Young men labour for Strength to fight not with men not with one another you must take heed of a quarrelsome and contentious spirit but get strength to fight with your spiritual enemies which of all enemies are the strongest and most dangerous Young ones you are called to be Souldiers in your most tender years when you engage your selves to be Christs disciples you list your selves under his Banner you wear his Livery and carry his Colours you have need then of strength that you get Victory over your enemies the Devil the Flesh and the World which warr against Christ and warr against your own souls Those that warr with men have need be strong in body and you that are to warr with sin and Sathan and the allurements of this present evil world had need be strong in Spirit You have need of strength to resist strong temptations to subdue strong corruptions and to get the victory over such strong enemies 4. Young men labour for Strength to Dye It is a great thing to dye and hard thing to dye as a Christian it requireth strength to resign up the Soul when sickness and death come which none can escape but you may be called to lay down your Lives for the restimony of Jesus Christ you may be deprived not only of Liberty and Estate and all the comforts of this life but also of Life it self too if you will cleave to Christ and hold fast his Truths this you must prepare for and resolve upon otherwise you do not reckon what it may cost you to be a Christian and you do not accept of Christ upon the terms of the Gospel you have need of great strength to be enabled to dye for the sake of Christ. Thâ—…nk that you may be called to dye for Christ and if you should that this would be the most honourable death that you cannot keep your life long and cannot lose it upon a better account that if at such a time you should seek to save it you would within a while lose not only your natural life some oâ—…her way but lose eternal life and be eternally miserable Thus To what you should be strong SECT III. 3. THe Third thing is to shew In whom you should be strong Negatively you must not be strong in your selves either to do or suffer or fight or die for in your sâ—…lves you are utterly insufficient for any of these things of your selves you can do nothing if you undertake any duty in your own strength you will fail either in the thing or in the manner of performance if you fight in your own strength with your spiritual enemies they will be too hard for you you will be wounded and beaten to the ground If you think to suffer or die for Christ in your own strength you will start aside when you are put upon the tryall You have read of the self-confidence of Peter Deny thee I will dye first and yet he denyed his Master when he was tryed you know not what spirits you are of you are not yet it may be acquainted with the deceitfulness of your own hearts be not self-confident be not strong in your selves But Affirmatively Be strong in the Lord as the Apostle doth exhort Eph. 6. 10. Finally Brethren be strong in the Lord and the power of his might Our Saviour telleth his Disciples Joh. 15. 5. Without me ye can do nothing and they found it to be so therefore the Apostle doth disclaim all self-sufficiency 2 Cor. 3. 3. Yet however weak and nothing as he acknowledgeth himself to be he telleth us Philip. 4. 13. I can do all things through Christ strengthening me Let me then direct you to the right fountain of strength apply your selves to the Lord I cryed unto the Lord and he heard me saith David and strengthened me with strength in my soul Psal. 138. 3. Beg of the Lord that he would strengthen you with might by his Spirit in the inner man as Eph. 3. 16. When you feel your strength to fail or decay apply the Promise which God hath made of renewing the spiritual strength Isa. 40. 31. Thus much for the First Duty Young men labour to be strong SECT IV. 2. YOung men labour that the Word of God may abide in you There is a two-fold Word of God 1. The Essential Word which is Christ the Son of God Joh. 1. 1. 1 Joh. 5. 7. 2. The Written Word which is the Scripture 1 Thess. 2. 13. I shall speak concerning the Word of God in both acceptations 1. Let the essential Word of God let Christ abide in you Let Christ abide in your hearts And here are two things I would exhort you unto 1. To get Christ into your hearts 2. To keep Christ in your hearts 1. Labour to get Christ into your hearts young men be perswaded now to receive Jâ—…sus Christ into your hearts The time of your youth is the best time to receive Jesus Christ if you do not receive Christ now it is a great question whether you will ever receive him very few that refuse Christ when they are young ever are perswaded to accept of him afterwards Christ stands now at the door and knocks if any will open to him he will come in Rev. 3. 20. Christ knocks by Judgements by Mercies by Word by Ministers by his Spirit when you feel some secret movings and stirrings upon your spirit to thrust out sin and let in Christ when you have inclinations and perswasions to receive Jesus Christ then Christ is knocking by his Spirit open then the door comply with those motions and give Christ entertainment he is the best inhabitant that ever you received untill Christ be received some base lusts will inhabit your hearts and which is the best Inhabitant judge ye Christ where he inhabiteth doth ennoble Lust doth debase Christ doth beautifie Lust doth deform Christ doth enrich Lust doth impoverish Christ doth purifie Lust doth desile Christ doth cure Lust doth distemper Christ giveth peace and comfort Lust doth bring trouble and is the parent of eternal sorrow and woe O then give entertainment forthwith unto Jesus Christ now you may have him and all in him all with him if you refuse him now you may never have another proffer of him made unto you so long as you live And if you would receive Christ you must part with sin if you would receive him you must lay hold on him by Faith Joh. 1. 12. To as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believed on his Name 2. Labour to keep Christ in your hearts Seek him seek him diligently till you finde him and having found him hold him keep him carefully when he knocks let him in when he is in keep him there embrace him close in the arms of your Faith and Love bring not in any Inhabitants which may justle him out of his Lodging let Christ abide in you without disturbance 2. Let the
most difficult things are the most excellent things Pulchra quae difficilia though it bâ—… a difficult way it is the way of God not the way 〈◊〉 the Devil it is a clean way not the way of wickedness it is the way to the Crown to the Kingdom not the Road that leadeth to Hell and therefore 2. That it is a necessary way it is necessary thaâ—… you come into this way if you would be happy you would escape eternal misery 3. That the difficulty is not from the way bâ—… from your selves from your own lusts which aâ—… the weights that hang about you and maketh the way to seem difficult and tedious to you lay aside those weights and the sin that doth easily beset you and you may not only walk but run with easiness in this race Heb. 12. 12. 4. That though it be a difficult way to flesh and blood yet it is easie with God to help you and he hath promised to help you to write his Law in your hearts to remove your natural enmity and indisposition and to give you suitableness of spirit to his Law and to cause you to walk in his Statutes and keep his Judgements and do them Jer. 31. 34. Ezek. 36. 27. 5. That the greatest difficulty is at the first when you have accustomed your necks to his yoak and your backs to his burden you will acknowledge that his yoak is easie and his burden is light 3. The wickâ—…d one doth represent the way that Professors walk in as an unpleasant way he would perswade young onâ—…s that they must never look for a pleasant hour any more if they will be religious that thâ—…ir laughter must be turned into weeping and their joy into heaviness that there is required so much repenting and mourning that they will never endure it To overcome this prejudice of the wicked one know 1. That indeed you must repent of sin if you would be saved and your sorrow in some measure must last so long as your lives last because of the lasting of sin 2. That you must mourn for sin here or else you must burn for sin in Hell where you will mourn without measure without end and to no purpose 3. That you cannot avoid sorrow if you should continue in the way of sin pride crossed the world failing afflictions unexpected coming upon you which are born with chearfulness by the children of God may be heart-breaking to you one time or other you will have sorrows in a sinfull course and is it not better to have godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation than the sorrow of the world and lust which worketh death and destruction 4. That if you can obtain a kindly sorrow for sin which is a sweet melting of the heart with the sense of Gods love you will find more pleasure to your inward man than ever you did in all the delights of sin 5. That you are not required in this way to throw away all your comforts in your creature-enjoyments but only to deny your selves the excess and inordinacy which where it is taken breeds more bitterness in the disappointment than ever it yielded sweetness unto any You may take a subordinate comfort in friends and habitation and food and the like and herein more reall comfort through the sweetning of these things with Gods blessing and love than ever you could finde in these things before 6. That though your sinfull delights must be denyed yet God hath promised other delights in exchange he will give you spiritual delights If you walk closely and strictly and do not wound your selves by your sins you may have such sweet peace and refreshing joyes in the light of Gods countenance and sense of Gods love in communion with God here in his Ordinances and in hopes of the beatifical vision and full fruition of him in glory hereafter in heaven as have never entered into the heart of natural men to conceive 7. Whatever sorrow you have for sin now and whatever griefs for afflictions which in this life you are exposed unto yet consider that it is but for a little while Yet a little while and these sorrowes will be turned into joyes weeping may endure for ae night but joy cometh in the morning Psal. 30. 5. and if you sow in tears you shall reap in joy if you go forth weeping bearing precious seed you shall doubtless return again rejoycing bringing your sheaves with you Psal. 126. 5 6. at least when you come to heaven you shall have rest in the New Jerusalem all tears shall be wiped away from your eyes when you enter into your Masters joy then all sorrow shall come forth and depart sorrow and sighing shall flee away and never return more your joy in Heaven will be full and eternall and should the unpleasantness of the way discourage you from coming into it 4. The wicked one doth represent the way of the Gospel which Professors walk in as a reproachfull way he would discourage young ones from this way by the scorns and divisions they are like to meet with that they shall be scoffed at and reproached by their companions To overcome this prejudice of the wicked one know 1. That they are the most vile and contemptible persons in the World that reproach and deride Gods people and it is as ridiculous a thing for them to do it as to laugh at the shining of the Sun It is as if black deformed crooked persons should laugh and deride at those who are most fair and beautifull and therefore their reproaches and derisions are not in the least to be valued 2. That such as are reproached for Religion by men are most highly honoured by God and Christ he esteems them as the most excellent persons here and he will own and crown them in the face of the world at the last day 5. And lastly the wicked one doth represent the way that Professors walk in as a dangerous way he would perswade young ones if they come into this way they will run themselves upon great hazards and dangers they may lose their Estate they may lose their Liberty they may lose their Life To overcome this prejudice of the wicked one know 1. In reference to Estate which you may lose if you should lose Estate which you ought to reckon upon in the way of God 1. Possibly you may not keep your Estate in a way of sin some lusts may be as expensive to you as others Consciences are unto them and if 2. You have less of the world you may not have the less comfort if the stream fail you may fetch comfort from the Fountain 3. None can take away the treasure of grace in your heart nor deprive you of the treasure of gloâ—…y in heaven and whatever you lose of wealth for Christs sake will have an abundant recompence in that which is of an higher nature 2. In reference to Liberty 1. That though men may cast your Bodies into a Prison on Earth yet
the way not with their faces Hell-ward as some do but with their faces Heaven-ward being resolv'd to submit to any terms to make use of any means so they may obtain it 2. Seeking after Gods Kingdom and Righteousness doth imply a diligent endeavour in the use of means having found out what means are requisite that they may obtain these things Having found the Field where the Treasure is hid there they dig that they may possess themselves of the treasure Having found the Cabinet where the Jewel doth lye they labour to open the Cabinet that they may get the Jewel Having found the Shop the Market where the Oyl is sold they come to the place and buy Being informed of a Scepter of grace held forth they come and lay hold on it Being informed of a Door of mercy they come and knock there they will lye there they will crye there they will dye if they perish they will perish in the use of means Pray hear read meditate they will use any means which God hath prescribed in his Word though never so harsh and displeasing to flesh and cross to their carnal interest Though the use of powerfull means may be hazzardous though they may endanger Liberty Estate Life they will not flirich and start aside out of Gods way to his Kingdom whatever enemies and opposition they meet withall therein they wâ—…ll persevere in the way when the Sun of persecution shines hot upon them they will hold on their course whatever the way and weather be and so by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality Rom. 2. 7. if by any means they may attain the possession of this Kingdom of God 3. The third thing is to shew what is implyed in this word First Seek first the Kingdom and righteousness of God Two things 1. Precedency of Time 2. Precedency of Dignity Seek First that is Before other things Above other things Seek First that is Timely Chiefly 1. Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness that is seek these things timely before other things seek them in the Morning of your Life in the Spring of your years in the flower of your Youth Read Ecclesiastes 12. 1. Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth while the evil dayes come not nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them Remember thy Creator that God that made thee and who alone can new make thee who formed thy body in the womb and who alone can form Christ in thy heart who created thy soul breathing into thee the breath of life and who alone can create the New Man in thee after his Image by breathing into thee his quickening Spirit Remember thy Creator who not long since brought thee out of the loathed estate of Nothing and numbred thee amongst his Creatures and who can bring thee out of the more loathed estate of sin and number thee amongst his Children Remember him endeavour to know him how great and good he is how glorious and gracious remember him minde him who is every where present remember him get a holy awe and dread of him upon thee remember him get an interest in him and acquaintance with him remember him make choice of him for thy God and chief good seek his favour seek his Kingdom and Righteousness And that Now in the dayes of thy Youth in thy first years when it is not long since thou camest out of his hands remember him in thy Spring and bloom before the Winter come remember him in thy best dayes bâ—…fore the evil dayes and the years of old decrepid age draw nigh when thy body may be full of diseases thy bones full of the sins of thy Youth and thy Soul full of evil habits and thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them when God whom thou hast forgot shall say I have no pleasure in thee and thou shalt say I have no pleasure in my Life when thou shalt have neither inward nor outward comfort when thy heart shall say concerning riches honours and all sensual enjoyments I have no pleasure in them I hoped for good but I have met with disappointment I looked for sweetness and satisfaction but I am more unsatisfied than before that which I formerly took delight in hath a bitter taste and reflection My years now are irksome and tedious and I can finde no pleasure in them This was Solomons advice to young men to remember their Creator in the dayes of their Youth and this is the advice of our Saviour a wiser than Solomon to seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness to seek this timely before other things 2. Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness that is chiefly and above other things The things of this world may be sought but it must be in subordination to the things of Gods Kingdom You must make Earth to stoop to Heaven and the concernments of the Body must give place to the concernments of the Soul you must let the things of God have the chief of your thoughts and care 4. The fourth thing is to shew that all the children of men ought first to seek the Kingdom and righteousness of God All are bound to do it by vertue of the Precept in the Text as well as engaged by their own Interest It is for Gods glory that they should do it and it is requisite in order to their own good and it is very reasonable for men to obey when God commands nothing but what is in order to their own happiness which they cannot neglect but it will be to their ruin and destruction This duty then lyeth upon every one to seek Gods Kingdom and righteousness no wealth honour dignity or whatever else this world conceits and flatters can give a supersedeas hereunto no condition calling temptation or whatever engagements any may pretend can excuse from it neither the voluptuous inclination of Youth nor the tedious infirmities of Old Age can be a sufficient dispensation for the neglect of it The Emphasis of the word First I shall reserve to speak to in the word of Advice by and by SECT II. THE Improvement I shall make of this Doctrine shall be in two words 1. By way of Reproof 2. By way of Advice Use 1. For Reproof of those that seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness last 2. That seek these things least 1. That seek the kingdom and righteousness of God last that make this the last business of their â—…ime which should be done first whâ—…n their dayes â—…re stretched out to their full length then they beâ—…in to seek after Gods Kingdom In the mean time â—…utting off Gods Ministers who warn and call them â—…s Felix did Paul untill a more convenient season Act. 24. 26. Thus like Bankrupt Debters they crave â—…urther day untill as Job 20. 11. they are on a sudâ—…n clapt up into Prison and lye down with their â—…ones full of
depend upon your application of Christs righteousness study your need get conviction of sin consider your danger whilesâ—… under guilt understand the intent of Christs sufferings acquaint your self with the tenour of the Covenant of Grace And. Câ—…rist being held forth to you lay hold on him by faith his righteousness being intended for you and proffered unto you make application of it cloathe your selves with it by faith and therein appear with confidence before God pleading for pardon and acceptation 2. Seek imparted righteousness Imputed righteousness is necessary to entitle you to Gods Kingdom imparted righteousness is necessary to qualifie and prepare you for Gods Kingdom This righteousness here is imperfect and cannot be the causa regnandi the cause of reigning yet it is via ad regnum the way to the Kingdom This righteousness is begun in Regeneration and further increased in Sanctification as hath been said 1. You must be regenerate born again if ever you would see the Kingdom of God John 3. 3. Old things must pass away and all things must become new 2 Cor. 5. 17. As a man must be born before he can possess an Earthly Inheritance so a man must be new-born before he can possess the Heavenly Inheritance First you must be Children before you can be Heirs of God you must be Children by adoption and you must be Children by regeneration Labour then after a gracious change in your heart see your need of it apply your selves to God for it beg earnestly that he would by his Spirit be pleased to effect it put your selves under the influence of the Word be ready to yield to the movings and strivings of the Spirit 2. Having shot the Gulph passed thorow the strait gate of Regeneration and obtained the beginning of the work of grace you must endeavour after Sanctification that you may grow up in holiness You must by the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the body and cleanse your selves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God and hereby you will be made meet to be made partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light and an entrance will be administred unto you most assuredly into the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 7. 1. Col. 1. 12. 2 Pet. 1. 11. SECT V. HAving thus given you advice as to the thing to seek the Kingdom and righteousness of God I shall now further advise and exhort you to seek First this Kingdom and Righteousness 1. Seek First that is Timely and before other things 2. Seek First that is Chiefly and above other things 1. Seek First the Kingdom and Righteousness of God that is Timely and before other things Do it now in the time of your Youth in the Morning of your Life so soon as Reason doth begin to dâ—…wn Here I shall give you three motives to stirre you up to do this in the time of your Youth Consider that the time of Youth is 1. The most Acceptable time 2. The most Seasonable time 3. The most Safe time 1. The time of Youth is the most acceptable time 2 Cor. 6. 2. The Apostle speaketh of the day of the Gospel and I may speak it of the day of Youth Behold now is the acceptable time behold now is the day of salvation Any part of the day may be acceptable be sure the beginning of the day is most acceptable God is best pleased with young ones who seek the things which belong to his Kingdom and their salvation that dedicate themselves to his service betimes before Sathan and the World have ravished their Virgin-affections Under the Law God required the First-fruits and First-born for Sacrifice and under the Gospel God requireth the first-fruits and first-born of our time and thoughts and affections The first-fruits under the Law were to be mingled with Oyl and Frankincense which gave forth a sweet savour Lev. 2. 15. when you devote the first of your time and parts and strength to God this is a sweet savour to him God taketh especial notice of and is exceedingly pleased with ea ly seekers and timely services Jer. 2. 2. I remember the kindness of thy youth and the love of thy espousals and Cant. 6. 11. we read of Christ going down into the garden of the Church to see if the Pomegranates budded the buddings and blossoms of Youth are sweet and pleasing to Chrâ—…st the youngest Disciple was Christs beloved Disciple It is recorded for the commendation of Josiah that he did that which was right in the sight of God when he was but eight years old 1 King 22. 1. and of Timothy that from a Childe he had known the Holy Scriptures whereby he became wise unto salvation 2 Tim. 3. 15. None are like to bring so much glory to God as those that sâ—…ek his Kingdom and Righteousness in their youth and therefore this time is the most acceptable time 1. The grace of young persons is most conspicuous it is like the Morning-blush like the first opening of the Rose like a Diamond set in a Ring of gold early grace hath a sweet fragrancy and glorious lustre in it The beauty of it doth then most shine and the power of it doth then most appear when young ones do deny themselves and take up the Cross and bear the yoak in their youth when young ones do deafen their ears against all enticements unto pleasing sins and break thorow the temptatious they meet withall and with full purpose of heart stick close unto God This doth shew the power of grace and tendeth much to Gods glory 2. The time of young ones is longest which they have to glorifie God when they seek and serve God betimes they may not only escape many pollutions in the World wherewith other youths are defiled to the dishonour of God and the wounding of their own Consciences but they may bring much glory to God in their generations God hath work enough to employ them in all tending to his glory and their good thorowout the whole day of their lives though they should begin in the Morning so soon as they can see and work a whole and long Summers day untill the night and darkness of old decrepid years I might instance in some of the works they are to be employed in they have a pardon to sue out evidences to clear corruptions to mortifie graces to get and improve a treasure to lay up temptations to resist relations to fill so many duties to perform to God to Man They may finde more work than time Eternity-work is begun in this life Now look as a Master who driveth a great trade is best pleased with those servants who rise most early and are most diligent in his business so God who hath so much work for his people is best pleased with young persons who seek him early and diligently 3. The Strength of young persons to serve God with is the greatest 1 Joh. 2. 14. I have written unto you young men because you
are strong Marvellous is the strength and power of grace in some young ones who have been sanctified betimes whereby they have been enabled to do him some notable service in the world In youth as the Body is most strong and active so the Soul is most vigorous and lively and therâ—…fore most fit to be employed by the Lord. Seâ—…k then Gods Kingdom and Righteousness in the time of Youth because this is the most acceptable time God is best pleased therewith 2. The time of youth is the most seasonable time There is a time for all things saith Solomon Eccl. 5. 1. The time of youth is the most sâ—…asonable time to seek the Kingdom of God There are four things requisite in seeking Gods Kingdom to all such as would obtain it 1. The Breaking of the heart for sin 2. The Breaking of the heart from sin 3. The Opening of the heart to Christ. 4. The Furnishing of the heart with Grace The time of Youth is most seasonable for all 1. You must get your heart broken for sin if ever you would enter into the Kingdom of Heaven you must mourn for sin here or weep for sin for ever you must sowe in tears if you would reap in joy The time of youth is most seasonable for this your sorrow is like to be loss heavy and more kindly The heart hath a natural hardness but if it hath got a contracted hardness it will with more difficulty be broken if ever it be broken Custom in sin will take away sense of sin and if you continue in the practice of sin you will feel a senselesness and stupidity grow upon your spirit and Conscience more tender and timorous at first by degrees will grow feared as with a hot Iron and be past feeling Bring your hearts therefore now under the hammer of the Word that they may be broken the longer you deferre the harder you will finde it to repent 2. You must get your hearts broken from sin you must turn from your evil wayes otherwise iniquity will be your ruine The longer you continue in sin the harder it will be to leave sin custom will be a second nature to you the changing whereof will be like changing the skin of the Aethiopian and taking away the spots of the Leopard When sin is rooted and riveted in you if so be you should turn from it it will be with unexpressible tearings and divulsions of spirit It is a hard thing to irradicate old habits which at first in the tender years may be done with more ease Therefore Dear young ones labour to get sin rooted out of your hearts betimes Get sin mortified before it hath got too much life and strength oppose sin before it hath got too much head and power which you may do with more facility and success 3. You must open your hearts and give entertainment unto Christ if you ever expect to have the gate of Heaven opened unto you and to be entertained by Christ in his Kingdom Such as shut the door of their hearts against Christ when they are young will finde if Christ doth not withdraw and leave knocking that the door will be faster bolted and barred within against him the longer you hold it out the more will Sathan strengthen the Fort against Christ and more easily beat off whatever assaults are made upon you by the Word and Spirit Christ will come in most willingly to them that open to him presently and the match will quickly be made up if in youth you hearken to the motion Let me beseech you therefore my dearly beloved young ones to open the door to Christ without any further delay by me he standeth now and knocketh for entertainment what answer shall I return that you have harboured lusts there where his lodging should be and would not part with them that you put me off till a further day untill you had a little longer tasted the sweets of sin O take heed of such carriage of heart towards Christ Qui non est hodie cras minus aptus erit if you be not willing to open to Christ now you will be more unwilling to morrow do it then presently may I be instrumental to joyn the Lord Jesus Christ and you together in marriage receive him into your hearts and accept of him to love honour and obey him and do it heartily and resolvedly and he is yours 4. You must get your hearts furnished with grace if ever you hope to share in the glory of Gods Kingdom Grace is glory in the seed and glory is grace in the flower grace is glory in the root glory is grace in the fruit grace is glory in the first-fruits glory is grace in the harvest You must get the seed sown the root planted or no flower no fruit no harvest is to be expected you must get the Kingdom of Gods grace within you Luk. 17. 21. if ever you would be admitted into the Kingdom of his glory And the time of youth is the most seasonable time for the getting of grace no time like the Spring for setting of this Plant of grace in the heart in the youth the heart is more plyable and like the yielding Wax more ready to receive the impressions of the Spirit 3. The time of youth is the most safe time If you make it your first care to seek the kingdom and righteousness of God you are most likely to finde and be successefull but if you make delayes you run your selves upon great uncertainties there is danger that you will never obtain if you do not seek whilest you are young The danger lyeth in three respects In respect of 1. The Uncertainty of Life 2. The Uncertainty of the Means 3. The Uncertainty of Gods working by the Means 1. In respect of the uncertainty of Life no Age â—…s secure and fenced against the arrowes of Death Some flowers are nipped in the bud some Springs run into the Sea so soon as they arise the thred of Life in some is quickly cut and the Candle blown â—…ut within a while after it is lighted You may dye whilest you are young and if you do not seek Gods kingdom and righteousness now you may not have â—…ime to seek these things at all 2. Your danger is in respect of the uncertainty of the Means of Grace you have now means and opportunities of seeking hereafter you may be deprived of the means if you be not deprived of your lives You have calls now hereafter you may be placed where you shall be out of call you now are planted in a fruitfull soil where the Sun shines and the Dews of the Word do fall if you remain fruitless God may remove you out of his Garden or he may withhold the dews and cause the Sun to retreat into a cloud He may either take away the Means of grace from you or take away you from the Means and if you do not seek and obtain whilest you enjoy the Means are you like to
disappoint and vexation to your selves besides the displeasing of God hereby But let your desires follow your love let them be carried forth chiefly and most strongly towards God and the things which concern his Kingdom and Glory your own peace and salvation Because you lie under the guilt and power of sin without a Christ labour in the first place afâ—…er strong earnâ—…st thirsting desires after Jesus Christ and his Righteousness that you may have your sins pardoned and hearts renewed Cry out None but Christ none but Christ give us a Saviour or else we are lost give us Christ or else we die and perish eternally Let your strong wishes be O that we had an interest in Christ O that our hearts were united and joyned to Christ O for a drop of his blood to sprinkle our consciences O that he would undertake for us that he would be our Advocate to plead for us and reconcile us unto the Father Let your prayers be Lord thou hast given thy Son for us give thy Son to us thou holdest forth thy Son help us to lay hold on him thou callest us to thy Son by thy Word draw us to thy Son by thy Spirit thou hast put thy Son to death for sin and accepted of the sacrifice which he hath offered O that our sins might be forgiven upon his account Let your desires go forth strongly after the favour of God there are many that say Who will shew us any good Lord shew us thy face Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us Desire earnestly with David the presence and communion with God in his Ordinances as Psal. 27. 4. One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after to dwell in the house of the Lord all the daies of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord c. And Psal. 42. 1 2. As the Hart panteth after the water-brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God my soul thirsteth for God for the Living God when shall I come and appear before God! Many young men have earnest desires after the company of their friends that are of pleasant conversation let your desires be carried forth most earnestly after the company and communion with God in his Ordinances wherein the chiefest pleasure is to be found Therefore prize and desire Ordinances for the sake of God because they are the means of bringing you and God together of joyning your hearts unto the chief good and if you desire the company of men let it be the company of Gods Children who are the excellent of the Earth Labour for strong desires after the Image of God that you may be holy as he is holy after conformity to Christ in his death by dying to sin and readiness to suffer for his sake in his Resurrection by your newness of life Let your dâ—…sires be strong after the Spirit that he might be given to you and abide in you desire every grace of the Spirit in the highest measure and content not your selves with any degree desire the comforts of the Spirit the joyes of the Holy Ghost desire strength for every duty that you might be made use of to glorifie God in your generation that you might be kept from sin rather than from any evil that you might be made victorious over all your spiritual enemies especially let your desires be carried forth with the greatest strength after the Crown of glory the undefiled and never-fading inheritance in Heavâ—…n after the beatifical Vision and full fruition of God in the New Jerusalem the perfection of holiness and happiness which is reserved for hereafter the fulness and eternity of joy in Gods glorious presence and desire the hastening of Christs second appearance that he would come quickly and put you into the possession of that Inheritance which he hath purchased and prepared for you 4. Young men labour for strong Hope Young men usually are big with hope and expectation of some great things in the world they hope for such an â—…state and then that they shall be content such deâ—…ights and sensual enjoyments and then they shall be â—…appy and satisfied but they that are elder and have â—…ad greatest experience finde the world and all â—…hings in it to be empty and vain and their hopes â—…ave been frustrated however being unacquainted â—…ith higher things their hearts are still most irraâ—…ionally set upon the world but I would exhort â—…ou young men to have higher hopes than worldâ—…ings and let your hopes be strong Do not hope for â—…ch in the creature it hath not what you hope for â—…ut let your hope be in God let your expectation be â—…rom him only Do not hope for much here below â—…his is not the place of your rest and happiness but â—…et your great hopes be of things above as your â—…esires should be strong after them so your hopes â—…hould be strong of them Hypocrites have some â—…ind of hopes but they are thin weak hopes like â—…he Spiders web Job 8. 14. which is easily torn in â—…ieces by the wind the wind of affliction doth rend â—…he hopes of Hypocrites from them they have hopes â—…ut such as quickly perish and are cut off Job 13. 14. They are like the giving up the Ghost Job 11. 20. When they give up the Ghost their hopes give up â—…he Ghost they and their hopes perish together beâ—…ause they are groundless and presumptuous Labour â—…herefore for a strong hope such a hope as is well grounded which will end in fruition and never in disappointment and make ashamed Let the object of your hopes be God and the things which are above and let the bottom the foundation of your â—…opes be those two immutable things the Apostle â—…peaketh of Heb. 8. 17 18 19 20. Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of Promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oatb that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the Vail whither the fore-runner is for us entred The two immutable things which are the foundation of our hope are Gods Promise and Gods Oath his Promise This is the Promise which he hath promised even eternal life Job 2. 25. His Oath which he sware by himself to Abraham and in him to all his children Surely blessing I will bless thee Heb. 6. 13 14. which doth include eternal blessedness God who cannot lye giveth his Promise and his Oath God who can do whatever he will and will do whatever he hath promised here is a good ground for your hope to build upon let your hope be strong let it be a strong anchor to your soul sure and stedfast and that it may be so it must not be cast downwards like those of ships which
are cast to the bottom of the waters but they must be cast upwards into Heaven into that within the Vail whither the Lord Jesus Christ the fore-runner is for us entred to prepare Mansions for us Let your hope of Heaven be strong and lively 5. Young men labour for strong Joy if your hopes be strong and well grounded you may thence have strong consolation Heb. 6. 18 That which discourageth many young men and women from putting their feet into the waies of God is the apprehensions which they have that should they engage in this way they must bid farewell to all mirth and chearfulness to all delights and pleasures and make tears and sorrows their companions which they are loth to do at least too soon whatever necessity they see there is of being religious Whereas although grief and sorrow be needful to sinners at their first engagement in the waies of God to imbitter sin and prepare them for the more ready closure with Jesus Christ and a mixture of sorrow is needful after because of the mixture of sin in their lives and the better to ballance and temper the spirit yet the Lord doth call his people to higher delights and pleasures in his waies than can be found in the waies of sin God doth not require that his people should lay aside all delights but change their sinful delights for those that are spiritual and heavenly God giveth them leave to rejoyce and he commandeth them to rejoyce not in waies of sin he forbiddeth the pleasures of sin which are but for a season not excessively in the creature though moderately and subordinately they may but they may and ought to rejoyce in himself Read what Solomon saith to young men Eccles. 11. 9. Rejâ—…yce O young man in thy youth and let thine heart cheer thee in the daies of thy youth and walk in the waies of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes but know that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement Young men you may rejoyce and be cheerful in your youthful daies but if your joyes be in the waies of your heart and in the sight of your eyes if your joyes be in the waies of sin in the lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes if it be in satisfying the desires of your flesh and pleasing your senses unto the dishonour and displeasing of God know that God will bring you into judgement and then all your sinful sensual delights wil be turned into bitterness and terrour but you may be cheerful in the waies of God and if you are reconciled unto God through his Son and have an interest in his favour if you are renewed after his Image and have a Title to his Kingdom you have reason to rejoyce more than any wicked persons in their greatest outward prosperity Shall the slaves of Satan rejoyce and have not the children of God more grounds Shall the wicked rejoyce that are dancing upon the brink of Hell and are ready every moment to tumble into the burning lake and should not you rejoyce that are come to the borders of the heavenly Canaan and live in hopes of the glory of the New Jerusalem Rejoyce in the Lord continually Phil. 4. 4. Rejoyce in the Lord alwaies and again I say rejoyce And rejoyce in the Lord greatly Strong joy will be your strength it will be a means to quicken all your affections towards God and make you shine brightly in the sphere where the Lord hath placed you Thus I have shewed in what you should be strong SECT II. 2. THE second thing is to shew To what you should be strong There are four things unto which you should labour to be strong 1. To do 2. To suffer 3. To fight 4. To die 1. Young men labour for strength to do you have many things to do great things to do necessary things to do and difficult things to do I am not now speaking of the works of your particular callings which require strength of body but I am speaking of the works of your general calling as Christians which do more immediately concern Gods glory and your own salvation such as treasuring up a stock of saving truths making your peace with God getting your hearts broken for sin closing with and living by faith upon Jesus Christ getting your hearts furnished with every grace living in the powerful exercise of it denying your selves mortifying the deeds of the body laying out your selves time and talents for the glory of your Master standing daily upon your watch improving the means of grace worshipping God and seeking him diligently in publick family closet making it your business to be religious laying up your treasure in Heaven and labouring to get your heart more loosened from â—…hings below and raised and fixed upon things above â—…hese and the like things are the works which the Lord requireth of you all all other employments are of an inferiour nature These things you must do â—…ere or you will not have opportunity for them â—…ereafter These things you must do or you are unone for ever and since they are hard works to â—…esh and blood therefore you had need to get much â—…rength to enable you hereunto I do not mean â—…xternal strength but internal spiritual strength â—…eak sickly men cannot endure hard labour you must â—…e strong that you may work for the Lord that you â—…ay work for eternity 2. Young Men labour for strength to suffer I mean to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ. If you would be Christs Disciples you must take up his Cross and follow him Math. 10. 24. and sometimes his Cross is very weighty It is not a weak shoulder that can bear an heavy burden and it is not a weak Christian that can bear an heavy Cross that can endure weighty and pressing afflictions You must therefore get much strength great strength that you may suffer great things for the sake of Christ otherwise you will shrink when you are put upon the tryall you will be offended when sore persecutions do arise for the Word The Apostle prayeth for the Colossians chap. 1. 11. that the Lord would strengthen them with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness Young ones look for sufferings reckon upon them and make full account of them before-hand and prepare for sufferings get on winter Garments against winter seasons I mean suffering graces against suffering times Get strength for sufferings labour to be strengthened with all might according to Gods glorious power unto all patiencâ—… and long-suffering with joyfulness Get strength to endure much and to endure long and to endurâ—… not only with patience but also with chearfulness looking upon it not only as your duty when called to suffer for Christ but as the greatest honour thaâ—… can be conferred upon you in this life and as thaâ—… which will work for you an exceeding and eternâ—… weight of glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. 3.
they cannot cast your Souls into the Prison of Hell 2. Though they may take away your civil liberty yet they cannot take away your spiritual liberty and priviledges they may shut friends out from seeing you but they cannot shut you out of the presence of God nor keep you from the Throne of grace 3. In reference unto Life 1. That though men may destroy the Body yet they cannot destroy the Soul and 2. you must dye as was shown before and you cannot die upon a better score unto which I may adde that I believe none in the world dye with more peace and joy than those that dye for the testimony of Jesus and of a good Conscience My dear young ones labour thus to overcome all the prejudices of the wicked one whereby he would keep you from coming into the wayes of God and yielding obedience unto the Gospel that is the First SECT VI. 2. LAbour to overcome the Temptations of the Wicked one whereby he would draw you to the commission of sin Sin in its own nature is so black and odious that if your eyes were but opened to see what dishonour it reflecteth upon the pure and holy God and how it defileth your own Souls once made after the image of God you could not choose but loath and abhorr it and with hatred you would flye from it as from a Pestilential disease or venemous Serpent and no arguments would perswade you to commit it or give it any room or harbour in your hearts therefore the wicked one doth use the greatest art and cunning to paint and colour over sin with fair glosses that the monstrous nature and deadly poyson of it might be hid from your eyes and knowledge And as God hath his methods in the conversion of young ones and useth many arguments by his Ministers and Spirit to perswade them unto the practice of Religion So Satan hath his methods and arguments to draw away young ones from God unto the commission of sin and continuance therein 1. The first work of God upon young Converts is Illumination of the Understanding he opens their eyes to see their sin and misery the way of salvation by Christ the beauty and excellency of holiness so on the contrary Sathan the wicked one called the God of this World doth endeavour to blind the eyes of young ones to keep them in the dark that the light of the glorious Gospel might not shine upon them to discover either their sin or their Saviour and he endeavoureth to stir up in them a hatred of the light that so they might sin without reproof or controul 2. The second work of God upon young Converts is Contrition he awakens their Consciences filleth them with fears and terrours through apprehension of his anger and the dreadfull wrath that hangs over them and they know not how soon may fall down upon them and sink them into the lowest Hell for their sin that hereby they being terrified may apply themselves without any delay unto the Lord Jesus Christ the only Saviour of mankind So on the contrary the wicked one doth labour to still and calm and quiet the Consciences of young ones under the guilt of their sins to lull them fast asleep and keep them from all disturbances from an unquiet Conscience which if awakened would plead the cause of God against sin 3. A third work of God upon young Converts is a powerfull bending and enclining the Will to embrace Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Advocate and to resign up it self in full complyance with his will in every thing So the wicked one doth endeavour to 〈◊〉 the wills of young ones against Christ and the Law of God he doth what he can to corrupt and deprâ—…ve it and to draw it unto a full bent and resolution for sin 4. A fourth work of God upon young Converts is upon their heart and affections whereby he draweth them and engageth them for himself So on the contrary the wicked one is very busie in tampering with the affections of young ones and as God doth use arguments in effecting a gracious change upon young Converts so the wicked one doth use arguments to perswade them unto the practice of siÅ„ which arguments are his temptations Young men labour to overcome the Temptations of the Wicked one and that I may help you herein I shall 1. Set before you as in a glass the chief Temptations whereby the wicked one doth draw young men unto sin and endeavour to arm you against those Temptations that you may overcome 2. Caution you against the particular sins of Youth which the wicked one would draw you unto and then shut up my Discourse with a word of Encouragement 1. Concerning the Temptations whereby the wicked one doth endeavour to draw Young men unto sin And here I shall speak of the Five most ordinary Temptations whereby young ones are drawn unto sin 1. By the delight and pleasure of sin 2. By the glory and repute of sin 3. By the utility and advantage of sin 4. By the pretended smallness of sin 5. By the hopes of future repentance 1. The first Temptation whereby the wicked one draweth young men unto the commission of sin is by the delight and pleasure of it and here he is very cunning in the management of this temptation that it may take effect 1. He laboureth to hide from the eyes of young men those pure spiritual and more excellent pleasures those heavenly ravishing and far transcendent delights and joyes which are to be found in God both here and chiefly hereafter perswading them that the wayes of God are irksome and unpleasant which is furthered by their own experience they finde them to be so to them upon a little tryall for want of a spiritual appetite to relish that reall sweetness which is in them for as Angels cannot relish carnal pleasures because they have no carnal senses so neither can carnal persons relish spiritual pleasures because they have no spiritual senses 2. He laboureth to hide from them the sting and bitterness of sin the sorrow and vexation which it will certainly produce in the conclusion he covereth the hook out of their sight laboureth to divert their thoughts from all serious considerations of the gall and wormwood that is in the bottom of the cup. 3. He represents the delights of sin as most sweet and satisfying as present and at hand and easie to be had without difficulty and labour and sometimes as secret too which no mortal eye can take notice of 4. He joyneth in with the lusts of their hearts with which he hath a secret correspondence and proposeth such objects unto them as are most suitable and desireable It is by the pleasure and delight of sin that most young men are bewitched and perswaded to the commission of it It was by the pleasantness of the forbidden fruit that this Old Serpent enticed our first Parents to eat thereof and hereby it is that he doth entice
that it is as hard to get a pardon for those sins which you call small ones as for the greatest God can as easily pardon the one as the other the smallest sins require the infinite mercy of God and the infinite merits of Christ for their pardon therefore no sin is in it self small 2. Consider is the thing but small which you are tempted unto this in some respect aggravateth the offence if you yield to the temptation A man that will forfeit the favour of his Prince or friend for a small thing it argueth a great slighting of their favour So the least wilful sin argueth a great slighting of the favour of God which hereby is forfeited Thou sellest thy people for nought and dost not encrease thy wealth by their price saith the Psalmist when he apprehended that God took little regard to his people Psal. 44. 12. So may I say on the contrary when you will offend God for a small thing you do as it were sell your God for nought and what advantage will you get hereby It was the saying of our Saviour Mat. 24. 26. What shall it profit a man if be gain the whole world and lose his own soul And what can a man give in exchange for his soul Much more may I say What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his God and what can a man give in exchange for God who is the chief good and in whom doth consist our chiefest happiness But if you will lose or exchange your God for nought for a trifle by little sins this as it argueth great folly so it is a great aggravation of sin 3. Consider that the least sin which you allow your selves in the practice of is sufficient to damn your souls A small leak in a ship unstopped will quickly let in water enough to drown the ship though not so soon as the greatest breach A prick with a pin in the heart will as surely kill a man as a wound with a sword So the least sin unrepented of will as surely shipwrack and destroy the soul as the greatest and most heinous osfences The Law curseth and condemneth every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them Gal. 3. 10. And such as lie under the curse cannot inherit the blessing Let not any think then to get to Heaven who allow themselves in the practice of the least sins who make no conscience of petty oaths officious lyes idling away their precious time and the like which are accounted small and trivial things by the men of the world 4. Consider though the wicked one seemeth modest and shamefac't in his first temptations in asking but little things yet he will not rest there but by degrees will proceed further and hereby bring you unto the commission of greater As the habits of grace so the habits of sin are strengthened by degrees though the beginning be but small yet within a little while sin will greatly encrease Rivers at first arise from small springs which in running gather waters and encrease into a great stream So actual sins I speak not of original sin which is a deep and unsearchable fountain from whence actual sin doth arise and by which it is fed I say actual sins in their first beginning are but small which if a man alloweth himself in the practice of they will swell and encrease and carry him with a strong stream towards the Ocean of Gods wrath if you make no conscience of small sins you will easily be tempted to those which are great and more notorious First Satan will propose sin to your thoughts it is no great thing to think and if you can dally with sin in your thoughts then he will by delightful pleasing thoughts of sin lay siege to your will it is no great matter to desire if you do not act then if the fort of the will be taken all the under-forts of the affections will quicâ—…y yield and when you have entertained sin in your hearts you will be tempted to proceed further to vent it at your lips it is no great thing to speak and then as you have opportunity he will tempt you to practice go a little further the sin is sweet try but once put but one step into this way and retire again as soon as you will and when once you have committed the act it may be with smitings and reluctance of conscience then he will entice again it cannot be much worse try once again and by degrees the reluctance wears off and though you commit sin at first with more regret yet afterwards you will do it with more ease and delight yea with greediness and resolution with hardness and obstinacy and one great sin will make way for the commission of more so that in time you will not forbear the greatest sins Nemo repentè fit turpissimus no man arriveth to the highest degree of wickedness upon a sudden but is step by step drilled on by the Devil and his own hearts lusts from little sins to the greatest By degrees Gods reverence is more lessened the will more enclined the conscience more seared the habits of sin more strengthened the Devil more encouraged and so way is made for any sin Lesser Commandments saith one are a hedge about the greatest if by small sins you break down this hedge you will quickly make breaches upon the greater too Smaller sins many times will engage you to commit greater to maintain and defend them the least link in a chain will draw the greatest after it If you would be kept from great sins you must take heed of the first beginnings obsta principiis c. A small wound in the body if it be not looked after may fester and gangrene and endanger the life So small sins if not stopt and healed will breed a gangrene in the spirit and bring certain death and destruction If you do not resist the beginnings of sin it will be hard to make head against it afterwards when it hath got more strength It will be as hard to leave off a custom of sin which will be a second nature as for the Aethiopian to change his skin or the Leopard his spots Non obtinebis ut desinant si inâ—…ipere permiseris Imbecillis est primò vires dum procedit par at Excluditur facilius quà m expellitur Facilius non recipiuntur quà m exeunt saith Seneca Vice is but weak at the first it gathereth strength as it proceedeth it is easier kept out than thrust out it is easier not to receive it than being received to leave it Dear Youths take heed then of small sins resist the first motions and temptations to sin crush sin in the first rising of it delight not in the thoughts of it Keep your hearts guard your senses if you would overcome this temptation of the wicked one 5. The fifth Temptation whereby the wicked one doth
draw young men to the commission of sin is by the hopes of future repentance You may allow your selves a little longer in the practice of sin you may rejoyce and take pleasure in the dayes of your youth it is time enough hereafter to think of growing serious and religious to think of repenting and turning and making your peace with God That you may overcome this temptation remember what hath been said already concerning the uncertainty of your Life the uncertainty of the Means of grace the uncertainty of Gods working by the Means Thus much for the first particular concerning the most ordinary and prevailing Temptations whereby the wicked one doth draw young men to sin SECT VII 2. THE Second thing is to caution you against some particular sins of Youth which the wicked one would draw you unto Now there are these 20 sins of Youth which I shall caution you against 1. Uncleanness 2. Drunkenness 3. Gluttony 4. Gaming 5. Quarrelling 6. Swearing 7. Lying 8. Unfaithfulness 9. Disobedience 10. Idleness 11. Sabbath-breaking 12. A Frothy spirit 13. Scoffing 14. Pride 15. Censoriousness 16. Procrastination of Repentance 17. Carnal Security 18. Carnal Confidence 19. Rashness 20. Unsteadfastness 1. Young men take heed of uncleanness The wicked one will be busie to tempt you and your hearts in these years will be most ready to encline you youthfull lusts are now apt to stir within you especially in such a City as this where there are so many objects to entice your eye and heart but for your Life take heed that you be not drawn to this sin Flee fornication and adultery other sins are without the body but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body 1 Cor. 6. 18. Not to speak any thing of mens weakening and consuming their bodies by their frequency in this sin he that committeth fornication desâ—…leth his body it is a filthy nasty sinâ—… hereby the body is more defiled in the eyes of God than if the body were drenched in a Jakes it is just with God that such as venture upon this sin should as many do get the soul disease hereby and that their members should â—…ot and putrifie whilest they are alive He that committeth fornication or adultery sinneth against his own soul he defileth his soul he woundeth his soul and he destroyeth his soul his heart which should be God Temple is hereby defiled and he loaths such an habitation his Conscience which whilest whole is a continual Feast is hereby wounded his spirit which whilâ—…st chaste and clean is safe is hereby exposed unto inevitable ruine and destruction Therefore it is a foolish sottish thing to commit this sins see Prov. 6. 32 33. Whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding he that doth it destroyeth his own soul a wound and dishonour shall he get and his reproach shall not be wiped away Such as commit this sin blot their Name as well as defile their Spirit wound their Reputation as well as wound their Conscience but chiefly they lack understanding because hereby they dâ—…stroy their own Soul Young men look into two or three Scriptures which methinks should be sufficient to deterr you from this sin where you may perceive whatever sweetness and pleasure this sin may promise and yield that bitterness and destruction is at the end and in the conclusion See Prov. 5. 3 4 5. The lips of a strange woman drop as an hony-comb and her mouth is smoother than Oyl But her end is bitter as worntwood sharp as a two-edged sword her feet go down to death her steps take hold on hell See also Prov. 7. from vers 6. to the end of the chapter where Solomon speaketh of the young man void of understanding whom he took notice of out of his window meeting with an Harlot who enticed him and perswaded him to accompany her to the bed of lust and he telleth you that he went after her as an Oxe to the slaughter and a sool to the correction of the stocks as a bird to the snare till an arrow struck thorow his liver not perceiving the danger he was in of his life Therefore he calleth upon young men to hearken and take warning and to turn away their feet from her paths and that because her house goeth down to Hell and chap. 2. 19. he telleth you that none that go unto her return again neither take they hold of the paths of Life This sin doth so stupifie men that it is ten thousand to one but you go to Hell without ever thinking of returning if you commit it for he that commiteth-fornication or adultery sinneth against God and he severely threatneth all such Heb. 13. 4. Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge And it is a fearfull thing to fall into the bands of the living God Heb. 10. 31. Hereafter you will be repayed with ten thousand times more pain and hearts-grief in Hell than ever you found delight in this sin Young men take heed of Uncleanness as you ever hope for salvation and to escape future wrath refrain this sin take heed of actual adultery avoid occasions come not neer the places where Harlots live shun the company of such as are light and wanton entice not any by speech or look or behaviour neither be enticed your selves take heed of going to Stage-playes where a dart may strike your heart where you may have incentives to the sin by the immodest actions of actors or the immodest garb of spectators Comé not neer the flame lest a fire be enkindled in your bosomes before you are aware be not found in the Devils School lest he catch you in his snare and binde you and lead you captive If the wicked one assault you in your place and you be tempted by any that converse with you flee the place as Joseph when his Mistress enticed him say How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God And young Virgins yield not to this sin if you be inticed encourage not any by your carriage to make an attempt rush out of the hands of the temptation with speed and indignation proclaim the shame of any that shall twice move you keep your selves chaste and pure it is your ornament it is your glory Young men take heed of actual uncleanness with others and take heed of self-pollutions which are Murder and Adultery before God do not dishonour your own bodies by your selves Take heed of speculative uncleanness do not look upon a woman to lust after her Make a Covenant with your eyes that you may not think upon a Maid suppress the first rising of lust in your minde get this evil concupisâ—…ence mortified by vertue drawn from Christs death and the operation of the Spirit beat down your flesh with labour and abstinence if you finde your selves very prone to this sin and if no other course will do to quench the burning God hath appointed a remedy by Marrying