PROPOSITION II.: Early religion. Urged in a sermon. the duties, wherein, and… by Cotton Mather | AskReformation

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:34p. 13–14

For Answer; Young People, 'Tis the MENDING of your Way, that is to be the Cleansing of your Way. The Purification of your Way, is to be by the Reformation of what is amiss in your way. The Cleansing of your way, has those two things belonging thereunto; in 2 Cor. 7.1. First, Let us cleanse our selves from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit; and Secondly, Let us perfect Holiness in the Fear of God. The Way of Young People is Cleansed, Firstly, When they Repent what is Ill. It is prescribed, in Prov. 28.13 He that Confesseth and Forsaketh shall find Mercy. When you do with a bitter Sorrow of Soul, Acknowledge and Abandon all that is amiss in your Ways, you then have that Mercy of Cleansed Ways. But the Way of Young People is further Cleansed, when they Practise what is Good. It is Expressed, in Act. 24.16. I Exercise my self to have always a Conscience void of Offence towards God and towards Man. We have Cleansed Ways, when we are Conscientious in all our Ways; and when we have nothing Offensive, nothing Provoking, nothing Injurious in them. In short, Young People are to Forsake that Way, which the Preacher calls, The way of ⟨p. 14⟩their own Heart; and they are to Follow that way which the Prophet calls, The good way, Leading unto Rest. It is by doing so, that our way, is cleansed before the Lord. But now,

For Answer; Young People, 'Tis the MENDING of your Way, that is to be the Cleansing of your Way. The Purification of your Way, is to be by the Reformation of what is amiss in your way. The Cleansing of your way, has those two things belonging thereunto; in 2 Cor. 7.1. First, Let us cleanse our selves from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit; and Secondly, Let us perfect Holiness in the Fear of God. The Way of Young People is Cleansed, Firstly, When they Repent what is Ill. It is prescribed, in Prov. 28.13 He that Confesseth and Forsaketh shall find Mercy. When you do with a bitter Sorrow of Soul, Acknowledge and Abandon all that is amiss in your Wayes, you then have that Mercy of Cleansed Wayes. But the Way of Young People is further Cleansed, when they Practise what is Good. It is Expressed, in Act. 24.16. I Exercise my self to have always a Conscience void of Offence towards God and towards Man. We have Cleansed Wayes, when we are Conscientious in all our Wayes; and when we have nothing Offensive, nothing Provoking, nothing Injurious in them. In short, Young People are to Forsake that Way, which the Preacher calls, The way of ⟨p. 14⟩their own Heart; and they are to Follow that way which the Prophet calls, The good way, Leading unto Rest. It is by doing so, that our way, is cleansed before the Lord. But now,

:39p. 15–16

Furthermore, The Word of God, is the SPUR, which moves Young People, to seek a Cure for the Unclearness of their Ways. What Incentives unto Holiness, have we in the Word of our God? Lord, Thy Word is very Pure, and we would Love it, because it quickens us to be so! The Apostle says, in 2 Cor. 7.1. Dearly Beloved, Having these Promises, Let us Cleanse our selves. Thus, Let me say, Beloved Youths, In this Word, it is Promised, That if you'll be Pure in Heart, you shall See Good; it is Promised, That if you'll be Undefiled in way, you shall be Blessed; it is Promised, That if you'll have Clean Hands and a Pure Heart, you shall Receive the Blessing from the Lord, and Righteousness from the God of your Salvation. But more than so; In this Word it is also Threatened, That if you Obey Unrighteousness, there is a Terrible Indignation and Wrath, Tribulation and Anguish, to be rendered unto Every Soul of you. Well then, How shall we do any other than ⟨p. 16⟩Cleanse our Ways, upon the awful Intimations of such a Word!

Furthermore, The Word of God, is the SPUR, which moves Young People, to seek a Cure for the Unclearness of their Wayes. What Incentives unto Holiness, have we in the Word of our God? Lord, Thy Word is very Pure, and we would Love it, because it quickens us to be so! The Apostle says, in 2 Cor. 7.1. Dearly Beloved, Having these Promises, Let us Cleanse our selves. Thus, Let me say, Beloved Youths, In this Word, it is Promised, That if you'l be Pure in Heart, you shall See Good; it is Promised, That if you'l be Undefiled in way, you shall be Blessed; it is Prom•sed, Th•t if you'l have Clean Hands and a Pure Heart, you shall Receive the Blessing from the Lord, and Righteousness from the God of your Salvation. But more than so; In this Word it is also Threatned, That if you Obey Unrighteousness, there is a Terrible Indignation and Wrath, Tribulation and Anguish, to be rendred unto Every Soul of you. Well then, How shall we do any other than ⟨p. 16⟩Cleanse our Wayes, upon the awful Intimations of such a Word!

:41p. 16–17

Finally, The Word of God Exhibits unto Young People, the MEANS whereby they may be Cleansed from the Uncleanness of their Ways. What is the only Abstersive, whereby our Sinful Uncleanness may be taken away? We are answered in 1 Joh. 1.7. The Blood of Jesus Christ, cleanseth us from all Sin. Now that Invaluable and Efficacious Blood, which is the Blood of God, is tendered unto Young People in the Word of God. This is the Golden Vessel, wherein there is brought unto you that Liquor of Everlasting Life. The ⟨p. 17⟩Blood of our Saviour, is that Blood whereby we are Sanctified: Well, but when you have the Word of God Laid before you, you have a most Marvellous, and Gracious proffer of this Inestimable Blood. The voice of this Word unto you is, Young People, Behold the Blood of a precious Redeemer provided for you; Here, you may Enjoy the Benefits of that Glorious Blood; it is a Soul-cleansing Blood, an Heart softening Blood, a Mind-Healing Blood; Consent that it should be to you such a Blood, and you shall Enjoy the Benefits of that Blood. The Word of God will Cleanse your Ways, when it procures your Consent unto the Cleansing Virtue of our Lords BLOOD upon your Souls. But of these things we may now pass unto some,

Finally, The Word of God Exhibits unto Young People, the MEANS whereby they may be Cleansed from the Uncleanness of their Wayes. What is the only Abstersive, whereby our Sinful Uncleanness may be taken away? We are answered in 1 Joh. 1.7. The Blood of Jesus Christ, cleanseth us f•om all Sin. Now that Invaluable and Efficacious Blood, which is the Blood of God, is tendered unto Young People in the VVord of God. This is the Golden Vessel, wherein there is brought unto you that Liquor of Everlasting Life. The ⟨p. 17⟩Blood of our Saviour, is that Blood whereby we are Sanctify'd: Well, but when you have the Word of God Laid before you, you have a most Marvellous, and Gracious profer of this Inestimable Blood. The voice of this Word unto you is, Young People, Behold the Blood of a precious Redemer provided for you; Here, you may Enjoy the Benefits of that Glorious Blood; it is a Soul-cleansing Blood, an Heart softning Blood, a Mind-Healing Blood; Consent that it should be to you such a Blood, and you shall Enjoy the Benefits of that Blood. The Word of God will Cleanse your Wayes, when it procures your Consent unto the Cleansing Vertue of our Lords BLOOD upon your Souls. But of these things we may now pass unto some,