Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity, physick, and law, III. the sons of magistrates and rich men / by Richard Baxter.

To the YOUTH of London, (and the rest of England) Ri∣chard Baxter's Last and Compas∣sionate Warning and Advice. (Book 1)

CHAP. I. (Book 1)

THere is no man that ever under∣stood the Interest of Mankind, of Families, Cities, Kingdoms, Chur∣ches, and of Jesus Christ the King and Saviour, but he must needs know that the right Instruction, Education, and Sancti∣fication of Youth is of unspeakable conse∣quence to them all. In the place where God most blest my labours (at Kidder∣minster, in Worcester-shire) my first and greatest success was upon the Youth. And (which was a marvellous way of Divine Mercy) when God had toucht the hearts

of young Men and Girles with a love of goodness, and delightful obedience to the truth, the Parents and Grandfathers who had grown old in an ignorant worldly State, did many of them fall into liking and love of Piety, induced by the love of their Children, whom they perceived to be made by it, much wiser and better, and more dutiful to them. And God by his unexpected disposing Providence, having now twenty years placed me in and near London, where in variety of places and conditions, (sometimes under restraint by men, and sometimes at more liberty) I have Preached but as to Strangers, in o∣ther mens Pulpits as I could, and not to any special flock of mine, I have been less Capable of judging of my success: But by much experience have been made more sensible of the Necessity of warning and instructing youth, than I was before. The sad reports of fame have taught it me: The sad Complaints of mournful Parents have taught it me: The sad observation of the wilful impenitence of some of my acquaintances tells it me. The many score if not hundred bills that have been pub∣lickly put up to me, to pray for wicked and obstinate Children have told it me. And by the grace of God, the penitent

Confessions, Lamentations, and restitutions of many Converts have more particularly acquainted me with their Case. Which moved me on my Thursdays Lecture a while to design the first of every month, to speak to youth and those that educate them.

And though I have already loaded the world with books, finding that God seems to be about ending my life and labours, I am urged in my mind by the greatness of the case to add yet this Epistle to the youn∣ger sort. Which shall contain I. The great importance of the Case of youth. II. How it stands with them in matter of fact. III. What are the Causes of their sin and dangerous degeneracy. IV. How great a blessing wise and godly youth are to them∣selves and others. V. How great a plague and calamity the ungodly are. VI. What great reason ungodly sensual youth have, presently to Repent and Turn to God. VII. Directions to them how to do it. VIII. And some Directions to Parents about their Education. And all must be with the Brevity of an Epistle.