And a so running so run that ye may obtain It is as true Mat. 24.46 1 Co. 9.24 Acts 8.30 there is a so reading Understandest thou what thou readest Now that thou mayst not only read but so read Gods Book and Mans Book if the Book of Man be according to the Book of God take these following Directions Be conscientious in reading Direct 1. 'T is not enough to own Duty but we must be one with the Duty which we own 'T is not cursory but a cordial and conscientious reading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 3.23 that 's promising for an advantagiâ—ous issue Whatsoever ye do do it heartily from the heart from the very soul 2. Let not one Duty justle out another There 's hearing as well as reading and praying as well as hearing pray before thoâ— readest and pray over what thou readest Not only reading but also exhortation and doctrine were at the same time anâ— with the same breath imposed by Paul upon Timothy Give thy self to reading to exhortation 1 Tim. 4.13 and to doctrine 3. Engage the Spirits Influence and Impress It will be to little purpose and profiâ— to engage in this work without the Spirit 'T is the Spirit that searcheth all things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Co. 2.10 yea the Depths of God so the Greek 4. Let thy heart be a Cabinet for what thou readest Jewels are not onely to bâ— looked upon but also to be locked up Bâ— in a holy imitation of that holy Matronâ— who kept the sayings of her Son Luk. 2.51 yea of heâ— Saviour in her heart 5. Make Faith of what thou readest Therâ— must be believing as well as reading Forâ— as the Precept is a Rule for Obedience 〈◊〉 the Promise is a Ground for faith ' Tâ—â— â—ike to be with Reading as it was with Preaching not profiting Heb. 42. not being mixed with faith 6. Look unto Jesus There 's no going about this work without Christ For without him we can do nothing Look unto him therefore as the Actor as well as the Author of Grace Ioh. 15.7 Now that this Christ may be with Thee and signally bless reading unto Thee cordially prays Reader Thy Friend and Servant for Jesus sake RI. MAYHEW THE CHILD'S DUTY ECCL 12.1 first part thereof Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy Youth THAT Solomon Israels Sage is the Pen-man of this Book of Ecclesiastes or the Preacher appeareth both from the Style thereof and from the Title thereof In this Book ye have the Inscription of it and then 〈◊〉 general Proposition about it 1. An Inscription The Words of the Preacher Eccl. 1.1 Son of David King in Jerusalem Now in this Inscription you have a Description of Solomon in a threefold Relation 1. In his natural Relation the Son of David 2. In his Civil Relation King in Jerusalem And that this is Solomon is evident for David had no other Son King in Jerusalem 3. In his spiritual Relation A Preacher The words of the Preacher Son of David King in Jerusalem 2. A general Proposition This sets forth the utter insufficiency of all things under thâ— Sun to make a man truly happy and blessed together with the extream vanity which is in them in order to such an end Now this is proved two ways 1. From the Mortality of man One Generation passeth away and another Generation cometh Eccl. 1.4 but the Earth abideth for ever 2. From the Instability of all other Creatures 1. In respect of their weakness to minister satisfaction to so noble a creature as man Thâ— Sun ariseth goeth down and hasteth to thâ— place where he arose The wind goeth towarâ— the South Eccl. 1.5 6 7. and turneth about unto the North it whirleth about continually and returneth again to its Cireuits All the Rivers run into the Sea yet the Sea is not full unto the placâ— from whence the Rivers come they return 2. In respect of the restless and fruitlesâ— labour which is taken in seeking satisfaction from such things as only affect the senses All things are full of labour man cannot utter it Eccl. 1.8 the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor thâ— ear filled with hearing 3. In respect of the continued Vicissitudes and Returns of the same things The thing that hath been it is that which shall be and that which is done is that which shall be done and there is no new thing under the Sun Eccl. 1.9 10 11. c. 4. From Solomons own Experience in these â—hings Vauity of vanities saith the Preacher â—â—ll is vanity This also is vanity and vexation â—f spirit Not onely vanity Eccl. 1.2 chap. 2.26 and so unâ—ble to satisfie the soul but also Vexation â—ausing much sorrow of heart to those that â—â—re inordinately conversant about them But to the Text Remember now thy Creâ—tor in the days of thy youth Now rememâ—er now In the Greek and vulgar Latin â—now is and And remember thy Creator in the â—ays of thy youth 'T is well read either way This Text is an Exhortation unto a timely â—nd youthful remembring of God and so â—ook like an Inference drawn from the vanity â—f Childhood Eccl. 11.10 and youth with which the â—ormer Chapter ends for childhood and â—outh are vanity Remember now thy Creaâ—or in the days of thy youth Wherein you â—ave the Object the Act and the Season for that Act upon thee 1. The Object Creator or Creators Father â—on and Spirit the first purposing the second â—urchasing the third Perfecting 2. The Act Remember This word hath vaâ—ious significations but properly it signifies to â—all to mind or keep in mind yea to call to mind â—nd keep in mind Thus Peter remembred the â—ords of the Lord. He reflected what he had â—een a doing and resorded what he had done So then a remembrance is properly a call to mind and keeping in mind Art thou câ—â—â—â— to call my sin to remembrance and to slay son 3. The Season Now or in the days of tâ—â— Youth Here 's the Season for the Act 〈◊〉 on the Object Seaeson in the days of thy Youth 〈◊〉 not said in the Years of thy Youth but in 〈◊〉 days of thy Youth It is not said in the Tâ—â—â— of thy Youth but in the days of thy Youâ—â— to intimate that our life is but a few day it 's but a vapour a span a flower a shadowâ— dream Though Death be before the 〈◊〉 Mans face yet Death may be behind tâ—â— young Mans back In the days thereforâ— of thy youth while thou art yet young veâ—â— young in the beginning of thy days rememâ—â—â— thy Creator yea Creators Father Son aâ—â— Spirit Remember the VVill of the first tâ—â— Worth of the Second the Work of the Thirâ—â— To the making of Man a Council was call in Heaven Gen. 1.26 Come let us make man Remeâ—ber the Father so as to know him and 〈◊〉 inwardly yea intimately acquainted wiâ—â— him
Armed man and like a Mighty Stream threatning to bear down all before it Oh what Generation is the next like to be if this be thus Vpon Pauls healing the impotent man the cry was Gods are come down to us in the likeness of men Act. 14 1â— But may not the cry now be Devils are come up to us in the likeness of men Are there not many men now like so many Incarnate Devils Do they not look upon Oaths as the greatest Rhetorick and upon Adultery as the greatest Pleasure Do they not look upon Murder as a just revenge and upon Polygamy as an Ornament to worldly Grandure If this Generation be thus what is the next Generation like to be I have read of one Father and 't was pity there should be that one to read of who liked his Children the better for resembling him in wickedness I have also read of others who hearing their Ancestors were gone to hell said that they would go thither too Do not many Parents now seem to be unwilling to go to hell without their Children indulging them in all manner of Impiety and Impurity Is it not enough for them to go to hell but must their Children follow them Certainly now these things considered it is incumbent upon Parents to look after the Education of their Children 2. To the Young Now these have Grace or have it not To these therefore distinctly 1. To the Young that have Grace I have two words to these 1. Art Green and yet hast Grace Admire then the Riches of Free-Grace Hath God plucked thee as a brand out of the Fire and left the rest of the Children to dwell with everlasting Burnings Oh infinite mercy Art not only born but born again born of water and of the Spirit Oh Matchless mercy Are not only many young ones but many old ones yet in their blood bleeding to death and 't is to be feared an Eternal death and hath Jehovah God said unto thee Live Oh Admire then the Riches of Free-Grace Oh let this be thy Holy and thy Heavenly boasting in all places 1 Cor. 15.10 and amongst all Persons By the grace of God I am that I am 2. Art Green and yet hast Grace Be joyous then thy Joy may be greatest when thou art Oldest Polycarpus could say when he was old Thus many years have I served my Master Christ and hitherto hath he dealt well with me Those are like to have most Peace when and while they are old that have Grace when and while they are young For thou art my hope Oh Lord God thou art my trust from my youth Psal 71.5 17 18. Oh God thou hast taught me from my youth Now also I am gray-headed for sake me not 2. To the young that have not grace Art young and hast not grace set then upon this work and Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth Oh now begin to concern thy soul with the concerns of thy soul Quest But what Directions may be given to young ones that are graceless ones Solut. 1. Look not upon death at a distance in the days of thy youth Many if not most young persons look upon death at a distance and 't is death to them to think upon death Oh how many young persons are there that greedily swallow down that of the Psalmist Psal 90.10 The days of our years are three score years and ten or according to the Margent As for the days of our years in them are seventy years Oh say not we have Calculated our Nativity and we finde our years to be three score years and ten Is there one of threescore and ten that lives to threescore and ten 2. Shun the Occasions of sin in the days of thy youth If thou wouldest not fall down of â—he Plague keep clear of the Pest house May not I say with that great Doctor of the Gentiles Flee youthful lusts 2 Tim. 23.22 3. Be very conversant with the holy Scriptures of truth in the days of thy youth Be much in reading the Scriptures Oh there 's no book like unto this Book Oh soul this Book is the Book of Books Other Books are called the books of men but the Bible is called the Book of God Oh turn over these leafes and converse these lines On soul in those lines thou mayst read the Love that Christ had to little ones Suffer children yea little children saith Christ to come unto me and forbid them not Mat. 19.14 for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven 4. Wait at Wisdomes Gates and in her Galleries in the days of thy youth Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word Preached Jam. 1.19 May not I say to thee as the Apostle did Be swift to hear slow to speak slow to wrath 5. Look upon thy self as lost in the days of thy youth Suppose Parents gracious yet they cannot entail grace upon their Posterity Oh Child believe me thou canst not go to Heaven by thy Fathers Copy thou must have a Christ of thine own Grace of thine own or dying thou wilt be damned and thaâ— for an eternity Mar. 16.16 He that believeth not shall 〈◊〉 damned not may but shall be daâ—ned Look unto Christ in the days of thy youth Thou art a Sinner Lastly but Christ is a Saviour thou art a great sinner but he is a great Saviour Oh Child Luk. 19.10 thou art lost but Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost Not only to save but also to seek in order to saving that which was lost But to close this Discourse If thou hast any love to thy self love to thy soul concern then thy soul with the concerns of thy soul in the days of thy youth Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 3.11 Heart Keeping the hardest Keeping PROV 4.23 Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the Issues of life THAT Solomon is the Author of this Book in general is generally acknowledged but he is so the Author of this as David is of the Psalms for as the whole Book of Psalmes is not Davids so the whole Book of Proverbs is not Solomons A Proverb and a Parable differ more in sound then in sense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are of very near Affinity for they are are the speeches of wise men yea they are the Extracts and spirits of wisdom I will open my Mouth in a Parable Psal 78.2 I will utter dark sayings of old These are called Aenigmata dark Sentences To understand a Proverb and the Interpretation Prov. 1.6 the words of the wise and their dark sayings So that a Proverb properly signifies a Parable and a Parable properly signifies a Proverb Sed quid moror istis Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life In these words you have a Duty imposed and
the soul together with the body too much favours of Atheism Mat. 10.28 Fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul Is it not then a childs mercy to concern his soul with the concerns of his soul in the days of his youth 5. Because they will have fewer sins to repent of Did it not lie near Pauls heart that he was in Christ no sooner Rom. 16.7 Youthful sins may prove Ages terrour said that heavenly Preacher Mr. Burroughs Salute Androniens and Junea my Kinsmen which are of note among the Apostles which also were in Christ before me Oh had not Paul cause to repent that he was in Christ no sooner that he concerned his soul with the concerns of his soul no sooner might not this have bin his complaint Oh that I had not lived to have been a Man a blaspheming man a persecuting man before I went to Christ and concerned my soul with the concerns of my soul Oh that I had not breathed out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord and haled men and women to prison Oh that I had not consented to Stephens death a man full of faith and of the holy Spirit but had concerned my soul with the concerns of my soul in the days of my youth Did not the sins of Davids youth lie near Davids heart Psal 25.7 Remember not against me the â—e sins of my youth nor my transgressions Is â—tâ—â—t now a childs mercy to concern his 〈◊〉 with the concerns of his soul in the days of â—â—â—th 6. Because the Time of Youth is the best Time for Service As the Morning Time is the best Studying Time Aurora Musis amica so the Morning Time is the best Serving Time Oh young ones now your Parts are Lively now your Senses are Fresh now your Memories are Strong now your Nature is Vigorous the days of your Youth are the Spring and Morning of your Time Now that God might Shadow out your Duty in the days of your Youth he required that the first fruits and the first born should be offered to him Is it not then a Childs mercy Exod. 22.29 to Concern his Soul with the Concerns of his Soul in the dayes of his Youth 7. Because the Promise is made to a Timely Seeking and serving I love them that love me and they that seek me early shall find me He that seeks me early or in the Morning shall find me They that seek me in the Spring Prov. 8.17 and Morning of their days shall find me As the Israelites went early in the Morning to seek Manna and as Students rise early in the Morning and go to their Studies so saith VVisdome they that seek me in the morning and Flower of their Youth shall find me Is it not then the Childs mercy to concern his soul with the concerns of hiâ— soul in the days of his youth 8. Because an Eternity of Felicity aâ—â— Glory hang upon a few moments of time Hence that counsel Heb. 3.7 To day if you will hear his voice Was it not a good question the Lawyer put to Christ Luk. 10.25 What shall I do to inherit eternal life As if he had said Sir I know that I shall be eternally happy or eternally miserable eternally blessed or eternally cursed eternally saved or eternally damned Good Sir what shall I do to inherit life Oh my cares and feares my thoughts and troubles they are all conversant about an eternity No time can reach eternity No age can extend to eternity no tongue can express eternity U num perpetuum hodie Eternity is that one perpetual day which shall never have an end What shall I do what shall I not do that I may be happy for an eternity Oh get the impressions of an eternity upon thee in the days of thy youth As the Painter painted for an eternity so do thou hear for an eternity read for an eternity believe for an eternity pray for an eternity do from life for an eternity Is it not now the Childs mercy to concern his soul with the concerns of his soul in the days of his youth 2 2. The Improving of it I have onely one Vse to make of this and that 's by way of counsel Are those that are young to concern their souls with the concerns of their souls in the days of their youth Suffer then the words of Exhortation But this Vse hath a double Aspect looking unto those that are old 1. To the old and then to those that are young Now these are either in a state of Nature or a state of Grace To those in a state of Nature 1. To those in a state of Nature 1. Art gray and yet graceless repent then and believe the Gospel Haft gray hairs upon thy head Mar. 1.15 Heb. 1.6 and not grace in thy heart 't is high time then for thee to have repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ Oh soul there are but a few sands in thy Glass look about thee yea look above thee look within thee â—sa 45.22 yea look without thee Look unto me all ye ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else But will looking amount unto any advantage yea Look unto me and be ye saved When any are old in sin wo to such an old Age. It s better to die young then live to be old and die in sin Oh how sad is it to live to be old and yet die before the old man dies Then only is old age good when we are good in old age Pro. 16.31 not only die in a good old age but are good dying old The glory of young men is their strength but the beauty of old men is their gray head The gray head is a crown of glory if it be found in a way of righteousness Oh soul are grny hairs here and there upon thee hast scarcely an eye to see with hast scarcely a Foot to walk with hast scarcely a Hand to work with and hast not yet Concerned thy Soul with the Concerns of thy Soul Certainly then thou art in danger of hell fire 2. Art Gray and yet Grace-less despair not ther 's hope for thee at the eleventh hour Art going upon the last hour despair not Matt. 20.9 for he that came the eleventh hour received a penny Did not the Thief go from a Cross to a Crown Luke 23.43 This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise But their things are not written for your Imitation but to prevent your Desperation Wee say so long as there is Life there is Hope Are going off the Stage and yet hast not gone to Christ ther 's great ground for thy Faith and Repentance but not for thy Desperation the reason is Obvious for as God is the Author of Mercy so he is the Timer of Mercy And as he calls whom he will so he
Man liveth not by bread only how then but by every word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Now the promiss is a full breast Mat. 4.4 and God delights that Faith should draw it 4. In order to the fraughting of the Christian Christ will lade the soul with Experiences and that in a double respect 1 In respect of himself Christ would have every Christian to have something in hand something in store against a rainy day against a winter day Christ would have the Christian to lay up in store a good Foundation for the time to come and to remember the days of Old Agracious reflection of former experiences is a good relief to the soul under future Extremities Oh say the soul I was in the Depths at such a time but Christ kept my head above water VVe had the sentence of death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God which raiseth the dead 2 Cor 1.9.10 who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us The Apostle argues from former Experience 〈◊〉 future Deliverance 1. In respect of Others There 's a sufficiency of grace in Christ that a Christian may not only have a word for himself but also a word for others VVho comforteth us in all our tribulations Why That we may be able to comfort them that are in any trouble 2 Cor. 1.4 but how By the comforts wherewith we our selves are comforted of God Christian converse often prove thorough the riches of free-grace Christian comfort Now as there is a sufficiency of grace in Christ that we may be comforted For instance so that we may comfort one another Ch saith one I am tempted tempted to curse God and dye Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Bless and curse not 2. Oh Rom. 12.14 saith another I am under various temptations my temptations are many and mighty too Oh saith the other so have I been but then this word was given in Blessed is the man that endureth temptation Iam. 1.12 3. Oh saith another but I am afflicted afflicted and ready to dye Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in In all their affliction he was afflicted He was affected with their affliction â—sa 63.9 and under their affliction they had his affection 4. Oh saith another I am reproached They lay to my charge things that I know not Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and speak all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake Mat. 5.11 .. 5. Oh saith another but I am persecuted and persecution in plain English is hunting a hunting after the soul to take it Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in persecuted but not forsaken 2 Cor. 4.9 6. Oh saith another but I am hated hated of Neighbors hated of Relations Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Marvel not my brethren if the World hate you 1 Jo. 3.13 7. Oh saith another but I am impoverished I am reduced to a low Ebbe I have very little Meal in my Barrel and Oyle in my Cruse Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Mat. 6.36 Take no thought for the morrow for the morrow shâ—ll take thought for the things of it self 8. Oh saith another I am unbelieving and my Faith is at a low Ebbe Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in 2 Ti. 2.13 Though we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself 9. Oh saith another but I have high and hard thoughts brutish and blasphemous thoughts wanton and Worldly thoughts Oh saith the other so have I had but then that word was given in I know the thoughts that I think towards you Jer. 29.11 saith Jehova thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end Or according to the Margent End and Expectation 10. Oh saith another my grace is weak and my Corruption strong yea my corruption is sometimes stronger then my grace Oh saith the other thus it have been with mee but then this good Text and great Truth was given in My grace is sufficient for thee Thus a Christian converse prove a Christian comfort and to this End among others is thâ—re a sufficiency of grace in Christ that we may be comforted and consequentially comfort one another What Vse may be made of this But Fifthly that the grace which is in Christ is sufficient for 〈◊〉 Christian under temptation I have only one Vse to make of this Vse and that 's by way of Counsel If there be in Christ for a Christian a sufficiency of grace under Temptation suffer then the â—ords of Exhortation But here I would speak to two sorts of Persons Those out of Christ those in Christ 1. To those out of Christ 1. Art out of Christ Tremble then for thou art without Grace As no Sun no Light no Fountain no Stream no Fire no Heat So no Christ no grace and no grace no glory Oh who that hath grace in his private Hand and in his publique Head would if he could be in thy condition for a World for a thousand Worlds if there were so many for thou art Christ-less and so Grace-less As the Apostle upon the believing Hebrews imposeth this so he encourageth the believing Hebrews unto this Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy Heb. 4.16 and find grace and help in the time of need But oh soul what wilt thou do when a Storm come when a tempest come what wilt thou do when sickness come when death the King of Terrors come if thou hast not Christ thou hast not grace to help in that time of Need But what shall I do whither shall I go Quest If to be Christ-less be so be Grace-less if to be Grace-less be to be Glory-less what shall I do whither shall I go Go unto Jesus If thou wouldest have grace go unto Jesus for it Did Pharaoh say go unto Joseph may not I then sâ—y unto thee go unto Jesus There is no grace out of a Christ Solu Gen. 41.55 Jo. 1.17 The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ As Christs grace is sufficient for the supportation of a soul in himself so for the Salvation of a soul out of himself As his grace is sufficient for the Sustentation of a soul in himself so for the Sanctification of a soul out of himself My grace is sufficient for thee Art in Christ Triumph then ther 's grace enough in Christ for thee Secondly to those in Christ under the greatest Trials and Troubles under the