Apples of gold for young men and vvomen, and a crown of glory for old men and women. Or, The happiness of being good betimes, and the honour of being an old disciple Clearly and fully discovered, and closely, and faithfully applyed. Also the young mans objections answered, and the old mans doubts resolved. By Thomas Brooks preacher of the gospel at Margarets new Fishstreet-hill.

The Contents.

• THe explication of the words, from page 1. to page 10.
• Doct. That it is a very desirable and commendable thing for young men to be (really) good betimes, this truth proved. p. 10, 11, 12

Twelve Reasons of this point.

• 1 Because he commands it, whose Com∣mands are not to be disputed but obey∣ed. from p. 12. to 16
• 2 Because they have means and opportu∣nities of being good betimes. from p. 16. to 20
• 3 Because then they will have fewer sins to answer for, and repent of. p. 20 21.
• 4 Because time is a precious talent that Young men must be accountable for, from p. 21. to 26
• 5 Because then they will have the great∣er comfort and joy when they come to bee old. from. p. 26. to 28

• 6 Because an eternity of felicity and glory hangs upon those few moments that are allotted to them. from p. 28. to 33.
• 7 Because they do not begin to live, till they begin to be really good. from p. 33. to 36
• 8 Because the promise of finding God, of enjoying God, is made over to an early seeking of God, &c. from p. 36. to 44
• 9 Because the time of Youth is the choi∣cest and fittest time for service. from p. 44. to 47
• 10 Because death may suddenly and un∣expectedly seize on youth, youth being as fickle as old age. from p. 47. to 52
• 11 Because it is ten to one, nay a hun∣dred to ten, if ever they are conver∣ted, if they are not converted when they are young. from p. 52. to 55
• 12 Because else they will never attain to the honour of being an Old Disciple. p. 55.56

The honour of an Old Disciple shew'd in seven particulars.

• 1 All men will honour an Old Disciple. from p. 56. to 58

• 2 God usually reveals himself most to old Disciples, to old Saints. p. 58. to 62
• 3 An old Christian, an old Disciple hath got the art of serving God, p. 62. to 63
• 4 An old Disciple, an old Christian is rich, in spirituall experiences. from 63 to 67
• 5 An old Disciple is firm and fixt in his resolutions. from 67 to 70
• 6 An old Disciple, is prepared for death. from 70. to 73
• 7 An old Disciple shall have a great re∣ward in heaven. from 73. to 79
• Use of Reproof. from 79. to 84

The several evils that most properly attends youth, as

• 1 Pride. from 84. to 87
• 2 Sensual pleasures and delights. from 87. to 93
• 3 Rashnesse. from 93. to 96
• 4 Mocking and Scoffing at Religious men, and religious things. from p. 96. to 98
• 5 Wantonnesse. from p. 98. to 101

Use of Exhortation to exhort young persons to be good betimes, and mo∣tives moving thereunto, as

• 1 It is a high honour, to be good betimes,

• from p. 102. to 106
• 2 Christ gave himself for sinners when he was in the primerose of his age. from p. 106. to 111
• 3 It is the best way in the world to bee rich in spiritual experiences. from p. 111. to 116.
• 4 The present time is the only time that you are sure of. from p. 116. to 122
• 5 It is just with God to reserve the dregs of his wrath for them, who reserve the dregs of their dayes for him, from p. 122. to 125
• 6 The sooner you are good on earth, the greater will be your reward in heaven. from p. 125. to 134
• 7 The Lord is very much affected and taken with your seeking of him, and following after him in the spring and morning of your youth. from p. 134. to 136
• 8 It will prevent many sad and black temptations. from p. 136. to 140
• 9 Consider the worth and excellency of souls. from p. 140. to 144
• 10 God will at last bring young men to a reckoning. from p. 144. to 155
• Quest. Whether in the great day of ac∣count,

• the sins of the Saints shall bee brought into the judgement of Discus∣sion and discovery or no? the negative proved by divers arguments. from p. 155 to 171

Directions to such as would bee good betimes, as would know and love, seek and serve, the Lord in the prim∣rose of their dayes, as

• 1 Take heed of putting the day of death a far off. from p. 171. to 177
• 2 If you would bee good betimes, take heed of leaning to your own under∣standing. from p. 177. to 182
• 3 If you would be good betimes, take heed of flatterers and flattery. from p. 182. to 191
• 4 If you would seek the Lord in the spring and morning of your dayes, then take heed of engaged affections to the things of the World. from p. 191. to 197
• 5 If you would be good betimes, then you must take heed betimes of carnal reason, &c. from p. 197. to 201.
• 6 Take heed of comparing your selves with those that are worse than your selves. from p. 201. to 207

Secondly, As those six things must be

declined, so several other things must be practised; if you would be good betimes, as

• 1 If you would be good betimes, then you must labour to be acquainted with four things betimes, as
• 1 You must labor to acquaint your selves with the scripture betimes. p. 207. to 219
• 2 You must acquaint your selves with your selves betimes. from p. 219. to 226
• 3 If you would be good betimes, then you must acquaint your selves with Jesus Christ betimes. from p. 226. to 228
• ... Now there are six things which you should be thorowly acquainted with concerning Jesus Christ. As
• 1 If you would be good betimes, then you must know that there is every thing in Christ, that may incourage you to seek him, and serve him. p. 228. to 230
• 2 If you would be good betimes, then you must know betimes that Jesus Christ is mighty to save. p. 230 to 234
• 3 Then you must know betimes that there is a marvellous readinesse and willing∣ness in Christ to imbrace and entertain returning sinners, &c. p. 234. to 236
• 4 If you would be good betimes, then you

• must know betimes that Jesus Christ is designed, sealed, and appointed by the father to the office of a Mediatour. from p. 236. to 240
• 5 If you would be good betimes, then you must know betimes that there is no way to salvation but by Jesus Christ. p. 240. to 246
• 6 If you would be good betimes, then you must know betimes, that the heart of Jesus Christ is as much set upon sinners now hee is in heaven, as ever it was when he was on earth. p. 246. to 249
• 4 If you would bee good betimes, then you must acquaint your selves with those that are good betimes. 249. to. 254
• 2 If you would be good betimes, then you must shun the occasions of sin be∣times. from p. 254. to 262
• 3 If you would be good betimes, then you must remember the eye of God be∣times. from p. 262. to 265
• 4 If you would be good betimes, then you must hearken to the voice of conscience betimes. from p. 265. to 269
• 5 If you would be good betimes, then you must know wherein true happiness lyes betimes. from p. 269. to 272

• 6 Lastly, If you would be good betimes, then you must break your covenant with sin betimes; Now to work you to that, you must alwaies look upon sin under these six notions.
• 1 You must look upon sin under the noti∣on of an enemy. from p. 272. to 277
• 2 Ʋnder the notion of bonds, &c. from p. 277. to 279
• 3 Ʋnder the notion of fire, six resemblar∣ces between sin and fire. from p. 279. to 289
• 4 Under the notion of a Theif, &c. from p. 289. to 292
• 5 Ʋnder the notion of a burden, &c. from p. 292. to 296
• 6 Ʋnder the notion of a Tyrant, &c. from p. 296. to 299
• 1 Object. It may be time enough here∣after to seek and serve the Lord, &c.
• This Objection answered four waies. from p. 299. to 304
• 2 Object. If I should seek and serve the Lord in the spring and morning of my daies, I should loose the love and favor of such and such friends and Rela∣tions.
• ...Four Answers to this Objection, &c. from

• p. 304. to 311
• 3 Obj. I shall meet with many reproa∣ches.
• Eight answers to this Objection. from p. 311. to 326
• 4 Object, Most men give liberty to them∣selves; and walk in waies more pleas∣ing to the flesh.
• This Objection answered five waies. from p. 326. to 339
• 5 Ob. The last (I shall mention) is, that God is a God of mercy, in him are bow∣els of mercy; yea, a sea, an Ocean of mer∣cy, he delights in mercy, &c.
• Five answers to this Objection. from p. 339. to 349
• Lastly, The Old mans doubts resolved, in eight several answers, from p. 349 to the end.

FINIS.