Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

eternity are connected, is deserving of the highest censure. It is especially reprehensible in the old, but it is by no means to be excused in the young; for the young as well as the old are liable to the arrest of death. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

Having considered the instructive view which is here given of religion, as an ancient path and a good way, I began, in my last discourse, to explain the duties enjoined respecting it. And I observed, that the exhortation in the text seems to imply these two things:-1. That we use every endeavour in our power to become acquainted with the ways of religion: And, 2. That when we are instructed therein, we diligently and steadily pursue the course which it points out to us.

1

The first of these-the endeavours we are to use in order to become acquainted with the ways of religion, I stated and illustrated at some length; and had just time to enter upon the consideration of the second thing implied in the exhortation in the text. And I observed, that when we are commanded to walk in this good way, it may intimate,

1. That we should immediately enter upon a religious course, after due information concerning

it.

As the practice of religion is that for which we were sent into this world-as it is necessarily connected with our present happiness, as well as with our future eternal interests, I inferred, that it

F

argued the greatest folly, as well as impiety, to hesitate for a moment, whether we should imme→ diately apply ourselves to it or not. Having proved this, from the consideration of the shortness and uncertainty of life, and the dreadful and irreparable evils with which the utter neglect of religion must be attended, I was naturally led to speak of the advantages of early piety. But as your time would not permit me to enlarge upon this important part of our subject, allow me now to resume it.

Youth is a period beset with dangers, with va rious and powerful temptations, and of these it is our duty frequently to remind the young-You are, my young friends, entering upon a journey at an uncertainty. You have never trodden the way, and there are many by-paths that may lead you aside from your present interest and future happiness. Be not then impatient of authority, nor confident in your own wisdom. Be not careless of the consequences of actions, which, in the course of a few years, often a much shorter period, ere you are aware, may throw a cloud over the whole scene of life, and darken all your future prospects.

The evil day will come, and may come in the bloom of youth. Where, then, will you find your support and consolation but in God alone-in God, as the God and guide of your youth? Secure of his favour and friendship, your happiness will not be interrupted by the vicissitudes of life. In the time of trouble, he will hide you in his pavilion: in

the secret of his tabernacle he will hide you, and set your feet upon a rock.

Youthful lusts enfeeble the constitution, waste the natural spirits, and pollute the blood. Their bones are full of the sins of their youth, which shall lie down with them in the dust. And is there not something awful in the death, often the sudden death, of young persons in the bloom of life, plunged in sensuality, inflamed with lust, and resolutely bent on their own destruction? What then can we say sufficiently strong in commendation of early piety, which fortifies us against temptation, and prevents the complicated evils that are occasioned by a compliance? And as early piety fortifies us against temptation, so it lays the surest foundation for happiness in old age. The winter of life hastens on apace, when the powers of nature will be impaired-when frailty and infirmity will seize us and when the shadows of the evening will be collecting thick around us, and darkening every terrestrial object.

Early piety will soften these unavoidable evils, and furnish the mind with matter of the most delightful reflection. O Lord, thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto I have declared thy wondrous works. It will support and animate us in our dying moments, and increase our future recompence of reward. We read of a prophet's reward, and of the reward of a righteous man; and are assured, that a cup of cold water given to a disciple, as such, shall not lose its reward. Now, though we cannot, strictly speaking, merit any

thing at the hand of God, yet, in the economy of salvation, he hath fixed a proportion between the work and the reward. Behold I come quickly, saith the blessed Jesus, and my reward is with me, to give to every man as his work shall be. He that soweth sparingly, saith the apostle, shall also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.

reap

The reason of this is obvious. Grace prepares the soul for glory. A larger degree of it advances and enlarges the capacity of the soul, and fits it to receive a larger degree of glory. The work of grace is the means; the reward of glory the end. And as there is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars, one star differing from another star in glory; so will it be in the resurrection of the just.

There is but one objection, as far as I know, which has been urged against this animating doctrine. In the parable of the labourers hired to work in the vineyard, (Matthew, xx. 9-12.) every man is said to have received an equal reward. Those who had borne the burden and heat of the day, received no more than those who had wrought but one hour.-But to this objection it is only necessary to reply, that the parable evidently alludes, not to the final reward of the righteous, but to the calling of the Gentiles. It shews, that though the nation of the Jews had borne the toil of many fatiguing ceremonies, yet they should have no preference above the Gentiles, who were to be called at the last hour, or close of the Mosaic

dispensation. On the contrary, the last shall be first-the Gentiles shall be foremost in receiving the gospel. And besides, it cannot possibly relate to the rewards of heaven; for it is said, some of them murmured. But in heaven there is no murmuring, no complaining.

Is it so, then, that there are different degrees of glory? What sacred ambition should this kindle in the breasts of youth, that they may attain eminent and distinguished degrees of it in heaven!Those who enter upon a religious course in old age, must necessarily be filled with many doubts and misgivings. But the young heart first expanding itself towards the things that are worthy of its best affections, and consecrating itself to the great Object of love, of worship, of adoration, and desiring to proceed in the journey of life under the guidance and protection of heaven, opens quite a different view, and presents a sight which good men behold with transport, and angels with congratulation; and which cannot fail to find acceptance with the all-gracious Parent of the universe, who hath assured us, that they who seek him early shall find him.-Would you, then, enter upon the journey of life under the direction of unerring wisdom and infinite goodness; would you wish, that every future circumstance of your situation and condition in this your probationary state, may be so ordered as to promote your best interests and happiness; would you secure a refuge in the hour of distress; would you, if spared to old age, enjoy, amidst the decays of nature, those divine consola

« AnteriorContinua »