of Christ though the Soul be not convinced of it 3. The misery of a Soul out of Christ is in this it is eternal misery The eternity of the misery is the sting of Hell and the very emphasis of damnation To be miserable a thousand years and then to come out of it the very thoughts of a better estate would be some kind of ease to the oppressed mind but their misery is like to be endless and this compleats the misery It is called everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord c. 2 Thes 1.8 This brings me orderly to the next head 4. Poor Sinners seek not out to the Lord Jesus because they are not convinced throughly of a future state of the Soul They are not under the powerful sense of the Souls immortality Who will seek out to Christ if they be not convinced that the Soul is an immortal being Christs errand from Heaven to Earth is in vain his whole series of suffering is in vain his whole undertaking of the work of mans redemption in vain if there be no future state of the Soul But because we live in a time and day that Atheism doth abound let me offer by way of conviction some few Arguments to prove the future state of the Soul Alas men look not out after Christ because they are not taken up with Eternity 1. Argument is taken from Christs death 1 Thes 1.10 which was to deliver from wrath to come Then there is such a thing as wrath to come which could not be if there were no future state of the Soul 2. Argument of a future state is from the horrour that wicked men feel sometimes in their consciences when they are awakened O what Magor Misabibs are they to themselves sometimes Crying out Wo is them that ever they were born to sin such wrath upon their own heads These are the sparks of Hell that are gotten into the Conscience in this life this is the gnawing of that worm that never dyes 3. Argument is taken from the wishes of the wicked that they might dye the death of the Righteous as Balaam desired 4. Argument is taken from the sufferings of Saints What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul which is brought in to the Disciples to caution them against Apostasie O say poor believers we may lose our Souls and therefore we may not apostatize from God and therefore they will suffer the loss of all The poor people of God make a sad bargain of it if they suffer and yet there should be no reward 5. Argument is taken from the great desires that sometimes Believers have to be dissolved as Paul did which if there were no enjoyment of God after would greatly be to believers loss because they enjoy something of God here 6. Argument is taken from the great joy that many Saints have had in their passage into another world How have they gone off the stage of this present life with triumph and died boasting and glorying in God 7. Argument is taken from Saints Communion with God If there be such a thing here then much more hereafter what we enjoy here is but a drop to the Ocean 8. Argument is taken from mens natural unwillingness to dye Certainly there some thing follows death that the Soul cannot endure to think on It is true the dissolving of the marriage-knot betwixt such two dear lovers as Soul and Body is tedious to think of yet there is some preapprehensions of eternity that trouble the Soul that it cannot think of death with any quiet or comfort 9. Argument is taken from the end of Christs appointments God hath appointed the means of Grace in reference to the salvation of poor Souls That thou may save thy own Soul and them that hear thee 10. Argument from the endeavours of Satan seeking whom he may devour or drink up as the word is Satan would spare his pains if there were no future state of the Soul Now it is no wonder if poor sinners seek not the Lord Jesus when they lay not their souls under the convictions of the state of the Soul after death 5. Poor Sinners seek not after the Lord Jesus Christ because they are diverted by their worldly enjoyments and employments We read of some that made excuses and all their excuses were from their worldly business they could not come I have observed that young persons who have been under some notable convictions and resolutions to close with Christ and seek after Christ if ever they have abated and cooled in their first love it hath been when they have entred upon the world changed their conditions set up for themselves the world hath stoln their hearts from God O how sad is this The world broke the bargain betwixt Christ and the young man in the Gospel O but sayes a poor Soul I know not how to seek Christ I am a poor Gentile Sinner that have sate in darkness and am in my dark state of Gentilism to this day and how shall I seek the Lord Jesus that is you say thus willing to be found of me 1. Seek the Lord betimes If you would be speeding Seekers of Christ Job 8.5 you must not be loyterers there is but in time and out of time Make no delay therefore poor sinner in seeking the Lord Jesus Christ take the present time by the fore-lock While it is to day hearken to his voice Now acquaint your selves with God We must take hold of the present time They that seek me early shall find me shall morning me the Hebrew is We must in our seeking give the morning to God It is observable in the morning Jacob got the blessing in the morning the Lord looked through the cloud and discomfited the Aegyptian Host Nay Christ himself is called the Hinde of the morning the morning-star and all to teach us to seek him in the morning The first fruits were to be dedicated to the Lord the firstling of every Creature was to be offered up in Sacrifice to the Lord but the firstling of an Ass being so dull a Creature God would not accept it in sacrifice 1. We should seek the Lord early because the present time is the only time to seek the Lord in Now is the acceptable time now is the day of salvation c. Upon this monosylable Now depends Eternity sayes one There is a present time and a present Truth for us to lay hold on It was a good saying of him when invited to dinner to morrow sayes he I have not promised myself a to morrow this many years Who knows sayes Solomon what to morrow may bring forth What is in the womb of to morrow What if thy death nay thy damnation should be in the womb of another day We read of death and what was at the heels of death and Hell immediately followed him 2. Seek the Lord early you cannot promise your selves any more seasons of Grace
set and watered that they might become Trees of Righteousness Therefore he hath his Nurseries to debauch and corrupt them like Herod he is all for killing Christ in the cradle O this puts him upon that rage and wrath in pursuing poor Souls as soon as their Convictions begin to stir in them As Pharaoh pursued Israel when he saw them attempting an escape so doth Satan follow poor Young Ones as soon as ever they look out of their miserable Captivity under which they are in their natural estates and conditions 11. I have observed that the Lords effectual working upon the hearts of Young Ones is and hath been a token of some approaching appearance of God on the behalf of a People or a Nation It argues God hath still some work there some thing to do there that he would not leave that place and people He doth not beget Children for the murtherer he doth not use to beget Children and send away the breasts from them And on the contrary when Conversion-work ceases O then some heavy blow comes Some National stroak is at the door When the Harvest is inn'd then the labourers are called home and this portends a storm Ambassadours calling home looks like a War 12. I have observed the sad and doleful heart-breaking lamentations of many Godly Parents over the Souls of their dear and dead Children many Families mourning over their dead There was a great cry throughout the Land of Aegypt when the First-born was dead Exod. 11.6 O what a cry hath gone through the Land for the Souls of poor dead Children One Family crying Lord this dear Child is dead his Soul is dead while he lives 1 Tim. 5.5 as is said of some while they live in pleasures are dead and that which cuts poor Parents to the heart is this they fear they shall ere long hear such a cry for their Childrens Souls as was in the night time in the great Plague some times Cast out your dead cast out your dead O then sayes one Family LORD how many have we to cast out So many Children and so few of them made alive to God so few that have Christ formed in their precious Souls O you Young Ones that are the Seed of Godly Parents if you miscarry to all Eternity your Parents Tears and Frayers I must tell you will be as so much oyl to make Hell flames burn so much the more vehemently upon you If you that are Children of the Kingdome by Education be shut out this will aggravate your condemnation dreadfully 13. I have observed that the wandring of such Young Ones in the by-wayes of Sin as have sprung from and have been nursed up in Godly Families have rolled much reproach upon Gods Covenant If the reproach was only upon their Persons it would not be so laid to heart though for a Son to be an occasion of reproach to his Father and Family is sad but that which goes deeper is the Covenant of God is reproached The world say they see no difference betwixt the posterity of the Godly and the Vngodly and this is an over-whelming consideration to them And O Young Ones is neither the Name of God nor the Name of your tender Parents nor your Families nor your immortal Souls precious in your eyes How may that Endictment be drawn up against you Mic. 7.6 The Son dishonoureth the Father and the Daughter riseth up against her Mother Lastly I have sadly observed a spirit of stubbornness and rebellion hath taken possession of many Young Ones towards their dear and tender Parents 2 Tim. 3.2 which indeed is a sin of the highest rank Rom. 1.30 therefore reckoned among ihe sins of the later times and so on the contrary obedience to Parents is reckoned among the most Religious Duties Lev. 19. ◠You shall fear every man his Mother and his Father and keep my Sabbaths I am the Lord your God Yea in the punishment of this sin we may read the heinousness of it the Rebellious Son was to be stoned to death under the Law Deut. 21.18 19 20 21. and sure the sin is not less now in Gospel-times than it was then Now Young Men these were some of those Observations I have made that tendered my heart towards the everlasting good of your immortal Souls and prevailed with me to put these papers into your hands hoping the Lord may in some measure succeed them with his blessing which is and shall be the hearty Prayer of Your unfeigned Souls Friend and Servant in the Ministry of the Gospel J. R. Decem. 9. 1672. Advertisement to the Reader There is published by the same Author a Book Entituled A Plat for Mariners or the Sea-mans Preacher in several Sermons upon Jonah's Voyage In 8 vo Prov. 8.17 I love them that love me and they that seek me early shall find me THat young Inquirers after the Lord Jesus Christ may be encouraged in their following on to know him notwithstanding the temptations they meet with without them and within them this Text of Scripture is very considerable The Words are the Promise of Christ to young Seekers by way of encouragement to continue and hold on in seeking him 1. We have the Persons to whom the Promise is made They that seek me early they that seek me in the morning so the word because that which is done in the morning is always done most vigorously the Spirits being more raised and lively Therefore we read of the morning as an especial praying time as a time of worship I direct my prayer unto thee in the morning Prov. 15.14 The word is uused Psal 130.6 and will look up and at another time says he my soul waits for thee more than they which wait for the morning Psal 130.6 viz. than the Watchmen that give notice of the morning Tempus matutinum Hebraeis dicitur Boker à Bokkar Est quaerere magis conatu studio Pro. 15.14 It signisies to seek by suing and praying by asking direction and counsel of them that are able to give it that they may offer up their Sacrifice says Mr. Ainsworth These are the Persons under the Promise that seek him in the morning of their time in their youth 2. We have the Person that makes this Promise They that seek me viz. Jesus Christ It is apparent all over the Chapter that is meant of Christ who is here called Wisdom who indeed is the Wisdom of the Father I need not take up time in proving this the very Text carries its own Evidence in it O Poor Soul Christ himself is your Encourager what ever Discouragements you meet withall and this he doth by his own Promise 3. Here is the Promise it self they shall find me They are poor mourning Seekers early Seekers and young Seekers but they shall be sure and certain finders They shall not seek as God threatned them in the Prophet they shall seek me with their Herds and their Flocks Hosea 5.6
nothing to thee that thou art a slave to sin serving divers lusts and pleasures But when was this they did so the Apostle tells us before the loving kindness of God their Saviour did appear Tit. 3.4 5. Would'st thou have power against sin It may be thy Soul goes to thy prayers for it to thy duties for it to thy resolutions and purposes for it the best way is to close with Christ for there can be no power against sin that can subdue it until closure with Christ While thou art under the power of sin it doth what it will with thee it Kings it and Lords it that thou obey'st it in the lust thereof Secondly Hast thou seen the misery of thy distant state as thou art under enmity to God and God under enmity to thee 1. The enmity of thy side O what a piece of misery is it to be under the power of enmity this is a piece of the misery of the damned they have an inveterate enmity against God that if such a thing were possible they would dethrone God like some we read in their distress Isa 8.21 Curse their God and their King and look upward Is not this misery indeed to be an enemy to the God of all thy mercies to be an enemy to him thou daily livest upon nay cannot live one moment without And such a monster art thou I have read of one that killed her Child while it smiled so would'st thou do Art not thou spurning Gods tender bowels every day but now by seeking Christ or closing with Christ this enmity is done away 2. Enmities on Gods side God an enemy to thee and can there be greater misery than this what he thy enemy that thou art every day provoking and can upon every provocation in a moment turn thee into Hell Every one fears having great ones for their enemies but what sayst thou to the great God who is thine enemy If ever poor sinners were convinced of this O what seeking Christ would there be for reconciliation 3. Hast thou seen the misery of thy distant state as thou art a vassal to Satan for so is every one out of Christ and is this nothing to thee Wert thou in Algier what Letters wouldst thou send to thy friends setting forth thy dolefull slavery to affect their hearts to send over thy redemption-money But alas what is a Turk to the Devil the one reaches the Body the other the Soul Poor Soul out of Christ the Devil is thy patron and wilt not thou groan to be delivered Why are not Souls morning Seekers after Christ Alas they see not the misery of being under the power of Satan Now want of powerful convictions in these three things while you lye in a distant state from Christ is the first cause why he hath so few Seekers 2. Hinderance to young Seekers after Christ is their beloved lusts and darling corruptions they are willing to part with some but not all their lusts there is an Isaac that causes laughter they cannot think of cutting the throat of it there is a Benjamin they cannot tell how to let that go there is a Dalilah they are loth to lose there is an Herodias they cannot endure to part with Mat. 13.45 46. a right hand they will needs keep and hide O no poor young man thou must sell all if thou wilt seek and find this pearl of price We read of the young man and he was very fair and like to fall in with Christ Mark 10.22 Jesus Christ begins to strike at his right hand and he pulls it in and Christ and he parts upon this occasion Herod was fair but when John gets a blow at his Herodias Herod gets a blow at Johns head and strikes it off O poor sinner if thou resolve for Christ thou must resolve against thy darling sin 3. Hinderance to young Seekers after Christ is their entanglement by wicked company They come to Ordinances and are convinced that sin will be bitter to them in the latter end and they see no way but that living and dying in such courses they are lost for ever Well one would think some good would spring and grow out of such convictions but alas the next time they come in their evil company they have absolutely lost all one would not think these were the young men that were so affected at Sermons Now it may be you may see in their hands instead of their Bibles their Cups and in their mouths hear instead of their prayers their oaths Well young men know for all this God will bring you into judgement 1. Wilt thou poor Soul rather part with a precious Christ than with thy base company O unworthy Soul of Christ's bowels to prefer thy sinful Companions before thy Blessed Jesus as those poor Souls preferred Barabbas before Jesus What wilt thou love a drunkard a swearer an unclean wanton before Jesus Christ 2. Wilt thou rather part with an immortal precious Soul than part with thy wicked company O how many have been damned by this one sin how many thousands of Souls have been cast away for ever upon this rock while other sins have slain their thousands this hath slain ten thousands O how many company-keepers are now in Hell 3. Then canst thou look upon them when thou comest to dye and thy conscience filled with guilt and horrour canst thou then look upon them with delight Canst thou sport thy self with thinking or discoursing how many times you have been drunk together how many times you have violated the Lords day together how many nights you have spent all gaming together If your Companions should come in when you are upon a death bed and say Come be of good cheer remember such a bout and such a bout how merry we were O will not this be as a dagger to stab through your heart will not this wound like a sword in the bones Remember the young mans doleful ditty in the Proverbs and thou mourn at last when thy flesh and thy body is consumed and say Prov. 5.11 12 13. How have I hated instruction and my heart despised reproof 4. Will not your wicked examples one to another here be aggravations of one anothers torments in another world 5. Poor Souls if you will go to Hell for company you shall have company enough there What company is there there There is the Devils company and wicked Spirits company As blessed Doctor Preston said in a good sence so here may be said in a sad sence I shall change my place but not my company So thou mayest say thou must change Earth for Hell but not thy company there is wicked company enough there 4. Fourth hinderance to young Seekers after Christ is a spirit of slothfulness they indulge themselves too much in their own ease as the Spouse did but this provoked Christ and he did withdraw upon it Poor Sinner what man that hath been industrious that by pains and care hath gotten an
estate afterwards repents himself but rather looks back upon his diligence with delight So did you ever hear of any when they were to dye that ever cryed out O that I had not spent so many dayes in the service of God! O that I had never taken such pains in seeking after Christ But you have heard of many on the contrary that have cryed O that I were to live over my dayes and time again would I ever be so careless of an immortal Soul would I ever indulge my carnal sloth at that rate I have done would I miss so many precious seasons of Grace for my Soul as I have done 1. Poor Soul do not many strive and never win into the harbour had not thou need cast off thy sloth then 2. Work out thy salvation with fear and trembling who then would give way to flesh 3. It is a business of eternal consequence who would be slothful in a business of such great concernment 4. All our diligence is little enough therefore God calls for violence in the case to take heaven by violence this is honourable 5. The fruit of diligence will be peace upon a death bed 2 Pet. 3.14 Be diligent is Peters exhortation but what motive doth he use That you may be found of him in peace 5. Fifth hinderance to young Seekers after Christ is hope of a longer lease of their lives they hope there is no such hast Some years hence when they have gotten an estate in the world then they will look after these things but why should they be so early with Christ will not two seven years hence serve and thus they delay their seeking after Christ 1. It is worth considering what if thou do live longer and be hardened in sin While Plants are tender they may be dealt with but when they are grown they are too sturdy Alas poor Sinner thou mayst be hereafter a sturdy sinner an hardned sinner an Atheist a Scoffer a Persecutor what if God shall give thee up after thou hast refused to hearken unto him and say of thee Psal 81.11 12. as of Israel of old But Israel would have none of me so I gave them up to their own hearts lusts 2. Is it not worth considering whether the motions of the Spirit be not irrecoverably forfeited by such Souls as delay seeking after Christ upon hope of a longer day There have been Souls that have irrecoverably forfeited the Spirits gales and then what a sad condition would thy poor Soul be in God hath said his Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man 3. What if while thou art hoping for a longer day God should send thee a summons by the black Serjeant Death to tell thee this night shall thy Soul be taken away It was so with him while he was saying Soul take thine ease thou hast goods laid up for many years 4. What if thy day of Grace should be over and Christ wooe no more tender himself no more but his abused love turn into incensed wrath 5. Consider how thy puts off and delayes have grieved Christ Hast not thou wearied out the Lord Jesus while he hath stretched his arm all the day long 6. Consider how your delays will sting you upon a death bed or in another world O how often was I called and yet delayed The remembrance of every delay will go to your hearts like a dagger and bleed in your conscience for ever 6. Sixth Hinderance to morning Seekers after Jesus Christ is perswasions of Christs unwillingness to receive them or be found of them because of their unworthiness This very case discourages many a poor Soul from seeking after Christ they have taken in hard thoughts of God and Christ And O how doth Satan now haunt the Soul taking all opportunities to blow up their unbelieving jealousies against Christ 1. Poor Soul would Jesus Christ wooe thee if he were not willing to be found of thee Would he knock if he were not willing to come in upon thy opening Would he hold out his Golden Scepter for thee to kiss if he were not willing to be reconciled to thee 2. Poor Soul would he wait if he were not willing What speaks his great patience and long suffering towards thee but his willingness to be found of thee Why doth he not only knock but stand and knock Behold I stand at the door and knock Rev. 3.20 He is not yet gone from your doors which notes his willingness to be in 3. Poor Soul would he complain of poor Sinners unwillingness to receive him if he were not willing If it stick not on the sinners side there then is no ground for complaining on Christs side O the sad complaints and groans that have proceeded from Christ upon this account You will not come unto me that ye might have life He was grieved because of their unbelief and hardness of their hearts 4. Poor Soul would the Lord Jesus Christ send his voice behind thee so often prompting thee on to seek after Christ if he were not willing O how doth the voice still keep behind thee in Ordinances in Afflictions whispering to thee thy duty We read of the Spirit saying Come as well as the Bride saying Come it is the Spirit of God is the great maker up of the match betwixt the Soul and Christ and this argues Christ is willing because he sends his messenger so often to thee upon the errand 5. Poor Soul would the Lord Jesus Christ have been so willing to come a Salvation-errand into the world if he were not willing to be found of Sinners What was Christs errand from Heaven unto Earth He came to seek Souls to seek and to save that which was lost He came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to repentance Would he seek you if not willing to save you O let not Christ lose his pains by your harbouring unbelieving jealousies of his love 7. Seventh hinderance to morning Seekers after Jesus Christ is they hope they may repent upon a death bed or sick bed after they have spent their youthful time in sin and vanity this is very incident to all but especially to young persons 1. Poor Soul what if the grim Serjeant Death serve a Writ on thee unawares If thou be struck on a suddain where then will be thy repentance Dost thou know the manner of thy death any more than the time of death What if thou poor young man who hast slighted so many warnings shouldst have none given thee when the great stroak comes What if the Lord come upon thee in an hour thou lookedst not for him 2. What if thou be given up to a seared conscience on a sick bed or death bed A seared conscience at any time is sad but most sad on a sick bed have not many died seared and hardned in sin yea in their very youth But as they lived so they died without sense or feeling of their sad and sinful state 3. Poor Souls what if
instrumental to do your souls good and is this your kindness unto them to put them unto shame Disappointments bring shame Make me not ashamed of my hope sayes David O many Ministers had hopes of you and prayed for you and have hoped you would be their Crown and Rejoycing as Paul said and what now prove their shame O how near this will go to the hearts of Godly Ministers Have not they said of you as Paul said of them We live if you stand fast in the Lord. Secondly If morning Seekers be sure and infallible finders then take heed of a discouraged frame of heart in seeking Christ this is Satans work to discourage poor Souls to lay stumbling blocks in their way and tell them there is no hope no Christ will never be found of such as they are hope is perished from the Lord. O take heed I say of this frame of heart you know what they said to the poor blind man Be of good cheer the Lord calleth thee So do I say unto you poor morning Seekers be not discouraged the Lord will be found of you 1. A discouraged frame of heart will open a door to hard thoughts of God Usually discouraged Souls are jealous and suspicious Souls of God and alas this will weaken you exceedingly in your seeking after Christ O what a hard thought was that My God hath forgotten my God hath forsaken 2. A discouraged frame of heart grieves the Spirit of God what seek Christ with a discouraged frame of heart can this be pleasing to the Spirit of God who is the Comforter 3. A discouraged frame of heart opens a door to consult with Satan he loves to be fishing in troubled waters and ordinarily he sits by discouraged Souls helping them to conclude against Christ and their own Souls it is a very dangerous thing to be drawn in to consult with Satan 4. A discouraged frame of heart will weaken your endeavours in your pursuits after Christ the joy of the Lord is a believers strength but discouragements weaken exceedingly 5. A discouraged frame of heart in seeking Christ reflects upon Christ as though he were unwilling to be found of poor sinners This is dishonourable to Christ dishonourable to his design of coming into the world was it not to save Sinners dishonourable to his Promises hath not he promised He will not break the bruised Reed nor quench the smoaking Flax Thirdly If morning Seekers shall be sure and certain sinders then take heed of delaying to seek the Lord Jesus do not put off Christ take heed of this because that you are young and hope you have time before you O this many times is a Rock that splits thousands of Souls they say they will seek Christ at a more convenient time 1. Take heed of losing your morning for the present time is only yours Alas poor Soul if thou layest not hold of the fore-lock of thy present time thou mayest be undone for ever O how the Lord calls on us to improve our present time Work while it is to day and if you will hearken to his voice while it is to day walk in the light while you have the light now is the acceptable time 2. Take heed of losing your morning You young ones you know not how short your morning may be and when mornings are short persons had need be up and doing How many young ones have been cut off in their morning in the prime of their time in the flower of their youth gone to the Grave in a moment while the milk was in their breasts and marrow in their bones 3. Take heed you lose not your morning it will be harder work to seek Christ afterwards when you have delayed time after time after you have lost the forenoon of your lives it will be hard redeeming the afternoon O how rare a thing is it to see a person wrought on in their afternoon not but some have been met with but this is not so ordinary 1. The more guilt there is upon the Soul the harder it will be to seek out after Christ the longer thou delayest the more guilt thou contractest upon thy Soul O what complaints have such Souls uttered O that I had come to Christ sooner but will he now receive me to mercy who have stood out so long Had I fallen in with Christ upon his first offers and tenders it had been more easie to have thought he would have accepted me And thou wilt find this a strong objection upon thee the heavier load of guilt upon thy Soul the heavier thou wilt find it to draw to Jesus Christ 2. It will be harder for you to seek after Christ after you have delayed because the sense of your unkindness to Christ will fill your Souls when you are awakened What stand out against Christ after so many knocks after so many calls after so many offers and invitations Thus it was with the Spouse when she arose to open to her Beloved there was a little myrrhe left upon the handles of the lock and then her bowels were moved viz. She was filled with shame and sorrow that she should use Christ so unkindly 3. The more a Spirit of sloth takes possession on the Soul the harder it is to shake off 4. Take heed of losing your morning for a dark night is fast approaching upon you in which you cannot seek Christ in which you cannot work it is bad seeking any thing in the dark I may say unto you as the Prophet to them Give Glory to God before he cause darkness Jer. 13.16 and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountaion This is the Doctrine that our Lord Jesus Christ preacht himself Work while it is to day for night comes when no man can work 1. Poor Souls what if a night of judicial darkness and blindness come upon you What if God give you over to a dark heart He suffered some we read of to walk in the wayes of their own heart 2. What if a night of temptation come upon you It is ill seeking Christ under temptation 3. What if a night of death come upon thee then thy seeking Christ is at end there is no work in the grave where thou goest What though young men you be now in your morning God can cause your Sun to set at noon-day and bring a night upon you before you are aware therefore lose not your morning 5. Take heed you lose not your morning your morning discoveries and manifestations will be your evening supports and consolations the evening of our lives is our declining time our old age And O what a mercy is this to be laid in with comfort when that comes What a sad thing is that to see one gray-headed and forsaken of God As David prayed many have cause to pray forsake me not when I am gray-headed If you seek him in your youth he will sit by you when you are old O that is a sad Text and the sinner an