               fatness
               ,
            
             
             When
             his
             Soul
             has
             
               hungred
               after
               Righteousness
            
             :
             
             How
             he
             has
             often
             disburden'd
             his
             Mind
             
             by
             pouring
             out
             his
             Complaints
             into
             the
             Bosom
             of
             his
             Heavenly
             Father
             ;
             how
             he
             has
             often
             receiv'd
             an
             answer
             of
             Peace
             ,
             sometimes
             beyond
             his
             Hope
             ,
             nay
             beyond
             his
             Desire
             ,
             
             and
             sometimes
             even
             before
             his
             Prayer
             :
             What
             precious
             Seasons
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             he
             has
             enjoy'd
             ,
             when
             retired
             into
             some
             corner
             alone
             to
             worship
             him
             :
             What
             fervent
             desires
             he
             has
             then
             felt
             ;
             what
             earnest
             aspirations
             of
             his
             Soul
             after
             him
             !
             What
             smiles
             of
             the
             Divine
             Love
             have
             on
             such
             occasions
             chear'd
             his
             Spirit
             ;
             
             what
             sealings
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             have
             assur'd
             his
             Faith
             :
             
             What
             prospect
             he
             has
             had
             of
             
               him
               that
               is
               invisible
               ;
               
               What
               Ioy
               unspeakable
               and
               full
               of
               Glory
               !
            
             
          
           
             Such
             Reflections
             will
             even
             make
             the
             Soul
             forget
             her
             temporal
             Afflictions
             ,
             and
             render
             the
             burden
             of
             Age
             supportable
             .
             These
             Thoughts
             will
             obviate
             fears
             and
             temptations
             ,
             and
             inspire
             the
             Mind
             with
             holy
             Courage
             and
             Resolution
             ,
             and
             furnish
             her
             with
             Arguments
             for
             Prayer
             ,
             like
             that
             of
             the
             Psalmist
             .
             
               I
               will
               go
               in
               the
               strength
               of
               the
               Lord
               GOD
               ;
               
               I
               will
               make
               mention
               of
               thy
               Righteousness
               ,
               even
               of
               thine
               only
               .
               O
               God
               ,
               thou
               hast
               thought
               me
               from
               my
               Youth
               ;
               and
               hitherto
               have
               I
               declared
               
               thy
               wondrous
               Works
               .
               Now
               also
               when
               I
               am
               old
               and
               gray-headed
               ;
               O
               God
               for
               sake
               me
               not
               ,
            
             &c.
             
          
           
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             Tho
             every
             Man
             has
             occasion
             to
             be
             humbled
             for
             his
             Sins
             ,
             and
             that
             ,
             in
             every
             part
             of
             his
             Life
             ,
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             a
             great
             ,
             and
             next
             to
             the
             Light
             of
             God's
             Countenance
             through
             the
             face
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             the
             greatest
             occasion
             of
             Joy
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             when
             a
             Man
             can
             lie
             down
             in
             the
             Grave
             in
             Peace
             ,
             with
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             having
             made
             Religion
             the
             great
             Business
             of
             his
             Life
             ,
             of
             having
             
               serv'd
               his
               Generation
               faithfully
               by
               the
               Will
               of
               God
               ,
            
             
             having
             from
             his
             Youth
             
               exercised
               himself
               in
               this
               ,
               to
               have
               a
               Conscience
               always
               void
               of
               offence
               both
               toward
               God
               and
               towards
               Men
               :
            
             When
             at
             the
             shutting
             up
             of
             his
             Days
             ,
             he
             can
             ,
             by
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             ,
             safely
             appeal
             both
             to
             him
             and
             to
             Men
             ,
             as
             aged
             Samuel
             did
             ;
             
             
               Behold
               —
               I
               am
               old
               and
               gray-headed
               —
               and
               I
               have
               walk'd
               before
               you
               from
               my
               Childhood
               unto
               this
               day
               :
               Behold
               here
               I
               am
               ,
               witness
               against
               me
               before
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               before
               his
               Anointed
               :
               Whose
               Ox
               have
               I
               taken
               ?
               Or
               whose
               Ass
               have
               I
               taken
               ?
               Or
               whom
               have
               I
               defrauded
               ?
               Whom
               have
               I
               oppressed
               ?
               Or
               of
               whose
               hand
               have
               I
               received
               ,
               any
               Bribe
               ,
               to
               blind
               my
               Eyes
               therewith
               ?
            
             
             &c.
             And
             as
             he
             that
             has
             serv'd
             God
             from
             his
             Youth
             can
             look
             back
             with
             Pleasure
             ,
             so
             he
             may
             look
             forward
             with
             exceeding
             Joy.
             For
             ,
          
           
             (
             4.
             )
             An
             early
             Conversion
             furnishes
             old
             Age
             with
             much
             more
             comfort
             than
             a
             late
             one
             ,
             in
             that
             it
             usually
             gives
             a
             brighter
             and
             more
             glorious
             prospect
             of
             Reward
             in
             the
             
               other
               Life
            
             .
          
           
             As
             
               this
               Life
            
             is
             not
             valuable
             ,
             but
             as
             it
             may
             be
             improv'd
             in
             order
             to
             a
             better
             ;
             so
             the
             strong
             and
             well-grounded
             Hope
             of
             eternal
             Bliss
             in
             the
             World
             to
             come
             ,
             is
             that
             which
             sweetens
             the
             most
             bitter
             Afflictions
             of
             a
             Christian
             here
             ,
             and
             makes
             him
             as
             much
             
               more
               happy
            
             as
             he
             
               is
               more
               excellent
               than
               his
               Neighbour
            
             (
             whereas
             if
             his
             
               Hope
               were
               only
               in
               this
               Life
               ,
            
             
             he
             would
             be
             of
             
               all
               Men
               the
               most
               miserable
            
             .
             )
             And
             a
             Man's
             true
             Happiness
             in
             this
             World
             is
             therefore
             to
             be
             measur'd
             by
             the
             strength
             and
             liveliness
             of
             his
             Faith
             and
             Hope
             for
             the
             Blessings
             of
             the
             other
             ;
             for
             by
             these
             he
             receives
             an
             Earnest
             of
             the
             Heavenly
             Possession
             ,
             and
             has
             some
             foretastes
             of
             that
             Glory
             ,
             with
             which
             he
             expects
             in
             a
             little
             time
             to
             be
             fully
             satisfied
             .
             For
             every
             one
             knows
             that
             there
             is
             pleasure
             in
             hoping
             for
             any
             thing
             that
             we
             
             think
             will
             add
             to
             our
             Happiness
             ,
             especially
             when
             that
             Hope
             is
             thought
             to
             be
             well
             founded
             ,
             and
             the
             things
             expected
             of
             great
             consequence
             ,
             and
             speedily
             to
             be
             obtain'd
             :
             With
             what
             an
             extraordinary
             Joy
             then
             must
             the
             Hope
             of
             everlasting
             Bliss
             and
             Glory
             inspire
             him
             that
             firmly
             believes
             he
             shall
             suddenly
             enjoy
             it
             !
             And
             that
             this
             Hope
             makes
             a
             Saint
             the
             most
             happy
             Man
             even
             in
             this
             Life
             is
             evident
             ,
             some
             of
             the
             Enemies
             of
             Religion
             
               themselves
               being
               Iudges
            
             .
             'T
             is
             worth
             remarking
             ,
             that
             an
             Eminent
             Person
             ,
             
             (
             who
             was
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             Sinners
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             Penitents
             of
             this
             Age
             )
             even
             while
             he
             maintain'd
             his
             Atheistical
             Principles
             ,
             and
             led
             a
             most
             flagitious
             Course
             of
             Life
             ,
             confess'd
             ,
             That
             
               whether
               the
               Business
               of
               Religion
               was
               true
               or
               not
               ,
               he
               thought
               those
               who
               had
               the
               Perswasions
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               lived
               so
               that
               they
               had
               quiet
               in
               their
               Consciences
               ,
               and
               believed
               God
               govern'd
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               acquiesced
               in
               his
               Providence
               ,
               and
               had
               the
               Hope
               of
               an
               endless
               Blessedness
               in
               another
               State
               ,
               the
               happiest
               Men
               in
               the
               World
               :
               And
               said
               ,
               He
               would
               give
               all
               that
               he
               was
               Master
               of
               ,
               to
               be
               under
               those
               
               Perswasions
               ,
               and
               to
               have
               the
               Supports
               and
               Joys
               that
               must
               needs
               flow
               from
               them
               .
            
             So
             Just
             a
             Thought
             had
             he
             even
             then
             of
             the
             Ioy
             of
             a
             Good
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             the
             Pleasure
             which
             the
             bare
             Expectation
             of
             future
             Glory
             in
             Heaven
             occasions
             ,
             that
             he
             thought
             it
             far
             out-ballanc'd
             
               the
               pleasures
               of
               Sin
               ,
               which
               are
            
             but
             
               for
               a
               season
            
             ;
             and
             thus
             does
             Religion
             triumph
             over
             her
             Enemies
             ,
             extorting
             from
             their
             own
             Mouths
             a
             plain
             Acknowledgment
             of
             what
             the
             Psalmist
             assures
             ,
             that
             
               Happy
               is
               the
               People
               ,
               
               whose
               God
               is
               the
               LORD
               .
            
          
           
             Now
             it
             cannot
             be
             expected
             ,
             that
             a
             late
             Convert
             should
             have
             an
             equal
             portion
             of
             this
             Hope
             and
             Joy
             ,
             with
             one
             that
             has
             
               fear'd
               the
               Lord
               from
               his
               Youth
               .
            
             
             The
             former
             is
             commonly
             exercis'd
             with
             greater
             and
             more
             frequent
             Doubts
             concerning
             his
             Interest
             in
             eternal
             Glory
             than
             the
             latter
             ;
             and
             the
             Eye
             of
             his
             Faith
             is
             often
             too
             weak
             to
             read
             his
             Evidences
             for
             it
             ;
             because
             (
             as
             we
             have
             shewn
             before
             )
             he
             is
             apt
             to
             question
             the
             truth
             of
             his
             Regeneration
             ,
             
             without
             which
             ,
             he
             knows
             ,
             
               no
               Man
               can
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               .
            
             And
             this
             makes
             him
             often
             thus
             reason
             with
             himself
             :
             
             Eye
             (
             indeed
             )
             
               hath
               
               not
               seen
               ,
               nor
               Ear
               heard
               ,
               neither
               have
               enter'd
               into
               the
               Heart
               of
               Man
               the
               things
               which
               God
               hath
               prepar'd
               for
               them
               that
               love
               him
               .
            
             But
             I
             fear
             I
             shall
             fall
             short
             of
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             because
             I
             question
             the
             sincerity
             of
             my
             Love
             to
             him
             .
             Is
             not
             this
             
               fulness
               of
               Ioy
            
             reserv'd
             for
             them
             that
             have
             nauseated
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             
             with
             which
             I
             have
             glutted
             my
             sensual
             Appetite
             ,
             even
             from
             my
             Infancy
             ?
             Are
             not
             those
             
               Rivers
               of
               pleasure
               at
               the
               right
               hand
               of
               God
               ,
            
             only
             to
             refresh
             his
             diligent
             Servants
             that
             have
             born
             the
             
               burden
               and
               heat
               of
               the
               day
            
             in
             labouring
             and
             suffering
             for
             him
             ?
             May
             not
             I
             ,
             who
             have
             spent
             my
             Days
             in
             Vanity
             and
             Sin
             ,
             
             
               in
               Rioting
               and
               Drunkenness
               ,
               in
               Chambering
               and
               Wantonness
            
             ;
             and
             who
             now
             am
             incapacitated
             either
             to
             do
             or
             suffer
             much
             for
             God
             ,
             just
             at
             the
             Period
             of
             my
             Days
             ,
             justly
             fear
             being
             excluded
             from
             the
             participation
             of
             this
             Bliss
             ?
             Is
             it
             likely
             that
             these
             Joys
             that
             are
             so
             spiritual
             and
             refined
             ,
             will
             be
             poured
             into
             such
             a
             Soul
             as
             mine
             (
             when
             parted
             from
             this
             languishing
             Body
             )
             which
             has
             been
             debauch'd
             and
             corrupted
             for
             so
             many
             Years
             ,
             with
             the
             base
             and
             sordid
             delights
             of
             Sin
             ?
             Or
             may
             I
             presume
             to
             deposite
             this
             vile
             and
             mouldering
             
             Carcase
             in
             the
             Grave
             ,
             in
             hope
             of
             having
             it
             render'd
             a
             Glorious
             Body
             
               at
               the
               Resurrection
               of
               the
               Iust
            
             ;
             
             when
             I
             have
             through
             the
             Best
             of
             my
             time
             abus'd
             it
             to
             the
             Vilest
             purposes
             of
             Sensuality
             and
             Vice
             ?
             Shall
             these
             Eyes
             that
             have
             so
             often
             been
             
               full
               of
               Adultery
            
             be
             admitted
             to
             see
             the
             Lord
             in
             Glory
             ?
             
             And
             this
             Tongue
             be
             tun'd
             to
             praise
             him
             with
             sacred
             Anthems
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             which
             has
             thus
             long
             lodg'd
             in
             it
             
               a
               World
               of
               Iniquity
            
             ,
             
             and
             desecrated
             his
             Holy
             Name
             by
             prophane
             Oaths
             and
             Blasphemies
             on
             Earth
             ?
             That
             these
             Feet
             that
             have
             been
             swift
             to
             attend
             the
             Places
             of
             Debauchery
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Assemblies
               of
               the
               Vngodly
            
             ,
             
             shall
             stand
             within
             the
             Gates
             of
             the
             
               Heavenly
               Ierusalem
            
             ,
             
             and
             find
             a
             welcome
             place
             in
             the
             
               General
               Assembly
               and
               Church
               of
               the
               first-born
               ,
               
               which
               are
               written
               in
               Heaven
               ?
            
             Or
             that
             these
             Hands
             that
             have
             so
             long
             been
             executing
             Acts
             of
             Unrighteousness
             here
             ,
             shall
             be
             eternally
             
               lifted
               up
            
             with
             Praises
             ,
             and
             employ'd
             in
             applauding
             the
             Name
             and
             Works
             of
             God
             there
             ?
          
           
             May
             not
             I
             more
             reasonably
             be
             afraid
             ,
             
             that
             my
             Soul
             should
             fall
             
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               the
               living
               God
               ,
            
             
             than
             chearfully
             commit
             it
             to
             him
             ,
             now
             my
             Days
             are
             near
             expiring
             ?
             
             And
             justly
             apprehend
             that
             the
             expence
             of
             my
             Time
             in
             Wickedness
             will
             be
             punished
             with
             an
             eternity
             of
             Misery
             ?
             And
             that
             after
             I
             have
             so
             long
             walk'd
             in
             the
             ways
             of
             Sin
             ,
             
             I
             must
             now
             at
             last
             
               lie
               down
            
             in
             the
             Grave
             in
             Sorrow
             ?
             And
             O
             how
             pungent
             is
             that
             Sorrow
             ,
             while
             my
             trembling
             Soul
             looks
             into
             the
             consequences
             of
             such
             a
             Death
             !
             For
             ,
             if
             I
             die
             in
             my
             Sins
             ,
             not
             only
             am
             I
             depriv'd
             of
             all
             this
             Happiness
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             been
             viewing
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             but
             must
             sink
             into
             that
             Abyss
             of
             Misery
             ,
             
             where
             a
             
               never-dying
               Worm
            
             ,
             
             and
             an
             
               unquenchable
               Lake
               of
               fire
            
             are
             the
             just
             and
             dreadful
             Rewards
             of
             a
             sinful
             Life
             .
          
           
             These
             and
             such
             like
             Jealousies
             and
             Fears
             ,
             carry
             so
             specious
             an
             appearance
             of
             Reason
             with
             them
             ,
             that
             without
             a
             more
             than
             common
             measure
             of
             Faith
             ,
             they
             must
             needs
             give
             the
             Soul
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Disquiet
             .
             And
             't
             is
             no
             wonder
             if
             the
             Righteous
             and
             Holy
             God
             suffer
             the
             Mind
             often
             to
             labour
             under
             these
             troublesome
             Thoughts
             ,
             as
             a
             proper
             method
             both
             to
             embitter
             Sin
             to
             one
             that
             has
             been
             long
             accustomed
             to
             indulge
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             testify
             for
             the
             incouragement
             of
             Holiness
             ,
             that
             he
             reserves
             some
             
               peculiar
               Rewards
            
             
             even
             in
             this
             Life
             ,
             for
             them
             that
             have
             serv'd
             him
             with
             a
             
               peculiar
               Zeal
            
             and
             Constancy
             ;
             
             and
             that
             
               full
               assurance
               of
               Faith
            
             and
             Hope
             ,
             
             and
             a
             clear
             prospect
             of
             those
             invisible
             things
             
               which
               he
               has
               laid
               up
               for
               those
               that
               love
               him
               ,
            
             
             is
             a
             Blessing
             wherewith
             he
             seldom
             crowns
             any
             but
             those
             who
             have
             been
             for
             some
             considerable
             part
             of
             their
             Lives
             ,
             gradually
             raising
             
               their
               Affections
            
             ,
             
             and
             fixing
             them
             
               on
               things
               above
            
             ,
             habituating
             themselves
             to
             converse
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             
             and
             
               fighting
               the
               good
               fight
               of
               Faith
               ,
               that
               they
               might
               lay
               hold
               on
               eternal
               Life
               .
            
             For
             since
             God
             is
             pleas'd
             to
             propose
             Rewards
             as
             motives
             to
             his
             Service
             ,
             't
             is
             natural
             to
             conclude
             ,
             That
             the
             consolating
             Hope
             of
             these
             Rewards
             (
             which
             is
             also
             a
             Reward
             it self
             )
             does
             ordinarily
             bear
             proportion
             to
             the
             Time
             and
             Degree
             of
             our
             Obedience
             :
             And
             therefore
             he
             that
             has
             long
             devoted
             himself
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             he
             has
             commonly
             a
             clearer
             prospect
             of
             future
             Bliss
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             security
             of
             his
             interest
             in
             it
             ;
             so
             to
             advance
             his
             Joy
             still
             to
             a
             higher
             point
             ,
             he
             has
             reason
             to
             expect
             a
             distinguishing
             Reward
             in
             the
             Celestial
             Glory
             ;
             that
             if
             he
             has
             serv'd
             his
             Lord
             much
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             which
             is
             his
             
               Kingdom
               on
               Earth
            
             ,
             he
             shall
             
             not
             be
             
               the
               least
               in
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               :
            
             
             For
             though
             he
             has
             no
             ground
             to
             hope
             to
             be
             rewarded
             for
             his
             Works
             on
             the
             account
             of
             Debt
             ,
             because
             when
             he
             has
             done
             his
             best
             
               he
               is
               but
               an
               unprofitable
               Servant
            
             ;
             
             yet
             ,
             since
             God
             himself
             has
             promised
             it
             ,
             he
             may
             believe
             ,
             that
             he
             shall
             be
             rewarded
             according
             to
             his
             Works
             ,
             
             on
             the
             account
             of
             Grace
             .
             Thus
             as
             the
             early
             Convert
             looks
             back
             upon
             all
             the
             Sufferings
             he
             has
             endur'd
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             his
             Divine
             Master
             with
             Comfort
             ,
             
             
               as
               on
               Waters
               that
               are
               past
               away
            
             ;
             so
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             these
             raise
             both
             his
             Desire
             and
             Expectation
             earnestly
             to
             look
             for
             a
             distinguishing
             Recompence
             of
             future
             Glory
             .
          
           
             And
             how
             unexpressible
             is
             that
             Joy
             which
             a
             Holy
             Man
             feels
             ,
             when
             the
             Eye
             of
             Faith
             can
             with
             a
             great
             degree
             of
             strength
             penetrate
             ,
             and
             with
             equal
             steadiness
             contemplate
             the
             unseen
             Glories
             of
             the
             Heavenly
             State
             ,
             as
             firmly
             interessed
             therein
             !
             What
             Joy
             does
             the
             early
             Convert
             often
             taste
             ,
             especially
             toward
             the
             Close
             of
             his
             Days
             ,
             when
             he
             approaches
             
               the
               Mark
            
             of
             his
             long
             Desire
             and
             Hope
             ;
             
             when
             he
             considers
             that
             as
             he
             has
             been
             long
             labouring
             to
             increase
             in
             the
             Knowledg
             
             of
             God
             ,
             he
             shall
             suddenly
             
               see
               him
               as
               he
               is
            
             ;
             and
             that
             as
             he
             has
             been
             long
             endeavouring
             after
             a
             Conformity
             to
             him
             ,
             
             he
             shall
             not
             only
             see
             him
             ,
             but
             
               be
               like
               him
            
             too
             :
             That
             as
             all
             the
             Powers
             of
             his
             Soul
             have
             been
             dedicated
             to
             his
             Service
             ,
             so
             they
             shall
             be
             in
             a
             little
             time
             intirely
             fill'd
             with
             his
             Glory
             ,
             and
             incessantly
             employ'd
             in
             his
             Praise
             ;
             
             and
             as
             the
             Members
             of
             his
             Body
             have
             been
             fellow-Servants
             of
             Righteousness
             with
             the
             Faculties
             of
             his
             Soul
             ,
             
             so
             their
             refin'd
             Matter
             and
             elegant
             Form
             at
             the
             Resurrection
             shall
             render
             them
             fit
             to
             become
             their
             Partners
             in
             Glory
             .
          
           
             Thus
             have
             we
             made
             it
             evident
             ,
             that
             the
             Time
             of
             our
             Youth
             is
             in
             many
             respects
             the
             best
             and
             fittest
             for
             the
             Great
             Work
             of
             remembering
             our
             Maker
             ,
             and
             of
             engaging
             in
             his
             Service
             ;
             and
             this
             ,
             even
             upon
             the
             Supposition
             of
             our
             being
             sure
             of
             obtaining
             an
             opportunity
             of
             repenting
             in
             old
             Age
             ,
             tho
             we
             should
             not
             reform
             before
             .
          
           
             But
             we
             have
             further
             to
             shew
             ,
             that
             as
             the
             Time
             of
             Youth
             is
             the
             Best
             ;
             so
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             and
             is
             most
             likely
             to
             be
             the
             only
             Season
             wherein
             it
             will
             be
             possible
             for
             
             us
             to
             devote
             our selves
             to
             our
             Creator
             ,
             or
             wherein
             our
             Service
             will
             be
             acceptable
             to
             him
             :
             Which
             gives
             us
             the
             clearest
             proof
             of
             all
             ,
             of
             the
             Danger
             and
             Folly
             of
             neglecting
             to
             consecrate
             to
             him
             the
             Morning
             of
             our
             Days
             .
             But
             the
             Consideration
             of
             this
             we
             shall
             refer
             to
             another
             Discourse
             .
          
        
         
           
           
           
             THE
             Reasonableness
             &
             Advantages
             OF
             AN
             Early
             Conversion
             to
             God
             DEMONSTRATED
             .
             SERMON
             III.
             
          
           
             
               ECCLES
               .
               xii
               .
               1.
               
            
             
               Remember
               now
               thy
               Creator
               in
               the
               Days
               of
               thy
               Youth
               ,
               while
               the
               Evil
               Days
               come
               not
               ,
               nor
               the
               Years
               draw
               nigh
               when
               thou
               shalt
               say
               ,
               I
               have
               no
               pleasure
               in
               them
               .
            
          
           
             TO
             the
             Disadvantages
             of
             delaying
             Conversion
             till
             the
             evil
             Days
             of
             
               old
               Age
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Advantages
             of
             devoting
             one's
             self
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             in
             Youth
             ,
             which
             we
             have
             already
             insisted
             
             on
             ,
             we
             have
             this
             one
             farther
             Consideration
             to
             add
             ,
             viz.
             That
          
           
             4.
             
             Our
             
               Eternal
               Interest
            
             is
             extremely
             hazarded
             by
             deferring
             Conversion
             to
             
               old
               Age
            
             ,
             and
             best
             secur'd
             by
             an
             early
             change
             ▪
             For
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             We
             are
             always
             uncertain
             of
             future
             Time
             for
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             this
             Important
             Work.
             Our
             Time
             is
             at
             the
             Disposal
             of
             our
             Maker
             ;
             and
             he
             has
             not
             entrusted
             our
             lavish
             hands
             with
             the
             whole
             stock
             of
             this
             precious
             Treasure
             ,
             but
             only
             suffers
             it
             to
             run
             through
             them
             by
             Moments
             ;
             so
             that
             we
             can
             recal
             no
             past
             ,
             nor
             can
             we
             command
             any
             future
             Time
             ,
             't
             is
             therefore
             our
             Business
             to
             improve
             the
             present
             ;
             being
             ignorant
             how
             long
             the
             Divine
             Bounty
             will
             continue
             our
             Time
             in
             this
             World.
             Upon
             this
             account
             the
             wise
             Man
             instructs
             us
             well
             ,
             not
             to
             boast
             our selves
             
               of
               to
               Morrow
            
             ,
             
             seeing
             
               we
               know
               not
               what
               a
               Day
               may
               bring
               forth
               :
            
             And
             the
             Prophet
             Isaiah
             reprehends
             the
             folly
             of
             those
             that
             encourage
             one
             another
             to
             go
             on
             in
             sinful
             Excesses
             ,
             by
             profanely
             promising
             themselves
             ,
             
             that
             
               to
               Morrow
            
             should
             
               be
               as
               the
               present
               Day
               ,
               and
               much
               more
               abundant
               .
            
             The
             Apostle
             Iames
             also
             shews
             the
             Vanity
             of
             such
             foolish
             Presumptions
             :
             
             
               Go
               to
               now
            
             (
             says
             he
             )
             
               ye
               that
               say
               ,
               
               to
               day
               ,
               or
               to
               morrow
               ,
               we
               will
               go
               into
               such
               a
               City
               ,
               and
               continue
               there
               a
               Year
               ,
               and
               buy
               and
               sell
               ,
               and
               get
               Gain
               ;
               whereas
               you
               know
               not
               what
               shall
               be
               on
               the
               morrow
               :
               for
               what
               is
               your
               Life
               ?
               It
               is
               even
               a
               Vapour
               ,
               that
               appeareth
               for
               a
               little
               time
               ,
               and
               then
               vanisheth
               away
               :
               For
               that
               ye
               ought
               to
               say
               ,
               If
               the
               Lord
               will
               ,
               we
               shall
               live
               ,
               and
               do
               this
               or
               that
               .
            
          
           
             And
             Experience
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Scripture
             ,
             assures
             us
             ,
             
             that
             
               every
               Man
               walks
               in
               a
               vain
               shew
            
             ;
             and
             that
             Man
             (
             in
             this
             respect
             )
             
               even
               at
               his
               best
               Estate
               is
               altogether
               Vanity
               :
            
             
             That
             some
             
               die
               in
               their
               full
               strength
               ,
               
               being
               wholly
               at
               ease
               and
               quiet
               ;
               their
               Breasts
               being
               full
               of
               Milk
               ,
               and
               their
               Bones
               moisten'd
               with
               Marrow
               :
            
             As
             others
             
               die
               in
               the
               bitterness
               of
               their
               Souls
               ,
               and
               never
               eat
               with
               pleasure
               :
            
             That
             
               they
               lie
               down
               alike
               in
               the
               Dust
               ,
               and
               the
               Worms
               cover
               '
               em
               .
            
             'T
             is
             evident
             to
             every
             one's
             observation
             that
             Youth
             does
             not
             exempt
             us
             from
             Death
             ,
             nor
             ensure
             to
             us
             any
             farther
             portion
             of
             Time
             than
             what
             we
             at
             present
             enjoy
             .
             But
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             that
             the
             far
             greater
             number
             of
             Mankind
             go
             early
             to
             the
             Grave
             ;
             and
             for
             one
             that
             reaches
             to
             old
             Age
             a
             multitude
             fall
             short
             of
             it
             .
          
           
           
             Nor
             is
             it
             an
             uncommon
             thing
             for
             Persons
             of
             the
             most
             vigorous
             and
             hardy
             Constitution
             of
             Body
             to
             be
             suddenly
             snatch'd
             away
             into
             the
             other
             World
             by
             some
             violent
             Disease
             ,
             or
             otherwise
             :
             For
             so
             many
             fatal
             Strokes
             are
             we
             obnoxious
             to
             ;
             and
             so
             frail
             is
             the
             Texture
             of
             our
             
               Earthly
               Tabernacle
            
             ,
             that
             some
             of
             the
             least
             and
             most
             contemptible
             things
             in
             the
             World
             are
             capable
             of
             giving
             it
             a
             mortal
             shock
             ;
             and
             the
             very
             Pores
             of
             the
             Skin
             sometimes
             prove
             Breaches
             wide
             enough
             for
             
               the
               King
               of
               Terrors
            
             to
             enter
             in
             at
             .
             
          
           
             This
             is
             well
             enough
             known
             ,
             and
             often
             enough
             thought
             upon
             by
             the
             generality
             of
             Men
             ,
             to
             engage
             them
             to
             use
             Precautions
             to
             secure
             themselves
             or
             their
             Posterity
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             they
             can
             ,
             from
             the
             prejudice
             their
             temporal
             Affairs
             might
             otherwise
             receive
             from
             sudden
             Death
             .
             And
             the
             Rate
             an
             
               Estate
               for
               Life
            
             is
             usually
             valued
             at
             ,
             sufficiently
             shews
             ,
             that
             to
             such
             purposes
             as
             these
             Men
             need
             not
             be
             
               taught
               to
               know
               their
               End
            
             ,
             
             and
             the
             measure
             of
             their
             Days
             what
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             they
             
               may
               know
               how
               frail
            
             they
             are
             .
          
           
           
             And
             if
             there
             be
             no
             comparison
             between
             Earth
             and
             Heaven
             ,
             between
             the
             uncertain
             Wealth
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             durable
             Riches
             of
             the
             other
             ,
             between
             this
             Life
             and
             that
             which
             is
             
               to
               come
            
             :
             Then
             't
             is
             infinitely
             more
             imprudent
             for
             a
             Man
             to
             neglect
             but
             for
             a
             moment
             ,
             
             to
             
               make
               his
               Calling
               and
               Election
               sure
               ,
            
             (
             whatever
             future
             Time
             here
             his
             Youth
             and
             Strength
             may
             seem
             to
             promise
             )
             than
             for
             him
             carelesly
             to
             suffer
             the
             security
             of
             his
             temporal
             Estate
             to
             depend
             merely
             on
             the
             uncertain
             Life
             of
             
               another
               Man
            
             ,
             when
             he
             need
             not
             put
             it
             to
             that
             hazard
             ;
             or
             to
             expose
             his
             Posterity
             to
             Poverty
             and
             Misery
             by
             omitting
             to
             make
             due
             provision
             for
             them
             against
             his
             own
             Mortality
             ,
             when
             he
             has
             a
             fair
             opportunity
             of
             doing
             it
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             Folly
             and
             Madness
             to
             leave
             that
             undone
             
               to
               day
            
             ,
             which
             must
             be
             done
             at
             one
             time
             or
             other
             ,
             or
             else
             we
             are
             ruin'd
             for
             ever
             ,
             and
             which
             may
             (
             for
             ought
             we
             know
             )
             be
             impossible
             to
             be
             perform'd
             
               to
               morrow
            
             :
             To
             neglect
             to
             improve
             the
             present
             Time
             in
             doing
             that
             on
             which
             our
             eternal
             Bliss
             depends
             ;
             when
             the
             precious
             opportunity
             of
             doing
             it
             may
             the
             next
             moment
             by
             sudden
             Death
             or
             some
             
             stupifying
             Disease
             become
             irreparable
             .
          
           
             Even
             the
             Impious
             Atheist
             ,
             and
             the
             Profane
             
               Epicure
               make
            
             speedy
             
               provision
               for
               the
               Flesh
               to
               fulfil
               the
               Lusts
               thereof
            
             ;
             
             from
             the
             consideration
             of
             the
             shortness
             and
             uncertainty
             of
             their
             Time
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             seek
             to
             gratify
             and
             indulge
             their
             Senses
             
               to
               day
            
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             not
             sure
             of
             doing
             it
             
               to
               morrow
               .
               
               Let
               us
               eat
               and
               drink
            
             (
             say
             they
             )
             
               for
               to
               morrow
               we
               shall
               die
               :
            
             
             And
             they
             have
             so
             far
             reason
             on
             their
             side
             ,
             in
             that
             they
             act
             in
             Conformity
             to
             their
             Principles
             ,
             because
             their
             Hope
             is
             only
             in
             this
             Life
             ,
             and
             they
             profess
             not
             to
             expect
             another
             .
             How
             unaccountably
             stupid
             then
             are
             they
             ,
             who
             tho
             they
             believe
             there
             is
             a
             future
             State
             after
             this
             Life
             ,
             
             and
             tho
             they
             
               know
               that
               they
               shall
               die
            
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             know
             not
             how
             soon
             ,
             yet
             in
             their
             vain
             Imaginations
             
               put
               the
               evil
               Day
               of
               Death
               afar
               off
               ,
            
             
             and
             defer
             from
             time
             to
             time
             the
             great
             Work
             of
             
               laying
               up
               Treasure
               in
               Heaven
            
             ,
             
             till
             the
             Season
             of
             doing
             it
             is
             irretrievably
             lost
             !
             
             And
             in
             vain
             is
             so
             precious
             a
             Talent
             as
             Time
             
               put
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               such
               Fools
               ,
               
               who
               have
               no
               heart
               to
               improve
               it
               .
            
          
           
           
             If
             the
             wise
             Man
             argues
             rightly
             when
             he
             excites
             to
             diligence
             even
             in
             the
             ordinary
             Affairs
             of
             this
             Life
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             speedy
             approach
             of
             Death
             :
             This
             Reason
             infinitely
             multiplies
             its
             force
             when
             apply'd
             to
             our
             present
             purpose
             ,
             and
             may
             therefore
             most
             fitly
             be
             used
             to
             stir
             us
             up
             to
             an
             early
             and
             diligent
             improvement
             of
             the
             Time
             of
             Youth
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             
             
               Whatsoever
               thy
               hand
               findeth
               to
               do
            
             (
             says
             he
             )
             
               do
               it
               with
               thy
               Might
               ;
               for
               there
               is
               no
               Work
               ,
               nor
               Device
               ,
               nor
               Knowledg
               ,
               nor
               Wisdom
               in
               the
               Grave
               ,
               whither
               Thou
               goest
               —
               For
               Man
               also
               knoweth
               not
               his
               Time
               :
               
               as
               the
               Fishes
               that
               are
               taken
               in
               an
               evil
               Net
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               Birds
               that
               are
               caught
               in
               the
               Snare
               ;
               so
               are
               the
               Sons
               of
               Men
               snared
               in
               an
               evil
               Time
               ,
               when
               it
               falleth
               suddenly
               upon
               them
               .
            
             'T
             is
             therefore
             our
             prudence
             and
             interest
             ,
             
             to
             
               work
               while
               't
               is
               day
            
             ,
             seeing
             we
             know
             not
             how
             soon
             
               the
               night
            
             may
             
               come
               upon
            
             us
             ,
             
               wherein
               no
               Man
               can
               work
            
             .
             But
             further
             ,
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             If
             our
             Time
             were
             in
             our
             own
             hands
             ,
             
             as
             it
             is
             in
             the
             hand
             of
             God
             ,
             so
             that
             we
             could
             extend
             it
             many
             Years
             beyond
             the
             ordinary
             Course
             of
             Life
             ;
             or
             if
             we
             had
             the
             certain
             fore-knowledg
             of
             the
             limits
             which
             the
             Almighty
             has
             fix'd
             to
             
             
             our
             Days
             ,
             
             if
             we
             knew
             
               the
               number
               of
               our
               Months
            
             ,
             and
             any
             of
             us
             could
             read
             our selves
             antient
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             the
             Divine
             Decrees
             ,
             this
             could
             by
             no
             means
             justify
             or
             excuse
             our
             Negligence
             ,
             if
             we
             should
             thereupon
             presume
             to
             delay
             our
             Conversion
             till
             towards
             the
             Close
             of
             our
             Time
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             uncertainty
             of
             the
             continuance
             of
             the
             Day
             of
             God's
             Patience
             and
             Grace
             .
             For
             as
             the
             Days
             of
             our
             Lives
             are
             uncertain
             ,
             so
             is
             the
             Day
             of
             Grace
             too
             ;
             and
             as
             those
             are
             very
             short
             ,
             so
             this
             may
             be
             much
             shorter
             ,
             
             and
             we
             may
             soon
             out-live
             
               the
               Time
               of
               our
               Visitation
            
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             
             and
             so
             
               the
               things
               that
               belong
               to
            
             our
             Peace
             may
             be
             finally
             
               hidden
               from
               our
               Eyes
            
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             infinite
             Mercy
             in
             the
             Great
             and
             Holy
             God
             to
             give
             a
             wretched
             Sinner
             one
             Smile
             ,
             one
             single
             offer
             of
             Reconciliation
             ;
             and
             't
             is
             great
             Ingratitude
             and
             Folly
             in
             a
             guilty
             Creature
             but
             once
             to
             refuse
             to
             hearken
             to
             so
             Gracious
             a
             Call.
             But
             what
             words
             can
             express
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Condescension
             of
             the
             Almighty
             to
             a
             miserable
             Worm
             ,
             when
             he
             importunately
             repeats
             the
             Terms
             of
             Peace
             to
             invite
             ,
             
             nay
             to
             beseech
             him
             
               to
               be
               reconciled
               to
               him
            
             !
             And
             how
             provoking
             must
             the
             
             guilt
             of
             that
             Sinner
             be
             ,
             who
             ,
             after
             all
             this
             kindness
             of
             God
             towards
             him
             ,
             stops
             his
             Ears
             at
             his
             Counsel
             ,
             
             like
             
               the
               deaf
               Adder
               that
               will
               not
               hearken
               to
               the
               Voice
               of
               Charmers
               ,
               charming
               never
               so
               wisely
               !
            
             And
             therefore
             't
             is
             not
             to
             be
             wonder'd
             at
             ,
             if
             his
             abused
             Patience
             and
             Mercy
             be
             turn'd
             into
             Indignation
             and
             Wrath
             :
             And
             thus
             it
             often
             comes
             to
             pass
             ,
             
             Because
             Men
             
               receive
               not
               the
               love
               of
               the
               Truth
               ,
               that
               they
               might
               be
               saved
               ;
               God
               sends
               them
               strong
               Delusion
               ,
               that
               they
               should
               believe
               a
               Lie
               ,
               and
               that
               they
               all
               may
               be
               damned
               ,
               who
               believe
               not
               the
               Truth
               ,
               but
               have
               pleasure
               in
               Vnrighteousness
               .
            
             
             And
             
               the
               Word
            
             of
             God
             instead
             of
             being
             
               the
               savour
               of
               Life
               unto
               Life
               ,
            
             
             becomes
             
               the
               savour
               of
               Death
               unto
               Death
            
             to
             them
             .
             
             Thus
             the
             Righteous
             God
             
               sets
               his
               Face
               against
            
             them
             that
             
               stiffen
               their
               Necks
               against
            
             him
             ,
             
             and
             
               hardens
               their
               Hearts
            
             in
             Judgment
             ,
             
             who
             themselves
             have
             
               harden'd
               them
            
             against
             the
             offers
             of
             Mercy
             .
             
             If
             the
             declining
             Church
             of
             Ephesus
             was
             threaten'd
             with
             the
             removal
             of
             her
             Candlestick
             ,
             
             in
             case
             she
             refus'd
             to
             hearken
             to
             the
             Voice
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             
             when
             he
             call'd
             her
             to
             Repentance
             ;
             how
             justly
             may
             every
             impenitent
             Sinner
             fear
             the
             speedy
             ending
             of
             the
             
             Day
             of
             Grace
             to
             him
             ?
             And
             if
             at
             one
             Sermon
             of
             the
             Apostle
             
             Paul's
             ,
             
             as
             some
             of
             the
             Iews
             ,
             his
             Auditors
             ,
             were
             converted
             ,
             so
             others
             of
             them
             were
             judicially
             sealed
             up
             in
             
               hardness
               of
               heart
            
             ,
             and
             
               blindness
               of
               mind
            
             ,
             (
             the
             most
             dreadful
             punishment
             on
             this
             side
             Hell
             )
             and
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             which
             they
             had
             rejected
             and
             despis'd
             ,
             was
             suddenly
             snatch'd
             from
             them
             to
             be
             carried
             to
             the
             ignorant
             Heathen
             :
             Is
             it
             not
             still
             to
             be
             fear'd
             ,
             that
             they
             that
             defer
             to
             yield
             themselves
             
               to
               the
               obedience
               of
               Faith
            
             ,
             
             when
             the
             glad
             Tidings
             of
             Salvation
             have
             been
             again
             and
             again
             publish'd
             to
             them
             ,
             
             may
             utterly
             
               fall
               short
            
             of
             Happiness
             by
             this
             their
             Obstinacy
             and
             Vnbelief
             ?
             
             And
             if
             
               profane
               Esau
               ,
               who
               for
               one
               morsel
               of
               Meat
               sold
               his
               Birth-right
               ,
               was
               afterwards
               rejected
               ,
               when
               he
               would
               have
               inherited
               the
               Blessing
               ,
               and
               found
               no
               place
               of
               Repentance
               ,
               tho
               he
               sought
               it
               carefully
               with
               Tears
            
             ;
             How
             justly
             may
             God
             reject
             them
             ,
             
             who
             have
             often
             
               resisted
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Grace
            
             ?
             
             And
             suffer
             them
             
               to
               mourn
               at
               last
            
             without
             pity
             in
             their
             greatest
             Distress
             ,
             
             who
             have
             often
             griev'd
             the
             
               Holy
               Spirit
            
             in
             gratifying
             their
             sinful
             Inclinations
             ?
             And
             seeing
             he
             has
             said
             his
             
               Spirit
               shall
               not
               always
               strive
               with
               Men
               ,
            
             
             who
             
             knows
             how
             soon
             he
             may
             
               shut
               up
               his
               tender
               Mercies
               in
               Displeasure
            
             against
             those
             that
             have
             long
             rebell'd
             against
             him
             ;
             
             and
             
               swear
               in
               his
               Wrath
               ,
               
               that
               they
            
             shall
             
               never
               enter
               into
               his
               Rest
            
             ?
             
             How
             soon
             he
             may
             accomplish
             that
             terrible
             Threatening
             he
             has
             pronounc'd
             against
             the
             Impenitent
             ,
             
               He
               that
               hardens
               his
               Neck
               ,
               
               being
               often
               reprov'd
               ,
               shall
               suddenly
               be
               destroy'd
               ,
               and
               that
               without
               Remedy
               ?
            
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             There
             is
             not
             only
             a
             possibility
             or
             a
             bare
             likelihood
             of
             the
             expiration
             of
             the
             Day
             of
             Grace
             ,
             to
             those
             that
             spend
             the
             best
             of
             their
             Time
             in
             Rebellion
             against
             their
             Maker
             ,
             before
             they
             arrive
             at
             old
             Age
             :
             But
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             there
             is
             only
             a
             possibility
             ,
             and
             no
             likelihood
             ,
             that
             the
             
               Holy
               Spirit
            
             should
             continue
             to
             strive
             with
             them
             at
             the
             winding
             up
             of
             their
             Days
             ,
             who
             through
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             their
             Time
             have
             resisted
             his
             Counsels
             and
             Motions
             .
             And
             't
             is
             not
             only
             Reason
             that
             furnishes
             us
             with
             proofs
             of
             this
             from
             the
             Soveraignty
             and
             Justice
             of
             God
             consider'd
             with
             the
             great
             Aggravations
             of
             Impenitency
             under
             the
             means
             of
             Grace
             ,
             or
             the
             Threatnings
             in
             the
             Holy
             Scripture
             that
             plainly
             include
             this
             danger
             ,
             (
             as
             appears
             from
             the
             last
             Head
             insisted
             on
             )
             but
             
             Experience
             joins
             issue
             in
             this
             matter
             ,
             and
             evinces
             that
             what
             our
             Saviour
             says
             of
             
               Rich
               Men
            
             ,
             may
             with
             as
             much
             reason
             and
             force
             be
             applied
             to
             
               old
               Sinners
            
             ,
             namely
             ,
             That
             
               't
               is
               easier
               for
               a
               Camel
               to
               pass
               through
               the
               eye
               of
               a
               Needle
               ,
               
               than
            
             for
             such
             
               to
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               .
            
             And
             if
             this
             Saying
             seem
             severe
             to
             any
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             these
             last
             ,
             as
             it
             did
             to
             the
             Disciples
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
             in
             regard
             of
             the
             other
             ,
             it
             cannot
             justly
             be
             soften'd
             with
             any
             farther
             addition
             than
             that
             which
             our
             Saviour
             subjoin'd
             to
             qualify
             his
             words
             in
             the
             first
             case
             ,
             
             viz.
             That
             
               nothing
               is
               impossible
               with
               God.
            
             'T
             is
             a
             thing
             possible
             ,
             because
             all
             things
             are
             so
             to
             God
             ,
             but
             very
             unlikely
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             be
             often
             expected
             ;
             and
             when
             at
             any
             time
             it
             comes
             to
             pass
             ,
             God
             may
             be
             said
             to
             make
             a
             step
             out
             of
             the
             ordinary
             method
             of
             the
             Dispensation
             of
             his
             Grace
             ,
             somewhat
             like
             that
             he
             makes
             ,
             when
             he
             works
             a
             Miracle
             in
             the
             Sphere
             of
             Nature
             .
             In
             this
             matter
             (
             I
             say
             )
             one
             may
             safely
             appeal
             to
             Experience
             .
             Let
             any
             one
             that
             is
             acquainted
             with
             a
             considerable
             number
             of
             pious
             and
             aged
             Persons
             ,
             ask
             each
             of
             them
             from
             what
             time
             he
             dates
             his
             Conversion
             ;
             and
             for
             one
             that
             has
             had
             that
             happy
             Change
             
             wrought
             on
             his
             Soul
             ,
             since
             he
             became
             Old
             ,
             he
             shall
             find
             many
             that
             turn'd
             to
             God
             in
             the
             strength
             and
             verdure
             of
             their
             Youth
             .
          
           
             And
             can
             there
             be
             a
             greater
             instance
             given
             then
             of
             the
             
               deceitfulness
               of
               Sin
            
             ,
             
             and
             of
             the
             bewitching
             power
             it
             has
             over
             the
             common
             Sense
             and
             Reason
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             than
             we
             have
             in
             the
             vain
             promises
             of
             Repentance
             in
             old
             Age
             ,
             wherewith
             so
             many
             flatter
             themselves
             ,
             and
             by
             which
             they
             seem
             to
             hope
             to
             render
             God
             propitious
             to
             them
             ?
             Is
             any
             kind
             of
             Folly
             so
             great
             in
             its
             Degree
             ,
             or
             so
             dangerous
             in
             its
             Consequences
             as
             this
             ?
             For
             Mortals
             to
             lull
             themselves
             asleep
             in
             Sin
             ,
             and
             sing
             a
             stupifying
             Requiem
             to
             their
             Souls
             ,
             while
             they
             hang
             on
             the
             brink
             of
             eternal
             Perdition
             ,
             when
             their
             vain
             Hope
             has
             merely
             this
             uncertain
             foundation
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             a
             
               bare
               possibility
            
             ,
             that
             their
             
               old
               Age
               may
               be
            
             accepted
             of
             God
             ,
             tho
             they
             spend
             their
             Youth
             in
             sinning
             against
             him
             ?
             What
             an
             unparallel'd
             presumption
             !
             For
             a
             Man
             to
             neglect
             to
             make
             provision
             for
             his
             everlasting
             Bliss
             at
             present
             ,
             only
             because
             't
             is
             not
             absolutely
             impossible
             that
             he
             may
             do
             it
             in
             time
             
               to
               come
            
             :
             To
             refuse
             the
             present
             improvement
             of
             the
             Time
             of
             Grace
             God
             
             is
             now
             pleas'd
             to
             allow
             him
             ,
             because
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             can
             afford
             him
             the
             like
             advantage
             hereafter
             ;
             tho
             't
             is
             very
             improbable
             that
             he
             will
             grant
             it
             to
             so
             presumptuous
             a
             Criminal
             !
             Will
             any
             Man
             fall
             without
             fear
             upon
             the
             point
             of
             his
             Sword
             ,
             because
             't
             is
             possible
             he
             may
             not
             receive
             a
             
               mortal
               Wound
            
             by
             it
             ?
             Is
             any
             Man
             so
             mad
             as
             to
             poison
             himself
             with
             the
             most
             subtile
             Venom
             ,
             because
             he
             thinks
             there
             is
             some
             possibility
             of
             his
             obtaining
             an
             Antidote
             ?
             Or
             will
             any
             one
             in
             his
             Wits
             carelesly
             suffer
             his
             Body
             to
             languish
             under
             a
             violent
             Disease
             ,
             without
             seeking
             for
             Cure
             ,
             till
             his
             strength
             is
             almost
             quite
             exhausted
             ,
             and
             he
             's
             ready
             to
             expire
             ,
             thinking
             himself
             secure
             enough
             of
             Recovery
             ,
             because
             't
             is
             not
             utterly
             impossible
             ,
             that
             a
             Man
             may
             be
             restor'd
             to
             Health
             when
             almost
             reduc'd
             to
             the
             last
             Gasp
             by
             violent
             Sickness
             ?
             No
             ,
             Men
             are
             more
             careful
             of
             their
             Bodies
             than
             to
             hazard
             'em
             at
             this
             rate
             ,
             how
             careless
             soever
             they
             are
             of
             their
             Souls
             :
             They
             are
             prudent
             in
             the
             Affairs
             of
             
               this
               Life
            
             ,
             but
             act
             after
             the
             most
             absurd
             and
             improvident
             manner
             ,
             about
             the
             great
             Concerns
             of
             
               the
               World
               to
               come
            
             .
          
           
           
             But
             whether
             we
             will
             act
             reasonably
             or
             no
             ,
             what
             has
             been
             argu'd
             does
             abundantly
             demonstrate
             that
             it
             is
             both
             highly
             reasonable
             and
             advantageous
             for
             young
             Persons
             to
             devote
             themselves
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             their
             
               Creator
               in
               the
               Days
               of
               their
               Youth
            
             ;
             and
             that
             't
             is
             as
             dangerous
             as
             't
             is
             unreasonable
             to
             defer
             that
             important
             Work
             to
             the
             Days
             of
             
               old
               Age
            
             ,
             which
             are
             very
             uncertain
             ,
             in
             that
             we
             know
             not
             whether
             we
             shall
             attain
             them
             or
             not
             ;
             and
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             ,
             will
             prove
             so
             evil
             ,
             if
             this
             great
             Business
             of
             our
             Lives
             be
             till
             then
             neglected
             ,
             that
             we
             shall
             have
             occasion
             to
             complain
             that
             we
             
               have
               no
               pleasure
               in
               them
            
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             now
             endeavour
             to
             improve
             the
             things
             I
             have
             insisted
             on
             ,
             by
             way
             of
             Application
             .
          
           
             And
             shall
             address
             my self
             ;
          
           
             1.
             
             To
             those
             that
             are
             advanc'd
             in
             Years
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             To
             those
             who
             have
             not
             yet
             exceeded
             the
             Days
             of
             Youth
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             As
             for
             you
             that
             are
             advanc'd
             in
             Years
             :
          
           
           
             What
             has
             been
             said
             must
             needs
             offer
             you
             an
             occasion
             to
             enquire
             of
             your
             own
             Consciences
             ,
             Whether
             you
             have
             dedicated
             your selves
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             not
             ?
             Whether
             you
             have
             yet
             
               remember'd
               your
               Creator
            
             in
             the
             sense
             of
             our
             Text
             ,
             and
             are
             truly
             converted
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             If
             you
             have
             not
             so
             remember'd
             him
             ,
             consider
             ,
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             How
             extremely
             dangerous
             your
             Case
             is
             .
             Can
             you
             be
             secure
             on
             the
             very
             brink
             of
             Destruction
             ?
             Surely
             't
             is
             more
             than
             
               high
               time
            
             for
             you
             
               to
               awake
               ,
               
               lest
               you
               sleep
               the
               sleep
               of
               Death
               .
            
             It
             will
             be
             a
             Miracle
             of
             Grace
             ,
             
             if
             ever
             you
             be
             
               recover'd
               out
               of
               the
               Snare
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               
               who
               have
               been
            
             so
             long
             
               led
               Captive
               by
               him
               at
               his
               Will.
            
             It
             has
             been
             your
             great
             folly
             to
             defer
             to
             
               Lay
               up
               in
               store
               for
               your selves
               a
               good
               foundation
               against
               the
               Time
               to
               come
               ,
            
             
             till
             now
             ;
             but
             your
             folly
             in
             deferring
             it
             longer
             will
             still
             increase
             together
             with
             your
             guilt
             and
             danger
             ;
             of
             which
             if
             you
             are
             sensible
             ,
             seek
             immediately
             to
             escape
             :
             
               Fly
               from
               the
               Wrath
               to
               come
               ,
            
             
             which
             is
             hastening
             toward
             you
             ;
             for
             tho
             you
             may
             carelesly
             slumber
             ,
             
             
               your
               Damnation
               slumbers
               not
            
             ,
             but
             will
             soon
             overtake
             you
             ,
             if
             
             you
             don
             't
             speedily
             
               awake
               to
               righteousness
            
             ,
             
             and
             to
             the
             serious
             remembrance
             of
             your
             Creator
             ;
             
             for
             
               the
               Wicked
               shall
               be
               turned
               into
               Hell
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Nations
               that
               FORGET
               God.
            
             If
             any
             of
             you
             have
             vainly
             flatter'd
             your selves
             all
             your
             Days
             with
             the
             presumptuous
             thoughts
             of
             having
             still
             time
             enough
             before
             you
             for
             the
             great
             Work
             of
             your
             Conversion
             :
             Let
             me
             warn
             and
             exhort
             every
             such
             person
             in
             the
             words
             of
             the
             Apostle
             Peter
             to
             
               Simon
               Magus
               ;
               
               Repent
               of
               this
               thy
               Wickedness
               ,
               and
               pray
               God
               ,
               if
               perhaps
               the
               thought
               of
               thine
               Heart
               may
               be
               forgiven
               thee
               ;
               For
               I
               perceive
               that
               thou
               art
               in
               the
               gall
               of
               Bitterness
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               bond
               of
               Iniquity
               .
            
             And
             
               to
               Day
               ,
               while
               't
               is
               call'd
               to
               Day
               ,
            
             remember
             your
             Maker
             ,
             
             
               lest
               any
               of
               you
               be
            
             further
             
               harden'd
               through
               the
               deceitfulness
               of
               Sin.
               
            
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             If
             you
             are
             convinc'd
             of
             the
             folly
             and
             sinfulness
             of
             your
             Neglect
             ;
             Do
             not
             absolutely
             conclude
             ,
             't
             is
             now
             too
             late
             to
             obtain
             Mercy
             ,
             nor
             continue
             that
             neglect
             by
             Despair
             ,
             which
             you
             have
             long
             persisted
             in
             by
             Presumption
             .
             As
             you
             cannot
             set
             limits
             to
             the
             Iustice
             of
             God
             ,
             so
             neither
             can
             you
             measure
             his
             Long-suffering
             and
             Goodness
             :
             Therefore
             you
             ought
             
             not
             now
             to
             say
             ,
             
             
               His
               Mercies
               are
               quite
               gone
               for
               ever
               ,
               and
               he
               will
               be
               favourable
               no
               more
               .
            
             Encourage
             your selves
             to
             turn
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             rely
             on
             his
             Mercy
             ,
             at
             least
             with
             the
             same
             Argument
             the
             famish'd
             Lepers
             us'd
             to
             engage
             one
             another
             to
             throw
             themselves
             on
             the
             Compassion
             of
             the
             Syrian
             Army
             .
             
             
               Why
               sit
               we
               here
            
             (
             say
             they
             )
             
               until
               we
               Die
               ?
               If
               we
               say
               we
               will
               enter
               into
               the
               City
               ,
               then
               the
               Famine
               is
               in
               the
               City
               ,
               and
               we
               shall
               Die
               there
               :
               And
               if
               we
               sit
               still
               here
               ,
               we
               Die
               also
               .
               Now
               therefore
               come
               ,
               and
               let
               us
               fall
               unto
               the
               Host
               of
               the
               Syrians
               ;
               if
               they
               save
               us
               alive
               ,
               we
               shall
               Live
               ,
               and
               if
               they
               kill
               us
               ,
               we
               shall
               but
               Die.
            
             Reason
             with
             your selves
             after
             the
             like
             manner
             .
             Why
             sit
             we
             still
             in
             a
             state
             of
             the
             greatest
             danger
             ?
             If
             after
             the
             sense
             of
             our
             danger
             ,
             we
             return
             to
             our
             former
             Course
             of
             Life
             ,
             we
             must
             perish
             ;
             if
             we
             remain
             in
             our
             present
             posture
             ,
             and
             neglect
             to
             try
             the
             
               Father
               of
               Mercies
            
             ,
             whether
             he
             will
             commiserate
             such
             inveterate
             Sinners
             ,
             we
             inevitably
             perish
             too
             .
             Let
             us
             cast
             our selves
             at
             his
             Feet
             ;
             if
             he
             'll
             save
             us
             ,
             we
             shall
             live
             eternally
             ;
             if
             he
             refuse
             ,
             we
             can
             but
             perish
             .
             Say
             as
             David
             did
             (
             in
             another
             case
             ,
             )
             
             
               It
               may
               be
               the
               LORD
               will
               look
               on
               our
               Affliction
               .
            
             Venture
             to
             
             prostrate
             your selves
             at
             the
             Throne
             of
             Grace
             ,
             
             as
             Queen
             Esther
             did
             at
             the
             Feet
             of
             the
             Persian
             Monarch
             ,
             with
             an
             (
             
               If
               I
               perish
               ,
               I
               perish
            
             )
             :
             And
             who
             knows
             ,
             but
             the
             Scepter
             of
             Divine
             Mercy
             may
             yet
             tender
             you
             a
             Pardon
             ?
             'T
             is
             possible
             that
             the
             Prodigal
             may
             be
             accepted
             ,
             tho
             he
             return
             late
             to
             his
             Father's
             House
             ;
             
             and
             that
             God
             may
             place
             you
             among
             the
             rare
             Instances
             of
             his
             free
             and
             soveraign
             Grace
             .
             And
             if
             you
             are
             deeply
             sensible
             of
             your
             past
             Iniquity
             ,
             and
             earnestly
             groan
             for
             a
             Change
             in
             your
             Souls
             ,
             for
             a
             New
             and
             Pure
             Heart
             and
             
               a
               right
               Spirit
            
             ;
             
             't
             is
             to
             be
             hop'd
             ,
             that
             God
             ,
             whose
             Compassions
             are
             infinite
             ,
             has
             now
             at
             last
             open'd
             your
             Eyes
             ,
             that
             you
             might
             not
             
               sleep
               the
               sleep
               of
            
             eternal
             Death
             ;
             
             has
             made
             you
             
               hunger
               and
               thirst
               after
               Righteousness
            
             ,
             
             with
             a
             design
             to
             satisfy
             you
             ,
             and
             has
             wounded
             your
             Spirits
             by
             a
             
               Godly
               Sorrow
            
             ,
             
             with
             a
             purpose
             to
             heal
             them
             with
             
               the
               Oil
               of
               Ioy
            
             ,
             
             with
             the
             
               Comforts
               of
               his
               Free
               Spirit
            
             .
             
             You
             have
             run
             a
             strange
             Venture
             to
             delay
             a
             Work
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             and
             of
             this
             consequence
             till
             now
             ;
             but
             if
             God
             has
             given
             you
             deep
             and
             serious
             Repentance
             ,
             he
             designs
             you
             favour
             ;
             and
             your
             Contrition
             give
             hope
             of
             a
             Pardon
             .
             
             
               Let
               the
               wicked
               forsake
               his
               Way
               ,
               
               and
               the
               unrighteous
               Man
               his
               Thoughts
               ,
               and
               let
               him
               return
               unto
               the
               LORD
               ,
               and
               he
               will
               have
               Mercy
               on
               him
               ,
               and
               to
               our
               God
               ,
               for
               he
               will
               abundantly
               pardon
               .
            
             But
          
           
             2.
             
             If
             you
             are
             truly
             converted
             ,
             't
             is
             your
             Happiness
             and
             Honour
             .
             
             
               The
               hoary
               Head
               is
               a
               Crown
               of
               Glory
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               found
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Righteousness
               .
            
          
           
             But
             did
             you
             consecrate
             to
             your
             Creator
             the
             Flower
             of
             your
             Youth
             ?
             Or
             have
             you
             only
             offer'd
             him
             your
             later
             Years
             ?
          
           
             It
             may
             be
             ,
             
             you
             began
             to
             
               work
               in
               his
               Vineyard
            
             but
             
               at
               the
               Tenth
            
             or
             
               Eleventh
               Hour
            
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             since
             your
             Sun
             has
             been
             declining
             .
             If
             so
             ,
             then
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             Admire
             and
             adore
             that
             Grace
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             kept
             back
             your
             feet
             from
             Destruction
             ,
             when
             you
             were
             ready
             to
             step
             into
             eternal
             Misery
             ,
             and
             indulgently
             pluck'd
             you
             out
             of
             the
             way
             of
             approaching
             Ruine
             ,
             
             as
             the
             blessed
             Angels
             did
             Lot
             ,
             to
             secure
             him
             from
             the
             impending
             Shower
             of
             Fire
             and
             Brimstone
             ,
             which
             threaten'd
             Sodom
             ,
             when
             
               he
               linger'd
            
             in
             that
             vicious
             and
             accursed
             City
             .
             How
             can
             you
             choose
             but
             reflect
             with
             astonishment
             on
             the
             Danger
             you
             have
             
             escap'd
             ,
             and
             bless
             that
             Divine
             Hand
             that
             kindly
             diverted
             you
             from
             that
             presumptuous
             Course
             ,
             that
             was
             ready
             to
             cast
             you
             on
             a
             Rock
             ,
             on
             which
             you
             have
             seen
             so
             many
             dash
             themselves
             in
             pieces
             .
             Praise
             him
             (
             I
             say
             )
             
               who
               has
               sav'd
               you
               from
               so
               great
               ,
            
             
             and
             so
             near
             
               a
               Death
            
             ;
             and
             remember'd
             you
             in
             Mercy
             ,
             when
             you
             had
             
               forgotten
               him
               Days
               without
               number
            
             .
             
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             Let
             the
             sincerity
             of
             your
             Thankfulness
             ,
             and
             of
             your
             Repentance
             too
             appear
             ,
             by
             the
             improvement
             of
             that
             little
             portion
             of
             Time
             which
             you
             have
             yet
             remaining
             .
             
               Redeem
               your
               Time
            
             ,
             
             now
             at
             least
             ,
             
               because
               the
               Days
               are
               evil
            
             .
             Improve
             the
             evil
             Days
             of
             old
             Age
             with
             the
             utmost
             Diligence
             ,
             since
             the
             better
             Days
             of
             Youth
             are
             past
             recalling
             .
             Evidence
             both
             to
             your selves
             and
             to
             others
             ,
             that
             your
             late
             Repentance
             is
             true
             ,
             by
             such
             an
             industrious
             management
             of
             your
             remaining
             Days
             ,
             as
             may
             convince
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             no
             small
             grief
             of
             Heart
             to
             you
             ,
             that
             your
             Repentance
             was
             so
             late
             .
             Recover
             your
             lost
             Time
             as
             much
             as
             possible
             by
             your
             present
             diligence
             ,
             and
             let
             none
             of
             your
             precious
             Moments
             for
             the
             future
             be
             heedlesly
             expended
             ,
             
             but
             husband
             'em
             well
             in
             
               working
               out
               your
               Salvation
               with
               
               fear
               and
               trembling
               .
            
             Let
             your
             frequent
             hours
             ,
             and
             acts
             of
             Devotion
             ,
             make
             up
             the
             long
             want
             your selves
             have
             had
             of
             those
             sacred
             Privileges
             that
             attend
             the
             Exercises
             of
             Holy
             Worship
             ,
             and
             thereby
             make
             restitution
             (
             as
             much
             as
             in
             you
             lies
             )
             to
             your
             Creator
             ,
             for
             the
             Sacrilege
             you
             have
             often
             committed
             ,
             in
             robbing
             him
             of
             those
             pious
             Offerings
             ,
             those
             continual
             Sacrifices
             with
             which
             you
             should
             daily
             have
             furnished
             his
             Altar
             .
             Let
             your
             Example
             be
             as
             beneficial
             to
             Mankind
             ,
             as
             it
             has
             been
             injurious
             :
             And
             as
             you
             have
             tempted
             others
             to
             Sin
             ,
             strive
             now
             to
             incite
             them
             to
             Piety
             .
             If
             you
             bear
             the
             Character
             of
             Parents
             or
             Masters
             ,
             labour
             to
             convince
             those
             young
             Persons
             ,
             who
             are
             under
             the
             influence
             of
             your
             Counsel
             ,
             or
             the
             awe
             of
             your
             Authority
             ,
             of
             the
             great
             Advantages
             of
             an
             early
             Conversion
             :
             And
             let
             them
             know
             you
             now
             seriously
             lament
             the
             past
             Follies
             of
             your
             Youth
             :
             That
             as
             your
             ill
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             vicious
             Patterns
             have
             long
             made
             you
             
               Partakers
               of
               other
               Mens
               Sins
            
             ;
             
             so
             your
             Religious
             Exhortations
             and
             good
             Examples
             ,
             may
             obtain
             on
             your
             Acquaintance
             ,
             and
             those
             that
             are
             under
             your
             Conduct
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             intitle
             you
             (
             in
             some
             
             sort
             )
             to
             
               other
               Mens
               Vertues
            
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             remember
             that
             you
             are
             under
             a
             special
             Obligation
             ,
             that
             (
             as
             the
             Apostle
             speaks
             )
             
               you
               should
               no
               longer
               live
               the
               rest
               of
               your
               Time
               in
               the
               Flesh
               to
               the
               Lusts
               of
               Men
               ,
               
               but
               to
               the
               Will
               of
               God.
               For
               the
               Time
               past
               of
               your
               Life
               may
               suffice
               to
               have
               wrought
               the
               Will
               of
               the
               gentiles
               ,
               when
               ye
               walked
               in
               Lasciviousness
               ,
               Lusts
               ,
               excess
               of
               Wine
               ,
               Revellings
               ,
               Banquetings
               ,
               and
               abominable
               Idolatries
               .
            
          
           
             If
             your
             Case
             be
             otherwise
             ,
             and
             you
             began
             early
             to
             give
             your selves
             up
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             your
             Creator
             :
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             Bless
             and
             magnify
             that
             God
             who
             was
             
               the
               Guide
               of
               your
               Youth
            
             ;
             
             who
             wrought
             that
             happy
             Change
             on
             your
             Souls
             ,
             who
             were
             
               Children
               of
               Wrath
               by
               Nature
               as
               well
               as
               others
               .
            
             
             What
             copious
             Subjects
             of
             Praise
             will
             your
             Experience
             furnish
             you
             withal
             ,
             when
             you
             reflect
             on
             the
             long
             Series
             of
             Divine
             Favours
             ,
             that
             have
             attended
             you
             through
             the
             various
             Parts
             and
             Changes
             of
             Life
             !
             And
             what
             a
             pleasant
             Review
             may
             you
             take
             of
             a
             well-spent
             Life
             ,
             directed
             to
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             conducted
             by
             his
             Grace
             !
             What
             matter
             of
             thanksgiving
             may
             you
             find
             in
             the
             many
             Assurances
             of
             his
             Love
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Evidences
             of
             the
             Work
             of
             his
             Grace
             
             upon
             your
             Souls
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             frequent
             and
             familiar
             prospect
             he
             has
             given
             your
             Faith
             of
             that
             invisible
             and
             ineffable
             Glory
             you
             have
             been
             so
             long
             aspiring
             after
             ,
             and
             are
             now
             so
             near
             enjoying
             !
             You
             have
             reason
             to
             bless
             your
             Creator
             ,
             as
             well
             for
             preventing
             your
             commission
             of
             the
             many
             Sins
             you
             have
             escap'd
             ,
             as
             for
             forgiving
             of
             those
             you
             have
             committed
             :
             For
             preserving
             your
             Innocence
             on
             many
             occasions
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             for
             pardoning
             your
             Guilt
             on
             others
             ;
             for
             making
             you
             happy
             so
             soon
             by
             an
             early
             Conversion
             ,
             and
             for
             giving
             you
             the
             hope
             of
             a
             distinguishing
             Crown
             of
             Glory
             ;
             for
             honouring
             the
             best
             of
             your
             Time
             by
             accepting
             it
             in
             his
             Service
             ;
             and
             for
             sweetning
             the
             worst
             of
             it
             (
             the
             evil
             Days
             of
             old
             Age
             )
             with
             all
             the
             Comforts
             which
             the
             Reflection
             on
             a
             Life
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Joys
             which
             the
             prospect
             of
             a
             Life
             of
             Glory
             can
             inspire
             .
             
             Surely
             
               the
               high
               Praises
               of
               God
            
             should
             be
             
               in
               your
               Mouths
            
             ;
             for
             (
             to
             use
             the
             Words
             of
             Christ
             on
             that
             solemn
             occasion
             when
             his
             Disciples
             cry'd
             Hosanna
             to
             him
             )
             
               I
               tell
               you
               ,
               
               if
               you
               should
               hold
               your
               Peace
               ,
               the
               Stones
               would
               immediately
               cry
               out
               .
            
          
           
           
             (
             2.
             )
             You
             ought
             to
             manifest
             the
             truth
             of
             your
             early
             Conversion
             by
             the
             extent
             of
             your
             Knowledg
             in
             Divine
             Things
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             warmth
             of
             your
             Affection
             to
             them
             .
             
               I
               write
               unto
               you
               ,
               Fathers
               ,
            
             
             (
             says
             the
             Apostle
             
               Iohn
               )
               because
               you
               have
               known
               him
               that
               is
               from
               the
               beginning
               .
            
             Both
             God
             and
             Men
             expect
             that
             your
             growth
             both
             in
             Knowledg
             and
             in
             Grace
             ,
             should
             bear
             some
             proportion
             to
             the
             Time
             you
             have
             spent
             in
             the
             School
             of
             Christ
             ;
             that
             you
             should
             be
             the
             tallest
             Cedars
             in
             Lebanon
             ,
             that
             have
             been
             so
             long
             planted
             there
             ;
             and
             the
             most
             fruitful
             Vines
             ,
             that
             have
             been
             so
             often
             
               water'd
               with
               the
               River
               of
               God.
            
             Seeing
             you
             are
             not
             Babes
             ,
             
             either
             in
             regard
             of
             the
             time
             you
             have
             liv'd
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             or
             of
             that
             you
             have
             spent
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ;
             but
             Persons
             
               of
               full
               Age
               ,
               
               who
               by
               reason
               of
               use
            
             ought
             to
             
               have
               your
               Senses
               exercis'd
               to
               discern
               both
               good
               and
               evil
               :
            
             Let
             it
             not
             be
             said
             of
             you
             ,
             
             that
             
               when
               for
               the
               Time
               you
               ought
               to
               be
               Teachers
               ,
               you
               have
               need
               that
               one
               teach
               you
               again
               which
               be
               the
               first
               Principles
               of
               the
               Oracles
               of
               God
               ,
            
             and
             that
             you
             are
             again
             become
             such
             as
             
               have
               need
               of
               Milk
               and
               not
               of
               strong
               Meat
               :
            
             Or
             that
             you
             are
             of
             the
             number
             of
             those
             ,
             
             who
             are
             
               over
               learning
               ,
               
               and
               never
               able
               to
               come
               to
               the
               Knowledg
               of
               the
               Truth
               .
            
             You
             should
             be
             greatly
             mortified
             to
             this
             World
             ,
             who
             have
             a
             long
             time
             profess'd
             to
             be
             convinc'd
             of
             its
             Vanity
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             
               dying
               daily
               to
               it
            
             ;
             
             and
             who
             find
             old
             Age
             ready
             to
             transport
             you
             to
             the
             other
             .
             And
             since
             you
             have
             long
             pretended
             to
             have
             had
             your
             Conversation
             and
             business
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             
             certainly
             you
             ought
             to
             have
             gain'd
             much
             by
             that
             happy
             Commerce
             ;
             
             and
             to
             have
             laid
             up
             much
             Treasure
             in
             the
             Regions
             of
             Glory
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             have
             been
             
               rich
               in
               good
               Works
            
             here
             below
             :
             
             and
             you
             should
             be
             dextrous
             in
             putting
             on
             and
             handling
             the
             
               Christian
               Armour
            
             ,
             
             who
             have
             often
             had
             occasion
             to
             try
             it
             :
             And
             so
             skilful
             in
             defeating
             the
             Projects
             of
             your
             Adversary
             the
             Devil
             ,
             
             (
             since
             you
             are
             suppos'd
             not
             to
             be
             
               ignorant
               of
               his
               Devices
            
             )
             as
             after
             the
             sharpest
             Conflicts
             to
             become
             
               more
               than
               Conquerors
               through
               him
               that
               hath
               loved
            
             you
             .
             
          
           
             These
             things
             may
             reasonably
             be
             suppos'd
             and
             expected
             of
             you
             .
             But
             do
             you
             fill
             up
             these
             Characters
             that
             so
             well
             agree
             with
             your
             long
             standing
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ?
             Are
             you
             Fathers
             in
             Knowledg
             and
             Piety
             as
             well
             as
             in
             Years
             ?
             And
             is
             
             the
             size
             of
             your
             Spiritual
             Stature
             pro.
             portionate
             to
             the
             time
             of
             your
             Natural
             Life
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             of
             your
             Spiritual
             Life
             ,
             which
             commenc'd
             not
             long
             after
             the
             other
             ?
             Are
             you
             become
             very
             humble
             by
             a
             long
             acquaintance
             with
             your
             own
             Hearts
             ,
             and
             with
             that
             God
             who
             is
             
               the
               searcher
            
             of
             them
             ?
             
             Is
             your
             Faith
             become
             strong
             by
             a
             long
             exercise
             ?
             Your
             Hope
             firm
             by
             your
             long
             and
             familiar
             acquaintance
             with
             the
             Promises
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             with
             him
             
               in
               whom
               all
               those
               Promises
               are
            
             Yea
             and
             Amen
             [
             True
             and
             Faithful
             ]
             ?
             
             Have
             your
             various
             Afflictions
             taught
             you
             to
             
               possess
               your
               Souls
               in
               Patience
            
             ?
             
             And
             have
             the
             many
             Favours
             you
             have
             received
             of
             God
             so
             tun'd
             your
             Hearts
             to
             his
             Praise
             ,
             
             that
             you
             can
             
               in
               every
               thing
               give
               thanks
            
             ?
             Does
             your
             spiritual
             vigour
             advance
             ,
             as
             your
             natural
             Strength
             declines
             ?
             And
             is
             your
             
               inward
               Man
               renew'd
               day
               by
               day
               ,
               
               as
               your
               outward
               Man
               perishes
               ?
            
             Have
             you
             made
             such
             a
             Proficiency
             as
             this
             in
             Religion
             ?
             Or
             is
             it
             otherwise
             ?
             Examine
             your selves
             strictly
             and
             seriously
             about
             it
             .
             May
             not
             your
             Creator
             send
             you
             back
             to
             learn
             of
             those
             that
             are
             much
             younger
             ,
             and
             who
             have
             had
             less
             Advantages
             of
             Improvement
             than
             you
             ?
             
             Nay
             may
             he
             not
             send
             you
             back
             to
             be
             instructed
             by
             your selves
             ,
             I
             mean
             ,
             by
             the
             former
             part
             of
             your
             Lives
             ?
             And
             shame
             your
             late
             Back-slidings
             ,
             by
             putting
             you
             in
             mind
             of
             your
             early
             Zeal
             ?
             May
             he
             not
             justly
             reprove
             you
             in
             reminding
             you
             of
             your
             former
             Kindnesses
             to
             him
             (
             as
             well
             as
             of
             his
             to
             you
             )
             as
             he
             did
             the
             Iews
             of
             old
             ;
             
             and
             say
             ,
             
               I
               remember
               thee
               ,
               the
               kindness
               of
               thy
               Youth
               ,
               and
               the
               love
               of
               thy
               Espousals
               ,
               when
               thou
               wentest
               after
               me
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               ,
               in
               a
               Land
               that
               was
               not
               sown
               :
            
             Israel
             
               was
               Holiness
               to
               the
            
             LORD
             ,
             
               and
               the
               first-fruits
               of
               his
               Increase
               ?
            
             May
             he
             not
             charge
             you
             as
             he
             did
             the
             Ephesians
             ,
             
             with
             having
             
               left
               your
               first
               Love
            
             ?
             And
             with
             having
             fallen
             short
             of
             
               your
               first
               Works
            
             ?
          
           
             Surely
             it
             becomes
             you
             now
             strenuously
             to
             persist
             in
             
               fighting
               the
               good
               Fight
               of
               Faith
               ,
            
             
             when
             you
             are
             near
             the
             consummation
             of
             all
             your
             Victories
             in
             an
             eternal
             Triumph
             :
             
             To
             
               press
               forward
            
             vigorously
             in
             your
             spiritual
             Race
             now
             at
             last
             ,
             when
             you
             have
             almost
             attain'd
             
               the
               Mark
            
             ;
             and
             to
             aspire
             earnestly
             after
             that
             Diadem
             of
             Glory
             ,
             with
             which
             you
             are
             so
             suddenly
             to
             be
             crown'd
             :
             To
             converse
             constantly
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             now
             you
             are
             
             just
             forsaking
             the
             Earth
             ;
             to
             live
             entirely
             by
             Faith
             ,
             
             since
             you
             are
             going
             to
             die
             in
             it
             ;
             
             to
             
               die
               in
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             order
             to
             
               live
               with
               him
            
             in
             a
             State
             that
             will
             turn
             your
             Faith
             into
             Vision
             ,
             
             and
             your
             Hope
             into
             Enjoyment
             .
          
           
             If
             thus
             while
             Age
             bends
             you
             toward
             the
             Earth
             ,
             Grace
             raises
             your
             Hearts
             toward
             Heaven
             ;
             if
             your
             Faith
             grows
             sagacious
             ,
             while
             your
             Eyes
             grow
             dim
             ;
             and
             your
             Hope
             grows
             firm
             ,
             while
             your
             Hands
             and
             Knees
             are
             feeble
             ;
             if
             the
             Warmth
             of
             your
             Love
             to
             God
             increases
             as
             your
             natural
             Heat
             abates
             ;
             and
             the
             Sallies
             of
             your
             Souls
             after
             him
             grow
             strong
             and
             lively
             ,
             as
             the
             Motions
             of
             your
             animal
             Spirits
             grow
             weak
             and
             languid
             :
             Then
             ,
             as
             your
             
               last
               Works
            
             will
             be
             
               more
               than
               your
               first
            
             ,
             
             so
             you
             'll
             honour
             God
             as
             well
             in
             the
             worst
             part
             of
             your
             Time
             ,
             
             as
             you
             have
             done
             in
             the
             best
             of
             it
             .
             
             And
             as
             by
             
               bringing
               forth
               much
               fruit
            
             even
             
               in
               old
               Age
            
             ,
             
             you
             will
             
               glorify
               your
               Heavenly
               Father
            
             :
             
             So
             your
             Hoary
             Hairs
             will
             be
             honourable
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             an
             
               exceeding
               and
               eternal
               weight
               of
               Glory
            
             will
             be
             your
             Portion
             in
             the
             World
             
               to
               come
            
             .
             
          
           
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Let
             me
             now
             address
             my self
             to
             you
             that
             are
             Young
             ;
             and
             entreat
             you
             also
             to
             put
             this
             important
             Question
             to
             your
             own
             Hearts
             ,
             Whether
             you
             have
             yet
             remember'd
             your
             Creator
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             dedicate
             your selves
             to
             his
             Service
             ,
             or
             not
             ?
          
           
             If
             you
             have
             devoted
             to
             him
             the
             first-fruits
             of
             your
             Time
             :
          
           
             1.
             
             It
             behoves
             you
             with
             profound
             Humility
             and
             Reverence
             to
             ascribe
             to
             God
             the
             Glory
             of
             his
             Grace
             ,
             who
             made
             you
             
               willing
               in
               the
               Day
               of
               his
               Power
               to
               serve
               him
               in
               the
               Beauties
               of
               Holiness
               ,
            
             
             even
             
               from
               the
               Womb
               of
               the
               Morning
            
             of
             your
             Time
             ,
             and
             to
             offer
             him
             the
             early
             
               Dew
               of
               your
               Youth
            
             :
             For
             
               no
               Flesh
               may
               glory
               in
               his
               Presence
            
             ;
             
             seeing
             
               all
               Flesh
               is
               Grass
               ,
               
               and
               the
               goodliness
               thereof
               as
               the
            
             fading
             
               Flower
               of
               the
               Field
            
             ,
             
             in
             a
             Moral
             as
             well
             as
             a
             Natural
             sense
             .
             If
             you
             have
             been
             distinguish'd
             from
             others
             by
             early
             impressions
             of
             Piety
             ;
             know
             ,
             
             that
             't
             is
             Grace
             
               that
               hath
               made
               the
               difference
            
             ,
             
             and
             glorify
             that
             God
             ,
             
             who
             
               perfects
               his
               praise
               out
               of
               the
               Mouths
               of
               Babes
               and
               Sucklings
            
             ;
             
             and
             
               reveals
               that
               to
               Children
            
             ,
             which
             he
             sometimes
             
               hides
               from
               the
               Wise
               and
               Prudent
               .
            
             Bless
             him
             that
             has
             
             
               redeem'd
               you
               from
               the
               Earth
               ,
               
               and
               from
               among
               Men
               ,
            
             at
             a
             time
             when
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             Sin
             ,
             and
             the
             Society
             of
             Sinners
             appear
             in
             the
             most
             alluring
             form
             .
             Praise
             that
             God
             ,
             who
             by
             the
             early
             Seeds
             of
             Holiness
             he
             has
             sown
             in
             your
             Hearts
             ,
             is
             preparing
             you
             to
             reap
             a
             plentiful
             Harvest
             of
             Graces
             and
             Blessings
             here
             ,
             and
             of
             Glorious
             Rewards
             hereafter
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Consider
             the
             mighty
             Obligations
             that
             are
             upon
             you
             to
             engage
             you
             in
             a
             Holy
             Conversation
             .
             As
             you
             have
             receiv'd
             more
             than
             many
             others
             ,
             more
             is
             requir'd
             of
             you
             :
             And
             what
             we
             have
             said
             may
             be
             justly
             expected
             to
             be
             found
             in
             those
             old
             Disciples
             that
             have
             follow'd
             Christ
             from
             their
             Youth
             ,
             sufficiently
             signifies
             the
             Mark
             you
             are
             to
             aim
             at
             ;
             and
             the
             exalted
             degrees
             of
             Grace
             you
             are
             to
             aspire
             to
             .
             In
             order
             to
             which
             you
             ought
             to
             be
             cautious
             of
             the
             least
             degree
             of
             Apostacy
             .
             Have
             a
             care
             ,
             lest
             after
             having
             seem'd
             to
             
               begin
               in
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               
               you
            
             should
             miserably
             
               end
               in
               the
               Flesh.
            
             
             Therefore
             
               flee
               youthful
               Lusts.
            
             
             And
             
               endure
               hardship
               as
               good
               Soldiers
               of
               Iesus
               Christ
               :
            
             Inure
             your selves
             to
             Self-denial
             ;
             
             and
             
               set
               your
               Affections
               on
               things
               above
               .
               
               Watch
               and
               
               pray
               ,
               that
               you
               may
               not
               enter
               into
               Temptation
               ,
            
             or
             at
             least
             that
             your
             Faith
             may
             
               not
               fail
               you
            
             ,
             
             when
             you
             are
             tempted
             :
             And
             to
             that
             end
             read
             and
             
               meditate
               on
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               Day
               and
               Night
               ,
            
             
             that
             you
             may
             know
             how
             to
             manage
             that
             
               Sword
               of
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             
             so
             as
             to
             wound
             the
             Head
             of
             your
             potent
             and
             subtle
             Adversary
             .
             
             
               I
               write
               unto
               you
               young
               Men
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             
               Iohn
               )
               because
               you
               are
               strong
               ,
               and
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               abideth
               in
               you
               ,
               and
               you
               have
               overcome
               the
               wicked
               one
               .
            
             Govern
             your selves
             in
             every
             thing
             by
             the
             exact
             Rule
             of
             the
             Holy
             Scripture
             ;
             
             For
             
               wherewith
               shall
               a
               young
               Man
               cleanse
               his
               way
               ,
               but
               by
               taking
               heed
               thereto
               according
               to
            
             that
             Divine
             Word
             ?
             Take
             heed
             lest
             the
             Holy
             Religion
             you
             profess
             be
             dishonour'd
             by
             your
             Practices
             :
             Let
             your
             manner
             of
             Life
             be
             so
             circumspect
             and
             unreproachable
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             stop
             the
             Mouths
             of
             Blasphemers
             ;
             stop
             them
             did
             I
             say
             ?
             Nay
             that
             it
             may
             open
             them
             in
             favour
             of
             Religion
             ,
             that
             
               when
               they
               see
               your
               good
               Works
               they
               may
            
             be
             induc'd
             to
             
               glorify
               your
               Heavenly
               Father
            
             ,
             
             and
             to
             worship
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             confess
             that
             
               God
               is
               in
               you
               of
               a
               Truth
               .
            
             
             Let
             a
             becoming
             Modesty
             and
             Gravity
             adorn
             your
             Conversation
             :
             
               Let
               
               your
               Speech
               be
               always
               with
               Grace
               ,
               season'd
               with
               Salt
               :
               
               Let
               no
               corrupt
               Communication
               proceed
               out
               of
               your
               Mouths
               ,
               
               but
               that
               which
               is
               good
               to
               the
               use
               of
               edifying
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               minister
               Grace
               to
               the
               Hearers
               .
            
             Provoke
             others
             to
             a
             Holy
             Emulation
             by
             the
             lustre
             of
             your
             Examples
             ,
             and
             choose
             the
             excellent
             Patterns
             of
             the
             most
             devout
             and
             experienc'd
             Christians
             for
             your
             own
             Imitation
             .
             Let
             your
             Zeal
             be
             constantly
             directed
             by
             Knowledg
             ,
             and
             your
             Knowledg
             always
             ballasted
             by
             Humility
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             
             
               Set
               the
               Lord
               always
               before
               your
               Faces
               ,
            
             that
             you
             may
             not
             sin
             against
             him
             .
             Remember
             your
             Creator
             ,
             what
             he
             is
             ,
             and
             what
             Homage
             and
             Service
             you
             owe
             him
             :
             
             Remember
             how
             reasonable
             that
             Service
             is
             ,
             and
             how
             entirely
             your
             true
             Interest
             and
             Happiness
             is
             involv'd
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             industriously
             improve
             all
             the
             Advantages
             of
             your
             Time
             to
             the
             Glory
             of
             him
             ,
             who
             is
             
               the
               God
               of
               your
               Life
            
             ;
             
             that
             if
             you
             live
             to
             be
             aged
             ,
             you
             may
             be
             able
             to
             make
             happy
             Reflections
             on
             your
             Youth
             ;
             and
             on
             the
             endearing
             Favours
             of
             him
             that
             has
             been
             with
             you
             from
             your
             Youth
             to
             old
             Age
             ,
             
             and
             
               has
               carried
            
             you
             (
             as
             the
             Prophet
             speaks
             )
             even
             
               to
               hoary
               Hairs
            
             :
             That
             
               coming
               to
               the
               Grave
               in
               a
               full
               Age
               ,
            
             
             you
             may
             be
             
               like
               shocks
               of
               Corn
               that
               come
               in
               in
               their
               season
               ,
            
             
             fully
             ripen'd
             and
             prepar'd
             for
             Heaven
             :
             Or
             if
             you
             are
             called
             to
             lie
             down
             in
             the
             Grave
             before
             ,
             that
             you
             may
             be
             ripe
             for
             Glory
             ,
             and
             
               made
               meet
               to
               be
               partakers
               of
               the
               Inheritance
               of
               the
               Saints
               in
               light
            
             betimes
             ;
             
             that
             your
             Names
             may
             be
             great
             on
             Earth
             ,
             and
             your
             Rewards
             may
             be
             
               great
               in
               Heaven
            
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             you
             that
             are
             still
             Young
             ,
             but
             have
             not
             yet
             made
             an
             offering
             of
             your
             Youth
             to
             your
             Creator
             :
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             Let
             me
             ask
             you
             ,
             What
             hinders
             you
             from
             presenting
             so
             reasonable
             a
             Service
             to
             him
             ?
             You
             have
             seen
             that
             the
             reason
             of
             this
             Duty
             ,
             which
             our
             Text
             urges
             ,
             is
             founded
             in
             your
             very
             Being
             ,
             in
             the
             Relation
             you
             bear
             to
             the
             Almighty
             as
             his
             Creatures
             ;
             and
             since
             your
             greatest
             Interest
             too
             is
             embarked
             in
             it
             ,
             Why
             should
             so
             just
             ,
             and
             so
             useful
             an
             Exhortation
             be
             rejected
             ?
             Will
             you
             yet
             continue
             to
             rob
             your
             Maker
             of
             the
             Homage
             and
             Service
             you
             owe
             him
             ?
             And
             deprive
             your selves
             of
             the
             Honour
             and
             Privilege
             of
             serving
             him
             ?
             Will
             you
             yet
             be
             
               unmindful
               of
               the
               Rock
               that
               begat
               you
               ,
            
             
             and
             still
             
               forget
               the
               God
               that
               form'd
               you
               ?
            
             Is
             the
             great
             God
             ready
             to
             accept
             your
             Service
             ,
             
             and
             will
             you
             still
             refuse
             to
             offer
             it
             ?
             What
             Illusions
             of
             Sense
             are
             those
             that
             charm
             you
             ?
             What
             
               Bonds
               of
               Iniquity
            
             are
             those
             that
             captivate
             your
             Souls
             ,
             
             and
             hold
             you
             ,
             both
             against
             the
             forcible
             Arguments
             ,
             and
             the
             indulgent
             Invitations
             of
             the
             Divine
             Word
             ?
          
           
             As
             we
             have
             taken
             a
             view
             of
             the
             Arguments
             that
             oblige
             you
             to
             your
             Duty
             ;
             let
             us
             also
             ,
             to
             remove
             the
             chief
             Stumbling-blocks
             that
             obstruct
             your
             way
             ,
             enquire
             a
             little
             into
             the
             pretended
             Reasons
             that
             detain
             you
             in
             your
             Sin.
             
          
           
             Will
             you
             say
             ,
             
               'T
               is
               a
               rigorous
               Demand
               to
               require
               us
               to
               forsake
               the
               World
               almost
               as
               soon
               as
               we
               come
               into
               it
               ;
               and
               to
               renounce
               the
               charming
               Sweets
               wherewith
               it
               flatters
               our
               Senses
               ,
               even
               before
               we
               have
               so
               much
               as
               tasted
               many
               of
               the
               Pleasures
               to
               which
               it
               invites
               us
               :
               And
               this
               in
               that
               part
               of
               our
               Life
               ,
               that
               gives
               us
               the
               highest
               relish
               of
               these
               Delights
               ,
               when
               our
               Senses
               are
               most
               lively
               and
               active
               ,
               and
               when
               the
               World
               shews
               it self
               most
               obliging
               and
               kind
               ,
               and
               presents
               us
               on
               every
               side
               with
               thousands
               of
               pleasant
               Objects
               ?
            
          
           
           
             But
             tell
             me
             ,
             Are
             the
             Promises
             of
             the
             World
             like
             the
             Promises
             of
             God
             ?
             Are
             those
             Pleasures
             ,
             the
             highest
             relish
             of
             which
             vanishes
             (
             by
             your
             own
             confession
             )
             together
             with
             your
             Youth
             ,
             and
             so
             may
             be
             soon
             out
             liv'd
             by
             your selves
             ,
             to
             be
             compar'd
             with
             the
             eternal
             Joys
             of
             Heaven
             ?
             Are
             the
             Smiles
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             Sense
             to
             be
             preferr'd
             to
             the
             Smiles
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Joy
             of
             a
             
               good
               Conscience
            
             here
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             refin'd
             and
             spiritual
             Delights
             of
             the
             other
             World
             ?
             Is
             a
             Life
             of
             Sin
             ,
             which
             will
             prove
             
               bitterness
               in
               the
               latter
               end
               of
               it
               ,
            
             
             which
             is
             enjoy'd
             but
             a
             few
             Moments
             ,
             but
             follow'd
             with
             the
             gnawings
             of
             
               a
               Worm
               that
               never
               dies
            
             ,
             
             to
             be
             chosen
             before
             a
             Life
             of
             Holiness
             ,
             which
             is
             accompanied
             with
             inward
             Peace
             in
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             follow'd
             with
             
               Immortal
               Glory
            
             and
             Pleasure
             ?
             Is
             it
             worth
             the
             while
             to
             purchase
             a
             few
             hours
             delight
             in
             gratifying
             your
             sordid
             and
             brutish
             Appetites
             ,
             with
             the
             loss
             of
             your
             precious
             Souls
             ?
             Will
             you
             rather
             hazard
             an
             eternal
             privation
             of
             the
             Joys
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             expose
             your selves
             to
             the
             danger
             of
             everlasting
             Perdition
             ,
             than
             curb
             the
             extravagant
             Inclinations
             of
             your
             vain
             and
             sensual
             Hearts
             ?
             Will
             you
             
             still
             flatter
             the
             levity
             and
             unsteadiness
             of
             your
             youthful
             Minds
             ,
             in
             pursuing
             all
             the
             vain
             Fantoms
             your
             extravagant
             Imaginations
             can
             represent
             ?
             Will
             you
             continue
             to
             follow
             those
             gay
             Bubbles
             ,
             which
             will
             yield
             you
             scarce
             any
             thing
             but
             
               Disappointment
               ,
               Vexation
            
             and
             Guilt
             ;
             when
             you
             are
             invited
             to
             fix
             your
             Minds
             and
             your
             Hearts
             on
             your
             Creator
             ,
             to
             make
             him
             the
             Object
             of
             your
             Thoughts
             and
             of
             your
             Desires
             ,
             who
             gives
             his
             Votaries
             the
             Hope
             of
             Immortal
             Glory
             ,
             which
             produces
             in
             their
             Souls
             a
             great
             degree
             of
             Happiness
             at
             present
             ,
             and
             who
             will
             hereafter
             fill
             them
             with
             Joys
             infinitely
             beyond
             the
             most
             raised
             Expectation
             ?
          
           
             Will
             you
             further
             urge
             ,
             
               But
               we
               have
               no
               mind
               to
               be
               singular
               ,
               to
               distinguish
               our selves
               from
               the
               generality
               of
               Mankind
               by
               an
               Affectation
               of
               a
               strict
               Course
               of
               Life
               ;
               and
               that
               at
               an
               Age
               ,
               when
               every
               one
               allows
               the
               Senses
               an
               Indulgence
               .
               There
               is
               a
               proper
               season
               for
               every
               thing
               .
               Youth
               is
               the
               Time
               for
               Pleasure
               ,
               and
               Old
               Age
               for
               Repentance
               ;
               for
               the
               latter
               part
               of
               our
               Lives
               seems
               destin'd
               to
               trouble
               and
               sorrow
               :
               And
               then
               't
               is
               fit
               
               to
               live
               a
               spiritual
               Life
               ,
               when
               Age
               has
               deaden'd
               the
               Senses
               ,
               and
               so
               prepar'd
               us
               to
               live
               after
               that
               abstracted
               manner
               .
            
          
           
             And
             is
             it
             not
             as
             easy
             as
             't
             is
             reasonable
             to
             reply
             ,
             That
             't
             is
             a
             foolish
             Scrupulosity
             to
             be
             so
             careful
             to
             avoid
             Singularity
             as
             to
             run
             from
             it
             into
             a
             Common
             Destruction
             :
             To
             refuse
             to
             be
             holy
             and
             happy
             ,
             and
             to
             choose
             Sin
             and
             Misery
             ,
             
             because
             
               the
               way
               to
               Life
               is
               narrow
            
             and
             unfrequented
             ,
             and
             the
             way
             to
             
               Damnation
               broad
            
             and
             full
             of
             Company
             ?
             Is
             not
             this
             a
             vain
             affectation
             of
             Conformity
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             for
             you
             to
             
               follow
               a
               Multitude
               to
               do
               evil
               ,
            
             
             tho
             
               their
               Ways
               lead
               to
               Hell
               ,
               and
               go
               down
               to
               the
               Chambers
               of
               Death
            
             ;
             
             to
             abandon
             your selves
             to
             the
             Torrent
             of
             evil
             Examples
             ,
             tho
             they
             
               drown
               you
               in
               Perdition
            
             ;
             
             to
             sacrifice
             your
             own
             eternal
             Interest
             in
             complaisance
             to
             the
             Custom
             and
             Humour
             of
             other
             Men
             ,
             
             and
             to
             
               walk
               in
               the
               Counsel
               of
               the
               Vngodly
               ,
            
             tho
             you
             damn
             your selves
             for
             Company
             ?
          
           
             And
             because
             some
             rather
             seem
             to
             pity
             ,
             (
             or
             even
             indulge
             )
             than
             blame
             many
             of
             the
             Follies
             of
             Youth
             ,
             partly
             from
             the
             Consideration
             of
             their
             Vnexperience
             and
             giddiness
             of
             Mind
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             great
             
             Propensity
             to
             carnal
             Pleasures
             ;
             partly
             because
             Custom
             has
             render'd
             the
             Vices
             of
             Youth
             familiar
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             partly
             because
             many
             of
             those
             that
             are
             advanc'd
             in
             Years
             ,
             instead
             of
             reflecting
             on
             their
             youthful
             Vanities
             with
             Sorrow
             ,
             are
             yet
             so
             insensible
             ,
             as
             to
             look
             back
             upon
             them
             as
             excusable
             Follies
             ,
             or
             as
             Sins
             of
             small
             consequence
             ;
             must
             therefore
             an
             Opinion
             that
             has
             so
             rotten
             a
             foundation
             ,
             obtain
             Credit
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             a
             Maxim
             of
             undoubted
             Truth
             ?
             Does
             the
             Holy
             Scripture
             ,
             or
             Reason
             allow
             Youth
             any
             such
             Dispensation
             for
             Sin
             ?
             Is
             so
             great
             an
             Evil
             to
             be
             at
             any
             time
             indulg'd
             ?
             Is
             any
             scope
             in
             Vice
             allowable
             to
             the
             Time
             of
             Youth
             any
             more
             than
             to
             the
             Time
             of
             
               Old
               Age
            
             ?
             Is
             not
             Sin
             always
             evil
             ,
             and
             always
             to
             be
             avoided
             ?
             Can
             you
             think
             it
             deserves
             the
             very
             best
             of
             your
             Time
             ,
             and
             that
             your
             Creator
             is
             unworthy
             of
             such
             an
             Offering
             ?
          
           
             You
             have
             heard
             it
             sufficiently
             prov'd
             that
             Youth
             is
             the
             most
             proper
             Time
             of
             all
             ,
             and
             Old
             Age
             the
             most
             unfit
             for
             the
             great
             Business
             of
             Conversion
             to
             God
             ;
             that
             't
             is
             the
             greatest
             proof
             of
             the
             Reality
             of
             our
             Self-denial
             ,
             when
             we
             restrain
             the
             vicious
             Inclinations
             of
             our
             Youth
             ,
             
             that
             are
             so
             eager
             after
             sensual
             Pleasures
             :
             And
             that
             an
             aged
             Sinner
             is
             so
             far
             from
             being
             likely
             to
             be
             a
             true
             Penitent
             ,
             that
             the
             long
             Time
             he
             has
             been
             hardening
             himself
             in
             his
             Wickedness
             ,
             renders
             the
             Change
             of
             his
             Heart
             impossible
             ,
             without
             a
             more
             than
             ordinary
             effort
             of
             Grace
             ,
             which
             God
             is
             seldom
             pleas'd
             to
             grant
             to
             them
             that
             are
             grown
             old
             in
             Wickedness
             .
          
           
             Will
             you
             say
             after
             this
             ,
             
               God
               whose
               Mercies
               are
               infinite
               ,
               is
               Gracious
               enough
               to
               receive
               us
               into
               his
               Vineyard
               at
               the
               last
               hour
               of
               the
               Day
               ;
               and
               to
               give
               us
               a
               place
               in
               Paradise
               ;
               if
               ,
               like
               the
               Thief
               on
               the
               Cross
               ,
               we
               begin
               to
               repent
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               ceasing
               to
               live
               ;
               and
               we
               may
               hope
               to
               die
               happily
               ,
               tho
               we
               have
               liv'd
               viciously
               ?
            
          
           
             After
             having
             so
             largely
             detected
             the
             Vanity
             of
             such
             Hopes
             as
             these
             ,
             as
             we
             have
             already
             done
             ,
             we
             need
             not
             add
             much
             more
             .
             Is
             not
             this
             to
             build
             an
             imaginary
             Happiness
             on
             a
             thousand
             Uncertainties
             ?
             And
             what
             a
             daring
             presumption
             is
             it
             ,
             
             to
             
               continue
               in
               Sin
               ,
               that
               Grace
               may
               abound
               ?
            
             Because
             the
             Gracious
             God
             has
             given
             one
             Example
             in
             his
             Word
             ,
             of
             a
             Sinner
             converted
             at
             the
             last
             hour
             of
             his
             
             Life
             ,
             is
             it
             reasonable
             for
             every
             Sinner
             to
             conclude
             ,
             That
             he
             may
             expect
             the
             same
             extraordinary
             favour
             ,
             and
             so
             may
             safely
             defer
             his
             Repentance
             ,
             till
             he
             is
             ready
             to
             expire
             ?
             No
             ;
             this
             great
             Instance
             of
             Mercy
             in
             the
             crucified
             Malefactor
             ,
             was
             given
             to
             prevent
             a
             true
             (
             tho
             late
             )
             Penitent
             from
             despairing
             ;
             not
             to
             encourage
             any
             bold
             Sinner
             to
             
               turn
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
               into
               Lasciviousness
            
             by
             his
             presumption
             .
             
             And
             how
             many
             fatal
             instances
             might
             be
             given
             of
             the
             Vanity
             of
             such
             hopes
             as
             these
             !
             How
             few
             of
             those
             daring
             Sinners
             have
             arriv'd
             at
             the
             Time
             ,
             which
             they
             pretended
             to
             devote
             to
             religious
             Purposes
             !
             How
             very
             few
             of
             those
             that
             have
             reached
             old
             Age
             ,
             have
             become
             sensible
             of
             their
             Guilt
             and
             Danger
             after
             a
             long
             Life
             spent
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             Sin
             !
             Have
             they
             not
             generally
             supinely
             doz'd
             away
             their
             last
             Moments
             (
             as
             they
             vainly
             spent
             their
             first
             )
             without
             awaking
             ,
             till
             they
             have
             found
             themselves
             in
             
               everlasting
               Burnings
            
             ?
             Or
             if
             they
             have
             receiv'd
             some
             Convictions
             of
             their
             Guilt
             ,
             
             these
             have
             not
             always
             produc'd
             on
             them
             the
             Characters
             of
             
               a
               Repentance
               to
               Salvation
            
             ,
             
             but
             have
             sometimes
             fill'd
             their
             miserable
             Souls
             with
             Despair
             and
             Horrour
             ;
             and
             their
             former
             
             delusive
             Hopes
             of
             obtaining
             pardon
             at
             the
             last
             hour
             ,
             
             have
             only
             issued
             in
             
               a
               certain
               fearful
               looking
               for
               of
               Iudgment
               and
               fiery
               Indignation
               to
               devour
            
             them
             .
             Learn
             therefore
             ,
             
             before
             it
             be
             too
             late
             ,
             so
             
               to
               number
            
             your
             
               Days
               as
               to
               apply
            
             your
             
               Hearts
               to
               Wisdom
            
             !
          
           
             Will
             you
             ,
             after
             all
             that
             has
             been
             said
             ,
             still
             perswade
             your selves
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             yet
             time
             enough
             for
             you
             to
             remember
             your
             Creator
             ;
             and
             that
             you
             may
             safely
             enough
             defer
             the
             securing
             of
             your
             Salvation
             yet
             some
             time
             longer
             ,
             if
             not
             quite
             to
             the
             evil
             Days
             of
             Old
             Age
             ;
             that
             't
             is
             best
             for
             you
             first
             to
             establish
             your selves
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             firmly
             as
             you
             can
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             provision
             for
             your
             temporal
             Interest
             ;
             and
             afterwards
             at
             your
             leisure
             to
             think
             on
             the
             Affairs
             of
             another
             Life
             ?
          
           
             These
             things
             have
             been
             also
             sufficiently
             answer'd
             before
             ;
             let
             me
             further
             add
             ,
             That
             as
             your
             Time
             is
             very
             uncertain
             on
             the
             one
             hand
             ,
             so
             your
             Resolutions
             are
             yet
             more
             fickle
             on
             the
             other
             :
             For
             how
             common
             a
             thing
             is
             it
             for
             Men
             to
             assume
             a
             purpose
             of
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             presently
             to
             relinquish
             it
             again
             !
             How
             often
             do
             they
             violate
             their
             Promises
             to
             God
             and
             to
             themselves
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             perpetually
             
             fixing
             a
             new
             future
             season
             of
             Amendment
             !
             So
             
               deceitful
               is
               the
               Heart
               of
               Man
               ,
               
               and
               so
               desperately
               wicked
               ,
               who
               can
               know
               it
               ?
            
          
           
             And
             how
             preposterous
             is
             the
             Course
             you
             take
             ,
             to
             endeavour
             to
             provide
             for
             your
             Bodies
             before
             your
             Souls
             ,
             and
             to
             secure
             your
             Temporal
             before
             your
             Eternal
             Interest
             :
             Hearkening
             rather
             to
             the
             deluding
             Suggestions
             of
             
               the
               Father
               of
               Lies
            
             ,
             
             who
             tempts
             you
             with
             the
             gilded
             Vanities
             of
             this
             perishing
             World
             ,
             than
             to
             the
             Counsel
             of
             him
             who
             is
             Wisdom
             it self
             ,
             
             who
             advises
             you
             to
             
               seek
               first
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               and
               his
               Righteousness
            
             ;
             
             and
             assures
             you
             that
             then
             
               the
               things
            
             of
             this
             World
             (
             
               i.
               e.
            
             so
             far
             as
             may
             conduce
             to
             your
             Welfare
             )
             
               shall
               be
               superadded
            
             ?
          
           
             Since
             therefore
             your
             Creator
             requires
             your
             present
             Time
             ,
             't
             is
             your
             Prudence
             ,
             your
             Interest
             ,
             and
             your
             Duty
             ,
             without
             
               conferring
               with
               Flesh
               and
               Blood
               ,
               
               immediately
               to
               obey
            
             him
             ;
             
             to
             
               seek
               him
               ,
               while
               he
               may
               be
               found
               ,
               
               and
               to
               call
               upon
               him
               while
               he
               is
               near
               ,
            
             and
             while
             he
             calls
             upon
             you
             ;
             lest
             if
             you
             persist
             to
             slight
             and
             forget
             your
             Maker
             and
             his
             Counsel
             any
             longer
             ,
             he
             should
             so
             
               remember
               your
               Iniquity
               and
               visit
               your
               Sins
               ,
            
             
             as
             to
             pronounce
             on
             you
             
             this
             dreadful
             Sentence
             .
             
             Because
             I
             have
             call'd
             and
             ye
             refus'd
             ,
             I
             have
             stretched
             out
             my
             Hand
             ,
             and
             no
             Man
             regarded
             :
             But
             ye
             have
             set
             at
             nought
             all
             my
             Counsel
             ,
             and
             would
             none
             of
             my
             Reproof
             :
             I
             also
             will
             laugh
             at
             your
             Calamity
             ,
             I
             will
             mock
             when
             your
             fear
             cometh
             :
             When
             your
             fear
             cometh
             as
             Desolation
             ,
             and
             your
             destruction
             cometh
             as
             a
             Whirl-wind
             :
             When
             Distress
             and
             Anguish
             cometh
             upon
             you
             .
             Then
             shall
             they
             call
             upon
             me
             ,
             but
             I
             will
             not
             answer
             ;
             they
             shall
             seek
             me
             early
             ,
             but
             they
             shall
             not
             find
             me
             ;
             for
             that
             they
             hated
             knowledg
             ,
             and
             did
             not
             choose
             the
             fear
             of
             the
             LORD
             :
             They
             would
             none
             of
             my
             Counsel
             ,
             they
             despised
             all
             my
             Reproof
             :
             Therefore
             shall
             they
             eat
             of
             the
             fruit
             of
             their
             own
             Way
             ,
             and
             be
             fill'd
             with
             their
             own
             Devices
             :
             For
             the
             turning
             away
             of
             the
             simple
             shall
             slay
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             prosperity
             of
             Fools
             shall
             destroy
             them
             .
             
               How
               will
               you
               bear
               such
               a
               dismal
               Sentence
               as
               this
               ?
               O
               with
               what
               Terrour
               will
               it
               strike
               your
               guilty
               Souls
               ,
               especially
               when
               you
               are
               under
               the
               Apprehensions
               of
               approaching
               Death
               ,
               or
               bowed
               down
               under
               the
               burden
               of
               Age
               !
            
             What
             will
             you
             do
             in
             those
             Days
             of
             Evil
             ,
             
             when
             the
             Iniquity
             of
             your
             Heels
             shall
             compass
             you
             about
             ?
             
             When
             your
             Bones
             will
             be
             full
             of
             the
             Sin
             of
             
             your
             Youth
             ,
             which
             shall
             lie
             down
             with
             you
             in
             the
             Dust
             ?
             
               When
               the
               Terrours
               of
               God
               shall
               strike
               your
               Consciences
               ,
               and
               all
               your
               past
               Life
               shall
               accuse
               and
               condemn
               you
               ?
               When
            
             the
             Heaven
             shall
             reveal
             your
             Iniquity
             ,
             
             and
             the
             Earth
             shall
             rise
             up
             against
             you
             ?
             When
             your
             Flesh
             upon
             you
             shall
             have
             pain
             ,
             
             and
             your
             Souls
             within
             you
             shall
             mourn
             ?
             Tho
             Wickedness
             be
             now
             sweet
             in
             your
             Mouths
             ,
             
             and
             
               you
               therefore
            
             hide
             it
             under
             your
             Tongues
             ;
             tho
             you
             spare
             it
             ,
             and
             forsake
             it
             not
             ,
             but
             keep
             it
             still
             within
             your
             Mouths
             ;
             
               yet
               it
               s
               luscious
               Taste
            
             shall
             be
             turn'd
             into
             bitterness
             in
             your
             Bowels
             ,
             and
             into
             the
             Gall
             of
             Asps
             within
             you
             .
             Is
             it
             not
             better
             to
             repent
             early
             than
             to
             be
             reduc'd
             to
             mourn
             despairingly
             ,
             when
             't
             is
             too
             late
             ?
             When
             the
             Almighty
             shuts
             out
             your
             Prayers
             ,
             and
             when
             
               a
               fire
               is
               kindled
               in
               his
               Anger
               ,
               
               that
               will
               burn
               to
               the
               lowest
               Hell
               ;
               when
               he
               that
               made
            
             you
             
               will
               not
               have
               mercy
               on
            
             you
             ,
             
             
               and
               he
               that
               form'd
            
             you
             
               will
               shew
            
             you
             
               no
               favour
            
             ?
             If
             once
             that
             dreadful
             Day
             overtakes
             you
             ,
             each
             of
             you
             will
             then
             lament
             his
             Folly
             with
             the
             saddest
             Accents
             of
             Sorrow
             and
             Anguish
             ,
             and
             turn
             upon
             himself
             with
             indignation
             and
             fury
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
             
               How
               have
               I
               hated
               instruction
               ,
               and
               my
               Heart
               despis'd
               reproof
               !
               
               And
               have
               not
               obey'd
               the
               Voice
               of
               my
               Teachers
               ,
               nor
               inclin'd
               mine
               Ear
               to
               them
               that
               instructed
               me
               !
            
             And
             bewail
             himself
             (
             as
             our
             Blessed
             Lord
             did
             Ierusalem
             ,
             when
             he
             wept
             over
             that
             unhappy
             City
             )
             crying
             ,
             
               O
               that
               I
               had
               known
               ,
               even
            
             I
             ,
             
             in
             that
             
               my
               Day
               ,
               the
               things
               that
               belonged
               unto
            
             my
             
               peace
               ,
               but
               now
               they
               are
               hid
               from
            
             mine
             Eyes
             .
          
           
             Now
             consider
             this
             ye
             that
             forget
             God
             ,
             
             lest
             he
             tear
             you
             in
             pieces
             ,
             and
             there
             be
             none
             to
             deliver
             .
          
           
             If
             you
             now
             begin
             to
             entertain
             serious
             Thoughts
             of
             Religion
             ,
             to
             stir
             you
             up
             further
             to
             this
             great
             (
             tho
             miserably
             neglected
             )
             Duty
             of
             
               remembering
               your
               Creator
               in
               the
               Days
               of
               your
               Youth
               ,
            
             let
             me
             entreat
             you
             to
             consider
             two
             or
             three
             things
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             God
             has
             been
             often
             pleas'd
             to
             dignify
             them
             with
             special
             Marks
             of
             Honour
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             who
             have
             honour'd
             him
             by
             the
             early
             dedication
             of
             their
             Youth
             to
             his
             Service
             ,
             and
             has
             render'd
             their
             Services
             as
             eminent
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             their
             Piety
             has
             been
             early
             and
             exemplary
             .
          
           
             As
             the
             forward
             Piety
             of
             Ioseph
             kept
             him
             uncorrupt
             in
             his
             tender
             Years
             amidst
             the
             evil
             Examples
             of
             his
             envious
             Brethren
             ;
             
             
             so
             he
             was
             blessed
             with
             the
             largest
             share
             in
             the
             Affection
             of
             his
             aged
             Father
             :
             And
             tho
             his
             Zeal
             for
             their
             Reformation
             render'd
             him
             the
             Object
             of
             their
             Hatred
             ,
             (
             as
             well
             as
             of
             his
             Father's
             Love
             )
             yet
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             wonderfully
             prosper'd
             him
             ,
             
             and
             gave
             him
             favour
             in
             that
             strange
             Countrey
             ,
             whither
             their
             unnatural
             Malice
             had
             exil'd
             him
             .
             And
             as
             he
             there
             preserved
             his
             Chastity
             when
             it
             was
             try'd
             after
             so
             extraordinary
             a
             manner
             ,
             
             that
             it
             was
             become
             impossible
             for
             him
             to
             keep
             himself
             Innocent
             without
             incurring
             the
             Odium
             of
             being
             reputed
             Guilty
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             enduring
             other
             severe
             Punishments
             :
             So
             the
             Purity
             of
             his
             untainted
             Soul
             (
             who
             rather
             chose
             to
             be
             accounted
             Vile
             than
             to
             be
             so
             )
             was
             afterwards
             strangely
             clear'd
             up
             by
             the
             Wise
             and
             Gracious
             Providence
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ;
             and
             his
             injur'd
             Name
             celebrated
             with
             the
             highest
             Honours
             of
             the
             Court
             of
             Egypt
             :
             
             The
             Just
             and
             Holy
             God
             whom
             he
             serv'd
             ,
             having
             endow'd
             him
             with
             a
             Prophetick
             Gift
             of
             interpreting
             Dreams
             ;
             and
             by
             that
             Divine
             Skill
             open'd
             a
             way
             for
             his
             advancement
             from
             Prison
             to
             ride
             in
             the
             second
             Chariot
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             .
             So
             that
             he
             became
             a
             
             Prince
             and
             a
             Father
             to
             that
             Nation
             whither
             he
             was
             brought
             a
             Stranger
             and
             a
             Slave
             ;
             and
             proved
             the
             happy
             Instrument
             not
             only
             of
             preserving
             Multitudes
             of
             People
             from
             the
             Rage
             of
             a
             tedious
             Famine
             of
             seven
             Years
             continuance
             ,
             but
             also
             of
             nourishing
             his
             Father's
             Family
             in
             that
             time
             of
             common
             Calamity
             .
             
             And
             by
             this
             means
             he
             had
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             most
             obsequious
             Addresses
             of
             those
             very
             Brethren
             of
             his
             that
             had
             been
             his
             Persecutors
             ,
             
             and
             at
             last
             had
             the
             God-like
             Pleasure
             of
             melting
             them
             into
             a
             deep
             Conviction
             of
             the
             unreasonableness
             of
             their
             Enmity
             against
             him
             ,
             by
             the
             most
             endearing
             Caresses
             ,
             and
             sweetest
             expressions
             of
             Brotherly
             Love
             and
             Tenderness
             ,
             and
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             that
             truly
             generous
             and
             innocent
             kind
             of
             Revenge
             ,
             of
             
               overcoming
               Evil
               with
               Good.
            
             
             Thus
             God
             was
             pleas'd
             to
             reward
             the
             eminent
             Piety
             of
             his
             Youth
             ,
             by
             making
             him
             the
             Darling
             of
             his
             Providence
             ;
             and
             to
             lay
             the
             foundation
             of
             his
             Glory
             in
             those
             Sufferings
             which
             were
             the
             proof
             of
             his
             Vertue
             .
          
           
             Samuel
             ,
             a
             young
             Votary
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             in
             his
             Tabernacle
             ,
             as
             he
             grew
             up
             ,
             
             became
             the
             Favorite
             both
             
               of
               God
               and
               Men
            
             :
             So
             eminently
             was
             he
             
             anointed
             with
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             a
             Time
             ,
             
             when
             
               the
               Word
               of
               the
               LORD
               was
               very
               precious
               ,
            
             that
             all
             Israel
             from
             Dan
             ,
             
             
               even
               to
            
             Beersheba
             ,
             
               knew
               that
               he
               was
               established
               a
               Prophet
               of
               the
               LORD
               .
            
          
           
             That
             Piety
             which
             season'd
             the
             tender
             Years
             of
             David
             ,
             
             render'd
             him
             (
             according
             to
             his
             Name
             )
             so
             BELOVED
             both
             of
             God
             and
             Men
             ,
             that
             God
             was
             pleas'd
             to
             fill
             him
             with
             a
             Prophetick
             Spirit
             ;
             
             and
             both
             God
             and
             Men
             thought
             good
             to
             choose
             him
             to
             wear
             a
             Regal
             Diadem
             .
             The
             supreme
             Ruler
             and
             Arbiter
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             was
             pleas'd
             to
             reward
             his
             forward
             Zeal
             for
             Him
             ,
             by
             raising
             him
             from
             the
             Fold
             to
             the
             Throne
             ,
             and
             by
             making
             him
             exchange
             his
             Shepherd's
             Crook
             for
             a
             Royal
             Scepter
             :
             so
             that
             from
             a
             
               Feeder
               of
               Sheep
            
             he
             became
             both
             the
             Prophet
             and
             King
             of
             a
             mighty
             Nation
             ;
             
             
               the
               sweetest
               Psalmist
            
             ,
             and
             most
             valiant
             Prince
             of
             Israel
             .
          
           
             Religious
             Iosiah
             ,
             who
             began
             to
             reform
             himself
             at
             Eight
             Years
             old
             ,
             
             and
             to
             reform
             the
             People
             under
             his
             Government
             before
             he
             had
             exceeded
             Twelve
             ,
             was
             honour'd
             of
             God
             with
             the
             happy
             accomplishment
             of
             that
             glorious
             Reformation
             
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Iudah
             ,
             
             when
             he
             could
             scarce
             write
             himself
             Man
             ,
             having
             seen
             the
             Light
             but
             Eighteen
             Years
             ,
             and
             had
             the
             earliness
             of
             his
             Piety
             signaliz'd
             by
             the
             Delay
             of
             those
             Judgments
             that
             Ierusalem
             was
             threaten'd
             with
             ,
             
             till
             the
             expiration
             of
             his
             Religious
             Reign
             :
             God
             was
             pleas'd
             to
             honour
             his
             early
             Zeal
             with
             a
             peculiar
             protection
             given
             for
             a
             Time
             to
             the
             Nation
             under
             his
             Conduct
             ,
             for
             his
             sake
             ;
             and
             would
             not
             fill
             his
             Reign
             that
             was
             so
             famous
             for
             his
             Piety
             ,
             with
             those
             Scenes
             of
             Horrour
             and
             Misery
             ,
             which
             darken'd
             the
             Times
             of
             his
             unhappy
             Successors
             .
             The
             Divine
             Compassion
             would
             not
             suffer
             him
             to
             see
             that
             City
             stain'd
             with
             the
             Blood
             of
             its
             Inhabitants
             ,
             which
             he
             had
             been
             so
             industrious
             to
             purge
             from
             Superstition
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             Worship
             of
             Idols
             .
             And
             as
             his
             Life
             was
             honourable
             to
             himself
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             greatest
             advantage
             to
             his
             Subjects
             ;
             
             so
             his
             Death
             was
             attended
             with
             their
             solemn
             and
             universal
             mourning
             ,
             (
             an
             Honour
             which
             was
             refus'd
             to
             his
             profane
             Successor
             )
             and
             his
             Funeral
             celebrated
             with
             the
             Lamentations
             of
             a
             great
             Prophet
             ;
             and
             his
             Memory
             preserv'd
             fresh
             and
             eternally
             fragrant
             in
             
             the
             sacred
             History
             of
             the
             Kings
             of
             Iudah
             .
          
           
             As
             Iohn
             the
             Baptist
             first
             devoted
             his
             Youth
             to
             the
             picus
             Meditations
             of
             a
             retir'd
             Life
             ,
             
             and
             then
             to
             the
             publick
             Service
             of
             God
             in
             his
             Generation
             :
             
             So
             he
             was
             invested
             with
             the
             honorary
             Title
             of
             MESSENGER
             to
             the
             Messiah
             ,
             
             to
             prepare
             the
             way
             before
             him
             ;
             who
             says
             ,
             he
             was
             not
             only
             
               a
               Prophet
            
             ,
             but
             
               much
               more
               than
               a
               Prophet
            
             ;
             and
             that
             
               among
               those
               that
               had
               been
               born
               of
               Women
               ,
               there
               was
               no
               greater
               Prophet
            
             than
             he
             .
          
           
             The
             early
             Piety
             of
             Timothy
             ,
             
             who
             was
             well
             acquainted
             with
             the
             
               Holy
               Scriptures
            
             from
             his
             Childhood
             ,
             was
             honoured
             with
             the
             most
             endearing
             Love
             of
             the
             great
             Apostle
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             and
             with
             an
             eminent
             Station
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             wherein
             his
             prudent
             and
             Religious
             Deportment
             secur'd
             his
             Youth
             from
             Contempt
             ;
             
             and
             made
             the
             Apostle
             give
             him
             that
             singular
             Character
             ,
             to
             the
             Philippians
             ,
             when
             he
             assures
             them
             that
             he
             had
             
               no
               Man
               like-minded
               ,
               
               who
            
             would
             
               naturally
               care
               for
            
             their
             State.
             
          
           
             The
             
               beloved
               Disciple
            
             is
             reported
             to
             have
             been
             very
             young
             ,
             
             when
             proselyted
             to
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Christ
             ;
             and
             perhaps
             
             this
             was
             not
             the
             least
             occasion
             of
             his
             being
             made
             the
             Bosom-friend
             of
             his
             Divine
             Master
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             most
             of
             those
             who
             were
             dignified
             with
             the
             sacred
             Office
             of
             Apostleship
             ,
             seem
             to
             have
             been
             converted
             in
             the
             Flower
             of
             their
             Time
             ,
             by
             several
             Circumstances
             of
             their
             History
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             many
             Years
             some
             of
             them
             spent
             in
             Travels
             ,
             and
             other
             hard
             Services
             and
             Sufferings
             ,
             after
             the
             Ascension
             of
             our
             Saviour
             .
          
           
             On
             the
             contrary
             we
             find
             not
             like
             Instances
             of
             Persons
             being
             call'd
             to
             such
             eminent
             Services
             for
             God
             ,
             and
             receiving
             such
             distinguishing
             Marks
             of
             Honour
             from
             him
             in
             old
             Age
             ,
             after
             a
             flagitious
             Life
             ,
             almost
             quite
             wasted
             in
             the
             sordid
             Drudgery
             of
             Sin.
             
          
           
             What
             a
             generous
             Emulation
             then
             should
             these
             illustrious
             Examples
             ,
             we
             have
             mentioned
             ,
             kindle
             in
             the
             Breasts
             of
             you
             that
             are
             Young
             !
             With
             what
             an
             Holy
             Ambition
             should
             they
             inspire
             you
             ,
             to
             become
             the
             early
             Candidates
             of
             Religion
             !
             Who
             knows
             in
             what
             eminent
             Services
             it
             may
             please
             your
             Maker
             to
             employ
             You
             ?
             And
             who
             knows
             what
             signal
             Favours
             and
             Tokens
             of
             his
             Divine
             
             Love
             ,
             he
             may
             confer
             on
             you
             ,
             if
             you
             consecrate
             to
             him
             the
             first
             of
             your
             Strength
             ,
             and
             the
             best
             of
             your
             Time
             ?
          
           
             But
             the
             Example
             ,
             which
             of
             all
             others
             shines
             with
             the
             greatest
             Glory
             ,
             and
             communicates
             the
             sweetest
             Influence
             ,
             that
             is
             most
             capable
             both
             of
             raising
             your
             Wonder
             ,
             and
             of
             exciting
             your
             Imitation
             ,
             is
             that
             of
             our
             Blessed
             Redeemer
             ,
             who
             came
             into
             the
             World
             to
             teach
             us
             by
             his
             Life
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             save
             us
             by
             his
             Death
             :
             He
             was
             pleas'd
             to
             honour
             the
             Youthful
             state
             of
             Life
             by
             passing
             through
             it
             ,
             
             
               in
               the
               Days
               of
               his
               Flesh
               ,
            
             while
             he
             dwelt
             with
             Men
             ,
             and
             did
             not
             defer
             his
             Father's
             Work
             to
             
               old
               Age
            
             (
             a
             Stage
             of
             Life
             ,
             which
             he
             never
             vouchsaf'd
             to
             enter
             on
             ;
             )
             in
             his
             very
             Childhood
             
               he
               wax'd
               strong
               in
               Spirit
               ,
               
               was
               filled
               with
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
               was
               upon
               him
               .
            
             His
             Soul
             advanc'd
             in
             Divine
             Knowledg
             ,
             as
             his
             Body
             did
             in
             Stature
             ,
             and
             so
             he
             
               grew
               in
               favour
               with
               God
               and
               Man.
            
             
             At
             Twelve
             Years
             of
             Age
             he
             was
             found
             reasoning
             with
             the
             Iewish
             Doctors
             in
             the
             Temple
             ,
             
             with
             that
             Sense
             and
             Understanding
             that
             amaz'd
             all
             the
             Auditors
             ,
             and
             with
             that
             Zeal
             that
             became
             him
             ,
             who
             made
             it
             his
             Delight
             to
             be
             
               about
               his
               Father's
               Business
            
             .
             
             
             All
             the
             time
             he
             liv'd
             amongst
             Men
             may
             be
             properly
             enough
             call'd
             the
             Time
             of
             Youth
             ,
             for
             there
             's
             reason
             to
             conclude
             from
             his
             History
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             that
             he
             accomplish'd
             the
             whole
             of
             his
             Work
             before
             he
             was
             advanc'd
             much
             beyond
             Thirty
             Years
             .
             And
             what
             a
             glorious
             Example
             does
             his
             short
             Life
             present
             us
             ,
             a
             Life
             without
             spot
             or
             blemish
             ,
             without
             the
             least
             sign
             of
             any
             inclination
             to
             Sin
             ,
             without
             the
             least
             shew
             of
             Injustice
             or
             Uncharitableness
             towards
             Men
             ,
             or
             the
             least
             appearance
             of
             Disobedience
             or
             Indevotion
             towards
             God
             :
             Nay
             ,
             a
             Life
             spent
             in
             the
             greatest
             Acts
             of
             Charity
             to
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             highest
             Elevations
             of
             Piety
             to
             his
             Father
             :
             A
             Life
             that
             consum'd
             it self
             in
             the
             
               Zeal
               of
               his
               House
            
             ;
             
             that
             expir'd
             in
             a
             Sacrifice
             to
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             Salvation
             of
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men.
             
          
           
             So
             that
             you
             have
             not
             only
             the
             Precept
             ,
             but
             the
             Prescription
             too
             of
             your
             Creator
             to
             engage
             you
             in
             your
             Duty
             .
             He
             by
             whom
             you
             were
             made
             ,
             by
             whom
             you
             are
             preserv'd
             ,
             by
             whom
             alone
             you
             can
             be
             restor'd
             from
             a
             state
             of
             Sin
             ,
             and
             by
             whom
             you
             must
             be
             finally
             judg'd
             ,
             was
             pleas'd
             to
             assume
             humane
             Nature
             ,
             
             to
             be
             made
             Man
             
               in
               all
               things
            
             (
             Sin
             only
             excepted
             )
             
             on
             purpose
             to
             exemplify
             the
             Duty
             in
             our
             Text
             by
             his
             Life
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             conquer
             Sin
             and
             Hell
             by
             his
             Death
             .
             And
             since
             he
             calls
             you
             to
             
               learn
               of
               him
            
             ,
             
             to
             bear
             
               the
               Yoke
            
             to
             which
             he
             meekly
             condescended
             to
             bow
             his
             own
             sacred
             Neck
             ,
             in
             his
             tender
             Years
             ,
             surely
             
               't
               is
               good
            
             for
             you
             to
             stoop
             to
             that
             
               Yoke
               in
               your
               Youth
            
             too
             .
             
             Ought
             you
             not
             to
             apply
             your selves
             as
             well
             to
             his
             Example
             for
             Direction
             ,
             as
             to
             his
             Sufferings
             for
             Salvation
             ?
             And
             is
             it
             not
             both
             for
             your
             Honour
             and
             Interest
             to
             be
             conformable
             to
             that
             blessed
             Life
             ,
             that
             was
             first
             
               taken
               up
            
             to
             instruct
             you
             ,
             and
             then
             
               laid
               down
            
             to
             redeem
             you
             ?
          
           
             2.
             
             Consider
             how
             small
             that
             Oblation
             is
             ,
             which
             is
             requir'd
             of
             your
             hands
             ,
             when
             your
             whole
             Life
             is
             claim'd
             as
             the
             Right
             of
             your
             Creator
             ;
             seeing
             'tis
             but
             a
             part
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             can
             be
             directly
             and
             immediately
             offer'd
             to
             him
             .
             The
             Secular
             Affairs
             that
             the
             Necessities
             of
             your
             Bodies
             engage
             you
             in
             ,
             and
             Sleep
             together
             with
             the
             other
             Reparations
             of
             Nature
             that
             are
             requisite
             to
             make
             those
             frail
             Tabernacles
             Tenantable
             ,
             divide
             
             between
             'em
             so
             great
             a
             share
             of
             the
             Time
             of
             Life
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             but
             a
             little
             portion
             of
             it
             that
             can
             be
             allotted
             to
             Pious
             Exercises
             ,
             how
             soon
             soever
             you
             apply
             your selves
             to
             the
             practice
             of
             'em
             ;
             and
             will
             you
             grudg
             your
             Maker
             this
             small
             share
             of
             your
             Time
             ,
             for
             the
             whole
             of
             which
             you
             entirely
             depend
             on
             him
             ?
             Can
             you
             think
             much
             to
             allow
             a
             part
             of
             every
             day
             to
             Devotion
             ,
             to
             the
             immediate
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             Welfare
             of
             your
             Souls
             ,
             when
             he
             allows
             you
             so
             large
             a
             part
             of
             your
             Time
             to
             provide
             for
             the
             present
             Ease
             and
             Welfare
             of
             your
             Bodies
             ,
             in
             procuring
             them
             the
             Conveniencies
             of
             Life
             ?
             Is
             it
             not
             more
             reasonable
             to
             grudg
             that
             these
             Houses
             of
             Clay
             should
             have
             so
             much
             of
             your
             Care
             and
             Time
             ,
             and
             that
             your
             Souls
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             your
             Creator
             should
             have
             so
             little
             of
             them
             ?
             And
             ought
             you
             not
             rather
             to
             study
             how
             to
             improve
             even
             that
             Time
             which
             you
             spend
             in
             supporting
             and
             accommodating
             this
             animal
             Life
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             render
             it
             subservient
             to
             the
             great
             Ends
             of
             honouring
             your
             Maker
             ,
             and
             of
             saving
             your
             Souls
             ,
             than
             to
             contrive
             Excuses
             for
             entirely
             squandering
             away
             the
             best
             part
             of
             that
             little
             Time
             in
             
             Vanity
             and
             Sin
             ,
             which
             you
             ought
             to
             devote
             to
             the
             Holy
             Exercises
             of
             Piety
             and
             Religion
             ?
          
           
             And
             (
             once
             again
             )
             can
             you
             think
             you
             shall
             bring
             an
             acceptable
             Sacrifice
             ,
             if
             after
             the
             consumption
             of
             the
             prime
             of
             your
             Days
             in
             Vanity
             ,
             you
             should
             come
             to
             offer
             only
             some
             of
             your
             last
             hours
             to
             your
             Creator
             ?
             Will
             the
             Days
             ,
             in
             which
             you
             will
             confess
             you
             
               have
               no
               Pleasure
            
             your selves
             ,
             be
             a
             proper
             Offering
             for
             him
             to
             take
             pleasure
             in
             ?
             Is
             it
             fit
             to
             reserve
             only
             the
             Blind
             and
             Lame
             and
             Sick
             for
             sacred
             Services
             ?
             May
             not
             such
             a
             Return
             be
             reasonably
             expected
             to
             every
             such
             Oblation
             ,
             as
             God
             by
             the
             Prophet
             Malachi
             makes
             to
             the
             profane
             Iews
             in
             another
             case
             ;
             
             
               Offer
               it
               now
               to
               thy
               Governor
               ,
               will
               he
               be
               pleas'd
               with
               thee
               ,
               or
               accept
               thy
               Person
               ?
               saith
               the
               LORD
               of
               Hosts
               .
            
             Would
             you
             not
             have
             reason
             to
             fear
             that
             such
             nauseous
             Services
             would
             be
             cast
             back
             as
             
               Dung
               upon
               your
               Faces
            
             ?
             
             And
             that
             you
             would
             have
             an
             Answer
             somewhat
             like
             that
             ,
             which
             you
             may
             imagine
             a
             Subject
             would
             receive
             ,
             who
             after
             having
             wasted
             his
             
             Youth
             and
             Strength
             in
             bearing
             Arms
             against
             his
             Soveraign
             ,
             should
             come
             on
             Crutches
             in
             his
             Old
             Age
             to
             tender
             himself
             to
             be
             listed
             under
             his
             Banner
             ?
             Such
             a
             kind
             of
             Answer
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             as
             such
             an
             inveterate
             Rebel
             might
             expect
             ;
             but
             as
             much
             more
             terrible
             as
             it
             is
             a
             greater
             Crime
             to
             sin
             against
             the
             great
             Creator
             than
             to
             offend
             a
             Creature
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             Resentments
             of
             the
             
               Living
               God
            
             are
             more
             dreadful
             than
             the
             Anger
             of
             a
             
               Mortal
               Man.
            
             
          
           
             3.
             
             To
             conclude
             ,
             Consider
             whether
             the
             largest
             Portion
             of
             that
             little
             Time
             ,
             which
             you
             can
             possibly
             spend
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             here
             ,
             makes
             any
             figure
             ,
             when
             compar'd
             with
             an
             Eternity
             to
             be
             employ'd
             in
             the
             pleasant
             Contemplation
             and
             Enjoyment
             of
             him
             hereafter
             .
             Can
             you
             think
             much
             to
             dedicate
             the
             few
             Moments
             God
             is
             pleas'd
             to
             lend
             you
             in
             this
             World
             to
             him
             ,
             who
             will
             reward
             the
             Service
             of
             those
             Moments
             with
             everlasting
             Bliss
             in
             the
             next
             ,
             among
             those
             Blessed
             Ones
             ,
             whose
             Happiness
             as
             well
             as
             Business
             it
             is
             to
             be
             perpetually
             devoted
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             their
             Maker
             ;
             
             who
             enjoy
             Immortal
             Youth
             ,
             and
             feel
             an
             unconceivable
             Pleasure
             in
             employing
             it
             wholly
             in
             the
             Contemplation
             of
             his
             Perfections
             ,
             in
             the
             Celebration
             of
             his
             Praises
             ,
             in
             the
             entire
             Performance
             of
             his
             Will
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             perfect
             Enjoyment
             of
             his
             Favour
             ?
          
           
             Can
             it
             be
             thought
             that
             any
             of
             those
             Blessed
             Spirits
             that
             are
             possessed
             of
             this
             Glory
             ,
             can
             think
             much
             that
             they
             spent
             a
             little
             Time
             here
             below
             to
             obtain
             it
             ?
             May
             it
             not
             rather
             be
             suppos'd
             that
             they
             all
             unanimously
             wish
             (
             if
             such
             a
             Wish
             be
             consistent
             with
             that
             perfect
             State
             of
             Bliss
             )
             that
             they
             had
             improv'd
             evety
             Minute
             of
             that
             little
             Time
             which
             their
             Creator
             allotted
             them
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             to
             his
             Glory
             ?
             'T
             is
             not
             to
             be
             doubted
             ,
             that
             the
             Holy
             Angels
             and
             Saints
             in
             Heaven
             do
             incessantly
             worship
             and
             serve
             their
             Maker
             with
             the
             greatest
             Alacrity
             imaginable
             ,
             because
             they
             constantly
             behold
             his
             Face
             ,
             and
             are
             always
             enamour'd
             of
             his
             Glory
             :
             They
             are
             under
             a
             continual
             impression
             of
             the
             Reasonableness
             
             and
             Goodness
             of
             his
             Will
             ,
             and
             know
             perfectly
             well
             that
             their
             own
             Excellency
             and
             Happiness
             consists
             in
             their
             exact
             Conformity
             to
             it
             ;
             and
             accordingly
             they
             find
             unexpressible
             Delights
             in
             doing
             his
             Pleasure
             :
             And
             if
             they
             count
             not
             an
             Eternity
             
               too
               much
            
             for
             the
             Service
             of
             their
             Creator
             ,
             can
             you
             think
             the
             short
             Time
             of
             your
             sojourning
             here
             below
             
               too
               large
            
             an
             Offering
             for
             him
             ?
          
           
             Seeing
             then
             the
             Law
             of
             your
             Creation
             ,
             and
             the
             Dictates
             of
             Reason
             ;
             the
             Importunities
             of
             the
             Divine
             Word
             ,
             and
             the
             Warnings
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             ;
             the
             Command
             of
             your
             Maker
             ,
             and
             the
             Example
             of
             your
             Redeemer
             ;
             the
             Experience
             of
             the
             Saints
             on
             Earth
             ,
             and
             the
             unanimous
             Sense
             of
             the
             Saints
             and
             Angels
             too
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             together
             with
             your
             own
             highest
             Interest
             both
             in
             Time
             and
             Eternity
             ,
             do
             all
             conspire
             to
             oblige
             you
             to
             devote
             the
             first
             and
             best
             of
             your
             Time
             to
             the
             great
             Author
             of
             your
             Being
             :
             How
             can
             you
             any
             longer
             refuse
             to
             give
             up
             your
             YOVTH
             to
             be
             tied
             by
             these
             many
             sacred
             Bonds
             
             
             as
             a
             Sacrifice
             to
             the
             Horns
             of
             his
             Altar
             ?
          
           
             Behold
             NOW
             is
             the
             accepted
             Time
             ;
             
             Behold
             NOW
             is
             the
             Day
             of
             Salvation
             .
             
             Therefore
             to
             Day
             ,
             if
             you
             will
             hear
             his
             Voice
             ,
             
             harden
             not
             your
             Hearts
             .
          
           
             FINIS
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A61409-e140
           
             Jam.
             5.
             20.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A61409-e550
           
             Eccl.
             1.
             1.
             
          
           
             1
             King.
             10.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             4.
             
          
           
             Deu●
             .
             30.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             2.
             
             4-10
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             1.
             17.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             2.
             1
             ,
             3
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             12.
             13.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             13.
             14.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             12.
             42
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.
             16.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             12.
             ver
             .
             13.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             ●
             .
             31.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             26.
             45.
             
          
           
             v.
             40
             ,
             41.
             
          
           
             v.
             45
             ,
             46.
             
          
           
             1
             Kings
             22.
             15.
             
          
           
             v.
             17
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             
               See
               also
            
             1
             Kings
             18.
             27.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             28.
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Num.
             15.
             39.
             
          
           
             Job
             31.
             7.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             11.
             10.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             22.
             13.
             1
             
             Cor.
             15.
             32.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             15.
             15.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             Rom.
             6.
             19.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             Job
             8.
             9.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             3.
             
             ●4
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             16.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             9●
             .
             2.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             63.
             16.
             
          
           
             Ex
             ●i●ilo
             ribil
             sit
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             1.
             1.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             2.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             3.
             
          
           
             Isai.
             28.
             29.
             
          
           
             Act.
             17.
             28.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Aratus
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             1.
             26
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             2.
             7.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             10.
             16.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             100.
             3.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             1.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             102.
             18.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             104.
             29
             ,
             30.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             1.
             2.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             21.
             30.
             
          
           
             Malpigh
             .
             de
             Gallis
             .
             Swainmerdam
             de
             Generat
             .
             Insect
             .
             Lewe●hoeck
             Epistol
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.
             6.
             
          
           
             John
             5.
             17.
             
          
           
             Job
             .
             10.
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             139.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             Isai.
             43.
             1.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             138.
             8.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             19.
             
          
           
             Job
             7.
             20.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             5.
             
          
           
             John
             5.
             17.
             
          
           
             Act.
             17.
             28.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             1.
             3.
             
          
           
             1
             Thess.
             5.
             5.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.
             9.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             6.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             1.
             31.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             7.
             29.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             51.
             10.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             5●
             .
             4.
             
          
           
             Act.
             20.
             28.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             10.
             12.
             and
             51.
             15.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             85.
             10.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             3.
             16.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             21.
             
          
           
             Isai.
             27.
             11.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             32.
             15.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             17.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             6.
             15.
             
          
           
             Col.
             3.
             10.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             4.
             24.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             2.
             10.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             So
             Isai.
             54.
             5.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             Psal.
             38.
             2.
             
          
           
             Job
             34.
             29.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             2.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             10.
             6.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             16.
             11.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             1.
             18.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             135.
             6.
             
          
           
             Job
             .
             10.
             7.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             4.
             35.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             63.
             6.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             17.
             32.
             
          
           
             See
             Eccl.
             9.
             15.
             
          
           
             See
             1
             Chron.
             16.
             ver
             .
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             39.
             3.
             
          
           
             Deut
             28.
             67.
             
          
           
             Aetas
             mala
             .
             Plaut
             .
          
           
             Isai.
             51.
             13.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             47.
             9.
             
          
           
             Isai.
             28.
             v.
             10
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             9.
             
          
           
             Job
             33.
             14.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             8.
             2.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             21.
             16.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             148.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             2.
             
             ●●
             .
          
           
             Hab.
             2.
             2.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             1.
             20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             3.
             4.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             10.
             10.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             11.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             12.
             
          
           
             V.
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             16.
             
          
           
             Isai.
             45.
             12.
             
          
           
             V.
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             18.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             42.
             8.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             10.
             4.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             42.
             8.
             
          
           
             ch
             .
             48.
             11.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             10.
             31.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             104.
             33.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             146.
             2.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             4.
             4.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             22.
             29.
             
          
           
             ch
             .
             23.
             19.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             13.
             2
             ,
             1●
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             à
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             elegit
             ,
             vel
             selegit
             .
          
           
             Numb
             .
             8.
             24
             ,
             25.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             8.
             4.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             10.
             20.
             
          
           
             Col.
             1.
             20.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             4.
             23.
             
          
           
             Col.
             3.
             10.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             1.
             2.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             2.
             11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             15
             ,
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             LIuk
             .
             11.
             13.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             30.
             18.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             31.
             33.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             8.
             10.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             19.
             11.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             31.
             15.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             10
             ▪
             31.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             8.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             33.
             20.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             13.
             12.
             
          
           
             1
             John
             3.
             2.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             55.
             23
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             7.
             17.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             8.
             13.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             20.
             12.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             6.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             〈◊〉
             .
             65.
             20.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             11.
             ●
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             8.
             12.
             
          
           
             Isai.
             3.
             11.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             3.
             11.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             3.
             
             1-10
             .
          
           
             Job
             15.
             16.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             13.
             23.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Di●g
             .
             ●●ert
             .
             ●ib
             .
             6.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             18.
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             John
             4.
             24.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             1.
             9.
             1
             
             Tim.
             4.
             8.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             8.
             
             Psal.
             4.
             4.
             
             John
             5.
             
             ●●
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             28.
             9
             
          
           
             Prov.
             22.
             13.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             12.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             10.
             
          
           
             Col.
             3.
             5.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             19.
             24
             ,
             25
             ,
             26.
             
          
           
             Act.
             26.
             18.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             37.
             35.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             73.
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             68.
             21.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             2.
             19.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             3.
             
             ●7
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             31.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             12.
             3.
             
          
           
             V.
             5.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             16.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             6.
             10.
             
          
           
             Isai.
             35.
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             12.
             3.
             
          
           
             Job
             31.
             1.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             119.
             37.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             1.
             
          
           
             and
             v.
             27.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             34.
             8.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             ●
             .
             3.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             12.
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Kings
             19.
             12.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             16.
             
          
           
             Cant.
             2.
             14.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             15.
             8.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             12.
             2.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             3.
             16.
             
          
           
             John
             17.
             3.
             
          
           
             1
             John
             5.
             20.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             31.
             33.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             1.
             1.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             71.
             5.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             119.
             16.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             7.
             24.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             
             1-8
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             
             54-57
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             3.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             23.
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             19.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             73.
             24.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             7.
             
             ●●
             .
          
           
             〈◊〉
             .
             9.
             
          
           
             Num.
             23.
             10.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             17.
             9.
             
          
           
             〈◊〉
             .
             5.
             6.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             2.
             10
             
          
           
             〈◊〉
             .
             4.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             1.
             5.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             2.
             
          
           
             Philip.
             1.
             6.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             9.
             
          
           
             Job
             20
             11.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             20.
             
             ●
             .
          
           
             Mal.
             2.
             17.
             
          
           
             Am.
             2.
             13.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             2.
             19.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             3.
             15.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             11.
             
          
           
             Mark
             1.
             26.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             18.
             14.
             
          
           
             John
             3.
             3.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             12.
             5.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             2.
             11.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             6.
             16.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             99.
             8
             
             ▪
             
          
           
             Rev.
             14.
             13
             
          
           
             Isai.
             38.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Job
             13.
             26.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             6.
             7.
             
          
           
             V.
             6.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             2.
             2.
             
          
           
             2
             Chron.
             6.
             36.
             
             Eccl.
             7.
             20.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             7.
             24
             ,
             25.
             2
             
             Cor.
             12.
             9
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Psa.
             18.
             29.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             23.
             5.
             
          
           
             V.
             4.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             42.
             4.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             27.
             4.
             
          
           
             Cant.
             2.
             5.
             
          
           
             V.
             3.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             63.
             5.
             
          
           
             Mar.
             5.
             6.
             
          
           
             Isai.
             65.
             24.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             1.
             22.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             1.
             13.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             27.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             8.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             71.
             16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             Acts
             13.
             36.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             12.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             12.
             26.
             1
             
             Cor.
             15.
             19.
             
          
           
             The
             late
             E.
             of
             Roch●ster
             ,
             see
             his
             Life
             wrote
             by
             Dr.
             Burnet
             ,
             p.
             68.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             144.
             15.
             
          
           
             1
             Kings
             18.
             12.
             
          
           
             John
             3.
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             2.
             9.
             
          
           
             Psa.
             16.
             11.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             13.
             13.
             
          
           
             Luke
             14.
             14.
             
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             2.
             14.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             3.
             6.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             1.
             1.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             122.
             2.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             22
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             10.
             31.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             19.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             50.
             11.
             
          
           
             Mark
             9.
             44.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             20.
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             10.
             22.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             6.
             11.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             1.
             
          
           
             Col.
             3.
             2.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             12.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             19.
             
          
           
             Luke
             17.
             10.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             16.
             27.
             
          
           
             Job
             11.
             16.
             
          
           
             Philip.
             3.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             1
             John
             3.
             2
             
          
           
             Rom.
             6.
             13
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             42
             ,
             43
             ,
             44.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             27.
             1
             
          
           
             Isa.
             56.
             12.
             
          
           
             James
             4
             ,
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             39.
             6.
             
          
           
             V.
             5.
             
          
           
             Job
             21.
             23
             ,
             24
             ,
             25.
             
          
           
             Job
             18.
             14.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             39.
             4.
             
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             1.
             10.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             13.
             14.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             22.
             13.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             32.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             9.
             5.
             
          
           
             Amos
             6.
             3.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             12.
             27.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             19.
             21.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             17.
             16.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             9
             ▪
             ●0
             .
          
           
             Ver.
             12.
             
          
           
             John
             9.
             4.
             
          
           
             Psa.
             31.
             15.
             
          
           
             Job
             7.
             1.
             
          
           
             Job
             14.
             5.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             19.
             44
             
          
           
             Ver.
             42.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             20.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             58.
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             2
             Thes.
             2.
             10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             2.
             16.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             44.
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             2
             Chron.
             30.
             8.
             
          
           
             Neh.
             9.
             16.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             9.
             18
             
          
           
             Exo.
             8.
             15.
             
          
           
             Acts
             19.
             9.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             2.
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             Acts
             28.
             23
             —
             28.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             1.
             5.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             3.
             19.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Acts
             7.
             51.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             5.
             11
             
          
           
             Eph.
             4.
             30.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             6.
             3.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             77.
             9.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             95.
             11.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             3.
             18.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             29.
             1
             ▪
             
          
           
             Mar.
             19.
             24
             
          
           
             Ver.
             25.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             26.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             3.
             13.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             13.
             11.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             13.
             3.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             2.
             26.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             19.
             
          
           
             Mar.
             3.
             7.
             
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             34.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             9.
             17.
             
          
           
             Acts
             8.
             22
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             3.
             13.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             77.
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             2
             Rings
             7.
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             16.
             
             1●
             .
          
           
             Esth.
             4.
             16.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             15.
             20
             ▪
             
          
           
             Ps.
             51.
             10.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             13.
             3.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             6.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             7.
             10
             ▪
             
          
           
             Isa.
             61.
             3.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             51.
             
             1●
             ▪
             
          
           
             Isa.
             55.
             7.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             16.
             31.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             20.
             5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             19.
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             1.
             10.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             2.
             32.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             5.
             16.
             
          
           
             Philip.
             2.
             12.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             5.
             22.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             3.
             4.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             2.
             3.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             149.
             6.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             19.
             40
             
          
           
             1
             John
             2.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             ●5
             .
             9.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             5.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             12.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.
             7.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             31.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             3.
             20.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             18.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             6.
             11.
             
             —
             18.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             2.
             11.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             
             ●7
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             1●
             .
             ●●
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             ●
             .
             20.
             
          
           
             Luke
             21.
             19.
             
          
           
             1
             Thess.
             5.
             18.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             16.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             2.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             ●
             .
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             12.
             
          
           
             Philip.
             3.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             13.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             14.
             13.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             13.
             12.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             2.
             5.
             
          
           
             —
             Primis
             sic
             major
             Gratia
             Pomis
             ;
          
           
             Hybernae
             pretium
             sic
             meruêre
             Rosae
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             92.
             14.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             15.
             8.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             17.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             110.
             3.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             1.
             20.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             40.
             6.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             24.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             4.
             7.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             8.
             2.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             21.
             16.
             
          
           
             luke
             10.
             21.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             14.
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             3.
             3.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             2.
             22.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             3.
             
          
           
             Col.
             3.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             26.
             41
             
          
           
             Luk.
             22.
             32
             
          
           
             Psal.
             1.
             2.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             6.
             17.
             
          
           
             1
             John
             2.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             119.
             9.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             16.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             14.
             25.
             
          
           
             Col.
             4.
             6.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             4.
             29.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             16.
             8.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             12.
             1.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             42.
             8.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             46.
             4.
             
          
           
             Job
             .
             5.
             26.
             
          
           
             Col.
             1.
             12.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             32.
             18.
             
          
           
             Act.
             ●
             .
             23.
             
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             2.
             26.
             
          
           
             Mar.
             9.
             44.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             7.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             23.
             2.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             7.
             27.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             9.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             1.
             1.
             and
             V.
             6.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             6.
             1.
             
          
           
             Jude
             4.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             33.
             14.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             7.
             10.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             10.
             27
             
          
           
             Psa.
             92.
             12.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             17.
             9.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             8.
             44.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             1.
             24.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             31
             ,
             32
             ,
             33.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             1.
             16.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             32.
             6.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             145.
             18.
             
          
           
             Hos.
             8.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             1.
             
             24-32
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             45.
             5.
             
          
           
             Job
             20.
             11
             
          
           
             Job
             2●
             .
             27
             
          
           
             Job
             14.
             22.
             
          
           
             Job
             20.
             12
             ,
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             32.
             22.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             27.
             11.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             5.
             12.
             13.
             
          
           
             Luke
             19.
             42.
             
          
           
             Psa.
             50.
             22.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             37.
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             39.
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             V.
             7-20
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             41.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             43.
             
             &
             Ch.
             44.
             
          
           
             Ch.
             45.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             12.
             21.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam
             ▪
             2.
             
             ●6
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             3.
             1.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             3.
             19
             ,
             20.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Dilectus
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             17.
             33
             ,
             42
             ,
             56.
             
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             23.
             1.
             
          
           
             2
             Chron.
             34.
             3.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             8.
             
          
           
             V.
             23-28
             .
          
           
             2
             Chron.
             35.
             24
             ,
             25
             ,
             26
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             Luke
             1.
             80.
             
          
           
             Luke
             3.
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Luke
             7.
             26
             ,
             27
             ,
             28.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.
             15.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4.
             12.
             
          
           
             Philip.
             2.
             20.
             
          
           
             John
             13.
             23.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             5.
             7.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             2.
             40.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             52.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             42
             ,
             46
             ,
             47.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             49.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             2.
             17.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             2.
             17.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             11.
             28
             29
             ,
             30.
             
          
           
             Lam.
             3.
             27.
             
          
           
             Mal.
             1.
             8.
             
          
           
             Mal.
             2.
             3.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             118.
             27.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.
             2.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             95.
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             3.
             7
             ,
             8.