Some needful instructions for youth. Formerly given by a parent to his children. And hoping they may be serviceable to others, they are now reprinted, and to be given away, / by J.P.

CHAP. I. Dear Children , Hearken diligently to the Counsel and Advice of your Parents , for they watch over you for your good .

IN the First place , let the Fear of the LORD , Who is the Searcher of your Hearts , be always in your Minds , that in awe of HIM , you may for ever stand ; not daring to bring the least Reproach upon HIS Holy Name , by any Miscarriages of yours ; so shall you be CHILDREN to HIS Praise , and a Comfort and Blessing to your Parents .

2. SEE that none of you render Evil for Evil unto any one ; but do you ever follow that which is Good , both amongst your selves , and towards all Men.

3. TAKE heed of letting out your Minds and Affections to Visible things ; for they Perish in the using , and bring Trouble and Sorrow to all whose Hearts are set thereon ; but let your Mind ●lways be retired Inwards , that you ●ay w●●● to feel That , which is not of this World , nor esteemed by it ; but only esteemed 〈◊〉 T●●●e who know the Virtue and Excellency of it , and who have been willing to part with all to purchase it ; It is the * * Or W●●● 〈◊〉 STONE 〈◊〉〈◊〉 NAME , Re● 2. 〈◊〉 whi●h no Ma● nor 〈◊〉 nor ●●an know , but 〈◊〉 that hath it . PEARL of greatest price ; happy are they that have found , or that yet shall find it .

4. TAKE heed of entering into many Words , when you are bid to do any Business , either by your Parents , Masters , or other Superiors ; but with all Readiness of Mind , see you Obey all their Lawful Commands with Diligence and Chearfulness .

5. BEWARE of mentioning the Name of the LORD in any case , but with Fear and Reverence ; for HIS Name is Hallowed by them that Fear HIM , but taken in Vain by those that Fear HIM not . And tho' they seem to Praise or Pray unto HIM , yet such Services , without HIS Fear , are an Abomination : Wherefore take heed you be not Deceived by Those , who are only in the good Words , and fair Speeches ; but let your Minds be kept single to the LORD , and HE will shew you , who They are , that draw nigh to HIM with their Lips , when their Hearts are far from HIM ; and from such you are to turn away .

6. LET your Words be few ; and be always more ready to Hear than Speak , especially when the Question is not asked you : But when 't is your place to Speak , be sure it be in Mildness , Love , and Gentleness ; lest through your Provocation you cause others to Sin , and then you will not be Guiltless , for their Sin will be charged upon you : Wherefore let this be always in your remembrance , and for ever observ'd by you , ( as it hath been the Practice and Experience of your Parents ) to give Mild and Soft Answers , for they do often turn away Wrath.

7. WHATEVER you see Virtuous in any , be sure to follow That ; and what you see Amiss in others , diligently search your own Hearts , lest your Selves be found Guilty thereof ; for 't is an easy matter to see and find Fault with Another , ( most can do that ) but few love to Examine Themselves : Be you ( my dear CHILDREN ) of that Number , least you Perish with the Multitude ; for the Way is Broad that leads to Destruction , and Many walk therein : Therefore whilst you are Young , seek after True Wisdom , and it will Guide and Lead you in that Narrow Way , which all the Holy Men walked in , and in which All must walk , before they can enter into Eternal Rest .

8. BEWARE of Reading Foolish and Vain Books , which tend only to the Corrupting of Youth , and Dishonouring the LORD : Wherefore heed you only Those that tend to Holiness and Vertue .

9. I WARN you ; as I did at the first , so I do again Charge you , that you walk in Fear and in Humility all the Days of your being upon the Earth ; then shall you know , that the LORD hath not only Blessed and Prosper'd your Parents , but will also Bless and Prosper You : But if you depart from HIS Fear , and cast these my Instructions behind your Backs ; then know , that you shall Perish in your own Iniquities , and I shall ( thus far ) be clear in my Conscience concerning you .

CHAP. II.

1. DEAR Children ; Beware of a Lying , Flattering , Deceitful Tongue , both in your selves and others : Also beware of Pride , High-mindedness , and an Exalted Spirit ; for such the Righteous GOD will judge .

2. BUT be you Adorn'd with Faithfulness , Meekness , and Patience ; and let your Behaviour be Modest , Courteous , and Gentle towards all : And what-ever you would have Others do unto You , be sure you do that unto Them ; and heed not so much Their Duties , as your Own .

3. BUSY not your Minds with Others Concerns , but be you Careful and Diligent in the Discharge of your Own ; and then you need not be troubled , what Reproach you bear for them .

4. BE sure you Waste not the Substance committed to your Trust : Yet , let not That be a Cloak for Covetousness , ( that Grand Iniquity ) but when there 's cause for it , part with it freely , lest through your Unfaithfulness therein , you be Rejected both of GOD and Good Men ; for know , you are but Stewards of what you Possess , and for which you must be Accountable .

5. BE cautious how you enter into a Married Condition ; but when in that State ( whatever Disappointment you meet withal ) see that you Faithfully perform your Relation therein ; for anothers Iniquity and Vnkindness to you , will not Justify nor Excuse your Iniquity or Unkindness to them .

6. BEAR patiently Afflictions , for they are good for you ; therefore hasten not to be deliver'd from them ; but in the Retiredness of your Minds , Consider the Cause , and being better'd thereby , Bless the LORD for HIS Mercies ; for whom HE Loves , HE Chastises .

7. BE careful with whom you Associate ; and chuse none to be your Intimates , but Such who are Exemplary in Virtue and Goodness ; so will you avoid much Contention and Trouble .

8. BE ready to do Good unto All , as Opportunity is offer'd : And take heed of Wasting any of the Good Creatures ; for if you be Unfaithful in those Things that are Earthly , who shall commit to you Those that are Heavenly ?

9. BE not desirous of Riches or Honour ; neither Covet That which is anothers ; but be Content with your Present Conditions , and Learn to be as well Satisfied with Want , as Abundance ; then will you follow the Steps of your Parents , who have learn'd Contentment , whatever befalls them ,

10. BEWARE of Jeering , or Scoffing at any ; neither give Abusive or Scurrilous Language , ( either by Tongue or Pen ) for That will Provoke the LORD's Anger against you , and bring Reproach and Trouble upon your Parents , who always Disliked , yea Abhorred , such things .

11. BE careful your Hearts and Minds be kept Clean within , and then you need not be Advised to have your Words and Actions Clean without , for that will unavoidably follow .

12. BE not hasty in Reproving or Correcting of any ; but if call'd thereto , let it be in Love , and in Wisdom ; and if the Offence be Great , let it be with Severity , yet not in Anger or Passion ; for That will Harden them against you ; and so instead of bettering them , you will thereby become Transgressors your selves .

13. BEWARE that your Wills bear not Rule in any case , but let Truth and Righteousness always be the Sway of your Judgments ; then will you be deliver'd from that great Iniquity , which hath so deeply Corrupted many .

14. BE sure you have regard to the Oppressed , and take heed how you make Advantage of Anothers Necessity , but rather Consider how you may be Helpful unto them ; always remembering the Parable of the good Samaritan , Luk. 10.33 .

15. BE Cautious for Whom you are Engag'd , or unto Whom you are Oblig'd ; for such things do often prove Snares : But be more ready to Give , than to Receive , and yet be sure to Acknowledg the least Kindness ; for Ingratitude is hateful .

16. BE not Self-ended ; neither spend too much upon your own Particulars , either in Meats , Drinks , Clothing , or any thing else , for That may be a hinderance to the Good you should do ; but rather be Sparing in That which relates to your Selves , that you may be in the better capacity to do the Good you ought to perform to Others .

17. BE not found in many Needless Words ; neither Contend with such as are in them , for That begets Strife : But as They ( out of the Evil that is in their Hearts ) bring forth Evil things ; so do You ( out of the Good that is in yours ) bring forth Good things .

18. BE not grasping after Earthly Concerns ; for They bring Trouble and Sorrow ; and yet , how many , through their Eager Desires after such things , have choaked that Good , which once stirred in them ? Wherefore , take Warning , and learn this as a Truth Experienc'd by Me , that a Little will Satisfy a Contented Mind .

19. BE not desirous after that Knowledg , which will lift and puff up your Minds ; neither be too Prying into those Mysteries , that are hid ; but if the LORD should Reveal any thing unto You , be sure of Leave , When , and to Whom to Impart it , not daring , either to Add , or Diminish ; for That has been ( and is , this Day ) a great and sore Evil.

20. BUT lest , through many Words , your Minds should be drawn forth , and ( as but too too many have been ) hurt thereby , it 's with me , to Conclude with those Two Great and Weighty Commandments , viz. . the First is , You shall Love the LORD with all your Hearts , with all your Souls , and with all your Strength . And the Second is like unto it , You shall Love your Neighbours as your Selves : For upon these Two Commandments depends All that can be Written , or Spoken , concerning your Duties either to GOD or Men.

CHAP. III. Hear Me your Father , O Children , and do thereafter , that you may be Safe . Ec. III. 1.

1. IF you come to Serve the LORD , prepare your Souls for Temptation . Set your Hearts aright , and Constantly endure , and make not haste in time of Trouble .

2. WHATSOEVER is brought upon you , take Chearfully : For , as Gold is Tried in the Fire , so are Acceptable Men in the Furnace of Adversity .

3. SO incline your Ears unto Wisdom , and apply your Hearts to Understanding , and seek Her as Silver , and search for Her as for hid Treasures : Then shall you Understand the Fear of the LORD , and find the Knowledg of GOD.

4. HAPPY is the Man that findeth Wisdom , and the Man that getteth Understanding : But where is Wisdom to be found , and where is the place of Vnderstanding ? The Fear of the LORD , that is Wisdom ; and to depart from Evil , that is Vnderstanding .

5. WISDOM exalteth Her Children , and layeth hold of them that seek Her ; they that love Her , love Life ; and they that seek Her early , shall be filled with Joy ; and wheresoever She entereth , the LORD will Bless ; and if you commit your selves unto Her , you shall inherit Her . But at the first , She will Walk with you by Crooked Ways , and bring Fear and Dread upon you , and Torment you with her Discipline , until She can Trust your Souls , and Try you by Her Laws . Then will She return the Streight Way unto you , and Comfort you , and Shew you of Her Secrets . But if you go Wrong , She will Forsake you , and give you over to your own Ruin .

MY Love is Sincere to All , that in Uprightness of Heart Serve the LORD , in what Profession , or Perswasion of Religion soever ; well knowing , that 't is Those , and only Those , that Love , Fear , and Obey HIM , and do the Things that are Just and Right amongst Men , that are Accepted of HIM at this Day .

FOR , What doth the LORD require of Thee , O Man , but to do Justly , to love Mercy , and to walk Humbly before HIM ?

HAPPY is he that shall be Exercised in these things ; and he that layeth them up in his Heart , shall become Wise .