114 FALLING SHORT OF HEAVEN. with the forms of godliness, and never yet felt any thing of the life of religion, or the powers of the world to come. How mournful a sight is it to behold a well - accomplished gentleman, yet a vilesinner ! A pretty obliging youth among men, but deaf and obstinate to all thecalls of God, and the intreaties of a dying Saviour ! A person of a free and ingenuous deportment, yet in . chains of slavery to corruption and death ! andhowunspeakably sorrowful willit beat the last day, to see such as these, the gay, the affable, the fair-spoken, and the well -bred sinner, in the utmost agonies of horror and despair, mourninga lost God, a lost soul, and a lost heaven ! Let me speak once more and try to provoke you to jealousy, Shall the rugged and clownish partof mankindpress forwardinto that kingdom which ye despise ? Will ye be patient to see some ofthe unbredand unpolished set at the right hand of the Judge, and yourselves with shame, be divided to the left ? Howwill ye endure to see the honours of heaven put upon those whom you have so often despised in your hearts upon earth ? Can youMoa- t, that that tribunal will be bribed with fair speeches ? or that any thing will be accepted in that court, besides solid and hearty religion ? Suffer this exhortation then, and then receive this advice, you thatare not usedtodeny any thing to your friends, you that love to oblige those who ask any reasonable favour at your hands ; nor let me plead this day in vain. 3. To those that have enjoyed the blessing of religious parents, and a pious education ; that have been bred up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, in the knowledge andprat -, tice of the moral law, and in the,outward performance of religion, accordingto the appointments of the gospel. Children, we love you for your fathers' sakes : we love to look upon you, for you are the little living images of our dearest friends: we have loved to ask yóu the younger questions that your parents have taught you, and to see the first-fruits of their instruction and holy care ; but we pity you, from our very souls, when we behold youbreak the bars of your education, and making haste to ruin: or when, at best, ye go onand tread the oircle of outward duties; as ye are led by custom and form, with aneglect of inwardchristianity,. and heartygodliness. , Did yur parents love God above all earthly things, and will ye prefer the love of this world above all things heavenlyand divine ? Have ye had such shining examples of holiness brought so near you to no purpose ? Do they pray for you daily ? Do theydaily mourn overyou, and hope, and wish, and exhort you to take care of your souls? And are you resolved that their counsels, their prayers, and their tears, shall be laid out upon you in vain ? Is this the return you make for all their care and
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