in bodily stature and intellectual attainments, look to see them " growing up as willows by the water-courses," and manifesting to all around them, how richly they are watered by the grace of God. That there is a great neglect of these things amongst religious professors, is but too true ; but if the grace of God really exist in us, it will shew itself by an unwearied solicitude for the welfare of our offspring ; as the prophet clearly inti- mates, when he says of the converts in the latter day, " They shall bring their sons in their arms, and their daughters (in litters) upon their shoulders1"." O that every mother might be as Hannah, and every father as Abraham s! and that none of you would " give rest unto your God1," till you have prevailed, like wrestling " Jacobu," and constrained him, as it were, to " shed forth his Holy Spirit abundantly upon your offspring through Jesus Christ our Saviour*!"]
4. To young people, above all —
[Of whom is it said, that they shall, with such zeal and unanimity, devote themselves to God, and glory in the appel- lation of his people ? Is it not of the young, who are springing up as willows by the water-courses ? See then what is the first duty, and the highest privilege of the young ! and see what all young people will do, as soon as they have " received the grace of God in truth!" And are there none amongst you who feel your obligations to God for the gift of his only dear Son to die for you ? are there none so penetrated with his re- deeming love, as to say in the fulness of your hearts, " What shall I render to the Lord for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?" Come then to the table of the Lord, and surren- der up yourselves to him there ! Think it not too early to wait upon him in that ordinance : if you truly desire to be the Lord's, that is the ordinance at which in a more especial manner the surrender of yourselves to him should be made ; and in that ordinance you may confidently expect that the Lord will more especially accept and bless you. In that ordinance too you form a closer union with the people of the Lord, who will de- light to see you added to their society, and to help you forward by their counsels and their prayers. Come then, and " subscribe with your hand unto the Lord ; " or rather, as soldiers, and slaves, and idolaters were used to inscribe on their flesh, in some indelible characters, the name of the general, or the master, or the idol, whom they served, so do you get inscribed on your heart, and on your arm, the name of your adorable Saviour, and give yourselves up to him in " a perpetual cove- nant that shall not be forgotten y."]
r Isai. xlix. 22. s 1 Sam. i. 22 — 28. Gen. xviii. 19.
1 Isai. lxii. 7. u Hos. xii. 4. x Tit. iii. 5, G.
yJer. 1. 4, 5. 2 Cor. viii. 5.