and it shall go well with thee to all Eternity an end will shortly be put to the Christians weary days on Earth his best is to come 2 Cor. 5. 1. and 1 Thess 4. and last Wherefore comfort one another with these Words ye shall ever be with the Lord. Hence saith Job when his Friends censur'd him his Estate and Relations fail'd him yea his Body ready for the Grave Job 19. 25. I know my Redeemer liveth and that tho after my Skin Worms destroy this Body yet shall I see God And upon this account you read 2 Cor. 4. 16. to the end of the flourishing Joys and Comforts of those afflicted Christians while they by Faith looked not to the things seen that are temporal but to the things not seen which were eternal Sinners have but there Hope here and a very uncertain Tenure of their Enjoyments all 's but at utmost for Term of Life and that 's but as a Vapour but the Saint is a Freeholder for ever and ever Christ makes a Jointure for Eternity and settles it upon every one that beareth his Yoke in time And thus now I have finished the Proof of this Doctrine That it is good for a Man to bear Christ's Yoke There remaineth only that Branch of it to be cleared viz. That it is so especially in time of Youth Now this I shall dispatch in few Words and I wish they may be piercing and reach the Consciences of all this Assembly of Young People this Day that you may stand fully convinc'd of the Truth preach'd and go home and give Glory to God acknowledging That to bear the Yoke in time of Youth is the summary of all Good Wherefore ponder but these two Things 1. The time of Youth is the fittest and most acceptable time to bear the Yoke 2. That in time of Youth to bear the Yoke is the most commendable Practice 1. That this is the fittest and most acceptable time to bear Christ's Yoke in and this will appear if you consider that the time of Youth is the freest time freest from bodily Infirmities and worldly Distractions The Wiseman doth elegantly set out the Infirmities of old Age in Eccl. 12. 2 3 4. all which Youth is free from for in Youth the Blessing of Life is in its Verdure and Flower thy Body strong for Service thy Spirits quick and vigorous thy Mind freest from Cares and Incumbrances which afterwards in a married State usually invade and loads both Hand and Head and Heart too So that the Obligation now in time of Youth to bear the Yoke is greatest and should make the deepest Impression on thy Mind Besides this Age is the fittest to receive Instruction as being more tender grown Sinners are more stiff and untractable as we see by Experience Now upon this Consideration it is good to come under Christ's Yoke in Youth before the Heart and Neck become so stiff and obdurate that there is no bowing them to the Yoke we should endeavour to prevent the Devil and his Temptation all we can and lay hold of all Advantages for Heaven and Salvation now you cannot reach this by any thing you can do like coming under the Yoke of Christ betimes this is a sure Rule the earlier the time the easier the Yoke will be not only because your Sins will be the fewer your Burden the lighter but because the evil days of Sickness and Death are coming a main Eccl. 12. 1. Youth is prone to delay and say I am but a Child as yet I have time enough but if you will go into Church-Yards and measure your little Body you will find as short if not shorter Graves and Coffins than would fit you Moreover the time of Youth is most acceptable to God Is it sit O young Man that God should accept the Devil's leavings That thy Youthful Vigor and Spirit should be given to thy Lusts And when these are spent in the Service of Sin so that nothing but Skin and Bones remains then to offer these to the Lord. The most acceptable Sacrifices under the Law were young Bullocks and the First-born and the First-Fruits c. So now God desires the first ripe Fruits 2. It is good to bear c. because this is the most commendable practise in time of Youth This is the chief Glory of that Age and it is that which most glorifies God and credits the Gospel and is one of the greatest blessings the Church enjoys in the World when she can say with the Church of old Take us the little Foxes for our Vines hath tender Grapes Again how gloriously do their Names shine like Stars in the Firmament of the Church And with what Honour doth the Holy-Ghost in Scripture make mention of their Names that have listed themselves under Christ's Yoke in time of their Youth 1 Kings 18. 12. 2 Chron. 34. 3. 2 Tim. 3. 15. and ordinarily such prove the most eminent Instruments of Service and Blessing to the Places where they live Again it is a most comfortable Evidence of Sincerity to bear the Yoke in their Youth it argues that you love esteem and value God's Service above the World and that it is not extorted meerly from the fear of Hell as Psal 78. 34 35. And as many when they lie sick and are ready to die O then they are marvelously concern'd for their Souls and all is no more than as an Iron in the Fire or a Mariner in Storm like Jonah's Gourd or a Morning Cloud But now in time of Youth and Health when besieged with 1000 Temptations to Sin O then to acquit your selves as Loyal Subjects to Christ under his Yoke and Banner how glorious how commendable is it And thus I have accounted for the second General Head viz. To clear it up that to bear the Yoke in Youth is the summary of all good And now I come to the third and last General Head proposed to be treated on and that is 3. To give you some Motives and Directions to excite and assist you to bear the Yoke of Christ in the time of Youth First for Motives wherein I fear there is but too much cause to insist for altho in lesser and lower Matters where the least Overture of Gain or Pleasure appears Men need no Motives to excite them our Natures are presently affected we are all upon the spur no Stone left unturned yet in Soul-concerns such as I have been treating on viz. the bearing Christ Yoke in Youth Alas we are like a Company of Stoicks as if we had no Passions about us ferventissimi in terrenis frigidissimi in caelestibus as one hath it we are red hot for Earth but Key cold for Heaven Wherefore to excite you in order to recover your Souls to Christ and his Yoke Consider 1. The Paucity of Conversions and coming under Christ's Yoke in these sinful times of Ours as also the awfulnes of such a Consideration Ah Friends let me tell you Conversion-work is no common thing we
us by his Word and Spirit the Will of God for our Salvation renouncing to lead to our own Understandings and set up our own Conceits as our Rule verily accounting all that Wisdom and carnal Reason to be but meer Foolishness which lifteth up it self against any Truth of Christ in the Gospel As for instance it is one of the great and most concerning Truths of Christ Luke 13. 24. Strive to enter in at the strait Gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter and shall not be able Now when the Mind gives a free and full assent to this Truth as it is in Jesus not listning to any that shall rise up in opposition to the Wisdom of this great Prophet and say what need so much ado about this striving The Gate and way that leads to Heaven is smooth and broad but on the contrary heeds it hides it in the Heart by Faith that it may thereby be excited quickned to Diligence in striving the more earnestly This is one main Ingredient in coming under and bearing the Yoke Hence you read Eph. 4. 21 22. and John 10. 27. Of learning the Truth as it is in Jesus and of Christ's Sheep hearing his Voice and following him not a Stranger And in 1 Cor. 2. 14. speaking of the natural Man i. e. a Man unsubdued to the Yoke of Christ That he receives not the things of the Spirit of God Young People naturally receive not the Truths that directly and more especially concern them such as Eccl. 12. 1. 2 Tim. 2. 22. To remember their Creator to know the Scriptures to flee Youthful Lusts to hearken to Instruction c. but foolishly imagine it is time enough to mind the Concernments of their Souls herein now consists Rebellion to Christ's Yoke when the Mind attends not but holds in Unrighteousness stifles resists these Truths On the other hand when the Mind becomes studious to know opens yields to the light quarrelleth not with it but welcomes reverenceth and receiveth it as becometh a meek tractable and humble Disciple pondering and revolving such Thoughts as these I may never have the like Advantage again savingly to know the things of my Peace it cannot be too soon to hearken to Instruction it may be too late if I now trifle my Danger is great I stand upon the brink of Eternity and hereupon as the new born Babe desires the sincere Milk of the Word that he may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2. 2. looks into the Scriptures and then looks up to Heaven and saith Lord What I know not teach thou me and wherein I have done Iniquity I 'le do so no more I confess my Blindness Darkness Dullness Foolishness I am a poor ignorant erring Creature none more apt go astray But there 's none can teach like thee thou hast the Key of David that openest and none can shut c. thou hast the Eye-Salve for the cure of blind Hearts O take away the Vail that is upon my Heart and write thy Law there anoint my Eyes with the heavenly Unction of thy Holy Spirit open my Understanding that I may see the wonderous things contained in thy Law give me to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven c. Thus a sound and sincere Mind seeketh and savoureth the Truths of Christ and herein consisteth its Subjection to his Yoke the Understanding is subdued to the Wisdom of Christ in his Prophetical Office so as that when at any time he shall please by his Word and Spirit to let into the Mind the light of any Truth it yields quietly and readily to the Authority and Power of that Truth will not dare not invent Excuses to defeat its Erraud be it never so hard to cut off a right Hand Lust c. but saith Amen Lord be it so I am content thou should'st use the severest Methods for slaying my Corruptions O let it be done whatever it cost me any thing Blessed Jesus rather than Sin unsubdued O let thy Word King it over my Lusts and be enthron'd in my Heart accordingly when it falleth like a two edged Sword upon such a Sin the sound and submissive Mind willingly lies under the Blow and saith more of this good Lord strike again and again lay the Ax of this Truth to the Root of my Heart Lust and down with it Root and Branch What then shall become of those whose Minds are so far from a ready compliance with the Truths of Christ as a Prophet as that they rebelliously controul him in his Office It may be he hath come in such a Sermon and by his Spirit hath directed the Arrow of Conviction to such a Man's Conscience and thereby instructed him how ready he is to assist in getting off Sin 's Yoke and putting on Christ's Well! what has been the Carriage and Behaviour of this Wretch under this why instead of siding and taking part with the Light of the Spirit in this Truth of Christ he has sided with Satan and his own Corruption labouring to extinguish this Candle of the Lord and to blow out this Light of Conviction and set his Lust in battel array to fight against the Truth and will rather part with his Blood and Life than with his Sins O this is high and open Rebellion against Christ The Lord keep you young Ones from it This then is the first thing contained in bearing Christ's Yoke viz. Subjection of the Understanding and Mind to the Truths and teaching of Christ the great Prophet of his Church 2. It containeth in it a subjection of the Will to Christ both to obey him as King and fiducially to receive and trust in him as the Great High-Priest who alone was able to make Atonement and Reconciliation for Sin by his once offering up himself a Sacrifice to satisfy Divine Justice Now herein chiefly consists our Subjection to Christ's Yoke when the Will is won over to a full consent to receive and obey him both as Jesus and Lord Col. 2. 6. This answereth both the great Design and Intendment of the Gospel of Christ and also the Exigency of our lost and undone State when the Will comes up to a true Closure to say as in Isa 26. 12 13. O Lord thou wilt ordain Peace for us for thou hast wrought all thy Works in us O Lord our God other Lords besides thee have had Dominion over us but by thee only will we make mention of thy Name Also in Acts 9. 6. And he trembling speaking of Paul at the time of his Conversion or coming under Christ's Yoke and astonished said Lord What wilt thou have me to do Hence Psal 110. 3. we read Christ's Subjects are said to be a willing People in the Day of his Power And Acts 11. 23. Barnabas exhorteth to cleave to the Lord with full purpose of Heart There is indeed an imperfect ineffectual Work often found in young People Agrippa-like Acts 26. 28. Then Aprippa said unto Paul almost thou perswadest me to be
of Belial a Rout of Rebels a Brood of Vipers Confederates with the Devil against God Psal 68. 21. 7. Consider Christ bore our Sins in his own Body on the Cross 2 Pet. 3. 24. And so he bore the Wrath of God and the Curse of the Law to deliver us from it O then How ready should we be to bear his easy Yoke 8. If you bear not his Yoke it is unreasonable you should bear his Name upon you 2 Tim. 2. 19. 9. Consider If you bear his Yoke in time of Youth he will bear you up in time of Death when Flesh faileth Psal 73. 25. 10. Consider If you refuse to bear his Yoke this Sermon will bear witness against you at the Day of Judgment Direction 1. Would you bear Christ's Yoke then bear with Hardships break through all Difficulties bear the Smitings of Faithful Friends without and Conscience within for Sin esteem it a Kindness bear with and be glad of Convictions of the Spirit and the Interdictions of Providence in sinful Paths When you find your vile Hearts opposing difficult Duties as secret Prayer Self-examination c. confess the Naughtiness of your Hearts say Lord here 's a Duty that my wicked Heart stands averse to O create in me a new Heart change my Nature and then oppose the necessity of it against the difficulty in it say I must take pains in coming under and bearing of the Yoke or I must suffer the pains of Hell for ever O my Soul which is hardest Repent or perish turn or burn coming to Christ and his Yoke or departing accursed into Everlasting Fire isn't Hell a more terrible Word than repent and believe Is not the stroke of Vengeance worse than the Yoke of Repentance Can the Devil name any thing in Christ's Yoke so hard as we can prove all things in Sin to be and all Places in Hell to be Sure Physick is better than Poyson letting Blood than a Mortal Stab through the Heart It 's better to be preserv'd in Brine than rot in Honey and whet this on your Heart that there is no Remedy Sin must have Sorrow here or for ever Wherefore be nor Slothful in Business but fervent in Spirit in secret Duties take heed of three things 1. Of being Slite and Formal 2. Sluggish and Slothful 3. Too short and hurrying The Lord bless this to you 2. Would you bear the Yoke in Youth be not fond of Heshly Youthful Pleasures if you belong to God he 'll make you rue it bitterly your sensual Pleasures are Satan's Traps whereby he takes and trapans Multitudes of young Ones to Hell If the love of Games Sports Plays Meats Drink take thy Heart thou wilt never endure to take Christ's Yoke 3. Labour to get and when got to keep and preserve a tender Conscience for want of this when I was young I suffer to this Day O never make light of any the least Sin but keep at the utmost distance from the appearance of Evil. 4. Accustom thy self to continual Reverent Thoughts of God's Omnisciency and Omniprescency 5. Keep out of Evil Company Wisdom it self hath told you a Companion of Fools shall be destroyed Prov. 13. 20. 6. Study the Duties of thy particular Calling art thou a Servant keep thy self free from Injustice and Defrauding it is a Sin will make a fearful Noise in Conscience when awaked But I may not enlarge Wherefore to close all O young People to day while it s called to day harden not your Hearts but hear his Voice c. Take my Yoke upon you c. I have spread it before the Lord in secret and now I declare it to you that I should esteem it a rich recompense before I go hence and be no more seen if through the Cooperation and Blessing of God I might Yoke in some of you yea all your Souls to Christ this day O how easy would it make my Pilgrimage my Passage through this Vale of Tears I would not go with the Guilt of the blood of any Soul of you upon me O that this may be the day of God's Power I know it is the Lord alone that can convert a Soul But let me tell you I would never despair of that Soul's Conversion that is brought on its Knees incessantly to cry with Ephraim Turn thou me and I shall be turned O it s a blessed sign when Sermons end in Groans and Tears Lord I must be converted or condemned I will not let thee go without thou bless me The Lord say Amen FINIS