Partakers of Piety

What! Will not all the arguments I have mentioned, prevail you to leave the husks, and return home to eat the fatted calf? What! Will you thus requite our Savior's love? That should be far from you! Did he come down and shed his precious blood to deliver you from the power of sin, and will you spend your youthful strength and vigor in the service of it, and then think to serve Christ when you can follow your lusts no longer? Is it right that many who are endowed with excellent gifts, and are thereby qualified to be supports and ornaments of our church, should, notwithstanding, forget the God who gave them their gifts, and employ themselves in things that will not profit? O why will they not arise and be zealous for the Lord of hosts? Doubtless, when death overtakes them, they will wish they had, and what hinders them to begin now? Do you think that anyone has ever yet repented that he began to be religious too soon?  But how many on the contrary, have repented that they began when it was almost too late? We may well imagine that young Samuel now rejoices that he was so soon at the tabernacle of the Lord. And Timothy, that from a young child he knew the Holy Scriptures. If you wish to be partakers of their joy, let me persuade you to be partakers of their piety.

George Whitefield Daily Readings, Randall J. Pederson, ed., Christian Focus Publications, 2010,  June 9 reading.