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
do it when you are deprived 3. Your danger is in respect of the uncertainty of Gods working by the Means though he should continue them unto you the winde blowes where and when it listeth In youth you may feel the sweet breath of the Spirit moving upon your hearts if you do not hoist up sail when you have a fair wind possibly you may never have such a winde again as long as you live God may swear in his wrath that his Spirit shall no longer strive with you God calleth upon you when you are young if you refuse you may hereafter call and cry and seek and knock and not be heard or answered and the door be shut up against you for ever See Prov. 1. 24. to the 31. Mic. 3. 4. Zacb. 7. 11 12 13. We read of Esau's weeping for the blessing to no purpose and the foolish Virgins going to buy Oyl when it was too late and our Saviour telling Jerusalem that their day was spent and the things which belonged to their peace were hid from their eyes There are many that neglect the things of Gods Kingdom when they are young that have their day of grace set upon them before their lives be half spent God doth leave off calling and the Spirit doth leave off working and they are given up to a judiciall hardness as Act. 28. 26 27. The time of youth then is the most safe time Hearken then O ye young men and be perswaded in this your day to minde the things which belong unto your peace and to seek Gods kingdom and righteousness Seek this first that is timely before other things and that you may seek so as to obtain SECT VI. 2. You must seek Gods Kingdom and Righteousness First that is Chiefly and above other things These things must have the chief of your study and care and labour you must make it your business and look upon it as your chief business if business about the world have more of your time because of your engagements in your particular callings yet this should have more of your care and heart Better miscarry in any business than in this business better miss of an Estate than miss of Gods Kingdom better be a poor begger than remain a guilty sinner better the body be cloathed with rags than the soul be without the white robes of Christs Righteousness better the body were starved than to have the soul damned the greatest poverty and misery in this life which can befall you is not to be compared with the eternal misery of Hell which in the neglect of the duty of the Text you cannot escape And suppose you should gain the whole world what is that in comparison with the gain of the Crown of Glory what is earthly riches compared with heavenly treasures 1. The worth then of Gods Kingdom which is an Inheritance beyond any purchase except that of the blood of Christ and the excellency of this Righteousness which when it is imputed doth bring with it pardon of sin the favour of God the peace of Conscience and sometimes the unspeakable joyes of the Holy Ghost which the whole World were you possessed with it could not procure Where this Righteousness is imparted it doth include all the graces of the Spirit which are the choicest Jewels the chiefest Ornaments the best Riches the least measure of which is of more worth than ten thousand worlds and will stand you in more stead in a dying hour and be of only signification and advantage when you come forth of the body and appear naked stripped quite naked and bereaved of all earthly enjoyments before the Judgement-seat of God I say the worth and excellency of Gods Kingdom and righteousness should move you to seek after it above all other things 2. The necessity of this Kingdom and Righteousness should further stirr you up to employ herein your chief care It is the Unum Necessarium the One thing necessary other things you may have and you may be without but you must have a title to Gods Kingdom or else you cannot be happy you must have Gods Righteousness imputed and imparted or else the guilt of sin will remain and you will continue servants and slaves to sin and cannot escape the punishment of sin the dreadfull and eternal punishment of sin in Hell There is a necessity of the thing and there is a necessity of seeking it chiefly or else you are not like to obtain especially if you consider 3. The difficulty of obtaining it is no easie thing to get to Heaven you must labour if you would enter into this Rest Heb. 4. 11. you must strive if you would enter in at the strait gate because many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able Luk. 13. 24. You must take the Kingdom of Heaven by violence if you would take it at all Matb 11. 12. not as if there were opposition from within for God is willing to entertain you the Lord Jesus is ready to set open the door before you the Spirit is ready to help you but there is opposition about the walls as it were of the place Sathan he buildeth Forts and strong Holds and casteth forth his fiery darts to drive you off when you make any attempt this way You will meet with opposition from the Devil and the World and chiefly from within your selves when you do in good earnest set your faces towards Heaven therefore you had need labour and strive and make it your chief care and business to get into this Kingdom You are in a Sea as it were where there are waves of trouble beating upon you a tide of inward corruptions working against you and a boisterous winde of temptation to carry you back you had need to row hard if you will get to the Haven You are travelling in the narrow path where there are many by-paths and many enemies to oppose you you had need look well to your way to get on the spiritual Armour and fight the good fight of Faith if you would obtain the Crown at the end of your way and at last lay hold on Eternal Life To conclude let me exhort you so to seek that you may finde so to run that you may obtain so to fight that you may overcome that after all your travail and pains you may sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of God 1 JOH 2. part of the 14 Verse I have written unto you Young Men because ye are strong and the word of God abideth in you and you have overcome the wickea one THE Author or Penman which was employed in writing this Epistle was John the Beloved Disciple The chief subject of this Epistle or duty which herein he exhorteth unto is Love Love to God and Love one to another The Persons to whom he writes this Epistle are all Believers in the general and particularly according to the three Ages of Men he dedicateth his Epistle unto Fathers unto Little
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
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
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
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
upon this sacred time which God hath sanctified and you ought to keep holy 12. Young men take heed of a frothy spirit Some young ones are full of froth and vanity very toyish and foolish without any solidity or seriousness It is time for you now to put away childish things get the vanity of your minds emptied let the frothiness and levity of your spirits be curbed by the fear of God an awful apprehension of his omnipresence and all-seeing eye put your spirits under the Government of the Lord Jesus Christ. 13. Young men take heed of Scoffing If you have wit let it not vent it self in scurrility in jesting and jeering at others which the Apostle eauâ—…oneth against as inconvenient and unbecoming the Gospel Ephes. 5. 4. Do not mock at others infirmities but pity them let nothing be the object of your scorn except it be sin neither should you scoff at others for their sins but labour to reduce them by your friendly admonitions Above all take heed of fcoffing at any for their holiness and strict walking which is an undoubted character of a prophane and carnal heart and such persons as do so are scorned by God and most contemptible in his eyes 14. Young men take heed of Pride Do not over-value and esteem your selves do not conceit an excellency in your selves above others but with lowliness of mind esteem others above your selves If you have any gifts and attainments that may be useful glorifie God with them in your sphere be thankful for them and withall be so well acquainted with your imperfections and secret corruption of heart that you may be humble Be not proud of gifts of mind much less of strength and beauty of body and least of all of hair which is but an excrement or of clothes which are a badge of mans Apostacy Remember that pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall That God looketh upon the proud afar off when he hath a respect to the lowly Psal. 138. 6. That God resisteth the proud when he giveth grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5. 6. 15. Young men take heed of Gensoriousness of rash judging of others Take the caution of our Saviour against this sin Matth. 7. 1 2 3. Judge not that ye be not judged for with what judgement ye judge ye shall be judged and with what measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you again And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brothers eye and considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye If you censure others you will be censured again be sure ye will be judged and condemned by God you are apt to spy little faults motes in others be acquainted with the beam in your own eye with your own greater faults and you will not then be so forward to judge Take one more Scripture which cautioneth you against this sin Jam. 4. 11 12. Speak not evil one of another he that speaketh evil of his brother and judgeth his brother speaketh evil of the Law and judgeth the Law He doth in effect say that the Law which condemneth this sin is not so fit a Law But if thou judge the Law thou art not a doer of the Law but a Judge There is one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy Who art thou that judgest another 16. Young men take heed of Procrastinating your Repentance Do not put off this great work until to morrow remember what hazards you run how uncertain life is how unlikely that ever you should repent if you do not improve your youthful season for it Set about the work presently break off your sins by repentance presently and make your peace with God without further delay left you be cut off from the Land of the living before you are aware and hereafter there will be no room for repentance 17. Young men take heed of â—…nal security You have health and strength and peace and prosperity it may be 〈◊〉 and never tasted the bitter cup of Affliction and therefore may be apt to be secure and secretly hope that this state will last that your Mountain is so strong that you shall never be moved that you shall never come into Adversity Alas you are little acquainted with the World Man is born to trouble as the sparks flye upwards crosses and cares and losses and sickness and pain and many miseries are the attendants of this Life and you must look sooner or later in one measure or other to have your share be not secure but prepare lest being unprovided the miseries of this life be more irksome and unsupportable 18. Young men take heed of carnal Confidence You may be apt now to put your trust in Arms of flesh to repose much confidence in Friends or Means and some external props but you will finde them all like broken reeds or a foot out of joynt and where you have the greatest hope and trust you are like to meet with the greatest disappointment Cease then from Man whose breath is in his nostrils trust not in uncertain riches stay not upon any Creature but put your trust in the Lord who is omnipotent and faithfull in him you may be secure as to the greatest evil and you may have confidence of all needfull supplies 19. Young men take heed of Rashness Be not rash in your Promises lest you repent or be found unfaithfull Be not rash in your Undertakings in your engagement in any business especially take heed of rashness in changing your condition Remember that Proverb That Youth rideth post to be married and lodgeth in the Inne of Repentance In all the weighty affairs of your life Pray to God earnestly for his guidance consult with wise and faithfull friends and seriously deliberate things in your own mindes Observe the rule of the Word and let your design be the glory of God 20. And lastly young men take heed of Unsteadfastness Be not inconstant in your resolutions as to civil affairs and undertakings but especially take heed of inconstancy and unstedfastness in the wayes of God Take heed of a wavering unsettled minde of backslidings and revoltings from God let not your Zeal degenerate into Lukewarmness and your present Forwardness end in Apostacy But watch stand fast in the Faith quit your selves like men be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. and with full purpose of heart stick close unto the Lord AuÌ„ 11. 23. Labour to keep your selves from these sins of Youth which the wicked one would draw you unto that so you may be victorious and if you overcome you shall eat of the tree of Life which is in the Paradise of God Rev. 2. 7. You shall not be hurt of the second death v. 11. You shall eat of the hidden Manna and have the white stone wherein the new Name is written which none-can read but they that receive it v. 17. You shall have the Morning Star v. 28. You shall be cloathed in White Raiment and Christ will confess your Name before his Father and before the Angels ohap 3. 5. You shall be Pillars in the Temple of God and go no more out and have the Name of God written upon you v. 12. You shall sit with Christ on his throne as he overcame and is set down with his Father on his throne v. 21. My most dearly beloved young men labour thus that you may be such young men as are commended in the Text to be strong that the Word of God may abide in you and to overcome the wicked one SECT VIII AND now I shall shut up my whole Discourse with a few words for encouragement of you in these Duties 1. This will be your Wisdome whoso is wise will observe these things Read one place concerning Davids wisdom upon this account Psal. 119. 98 99 100. Thou through thy commandements hast made me wiser than mine enemies for they are ever with me I have more understanding than all my teachers for thy testimonies are my meditation I understand more than the ancients because I keep thy precepts Remember that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom it is the chief part of Wisdom and they have the best understanding that keep his Commandements Psal. 111. 10. 2. This will be your Glory This will be an or-nament of Grace unto your head and like a Chain about your neck Prov. 1. 9. It will make you shine like Lights in a dark World and it will not only render you truly honourable but also tend exceed-ingly to your Masters glory 3. This will be your Advantage It will bring in the truest purest surest and most lasting gain 4. This will be your Safety This will shelter you under the wings of the Almighty secure you in times of great Judgements here and from storms of future wrath 5. This will be your Peace Great peace have they that love Gods Law and nothing shall disturb them This will yield peace and comfort to you in Life this will bear up your spirits in the hour of Death and at length procure for you a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away Be strong then O ye young Men because in due time ye shall reap if ye faint not Let the Word of God abide in you because of the Treasure laid up for you And overcome the Wicked one because of the Crown of Glory which shall be set upon the head of the Conquerers Vincenti Corona dabitur FINIS