PREFACE. THIS abridgment of "Persuasives to Early Piety" is especially designed to accommodate those friends of religion who, on various accounts, and on numerous occasions, may deem a book of this size more suitable for a present, than a larger volume. It should, however, be understood, that this volume does not contain more than half the original work, which is interspersed with prayers and meditations, adapted to the state of mind referred to in the various chapters. The original work, in a larger letter, is published and sold by Thomas Richardson, Derby; and by Simpkin and Marshall, London. Chap. Introductory address .......... The fallen and ruined state of man...... Some of the sins of youth enumerated.. Cautions against some delusive sup- ports on which many rest their hopes, The worth of the soul a reason for early VIII. Early piety peculiarly acceptable to God, and peculiarly honoured by him The advantages of early religion The happy conclusion of a religious life, No real good possessed by those desti- XIII. The vanity of youth, and the uncer- tainty of life, reasons for the imme diate choice of early piety ............... 191 XIV. The sorrows and dangers that attend the way of transgressors noticed, as a reason for the choice of early religion 196 The terrors and fearful consequences of death and judgment to the uncon- PERSUASIVES TO EARLY PIETY. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER I. ADDRESS TO THE YOUNG My dear young friend, if a person could rise from the dead to speak to you, how attentively would you listen to his discourse, and how much would you be affected by it! Yet a messenger from the dead could not tell you more important things than those to which I now beseech you to attend. I come to ask you to give your heart to GOD; I come to invite you to follow the Divine REDEEMER now; I come to entreat you to walk in the pleasant path of early piety. Oh that I could, with all the fervour of a dying man, beseech you to attend to your only great concerns! It is not to a trifle that I call your attention, but to your life, your all-your eternal al!, your God, your Saviour, your heaven, your everything that is worth a thought or wish. Do not let a stranger be more anxious than yourself for your eternal welfare. If you have been thoughtless hitherto, be serious now. It is time you were so. You have wasted years enough. Think of Sir Francis Walsingham's words: "While we laugh, all things are serious around us. God is serious, who preserves us, and has patience towards us; Christ is serious, who shed his blood for us; the Holy Spirit is serious when he strives with us; the whole creation is serious in serving God and us; all are serious in another world; how suitable then it is for man to be serious! and how can we be gay and trifling?" Do you smile at this grave address, and say that it is the cant of enthusiasm? Oh, think that those who laughed at these solemn truths when they were first delivered, now laugh no more! The friendly warning may be neglected, and the truths of the Bible disbelieved; but death and eternity will soon force on the most careless heart a deep conviction, that religion is the one thing needful. Yes, my young friend, "One thing is needful:" so said the Lord of life-needful to you, to me, to all. The living neglect it, but the dead know its value. Every saint in heaven feels the worth of religion, through partaking of the blessing to which it leads, and every |