The Benefits of an Early Piety.
Preached at _Bow_ Church, _London_,
before the Religious Societies.
ECCLESIASTES xii. I.
_Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth._
THE amiableness of religion in itself, and the innumerable advantages
that flow from it to society in general, as well as to each sincere
professor in particular, cannot but recommend it to the choice of every
considerate person, and make, even wicked men, as they wish to die
the death, so in their more sober intervals, to envy the life of the
righteous. And, indeed, we must do the world so much justice, as to
confess, that the question about religion does not usually arise from a
dispute whether it be necessary or not (for most men see the necessity
of doing something for the salvation of their souls;) but when is
the best time to set about it. Persons are convinced by universal
experience, that the first essays or endeavours towards the attainment
of religion, are attended with some difficulty and trouble, and
therefore they would willingly defer the beginning of such a seemingly
ungrateful work, as long as they can. The wanton prodigal, who is
spending his substance in riotous living, cries, a little more pleasure,
a little more sensuality, and then I will be sober in earnest. The
covetous worldling, that employs all his care and pains in “heaping up
riches, though he cannot tell who shall gather them,” does not flatter
himself that this will do always; but hopes with the rich fool in the
gospel, to lay up goods for a few more years on earth, and then he will
begin to lay up treasures in heaven. And, in short, thus it is that
most people are convinced of the necessity of being religious some time
or another; but then, like _Felix_, they put off the acting suitably to
their convictions, ’till, what they imagine, a more convenient season:
whereas, would we be so humble as to be guided by the experience and
counsel of the wisest men, we should learn that youth is the fittest
season for religion; “Remember now thy creator, (says _Solomon_) in the
days of thy youth.” By the word _remember_, we are not to understand
a bare speculative remembrance, or calling to mind, (for that, like
a dead faith, will profit us nothing,) but such a remembrance as will
constrain us to obedience, and oblige us out of gratitude, to perform
all that the LORD our GOD shall require of us. For as the forgetting
GOD in scripture language, implies a total neglect of our duty, in like
manner remembring him signifies a perfect performance of it: so that,
when _Solomon_ says, “Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth,”
it is the same as if he had said, keep GOD’s commandments; or, in other
words, be religious in the days of thy youth, thereby implying, that
youth is the most proper season for it.