Now, to speak a little to young men that are like to this holy man Josiah.
Surely his tenderness had some advantage from his years. Let those that
are young by all means labour to keep tenderness of heart; for if young
persons be good, there is a sweet communion between God and them,
before the heart be pestered with the cares of the world. God delights
much in the prayers of young men, because they come not from so polluted
a soul, hardened with the practices of this world. Let such, therefore, as
are young, take advantage of it, to repent in time of their sins, and let them
not put it off unto their old days. While we are young, let us not neglect
natural tenderness ; although we cannot bring ourselves under the compass
of God's kingdom by it, yet shall we get our hearts the sooner to be tender.
In our youth, therefore, let us not neglect this good opportunity, as good
Josiah did not when he was but young. Therefore let us repent of every
sin betimes, and acquaint ourselves with those that are good ; as it is said,
Heb. iii. 18, 'Let us provoke one another daily, while it is called to-day,
lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.' Let us use
all means to keep our hearts tender. Oh, it is a blessed estate ! We are
fit to live when our hearts are tender ; fit to die, fit to receive anything
from God, fit for duties of honesty to men, for any service to God. But
when we have lost sense and feeling, it must be the almighty power of God
that must recover us again, and not one amongst an hundred comes to good.
Therefore labour to preserve a tender, soft, and melting heart.
- Richard Sibbes (Josiah's Reformation, Sermon 1)
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