keep their Confciences tender. Ch VI. Let them decline fuch occafions and tations, as they forefee are like to enfare Ti and efpecially ill company, which hath 1Thousands. t 27 VII. Let them acquaint themselves ous, foher minded, and experienced C From fuch they may reap exceeding I fit. 20 VIII. And Leftly, Let them t Spiritual pride, which hath throws: young profeffors from a great hopefas them remember, the Devil will attes be poffible) to fail them, by draw' 2 T ther into fome erroneous Doctrines, of dalous practices. Let them therefore b fer the Glory of God before their eyes, " 2 2 J deavour to walk humbly with God, themfelves, and leaning on his goodnej ferve them from fallirg. C Pla Ecclef.11. Remember now thy Creatiy daics of thy youth, while the evil daynot, nor the years draw nigh, when Jer. fay I have no pleasure in them. Prov. 17. I love them that love me, that feck me early, shall find me. ช Prov. 23.6. Train up a child in the ways Pro Should goe, and when he is old, he will n from it. Pfal.119.9. Wherewithal fhall a young man cleanfe his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy Word. Tit.2 6. Young men likewife exhort to be foberminded. 4 2 Tim.2.22. Flee alfo youthful lusts, but follow righteoufneß, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 1 Kings 18. 12. But I (Obadiah) thy fervant fear the Lord from my youth. 2 Chron. 34. 3. For Fofiah) in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, began to feek after the God of David his Father, &c. 2 Tim.3.15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wife unto falvation. John v.4. I rejoyced greatly that I found of thy children walking in the Truth, as we have received a Commandment from the Father. 'fal.32.9. Be ye not as the Horfe, or as the Mule, which have no understanding, whofe mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, left they come neer unto thee. er.22.21. 1 spake unto thee in thy profperity, but thou faidft I will not hear; this hath been ty manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedft not my voice. Tov.1.24. Because I called, and ye refused, I have ftretched out my hand, and no man regard ed. Mm 3 V.236 and would none of my reproof. V.25. But ye have set at nought all my V.26. I also will laugh at your calamity, mock when your fear cometh. Lev. 19. 32. Thou shalt rife up before the head, and honour the face of the old ma fear thy God, I am the Lord. of th need mean Ifa.3.5. And the people shall be opprefes one by another, and every one by bis the child fball behave himself proudly ancient, and the base against the old a ble. conv gone So much of the Duties belonging 7, perfons. I come now to speak to the A The main and principal care of tho in th Real die in demn than Cert judg times in years, thould be, to make all fra grea between God and their own foules; to ie ftate in Grace, and their Title to G Their Sun is fetting, their race is alm Though the younger may die, yet the fore die, and after death comes judgment. Let all ancient persons therefore tak cut-p following Particulars into their ferieus cftill tion. AB fcape. I. The cafe of all old people that are this. unconverted ftate, is very fad and dangers covet 1. This world, and the contentments thereof are (in a manner) done with them. The evil daies are come upon them, wherein (they must needs fay) they have no pleasure in them. 2. Usually they labour under many weaknesses and bodily infirmities: If they have not the comfort of a good Confcience to fupport them, and to be the staffe of their age, how exceeding miferable muft they needs be? 3. If they have lived long under the means of Grace, and continued unconverted till old age, 'tis a hundred to one whether they ever be converted or no. 'Tis rare to hear of any that have gone on in a long course of careleffeneß and fecurity, and been habituated and hardned in fin, that in their old age have turned to God. See the Reasons before mentioned, p. 510. 4. If they die in their fins, they will receive a greater condemnation. The furnace will be better for them than for young finners. They have contracted a greater debt. The heap of their fins is greater: Certainly it will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for Er and Onan who were cut off betimes in their fins, than for finners that are threefcore or fourfcore years old. If the Fudge at the Aßizes do meet with an old theef, or an old cut-purfe, that have had many warnings, and ftill go on in their wickedneffe, they feldom fcape. Let all old impenitent finners think of this. How may God fay of fuch, Heer's an old covetous, worldly-minded man, an old (wearer, or Mm 4 drunkard, drunkard, an old hater of Godlinese, and's woman! dange yet b these I. conr their Say hap that ye, t die, 2 will whet 100 fort II. Nothing is more to be admire that ancient people should go on in their inding speedily and ferienfly to tur For, 1. The leafe of their lives is almeš “ And is it not a strange madneffe, they fo no provifion for another world? 2. They:". ny warnings they must go hence, dim eya legs, trembling joynts, Ecclef. 12. 3. and the Light is darkned, the keepers of the tremble, the strong men bow themfelon grinders ceafe, &c. Their bodily weaknesses them they must not ftay long here. 3. have but a little time to watch, and the Bri will conie, and if they get not Oyl into their Now, they will be for ever shut out. III. Th |