One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on Psalm 119

Now why in youth, and as soon as we come to the use of reason, we should mind the work of cleansing our way: 1. Consider how reasonable this is. It is fit that God should have our first and our best. It is fit he should have our first, because he minded us before we were born. His love to us is an eternal and an everlasting love; and shall we put off God to old age? shall we thrust him into a corner? Surely God that loved us so early, it is but reason he should have our first, and also our best; for we have all from him. Under the Law the first-fruits was Gods, to show the first and best was his portion. All the Sacrifices that were offered to him, they were in their strength, and young, Levit. 2. 14. And if thou offer a meat-offering of thy first-fruits unto the Lord, thou shalt offer for the meat-offering of thy first-fruits, green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears. God would not stay till ripened. God will not be long kept out of his portion. Youth, it is our best time, Mal. 1. 13. when they brought a weak and sickly offering, should I accept this of your hand, saith the Lord? The health, strength, quickness of spirit, and vigour, is in youth. Shall our health and strength be for the Devils use, and shall we put off God with the dregs of time? Shall Satan feast upon the flower of our youth, and fresh time, and God only have the scraps and fragments of the Devils Table? When wit is dulled, the ears heavy, the body weak, and affections are spent, is this a fit present for God?

Now why in youth, and as soon as we come to the use of reason, we should mind the work of cleansing our way: 1. Consider how reasonable this is. It is fit that God should have our first and our best. It is fit he should have our first, because he minded us before we were born. His love to us is an eternal and an everlasting love; and shall we put off God to old age? shall we thrust him into a corner? Surely God that loved us so early, it is but reason he should have our first, and also our best; for we have all from him. Under the Law the first-fruits was Gods, to shew the first and best was his portion. All the Sacrifices that were offered to him, they were in their strength, and young, Levit. 2. 14. And if thou offer a meat-offering of thy first-fruits unto the Lord, thou shalt offer for the meat-offering of thy first-fruits, green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears. God would not stay till ripened. God will not be long kept out of his portion. Youth, it is our best time,