499. PRO 8:17. A DISCOURSE TO CHILDREN

Pro_8:17. A Discourse To Children

"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me"’97Pro_8:17

My young healers will perceive that our text is represented as being the language of Wisdom. See ver. 12. Now it is generally agreed that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Redeemer of the world, is here described by the term Wisdom. This it clearly established by the truths contained in the twenty-second to the thirty-first verse. As such, then, we will now consider it. But what does Jesus say? He addresses two kinds of children. 1. Those who love him. 2. Those who seek him; and he promises gracious things to both of them. "I love them," &c. "Those that seek me early shall," &c. Now, we will consider these characters separately. And we inquire,

I. What is it to love Christ?

You all know what love signifies. You can tell the difference between that and dislike,’97between that and indifference. I place three persons before you: one whose character is very bad; he is said to hate and be cruel to children; his countenance is very dark, and he has some deadly weapon in his hand. Why, if you knew all this you would not wish to be near him; you would feel dislike to him and dread him. Well, there is a second, and he is a stranger, you never heard either good or evil of him, never saw him before,’97why, you would feel indifferent to him, you would not however feel towards him as to the other. Well, now, your father or mother, or some very kind friend draws near, oh, how differently you now feel; you do not dislike, neither are you indifferent. Your heart loves this person Now, to love is to esteem, to value, to approve of, and to delight in the person beloved, Do you thus love God? Do you often think of God? Do you often speak to God in prayer? Do you try to obey God? Do you fear to grieve God? Do you love his day, his house, his people, his word? I am sure you ought to love him; for he made you, gave you life, gave you all your senses, all your faculties; gave you kind parents, health,’97all things. You have nothing but what he gives you. He gave you himself, he came from heaven to show his love, and to die for you: and he did die, even on the cross, for you children’s salvation. He has sent you the blessed Bible, and he tells you there that he has prepared heaven for all pious children when they die. Besides, he says he loves them," &c. You rejoice because your parents love you; but how much better that God loves you. He can help you when they cannot; he never dies, but your parents die. He will guide you, Keep you, bless you, and make you happy forever and ever.

11. What he says to those who seek him.

But let me just ask two or three questions here.

1. Are some children living far from him’97living without him?

Oh yes! we grieve to say that many are wandering by sin far from God. All who do wickedly, all who are profane, all who break the sabbath, all who disobey parents, all who never pray, or who say their prayers without thought, all who do not fear God, all who have not given him their hearts.

2. But in what way are children to seek Jesus Christ?

Why, they should seek him in the scriptures. Here you will learn all concerning Christ; what he has done for you; and how you may enjoy the blessings provided. Of Timothy, it is said, "From a child," &c. You should seek him by earnest prayer. Prayer is calling upon him. It is going to his throne. Of Saul of Tarsus, it was said, "Behold, he prayeth." Religion begins with prayer.

3. You must seek him by turning away from evil.

The prodigal would never have found his father had he not turned back. So you must return to God; give up all that you know is evil.

4. You must seek him by believing what he has said.

"Without faith," &c. God has said the sinner shall die. If you believe that, you will feel afraid and tremble. He has said that he does not wish the sinner to die, thus you will begin to hope. He has said that if you will trust in Christ with all your hearts, he will forgive you all your sins, and love you. This believing on Christ, is gratefully depending on what Christ has suffered for you, for acceptance with God. Now, in this seeking God, your whole heart and soul must be in earnest. If you seek him with all your hearts. But he refers us in the text to early seeking,’97that is, very soon in life. You cannot seek aim too early; many children have sought him so young as four or five years old.

(1) You cannot seek him too early because you cannot be happy too soon. He will make you really and truly happy.

(2) Because you cannot be safe too soon. If you know good from evil, then you are accountable to God; and if you die disliking God, you cannot go to heaven; and you may die very early. I feel persuaded some of you will die while you are children. Have you not known some who have died? If you seek the Lord, then if you die young you will go to heaven,’97have the crown and the white robe.

(3) It is much easier to find the Lord early; you have not gone so far from him; your evil habits are not now so strong and deep-rooted. Look at that little plant, you could pull it up; not so in a year or two. A little stream.

(4) If you find the Lord when young, God may employ you in his service, and make you very useful in the world. Who can tell what God has for you to do? Many of you may be teachers, preachers, missionaries, do much good in the world. Have you not heard of Luther, of Wesley, Cecil? and then there was the apostle John, who "leaned on Christ’s bosom," &c.

Application

1. How many of you love the Lord?

2. How many will engage to seek him from this morning?

Autor: JABEZ BURNS