IT was the Gracious and Savoury Speech uttered by One of the Greatest Personages in England, and perhaps in all Europe, unto a Grave Minister; I have (said he) passed thro• many •laces of Honour and Trust, both in Church and State, more than any of my Order in England, for Seventy Years before. But were I assured, that by my Preaching I had Converted but one Soul unto God, I should therein take more Comfort, than in all the Honours and Offices that have ever been bestowed upon me. Yea, 'Twas the Speech of a much Greater than he, He that Winneth Souls is wise. And indeed, a true Minister of the Gospel, can have no Joy equal unto that of seeing the Conversion of his people unto God! But if the Conversion of any among our people, more than others, would give Joy unto us, 'tis our Young People ⟨p. 2⟩whose Turn to God, we should behold with most of Satisfaction. To win one of those, is both Argument and Apology sufficient, for the most vigorous Essays of our Ministry. For my own part, I observe the Generation, whereto I do my self belong, advancing very far into the Affairs of the World; But I also observe, the dreadful Plagues of Heaven making a most Lamentable Havoc of this my poor Generation. Upon this Observation, what better thing is there to be done for this Generation, then persuasively to Recommend unto them, that Religion, the want whereof does not only Unfit them for the Action expected from them, but also Expose them to the Judgments of a Righteous and a Terrible GOD? Wherefore, although I have many a time already made the most public Addresses, that I could, unto the Young People of my Country, I am willing now at an Age thus far Extending, to conclude my own Youth, with one Affectionate Endeavour more, That they may know the Things of their Peace i• this their Day. And among other things •hat give Countenance unto such an Undertaking, Let me particularly mention the Example of Jonathans Expedition, wherein we have one Young Man calling upon another, to do Service for God and their Generation.
IT was the Gracious and Savoury Speech uttered by One of the Greatest Personages in England, and perhaps in all Europe, unto a Grave Minister; I have (said he) passed thro• many •laces of Honour and Trust, both in Church and State, more than any of my Order in England, for Seventy Years before. But were I assured, that by my Preaching I had Converted but one Soul unto God, I should therein take more Comfort, than in all the Honours and Offices that have ever been bestowed upon me. Yea, 'Twas the Speech of a much Greater than he, He that Winneth Souls is wise. And indeed, a true Minister of the Gospel, can have no Joy equal unto that of seeing the Conversion of his people unto God! But if the Conversion of any among our people, more than others, would give Joy unto us, 'tis our Young People ⟨p. 2⟩whose Turn to God, we should behold with most of Satisfaction. To win one of those, is both Argument and Apology sufficient, for the most vigorous Essayes of our Ministry. For my own part, I observe the Generation, whereto I do my self belong, advancing very far into the Affairs of the World; But I also observe, the dreadful Plagues of Heaven making a most Lamentable Havock of this my poor Generation. Upon this Observation, what better thing is there to be done for this Generation, then perswasively to Recommend unto them, that Religion, the want whereof does not only Unfit them for the Action expected from them, but also Expose them to the Judgments of a Righteous and a Terrible GOD? Wherefore, although I have many a time already made the most publick Addresses, that I could, unto the Young People of my Countrey, I am willing now at an Age thus far Extending, to conclude my own Youth, with one Affectionate Endeavour more, That they may know the Things of their Peace i• this their Day. And among other things •hat give Countenance unto such an Undertaking, Let me particularly mention the Example of Jonathans Expedition, wherein we have one Young Man calling upon another, to do Service for God and their Generation.
