a_o man_n to_o suffer_v the_o fit_a season_n to_o escape_v he_o for_o the_o performance_n of_o that_o work_n which_o be_v the_o most_o difficult_a of_o all_o other_o to_o be_v well_o do_v and_o upon_o the_o due_a accomplishment_n of_o which_o both_o his_o present_a and_o future_a happiness_n depend_v for_o 1._o youth_n be_v the_o best_a time_n for_o our_o conversion_n because_o the_o soul_n be_v not_o then_o so_o much_o vitiate_v by_o evil_a habit_n as_o when_o she_o have_v run_v through_o the_o several_a stage_n of_o life_n in_o a_o continue_a course_n of_o wickedness_n though_o sin_n be_v deep_o enough_o root_v in_o our_o nature_n which_o be_v all_o defile_v with_o the_o original_a stain_n yet_o we_o very_o much_o fortify_v our_o corrupt_a inclination_n by_o produce_v they_o into_o act_n and_o by_o multiply_v those_o sinful_a act_n till_o they_o become_v familiar_a and_o customary_a to_o we_o and_o till_o we_o drink_v down_o iniquity_n like_o water_n 16._o so_o that_o the_o difficulty_n of_o turn_v from_o sin_n increase_v together_o with_o the_o time_n of_o our_o continuance_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o can_v the_o ethiopian_a change_n his_o skin_n or_o the_o leopard_n his_o spot_n 23._o then_o may_v you_o also_o do_v good_a that_o be_v accustom_v to_o do_v evil_a say_v the_o prophet_n be_v it_o to_o be_v think_v that_o conversion_n to_o god_n be_v so_o slight_a and_o easy_a a_o matter_n that_o any_o time_n may_v serve_v for_o its_o accomplishment_n be_v not_o the_o difficulty_n that_o a_o long_a habit_n of_o sin_v will_v lay_v in_o the_o way_n of_o that_o great_a and_o important_a work_n to_o be_v fear_v be_v it_o not_o much_o more_o easy_a to_o bend_v a_o young_a twig_n than_o a_o age_a oak_n and_o to_o prevent_v evil_a habit_n than_o to_o rectify_v '_o they_o a_o little_a observation_n of_o the_o world_n may_v suffice_v to_o inform_v we_o that_o long_a custom_n or_o habit_n be_v so_o bewitch_a a_o thing_n that_o scarce_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v imagine_v more_o ridiculous_a absurd_a and_o inconvenient_a than_o many_o thing_n which_o the_o long_a usage_n of_o some_o person_n nay_o of_o some_o whole_a nation_n have_v authorise_a and_o if_o man_n be_v so_o tenacious_a of_o any_o silly_a and_o troublesome_a thing_n which_o they_o have_v be_v much_o addict_v to_o and_o sacrifice_v their_o reason_n their_o honour_n and_o their_o ease_n to_o the_o tyranny_n of_o custom_n how_o much_o more_o prevalent_a must_v a_o long_a habit_n and_o course_n of_o sin_n be_v which_o beside_o its_o deep_a root_n in_o our_o nature_n and_o beside_o the_o ordinary_a force_n of_o mere_a habit_n have_v both_o its_o flatter_a promise_n and_o pleasure_n to_o tempt_v we_o to_o its_o embrace_n and_o its_o threat_n and_o terror_n too_o in_o suggest_v all_o the_o mortify_a circumstance_n of_o a_o virtuous_a course_n of_o life_n to_o raise_v in_o our_o mind_n the_o most_o frightful_a idea_n of_o piety_n and_o religion_n so_o that_o if_o custom_n and_o habit_n in_o general_n be_v proverbial_o style_v a_o second_o nature_n 〈◊〉_d the_o habit_n of_o sin_n may_v of_o all_o other_o most_o fit_o be_v so_o term_v and_o the_o force_n of_o its_o dominion_n over_o our_o soul_n and_o the_o difficulty_n of_o its_o extirpation_n out_o of_o they_o must_v needs_o have_v a_o increase_n proportionate_a to_o the_o time_n of_o its_o duration_n in_o they_o can_v any_o thing_n then_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o our_o youth_n when_o sin_n have_v not_o yet_o so_o deep_o root_v itself_o in_o our_o heart_n by_o evil_a habit_n as_o in_o old_a age_n after_o a_o long_a course_n of_o vice_n in_o a_o multitude_n of_o repeat_v act_n our_o conversion_n must_v needs_o have_v the_o most_o easy_a and_o kind_o accomplishment_n 2._o this_o further_a appear_v in_o that_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o young_a be_v ordinary_o the_o most_o capable_a of_o instruction_n it_o be_v a_o say_n of_o a_o philosopher_n 6._o that_o to_o cure_v a_o dead_a man_n and_o teach_v a_o old_a man_n be_v thing_n equal_o difficult_a for_o though_o in_o some_o respect_v youth_n be_v sufficient_o addict_v to_o pride_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o natural_a modesty_n and_o become_a humility_n often_o discernible_a in_o the_o young_a arise_v from_o a_o consciousness_n of_o their_o ignorance_n and_o unexperience_n of_o thing_n which_o dispose_v they_o to_o a_o more_o docible_a frame_n of_o mind_n than_o be_v usual_o to_o be_v find_v in_o elder_a person_n who_o maturity_n of_o age_n often_o make_v they_o unwilling_a to_o be_v inform_v especial_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n either_o because_o they_o imagine_v they_o already_o know_v what_o other_o may_v pretend_v to_o teach_v they_o or_o because_o they_o be_v unwilling_a to_o undergo_v the_o shame_n of_o be_v account_v so_o long_o ignorant_a of_o religion_n and_o their_o concern_n therein_o which_o every_o body_n ought_v to_o be_v early_o acquaint_v with_o and_o upon_o this_o account_n it_o be_v likely_a our_o saviour_n tell_v his_o disciple_n that_o except_o they_o shall_v humble_v themselves_o and_o become_v as_o little_a child_n 4._o they_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n i._n e._n unless_o they_o shall_v imitate_v child_n in_o modesty_n and_o lowliness_n of_o mind_n that_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o ignorance_n may_v make_v they_o teachable_a beside_o the_o mind_n of_o youth_n be_v general_o a_o much_o fit_a soil_n for_o truth_n than_o those_o of_o the_o age_a because_o not_o usual_o so_o overrun_v with_o the_o briar_n and_o thorn_n of_o strong_a and_o deep_o root_v prejudices_fw-la the_o soul_n of_o man_n will_v not_o long_o remain_v empty_a if_o it_o be_v not_o early_o store_v with_o truth_n it_o will_v be_v gradual_o stuff_v with_o error_n and_o as_o it_o be_v much_o more_o troublesome_a to_o alter_v and_o correct_v a_o write_v full_a of_o nonsense_n and_o confusion_n by_o much_o raze_n out_o and_o interline_v than_o to_o write_v a_o handsome_a piece_n of_o good_a sense_n on_o a_o blank_a paper_n so_o it_o be_v abundant_o hard_a to_o instruct_v or_o rectify_v a_o mind_n long_o prepossess_v with_o falshood_n than_o to_o make_v deep_a impression_n of_o truth_n on_o a_o soul_n more_o simple_a and_o unprejudiced_a which_o if_o empty_a of_o knowledge_n yet_o be_v not_o fill_v with_o error_n which_o as_o it_o have_v not_o yet_o learn_v to_o judge_n right_a of_o thing_n so_o neither_o have_v be_v much_o use_v to_o judge_n wrong_v and_o if_o not_o happy_a enough_o to_o be_v well_o stock_v with_o good_a notion_n yet_o be_v not_o so_o unhappy_a as_o to_o be_v crowd_v with_o bad_a one_o now_o see_v to_o capacitate_v we_o to_o serve_v god_n 24._o who_o be_v a_o spirit_n and_o therefore_o will_v be_v serve_v with_o our_o spirit_n without_o which_o bodily_a exercise_n profit_v little_a there_o be_v many_o great_a truth_n to_o be_v learn_v 8._o and_o though_o he_o have_v promise_v the_o help_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o reveal_v these_o to_o the_o simple_a yet_o see_v he_o require_v we_o to_o be_v diligent_a in_o the_o investigation_n of_o truth_n â—â—_o and_o very_o attentive_a to_o the_o voice_n of_o reason_n and_o scripture_n to_o that_o end_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o see_v by_o reflect_v on_o what_o have_v be_v just_a now_o say_v that_o the_o young_a who_o mind_n be_v yet_o unformed_a have_v a_o mighty_a advantage_n above_o the_o age_a for_o learn_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o way_n of_o god_n and_o for_o obtain_v a_o more_o copious_a and_o solid_a understanding_n of_o truth_n so_o that_o we_o may_v well_o say_v with_o the_o prophet_n though_o perhaps_o he_o speak_v in_o another_o sense_n who_o shall_v he_o teach_v knowledge_n 9_o and_o who_o shall_v he_o make_v to_o understand_v doctrine_n they_o that_o be_v wean_a from_o the_o milk_n and_o draw_v from_o the_o breast_n 3._o again_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a tenderness_n of_o spirit_n attend_v our_o first_o year_n and_o not_o ordinary_o to_o be_v find_v afterward_o which_o render_v conversion_n more_o feasible_a the_o heart_n be_v more_o malleable_a and_o more_o easy_o receive_v impression_n from_o the_o promise_n and_o threaten_n record_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o from_o the_o mercy_n and_o judgement_n distribute_v in_o the_o world_n by_o his_o providence_n therefore_o we_o find_v few_o person_n who_o education_n have_v give_v they_o any_o tolerable_a mean_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a thing_n who_o do_v not_o remember_v themselves_o to_o have_v be_v much_o affect_v in_o their_o youth_n in_o attend_v to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o in_o observe_v some_o remarkable_a passage_n of_o his_o providence_n if_o deep_a conviction_n be_v a_o great_a step_n towards_o conversion_n experience_n show_v this_o be_v most_o easy_o wrought_v on_o one_o that_o be_v young_a how_o often_o do_v we_o
of_o god_n so_o that_o we_o can_v extend_v it_o many_o year_n beyond_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o life_n or_o if_o we_o have_v the_o certain_a foreknowledge_n of_o the_o limit_n which_o the_o almighty_a have_v fix_v to_o 1._o our_o day_n 5._o if_o we_o know_v the_o number_n of_o our_o month_n and_o any_o of_o we_o can_v read_v ourselves_o ancient_a in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o divine_a decree_n this_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n justify_v or_o excuse_v our_o negligence_n if_o we_o shall_v thereupon_o presume_v to_o delay_v our_o conversion_n till_o towards_o the_o close_a of_o our_o time_n because_o of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o day_n of_o god_n patience_n and_o grace_n for_o as_o the_o day_n of_o our_o life_n be_v uncertain_a so_o be_v the_o day_n of_o grace_n too_o and_o as_o those_o be_v very_o short_a so_o this_o may_v be_v much_o short_a 44_o and_o we_o may_v soon_o outlive_v the_o time_n of_o our_o visitation_n from_o heaven_n 42._o and_o so_o the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o our_o peace_n may_v be_v final_o hide_v from_o our_o eye_n it_o be_v infinite_a mercy_n in_o the_o great_a and_o holy_a god_n to_o give_v a_o wretched_a sinner_n one_o smile_v one_o single_a offer_n of_o reconciliation_n and_o it_o be_v great_a ingratitude_n and_o folly_n in_o a_o guilty_a creature_n but_o once_o to_o refuse_v to_o hearken_v to_o so_o gracious_a a_o call_n but_o what_o word_n can_v express_v the_o goodness_n and_o condescension_n of_o the_o almighty_a to_o a_o miserable_a worm_n when_o he_o importunate_o repeat_v the_o term_n of_o peace_n to_o invite_v 20._o nay_o to_o beseech_v he_o to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o he_o and_o how_o provoke_a must_n the_o guilt_n of_o that_o sinner_n be_v who_o after_o all_o this_o kindness_n of_o god_n towards_o he_o stop_v his_o ear_n at_o his_o counsel_n 5._o like_o the_o deaf_a adder_n that_o will_v not_o hearken_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o charmer_n charm_v never_o so_o wise_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o if_o his_o abuse_a patience_n and_o mercy_n be_v turn_v into_o indignation_n and_o wrath_n and_o thus_o it_o often_o come_v to_o pass_v 12._o because_o man_n receive_v not_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v god_n send_v they_o strong_a delusion_n that_o they_o shall_v believe_v a_o lie_n and_o that_o they_o all_o may_v be_v damn_v who_o believe_v not_o the_o truth_n but_o have_v pleasure_n in_o vnrighteousness_n 16._o and_o the_o word_n of_o god_n instead_o of_o be_v the_o savour_n of_o life_n unto_o life_n 11._o become_v the_o savour_n of_o death_n unto_o death_n to_o they_o 8._o thus_o the_o righteous_a god_n set_v his_o face_n against_o they_o that_o stiffen_v their_o neck_n against_o he_o 16._o and_o harden_v their_o heart_n in_o judgement_n 18_o who_o themselves_o have_v harden_v they_o against_o the_o offer_n of_o mercy_n 15._o if_o the_o decline_a church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v threaten_v with_o the_o removal_n of_o her_o candlestick_n 9_o in_o case_n she_o refuse_v to_o hearken_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o our_o saviour_n 5._o when_o he_o call_v she_o to_o repentance_n how_o just_o may_v every_o impenitent_a sinner_n fear_v the_o speedy_a end_n of_o the_o day_n of_o grace_n to_o he_o and_o if_o at_o one_o sermon_n of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n 28._o as_o some_o of_o the_o jew_n his_o auditor_n be_v convert_v so_o other_o of_o they_o be_v judicial_o seal_v up_o in_o hardness_n of_o heart_n and_o blindness_n of_o mind_n the_o most_o dreadful_a punishment_n on_o this_o side_n hell_n and_o the_o gospel_n which_o they_o have_v reject_v and_o despise_v be_v sudden_o snatch_v from_o they_o to_o be_v carry_v to_o the_o ignorant_a heathen_a be_v it_o not_o still_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o they_o that_o defer_v to_o yield_v themselves_o to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n 5._o when_o the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o salvation_n have_v be_v again_o and_o again_o publish_v to_o they_o 19_o may_v utter_o fall_v short_a of_o happiness_n by_o this_o their_o obstinacy_n and_o unbelief_n 17._o and_o if_o profane_a esau_n who_o for_o one_o morsel_n of_o meat_n sell_v his_o birthright_n be_v afterward_o reject_v when_o he_o will_v have_v inherit_v the_o blessing_n and_o find_v no_o place_n of_o repentance_n though_o he_o seek_v it_o careful_o with_o tear_n how_o just_o may_v god_n reject_v they_o 51._o who_o have_v often_o resist_v the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n 11_o and_o suffer_v they_o to_o mourn_v at_o last_o without_o pity_n in_o their_o great_a distress_n 30._o who_o have_v often_o grieve_v the_o holy_a spirit_n in_o gratify_v their_o sinful_a inclination_n and_o see_v he_o have_v say_v his_o spirit_n shall_v not_o always_o strive_v with_o man_n 3._o who_o know_v how_o soon_o he_o may_v shut_v up_o his_o tender_a mercy_n in_o displeasure_n against_o those_o that_o have_v long_o rebel_v against_o he_o 9_o and_o swear_v in_o his_o wrath_n 11._o that_o they_o shall_v never_o enter_v into_o his_o rest_n 18._o how_o soon_o he_o may_v accomplish_v that_o terrible_a threaten_v he_o have_v pronounce_v against_o the_o impenitent_a he_o that_o harden_v his_o neck_n 1_o be_v often_o reprove_v shall_v sudden_o be_v destroy_v and_o that_o without_o remedy_n 3._o there_o be_v not_o only_o a_o possibility_n or_o a_o bare_a likelihood_n of_o the_o expiration_n of_o the_o day_n of_o grace_n to_o those_o that_o spend_v the_o best_a of_o their_o time_n in_o rebellion_n against_o their_o maker_n before_o they_o arrive_v at_o old_a age_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a there_o be_v only_o a_o possibility_n and_o no_o likelihood_n that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n shall_v continue_v to_o strive_v with_o they_o at_o the_o wind_a up_o of_o their_o day_n who_o through_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o time_n have_v resist_v his_o counsel_n and_o motion_n and_o it_o be_v not_o only_a reason_n that_o furnish_v we_o with_o proof_n of_o this_o from_o the_o sovereignty_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n consider_v with_o the_o great_a aggravation_n of_o impenitency_n under_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n or_o the_o threaten_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o plain_o include_v this_o danger_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o last_o head_n insist_v on_o but_o experience_n join_v issue_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o evince_n that_o what_o our_o saviour_n say_v of_o rich_a man_n may_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n and_o force_n be_v apply_v to_o old_a sinner_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o a_o camel_n to_o pass_v through_o the_o eye_n of_o a_o needle_n 24_o than_o for_o such_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o if_o this_o say_v seem_v severe_a to_o any_o in_o respect_n of_o these_o last_o as_o it_o do_v to_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n 25._o in_o regard_n of_o the_o other_o it_o can_v just_o be_v soften_v with_o any_o far_a addition_n than_o that_o which_o our_o saviour_n subjoin_v to_o qualify_v his_o word_n in_o the_o first_o case_n 26._o viz._n that_o nothing_o be_v impossible_a with_o god_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n possible_a because_o all_o thing_n be_v so_o to_o god_n but_o very_o unlikely_a and_o not_o to_o be_v often_o expect_v and_o when_o at_o any_o time_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v god_n may_v be_v say_v to_o make_v a_o step_n out_o of_o the_o ordinary_a method_n of_o the_o dispensation_n of_o his_o grace_n somewhat_o like_o that_o he_o make_v when_o he_o work_v a_o miracle_n in_o the_o sphere_n of_o nature_n in_o this_o matter_n i_o say_v one_o may_v safe_o appeal_v to_o experience_n let_v any_o one_o that_o be_v acquaint_v with_o a_o considerable_a number_n of_o pious_a and_o age_a person_n ask_v each_o of_o they_o from_o what_o time_n he_o date_n his_o conversion_n and_o for_o one_o that_o have_v have_v that_o happy_a change_n wrought_v on_o his_o soul_n since_o he_o become_v old_a he_o shall_v find_v many_o that_o turn_v to_o god_n in_o the_o strength_n and_o verdure_n of_o their_o youth_n and_o can_v there_o be_v a_o great_a instance_n give_v then_o of_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n 13._o and_o of_o the_o bewitch_a power_n it_o have_v over_o the_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n of_o mankind_n than_o we_o have_v in_o the_o vain_a promise_n of_o repentance_n in_o old_a age_n wherewith_o so_o many_o flatter_v themselves_o and_o by_o which_o they_o seem_v to_o hope_v to_o render_v god_n propitious_a to_o they_o be_v any_o kind_n of_o folly_n so_o great_a in_o its_o degree_n or_o so_o dangerous_a in_o its_o consequence_n as_o this_o for_o mortal_n to_o lull_v themselves_o asleep_a in_o sin_n and_o sing_v a_o stupify_a requiem_n to_o their_o soul_n while_o they_o hang_v on_o the_o brink_n of_o eternal_a perdition_n when_o their_o vain_a hope_n have_v mere_o this_o uncertain_a foundation_n that_o there_o be_v a_o bare_a possibility_n that_o
see_v such_o a_o one_o weep_v at_o a_o transient_a glance_n on_o death_n and_o judgement_n in_o a_o sermon_n or_o at_o a_o general_a reflection_n on_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n for_o sinner_n while_o the_o cered_a conscience_n of_o those_o that_o have_v be_v long_o harden_v in_o sin_n hold_v proof_n against_o the_o most_o pathetic_a and_o awaken_n discourse_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o death_n the_o dismal_a circumstance_n that_o attend_v a_o sinner_n at_o the_o approach_n of_o it_o and_o the_o great_a consequence_n that_o depend_v on_o that_o amaze_a change_n or_o against_o the_o most_o lively_a description_n of_o the_o most_o cruel_a and_o unexampled_a suffering_n wherewith_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v torment_v for_o our_o redemption_n that_o make_v no_o impression_n on_o the_o adamantine_a heart_n of_o the_o latter_a which_o be_v often_o find_v to_o effect_v a_o deep_a compunction_n of_o mind_n in_o the_o former_a and_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o one_o can_v hardly_o be_v keep_v open_a by_o a_o discourse_n that_o dissolve_v those_o of_o the_o other_o into_o tear_n the_o affection_n of_o fear_n and_o hope_n joy_n sorrow_n compassion_n and_o the_o like_a more_o easy_o move_v the_o tender_a mind_n of_o youth_n and_o consequent_o make_v way_n for_o last_a impression_n of_o piety_n to_o the_o purpose_n of_o which_o these_o affection_n when_o guide_v and_o regulate_v by_o a_o enlighten_v mind_n do_v mighty_o conduce_v 4._o the_o zeal_n and_o resolution_n which_o the_o warm_a temper_n of_o youth_n enage_n they_o in_o for_o what_o they_o embrace_v render_v a_o thorough_a conversion_n to_o god_n more_o easy_a to_o they_o than_o to_o the_o old_a who_o by_o have_v either_o taste_v much_o of_o the_o affliction_n of_o the_o world_n themselves_o or_o by_o have_v be_v witness_n to_o the_o misery_n of_o many_o other_o often_o retain_v so_o terrible_a a_o idea_n of_o worldly_a trouble_n that_o the_o mortification_n and_o self-denial_n prescribe_v to_o the_o follower_n of_o christ_n give_v they_o a_o strange_a disgust_n for_o a_o strict_o religious_a life_n beside_o the_o abatement_n of_o their_o natural_a heat_n and_o vigour_n a_o good_a degree_n of_o which_o be_v useful_a to_o any_o great_a enterprise_n make_v they_o with_o the_o sluggard_n continual_o complain_v of_o a_o lion_n in_o the_o way_n 13._o but_o the_o young_a who_o have_v not_o be_v so_o balk_v with_o disappointment_n nor_o feel_v or_o see_v so_o many_o misery_n and_o who_o have_v also_o a_o great_a sense_n of_o honour_n and_o be_v common_o ambitious_a of_o high_a achievement_n and_o disdain_n to_o have_v their_o attempt_n defeat_v be_v hereby_o dispose_v more_o ready_o to_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o 12._o fight_v the_o good_a fight_n of_o faith_n that_o they_o may_v lay_v hold_n on_o eternal_a life_n add_v to_o this_o that_o that_o disease_n of_o covetousness_n that_o so_o often_o attend_v the_o age_a who_o from_o experience_n either_o in_o themselves_o or_o other_o of_o the_o difficulty_n of_o get_v and_o keep_v and_o the_o danger_n of_o lose_v and_o the_o inconveniency_n of_o want_v the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n become_v more_o tenacious_a of_o they_o then_o when_o they_o be_v near_a the_o unavoidable_a necessity_n of_o part_v with_o they_o that_o this_o disease_n i_o say_v which_o be_v the_o root_n of_o all_o evil_a 10._o which_o be_v idolatry_n 5._o and_o therefore_o opposite_a to_o the_o true_a service_n of_o god_n and_o which_o render_v it_o almost_o impossible_a for_o a_o rich_a man_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n 26._o do_v not_o so_o usual_o reign_v among_o the_o young_a who_o be_v rather_o apt_a to_o run_v into_o the_o contrary_a extreme_a so_o that_o their_o motion_n in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n be_v not_o clog_v with_o this_o dead_a weight_n which_o so_o mighty_o incumber_n those_o who_o heart_n have_v take_v deep_a root_n in_o the_o earth_n thus_o we_o see_v how_o much_o more_o easy_a the_o work_n of_o conversion_n be_v likely_a to_o be_v when_o we_o engage_v in_o it_o in_o our_o tender_a year_n than_o if_o we_o defer_v it_o to_o old_a age._n but_o all_o this_o while_n i_o will_v not_o be_v think_v to_o make_v the_o work_n of_o conversion_n consider_v as_o the_o act_n of_o god_n who_o alone_o can_v turn_v a_o soul_n from_o darkness_n to_o light_n 18._o and_o from_o the_o power_n of_o satan_n to_o himself_o to_o be_v more_o difficult_a in_o one_o subject_a than_o another_o for_o all_o thing_n be_v equal_o possible_a to_o he_o but_o i_o have_v hereby_o make_v a_o essay_n to_o show_v that_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o old_a sinner_n be_v a_o subject_a much_o more_o untractable_a and_o obstinate_a in_o itself_o than_o that_o of_o one_o who_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o youth_n be_v yet_o but_o a_o novice_n in_o vice_n that_o the_o work_n of_o mortification_n and_o sanctification_n be_v common_o begin_v with_o less_o difficulty_n and_o carry_v on_o with_o more_o ease_n and_o speed_n on_o the_o young_a than_o on_o the_o old_a and_o that_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o grace_n be_v necessary_a to_o reform_v the_o latter_a than_o the_o former_a and_o whether_o the_o almighty_a will_v grant_v such_o a_o extraordinary_a measure_n of_o his_o grace_n to_o one_o that_o be_v grow_v old_a in_o wickedness_n may_v well_o be_v doubt_v as_o we_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o since_o then_o the_o work_n of_o conversion_n be_v of_o the_o great_a consequence_n as_o it_o be_v for_o our_o true_a interest_n both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o that_o to_o come_v certain_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o youth_n see_v that_o be_v the_o most_o seasonable_a time_n as_o will_v further_o appear_v 2._o in_o that_o much_o good_a be_v lose_v and_o much_o evil_n contract_v by_o defer_v our_o conversion_n to_o old_a age_n but_o much_o evil_n on_o the_o contrary_a be_v prevent_v and_o much_o good_a obtain_v through_o the_o course_n of_o our_o day_n by_o a_o early_a turn_n to_o god_n 1._o much_o sin_n be_v prevent_v and_o consequent_o much_o spiritual_a good_a obtain_v by_o a_o early_a conversion_n which_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v no_o small_a advantage_n for_o see_v sin_n as_o it_o be_v direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o pure_a nature_n of_o god_n be_v the_o worst_a of_o evil_n and_o see_v the_o excellency_n or_o vileness_n of_o a_o creature_n be_v to_o be_v measure_v by_o its_o likeness_n or_o contrariety_n to_o god_n who_o possess_v absolute_a perfection_n in_o himself_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o nothing_o can_v so_o deform_v a_o creature_n nothing_o can_v so_o defile_v it_o nothing_o can_v debase_v it_o so_o much_o and_o set_v it_o at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n as_o sin_n do_v it_o must_v then_o certain_o be_v our_o interest_n to_o break_v off_o our_o sin_n by_o a_o early_a repentance_n since_o every_o sinful_a act_n and_o much_o more_o a_o continuance_n in_o a_o course_n of_o sin_n do_v so_o much_o corrupt_v debase_v and_o deform_v the_o soul_n and_o if_o we_o desire_v the_o meliorate_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o will_v become_v more_o excellent_a creature_n than_o we_o be_v instead_o of_o degenerate_v and_o become_v worse_o it_o high_o concern_v we_o to_o begin_v early_o to_o extirpate_v that_o which_o have_v stripe_v the_o soul_n of_o much_o of_o her_o intellectual_a and_o which_o be_v worse_o of_o her_o moral_a excellency_n and_o will_v render_v she_o by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o vile_a by_o how_o much_o the_o long_o we_o indulge_v it_o and_o to_o devote_v ourselves_o betimes_o to_o religion_n and_o holiness_n which_o be_v the_o principal_a beauty_n and_o glory_n of_o a_o rational_a soul_n and_o that_o which_o chief_o make_v a_o man_n resemble_v his_o creator_n 2._o much_o sorrow_n and_o trouble_n be_v hereby_o prevent_v and_o much_o joy_n and_o pleasure_n obtain_v and_o secure_v for_o though_o some_o example_n may_v be_v find_v of_o wicked_a man_n who_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o temporal_a prosperity_n for_o a_o little_a time_n may_v be_v say_v to_o spread_v themselves_o like_o a_o green_a bay-tree_n 35._o not_o to_o be_v in_o trouble_n like_o other_o man_n etc._n and_o to_o have_v more_o than_o heart_n can_v wish_v yet_o god_n do_v not_o leave_v himself_o without_o witness_n of_o his_o displeasure_n against_o sin_n in_o that_o he_o often_o wound_v the_o head_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o the_o hairy_a scalp_n of_o they_o that_o go_v on_o still_o in_o their_o trespass_n 21._o by_o signal_n judgement_n in_o this_o world_n as_o all_o place_n and_o age_n can_v testify_v nor_o have_v the_o divine_a providence_n be_v want_v to_o signalise_v the_o righteous_a by_o frequent_a instance_n of_o peculiar_a temporal_a blessing_n which_o it_o have_v confer_v on_o they_o however_o the_o anguish_n of_o a_o guilty_a and_o self-accusing_a conscience_n which_o the_o wicked_a