thâ—â— ears to Gods early calls he will shut his ears to their late Prayers It is a great honour to a man when he is old that he can date his conversion from the morning of his youth It was Abrahams honour that he died in a good old age so St. Paul's that he was aged in years and grace and St. John had those Divine revelations when he was aged in years and grace I say that God doth make large discoveries of himself to aged Christians Polycarpus could say when he was old Many years have I served my Master Christ and hitherto he hath dealt well by me By this you may see as in a glass plainly the honour of being an old disciple of Christ Let me exhort you young Men and young Women in the words of that antient and faithful Servant of Jesus Christ T. Brooks saith he As you love your precious souls and as you would scape Hell and come to Heaven and as you would be happy in life and blessed in death and glorious after death don't spend any more of your precious time in drinking and drabbing in Carding and Dicing do not trifle away your time don't Swear away your time don't Whore away your time don't Lye away your time but begin to be good betimes because Time is a Talent that God will reckon with you for Again consider in the next place Oh young men and women how near you are to the ocean of Eternity there is not a step you step nor a breath you draw nor moment of time you live but hath an influence on Eternity O the goldâ—â— Sands will be quickly run out Oh what a 〈◊〉 thing is your life but a span a dream a wiâ— a shadow a post swifter than a post Job 7. â— Remember that you are all going to your long 〈◊〉 to the house of Eternity yet man doth not â—â—â—cern how his precious time doth fly from hâ—â— as the shadow on a Dial passeth on from 〈◊〉 hour to another though its speedy motioâ— not discern'd so man passeth from infancy childhood and from childhood to youth 〈◊〉 from youth to middle age and so to old aâ—â— and to the grave and how few are there tâ— take notice of it yea in a moment we shall 〈◊〉 down into the grave and come up no mâ—â— How these Meditations much trouble a Persâ—â— King that having took a view of his vast Arâ— wept to think that within an hundred yeâ— not one of them would be left alive Oh young men tremble to consider that yâ—â— are on the very brink of Death and Eternâ—â— upon the borders of Heaven or the mouth 〈◊〉 Hell and as soon as death hath shut your eyâ—â— you shall see and know what you shall be 〈◊〉 ever for you are almost within the dreadâ—â— noise of the Milstone of Gods wrath and 〈◊〉 ratling of fiery Chains of the prisoners of Heâ—â— Oh dolorous out-cries and roaring of the dâ—â—ned in Hell crying out One and all Oh wâ— evil and grievous evil and bitter a thing i◠〈◊〉 which we would not believe till we came to this disâ—al place of torment There you may hear those â—ursed tormented sinners crying out in the veâ—y anguish of their spirits Oh when the Lord of â—lory was at the door knocking we would not let 〈◊〉 in and now is Hells Mouth shut upon us for â—ver There the filthy Swearer Lyer and â—lasphemer of Gods holy Name that did tear â—nd rend the Name of their Creator and â—wear by the blood of their Redeemer are â—ere with scorching tongues to bewail that â—hey should take the Name of God in vain There the impudent and swinish Drunkard that â—ad too often with his pleasant Cups and sparkâ—ng Wine and cursing Companions here in â—he Agony of his soul does wish that he had been â—ober and temperate so that he might not have â—asted the bitter wine of Gods wrath the dregs of which he is made to drink for ever Psalm 75.8 There the filthy Adulterers and cursed Harlots â—urning in their Hellish lust crying out Oh â—hat we had been chast sober and modest and â—hat our eyes had been blind and never had â—nown the face of man or woman so we had â—scaped the vengeance of eternal fire There â—â—e shall hear the vile Atheist wishing that he had believed the Ministers of Christ but alas â—ow it is too late And likewise the Worldâ—ing choaked with Silver and Gold There â—he cowardly back-slider in heart shall wish that he had never know the way of God 〈◊〉 that he had been faithful unto death But you that are the Servants of God anâ— mourners in Sion Lift up your heads for your Redemption draws nigh and know that you are coâ—â— within the hearing of the Heavenly Songs Eternâ—â— Triumphs and Hallelujahs of the Saints and Glorious Angels in your Fathers house where there 〈◊〉 fulness of Joy and Pleasure for evermore Psalâ— 16.11 St. Jerom used to say That whether he 〈◊〉 or drink I hear the voice sound in my ear Arise 〈◊〉 dead and come to Judgment To conclude Oh let the thoughts of thingâ— to come be much upon your spirits every nighâ— when thou goest to bed and every morning have some serious thoughts of Death and Eternity let it be by the Pen of a Diamond writâ—â—â— on your hearts Death that grim Porter wiâ—â— open the Gates of Glory to every Believer anâ— let them into their Fathers house Whoso thâ—â— is wise will observe these things he shall see thâ— salvation of the Lord. Stars are poor books and oftentimes do miss This book of Stars lights to eternal bliss â—hall insert some Forms of Prayer for the benefit of such young Persons as shall stand in need of them A Morning Prayer for Youth O Eternal most Great most Gracious and ever Blessed Lord God thou art a great God â—â—d greatly to be feared and reverenced of all 〈◊〉 draw nigh unto thee thou art a Spirit and â—ou wilt be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth 〈◊〉 of such worshippers wilt thou be found thus â—â—king thee we beseech thee to pour down upon our â—arts the spirits of Supplication and Prayer so 〈◊〉 to seek thee aright and offer up an acceptable â—â—â—vice in and through the merits of our Blessed â—â—viour and Redeemer Jesus Christ and through â—â—e assistance of thy holy spirit of truth and let thy â—â—ly word be a Lanthorn to my feet and a light â—â—to my paths to lead me in the wayes of Truth â—nd Holiness that I may obtain everlasting Hapâ—â—ness through the merits of my Blessed Saviour â—nd Redeemer Christ Jesus O Lord pardon my manfold sins and transgressions wherewith I have transâ—ressed against thee in thought word and deed specially the sins and frailty of my youth O Lord â—hey have been many and great and by reason â—hereof I have merited thy wrath and Eternal Damnation But O Lord in the midst of judgment â—emember mercy spare me spare me O Lord God for thy loving kindness sake
The Youngmans Guide in his way to HEAVEN OR A CABINET of Rich Jewels left and Bequeathed to all Young Persons by the Reverend Mr. John Shrenock B. D. Who dyed in the flower of his Age lying but seven days on his Death bed during which space of time he wrought this Sermon desiring it might be Preached at his Funeral and published for the benefit of all persons both young and old With his last Prayers Licensed and Entred according to order Printed for J. Conyers at the Black Raven in Hol 〈…〉 Church and Thâ—â—â—â—â— Inn 2. Chron. 34.2 Whilst he was yet young he began to seek after the God of David his Father THis whole Chaper with the next arâ— nothing but a recital of the Acts of good King Josiah he was a holy and good King as any we read of in the book of God and this is a commendation of him that he sought the Lord God betimes he was good when almost all were bad were turned into Idolatry He in the twelfth year of his Reign began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places and the Groves the Carved Images and Molten Images and they brake down the Altar of Baal in his presence ver 3 4. And when he had destroyed all the Idolâ— Worship he set up the worship of the true God and repaired the house of the Lord Great was his hatred to Idolatry as you may read at large in the remaining part of the Chapter And as of all examples the best ought to be followed and imitated so I here present you with a most excellent pattern and that is of good King Josiah Whilst he was yet young he sought the Lord God From which words we shall shew you that it the duty of young men and young women to seek the Lord in their youth and to be really good betimes Reason 1. Because youth is the fittest time Remember thy Creator in the days of thy Youth saith Solomon Eccles 12.1 Not a few sparâ— hours as one well notes but days every daâ— working it must be in the days of thy youtâ— before the evil day comes that is before agâ— and sickness seise on thee and thou be madâ— unfit for so great a work The 2 Reason is because youth is a chusing time Oh when thou art a chusing a fit objecâ— for thy eye or heart oh then think upon God and consider if he be not the best choice 〈◊〉 shall shew you those excellencies that are in God and Christ that thou shouldest chuse him above all others 1. Are you poor he is rich art thou naked Christ hath white Raiment to cloath thee arâ— thou spiritually blind he hath an eye-salve to enlighten thee art thou in great straits hâ— hath wisdom to counsel thee art thou unrighteous unholy he will give holiness and sanctification to thee art thou an hungry oâ— thirsty he will be the bread of life and feeâ— thee and wine to satisfie thy thirsty soul arâ— thou sick he will be thy Physician in a word he will be All and in all to thee thou shalâ— want nothing that is good for thee Thus having chosen Christ to be thine thou hast goâ— the pearl of great price the richest Jewel that that cannot be overvalu'd therefore oh young men get Christ and make him your choice and you have all that can be desired Secondly young women let me intreat you to make the same choice that Mary did Lu. 10.42 But one thing is needful Mary hath chosen the good part that shall not be taken from her she had chosen Christ she had got a saving interest in Christ which is this one thing necessary Plutarch writes of Hannibal that when he could have taken the great City of Rome he would not and when he would he could not so many in their young years when they might have mercy and grace would not and in their old Age when they would have Christ pardon peace and Heaven they cannot Thirdly it was the commendation of Josiah that he served the Lord betimes And Timothy that he know the Scriptures from a Child And Obediah that he feared the Lord from his Youth 1 Kings 8.12 Again Remember thy Creator presently instantly for thou knowest not whether thou shall ever attain to age thou know'st not what a day may bring forth therefore remember to know him to love him to desire delight to depend upon him to get an interest in him and to live unto him remembring to walk with him First remember the Father to know him and to be inwardly acquainted with him Secondly remember the Son to believe and trust in him to imbrace him and give up thy self wholly unto him Remember the holy Spirit so as to hear and obey his Voice and feel his Presence and to experience his Influence and thus thou oughtest to remember thy Creator Saith Seneca though Death be before the old Man's face yet he may be as near the young Man's back Man's life is but a shadow that soon passeth away and St. Austin doubteth which to call it A dying life or living death Alas how many youngmen when God calls for the Primrose of their youth and vigor put him off with the trembling joynts of Old age Never had youth better opprotunities of being good than now in these golden Sun-shining days of the Gospel wherein God and Christ and the holy Spirit are offer'd in the Gospel to sinners nay the greatest of sinners that will come in and submit to the Scepter of Christ and be saved Oh young man nay all persons remember in this thy day the things that belong to thy peace before they be hid from thy eyes and thou go hence be no more seen Remember that God will not always strive with thee Gen. 6. by his holy spirit God gives every man and woman a day of grace and if thou improve not that thou maiest be undone for ever therefore consider Reader seriously on these things Oh consider young Men young Women all persons in general that this is the acceptable time this is thy day of grace even this day that is before thee now or never The Ancients saith Erasmus paint Time with an hairy Forehead but bald behind to signifie that whilst a man hath opportunity before him he may lay hold of it but if he suffer it to slip away he cannot pull it back again 4. Consider of this young men young women you are equally concern'd Now in the flower of your days remember your Creator and having begun well continue in well doing knowing your Labour shall not be vain in the Lord pray and pray earnestly to him for grace and his holy spirit to mortifie your corrupt lusts and affections you have a great many enemies the Flesh the World and the Devil and against these must thou be always striving and keeping a strict watch or thou wilt be overcome I shall endeavour to set before thee some of those sins that daily attend youth
in Christ Jesus who hath satisfied thy Justice and is ever maâ—â— intercession for me at the Throne of Grace and merâ—â— I desire to bless and praise thy Name O Lord Goâ— for thy mercies and loving kindness to me and 〈◊〉 mankind that thou hast preserved and kept me 〈◊〉 my sleep from all manner of danger that might hâ— befaln me and that thou hast brought me safe 〈◊〉 the beginning of this day and I bless thy holy Naâ—â— for all the mercies that I have received from 〈◊〉 to time from thee before to give me grâ—â— to walk thankfully beseeching thee and to live to tâ—â— praise all the days of my life I beseech thee bâ—â— my young and tender years with the gifts and grâ—ces of thy holy spirit and to amend my life accorâ—ing to thy holy word and to pass the time of my liâ—â— here in thy fear that I may die in thy favour I â—â—seech thee O my God to bless my Parents and Kindreâ— and all my Relations and teach me to walk dâ—â— fully before them as becomes a Child of God having thy fear before mine eyes and thy spirit directing my heart that I may always do those things thaâ— are well pleasing in thy sight O Lord my strength and Redeemer make me thy true and faithful Servant teach me to love and serve thee O my Blesseâ— Saviour and Redeemer all the days of my life thaâ— I may live in thy fear and at last die in thy favour Grant me these poor Petitions O Lord for the saâ—â— of my Blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ to whom be Honour Praise and Glory now and for evermore Amen The Maids Prayer O Lord let thy Hand-maid I pray thee speak in thine Audience and hearken unto her â—hen she calleth upon thee O despise not her low state when she offereth up her Supplication unto â—ee but how down thine Ears to the hearty deâ—â—res of thy poor Servant teach me to ask aright â—r such things as are requisite for me both for Soul â—nd Body and though thou hast ordained Women 〈◊〉 be the weaker Vessels both in labours of the Body â—nd endeavours of the mind yet so strengthen me O my Lord that I may perform that labour whereunâ—o I am called with easiness and comfort Oh â—nlighten my Soul with thy Divine inspiration that 〈◊〉 may do those things that are well pleasing in thy â—â—ght let me keep my Reputation honest in the eyes â—f the world knowing that a good Name is betâ—er then precious Oyntment especially in thy sight â—et me be pure honest and undefiled in this World so shall I not be ashamed in the great day of my account give me chast and religious thoughts let not the wanton pleasures of the flesh drown in me the Heavenly treasures of thy spirit Defend me from Sin Satan and the Poyson of evil Tongues make â—ne faithful wise wary trusty and just in those â—hings committed to my charge by my Master and Mistress Father and Mother Grant me health of body quietness of mind gentleness towards every body put out of my heart all Pride 〈◊〉 Hatred and all uncharitableness give me tâ—â—â—â—â—rit of contentment in all conditions though I haâ—â— wealth and dowry as others have in this worlâ— I trust thou wilt give me the true Riches Graâ— Grace that I may love serve honour and obey 〈◊〉 in Holiness and Righteousness all my dayes 〈◊〉 may enjoy thee for ever in the World to come Gâ— these my Petitions for the sake of Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 Saviour and Redeemer Amen The Dying Mans last Prayer O Lord God who art the Health of all Meâ—â—â—ving and the everlasting Life of them 〈◊〉 die in thy Faith I poor Creature submit to thy 〈◊〉 will I humbly beseech thee O Lord to give grace that I may now willingly lay down this 〈◊〉 Body in hope of the Resurrection which in 〈◊〉 manner shall be restored again O most merâ—â— Saviour that when Death hath shut up the 〈◊〉 of my Body my Soul may be received up unto thâ— Lord Jesus Receive my Spirit and take me to 〈◊〉 mercy Amen Whereas certain incroaching dishonest pâ—â—sons have counterfeited this Book the 〈◊〉 book is only to be had of J. Conyers at the 〈◊〉 of the Raven over against Ely-House in Holâ— FINIS