SERMON I.

MANY of you, [...] little friends, have spent your plea­santest hours amidst the [...] of the garden, and the flow­ers of the field: and have you [Page 4] not, in your little rambles, seen the skipping lambs looking inno­cently gay, and sporting by the side of their dams? It delighted you to see them thus happy, and enjoying themselves in the cheerful sunshine; but perhaps at other times, you have seen the tender creatures exposed to stormy winds, or pinching frost; your little hearts have pi­tied them, and been ready to fear that the severity of the winter would destroy them. In this distressed situation, how delightful to see the kind shep­herd come to their relief, gather them together, and lead them to a place of shelter and safety!

[Page 5] Delightful indeed! to see him take up the tender and fee­ble in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, till the little crea­tures are revived and cherish­ed; but, children, I can tell you a more pleasing and won­derful thing than this. You have heard of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came down from heaven to save sinners. You have heard how great and glorious a person he was before he came into our world. And will it not surprise you to hear, that this Jesus calls himself [...] shepherd? his people, those who love and serve him, he call [...] his sheep, and the young and [...] ­der, [Page 6] such as you are, he calls his lambs.

He calls you lambs, because, like them you are young, inno­cent, and helpless; and like them you fly to others for safe­ty and protection.

You are but of yesterday, and know but little: little in­deed of the God that made you, of the Saviour who came to redeem you. You know little of the world in which you live, or of that world in which you are to live for ever. You stand in need of daily in­struction, both in the concerns of your soul and body; but your compassionate shepherd has [Page 7] promised, that he will feed his flock; he will feed you with the sincere milk of his word, that you may grow thereby.

He has said, Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find.

Are you at a loss what to ask? Ask, above all things, his favour, which is life: and his loving kindness, which is better than life. Ask him to teach you more of himself, of his greatness, and goodness, that you may love him more, and serve him better.

You are not only ignorant, but like the [...]eeble lamb, you are helpless, and can do but little for your own safety and [Page 8] protection. You are exposed to many dangers that you know nothing of: there are many dis­orders to which your infant years are liable, and a thousand accidents to which your tender frames are exposed.

How happy, amidst all this weakness and dangers, to re­flect, that your kind shepherd has promised to gather you in his arms, and carry you in his bosom.

Your parents do much for you, and you have reason to thank God for them. But Je­sus, your kind shepherd, can do much more, he can supply all your need; in sickness he can [Page 9] save you, and in death deliver you; he can make you happy in this world, and happy for ever.

Often think, children, how much love and compassion are contained in those delightful words: He shall gather them in his arms, and carry them in his bosom. You know what it is to be folded in the fond arms of a compassionate father, and to hang on the breasts of a tender mother.

How often have they wiped away your tears, and eased the little sorrows of your hearts? and while you are enjoying their love and affection, think, [Page 10] thus has my kind shepherd promised to fold me in his arms. How condescending in him to notice such an ignorant and helpless creature as I am! What an honour to be called one of his lambs! How safe I am under his protection! He is Almighty, and none can pluck me out of his hands. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want any thing that is good for me.

Blessed Jesus, I desire to be one of the lambs that thou wilt gather in thy arms, and carry in thy bosom. I am ignorant, but I come to thee that I may be taught.—I am weak and help­less, [Page 11] but I fly to thy arms for safety and protection. Make me one of thy lambs, in love, in meekness, and humility; let me never wander from thee▪ or provoke thee to cast me ou [...] of thy fold. Keep me from every danger in this world, and fit me to dwell with thee for ever, in thy heavenly king­dom, Amen.

SERMON II.

HOW great is your honour and happiness, children, to be thus noticed by the Son of God, the Saviour of the world▪ though he was so great, you see he was humble; though he was wise, he was condescend­ing.

[Page 14] But I must tell you the whole of this pleasing story.

While Jesus was employed, as usual, in teaching the mul­titude who came to him, some pious parents brought their children to Jesus that he might bless them. His disciples, in­stead of encouraging, rebuked those who brought them; but when Jesus saw it he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven; and he took them up in his arms and blessed them.

[Page 15] Good children are humble, modest, and teachable, and so must all good people be. In heaven there are none who are proud, conceited, or ill-natured. In that world the saints are all lovely and amiable, such as you children ought to be, and such as you must be, if you would live with Christ in his heavenly kingdom.

Heaven is full of love; God himself is love; his saints dwell in love: and can you, children, expect to go to that world of love, if you do not love God, and Christ, and one another? If you are proud, malicious, or ill-natured, do you think [Page 16] that Jesus would say, of such as you is the kingdom of hea­ven? No, these are the dispo­sitions that would [...]it you only for the devil's kingdom. And would you wish to live for ever with those who are full of ma­lice, pride, and anger? who hate God and Christ, and one another? no; we hope better things of you. You wish to be holy; for God is holy: to be modest and humble; for Jesus was meek and lowly; to be loving and kind, that Jesus may be able to say, of such as you is the kingdom of heaven.

How delightful must it be to those who brought the children [Page 17] to Jesus, to see them in the arms of their compassionate Sa­viour? And there is nothing, my little friends, that your pi­ous parents so much wish for, as to see you coming to Jesus Christ for life and salvation. Though he is now in heaven, the arms of his love and com­passion are still open to receive you. He can bestow upon you every blessing you stand in need of, both for soul and body; he can bless you in this world, and bless you for ever.

Your pious parents have al­ready put you into the arms of this compassionate Saviour, and devoted you to his service; and [Page 18] will you not chuse him for your Saviour and your Lord? Your parents' prayers will not save you; you must pray for your­selves. Go, children, to this compassionate Saviour; you have every encouragement; your ministers encourage you, your parents encourage you, Jesus himself says, come unto me; and can you refuse his kind [...]nvitation? Say to him, Lord! to whom should we go but unto thee? thou hast the words of eternal life.

SERMON III.

YOU have heard children, that Jesus your kind shepherd, while he was here upon earth, folded the lambs in his arms, and carried them in his bosom; and as he was now about to leave this world, and go to his Father, it was natural he should be concerned about his flock—what would become of his sheep and his lambs: he was going [Page 21] to leave them in a world full of difficulties and dangers; he was afraid they might meet with strange shepherds who would not care for the flock, nor lead them into good pas­tures; and that they would be like sheep having no shepherd.

As Jesus was thus caring for his sheep, he looked round up­on his disciples, and fixing his eyes upon Peter, who had pro­fessed to love him better than the rest, he said unto him, Si­mon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He said unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee, He saith unto him, Feed my lambs, Jesus said unto him [Page 22] the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me, Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee, Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep.

Why, my little friends, does Jesus so often question Peter a­bout his love to him? he knew that Peter did indeed love him; but he was willing to try Pe­ter's love, and to show how much he loved you, the lambs of his flock. Doest thou in­deed love me, Peter? show thy love to me by feeding my [Page 23] sheep; feed my lambs; feed them with the sincere milk of my word, that they may grow thereby; tell them, though I leave this world, and go to the Father, that I still love them; that I go to prepare a place for them, that where I am, there they may be also; that I will come again, and receive them unto myself; that they shall never perish; and that none shall pluck them out of my hands. Not only Peter, but all the ministers of the gospel, are shepherds, sent by Jesus Christ, to take care of his flock: and he says to them, as well as to Peter, Feed my sheep, feed my lambs.

[Page 24] Though your ministers are wise and learned, they are rea­dy to instruct the young and ig­norant; they are content to leave their studies and their learning, that they may teach you the first principles of reli­gion, and the love of God; how you may be happy in this world, and happy for ever in heaven. And will you not o­blige them by seriously attend­ing to their instruction, and en­deavouring to grow wise unto salvation? And, they not only instruct you, but they pray for you; they often bear you upon their hearts before God: they pray that you may grow in [Page 25] grace, as well as in stature, and in favour with God and man; they pray, that the love of God may be shed abroad in your hearts, and that you may know and love the God of your fa­thers.

And if they thus kindly pray for you, will you not pray for them, that while they are teach­ing others, they may be them­selves taught of God, and that they may be blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Je­sus?

How amiable to see the mi­nister and his flock thus pray­ing for each other!

[Page 26] But above all, children, pray for yourselves, that God would enlighten your minds to understand the Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation; that you may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by whom alone you can be saved; that when Jesus, the great shep­herd, shall come at the last day to gather his sheep together, you may appear at his right hand with joy.

SERMON IV.

UPON hearing this scrip­ture, you are ready, perhaps, to say as the eunuch did to Phi­lip; of whom does it speak? who was the person who was thus cruelly treated? Like Phi­lip, we would take this text, and [...]reach unto you— Jesus.

[Page 29] Yes, children, it was Jesus, the friend of sinners, your compassionate Saviour, who was thus cruelly put to death. But you will ask, why, what evil hath he done? He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; he was holy, harmless, and separate from sinners: but he was wounded for our sins, he was bruised for our iniqui­ties; all we, like sheep, have gone astray, we have turned every man to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all.

The blessed God, children, made us to be holy and happy but like the silly sheep [...] we [Page 30] have wandered into the way that leads to death and destruc­tion. All mankind have for­saken God, broken his com­mandments, and deserve death.

In this sad state, Jesus, our compassionate Saviour, saw us ready to perish; and, like the good shepherd, offered to lay down his life for the sheep; ra­ther than we should perish, he would bear our sins in his own body upon the cross, and an­swer for all our guilt. He knew this would be a sacrifice well pleasing to his Heavenly Father, who is not willing that any should perish.

[Page 31] And he said, Lo! I come to do thy will, O God! and now having loved his own, he loved them unto the end; he loved them even unto death. Think, children, what he endured for your sake, for your salvation.

He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. You cannot think of the innocent sheep being led to the slaughter without pity and compassion: and can you read the sad history of your Sa­viour's sufferings and death without sorrow and love?

He was scourged, he was crowned with thorns, he was buffetted and spit upon, he was mocked and reviled, and [Page 32] then crucified between two thieves; and all this he bare like the patient lamb; dumb before his shearers, while they were stripping the wool from his back. When he was revil­ed, he reviled not again; but while his cruel murderers were taking away his life, he said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Now, my little friends, do not your hearts overflow with gratitude and love to this com­passionate Saviour of sinners? Has he thus loved you, and will you not love him? Greater love he could not show, than by laying down his life for you, [Page 33] he had power to save his life; with a look he could have struck his enemies to the ground; but how then could the Scriptures be fulfiled? How could God be glorified, and sinners saved?

Will you not children, for ever hate sin; because that was the cause of his sufferings and death? Surely the blessed God must hate sin, or he would not have given up his dear, his we [...]-beloved Son to die for it. It was sin that brought sickness and death into our world, makes us like the devil, and [...]it for [...]ell. It was [...]in that pro­voked the blessed God to des­troy [Page 34] the world by water after he had made it: it was sin that provoked God to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah with fire from heaven: it was sin that pro­voked God with the children of Israel in the wilderness: and it was sin that at last crucified the Lord of life and glory. And do you not think, chil­dren, that sin must still be dis­pleasing to God? Has Jesus died to redeem you from all ini­quity, and will you indulge sin in your hearts? Remember Jesus died, not only to save you from the punishment of sin in hell, but to save you from sin itself; to make you holy, that [Page 35] you may be happy; for with­out holiness you cannot be like God here, you cannot dwell with God in heaven.

SERMON V.

WILL the great God, who made all things, and who dwells in the highest heavens, permit us to call him Father? Yes; these are the words that Jesus Christ himself hath taught us. When ye pray, say, Our Fa­ther who art in heaven.

You have all, my little friends, been taught to say, Our Father who art in heaven: [Page 38] but have you been taught who this heavenly Father is? and what he has done for you? and what you must do to become his children? When you say, Our Father, do you feel such a disposition as a child ought to feel towards a tender father? Do you feel a reverence of him, and a love to him; a sorrow for having offended him, and a desire to be his dutiful and obedient children?

These are the dispositions you ought to feel towards your earthly parents; and much more to your heavenly Fa­ther.

[Page 39] And let me tell you, children, if you have never prayed in this manner, you have never prayed at all. To say the prayers only with your lips, is not praying; you must pray with your heart, or it is no prayer.

It is affronting the blessed God to call him Father without loving him.

Though he is in heaven, he sees and knows all that you think, as well as that you say or do; in the darkness as well as in the light he sees you.

You will not then, children, any more affront the blessed [Page 40] God, by drawing near to him with your lips, while your hearts are far from him? From this time will you not call up­on him as your heavenly Fa­ther, with all the duty and love that becomes obedient children? He is a kind and tender Father. Like as a father pitieth his chil­dren, so the Lord pities you.

It is he who gives you every good thing that you enjoy. It is his flax that clothes you, and his corn that feeds you. It is he who preserveth you from a thousand accidents, healeth your diseases, and crowneth you with loving kindness and tender mercies.

[Page 41] And above all, he has sent his dear, his well-beloved Son to redeem and save you; that you might not perish, but have everlasting life. Has your hea­venly Father been thus kind to you, and will you not love him? Go, children, with al [...] your wants to this compassion ate Father: he who heareth the young ravens when they cry, will surely hear when you cry unto him.

Do you want food to eat? he who giveth food to the beasts of the field, will seed you also. Do you want rai­ment to put on? he who cloth­eth the lilies of the field, will [Page 42] much more clothe you. Your earthly parents may be taken from you by death; but your heavenly Father hath said, I will never leave thee, nor for­sake thee.

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, she may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

This is the kind language of your heavenly Father; and what should be your language towards him? Should it not be all duty and love? Can you be a [...] a loss what to say to him? Can you ever forget to pray to [Page 43] him? Go, like his dear children, and say to him, Our Father, who art in heaven, we thank thee, that thou wilt permit us to call thee by that tender, that delightful name; we would come to thee with all that du­ty, love and affection, that be­comes thy children. We are grieved that we should offend so kind a Father; forgive, we pray thee, the sins and follies of thy children. May we be holy, for thou art holy; and merci­ful, as thou, our heavenly Fa­ther, art merciful. We come to thee for all that we want; for food and raiment; but a­bove all, we pray for a heart to [Page 44] love thee more, and serve thee better, that we may be fit to dwell with thee in thy heavenly kingdom for ever.

SERMON VI.

—AND surely, children, this ought to be the first lesson you should learn. You can not begin too soon to love the Lord your God. His mercies to yo [...] began with your very being; could you count them, [Page 47] they are more in number than the sands upon the sea-shore. They are new every morning, and fresh every evening. You should love him, because he is the greatest and best of Beings, the Father of mercies, and the God of all grace; he is good to all and his tender, mercies are over all his works. You should love him, because he so loved he world as to give his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pities them that fear him.

[Page 48] The eyes of the Lord are up­on the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

O taste and see that the Lord is good.

The rich and poor, the old and young, may all join in this delightful service. Let the rich love him, because it is he who giveth them all things richly to enjoy. Let the poor love him, because the poor man crieth, and the Lord heareth him and delivereth him out of all his trouble. Let the old love him, because he is the length of their days. Let the young love him, because he is the guide of their [Page 49] youth. O love the Lord all his saints!

And is he thus good to you, good to all, and will you not love him with all your soul, and with all your mind? Love him above all things; let him have the first place in your af­fections; think often upon God; think of him when you awake in the morning, and when you lay down at night; when you go out, and when you come in; let every fresh mercy lead your heart to him in gratitude, make you love him more, and serve him better.

And if you love God with all your heart, you will love to [Page 50] pray to him, and to praise him. You will say with David, Whom have I in heaven, but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

Lord! lift up thou the light of thy countenance upon me; and this shall put more joy and gladness into my heart, than when corn and wine increas­eth.

A day in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.

I had rather be a door-keep­er in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of sin and wickedness.

This is the language of the pious soul, that loves God [Page 51] above all things. And if you thus love God with all your heart, will it not grieve you to offend him?

You would not willingly of­fend the kind parent or friend you love, much less would you sin against that God who is al­ways doing you good? If ye love me, says Jesus Christ, keep my commandments.

Thus, children, you must show your love to God. And if you love him with all your heart, you will delight to please him always: you will do your duty in all things, because it is well-pleasing to your God.

[Page 52] To love God and praise him, will be the work of heaven; and if you would be fit for hea­ven, you must begin this de­lightful work here on earth. You cannot wish to go to hea­ven if you do not love God; for there saints and angels cease not day nor night praising God, and saying Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.

If you love to pray to God, and praise him here, you will think with pleasure of that world, where you will love him more, and praise him better: where you shall never be tempted to sin against him a­ny more; but shall love and [Page 53] serve him for ever, and where God shall be all in all.

SERMON VII.

DO you, children, love God above all things? is he your Father? your heavenly Father? then, surely, it must be your highest pleasure to pray to him: you have much to say to him; much to ask of him; and much o thank him for.

[Page 55] Go, children, if possible, where none can see you but God, your heavenly Father, and there pour out your hearts before him, with all the duty and affection of a child; tell him how much you love him for all his goodness to you; that you had rather have his favour, the light of his coun­tenance, than all the good things that this world can give you.

You may tell him how griev­ed you are, that your giddy hearts are so apt to forget him amidst the follies and vanities of childhood and youth; that you so often pray to him with­out [Page 56] that reverence, love, and affection, which you ought ever to feel for him; that you so often read his holy word with carelessness and indiffer­ence, as if it were the word of man, and not the word of God, and that you are not made ho­lier and better by it.

You may lament over the pride, obstinacy, and perverse­ness, that you sometimes feel in your hearts, and that you strive so little against these sins, that you may conquer and o­vercome them.

Thus may you humble your­selves before God, for all your sins and follies, and beg, that [Page 57] for Christ's sake, he would for­give them all; and grant you the assistance of his good Spirit, to help you to love him more, and serve him better.

It is good, children, to draw near to God, to show forth his loving kindness in the morning, and his faithfulness every night. Begin every day with this de­lightful service. You cannot surely awake in the morning to health, to friends, to every bless­ing of life, without thanking the God of your mercies, who giveth you all things richly to enjoy.

Dare not venture into the dangers and temptations of the [Page 58] day, without praying that God would be with you, to keep you from sin, and deliver you from evil. Nor can you surely lie down in peace at night, without thanking the kind hand that has kept you from evil, and crowned the day with his loving kindness and tender mercies, without asking forgive­ness of your heavenly Father for all that you have done amiss. Thus may you commit yourselves to his care, through the dangers of the night; for it is God only who can make you to dwell in safety.

Thus, children, you may converse in secret with your hea­venly [Page 59] Father; and be assured, he who heareth the young ra­vens when they cry, will hear you when you pray unto him; he sees in secret the feeblest wish of your heart to love and serve him; he will remember the kindness of your youth, and will reward you openly. Fear not, children, though you should have only a dark corner to pray in, your heavenly Fa­ther sees you there: fear not, though your companions should laugh at you for being so pre­cise about your prayers; re­member whom you are to fear: fear him who can kill both soul and body in hell.

[Page 60] Your heavenly Father sees when you are ashamed or a­fraid to pray to him. Jesus has said, He who is ashamed of me, of him will I be a­shamed before my Father and his holy angels; but he who confesseth me before men, him will I confess before my Father and his holy angels.

Believe it, children, you will never pray to him in vain; he will reward you in this world with every thing that he sees best for you; and at the last day, he will reward you openly before men and angels.

SERMON VIII.

UPON hearing these words I doubt not, my little friends, you are all eager to know what this one thing needful is? They are the words of Jesus Christ; and I will tell you upon what occasion they were spoken.

It came to pass as Jesus went about doing good, he entered into a certain village, and a [Page 64] woman, named Martha, kind­ly received him into her house; and she had a sister, called Ma­ry, who sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his words; but Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said Lord, doest thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered, and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and troubled about many things; but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chos­en that good part which shall not be taken away from her.

[Page 65] And now, children, from this story you may learn what the one thing needful is. It is to hear the words of eternal life, and inquire what you must do to be saved. And though you cannot now sit at his feet as Mary did, while he was here upon earth, yet you may go to him as an humble learner. Like Mary, hear his words, and attend to the concerns of your souls; and like her chuse that good part which shall [...] ­ver be taken away from [...].

Religion is the one [...] needful; because, without [...] you cannot be happy in [...] world, and must before [...] [Page 66] miserable in the world to come.

It is needful for all; for the rich, and for the poor, for the old, and for the young. It is needful for you, children, to know God, and serve him here on earth, that you may dwell with him, and be happy for ever in heaven. It is more needful for you than riches, or honours, or all that this world [...]an give you; for what would [...] [...]ofit you, if you should gain [...] [...]hole world, and lose your [...] [...]oul.

Jesus Christ not only calls [...] the one thing needful, [...] calls it the good part.

[Page 67] Yes, children, it is a good thing to love God and Christ: the ways of religion are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked; but great peace have they who love thy law. To pray to God, and to praise him is a de­lightful employment; to show forth his loving kindness in the morning, and his faithfulness every night.

Religion is a good thing: for it teaches us to be good ourselves, and to do good to all around us.

The religious child will be a good child; he will obey his [Page 68] parents, not only because he loves them, but because God has said, Honour thy father and thy mother. And Jesus Christ has said, Children, obey your parents in all things; he will be merciful and kind, be­cause his heavenly Father is merciful and kind to all: he will be diligent and industri­ous, because his Bible tells him he must not be slothful in busi­ness, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. In short, he will be a good child, that he may be the child of God, and have God for his father, and his friend for ever. And now, my little friends, must not that [Page 69] be a good thing that will make you thus good and happy?

Jesus has said, this good part shall never be taken away from you: your parents and friends may be taken from you by death, but if you are good, God will be your father, and friend for ever. Your riches may be taken away from you; but if you are good, you have better treasures in heaven; death itself cannot take away this good part from you; for you know that the righteous shall dwell with God and Christ for ever in heaven.

And now, children, what shall I say more to persuade you [Page 70] to chuse this good part? Your parents tell you it is the good part; they have found it so themselves, and they wish, above all things, to see you make the same choice. Jesus says it is the good part; go to him, sit at his feet, and say to him, Blessed Jesus, to whom should we go but unto thee? thou hast the words of eternal life, teach us what we must do to be saved; teach us the one thing needful; teach us, like Mary, to chuse that good part that shall never be taken away from us.

SERMON IX.

TO you, children, as well as to the shepherds, were these glad tidings sent; for you was born a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. His name was call­ed Jesus, because he should save his people from their sins.

And is not this joyful news indeed, that Jesus, the beloved Son of God, should come down from heaven, be born into the world a feeble infant, like one of us, that he might save us [Page 74] from our sins, that we might not perish, but have everlasting li [...]e?

And you see there is not on­ly joy on earth, but in heaven too; the holy angels, those kind and friendly beings, rejoic­ed to bring this good news to man.

No sooner had the angel told the news to the shepherds, but suddenly there was with him a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest!

They sang glory to God, be­cause he so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him [Page 75] should no [...] perish, but have everlasting life.

They sang peace on earth. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was now come to bring peace on earth; to reconcile guilty man to the blessed God, whom they had offended; to teach them to love God, to love one another, that they might be fit to dwell with God, and with his holy angels for ever in heaven.

These holy and blessed spirits rejoiced, to see, instead of sin and wickedness, hatred and strife; righteousness and peace, and joy among men.

They sang good-will to men. When man was first made the [Page 76] holy angels, these morning stars, sang and rejoiced toge­ther; but when they saw man rebel against his Maker, and condemned to die, their joy was turned into sorrow. But they rejoiced again to see him restored to the favour and love of God, to holiness and happi­ness: to see the works of Satan, the great enemy of God and man, destroyed, and peace re­stored on earth.

They rejoiced to think, that good men should come from the east, and from the west, from all parts of the world, and dwell with them for ever in heaven. The friendly angels [Page 77] had often been sent down to do service to good men here below, but they never came with so much joy as upon this occasion. This was good news to the whole world; good tidings of great joy to all people; to the rich, and to the poor, to the old, and to the young; for all stand in need of this Saviour.

Yes, children, to you is this salvation sent. And will you not receive it with joy? With the children in the temple, will you not cry Hosanna! blessed is he, who cometh in the name of the Lord. Will you not join with the holy angels, in say­ing, Glory to God in the highest, [Page 78] on earth, peace, and good-will to men? Do they glorify God for his love to you, and can you be silent? Do they rejoice in the hope of your salvation, and will not you wish to be sav­ed from sin, and hell, and to dwell with the holy angels for ever in heaven?

It is pleasant to think of the holy angels being employed for our service here on earth; but it is still more delightful to think of joining with them in the praises of our God and Sa­viour in heaven.

Then shall we sing glory to God in higher strains than we can praise him in here on earth. [Page 79] There we shall join with those blessed spirits, who cease not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almigh­ty, which was, and is, and is to come! Then shall we join with thousands of angels, say­ing, Worthy is the Lamb that was stain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Blessing, honour, glory, and power, be unto him who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever, Amen.

SERMON X.

YOU have in this chapter the pleasing account of our Sa­viour's entrance into Jerusa­lem; [Page 82] not like an earthly mo­narch, surrounded with his men of war, and adorned with trappings of gold and silver, but meek and lowly, sitting up­on an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass. The richest carpets he rode upon were made of the boughs of the trees, and the garments of the people: and they suited his humble appear­ance better than the richest ta­pestry. He was indeed a king; king of kings; but he appear­ed on earth only as king of [...] church; king of his saints; king of Zion.

And the multitude who went before, and the multitude [Page 83] who followed after, cried, Hosanna, to the son of David, blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! These longs of praise were more pleasing to the blessed Jesus than all the honours they could give him; he came not to conquer his enemies, but to reign in the hearts of his people; not to save them from their enemies, but to save them from their sins. This was the kind er­rand upon which he came. Well might the people cry Ho­sanna! well might the children join in the song of praise to this compassionate Saviour! Sure­ly, [Page 84] if these held their peace, the very stones would cry out for shame against them.

It was to your honour, chil­dren, that you welcomed Jesus to his temple, while the scribes and priests were too proud to acknowledge him for their Sa­viour and their king.

When they saw the wonder­ful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David, they were sore displeased, and said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? Jesus answered, and said unto them, Yea, have ye never read, Out of the mouth of [Page 85] babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise.

You see, Jesus was ready upon all occasions to show his love to you, the lambs of his flock; he would not suffer the scribes and priests to stop the infant mouths that were em­ployed in his praise. It was foretold in Scripture, that you should welcome him into his kingdom; and he was pleased to hear Hosannas from the mouth of babes.

You cannot be too young, children, to sing the praises of your Saviour: and while you hear others welcome him as the Son of God, and Saviour of [Page 86] men, do you catch the sound, and cry, Hosanna! blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord, blessed is he who cometh from heaven with good-will to men! blessed is he who cometh to bring salvation to his people, and save them from their sins!

Go into his temple, chil­dren, with thanksgiving, and enter his courts with praise. Praise is comely for the up­right, is comely for the young; bow the knee, and own Jesus for your king and your Lord. Let him reign in your hearts, let him have the first place in your affections; for he is alto­gether [Page 87] lovely, he is worthy of your highest love; for he hath redeemed you to God by his blood, and hath made you un­to his God, kings and priests.

Glory to God in the highest, because on earth there is peace and good-will to men.

SERMON XI.

WHAT a beautiful de­scription is this of the goodness and compassion of God! he is good you see, even to the fee­blest and smallest of his crea­tures; [Page 90] to the beasts of the field, and the birds of the air; even the sparrow, the meanest of the little feathered tribe, is not beneath his notice.

The God who made them does not forget to give them their daily bread; numerous as they are, there is food pro­vided for them all: the trees are loaded with berries, that the birds may not want food in winter. Your heavenly Father is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works. And does he thus feed the fowls of the air? does he thus clothe the [...]lowers of the field? and do ye not think, children, [Page 91] that he will much more take care of you? Yes, he has said, Fear not, ye are of more value than many sparrows; your heavenly Father will much more feed you.

You are of more value than many sparrows; for you have souls immortal, souls that must live for ever. When the birds and beasts die, there is an end of them; but when you, chil­dren die, there is not an end of you; for your souls will live after your bodies are dead.

You are of more value; for you are made for nobler ends than they: you are made to know God, and serve him here [Page 92] on earth, that you may dwell with him, and be happy here­after in heaven.

The sparrows know not the God who made them, the hand that feeds them; but you, chil­dren, can know and remember your Creator; you can love the God who feeds and clothes you; you can pray to him daily for what mercies you want, and give him thanks for what you receive; you can love him as your heavenly Father, and you are sure that he will never for­get you.

Thus you see God has made you a nobler creature than the fowls of the air, or the beasts of [Page 93] the field; and if he provides for them, he will much more provide for you: fear not, your heavenly Father will not let you want bread to eat, or raiment to put on.

He who heareth the young ravens when they cry, will much more hear you when you cry unto him. Are you poor? fear not; for the poor man cries, and the Lord hears him, and delivers him out of all his trouble. Are you fatherless? fear not; for God is the Father of the fatherless. Or have your father and mother forsaken you? fear not; for the Lord will take you up. He knows [Page 94] all your wants, and all your fears; nothing can befal you without his permission. Are you sick? whom the Lord lov­eth he chasteneth; to show how much your heavenly Father cares for you, he has said, The very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Does your heavenly Father thus care for you, then, chil­dren, what have you to fear? You have nothing to fear but sin; nothing to fear but dis­pleasing God: to make God angry with you would be sad indeed; but if you love and serve him, you need not fear that he will be angry with you, [Page 95] he is only angry with the wicked, with those who do not love and serve him.

Remember, he expects more from you than from the fowls of the air: God has not given them reason, and therefore he expects nothing from them; but he expects that you should love him as your heavenly Fa­ther, and be his dutiful and o­bedient children. Go, chil­dren, and thank your heaven­ly Father, that he has given you more understanding than the beasts of the field, and made you wiser than the fowls of heaven.

[Page 96] Say unto him, Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the feeble infant, that thou shouldst take care of him? thou art good to all, and thy tender mercies are over all thy works; bless the Lord, O my soul!

SERMON XII.

GOD is good, and his tender mercies are over all his works.

This good God, children, is your Father, your heavenly Father; and we hope it is your wish and desire to be like him. You cannot be like him in greatness; but you may be like him in goodness; you may be holy, as he is holy; you may [Page 99] be merciful, as he is merciful; you may be good, and do good to all around you; it is your happiness, your pleasure to be merciful.

The man who is unkind and cruel must be unhappy; for he has no love, no compassion in his breast; he knows not the joy of seeding the hungry, and of clothing the naked: and Je­sus shall say to him at the last day, Depart from me, I know you not; for I was an hungered and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink; a stranger and ye took me not in; I was sick, and in prison, and ye visited me nor; [Page 100] and these shall go away into everlasting punishment.

But the merciful man is bles­sed: Jesus has said, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall ob­tain mercy; blessed is he who considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble; the Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive, and he shall be blessed upon the earth: the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languish­ing, he will make all his bed in [...] sickness; the merciful man will be blessed by the poor;—because I delivered the poor [...], and the fatherless, [...] him who had none to help [Page 101] him; the blessing of him who was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

Surely children, there can­not be a greater joy on earth, than to have the blessing of him who was ready to perish.

You have read the story of the poor man who fell among thieves, who wounded him, and left him half dead. Which do you think felt the greatest pleasure in his own breast, the good Samaritan, who took care of him, and poured oil into his wounds, or the cruel Priest and Levite, who passed by and left him to perish? You will surely [Page 102] say, He who had mercy on him.

Then, children, go and do likewise; go, like your hea­venly Father, and carry bread to the hungry, to them who are ready to perish: go, com­fort the sick and afflicted. It is, perhaps, little you can do for them at present▪ but do what you can; carry them something from your little store to relieve their necessities: you can speak kindly to them, and even your compassionate looks may revive and comfort them; tell them you will do what you can for them, that you wish you could do more; [Page 103] but that your heavenly Father is merciful, he knows what they stand in need of, and can supply all their wants, and that he heareth the poor when they cry.

How do you think, chil­dren, you will feel after such acts of kindness as these? [...] you no [...] feel happy; yes, y [...] will [...]eel happier than all [...] riches or pleasure [...] of the [...] can make you? Your [...] will be ready to over [...] gratitude to God, who ha [...] given you all things richly to enjoy▪ and given you a heart to share his [...] with the poor.

[Page 104] Surely you will never wish to lay out your little treasures up­on vanities and trifles, while you can lend it to the Lord, by giving to the poor? Remember what Jesus will say to them on his right hand at the last day, Come, ye blessed of my Fa­ther, inherit the kingdom pre­pared for you! for I was an hungered and you gave me meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stran­ger and ye took me in; naked and ye cloathed me; sick and [...] prison, and ye came unto me: these shall go away into life eternal.

SERMON XIII.

THUS did the pious mother of Samuel devote the child that God had graciously given her, to him [...] to his service; for this child she had prayed. She knew that her children, as well as all her other mercies, came [Page 107] from God; therefore she went up to the temple of God, the house of prayer, and there poured out her soul before God.

And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts! if thou wilt indeed look upon the af­fliction of thy handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thy handmaid; but will give unto thy hand [...]aid a man-child; then will I give him unto the Lord all the days of his life.

She prayed for a man-child; not because she wished for an h [...]ir to [...]n estate, or that he might [...] or great in the world, but that he might have [Page 108] the honour to serve God in his temple, and minister to the Lord in holy things. And when God had given her the child she had asked of him, she remembered the vow she had made; and as soon as he was weaned, she took him with her to the house of God, and brought him to Eli, the high priest, and there, in the most [...]ol [...]mn manner, devoted her child, and gave him up unto [...]he Lord, in the words of the [...]ext: for this child I prayed; and the Lord hath granted my [...]etition; therefore also I have [...]ent him to the Lord; as long [Page 109] as he liveth, he shall be lent to the Lord.

From this pleasing history, we learn what is the duty of pi­ous parents: It is to acknow­ledge, that they receive their children at the hand of God, and to devote them to his fear and service. And, perhaps, some of you, my little friends, like Samuel, have had a pious mother, who has devoted you to the Lord: They have said in some such language as this: For this child I prayed, and the Lord hath granted my request. It is God who hath given it to me, and shall not I devote it to him, and to his service?

[Page 110] He hath said, All souls are mine; the soul of the father, and the soul of the son; and when he puts this child into my hands, does he not, as it were, say, Here is an immortal soul that may be happy or mi­serable for ever; bring it up for me and my service.

And is it possible that this dear child, whom I so tenderly love, may be made, through my neglect, for ever miserable? Dreadful thought! But how pleasing to think, that, with the blessing of God upon my endeavours, it may be taught to know the God who made it, to love and serve him here, and [Page 111] to dwell with him for ever and ever. Delightful thought! Soon as its infant tongue can speak, it shall be taught the praises of its God and Saviour, its little hands be lifted up to the God of its mercies, and its feet taught the way to the house of its Creator. O, my God! I desire not that it may be rich or great in this world; only give it a heart to love and serve thee: to thee who gave it to me, would I solemnly de­vote it, and may it be thine for ever!

This has been the language of many a pious mother; and we would hope, children, of [Page 112] some of yours. And surely you will not disappoint their pleasing hopes and expectati­ons? Consider the many prayers they have put up for you, the many tears they have shed upon your account. How can they bear the thought, that their children should be the children of the devil, instead of the children of God! Do they love God above all things, and must they not desire that you should love him too? Do they hope to dwell for ever in heaven, and must they not ear­nestly desire, that you, their dear children, may be likewise [Page 113] heirs of that heavenly king­dom?

Children, you never can be thankful enough to God for such parents as these; let your behaviour to them be all duty, love, and obedience, and let not their prayers and instruction be lost upon you; go upon your knees, and thank God for all the mercies of your infant years, that you have been so early taught to know the God of your mercies, and to call him Father. Pray that your pa­rents may have the joy of heart to see you love God above all things, and serve him with a cheerful heart and willing mind, [Page 114] and that you may never forsake their God, and your God.

SERMON XIV.

IN what an affectionate man­ [...]er does the apostle Paul begin [...]his letter to Timothy: he calls [...]im his own son, his dearly be­loved son; he wishes him the [...]est of blessings, not riches and [...]onours, but grace, mercy, and peace; not the good things [...]hat this world can give, but [...]he better blessings that come from God and Christ.

Your parents, my little friends, may wish you grace; [...]ut it is only the grace of God that can make you truly happy. [Page 118] It is his mercy in Christ Jesus, that must pardon all your sins, and it is the peace of God that must keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

These are the blessings the apostle Paul wished to Timothy; and we earnestly wish, chil­dren, that God would thus bless you. The [...] Paul not only blesses Timothy, but he prays, for him; though he is at a distance from him he does not forget him, but prays for him night and day.

This was the best way in which he could show his love to Timothy; he knew it was God alone who could make [Page 119] him truly good and happy; and he knew that God would hear and answer the prayers of his servants.

And will you not go to your parents, and ministers, and ask them to pray for you? to bear you upon their hearts before God? The prayers of the up­right are his delight: he is a God, hearing and answering prayer, and you have reason to hope, that their prayers will descend in blessings upon your head.

What was it, my little friends, that made Timothy so beloved by the apostle Paul? It was because he feared the [Page 120] Lord from his youth. The apostle had been Timothy's first instructor in the gospel of Christ; he had instructed him; he had prayed for him; he had watched over him with all the affection of a tender parent; and it filled him with joy to see his son Timothy walking in the truth.

He remembered, with joy, Timothy's pious grandmother [...], and mother Eunice; and he rejoiced to see the same faith and piety in their son.

And there is nothing, my little friends, can give the mi­nisters of the gospel greater pleasure, than to see you chil­dren [Page 121] imitating the faith and pi­ety of your parents. It de­lights them when they can tell you, they remember with what tenderness they instructed you, prayed for you, and wept over you; and it fills them with joy, to see the very image of those pious parents in you; they rejoice to think, that when they are gone to heaven, you will fill up their places in the church, and in the world.

And they exhort you, as the apostle Paul did Timothy; that you continue to remember, and to practise the things that you have learnt: for your pa­rents' sake, for your minister's [Page 122] sake, for your own sake, we pray you to continue to grow wise unto salvation.

SERMON XV.

WE wish, my little friends, to see you like the blessed [...] growing in wisdom, as well [...] in stature.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace, a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

You will soon find much en­tertainment [Page 124] from books that tell you what sort of a world this is, and what was done be­fore you were born into it. You will read with pleasure the histories of the wise and good, that you may learn to be like them; but, children, we wish above all things, to see you wise unto salvation. You may know much of the world, and of the works of God, and yet know nothing of the God who made the world, and all things that are in it.

You may be so wise as to get riches and honours in this world, and yet be so ignorant, as not to know what will be­come of you for ever.

[Page 125] You may know much, and yet know nothing of Christ, and him crucified, which the apostle Paul thought the high­est wisdom of all: in short, you may know much of this world, and yet know nothing of that world in which you are to live for ever.

Now, children, would it not be sad, if after all your knowledge, you should know nothing of God, of Christ, of heaven, of hell, or of your own souls?

Time here can be but short; and will it not be sad when death comes, if you should not have God for your friend, and [Page 126] Jesus for your Saviour? Sad indeed, to hear the blessed God say at last, Depart from me, I know you not.

Thus, children, you see that religion is the true wis­dom; and that he only is wise, who is wise unto salvation.

Will you not then eagerly inquire where you can learn this true wisdom?

The text informs you, that it is the holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise unto sal­vation: they are the words of God himself; for holy men of old wrote as God taught them by his holy Spirit; they are words of eternal life; words [Page 127] whereby you may be saved. Young as you are, there is much in them that you can un­derstand; for they are written for the young as well as for the old, for the unlearned as well as for the learned.

You will there find many de­lightful histories to entertain and instruct you; many amia­ble examples to make you wise and good.

The holy Scriptures will tell you much of God, how great, and how good he is; so great, that the heaven of heavens can­not contain him, and yet so humble as to dwell in every contrite heart. You will there [Page 128] find, that God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not pe­rish, but have everlasting life. That Jesus, your compassionate Saviour, came to seek, and to save that which was lost, to call you to repentance, and to save you from your sins. You will there learn, that you must be holy if you would be happy for ever; that you are to love God above all things, and to love your neighbour as your­self; that you must be good, and do good to all around you.

You will there find, that time is short, and that death [Page 129] may come at a time when you think not of it; that therefore you must watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation; and that your Lord, when he cometh, may find you watch­ing, and [...]it to dwell with him for ever in heaven.

This, my little friends, is the wisdom that the holy scrip­tures will teach you; and you cannot begin to learn it too soon. You have souls, im­mortal souls; and you cannot inq [...]i [...]e too soon what you must do to be [...]aved; for what would it profit you, if you should gain the whole world, and lose your own soul.

SERMON XVI.

THESE are the words of a dying father, to his beloved son; and where is the child [Page 132] who will not listen to them with seriousness and attention? With what solemnity and ear­nestness does David exhort his son Solomon to remember God, the God of his fathers; that God who searches all hearts, that God who could make him happy or miserable for ever; and is not this the language of every pious parent? My child, know thou the God of thy fathers; he has been my God, my father and my friend; he has never left, nor forsaken me; he has been always doing me good; when in trouble I have cried unto him, and he has de­livered me; he has healed my [Page 133] diseases, he has pardoned my sins, he has been nigh unto me in all that I called upon him for; this God will be my God for ever and ever, and he will be my guide even unto death; love the Lord, O my child! for his mercy endureth for ever to such as keep his covenant, and to those who remember his commandments to do them: he will be your God too if you seek him; he loves the children of his servants, and he is ready to be sound of them. God has heard my prayers for you, and he waits to be gracious; if you seek him, he will be found of you; he will be nigh unto you [Page 134] as your father and your friend; seek him, my child, seek him with all your heart; for the Lord searches all hearts. Dare not seek him with your lips while your heart is far from him; say to him, My father, be thou the guide of my youth; and he will be your guide even unto death.

But, O my child! should you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever. Dreadful thought! to be cast off from that God whose favour is life, and whose loving kindness is better than life; to be cast off from the family of God's chil­dren, and to be no more a seed [Page 135] to serve him: to be cast into the lake that burns for ever and e­ver, and to be punished with e­verlasting destruction from the presence of [...]he Lord.

My child, how can I endure the dreadful thought! seek him while he may be found, call up­on him while he is near; if you seek him he will be found of you; but remember, if you forsake him he will cast you off for ever. Do not your hearts melt, children, at such language as this? can you bear the thought of being separated from your parents, and their God for ever? Hear it and trem­ble! The children of pious [Page 136] parents who forsake God, are generally the most abandoned sinners, and will have the hea­viest punishment in hell for e­ver. How will your hearts en­dure the terrors of that day, when you shall be called to ac­count for all the sins you have committed, for all the mercies you have despised, for all the prayers of your pious parents, for the lessons of piety they have given you, for the in­structions of God's holy word, and for the blood of that com­passionate saviour, which you [...] trodden under foot and despised? These are awful scenes children, as unpleasant for us [Page 137] to tell, as for you to hear: but, if we alarm you, it is that you may flee from the wrath to come, and lay hold on eternal life. Forsake God! For what should you forsake him? is the blessed God ready to cast you off? O, no; he has said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee; I would gather you as a h [...]n gath [...]reth her chickens un­der her wings. Come unto me, I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daugh­ters, saith the Lord Almighty. Why then children, should you forsake him? Can you live without him. No? You may live without parents or friends, [Page 138] but you cannot live without your God; and surely you can­not die without him. You will then have nothing left but your God; and can you be happy without him? No. His favour is life, and his loving kindness is better than life. Seek him then while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. If you seek him he is ready to be found of you; but if you forsake him, he must cast you off for ever.

SERMON XVII.

[Page 141] My little friends, you are the fig-trees in God's vineyard: God is the husbandman: you are the plants which his right hand has planted. He has planted you in the choicest ground, where streams of hea­venly mercy slow, and words of sweet salvation sound; a­midst all the blessings of the gospel and the means of grace. Your pious parents have nour­ished and cherished you; they have instructed you, they have prayed for you, your ministers have taught you from God's holy word, they have fed you with the sincere milk of his word, that you may grow [Page 142] thereby. Above all, Jesus, the compassionate lover of souls, the great vine-dresser in God's vineyard, has nourished you with his word and ordinances, he has drawn you with the cords of love, and he has laid down his life for you, that you might not perish, but have everlasting life.

And now, my little friends, suppose the great husbandman, after all that he has done for his vineyard, should come and find no fruit upon his vines and his fig-trees? Sad indeed, if he should come, year after year, seeking fruit and finding none, after he has done so much for [Page 143] you. Will he not expect that you should bring forth the fruits of holiness to the praise and glo­ry of God? You who are train­ed up in piety and goodness, who have been taught from your earliest infancy to know God, to love him, and to serve him, to pray to him, and to praise him, what do you more than others?

Consider how many poor unhappy children there are, whose wicked parents have ne­ver taught them to know the God who made them, the Sa­viour who died to redeem and save them. Will you not pity and pray for them? and re­member [Page 144] God expects much more from you. Young as you are, you may bring forth some fruit; he expects that you be modest, humble, and teach­able, obedient to your parents, and loving and kind to all; but perhaps, he has come for one, two, or three years, and found none of these fruits: no fear of God, no love to him, no prayer to him, no care about your souls, no thoughts of hea­ven or of hell. Sad indeed! He waits to be gracious, and yet you will not regard him. Have you not reason to fear he will say to his vine-dresser, Cut it down, why cumbereth [Page 145] it the ground? Remember eve­ry plant that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and how soon you may be taken away you know not. Young plants are aften removed, often in mercy taken away from the evil to come; take care that you are not removed in anger, because you bear no fruit. It is sad, indeed, to be mere cumberers of the ground; to live in the world without being good our­selves; or doing good to those around us; we root such plants out of our garden, and cast them among the weeds that are to be burnt.

So at the last day God shall [Page 146] say to his angels, Gather toge­ther the tares; that is, the wicked and unprofitable, and bind them in bundles to be burnt.

The blessed God is not wil­ling that any should perish; he waits to be gracious; he comes, year after year, seeking fruit; and it is not till there is no more hope, that he says, Cut it down: he was willing to hope year after year, that it would blossom, and bring forth fruit; but, alas! he has been disap­pointed, and he now pro­nounces the awful sentence, Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? But see, Jesus, [Page 147] the kind vine-dresser, inter­ceeds for you: O! my Father! let it alone this year also: true, thou hast done much for it, hast borne it with much pa­tience year after year, and still it has been barren and unfruit­ful, and there seem now but little hope that it will ever bear fruit; but spare it one year more; I know not how to give it up; let it alone this year al­so: let instruction, reproof, and correction, be tried a little longer; perhaps the heart that is now hard may be softened and melt; the temper that is now rough and obstinate, may become gentle and teachable; [Page 148] the disobedient child may be­come dutiful and obedient; and the child who seemed al­most ripe for destruction, be made a child of God, and an heir of the kingdom of heaven. Then it will be well indeed! then there will be joy in hea­ven; for the plant that was dead is alive again, and will flourish for ever in the Paradise of God.