' Leave me to myself ; at least leave me till many more suns and showers have brought me to a maturity better suited to your use.' But no, my young Brethren ; I would not leave you another day. God has appointed that the green ears be dried by the fire, and so be fitted for his use : and gladly would I use all possible means to qualify you for the honour to which he calls you : nor can I doubt but that, if you be willing, you shall be accepted of him. And think, I pray you, of the advantage of being consecrated to the Lord in early life : think how many sins you will avoid : think what an advance you may hope to have made in the divine life, whilst others are only beginning their Christian course. Above all, think what an honour it will be to serve the Lord ; and what hap- piness to be regarded by him as his peculiar people. O, let me not speak in vain : but now vie, as it were, with each other, who shall be foremost in this blessed race, and who shall consecrate himself to God at the earliest period of his life. Happy am I to assure you, that the oil and frankincense are ready, and that the fire is already kindled on God's altar. Only be willing to be the Lord's, and this very hour shall your offering come up with acceptance before him.]
2. Those who are more advanced in life —
[If the green ears be sought for the Lord, surely you can have no doubt respecting the proper destination of those that are more matured. Affect, then, the honour which is now offered you, of being the Lord's. And remember, that, as a part only of the offering was consumed upon the altar, and the rest was given to the priests for their subsistence, so must ye gladly give yourselves to the Lord for the advancement of his glory, and the establishment of his kingdom in the world. It is for this that so many suns have shone upon you, and so many showers have been vouchsafed : and know, that in giving to God, ye give only what ye have received from him ; and that, instead of conferring any obligation upon him, the more you do for him, the more you are indebted to him. Yes, know, that if the honour to which we call you were duly appreciated, there is not an ear in the whole field of nature that would not be anxious to attain it. May the meat-offer- ings, then, this day be multiplied on God's altar ; and his name be increasingly glorified amongst us, for Christ's sake ! Amen and Amen.]