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 : he whilst he was yet young sought the Lord God .

From which words we shall shew you that it is the duty of young men and young women to seek the Lord in their youth , and to be really good betimes .

Reas . 1. Because youth is the most fittest time ; remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth , saith Solomon , Eccl. 12.1 . Not a few spare hours as one well notes , but days , every day Working ; it must be in the days of thy youth , before the evil day comes , that is before age and sickness seize on thee , and thou be made unfit for so great a work . The 2. reason is because youth is a choosing time , Oh when thou art a choosing a fit object for thy eye or heart , Oh then think upon God , and consider if he be not the best choice : I shall shew you those excellencies that are in God and Christ , that thou shouldst choose him above all others .

1. Are you poor , he is rich , art thou naked , Christ hath white Raiments to cloath thee ; art thou spiritually blind , he hath Eye-salve to Enlighten thee ; art thou in great straits , he hath ●… isdom to counsel thee ; art thou unrighteous , un●… oly , he will give holiness & sanctification to thee ; ●… t thou a hungry or thirsty , he will be the br●ad of life and feed thee , and Wine to satisfie thy thirsty Soul ; art thou sick , he will be thy Physitian ; In a word , he will be all , and in all to thee , thou shalt want nothing that is good for thee . Thus having chosen Christ to be thine , thou hast got the Pearl of great price , the richest Jewel that cannot be over valued , therefore Oh Young man get Christ , and make him your choice , and you have all that can be desired .

2dly . Young Women let me intreat you to make the same choice that Mary did , Luke . 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 .

3dly . It was the commendation of Josiah , that served the Lord betimes . And Timothy that he knew 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 shalt ever attain to age , thou knowest not what a day may bring forth ; therefore Remember to know him , to love him , to desire , delight , to depend upon him , and to get interest in him , and to live unto him ; Remembering to walk with him . First remember the Father , to know him and to be inwardly acquainted with him . 2. Remember the Son , to believe and trust in him , to imbrace him , and give up thy self wholly unto him . Remember the holy Spirit , 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 , that though Death be before the old Mans face , yet he may be as near the ●oung Mans back . Mans life is but as a shaddow that soon passeth away . And St. Austin doubteth which to call it , A dying Life , or living Death . Alas how many young Men , when God calls for the primrose of their Youth and vigour ; Put him off with the trembling Joynts of old Age . Never had Youth greater opportunities of being good then now , in these Golden Sun-shining days of the Gospel , wherein God and Christ and the holy Spirit are offered 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 Men , nay all Persons ; Remember in this thy day the things that belongs to thy peace , before they be hid from thine Eies , and thou go hence and be no more seen . Remember that God will not always strive with thee ( Gen. 6. ) by 〈◇〉 holy Spirit ; God gives every Man and 〈◇〉 a day of Grace , and if thou improve not that , thou maist 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 Antients , saith Erasmus ; paint time with a hairy Forehead but bald behind , to signify 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 , and young Wemen , you are equally concerned . Now in the flower of your days remember your Creator , and having began well , continue in well doing , knowing your labour shall not bein vain in the Lord ; pray , & pray earnestly to him for grace , and his holy Spirit , to mortify 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 dayly attend youth , and the first is Pride . And it is a Raiging Sin in young Men and young Women : at this day I think never more then now . First , Pride of Heart . 2dly . Pride of Apparel . Oh 〈◇〉 rate saith one , to see young men humble and 〈◇〉 , and to see an old man contented and 〈◇〉 . St. Bernard saith , That Pride is the Rich mans Cousin , but experience speaks it to be the young Men and Womens Cousin .

God had three Sons , saith one , Lucifer , Adam , and Christ : the first aspired to be like God in power , and was thrown from Heaven . The second like him in Knowledg , and was drove out of Eden when young . And the third was like God in goodness , mercy , and humility , and by so doing , obtained an everlasting Inheritance . Remember this young Men , get to be humble , and keep humble , for the humble God will teach ; Pride is a great evil , and Reigneth more in young Men than ever : Consider , and leave it , least God leave you , and that for ever . What evils did Belteshazar , Haman , and Herod's Pride bring them too . Young Women , let me intreat you in the Bowels of love , and out of Compassion to your Immortal Souls , that our Saviour so dearly brought with his most pretious blood , to leave off those patchings and paintings , which are the Devils Badges . O how like Monsters do too many Women in our times make themselves , in their false Hair ; as Towers , and Bulls as they call them , and other ridiculous fashions , and gaudy , and Lascivious Attire ; not becoming Women professing Godliness , 1 Tim . 2.7.8 . saith St. Paul .

Likewise , Also the women that they adorn themselves in modest apparel , with shame-facedness and sobriety ; not with Broidred hair , or Gold , or Pearls , ●or costly Array : Oh how contrary to this Bule , do the Women of our times , walk by . Read th●… 16 of Ezekiel throughout , and Deut. 22. verse 5 to the end of the Chapter . And Isaiah 3.6 . to th●… end . Tertullian's counsel to young Men and Women is this , to cloath your selves with the Silk of Piety and with the Sattin of Sanctity , and with the purp●… of Modesty , so shall you have God for your Suitor .

The second sin of youth , is unlawful pleasure●… hear what Solomon , the wiseth of Men saith , Rejoice O young man in thy Youth , and let th●… heart chear thee in the days of thy Youth , an●… walk in the way of thine heart , and in the sight o●… thine Eies , but remember for all these things Go●… will bring thee to Judgement . Solomon doth no●… comply with Youth , to encourage them to sin but by this way confutes them of their folly ; A●… much as to say thou maist if thou wilt take th●… pleasure and ease , and satisfie thy vain Appetite with all manner of pleasures that this World wil●… afford , but remember that bitterness will atten●… thy pleasures , God will bring to light thy deeds o●… darkness , those sins that thou hast committed i●… secret ; and bring thee to Judgement , where tho●… must give an account of every Idle word and wicked action , and then what will these pleasure profit thee , the committing of which thou ha●… lost Heaven and happiness , and thy Immortal Soul●… I have read of a young Man that was very muc●… given to pleasure , he standing by St. Ambrose , an●… seeing his most excellent Death , turned to the other young men by him , and said ; Oh that I might live with you , and die with him , again , There is a Curse of Insatiableness in the Creature , Eccl. 1.8 . The Eye is not satisfied with seeing , nor the Ear with hearing . Pleasure saith one is a beautiful harlot , sitting in her Chariot , whose wheels are pride , and gluttony , lust and Idleness : The two horses are , prosperity and abundance : The two drivers , Idleness and security ; her attendants are grief , guilt , and too late repentance , and death and Ruine . Many strong Men have been destroyed by her , but never any received full satisfaction , and content in her ; Therefore Oh young Men , avoid this harlot , come not near her door . St. Augustin before his Conversion , could not tell how to live without those pleasures which he much delighted in , but when his nature was changed , and his heart graciously turned to God ; Oh how sweet is it ( saith he ) to be without those former sweet pleasures . A truly enlightned soul that hath tasted of the pleasures that are in the enjoyment of Christ . Oh how bitter are all other pleasures to him .

The third sin of Youth is Rashness , they saith Aristotle , know little , and fear less . St. Paul exhorts young men to be sober minded and discreet , how many young men have had large Estates , and by their Folly , Rashness , and Extravagancy have brought themselves to poverty . Rashness unmans a man , and will put him upon things below Man-hood ; should I discover the many evils that attends rashness which usually Reigns in Youth , I should exceed my bounds , but let this suffice , and let all young men decline and wholly forsake it .

The fourth sin attending Youth is , mocking , and scoffing at : Religion , and those that are holyer then themselves , Job . 30.3 , 4. But now , saith he , they that are younger then I have me in derision ; Doth not this Age abound with too many scoffers at Religion , I leave any indifferent Person to judge . The Athenians scoffing at Silases Wife , had like to have cost the destruction of their City , her Husband was so incensed against them ; I am afraid that our Athiesmy and scoffing at Religion and good Men , hath ruined our City . Felix for one malicious scoff , did nothing day and night but vomit blood , till his unhappy Soul was seperated from his wretched body .

Percides was consumed of Worms alive for giving Religion but a Nick-name , remember these Judgments , and if thou likest them , mock on .

The Fifth sin attending Youth , is Lust , and Wantonness , which caused St. Paul to admonish Timothy to flee youthful Lust , notwithstanding Timothy was a chast Youth , but St. Paul admonisheth him , knowing the temptations that attend youth much more need have we to warn the youth o●… our days to flee these youthful Lusts , that so unman them and make them so like to these beast that perisheth : Oh how do too many in this Nati●… n , in this City , in these Suburbs , instead of going 〈…〉 hear a Sermon on a Lords-day walk in the fields , 〈…〉 lye in an Ale-house or Tavern ; Nay I am a●… aid some , too many , go to the cursed Harlots ●… ouses , and there spend their time , but surely de●… tructions will certainly attend such practices ; ●… he poor young Man that murthered his fellow ●… ervant , Thomas Savage by name , confessed that this ●… in of Whoredom and Sabbath-breaking , brought ●… im to the Gallows . Young Men take heed by ●… his sad example now in time , least God make thee ●… he next , for great and grievous is this sin in the ●… yes of God , and he will severely punish it on all ●… uch as follow it , as we see daily that he hath done ●… on several persons .

Sixthly , Another grievous sin too much practised by Youth , and that is Swearing , how too ●… ommon is it , in many places in City and Country , ●… y Men , Women , and Children , notwithstanding ●… he foulness , vileness , and wickedness of this sin , ●… nd so offensive to Almighty God .

Consider of it before it be too late , for how dost ●… hou know , O thou filthy Swearer and Blasphemer 〈…〉 of Gods name in thy cursed and filthy oaths , when 〈…〉 hou art tearing Gods name in filthy Oaths , wishing God to damn thee ? but he may take thee at thy word , and send thee to Hell , there to abide to all Eternity , Mat . 12.34 , Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh , so then , if thy words are prophane thy heart is poluted , if it were a pure fountain , it would not bring forth such bitter streams of filthiness ; thou didst bless God in thy heart , thou wouldst not blaspheme with thy Tongue , Jam . 3.10 . Oaths are nothing but badges of a vile and wicked Person , even such are the scum of Ale-houses , Taverns , and filthy Prisons , an unseemly evil in the most notorious Villains , and high-way-men , much less in any that pretend to the least spark of Grace ; Remember that God will not hold them guiltless that taketh his name in vain , Exod . 20. He that makes no conscience of small Oaths will not stick at great ones , but some may object and say I have been acustomed to swear that I cannot leave it , Know this that if thou canst not alter thy custome by repentance , God can and will alter it by punishment ; and therefore let all Men , Women and Children leave this sin as they tender the salvation of their immortal Souls , and rebuke it boldly in all persons guilty of it .

Saith St. Chrysostom , youth is hard to be Ruled , easily to be drawn away , apt to be deceived , and standing in need of very violent Rains . Saith Cornelius Alapide , The Antients did use to paint youth like a young man naked , with a vail over his face , his right hand bound behind him , and his left hand loose , and Time behind him pulling one thread out of his Vail every day , intimating that young men are void of knowledge and blind , and unfit to do good , ready to do evil , till time by little and little makes them wiser . Consider of this Oh young men , that the least dram of Pleasure will bring thee abundance of grief , and though thy paths seems to be strewed with Rosebuds of delight and pleasure , yet bitterness will be the end . There is many other sins that attend Youth , Ignorance , Falshood , Impatiency under reproof ; a trifling spirit , prodigality , drunkenness , and taking Gods name in vain , which sins I would intreat thee Oh young man to avoid , as thou tenderest the good of thy immortal Soul , and as thou expectest heaven and happiness for ever , leave and loath these Sins as thou wouldest a Toad or Serpent . I shall refer thee for thy further satisfaction to an excellent sheet Intituled , A Timely warning to Drunkards , Swearers , and Blasphemers of Gods holy name , and other lewd livers .

Again I shall speak a few words to young men . 1. As Child under tuition of thy Parents . 2. As Apprentice , under tuition of a Master . 1 As Child in the first place , be deligent to serve God , hear the word preached , read the Scriptures diligently & other good books , be sure to pray to God morning & evening according to the example of holy David , if thou canst not pray , buy abook of godly prayers till God shall inable thee to pray without book . Besure to reverence & respect & honor thy Parents with all dutifulness & gentle behavior , as a child of God ought to do ; I shall not be large in this but refer the to an excellent sheet , named Mr. Baxter's directions for family duties , containing the duty of Parents to Children , Children to Parents , Masters to Servants , and Servants to Masters .

2dly . A word to thee as an Apprentice or Servant , first be faithful and honest in that calling tha●… God hath called thee to , giving respect to thy Master and Mistriss , obey them in all their Lawfu●… commands ; hear the advice of St. Paul , Servant●… be obedient to your Masters in singleness of heart not with eye-service but in singleness of heart , Eph. 6. Avoiding all pilfering , and making away thy Masters goods ; Read the pattern of a good Servant in that of Joseph , Gen. 39. he was so just that his Master committed all his Goods into his possession , and he missed nothing ; afterward God raised him up to be the second person in the Kingdom .

I have read of an Italian Poet , who brings in a proper young man , Rich and Potentate , thus discoursing with Death in the habit of a mower with his sith in his hand ; cutting down the life of man ( for all flesh is grass , Isa . 40. ) And will thou not spare any Person saith the young Man , I spare none saith Death , Mans life is but a Day , a short day , a Winters day , oftentimes the Sun goes down upon a Man before it be well up ; your day is short , and your work is great , and your Journey is long ; and therefore you should rise earlie and set forwards towards Heaven betimes , as that Man doth that hath a long Journey to go on a Winters day ; every days experience tells us that a young Mans life is as much a vapour as the Old , and as much uncertain .

Again , young Men and young Women , if you would be really good , in the next place make sure of your Conversion , for without Conversion , there is no Salvation ; Except you be born again you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven , John . 3.3 .

St. Austin's Conversion was on this wise . He heard a voice from Heaven , saying , take up and Read , and in opening the New Testament , he fell upon the place of Romans 13.13 , 14. Let us walk honestly as in the day , not in drunkenness , not in Chambering and wantonness , not in strife and Envy , but put on the Lord Jesus ; and make no provision for the flesh to obey it in the Lust thereof . This Scripture so worked upon him as it was the means of his Conversion . St. Cipron was converted by reading the first Chapter of Jonah . Junus was converted by reading the first Chapter of John the Evangelist .

I have read of Papriutius , that he converted two famous Strumpets , Thias and Ephron with this Scripture Argument , that God seeth all things in the dark , when the doors are fast , the Windows shut and the Curtains drawn .

I have read of a poor Man that perswaded a young Scholar from reading Poetry , and to fall upon ▪ reading the Scriptures , which he did , and before he had read out Genesis , it pleased God to work a change in his heart and turn him to the Lord , in the twentyeth year of his Age . Many more examples might be produced to excite yo●… persons to the Study of the Scriptures ; you do n●… know but it may have the same Influence on th●… hard heart to soften it , and thy proud spirits t●… humble them , and your sinful nature to chang the●… and by the word and operation of the Spirit , Converted and saved by them .

Again , further consider Oh all young person●… if in the spring and morning of your days you d●… not bring forth fruits to God , it is very much 〈…〉 you do ever , for death beds , and repentance is rarely true ; For those that stop their Ears to Gods ear●… calls , he will shut his Ears to their too late Prayer●… It is a great honour to a man when he is old , tha●… he can date his Conversion from the morning o●… his youth . It was Abraham's honour that he die●… in a good old age , so St. Paul that he was aged i●… years and grace ; And St. John had those divin●… Revelations when he was Aged , in years and grace●… I say that God doth make large discoveries of himself to aged Christians . Policarpus could say whe●… 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 Christs .

Let me exhort you Oh young men and young women , in the words of that Antient , faithful servant of Jesus Christ , Mr. Thomas Brooks , saith he , As you love your precious Souls , and as you would escape 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 , don't 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 great Ocean of Eternity , there is not a step you step , nor a breath you draw , nor a moment of time you live , but hath an influence of Eternity . Oh the Golden sands will quickly be run out : Oh what a nothing is your life , but a span , a dream , a wind , a shaddow , a Post , swifter then a Post , Job . 7.6 . Remember you are all going to your long home to the house of Eetrnity ; yet man doth not discern how his precious time doth fly from him , as the shaddow on a Diall passeth on , from one hour to another , though its speedy motion is not discerned , so man passeth from infancy to Child-hood , and from Child-hood to Youth , and from Youth to middle age , and so to Old Age , and to the Grave , and how few is there that take notice of it , yea in a moment we go down to the Grave and shall come up no more . How did these Meditations much trouble a Persian King , that having took a view of his vast Army , wept to think that within an hundred years , not one man of them would be left alive .