PREFACE This Abridgement of “ Persuasives to Early Piety” is particularly designed for Sunday Schools, and for benevolent persons who give away religious publications, and who find a book of this size most suitable for their purpose. It should, however, be understood, that this volume does not contain more than half the original work, which is interspersed with prayers and meditations, adapted to the state of mind referred to in the various chapters. The original work is published by Thomas Richardson, Derby, and is sold by him; and by Hurst, Chance, and Co., London. Page II. 1. Introductory Address........ The fallen and ruined state of man... 18 JII. Some of the sins of youth enumerated. 44 JV. Religion briefly described........... 58 Cautions against some delusive supports on which many rest their hopes, to their eternal ruin.................. 74 The worth of the soul a reason for early piety; and its importance shown by the word of God................... VII. Divine love a reason for early piety... 99 VIII. Early piety peculiarly acceptable to God, and peculiarly honoured by him. 114 IX. The advantages of early religion...... 124 x. The pleasantness of early piety...... 153 I. The happy conclusion of a religions life, a motive for early piety........ 163 XII. No real good possessed by those who are destitute of religion: their ingrati- tude to God, and cruelty to themselves 181 XIII. The vanity of youth, and the uncer- tainty of life, reasons for the imme- diate choice of early piety.......... 193 XIV. The sorrows and dangers that attend the way of transgressors noticed, as a reason for the choice of early religion. 198 XV. The terrors and fearful consequences of death and judgment, to the uncon. verted, a reason for early piety..... 211 XVI. Some objections to early piety briefly.. XVII. The young reader entreated to make his lasting choice.................. 238 TO EARLY PIETY. CHAPTER I. Introductory Address to the Young Reader. My dear young friend, if a person could rise from the dead to speak to you, how atten tively would you listen to his discourse, and · how much would you be affected by it. Yet a messenger from the dead could not tel you more important things, than those to which I now beseech you to attend. I come to ask you to give your heart to God; I come to invite you to follow the divine REDEEMER now; I come to entreat you to walk in the pleasant path of early piety. O that I could, with all the fervour of a dying man, beseech you to attend to your only great concerns !It is not to a trifle that I call your attention, but to your life, your all, your eternal all, your God, your Saviour, your heaven, your every thing, that is worth a thought or wish |