days of your Youth Consider I pray you these following things First Consider your Youth God requires Eccl. 12.1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth Secondly it is a Question whether you may live to an old Age which if not what will become of you Thirdly grant that you live to an old Age it is a Question whether the day of grace may last so long Fourthly if the day of grace should last so long it is a question whether you will not through the pains and imbecilities of old Age be rendred incapable to serve God Fifthâ—y Consider you may serve God when it is too late but you can never serve him too soon Paulus Verily this is true I cannot deny it but do you not think that God is more glorified by an old Convert then by a young Evangelus When you have such suggestions as these endeavor to make them abortive at their birth for any will tell you that there is nothing more acceptable unto God then when a young man offers up the Flower of his Age unto him yea and what does conduce more unto Gods glory then the same Paulus Well I am now convinc'd of my folly especially of confiding in good works for salvation Evangelus Well bless God for it and now seeing through infinite mercy an insufficiency in good works to save you what think you of God Paulus Why I think that he is a Spirit Evangelus He is so my friend and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth Paulus This I knew a great while ago Evangelus Very good are there more Gods then one Paulus Yâ—a surely there must be three Gods God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost Evangelus Know Friend that thou art wofully ignorant for though there be three Persons in the Godhead yet thâ—se three are but one in substance all this while there is but one individual Deity as the Fire does contain in it three Properties 1. It s self 2. Heat 3. Light So though there be but three ways of subsisting in the Godhead yet all this while it is but individual Paulus Pray Sir is there any Scripture for this Evangelus Yea Scripture enough see Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord Isa. 44.6 I am the first and I am the last and beside me there is no God Isa. 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the Earth for I am God and there is none else So 2 Cor. 8.4 5 6. and Eph. 4.5 1 Tim. 2.5 Paulus I confess these Scriptures do hit me for how many times have I read the Bible over and yet do not remember these places Evangelus You minded then well what you read for certainly if you had read diligently and with a desire to know you would have given a more pertinent Answer to such a Fundamental and Practical Point of Divinity as this But this is not all our Souls are spirits Angels are spirits and the Dâ—vils are spirits what difference is thâ—â—â— then between God and these Paulus Why I suppose he is bigger then all of them Evangelus Bigger then all of them this is no solid Answer God he is an increated Spirit all others are created God he is an infinite Spirit all others are finite Paulus Nay this is very good Evangelus Well I am glad you like it but what difference is there between the Devils and the Angels Paulus Why I suppose they are both Spirits and both Angels only the Angels in Heaven are the good Angels and the Devils are the evil ones Evangelus Thou sayest right the Devils thâ—â— are now in Hell were once righteous Angels but through pride and malice they are now become of all creatures the most miserable but where do the Devils inhabit Paulus I suppose the Devils do dwell in Hell it being a Place prepared for them and the wicked Evangelus The habitation of the Devils is partly in Hell and partly in the Air The Devils do dwell in the Air unto the Day of Iudgement and usurping the same on purpose that they might rule in the hearts of men But what difference is there between the spirits and our souls for our souls you know are spirits Paulus Nay I believe now you ask me that which you cannot answer your self Evangelus Think not so friend for the Angels were the firsâ— Creatures that God made whereas our souls are not the Angels are not covered with flesh but our souls are the Angels are perfect spirits but our souls through union with their bodies are imperfect and impure but enough of this what think you now of Iesus Christ Paulus Who is Jesus Christ why he is the Son of God Evangelus It is true my friend he is so for God the Father testifies it Mat. 3.17 The Chuâ—ch acknowledgeth it Matth. 16.16 And the Devils confess it Luke 4.41 But who do you think of these were first God the Father or God the Son Paulus There is a question indeed surely the Father must be before the Son Evangelus Yea friend that is true it is so in natural generation but here it is not for Christ Iesus is co-eternal with his Father and equal with him in Power and Glory Paulus This will not stand by reason Evangelus Divine Mysteries are not to be apprehended by carnal reason for he who would see by an eye of Faith must shuâ— out the eye of Reason and what think you now of the Holy Ghost Paulus Why I suppose he is God too is he not Evangelus Yes he is so see 1 John 5.7 For there are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father Word and Holy Ghost and these three are one Paulus Nay this is very evident you bring Scripture I say to prove what you say Evangelus Well if so be you do believe what I have said concerning the blessed Trinity say with me God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost and these three are one Paulus God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost and these three are one Evangelus Right what think you now of the Creation of the World did God make the World of somthing or of nothing Paulus Of somthing surely for out of nothing nothing can be made Evangelus Friend what do you think Creation signifies Paulus Truly I know not very well Evangelus Why it signifies a making all things of nothing Paulus Say you so Evangelus Yea and have you not read that the World was made only by the especial word of his Power not that we should understand that any word did really proceed from God but only that he will'd it Paulus Did God do you say only speakâ— thâ— word and was this World made I cannot believe this except you bring me Scripture Evangelus If Scriptures will convince you I 'le bring you Scriptures enough See Psal. 33.9 For he spake and it was done he commanded and it
there are by which I am bound to look after you viz. I am a dying Creature and therefore whilst I have life I must act for God because when I am in the Grave I cannot write unto you My Preaching-Work then will be over And hâ—nce it is that I do think it meet whilst I am in this earthly Tabernacle to put you in mind of these things and to stirr you up to the doing thereof And as the consideration of my Mortality should move me to do what I can for God and you see likewise the consideration of yours should make you more willing to hear and receive what I and others do both Preach and write unto you And now Sirs what remains but that you would follow those Practical things which the good Spirit of God may by these Lines put you in minde of Consider you must one day render an Account for all the good Sermons that you have heard the Word will either prove a savour of life or of death you will either be the better for Sermons or the worse and therefore to you now I speak that have often heard the vociferation of the Gospel but are not as yet reformed Consider after Death comes Iudgment and then what will you do will you not wish that you had taken the good Counsel of God given by his Ministers will you not then remember these Sermons which once you forgot as soon as ever you went out out of the Church and will not the remembrance thereof be as a Worm gnawing of your Consciences in Hell Oh with what shame and confusion will ye then be cloathed when all those secret sins which you thought were impossible to be brought to light shall be made manifest before the Lord Iesus who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 light it self Moreover consider that without you have an Advocate theâ—e is no standing at this Tribunal and who is this Advocate but Iesus Christ will plead to the utmost for you if you can but make sure of him for without him nothing can be done in order to your being sheltred from that wrath of God which then shall be revealed on all those who have slighted this Advocate and have accounted Sermons of no worth further believe and consider that if you have not the Lord Iesus to stand as your friend you must be thrust down into Hell and there howl with the damned for ever And what think you now of these things do you stedfastly believe them if you do not search the Scriptures and there you will finde what I have said to be true if you do believe them why then do some of you live as if there were neither God Heaven Hell or Iudgement if these things are sincerely believed by you stir up then and lay hold upon God and claim of him deliverance from wrath to come for it is hastning apace and wâ— unto you if you lay up nothing against this burning wrath of God for the time to come is as sure as the time that is present why therefore are you all for the present time assure your selves that the walking in repulse against these Considerations and the sweet motions of the Spirit will make you smart one day But Finally if you will all observe these things to do them what a blessed Meeting shall we have how wide will the Gates of Heaven stand open for uâ— what a Welcom will God the Father give us the very thoughts of it doth glad my very heart and soul Suffer therefore the good Word of God to take Impression upon you Endeavor to live a life of Grace here that so you may live a Life of Glory hereafter Persevere in all good hold out to the end for the Crown will make amends for all Be constant in the use of means Follow Peace with all men be useful in your several Vocations that in all things â—u may be fit for the being received 〈◊〉 into the Heaven of Heavens â—hich is and ever shall be the desire â—d Prayer of him Who is SIRS Your Souls Friend THO. POWELL PAULUS in his Unconverted state AEtatis suae 12. Evangelus WELL met Friend Whither are you going Paulus I am going to see a Play for they say it is very well worth ones observation Evangelus How to see a Play I would not have you for a World could I but hinder you I would for there is nothing but wickedness and Profaneness for your Contemplation and if this is worth your observation judge you Paulus You talk more like a Phanatick then a Civil and honest man for I verily believe there may be as much good gather'd from the observation of such a sight as somtimes hearing of a good Sermon Evangelus Oh what Prodigious and black ignorance is this to think that more benefit may be received from open Profâ—neness then from hearing the Word of God Have you not yet known the difference between evil and good Paulus There are some I believe as good and as wise as your self that goes to such places and certainly if it be lawful for them it is lawful for me Evangelus That is true friend if lawful for them then it is for you but it is not lawful for them and therefore let such be never so wise yet if they go to such Places as you plead for they do in that fall short of being wise men And moreover herein is shewed much of your folly in grounding lawfulness for the same on no other Foundation but because such and such do so whereas we that are Christians should endeavour to make our lives congruous with the Sacred Writ yea that which the Prophets and Apostles have built upon should be our Foundation Paulus Pray Sir keep your breath to cool your own Pottage for every Tub must stand upon its own bottom therefore catechise not me for I will not be catechised by you and as long as I have a mind to go I will go Evangelus Friend be not so touchy for I mean you no hurt nothing I am â—o you it is true and that every Tub must stand upon its own bottom I know yet considering that â—very one was not made for himself but for the Glory of God â—he good and benefit of each other therefore it does behove us to be giving one another good Counsel If you know any thing more then me I 'll learn of you and if I know any thing more then you you shall learn of me if you please Paulus Nay this is very fair I must needs confess Evangelus Well then my friend if it may sâ— please you to deny your self of going tâ— that Place first intended by you I wiâ—â— then tell you what we will do in steaâ— thereof Paulus I don't much care if I do foâ— once Evangelus What think you then of going tâ— yonder Grove where we may sit down in the shade and discourse concerning Soul-Affairs Paulus With all my
this world Mark how the Atheist contradicts â—imself to call his God a Gentleman it seems then his God is not a spirit It is not good to be too inquisitive after evil spirits True is that Adage Nemo lâ—edituâ— niâ—â—â— sciâ—so No man is hâ—â—ted but by himself A Diabolical contrivement A true Minister is at the Call of any that may want him Some evil company are so subtil as we cannot mediately finde out what they are The Christians God is but one God Deut. 6.4 Deceivers are here and there and every where Holy Anticipation is allowed Mark the fallacious way of arguing from a deceitful heart We must have à care of challengeing the Devil left therefore the Devil How Ironically do they speak Necessitas â—on habit legem Christians can't but shew themselves civilly to strangers The Devil can carry himself as civil and sober as any The young Mans Petition unto the Devil for concession In a matter of special concernment ' As there is no room for Gods children here below among the wicked so likewise there shall be no room above in Heaven for the wicked among Gods children The devil must have a word in Mitte Diabolum let the Devil alone The Devil makes a bargain with the young man The Bargain is accepted upon such and such conditions The Devil is a brag The Devil must have one to help him The Trinity provâ—d from five Considerations Vengeance will be executed upon the devil one day for appropriating Gods titles unto himself As long as faith is in a soul so long is the Reverence of a Deity continued The devil is a blasphemous spirit Observe the Combate between youth and the devil The devil is a lying spirit The youth through ignorance familiarizes too much with the devil Audacious blasphemy A doubting soul affects nothing so much as plainness Behold the devices of this fallen Angel thâ— Lord keep us from him The Devil can bring Scripture for a need When we are tempted we should rather say Get â—lee behind us Satan than to talk with him and ask him Questions The Devil is made up with nothing but lies How far does God somtimes suffer the Devil to usurp his Prerogative Oh poor young man my bowels do yearn after thee and all in thy condition yet I doubt not but God will raise thee up again and shew thee the vanity of thy ways O Devil pardon thy self Faith is batter'd The Devil rehearseth over his bargain that he might be sure for he is fearful of his prey Observe this plain contradiction for if he was God then he could not have been hindred moreover this denies the Omnipresence of God as well as his Omnipotence Here is Thanksgiving without occasion and a blessing of the devil insteaâ— of God Tâ—e trying of no way conscientious is the cause of maâ—y thaâ— comes to be nothing The devil and his companions are all one A cursed inquiâ—tion We are apt many times to welcom that which in the clâ—se conduceth to cur ruine The Devil proves there is no Providence by a Lie and corrects the young man for his illiteratâ—ness There are the whisperings of an evil spirit us well as a good Behold the Deviâ— The young Man speaks to the Devil after the Language of Canaan which ouâ—ht to be used with God only Hard thoughts of God are the fruits of Atheism When thâ— soul has hard thoughts of God the Devil will do what he can to multiply them The young man now accords with the Devil in everything A time appointed for the Contract The Devils salutation The young man is daunted An Interrogation He reasons with the Devil The Devil knows how to suit himsâ—If according to the constitutions of People The Devil makes many times as if he was but indifferent in those things which he is most earnest and desirous of The devil is an angry spirit We are apt many tiâ—es to consider when it is too late The Devil knows so well the advantage of consideration as that if he should give way to it he knows it would dash all his designes to pieces Blaâ—â—hemy The Author dares not write here what he did write lest it should prove a tentation Note thus far he went and further he had gone if divine Grace had not restrain'd him The devils Advice to the yong man Divine Providence interrupts The devil claims him before he is his The young man defies the devil A devilish machination it was that which had almost prevailed upon the young man in making of him to yield by putting Pen to Paper of which further observe The young man talks light-headed through the excessive teâ—n pâ—â—tâ—ons of the devil The danger of shunning good Councel He despairs It is the sin of young Converts to condemn and censure every thing which seems not at the first view right The misery of this young man contributes anxiety to the Minister An ambiguous speech The grounds of fear The Ministers suspicion The Minister seâ—ks aâ—â—er an interpretation of the young Mâ— is Proverb He â—eclare this Aâ—ostâ—ey The Ministers belief ' of the youth In what respect the devil is God The dev can transform him self into many shapes The young man did go very near in contracting with the Devil but he did totally contract with him as you will find in fine The young man prays for a deprecation of his misery Behold how his misery is augmented by many gradations An Exhortation to Thanksgiving Motives to Confession Observe the evil effâ—cts that do ensue the concealing of suggestions Nam multa possunt ostendi veteris Novi Testamenti exempla ubi lapsi remissionem peccatorum absolutionem à Christo Ecclesia sunt consecuti viz. David Manasse Petrus lapsa est Galatarum Ecclesia à Paulo ad poenitentiam revocata Paulus ipse Corinthium incestum jubâ—t recepi post poeni tentiam Aug. The young mans sins of omission and commission He cannot lift up his eyes to God Luke 16. Heb. 7.25 Ezek. 33.11 Psal. 32.5 Psa. 38.18 Joh. 14.6 Mat. 26.41 1 Thes. 5.17 Phil. 4.11 1 Tim 6.8 Eph. 4.27 Jam. 47. Eph. 4.27 2 Co. 11.2