"Imprint thine image on my breast, A mind with true repentance blest, 2d. Then it is, you must believe that Christ is able and willing to save you. To believe is to think that all what the scriptures say concerning him is really true: It is called faith in the last line of the following verse "Believe in Christ, no more pursue "His sons and daughters you shall be, For you may seek and find in him, you Do think that Christ is able to save you? Yes sir, the Bible says that " we shall be saved from wrath through him." Do you not think that he is as willing as he is able to save you? Yes, Christ himself hath said, "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." 3d. To obey all the commands of Christ. Can any of you tell me what Christ said to his disciples? Yes sir, "if you love me keep my commandments." Attend to me, and I will tell you what the commands of Christ are: That you should love one another, to search the scirptures, or in other words, to read your Bi bles, to pray in secret to him who seeth in secret, that is, God. To do unto others as you wish them to do unto you: Not to swear, not to speak evil of any one; to love your brothers and sisters and to forgive them even till seventy times seven; to love your enemies, and pray for them that hate you; to love God and to believe in him; obey your parents, honour your superiors, respect the aged: Not to call your brother fool; and that those who call ill names, are in danger of hell fire; nor to indulge sinful thoughts; to lay up treasure in Heaven, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also: Not to judge hastily of any ones conduct, before you have examined the matter for yourselves: Not to find fault with others, when you do the same things yourselves. Yes, my dear young friends, you are to keep these commands and to do them, for in so doing, you shall not perish, but have everlasting life. "Why should you shrink at his command, Or tremble at that gracious hand, Which wipes away your tears." IV. What you will gain by living a life of love to Christ, and obedience to his commands. But let me first see what you would like to have, because all children do not love the same thing. What do you want little boy? I should like to be wise, sir. Well, really I did not ex pect to find a little Solomon here: Did you ever read Soloman's prayer? No sir, what did he pray for? He said to the Lord, give me now wisdom and knowledge that I may go in and come out before this people: he was king over Israel. Did the Lord give him what he asked for? Yes, and more besides; he gave him riches and honour, as well as wisdom and knowledge. Where can I find Solomon's Prayer? In the 2d book of Chronicles i. 7. They only are wise, who are wise unto salvation. "One thing I ask, Lord wilt thou hear, "Wisdom betimes to know the Lord, And guide and guard my wand'ring youth." Do you want any thing else my dear boy? Yes sir, I want to be happy. Well my dear child, remember that the way to be happy is to be good; and the way to be good is to be wise; and the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; and the fear of the Lord is the way to Heaven. Good children are happy in life, and in death, and happy forever after death in Heaven. Wicked children are never happy, either in this world or in that which is to come. A poor little boy who was bound apprentice to a chimney sweeper, as he could not go to school on week days, attended a Sunday school for instruction, and there was every reason to believe that what was taught at that school made a great impression on his mind; a little while afterwards he was sent to sweep a chimney, and while in it, was heard to sing, "The sorrows of the mind, To make our pleasures less." Think of this, my dear children, the poor little chimney sweeper, could bid sorrow depart, and though he was surrounded with darkness and soot, yet he was happy, and could sing of the pleasures of religion; what a proof this is of what Solomon says, can any little boy tell me what it is? Yes sir, "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." "O did the young around but know, Well, now I will ask that dear little girl, who has been so attentive to what I have said; what do you wish for, little girl? I should like to go to Heaven when I die, sir: So you shall if you live a life of early love and obedience to Christ. But cannot I do any thing to obtain the favor of God? No. Why? Because all your duties are mixed with sin. If I be very good indeed, will not God love me for that? Not unless you love Christ, and trust him to save your soul. You cannot do any thing without God; all your good thoughts come from God first, so that if you are very good; it was God that first made you so; because you were born a sinner. But cannot I go to Heaven without Christ? No, that I am sure you cannot. But could not I buy Heaven if I had plenty of money? No, not if you were as rich as a Jew. A certain nobleman in Ireland, took a particular pleasure in shewing a good minister his house, his garden and lands, and among other things, he shewed a fine church which he had built: Now sir, said the nobleman, don't you think that will merit Heaven? The minister paused a moment, and said, pray sir, how much may your whole estate be worth a year? I think said the nobleman, about fourteen or fifteen thousand pounds, or about 60,000 dollars. And do you think sir, God would sell Heaven for fourteen or fifteen thousand pounds, or 60,000 dollars? But there is one great advantage spoken of in the text, which I must now consider; that is, "when he shall appear, you shall have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming." When Christ shall come to judge the world at the last day, then those good children who have trusted in Christ and his righteousness, and lived a life of love and obedience to God, shall not be the least afraid. |