God Calls His Elect at Any Age, but Most He Converts Before Old Age

He comes at any hour, but once only at the Eleventh hour, and that somewhat unexpectedly.

There be two parts in the doctrine: we will handle them separately, that they may be more easily and distinctly conceived.

- 1 The Lord can, and sometimes does, call at any age. - 2 But the most of his, and that most usually, he converts in their riper years.

God calls several of his servants at sundry times, some young, some old, some in their tender, some in their riper years, there is no season excepted; he that is the God of all times, can, and will do his own work at any time: Timothy knew the Scriptures from a child (2 Timothy 3:15), and drew in the sincere [reconstructed: milk] of the Word, as milk from the breasts of his mother, and therefore is said to be nourished up in the wholesome words of truth (2 Timothy 1:5). Obadiah feared God from his youth (1 Kings 18:12), Lydia and the Jailer in Acts 16. Paul in Acts 9:7, and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:9), it is most probable they were in their middle age, as their places and employments together with their accustomed experience, and practice therein do [illegible]. Paul indeed is called a young man (Acts 7:58), yet his bringing up at the feet of Gamaliel, the largeness and depth of his learning and knowledge in arts and tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18), together with the commission he was entrusted by the High Priest, for the persecuting of the saints, evince undeniably that he must be of ripe years. Abraham was upon his seventy-fifth year when God called him (Genesis 12:5, compared with Joshua 24:2). Manasseh was converted near upon his death, about sixty years of age (2 Chronicles 33:19). But in the case of old age, the matter is so difficult, and so unusual, that there are very few examples of old men converted, recorded in Scripture, as though the Lord had reserved it in his own hand as a special exception, that the sons of men should not ordinarily expect it. That which is usually observed with some probability (besides the pregnant testimony of the text in hand) is, among the many thousands, who were pricked in their hearts at Peter's sermon (Acts 2:36), among all those who came to hear with Cornelius (Acts 10:44), it is said, the Holy [illegible] fell upon all that [illegible]; it is probable some among such numbers were stricken in years. As for the thief upon the [reconstructed: cross], it is most agreeable to good reason by all the leading circumstances in the text, that he was in his best strength. The Lord takes these times in the dispensation of his mercy, for a double end.

To show the freeness of his grace, that there is nothing that he respects either in person or place, no excellency that at any time any man has, no work that at any time any man can do, why he should fit and prepare any for grace and Christ, or bestow them upon the [illegible] sons of Adam, and therefore takes every season, that it may appear it is in his good pleasure to take what season he will. If the work of grace had been [illegible] to any time of life, either youth, [illegible], or old age, alone, it would [illegible] been concluded [illegible] carnal grounds, that there was something in the creature, upon condition [illegible] it had been given; either the tenderness of the young ones had moved the Lord to [illegible] them, or the excellency of the parts and abilities of men of riper years, could have procured it: or the policy and experience of the aged could alone have contrived this great work of preparation and conversion to God. But when the Lord chooses some out of all [illegible], and passes by others, it is [illegible] evident it is not anything in the person's years or condition, but merely in the compassion of the Lord that does all. This is the [illegible] which the Lord himself gives of his dealing in this kind, when he would suppress the murmuring of some of the laborers (Matthew 20:14), who [illegible] that they had no more than others, because they had been longer in the vineyard, and had borne more of the burden, and heat of the day than others: The Lord answers, May I not do what I will with my own?

Again, this God does to show his power, even the omnipotent and all-sufficient work of his [illegible], to whom nothing is hard or impossible, who has hardness at command, and therefore as he does [illegible] he will both in heaven and earth (Psalm 115:3), [illegible] also in the hearts of his people. When the [illegible] and [illegible] of the little [illegible] deprive them of this favor, when the boisterous head-strong distempers of young men cannot hinder; [illegible] of the aged in their cankered corruptions, cannot [illegible] grace and salvation; but be they never so weak God can [illegible]; be they never so stout, God can bend, be they never so fast rooted in their rebellions, God can, and does separate between sin and their souls, and recover them. Behold, this is the finger of the Almighty. When the disease has entered [illegible] the bowels, and rotted in the bones of the sick, the medicine then to cure, the physician then to recover, that is skill more than ordinary by the confession of all. So here in the soul, to make the Blackamoor to change his hue, the leopard his spots, to make a gray-headed sinner, whose corruptions like a canker has eaten up his heart by daily custom, to bring him to sound contrition and broken-heartedness, therein the outstretched arm of the Lord is expressed in his utmost strength, "My power is made perfect in weakness," says the Lord (2 Corinthians 12:9). It is the perfection of power to prevail over such difficulties. Thus of the first part; the second follows.

God does call most of his, before old age. And therefore when he went forth at the Eleventh hour, he reproves them, before he entertains them, "Why stand you here all the day idle?" as who should say, You have lost the season of your work, and hope of your reward: the day is over, there is no time for you to labor, and there is no reason that I should either hire you or reward you; it is not my usual course nor custom; yet for once go you also into my vineyard. Therefore the most usual time of conversion, is between the third and the ninth hour, in our middle age, about twenty, and between thirty and forty; many are before, some are after, but most, and most usually, are worked upon at this time. There is (a good pleasure, as the original has it) a season for every thing (Ecclesiastes 2:1), and this seems to be the fittest time for this work whether we respect man or God.

A man at this age has better materials, as I may so say, wherein, or whereupon the frame of conversion may be erected, or imprinted by the [illegible] of the Spirit; and that firstly, if we look at the composition of nature, and the constitution of soul and body; for in infancy, a man lives little [illegible] than the life of a plant, or beast, feeding and sleeping, growing and increasing; or else he takes up himself with delights of outward objects most agreeable to his senses, walks after the sight of his own eyes (Ecclesiastes 11:9), both which exceedingly [illegible] the work of reason, but when these are towards [illegible] full perfection, and nature has attained her [illegible] work, then the understanding begins to show [illegible] self in her operations: invention is then most [illegible] to apprehend, the judgment to discern, memory to retain, and the affections tenderest and nimblest to embrace anything offered, and most pliable to be wrought upon. As it is with wax, if it be made too soft, it cannot hold any impression, if too hard, it will receive none; but when it is in temper most pliable, then it is most fit to receive and retain the stamp. So infancy is too weak and watery, it is not able to fathom or fasten upon the depths of argument; age grows sturdy with [illegible], and will not listen to the reasons of those truths it is not willing to embrace: only in the middle age, when reason is come to some ripeness, there is then some more convenient advantages to be taken for the Lord to imprint the stamp of grace upon the soul, which the hand of his own Spirit can only do.

Look we again at corruption: in this age [illegible] understandings are sooner [illegible], as having not so long continued in the known practice of [illegible]; whereas the aged and decrepit who [illegible][illegible] the burden of their sins, being settled long and [illegible] upon their [illegible], wedged in their [illegible], and incorporated into sinful customs, their hearts grow hard, their understandings blind, and their affections overcome with the deceitfulness of sin, difficult it is to persuade their reason, to acknowledge the vileness of their sin, but almost impossible to have their hearts wrought to a detestation of it. Trees withered and rotten, are altogether unfit to be transplanted; nor likely to prosper if they be: so is it with aged men, like these trees, withered in their wickedness, yea, as Jude speaks, corrupt trees twice dead (Jude 12). First by original corruption; secondly by a continued and settled custom in actual [illegible]; who have taken [illegible] root in their rebellions, they are most unfit to be transplanted and ingrafted into the true vine Christ Jesus by conversion and faith. The bow that is often [illegible], and stands long one way, is not bowed the other way, but with much violence: the soul (proportionably) which is turned from God, and has [illegible] bent by long continuance in a base course, though it is possible it may be brought back again and put into a right frame, yet it will cost the setting on before it can be accomplished, and a world of difficulties must be gone through usually before it be done.

Thirdly and lastly, as this is the fittest age in regard of the subject that must receive it, so likewise in regard of the end why grace is given, which is to [illegible] forth the praise of God, and the power of his grace, and by a holy conversation to express the [illegible] of him who has called us from darkness to his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9), for grace destroys not the powers and faculties of nature, but [illegible] them; removes not abilities, but rectifies them, does not take them away, but turns them to their [illegible] end and use. While then the parts of the body [illegible] powers of the soul are in their prime, and best [illegible] then may they be improved by the blessed Spirit [illegible] the Lord and his grace, to the best advantage of [illegible] name. Thus grace dampens not, deadens not the [illegible] of love, if strong and lively, but directs it [illegible] God, his truth, and children: grace abates not [illegible] edge of courage and resolution, but brings as stout, and yet straggling soldier into his right [illegible] and rank, to be employed in the defense of the gospel. Though God can work with any tool, yet [illegible] in he manifests his wisdom, that he will choose [illegible] to whom he gives great fitness to the performance [illegible] those great and honorable employments to [illegible] they are designed. Hence Paul might in many other, so in this respect also, be called a choice [illegible] to carry Christ's name among the Heathens [illegible] 9:15, being his zeal was fiery, his love earnest, [illegible] courage resolute, his judgment deep, his spirit undaunted, and fit for dispatch; all these faculties being as so many vessels filled with grace, prepared and guided by the power of God's Spirit, might be fit instruments to carry and convey the gospel, and the glory of the unsearchable riches of Christ, to the ends of the earth. Who fitter to care for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28) than he that had [illegible] havoc of them (Acts 9)? Who more fit to be [illegible] messenger of peace, and to breathe out glad tidings [illegible] salvation to fainting souls, than he who had [illegible] out threats against them (Acts 9:1)? Who more [illegible] to pity the saints, than he who out of his madness had persecuted them, and that to the death before (Acts 26:11)?

But in the crazy and decayed estate of fainting age, when the whole frame begins to shake and go [illegible] ruin, how unable are we to perform the meanest service, how [illegible] to be employed in works of greatest weight? The members of a man converted are called weapons of holiness, and servants of righteousness (Romans 6:19), but doting heads, palsy hands, feeble knees, faltering tongues are but broken weapons, and lame servants, utterly unworthy to be used in the fighting of God's battles, or performance of his service. How shall those hands which hang down for faintness be able to work the works of God? How shall the feet that cannot stir walk in his ways? Or that tongue tell of his praise that cleaves to the [illegible] of the mouth, and cannot talk two ready words? To grasp the sum of the point in short.

If nature be now most pliable to be prepared to receive grace, corruption not now so [illegible] to [illegible] it, our abilities most able to improve it; then is it a reasonable truth, that the God of wisdom, though he call some at any age, yet he should convert most at this age.

Learn we here a lesson of sobriety, not to be too rash and censorious touching the final estate of any in this life, since it is never too [reconstructed: late] for the Lord to call, though at the eleventh hour. It's the Apostle's counsel, Judge nothing before the time, that is, Judge nothing that is secret and uncertain: determine not of any man's final condition, because the time is not yet come; this life is a time of mercy, to some sooner, to some later. After death, comes judgment, when God shall lay open the secrets, and [reconstructed: hidden] counsels of the heart; then judge and spare not, but [reconstructed: for now] refer all to the Lord. And therefore if the question be touching the final estate of others, we should answer with modesty as the Prophet did to the Lord in another case (Ezekiel 37:2-3). When the Lord had showed him a field full of dead bones [reconstructed: exceeding] dry, he asked him, Son of man, shall these dead bones live? The Prophet answers, Lord, you know it rests in your own will to work this so great a work and in your own counsel to determine it. So, [reconstructed: if] the demand be, Shall this gray-headed sinner [reconstructed: ever] come to grace? He that has been an old standard-bearer in the camp of the Devil, shall he ever [reconstructed: become] a faithful soldier to the Lord Christ? Can this seared conscience ever be made sensible of its sin [reconstructed: and misery]? The answer of the Prophet will [reconstructed: guide] us, Lord, you only know: It's not for us to judge, secret things belong to the Lord. For [reconstructed: us] to pry into the ark of his private and concealed counsels, we cannot do it, without desperate pride, and apparent danger. Thus far indeed we may go without any breach of charity, and the Word will [reconstructed: give] us sufficient warrant, to wit, observing the lives [reconstructed: of] men, of some (of some, I say) we may conclude, and that certainly, that as yet, they are in the state of nature, in a miserable and damnable condition.

Object. If it be replied, Does any man know that heart? Who knows what is in man but the spirit of man? (1 Corinthians 2:11).

Answer. Can the spirit of a man pry into every corner of his conscience, and know his own condition? After he has told what he knows, I may know it as well as himself, and sometimes better: thus the practice of a man discovers his spirit. A rotten conversation (when the constant tenor and frame of a man's course is corrupt and [reconstructed: vile]) it [reconstructed: declares] to all the world, who have wisdom to [reconstructed: discern], there is a reprobate, and an [reconstructed: ungodly] disposition within. The fool (says the wise man, Ecclesiastes 10:3) [reconstructed: shows himself] to every one as he [reconstructed: walks] by the way, that he is a fool. After the [reconstructed: physician] has felt the pulse, and heard [reconstructed: the] complaint of the patient, what's the pain, and [reconstructed: where] the part affected, how the fits and returns of [reconstructed: his] distemper takes him, he knows the disease far [reconstructed: better] than the man that feels it. It may be it's [reconstructed: the] stone in the reins, the inflammation of the liver, consumption of the lungs, the parts are within, and [reconstructed: the] cause of the disease also, but it discovers itself, [reconstructed: so] that undoubtedly many times by symptoms. [reconstructed: And] thus it is with the sickness of the body, it is so [reconstructed: with] the distempers of the soul. The practice of a [reconstructed: man] is as the pulse, if that be commonly uneven, [reconstructed: vile] and irreligious, it argues, it's not the fit of a [reconstructed: moment], but even the very frame and constitution [reconstructed: of] a corrupt and irreligious heart. When a man's [reconstructed: daily] carriage and communication leaves a noisome [reconstructed: smell], and scent, and [reconstructed: savor] of profaneness behind [reconstructed: him], it evidently proclaims to any who have but [reconstructed: some] wisdom and grace, that these dead works [reconstructed: proceed] from a rotten carcass of a body of death [reconstructed: within]. It's our Savior's direction and conclusion he [reconstructed: gives] as never failing (Matthew 7:16, 20): By their [reconstructed: fruits] you shall know them. An evil tree cannot [reconstructed: bring] forth good fruits, and a good tree cannot [reconstructed: bring] forth evil fruits, and therefore he doubles the [reconstructed: point] as that which is undeniable, by their [reconstructed: fruits] you shall know them. The holy Apostle is [reconstructed: equally] peremptory (1 John 3:10): In this are the children of God known, and the children of the Devil. [reconstructed: He] that does not righteousness is not of God, and [reconstructed: he] that loves not his brother. Where there be three particulars suited to the point in hand.

1. There are but two sorts of men in the world, [reconstructed: the] children of God, and the children of the Devil. 2. These may be known. 3. He that is a hater of the saints, and a worker of iniquity, has the brand-mark of a child of the Devil, by which he may be discerned.

It is not then a breach of charity to judge the tree by the fruits, the [reconstructed: disease] by the symptoms, indeed; it was folly and little less than madness to do otherwise. As the Word [reconstructed: warrants], I may judge, and so should.

But to [reconstructed: thrust] the Lord out of the throne of judgment, to sit upon the life and death of men's souls, to set down men's peremptory doom further than the Word warrants, as though we had been admitted into God's secrets, and seen the books of reprobation and election drawn, this is hellish impiety and presumption. We may boldly say, the tree is not a vine that brings forth thorns, nor that a fig-tree that bears thistles. He who has a naughty life, cannot have a good heart. He who serves Mammon, cannot serve God (Matthew 6:24). He who walks after the lusts of the flesh, must be a stranger from the life of Christ (Romans 8:1), has not yet his Spirit, is in the state of condemnation, and that if he so continue, he shall perish. But whether he shall be converted and brought home at last by the almighty power of the Lord, it rests only in his own bosom, depends alone upon his good pleasure. Leave we then the sentence with the Lord, who will either recover him out of his sin, or most righteously judge him for it.

Of Consolation. Here's also a cordial to keep up the fainting hearts of decrepit and aged sinners, whose loathsome lusts plead prescription of continuance, as though they were beyond the authority of any law to cast them out: I confess it indeed (oh that ancient men would consider it) the case is very desperate, and brought to the last cast. Is it not a marvelous strait, that the great work of everlasting life lies upon the moment of an hour (as it [illegible]) to follow the words of the parable, [illegible] considering it is not usual for men then to be [illegible]. The little twig such may take hold on, is this: it has been done, and therefore there is hope it may be done again, and this hope it is which keeps the [illegible] above water. Never too late to forsake our [illegible], the Lord accepts at the eleventh hour: [illegible] must not then suffer our own fears, or Satan's [illegible] to pluck up our resolutions and [illegible] by the roots, with any false shows of hopeless possibilities. When a decrepit sinner has tired [illegible] in his ungodly courses, grows weary with [illegible] burden of an accusing conscience, and [illegible] of an ill-led life, and begins to bethink himself, is not in a right way — suddenly the enemy [illegible] to his view the number and nature of his many [illegible], and withal suggests the way so long, [illegible] the time to return so short; better not set out, [illegible] not to be able to get home. In vain now, says [illegible], to begin so great a work of preparation, when [illegible] have so little opportunity, and so great an [illegible] thereunto. To what purpose is it to strive [illegible] we cannot overcome? To enter upon the [illegible] when in all likelihood we shall be benighted (see [illegible] sun is but an hour high) and never come to the [illegible] of it?

Oh shake off those sluggish discouragements, sit [illegible] down and perish; there is yet hope in Israel [illegible] this thing. 'Tis true, the work is hard, yet God [illegible] done as much for others, and therefore can do as much for you also. Your time is short, you have [illegible] foot in the grave, but the arm of the Lord is [illegible] shortened that he cannot help; you have ancient [illegible], he has ancient mercies, his loving kindness [illegible] been ever of old. When you have neither time [illegible] strength to relieve yourself, the Lord notwithstanding at the last hour, and when you do least expect it, and have least deserved it, who knows but yet he may call you into his vineyard — listen therefore to his voice, make haste to answer his call, and leave the success with him.

Lastly, if the Lord puts forth this work of preparation most ordinarily in our middle age, all those whom it more especially concerns who are yet in the flower of their years, whose breasts run full of milk, and their bones full of marrow, as Job speaks, they are to be exhorted in the Lord to take the safest and the easiest course for themselves, even the counsel of the wise man (Ecclesiastes 12:1): Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before your evil days come. The time that God uses to bless most, let us be wary to improve most for our good. A wise traveler uses to take the day before him, and [illegible] accounts the middle of the day most safe for his passage. The rule is most true and useful also for us, while we are wandering onward towards the end [illegible] our hopes — rise we early, prevent the morning watch, to make speed to run the ways of God's commandments, while the best of our natural abilities are about us. The middle of our age, like the middle [illegible] the day, will be most safe for our spiritual travel and endeavor, considering we carry such a charge about us, even our souls and the care of their salvation and happiness, lest deferring till our old age and our evening shut in upon us, we be wholly spoiled of both. For preparation put off until our crazy time is like never to be, or very uncomfortable if [illegible] be attained.

It's not likely we shall ever share in so glorious a work: they who are settled so long upon their [illegible] are hardly ever removed, considering the company [illegible] common infirmities, troops and multitudes of sicknesses and sorrows, which seize upon old age, and surprise it as [illegible] prey, decay the senses, enfeeble the judgment, weaken the memory, as though all the passages were now stopped, and gates shut whereby grace should have any entrance. How shall faith come to him by hearing, whose ears are become deaf that he cannot hear? How shall he search the Scriptures in which grace and life are to be found, who has not an eye able to see, much less to read them? How shall he be able to fathom the depths and mysteries of salvation, who is become a child in understanding, not sufficient to conceive of the most common things? Hence it is the prophet gives such a man for gone, past recovery as it were (Isaiah 65:20): The sinner of a hundred years old shall be accursed. A curse is the portion that is carved out to him, he must look for nothing else — that's his allowance. An old rotten post is only fit to be chipped out for the fire, no ways profitable to be laid in the building, no not to make pins for it. He that has seen a hundred years, and yet never came to the sight and relish of the saving work of grace — farewell he (as we use to speak) — I will not say it is impossible for him to avoid the curse, I must say it is unusual.

For how justly may God deny to entertain him, who would not so many years give way and entertainment to his Word and Spirit? What Captain will entertain a Soldier that is not able to fight? What Master will hire a Servant that is not able to work in his Vineyard? Why should the Lord [illegible] wise, choose such weaklings, aged and decrepit, who shall not be able to strike one stroke for him in the defense of his Truth, or set one foot forward in [illegible] ways of his Statutes? As Achish spoke of David when he came to the [illegible] and feigned himself mad (1 Samuel 21:15): What [illegible] I need of mad men, that you have brought this man to me, shall he enter into my house? So the Lord may say, Have I any need of dead men that you have brought these aged [illegible] ruinous carcasses before me? Shall they ever find acceptance or entrance into the Kingdom of Grace or Glory? Has the Lord such need of services that he must entertain in the worst? Has he such need of sacrifices that the [illegible] and [illegible] must serve his turn? Let men judge, Go offer now the [illegible] and the [illegible] to your [illegible], will he accept it (Malachi 1:8)? Will he not loath your person and your [illegible], and can the great and glorious God take pleasure [illegible] either? Indeed, [illegible] others were silent, let your own conscience [illegible] in this case, when these evil days, these dog [illegible] come, you yourself shall say, I have no pleasure in them. Can you for [illegible] present that to the Lord which you yourself [illegible]? No, not only yourself, but your [illegible] may seem to be weary of your service; your pleasures have taken their leave, the world and the delights thereof [illegible] gone from you: your unclean lusts have forsaken your [illegible] and languishing members, blasphemy is departed from your speechless tongue, and shall the Lord have the Devil's leavings? When thus you are become a burden to yourself, a trouble to others, and fit for nothing but to be fuel for the fire of Hell, how [illegible] is it to desire it? How hard to conceive it, that the holy, wise, and blessed God will make choice of you — and therefore it is to be feared you [illegible] never [illegible].

But secondly, I [illegible] you do attain it, it will be very uncomfortable; when you will be like [illegible], that could not taste his meat for age; so you will not be able to taste the sweetness of the Promises of Grace and Christ, little or nothing. A poor old man comes in, and gets as near the Pulpit as he [illegible], and listens, but he says he cannot hear; he asks [illegible] what was said? They tell him, Oh the great and precious Promises of Grace, and Mercy, and Christ: says he, I did not hear them; where are they? And takes his Book, and then takes his [illegible] and looks; [illegible] child (says he) I cannot see: tell him of them presently after, I cannot remember them. And so you will be unfit for any service to God, as an old journeyman that is but a [illegible], so you will bungle at prayer and conference, and in all the duties of obedience; and when God has shown mercy to you, you will wonder, and think, if I had a thousand lives what could I do again for God. But alas, he can do little, but sit down as a senseless spectacle of God's everlasting compassions, a wonder to himself, and a warning to others not to defer [illegible] till old age, it being then so uncomfortable, and he so unfit for it. And therefore [illegible] little ones that are growing up to years of understanding, you have the day before you, if you do not take and improve the first of your time, to repent and turn to God in, God will require it of you, believe it he will. You may read in 2 Kings 2:23-24 of a company of wicked children who mocked the Prophet, and the Lord sent two bears among [illegible] that devoured forty-two of them. They might have said, my Father caught me, or I did not know what I did, or I was but young; but none of all this would serve their turn; they had their time to repent in, but they spent that time in sin and wickedness, and the Lord sent bears among them to devour them. And so he will deal with you that are careless, impenitent, wicked children, believe it he will — God has thousands of Devils to torment you forever, if you go on and continue in your natural condition without Jesus Christ.

And you young men, your glass is now running, and as yet you have the day before you, my heart is with you all, you that offer yourselves willingly. Oh remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days of sickness, and sorrow, and age come upon you. [illegible] only say three things to you.

Consider what good you may do now: a young [illegible], and a glorious Christian. Your example may be leading to many that may know you, and [illegible] you all the days of their lives; and [illegible] you shall be going to Heaven in your old age, [illegible] be able to say, Lord, here am I, and the [illegible], [illegible] children that you have given me. You may [illegible] means to convert others, and they will bless [illegible] in the day of their visitation (1 Peter 2:[illegible]). The smell of your gracious speeches, and holy [illegible] will be as Lebanon, that no man [illegible] meets you, but will be the better for you, and [illegible] you are going to Heaven every man will mourn [illegible] the loss of you. He was a Father to me [illegible] and he was a great help to me says another: [illegible] was a means under God to bring my soul to Christ. Thus you will not only do good to your [illegible], but you will do good to others also.

[illegible] your death you will have more than this [illegible] to, your peace and joy will be unspeakable [illegible][illegible], then you will go to Heaven [illegible][illegible] death, and hell, and devils and all: you [illegible][illegible] be fathers serving God in uprightness, you [illegible][illegible] your children, I go to my God, and to [illegible][illegible], and I leave you to a better Father that [illegible][illegible] well for you, and so he shakes hands [illegible][illegible][illegible], says he, we shall meet in Heaven again: so Paul (2 Timothy 4:7-8). I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord shall give to me, he saw it before him, and was able to tell others of it. So David (2 Chronicles 28:9). And you Solomon my son, know you the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and a willing mind, etc. Thus you will be able to give a charge and a blessing to your children, and to speak something suitable to the condition of all that come about you; as a man that has been a good husband from his youth, he has been a gatherer, he is able to give to every one about him somewhat; another that has been a spendthrift can scarce pay his debts, and well if he do so. So here, a man that has been long a gathering of promises, commands, directions, consolations, when his friends come about him on his death bed, he knows the frame of every man, he knows one man is worldly, another has good parts and gifts, but he is proud, another under discouragements; and he will speak something suitable to every man's condition, and his dying words stick by them while they live.

And this is but the beginning, but what will the crown of glory be? He that begins early shall have a [illegible], weighty, excessive, exceeding crown of glory, he shall go loaded as it were to the Kingdom of Heaven, the sufferings, obedience, commands, promises, counsels of so many years, all shall be rewarded; other men shall be honored and crowned but he especially, and when he is going to Heaven every man gives him a lift, when he is sick the prayers go all the town over for him; Lord, comfort him (says one) he has often done it to me; Lord, strengthen him says another, he has often strengthened me. I had almost said that a man shall increase in glory for the prayers of God's servants here, but that they do not pray for the dead: But this is certain, a man has counselled and prayed for such an one, he dies and goes to Heaven, it does not work till afterward, then the servant or the child remembers, and they pray and bless God for him, and his glory is augmented by it; even as the torments of the damned are increased by the fruits of their ill examples after they are dead. So [illegible] as ever you desire to do good to yourselves and others, to provide for your own comfort at death, and for your eternal glory in Heaven, to begin early for the carrying on of the work of the Lord in your own souls.