very difficult 1 Tim. 3.16 the whole knowledge of the Gospel is a mystery a great mystery yea beyond all controversie it is a great mystery 2 Pet. 3.16 There be many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things hard to be understood And alas our apprehensions are but dull at spiritual heavenly things You are like vessels that have but little mouthes which receive whatsoever is put into them dropmeal Such vessels will be long in filling there must be the greater diligence and continuance at the work Sect. 5. You ought not to be admitted to the Lords Supper until you have attained a competent measure of knowledge when you are grown up you will take it ill to be kept back from that spiritual banquet but to admit you without knowledge is but to admit you to your own destruction to invite you to poison instead of meat to admit you to eat and drink your own damnation 1 Cor. 11.29 But of this again hereafter Nemo ex juvenibus ad Coenae communionem admittitur nisi prius examinetur an Mysterium hoc sacrum probè intelligat Judic Theol. Helvet Syn. Dodr. S. 15. Sect. 6. You are free from some of those unjust prejudices which keep others from this necessary work It 's usual with some of riper years when they are called upon to be instructed to break out What do you make us children still we are too old to be catechised What an irrational retortion and answer this is we shall consider in its proper place but you with whom we have now to do have no pretence to this plea. You are young and none of us brought knowledge into the world with him but we must get it It is not so much a shame to be ignorant as to continue so when we have means and opportunities to learn It cannot be expected that any should know the things of God till they be taught and youth is the fittest time to learn You take it no disparagement to learn a Trade or Mystery when you are young why should you think it any to learn the great Mystery of Godliness Sect. 7. You are subject to stronger affections passions lusts in your youth and therefore should more carefully lay in provisions against them It 's a great matter to abstain from the sin of youth Magnum est à vitiis juventutis abstinere Amb. in obitu Valentin to 5. p. 107. Grave est juveni cujus aetas est florulentior Id. and to renounce the vanity and folly of it in our very entrance into the world There is a great emphasis in the word Wherewithal shall a Young man cleanse his way Psal 119.9 A Young-man who is in the heat of blood fulness of strength height of affections and many times under the greatest lusts It 's a hard taske for such a one to submit his ear to discipline and to conquer these corruptions he had need to be more careful to fetch in strength Fretum adolescentiae Florus l. 1. c. 26. and to arm himself against it The Historian calls Youth fretum a troubled and tempestuous Sea when as a riper age is but Otium maris a quiet and calm Bay a safer Harbor in a quiet Sea it is no such hard matter to steer and govern the ship aright Cum sit aetas lubrica fraenari ac regi debet Lact. but in a tempestuous and working Sea it requires more care and diligence Youth is a slippery and unsteady age and had need of much caution and circumspection to restrain and guide and fix it Upon this consideration St. Ambrose thus read that place Lubricae ac perplexae sunt viae juventutis non solum fragilitate lubricae aetatis prolabitur sedet ignorantiâ mandatorum Amb. ibid. Prov. 30.18 There be three things which be too wonderfull yea four which I know not the way of an Eagle in the air of a Serpent upon a rock the way of a Ship in the midst of the sea and the ways of a Man in his Youth Therefore David was fervent in this prayer Remember not the sins of my Youth Ps 25.7 What through the giddiness and headiness of that age and what through that ignorance which most commonly attends it it is exceedingly apt to run into error What is the best means for a young man to cleanse and direct his ways why by taking heed unto thy word In the strength of this it was that Joseph repulsed the down-right temptations of his lewd Mistris How shall I do this wickedness and sin against God Gen. 39.9 It is this that gives the young man knowledge and discretion Prov. 1.4 Sect. 8. Knowledge when you have attained to it puts an extraordinary lustre and honor upon you and of all knowledge this divine and saving knowledge most All other knowledge is but blindness and ignorance in comparison of knowing Jesus Christ and him crucified Other knowledge puffs up but the knowledge of the things of God edifieth In those places before mentioned where God commanded them to teach their children his statutes and his ways he tells them that this shall be as front lets and bracelets it shall be their greatest ornament This made David wiser then his Teachers Psal 119.98 99 100. then his Enemies then his Antients because Gods Testimonies were his continual study and meditation What a sweet savor did Josiah leave behind him who at eight years old knew the Lord and walked in the ways of David his Father 2 Kings 22 23 chap. entred into covenant with God reformed Religion destroyed Idolatry and turned not aside either to the right hand or to the left 2 Tim. 3.14 What an honor it was to Timothy that he was instructed in the Scriptures from a very child 1 Kin. 18.12 Am 1. ubi supra To Obadiah That he seared the Lord from his youth to Valentinian the Emperor that he was so good at such an age How precious are the memories of Edward the Sixt Vid. their lives and the young Lord Harrington upon this account as wickedness in grey hairs is double iniquity so piety in young men is double gilt its like apples of gold in pictures of silver Sect. 9. Lastly You are growing up toward the having of children and families your selves how will you be able to teach them their duties then if you be ignorant of your own now And here let me add to all that hath been said before that it is a sad thing to see young people thrusting themselves into the world and taking upon them the government of Children and Families who never yet had any acquaintance with God nor know any thing of the Principles of Religion who are usually very sollicitous what Portion they shall have what Joynture they shall have but never enquire what abilities they have to discharge the Duties of those Family-relations which they are engaging to these things never come into their thoughts It was said of Herod that it was better being his
the multitude of years should teach wisdom and it is a reproach when the aged do not understand Deut. 32.7 1 Cor. 14.20 At your mouths the younger sort should enquire for instruction and if you be ignorant what do they but enquire of an Idol that hath a mouth and speaks not St. 1 Epist 2.13 John presumes that those who are of riper years understand the mysteries of Religion I have written to you Fathers because ye have knewn him that was from the beginning You look for reverence because of your age Prov. 16.31 but gray hairs are an honor only in the way of righteousness otherwise they are a reproach to you Eccles 4.13 for a poor and wise child is better then an old and foolish King that will not be admonished The Son of Syrach hath an excellent saying to this purpose though the Book be Apocriphal Eccles 25.4 5 6. the words are Canonical If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth how canst thou find any thing in thine age Oh! how comely a thing is judgement for gray hairs and for antient men to know counsel Oh! how comely is the wisdom of old men and understanding and counsel to men of honor Much experience is the crown of old men and the fear of God is their glory What a shame is it for men to have spent the greatest part of their time and not know the end for which they were made nor but by roat who made them What an incongruous thing it is to profess an expectation of salvation by Christ at your approaching death when you can give no account who that Christ is or what he hath done for you more then any other hath done To profess your selves Christians and resolved to die in the Christian Faith and yet to live and die in an utter ignorance of him and of the saving benefits of his death What a shame would it be to see your selves out-done by your children who in a little time will be able through Gods blessing to give a better account of their Faith and Hope then you can unless you who are yet ignorant will be willing to be taught Wisdom crieth after you and upbraids you with your aged ignorance Prov. 1.21 How long yee simple ones will ye love simplicity and the scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge Sect. 2. You have reason to expect but little time more before you are called to your great account you have but a little time more to learn in Young men may die old men must You have one foot in the grave already much of your sand is run your day is far spent your sun draws low and is near to setting You must not expect your shadow to go back 2 Kings 20.11 as once it did on the Dial of Ahaz nor your sun to stand still as that in the firmament did in the days of Joshua Josh 10.12 13. He who hath trifled out the morning had need to mend his pace in the afternoon if he would compass his journey with security and comfort Walk apace while your light lasteth work hard while you have day Joh. 19.4 Eccles 9.10 for the night comes when no man can work Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do do it with all thy might for there is no work nor knowledge nor aevice in the grave whether thou art going Now is the season of getting the oyl of saving knowledge into thy vessel if thou wouldst have thy lamp shine when the Bridegroom cometh Mat. 25. Job 36.12 v. Merc. in loc He that openeth his ears to discipline shall spend his years in prosperity but he that will not hear and obey shall fall by the sword i.e. miserably and shall dye without knowledge Those who affect ignorance ignorance shall be their ruine It 's a heavy curse when God gives up them who refuse instruction to dye without knowledge Above all take heed of putting off this business to a further time Parce tempori Stoicorum praecept Gods time is the present time To day if you will hear my voyce It s good doing Gods work in Gods time Procrastination and putting off our duties to another day Procrastinatio semper luctatur cum damnis is the great bane of souls Many resolve to learn what 's needful for salvation and to do what 's needful to be done but hereafter at present they have some other smal occasions to morrow is a new day Cras hoc fiet Idem cras fiet jam cras hesternum heu confumpsimus ecce aliud cras egerit hos annos Persius they have time enough before them O but deceive not thy soul with a false account to day is thine to morrow is not Wilt thou mispend that time which thou hast and dispose of that which thou mayst never live to see Thou mayst be dead before to morrow or if thou live yet thou wilt be putting off the work till to morrow still to morrow hath no end every day hath a morrow behinde it whither when we have caught the trick on 't we shall cast all our business He that puts off his business till to morrow will ever come a day behinde his work Frustra sectabere canthum Cum rota superior curras inane secundo id at 5. as the hinder wheel of the Coach though it moves as fast as the former yet it never catches him it is behinde still There is no greater impediment to a good life then neglecting the present seasons to resolve what we will do to morrow Delays do not onely lose time but render us more unfit every day then other for our work If to morrow be a convenient time how much more to day that thou mayst go on to morrow and not while it off to the third day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Arrian Epict. l. 4 c. 1.2 in fine Sect. 3. The best Christians are capable of improvement I am well assured that there are divers amongst you who are in your proportions well instructed to the Kingdom of heaven who are grown men in Christ and able to render a good account of the hope that is in you yet such ought not to withdraw themselves from this necessary work 1. Because your withdrawing would be a pretence for those to refuse who have most need of instruction Others will pretend to that knowledge which they have not when they see that your knowledge is an excuse for not submitting your selves to Gods ways 2. Of all men you have least reason to refuse it of all Schollars they should be ready to stand forth to trial who are best able to give an account of the spending of their time It is the Banckrupt onely who is afraid of having his estate looked into 3. He that hath most knowledge hath yet many things to learn There is a growth 2 Pet. 3.18 as in Grace so in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ 2 Tim. 3.15 1 Tim. 4.15 Though Timothy was instructed in the Scriptures from his very youth yet he was to give attendance to reading and meditation and to continue in so doing that his profiting might appear to all In the Scriptures a Lamb may wade and an Elephant may swim Heb. 5.12 There is meat for strong men as well as milk for Babes There be some easier truths for the less learned and some harder to exercise the understanding of more knowing men Eph. 2.22 Heb. 6.1 Our Christian Faith is a spiritual building where it is not enough to lay a good foundation 1 Thess 3.10 but to go on to perfection The saith of the Thessalonians was such that it was a great support to Paul in his afflictions but yet there was something lacking in their faith which he desired to supply by personal instruction But suppose your knowledg to be more then it is yet you may want quickening and liveliness to the exercise of your knowledge Iron sharpens iron Prov. 27.17 and the countenance of a man his friend as by whetting one iron against another that which was dull gets a better edge So by familiar and friendly conference especially with those whose knowledge is greater your parts grow more vigorous and active The learnedest men may gain much by discourse and imparting themselves one to another if they could not add to one anothers knowledge yet they may warm one anothers hearts Holy conference is a great improvement both of parts and piety Every Christians experience may I presume seal this truth we often meet with good old Christians whom though we be able to teach yet we have from them some such savory ex ressions as much affect our hearts and quicken us to our Duties There be many advantages which an humble Christian may gain by his frequent and familiar discourses with his faithful Pastor besides the encrease of his knowledge which yet is no small nor contemptible benefit Act. 18.24 26. Apollos himself though mighty in the Scriptures learnt much by conference with Aquila and Priscida Sect. 4. There be very many duties which God require of you in your particular standings and relations which you are altogether unable to discharge till you be throughly instructed in the business of Religion Your several Relations into which God hath cast you have their several Duties to which you are obliged In your Families you are Husbands Wives Parents Masters and to the discharge of every one of these Relations aright there is need of much holy skill Prophane persons never heed it ignorant persons cannot perform it they can neither pray with them nor for them nor instruct nor correct them according to the mind of God which they are ignorant of As you are members of civill Societies you have Duties to perform which you can never do aright till you do them upon Scripture grounds Ro. 13 5. and have learned to obey for conscience sake As you are members of a Church and are in Brotherly communion with others Mat. 18.15 there be duties too of admonition instruction exhortation c. which will seem uncouth and be unfeasable till your mind be enlightned and your hearts warmed with this heavenly knowledge Men may make a great noise and flourish in the world who have really little or no worth in them But the true trial of a Christians excellency consists much in the faithful discharge of the duties of his particular Calling and Relations Sect. 5. Christians are bound to this mutual and reciprocal act of teaching and exhorting one another 1 Thess 5.11 Heb. 3.13 Heb. 10.25 of building up one another in the faith of the Gospel as you are bound to instruct and exhort others so to submit to the instruction and admonition of others though private Christians how much more should you be ready to learn of those who are set over you in things appertaining to your souls and admonish you whom you ought highly to prize for their works sake The Apostle urges this argument in that 1 Thess 5 12 13. Sect. 6. You are bound to render a reason of the hope that is in you 1 Pet. 3.15 to every one that asks it Not that it is expected that every Christian be able to give an exact account of every article of Faith and of all the subtilties that are about it or that he is bound at all times in all places in all companies upon all occasions to give an account of his faith and hope to every captious Questionist But when he is fairly called thereunto and the glory of God and the good and confirmation of his Brethren requires it In such cases Luk. 12.8 9. he ought boldly to make profession of his Faith and to defend it by all the arguments he can though it should bring him into trouble How much more ready should you be to do it Act. 19.8 to those who enquire into your faith not to betray nor persecute you but to instruct establish confirme you and to supply what is lacking in your Faith Sect. 7. The want of this is the reason why we have so many titular Christians who enjoy the name of Christians but are utterly ignorant of the mystery of godliness it is an unseemly and unworthy thing Indignissimum est si ejus nesciamus leges placita cujus tamen nomine professione censemur Bulling in 1 Pet. 3.5 that we should be ignorant of his Laws and Ordinances whose Disciples we would be reckoned I shall give you my meaning in the words of a late learned Minister of our own now with God who having admired Gods goodness in giving 〈◊〉 the glorious Gospel 〈…〉 48. to 55. which hath now so long shone so clearly amongst us goes on to bewail that after such rich injoyments of the means of knowledge there should be so many thousands amongst us who being askt a reason of the hope that is in them cannot speak tollerable sense why they are Christians rather then professed Infidels That there should be whole Parishes who cannot afford one wise word toward the defence of our most holy Profession that many who will take it very ill if they be not accounted as good Christians as the best should think no otherways of Christ then some do of St. Patrick and S. David and other of the Saints of their own Countries He goes on to bemoan that dismal fog of Popery which doth yet darken this Island Popery which few men think of viz. that blind absurd implicite Faith of believing as the Church believes There is not saith he a pin to chuse between him that believes in gross what the Church of England beleives and him that beleives as the Synagogue of Satan the Church of Rome believes if neither know any thing explicitly what either Church believes And concludes to our present purpose I see no hope but the Colliers Faith will have the greatest number of