The young man's remembrancer, and Youth's best choice: being an exhortation to conversion, in two anniversary discourses from Eccl. xii. I.

MATTHEW MEAD Minister of the Gospel

Aetatis Suce 70. An. ᵒ Do : 1699.

Printed for Iohn Marshall & Sold by him at the Bible in Grace-church-Street

THE Young Man's REMEMBRANCER , AND YOUTH's Best Choice : BEING An Exhortation to Conversion , in Two Anniversary Discourses from

Eccl. xii . 1.

Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth , while the Evil Days come not , nor the Years draw nigh , in which thou shalt say , I have no pleasure in them .

LONDON : Printed in the Year MDCC .

THE EPISTLE TO Young Readers Looking towards the Kingdom of God . Dearly Beloved in our Lord ,

THE Hopes , that there is a Harvest of Young Ones to Christ , for which the Fields are Already White , when Christ shall have in this sense the Dew of his Youth from the Womb of the Morning , and You Free-will Offerings to Him in that Day of his Power , This gives Encouragement of this Address to you , in Confidence , there will be many of You Readers : It is Evident . Young Persons are One Eminent Portion of the Lord Jesus his Love , and Care ; and so of the Gospel Ministry , and of the Servants of God in all Ages ; God was assured of Abraham , he would Instruct his Children after Him in his Knowledge , and Fear : Moses took great Care of this , to leave Monuments for Young Israelites growing up ; David the Father gave Excellent Principles to his Son Solomon ; And in a Holy Zeal , and Love to Young Men , cries out , Wherewithal shall a Young Man cleanse his Way ? As if he should say , What Spiritual Engine shall I find to raise the Hearts of Young Men , to Buoy them up from the World , the Raging Sea of Vanity , Lust , and Wickedness ? I should rejoice in such a One , and I have found it , even thy Word , to which they should always give heed . Solomon in this Penitential Sermon of his , after some Declinings , recovering the Piety of his Youth in which he stiles himself Ecclesiastes , or the Preacher is much engaged in it ; as you will see in the Following Discourses . Jesus Christ in Love to the Rising Hopes of Young Ones , Blessed early , even Infant Age : The Beloved Apostle , that lay in the Bosom of Christ , says , I write to you , Young Men , because you are strong , Vigorous in Mind , Body , full of Spirit , and Vivacity ; and in all of them who are Christians , the Word of God abideth ; and as Vigorous Persons , the Champions of Christ overcome the Wicked One , though the Strong Man ; Obadiah feared God from his Youth , that early Saint of the Old Testament : Timothy of the New Testament , Knew the Scriptures from a Child . Christ remembers the Kindness of Youth , the Love of First Espousals , before farther Alienations from him , and Prostitutions to Sin , Satan , the World ; His Soul desires the First Ripe Fruit. Oh that all this might perswade ; But I especially recommend the following Directions , prepar'd for you , given forth by some Excellent Master of Assembly , whom I will not attempt to suppose , who he was , being not entrusted with it ; and whether he did not Animam in Vulnere Ponere ; He did not draw out his very Spirit , and Life in shooting this Sharp Arrow of Christ into your Hearts , that you might fall under Christ ; Oh therefore , You in the Ascendency of Life , against all Temptation , flee Youthful Lusts , sacrifice this Choice Part of Life to God ; take heed that Curse come not on you ; You who have in your Flock this Male of Life , even Youth , Oh design not to Vow , to Sacrifice to God the Corrupt Thing of Old Age ; Grown old in Sin : The Brand of a Deceiver is set on all such ; Know therefore in this your Day , the Lord hath made for you the Day of your Visitation , the Accepted Day of Salvation , the Things of your Peace ; This is recommended to you , in the following Instructions , under the Blessing of the Eternal Father , through the Redemption of the Eternal Son , by the mighty Efficacy of the Eternal Spirit , the One Eternal God , the Ancient of Days , the Father of Lights , with whom is no variation of Age , nor shadow of Turning to the West of Days , to whom be Glory for Ever .

Amen .

TO THE READER .

IT may not be amiss to inform thee , that this Piece thou hast now in thy Hand may truly he called Orphan , and therefore it cannot be expected to come forth in such a Curious Dress , as becomes the Child of such a Parent , there being no possibility of access to his Wardrobe to adorn it : Yet notwithstanding ( I hope ) there are many Witnesses to its Birth , into whose Hands it may come , that may give sufficient Testimony of its Legitimacy . It cannot be at all questioned , but you who have so often desired , and have with pleasure heard its Voice , but will also add this Request to your former , Let me see thy Face . It now with Samuel to Eli cries out , Here am I , for thou didst call me . Say not of it as the God of Israel , How shall I put thee among the Children ? But let this which was the Parents Benoni , be thy Benjamin ; and the rather , because , ( as the Reverend Mr. Mead says ) * * Preface to Four Vseful Discourses by J. Burroughs . The Publishing the Labours of such Men of Worth , is of Happy Tendency to promote our Communion with them in the Spirit , whom it may be we never saw in the Flesh ; and it is to be reckoned among our Mercies , when the Dead are made to speak , that the Living may be perswaded to hear . May the God of Heaven attend this Essay with his Blessing , that its Publication may be attended with such Success , as was the Author's Design in its Preaching ; and may'st thou by this Small Tract be Enabled to have an Eye to that Reward which now he reaps as the end of so Liberal a Seed-time here , even Everlasting Joy and Felicity in the World to come .

Farewel .

THE Young Man's REMEMBRANCER . I. DISCOURSE .

Eccles. xii . 1. Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth , while the Evil Days come not , nor the Years draw nigh , in which thou shalt say , I have no Pleasure in them .

THE Two great Duties of the Christian Life , are , to Cease to do Evil , and to Learn to do Well ; the one is Negative , Godliness ; the other is Positive ; the latter can never be without the former . No Man can be Good that doth not Cease to be Evil ; and therefore Solomon Exhorts to the former in the Last Verse of the foregoing Chapter , and he brings it in with an Illative Particle , Put away Evil from thy Flesh . It referrs to the Ninth Verse , Know thou that for all these things God will bring thee to Judgment . These things , that is , these youthful Lusts , these sensual Pleasures , which by a sharp Satyr he does reprove in the former part of the Verse , Rejoice , O young Man , in thy Youth , and let thy Heart Cheer thee in the Days of thy Youth , and Walk in the Ways of thy own Heart , and in the Sight of thine Eyes . As if he should say , if thou art resolved upon thy Lusts , and bent to spend thy Youthful Days in thy sensual Delights , why then go on and take thy Course , but consider were this will end , and what follows ; there is a Reckoning Day a coming , thy pleasant Way will have a doleful End ; though the Beginning may be Sweet , the Conclusion will be Bitter ; for thou must Die e're long , nor canst thou say how soon , and then thou must answer to God , for all thy sinful Courses , and sensual Vanities ; for Know that for all these things God will bring thee to Judgment , and therefore Put away Evil from thy Flesh .

And then he proceeds to Exhort to the Positive Part of Godliness , and that in the Words of the Text , Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth . He tells you in the Last Words of the former Verse , Childhood and Youth are Vanity ; and the Vanity of it appears in nothing more than in indulging to Sense and Flesh , and forgetting God ; therefore these Words of the Text are the wise Man's Memento to young Ones , wherein he gives this seasonable Counsel for the Cure of their Vanities , Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth , whilst the Evil Days come not , nor the Years draw nigh , when thou shalt say , I have no Pleasure in them .

In which Words you have an Exhortation to a very concerning Duty , and it is backed with a threefold Argument in the Six following Verses . In the Duty exhorted to , you have Three Things .

First , The Act , Remember .

Secondly , The Object to be Remembred , Thy Creator .

Thirdly , The Time when he must be Remembred , Now. Remember now thy Creator : But lest you should think that this now takes in the whole Time of this Life , therefore he Excludes the latter Part of Life , and Limits this now to the former Part , Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth .

And then you have a Threefold Argument or Motive upon which the Duty is urged .

Old Age , with its Infirmities , Hastening .

Mortality Approaching . And ,

Judgment Ensuing .

First , The Approaching of old Age , with the Infirmities that accompany it ; that we have in those Words , While the evil Days come not , nor the Years draw nigh , when thou shalt say , I have no Pleasure in them ; and what these Days and Years are , he tells you in the various Allegories in the following Verses , While the Sun , or the Light , or the Moon , or the Stars , be not Darkned , nor the Clouds Return after Rain , in the Day when the Keepers of the House shall Tremble , and the strong Men Bow themselves , and the Grinders Cease , and they fa● that Look out at the Windows , &c.

Secondly , You have an Argument from Death and Mortality approaching , Verse 15. Man goeth to his Long Home . Verse 7. Then shall the Dust return to the Earth as it was . Then ; when ? When the Sun , and the Light , &c. is Darkned , when the Keepers of the House Tremble , when the strong Men Bow themselves , and and the Grinders Cease , then shall the Dust return to the Earth as it was .

Thirdly , You have the Judgment ensuing , Verse 7. The Spirit shall return to God who gave it ; it is the Soul that is here intended , which is frequently called a Spirit , because of its Spiritual and Immaterial Nature ; as the Body of every one Returns to the Dust , so does every Soul Return to God ; not to God as a Chief Good , but to God as a Great Judge ; not to his Blissful Presence , but to his Judicial Presence . All Souls do not Return to God to Enjoy him , for that is the Portion but of a few ; but all Return to God to be Judged by him , both Good and Bad , Saint and Sinner . So says the wise Man in the Third Chapter of this Book , Verse 17. God shall judge the Righteous and the Wicked ; for there is a Time there for every Purpose , and for every Work ; so that there is such a Returning of the Soul to God , as sets it before his aweful Tribunal , where it must be Sentenced to its Everlasting State , either to Enjoy God for Ever , or to be Everlastingly Shut out of his Presence and Favour ; so that these are the Arguments to Inforce the Duty in the Text.

Old Age is Hastening .

Death follows it .

And then comes the Judgment .

In old Age you will have no list to Remember God , in Death you cannot Remember God , and in Judgment you must be called to an account for not Remembring God , and therefore since it is thus , Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth . I shall open the Words , and then apply them .

First , I will begin with the Act , Remember ; this is applied sometimes to God ; he is said to Remember ; God Remembred Noah , Gen. 8.1 . He Remembred Abraham , Gen. 19.29 . He Remembred his Holy Covenant , Luke 1.72 . But there is , to speak properly , no such thing in God as Remembring ; for he that can never Forget , cannot be said to Remember .

But it is properly applied to Man ; and so to Remember is either ,

To call to Mind some Past ; or ,

To keep a thing in Mind for the Time to come .

Sometimes it is to call to Mind something past ; thus it is said , that Peter Remembred the Words of Christ , Mat. 26.75 . and as it Imports keeping in Mind for the Time to come , so it is said , Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy , Exod. 20.8 . To Remember , is put here in a double Opposition .

First , It is opposed to a Forgetfulness of the Duty mentioned . And ,

Secondly , It is opposed to a slight Performance of it . Both which are Sin .

It is a Sin to forget God , and it is a Sin to have slight Thoughts of God ; the Act should be some way answerable to the Object ; the Great God is thy Maker , and he should not be put off with slightly Respects , Remember thy Creator .

The manner in which the Duty is Inforced , is such as does import , that it ought to be our chief Business . God does not use in his Word to put his Memento's upon slight and indifferent Matters , but upon such Duties as are Necessary , and of the greatest Importance . As ,

First , To press us to Repentance , Rev. 2.5 . Remember from whence thou art fallen , and repent , Ezek. 16.61 . Thou shalt Remember thy Ways , and be Ashamed .

Secondly , To mind us of our latter End , Eccle. 11.8 . If a Man Live many Years , and Rejoice in them all , yet let him Remember the Days of Darkness , for they shall be many .

Thirdly , To press upon us the Duty of Sabbath Holiness , Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy , Exod. 20.8 .

Fourthly , To keep in our Hearts the great Works of Providence , Psalm 105.5 . Remember the Marvellous Works that he hath done ; and Mat. 16.9 . says Christ , Remember the Five Loaves that fed Five Thousand , and how many Baskets full he took up .

Fifthly , It is used to incite to a full and compleat Obedience , Num. 15.39 . Remember all the Commandments of the Lord to do them .

Sixthly , To stir us up to be mindful of himself , and therefore this Duty of all the rest is charged both Negatively and Positively .

Negatively , Deut. 8.11 . Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God . And ,

Positively , as in the Words of the Text , Remember now thy Creator .

But why doth God put a Memento upon this Duty here ? Why , there is a Fivefold Reason for it .

First , To Intimate to us the Opposition of our corrupt Hearts to this great Duty ; naturally Man cannot endure the Yoak of Obedience to God . He is without God in the World ; God is not in all his Thoughts ; therefore he calls us to Remember him .

Secondly , The Sum of all Religion lies in the Observation of this one Command ; there can be no such thing as Religion where God is forgotten . Jacob gave a severe Charge to his Sons concerning Benjamin , because he lay nearest his Heart ; the Honor of God lies nearest his Heart of any thing ; and no Man can Honor him , that doth not Remember him ; therefore he gives such a strict Charge about it . It is this that frames our Spirits for all other Duties , and makes them fit for every good Work ; Sin never prevails more upon our Hearts than when God is shut out of our Thoughts ; the Children of Israel did Evil , and forgat the Lord , therefore Remember thy Creator .

Thirdly , It implies , that no Age is so prone to forget God , as that of Youth . Youthful Pleasures , and youthful Lusts and Vanities , do frequently turn the Heart away from God , therefore Solomon says , Childhood and Youth are Vanity , in the Words before the Text. It is Vanity , both

In a Natural , and

In a Moral Respect .

It is Vanity in a Natural Respect , as being Frail and Mortal . Though by the Course of Nature , Young Ones may think to Live long , yet by reason of the Frailty of Nature , they may Die before the Eldest ; many Younger than you lye yonder Rotting in their Graves . Now thou hast the Seeds of Death in thee , and thou hast Sin the Cause of Death cleaving to thee , and the Sentence lies against thee , and therefore tho' thou mayest please thy self with the Thoughts of Living many Years , like the Fool in the Gospel , yet thou mayest Dye before to Morrow , as he did . Thou Fool , this Night shall thy Soul be required of thee . And as Youth is Vanity in a Natural Sense , so it is in a Moral Sense , for it is Tainted and Defiled with Lust and Corruption all over . Thou art a Child of Wrath from the Womb ; under a Damning Guilt , before ever thou didst commit one actual Sin , For by the Offence of one Judgment came upon all Men to Condemnation , Rom. 5.18 . But alas ! How much Guilt hast thou Contracted by thy Actual Sin , thy Lying , thy Swearing , thy Drunkenness , thy Gluttonny , thy Pride and Envy , thy Lewdness and Uncleanness , thy sinful Mirth and Levity , thy Slothfulness and Vanity , thy Stubbornness and Obstinacy ? These are the common Sins of Youth . And no wonder that that Soul is prone to forget God , where these Lusts reign ; therefore Remember thy Creator .

Fourthly , It is a Duty of the Greatest Equity , not only from the Will of him that Commands it , but from the Reason of the Command it self , which Consults Man's Good as well as God's Glory , and is it not Equal , that we should Remember that God that never forgets us , and that we should mind his Glory who is mindful of our Good ? Besides , how Equal is it , that God , who is the First Cause , the Chief Good , and Last End , should be first owned , best loved , and most served ? And is it not Equal , that Time , being so rare a Jewel , so great a Betrustment , so Rich a Talent , should be employed for him who gave it ; and who can either continue it , or cut it short , as we either lay it out upon God , or profusely lavish it upon our Lusts ? Therefore Remember thy Creator .

Fifthly , God gives us this Memento , to mind us of that strict Account we must e're long give to him for all our Time ; Youth is to Account to God for a few Years , as well as Old Age is for many more ; and therefore the Wise Man warns Young Ones of a Judgment Day for them , as well as for those of more Years , Eccles. 11.9 . Rejoice , O Young Man , in thy Youth , — But know that for all those things , God will bring thee to Judgment . If we do not Remember to keep this Precept , God will Remember to punish the breach of it . If we forget our Obedience to God , he will not forget to punish our Disobedience ; and therefore God puts a Memento upon this Command , that so we may be Awakened to our Duty , from the Sense of an Approaching Judgment . Remember thy Creator .

But it is not barely an Act of the Mind that is here called for ; it is not enough meerly for you , to Remember or Think of God , for that is done in Hell ; they all Remember God there ; the Memory of the Damned shall then be more quick and strong than ever , and shall bring all your Sins into an Eternal view . Now the Sins of Youth are committed and forgotten by us , and we are apt to think God forgets them too , and that they shall never be remembred more ; they say , Tush , the Lord seeth us not , Ezek. 8.12 . But mark what God says , Psalm 50. ver. 21. These things hast thou done ( speaking of their Sins before ) These things hast thou done , and I kept Silence — But I will Reprove thee , and set them in Order before thine Eyes . Every Sin shall be set in Order , and come into Remembrance , in that Day . Son , says Abraham to the Rich Man , Son , Remember , Luke 16.25 . pointing him back to his Lusts . If Sinners could but forget in Hell , it would be a Comparative Happiness . A Loss though never so great , yet when it is forgotten the trouble of it ceases It would be an ease to Sinners in Hell , if they could never think of God more , and if they could raze out the Remembrance of Christ and the Gospel out of their Minds , and forget that ever they heard of a Redeemer ; to Remember what a God , what a Creator , what a Redeemer , what a Heaven , what a Happiness they had tendered to them , and therefore might have secured , but would not ; to Remember what Calls they were once under , to Convert and Turn to God , and Close with Christ and Live , O how will this wound and afflict in that Day ; I had once the Means of Grace , I heard the Preacher often Calling and Wooing me to leave my Lusts and come to Christ , I have many times felt the Convictions and Strivings of the Spirit in me , under the Word , to bring it about , and had I had Wisdom to Consider , and a Heart to Comply , O how Happy had I been ! I might have been one amongst the Blessed Saints in Heaven , who are here Tormented amongst Damned Spirits . O how often have I had Life and Death set before me , and therefore this Misery is the Fruit of my own Choice !

To Remember Lost and Past Opportunities , O how will this Torment ! Fool that I was , to have such a Price put into my Hands to get Wisdom , as once I had , and yet to have no Heart to it . Wretch that I was , that I could find Time for every thing else , but no Time for Eternity . I had Time to Eat , and Drink , and Sleep , and to mind the Work of my Calling , but no Time to Work out my Salvation . I had Time for my Mirth , and my Games , and my Sports , and Pleasures , and Youthful Vanities , but I could find no Time for God and my own Soul .

To Remember upon what easie Terms they might have Escaped Wrath and Misery , and have been Happy for ever , will not this wound and torment ? I was not put upon what was Impossible ; Christ told me , his Yoke was Easie and his Burden Light , that his Commands were not grievous ; it was but forsaking my Lusts , and Cordially accepting of Christ for my Saviour and Lord , and I had been Happy for ever ; and how reasonable was this ? If he had bid me do some great Matter , should I not have done it ? How much more then when he laid upon me no other Conditions but these , Believe and be Saved , Seek my Face and Live . Remember thy Creator now in the Days of thy Youth .

O how bereft of Judgment was I , when I thought my self too Young for this Work , when I called God a Hard Master , and his Service Bonds and Bondage , when I Censured the Holy Ways of God as needless Preciseness , and cast off his Holy Laws as too Severe and Strict ? O Cursed Wretch that I was and am , not to be Perswaded to Own and Imbrace them .

To Remember what it was that they Chose in lieu of Blessedness , and what they parted with Heaven and Glory for , this will Amaze and Confound a few Short-lived Pleasures , and Carnal Delights , a little Sensual Satisfaction of the Flesh , a few Pleasant Cups , or Sweet Morsels , a Heap of Gold , or a Puff of Honour ; this is all I had for my Immortal Soul , and Eternal Salvation , and for a God who is the Chief Good , and in whose Favour is Life ; so that you see God is Remembred in Hell . Nay , let me say it , he is in some Sence Remembred more there than he is here ; for here the Ruin is so Distracted , with divers Lusts and Sensual Vanities , that they divert the Thoughts from their Proper Object , but in Hell there is nothing to flatter the Sences , no Objects to divert them ; God is perpetually Remembred there , not as a Duty , but as a Punishment ; not as a Comfort , but as a Torment . And let me tell you , it will be one of the greatest Torments of Sinners in Hell , to Remember what a God they have lost , what a Heaven they have missed , what precious Souls they have undone .

But this Momento here in the Text , is a very Comprehensive Duty ; in this Place it takes in the Whole of Religion , it comprehends the Whole Duty of Man .

It is usual with the Spirit of God in Scripture , to include all the Operations of the Soul , in the mention of one single Act , and to denominate the Whole of Religion , by some one Chief Part of it , which is a Principle Productive of all the rest ; sometimes we are Commanded to love God , sometimes to fear God , sometimes to seek God , and here in the Text to remember God , and in any one of these , all the rest are included ; so that this Injunction , to Remember thy Creator , points us to a five-fold Duty , without which it is not done as a Duty .

First , This Remembring implies and supposes Knowledge ; you can never Remember your Creator , unless you Know who he is ; the Memory is the Store-House of the Soul , where known Truths are Treasured up . Christ says of the Scribe instructed for the Kingdom of Heaven , that he brings out of his Treasury Things New and Old .

Knowledge is the first Step to Salvation ; he will have all Men to be Saved , and come to the Knowledge of the Truth , 1 Tim. 2.4 . and therefore the great Design of the Devil is to blot out the Knowledge of God from the Mind ; his Kingdom is a Kingdom of Darkness , and he rules in the Darkness of this World ; for he can lead the Blind which Way he will ; and therefore he that doth not know God , cannot remember him ; and he cannot be rightly known but in Jesus Christ . If one had a Knowledge of God as clear as that of the Angels , who never sinned , yet he cannot be rightly known by us but in Jesus Christ ; without the Knowledge of Christ , we shall be miserable with all our Knowledge . Though the Knowledge of Christ be not simply necessary to the Angels that never sinned , and therefore needed not a Mediator , yet it was necessary for us who are by Sin Obnoxious to God's Wrath , and so need a Reconciler , because of our Enmity ; and a Redeemer , because of our Slavery ; a Refiner , because of our Filthiness ; and a Mediator , because of our Distance , that he may bring us to God ; and therefore the Knowledge of Christ is as necessary to Happiness , as the Knowledge of God ; both are joined together as a needful Means of Salvation . This is Life Eternal , to know Thee the only true God , and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent , Joh. 17.3 . If we do not know God , we cannot know what is our Duty to him ; and if we do not know Christ , we cannot know the way of Performing that Duty ; the more we come to understand the Nature of God , and the Offices of Christ , the more we shall know of our Duty , and how to do it . There can be no Right Knowledge of God , but in and by Christ , He is the True Light that lightens every Man that comes into the World , John 1.9 . Every One that partakes of this Light hath it from Christ . Natural Light is from Christ , and Spiritual Light much more . No Man hath seen God at any time ; the only Begotten Son , who is in the Bosom of the Father , he hath Declared him . John 1.18 . And therefore this Remembring thy Creator , includes in it the Saving Knowledge of God in Christ .

Secondly , This Remembring includes Faith ; he cannot be said to Remember God , who doth not Depend upon God , and Trust in him ; therefore David Expresseth his Faith in God , by Remembring of him . Psalm 20.7 . Some trust in Chariots , and some in Horses , but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God ; that is , we will trust in his Name ; others trust in Creatures , but we will trust in the Creator ; others rely on an Arm of Flesh , but we will rely upon the Name of the Lord ; then God is Remembred aright , when the Remembrance of him is accompanied with Faith and Trusting . Faith in God , is the best , the truest way of Remembring of God .

It is said of Israel , Psalm 78.32 . They believed not for his Wondrous Works ; but when he slew them , then they sought him , and they remembred that God was their Rock , and the High God their Redeemer ; that is , then they believed . So Isaiah 26.8 . The Desire of our Souls is to thy Name , and to the Rememberance of thee ; that is , to keep up the Glory of thy Name , by Acting Faith and Confidence in thy Word and Promises .

Thirdly , This Remembrance implies Repentance ; Forgetfulness and Impenitence always go together ; Repentance is a Calling Sin to Remembrance , with a Due Sence of the Evil of it , and Sorrow for it , as it is done against God ; and how can this be where God is forgotten ? If there be no right Conceptions of the Nature of God , His Omniscience , His Holiness and Justice , there can be no Repentance for Sinning against him . They are frequent Remembrances , fresh Views of God , that work to Repentance and Self-abhorring . So it did in Job , Chap. 42.5 , 6. Mine Eye seeth Thee ; therefore I abhor my Self , and Repent in Dust and Ashes .

The Clearer Manifestations a Soul hath of God , the Deeper will its Humiliation for Sin be . When Peter remembred the words of Christ , then he went out and Wept bitterly . Till we Remember and Consider God in the Purity of his Holiness , the Severity of his Justice , the Tenderness of his Mercy , the Inevitableness of his Wrath , we can never truly Repent of Sin .

Fourthly , This Remembring of God , carries Love in it . Though an Object be every Way Amiable , and made up of Delights , yet it can never be let into the Affections , so long as it is shut out of the Thoughts ; nor on the other hand , can it be with any pleasure Remembred , when it has no room in our respect . God's Design and End is not so much to be Remembred by us , as to be Loved by us ; and his bespeaking a room in our Thoughts , is that he may Dwell in our Hearts .

The Highest Act of Honour the Creature can do to God , is to trust him , and love him . Those that Distinguish the Order of the Angels , place the Seraphims above the Cherubims , because they have a more ardent Love , as well as a more clearer Light ; a Remembrance of God , without a suitable respect , will neither be Profitable nor Durable ; for when any other Object Possesses our Affections , God is soon forsaken and forgotten ; then a Man Remembers God aright , when his Affections are suitable to his Apprehensions .

As it is with Sin , a Man hath not the right Notion of Sin , unless he feel the Weight of it , and loath it . Then shall ye Remember your own Evil Ways , — and shall Loath your Selves for your Iniquity , Ezek. 36.31 .

Or as it is with the Word of God , no Man remembers the Word aright , if he do not Believe it , and Love it . So no one can have right Apprehensions of God , who has not Choice Affection to him , and his Chief Delight in him .

Look what that is which we Love best , and we always think of that most ; what a Man Loves best , is his Chief Good ; and his Chief Good is his Treasure ; and where the Treasure is , there the Heart will be , Christ says .

What we Love , we Delight to think upon ; as what we hate , we soon forget . So it is said of Jeshurun , Deut. 32.15 . He forgat God which made him , and lightly esteemed the Rock of his Salvation . He lightly esteemed him , and therefore soon forgets him .

If one that is but a common Acquaintance with you be Absent , you soon forget him ; out of Sight out of Mind ; but a bosom Friend , a dear Friend , a Friend that is as a Man 's own Soul , you cannot forget such a one ; Love will remember him , when the Eye cannot see him , and makes him Present , when he is Absent ; nay , he lives in the Mind , when perhaps he lies dead in the Grave ; therefore I Pray mind that Precept of our Lord , Matth. 22. ver. 37. Thou shalt Love the Lord with all thy Heart , and with all thy Soul , and with all thy Mind . Mark ye , it is not said only , Thou shalt Love God with all thy Heart , and with all thy Soul , but with all thy Mind ; we Love him with the Heart and Soul , when we Devote our selves to him ; and we Love him with our Mind , when we have him daily in our Thoughts and Remembrance ; the Desire of our Souls is to thy Name , and to the Remembrance of thee , Isa. 26.8 .

Fifthly , This Remembring of him implies Obedience , Obedience to his Will ; the Will of God is the Rule of Obedience , and his Will is made known in his Word . Obedience is Knowledge digested into Affection and Practice . Hence is that Counsel of David to his Son Solomon , Know thou the God of thy Father , and serve him with a perfect Heart , and with a willing Mind , 1 Chro. 28.9 . Paul's first Question when touched his Heart was , Who art thou , Lord ? And then the next was , What wilt thou have me to do ? Acts 9.5 , 6. to shew us , that all Obedience is produced by Knowledge . As Ignorance is the Cause of Sin , so a Right Sence of God , is the best Antidote against it ; for this begets Love ; and the more God is beloved , the more readily he will be obeyed ; a weak Conception , and a fruitless Remembrance of God , Glorifies him no more , than a Painter does the Person whose Picture he draws .

The Glory of God consists not in the lifeless Notions of him , but in active Conformity to him ; a Natural Man may have some Pleasure in knowing the Nature of God ; Ay , but he cares not for knowing the Ways of God . Job , 21.14 . They say , — we Desire not the Knowledge of thy ways . He would own him in his Mercy and Goodness , but he hath no regard to his Precepts , Mercy is suitable to our Wants but Obedience is repugnant to the Interest of the Flesh . That Knowledge of God which doth not take root in the Heart , and grow up into Obedience in the Life , it is Blindness and Ignorance in God's Account , whatever our Notions of it may be .

Those Gentiles which are said to know God , Rom. 1.21 . they are said , ver. 28. not to know God : The Sons of Eli could not but know the Lord , having such a good Father , and being the Lord's Priests : But yet because they were Loose and Vile in their Carriage and Behaviour , therefore they are said not to know the Lord , 1 Sam. 2.12 . As there can be no Obedience where God is known ; so that Knowledge of God stands for nothing which is not fruitful in Obedience .

It is a Blessed thing so to know God , and so to Remember him , as not to forget his Precepts . It is Moses his Counsel to that People , and it is mine to you ; Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God , Deut. 8.11 . How is that ? The next Words tell you , in not keeping his Commandments ; that is , forgetting of God . Disobedience is called a Forgetting God ; They forgat God their Saviour , Psalm 106.21 . And we are said to forget his Words , when we do not Remember his Commandments to do them , Psalm 103.18 . And that which here in the Text is called Remembring thy Creator , is in Chap. 12. Ver. 13. expressed by Fearing God and keeping his Commandments ; which is said to be the Whole Duty of Man .

If the Authority of God be cast off , and we make not his Word the Rule of our Lives , he is as much forgotten as if he were utterly shut o● of our thoughts ; therefore says David , Psal. 119.55 . I have remembred thy Name , O Lord , — and have kept thy Law .

Thus you see how much this Remembring thy Creator carries in it ; to wit , Knowledge of God . Faith in God . Repentance toward God . Love to God . And , Obedience to the Will of God .

When you Know God , so as to Believe in him ; and Believe in God , so as to Repent of Sinning against him ; and Repent , so as to express your Love to him ; and Love God , so as to conform to his Will , and keep his Commandments ; then is this Duty done as it ought , and you therein answer the Call in the Text , Remember thy Creator .

And that brings me to the

Second thing , The Object to be remembred , thy Creator : Remember thy Creator . In the Hebrew Text it is ; Remember thy Creators , in the Plural Number ; so it is used frequently , Gen. 1.1 . Gods Created the Heaven and the Earth ; so Isa. 54.5 . Thy Makers is thy Husband , in the Plural ; so Job 35.10 . None saith , where is God my Makers .

And its being thus Plurally expressed , it is very Emphatical ; for it points us to Father , Son and Spirit ; all the Three made Man ; they were our Makers .

The Father made Man , Gen. 6.7 . The Lord said , I will Destroy Man whom I have Created .

The Son made Man , Col. 1.16 . By him were all things Created in Heaven and Earth .

The Holy Spirit made Man Job 33 4. The Spirit of God hath made me , and the Breath of the Almighty hath given me Life .

There is a great Truth ( which will give you to understand this ) I say , there is a great Truth in that Maxim amongst Divines , That the Works of the Trinity , ad extra , towards the Creatures , are undivided . All the Three , Father , Son and Spirit , sate in Counsel to make Man ; Let us make Man in our Image , in the Plural Number , Gen. 1.22 . And it is very observable , that though our Makers here are expressed Plurally , yet the Image is put in the Singular Number ; Let us make Man in our Image ; not in our Images ; but in our Image to note , that though the Persons are Three , yet the Image is but One : They have but one Nature , and so are but one God ; therefore it is said , Mal. 2.13 . Have we not all one Father ? Hath not one God Created us ? Father , Son and Spirit , and yet but one God ; and shall we not Remember him that made us ? Remember thy Creator . It is a Term that gives a Claim ; God is thy Creator , and that gives him a Right to thee . All Souls are mine ; as the Soul of the Father , so also the Soul of the Son is mine , Ezek. 18.4 . The Soul , that is , the Person , a Part being put for the Whole frequently in Scripture . Let every Soul be Subject to the Higher Powers . All Persons are mine , whether Father or Son , whether Old or Young , I am their Creator , I am their Common Father ; and this gives God a just Right to thy Soul , to thy Body , to thy whole Person , to thy Life , to thy Strength , to thy Talents , to all thou Art , and all thou Hast , and to all thou canst Do ; for he is thy Creator . He doth not say here , Remember thy God , but Remember thy Creator . God is not every one's God ; we have lost him by the Fall ; that Relation is cut off by Sin , till Grace restore it : But though he be not every one's God , yet he is every one's Creator ; Fallen Creatures are his Creatures still as much as ever , and therefore thy Remembring him as thy Creator , is that that brings thee to Claim him as thy God : Thou owest thy Time , thy whole Time , to him ; for thou art Created every Day by him ; for Preservation is a continual Creation . Thou owest thy Self and Service to this Creator . As thou art what thou art by his Power and Goodness , so thou oughtest to live to his Glory . He made thee after his own Image ; and as thou art hereby more capable , so thou art more obliged to Remember him , and Honour him .

Thirdly , Here is the limitation of the Time when he must be Remembred , that is now : Remember now thy Creator ; which now sometimes used in a more Extended Sense , and sometimes in a more Restrained Sense .

First , In a more Extended Sense ; it is taken for the present Life , all the Time a Man lives in this World ; and then it is opposed to Death . Death is no time to Remember God in ; so says the Psalmist , Psal. 6.5 . In Death there is no Remembrance of thee , in the Grave who shall give thee thanks ? It is the same with that of the Wise Man , Eccles. 9.10 . There is no Work , nor Device , nor Knowledge , nor Wisdom in the Grave whether thou goest ; that is , when Death comes , it cuts off all our Opportunities .

There is no Work in the Grave , that is no place of Business ; there is none can be done by us , and therefore there is none required of us .

And as there is no Work , so there is no Device ; as there is nothing to be done to procure Salvation , so there is no Devising any way to escape Damnation ; you cannot lye and think there : He returns to his Earth , in that very Day his thoughts perish , Psal. 146.4 .

Nor is there any Knowledge there either of Good or Evil , For the Dead know not any thing , Eccl. 9.5 . And if there be no Work , nor Device , nor Knowledge , there can be no Wisdom . Wisdom is profitable to Direct , but there is none of this in the Grave .

Wisdom lyes in Chusing a Right End , and Pursuing it by Due Means ; but there is none of this in the Grave .

Wisdom lyes in finding and imbracing the Chief Good ; but there is none of this Wisdom in the Grave .

When Death comes it puts an end to all your Opportunities : In Scripture Opportunity is often called a Door , 1 Cor. 16.9 . A great Door is opened to me . 2 Cor. 2.12 . A Door was opened to me of the Lord . When God sends and makes way for the Gospel , and inlarges the Hearts of Ministers to Preach the Gospel , and opens the Hearts of People to receive the Gospel , then a Door is opened : Now if Death shuts this Door , it puts an end to all our Opportunities . And is there not a time coming when this Door , this open Door , will be shut : Pray Read Luke 13.24 , 25. Strive to Enter in at the strait Gate , for many will seek to Enter in and shall not be able ; when once the Master of the House is risen up , and hath shut to the Door , and ye begin to stand without the Door , and knock , saying , Lord , Lord , open to us ; he shall answer and say to you , I know you not whence ye are ; the Master of the House is risen up , and the Door of Opportunity is shut . So Matt. 25.10 . it is said of the Foolish Virgins , While they went to Buy Oyl , the Bridegroom comes , and they that were ready went in with him , and the Door was shut ; a sad word .

Now you Read in Scripture of several Doors which will all be shut in that Day ; there is the Door of Gospel Grace , Rev. 3.18 . I have set before you an open Door , and no Man can shut it ; but when Death comes that will shut it .

There is a Door of Faith , Acts 14.27 . He opened a Door of Faith unto the Gentiles ; that is , he brought them to Believe in Christ ; but when Death comes the Door of Faith shall be shut .

There is a Door of Hope , Hos. 2.15 . I will give them the Valley of Achor for a Door of Hope ; but when Death comes , this Door shall be shut for them that never enter'd into the Good Land , the Heavenly Canaan in this Life , Whose Hope shall be cut off , and whose Trust shall be a Spider's Web , Job 8.14 .

There is the Door of the Heart , where God stands and knocks ; Rev. 3.20 . Behold I stand at the Door and knock . And , my Brethren , God is this Day knocking at the Door of the Hearts of you Young Ones : He is now knocking by his Word , and what does he say ? Remember now thy Creator . If any Man hear my Voice , and open the Door , I will come in to him , and Sup with him , and he with me ; that is , I will give him the Saving Influences of my Spirit ; he shall have Communion with me in Grace here , and Glory hereafter . O how should you Young Ones beg now that God would Put in his Hand by the hole of the Door , that you may open to him . Open ye Gates , stand open ye everlasting Doors , that the King of Glory may come in , Psal. 24.7 . Rowl away the Stone , those Sins and Lusts that keep Christ out of the Heart ; and do it now , lest God give you up to the Hardness of your Heart , and then when Death comes , you Perish in your Sins .

Again , there is a Personal Door in Scripture ; that is , the Lord Christ : I am the Door ; by me if any Man enter in , he shall be saved , John 10.9 . Now never did God set open such a Door of Hope , such a Door of Grace , such a Door of Salvation , as this is ; In whom we have Boldness and Access with Confidence to God by the Faith of him , Ephes. 3.15 . We have boldness to enter into the Holiest , by the Blood of Jesus , Heb. 10.9 . Now this Door stands open ready to let you in ; Christ calls you this Day to come , and he hath promised he will not shut you out , John 6.32 . Is there never a Young Sinner here that hath a Heart to enter in at this Door to Day ? Do it whilst it may be done , before it is too late ; for when Death comes , this Door will be shut to : If we stand out now , there can be no entring in then , you must be shut out for ever . The Door of the Gospel will be shut , the Door of Faith , the Door of Hope , the Door of the Heart , the Door of Christ's Blood and Righteousness will be shut ; and therefore the Door of God's Bowels and Mercy will be shut : All these Doors will be shut against thee in that Day ; therefore then there can be no Entring , for Death will put an end to all thy Opportunities ; therefore Remember now thy Creator ; that is , now in the time of this Life ; for Now is the Accepted Time , now is the Day of Salvation , 2 Cor. 6.2 . And thus much for the Extended Sence of this NOW in the Text.

Secondly , Sometimes this NOW is used in a more Restrained Sence , not only for the present Life , but for the present Time of this present Life : So it is used in the Text ; therefore Mark , it is not said only , Remember now thy Creator ; that is , only now in this Life , but now in the Days of thy Youth , in the early part of thy Life ; and so now is opposed to hereafter ; and this makes the Work of Closing with God in Christ to be a present Duty , a Duty to be done without delay ; Remember him now in the Days of thy Youth . The Life of Man from the Womb to the Grave , consists of Three Stages ; Infancy , Youth , and Old Age ; and the Duty here is not affixed to the first , for Infancy is too soon to know God , when we cannot know our Selves : Nor is it affixed to the latter , for Old Age is too late to serve God , when we cannot serve our Selves : But it is affixed to Youth ; this is the only time to know both our Selves and God , and our Lost Condition without him , and our Happiness by an Interest in him ; therefore Remember now thy Creator , now , in the Days of thy Youth . Indeed Youth is the only time of Life for this . In Infancy we are too Young to live , being but in our Imperfect Beginnings ; in Age we are too Old to Live , being in our Droopings and Declinings .

The Life of Man is a Life of Reason ; now Children are too Young to understand , and Old Men are twice Children ; and therefore the Days of thy Youth are the only Days of thy Life to Remember thy Creator in ; Remember now thy Creator , now , in the Days of thy Youth . And so I should come now to the Conclusion I thought to speak to ; but I pass that by for the present , and come from Explication to the Application , but in two Uses .

The first shall be of Reproof to all such as forget God now in their Youth : O what a Common Sin is this , especially amongst Young Ones ! A Sin ( I think ) that never was so common as now ; it is a Complaint every where , that the Youth of the Nation is generally Corrupted and Debauched ; and it may appear by the Bills you put up full of Complaints of their States : Pray for an Undutiful Child that despises his Parents Counsel , says one ; Pray for a Sabbath-breaking Child , says another ; Pray for a Child that Dishonours God by Cursing , and Swearing , and Lying , says a third ; and so many more : And truly Parents may very much thank themselves for this . It very much proceeds from want of Good Government , by timely Instruction and Correction ; and the want of this at home , together with Evil Examples abroad , hath so leavened the Youth of this Day , and stained them with such vicious Tinctures , that God is not in all their Thoughts . Nay , they cannot endure the Name of God , unless it be to Curse or Swear by it : And is not this for a Lamentation ? It is such a Sin , as would you be perswaded seriously to consider of it , you would be ashamed of ; for it is the most unreasonable thing in the World to forget God : It is such a Sin , as if God would help you to lay it to Heart , you would be ashamed of it . See how God Disputed the Case with Israel , Jer. 2.2 . What Iniquity have your Fathers found in me , that they have gone far from me , and walked after Vanities , and becomr Vain , neither say they , where is the Lord ? As if God should say , tell me what have you against me ? What Evil have I done ? As Christ says , Many Good Works have I done , for which of them do you Stone me ? What have you to lay to my Charge ? Have I been a Barren Wilderness , or a Land of Darkness ? If so , you have some occasion to Revolt and Forget me ; but if not , why say ye , We will come no more at thee ? Jer. 2.31 .

O what a shame is it that any one should forget God , that never did him hurt , but good , all the Days of his Life . Pray Consider that first Question in your Catechism , Who made you ? You once were not ; and that which once was not , could not make it self ; as Nothing has no Existence , so it can have no Operation : Nothing cannot be a Creator to every one of you . You derive your Beings from God , It is he that made us , and not we our selves , Psalm . 100.3 . therefore you are called the Offspring of God ; Acts 17.28 . In him we live , move , and have our Being , for we are his Offspring . Now what a shame is it that a Creature that is made by God should forget his Maker ? God complains of this , Isa. 51.13 . They forgat the Lord their Maker ; and should he be forgotten that gave us our Being ?

Honour thy Father and thy Mother ; it is a Law written in Nature ; they deserve the highest Respect and Reverence , because they were the Instruments of our Being . Now God is much more the Author of our Being than he that Begat us , or than she that Brought us forth : Thou art he , says David , that took me out of the Womb ; thou art my God from my Mother's Belly . Parents are but the Second Causes of our Being ; God is the First Cause , and all Second Causes depend upon the First , in their Being and Operation ; therefore Man is nothing in our Production , if compared with God ; and shall this God be forgotten , and sinned against ? He calls Heaven and Earth to witness against such Rebels , Isa. 1.2 . Hear , O Heaven , and give Ear , O Earth , for the Lord hath said , I have nourished and brought up Children , and they have Rebelled against me . Heaven and Earth will cry out against you , if he that made us be not remembred and owned by us .

Secondly , Consider what a Price God has put into your Hands for the good of your Souls . He hath not only made you , but he hath made Seasons of Grace for you : Seasons for the getting the Knowledge of God in Christ : Seasons for getting an Interest in Christ : He has given you his Sabbaths , his Word , his Ordinances , a Powerful Means and Ministry : Nay , many Young Ones have felt somewhat of the Power of these things ; God has been at Work with them betimes , their Hearts have been touched , the Spirit of God hath wrought in them some Convictions of Sin , and of their lost undone State . O what a Price has God put into your Hands ; and how can you answer the neglect of it ? What says Solomon ? Prov. 17.16 . Wherefore is there a Price put into the Hand of a Fool to get Wisdom , seeing he hath no heart to it ? He that hath a Price put into his Hands to get Wisdom , and hath no Desire in his Heart to it , that Man is a Fool : God says so , He is a Fool : And as he is so now in the Judgment of others , so he will be so one Day in his own . It will be a Sword in his Heart to consider , I might have had God for my God , but I forgat him . I might have had an Interest in the blessed Redeemer , but I neglected it . I might have been Saved , but I let slip all these Opportunities that God put into my Hands . I have now wofully destroyed a Precious Soul by my Impenitent continuance in my Cursed Lusts , against the Calls and Counsels of God .

It is an awakening Passage , Eccles. 8.6 . Because to every Purpose there is Time and Judgment , therefore the Misery of Man is Great upon him . Therefore ; Wherefore ? Why , because he hath not Judgment to discern the fittest Opportunity for every Purpose . Many Young Ones , O how do they purpose that they will seek God hereafter ? How do they purpose to mind their Salvation ? One purposes a New Life , and a Better Course ; and God has given every one of you time for this , but they want Wisdom to know the Time ; and so the Opportunity is lost and gone , and they are miserable for ever ; Because to every Purpose there is Time and Judgment , therefore the Misery of Man is great . Sirs , Consider it . Young Ones , how will your fruitless Repentance begin ; when your Opportunities are past and gone , then you will see your Folly : At his Latter End he shall be a Fool - He was a Fool at first , but he shall see it at last ; at his Latter End , he shall be convinced of his Folly .

Thirdly , Young Ones , you that now forget God , and slight Religion , and indulge to your Lusts ; let me tell you , you are a Judgmen to the Nation , a Judgment and a Plague to the Land ; I have formerly said it to you , and I say it again , the Youth of a Nation are always a great Good or a great Mischief to the Nation ; they are either the Hope or the Plague of the Land . When Young Ones are Serious , and mind God and their Souls , when the Word of God is Precious to them , to Awaken and Convert them to Season their Hearts with Wisdom , to Know and Remember God , to Seek after Christ , to Honour Religion , by a Sober and Holy Conversation ; such a Race of Youth are a Blessing in any Age , they are a Blessing of God to a Land .

But when the Youth of a Nation cast off Religion , cast off all Duty to God and Man , and all Sobriety and Vertue , and grow Proud , Profligate , Profane , tainted with all manner of Wickedness , even to Atheism it self , What shall we say then ? Then I say , this is a sad sign of some Judgment of God coming upon the Land ; and indeed we have many Young Ones in this Day , such Monsters in Wickedness as hath not been known in any Age ; such Young Swearers that can scarce speak plain ; Young Sabbath-breakers , Young Blasphemers ; Young Atheists ; never any Age produced the like ; and for accompanying with Harlots , and all manner of Uncleanness , that is become a Fashion : Therefore I tell you , and I tell you from the Word of the Lord ; and I beg you would Consider it ; there is some sore Judgment of God near at hand ; I tell you the truth , it is near , and hastens greatly ; a Day of Trouble and Distress , a a Day of Wasting and Desolation ; therefore , my Brethren , I speak it with an Aking Heart , England is now big with such a Brood as will Eat out our Bowels ; the Children will Destroy the Mother ; therefore Pray hearken to a word of Exhortation , and not from me , but from the Lord ; it is the Exhortation in the Text , O Remember your Creator now in the Days of your Youth ! Now , if ever ; now , or never ; now , in the Days of your Youth . As ever you would have Good Times , as ever you would have God own this Nation , as ever you would have the Gospel continued in the midst of you , O Remember your Creator !

First , Remember how he Created you in his own Image ; every one of you was made in the Image of God ; every one ; though the Moral Image of God is blotted out by the Fall , that Image that consisted in Righteousness and Holiness , that is lost ; yet there is a Natural Image of God which is seated in the Intellective and Elective Powers of the Soul ; and this every one of you hath ; this Image every one brings into the World with him ; it cannot be lost ; it shall be carried to Heaven and Life , and to Hell too : It will be the Comfort of Saints in Heaven , and the Torment of Sinners in Hell , to lye there with this Image of God , there their Mind , Understanding , Memory , to Consider and Remember how they Sinned against this God in their Lives . Now why has God stamped every one with his Image , but to make him capable of Knowing God , and Chusing God , and Loving God , and Closing with God , and Desiring God , and Serving God , and Injoying Communion with God ? This is the End why he put his Natural Image into every Soul ; otherwise Man might have Served God as Brute Creatures do ; but he could never have known him , never have had Communion with him : Now shall we bear this Image of God , and shall we not labour to know the Lord ?

Secondly , Remember him so as to make it the Chief Business of your Lives to seek him , and to Seek him while he may be found . It is the Counsel of the Holy Ghost , Seek the Lord while he may be found . When is that ? He tells you , Prov. 8.17 . They that seek me early shall find me . Now he seeks God early , that makes it his first Work ; therefore says our Lord , Seek first the Kingdom of God , and the Righteousness thereof , and all these things shall be added to you , Mat. 6.33 . Seek the Kingdom of God as the End , and his Righteousness as the Means ; for Grace is the way to Glory , Holiness to Happiness . Without Righteousness there is no Heaven to be had ; but with it comes both Heaven and Earth too ; for Godliness hath the Promise of both Lives , both that which is now , and that which is to come : But this Kingdom must be first sought ; First seek the Kingdom of God ; first , before every thing ; and first , above any thing else .

Our Interest in God is lost by the Fall ; it may be recovered , and there is nothing so useful to be sought and secured as that . Is not the Life more than Meat , and the Body than Raiment ? Says Christ : So say , is not Heaven more than Earth ? Is not God better than the Worldi , and Spiritual Blessings better than Temporal ? O therefore , let not the Lean Kine devour the Fat ; nor the things of the World shut God and Christ out of our Hearts and Thoughts . The Spiritual Blessings are the best , therefore God Promises them first . He will give Grace and Glory , Psal. 84.11 . There be Spiritual Blessings ; and he will withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly ; there follow Temporals . God suits his Mercies to our Necessity ; therefore he gives them first that we need most .

This should direct our Duties , and teach us what to Beg , and what to Seek . Seek God in the the first place , God in Christ ; and and if Spiritual Mercies be secured , Temporal Mercies , so far as is for your good , shall never be denied : Therefore let it be your Work to seek God before all , above all , and more than all ; for he is all in all : But be sure to seek him in Christ , or I tell you , you will never find him , nor find acceptance with him . Since the Fall , God is not to be found , but only by a Mediator ; He that finds me , saith Christ , findeth Life , and shall obtain favour of the Lord , Prov. 8.33 .

O get an Interest in Christ ; of all things , Young Ones , get an Interest in Christ , a hearty Closing with Christ , a Saving Faith in Christ ; this is the right way of Remembring your Creator . Remember him so as to Obey him , and Live to him ; that is the Sence of the Apostle's Counsel , 1 Pet. 4.19 . Commit your Souls to him in well-doing , as to a faithful Creator ; it must be in well-doing . He hath promised Eternal Life to them who seek him by Patient continuance in well-doing , Rom. 2.7 . And therefore let me add this , as you must Remember him first , so you must Remember him to the Last : Pray take that , and I will have done : As you must remember God first , so you must remember him to the last : You must begin with God , and you must end with him : O take heed of beginning in the Spirit , and ending in the Flesh .

You Read in the 20th of Matthew , that the Labourers came to Work in the Vineyard at very different Hours : Some came Early in the Morning ; some at the Third Hour ; some at the Sixth ; some at the Ninth Hour ; and some at the Eleventh : Some came in Earlier , and some Later ; they did not all come in in the Morning . Ay , but they all tarried till the Evening ; they all Laboured till the Evening .

It is the Wise Man's Counsel , and O that God would help you to take it ! In the Morning Sow thy Seed , and in the Evening hold not back thine Hand , Eccles. 11.6 . My Brethren , God must have the Duty of the whole Day of your Life : Christ says so , I must work the Work of him that sent me while it is Day . Christ never spent one Hour of his Day Idlely . The Lord Pity Young Ones ; How do they Idle away their Time ? God must have the Duty of the whole Day ; for as we are here in the Text called to seek him Early , so we are commanded to seek him continually . 1 Chron. 28.7 . God is Alpha and Omega , the beginning and the Ending ; therefore as we are to begin with him first , so we are to hold on with him to the last : For he that indures to the end shall be saved : Be thou faithful to the Death , and I will give thee a Crown of Life , Rev. 2.10 .

Now I might urge this Duty upon you , which is so great by many Arguments .

From what God is to us ; our Creator .

From the Command laid upon thee to Remember him as such .

From what he deserves of us ; For of him , and through him , and to him , are all things ; therefore Glory should be to him for ever , Rom. 11.32 .

But I shall urge but this one Motive , and I have done . The Present Time is only thine ; thou hast a great Work to do , a God to remember , a Christ to seek , Sin to kill , Grace to get , a Heaven to mind , a Hell to avoid , a Soul to save , a strict Day of Judgment to pass through ; O what work have we to do ! And all the Time we have to do it in is but Now : The Present Season is only thine , thy Days are here limited and bounded in the Text to a Present now ; Now in the Days of thy Youth . What Fools are Young Ones now to say , by the Grace of God I intend to Repent hereafter , and I will seek after God hereafter . I am too Young now , when God says , Remember thy Creator now in the Days of thy Youth ?

You little think how soon Death may come ; it doth not always give warning ; what warning had the Rich Man ? Thou Fool , this Night shall thy Soul be required of thee ; when he cries out , I have Goods laid up for many Years . What warning had Job's Children , that were all taken away in an Hour ? O Sirs ! Death hath several passages to your strong Holds , that you cannot find out : He doth not lay long Siege to all : There is no saying to Death when it comes , there is one Older than I , take him ; there is one was Gray when I was but a Child , let him go first . No , Sirs , you must know that Sin hath alter'd the Course of Nature ; the Son Dies before the Father , and the Daughter before the Grand-Mother .

I say therefore , the Present Time is only yours ; yesterday can never be recalled , and to Morrow may never be enjoyed : The Present Time is only yours . Young Ones Die as well the Old : Blossoms are liable to Nipping in the Spring , as well as full Grown Fruit to Rotting in Autumn . Thou that art Young and Strong ; thou art not sure of another Year , no , nor of another Day : O therefore who would hazard his precious Soul upon such uncertainties ! Opportunity ended returns no more : There is hope of a Tree if it be cut down , ( saith Job ) that it will sprout again ; but Man lyeth down , and riseth not till the Heavens be no more .

Sirs , Pray remember we have but one Arrow of Life to hit the Mark with , and if we shoot at Random we loose all ; therefore we had need be good Archers . O what will you do , Young Ones , what will you do , if your Day be ended before your work be finished , if your Paradice be laid waste before the Tree of Life be planted in it ! O therefore that you would be perswaded to hearken to God here in the Text , To Remember thy Creator now in the Days of thy Youth , while the Evil Days come not , nor the Days draw nigh , wherein thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them !

THE YOUTH's Best Choice . II. DISCOURSE .

Eccles. xii . 1. Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth , while the Evil Days come not , nor the Years draw nigh , in which thou shalt say , I have no Pleasure in them .

THere are two great Concerns which lye upon all our Hands , which ought to be seriously thought of by us , and duly attended ; the one is , A Wise Improving this present Life , and the other is , A careful providing for a better ; two Things which none can be too Diligent about ; and he that is truly Faithful in one , will in some Measure be Conscious in both : And both these are pointed at in the Text. For he that in the Days of his Youth Remembers his Creator as he ought , does at once rightly improve the present Life , and wisely provide for that to come , and so unites in his Practice those Duties that God hath joined together in the Precept , Remember thy Creator now in the Days of thy Youth , &c.

In which Words you have the Call and Command of God to a very Important Duty ; wherein we may observe ,

First , The Act or Duty it self , to Remember .

Secondly , The Object to be Remembred , Thy Creator .

Thirdly , The Season wherein this Duty is to be put in Practice , now . But least you should think that this now takes in the whole time of the Present Life , therefore he does exclude the latter Part of Life , and limits this now to the former Part ; Remember thy Creator now in the Days of Youth .

I did the last Year , as some of you may remember , upon this Occasion , speak from these Words . I then only opened them to you , and shewed the Comprehensive Sence of them , without making any Observation from them . I told you , that this remembring our Creator points to a Fivefold Duty .

First , To a right Knowledge of God ; and he cannot be rightly known , but in and by Christ ; we cannot else know the Way of doing it ; for he is the Way , the Truth , and the Life : And therefore the right Remembring our Creator , includes in it a Saving Knowledge of God in Christ .

Secondly , This Remembring includes believing ; we cannot be said to remember God in the Sence of the Text , if we do not depend upon him , and trust in him ; therefore David expresses his Faith in God , by remembring of him , Psalm 20.7 . Some trust in Chariots , and some in Horses , but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God : That is , others trust in Creatures , but our trust shall be in God .

Thirdly , Remembring implies Repenting ; Forgetfulness and Impenitency always go together ; Sinning is called in Scripture , a Forgetting God , and Repentance is a calling Sin to Remembrance , with a true Sence of the Evil of it , and Sorrow for it , as done against God ; and therefore where God is forgotten , and out of our Remembrance , there can be no Repentance .

Fourthly , Remembring our Creator , carries in it Love and Respect . Though an Object be every way Amiable , and made up of Delights , yet it can never be remembred with pleasure , when it hath no room in our Respect . God's Design and End in requiring to be remembred by us , is , that he may be loved by us ; and his bespeaking a Place in our Thoughts , is , that he may have a Room in our Hearts . The highest Act of Honour the Creature can do to God , is to trust him , and love him . A Remembrance of God , without suitable Respect , cannot answer the Call in the Text , because it is but passant and transcient : For when any other Object possesseth our Affections , God is soon forgotten and forsaken . What we love , we love to think on , as what we slight , we soon forget . As it is said of Jeshurun , he forgat God that made him , and lightly esteemed the Rock of his Salvation .

Fifthly , This Remembring of God includes obedience to his Will . Obedience is nothing else but Knowledge , digested into Affection and Action . Hence is that Counsel of David to his Son Solomon , Know thou the God of thy Fathers , and serve him with a perfect heart , and willing mind . As there can be no Obedience , where God is not known , so that Knowledge of God stands for nothing , that is not fruitful in Obedience : Mark that Counsel of Moses , Deut. 8.11 . Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God : How is that ? The next Words tell you , in not keeping his Commandments . Disobedience is a forgetting God ; so that that which in the Text is called a Remembring our Creator , is in the last Chapter of this Book , ver. 13. expressed , by fearing God , and keeping his Commandments . If the Authority of God be cast off , and we make not his Word the Rule of our Lives , he is as much forgotten in a Scripture Sence , as if he were utterly shut out of our Thoughts : So says David , I have remembred thy Name , O Lord , and have kept thy Word . So that you see this Remembring is a very Comprehensive Term.

Then the Object to be Remembred was opened to you , ( thy Creators ) for in the Original it is in the Plural Number ; and so it points to Father , Son , and Spirit . It is not said Remember thy God , but , Remember thy Creator . God is not every one's God , but he is every one's Creator ; fallen Creatures , they be his Creatures still , as much as ever ; and this Remembring him as thy Creator , is that that gives thee a Claim to him as thy God .

And then in the last place I opened to you the Season of this Duty , now ; not now as intending any time of Life , but now in the Days of thy Youth . I insisted largely upon these things , in the opening of them to you , and improved them by a Particular Application : And this is the sum of what I spake last Year upon these Words .

I now come to give you some Observations from them ; one is this .

That Youth is naturally very prone to forget God ; this is plainly implied : For what need else of this Memento in the Text , Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth .

Another might be this ; that the true and best Improvement of Youthful Days , is to devote them to God , to mind Religion betimes .

But I shall not speak to any of these ; my Design , at present , is to speak to the Words as they lye in the Original .

Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Choice : The Word that we render Youth , here the Days of thy Youth , is from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Elect , to Chuse ; and accordingly Montanus renders the Word ; Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Choice .

Now this admits of a double Sense . Either ,

Thy Choice Days , or thy Chusing Days .

First , The Days of Youth they are your Choice Days , the Prime of your Time , the Flower of your Age. As the Spring is the choice time of the Year , so is Youth the choice time of Life ; Nature is then most brisk , and active , and full of vigor , and the Spirits quick and lively , the Wit sharp , the Affections strong , the Memory retentive ; and therefore there is no time to mind Religion like this choice time of Youth .

O where now are those Isaacs that meditate whilst they are young ? Where are those Jacobs that seek for the Blessing betimes ? Where are those Children that ask their Parents as they under the Law did ? What mean the Sabbaths and the Ordinances of the Lord , that we may also keep them ? Where are the Children amongst you that sing Hosannah's to Christ , as they did in the Days of his Flesh ? These are the Young Mens Looking Glasses ; and because we are led by Example more than by Precept , therefore the Holy Ghost has set before you these Presidents in Scripture , that you may imitate and copy them out ; these are choice Paterns , and if you make Conscience to follow them in your Choice Days , you will shew your selves to be a Chosen Generation , Children that God will delight to own . But ,

Secondly , ( For I will pass that too ) the Days of Youth , they are your Chusing Days ; as they are Choice Days , so the Days of your Choice . Chusing , What is that ? Why it is a deliberate Act of the Soul , it is done upon Consideration and Debate ; when a Man upon a Judgment rightly informed and Affections thereby ingaged , does cleave to God , and the Ways of God , that is Election and Choice .

The Observation then that I shall lay down from the Sence of the Words , is this , that it is the great Concernment and Duty of Young Ones , to make God the Object of their First Choice , to begin with God in their First Setting Out in the World .

We never enter into God's Service aright , till we enter upon it by Choice , for God will have it so : Chuse you this Day whom you will Serve , either the true God , or Idols : Not as if it were at their own liberty to serve which they pleased : No , but to convince them of the Folly of a bad Choice , and to direct them to a right Choice .

But for the clearing of the Doctrine , I will show you ,

First , What it is to chuse God .

Secondly , I will give you the Reasons of the Concernedness of the Duty .

And so apply it .

First , What is it to chuse God ? It implies Five Things .

First , A due Consideration of the Object , its Nature , Worth , and Excellency ; till things are duly weighed in the Ballance of a true Judgment , we can never make a right Choice ; and here the business sticks with Young Ones . In this first Work we cannot perswade them to consider , they will not weigh things , but they will act according to the inclination of their Lusts ; therefore the Apostle advises us to resolve upon trial , 1 Thes. 5.21 . Prove all things , and hold fast that which is good : A Man will never hold fast that which is Good , until he first prove and try it .

Indeed the things which are usually opposed to Religion , are such poor paltry Vanities , that they are not worthy to be set in competition with God , or to come into a serious Debate : How easie is it to resolve which is fittest to be pleased , God , or the Flesh ? Whether the Transitory Pleasures of Sin should be preferred to the Life and Salvation of an Immortal Soul . A Serious Consideration on these Things , would soon determine the Matter on God's side .

Secondly , This Chusing of God , implies Esteem and Preference ; for Election and Choice is the preferring one thing before another . Our Choice of all Objects is according to our Esteem of them : As far as we judge a thing needless , so far we count it worthless . Let a Man have but slight Thoughts of God , and his Duties shall be as short as his Thoughts are slight : Mean Apprehensions are ever attended with listless Devotions . It is the Soul that highly esteems God , that chuses and seeks him . What said Caleb and Joshua when they returned from spying out the Land of Canaan , and had tasted the sweet Fruits of it ? O , say they , it is a good Land , let us go up and take it at once : But the other Spies that undervalued it , laid aside the thoughts of Possessing , and are for facing about to Egypt .

Though God and Christ are the best Good , yet there are many Competitors that stand as Rivals with them in the Soul ; and therefore your Choice can never be right , unless these Rivals be trampled under foot . It is said of the Wise Merchant , that when he had found a Pearl of great Price , he went and Sold all that he had , and bought it , Mat. 13.46 . First , he shews his Esteem of it , as a Pearl of great Price , and then he parts with all to purchase it . What a high Esteem had Paul of Christ ? The Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord , Phil. 3.8 . There is his Value of him ; and see how it drew his Heart after him ; I count all things but Loss — that I may Win Christ . It is not enough to approve of God and his Ways simply , but we must approve of them comparatively ; not only as good in themselves , but as better than all other good whatever . We shall never chuse God before all , till we come to Esteem him above all .

Thirdly , This chusing of God , implies a voluntary Inclination and Desire ; a Man is said to chuse those things which he Likes and Loves , and which his Soul Inclines to . So that he is carried after them , not by the Force of any External Principle , but by his own Propension and Inclination , and this supposes Love ; for Desires are the Natural Issues of Love .

The Soul can never mount upward , if the Affections tend downward ; and therefore when the Holy Ghost would give an advance to the Life of God in the Soul , he begins first with the Affections ; Set your Affections on things above ; and then , as Desires always spring from Love , so they are drawn forth by a Sence of Want ; for what we Love , and have not , that becomes a Want ; and Sence of Want will quicken Appetite , and set Desires on Work ; now these Desires must be fed and satisfied , and that none can do , but God ; therefore it is God that he chuses .

Fourthly , This chusing implies a firm Purpose , and a fixed Resolution , of adhering to our choice . We never chuse till we bring our Minds and Wills to a firm Purpose ; there may be many good Thoughts and Wishes in the Soul , but still till we are resolved for God , we do not chuse him . When the Heart is Peremptory and Fixed for God , that will come to something ; when the Soul says , I see I am an undone Creature , I am convinced of my State , and the Necessity of my Case ; I must have God , I must secure an Interest in Christ , I must be Born again , I must mind the saving of an Immortal Soul , this will come to somewhat ; and a Profession of Religion ( let me tell you ) signifies very little till it comes to this . Who is this that hath engaged his Heart to Approach to me , says God , Jer. 30.21 . It is Resolution that ingages the Heart for God , and makes our choice of him firm and unalterable ; especially if it be deliberate and intire .

First , It must be deliberate from a Sence and Conscience of our Duty and Interest . Resolves taken up upon Sudden Surprizes or Present Heats , rarely produce any good Effect : This is often the Case of you Young Professors , that are like an Early Spring , all Blossoms , but no Fruit ; or like a Vapour Exhaled by the Warmth of the Sun , that rises no higher than the middle Region , where it is Condensed , and drops down again : This is that very thing that makes so many Apostates from God and his Ways ; they take up a Profession of Religion too soon before the Word of God has taken Root in the Heart . Indeed a Soul that chuses God aright , can never Profess him too soon , the sooner the better ; but he that makes a Profession of God , before he makes a choice of God , before the Word is rooted in the Heart , or any thing of the Power of Religion is felt within , such a one takes up a Profession too soon . It is said of the Seed Sown in stony Places , Mat. 43. Forthwith it sprung up . Above ground too soon ; it grows upward , but not downward ; all Blade , but no Root : So says Christ , Verse 21. Yet hath he not Root in himself : And what follows ? He dureth but for a while . A Mushroom Christian , the Birth of a Night , and the Abode of a Day . Such begin too soon to hold out with God long : This has caused many Scoffers at Religion to take up that Envious Proverb , A young Saint , and an old Devil : whereas if they had said , A young Hypocrite , and an old Apostate , it had been a Truth too too often Experienced . Flashy Affections , that have no Principles to maintain them within , come to nothing ; they are like Fire in Green Wood , that burns no longer than it is blown ; or like Water hanged over a Quick Flame , that is soon Hot , but when it is taken off again , is as soon Cold ; nay , Colder than it was before ; because the Natural Spirits are evaporated . How nimbly does the Windmill Work when it blows a Brisk gale , but the Wind no sooner ceases , but the Mill stands : So sudden and immature Resolutions come to nothing ; they must be managed with Judgment and Deliberation : David's Practice is an excellent Pattern , Psalm 119.59 . I considered my ways , and turned my Feet to thy Testimonies : David speaks like a Man under a Dilemma , as having two ways before him ; there is the Way of Sin , and Lust , and Carnal Delight ; this the Flesh presents , and it seems an easie and a pleasant Way : Ay , but it leads to Destruction . Then there is the Way of God's Commandments : This the Word presents , it is Narrow , it is Troublesome , but it leads to Life , and that makes amends for all . Now when we stand still , and debate upon the Choice , which of these is the better Way , and consider the Loss and the Gain of either Side ; and the final Issue of the one Way , and the other , and thereupon resolve to take in with the Ways of God , as promoting our truest Interest and Felicity , this is a deliberate Resolution : And this was the Course of that Prodigal Son , when he came to himself , Luke 15. v. 17. he first bethinks himself , falls into a serious Debate of his Case , How many Hired Servants of my Father's have Bread enough , and I perish with hunger ? What shall I do ? I will arise and go to my Father , and say unto him , Father , I have sinned against Heaven , and before thee , and am no more worthy to be called thy Son , make me as one of thy hired Servants : Thus he debates the case with himself , and thereupon takes up this resolve , well , I will arise , and go to my Father ; there is his deliberate Resolution .

Secondly , Our Resolution must be entire ; that is , without boggling at any of God's Commands , and without the reserve of any one Sin or Lust ; for no Man can serve two Masters ; the Commands of Christ and Satan are absolutely inconsistent ; Obedience to the one is downright Rebellion against the other ; we must not capitulate with Christ , and think that strictness in some Duties will excuse our Indulgence to any Lust ; the great standing Law of Heaven is , Thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart , and with all thy mind , and with all thy strength , and him only shalt thou serve . The Work of the Christian Calling is such , as that it cannot be done without this ; we have many Enemies to oppose , many Sins to conquer , many Lusts to mortifie , many Duties to perform ; therefore our Resolution must be entire ; and that is a Fourth Thing .

Fifthly , This Chusing in the Text implies a complacency and delight in the Object of our choice ; though Election be an Act of the Will , yet it is quickened by the Motions of the Affections : As where the Will is bent against Sin , there is always a hatred of it included ; so where-ever it fixes upon God , it is attended with pleasure and delight . When David had chosen God for his Portion , he expresses a delight in his choice , Psalm 16. v. 6. The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places , yea , I have a goodly heritage : This is the Language of a Soul affected with its own Felicity , and the pleasure it takes in an All-sufficient Good : So it was in his chusing the Precepts of God , says he , I have chosen thy Precepts , Psalm 119.173 . and in the next Verse , Thy Law is my Delight : A Man loves what he chuses ; and where there is Love in the Choice , there will be Pleasure in the Service ; for to love there is nothing grievous . Thus you see what this chusing God does imply and carry in the Nature of it , and that is the First Thing .

Secondly , Let me give you the Reasons , why it is the Duty of Young Ones thus to chuse God . Why ,

One great Reason is , because God commands it , that is the First . Pray mind that of the Apostle , 2 Epistle John , v. 4. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy Children walking in the Truth , as we have received a Commandment from the Father : Pray mind , these were a Ladies Children , to teach us , there are none too great to be good ; these Children were found walking in the Truth ; not taking a step or two , making it a Business by the by , as your Genteels , and great Persons use to do ; but they persisted in it , they were steady in the Ways of God , and that in their Childhood , against all the Tide and Stream of Youthful Lusts . Now this was that God had commanded . Mark ye , though they were Children , yet God commands this of them , I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy Children walking in the Truth , even as we have received a Commandment from the Father : But where do we find this Command , that Youth should devote themselves to God ? You have it in the Text , Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth : And there is a Command older than that , Psalm 78.5 , 6 , 7. He established a Testimony in Jacob , and appointed a Law in Israel , which he commanded our Fathers , that they should make them known to their Children : ( What for ? ) That they might set their hope in God , and not forget the Works of God , but keep his Commandments . Nay , our Lord Jesus Christ strictly enjoins it , Matt. 6.33 . Seek ye first the Kingdom of God , and the Righteousness thereof . First , here does not only not a Preheminence first above all , but it notes a Priority first before all .

It is very Observable , that our Saviour in that Prayer he gave to his Disciples , which you call the Lord's Prayer , he gives but one Petition for Temporal Things , and Five for Spiritual ; and that for Temporals is neither the First nor the Last . Not the First , for Hallowed be thy Name is before it . Nor is it the Last , for Deliver us from Evil comes after it ; to teach us that we must begin and end with God . In Mat. 21.28 . The Command of the Father to his Son , is , Go Work to Day in my Vineyard : The command of God brooks no Delays , the Promises of God have Respect to the Future , but the Command looks to the Present ; To Day if you will hear his Voice , harden not your Hearts . Why did God under the Law require for himself the first Sheaf of the Harvest , the first ripe Fruits , the Firstlings of the Herd and Flock , but to teach us , that our first Affections , our first Strength , our first Desires , and first Choice , and first Service , should be Devoted to God ? For it is the command of God , and that is the great Reason and Rule of all Obedience ; that is one .

Another Reason is this , the Nature of your Extract and Original requires this . Pray where had you your Beings ? Young Ones , how came you into the World ? Who made you ? The Text tells you who this is in the very Notion God is mentioned in thy Creator . There is a Concatenation of Reasons , for the Creatures Owning and Chusing the Service of God , included in this Notion of a Creator .

First , He made us , and not we our selves , Psalm 100.3 . The Prophet Isaiah says , He spreadeth forth the Earth , he gives Breath to the People upon it , and Spirit to them that Walk therein , Isaiah 42.5 . So Elihu says , Job 33.4 . The Spirit of God hath made me , and the Breath of the Almighty hath given me Life ; and is it not Reason that he that made us should b owned by us ?

The Name of Father and Mother bespeaks all Duty and Honour from you Children . If Children could begin their Duty in the Cradle , and continue it a Hundred Years , it could never Pay what Parents Deserve for all their Sorrow , Care , Pains , and Cost . Therefore Solomon is much in Pressing this Argument upon Children , Prov. 23.22 . Obey thy Father that Begat thee . Mark , that Begat thee ; he gave thee thy Being ; and Despise not thy Mother that brought thee Forth . We are ever bound to Honour and Obey them for what they have done for us . These Rational Beings do require it ; which they have been the Means to Derive to us , and to Nourish and Nurse up . This is highly Deserved at our Hands ; yea , though they grow Old and Impotent , and can serve us no longer . O what then does God deserve from us , who is much more the Author of our Being than our Father that Begat us , or than our Mother that Bare us ? God is the First Cause , Parents are but the Second Causes of Generation ; and the Second Cause depends upon the First , and cannot act without it : Therefore it is said of God , In him we Live , and Move , and have our Being . Therefore Man is nothing in our Production , if compared with God ; and is it not Reason then , that he made us , should be owned and Honoured by us ; that he that is our Creator , should be our Ruler ?

We Own our Service where we Receive our Existence ; we are Debtors to God every one of us . We Owe him our selves , all we are , and all we have ; for we are not our own , we are the Lord's Propriety , at his Disposal , he hath the absolute Dominion over us , as giving Being to us . It is the Apostle's Argument , Whether we Live , or Die , we are the Lord's , de jure , and it should be so , de facto ; therefore we ought to Live to him , Rom. 14.7 , 8. This Glory is the White at which we should aim Living and ●●ying : He is the Centre in which all the whole Circumstances of our Life should meet , for he made us , therefore Remember thy Creator .

Secondly , He made us after his own Image , and that is a Peculiar Priviledge of Creation beyond what other Creatures injoy . There is the Print of God's Hand upon all his Creatures ; but there are none bear his Image but Angels and Men ; and this you are Stampt with in the very Womb. Not one of you but have the Image of God upon you , the Youngest as well as the Oldest .

Though indeed the Moral Image of God which consists in Righteousness and Holiness , that is Blotted out and Lost by the Fall , we have Sinned it away ; yet there is the Natural Image of God , and that remains in all of you ; for what is Natural Light , Knowledge , Understanding ? What is Skill to Discern , and Wisdom to Chuse ? What are all the Intellective and Elective Powers of the Soul , but the Image of God in Man ? And what is this Image for , but in order to Recover that which is Lost ? It is to Capacitate us to Know God , to Seek him , to Chuse him , to Live to him here , that so we may for ever Enjoy him ; and if we do not make this our chief Work , we are made in Vain , and Degenerate into Brutes , being wholly acted by Sence , and the Design of this Image is Lost ; for by partaking of his Likeness , we become bound to his Laws .

Thirdly , That Power that created us at First , does create us every Day : You are made of God every Day ; for Preservation is a Continued Creation . As he gives Life , so he holds our Souls in Life ; if God withdraw from us but a Moment we shall Die ; Thou takest away their Breath , and they Die , and return to their Dust . And do we receive our Preservation and Support from him , and shall we not pay Respect to him ? This violates the very Law of Nature , and fills Heaven and Earth with Wonder ; therefore God does Summons Heaven and Earth to hear his Complaint against such Rebels , Isa. 1.2 . Hear , O Heaven , and give Ear , O Earth , says God . But why does he Summons these ?

Why , First , To Rebuke and Shame the Stupidity of his People , that the Senceless Creatures were more like to hear God speak than they .

Secondly , To shew that these Creatures by which God had done them much good , might well bear Witness on his behalf against their Ingratitude .

Thirdly , To Convince them , how Stupendious a thing it was , that God Complains of against them ; even such as the Senceless Creatures might stand amazed to hear , were they capable of that Sence .

And what is the Complaint that God makes here ? It is Twofold .

The one is Horrid Ingratitude .

The other is Transcendent Brutishness .

First , Horrid Ingratitude . Hear , O Heavens , and give Ear , O Earth . What must they hear ? Why what God hath to say against this People ? The Lord hath said , I have nourished and brought up Children , and they have Rebelled against me . For any of us Parents to bring forth and breed up Children , and after all our Trouble , Cost , and Care , when they are come to Years of Knowledge , not to own us : Nay , when they are grown to be Men , to turn to be Rebels , to violate such Bonds , and break such strong Ties , Heaven and Earth may well cry out against them . Why , this is my Case , says God ; I made these Children , I maintained them , I brought them up at my Cost , and yet after all they will not Know me , they will not Own me . Instead of Chusing me , they turn their Back upon me , and turn Rebels against me ; they have not a bit of Bread to Eat , but as I feed them , nor a Rag to Wear , but as I cloath them . It is my Wooll and my Flax , yet I am forgotten , and the very Law of Nature broken . Thus God Complains of their base Ingratitude .

Secondly , He Complains of their Transcendent Brutishness , which was such , that it outdid the most Brutish amongst Brutes . The Ox and the Ass are reckoned amongst the Dullest and most Stupid Creatures ; yet , says God , they are worse than these ; for the Ox knows his Owner , and the Ass his Master's Crib , but Israel doth not know me : My People doth not consider . These Beasts as Stupid as they are , yet they after their Kind own them that Feed them , and are ready at all Times to submit to and serve them ; yet , says God , they will not own me : Nay , says God , they will not so much as consider what I have done for them , that thereby they might be brought to own and serve me . My People doth not consider .

Fourthly , He that made us , can unmake us ; he that gave us our Being , can turn us into nothing ; he that created us , can destroy us ; he who breathed thy Soul into thy Body , can take it away , and throw it into Hell . And this is the very Argument our Lord Christ makes use of , Mat. 10.28 . Fear him who is able to cast Body and Soul into Hell . All these Arguments do result from the Relation we stand in to God as he is our Creator .

He made us .

He made us after his own Image .

He makes us continually , by preserving us .

And he that made us can destroy us , and will you forget your Maker ? This will provoke him , when they that are made by him seek not after him . None says , Where is God my Maker ? Job 35. v. 10. All Worship , and Respect , and Obedience , is a just due to God as your Maker : You had your Being from God , therefore you should always seek after God . It is natural for every thing to make to the place of its Original : Solomon shews it you in divers Instances ; so does the Sun , It arises , and goeth down , and hastneth to the place whence it arose , Eccles. 1. v. 5. So doth the Wind , It whirls about continually , and returneth again to its circuits , v. 6. So does the Rivers , Vnto the place from whence they came , thither they do return again , v. 7. And should not Man that is made by God , and comes from God , seek after God , and take up his rest in God ? Nature teacheth this .

A Circle is the most perfect Figure , because it ends where it began ; the last point meets in the first from whence it came ; it is the Perfection of the Rational Creature , that had its Being from God , to seek after him , and terminate it self in him ; that is the second Reason .

Thirdly , To chuse God betimes , as it is a Duty of great concernment , so it is a Duty of great advantage , and benefit . Religion , however it is mistaken in the World , is the most advantageous course any Man can take ; it affords the greatest Promises , the richest Comforts , and the surest Rewards : And therefore the Holy Ghost tells us , That Godliness is profitable for all things , 1 Tim. 4.8 . and where lies the profit ? It tells you in the next Words ; It hath the promise of the Life that now is , that includes all good here ; and of the Life that is to come , that includes all good hereafter . But to be a little particular in shewing you the advantages of Religion .

First , If you have chosen God , he is yours for ever ; for he becomes yours by your own choice , and you may lay claim to him as yours , and may say as Thomas did , My Lord , and my God : Or with David , This God is our God , for ever and ever , Psalm 48. v. 14. And is not this a great advantage and benefit ?

Nay , you have not only a Propriety in God , but you have the special Presence of God : However it may be as to that Presence of God that is Arbitrary , yet you have always his Presence in a Fourfold Sense .

The Presence of his Mercy , to pardon your Sins .

The Presence of his Power , to support your Persons .

The Presence of his Omniscience , to know your Wants .

And the Presence of his Goodness , to supply them .

He is your God , your own God , as David calls him : God , even our own God , shall bless us . A Man can never be happy that has nothing of his own ; and a Man can call nothing his own but God . All things else may be lost , but he that has made sure of God , his Right can never be invaded , nor his Propriety lost : Mary hath chosen that good part , which shall never be taken from her : And is not this a Benefit ?

Secondly , Is it not a great Benefit to have the Heart fixt and stedfast in the Ways of God ? The Cause of all Halting in Religion , is the Want of a Choice and Purpose resolutely set : The Apostle says , James 1.8 . A Double-minded Man is Vnstable in all his Ways . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 A Two-Soul'd Man , one that has a Heart and a Heart , one for this way , another for that ; one for God , and another for the World : Such a one must needs be unstable , and of an inconstant Soul ; being as ready to depart from God , as to close with him . But he that owns God , and his Ways by choice , will suit his Conversation to his Election . If he be sincere in his choice of God , that will make him faithful in all his carriage to God : And therefore Joshua , when he would ingage the People to continue faithful with God , he draws them on to a choice , and then lays that upon their Conscience to bind them , Joshua 24.22 . Ye are witnesses against your selves , that ye have chosen the Lord , to serve him ; and they said , we are witnesses . It greatly strengthens a Bond , when a Man freely binds himself .

Thirdly , This resolute choice of God is of great advantage in carrying on the Work of the Heavenly Calling with the more ease and delight ; because a choice is nothing else but an inclination of the Soul guided by Judgment , strengthened by Resolution , and actuated by Love . Now as Judgment justifies our choice , and Resolution makes it entire , so Love makes it easie and sweet ; and so our delight in obeying God , answers to the sincerity of our chusing of him .

Fourthly , This chusing God gives great peace and comfort in the Ways of God ; this is as natural as for the Fire to produce Heat : The Fruit of Righteousness is Peace : As Sin causes a Sting in the Conscience , and a Wound in the Soul , so every good Action done in Sincerity , hath the approbation of the Conscience , and that gives peace , and the witness of the Spirit , that brings joy and comfort : This is intended in that of the Apostle , Rom. 14.7 . The Kingdom of God is Righteousness , and Peace , and Joy , in the Holy Ghost . Here is a double Benefit mentioned , Peace and Joy : There is a difference between them .

Peace is a tranquility of Mind springing from the rectitude of our Actions .

Joy is from the Impression of the comforting Spirit .

Peace is an acquittance from Conscience , but Joy in the Holy Ghost is an acquittance from God himself , who is our Supream Judge , is the beginning of that Endless Joy that he has prepared for them that love him .

Fifthly , This intitles you to a future and a fuller reward ; for in chusing God , you chuse him for the future , as well as for the present ; in chusing the ways of God , you chuse all that is intailed upon them , and that is Life and Blessedness : So says Wisdom , Whoso findeth me , findeth Life . The Word sets before every one of us Life and Death , as Moses did to that People of old , Deut. 30.15 . Now many chuse Death rather than Life ; for they chuse to please their Lusts , and to gratifie their carnal Appetite , and therein they chuse Death ; as Christ says , All they that hate me , love Death : But he that chuses God , and the Ways of God , chuses Life , and he shall have it ; he chuses Endless Felicity in another World , and he shall never be disappointed . O the benefit of chusing God and his Ways ! That is a Third Thing .

Fourthly , The Chusing God and his Ways in our Youth , is the only Means to Prevent or Cure the many Mischiefs that flow from our Neglect of it . Days of Youth are Days of Folly ; now the Way to correct the Follies of Youth , is to be Wise toward God . Childhood and Youth are Vanity . Now the Way to Cure this Vanity , is to be Serious and Earnest about Eternity . Youth is most apt to be carried away by the Power of Lust ; hence is that Counsel of the Apostle , Flee Youthful Lusts ; and the proper Way to flee from them , is to flee to God in Christ for Help and Strength against them .

Youth has a great Advantage against Sin , had they but Wisdom to Improve this now in the Text. Now Sin is but Budding , and therefore may the easier be Nipt ; now Corruptions are but Twigs , and therefore may sooner be Lopt off ; now Lust is but Conceiving , and therefore may more easily be Stifled in the Birth . A green Wound is soon Cured , but if it be let alone long it may turn to a Gangreen that may prove Incurable . O my Brethren , there is no Age so fit , so suitable to the Nature of Religion , as Youth is .

Religion is the Christian Race ; now who Chuses an old Man to run a Race ? It is called a Wrestling , and who will call an old Man into the Ring that is ready to have his Heels tript up by his own Age ? It is called a Warfare , and under the Law the Aged were Discharged from War , to shew that it is the proper Work of Youth . Religion is a Calling , a High , a Holy , a Heavenly Calling . Now Youth is the fittest Season for Chusing any Calling ; and therefore the Text bids us to Chuse the Heavenly Calling , by Chusing God in the Days of our Choice .

The Chusing of worldly Things first shuts God out of our Thoughts , and Sensual Objects quickly draw the Heart from God ; therefore you should Chuse God first ; that is the Fourth Thing .

Fifthly , ( To name no more ) No Man knows how soon his Day of Grace may be past , therefore he ought to Chuse God betimes . The Seasons of your Closing with God are Arbitrary . Salvation is not to be had when you will , but when God will ; and God's Will is that you should seek after it now in your Youth . God hath his set Time of finding ; Seek the Lord while he may be found , Isa. 55.6 . And let me tell you , if God's Time be once past , though you seek him you will never find him ; They shall seek me Early , but they shall not find me , Prov. 1.28 . I say this is the very thing , that most perish upon their slighting of God's Time . Esau he would have had the Blessing , but alas he came too late , he missed the Season , Heb. 12.6 . The Foolish Virgins would fain have entred in , but when they should have entred , their Oil was to Get ; and when they would have entred , the Door was Shut : You should therefore Chuse God betimes , because you know not how soon the Day of Grace may be past . These are the Reasons of the Point .

And now I come to the Application , and I shall make but two Uses of it .

One by Way of Trial : And ,

The other by Way of Counsel .

First , By Way of Trial ; you have heard , Young Ones , what your Duty is ; to begin with God in the first Place , and make him the Object of your Choice . Now the Question I would ask you , is , what have you done in this Matter ? You that are in your Youth , and Prime of your Days , what have you done in this Matter ? Now is your chusing time , pray what Choice have you made ? It is a needful Question , God help you to answer it in your own Hearts . One Chuses this Imploy , another that ; one Chuses to go to Sea , another Chuses to tarry on Shore ; one Chuses this Calling , another Chuses that ; but have you Chosen God to be your God ? Have you ever made that Choice ? It was David's Question to the Egyptian , 1 Sam. 30.14 . To whom belongest thou ? To whom belongest thou , Young Ones , to whom do you belong ? Pray , do you belong to God ? Why , you will say , how may I know this ? It can't be known a Priori , as we say , by God's Chusing of you , that is an Imminent Act , and Imminent Acts cannot give Evidence , they Prove nothing ; therefore it must be known a Posteriori , by some Subsequent Act of our own .

There are two Ways of being the Lord's People , but there is but one Way of knowing it ; we are made his both by his Act and our own ; by his Electing of us , and by our Electing of him . Now we cannot know that we are God's by his Act , by his Chusing of us ; but we may know it by our Act , by our Chusing of him . This is the Question that I would put to you ; have you seriously Chosen God to be your God ? Did you ever make this Choice ? This must be before any one can lay a true Claim to him . God will never be yours ( let me tell you ) without your own Choice . Now have you ever Chosen God ? I do not mean at a Present Pinch ; it may be under the Checks of Conscience , or in some Present Distress , many will take God to be their God , but this Choice seldom comes to any thing , it lasts but till the Storm is over , and the Distress removed ; but have you ever chose God in the Sence Described ? Have you Chosen him by a Deliberate Act of the Will Guided by Judgment , and with full Purpose of Heart to cleave to God ? How shall I know this , you will say ? Briefly , there are divers Ways by which it may be known ; I will name but Two or Three . It may be known ,

First , By a Self-dedication and devoting of your selves to be the Lord's . Whenever the Soul truly Chuses God for his God , it is always accompanied with a Self-dedication to God . So it is said of those Macedonians , 2 Cor. 8.5 . They gave themselves to the Lord . Now what can you say to this ? Have you ever given up your selves to be the Lord's , resolving to live in an Intire Submission to his Will : Have you ever made a Solemn Covenant between God and your own Souls ; that God shall be your God , and that you , through his Grace , will be his ? Why , if so , then you have Chosen God , and he is your God .

Secondly , It may be known by your Behaviour in Reference to Sin . When you are Tempted to any Sin , either by Satan , or by your own Lusts , what do you do ? Do you give Way to it , or do you run to Christ for Strength against it ? Do you Comply with it , or do you Resist it ? Do you Countenance or Curb it ? Is it Loved or Hated ? This is no hard Case to Determine , every Child can tell what he Loves , and what he Hates . No one that Lives in the Love of any known Sin , can say that ever he hath Chosen God ; mind it , any one Lust indulged , will certainly confute this claim : For where Sin is Loved , there it Reigns , and where Sin Reigns , God is Disowned : And can any one Disown God , and yet say he hath Chosen God ? It cannot be .

Thirdly , It may be known by your Obedience : He that Chuses God for his chief Good , Chuses him for his only Lord , and that necessarily inferrs Obedience to him in all things . So says the Apostle , His Servants ye are whom ye obey , Rom. 6.16 . Many make their Boast of God , and Claim a Propriety in him , but whom do you obey ? Pray mind that ; doth the Flesh bear sway ? Doth Pride reign ? Do youthful Lusts and Vanities command the Heart ? Why then I tell you , God was never the Object of your Choice ; you may Profess him , and Talk of God , but you have never Chosen God for your God . It is not Profession , but Affection and Action that must warrant our Title to God .

David , Psalm 119.94 . tells God , I am thine , Lord , I am thine . Ay , but how does he prove it ? Why , says he , I have sought thy Precepts . Pray mind , he does not only say , I have kept thy Precepts , I have done them , but I have sought them : Now to seek them is much more than barely to do them . It implies Four Things .

First , An earnest Desire to know them ; and that is a great Evidence of an upright Heart , and a sincere Love to God , to be Inquisitive into the Will of God .

Secondly , It implies an Affection and Respect ; no Man seeks what he doth not Love : I have Respect ( says David ) to all thy Commandments .

Thirdly , It implies a constant Endeavour to Practice them ; for the end of seeking is keeping ; we seek to know his Will , that we may do it ; and therefore seeking and keeping are put together . Psalm 119.2 . Blessed are they that keep his Testimonies , and that seek him with the whole Heart .

Fourthly , It implies earnest Desires after higher Measures of Grace , for the bettering of our Obedience ; this is seeking . Now such a seeking is a sure Evidence of your chusing of God . O therefore that I could prevail with Young Ones to come to the Trial in this Matter , whether ever you have really chosen God or no! And I tell you why I urge it ; for Three Reasons .

First , Because it is about the most concerning Case in the World ; as it is the greatest Duty in the World to seek after God , so it is the greatest Priviledge in the World to know my Interest in God ; therefore it is a Matter worth Inquiring into . What if all the World were thine ? If God be not thine , you are undone ; and will you not know whether he be yours or no ?

Secondly , I urge it because of the Treachery and Deceitfulness of your Hearts ; The Heart is Deceitful above all things ; ( the Prophet says so ) in Young Ones especially , and in nothing more than in this Matter . How fondly and presumptuously do many Boast of their Propriety in God , when alas they have no manner of Interest in him ? It was the very Case of Laodicea , She thought her self Rich , Increased in Goods , and that she stood in need of nothing , when at the same time she needed all things , and was Wretched and Miserable .

The Apostle says , If any Man think himself Something , when he is Nothing , he deceives himself ; and the Reason why many are thus Deceived , is because they trust to their own flattering Opinion , and are not sensible what a cheating Impostor they carry in their own Bosoms . Pride and Self-love will never believe any thing against Self , and so it takes that for granted , which ought to be proved ; and should we not Try in this Matter ?

Thirdly , A well-grounded Evidence of our Interest in God , is that which will comfort us when nothing else in the World can ; that is , in a dying Hour ; then is the time when all other Comforts will certainly fail , when a Man looks upon himself as Launching into another World , and begins to consider in Earnest what shall become of his Precious Soul ; how terrifying must such Thoughts be to him that has no Evidence of his Interest in God ? Nothing but this can support the Soul at such a time . It is this your chusing God that will Inable you to Triumph over Death , and the Grave , to say with the Apostle , O Death , where is thy Sting ? O Grave , where is thy Victory ? It is true , natural Fears may be strong , and the Thoughts of Dissolution may shake us , but a well-grounded Evidence of our Interest in God will notwithstanding carry us through all .

What would one give when he lies upon a Dying Bed , for one good ground of Hope that God is his ? Why now is the time to bring this Matter to a good Issue : Now is your time ; and therefore it is highly Necessary you should put this Matter upon Trial , whether God be yours or no. So much for that Use .

The next Use shall be by Way of Counsel and Exhortation , and I would speak to it in two Branches .

First , To such of you , Young Ones , that have never yet chosen God ; that have never remembred God in the Days of your Choice .

And then to them that have done so .

First , To those Young Ones that never as yet have chosen God for theirs , but have lived without God in the World to this Day ; I would say to you as Elihu said , Job 34.4 . Let us chuse to our selves Judgment , that we may know what is good . To chuse Judgment , is to chuse judiciously , with mature deliberation ; that is the way to know what is good . The reason why so many put Darkness for Light , and Light for Darkness , Bitter for Sweet , and Sweet for Bitter , it is for want of chusing in Judgment , and so knowing what they chuse . Now my Message to you this Day is , to discharge this Duty ; you Young Ones , God hath sent me this Day to speak to you ; you that have yet seen but the Third Hour of the Day , I am sent this Day to you , you are called in the Name of the God that made you , and put Breath into your Nostrils ; in the Name of the Lord Christ , who shed his Blood to redeem you from Sin and Hell : In his Name I now speak , this Call is from him , and the Business you are called to , is to be so kind to your own Souls , as to take God in Christ from this Day for your God ; remember to chuse God now in your chusing Days . When thou chusest a Calling , by which to maintain thy self ; when thou chusest a Wife , with whom to spend thy Days , O then be sure above all chusing , chuse God to be thy God .

I might multiply Motives to press this Duty upon you : Take a few .

First , Your giving your selves to God , it is but paying a Debt , a just Debt ; what Paul says of Philemon , God may say much more to us , Thou owest to me even thy own self : For whence came you ? Where had you your selves , but from him , the Origin of all Being ? Therefore 't is but Justice to let God have his own . God gave you your selves , but let me tell you , he did not give you a Propriety in your selves ; that is a Right God cannot part with ; therefore you are not your own , nor can you be : God gave you a Life , he gave you a Soul , he gave you Understanding , he gave you a Will , he gave you a Conscience , he gave you Affections , he gave you all things , but for what intent ? Not to establish a Dominion in your own Persons , but only a Stewardship , and a course of Service ; you are not Lords of your own Lives , but Keepers of them for God ; therefore says the Apostle , If we live , we are to live to the Lord , for no Man lives to himself .

Secondly , Consider how freely God offers himself to be yours ; the Arms of his Mercy they are opened to embrace you , and he is ready to forgive and forget all that is past , whatever thy Sins are , or have been : He calls Heaven and Earth to record , that if you miscarry , the blame is not in him ; you have his Oath , that he takes no Pleasure in the Death of a Sinner ; and therefore he calls so earnestly , Turn ye , turn ye , why will ye die ? Now pray , what answer can you make , if such Tenders of God , and such Bowels of Love , should be ungratefully slighted ?

Thirdly , Consider the Design of Christ : The great Design of Christ , in what he hath done , and what he is doing ; he hath stood in your stead to bear the Wrath of God , which you and I must else have born for ever .

Suppose you heard Christ saying to you , Soul , why ( thinkest thou ) did I take up thy Nature ? Why was guilt charged upon me ? Why was I numbred amongst the Transgressors ? Why was I made a Man of Sorrows ? Why was my Hands nailed , my Side pierced , my Head crowned with Thorns ? Why was my dearest Blood poured out ? What canst thou conceive should move me to undergo the bitter , the accursed Death of the Cross , if not to save thee from thy Sins , and bring thee to God ? And hast thou no need of a Christ now , and of his Righteousness ? Why , says he , I am ready at thy Call , speak and tell me what thou wantest ? I am now in Heaven , at my Father's Right Hand ready to relieve thee ; ask what thou wilt , I will present thy Prayers to my Father , perfumed with my Righteousness , and they shall all be granted . O what Encouragement should this be to come to Christ ! Go thy way , Young One , take thy Life in thy Hand , as once Esther did ; present thy Petition , and say with her , If I find favour in thine Eyes , let my Life be given at my request : Let my Soul live by a Saving Interest in God .

Fourthly , Consider what Joy thy chusing of , and closing with God betimes , will cause in Heaven : I tell you , there is not the Youngest , the Meanest of you , but you may help to fill all the Angels in Heaven with Joy . How is that ? Why , take God for your God , and it will be so . O how these Noble Creatures triumph to see the least increase of Christ's Kingdom ! If there be but one Lamb , one Young One in all this Assembly added to the Flock of Christ this Day , all the Angels in Heaven will rejoice , Ay , all the Angels in Heaven ; nay , it will be the Day of the very Gladness of Christ's Heart ; For as the Bridegroom rejoices over his Bride , so shall thy God rejoice over thee , Isa. 62.5 .

Fifthly , Consider how uncertain the measure of thy Life is ; thou mayest think to live many Years , and yet may'st die soon : How many have you gone after to the Grave , that came after you into the World ? Job says , ( speaking of the Sinner ) The number of his Months are cut off in the midst , Job 21.21 . It is not only a Description of Death , but of Early Death ; an immature Death is the cutting off our Months in the midst ; this is that David deprecates , Take me not away in the midst of my Days : As our Times are in God's Hand , in regard of the event of them , so they are in regard of the length of them ; either God may not give thee time to grow old , or not a heart to repent when thou art old : When so many offers of Grace are refused , and so many motions of the Spirit resisted by thee , I tell thee thy heart is in great danger of being for ever hardened .

How many Young Ones are now awake , and that for ever , in Endless Flames , that would never open their Eyes to see their danger till they came thither ?

That is an aweful Word , Psalm 58.9 . Before your Pots can feel the Thorns , he shall take them away , as with a Whirlwind , both living , and in his Wrath.

[ Before your Pots can feel the Thorns : ] That is , before you have any real Sence of your danger . To what shall I compare the Miseries of Young Ones , that are taken away so often in the midst of all their Pleasure , before ever they thought of Death ? It is a thing sad , beyond comparison , beyond all expression : Have you then , Young Ones , no pity for your Souls ? Or do you resolve not to prepare for the Tryal , till the Assizes come , and the Judge sits on the Bench ?

If we had a certain knowledge from Heaven , that this was the last Sermon we should ever hear , that this was the Last Call to Remember our Creator that God would ever allow us , that we should be in another World before another Day comes about , with how many Tears should we bewail our Folly of neglecting God ? And how should we rend the Heaven with Cries , that God would own us , and help us to own him ; and that he would reprieve us a little longer , that we might make sure of an Interest in him , before we go hence , and be no more ? And why should we not do so now , seeing we know not the day nor hour when the Son of Man will come ?

The Lord awaken Young Ones ( for none else can awaken them ) and perswade them to seek after God betimes : O that you would be perswaded to this ! He is the most Eligible Object in the World ; they that have chosen him will tell you so , they have found him so ; you will never have cause to repent of your Choice ; you may have cause to repent of other Choices . None ever made a carnal Choice , but he repented first or last ; either here , with a godly Sorrow , whilst Matters were capable of retrieving ; or in Eternal Misery , where there is Repentance without returning : But who ever repented of chusing God ? Name one that ever did : Job once cursed the Day of his Birth , but who ever cursed the Day of his New Birth ? Who ever repented of his closing with Christ , or of his being sanctified and made like God ?

When Death comes , then the Cry begins amongst Carnal Sinners ; How have I hated Instruction ! How have I forgotten God , and my Eternal Interest ! How have I regarded Lying Vanities , to the forsaking of my own Mercies ! O this Flattering World ! How hath it deceived and undone me ! This will be your cry when you come to a Sick Bed . Now did you ever hear any one say , I have chosen God , but God hath deceived me ? I have ventured my Soul upon the Lord Christ for Pardon , for Righteousness , and Christ hath deceived me ? I have chosen the Way of Holiness , and that hath deceived and misled me ? Did you ever hear such a Complaint ? No , nor never shall .

Arise then , Young Ones ; in the Name of the Lord , I say to thee , arise , and shake your selves from the Dust and Vanities of Youth , betake your selves out of hand to God in Christ , make Religion your Business , whatever you do , for the Lord's sake ; this will make you a Blessing in your Generation .

Truly , let me tell you , the Days we live in , calls aloud upon you Youth , in this Matter ; we are in declining times , sad times , for Religion it loses ground apace in this Age ; and if God do not stir up the Young Generation to keep up Religion , I tell you it will be quite lost in the next . O therefore , that you would resolve to devote your selves heartily and betimes to the Lord ! Never think it too soon to seek him , nor too long to serve him : You will not count a whole Eternity too long for your own Happiness , do not therefore count your whole Life too much for God's Service . I had thought to have laid down some Directions for your guidance and help in this great Duty of chusing God , I will but name Five or Six .

First , Labour for a deep Sence of your Natural State ; this furthers the Work . No Man comes to Christ till he is weary and heavy laden ; and that no one is , or can be , till a Sence of Sin , and of his Natural State , makes him so .

Secondly , Another should have been this : Whenever the Spirit of the Lord strives with you , carry it becomingly to him , especially in Two Things :

Labour to know his Striving Seasons : And ,

Labour to cherish all his Motions . Then ,

Thirdly , I would have said , Do not consult Flesh and Blood on the one hand , nor give ear to the Suggestions of Satan on the other , for he will always draw you from God .

Fourthly , Do not put off this Work of chusing God from time to time , but resolve to set upon it now without any more de ay . And ,

Fifthly , Besure shun the Conversation of such as Deride and Scoff at serious Godliness , and such as deny all Revealed Religion ; it will be the Undoing of your Souls else : And then I would have said ,

Lastly , Beg the renewing Grace of God to carry on all . Fear and Shame may conceal a Sinner , Morality may varnish him , but it is only renewing Grace can change him , and bring him to chuse God for his God .

And then I would have spoken to the Second Branch of the Exhortation ; that is , to such of you as have chosen God in your Early Days . I am perswaded I speak to many such this Day ; many Young Ones , who have chosen God in their chusing Time . Why ,

First , Bless God : O bless him , magnifie his Grace , who hath counselled and inclined your Hearts to this ! When David had chosen God for his Portion , he presently cries out , I will bless the Lord , who hath given me Counsel , Psal. 16.7 . O Sirs ! What a blessed Thing is it to be an early Convert , to be an early Christian ? It is not only Matter of Comfort to you , but I tell you , it is a Comfort to your poor Ministers . How do they Rejoice when they can beget one Soul to Christ ? What says Paul to the Philippians , to whom God had blessed his Ministry , in their Conversion , Ye are our Crown , and our Joy , Phil. 4.1 . And again to them , 1 Thes. 2.20 . Ye are our Glory , and our Joy ; we bless God that blesseth us to bring in any one of you to Christ .

O that every Young One in this Place were of this Number ! You are our Comfort that God has some to keep up Religion when we are Dead and Gone .

You are a Comfort likewise to your Godly Parents , that can in you see the Return of many Prayers , and that they can now Die with Comfort , because they leave you their Children , to Walk in the Steps of your Fathers , and to Honor God when they are gone to Heaven . O it is a blessed Sight to see Young Ones Walk with God! Therefore bless God for inclining your Hearts to this , whilst you have a Day to Live .

Secondly , Let it be your Care to renew your Choice of God every Day ; renew your choice of God daily , and also the Dedication of your selves unto God : Our first Dedication is not enough , though it may be Sincere ; therefore it must be Improved by repeated Acts : We should be often renewing our Choice of the Lord , and should think it not enough to be the Lord's , but we should labour to be more the Lord's ; for let me tell you , though God cannot be more ours , yet we may be more his ; and one Excellent Way to be so , is by chusing God , and dedicating our selves to God .

Lastly , Live as they that have chosen God for their God ; your claim is high , let your carriage be answerable . In short , if you have indeed chosen God , and have given up your selves to him , make it appear , let it be known , prove it by all Acts proper to such a Priviledge . How is that ? By daily putting off the Old Man , and putting on the New ; by Dying more to Sin , and Living more to Righteousness , giving up your selves to the Conduct and Leadings of the Spirit , to be guided by him in all his Motions , making the Word of God the whole Rule of your Lives , labouring in all things to Walk worthy of God , who hath called you to his Kingdom and Glory ; and in so doing you will have a sure evidence , that you have obeyed this Call of God in the Text , Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Choice .

FINIS .

ERRATA .

PAge 8. line 18. for some , read something . p. 9. l. 16. r. slighty . p. 21. l. 23. f. ruine , r. mind . p. 32. l. 20. r. when Christ touched . p. 34. l. 16. r. not known . p. 62. l. 21. r. so say I.