The young mans monitor, or, A modest offer toward the pious, and vertuous composure of life from youth to riper years by Samuel Crossman.

CHAP. IX. Caveats against several more ob∣vious dangers, whereat so many Young Persons stumble, and fall for ever.

I Have still some serious Caveats of great concernment unto you, which I must needs desire you to take careful notice of, without which my wri∣ting, and your reading would both be in vain.

My Pen I perceive hastily out-runs the measure of a Letter: but I will say, as sometimes the Apostle did, To me thus to write is not grievous: but for you it may be profitable.

As ever therefore you desire to be your own true Friends,

• First, Take Heed of yielding to the least known sin. By lesser sins at first doth the Devil draw to the greatest wickedness at last. Is thy Servant a

• dog (saies he, and it may be he spake as he then thought) that I should do this thing? But in process of time, we find for all that, he did it.

Evil hath too much of a cursed fruitfulness going along with it. This † Serpent, if sustered, will soon en∣crease to a great brood. The Poet could even challenge the World up∣on this score; Tell me the man (if you can any where find such a one) that was ever content with one single sin? Our promises may be (as usually they are in such cases) it shall be but once: but these promises will soon lie bro∣ken at our feet; and the sin iterated, it may be, an hundred times over. So hard is it to recover out of Satans snares, or to make any retreat when once engaged in evil.

He that hateth sin, as sin, hath Io∣sephs ingenuous answer in readiness, against every temptation, How shall I commit this great wickedness, and sin against God? Conscience once emba∣sed, the heart once prostituted to vi∣cious courses, is not easily recovered to the true fear of the Lord.

Affl••ctions may seem as Gall for

bitterness: but sin is alwaies as Poi∣son for real danger, and deadliness. Oh! pledge not the Devil in this Cup; oh! take not the least drop of it at his hands. There is no sin so small, but it is able to weigh down the soul for ever into Hell.

Secondly, Take heed likewise, oh! take great heed of falling into bad Company Better by far (••aies the Proverb of the Ancients) to be altogether alone, than (troubled with what is much worse) bad Company.

With such you expose your † ten∣der natures, your most hopeful dispo∣sitions to be easily corrupted; with such the filth of your company, how odious soever, secretly cleaveth unto you, and will insensibly become yours.

He that goeth in, and sitteth with them, seems as it were offering to take, and desirous to get acquaintance with Hell before his time. Say you as Jacob, Oh my soul▪ come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly mine honour be not thou united.

These are seeming Friends: but real Foes. To whom we might too

justly say, (as he) Is this your kindness to your Friend, to become my s••ares, and enticements unto evil? Or with the Philosopher, Oh Friends! amongst hundreds of such companions, scarce one real vertuous Friend to be found.

Thousands have died, and perished for ever of the infection they have catcht from sinful company. Leaving this sad Epitaph upon their Grave stone, for the warning of others after them; Bad Company in life, is too ready a way to worse Company in death.

The honest Traveller will scarce willingly ride much in the Thieves Company, if he can avoid it. And we may all say of the profane Compani∣on; he steals at least our good name, and time; if not all vertuous inclina∣tions also from us. Men that see not your hearts inwardly, will not stick to esteem, and judge both of you, and them according, to the company you keep outwardly. It became even pro∣verbial with the Jews; If you can first tell me, what kind of Company he keeps; I can then safely tell you, such he also is himself.

Despise none; you may, an•• should shew your selves meek, and truly courteous toward all: but still choose the ingenuous only, the vertu∣ous and the harmless for your compa∣nions.

The Dove flocks not with Ravens▪ Be you as David, Companions of al•• them that fear the Lord. Or as Solomo•• after him, Walking in the way of good men, keeping the paths of the righteous. And it shall turn to you for a testimo∣ny, and blessing. It shall become (as the Oratour well observed,) A swe•••• specimen of a good nature, inclining 〈◊〉〈◊〉 self very apparently toward Wisdom and Vertue.

Do you indeed love your heavenly Father? You cannot then conso•••• with those who tear and blaspheme that worthy name of his by profane oaths. Is Iesus Christ truly precious to you? You cannot then possibly de∣light your selves in them who ••rea•• under foot the Son of God, and

account the bloud of the Covenant an unholy thing. Oh I deliver your own souls; Pray them to leave their s••i••ing, or tell them plainly, you must for the future leave their Company.

Thirdly, Take heed in the next place of the sins of youth. Satan fishes with one bait for the Old man; with ano∣ther for the Young: but death is still in both.

Present vanities will soon grow stale, and unpleasing. Satan will be forced to change these for other; that the mind may be carried on, and delayed with foolish hopes of better contentment in them. The delight∣ful pleasures of Youth will give way to the anxious cares of riper years. Thus Sin runs its round: but still re∣tains its interest; suiting it self with much variety to our several Ages, and tempers as we pass through them.

But in the mean time we may truly enough observe; as Youth hath its peculiar diseases, its violent burning Feavers, to which it is natu∣rally subject: So hath it, its peculiar corruptions; levity, wantonness, and

h••adiness whereto it is spiritually a much exposed. These are the Young mans dangers, which need, (as the Father well observed) the streight•• rein and bridle.

Oh keep your selves, as Davi•• from your iniquity, and lye not dow•• in the dust with your bones full of th•• sins of your Youth.

There are many sins, it is no thank•• to us we commit them not; we are scarce so much as tempted to them. To refuse a dear, a pleasing sin, wh•••• it is fairly offered; † this, oh! th•• shews the uprightness and noblene•• of the heart.

He that can find in his heart t•• deny his own longing nature; he th•• in the fear of the Lord restrains hi•• own disposition, that he might no•• offend; he that in a spirit of Christian resolution, and nobleness cuts off ••i•• right hand, and plucks out his right

eye for Christs sake, this, oh •• this is the true Disciple indeed.

We may say here (as God once said of Abraham) By this we know that he feareth God, seeing he hath not with∣held his dearest, his darling Isaac from him. Oh! be you perswaded to turn ••way your eyes from bosome vanities. Set your greatest watch, where you ••ie in greatest danger. Flee youthful ••usts: but follow after righteousness.

Fourthly, Take heed yet further ••hat you neglect not your day of grace. Let Esaus loss be your warning. Time was when he carelesly slighted, that which afterwards he sought with tears, with bitter tears; but sound no place for repentance. Such tears you will see dropping from many eyes another day.

There are two Rocks, whereat most miscarry in this matter.

1. By slum••ering, and taking no notice of Gods call.

2. By faint promises, which never ripen to performance.

Take you great heed of both.

Concerning the first; There are those golden opportunities of mercy,

wherein the Lord seeks to save that which is lost. I gave her (saies God) a space to repent. This great gift it may be the Lord in much mercy sets be∣fore you. And your selves are best privy to those choice seasons, wherein the Lord comes upon this great occa∣sion and knocks at your door. Some∣times by Sickness, sometimes by Pa∣rental Counsel, sometimes by more pub∣lick Ordinances, sometimes by his more remarkable divine judgments upon sinners. While the Lord is thus speaking to you, your hearts (as those Disciples) even burn within you; your very Souls telling you it is the voice of Christ, gracious∣ly calling you to repentance. Oh! seek the Lord while he may be found.

True opportunity in most cases is a rare thing, and comes but seldom: but had need be imbraced with both hands when it comes. It will be too late (said the Ancients) to tender our Sacrifice, when the appointed time is past, and gone.

Behold this is the day of your visi∣tation; oh! that it may prove the day of your regeneration, and true ac∣quaintance with the things of your everlasting peace.

Your Father, your Master calls you in the Morning; and you arise, and go about his work. Well Sirs! let me also counsel you, as Eli once counsel∣led Samuel; listen diligently, and it shall come to pass if the Lord thy God shall thus call thee, thou shalt an∣swer, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.

Concerning the second, our evasi∣ons, and procrastinations with the Lord; we must all freely confess; de∣laies and faint promises for the future, they are but the artificial excuses of an unwilling mind for the present. Like the goodly words of the Son in the Parable, that saies, but never goes into the Fathers Vineyard.

How piously did St. Austine bemoan the treachery of his own heart, for a due warning to all posterity in this matter! I begged (saies he) longer day, promising, presently Lord! By and by; have but a little patience with me, and I will come. But oh! (saies he) that Presently lingred beyond all bounds of modesty, and this By and by proved a long day, and loth to come.

Dear Youths! if these vows of the

Lord be upon you, defer not to pay them. And cast not your selves by delaies upon that sad Dilemma; That your own Promises should be as your hand-writing to the Obligation: and yet your Conversation render you guilty of non-payment.

Fifthly, Take heed, yet again, of the sins of the Times wherein you live. All Ages, all Places have their peculiar reigning sins. And most men will needs vainly follow the present fa∣shion in sins, as well as cloaths; though they lose their very souls by it.

These last daies are the sad recep∣tacle of almost all precedent corrup∣tions. The Lord himself hath told us, they are and will be very perillous daies. Daies wherein that undesirable thing Sin will every where too much abound. Nature (the † Satyrist could long ago observe) grows now in its old age very degenerous; we had need watch to the utmost, and keep our garments.

The Boat usually goes full of Pas∣sengers, and carries multitudes down the stream with it. And who so in

the fear of God, or love of righteous∣ness, departeth from the iniquity of the times; that man maketh himself a prey in the gate. Aristides his ju∣stice costs him his life; and Socrates his fidelity to one only, as the true and living God, in the rage of a giddy multitude, procured his death. So dangerous alwaies is it, to dissent from present times, be they never so vicious.

But as for you, my Friends•• be ye careful indeed you oppose no man wilfully: but be ye still as careful, that you follow no man in evil course••s wickedly.

It was not without cause told us; The whole world (as now it is) lieth in wickedness. And if any man will be the friend of this world, (he enters that friendship upon very hard terms) he must thereupon become the enemy of God. So difficult, and even impossible is it, for any man to serve two Ma∣sters.

In these sore straights, Young Man! what wilt thou do? Before thou re∣solvest to sin with the world now; seriously ask thine heart this one

question, Canst thou be content to fare as the world fares, to be condemned, and suffer with it hereafter?

Ungodly men will wonder (it will be a piece of strange, and amazing news) that others run not with them to the same excess of riot; that others are not vile, and vain as well as they: but you are Travellers, whatever others do, on the right hand, or on the left; you must not turn aside, but mind your journey.

The Nations might do as they would by their Idolls: but Moses plain∣ly tells Israel, The Lord their God had not suffered them to deal so by him. Not durst Ioshah soon after, judge the Iews strange uncertainty, his sufficient excuse or security. If (saies he) it seems evil in your eyes, (and the case is there hard indeed, where the righte∣ous service of the Lord seems evil to any) yet (saies Ioshuah however) I and mine are bound to serve the Lord.

Noah had perished in the waters, if times had carried him. Lot had burnt in Sodom, if the Multitude had swayed with him. The sins of times

Gods people may alwaies be pious mourners for them: but never pro∣fane practicers of them. Be ye (what∣ever others are) righteous in your gene∣ration before the Lord.

Sixthly, Take heed yet further, that you enter not upon Religion at first, super∣ficially, slightily, or carnally. Religion is solemn; and had need be solemnly, and reverently approached unto.

Mistakes here are very easily run in∣to: but more hardly redressed; the forest mistakes in the whole world. And yet (saies the Father) there is scarce any thing more common, then for men to deceive their own souls; and go (as the Prophet expresseth it) with a lie in their right hand all their daies. Their Religion they judge is good, and they are willing (as others also ••re) to be of it, and so they conclude without further troubling themselves, that all will be well.

I write not this to upbraid any; but may, and must freely say thus much to all, The truest Religion false∣ly taken up, will be but as the Arke to the Philistims: it may encrease our torments, but will never save our souls.

If we shall climb up to Religion some other way, and not by the true door; if we shall crowd into profession, without a wedding gar∣ment, the time is coming we shall be found out; and our own conscience which have thus lied to the Holy Ghost, shall even fail within us, and leave us speechless at the Bar of God, as those that have not the least excuse for themselves.

There is a time, Dear Youths! (your own consciences cannot but tell you so) wherein Religion must be first embraced on Earth: if ever you desire glory or happiness in Heaven. Now he that begins amiss, is like to make but very bad work ever after. Things once mislearned are exceeding hardly unlearnt. And truly where one takes up the profession of the Name of God sincerely, and upon Gospel terms: it may be feared there are too many who receive it unworthily, and to their own condemnation.

Some lose their souls while they seek (with the blinded Iews) to esta∣blish their own righteousness. Other hearing Religion much commended.

and seeing somewhat of amiableness, and beauty in it; they hastily catch up some flashy, heady, ceremonial, or remote opinion, as best pleaseth them, and think they have enough; and so never regard to know what sound con∣version, and true communion with God meaneth all their daies. Others again, (and herein I am more parti∣cularly speaking to your caso, the Lord grant you may truly lay it to heart) others I say, as Children, and Ser∣vants to satisfie the desires, and coun∣sel of their religious Parents and Friends, yield, and do those things outwardly, which they bear no true affection unto inwardly. Oh wretched hypocrisie! at the same time seeming∣ly to stand in some fear of Man: but none of God.

Well, whosoever can deceive men, no man can mock the Lord. His eyes are eyes of fire, and all men shall know, that he searcheth the heart, and trieth the reins.

Where Spiritual things are Carnal∣ly undertaken, the evils that too ne∣cessarily ensue thereupon, are exceed∣ing many. The fruit of the whole un∣dertaking

is inevitably lost; The Du∣ty that seems offered, is not at all dis∣charged; The Comforts, the dear comforts of Godliness are all lockt up, as mercies peculiarly reserved for sincere, and better hearts; The Pro∣fession that is thus made will quickly decay, and die in disgrace. The heart can never hold out long in that which is but personated, and so little delighted in. Only the evil and guilt of the miscarriage, that will still remain, and must be elsewhere an∣swered for. So little shall any ma•• gain that goes to build upon the sands.

The further he goes, the more he wanders, and will sadly find at last; He that begins not duly with Christ as the Author, can scarce expect to find him in the end the Finisher, or ••••ow∣ner of his faith.

Yet notwithstanding all this, what just cause of sorrow may it be to all sober hearts, to consider, What har•• and unkind usage, what disingenuous and careless handling, that sacred thin•• Religion in most Ages meets withal from the hands of a froward carna•• World?

Well, take you this Item with you all your daies; whatever you do in the matters of Religion, do it hearti∣ly, reverently, Gospelly, and humbly; as in the sight of God, the all-seeing, the jealous God.

Where God sees he cannot be cor∣dially believed, or feared; take out∣ward shews who will, they are of little value in the account of God.

These (saies the Father) are but worthless leaves: we must still demand, and call for real Fruits. If the Lord asks or accepts any thing, it must justly be the best we have, Give me thine heart my Son!

Now the Lord himself direct you, and give you a right entrance into his right waies; with that kindliness of Repentance, that truth of Faith, that soundness of Conversation, that you may not run in vain, losing the things you seem to have wrought; but may in the end happily obtain the crown of life.

Happy is that man that can truly say, the Foundation stone is thus laid; the Top stone shall also in Gods good time be as certainly vouchsafed with

those gladsome shoutings to the God of such great and unexpected mercies, Grace, Grace.

Seventhly, Take heed yet once more in the last place, if God hath enkind∣led any heavenly affections in you now; that you lose not your first love afterward.

The kindness of your youth, it is dear, it is lovely in the sight of God. Christ looked upon the young man in the Gospel, and loved him. God sees, and takes it well; that it is in your hearts while you are young to enquire after him. These first ripe grapes (I might reverently say as in the Prophet) they are the fruits, that his righteous soul desireth.

Oh! let not your present convicti∣ons, your present willingness, your present delight in the good Word of God, in the sweet Sabbaths of God, in the dear people of God: Oh! let not all this verdant hopefulness of your youth vanish as a morning cloud, or like the early dew.

I give you this particular warning, because miscarriages are so sadly frequent in all Ages of this nature.

And because I further know Satan will come to winnow you. With this temptation if you live, you may assure your selves he will assault you with it. I have been too forward, too zealous, too careful for Religion while I was young; I will even spare my self now. Thus are the first daies of many Professors, sadly clouded with lukewarmness, for∣mality, wordly policy, and earthly mindedness ere they die.

But I hope you will not dare so to do. True motion is alwaies most in∣tense, the nearer it comes unto its Center. And if you be truly aiming for Heaven, you will dayly renew your strength, and be loth to slacken your pace, when it groweth nearest night.

Relapses in nature (Physitians tell us) are very sore: Relapses in Profes∣sion are still far sorer. How oh! how shall such be ever renewed again unto repentance!

Dear Youths! your thoughts are yet green, your years hitherto but lit∣tle experienced. You have scarce yet known how bitter and evil a thing it is to forsake the fountain of living

waters, and God grant you never may. But are you willing to believe what God shall testifie in this matter? Then may you soon understand; the Backslider (though but in heart) shall quickly have gall, and worm∣wood enough in his Cup, He shall be filled (saies the Lord) with his own waies.

Or are you further desirous to hear what Experience hath also to testifie in this weighty case? Then may the horrour of Iudas, the despairing groans of Spira, become your warning. They wretchedly departed from the Profession they had sometimes made in their former yeares; and poor men, never joyed good hour after.

I cannot but even beseech you in the Language of the Ancients. Oh! spare, for Gods sake, spare your sweet Youth, take some pity upon it, and give not that lovely flesh of yours for food to everlasting burnings.

Gods Children should be as those Hebrew Servants, staying with him for the love they bear unto him. He hath the words of Eternal life, and whe∣ther else can they find in their hearts

to go? If any man draw back, this is the sad message must be sent after him, the Lord shall have no pleasure in him. Men shall also scorn him, and say; this is salt which hath lost its savour; tread it henceforth under foot.

Ah poor man! it had been better for him, (a sad Better God knows, but) it had been better for him (saied the Apostle) never to have know the way of righteousness: than after he hath known it to turn from the holy Com∣mandment delivered unto him.

Be you then, as Iosiah, gracious in your Youth: but be ye also even to Gray-hairs as aged Israel; waiting for the salvation of God, when you come to dye.

Notes

• Nihil proderit dare piae∣cepta, nisi amouris obstantia praeceptis. Seneca.
• Caveat 1.
• 2 Kings 8.13.
• †

  Pecca∣tum sem∣per preg∣nans, aliud ex alio gignit.
• Quisnam hominum est, quemtu contention vid••risuno Flagitio. Juvenal.
• Gen. 3.9.9
• Caveat 2.
• Solitudo mehor coetu malo. Erpen. pro Arab.
• †

  Malignus comes can∣bdissimae ••p••imoque ••doli ru∣biginem 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sa∣••lin. è assricabit. Seneca.
• Gen. 49.6
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Arist.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Inquirie so∣cium, & intelliges virum. Mibhch. Happen.
• Psal. 119.63.
• Pro. 2.20.
• Facilli∣me in op∣timam partem dign••s∣cuntur adolescentes, qui se ad claros, & sapientes viros, be•• reipublice consulentes contuler••at. Cicero.
• Caveat 3.
• —Aetas animus que virilis Quaerit opus, & amicitias inseruit honori, &c
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Chry••
• †

  Posse & nolle nobi∣le.
• Pluri∣mum pro∣fecit, qua sibi plarinum displicere didicit. Calv. Instlt.
• 2 Tim. 2.22.
• Caveat 4.
• Rev. 2.21.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cum prae∣teriit tem∣pus cessat ulterior oblationi locus. Buxtorf. Flo. Hebr.
• Modo, ecce mo∣do; sine p. ••lulum. Sed modo & modo, non habe∣bant mo∣dum: Et sine pau∣lulum in longum ••bat. Aug. Confes.
• Caveat 5.
• †

  Terra malos ho∣mines nunc educat, at∣que pusil∣los. Juven.
• 1 John. 5.19. Jam 4.4.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Obsta∣pescunt, ut ad rei in∣suetae spe∣ctaculum. Beza. Jam. 4.4.
• Deut. 18.14.
• Josh. 24.15.
• Caveat 6.
• Nihil est facilius quam seip∣sum falle∣re, quisque sibi ipsi ju∣dere est be∣ne•• olus. Basil.
• Nemo po∣test perso∣nam fictam diu serre.
• Haec folia sunt, nos sructus quaerimus. Aug. Pro. 23.26
• Caveat 7.
• 〈…〉〈…〉, Satanici 〈◊〉〈◊〉. ad Proverb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Pro. 14.14
• Commu∣soratione movearts, super pue∣ritia tua; & nesias cibus igni. Erpen. proverb, Arab.
• Heb. 10.38.
• 2 Pet. 2.21.