RARE BOOKS F-33 mS74 1^: W5 1 Early Piety recommended. m SERMON, PREACHED Lord's-day Evening, February ift, 1778^ T o Two RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES O F YOUNG MEN IK Lhrchejier. ^ '' ' - l l.l i i.L«.ll i !^ i .. S. J i . i . -' .Jl I _J.H .. ii .JXJ-Jl.l ' ^LUI. I . . ■■ -- ■^y^>^™> "..-1 y ' . ■ I -J III ■■!> By Moses Everett, A. M. Pastor of the CHURCH in that place* Publifhed at the Requeft of tbe Societies and others. Ihvi thfm, tkatlovcme, and thpfe tkatfsck me early Jhalljind me, Prov. 8, 17, Seek yie the Lord •while he may hef^und, call ys upon him -while he ie 9ear» Ihiah ^i* 6. BOSTON: PUNTKDBY DRAPER AND FOLSOM, AT THfilR PSLIIil?^ XHgOffice, at thkCornek. qf fVintiT-Stri'if, ;«. . ^^:mms> NOVe iM4 v'^^ '* 'v,^^/ ^ sec ■ ■■ 3§( "W ' «-^ * S^*3ec. 5^*)^ ^*5eC. SK-«^ ^*^' « A ' S E R- M ON, ^6v , ' A. ••■■'■ ir. CHRO.NigLES, XXXIV chap. 3iv. ■n.-'.-Whih he -was yet young, he began tofeek after the God of David his Father. ' " TH. I S is a part of the charaarer of. Jofiah King of Ifrael ; and a higher coramendatiQn could not have been given of him. He engaged early x,n the work of religion, and notwith- ftanding he was the fon of a wicked parent, andfo(as we may fuppofc) a perfeft ftranger to thofe pious counfels, warnings and inftruaions, moft necelTary and important at that period of lite, atidbefides, expofed to the inflaence oF the evil and vicious example of a father, his youth was devoted to the fervice of God. In the eighth year of his age he was advanced. C 6 j to the throne, and foon after began to dif^. tinguifli himfelf, by his piety, and zeal for the honor of the God of David. When he a^ about Jixteen years old, or in the eighth year of his Keign he* began to feck Goi— began to fliew him-* felf for God, and to difeovcr his difapprobation of, and averfion to, that idolatry, and wic^ed^ nefs which Ifrael in general had run into, and in a confiderable ineafure tb;-o* the inttucncc of thofe wipked Kings, wha preceded him. In the twelfth year, we are toJd, he began ra pirge Jiuiah and Jcriifalem from the high f laces , and the groves, and the i^arved images^ afid the moJten images. -'-'Th^s. he w^s, hent^ upon fecking and ferving God while young, notwithilanding the prejudices of educatian which he was liable to> and all the endeavors of thofe that were around him to corrupt and turn, himi frojjX; the way of duty, — Here, my young friends,, is a laudable example j and 1 heartily wifh the ^vent rhay prove, that yau think it for your honor and intered, to levitate the fpirit of it. You arc furrounded by many fnares $nd temptations^ you live in a world where fin and vice are pre- dominant — it may he the unhappinefa of fomc of you to be born of irreligious and vicioua parents, as it was of the pious youth fpoken of in the text ; and fo to be bred and nurtured,as^ it were, in the bofom of fin : (a peculiar un- happincfs indeed) But notwithfianding, by the example of the text you are taught, that even in fuch a eafe you may, and ought while young to feek the Lord. JFhile he "mas yet young, h^ h^an to feck after the God of David his fathi^<^ ' t 7 1 My dcijgo, in further difcdUirfing fco yo\i from thefe words is, id. To confidcr> and iUuftrate> the nature offccking Gq4, and (hew in wl^t ways, Gg4 cfpecially requires thofc that are young to fcch \nm. And^ ad. To meritiort fome confidcrations^ fiiitable and proper to influence and engage tbofe who* are young, to begin the work oifceking theLovd^ agreeable to the example of the text> in youths I. I may endeavor to illuftrate the nature of the duty recommended in the text* Seeking God, m general Implies ^ hearty a,iicli intire dcvotedtiefs to him^-'^a diligent Carean^ concern, to pleafe him by a fincere and con-? fcientious obfervance of all that We know to be his wilK He that is properly engaged it^ the work of feeking the Lord, diligently applies himfelf to the praaicc of every known duty/ and carefully avoids every thing that \ie kno\w% to be difpleafmg and offenfive to God. Jofiah, in the text, iifaid to begin to feek God, while young, becaufc he early difcovercd a regard for the laws and precepts of God, and an abr iiorrence of that idolatry and wickedneft, with which the land of Ifrael was the^i overfprea-d.-^ BicGaure h^ early manifefted a fmccre and diA intercftcd regard to duty, and could not be led afide from the path of piety and virtu^^ by all the allurements, and evil, examples of the age in which he lived, even tfeofe which^ were moil pqwerfuj, and by which |i^ was Mbft ftrongly bcfet, as fucceiTor to wicked and idolatrous Kings. Tofcek Gody in a word is, to be tfld^ reli'giqm : And thofe who Would be found feeking God;» ivhile youn^, mull apply themrelves, in earncft to the work of rcligion-'-niake it their concern to get pojfejfed. afk frincipie cfgrace^, and perfia ho li- ne/} in the fear of the Lord."-knd from a finccrc and ardent love to God, to render obedience to all his laws. . , But more particularly, ; . ]^' \to feek Gody is to drive wjth care and diligence, after a proper conception of him. 'Till we have attained a proper knowledge of God,^ we can't ferve him to acceptance : 'Tis ^ rational homage that he requires ; and how can this be rendered hiiH, by thofe -who ard ignorant of his true charafter, or dbn*t enter- tain a juft ^nd true notion of him ? We can't, indeed, by fearching find out God, ive can't find out the Almighty unto pi efeBion .—- * We can't fully comprehend his nature and works -yet enough may be known of him, to convince us, that he is worthy to be loved, worQiipped, and fervcd by his rational creatures : And fuch a knowledge as this, it becomes all to drive after ; and fuch as remain deditute of it> mud be in- excufable, confidering the clear difcoverics God has made of himfelf in his word, and works—and can by no means, be deferving of the charafter of fuch as 2ire feeking God. —He that Cometh to God, muji believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently feek him. t •M"/7. t Heb. ii,$. t: 9 1 _ . Thofe who are youngj would they he num- bered widi fuch, as are feeking God aright^ knuft ftudy his nature, and perfeftions— make it theu' care to get acqiiainced with God, in his real and true character :— And this they will rtever do, while they don't habituate them- felves to ferious refleftidn, and confideration* A due knowledge of God can't be attained by them, while they cherifli vain thoughts and carnal imaginations— while their minds are taken up, and employed about the pleafures and vanities of the world; When this is the cafe with them, God is not in all thtir thoughts. And while God is baniflied from their minds,, Hvhile they don't afford themfelves leifure^ or won't interrupt the courfe and flow of their finful and vain imaginations, fo much as evca to think of God, how can they exped to attain, proper conceptions of him I and With what propriety, can they be faid to Jeek him ? Moreover, thofe who Would obtain the cha- rafter of fuch ?iS feek Gody mud diligently, and fcrioufly^ conjtdt his -word-. Herein he has made a moft clear difcbvery of himfelf to us ; and we can arrive at a competent knowledge of God, in nd other way, but by attending to what he has revealed, and recorded of himfelf, in his Avbrd, Thofe who would be faid to be Jlfiviiig aright after proper conceptions, and ideas of God* muft not only accuftom tiiem- felves, to ferious reflection and confederation ; but muft habituate themfelve to readings and B meditating upon God's holy word, with the treated care, and diligence. Thofe youth, Who ncgled the fcripcures, who won't give theinfclves the trouble, of daily reading therdn, and pondering the facred truths which they contain, as well as thofe who baniQi all ferious thoughts from their minds, and who fay unto God, depart from m, we defire not the knoivlcdge vfthy ivays, cannot bfe faid to endeavor aright after a juft notion and apprehclifion of God, and fo may not be numbered with thofe who are feeking him agreeable to the example of the text. Jollah, was one who made it his ftudy to know God, according to the revelation he had given of himfelf— the charge of David to his fon Solomon ^ is, know thou the God of ■thy father, %s well as fervc him with aferfca heart, Jind it is indeed the iirft thing required of lis in order to our acceptance with God, that wc ilrive to hiow him. Until wc know God we muftfail in our endeavours, and exp^dations to pleafe and honour him. Indeed, to pre- tend to ferve an unknown God, or one whofe real charafter we are ignorant of, and a due knowledge of which we don't make it our care and ftudy to attain, is both degrading, and contradidory in the charader of rational be- ings. 2. ro feek G(?r/ aright, is to feek him in thfe ^vay oi faith in his fon> the only mediator be- tweeti him and finners. There is no other means by which we may expeft to obtain the * I Chrcnj iZ^ ^, [ ^I 1 divine acceptance, and be intereftedin the love' of God, but ahearty acceptance of him, whom he hath fa forth to be a propitiation for the fins of the worldy thrd faith in his blood. It is in this way alone that God wijl be reconciled to us and grant us his favor. Out of Chrift God is a confuming/r^. ^ There is no Jecking God to any good purpofe withoiat believing in liis foa Jcftis Chrift. He will be found of none, how- ever they may pretend tofeek him with zeal and; earneftnefsy who are not found iiiterefted in him by faithv We may ftudy, with ever fo much diligence, and care, to get acquainted with the real perfections, and attributes of God, we may leek with the clofeft application after a fpecii- lative knowledge of him, and m^y even feek him, in a way of external obedience to him ; and yet all in vai.n,un]efs we accept of theLord Jeius, by faith,. Our acceptance of Clirifl by faith, is the only faundatioaon which we can build a hope of obtaining the acceptance and favor af God.--Of confequence, our mod di- ligent, and ardent eiideavours to ferve God, while we are unbelievers, and fo have no in tereft in Chrift, will by no means, entitle usr. to the love of God, and fo the character offuch as are fccking him aright ; for all who aright feek him he will be found of. He hath not faid' to the feed of Jacob, feek k my face in vain.'\ Thofe who would, according to the exam- ple of the text begin ta feek theLord while )Oung^ ^luft make it their early and firft coaccra x.^: .i T r I t ^^ 1 get united to Chrl/t by a gofpcl faith--Receiya liiin as the Lord their righteojijhej},. and depend on his merits, alone to procure theiii the divine acceptance aad favor. And this is wh^c they have the greateft cncQuragement for ; Chriit is ready to receive and enibrace all that will come unto him, of whatever age, or charafter. He invites finners of tlie vileit clafs, >\ith the greatefl afibction and follicitude, to betake thcn:ifj]ves unto him, and partake of tbofe bleiiings which he hath purchafed with his blood, Thafe who are young are by no means excluded from the oilers of his gr?,ce, It is the voice of wifdom, i. c. of Chriit, I love them that lov-e me and tbafe that feck me earhj fiall findi me^. And for the encouragement eveq of little children, Chrilf hath faid, Bring them urUo me, for offuch is the kingio7n cfGod. f i^ e, even they are nqt debarred the privileges and blcffings of my grace, Chrift is pecviU^rly pleafcd with the endeavors of thofc thj^t are young after an interefl in his grace, and the blcffings of his pui chafe ; And will never deny them to to thofe who are willing to fubmit tQ the eafy and equitable terms on which they are ten^ dered and offered, and lb feek them in a pro.-.. per manner. The neceilicy of faith in Chrift, in order to yonr Jeeking God, /irighr, need then, be no difcouragement in your way • this may be eafily attained, by all that a^-e difpofed to accept oi the gift of God, and will greatly facili- ^te our endeavers;, to feek and frve hi?n.. I u ] 3d. To feek God^ is confcientioufly to cnclca* vor after a conforynit') to his lawy or to itrive with care and diligence to be obedient to his com-^ mands and precepts^ God is undoubtedly to be fought in a way of obedience ; and thofe who are not diligently careful to obferve, pnd do his commandment Sy but on the contrary follow the diftat^s of their own carnal and corrupt hearts, and are governed by the falfe maxiinsi of a vain aqd finfuj world, who walk in the iva) of their own hearty, and the Jight of their own eyes^ fulfilling th^ dcfres of the flcfb and the mind z Suchs befure, have no^right to the charafter of thofe whp are fccking God in an acceptable luanner, or in fuch a way as to have any reafou to expe<^t to meet with the divine approbation ^nd favor. Jofiah made a point of it, to obey the God of David his father —rh^ made his laws, the rule and meafure of his conduct ; in this way he became judly deferving of the charac-^ ter of a youth that fought the Lord that they are iiot, whatever they may imagine, or however they may flatter themfelveS to the contrary, feeking the Lord, let the reft of their character be as it nlay ; if they arc prayerlefsj they have no part or lot, in true religion, prayer is a moft effential ingredient in feeking Godi'—ThG prac- tical language of every prayerlefs perfdn toGod iSfdcpartf'ojn m^Idefre 7iot theknovjledge ofth'j ways. Finally, tofeek Ood, is to attend upon hini ivith diligence and carCy in zllhisfacred infitutiofts. An attendance upon God in facial worfip, i§ one c^f thofe ways in which he expecls we feek him, and one of the dlrecleft, and readieft %vays to find hlm^ and be found of him. What pretentions then can be made by thofe whd '2icgie(!:\ the focial worfliip of God, to the cha- racter of thdfe who diligently and earneftly feek hhu ? You can^t my young brethren either according to reafon or the fcriptures^ be de- nominated feckers of God, unlefs you love the houfe and 'ivorf?ip of God^ and make confcience ©f alTembling yourfelves together with the peo- ple of God, for the pdrpofes of religious and focial worfliip. An attendance upon God, in the facred injlitution of the fuppeVy is likewife a neceifary branch oi feeking God* ^ And this is a way in [ If which youth as \vell as others are required to feek the Lord. Our Lord has left this ordinance in charge to all his foIIowcrs,without Hmitatioii with refpccT: to age : It is a command to young, as well as old, do this in remembrance of me^ and all who are capable of underftanding the na- ture, and defign of the ordinance, arc obliged, even by the facrcd authority of Chrift, to com- ply with it. — And I can afTure you niy friends,, that a compliance with it, is Hot only your duty, but your honor and intercft.— While you neo-- lecl fo plain and evident a tommand of the gofpel, and even of Chrift himfelf, you have reafon to fear you are deftitute of all real and true religion, and fo have no part, nor lot with fuch as are in a proper mzxixi^v jeeking the Lord^ I proceed now, 2 To mention fbme cbhfiderations, Tuitable and proper to influence and engage thofe who are young to a compliance with the duty re- commended in the text, or to begin the work of feeking God in youth. And ifl:. They may confider, that to hegtn to feek the Lord while young, is no more than what God has, abfolutely, and expreflly, required of tlicm, and commanded them to do— Remember thy Creator, in the days of thy youth.^ God has not left it to the mere choice of the youth, whe- ther they (hMfeek or remember him, or not, but he has laid his authority upon them, in this matter. Pie has commanded them thus to do. And are you not afraid to oppofc and coua* [ i8 ] teraft the authority of the great God > PFho-^ ever hardened himfelf againjl him, and profpered ? The confideration, that you are obUgcd by the authority of God, to feek himy methinks^ liiuft, if duly weighed, excite you to an early fearch after him. He who has an abiblute right to your obedience, and who is perfectly able to puiiifli you if you refufe to obey him^ has required you to feck him : ancl who of you in f^jrioiis coiiilderatloii, can dare to refufe a conipliance with a demand of the Dreaa Ma^ jejlj of Heaven and Earth ? 2 Thoie \\\\o are young may confidef, that ^iouihis the fitteji and heft time to begin to feck God in, and be influenced without delay, to en- gage in this important work. Youth is proper fccd-thne whicn muft not be neglefted or mif- improved. This is a feaion which ought to be improved with peculiar care and diligence* The foul, will not Viq fallow : good or evil will fprlng iTp therein— if our minds and hearts are not cultivated by religioOj fin and vice w^ill get poffeffion of thciTA : It is therefore higlily important for us, in oiu* re?2der yean, while young, to have them replenifeed with the k:ioudedge ^.ndfeaf of the Lord, feafoned by di- vine grace, and moulded by the imprefTions of piety and religion. Youth is on every account, the nioft fuita- bk arid proper time to begin the bufinefs of religion in. We are then beft able to refill and withftand the difficulties of the work, afid furmount the hardfhips that attend it. Age renders pcrfons unfit for lahor and conflifi^\\\n\Q youth is the meridian of ftrength and vigor /^ J write ttnto ^ou ^joimg mcUy (fays the Apoitle) hecaiife ye arejirong, an d have overcome the wicked one. Youth IS a period, in which we are not or^ dinarily fo much entangled in the buiinefs and concerns of the world, as we are in more ad- vanced years— -Corrupt principles and habits, cannot be fo deeply rooted in us, and have fo ftrong hold of us as they too often have in age. It muft therefore be important, and moil i\u- table for us to begin to fcek the Lord while '^oimg. 3 Thofc who are young, may confider, and be influenced to engage without delay in the work of religion or feeking God, that ear-^ ly piety f is peculiarly pleafuig to Gody and I ant fail ^ of being rezvardcd with his (pedal love and friend^ Jhip. God is greatly delighted in beholding thofe who are young engaged in and devoted to his fervice— w^//^/>/g 2// his flatiitcsy and making religion the guide of their lives : and fuch may depend upon having the bleffing and favor of Heaven. They will be' profnered with rcfpctfc to this world, as far as is confirtent v/\x\\ their fpiritual interefts ; for godlinefs hath the promife of the life that now is, f hut wiiatever their outward lot and circumftanccs may be, their inward pcac€ and comfort will be fecure, and they will have a never failing title to the joys of God's prefence. But, 4 Another important eonflderation, which I mud lay before you, is, youth -may he- the only^ • John z, 14. t Tim. 4 S. opportunit-j, ivhich ^ou ivill ever have, tofcek G^^ in. This ought powerfully to inHuence yoa immediately to engage in the work of your Ibuis, or the bufinefs of religion. Tlic sreat- CD O eil pare of mankind, die in youth, or before this period is palTed. Young perfons arc, no doubt, as liable to ficknefs and difeafes, /^vhich are the harbingers of death, and to mortal and fatal accidents as others^ Many, who l^iave promiltd themfelves, a long life of plca- ibrc in the ways of frn, atid flattered themfelves with the notion of making amends for all their offence againfl God, by living in fin, by a fu- ture repentance, have had their days numhered in youth, and fb been fatally djfappolnted. It is well known, that the youth are too apt to put off the work of feeking God, 'till a future period', prefuming that they have many days, and years, yet to come, and that God wilf in- dulge them, with future opportunities to feek 'M^A ferve him, and fecure thelalvatian of their fouls iur— But this their way, h their folly- : It muft be the higheit degree of imprudence, to delay in matters of ilich moment and impar- tance ; efpecially when it is abfolutely uncer- tain, whedier any opportunities but the pre- fent will be gran^ted in order to the accom- pliiliment of the m^ Thofewho are young, as "well as others, are wholly uncertain, as to the continuance of their lives. 7Jjis ?iigbt the fouls of )oiiih novj alive before God, nia'j be required of the:}!. Isow you have an opportunity afforded you, for feeking God ; but whether you wilt cyer be indulged witU uuotherj wuhrci]^£d tc^ I 21 ] you, IS ail abfoliite uncertainty, Go^^;^/y knowj^ You are now alive, and have all needed ad- vantages in order to yourfecking the Lord- but ill a (hort time you may be called to the grave, where is no worky nor device^ ivifdom^ nor Inowlcdge^-'^yVhere all opportunities and ad- vantages forlerving God, and lecuring the fal- vatioa of your fouls,will forever ceafe. We can never engage in religion too foon, tho' we may eafily defer it top long, and fo be miferable be- yond recovery, and beyond exfrejpori. It is therefore the wifdam of all to make it their firft andearlieft bufinefs and concern. Laftly^ In order, that thofe who are young niay be influenced to engage in the work of feeking God, without befitancy, or delay. They may confider, ihat by. early fiety^ they may be freed ffo^i the bitterncfs and forrovj of a late repentance , (if it fliould pleafe God, when they are grown old in fin, to give t;hem repen^ tarice tmto life,) By feeking God,, or becoming; religious in youth, many heinous fi,ns, are pre- vented, which otherwife, would have been com- mitted, all which would make work for repen^* tancc. The more fin we have committed the greater mull our grief and forrow, neceflarily be when wc are brought to true repen- tance. The young finner's repentance is light and eafy when compared, with that of the ipicked old man. What bitternefs and an- guifli mufl neceflarily arife in the mind of oioe who has fpent along life, in the fervice cf fin,," when he is brought to a juft fenfe of his flate f * Eccl. 9, I©, [ 2.2 ] How mufl he mourn ovex' the Io?ig catalogue of his fins, and violations of God's law ? How will he be grieved to think of the many precious ad- vantages, and opportunities for the work of. God and his foul, which he has wafted and loft ? What anguifh niiiit wreck his foul, when he confidcrs how much time he has fpcnt, in dif- honoring God, and fervinghis own carnal lufis zndpa(fions\"'T\\o remembrance of thefe things will be very bitter and grievous to him. Now, this mifery may be prevented, by our begin- ning to feek the Lord luhile "joimg. Indeed, there is a bitternefs which neccfTarUy attends repentance, at whatever age we may be bro't to it : the young (inner cant' repent without fighs and moaiis and bitternefs of foul : but then bis grief and ibrrow in the review of his fins cant be equal to that of.the aged finner when he is brought to repentance, who has a long courfe of fin to reflect on. The bitternefs of repentance if it be true and fincere, will be in proportion to the number and aggravation of our crimes, Thus, my young friends, I have endeavored* •with great flaitiefs to open to you the naturd Qffeekmg the Lord, and have laid before you con- llderations, fuitablc and proper to influence you to, engage in this important work, /// youths Let me entreat you, to make a clofe and parti- cular application of what you have heard. Be perfuadcd, to examine your hearts and lives^ jind fee, whether you are indeed feeking God* And don't think it fafe to content yourfelves, •while you arc not, with care and dili^ence^ 1 fcudyitig the knowledge of God — while you are deftitute of an intcreft in Chrift^ by faith-— while you live in difobediencc to any of the known commands of God— ^and negled: a con- fcientious attendance upon him> in his facred inftitutions.— It is indeed, matter of grief> and lamentation, tliat fo many of the fifing gene- ration, difcovcr fo much indifference, about fceking the Lord, in the Ways of his appioint** mcnt— that the youth, are fo generally inclined to walk in the wa^j of their own hearts^ and in the fight of their own eyes^ to the negleft, and Cou-^ tempt of the laws, and precepts of God. Notwithftanding the great advantages,which they enjoy, how few conparatively appear, heartily engaged in the bullnefs of religion ? How few, appear willing to renounce theplea- furcs .of fin, and mortify their lufts and defires? VVith refpeft to the j^outh, how docs iniquity, inftead of true piety ^ abound among us ? How few are found 6'//^/^/r/;/'g the way to T^ion^ with their faces thitherward? \\^o\Y ready on the con- trary, are the youth in general, to runlnto the "ways of wickedncft, thofe paths that lead down to the ehiUnbers ofdeath P And how many of the rifing generation, are there, who though they may not be openly vicious and profanCy want the cfleriti^t evidences of feeking God Who are ftrangcrs to the new birth, and the principles of true piety, and godliijefs ? When we take a view of the youth in general, fee how they are inclined, and what the tenor of their conduft andconverfation is f wecan'tbut be convinced, that theleflcrpart onjy-arc to be numbered with, I H i ,and Iiitkled to the felicity of thofe who are |3ro'i' perly concerned, to feek, and fcrve the Lord. . There are fome^ (blelTcd be God) Avho, not- withdanding the general corruption of the youth, manifeft a real regard for religion, and appear engaged, in the work offifckingGod This is a conlideration^ that muft adminifter great comfort, and joy, to all who wifli well to Zion^ and are concerned for the advancement, of the Kedcemer's kingdom in the worlds The inte- Jrefts of religion^ very much depend upon its being kindly received, and embraced by the youthi This ought ever to be remembered by parents, and fuch as have the care and inftruc- tion of youth, committed to them,— -and this confideration ought mod powerfully to influ- ance them, to ufe the grcateft care and diligence, in inflruc^ing them in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. When parents, and thofe who have the care of youth, negleft to inftruft them in the duties of religion, they arc ftriking at the root of religion, as well as greatly injuring the- fouls that are committed to their truft. It is a happy confideration^ th^t amidft ;ill the degeneracy of the times,the ancient religi- ous Societies of youngMen,^re upheld among us. That there are fliil fo many who are willing to own a regard for the interefts of religion, while it is- fo generally difregarded and contemned by the youth. Such focieties, are indeed worthy a particular fliare in the affeflion of all good tuen.— -They are honorable—They are greatly ornimental to religion— and tend much to the ;a$Jvancemc:ntpf its dignity and interefts. Let iriy young bretjiren, however, be cautioned/ not to reft in their charader alone, and truft to that for the divine acceptance and approbation. Your uniting j^ourfelveb for the purpofeof God's worfliip and fervice, is indeed, a good evidence that you are fceking the Lord ; but this does not prove that you are heartily engaged in the caufe of religion, and have entered into the fpunt of it— and unlefs this is the cafe, not\yith- Ilanding your Qiew and appearance of religion ; you may not expecl to be accepted, and ap- proved of God. You mud not only, have the form, but experience the power of godlinefs, as you would Willi for the divine approbation, and have a title to the happy fruits of God's fovor. You will then bear it,coritinually, in mind, that to get interejlcd in Chriji, bj faith--t6 have pur fouls fanaified by the Holy Ghofi'-and to have the love of God, fied abroad in your hearts, is the foundation of all true piety, and without AVhich, the moil fpccious pretenfions to religion are vain. I do not indeed fufpeft your fincere and pious views, in the profelTion which you make.— I only caiition you, in love, to fufpeft yourfelves, and fo guard againft that, which fpoils the moft fplended profeffions, and renders the greatell ihew of godlinefs, defpicable and odious, in the fight of God--/z -want offmcerity, and a prin- ciple of grace and holinefs, in the foul. Be guided by thefe, and you can not fail of being ac- cepted of God, in your focial ads of piety an4 religion, and in all the branches of duty, ia which you engage— And noza brethren, I recom- mend you unto God, who is able to build you up, and pve you an inheritance among thofc that arefanaifed.^ r 26 J To CONCLUDE, Lec all the youth prefent, be cxorted to engage hi the work of religion, rnd hcyi't to jjek tb: LorsL ! remember your Creator, now in the day of jour youth. Let not the firft, iii^-cl heft of your days be fpent in the ways of fin, and fervice of carnal lafh, and dellres ; but let religion be your principal and firil care, let it be the guide of your youth. Thhik it for your honor, think it for yonr in- tered, to be governed by its lavv's and dictates. Let not this precious feafon, this important period of life be neglected or mifpent ; but moft carefully and diligently improved by you. Give into God your M?;7j"— render him the obedience of your foals, now while your fervice will be niofl acceptable, and pleafing to him, no v in the morning of life. Do not for your fouls fake, d?lay the work of religion, to more advanced age—do ipt imagine, that you can flifely put it olf, to a more convenle-it f:af»a — do not flatter ycurfelves, that it will be time enough for you to pleafe God, when age arrives, or thofe days in wluch ye yourfelves/ ^/j,7 /'.'Z'u^ no pleafurc, Couiider that the v/ork of religion in (lead of growing eafier andeaiier by delays, will grow more and more difricult and hard to be per- fjrm.^d.— -The longer you are eftranged, and alienated from God, the more averfe and indii- pofed, will you be to return unto him. The jirength and power of iin v/ill grov/ and in- crea(e within you, and your hearts contrad: ti hs^rdnefs which will not be eafdy imprelTed. Think it, therefore important for you, now t© ( 27 ) engage in religion — fcek the Lord now while he ma) be founds call upon him while he is near. The whole of your lives, is not too long, to ferve God and your fouls in, do not then think of deferring the important concerns of your fouls, and religion, ^till your time is further wafted, and your lives draw nearer to a clofe. — But to day, while it is called to day, break off from your fms^ accept of an offered Saviour y and devote your bodies and fpirits unto God. Behold, now is the accepted time^ now is the day of falvation. I clofe with the words of the wife man, * My fon, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee : So that thou incline thine ear unto wifdom, and apply thine heart to underjlanding : 2^ea, if thou criejl after knowledge, and Ufteft up thy voice for under^ Jlanding : Jf thou feekejl her as ft her, and fear chefi for her as for hid treafures : Thenfmlt thou under- (land the fear of the Lord ; and find the knowledge 9f God. A M E N, *^ Prov, 2. J, At the beginning.