An earnest Admonition to Young PERSONS:

THESE are the Prodi­gal's serious Thoughts and Purposes, when he came to himself. And [...]at we may consider them the [...]tter, let us look back a little on [Page 2] the Follies and Extravagances [...] his past Life: in which these Ci [...] cumstances tend to our Edifica [...] on.

IN the first place, He was in th [...] prime of his Youth; that bloo [...] ing season of humane life fro [...] which the after fruits may ve [...] much be guest at. We read in t [...] twelfth verse, That the young [...] Son said to his Father; Father, gi [...] me the Portion of goods that fall [...] to me. He would feign be his o [...] man now; free from the Restrai [...] and Councils of his Father's [...] vernment. And thus the wild a [...] wilful Youth, led by his yout [...] lusts and vanity, ran on to the [...] ry brink of Ruine.

1st. Ob. WE may here observe, Th [...] the time of youth is a very dang [...] ous & critical Season; & needs [...] most of any to be kept strictly [...] [Page 3] [...]der good Tutorage, and to have the benefit of good Examples. In youth, many lusts and passions are strong, and the Judgement and Understanding is weak: and there­fore it greatly needs to be guided by wise and experienced Gover­nours. 'Tis a great error in Edu­cation (and I fear it has proved fatal to many) to think, that when young people arrive to the age of 15 or 16 years, they are then fit to be left to their own Conduct, and need little over sight. Quite otherwise, now is the most dange­rous season of all their life. One opportunity of committing such gross sin as they are now capable of, may undo them for ever.

THIS is the time in which the Tempers and Manners of people are to be formed aright; and are the most easie to take those im­pressions, [Page 4] which are the most [...] ficult to be altered in their adva [...] ced Age. They are now setti [...] out for Heaven or for Hell, a [...] which way so ever they take, the youthful warmth and spirit is li [...] to carry them on fiercely in [...] And therefore happy are they w [...] fall into good hands, and so enj [...] a sober and pious Education, they have grace and wisdom make a good use of it; the wa [...] of which had like to have rui [...] the vain youth in the Text. He h [...] a very good Father, and was [...] der a very pious government, b [...] he grew weary of it, and wo [...] have his own will: And therefo [...] he resolves to stay no longer, whe [...] he could not do what he pleased and to this end, He took his jo [...] ney into a far Country, Verse [...] that is, To a place remote fro [...] [Page 5] [...]is Father's Inspection, where he [...]ould have none to check or [...]urb him in his Revelling and Riot. We may here note further:

2d. Obs. That if a young Person [...]ven to any vice or lust, once gets [...]to such a place where no body [...]proves or checks him for his Sin, is a thousand to one but he is un­ [...]ne. It was a part of the con­ [...]ssion of a young man lately exe­ [...]ated at Tyburn for Robbery; [...]own to many of us (for he li­ [...]ed sometime in our Neighbour­ [...]ood), that he had lived in seve­ [...]l sober Families, but he left them, [...]ecause he could not there follow [...]s Lusts. And when once he got [...]ose from these restraints, how [...]on did he come to ruine?

CONSIDER this, You that [...]e Parents; and be careful to pro­ [...]de pious places for your Chil­dren, [Page 6] when you send them o [...] into the World. Places in which it shall be difficult for them to com [...] at the vices to which youth i [...] prone: And where they may hav [...] religious instruction, and good e [...] Examples, and may happily escap [...] the pollutions of a loose and prefligate age.

AND this is more especially [...] be regarded in the solemn (an [...] almost indissolvable) contract [...] Marriage: where the intimacy an [...] affection that is due, will make i [...] almost natural to imitate either th [...] good or evil manners of the de [...] Associate, who is to be lookt o [...] as the other part of ones self. The indeed the evil dispositions of th [...] One are more like to prevail ove [...] the better Temper of the Other than the contrary, through the ten­dency of our depraved Nature [Page 7] to that which is ill. As, if a dead [...]ody be chained to a living; the [...]ead will sooner kill the living, [...]han the living quicken the dead. Which serves to shew the unhap­ [...]y state of such who have any tinc­ [...]ure of Religion, when they are [...]natcht to a Person of a contrary [...]umour and practise. 'Tis the fast­ [...]ing of the living to the dead, which should make every one very cautious and circumspect [...]n that great Affair of humane Life: in which, to be rash and unadvised, is to run hoodwinkt upon a Precipice, and to make Court to Misery and Sorrow.

THESE Cautions are at this time the more seasonable and im­portant, considering the dismal de­baucheries that abound both in Youth and Age.

AND therefore, Let me ad­vise, [Page 8] yea require, you that a [...] Young, to be advised and directe [...] by your Parents and sober Friend [...] Your Parents have had the Experience of many years before yo [...] had any Being; and they hav [...] brought you up with great Pain [...] Cost, Care, and Sorrow; expect [...] ting to reap comfort from you a [...] last: And they cannot want good will to advise their own Offspring to that which they think most fo [...] their advantage. Wherefore remember the Council of Divin [...] Wisdom by the mouth of Solomon [...] Prov. 1. 8. My Son, hear the Instruction of thy Father, and forsake not the Law of thy Mother.

HAD the Prodigal taken this course, he had done well. For▪ the first wrong step which he took, was, when he departed from his Father: hereby depriving himself [Page 9] of the advantages of his Fathers [...]ber admonitions and example, [...]nd forfeiting the blessing of God [...]xprest in the first Commandment [...]ith Promise. Take heed, Young People, that you leave not sober [...]nd serious Society for the contra­ [...]y: If you habituate your selves [...]o ill Company, you run on the mouth of a Cannon. The Lepro­ [...]y of Sin is often spread by Famili­ [...]r Conversation. And such as con­verse with people that are sick of the Plague, will be in danger of dying of the same distemper.

WELL, The Prodigal will be gone from the Government of his pious Father; and now, what will become of him? Truely, 'tis easie to guess, what a young Hot-Pate, left to his own will, will betake himself to. He first falls into ill Company, and then to Drinking [Page 10] and Riotous living. And this adding new flames to the natural Heat of youthful blood, in the next place; he keeps Company with Harlots. And thus he falls into a deep and narrow Pit, as Solomon calls it, Pro. 23. 27. out of which few escape.

IT was a very unhappy Cir­cumstance of this Prodigal's con­dition, that he had an Estate gi­ven him by his Father, Verse 12. He divided unto them his Living. This young Man had not for cer­tain been so lewd, if he had not been so plentifully provided with means to accommodate his Lusts. So that we may here make a third Note:

3d. Obs. THAT a plentiful Estate in the Possession of a Wild Youth, does most directly tend to his destruction. 'Tis like a Sword in the hand of a mad Man, with which [Page 11] he will very probably do himself a mischeif. There is not a more dangerous and deplorable condi­tion upon Earth, than for a Person that is eagerly bent towards any vice, to have favourable Circum­stances to accomplish it without any Check of Conscience, or Re­buke of providence. He seems to be abandoned of God to his own Will, and given up to his affect­ed Vices: and he has no kind Rub or Cross in his way to stop his Ca­reer in the ways of Death.

IN this Respect the Prodigal's wealth was his Snare: But we may be sure, his Prodigality will soon make him poor enough. And, in­deed, the next news we have of him, is, That he had spent All, and was surrounded with Famine and Distress: And that he had beta­ken himself to one of the most abject [Page 12] employments in the World, even th [...] feeding of Swine, and yet could not by this get Bread to pu [...] into his mouth, no nor so much as a belly-full of Husks on which th [...] Swine did eat. We may therefore note further;

4th. Obs. THAT beastly lust [...] will soon bring men to extream [...] misery in both worlds. Solomon [...] Observation has been fully verist­ed by many miserable Examples; namely, that by means of a whorish Woman a Man is brought to a Mor­sel of Bread, Pro. 6. 26. It brings many a plentiful Estate to a poor starving Fragment; and reduces many a Family of Note to such ex­tream penury, that they are cloath­ed with Rags.

THUS it was with our Prodi­gal Youth, his case was miserably al [...]ered since he left his Father's [Page 13] House. He is now sorely hunger- [...]itten, and almost starved for want [...]oth of Food and Rayment: He [...]as a severe Fast after his former Surfeits, and has now many Marks of the Lashes of his own Folly be­fore his Eyes; and this does him more Good than all his Prosperity had done: For, now he begins to consider what Plenty he once en­joy'd under his Father's Roof. He remembers that his Father's duti­ful Servants fared better than his wild Son; and having hope, that his Father would yet shew him some Favour upon his Return and Submission to him, he takes up the Resolution of the Text, I will arise and go to my Father: As if it were said, I will arise out of this nasty and needy Condition, into which my Extravagancy has brought me. I am resolved to [Page 14] throw my self in a Penitent a [...] Humble manner at my Father feet: And I will say unto him Father, I have sinned against Heven and before Thee; I am a gre [...] Sinner against God and Man. [...] have been a very undutiful Chil [...] to my heavenly and earthly F [...] ­ther, and am not worthy to b [...] lookt on as a Child by either o [...] them. I am a vile unthankfu [...] Wretch, a Swine rather than a [...] Man, a Rebel rather than a Son.

THIS was the Purport of his humble Confession; and thus hum­bling himself, he was Exalted: For his Father's Eye was upon him so soon as ever he looked home-ward, and the Son's heart relenting, the Father's bowels are melted within him. And whereas the Son comes onward drooping, the Father runs chearfully, and even pre­vents [Page 15] the Language of Words in [...]is Son's mouth, reading his Re­ [...]entance in his very Looks: Where­ [...]pon, he falls on his Neck and kisses Him, giving him Assurance of his Welcome, by the most Affectio­ [...]ate and Rapturous Embraces. And upon this we may make a fifth Remark: Namely,

5th. Obs. THAT God, thro' his mediating Son, accepts even those into his Mercy and Favour, who are by outward Misery brought to an effectual Return to him. The Prodigal's outward Want and Penury awakens his Consci­ence, (through sanctifying Grace) and excites spiritual Sorrow, which brings him to a sincere Con­version to God; and so he ob­tains Favour in his Sight.

FOR we must consider this Parable, as a lively Representation [Page 16] of a Sinners Apostacy from God and the Vows of his Baptism, to a vain and wicked Life. Licentious Minds think themselve [...] crampt and confined by the Com­mandments of God; and tha [...] they are kept with severity from those things which are agreeabl [...] to their sensual Appetites: An [...] therefore they tread down those Fences of Religion which shoul [...] keep them within the Bounds o [...] true Happiness, forsaking God th [...] only Fountain of Bliss. And the [...] being misled by sinful Lusts an [...] the invisible Enemy of Souls▪ they wander about in the c [...]urse of a thousand Follies and Extravagancies, till they are surroun­ded with Misery and Perplexity: Yet, if then they are awaken'd by their Afflictions and Distress, and effectually turn to God in time, [Page 17] he will have mercy upon them, [...]nd there will be Joy in Heaven at [...]heir Conversion.

And for as much as we find no good thing done by the Prodigal, [...]efore he came to his holy Reso­ [...]ution exprest in the words of the Text, Let us make one Remark [...]ore: To wit,

6th. Obs. THAT we have [...]one of us made one true Step in Religion, till we are come to a [...]revailing Resolution for God and [...]nd his Kingdom, in opposition [...]o all the allurements of Sin and this present World. When once man's wicked and stubborn Will is chan­ged by the Grace of God, the Man [...]s converted, and begins a new course of Life: Then it is that we [...]ruely set our Face towards Hea­ven, which we before either for­got or despised; and then we can [Page 18] no longer rest on those Beds of slo [...] and sensuality, on which we [...] drowsily snoared before: but w [...] arise, and go to our Father.

NOW, this should put us on th [...] most serious and frequent Con [...] deration of those Motives, whic [...] are proposed to us in the Gospe [...] to incline our Wills to embrac [...] the Government and Grace [...] our Lord Jesus Christ; such a [...] The infinite Danger and Deme [...] of Sin, The abundant Mercies [...] God, The Grace and Merits [...] our Lord Jesus Christ, The Spir [...] tual Assistances of the Holy Ghost and. The eternal Rewards and Punishments of the world to come▪ And in order to make these Motives effectual, we must pray t [...] God for that new Heart which h [...] hath promised, Ezek. 36. 26, 27▪ We must beg, with David, That [Page 19] God would incline our Hearts to [...]s Testimonies, and not suffer our [...]ffections to run after Covetous­ [...]ess or any other Lust, Psa. 119. [...]6.

AND whereas this Parable is [...] put, that of the two Sons which [...]e Father had, onely one was a [...]rodigal, the other very Dutiful: Yea, and the Prodigal at last be­ [...]ame reformed. Let us here in [...]he last place make a mournful Re­ [...]ark, concerning the multitudes of obstinate Sinners in these times: To wit,

7th. Obs. THAT it is matter of great Sorrow, and what pre­sages ill to us, That so few pro­phane Persons come to the pious Resolution of the Text. Alas! we have many Prodigals, but few Penitents. It is a sad Thought, and unanswerable to right Reason, [Page 20] (to which all men are Pretenders that the greatest part of the world yea, (which is most our shame the most of those which are calle [...] Christians lye contented in th [...] Prodigal state of a dissolute & prophane life. How many are there wh [...] know no other Pleasure or Tro [...] ble, but what affects their externa [...] Senses! and like our Prodigal, they spend their time in feeding of Swin [...] (their beastly Lusts;) themselve [...] being in truth, the more abominable Swine of the two. They have no mind to the things of God; yea, they have a perverse Dislike to his holy Nature and Government, and are Enemies to that which is Good

THEY have a most Gracious and Blessed King to their Father, and might inherit a Glorious and Eternal Kingdom, would they but [Page 21] arise by a real Conversion, and go [...]enitently to God, and serve Him [...]ruly for the future: But they [...]oath the very thoughts of this, [...]nd do all they can to discredit e­ [...]ery thing that borders on Religi­ [...]n; and in effect, reverse the words of the Text; and say, I will lie [...]own again in my sinful Polluti­ons, and will not betake my self [...]o the ways of Holiness and eter­ [...]al Life.

O poor degenerate Children of Men! How are ye faln from your primitive Excellency! Is this the Creature that was made after the Image of God? Can such as were made to enjoy an infinite All-pure [...]ountain of Goodness, be conten­ [...]ed with a broken Cistern of pud­dle water? Can the Reason of Man (as corrupt as it is) once ima­gine that it is better wallowing in [Page 22] the mire with Swine, than c [...] versing with Angels; yea, w [...] God himself? In this wretch [...] choice, Men are more to be proached than Devils. Infer [...] Spirits are faln from their Glori [...] Station, but have no Helper to [...] up again: But the kind Father faln Men, stretches forth his H [...] all the Day long to them, to inv [...] and assist them to come unto H [...] that they may have Life; but [...] Men will not Arise and Go to th [...] Father.

SURELY, if the Holy Ang [...] above, may be supposed to be intently concern'd for the Salva [...] on of men, as those faln Ang [...] beneath, are for their Destructio [...] With what Indignation must th [...] needs consider the sinful Follies of the Children of Disobedie [...] Those Blessed Angels at once p [...] ceive [Page 23] the happiness of serving God, [...]nd the poison of those vices which [...]icked Men Idolize: And the [...]race of God tends to bring Men [...] this true savour of things, by [...]hich, when the Lovers of Sin [...]ome once to be enlightened and [...]urified, they then awake as one [...]ut of a deluding Dream; they [...]ondemn & renounce their Follies, [...]nd arise and go to their Father.

Let us here then Consider three [...]hings in the words before us:

1. THE Prodigal's Resolu­tion—I will Arise, and Go to my Father.

2. HIS Humiliation—And will say unto him; Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before Thee; and am no more worthy to be called thy Son.

3. THE Considerations which led him to this penitent Conver­sion: Which were,

[Page 24] 1. THE Misery and Wretchness of his Condition, whilst wandered (after his own vain [...] sires and Imaginations) at dista [...] from his Father's House, be rest his Father's wise Conduct, and de [...] tute of his Blessing.

2. THE Necessity of changi [...] his course of Life. He saw, th [...] was nothing but Scarcity, Mise [...] and Death, in the ways that he h [...] foolishly betaken himself to; a [...] therefore he resolves to Arise [...] Go to his Father: Considering f [...] ther,

3. THE Bowels and Mercy his Father. He perceives his Co [...] dition to be wretched, but [...] Hopes that it is not desperate. [...] confided, that his Father, who w [...] once so very kind and indulge [...] to him, would be so again, wh [...] he should approve himself as d [...] [...]l [Page 25] to him as he was before: And [...] succeeded accordingly.

O! That our Good God, the Fa­ [...]er of us all by Creation, would [...]ecome our Father also by Regene­ [...]tion! That he would (for his be­ [...]otten Son's sake) give us such [...]nfeigned Repentance for past Sin, [...]nd such ingenuous Resolutions of [...]uty for the future, that we may [...] repeat the words of the Text in serious and affected Manner this [...]y: Especially such of us as have [...]therto been Strangers to the Pow­ [...] of God's Grace, and to that in­ [...]rd Purity of Heart, which is [...]ential to our Divine Religion. It [...] time for such who have hitherto [...]alkt loosely, without the awful [...]ar of God, and without a just [...]re to Please and Honour him in [...] their ways; to look about them [...]rth with, and to begin to Work [Page 26] out their Salvation with Fear [...] Trembling: Even before the G [...] God rises out of the Seat of a [...] ther, to ascend the Tribunal [...] Judge.

LET us now (even from [...] very instant) come to a pere [...] tory Point, from which we res [...] by the Grace of God, nev [...] part: Namely, that we wil [...] heartily and steadily for Reli [...] for the pure Life and Hope [...] Christian, in opposition to all [...] Lusts and Allurements of a C [...] Life. We are sure that this [...] sent Life is drawing to an [...] And that this is our seeds-time an eternal Harvest of Bliss or [...] guish. And that Such as sow t [...] Flesh, will of the Flesh reap Co [...] ­tion, that is, Destruction: And [...] Such as sow to the Spirit, will [...] Spirit reap eternal Life, Gal. [...]

'Tis time therefore to stop our Course in sin, and to considet whi­ [...]her it is carrying us: And since we [...]annot bear even the Thoughts of [...]welling with Everlasting Burnings; [...]e must seriously set our Selves [...] do our utmost to avoid them: We must betake our Selves (not [...]eignedly or faintly, but) in good [...]arnest, and with all the V [...]gour [...]hat humane Nature, assisted by [...]he Grace of God, is able to act [...] the Ways of God prescribed in [...]he Gospel: Let us therefore begin [...]ith the Prodigal in the Text; [...]amely,

I. IN his efficatious Resolution [...] repent, and reform, and return [...] God.—I will Arise, I will Go [...] my Father. I will no longer lye [...]reaming of Happiness in nasty [...]usts, and in a deluding World, [...]hich will one Day perish and [Page 28] come to naught. No, I will [...] stantly Arise out of my presum [...] tuous Dreams, and this car [...] state; and will go right humb [...] to my heavenly Father; and [...] ling down upon my bended Kne [...] before his Mercy-Seat, I will fro [...] the bottom of my Heart be w [...] my corrupt Nature and si [...] Life, and will beg his Grace [...] Spirit, to serve him truely all [...] Days of my future Life; trust [...] in the Mercy of his Covenant a [...] Promises thro' my Saviour Je [...] Christ; hoping that (through Mediation and Merits) mercy w [...] yet be vouchsafed to me a vile P [...] fligate, who am not worthy [...] be called a Creature of God, m [...] less his Child.

THUS, when an enlighte [...] Mind sees the Baseness, the F [...] and the Danger of Sin, it soon [...] [Page 29] [...]ies the sad News of this ill State [...]o the Will and Affections: And [...]he Will of Man having a natural Abhorrency of apparent Evil, it [...]oon takes the Alarm, and begins [...]o set up Resolutions of new and [...]etter Courses. For so it is said [...]f the Prodigal, that when he came [...]o himself, or to have a right Judg­ [...]ent of his sad Condition, he forth­ [...]ith resolv'd to Arise and Go to his Father. The same Spirit of Sancti­ [...]cation, who gave convincing [...]ight to his Understanding, did [...]lso incline his Will to follow the Dictates of the enlightened Mind, [...]nd impowr'd him to act accor­ [...]ingly: So that he effectually resol­ [...]ed for God, and actually turned [...]o him, so soon as he really came [...]o his right Mind.

SIRS, who ever there is among You, that is carried away with [Page 30] any sinful Lust or Passion, and li [...] in any way of Prophaneness a [...] Irreligion; I hear mind you o [...] Truth, which perhaps you will [...] believe now, but I am sure y [...] will loudly confess it sooner or l [...] ter: Namely, That whilst you th [...] live in sin, you are not in your rig [...] Mind. As the Idolatrous Jews a [...] said by the Prophet to be mad up [...] their Idols, Jer. 50. 38. for as muc [...] as their Sin clouded their Reaso [...] to that degree, that they praye [...] to a senseless Log or Stone th [...] was more shiftless than themselve [...] So the vitious Person is mad up [...] his Lusts, and sees not the Shame [...] Vexation, and Misery, which necessarily attends him in that unhappy Course of life. As Solomo [...] Youth confesses at the last (after long insensibleness, through the de­ceitfulness of Sin) Pro. 23. la [...] [Page 31] They have stricken me, shalt thou [...]y, and I was not sick: They have [...]aten me, and I felt it not. Even [...] mad Men wound themselves, [...]d are insensible of the Hurt they [...] to their own Flesh.

KNOW therefore, All ye Lo­ [...]ers of Sin, that this your inordi­ [...]te Affection to it, is perfect Ha­ [...]ed to your own Souls. Your [...]hirst after forbidden Objects is [...] thirst after Poyson: And when [...]er ye indulge it, ye act as madly [...] he that crams his mouth with [...]rning Coales, or that poureth [...]reams of scalding Brimstone own his Throat. 'Tis a perfect [...]hrensy to indulge unsober Lusts. [...] this, Men dig their own Graves [...] this World, and their own Hell [...] the other. By sinning against [...]od, we resist our own Happiness; [...]e lose the Prospect of future Glo­ry; [Page 32] we court Shame; we tre [...] the Paths of Death; and prepa [...] Fewel for the eternal Flames.

Come then to sober Though [...] my Brother, in due time pull [...] that gross Veil wherewith Sat [...] blinds thine Eyes: Look upwar [...] towards thy Father's House, a [...] consider the happiness for whi [...] thou wast made, and is yet te [...] dred to thee. And if this awa [...] thee not, Look down into the d [...] Cells of damned despairing Sou [...] Hear, how they lament their se [...] destroying folly in contemni [...] the grace of our Lord Jesus Chri [...] and their selling their Birth rig [...] for a few carnal morsells. O [...] ware my Brother, that thou fall [...] not into that place of Torm [...] thro' Unbelief and incorrigiblen [...] 'Tis cheaper Learning by the [...] Examples of others Misery, th [...] [Page 33] our own. Wherefore take up in [...]ime, and resolve (by the Grace of God) to live a new Life. You [...]ee, how properly our publick Ser­ [...]ice begins with the Prodigals Reso [...]ution in the Text; I will Arise and Go to my Father, &c.

BUT it may be said, That it would seem presumptuous to speak after the manner of the Text. What [...]erson, that has any sense of his own Corruptions, can with any modesty say, I will leave this Sin, [...]r perform this duty? I am resolved to become Religious, or to cease to be Vitious.

I Answer: That rash and pre­sumptuous Resolutions of Refer­mation will never hold long; and therefore we must always have re­spect to the Grace and Blessing of the Holy Ghost, in all our spiritual Re­solutions and Undertakings. And [Page 34] the gracious promises of this Divi [...] Assistant must never abate our e [...] deavours, but always quicken a [...] excite them. For so the case [...] stated by the Holy Spirit himse [...] Phil. 2. 12, 13. Work out your ow [...] Salvation with Fear and Tremblin [...] And to stop all Objections of o [...] own Disability to do this, it is a [...] ded; For it is God who worketh in [...] both to will, and to do, of his go [...] Pleasure. So that, since God plea [...] eth to assist our Wills in their Dete [...] minations for Holiness, we ma [...] and ought to Resolve for it: An [...] since he pleases to give Grace [...] Accomplish those Resolutions i [...] Newness of Life, we must strive an [...] Labor to the Uttermost to effect it Confiding in the promised Succours of preventing, assisting, an [...] renewing Grace. Our good God through his Son will hear th [...] [Page 35] Prayers of such as seek to him in [...]ncerity. It is a very disparaging [...]ct of Unbelief to Question that [...]hich He hath promised Six times [...]ogether, Math. 7. 7, 8. Ask, [...]nd it shall be given You; Seek, and [...]e shall find; Knock, and it shall be [...]pen'd unto You: For, every one that [...]sketh receiveth; And he that seeketh [...]ndeth; And to him that knocketh, [...]t shall be open'd. He hath also [...]romised, that he will pour out his [...]oly Spirit (that is, freely and plen­ [...]ifully give spiritual Assistance) to [...]uch as set themselves to do his will, Prov. 1. 23. Turn You at [...]y Reproof: behold, I will pour out [...]y Spirit unto You, Yea, he will grant this, as willingly and as com­passionately as ever any Father or Mother in the world gave a piece of bread to their own Child who cry'd upon them for hunger. For [Page 36] so runs that condescending Promi [...] of of our Lord, Luke 11. 11, 1 [...] 13. If a Son shall ask bread of a [...] of You that is a Father, will he gi [...] him a stone? Or, If he ask a Fi [...] will he for a Fish give him a Serpent [...] Or if he shall ask an Egg, will he off [...] him a Scorpion? If ye then being ev [...] know how to give good Gifts unto yo [...] Children, how much more shall yo [...] Heavenly Father give the Holy Sp [...] rit to them that ask him? Here [...] even an Appeal to humane Natu [...] it self, (as depraved as it is) whther the bowels of Parents will n [...] painfully yearn over a poor hung [...] Child that crys to them for Brea [...] And the Inference is strong an [...] undeniable; Namely, That the i [...] finite Mercies of God are inco [...] ceivably greater than the scan [...] compassions of corrupt men. L [...] us therefore arise and be doing, a [...] [Page 37] the Lord will be with the good, Chron. 22. 16. The diligent will be [...]ccour'd when the slothful will be [...]rsaken.

AND here, we must also take [...]otice, That pious Resolutions in [...]e general, will not do our busi­ [...]ess; But we must consider the [...]articular ways and means, where­ [...]y we offend God; and make par­ [...]cular efforts against each of them. [...]e may not think to break the bun­ [...]le of our Corruptions all at once, [...]ut must take the Branches apart, [...]nd break them twig by twig, till [...]he whole be destroyed. For, tho' [...]here be a deadly wound given to [...]he whole Body of Sin, in the de­ [...]ermining act of Conversion; yet [...]his blow must be followed by hear­ [...]y strokes of Mortification, and Self-denyal; and the lively exercises of Faith and Prayer. Sanctification [Page 38] is a progressive work; and we [...] required to abound in it more a [...] more, 1 Thes. 4. 1. For we mu [...] never think that we have d [...] working, till the Devil has do [...] tempting, and till the world a [...] the Flesh have done warring agai [...] the Spirit.

NOW, The Prodigal's Resol [...] tion before us consisted of t [...] Parts.

1. HE Resolves to leave [...] old Wanderings and Misdeme [...] nours, and the Ways that led [...] them.

2. HE Resolves to turn [...] God, and to observe his Comman [...] ments.

I. HE Resolves to leave his o [...] Wanderings and Misdeameanour [...] and the ways that led to them. will Arise, says he, from these pe [...] niscious Vanities: I have slept [...] [Page 39] them too long already. The Sun advanced, my time is far spent, [...]d I have not yet set forth in the [...]ays of Life. I have trifled and [...]ayed away the Morning o [...] my [...]ge. I have wasted my Youth, [...]d Stength, and Wealth, in lewd [...]ouses and loose Company. Oh! will Arise out of this hateful and [...]retched sort of Life. 'Tis a Mer­ [...] that I am yet on this side [...]e Grave: That God has shewn [...]e my Sin, before I am dam­ [...]d for it. Alas! how sottishly [...]ve I lived! in what vain dreams [...]ve I wasted my time! but now, [...]ce God has gratiously a wakened [...]e, I will Arise. I will not lay [...]own my Head to sleep again on [...]at bed of carnal Presumption, [...]hich the Devil makes as soft as [...]e can for deluded Souls. Should take one Nap more thereon, it [Page 40] may be just with God that I ne [...] awake but in a Bed of unquenc [...] ble Flames, from which Di [...] (who scarce ever before lookt H [...] ven [...] wards) lifted up his Eyes behold the Happiness he had l [...] Wherefore, by the help of G [...] I will certainly, I will speedily, will effectually arise from this st [...] of Sin, and seek the Face of [...] God.

HERE he must be understood leave three Things: 1. His form sinful Company; 2. His form Lusts; 3. His former way of L [...]

1. He Resolves to leave his [...] mer sinful Company: That is, to any Partnership with them their Vanity and Debaucher For so the Holy Ghost advi [...] Eph. 5. 11. And have no Fell [...] ship with the unfruitful Works Darkness; but rather reprove th [...] [Page 41] Christan must not be the Fellow ill Society, but the Physitian of it. We must break Fellowship [...]ith these, or we cannot walk [...]ith God. Can they that walk [...]wards Heaven, keep Company [...]d Pace with them that walk to­ [...]ards Hell? Or, Can they that [...]ould get to the Top of a Hill, [...]yn Company with them that [...]n downwards, and will tumble own all they can with them to the bottom?

I speak not of civil Conversation, or of Intercourse by way of Trade [...]d Commerce, but of our cho­ [...]n and delightful Company. As [...] which the Holy Psalmist says, [...]epart from me ye Evil-Doers, for will keep the Commandment of my [...]od, Psa. 119. 115. 'Tis the same [...]esolution with this in the Text: [...] will no more comply with your [Page 42] Humours, ye seed of Evil-Do [...] nor be any further a Partaker your Sins. Cease your en [...]nar [...] Invitations, and forbear your [...] sed Assignations; I am not the m [...] I was, and will no more do a [...] have done. And therefore I da [...] not put my self into such Comp [...] ny, wherein I must sacrifice [...] Peace of my Conscience, and [...] Favour of my God.

WE never find, That the P [...] digal went back to his Harlots a [...] profligate Companions, after his R [...] turn to his Father's House. N [...] he keeps wisely to the Society his Father's House-hold, wh [...] good Examples tended to confi [...] his holy Resolutions, and refo [...] med Conversation. Sober and R [...] ligious Company is like a Guard Holy Angels about any Person, [...] keep him in God's ways; The [Page 43] must first get out of such Compa­ [...] before they can be very viti­ [...]. It is the Remark of the in­ [...]'d wise Man, Pro. 13. 20. That that walketh with wise Men shall wise, but a Companion of Fools [...]ll be destroyed. The wise Man [...]e, is the good and vertuous man, [...]o will be apt to instill good In­ [...]ctions into the Person he con­ [...]ses with, and to communicate [...]ething of his own warmth in [...]ritual things to others, through [...]e Grace of God, who hath pro­ [...]sed to make it effectual, where [...]s on both sides piously underta­ [...]. What a divine Blessing then good and holy Company! How [...] we duely value it! Since the [...]od Companion is often like God's [...]gel to Lot, sent to lead us by the [...]nd out of a State, upon which [...]e flaming wrath of God is descen­ [...]ng.

I therefore take this opport [...] ty, to recommend to you all; more especially to such as Young, that excellent Method Religious Society; which has late years been happily set on [...] by some of our Divines, and m [...] happily increases by the bless [...] of God. Their Method is so H [...] so humble, so full of Charity [...] primitive Purity; and is ca [...] on (as far I can perceive) w [...] such Life and Savour of H [...] things; and is so opposite to [...] Scarlet Sins of the times, Tha [...] hope it is seed sown by Almig [...] God for a blessed Reformation, [...] a most happy Prelude to it. [...] ther it all ye can, ye that h [...] any Zeal for God, or Love of [...] holy Religion; Despise it not a Blessing is in it.

IT is the avowed Purpose [Page 45] these Societies, to do all they do to [...]e Glory of God, and to think so [...]wly of themselves, that the Re­ [...]oaches of the scornful World can [...]arcely set them lower than [...]y their Rules) they place them­ [...]ves. And in Subordination to [...]e Glory of the Great God, they [...]nd their utmost Strength to re­ [...]ve languishing Religion: and to [...]duce the Honour of it by the [...]ictest holiness of Life, and to [...]nfirm this by frequent and fer­ [...]nt Prayer, and by the most so­ [...]mn and affectionate Celebration [...] the Sacrament of the Lord's Sup­ [...]r, which they also reduce to the [...]rimitive Frequency, as the due [...]ove of God our Saviour must [...]eeds do. They are full of Alms­ [...]eeds, and of holy Discourse; and [...]ually encourage each other [...]ayly to Meekness, Humility, and [Page 46] Contempt of the world, those [...] tiquated Graces which have [...] been despised by a crooked [...] haughty Generation, tho' they indeed the Ornament of our R [...] gion, and of great Price in [...] sight of God. It is they say on [...] the greatest Delights and Div [...] sions they have, to sing Psal [...] which they always perform w [...] the strictest Reverence of S [...] and Body: And before they ther pray to God, or praise Name, they use to read so affecting Preface, to excite at o [...] the highest Veneration of the i [...] nite Majesty of God, and the l [...] liest Humiliation before him.

WHAT I speak is from [...] own Observation, and upon [...] strictest Judgment I can make their real Bent and Design: which, though some of them [...] [Page 47] probably be unsincere (since one of [...]ur Saviours chosen Twelve prov'd Traytor, & some of the very An­ [...]els above kept not their first Stati­ [...]n:) Yet as to the Temper and Be­ [...]aviour of many of them; I think [...] am so far from giving them any [...]dvantage by what is said; That [...] am sensible, I have not done [...]hem right. For the Life, the [...]igor and Affections of real Pie­ [...]y have an intrinsick Beauty and Excellence, which it is not in the Power of Words to represent.

AND, notwithstanding the [...]urmises of some; I think it ve­ [...]y manifest, That neither the Church nor the State will have rea­son to be jealous of these Societies; [...]or their Rules tend directly to support and advance both; And [...]hey are protest Enemies to Schism and Sedition; Tho' at the same [Page 48] time, they profess themselves [...] vers of all good men, tho, di [...] ting from them in Opinions w [...] touch not the Essence of Religi [...] looking on Christian Charity, [...] dour, and Mildness, as com [...] Debts to all that lead a g [...] Life,

SHALL I need now to [...] many words to recommend th [...] holy Purposes to You? Is it no [...] valuable Priviledge to enjoy [...] Society? And will not the L [...] of God and of your ownsolus, [...] your Desire of the Propagatio [...] Religion, and the welfare of [...] Nation, engage you to encour [...] it? Especially since pious Ex [...] ples do recommend Religion such a lively and attractive M [...] ner, and do so fit it for our Pr [...] tice (instilling it by degrees, [...] that, with Pleasure and Life) T [...] [Page 49] g [...]od Company has much the Advan­ [...]ge even of good Books in refor­ [...]ing a vain Conversation.

AND how well-pleasing this is the sight of God: See Mal. 3. 16, [...]7. Then they that feared the Lord [...]ake often one to an other: And the [...]ord harkened and heard it; and a [...]ok of Remembrance was written be­ [...]e Him, for them that feared the [...]ord, and that thought on his Name. [...]nd they shall be mine, saith the Lord Hosts, in that day when I make up [...] Jewels, and I will spare them as a [...]n spareth his own Son that serveth [...]m. You see, God hearkens at the [...]oor, and will register every good [...]ord which drops from your Lips. [...]ea, not a serious Thought shall [...]cape his Book of Record. And such all be honour'd by a signalizing [...]ovidence of God in the day in [...]ich He makes up his Jewels. [Page 50] What day is this? Why, 'tis the Da [...] in which he is departing from an [...] place. Then People take care [...] their Jewels, to carry them wi [...] them: and it is probable that th [...] expression had Respect to the M [...] gremus h [...] mention'd by Joseph [...] The Departure of God from [...] Jewish state.

AH! my Brethren (with tre [...] bling I speak it) methinks I [...] the dawning of this day of G [...] Departure from us, even from All his methods to reclaim us ha [...] been sadly frustrated. We are Ju [...] ment-proof; and we have tur [...] Gods gracious dealings into wa [...] tonness. What can be done furth [...] for our Tryal by the God of [...] the Earth? what method of pr [...] cedure have we not already frustr [...] ted? and after all, How prodig [...] ous are our sins! and (to the [...] [Page 51] of Reason) How hopeless our Re­ [...]ormation! In these dark Cir­ [...]umstances, I advise every parti­ [...]ular Soul to secure his Peace with God, that he may be provi­ [...]ed of a sure Refuge in the day of [...]vil; For it shall be well with them that fear the Lord, Eccl. 8. 12.

BE so just therefore to your [...]wn Interests in both worlds, as [...] take up this first part of the Pro­ [...]igal's Resolution, viz. To leave [...]nsnaring Company: Partake not [...]f their sins, lest ye share in their [...]lagues. As you dread their Pu­ [...]ishment, a void all Partnership in [...]heir Pollutions.

(2.) He Resolves to set himself against his former Lusts. He seri­ [...]usly endeavours, thro' the holy [...]pirit, to crucify the Flesh with its effections and Lusts, Gal. 5. 24. [...]niquity shall not dwell with al­lowance [Page 52] in his heart. He labou [...] to subdue the Love of Sin, by th [...] prevailing Love of God, and h [...] ways. The Prodigal must now pa [...] under an other Name. He no [...] loves his Father too well to affro [...] him, or to depart from him. A [...] tho' the Love of goodness be not y [...] perfected in him, yet he will tru [...] labour by dayly mortification, a [...] progress in holyness, to carry it [...] towards perfection.

REMEMBER, Christians, that ever you would walk worthy that Holy Name ye bear, You m [...] duely exercise and carry on t [...] spiritual work of mortification You must thro' the spirit mortify t [...] deeds of the flesh (inward and o [...] ward) that ye may live, Rom. 8. 1▪ Even that ye may live to the Glor [...] of God on earth, and be meet [...] inherit his undefiled Kingdom. [...] [Page 53] must be our labour as long as we [...]ive, to hate Sin more perfectly, [...]nd to love God more entirely. And this is Christian sanctification; [...]he blessed work of the Spirit of God on the degenerate Souls of men; who here sits as a Refiner, continual­ [...]y purging out our Dross, and ma­king us more pure Vessels of Honour, more and more fit for our Maker's Ʋse. Blessed are the pure in Heart, for they shall see God, Mat. 5. 8. And indeed they onely can see him with Delight. As, the glory of the [...]un's brightness is painful and in­ [...]olerable to a sore Eye, tho' no­ [...]hing is more pleasant to the sound Eye than to behold the shining of he Sun: so, to the unsanctify'd Soul, [...]he presence and Praises of God are [...]ot onely undesireable but bur­ [...]hensome; whereas, to the graci­ [...]us Soul God is their exceeding joy, [Page 54] Psa. 42. 4. His Courts are amia [...] Psal. 84. 1. His Commands delight [...] 1 Jo. 5. 3. And in his presence is [...] ness of joy, and at his right hand [...] pleasures for ever-more, Psal. 16.

LOOK to this inward pur [...] cation of your Souls, All ye th [...] would have your Righteousness [...] ceed the superficial Righteousness the Scribes and Pharisees; lest w [...] them and all other fruitless p [...] fessors, ye be shut out of the Ki [...] dome of Heaven, Math. 5. 20. T [...] fear of falling short at last, and b [...] ing found light when weighed the ballance of the last Judgme [...] will make every sincere Christi [...] very careful and circumspect in [...] things, and even curious in Or [...] ring his conversation aright. He wi [...] attend upon every ordinance [...] God with a zealous concern: H [...] will pray without ceasing; He wi [...] [Page 55] watch withou [...] sleeping as do others; He will fight against Lust and Passion with hearty blows, and perse­ [...]ere in the same with all long- [...]uffering. He would in every action so approve himself to God, that Christ may say of him in every part of his Life, behold a Nathanael, an Israelite indeed; a Christian with­out dissimulation; a Professor of Religion without Guile.

THUS the Prodigal (and every sincere Convert) looks to the inte­grity of his heart, in opposition to [...]mpurity, vanity, and every deceit­ful Lust.

(3.) He resolves to quit his for­mer corrupt Conversation. He will no more revel and riot as he had done. He will beware of wine and wantonness, and all those Paths of Death, in which he had like to have perisht. He will no more walk (as [Page 56] other Sensualists do) in the Vani [...] of their minds, having their Ʋnd [...] standing darkened: being alienat [...] from the Life of God, thro' the ig [...] rance that is in them, because of t [...] blindness of their heart: Who (bei [...] hurried by exorbitant Lusts) gi [...] themselves over unto Lasciviousness, [...] work all Ʋncleanness with Greedine [...] But on the contrary; He puts [...] as to his former Conversation, the [...] man, which is corrupt according its deceitful Lusts. And (bei [...] renewed by the Holy Spirit [...] God) He puts on the new Man, whi [...] after God is created in Righteousne [...] and true Holiness, Eph. 4. 18, 1 [...] &c. He casts off the works of Dar [...] ness, and puts on the Armour [...] Light; and walks honestly as in th [...] Day, not in chambering and wanto [...] ness, not in rioting and drunkennes [...] not in strife and envy: But he p [...] [Page 57] on the Lord Jesus Christ, and makes no more Provision for the Flesh, to fulfil [...]he Lusts thereof, Rom. 13. 12, 13.

IN few words: A true Con­vert is influenced by that power­ [...]ul Principle of Faith working by Love to God and his Holy Will, [...]nd aims at the Glory of God in [...]ll he does, in hope of enjoying [...]he glorious Presence of God for ever. Thus, He who lived like [...] Swine before, lives like an Angel [...]ow. He has his Conversation in Heaven; his Heart is truly there; and his Soul and Body will soon be [...]here also.

HE seems to take possession e­ven now of the prepared Mansions above, in that his Affections are there already. His hope has cast [...]ts Anchor even within that Veil. And surely he cannot but have Treasure there where his Heart is so much.

THIS, This, my Brethren, that Prize of our High Calling. O [...] Let us press hard after it. He [...] is nothing below worthy of o [...] precious Hours, or the Concern [...] our immortal Souls. We find [...] much noisy Discord, and nasty D [...] bauchery in this present evil wor [...] that a Dove like Soul cannot [...] where to set his Foot, or rest it se [...] in entire Peace and Quietude. A [...] indeed, it is not fit that we shou [...] have perfect Rest below, lest [...] should forget the promised Rest [...] bove; and be ready to take [...] Lot on this side Jordan, as part [...] the Israelites did, being enamou [...] with the Commodiousness of t [...] Place.

LET us therefore Arise and [...] to our Father; in whose House the [...] are many Mansions of perfect Bli [...] Let us make the same Use of [...] [Page 59] our present Wants and Afflictions, [...]hat the Prodigal did; Namely, to [...]asten our Journey Heaven-wards. We must of necessity part with all things which will separate us from God. And if we now sincerely arise from sinful Pollutions, and [...]o to our Heavenly Father by Faith, Love, and dutiful Observance here [...]elow; He will er'e long call us to come up into his nearer Presence, [...]o see him as he is; and to be with [...]im where he is; yea, to Triumph with Him, and to be happy in Him [...]or Ever.

HERE then arises an impor­ [...]ant Question? Namely, How we may get to our Father? and what [...]re the sure Paths which lead to [...]is Presence? I hope you are all willing to go to God; and that [...]ou resolve to live no longer (as Prodigal's) in Filthiness and Super­fluity [Page 60] of Naughtiness: but to li [...] (as obedient Children) in stri [...] Love and Duty to your God a [...] Saviour. But perhaps some o [...] whose Understanding is not y [...] clearly enlightened in the ways God, may say as Philip, Jo. 14. Shew us the Father, and it suffice us. Or as Thomas, Verse 5. H [...] can we know the Way? No man ha [...] seen God at any time. Whit [...] then must we direct our Ste [...] that we may go directly and su [...] ly to him?

I answer. Follow the Prodi [...] in the second Part of his Resol [...] on as well as the former, and t [...] will lead You to the favoura [...] Presence of God, as it did him.

WE have already considered [...] things which the Prodigal resolv [...] against: Let us now mind th [...] which he positively resolved, fo [...] Namely,

HE resolved to apply himself to spiritual things, and to use all appointed means to please God. He will no longer be a Contemner of God's Ordinances, nor a Mock­er of his Servants. But will Wait at the Doors of Wisdom, and ac­count it the greatest Honour in the world to be a Fellow-Citizen with the Saints, and to be one of the House hold of God. He now prays with earnest Fervour, like a true Son of Jacob: He hears with duti­ful attention, like one whose heart God hath Opened: And praises God with exalted Affections, like a Fel­low▪Psalmist of Holy Angels: He di­ligently searcheth the Holy Scrip­ture to find every part of his Du­ty: and when ever he opens these blessed Oracles of God, he says in his Heart, Speak Lord, for thy Ser­vant heareth. He watches against [Page 62] his own Corruptions, and th [...] Snares of Satan, and the Entangl [...] ments of the world: and he Gir [...] on the whole Armour of God, that [...] may be able to stand against them and come off a Conqueror.

BUT more particularly: T [...] Steps which the Prodigal took i [...] his Return to his Father's Hous [...] (as exprest or imply'd in the Tex [...] were principally these:

1. HE deliberately Conside [...] and weighs the Terms upon whic [...] his Father would accept him, an [...] heartily consents to them.

2. HE deeply Regrets and R [...] pents of his past Offences again [...] his Father.

3. HE betakes himself effectually to serve his Father in Newness of Life.

AND if we abstract thes [...] things from the Allegory of the Pa [Page 63] rable, and consider them in the [...]ractical Doctrine which our bles­ [...]ed Saviour teaches us in them, we [...]hall find in these particulars the [...]umm of the Gospel-Covenant, and [...]y Consequence our direct way [...]o Peace with God.

I. FIRST then, The Prodigal [...]eliberately considers and weighs [...]he terms upon which his Father [...]ould receive him into Favour; [...]nd he heartily consents to them. He knew full well, that he must [...]ive an other sort of a life than he [...]ad done, if he meant to be one of [...]is Father's beloved Children; and [...]he fully resolves so to do; relying [...]nd trusting in his Fathers good­ness to pardon what was past, up­on his penitent Return to him, and dutiful Behaviour towards him for the future.

NOW these are some of the [Page 64] essential Acts of a vigorous and [...] fectual Faith. For, when the S [...] ner comes (thro' the Grace of G [...] to such an efficatious Sense of [...] Sinfulness, Misery, and Cursedne [...] of his Condition, and to such an [...] fecting belief of the Suitablene [...] Sufficiency, and Willingness of [...] Lord Jesus Christ to supply all [...] Wants, and of his being ordai [...] by God the Father to these ble [...] purposes for the Sanctification a [...] eternal Salvation of Sinners; a [...] when he considers that all that [...] saved by Christ must be enligh [...] ned, renewed, and governed, by [...] Gospel through the Holy Spir [...] and upon the serious Considerati [...] of all this, consents sincerely [...] the whole of it, and will adve [...] ture all upon this bottom; T [...] is that dedicating, covenantin [...] and transforming Faith which [...] [Page 65] Title to the Promises of the Gospel. [...]nd by such Acts as these the Soul [...]akes it's first true steps to leave a [...]te of Sin and Wrath; and to ob­ [...]in the Mercy and Favour of God. [...]ith is the Mother-Grace, the [...]ring of those noble Actions [...]hich abound in the regenerate [...]rvants of God, who by this sub­ [...]e the World, crucifie the Flesh, [...]nquish the Legions of the invi­ [...]le Powers of Darkness, and do [...]ch mighty things as are recor­ [...]ed in the Eleventh Chapter of [...]e Epistle to the Hebrews; which [...] a little Chronicle of the Wonders [...]ne by a Mighty Faith.

WHEN this Principle had [...]owerfully influenced the Prodi­ [...]ls Heart, as well as convin'd his [...]dgment, with what Ease, yea, [...]ith what Joy did he break the [...]hains of Youthful Lusts and [Page 66] Customary Sins. Faith working Love makes a new Creature. [...] with one Look he beholds the [...] luding Devil leading him into [...] Dungeon of eternal Misery; [...] with an other, he beholds the [...] ther of Mercies kindly calling to [...] and opening his Arms to rec [...] him. With one Thought he [...] ders the needy and nasty condi [...] into which his Sin had cast h [...] and with an other, he confid [...] the Happyness of the meanest i [...] Father's House. And now he co [...] (thro' the grace of God) to [...] determining Point, even to reso [...] for Heaven; for Heaven, I say [...] opposition to all the ways and [...] tertainments of Sin. And he [...] upon

II. HE deeply regrets and [...] feignedly repents of his past Off [...] ces against his good Father. Ev [...] gelical [Page 67] Faith produces an ingenuous [...]elting of the Heart for sinning a­ [...]ainst infinite Goodness and Love; [...]ith an Aversion as well as Fear to [...]ffend again, let the bribe to it be [...]ever so great; and this is true Re­ [...]entance.

METHINKS I see, with what a [...]ejected and ashamed countenance [...]e Prodigal returns home: With [...]hat sorrow of heart does he con­ [...]der his undutiful carriage towards [...]s good Father, and those hateful [...]travagances which he had run to since he left him. Let us con­ [...]der his confession, and we shall [...]ave an affecting Account of his [...]rrow.

1. He acknowledges his Sin.—Father, I have sinned.

2. He aggravates it in all its [...]eightning Circumstances. Against Heaven and before thee, or, in thy [...]ght

[Page 68] 3. He is sensible of the desert his Sin. I am no more worthy to called thy Son: Make me as one of hired servants. The meanest pl [...] in thy House, is better than all Advancements of ungodlyness.

First, HE acknowledges and [...] ments his Sin from his very he [...] His words are very mournful [...] melting: Father, I have sinned. [...] sin, my sin troubles me sorely sticks me to the very heart to th [...] how indulgent my good Father [...] been to me, and what a stubb [...] and untractable wretch I have b [...] towards him. I have been as a Be [...] before him. So that he hangs do [...] his ashamed face, and smites up his guilty Breast, saying, God be m [...] ciful to me a sinner.

O! When once the sinner co [...] to this; when he sees his o [...] wretchedness, desolation, and d [...] [...]r [Page 69] by reason of his sin, and groans [...]rth his inutterable sense of its eight; there is then a happy al­ [...]ation begun, and he is in the di­ [...]ct way to spiritual peace and e­ [...]nal Rest. For, the promise of di­ [...]ne Rest is made by our Saviour to [...]ch as are weary and heavy laden, [...]th. 11. 28. And we shall one [...]y bless God with rapturous joy [...]t ever he made us Sorrowful after [...]s godly sort; For, this works re­ [...]tance never to be repented of; [...]a, ever to be rejoyced in.

Secondly, He aggravates his Sin, all its heightening Circumstan­ [...]. Alas! I have sinned against [...]eaven and before Thee.

(1.) He is sorry for the impie­ [...] of his sin against God: As if he [...]d said, Ah! I am full of Sorrow [...]d Confusion, for my great and [...]ny Sins against my Good God, [Page 70] the God of my Life, the God my Vows, the God of my Mer [...] and the God of my Salvation. [...] that ever I should be such a wret [...] to blaspheme the Great God w [...] the breath which he gave me: [...] abuse his Wine and good Creatu [...] in revelling and drunkeness: make the Members which he g [...] me, the Members of a Harlot; [...] verting the very end, for wh [...] God my Creator made me; [...] honouring his Name, thwar [...] his Will, and despising his Jus [...] and Mercy. This is the first [...] cheifest Aggravation of Sin, wh [...] chiefly affects the Conscience. T [...] Sin is lamented, as Sin; as co [...] mitted against Heaven. The [...] brew word [...] (Heavens) is [...] mongst the Jews an usual Name God, as Dan. 4. 26. where it w [...] told Nebuchadnezzar, that his Ki [...] [Page 71] [...] should be sure unto him, after [...]t he knew that the HEAVENS [...] Rule. And so in the new Testa­ [...]nt, Mat. 21. 25. The Baptism John, whence was it! Of Heaven, [...] of Men? So that the Penitent [...]ncipally laments his Sin, as Sin; it was committed against the [...]thority, Goodness, and Perfecti­ [...]s of God.

(2.) A true Penitent will also [...]ent, and to his power recom­ [...]ce any injury that he has done men. He will confess his Fault, [...]eech Forgiveness, and make ail [...]ssible Restitution to any Person [...]om he has wronged. So the [...]odigal; Father, I have wickedly [...]ended and grieved You: I have [...]ned before thee; My wicked [...]e has fetch many a tear from [...]ur Eyes, and many a sigh from [...]ur Heart. I wasted your Goods, [Page 72] I left your Company, I dis­garded your Advice: For which, I solemnly arraign and codemn my self before you this da [...] and will no more do so wickedly

Thirdly, He was sensible of Desert of his Sin.—And am more worthy to be called thy [...] Here is more imply'd, than is [...] ken: For it implies the shame, L [...] and Rejection opposite to Son-sh [...] As if he had said, I have deser [...] to be disowned and discarded you, my good Father; as I ha [...] also deserved to have my Na [...] blotted out of the Book of Li [...] to be abandoned by the God Mercy, and to be for ever [...] up in the Dungeon of Darkn [...] with Unbelievers and Obstin [...] Enemies of God.

Thus will a Penitent aggrav [...] his Sin in the day of his Humilia [...] [Page 73] [...]: which is a true step to obtain [...]ercy, for he that humbleth him­ [...]f shall be exalted, Luk. 14. 11. [...] thou dealest sharply with thy self, says Tertullian) God will deal [...]ildly with thee. But if thou excu­ [...]t thy self when thou art Guilty, [...]d will accuse thee. And there­ [...]re another of the Fathers advi­ [...] Sinners to Load themselves [...]th self-accusations as the ready [...]y to alleviate the Burthen of [...], Ambros. These lowly Princi­ [...]es made those Holy Men of old, walk humbly with their God, e­ [...]n to a degree of Humility which [...]azed the Age they lived in, as [...]uch as it reproaches this.

WE may also further take notice [...]ncerning the Prodigals humili­ [...]on and solemn Address to his Fa­ [...]er, that he framed it in his Mind fore he came to utter it with his [Page 74] Lips in his Father's presence. [...] first said within himself, I will to my Father, and say thus and th [...] and then he went and spake acc [...] dingly. This may mind us to [...] meditate, before we pray to [...] Great God: as the Wise-Man [...] vises, Eccles. 5. 2. Be not rash [...] thy mouth, and let not thine hear [...] hasty to utter any thing before [...] Remember the infinite distance [...] twixt the Almighty Eternal [...] and a poor, finite, polluted C [...] ture. He is in Heaven, and tho [...] on Earth, therefore let thy word [...] few. 'Tis ill trifling and toying w [...] such a tremendous thing as Pra [...] to the Lord of Heaven and Ea [...] for things of eternal moment true Convert will pray seriou [...] and sensibly too; in the spirit, [...] with understanding also. And crown all, in the last place:

[Page 75] 3. HE betakes himself in good earnest to serve his Father in New­ness of Life. We never read that the Prodigal played the Runnagate again after his Restoration to his Father's Favour, but he continued soberly in his Father's Family, and observed the pious Orders of his House. Thus a real Convert will firmly and supremely love that God whom before he dishonoured, and embrace those Laws, which before he despised, and venerate that Piety which before he blas­phemed; desiring by patient Con­tinuance in well-doing to inherit the Promises.

THUS have we in our Medi­tations accompanied the Penitent Prodigal in all the steps of his Re­turn to God. And that we may in Heart and Deed imitate his Re­pentance and Reformation, I come [Page 76] now to recommend to you th [...] three principal Motives which i [...] clined him to it. And truely th [...] will appear very forcible to eve [...] sensible mind; Namely,

• 1. THE deplorableness his present Condition.
• 2. THE necessity of an a [...] teration of it.
• 3. THE likelihood of h [...] succeeding in it, upon his earne [...] Endeavours.

I. IN the first place, He co [...] sidered the deplorableness of h [...] present Condition. He was nast [...] as the very Swine he kept, an [...] much more hungry and empt [...] than they. The Hogs had a Ma [...] ster that would provide for them but he had no friend near him none that would bestow the Cha­rity of a few Husks upon the poo [...] perishing man. He had brough [...] [Page 77] himself to the most abject, sordid, [...]nd comfortless Condition upon Earth; and to continue in these Circumstances was the way to pe­ [...]ish inevitably.

O Sirs! This is yours and my Case, if we are departed from the [...]iving God thro' our evil heart of Unbelief. The Swines wallowing [...]n the mire is a Scripture-Emblem of the Sinners spiritual pollution. And the Famine and Nakedness which befel the Prodigal in his wild [...]amble, foreshews the Misery and Wretchedness to which a carnal Life leads men. For if they live [...]fter the Flesh they must die; they die to all spiritual good now, and [...]herefore will be separated from [...]ll felicitating Good for ever.

AH! what nasty work is every Worker of iniquity engaged in? To what brutal Lusts and Passions [Page 78] is he enslaved! What an ill Mast [...] does he serve! What a pitiful, d [...] generate, and unreasonable Li [...] does he live! and Ah! What wretched and desperate death do [...] he die? and above all, what dreadful, painful, unpitied Ete [...] nity must he undergo?

O Sinner, I beseech thee even b [...] the Mercies of God which the despisest, that thou wouldst [...] thy immortal Sous that right, [...] to stop thy furious Course in s [...] and consider wisely what swee [...] ness there is in a Life of Faith a [...] Holiness! What blessedness in ob [...] dience to the King of Heaven What Joy there is in peace wit [...] God! What Honour in Communio [...] with the Lord of the whole world What Satisfaction, Hope, and Divinity there is in a pious Life! an [...] what Blessedness and Glory ther [...] [Page 79] at the end of it. And withal, [...]nsider how near we are to an [...]ernity of Bliss or Torment, and [...]w unalterable our Condition [...]ill be in the other World, when [...]ce it is entered upon. He that [...]ath the Power of thinking, let [...]m think on these things.

HOW long shall it be ere we [...]ome to the determining Resoluti­ [...]n for eternal Happiness? We can­ [...]ot endure the thoughts of dwell­ [...]g with everlasting Burnings: We cannot deny but we have immor­ [...]al Souls, which must quickly re­ [...]eive an irrevocable Sentence from [...]he mouth of God, according to [...]he manner of our life here. And we daily see our selves decaying and drawing on towards the invi­sible state; and yet how late is it [...]ere most of us set our selves seri­ously to do the will of God, and [Page 80] many thousands never come at [...] to this point. Ah! Why will a [...] wise Person live (says one) so [...] no wise Person dares die? Why [...] we do that with delight, whi [...] tends to bitter Sorrow? Why [...] we not lay out our time a [...] strength chiefly in the Conce [...] of the eternal Life to come? Si [...] this World is but our Passage, w [...] do our Affections stick here? Ho [...] can we live in quiet, when t [...] prospect of a future state is [...] cloudy? Or, how can we wit [...] Reason and Self-Love do suc [...] things now, as will be our Conf [...] sion and Torment in the Etern [...] State?

TO what purpose have we lived all those years which God ha [...] given us, if we have not yet ef­fectually considered, for what pur­pose God sent us into the world [Page 81] and in what our happiness consists? it wisdom for us to be always [...]roviding for a world in which we [...]ust stay so little a while; and [...]ake no provision for a world [...]hich has no end? Have we yet [...]o hope in Christ? No saving in [...]erest in him? No Communion [...]ith God? No Fellowship of the [...]pirit? No Sense of God's Love? This is indeed a very dark and [...]ismal state, the Shades of eternal [...]eath are in it; I pray you hasten [...]ut of it. No person can make [...]oo much hast where his Life is in [...]mminent Danger. And to quick­ [...]n you to this, Consider the Pro­ [...]igal's second Motive; Namely,

II. THE absolute necessity of changing his Condition. And this could be no otherwise done (he was sure) but by untreading the steps of his Prodigal Life. And [Page 82] therefore, he goes back to his [...] ther with speed; for he saw th [...] if he continued at this distan [...] from him, he should perish by h [...] ger and nakedness and the want [...] all things. Tho' some sins lo [...] fair and alluring to a carnal Ey [...] especially when varnisht by the [...] lusions of the Devil, yet there nothing in it but Darkness, De [...] sion, and Destruction. Like th [...] Apples of Sodom which some ha [...] made mention of, which are [...] (they say) to the Eye, but ha [...] nothing but dust within them. T [...] Prodigal found this true by sad E [...] perience; and methinks we sho [...] never forget his Cry, Verse [...] I perish with Hunger. My so [...] is starved for want of the t [...] meat which nourisheth to eter [...] Life.

MY Brethren, Our Father [Page 83] House is the Church of God: His Family is the Congregation of the faithful: His Son's Body and Blood received by faith are the true viands which nourish to everlasting Life. If we are destitute of these, we are infinitely miserable. For, if so, God is our Enemy; His word is our Condemnation; His Son will pronounce sentence against us; and it will be but a little while, and we shall be cut off from our outward Christian Privileges [...]ike unprofitable Branches, and be cast into the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone for ever.

IS this a condition fit to belived [...]n? Can we content our selves in the neighbourhood of such Curses, [...]nd under the burthen of such Guilt? Pray, tell me; is it not worth our while to labour earnestly for so short a time as this life lasts, [Page 84] to shun the eternal Doom and Tor­ments of Devils? Has the Prince o [...] this world so perfectly blinded you [...] Eyes, that you are not scared at the approaches of Death and the Judgment to come, tho' you perceiv [...] that your peace is not made wit [...] God, and that you are not par [...] kers of that inward holiness with out which none can see His face wi [...] comfort?

MEN, Women, Children, co [...] sider I pray you in time; that if [...] are not regenerated by the holy sp [...] rit of God, and do not become s [...] cerely holy in all manner of conve [...] sation: If we dare indulge any c [...] nal appetite, or neglect God's O [...] dinances, or live in the contem [...] of any part of God's will: T [...] Curses of God's book belong to [...] in both worlds, and we ma [...] (for ought any body can assure [...] [Page 85] [...]o the contrary) make our Bed in Hell before the light of the next [...]ay shines upon us.

SINCE there is therefore such [...]bsolute necessity of becoming sin­ [...]ere Converts to God in time: Let [...]one of us settle again on the Lees [...]f a carnal state, but let us in time arise and go to our Father, for he is gracious and merciful and ready to forgive. This leads us to consider the third motive which inclined the Prodigal to return, viz.

III. THE Likelyhood of his suc­ceeding in it, upon his sincere En­deavours. He confided in the good­ness of his Father, and trusted that he would not reject but cherish these first kindlings of Love to­wards him. He considered, with what tenderness his Father had brought him up; and with what unwillingness he parted with him; [Page 86] and with what bounty he gave hi [...] a Portion of his Goods. And he co [...] cludes (with reason) that his bo [...] els were not perfectly hardened [...] gainst him yet: or however th [...] tho' he might justly loath hi [...] when a Prodigal, yet that he wou [...] love him when a Penitent. And [...] proved according to his expecta [...] on, yea much better than he co [...] have hoped. For, so soon as ev [...] his Father could get sight of hi [...] and beheld that his Son's face w [...] towards him, even whilst he w [...] yet at distance, his Father ran [...] meet him. The good old Man seem to forget his Years, he ran like [...] nimble youth, (such Spirits had h [...] Joy infused): And tho' he foun [...] his Son all in raggs, besmeare [...] with dung, and stinking with th [...] stench of Swine; yet the Father' [...] Love digests all these loathsom [...] [Page 87] circumstances, and before the Son [...]ould confess his fault, the Father [...]alls on his neck and vouchsafes to [...]mbrace that lump of filth and [...]eggary. His Father reads his Son's [...]epentance in his looks, and this [...]lessed Grace blots out a multitude [...]f sins. The Father does not so [...]uch as upbraid him with what he [...]ad been, for Joy of what he now was. For he lookt upon him as [...]aised from the very dead. His sins [...]ad been so enormous, and he had [...]o long abandoned himself to them, [...]hat his Father had despaired of his Conversion, and gave him over for [...]ost. But he now beholds his Son become another Man, and now the best Cloaths and the best Chear in the House are called for, to entertain [...]im: And all the neighbourhood [...]ings with the Musick and Mirth of the House; and the burthen of [Page 88] their Joyful Songs was this, M [...] Son was dead and is alive again, [...] was lost and is found.

MY Brethren, this is the tru [...] Character of Gods mercy to retur [...] ing sinners; drawn to the life i [...] this Parable by the Son of hi [...] Bosom, who could best set for [...] his love to us. Let this then incli [...] us all to return to God with spee [...] and sincerity: and what ever o [...] sins have been, let them not ove [...] whelm us into despair, tho' the must humble us to Repentance.

LET me here leave this R [...] with you, which I pray you to [...] member and practise, when [...] Lips shall be closed and will be & more able to give you instruction Namely, That you do not suffer yo [...] sins, how horrid so ever, to drive y [...] from God, but to him. For when t [...] Devil has brought you into t [...] [Page 89] Snare of sin, his next Plea is, That [...]ou can never get out of it: That [...]ou can't have the face to go to [...]od, or to seek his mercy in this [...]ious condition into which Sin [...]as brought you: And if he can [...]evail with the Sinner to sit still in [...]s Sin and never look out for a [...]medy, he has his End. But be­ [...]are, I beseech you, of this wile of [...]e Devil; And say with the Pro­ [...]gal, I will arise, and ask pardon [...] my Father: he has laid help upon [...]e that is mighty to save, Isa. 63. 1. [...]d thro' him he will abundantly [...]rdon, Isa. 55. 7. The Lord Je­ [...]s Christ is able to save to the ut­ [...]rmost those that come to God by [...]m, Heb. 7. 21. And will in no [...]se cast out such as come unto him, [...]. 6. 37.

EƲSEBIƲS has recorded a me­orable passage of St. John the E­vangelist [Page 90] concerning a Young M [...] of a great capacity and a promis [...] Countenance; in order to wh [...] Education this Holy Apostle h [...] given a particular charge to [...] Bishop of the place where [...] young Man lived. But notwithstanding all the care that was tak [...] he proved a very dissolute and w [...] Man; and after the practise many sorts of wickedness, desp [...] ring of the mercy of God, he [...] came the Captain of a band of R [...] bers, wholly bent to Rapin, Mut [...] and Cruelty. Of which when [...] John was informed, he rode to [...] place where he used to rob, a [...] being taken by some of them, [...] sired to be carryed to their Capta [...] But no sooner did this great Robb [...] behold the awful face of St. John, [...] he was stricken with shame, a [...] fled way. Upon which, the go [...] [Page 91] Apostle ran after him, crying, My [...], my Son! why flyest thou from thy [...]ther, unarmed, and old? O my [...], tender my case; be not affraid; [...]re is yet hope of Salvation for thee. [...]ill undertake for thee, with Christ. [...]ill die for thee, if need be, as Christ [...]ed for us, I will hazzard my Soul for [...]ine. Trust to me, Christ sent me. [...]he Robber hearing this, first stood [...]l, casting his Eyes on the Earth: [...]d then fell into a trembling, and [...] last wept so bitterly that he [...]emed to baptize himself in his [...]n Tears. And here the humi­ [...]tion of the Thief and the embra­ [...]s of the Apostle, seemed to be [...]other Prodigal returning to his [...]ther, and received with Joy. [...]r he was hereby brought to Re­ [...]ntance and Newness of Life. [...]useb. lib. 3. ap. 20.

LET us then be assured from [Page 92] the abundant Promises of G [...] and the Examples of his mercy Sinners, (of which, his forb [...] rance towards every one of us i [...] near instance to convince us) t [...] God will shew mercy to the w [...] of Sinners that have hearts repent, and forsake their S [...] Come now and let us reason togeth [...] saith the Lord, Isa. 1. 18. Th [...] your Sins were as Scarlet, they [...] be as Wool; tho' they were as Cr [...] son, they shall be as white as S [...] The change of your Heart a [...] Life by the Grace of God [...] make a blessed Alteration in y [...] present State and future Expec [...] tions.

TRUELY, Sirs! there is day so beneficial, so happy, blessed to us, as that of our [...] feigned Conversion to God. [...] then the face of our Heavenly [...] [Page 93] [...]er is turned towards us, His [...]ms are encircled about us, and [...]s Bosom opened to us. Then we [...]ay look up towards Heaven with [...]mfort, and think of Eternity [...]th Delight: We may meet Death [...]th an unshaken peace; and lay [...] our Bodies (as we put off our [...] Cloaths) in hope of receiving [...]em in a better frame in the Re­ [...]rection.

THUS have we considered the [...]odigal's Resolution of returning his Father; with his Humilia­ [...] before him; and the Motives [...]ich excited him to both. Let now more particularly apply all [...]s to our selves.

1st. Ʋse. AND here the first [...]e that we are concerned to [...]ke, will be to bring our selves [...] an impartial Self-Examinaiion in the presence of God; whe­ther [Page 94] we are in the Prodigal-Es [...] of distance and disaffection to G [...] or in a penitent and conver [...] one? How stands the case [...] us? Are we of the invisible Ch [...] of God, or of the Synagogu [...] Satan? All we like Sheep have [...] astray, every one in his own [...] says the Prophet, Isa. 53. 6. [...] are we risen from the Follies [...] Wanderings of our vain Con [...] sation, or are we not?

THIS is a point which dese [...] our most speedy and most se [...] Consideration: What! Know not your own selves, says the [...] postle, How that Jesus Christ i [...] you, except ye be Reprobates? 2 [...] 13. 5. If this work of sin [...] Conversion of the heart be not effected, what a mockery is our profession of Religion! [...] how unsavoury are all our P [...] [...]s [Page 95] and other vain Performances [...] the nostrils of God! The whole [...]urport of the first Chapter of [...]saiah, is to chide and rebuke the [...]ifling and unsincere Medlers with [...]eligion. To what purpose do [...]ey take Gods Book into their and, or his Covenant into their [...]outh, who hate to be reformed?

SINCE it is therefore a matter [...]f such Consequence; Let us (with­ [...]ut any manner of Misrepresenta­ [...]on) bring our selves directly and [...]mpartially to this one Question; [...]amely,

Quest. HAVE we affectionate­ [...]y and unfeignedly made, And do [...]e (to our utmost Power through Grace) faithfully keep, the Vows [...]f the Christian Covenant? Have [...]e such an abiding sense of the [...]nfinite evil of Sin, and the im­ [...]ense Excellency of God and his [Page 96] ways, that we have solemnly a [...] resolutely devoted our selves [...] God thro' his Son Jesus Christ, [...] cording to the terms of the C [...] venant of Grace? And is [...] bent of our Heart, and the Course our life indeed agreeable to the holy purpose? Do you serve G [...] or Mammon? Do you live a [...] the Flesh or after the Spirit? [...] Faith or by Sense? Do you rese [...] ble the Prince of Light, or [...] Prince of Darkness? And to whi [...] of these are you subject? Who [...] your heart, and whom do y [...] serve? What Interest do you [...] with in the choices and course your Life? either that of God Jesus Christ, or the interests of the World, and the will of the Fle [...] and the Devil? Does your Desi [...] and Resolution to please God, [...] verbear all contrary Desires an [...] [Page 97] [...]clinations? And is the Favour [...]f God, the chief happiness you purpose to your self? And in Or­der to this, is the Holy Gospel your [...]hosen Rule of Life?

SINCE many Questions are [...]t to puzzle weak Minds and [...]rupulous Consciences, I have [...]re chosen to referr you to one ve­ [...]y plain one, which is the foundati­ [...]n of the Christian Religion and [...]e Christian Hope. I pray you, [...]ove your selves by it without [...]eceit, the delusion will be your [...]wn, if you deal otherwise.

AND if you find your Case [...]ood, and your Heart and ways [...]uely Christian: be sure to offer [...] God (thro, the Blessed Media­ [...]r) the Praises due to his Name [...]n this Account. O happy You! [...] you can appeal to God in the [...]ords of the elder Son, Verse 29, [Page 98] Lo! These many years have I ser [...] thee, neither transgressed I at [...] time thy Commandment? Not b [...] known and wilful Transgressi [...] or by no such Sin, not truely [...] pented of. If so, the Father's [...] swer to those words may be ap [...] ed to you, Verse 31. Son, thou [...] ever with me, and all that I [...] is thine. We have a promise full as this, Rev. 21. 7. He th [...] [...] vercometh shall inherit all thi [...] and I will be his God, and he shal [...] my Son. This is blessed bey [...] expression; an Inheritance wh [...] exceeds all Estimation.

BUT if on the contrary, Y [...] Self-Examination shews you y [...] wanderings from God, and y [...] distance from his gracious p [...] sence. I then beseech you w [...] all the earnestness I am able speak, yea, I charge you in [Page 99] Name of God that you hasten your return to him; for why? O! why? will you die in your Sin, and pe­rish for ever?

DO you indeed consider your mortality and immortality? Have you ever thorowly considered, how dreadful it is to die in a Pro­digal State? at a wide distance from your Father's House? And under his heavy displeasure? Without hope of Heaven, or any further mercy from the sole Fountain of it? With Terrors without, and Agonies within? With an Al­mighty Enemy above, and immor­tal Enemies beneath? Crusht by a multitude of intolerable sufferings, without any manner of support, or hope of mitigation?

SURELY the merry contented Sinner never yet thought so far as this: He is so dazzled by the pre­sent [Page 100] Gaity of Sin, and so hood­winkt by the Prince of darkness that he discerns not the dark cloud which gather about him, and th [...] horrible Tempest which is falling upon him. But there is one Tex [...] of Scripture, which one would think should awaken and undeceive every Sinner, that is not perfectly dead to all that is spiritu [...] It is that tremendous Question p [...] to sinful men by the Holy Gho [...] Rom. 9. 22. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and make his pow­er known, endured with much long suffering the Vessels of wrath fitte [...] for Destruction? O dreadful! Th [...] righteous God will give an Example of his Almighty Power in the Punishment of the damned. It shal [...] be seen by Angels and Men, how miserable the Omnipotent God i [...] able to make condemned men [Page 101] Who knows the Power of his Anger? says the Psalmist, Psal. 90. 11. It exceeds comprehension, yet must be endured by guilty persons to all Eternity. As the man is, such is his strength. Judg. 8. 21. A Giant can give a more smarting and a more deadly Blow than a Child. O then, who can bear the weight of Almighty Power put forth to the utmost in direful Vengeance? and that for ever? O dismal Sufferings! Which no Revolutions of Ages, or Millions of Years can so much as lessen! For still those miserable Souls are no nearer to an end of their sufferings than at the begin­ning of them.

TELL me, all ye that live un­righteously, unsoberly, and un­godly! Are ye willing to die thus? Can ye dwell with everlasting bur­nings? Can your Hand be strong, or [Page 102] can your Heart endure, in that D [...] in which the God of Judgment sha [...] deal with you after your deservings▪ I know, ye cannot. O then! Take better Courses in time, that ye may come to a more blessed end.

AND yet, lest I should not have sufficiently rouzed the Le­thargick Sinner; and because [...] know, that such as see their natural Face in a Glass, and are terrified with it for the time, are apt to go away and forget what manner of me [...] they are, and how near and terri­ble their dangers are; and because the invisible Enemies of goodness will be busy in their endeavours to steal away the Seed sown; I make this request to every Captive of Sin and Satan, that they would retire, and give the following Questions serious Considerati­on: by which I desire you to ex­ [...]ostulate [Page 103] and reason the Case with our own Souls,

1st. Quest. LOVEST thou the God of thy Mercies and Bliss so [...]ttle, as to part with his Favour [...]or such trifles as Sin affords? For [...] little Drink which thou needest [...]ot, and which can only please [...]hee whilst it is runing down thy Throat? Or, for a few moments of filthiness, like Esau, who for one carnal Morsel sold his Birth-right? Or, for a few Sums of Money, which thou must leave quickly, or they thee; and which bring dis­quiet to thy mind, and cannot pro­fit thee in the day of wrath? Or, for a few ill words, which bring neither Profit nor Pleasure here, yet pull down infinite Torments in the eternal State? What a reproach is it to a reasonable Creature to act so madly and disingenuously?

2d. Quest. IS the Authority [...] the Great God so contemptib [...] that his Command will not st [...] thee? Do you despise the Gove [...] nour of the World, who is able [...] destroy both the Soul and Body ete [...] nally?

3d. Quest. CAN any thing be [...] Secret to God? or will the hidde [...] sins of men be long secret to th [...] world? Does not God fill all plac [...] with his Presence? Does not hi [...] knowledge enter where the Ligh [...] cannot? And has he not appointe [...] a day, when every secret Sin sha [...] be laid open?

4. Quest. HAS not any Sou [...] greater Peace in the mortificatio [...] of inordinate Lusts and Passions, than in their rage and fury? Is there not greater Sweetness, Honour, and Hope, in the Liberty of those whom the Spirit of God [Page 105] frees from the Tyranny of Sin; [...]han in the Slavery, Toiles, and [...]exations of such as are the Slaves [...]f beastly Appetites and Passions?

5th. Quest. DOES not Christi­ [...]n Self-denial produce great in­ward Comfort? And does not the Conquest of a Temptation bring [...]s the Joy and Glory of a Noble Triumph? And does not spiritual Joy vastly exceed carnal Mirth?

6th. Quest. HAS not sinful In­dulgence sad twitches of Consci­ence, a painful regret of mind, and dismal fore-boadings of an after-reckoning? Threatning them, as (they say) Caesars Ghost did Brutus, to meat them hereafter to their Terror.

7th. Quest. IS it a light matter to contradict the End [...]or which we were made, and to pervert our faculties, and abuse the mercies of [Page 106] God? Will a just God bear thi [...] long?

8th. Quest. IS it not Self-enmity to despise the Lord Jesus Christ the gratious Saviour of men? An [...] to trample on his blood, greive hi [...] Spirit, and neglect that great Salvation which he has purchased so dear a rate?

9th. Quest. WHAT if th [...] shouldst be forsaken of God, and g [...] ven up to the blindness, hardne [...] and perverseness of thine own Co [...] ruption? Would not your C [...] then be as wretched even as th [...] of Devils themselves?

10th. Quest. HOW many Mercies of God are past! How many present! And what offers are mad [...] of an Eternity of mercy to come▪ And shall all these lose their end▪ Will not these Rivers of oyl mel [...] and soften your hard heart?

11th. Quest. HOW if you should be taken out of this world this day, by some violent distemper, or some [...]nseen Accident? How could you [...]ppear before God? Or render an Account of all the passages of your Life? Or bear the doom of the [...]ast Sentence!

12th. Quest. DID you ever look [...]ack on any Sin committed, and not with it undone? Does not Sor [...]ow succeed the shameful Acts of wickedness, as soon as ever the Vio­ [...]ence and Rashness of it is over? And why then, will you again [...]ake work for Sorrow and Re­ [...]entance?

13th. Quest. IS it not the greatest Honour that man can have, to con­ [...]erse with God? The greatest sa­ [...]isfaction, to have Peace with [...]im? And the greatest happiness, [...]o be his Favourite?

14th. Quest. Is not our depart [...] from God the Cause of our Sorows, and the very Essence of o [...] Misery? Would not Hell it self lo [...] its Name if the gratious presen [...] of God where there? And up [...] the whole:

15th. Quest. HAVE we any [...] terest or Concern upon Earth great and important; as to rep [...] of our sins, and return to our G [...] and to glorifie his Name upon E [...] and do the work he has given [...] do?

CONSIDER these things [...] ly and shew your selves men. [...] as Reason and Self-preservat [...] (influenced by Faith) will d [...] you in this Case. Grudge not pray you) to spend a little time secure a glorious Eternity.

AND let me here subjoyn [...] Saviours words, (tho' spoken [Page 109] [...]n other Account) what thon dost, do quickly. The shortness and un­certainty of our mortal Life will not bear the Lingerings and Loi­terings of a tedious Suspense. Ma­ny a Soul has been snatcht away into its eternal Condition, whilst it has been entertaining it self with uncertain Thoughts of preparing for it.

INDEED nothing frustrates the Design of Religion more, than the putting off the Holy Purposes of it from day to day: Because this administers something of Rest to a deluded Soul, and at the same time prepares a Net for its De­struction. And Alas! How ma­ny thousands have perished in this fatal Snare! Tis very probable, that of the many Millions now in Hell, there are but few but had in their Life time, some thoughts of [Page 110] repenting hereafter. But when God says, Now is the accepted time▪ Now is the day of Salvation, 2 Cor 6. 2. It is a very absurd and hate­ful Presumption for a poor dependent Mortal to say, Not Now, b [...] hereafter. By mens delays, the [...] harden their hearts; they ma [...] the Bonds of customary sins strong­er; they provoke God to give [...] them up to their Lusts and Delu­sions; and tho' they will every day need more Grace than othe [...] in order to their Repentance, ye [...] they are less and less likely to ob­tain it. So that in effect, by per­swading people to delay their Re­pentance, the Devil secures hi [...] Game better than he could by bringing them at once to resolve against Salvation; Because this is so horrible a thing that no Consci­ence can be supposed to bear it [Page 111] long: Whereas the other way of [...]rocrastination very often prevails [...]n men to their latter end.

BESIDES; Consider, my Bro­ [...]her! If it could be as you vainly [...]roject; that you could spend the [...]ost of your time in Sin, and yet [...]e saved at last. Would you not [...]e ashamed to appear before the [...]nfinite Majesty of your Creator, when you reflect on what you [...]ave done; and see how much you [...]ave done for the Devil, and how [...]ittle for God?

WHAT! Shall your old Age [...]nly be at Gods Service? Will you offer dry Bones upon his Altar? An honest Heathen would Blush at [...]his. Does it not shame thee (says Seneca) to squander away the active [...]nd useful part of thy time in vice, [...]nd onely to reserve those last hours [...]f thy life for Sobriety and Vertue, [Page 112] which thou knowest not how to emplo [...] otherwise? And again. Ah! Ho [...] late is it to begin to live, when on [...] life is ending. Sen. de Brev. Vit [...] And we have it from a better Pe [...] that the Blind and Feeble Cattl [...] (the Emblems of old Age) Offere [...] in Sacrifice to God would not be [...] cepted, Mal. 1. 8. That is, whe [...] they had a Male in their Flock, ( [...] more strong and more perfect Ser­vice in their Possession) as all suc [...] as are young now have, over wh [...] will be in their capacity when the [...] are old.

SO then for as much as th [...] Youngman in this Parable has bee [...] the Subject of my Discourse all [...] long, I now turn my concludin [...] Exhortation to Young Persons in [...] particular manner.

YE that are now in the Flower of your Age, and the mornin [...] [Page 113] [...]f your time; Consider, I pray your [...]e Misery which attended the he misled Youth in the Text: [...]nd be careful that you do not [...]isspend the golden days of your [...]ife. O! What a vile shame is it, [...]r any Young men and Women [...] Sacrifice their First-fruits to the [...]evil! To pollute some of their [...]irst-breath by prophane Lan­ [...]uage! And to dedicate the prime [...]f their Strength and Time to Lust, [...]nd Wine, and Prophaneness! I [...]eseech you, do not thus foolishly [...]nd perversely. This will onely [...]e the sowing of Thistles and Bram­ [...]es in the spring, which will not [...]omfort but torment you and tear our Breasts in your reduced years. [...]or, if you should be so unwary [...]nd unhappy, as to begin your [...]ears in polluting Follies; it will [...]me to this, namely, that you [Page 114] must either walk back, and und [...] what you have done amiss wi [...] Shame and Sorrow, (if God giv [...] you such grace) o [...] go on he [...] lesly to eternal Horrour and D [...] struction.

LET me therefore advise you [...] set out aright, that you may f [...] your Course with Joy. Do not [...] much as desire to taste the poi [...] nous baits of youthful lusts. ' [...] madness to eat that which will [...] your death if you do not vomi [...] up again.

IF therefore the Sottish W [...] bibber, or the nasty Creature w [...] is above others called Ʋncleane [...] the person who by Cozenage a [...] Robbery gets unjust Gaines, say [...] thee; Come with us, Partake of [...] Mirth and Jollity. As thou fea [...] God, consent thou not. Be not a p [...] taker of their Dainties, lest thou [...] [Page 115] [...]r for them when the reckoning [...]rought in. If you laugh with them [...], you will howl with them here­ [...]er.

AND beware, Young People, [...]t you think not within your [...]ur selsve, that you have so much [...]e before you, that you may Sin [...]w and repent hereafter. Lest [...]ath come suddainly, and finding [...]u in Sin, you be doomed eternal, [...] to that place of to [...]ment, where [...] repentance will be in vain. 'Tis [...]initely best not to taste of Sin at [...]; for one Sin does but open a [...]p for a greater, till the con­ [...]ence be laid waste, and then 'tis [...] Thousand to one but the Soul is [...] for ever. Let me therefore in­ [...]at you, to accustom your selves [...] sober Thoughts and divine Medi­ [...]ions in your Youth. Begin this [...]ble Exercise betimes, by which [Page 116] methinks, a good and wise [...] seemes to excell the sottish and thinking part of Mankind, [...] than these exceed the more sagous part of Bruits.

AND that I may give y [...] proper Subject for your early [...] ditations; I think, you'l scarce [...] a Consideration which more [...] to your advantage, than to t [...] deeply and frequently, of the B [...] fits of an Ear [...]ly Conversion: S [...] of which I will briefly him You.

I. YOUTH is the proper [...] appointed by God for it. This see [...] to be taught in Type under Mosaick Law, by which they [...] required to offer up Lambs, [...] Calves, young Pidgeons, and the [...] Fruits of all. And is expresly [...] quired, Eccl. 12. 1. Reme [...] Now thy Creator in the days of [Page 117] Yo [...]th. 'Tis indeed the proper time [...] it, because we are made wholly [...] God, and ought to enter upon [...] work in God's Vineyard so [...]n as ever we are able to do any [...]ng there. If otherwise, how can [...] present our selves amongst the [...]bourers in the evening to receive [...]ges? Or how can it indeed be, [...] the Nature of things? Can he [...]pect a plentiful Harvest who [...]glects the proper Seeds-time? Or, [...]n he come timely to the end of a [...]ng journey, who loiters long in [...]e morning? Solomon lamenteth, [...]t Man knoweth not his time, Eccl. [...] 12. And if you trifle away the [...]den Season of Youth, you will [...]e reason to take up the same [...]mentation at the last.

II. CONSIDER, if in your [...]outh you set your self to the work Religion, it will the more surely [Page 118] be accomplisht. Now, time is [...] fore you: Your Heart is com [...] ratively tender; Your actual [...] are fewer; Your faculties m [...] [...]; Your mind less prejudic [...] Your God more near you; and [...] promise of your finding fa [...] with him very positive, [...] 8. 17. Such as seek me early [...] find me.

III. THE more early your [...] version is, the greater will y [...] growth in Grace be. To what ab [...] sed eminency in Grace will t [...] advance, who have been inpro [...] their Talents ever since they [...] capable of acting with Rea [...] They will be able to run with [...] Horsemen, and be some of the [...] most in the Christian Race.

IV. HEREBY your inward [...] will be the more firmly establis [...] You will shun those doubts ab [...] [Page 119] [...]he Love of God, and the safty of [...]our case, thro' which many go [...]rooping and with a sad heart.

V. YOU will be the greater Or­ [...]ament to Religion: It will be seen [...]n you, that the Grace of God is [...]ble to subdue the violence of [...]outhfull Lusts: To do which Philosophy has confest its weak­ [...]ess; and therfore Aristotle affirms that Young Men are not proper hearers of the Rules of Philosophy. But the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ made young John a steddy Disciple, and young Timothy a grave Bishop. [...]t is recorded to the Honour of Mnason to this day, that he was an old Disciple, Act. 21. 16. And St. Paul speaking of Andronicus and Junia his Kinsman; gives them an honourable Preference (even the Right hand of Fellowship) as those that were in Christ before, Rom. [Page 120] 16. 7. God will surely honour th [...] who thus honour Him, by an ea [...] preferring of his Service before [...] the glittering Temptations p [...] posed to their Senses by the Wor [...] Flesh, and Devil.

VI. YOU will hereby beco [...] a greater Help to others; a m [...] eminent Example to them, a m [...] sufficient Councellor and Comfor [...] of them; and a more powerful [...] tercessor for them

VII. YOU will have grea [...] Hope and Comfort in your Dea [...] Which indeed you will find wo [...] all thee pains you have undergo [...] All the weary steps which you ha [...] taken in your Christian race w [...] be forgotten, when once you co [...] to finish it with Joy.

THERE may be some extra [...] dinary Instances which seem [...] contradict this: But in the ord [...] nary [Page 121] procedure of things, a strong Faith will have strong Consolation.

VIII. THIS is the way to greater [...]lory in Heaven. You'll shine like [...]ars of the first Magnitude. The [...]oung Diciple St. John was the Di­ [...]iple whom Jesus loved, and lay in his Bosom, Jo. 21. 20.

O admirable! To what Peace, [...]nd Glory, and Honour, and Bliss, [...]o the commands of God lead us. [...]t may well be sayd, Blessed are [...]hey who do his Commandements, Rev. 22. 14. They have even [...]ow some fore-tastes of the Fruit of [...]he Tree of Life. They are now be­ [...]oved of God; Members of the Lord Jesus Christ comforted by the holy Spirit; guarded by Holy Angels; [...] part of God's Family, yea his dear Children, and the Heirs of his King­dom. Such is the Happyness, (shall [...] say?) or rather the Glory of the [Page 122] faithful servants of God. Aspi [...] unto this advancement, all ye th [...] have any sense of Honour! Wh [...] can too soon make sure of th [...] which cannot be duely value when enjoyed; nor ever recovere [...] when lost?

O that every obstinate Sinne [...] (who is the real Prodigal in th [...] Text) would effectually consider this. Count up the cost of yo [...] Sins, O ye unthinking Souls! [...] there be any possibility in Arithm [...] tick to sum up the least part of [...] Consider what you lose by yo [...] distance from God; and your bein [...] destitute of the Hope which is set b [...] fore you. Will your few momen [...] of sensual pleasure, and your fe [...] [...] pence of unlawful Gains, (whic [...] is all you can pretend to get by S [...] make amends for the infinit Loss [...] of Heaven, and the eternal sufferance [Page 123] of Hell? If not: why tarriest thou in such a state of Loss and Danger? Why do you not instantly arise, and humble your self before God; and inquire with all the concern you are able, what you must do to be saved?

O my Brother! Every hour that you deferr effectual amendment, you run such a Risque as is enough to amaze you, when ever you seri­ously state your own case. For, there is but the rotten Plank of this frail Life, betwixt you and ever­lasting To [...]ment.

WHEREFORE be advised, Young Men and Women, to go forth early to your Labours in God's Vineyard, and then your work will advance with your time, and your improvements will be so con­spicuous, that you will be like Pillars in the Church of God. Your [Page 124] steddy course in the ways of G [...] will glorify your Creator; Redeeme [...] and Sanctifyer; and will adorn yo [...] Profession; and honour yo [...] Name; and comfort your heart [...] and eternize your Happyness.

AND whilst vitious and pro [...] gate Youths afflict their Friend [...] defile their Consciences, beelo [...] their understandings, wound the [...] Souls, bring temporal Judgmen [...] upon their Countrey, and etern [...] Plagues upon themselves: Yo [...] will rest quiet from the fear of E [...] in both worlds; being sensibly interested in the favour of God, an [...] in his promises relating to the Li [...] that now is, and that which is to come

O! how can any of us then re­fuse to live with such Honour a [...] our holy Religion directs, in orde [...] to die in such Peace and Bliss as i [...] doth promise?

TO conclude therefore, Let us [...]ll seriously set our selves to turn [...]nto the Lord by a penitent and re­ [...]enerating Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us arise and go to our Father, whilst He yet looks whether we will return to our duty or not; and is desirous of an oppor­tunity to shew us mercy. And if we thus turn to him, and walk in [...]his wayes; we shall certainly find the kind Embraces of our Heavenly Father now; and be commended of him before two Worlds of Men, and Millions of Angels in the last day; and from thenceforth par­take of the Bliss and Glory of his Kingdom for Ever.

WHICH I pray God vouchsafe to us all, for the sake of his ever­blessed Son, our only Mediator and Redeemer.

AMEN.

A Particular Account OF THE [...]ISE & PROGRESS Of those Religious Societies, &c.

I Do not here undertake to give an Account of all the Pious Fellowship of Youth, which hath been amongst us in time [...]st, (which, we may hope, has [...]een the Practice of serious Young [...]en in all Ages, and among all the [...]o various Denominations of Chri­stians;) [Page 142] but to give a short Nar [...] tive of the Original of those [...] gulated Societies, which are no [...] (thro' the Grace of God) cons [...] cuous among us for many go [...] Works; and which (if duly e [...] courag'd) may very much cont [...] bute towards the Support, Hono [...] and Advancement of these Th [...] Kingdoms, in Church and Sta [...] and yet are but too little know [...] to very many among us.

NOW, as far as I am able [...] trace their first Rise, it was th [...] introduc'd by the Gracious Pro [...] dence of God.

IT is now about Twenty yea [...] ago, that several young M [...]n [...] the Church of England, in the Citi [...] of London and Westminster, we about the same time touch'd wi [...] a very affecting sense of their Si [...] and began to apply themselves, [Page 143] a very serious manner, to Religious [...]houghts and Purposes.

As to their manner of Life be­ [...]ore this, I am inform'd, That tho' [...]ome of them had been guilty of great Lewdness, and yet became very affectionate Servants of God afterwards, (even to an eminency, [...]n the Judgment of some, who with Wonder consider'd their happy Change) yet the greater part of [...]hem were such as had enjoy'd a [...]ober Education, and had not sha­ [...]ed in the scandalous and heigh­ [...]en'd Enormities of these later days, otherwise than by their having [...]een too insensible of the Disho­ [...]our done to God by them. But [...]hey now began to look on their [...]wn and others Sins, in another [...]anner.

I was, about that time, made pri­ [...]y to the Spiritual Sorrows of one [Page 144] of them: who with floods of Tea [...] lamented, that he had not till the [...] had any affecting Apprehensions [...] the Glorious Majesty and Perfectio [...] of God, nor of His Infinite Love [...] Men in his Son Jesus Christ: A [...] that he had not before felt any [...] Convictions of the Immense Ev [...] of every Offence against God, the [...] it be but (said he) in the wilf [...] Neglect or Misperformance of an [...] Duty to Him. But now he [...] and groan'd under all this, in ve [...] sharp and pungent Convictio [...] ▪ And withal perceiving the unive [...] sal Corruption of Humane Natur [...] and the deplorable Crookedne [...] and Deceit of Man's Heart; a [...] with what a world of Temptatio [...] we are encompass'd, being with besieg'd by many invisible Legio [...] of Infernal Spirits. When he co [...] sider'd all this, his Soul was eve [...] [Page 145] [...]oured out within him, and he was [...]n danger of being overwhelmed with excessive Sortow.

THE Case was very much the [...]me with several young Men at [...]he same time, (as he then told me) [...]ome of which had been greatly [...]empted by the Devil (that Mur­ [...]herer from the beginning) to lay [...]iolent Hands on themselves; which was also (he confess'd) his [...]wn Temptation; and that so ur­ [...]ent and incessant, that Sleep de­ [...]arted from his Eyes, as well as Rest [...]rom his Soul.

IN this mournful Season, these disconsolate convicted Persons of­ [...]en resorted to their Ministers for Spiritual Advice and Succour; be­ [...]aking themselves in good earnest [...]o the ways of real Piety, and eter­ [...]al Peace. And it many times fell [...]ut, (as the same person inform'd [Page 146] me) that several of them met to­gether, at the House of their Spiri­tual Physician, seeking Cure for their wounded Spirits; and so con­tracted a little Acquaintance by those Providential Interviews.

FOR, alas! (as he suggested) there needed little other Language but that of their Looks to discover their inward Sorrows to each other (especially when they came p [...] ­par'd to open them to their Mi [...] ster) and they needed no other [...] guments to incline them to p [...] each other's Case, but to consid [...] their own; there being a Propens [...] ­ty in Nature to succour those wh [...] groan under the like Miseries wi [...] our selves. So that by these an [...] the like means they soon contracte [...] a very intimate acquaintance.

THE Benefit of Dr. Horneck' [...] Awakening Sermons, and the M [...] ning [Page 147] Lectures on the Lord's Day in Cornhill, preach'd by Mr. Smithies, (chiefly design'd for the instruction of Youth) having occasion'd much of this happy Work upon the Spi­rits of these Young men; they did more particularly apply themselves to these Divines for Direction, who had been Instruments in the Hand of God for their conviction.

AND upon their frequent Ap­ [...]lication to these and other Mini­ [...]ers, it was advised, That since [...]heir Troubles arose from the same Spiritual Cause, and that their In­clinations and Resolutions centerd [...]n the same Purpose of a holy Life; they should meet together once [...] week, and apply themselves to good Discourse, and things wherein they might edifie one another. And for the better regulation of their Meetings, several Rules and Orders [Page 148] were prescrib'd them, being such as seem'd most proper to effect the [...] End propos'd.

UPON this, they met together, and kept to their Rules; an [...] at every meeting (as it was a [...] vis'd) they consider'd the Wan [...] of the Poor; which in time a­mounted to such considerable Sums, that thereby many poor Fa­milies have been reliev'd, so [...] poor People set into a way. Trade suitable to their Capacitie [...] sundry Prisoners set at Libert [...] some poor Scholars furthered i [...] their Subsistence at the Ʋniversity, several Orphans maintain'd, with many other good Works.

BUT they were not presently brought to those pious Exercises, Orders, and Things of publick Be­nefit; to which they are now, by the Grace of God, advanced. As [Page 149] no Creature is born in its full Per­fection, so the improvement of these Societies grew up by degrees, by conferring one with another, [...]nd by their enlarg'd Desires of doing Good, as Occasions and Ad­vice were offer'd them. So that I cannot but recommend Christian Society with the greatest earnest­ness, to all sorts of Men. It must needs be as useful to Magistrates [...]nd Ministers, in carrying on their [...]duous work of regulating and re­forming Mens Manners, as daily Experience shews it to be to Ar­tists and Tradesmen, who joyn to­gether in Companies and Societies, and find their Arts and Interests advanc'd by a multitude of Heads and Hands. So that we may very properly pronounce Solomon's Wo to him that is alone.

THESE Young-men soon found the Benefit of their Conferences one with another, by which (as some of them have told me with Joy) they better discover'd their own Corruptions, the Devil's Tem­ptations, and how to countermine his Subtile Devices; as to which each person communicated his Ex­periences to the rest.

IT seemed proper, for the bet­ter management of their Comm [...] Stock for Charitable Uses, to chuse two Stewards, as the Ma­nagers of their Charity. And the two first Stewards that I find (after diligent search) were in the Year 1678. whose Names I have by me, with a recorded Succession of them to the beginning of the Reign of King James II. at which time the face of the Reformed Re­ligion being clouded, and all private [Page 151] Meetings suspected, some of these young persons, not having dig'd deep enough to have a firm Root in Religion, began to shrink and give back, (like the Seed in our Saviour's Parable, which had no deepness of [...]arth) being afraid of the Jealou­sie of the State against them, espe­cially when they saw the bloody and merciless Executions in City and Country, with which that Reign began, which dy'd it of such a crimson colour, as render'd it frightful to many, particularly to these young Proselytes, inso­much that some of them forsook their wonted Assemblies, and get­ting loose from their strict Rules and good Society, they grew cool in Religious Concerns, and alas! some of them grew loose and ex­travagant.

Times of Danger are indeed Times of Tryal, and many times of Falling; as it prov'd to the first Followers of our Blessed Saviour, who kept close to their Master whilst he was at liberty, but when they saw him apprehended, and in the hands of powerful Enemies, they all forsook him, and fled.

But, thro' the Grace of God, there was not such a total tergi­versation among these Disciples of our Lord; but, on the contrary, some of them being encourag'd by others, who till then had not been of this Society, being also griev'd at Heart to see some of their Bre­thren turn their Backs in the day of Battel; and being animated with holy Zeal against the growing In­terests of Popery, (which then ap­pear'd not only open, but in Ar­mour; being promoted by the ut­most [Page 153] Power and most earnest Zeal of the Prince then reigning): Be­ing (I say) greatly moved on all these accounts, they took up a more vigorous Resolution than ever, to do what in them lay to­wards the maintaining and encrea­sing the Purity and Power of Reli­gion in themselves and others. And seeing that the Popish Mass was then publickly celebrated not on­ly at the Royal Chappel, but in o­ther publick places, they set up (at their own expence) publick Prayers every Evening at Eight of the Clock, at St. Clement Danes, which never wanted a full and af­fectionate Congregation. And not long after they set up an Evening Monthly Lecture in the same Church, to confirm Communi­cants in the holy Purposes and Vows which they made at the [Page 154] Lord's Table: And by this publick Lecture (which was greatly fre­quented) many were confirmed both in the Profession and Pra­ctice of the true Principles of Pri­mitive Religion; for they were preached by the most eminent Di­vines about the City from whose Lips and Pens Popery, receiv'd such Wounds, as all her Art will never be able to cure.

IT was the Design of these young Men, from the first framing of their Societies, to conceal thei [...] Names from publick Knowledge, lest it should seem to be a Device to catch the Applauses of Men; which is but a very poor matter, an aerial Blast, of little importance if you obtain it, and of which you can have no hold; and they look'd upon it with a just Disdain, in com­parison with those exceeding great [Page 155] and precious Promises which the Unchangeable God hath set be­fore men. But they had now a particular Reason for concealing their Names from all but their Ministers and a few Friends; for the Eyes of Papists then in Power were intent upon them, who (to­gether with those their Under­setters, whom Gain and the Pro­mises of Court-favour had brought over to their Party) pry'd narrow­ly into all they did: So that they law, that they had great Reason as well as the Primitive Christians, to make use of the Wisdom of the Serpent, whilst they as carefully retain'd the Innocence of the Dove; especially being in the near Neigh­bourhood of the Court, which was then fill'd with foreign and dome­stick Zealots for Popery, or with crouching false Friends to Prote­stancy.

IN this Juncture, upon Advice, they chang'd the Name of Society for that of Club; and instead o [...] meeting at a Friend's House, who might be endanger'd by it, they adjourn'd to some publick House or other, where they could have a Room to themselves, and under the Pretext of spending a Shilling or two, they confer'd seriously toge­ther in the same religious manne [...] as formerly; by which honest A [...] ­tifice they carried on their go [...] Design without interruption, eve [...] to the end of that unhappy Reign.

THIS their Constancy, Piety, and good Service to the Publick, made them much esteem'd at the beginning of the Reign of K. Wil­liam and Q. Mary, those celebrated Instruments of God's Providence, for the restoring our Religion and Liberty, when the publick Enjoy­ments [Page 157] of both were just expiring. [...]o that now their Religious Exer­ [...]ises and Purposes grew more pub­lick and famous; which gave oc­casion to some mistaken or ill­ [...]ffected People to accuse these So­ [...]ieties to the Bishop, as things lead­ing to Schism, Spiritual Pride, and many other ill Consequences. This made their Names more publick t [...]n ever they thought or desir'd to have them; for now they were [...]lig'd to appear and justifie their undertaking; which they did in a very humble and solid Apology, which they presented to the Bishop. And their Vindication appear'd so Reasonable and Satisfactory; their Assemblies so Regular and Subor­dinate to the Publick Worship, and their Designs so truly Christian and in offensive, (all which was attest­ed by several eminent Divines on [Page 158] their behalf) that his Lordship de­clared himself satisfied with it.

FOR indeed, any one that peru­ses the Vindication of their Socie­ties, which they drew up, upon this and another like occasion, (the Copies of which several of them keep by them) will find, that they have given such meek and full An­swers to every Objection, that they have render'd it very difficult for any Lover of Piety, or any one that knows and desires the Interests of the Reformation, to make any rea­sonable Objection against their Or­ders or Design.

As to that which is fear'd by some sober and good People, name­ly, that it may degenerate in time to a Sect, and introduce Division; be it consider'd, that as this would indeed be a very detestable thing, so they have most industriously [Page 159] fenced themselves against it, by their Monthly Communion; their use of many of the publick Prayers constantly in their Assemblies; their setting up publick Prayers in many Churches in the City, and frequenting them in great bodies, where they appear the most devout [...]rt of the Congregation; and their utter disclaiming of all Schism and Faction; and finally, their humble deference to their Ministers, (without whose Approbation no Rule, Prayer, nor Practice is al­low'd among them). I say, all these Considerations together give any sober Person all the Satisfacti­on that he can reasonably demand, that there is no manner of Ground for such a Jealousie: For indeed, they find such improvement in all Christian Duty, and such Satisfacti­on in their Consciences, in observing [Page 160] the Constitutions of the Church of England, that it is remark'd by some that have made a full Enqui­ry into the matter, that they could never yet find more than one In­stance of any person of these Socie­ties that hath faln from the publick Communion to any Sect or Separa­tion.

AND as to that other dark and dismal Case of some of them, who after an appearance of Zeal for this pious Ʋndertaking, and a tem­porary Partnership in it, have fa [...] off to Vanity and Vice: It is like the cutting off a Member to th [...] rest of the Body; they consider it with piercing Grief, Affliction and Indignation, tho' it be no new thing in every Profession of Reli­gion to have some false Brethren The first Planters of Christianity had reason to sigh over the Apo­stacy [Page 161] of a Judas, a Nicholas, a De­ [...]as, whom the Love of this present [...]orld had ensnared. And I men­ [...]on this, that every one that ma­ [...]eth profession of Religion, and [...]inketh that he standeth, may take [...]ed lest he fall. And that they [...]ay dig deep, and lay a firm Foun­ [...]ation in Faith, Lowliness of Mind, [...]d sound Knowledge of the great [...]hings of our Salvation; and that [...]ey be very strict in Christian [...]atchfulness, and in Mortification the Desires of Sin, and the in­ [...]rd Workings of Corruption, [...] to their Life's end.

TO fall from a high Profession of [...]ligion, will prove a very crush­ [...]g and dreadful Fall. And there­ [...]e let every Christian look well the Sincerity of his own Heart, at his Spiritual Knowledge and [...]ly Vows may not encrease the [Page 162] number of his Stripes at last, fo [...] want of walking suitably thereto and of persevering therein.

MANY of these Ʋnhappy Revolters from their former strictnes [...] of Life, are now not able to bea [...] the Reproofs of their perseverin [...] Brethren; they shun their Company, they know not how to converse with them, and are asham' [...] to look them in the Face. An [...] sometimes they pray them to disturb them no more by their Admonitions, since they apprehe [...] all the Danger they threaten the [...] with to be very true, and fore [...] their desperate End sometimes wi [...] a Terror not to be express'd. An [...] their Design seems to be, to div [...] those Melancholy Thoughts as lo [...] as they can, with all the Sensu [...] Merriment they can invent. S [...] true is that Observation, That R [...] ligion [Page 163] can torment those whom it can­ [...]ot reclaim.

O! how much greater Comfort [...] there in the Conscientious Practise [...]an in the Prophane Contempt of [...]eligion, even in the course of this [...]ortal Life! But who can express [...]e infinite difference betwixt them [...] the Hour of Death, the Day of [...]udgment, the state of the Resur­ [...]ction, and the unchangable Eter­ [...]y to come?

TO shun this fatal Danger of [...]ostatizing from God, and rever­ [...]g their Vows made to Him; it [...]e Practice of all these Socie­ [...] to partake of the Holy Supper [...]ur Lord as frequently as they [...]ay, thereby to devote themselves [...]esh to their good Master, and to [...]nfirm their Purposes of perpetual [...]rvice to Him, and as a Means of [...]ceiving Spiritual Strength from [...]m so to do.

AND in order to their more advised Preparation for so solemn [...] Work, there is in some one Churc [...] or more of this City a Sermo [...] preached every Lord's Day in th [...] Evening (by the procurement o [...] some of these Societies) on the important Subject of due Preparatio [...] for the Lord's Table, and a meet deportment after it; by which grea [...] Good has been done, and a de [...] sense of Religion wrought in man [...] persons.

AND by this their Care to acquit their Consciences, as to this last Command of our dying Lord many of them have (by the Grac [...] of God) attained to that excelle [...] primitive Temper of frequent communicating without growing for­mal; not lessening due Reverenc [...] by the frequency, nor extinguish­ing [Page 165] the proper Exercises of Love to [...]od, Thankfulness and Spiritual [...]y at this Divine Sacrifice of [...]raise, (as some unhappily do) by [...]xcessive and unseasonable Terror [...]nd Dread.

THERE is such Love amongst [...]ose of them that have faln un­ [...] my Observation, that scarce [...] natural Brothers are so vigo­ [...]sly affectionate. I have often [...]eld their meeting and parting [...]braces with admiration; and [...]ose who are newly admitted are [...]on contracted into the same Fel­ [...]wship of Christian Brotherhood.

IT is requir'd of such as desire [...]joyn themselves to them, That [...]ey give the Society a solemn Ac­ [...]unt of their Sense of Spiritual [...]hings, with the real Motives [...]hich lead them to this Underta­ [...]ing, and what they seriously pur­pose [Page 166] as to their Future Life. Th [...] is many times done in Writing [...] and I have perus'd some of thei [...] Papers, and have found them pen' [...] in such an honest, affectionate an [...] undisguis'd stile, with such pio [...] and sensible Expressions, and in s [...] modest and humble a manner, th [...] they would mightily affect a [...] pious person to read them, [...] move him to break forth in [...] thetick Praises to God, who h [...] given such Grace to young M [...] in so degenerate an Age.

AS for the Reproaches which [...] People cast on these Societies, it [...] what good Things and Perso [...] have ever met with from the [...] ginning, and must be expected [...] the end of the World. The Sco [...] and Grudges of such People again [...] any thing, demonstrate that the [...] is Good in it; and indeed the [...] [Page 167] Commendations may be look'd up­ [...] as an effectual Defamation.

UPON such Occasions of Slan­ [...]ers and Evil-speaking against them have heard them exhorting and [...]commending to each other the [...]e Christian Armour of Humility, [...]ience, and a Resemblance of our [...]essed Saviour's Silence under Re­ [...]ngs, admiring that divine Com­ [...]nd of his, of returning Blessing [...] Cursing, and of endeavouring to [...]come Evil with Good, minding [...]e another not to make any men­ [...] of their being of such or such [...]ciety, but to make their Holy [...]es to testifie, that they are real [...]istians.

AND thus by exhorting and en­ [...]raging one another to Christian [...]y, the Piety of many of them [...] appear'd very eminent and [...]emplary; insomuch, that it is [Page 168] evident, even to demonstration that their Zeal hath in many places given new Life to the celebration of the Lord's Supper, publi [...] Prayer, Singing of Psalms, and Christian Conference, Duties which w [...] in many places almost disused, [...] perform'd in a cool and languishin [...] manner.

THIS is (as far as human [...] can see) the real and only De [...] of these Societies, who seem [...] one Heart to attempt, by the [...] pious and peaceable methods [...] put a stop to our overflowing [...] ­kedness, remove our Plagues, [...] to dispose us into a meetness for t [...] Blessings and gracious Presence [...] God; by whose Blessing they ha [...] of late years so encreas'd among us, that there are now 25 distin [...] Bodies of them, within the comp [...] of the Bills of Mortality. And b [...] sides, [Page 169] those that have been some time erected in the University of Cambridge, and in the City of [...]loucester, &c. there are others [...]ewly formed in Shadwell, Green­ [...]ith, and even as far as Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland; where, from three or four persons, with which they began, they are now increas'd to nine or ten Societies, containing about Three hundred [...]ersons. And they find such En­ [...]ouragement there from the pious [...]chbishop, and from several Di­ [...]es, and other considerable Per­ [...]s, that they have been a means of reviving a great Sense of Reli­ [...]ion in many of the Inhabitants of [...]hat City, and have begun a very [...]opeful Reformation of Manners [...]mong them; the Archbishop ha­ [...]ing signed his Approbation of [...]eir Orders, which are copied [Page 170] from those in London: And indeed all these good Effects were occa­sion'd by the Examples of the Lon­don Societies, and by the removing of some few of the London Asso­ciates to Dublin.

This minds me to add, that out of these Religious Societies in Lon­don, there have been two Associate Bodies formed, who have made it their Endeavour to inform against Vice and Prophaneness, in order to suppress the publick Insolence of it, meeting weekly to carry it on, according to the legal and pruden­tial Rules which some worthy Gen­tlemen, learned in the Law, drew up for them; in which they have spent a great deal of Time and Labour, and have suffer'd many Reproaches for their Diligence in this good and necessary Work; yea, they have often run the ha­zard [Page 171] of their Lives in it, which they underwent with Christian Courage, being greatly supported (under God) by divers of our Bi­shops and London Divines, who told them, That if any of them suf­fer'd in so divine a Work, they would very much resemble the Martyrs and Confessors of Christ, and receive the Reward of it in the other World. And in this re­spect, the Right Reverend Bishop of [...]cester, and those worthy Di­ [...]nes, Dr. Horneck, Dr. Jekyl, and Mr. Edward Stephens, have most eminently signaliz'd their Zeal for their Great Master and His Work.

AND here, I conceive, it may [...]e conducive to the Publick Good [...] make another eminent Society [...]own to the World, which is of [...]e erected in this our capital City, which consists of many considerable [Page 172] Gentlemen and chief Citizens, who frequently meet to superintend, direct, and pursue this glorious Work of Reformation, consulting the best and most advisable me­thods to carry it on, spending a great deal of time weekly, and sometimes daily, in it, and furthe­ring it by very large and honou­rable Contributions; by whose means several Thousands of Drun­kards, Swearers, and Prophaners of the Lord's Day have been brought to just Punishment: And they have by various methods excited all the Cities, Corporations, and Market-Towns in this Kingdom to do the like.

AND to the great and just Ho­nour of many worthy Justices of the Peace in and about this City, be it mention'd, That a very con­siderable number of them have [Page 173] agreed to meet weekly, to pro­mote and facilitate this excellent Design.

AND here I may not with Ju­stice omit to mention a very active and successful Society for Reforma­tion, consisting of about Sixty per­sons, most of them House-keepers in and about the Tower Hamblets, to whom several persons in vari­ous parts of the City are joyn'd, with several Church-wardens, Consta­bles, and other Officers. And tho' this Society is compos'd of persons who differ one from the other in some lesser Circumstances of Reli­gion, yet they act as one Man against Debauchery and Prophane­ness: And they have put downe se­veral open Markets which were kept on the Lord's Day, and have suppressed some hundreds of Hou­ses of ill Fame, and have brought [Page 174] the Frequenters of them to due Shame and Punishment. And by the means of this Society alone, about 2000 lewd Persons have suffered the penalties of the Laws suitable to their Crimes. And their Proceedings herein have been so prudently and legally managed, that they have for some time past received great Countenance in the several Courts of Judicature; and Encouragement from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of this City, who have honourably contributed towards the necessary great Expence of so vast an Under­taking.

AND indeed, all these Societies before-mentioned, with some o­thers in the different parts of the City (which I shall not particu­larly insist upon) have by the blessing of Almighty God so hap­pily [Page 175] prevailed, that the open op­position to Reformation is greatly abated, the general Odium and the threatning Dangers of informing against Vice and Prophaness much lessened, and the blessed Work of Reformation set into such an ex­cellent and successful Method, that the outward part of it would soon be effected, would but some few in every Street or Parish who are of Place and Power, pull their Hands out of their Bosoms to en­gage in this honourable and ne­cessary Work; or would others, who are of Ability, but contri­bute as it becomes them, towards the Expence of it. For, the ap­prehending of lewd People, and the Prosecution of them in the course of our Law is very charge­able; in so much, that more than seven hundred Pounds have been ex­pended [Page 176] in this work by one of these Societies alone, within the space of the last three years: As it may be proved by their Book of Accounts, to any one that desires it for any good End.

AND that none may be discou­raged on the account of the gene­ral Overflowing of Vice, and the dispropotionable fewness of Hands engaged to put a stop to it, It is fit that it be known, that the chief part of this Opposition to Publick Immorality has been occa­sioned by the meeting of 4 or 5 private Persons together, who duely considering and bewailing the Height and Extent of the Sins of this Nation, came to a Resolu­tion of doing their utmost to op­pose it, in the due course of our Laws. An Attempt, which me­thinks, seemed as Generous and [Page 177] Heroick, as that of Jonathan and his Armour-Bearer, who being in­spirited by God, resolved to at­tack a whole Army of Philistines encampt on a vast Hill: But the Lord of Hosts who led them on in this noble Enterprize, did success­fully carry them thorow it, to the utter Discomfiture of those numerous Enemies of God: And since we may without Rashness conclude, that this Effort against publick Sins has the same Original with that of Jonathan, we hope it may at last attain the same End, [...]ho' this Attempt against nume­rous and heightened Enormities has as great Disadvantages as that, in humane Estimate.

O! what a Field of Honour lies here, before all Persons among us! In which Magistrates and Ministers are more especially concerned to [Page 178] be Leaders, who are by their Offi­ces designed to direct the Consci­ences, and regulate the Conversati­ons of Men. I beseech the Al­mighty and All-good God to inspi­rit and determine them effectually to this Work, to which he loudly calls them, a work absolutely ne­cessary not only to our Prosperity but Subsistence; and for want of which we are almost undone.

AND in truth, the Glory of Almighty God, and the Support of our Church and State, are so manifestly concerned herein; that I cannot see how the Ministers of Justice or of Divine Service will be able to answer the unchristian Neglect of it, before the Lord Je­sus Christ (the Judge of All) be­fore whose Judgement-Seat we must all appear, and that very speedily. [Page 179] Where two Armies are engaged in a bloody and uncertain Battle, how will those Regiments answer it to their Prince, who stood by, and idly lookt on, without striking one hearty stroke in his Cause, to whom they vowed a military Faithfulness to their Death? But above the rest, how will the Offi­cers of those dastardly Troops, an­swer it to their Sovereign, who dreaded a little Danger and Hard­ship in his Service, more than his Royal Displeasure?

AH Sirs! If we are now back­ward to contribute our utmost En­deavours in our several Stations to­wards the suppressing those impu­dent and scandalous Vices, where­by our God and his holy Religion are so outragiously blasphemed: If we prefer carnal Ease, the Fa­vour of men, or any worldly In­terest, [Page 180] before the Honour of our God and the propagation of Reli­gion: What insupportable Shame, Horror and Regret will at last seize us, and for ever torment us! And therefore I again beseech the Holy Spirit to excite and fix in us all (even in Magistrates, Mi­nisters, and all Ranks of People) a vi­gorous and effectual Zeal for his holy Name and Will; and a just Concern for the languishing Re­pute of the Christian Name, and of the Reformed Religion.

AND as for all those various Degrees of men who have already set their Hands to this excellent Work, may they never slacken their Hands or pull them back. Let me entreat them to act in it with a Zeal, Constancy and Purity of In­tention, suitable to so divine an Employment as that they engage [Page 181] in, to so great and good a Master [...]s they serve, and to that infinite Reward which they may expect. Be not such Enemies to your selves, [...]s to be weary of well-doing, since [...]n a short time you will reap, if you [...]aint not.

O Christians! Look unto Je­ [...]us, who not only underwent the Contradiction of Sinners, but endu­ [...]ed the Cross, and despised the [...]me, for the Glory which was [...]et before him. Remember, That [...]s a Curse is threatned to such as [...] the Work of the Lord negligently, So a Crown is prepared for those [...]ho are faithful unto Death.

THE Time of our Warfare is [...]ut short, and the difficulty of it [...]ill be much sweetened by the [...]romised Comforter, and the Re­ [...]ard of well-doing will be of in­ [...]nite Value and eternal Duration. [Page 182] And as no work in the World wi [...] be more commended of our supreme Judge at last, than this [...] Reformation; since he himself sit as a Refiners Fire and as Fulle [...] Soap, to purifie and cleanse his People from their sins; and since h [...] wlll e're long consume that Reprobate Silver, which is not effectually refined by those means o [...] Purification which he hath ordained: On all these accounts, I say we have no Concern upon Ear [...] so great, as to acquit our selve [...] well in this our spiritual Calling not being slothful, but diligent Fe [...] lowers of them, who thro' Faith an [...] Patience inherit the Promises.

AND here I cannot but cal [...] upon our dissenting Brethren als [...] to joyn their Hands and Heart [...] with us in casting out those Public [...] Sins which threaten and endange [...] [Page 183] [...]s all; and in furthering a Publick [...]d General Reformation of Manners, [...]hich is here endeavoured, and [...] put into a judicious Method [...] order to success. And let me [...]treat them, even by the Bowels [...]f our common Lord and Saviour, [...]hat they studiously endeavour to [...]pose their Young Ones to fol­ [...]w after things which make for [...]ce, Ʋnity and Order, (the Desire [...] which seems deeply imprest on [...] Spirits of our Societies of Young­ [...]) that the Church of God may [...]joy more peaceable and flourish­ [...]g Days in the next Age, than has in this.

THE making of our Peace with [...]od by effectual Reformation, and [...] Ʋnion among our selves by mu­ [...]al Charity and Condescention; [...]e the happiest works that any [...]erson can apply himself to on [Page 184] Earth. The satisfaction and peaceable Fruits of it here would be ex­ceeding great, and the Reward of it hereafter inexpressible.

NOW these Societies afore-men­tioned, seem in a great measure fit­ted to carry on both these great De­signs: If at least there be any hope of such inestimable Blessings, left to such a profligate People as we are: For they have been instru­mental, to bring several Quakers and Enthusiastic People to Baptism▪ and to a sober mind: And of the Conversion of many prophane Persons, and of bringing others to legal Punishment, who appeared otherwise incorrigible.

AND many of our Ministers have found by Experience (as they have assured me) that the planting of one of these Societie [...] in their Parish, has been a mean [Page 185] o [...] enlarging their Congregations [...]od Communions to a very great increase; and not only so, but of [...]troducing a more devout De­ [...]ortment in all Publick Ordinances. [...]o that it is greatly to be wisht, [...]at every parochial Minister [...]ould endeavour to erect a Socie­ [...] of this Nature in his Parish, [...]hich he might do, if he could [...] find 2 or 3 Young-men or [...]use-keepers in it, of pious Incli­ [...]tions and a sober Life, (and if [...]ch a number as this cannot be [...]nd in any place, it is worse than [...]) and we may begin a So­ [...]y with these (as many of those [...]hich are now numerous, began [...] first) till more be added to [...]em by the Grace of God. A thing this Nature heartily undertaken [...] the Glory of God, and atten­ [...]d with Prayer, Diligence and [Page 186] Patience, could hardly misca [...] And a good Minister would f [...] his work happily furthered [...] such a Pious Nursery of Yout [...] and the poor Neighbour-hood n [...] a little comforted by their Cha [...] ty: Yea, the very money whi [...] is by the Law forfeited to t [...] poor, by Swearing, Drunke [...]ne [...] and prophaning the Lord's da [...] would be a seasonable Relief [...] the poor in these hard times; [...] by these Penalties, 55 Pound w [...] raised in one Parish of this Ci [...] lately in the space of one Year.

BEFORE I conclude, it may expected that I give some Descri [...] tion of the weekly Conferences, a [...] joynt Devotions of our Religio [...] Societies: But I shall not need [...] insist on this, since the Method [...] both is hereunto annexed, par [...] for their Use, and partly to p [...] vent [Page 187] Misrepresentation by false Re­ [...]orts: So that, I shall only add, [...]hat as they use very affecting [...]refaces before they pray to God, [...] praise his great and holy Name, [...]o raise and fix their inward Devo­ [...]on; so they always use a very [...]everend outward Deportment in [...]he worship of God, that their Bo­ [...]y may not seem to mock or dis­ [...]pprove of that which their Soul [...] doing. Which is surely agree­ [...]ble to all Sober Reason, and Sound [...]eligion. Our Creator, Redeemer [...]d Sanctifier, ought to be owned, [...] shiped and glorified with those [...]odies (as well as those Souls,) [...]hich his Almighty Power, Wis­ [...]m and Goodness, hath created, [...]deemed, doth sanctifie, and will [...]orifie. So that, in Prayer, they [...]ll kneel, according to the directi­ [...] of the Spirit of God, Psa. 95. 6. [Page 188] And according to our Blessed Sav [...] ours Example: Luk. 22. 41. [...] kneeled down, and prayed. And i [...] singing of Psalms, or any other s [...] lemn Doxology, they stand up which is surely the fittest Postu [...] for this exalted part of God's Wo [...] ship. And if I may speak my ow [...] Experiences, I think, we shall fin [...] our Souls greatly raised by our b [...] dily Reverence. Tho' it be sti [...] allowed, That the spiritual Reverence of the Soul is vastly th [...] chiefest, and that in all bodil [...] Weakness, and other necessary Impediments, God will have Mer [...] and not Sacrifice.

MANY of them meet tog [...] ther at each others Houses, also [...] the Evening of many Feasts of th [...] Church and Holy-Days; whe [...] they discourse seriously on th [...] Subject-Matter of the Day. B [...] [Page 189] which they find themselves much formed in many essential parts [...] the Christian Religion.

THESE their holy Purposes, [...]ve for a considerable time been [...]erished & improved by some of [...]r pious Bishops, who have often [...]eacht to them on these Occasi­ [...]s: And in particular, one of [...]m has for many years allowed [...]m the use of his Church, and [...]an present at the Sermons which [...]ey procured, and has also writ­ [...]n a most excellent Vindication [...] these beginnings of Reformation, [...]d another of them who, gives a [...]ost illustrious Instance of his Care [...] cultivating Youth, by training [...] Young Schollars for the Ministry, [...]t only at his own Expence, but [...] his personal Instruction of them, [...]th published to the World the [...]eat Delight with which our late [Page 190] Pious Queen received the Accou [...] of this hopeful Method of reforming of Youth by these Societies and with what Concern she often inquired after it. His words ar [...] these, She did hearken carefully after every thing that seemed to give some Hope, that the next Generat [...] should be better than the present, with a particular Attention: She heard of a Spirit of Devotion and Piety that was spreading it self [...] ­mong the Youth of this great City with a true satisfaction: She enqui­red often and much about it, an [...] was glad to hear it went on and pre­vailed; which was her hearty Wi [...] and daily Prayers. Essay pag. 118.

THERE are also several wor­thy Gentlemen, who encourage and assist these Societies, (particularly in their Endeavour to suppress the publick Vices,) with their Coun­ [...]s [Page 191] and Examples; and by their [...]ses and Power: But alas! The [...]mber of these sober and pious [...]ntlemen is confessedly small, if [...]pared with the vast numbers [...]thers, to whom the very Name Reformation is harsh and disa­ [...]eable. But since there is evi­ [...]tly so much Goodness in these [...]ieties, as to give us Hope that [...] are of God; we have thence a [...] ground to hope, that they not come to nought.

[...]N this Hope I have often been [...]ouraged, when I have obser­ [...] [...]ith what Delight and Indu­ [...] they prosecute their holy Pur­ [...]es. I have known some of them [...]o have been at their own Li­ [...]y) come out of the midst of City (after their Shops have [...] shut) three or four miles to [...] outmost parts of the Suburbs, [Page 192] to give Instruction and Encourag [...] ment to a new-planted Socie [...] Returning again a considera [...] time after night in all the Inco [...] ­veniencies of the darkness and uncertain weather, with the chea [...] ing Thought of having been we imployed.

I must also further note, to [...] Praise and Glory of Almighty [...] by what remarkable Provide [...] it hath pleased him to further th [...] divine Work. For, the Conver [...] ons of some of those Young-me [...] who have been very instrume [...] in this Affair, have been very wo [...] derful.

ONE of them had such an [...] fecting Dream of the Day of Ju [...] ment, that he forthwith became [...] very zealous Servant of God; a [...] was so sensible of the importan [...]d of securing Peace with God an [...] [Page 193] [...]edeeming time; that for several [...]ears together, he spent the great­ [...] part of the night in Prayer and [...]ous Exercises; as his Chamber- [...]llow informs me. He also beg­ [...]d leave of his Master to retire [...] little while to his Devotions at [...]oon, and to have Liberty to par­ [...]ke of the benefit of some publick [...]mons and Prayers, promising to [...]e him satisfaction for it, when [...] came out of his Time: Which [...]cordingly he did, tho' it does [...] speak the Piety or Charity of [...] Master, who required it of him. [...]N other of them (tho in per­ [...]ct health) could not rest in his [...] for several nights together, [...]hich at last brought him upon [...] knees to ask it of God, with me Sorrow for his Sins, (for he [...]d lived a very ill Life) and he and such Ease to his mind there­ [...], that it presently conduced to [Page 194] his bodily Rest; which led him to the further exercise of it, espe­cially befere he went to bed. And then taking some Delight in th [...] Duty, he frequented the Evening Prayers set up at eight of the cloc [...] by these Societies; where he ob­served the affectionate Devotions of these associated Young-men; and after Prayers, made his Condition [...] known to some of them, who mightily assisted him in the Way [...] of God, and he is ever since redu­ced (thro' divine Grace) to a ve­ry good Life.

AN other of them was told by an idle prating Woman, that [...] was perswaded, he would not liv [...] long; which she grounded upon a most impertinent Observation not worthy to be mentioned. Bu [...] this jesting Talk awakened him [...] good earnest to prepare to die: [...] powerful is a trivial means in th [...] [Page 195] hands of the All Mighty God. Where­upon, he spent the greatest part of the following night in Prayer, with [...]rnest Vows and Tears: And he has lived a very devout and ex­emplary Life ever since, which is a­bout nine Years.

MANY others, have in my [...]hearing, praised God that ever they were acquainted with these christi­an Associates: And have owned, that their knowledge of God, and conversion to him were occasioned thereby; yea, I never yet met with one member of any of these Soci­ [...]ies, who did not greatly praise God for the benefit they reap from him.

AND since the time, that the [...]sefulness of these Societies has been visible to the world; Their Zeal hath provoked some of their dissenting Bretheren to joyn with them occasionally, and to set up [Page 196] the like among themselves. And who knows, but that this Essential Ʋnion of theirs in the Love of God and goodness, may at last draw them to center in the same Communion; and so bring a most inestimable Blessing to this bleeding Church and State: Than which no Blessing upon Earth can be imagined greater. For, it would mightily strengthen the languishing interest of Pretestancy; and envigorate the the Power of our Holy Religion; and be the best and surest founda­tion of a vigorous and general Re­formation. And this, in a time when both Union and Reformation are almost despair'd of. And if once the Holy Spirit of God vouch­safes us these his heavenly Fruits of Ʋnity and Purity, England will indeed be the Glory of all Nations.

IN fine, we have here many Hundreds of young, sober, and [Page 197] active men, freely and solemnly engaging themselves to live strictly as it▪ becometh our Holy Religion (the Honour of which is at this day deplorably sunk) and humbly offering their utmost service to our Magistrates and Ministers, in [...]rder to suppress the publick Practice of those scandalous and insolent Sins which endanger both our Church and State. And there seems to be a zealous and generous Spirit in them animating them to this noble Enterprize: And they are put into an excellent method to carry it on in all the parts of the City, of which they have already given sufficient proof. And truly, if these meanes of Reformation be not accepted, it will be difficult to find out any other that is so like to effect it, or to better the next Genera­tion, in which all our Hope of Pro­sperity [Page 198] on Earth seems to lie. So then, if it shall please Persons in Place and Power to improve this Talent layd before them, by strengthening those Hands which are heartily stretcht forth against Prophaness, but need their assistance to effect it▪ What eminent service may be do [...]e for God and these Kingdoms in this Season? But if this design be mo [...]kt and brow-beaten (as many things proposed for the publick Good, and this in particular hath been) and if some vain people give it a Nick▪ Name, and term it an imprudent or unseasonable zeal, or the like, and then the rest decry and discourage it, or at least are ashamed to own it, or appear for it. I am perswaded▪ That notwithstanding the common▪ Cry of Peace, Peace; It will be hard [...]o assign good Proof, that we are not near to Desolation.