Three sermons lately preached at Boston. I. Showing the virtue of Christs blood to…Three sermons lately preached at Boston. I. Shewing the vertue of Christs blood to…

2. Reas. It is a sign of the presence of God with his Ordinances. Christ has promised his presence with his Ordinances. Math. 28.19, 20. Lo, I am with you alway to the end if the world. This is fulfilled in various degrees; and it is matter of great lamentation, when there is but a little blessing upon Ordinances; when the hearts of Men are made fat: as Isai. 6.9, 10. But when Young Men and Maids do praise the Name of God, it is a sign that the Spirit of God is present among them. That is a great promise, Isai. 59.21. My spirit that is upon thee, and my words that I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy Seed. And when Young Ones are praising God, it is a manifest token of Gods gracious presence with the means of Grace. Here is a manifest token of the favour of God to the People: It is a great blessing. Isai. 44.3. I will pour out my Spirit upon thy Seed and my blessing upon thy Offspring. This is more a great deal than for God to bless the labour of their hands. Godly Men are wont to Pray much for a blessing on Ordinances, they look upon that as a foundation of many other Mercies. And when Young Ones praise God, they take notice of the goodness of God in hearing their Prayers; it is a smile upon the People.

3. Reas. It gives great hopes of the continuance of the power of Godliness. If Young Ones carry religiously that is a foundation of hope for the time to come: tho' some of them may ⟨p. 100⟩die quickly, yet it is probable that many of them will live to old Age. They that are Young now are like to be the pillars of the Church, thirty Years hence. Ancient People must die quickly, but if Young Ones are hearty in Religion; it is hopeful Religion will not die. There is reason to hope that most of them that are religious when they are Young, will continue to be so when they are Old. There is reason to hope that they that flourish now in Gods house, will still bring forth fruit in old age, Psal. 92.13, 14. That when the outward man decays, the inner man will be renewed, 2 Cor. 4.16. And therefore it is a great encouragement to see such embracing Religion. If Religion be upheld in the next Generation, it must be by those that are Young now; the burden will lie upon them after a while.

3. Reas. It gives great hopes of the continuance of the power of Godliness. If Young Ones carry religiously that is a foundation of hope for the time to come: tho' some of them may ⟨p. 100⟩die quickly, yet it is probable that many of them will live to old Age. They that are Young now are like to be the pillars of the Church, thirty Years hence. Antient People must die quickly, but if Young Ones are hearty in Religion; it is hopeful Religion will not die. There is reason to hope that most of them that are religious when they are Young, will continue to be so when they are Old. There is reason to hope that they that florish now in Gods house, will still bring forth fruit in old age, Psal. 92.13, 14. That when the outward man decays, the inner man will be renewed, 2 Cor. 4.16. And therefore it is a great encouragement to see such embracing Religion. If Religion be upheld in the next Generation, it must be by those that are Young now; the burden will lie upon them after a while.

4. Reas. It is an encouragement respecting their Salvation. When Young Ones carry loosely and corruptly, there is reason to fear their damnation; their feet go down to death, their steps take hold on hell. Therefore the wise Man gives that warning: Eccl. 11.9. Rejoice O Young in thy Youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy Youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart and in the sight of thine eyes, but know thou, that for all these things God will being thee into Judgment. But when they have a religious Spirit and Conversation, they are in the way to Salvation. If God designs to bring Men to Salvation, he will make them ⟨p. 101⟩to seek after it: and more generally he makes them seek it in the days of their Youth; Reforming their Manners, crying to God, studying the Scriptures, waiting upon God in his Ordinances, are the Means to prepare Men for Eternal Life: And when the Spirit of Young Ones is much that way, there is occasion to rejoice in the hopes of their eternal Felicity. 2 Epist. Joh. 4. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy Children walking in truth.

4. Reas. It is an encouragement respecting their Salvation. When Young Ones carry loosely and corruptly, there is reason to fear their damnation; their feet go down to death, their steps take hold on hell. Therefore the wise Man gives that warning: Eccl. 11.9. Rejoyce O Young in thy Youth, and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy Youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart and in the sight of thine eyes, but know thou, that for all these things God will being thee into Judgment. But when they have a religious Spirit and Conversation, they are in the way to Salvation. If God designs to bring Men to Salvation, he will make them ⟨p. 101⟩to seek after it: and more generally he makes them seek it in the days of their Youth; Reforming their Manners, crying to God, studying the Scriptures, waiting upon God in his Ordinances, are the Means to prepare Men for Eternal Life: And when the Spirit of Young Ones is much that way, there is occasion to rejoyce in the hopes of their •ternal Felicity. 2 Epist. Joh. 4. I rejoyced greatly that I found of thy Children walking in truth.

1. By Instruction. It is not sufficient that they are brought to Public Worship, and that they be learned to Read the Word of God, but Parents should see that they profit by Public Means, and they should be instilling the Principles of Religion into them. Timothy had a godly Mother, and he was versed in the holy Scriptures from a Child, 2 Tim. 3.16. And as Parents should instruct their Children in Principles of Faith, so also they should teach them rules of Obedience. That was one of the designs of the book of Proverbs. Prov. 1.4. To give subtlety to the simple, to the Young man knowledge and discretion. The law of nature is much obliterated, and there is great need that the Precepts thereof should be often inculcated, that convincing light should be set before them, that they be urged and expostulated with, and that rules be pressed upon them. Prov. 31.2, 3. What my son, and what the son of my womb, and what the son of my vows, give not thy strength unto women, &c. Young People are giddy and heedless, and counsel had need to be often renewed.

1. By Instruction. It is not sufficient that they are brought to Publick Worship, and that they be learn't to Read the Word of God, but Parents should see that they profit by Publick Means, and they should be instilling the Principles of Religion into them. Timothy had a godly Mother, and he was versed in the holy Scriptures from a Child, 2 Tim. 3.16. And as Parents should instruct their Children in Principles of Faith, so also they should teach them rules of Obedience. That was one of the designs of the book of Proverbs. Prov. 1.4. To give subtilty to the simple, to the Young man knowledge and discretion. The law of nature is much obliterated, and there is great need that the Precepts thereof should be often inculcated, that convincing light should be set before them, that they be urged and expostulated with, and that rules be pressed upon them. Prov. 31.2, 3. What my son, and what the son of my womb, and what the son of my vows, give not thy strength unto women, &c. Young People are giddy and heedless, and counsel had need to be often renewed.

2. By Example. Bad examples are very infections: had examples teach iniquity; irritate corruption, and make men bold to transgress. ⟨p. 103⟩And if Parents give bad examples to their Children, it will be no wonder if they tread in their steps. Men live by examples more than by Precepts. Jeroboam's example did mischief to all the succeeding Kings of Israel. But if Parents give good examples, that is a ground of hope, that Children will follow them; good examples are lovely & amiable, and commend themselves to the Consciences of Children, the hearts of Men give an approbation to them, and are drawn on to a liking of those ways; they look on the good examples of their Parents as the honour of their Parents and their honour, and the love they have to their Parents makes their good carriages more lovely in their eyes.

2. By Example. Bad examples are very infections: had examples teach iniquity; irritate corruption, and make men bold to transgress. ⟨p. 103⟩And if Parents give bad examples to their Children, it will be no wonder if they tread in their steps. Men live by examples more than by Precepts. Jeroboams example did mischief to all the succeeding Kings of Israel. But if Parents give good examples, that is a ground of hope, that Children will follow them; good examples are lovely & amiable, and commend themselves to the Consciences of Children, the hearts of Men give an approbation to them, and are drawn on to a liking of those ways; they look on the good examples of their Parents as the honour of their Parents and their honour, and the love they have to their Parents makes their good carriages more lovely in their eyes.

3. By Restraint. It was Eli's fault that he did not restrain his Children. 1 Sam. 3.13. His sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not. Parents, have authority to do it, and if other means will not do they must exert their authority. It is not enough for Parents, that they do not approve of the iniquities of their Children, they may not suffer them to carry sinfully. A toleration of iniquity in Children makes the Parents culpable, and to be partakers of their sins. Some Children are much more teachable than others, and there is no need of restraining them, but others are violently set in ways of sin, and it don't perplex their Consciences to go directly against the commands of Parents; in such cases Parents must restrain them: this is the way to ⟨p. 104⟩prevent the breaking out of iniquity, and to mend their hearts also. Fond indulging of Children is the way to ruin them: Children left to themselves do many times bring their Parents to shame.

3. By Restraint. It was Eli's fault that he did not restrain his Children. 1 Sam. 3.13. His sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not. Parents, have authority to do it, and if other means will not do they must exert their authority. It is not enough for Parents, that they do not approve of the iniquities of their Children, they may not suffer them to carry sinfully. A toleration of iniquity in Children makes the Parents culpable, and to be partakers of their sins. Some Children are much more teachable than others, and there is no need of restraining them, but others are violently set in ways of sin, and it don't perplex their Consciences to go directly against the commands of Parents; in such cases Parents must restrain them: this is the way to ⟨p. 104⟩prevent the breaking out of iniquity, and to mend their hearts also. Fond indulging of Children is the way to ruine them: Children left to themselves do many times bring their Parents to shame.

USE, II. Of Examination. Whether Young Men & Maidens do Praise the Name of the Lord? It becomes us to take notice of this, that we may see what cause we have of rejoicing or of sorrow. It is worth the while to observe not only how Rulers carry, and how the body of the People carry, but likewise to mind what Spirit doth appear in Young ones; they that are Young now are like to have a great influence upon Public affairs after a while, and the better they carry themselves, the more hope there is of their being serviceable afterwards. Young ones had need particularly consider, whether they do their duty in Praising the Name of God, whether they answer the just expectation of God and Man in this particular: Do you praise the Name of the Lord?

USE, II. Of Examination. Whether Young Men & Maidens do Praise the Name of the Lord? It becomes us to take notice of this, that we may see what cause we have of rejoycing or of sorrow. It is worth the while to observe not only how Rulers carry, and how the body of the People carry, but likewise to mind what Spirit doth appear in Young ones; they that are Young now are like to have a great influence upon Publick affairs after a while, and the better they carry themselves, the more hope there is of their being serviceable afterwards. Young ones had need particularly consider, whether they do their duty in Praising the Name of God, whether they answer the just expectation of God and Man in this particular: Do you praise the Name of the Lord?

1. Some are disorderly in the Night time. Parents make them work diligently in the Day time; but in the evening they gather together in companies, and spend their time in unprofitable talk: They are like the beasts that creep forth in the Night. Psal. 104.20. Thou makest darknest and it is night, wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. It is hard to give an account how they spend their time, ⟨p. 105⟩but they are disorderly: when the Family attends Religious duties, they are abroad, and no account can be given of them. Is this to Praise the Name of the Lord? They should join with the Family in confessing sin, begging mercy and acknowledging Gods goodness; but they don't regard the worship of God: Can we think that these Persons are conscientious, in attending secret duties of worship? Neglects of Family worship are a great contempt of God: Are these persons concerned for the honour of God or the salvation of their own Souls? Have they any due regard to the commands of God? doth it lie upon their hearts to give God the Glory of their daily mercies? Do they not plainly manifest, that they have not the spirit of Religion? they run into danger. Prov. 27.8. As a bird that wandereth from his nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place. Is this for the praise of the Name of God, that when the Family go to bed, the Young Man is running about the Town? he has no business, it is for the satisfaction of some just; he throws himself into temptation, and sometimes he gets a wound and a blot.

1. Some are disorderly in the Night time. Parents make them work diligently in the Day time; but in the evening they gather together in companies, and spend their time in unprofitable talk: They are like the beasts that creep forth in the Night. Psal. 104.20. Thou makest darknest and it is night, wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. It is hard to give an account how they spend their time, ⟨p. 105⟩but they are disorderly: when the Family attends Religious duties, they are abroad, and no account can be given of them. Is this to Praise the Name of the Lord? They should joyn with the Family in confessing sin, begging mercy and acknowledging Gods goodness; but they don't regard the worship of God: Can we think that these Persons are conscientious, in attending secret duties of worship? Neglects of Family worship are a great contempt of God: Are these persons concerned for the honour of God or the salvation of their own Souls? Have they any due regard to the commands of God? doth it lie upon their hearts to give God the Glory of their daily mercies? Do they not plainly manifest, that they have not the spirit of Religion? they run into danger. Prov. 27.8. As a bird that wandreth from his nest, so is a man that wandreth from his place. Is this for the praise of the Name of God, that when the Family go to bed, the Young Man is running about the Town? he has no business, it is for the satisfaction of some just; he throws himself into temptation, and sometimes he gets a wound and a blot.

2. Some of them frequent the Tavern. The Tavern is a place of resort: there is a great deal of company in the Evening, on wet days, and on public days. There they are spending their time unprofitably: There is a great deal of vain, worldly, proud discourse, and corrupt communication: they ⟨p. 106⟩are swaggering & vapouring; sometimes they are jeering good Men, and scoffing at Religion. Is this praising the Name of the Lord? Is this an honour to God? They are not redeeming the time as the rule is, Eph. 5.16. They stand about the cup, till they have inflamed one another. Isai. 5.11. They continue until night, till wine inflame them. They drink till they are giddy, and sometimes talk wantonly; sometimes they quarrel and reproach one another; is this to praise the Name of the Lord? Prov. 23.29, 30. Who hath woe, who hath sorrow, who hath contentions, who hath babbling, who hath wounds without cause, who hath redness of eyes, they that tarry long at the wine, they that go to seek mixed wine. At the Tavern they wast what they have earned, the fruit of their labour is consumed; and they are under temptation to cheat & extort to get more. Taverns are the nurseries of profaneness: if the Men talk of Religion, they talk of it in an irreligious way; their discourses are not savoury: God would not have the less honour if they were dead and rotten.

2. Some of them frequent the Tavern. The Tavern is a place of resort: there is a great deal of company in the Evening, on wet days, and on publick days. There they are spending their time unprofitably: There is a great deal of vain, worldly, proud discourse, and corrupt communication: they ⟨p. 106⟩are swaggering & vaporing; sometimes they are jeering good Men, and scosting at Religion. Is this praising the Name of the Lord? Is this an honour to God? They are not redeeming the time as the rule is, Eph. 5.16. They stand about the cup, till they have enflamed one another. Isai. 5.11. They continue until night, till wine enflame them. They drink till they are giddy, and sometimes talk wantonly; sometimes they quarrel and reproach one another; is this to praise the Name of the Lord? Prov. 23.29, 30. Who hath wo, who hath sorrow, who hath contentions, who hath babling, who hath wounds without cause, who hath redness of eyes, they that tarry long at the wine, they that go to seek mixt wine. At the Tavern they wast what they have earned, the fruit of their labour is consumed; and they are under temptation to cheat & extort to get more. Taverns are the nurseries of prophaness: if the Men talk of Religion, they talk of it in an irreligious way; their discourses are not savoury: God would not have the less honour if they were dead and rotten.

3. Some are given to wanton dalliances. Men and Maids will be in company together, toying & dallying; they are stirring up corruption in one another. This is not to praise the Name of the Lord. They go to Meeting on the Sabbath day & at night they are sporting with one another: If they would meditate on what they have heard, & pray over the word, that would be for their profit, but they ⟨p. 107⟩get together, & it is a shame to speak of what they do. Eph. 5.12. It is a shame to speak of those things that are done of them in secret. This is not to praise the Name of the Lord. They watch for one another's company, as the Eagle doth for its prey, & are making provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. When they have been hearing of a Sermon, they get together and are gratifying their carnal affection with wanton talk and gestures; they throw themselves into great temptations, and are in danger to commit Whoredom: there be many awful instances, of persons that have brought blemishes upon themselves, & brought themselves to shame thereby.

3. Some are given to wanton dalliances. Men and Maids will be in company together, toying & dallying; they are stirring up corruption in one another. This is not to praise the Name of the Lord. They go to Meeting on the Sabbath day & at night they are sporting with one another: If they would meditate on what they have heard, & pray over the word, that would be for their profit, but they ⟨p. 107⟩get together, & it is a shame to speak of what they do. Eph. 5.12. It is a shame to speak of those things that are done of them in secret. This is not to praise the Name of the Lord. They watch for one anothers company, as the Eagle doth for its prey, & are making provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. When they have been hearing of a Sermon, they get together and are gratifying their carnal affection with wanton talk and gestures; they throw themselves into great temptations, and are in danger to commit Whoredom: there be many awful instances, of persons that have brought blemishes upon themselves, & brought themselves to shame thereby.

4. Some neglect the Worship of God. They come universally to hear the word of God upon the Sabbath, and generally at other times: how they do attend the secret duties of Religion, God & their own Consciences do know, there is reason enough to suspect many of them; but there be scarce five or six of them in a Town, that do attend the Lords Supper. The Lords Supper is a Memorial of the death of Christ, therein we show forth the Lords death, 1 Cor. 11.26. Do these Men praise the Name of the Lord, when they turn their backs on this Ordinance, and refuse to celebrate this Memorial of Christs Passion, and to give a testimony to the truth of the Gospel? The Lords Supper is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace: God therein sets his Seal to the saving virtue of the blood of Christ: and do they ⟨p. 108⟩praise the Name of the Lord, when they refuse to receive the Seal of the Covenant? God in this Ordinance makes an offer of Christ as slain for our Redemption; and do they praise the Name of the Lord that refuse to attend it? The coming to this Ordinance is an open acknowledgement of the truth of the Gospel; what is the neglecting of it then but an open denial of the truth of the Gospel? Some it may be do neglect it from tenderness of Conscience, fearing whether they have liberty to come; but many others do neglect it from a careless & irreligious spirit, they neither come to it, nor are careful to prepare themselves for it.

4. Some neglect the Worship of God. They come universally to hear the word of God upon the Sabbath, and generally at other times: how they do attend the secret duties of Religion, God & their own Consciences do know, there is reason enough to suspect many of them; but there be scarce five or six of them in a Town, that do attend the Lords Supper. The Lords Supper is a Memorial of the death of Christ, therein we shew forth the Lords death, 1 Cor. 11.26. Do these Men praise the Name of the Lord, when they turn their backs on this Ordinance, and refuse to celebrate this Memorial of Christs Passion, and to give a testimony to the truth of the Gospel? The Lords Supper is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace: God therein sets his Seal to the saving vertue of the blood of Christ: and do they ⟨p. 108⟩praise the Name of the Lord, when they refuse to receive the Seal of the Covenant? God in this Ordinance makes an offer of Christ as slain for our Redemption; and do they praise the Name of the Lord that refuse to attend it? The coming to this Ordinance is an open acknowledgment of the truth of the Gospel; what is the neglecting of it then but an open denial of the truth of the Gospel? Some it may be do neglect it from tenderness of Conscience, fearing whether they have liberty to come; but many others do neglect it from a careless & irreligious spirit, they neither come to it, nor are careful to prepare themselves for it.

USE, III. Of Exhortation, To praise the Name of the Lord. David calls on Young Men and Maids to do it; and indeed God calls on you to do it. This work is not left to old People, God expects it from you also: You may not say that elder People do it now, and you will take your turn when you are older, but heartily engage in this work: if it has been neglected hitherto, let it be neglected no longer; don't rob God of his glory. It is a glorious employment to praise God; the Angels of Heaven do employ themselves that way: this is a debt, you owe to God: he is worthy to be praised, Psal. 18.3. His Name alone is excellent. Praise him in all ways of worship. Praise him in all ways of Obedience.

Motives, 1. All Creatures in the world do it, but Devils & wicked men. There is great variety ⟨p. 109⟩of Creatures in Heaven & Earth; and they do with one voice proclaim the glory of God. If we look up to Heaven, there the Angels are praising God: Those Morning Stars sing together: the heavenly Hosts do praise God: the Sun & Moon & Stars of light. Look into the Air, there the Clouds & Winds & the Meteors praise God. Look unto the Earth & the Sea, and all Creatures therein do give a testimony for God. Psal. 145.10. All thy works shall praise thee. Indeed the Devils do reproach God, those cursed creatures are enemies to the honour of God; and a number of Men are drawn in to fall in with the same design. Will you separate your selves from the rest of the Creatures, to join in with the Devils and a crew of ungodly men? When the greatest part of the world are agreed to exalt God, will you forsake them & join with the Devil? It becomes you to say as David, Psal. 103.21, 22. Bless ye the Lord all ye his hosts, ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure: Bless the Lord all his works, in all places of his dominion; bless the Lord O my soul.

Motives, 1. All Creatures in the world do it, but Devils & wicked men. There is great variety ⟨p. 109⟩of Creatures in Heaven & Earth; and they do with one voice proclaim the glory of God. If we look up to Heaven, there the Angels are praising God: Those Morning Stars sing together: the heavenly Hosts do praise God: the Sun & Moon & Stars of light. Look into the Air, there the Clouds & Winds & the Meteors praise God. Look unto the Earth & the Sea, and all Creatures therein do give a testimony for God. Psal. 145.10. All thy works shall praise thee. Indeed the Devils do reproach God, those cursed creatures are enemies to the honour of God; and a number of Men are drawn in to fall in with the same design. Will you separate your selves from the rest of the Creatures, to joyn in with the Devils and a crew of ungodly men? When the greatest part of the world are agreed to exalt God, will you forsake them & joyn with the Devil? It becomes you to say as David, Psal. 103.21, 22. Bless ye the Lord all ye his hosts, ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure: Bless the Lord all his works, in all places of his dominion; bless the Lord O my soul.

2. This will be no burden to you when you come to die. The living know that they must die. You don't expect to continue here always: You are but Strangers in the world, and you don't know but you may die quickly; there is nothing in your Nature, or condition, or in the word of God, that doth secure long life unto you. Man is as grass, & the glory of man as the flower of the field that fadeth away, Isai. ⟨p. 110⟩40.6. And if you don't praise God, that will make it hard work to die: if you haven't done the work that you were sent into the World for, that will be heavier than the pains of death: it will sting you to remember your life past: how will you dare to go before God to Judgment? It is a doleful condition, when you must die, and yet dare not die. Eccl. 5.17. He hath much sorrow & wrath with his sickness. Conscience will lay that charge upon you, Dan. 5.23. The God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, thou has not glorified. And you will take up that lamentation, Prov. 5.12, 13. How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ears to them that instructed me. But if you improve your time in serving God, that will be no affliction to you in the evil day, but a comfort; it will be an ease in death, a relief under your pains, a cordial against faintings. That was a great comfort to Hezekiah when he lay at the point of death. Isai. 28.3. He said, Remember now Lord I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. If you don't praise the Lord, you would (in vain) desire that God would forget what you had done; it will be a terror to you to remember and to think that God doth remember what you have done.

2. This will be no burden to you when you come to die. The living know that they must die. You don't expect to continue here always: You are but Strangers in the world, and you don't know but you may die quickly; there is nothing in your Nature, or condition, or in the word of God, that doth secure long life unto you. Man is as grass, & the glory of man as the flower of the field that fadeth away, Isai. ⟨p. 110⟩40.6. And if you don't praise God, that will make it hard work to die: if you han't done the work that you were sent into the World for, that will be heavier than the pains of death: it will sting you to remember your life past: how will you dare to go before God to Judgment? It is a doleful condition, when you must die, and yet dare not die. Eccl. 5.17. He hath much sorrow & wrath with his sickness. Conscience will lay that charge upon you, Dan. 5.23. The God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, thou has not glorified. And you will take up that lamentation, Prov. 5.12, 13. How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ears to them that instructed me. But if you improve your time in serving God, that will be no affliction to you in the evil day, but a comfort; it will be an ease in death, a relief under your pains, a cordial against faintings. That was a great comfort to Hezekiah when he lay at the point of death. Isai. 28.3. He said, Remember now Lord I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. If you don't praise the Lord, you would (in vain) desire that God would forget what you had done; it will be a terrour to you to remember and to think that God doth remember what you have done.

3. If you don't praise the Lord, it will make your life uncomfortable. The ways of wisdom are ways ⟨p. 111⟩of pleasantness, & all her paths are peace, Prov. 3.17. David says, It is pleasant to sing praise to the Lord, Psal. 147.1. It is agreeable to the nature of Man to walk in the ways of uprightness. Men are then in their element, it is the perfection of nature: & it is agreeable to the Conscience of Man, that approves & applauds an holy life. But unholy living is uncomfortable living. If Men neglect to serve God, they put themselves upon the rack: if Men live a life of disobedience, they live a miserable life: they don't enjoy themselves; corruptions are hard masters. The wicked is like the troubled Sea that cannot rest, Isai. 57 20. Every corruption is a tyrant: Mens lusts are scourges to them. Wrath killeth the foolish man, & envy slayeth the silly one. So, Pride, Covetousness, Unbelief, are troublesome task-masters. And a sinful & unsanctified life is disquieting to the Conscience; such men have the reproaches of their own hearts: Conscience is chiding, shaming & upbraiding them. When they hear the rebukes of the word, their own hearts do echo thereunto; and their own Conscience is making apparitions of danger, & threatening of them with the vengeance of God Some are more stupid than others, but upon many occasions Conscience will be terrifying them, they have many frightful expectations. Job 15 21. A dreadful sound is in his ears. They have awful preoccupations of hell. They are scared with Death & of Judgment: Sometimes they think of the blackness of darkness for ever; ⟨p. 112⟩sometimes of being among Devils; sometimes of the everlasting flames; they carry their tormentor about with them: their hearts are many times meditating terror. They are all their life time subject to bondage, Heb. 2.15.

3. If you dont praise the Lord, it will make your life uncomfortable. The ways of wisdom are ways ⟨p. 111⟩of pleasantness, & all her paths are peace, Prov. 3.17. David says, It is pleasant to sing praise to the Lord, Psal. 147.1. It is agreeable to the nature of Man to walk in the ways of uprightness. Men are then in their element, it is the perfection of nature: & it is agreeable to the Conscience of Man, that approves & applauds an holy life. But unholy living is uncomfortable living. If Men neglect to serve God, they put themselves upon the rack: if Men live a life of disobedience, they live a miserable life: they don't enjoy themselves; corruptions are hard masters. The wicked is like the troubled Sea that cannot rest, Isai. 57 20. Every corruption is a tyrant: Mens lusts are scourges to them. Wrath killeth the foolish man, & envy slayeth the silly one. So, Pride, Covetousness, Unbelief, are troublesome task-masters. And a sinful & unsactifyed life is disquieting to the Conscience; such men have the reproaches of their own hearts: Conscience is chiding, shaming & upbraiding them. When they hear the rebukes of the word, their own hearts do eccho thereunto; and their own Conscience is making apparitions of danger, & threatning of them with the vengeance of God Some are more stupid than others, but upon many occasions Conscience will be terrifying them, they have many frightful expectations. Job 15 21. A dreadful sound is in his ears. They have awful preoccupations of hell. They are scared with Death & of Judgment: Sometimes they think of the blackness of darkness for ever; ⟨p. 112⟩sometimes of being among Devils; sometimes of the everlasting flames; they carry their tormentor about with them: their hearts are many times meditating terror. They are all their life time subject to bondage, Heb. 2.15.