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bars, to correct their youths; that would be unmanly, as well as unwise; but the rod never did any harm in a skilful hand. And both at home and at school, it is profitable for the youth to be diligent in reading the holy scrip tures, which are preferable to all other books, though other good books are profitable also, and beneficial to improve the understanding; whereas filthy and irrelig. ious corrupt romances, and profane play-books, often poison, and are the bane or ruin of youth; and when once they come to be in love with those black dark works, sacred truths are of little value to them, which is an evident token or sign of the evil tendency of evil books: though there may be some sort of philosophy in some of them, yet, if it is vain, and lies and deceit, we had need to be careful our youth are not spoiled therewith; and indeed those of riper years are often hurt thereby, else why did the learned apostle Paul write to the prim itive christians to "Beware lest any of them should be spoiled through (wrong) philosophy, and vain deceit." Col. ii 8. If all this care and pains, besides charge, should be forgotten, it betokens great stupidity.

From fourteen to twenty-one, more care comes on afresh upon the heart and mind of the faithful and loving father, and affectionate and tender mother, that their offspring may do well, both as to this world, and also to that which is to come. It is indeed commendable, and also a duty in the parents, to take care in putting their children in a way, as much as lies in their power, to live in the world; but, above all things, to endeavour to promote their eternal happiness and interest in the life to come. This is so much the more honourable, by how much the one is external, and the other eternal. Oh, eternity! eternity! that we did but think more upon it, though we thought less of the externals; although some think too little upon the substantial part of them too, and forget to be just in the things of meum and tuum, or between man and man. But to return to the youth. law of nations forbids them to them, till they arrive at the years of twenty-one, as sup

And, as to trade, the trade, or to trade with

posing their understanding not fully ripe for business. till that age; and therefore many, and some of the wisest heads upon earth, and men of vast estates, have thought it rational and proper for youth to be put apprentice for seven years: this is looked upon as expedient, although they have many thousands to give them when they come to age; and indeed many youths have been ruined and undone for want of such service; and some of the brightest and finest of our young men have spent more before they arrived to that age, than their parents had to begin the world withal; nay, some, many times more, for want of employ in some commendable calling; for, having so much idle time on their hands, they have taken to idle company, and become idle companions themselves also; and so the youth have corrupted one another, to their great hurt and damage, as to their outward substance; and which is yet worse, as to their soul's welfare; and such "Evil communication corrupts good manners;" and if they were employed in business, they, in this respect, would be out of harm's way, out of the way of those rocks that would make a prey of them.

In order to the well doing or being of the youth in the time of his seven years servitude, we ought to be very careful to choose such masters as are of good report; first, as to their religion, ingenuity, industry, justice and temperance, and one who hath acquired to a way of living well; such a master is worthy, and ought to be obey. ed. It often happens, that before this time is over, the youth are uneasy, and are wont to go home to their parents, with complaints; but without a real occasion or necessity. It is far better, and much more honourable for young men to stay out their appointed time: and when they come to have their lawful liberty, it will be more sweet to them; and people will be the more free and engaged to deal and trade with them, and the parents will have the greater encouragement to set them up in their calling. A common maxim, which is generally fulfilled, is worthy of note here (i. e.) "Those that are good for their masters, are good for themselves," and it mostly happens.so.

And as to masters, since they are generally gain the service and work of their servants, they ought to them well, as to their accommodations, and not to e their labour to oppression, remembering we all har Master, who is in heaven, and that every one of us our condition be what it will in this world) must be countable for the deeds done here on earth, to him in kingdom.

It must not be forgotten, that servants ought serve their masters with eye-service; but justly do their duty as though they were actually present, or in view. And as their indentures bind against cards. dice, and all unlawful games, and gaming being destructive to youth, as well as to their masters' int it is in an especial manner to be avoided. For g leads into many other evils, and, at the best, ten draw the heart and mind from heavenly to earthly th Also the servant is not to see his master any ways frauded, it being all one in the foundation, whether servant does it himself, or sees (with approbation other do it. And that which would make the time? pleasanter, and seem not so long and tedious, is to cheerful and good natured, and to be sure to fre the public worship of Almighty God. And ma would do well to let their servants go sometimes to private duty and if the servant be conscientious, master will be no loser by such indulgence. Also vants ought to be kind to their masters' children, is reputable and masters ought not to let their chil insult their servants: and if the servants merit com tion, let it be done prudently, and not in a fury, the heat of passion; for such correction, in the he passion, oftener hardens the heart, than amends manners of the youth so corrected.

Both the master and servant ought strictly to obser and not to break their covenants which they have my ally agreed to in their indentures, signed and sealed fore witnesses, or else they lose their title to just and as it is not prudent or just, neither is it lawful s do. It is a great happiness in a family when the m

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mistress, men-servants and maid-servants, live toher in love and good will, and endeavour to promote in other's interest: then when there is occasion to part, good wishes of each other go along with those who and stay with those who stay. And the care of pats in this affair, is worthy the youth's solid thought 1. consideration.

l'hus after the fine and sprightly young man hath faithy served his apprenticeship, and is arrived to the age one and twenty years, when it is lawful for him and ers to deal and trade one with another, then it may suitable for him to marry, according to the ordinance God, and his early institution in Paradise, who then 1 (and his word is the same to this day) " It is not od for man to be alone," whatever others may say to contrary. Oh! what a pity and shame it is, that so ny (otherwise) great wits, and fine flourishing young n, should plead and practise against lawful marriage, their lasting reproach and infamy; and if they should ve any posterity, it is a scandal on them also, though ey are innocent; for, through their parents' faults, they è pointed at as illegitimate: and the inevitable conseences of such filthy mixtures, are monstrous confusion. But let us hope and endeavour better for our present, sing generation, and our hopeful and flourishing youths: d since the state of marriage is an exceedingly happy te of life, if performed in the fear and love of God, d with consent of parents and parties concerned; and herwise the reverse. Therefore considering the bashness of some youths, (and sometimes to a great fault) might be well for parents in time to propose marriage their children, who sometimes have been lost for ant of performing it in the fear and love of God. nd indeed it being one of the greatest concerns in life, d being for. life, a young man, or a young woman ght therefore to act therein with the greatest care and ution, as ought the parents also. And let the parents e helpful to their youth, according to their ability, and cording to the industry of the youth, and still be helpg them, which is an encouragement to ingenuous and

virtuous young people. By being too strait-handed, there may be a wishing for the death of the parents, saying, they cannot carry it with them to their graves: yet the parent is not to impoverish himself for his children; for that hath sometimes ruined both parents and children.

The parents may propose, but the youth ought to choose, because they must live and die by it. The chief motive of marriage ought to be pure and true love, which the parents cannot give to the children for each other they may give them money, and advice, but they cannot give them love. And parents, by over-awing and over-persuading them, have brought ruin on many a beautiful son and daughter.

In this case of marriage, the choice (if we design to be happy for term of life) ought to be a virtuous person: that ought to be our chief aim. Our happiness doth not consist in either riches or beauty; for "Riches make themselves wings, and fly away," Prov. xxiii. 5; and beauty is a fading flower: virtue is more preferable and enduring; to have all these together in one person, is such a rarity as is hard to be found. And in this great case of marriage, it is an excellent thing to be equally matched, or, in the apostle's words, " Equally yoked;" not one of one persuasion in religion, and the other of another; not one very old, and the other very young. First, For where two of different persuasions marry, and have children, which way must the children steer their course? After the father or the mother? And if the parents are both true to their contrary principles, who must prevail in relation to their children's way and worship? Many inconveniencies, and much confusion, must naturally be the consequences of such marriages.

Those who marry on account of riches, are very often disappointed; for they very soon are on the wing; they will fly away, sometimes in the flames, and sometimes they will steal away in the dark by theft; and sometimes they will swim away by water, or fly away with canvas wings, and never return; and sometimes by the intemperance and extravagancies of the man or woman, are most profusely wasted. And here let it be noted, that

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