Solemn advice to young men not to walk in the wayes of their heart, and in the sight of their eyes, but to remember the day of judgment / by Increase Mather ...

Solemn Advice to Young Men.

Ecclesiastes 11.9.

Rejoyce O Young man in thy Youth, and let thy Heart cheer thee in the dayes of thy Youth, and walk in the Wayes of thy Heart, and in the sight of thine Eyes; but know thou, that for all these things, God will bring thee into Judgment.

IN these words we have (1.) An Ironical Concession. Do thou (saith So∣lomon) who art a young man live as Merry as heart can wish: Indulge thy self in the most Vicious Courses, and see what will come of it, or on thee for it. He had just before intimated that life in this world is but short, and then a long Eternity fol∣loweth. If a man live many years and re∣joyce in them all, yet let him remember the dayes of darkness for they shall be many. The long∣est liver upon Earth, is here but a very short time compared with the days which his

Body must be in the dark Grave, and if he continueth walking in the way of his Heart and in the sight of his Eyes) his Soul in a darker Hell. The use which an Atheist or an Epicure would make of this Doctrine concerning the brevity of mans life, is, Then let us live a short life and a merry, let us eat and drink for to morrow we shall dy. Do so (saith Solomon) do so Young man, and see what you will bring your self unto at last. He doth not speak in earnest, but in an holy disdain. His words are like those of the Prophet unto Ahab, whose heart was set upon going to fight against the Syrians hoping to come off a Conquerer, Go and prosper (saith he) for the Lord shall deliver thy enemies into thy hands; when as he in∣tended the contrary. Thus doth Solomon by way of Irony and Derision permit young men to do that which they most willingly and commonly practise. Therefore (2.) The Latter part of the words read, contain a sad and serious Admonition unto Young men. Know young man that for all these things, h. e. for all the Sins, Vanities, and Extravaganes of thy youth, God will bring thee into Judgment. Thou shalt one day be brought before the Tribunal of the Great God, there to have thy Trial; and persisting

in thy sinful Courses, a dismal day will it be unto thee: Thou shalt be Condemned and Punished for all that thou hast done in Compliance with the ways of thy heart, and the sight of thy eyes. So then the Doctrine now before us, is,

That Young Men who Continue to Walk in the Wayes of their Heart, and in the Sight of their Eyes, will have a sad account to give to God, at the day of Judgment.

The Particulars contained in this Doctrine may be set before us in several Propositions.

Propos. I. Men ought not to walk in the wayes of their Heart, & in the sight of their Eyes. There is in the Scripture an express Prohi∣bition to the contrary; which is (as a very Learned Interpreter has well and Judiciously Observed) a cleer demonstration that Solo∣mon doth not speak in earnest but Ironically, when he bids young men walk in the ways of their heart and in the sight of their eyes. Otherwise Solomon would contradict Moses, who saith; seek ye not after your own Heart, and your own Eyes, after which you use to go a whoring? Numb. 15.39. Nor are these ex∣pressions ever used in the Scripture in a good sense. The way of the heart and sight of

the eyes of men, is always evil. But the Truth of the Proposition before us is further evident.

1. In that Original sin hath depraved the whole man. It is a woful Leprosy whereby every member of the body, and all the powers of the soul are tainted and disorder∣ed. The heart is put for the most excel∣lent faculties wherewith the Souls of men are adorned. Sometimes for the mind or understanding. Now sin has defiled and depraved that power of the rational Soul. The mind and Conscience (which is the practi∣cal understanding, or the Soul reflecting upon it self and judging of a mans own ways) these are defiled, Tit. 1.15. Therefore men are apt to Judge Error to be Truth, and evil to be good, the light in them is darkness, and how great is that darkness? So that if they walk after the blind dictates of their own dark and deluded understand∣ing, they may miserably perish. Sometimes the heart is put for the will and affections, which are also corrupted and perverted by Adams fall and original sin. Hence men do naturally chuse and delight in those things which the Lord abhors. Zech. 8.17. Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against your neighbours, and love no false Oath, for all these

things I hate, saith the Lord. So then the things which God hates, the vile and car∣nal hearts of men love and embrace. And as the chief powers of the Soul, so the most excellent members of the Body are vitiated by sin. The eye is the most excellent mem∣ber of the body, but it is now a very sinfull member. The Scripture does therefore speak of Eyes full of Adultery, and that cannot cease from sin. 2 Pet. 2.14.

2. The natural Inclinations of the hearts of men are corrupt and evil inclinations. The hearts of men are naturally averse from and indisposed unto that which is good. They have neither wit nor will for a good matter. Jer. 4.22. They are sottish Children, they have none understanding, they are wise to do e∣vil, but to do good they have no knowledge. That which the Prophet there speaks, concerning the Jews, is no less true of all men considered as what they are by nature. Heart does answer Heart, as in the water, Face does ans∣wer Face. The Jews spoke what was in their hearts, when they said unto the Pro∣phet, as for the word which thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord, We will not hearken to thee. Jer. 44.16. Let a good moti∣on be presented, and the carnal heart can find an hundred Excuses, Evasions, and Ob∣jections

against it; but let an evil motion present it self, and the heart is ready to close with it immediately. Sinners are not only uninclined to that which is good, but woful∣ly inclined unto that which is evil. Eccles. 8.11. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. The heart of a sinner is wickedly bent. 'Tis set for evil, nay fully set to do evil. The truth is (and a sad truth it is) there is no e∣vil so bad, no sin so abominable, but there is a natural propensity in the Unregenerate heart to close with it. Well does the Scrip∣ture say, that the heart of man (and what worse could be said of the heart of a Devil) is deceitful above all things, and desperately wick∣ed. Jer. 17.9. 'Tis not only false, but deceit∣full above all things; not only a subject of sin, but wicked and desperately so. There is not an Unregenerate man in the world, but if the Holy God should wholly remove from him the restraints of His Grace and Providence, and give him up to the natural inclinations of his own heart; there is no wickedness so great, no sin so bloody, but he would soon become guilty of it. Therefore the Apostle speaking concerning what men are by nature; he saith, their feet are swift

to shed blood, Rom. 3.15. Every man has by nature the heart of a Murderer in him. Is he not subject to rash and undue anger? That's a degree of Murder, and would end there, did not special or common Grace prevent it. From this consideration it was that an holy man when he heard of any prodigious wickedness done by the vilest sons of Beli∣al (suppose Blasphemy, Sorcery, Adultery, Murder) would strike upon his breast and say, In this Heart of mine is that which would have caused me to have been guilty of the same evil, if the Grace of God had not made a difference. Yea, such is the depravation of mens nature, as that their hearts are set upon an evil the rather and the more because God has forbidden it. The Heathen could observe that there is such a perverse Temper and Inclination in men. They could say, Nitimur in vetitum semper, men are always desiring forbidden fruit. Truly since the sin of Adam, it has ever been so. The holy Apostle was very sensible of this; we hear him bewailing it sadly. Rom. 7.8. Sin taking Occasion by the Commandment, wrought in me all manner of Consupiscence. So it was with him before his Conversion, be∣cause the Commandment said, ye shall nor do such a thing, he was the more set upon

doing it. There is many an Unregenerate man that would not do such and such things, did not God in His Word say, ye shall not do them. I remember Austin in his Con∣fession, mourns over the Corruption of his nature in this respect. He saith, that when he was an ungodly Youth, he did sometimes Steal Apples out of his Neighbours Orchard, when he might take as many as he desired of the very same sort of Apples in his fathers Orchard, but where he might have them without sin he cared not for them, only in a place where he could not come by them without transgressing the eighth Command∣ment; his eyes and heart were set upon the forbidden fruit. The truth is, that no in∣clinations besides what have sin attending them are natural to the carnal hearts of men. If there be good Inclinations, they are Su∣penatural. For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing. Rom. 7.18. Since it is thus, men ought not to walk after the inclinations of their own hearts.

3. The thoughts and Imaginations of the heart of a sinner are vain and vile. Job 11.12. Vain man would be wise, though man is born like a wild Asses Colt. Men bring hearts into the world with them that are full of Vanity. They are born foolish Creatures.

Therefore has the wise man said, that Fool∣ishness is bound in the heart of a Child, Prov. 22.15. A Child carries a bundle up and down with him wherever he goes, and this bundle in his heart. But a bundle of what? Truly, a bundle of folly. Children can no sooner exercise their thoughts about any matter, but there are a world of foolish Imaginati∣ons naturally springing up in their hearts. And as they grow up from child hood unto youth, and from youth unto man-hood, their Imaginations are vain still, yea, as vain as Vanity it self; the Lord knoweth that it is so. Psal. 94.11. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man that they are Vanity. The thoughts of young men in a peculiar manner are very vain. Gen. 8.21. The Imaginations of mans heart is evil from his youth. It cannot be ex∣pressed what an Infinite number of vain thoughts and imaginations are in the heart of poor Unconverted youth: his heart is like a Mint which is always framing and coyning vain Imaginations. Atheistical thoughts are the foolishest that can be Imagi∣ned. Yet his vain heart is full of them. He Imagineth that God does not observe him so as to bring him into Judgment, that tho•…•… he sinneth he shall escape Punishment. Deut•…•… 29.19. It shall come to pass if when he hearet•…•…

the words of this Curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the Imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst; the Lord will not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord, and his Iea∣lousy shall smoke against that man. Thus are sinners apt vainly to Imagine that they shall have peace though they walk in the ways of their hearts, notwithstanding God has said that He will make His anger to smoke against them. Not only Vain but Vile thoughts are natural to the sinful hearts of men. Unclean thoughts, Revengful thoughts, Bloody and Blasphemous thoughts; if there were no Devil to Tempt them or to cast such thoughts into their minds, their hearts would naturally of themselves produce them. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, Murders, Adulteries, Fornications, Thefts, False Witness, Blasphemies. Math. 15.19.

4. The Eyes of men are oftentimes an Occasion, and an inlet to very much sin. David was very sensible of this, and it had been well for him if he had alwayes remem∣bred it. The knowledge and sense of this truth in his heart, made him pray as in Psal. 119.37. Turn away mine eyes from behold∣ing Vanity. The eyes are the windows through which many sins creep into the heart.

No sooner do's a sinful eye behold any thing which is vain, but the corrupt heart is stirred up to lust after it. Holy Job made a covenant with his eyes, and he would not suffer his heart to walk after his eyes. Job 31.1, 7. But the heart of an Unregenerate un∣holy man does walk after his eyes. He is led by sense and not by right reason, or by Religion. Where sin bears rule (as 〈…〉〈…〉 in the hearts of all that are in their 〈…〉〈…〉 estate) sense bears rule too, and does Cap∣tivate the Will, Affections, Understanding and all, so as that which way soever the eye goeth the heart walks after it. Though sin is Originally in the heart, 'tis there before it is in the eye; nevertheless, the eye allures the heart, and occasions the stirrings of that Corruption which is there as the fountain of sin. There are very pernicious evils which get into the heart by the eye: when once the eye lets them in, the heart is like tinder to sparks of fire presently inflamed. The eye does occasion the heart to become guilty of Uncleannesses in the sight of God. Josephs Mistress Cast her eyes upon him, and then her ungodly heart was inflamed with wicked desires. Gen. 39.7. When Achan saw a goodly Babylonish Garment, and two hundred shekels of Silver, and a wedge of

Gold, then he Coveted them, Josh. 7.21. Co∣veteous desires after Silver or Gold or Goods, or any thing which is another mans, are ac∣casioned by the sight of the eyes. Hence Coveteousness is called The Lust of the Eye. 1 Joh. 2.16. because the sight of the eyes blowes up Covetous desires. Wherefore m•••• (and in particular young men) ought 〈…〉〈…〉 careful not to walk after the sight of th•••• eyes. This notwithstanding,

The Second Proposition before us, is,

Propos. II That Young Men whose na∣tures are not changed by the Regenerating Grace of God, Walk in the ways of their Heart and in the sight of their Eyes. It is true that a∣mongst Unconverted young men there is a great difference: All are not alike as to Vi∣ciousness. There are young men that have been kept from Scandalous sins all their days, who are nevertheless in their natural estate, strangers to a work of Regeneration. Such a young man do we read of in the Gospel, who came to Christ desiring to know what good thing he should do that he might have Eternal Life: when the Lord said to him, keep the Commandments, thou shalt do no Murther, thou shalt not Commit Adultery, thou shalt not Steal, thou shalt not bear false

Witness, Honour thy Father and thy Mo∣ther, the young man said unto him, all these things have I kept from my youth up, Math. 19.20. And yet that Young man had not saving Grace in his soul: he wanted that one thing ne∣cessary unto Salvation: he loved the world more then he loved Christ: he had not Faith, and therefore could not overcome the World: he would rather part with Christ, and loose eternal life, than part with his e∣state when the Lord called for it. And such a Young man was Paul whilest he was yet in his natural estate: No man could accuse him with any Scandalous sin; nor could he accuse himself: he had lived honestly ac∣cording to the Religion in the which he had been Educated: he could say to the Coun∣cil, I have lived in all good Conscience before God until this day, Acts 23.1. And he tells the Philippians that touching the Righteousness which is in the Law he was blameless: This notwithstanding, had he dyed in that estate he must have perished Eternally. But al∣though an Unconverted Person may be free from Scandalous Immoralities in the sight of men, yet he does indulge himself in some lust or other, some way of his own heart; some sin or other does not only at Times prevaile over him (as it may be with a true

believer) but has a standing power and do∣minion over him. And there are evils which Youth is in a peculiar manner subject unto. Hence is that caution, 2 Tim. 2.22. Flee youthful Lusts. h. e. those Lusts which Young men more than others are generally addicted unto. We see this also in that ex∣pression of the Psalmist, Wherewith shall a Young man cleanse his way. Psal. 119.9. Intimating that the ways of Young men are commonly Unclean, Unholy ways; wayes of their own heart, very impure in the sight of God who will bring them into Judgment. The Con∣fessions and Supplications made by holy men long after their Conversion do likewise ma∣nifest this. Job bitterly Complains of the i∣niquities of his Youth. Chap. 13. v. 26. And Da∣vid prayeth, that the Lord would not re∣member the sins of his Youth, nor his trans∣gressions. Psal. 25.7.

The Enquiry here may be,

What are those Ways of their own Heart which Unregenerate Young Men use to Walk in?

Ans. 1. The way of Pride is the way of a mans own heart. Man is naturally e∣ver since Adam sinned a proud Creature. The Devil who is made up of Pride, infused that poyson into Adams heart. When once

the Serpent of hell had bitten him, his heart was swollen with Pride: and Adam did propagate that poyson to his children: he was in the day that God Created him in the likeness of God; but when once he had sin∣ned he did not beget a son in the likeness of God, but in his own likeness and after his I∣mage, that is to say, he begat a Son with a proud heart like his Father. Gen. 5.3. Nor is there any Unregenerate man, but he is under the dominion of that sin of Pride. It may be other sins may have dominion over him. Men are serving divers lusts: but whatever lust besides there may be, Pride reigns in the Unregenerate Soul. Hence such persons are in the Scripture called the Proud, Mal. 4.1. There is no sin more na∣tural then that of Pride: We see it in chil∣dren who discover that Corruption to be in them before they can speak. And this is the sin which useth to reign in Young men: if they are descended of better parents then others, they are proud of their birth and pa∣rantage: if they have good natural parts, wit and memory; or acquired parts above others, they are on these accounts lifted up with pride. The Apostle saith that know∣ledge puffeth up, 1 Cor. 8.1. Where there is not Grace to keep the heart humble it does

so. And vain Young men do often times conceit their knowledge to be much greater then it is, not being sensible of that Abyss of Ignorance which is in their dark minds. It is from Pride that Young men do not shew that respect to their Superiours, or unto Aged ones, which God Commandeth them to do. The child will behave himself Proudly against the Ancient, Isa 3.5. Such especially whose parts and abilities are through age de∣cayed: Proud Youth dispiseth them. And hence it is that Young men regard not the Counsils and Instructions which are admini∣stred to them Jer. 22.21. I spake unto thee in thy prosperity, but thou saidst, I will not hear, this has been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyest not my voice. Young men are usually Impatient of Advice and Re∣p••oof; let the Reprover have never so much Authority with him, they regard it not. Eli did gravely reprove and admonish his Sons, he told them that he had been informed of their evil doings, and why do you such things? But it is noted concerning those haughty young men, that they hearkned not to the voice of their ••ather, 1 Sam 2.25. It is from Pride that young men are not willing to be under Government: Children will not be ruled by their Parents, nor Servants by their Masters;

and the reason is because they are ruled by the Pride of their own hearts. An inordi∣nate affectation of liberty, is the sin which reigns in Youth commonly. Whats said concerning the Young Prodigal is a discrip∣tion of the spirit which useth to prevail in Unconverted Young men. He was not will∣ing to continue in his Fathers Family, nor to be under his Fathers inspection and go∣vernment, but would be gone into far Coun∣tries. Luke 15.12, 13. Do we not see it just so in many Young men amongst our selves? Nothing will serve them, but to be going far from their fathers house, that so they may without control walk in the way of their heart, and after the sight of their eyes. An humble and dutiful respect to their Pa∣rents would make them think themselves happy in being near them Again, the Scrip∣ture speaks of the Pride of Life, 1 Joh. 20 18 Vanity in Apparel is one particular intended by that expression: for the Pride of life dis∣covers it self very much in the outward garb which persons appear in. We see daily that young people are very much addicted unto such Vanities. They are ready to follow every Proud. Fashion as soon as it cometh into the Land, and it may be regard neither God nor man that shall testify against them.

Because of the bravery of their tinkling Or∣naments, the Chains, and Bracelets, and chan∣geable suits of Apparel, the daughters of Zion are haughty. Isa. 3.16. &c. They that walk in Pride, walk in the way of their own hearts, and in the sight of their eyes. This Young People too generally do.

2. Unruly Unmortified Passions, are the ways of a mans own heart. As for those Graces of Meekness, and Patience, and a for∣bearing forgiving spirit, they do not grow in natures garden: They are Supernatural fruits produced and planted in the heart by the holy Spirit of God: but for men to be Passionate and Revengful is natural: We see it in little Children who if any one cross them, will presently strike again and revenge themselves. The carnal Unregenerate hearts of men esteem those holy Commandments which require the Mortification of Passions to be severe and unreasonable. Julian the Apostate would scoff and deride the Christi∣an Religion because of those holy precepts which our Saviour Christ ha's taughts His Disciples, in Math. 5.39, 40. Resist ye not evil, but whosoever shall smite you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. &c. The Philoso∣phers amongst the Gentiles have taught that in great injuries men ought to revenge them∣selves,

which is directly contrary to the ex∣press word of God. Prov. 24.29. Say not I will do to him as he has done to me, I will ren∣der to him according to his work. Nothing is more natural for men then to say so, and to do so. I'le be even with him (saith the Unregenerate heart) I'le give him as good as he brings. They think it a disgrace for them to put up an afront, or to pass by an injury without revenge or fatisfaction, not∣withstanding the Lord chargeth them to forgive those that have done them wrong, as ever they desire pardoning mercy at the hands of God. And thus it is with Young men until the Grace of God ha's made a mighty change in them: they are ruled not by the word of God, but by their own pas∣sions; when once they are provoked because they have not Grace in their hearts, they cannot command their own spirits. Hence it is usual with Young men in their anger to speak rashly and wickedly. There are Young men so devoid of all fear of God and the Judgment to come, as that in their mad wrath and rage, they will Curse and Swear, and wish Damnation to themselves and others. Ungodly Young men are apt to proceed from wrathful words to revengful blows: in their passion they'l make bloody work of it.

There were a number of Young men (above Twenty of them) that every one thrust his Sword in his fellows side until they fell down together. 2 Sam. 2.16. Sometimes their sinful anger doth degenerate into hatred and revenge: So it was with Cain and Absolom, wicked Young men both of them. And Simeon and Levi were Young men that in their passion and revenge did a bloody fact, concerning whom their Father on his death bed said, in their anger they slew a man, Cursed be their anger for it was fierce, and their wrath for it was cruel. Gen. 49.6, 7.

3. When men indulge themselves in sen∣sual pleasures, they walk in the way of their own hearts. The Scripture fortels (and we see it verified) that in the latter days of the world, some will be Lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God, 2 Tim. 3.4. This is that which men do naturally: they study more how to gratify their senses than how to please a holy God. Hence the Apostle describing the natural estate of the Ephesi∣ans, and so of all other men, saith, they did walk after the course of this world, fulfilling the desires of the flesh. And this is that which Young men are in a peculiar manner addict∣ed unto, and their souls endangered by. Walk in the wayes of thy heart, h. e. Take thy

fill of those sensual pleasures which thy heart is set upon: this is that which Young men would have not considering that when Death and Judgment comes, those will prove bitter pleasures to them. We see that Young men for the most part are Servants, yea Slaves to some sensual lust or other: Drink and vain Company is dearer to them than the Salvation of their own Souls: And many times there is some unclean lust or other which they live in; Elihu observed concern∣ing the Youth in former ages, that their life was amongst the Unclean. There are ma∣ny sad instances which stand upon Record in the Book of God concerning this. Onan a Young man but abominably unclean in the sight of God, for which his wickedness the Lord slew him and sent him to hell in his youth. The sons of Eli were guilty of vile uncleanness to the great dishonour of God and of their Father also; of them it is said, that the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, 1 Sam. 2.17. Amnon a Young man was (though the son of a very holy father) a monster of uncleanness; he set his eyes on his own Sister, and then did wickedly after the sight of his eyes, by which means he made himself one of the fools in Israel, and come to an unhappy and untimely

death at last. Solomon saith that one even∣ing he looked out of his window, and dis∣cerned amongst the youths, a young man void of understanding—Prov. 7.7. And whither was that Young man a going? To a wicked house there to debauch himself, not consi∣dering that it would cost him the life of his Soul. And there are few Young men in a state of Unregeneracy, but there is some un∣clean lust or other which they do indulge themselves in: If not in the grosser acts of wickedness, yet in Chambering and Wontonness, which will as certainly keep their Souls out of the Kingdom of God as any other sins whatsoever. Gal. 5.19.

4. Persons that live in Idleness, walk in the ways of their own hearts. The flesh had rather live an easy than a labourious life. Much study is a weariness of the ••lesh. Eccl. 12.12. And so is other hard labour irksome to the flesh. But to live at hearts ease and idle, is that which corrupt nature desireth: And this is oftentimes the sin which Youth is guil∣ty of; and when they are so, they seldome prove famous and eminent in their Genera∣tion. They receive an irrecoverable hurt and wound by the mispence of Precious Time in their Youth, which makes them forever incapable of doing great things for

God and for His People. Do we not see many spend their Youthful days in little else but sports and pastimes. It was said by Ab∣ner, Let the Young men arise and play. 2 Sam. 2.14. Thats it which Young men would be at; they are for their play and sports. As for lawful Recreations which moderately and seasonably used are good and in some cases a duty; they too often spend more time therein, then God alloweth of. And too many of them indulge themselves in sin∣full sports and pastimes; and when once they have tasted of that forbidden fruit, they are inchanted and intoxicated with it so as that they can know no bounds therein. Austin relates concerning Alipius who was his Com∣panion and Comrade when they were both Young men, that he was by some Vain Youths inticed to go to behold a Sword play, and he sayes, that (though he was before a very hopefull Young man) when once he had been made a Spectator in that bloody sport, he was with very much adoe recovered out of that snare. Thus when Young men in∣dulge themselves in any Scandalous Games, such as those of Cards and Dice (which the more sober Heathen have Condemned) they know no measure therein: The wrath of God giveth them up to such Vanities

until they have sinned away the day of Grace, and when once their Souls are drop't into Hell, they would give a thousand worlds (if they had them) for those precious hours which they have lost in such Vanities, never to be recovered again.

Propos. III Young Men as well as others] shall be brought into JUDGMENT. This is a Truth necessary for Young men to know and believe Know O Young man that God will bring thee into Judgment: And if God will bring thee into it, it is a vain thing for the to hope that thou shalt escape the Judgment. But when will this be?

Ans. Know. 1. That Young men (as well as others) are subject unto Death Job 〈◊〉〈◊〉 4. They dy in Youth. The truth is, that most of those that are born into the world dy before they come to old age; where there is one that lives to old age, there are many that dy before gray hairs are upon them. Indeed Young men are commonly unwilling to dy, and so to come into Judg∣ment: the Terrors of Death are amazing to them. I remember a Young man on his death bed, who perceiving that his Soul was denarting into the other World, Cryed out, I am amazed! I am amazed! Nevertheless,

when God sends Death, the Youngest and Strongest cannot stand before it. One dyeth in his full strength, when his breasts are full of Milk and his bones moistned with Marrow. That Messenger Death will take no bribes. You read in the Gospel of one that said to his Soul, Soul take thine ease, eat; drink, just as if he had no more then the Soul of a Swine in him: That was a man that walk∣ed in the ways of his own heart; but there is a terrible thunder clap a coming, God said unto him, thou fool, this night thy Soul shall be required of thee, Luk. 12.19, 20. Death comes like a Bailiff, and layeth an arrest on the Young man, and away his Soul is carried before God the Judge of all. In two cases especially, Death often seazeth on Young men: one is, in case their Parents have sin∣ned and provoked God: What a fearful end did Ahab, and Jezabels children come unto when all their heads were cut off, and laid in bloody heaps for every body to loult on; a dismal and an horrid Spectacle; and this as a punishment of their Parents wickedness; with allusion unto this, it was said of Jezabel, I will kill her Children with death, Rev. 2.23. Again, If Children do themselves prove very wicked, many times they dy in Youth: Therefore it is said by

Ecclesiastes, be not overmuch wicked, neither be you foolish, for why shouldest thou dy before thy time, Eccles. 7.17. Many years since there was a sad Occasion for me to insist on that Scripture, and to shew that excess in wick∣edness brings untimely death: We have with our eyes seen woful examples of it. Especially if the Children of Godly Parents exceed in wickedness, they make hast into Hell. This we see in several of Davids Children, and in the Sons of Eli: Inasmuch as they had been brought up in such Fami∣lies, but sinned heinously against the Religi∣ous Education God had favoured them with, while 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they were Young men they became ripe for Everlasting destruction. And most of all it is so as to such as live under the Gospel: God useth to make quick work with such sinners. That Scripture relates to Gospel times, Mal. 3.5. Where the Lord saith, He will Come near to Judgment, and that He will be a swift witness against the A∣dulterers, and against the false Swearers &c. If Young men that have the Gospel shall be Profane Swearers, and Unclean debauch∣ed wretches, the Lord will be a swift witness against them, He will not suffer them to be long out of Hell. How rare is it to see a profane Young man that has enjoyed the

means of Grace powerfully dispensed to live unto old age? No; but God brings them to death, and when they are brought to death they are brought unto Judgment also. For Judgment follows at the heels of death. Heb. 9.27. It is appointed unto men once to dy, and after this the Judgment. At the hour of death there is a particular Judgment passed on the Soul: The Soul of a sinner is no sooner out of his body, but the next mo∣ment he knoweth most certainly where he must be, and what will become of him throughout eternal ages. Young men (as well as others) that shall dy in their sins will then be judged and condemned to per∣petual Imprisonment: To lie in a Dungeon amongst hellish Serpents, where is blackness of darkness for ever. Then will the days of darkness which are many come upon them. It is said concerning the sinners of the old World (amongst whom there were many Young men) that their Spirits, their Souls are in Prison, 1 Pet. 3.19. Miserable Souls! they have been in Prison now near upon Four Thousand Years: and Prisoners they must be another thousand years untill they shall be brought unto their Trial before all the World at the last day; and after that to a worse Prison, there to abide for ever and

ever. Before the dead body of a man or woman, that dieth in a state of sin is put into the Prison of the Grave, their Souls are in a worse Grave, in an Eternal Prison, in an everlasting Hell of Misery.

2. Young men (as well as others) shall be brought into Judgment at the Great day. This is that which is cheefly intended in the Text before us. It is a truth which has been known and believed in all ages, that there will a day come, when He that made the World, will bring all the men that ever have been, are, or ever shall be, before His Tri∣bunal. The Jews have a tradition amongst them, that this vvas the Controversy be∣tween Cain and Abel: It is said that Cain talked with Abel, Gen. 4.8. The Scripture mentions not vvhat the discourse vvas that passed between them, onely in the Hebrew there is an Extraordinary pause, intimating that they had more talk than is there ex∣pressed. The Jews have it traditionally a∣mongst them, that the thing vvhich Cain said, vvas, that there is no other World but this, that there it no Immortal Soul, and that men shall not after this World is come to its end, be brought before God to Judg∣ment, but that Abel contradicted him, say∣ing, there is an Immortal Soul in every man,

and there will be a great day of Judgment, when every man must give an account to God, of all that he ha's done in this life. Whether the Jews say true or no concerning such discourse between Cain and Abel, the thing it self is most certainly true: A day of Judgment will come, and the beginning of it is now very near; not one man in all the World shall escape the Trial of that dread∣full day. 2 Cor. 5.10. We must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he ha's done whether it be good or bad. And in particular Young men who have walked in the ways of their own hearts, must hold up their guilty hands before the Barr of Di∣vine Justice in that day. Rev. 20.12. I saw the dead Small and Great stand before God, and the Dead were Judged according to their works. So then the Small as well as the Great, Young ones as well as Elder ones, must stand before God, they must and shall appear before JE∣SUS CHRIST the Son of God, who is God and not Man onely, and be Judged either to Eternal 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or to Everlasting death, according 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their wayes and workes shall in that day 〈…〉〈…〉 And in the mean while, 〈…〉〈…〉 ••oung men who walk in 〈…〉〈…〉 own hearts arrest them

with sad Convictions at Times, that there is such a day approaching: When they have Committed a great Sin, suppose Uncleanness, or Lying, or the like, Sins against the light of nature, there is that in their breasts which saith to each one of them, God will bring thee into Judgment for that Sin. Where is there a Young man, that can say he never at all found it so? We proceed then to a fourth Proposition, which is,

Propos. IV. The Day of Judgment will be a Sad Day to those Young Men that shall Live and Dy in their Sins. It will be to every man either the most Joyfull or the most Dolefull day. To the Righteous it will be the most happy day that ever was, but unto them that have walked in the way of their hearts, and in the sight of their eyes, a bitter and a miserable day. A day of wrath: A day of Perdition. That it will be a sad day unto all (be they Young or Old) that shall be found in their sins and out of Christ, ap∣pears from several things.

1. In that they have not improved their Talents committed unto them as they might and ought to have done. There is no man but some Talent or other is committed to him, which he ought to make a good use of.

He who is the Lord of us all, ha's given to Every man his Work, Mar. 13.34. One man ha's this Work, and another man ha's that Work, in the doing of which he must im∣prove his Talent. Young men are favoured with several peculiar Talents: Time is a precious Talent: Health, and Strength, and those Vigorous Affections which are com∣monly in Young men, are great Talents which they must be accountable for. A day of Reckoning will come. It is said in the Parable concerning the Talents, After a Long Time the Lord of those Servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. Math. 25.19. It is now a long time since our Lord ascended into Hea∣ven, but He will come quickly to Judge the Earth, and then will reckon with His Ser∣vants: He will know of them how they have lived, and what they done in the World. A Servant that ha's been set to work, but spends his time in Idleness all the day, will have a miserable account to give unto his Master when night cometh. A Servant that ha's been trusted with Money or Goods to improve for his Masters use, if he shall Embezel or mispend them can expect no∣thing but severity. Thus when God shall say to a Young man at the day of Judg∣ment, I gave thee space to repent in, I surfered

thee to live on the Earth, Twenty years, Thirty years; I put many advantages into thy hands, to be working out thy Salvation; but instead of attending to my Councils, thou didst walk in the wayes of thy own heart; and what account canst thou give for this now? What will thy Judgment! What thy Sentence be then? God in His Word, ha's told all unprofitable Servants, what their Doom shall be. Math 25.30. Cast ye the Un∣profitable Servant into utter Darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth. Though a Young man, if he ha's been an unprofita∣ble Servant, he must be cast into utter dark∣ness, and the sad remembrance of lost op∣portunities never to be recovered again will cause Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth.

2. When God shall bring them into Judg∣ment, all the Secret Sins of men will be re∣vealed before the whole World. Foolish sinfull Creatures are apt to think themselves safe, if they can but hide their sins from the knowledge of men, not considering that the Eye of God is upon them in all their wayes Children and Young men that live in secret sins, their chief care is that the Magistrates, or that their Parents or Masters may know nothing of what they do; but at the day of Judgment all will come out; and the whole

World will hear of what they have done. Eccles. 12.14. God will bring every Work into Judgment, with every Secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. As the Secret good deeds of pious Young men that follow the Lord in secret will then be openly revealed and rewarded, the same is to be said of the secret transgressions and abominations which ungodly Youths will be found guilty of at that day. Therefore the day of Judgment must needs be a day of horror and confusion to them. Where is there an ungodly Young man, but if all his secret sins (yea, the sins of his heart and all) should be revealed be∣fore the World, he would be ready to say as Thamar when sollicited by a wicked Young man to commit folly with him, Whither shall I cause my shame to go, 2 Sam. 13.13. The day of Judgment will be to them that dy in their sins a day of the greatest shame that ever was or that can be: then will God fulfill that threatning against sinners, Jer. 23.40. I will bring an Everlasting reproach upon you, & a perpetual shame which shall not be forgotten. Now they seek to cover their sins by denials, fictions, and false-hoods, but it will be in vain for them to think to do so then. Witnesses to their conviction will appear against them in that day. The Judge Himself will be a witness

against them: He will then say, My eyes saw what you did, and My ears heard every Word that was spoken by you. Jer. 29.23. They have committed villany in Israel, they have com∣mitted Adultery— even I know and am a wit∣ness saith the Lord. And Angels will come in as witnesses against them. The devils who now Tempt them to do wickedly will then be their accusers: Yea, and holy An∣gels whose eyes have been upon them, and whose Testimony will be received, shall be witnesses against them. And so will Con∣science which is more than a thousand wit∣nesses. For the remembrance of their sins remains in their Consciences for ever. Jer. 17.••. The sin of Judah is written with a pen of I∣ron, and with the point of a Diamon: Where is it written? It is graven upon the Table of their heart. It ha's made such Impressions upon Conscience as cannot be gotten out. A sin which a Young man commits now, he will remember it after he is dead, and at the day of Judgment, and throughout the days of E∣ternity. We see that men of an hundred years old will remember what they did four∣score years ago more perfectly than what they did but four weeks since; a clear de∣monstration that the Immortal Souls of men will never forget what was done by them

whilest in their bodys, though never so long ago since. Therefore in the Parable con∣cerning the Rich man and Lazarus, it was said to him, Remember that in thy life time thou receivedst thy good things, Luk. 16.25. Sinners in the World to come have a perfect remem∣brance of all that they did whilest in this World: When therefore they shall be told of their secret sins, they will remember them all, and a dreadfull remembrance it will be.

3. A sentence which will be exceeding terrible, and the execution thereof certain and unavoidable, will in the day of Judg∣ment be pronounced on such as shall dy in their sins. They will then suffer a sentence of banishment, never to see the face of God any more, never to come within the Glorious Palace of the great King, which is a sad sen∣tence indeed, Considering that in Gods fa∣vour there is life, and His loving kindness is better than life it self. Wo unto them (saith God) when I depart from them, Hos. 9.12. This wo will come upon every sinner at the day of Judgment. Sinners must then Go away from the Glorious and Gracious presence of God for ever: He will say to them depart. And the place which they shall be banished into will be the most dismal that can be i∣magined: Into a place where they must ne∣ver

see the light of the Sun; even into Out∣er darkness, where there is nothing but a perpetual night. Psal. 49.19. They shall never see light. And in that place they must dy. It was said unto Shebna, that with a mighty Captivity he should be carried into Babylon, and there thou shalt dy, Isa. 22.18. So at the day of Judgment, the Chaldeans of Hell will carry sinners with them into an Everlasting Captivity, and there they must dy. They shall then suffer not only a sentence of ba∣nishment but of death too, and that the most dreadfull that can be thought of: They shall be sentenced to be burnt to death; to be cast into a Lake of fire and brimstone. The Scripture expresseth the Punishment of sin∣ners in the World to come by such Metaphors because it will be more intolerable than those things really and literally done would be; as one in horror of Conscience looking on the fire, said, To burn in that fire is nothing to what I feel. And as certainly as the sentence shall be pronounced, execution will follow. For it is a Judgment never to be reversed, a sentence never to be repealed. In this life sinners may by Repentance towards God, and Faith in Jesus Christ obtain a Pardon, so as that the sentence of Condemnation which they are under shall not be executed upon

them, but at the day of Judgment it is other∣wise: For the day of Grace is then at an end; there will not be one offer of Grace more then: Christ the Judge that now offers to obtain a Pardon from God His Father for those that will humble themselves and repent of their iniquity, will than be inexorable. No Cries, no Tears, no Prayers, no Entrea∣ties will prevail with Him for mercy. Let sinners hear what He saith and tremble: for His words are these, Because I have called and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded, but ye have set at nought all my Counsil, and would none of my reproof, I will Laugh at your Calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a Whirel wind, when distress and anguish cometh upon you, Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer, they shall then seek me early, but they shall not find me, for that they hated knowledge, and would not choose the fear of the Lord, they would none of my Counsil, they dispised all my reproof, there∣fore they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices Prov. 1.24. &c. How should sinners escape in that day? They will fall into the hands 〈◊〉〈◊〉 holy Angels, who are powerfull and will

be faithfull Executioners of the just and ho∣ly wrath of God. Math. 13.41, 42. Yea, they shall fall into the Omnipotent hands of the Eternal God. None can deliver out of his Angry and Almighty hands: when the eter∣nal God shall strike thee with those very hands with which He made Heaven and Earth, it is impossible for thee to escape destruction.

4. The misery of Sinners at the day of Judgment will be Eternal. It is called Eter∣nal Judgment, Heb. 6.2. because men are then adjudged to an eternal estate either of hap∣piness or of misery. Whoever shall be found in their sins at that day must die not only by a Tormenting but an Everlasting Death. To be long in dying is a dismal thing. The pangs and Agonies of the Second Death will never be over. Rev. 14.11. The smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night. The pleasures of sin will then prove dear bought pleasures in∣deed. It was a sad word which a man that had lived an ungodly life uttered on a death bed, I (said he) have enjoyed the pleasures of sin for a few years, and now I must be in tor∣ment for it, more than a thousand Million of A∣ges. Sin ha's a short pleasure attending it, but a long, an everlasting pain. It were well if Young men who walk in the wayes of

their own heart would think of this. A man that is in great pain and misery, suppose by some Tormenting disease, as by the Stone, Gout, Cancer or the like, is comforted with thinking this will not last alwayes; but when misery is endless as vvell as easeless, when there is Eternity added to extremity of do∣lours, most wofull is the condition of such forlorn Creatures. Yet all this vvill Young men that continue to walk in the wayes of their own heart, bring themselves unto at the day of Judgment. Hell fire is a fire that never can be quenched: The breath of the Lord which is like a stream of Brim∣stone kindleth that fire, and makes it to burn for ever.

We Proceed to make some Improvement of the Doctrine which ha's been thus far insisted on. The first USE may be of INFORMATION in two or three Particulars.

INFOR. I. Hence we may assuredly Conclude that God will certainly Bless those Young men that do not walk in the way of their own hearts. Isaac said concerning his Son Jacob, I have Blessed him, yea, and he shall be blessed. Thus may we say of Young men whose hearts are changed and mortified to sin, self, and

the World, God ha's Blessed them, yea, and they shall be Blessed. Indeed such a Young man is a rare sight. The Philosopher of old laid it down for a Maxim, that Wisdom was in∣compatible to Youth, That a Young man could not be a Wise man, because Wisdom requires experience and experience requires time and age. This notwithstanding, the Grace of God may and it will make a Young man Wise. The Scripture speaks of a wise Child. Eccl. 4.13. And of a Child that is an hundred years old, Isai. 65.20. And of Young men that have the Spirit of God poured on them. Joel 2.28. The Young man that ha's saving Grace in his Soul will attend diligently to the Word of God; and whoever do's so will be blessed with that Wisdom, which will make him Eternally happy. David was a Young man when he wrote the 119 Psalm. But hear how he speaks in Verse 98, 99. Thou through thy Commandments, ha's made me wiser then mine Enemies; for they are ever with me, I have more Understanding then all my Teachers, for thy Testimonies are my Meditation: I under∣stand more then the Ancients, because I, keep thy Precepts. Here now was a blessed Young man. The God of Heaven takes a singular delight in Young persons vvho truly fear and serve Him. If men see young trees in their Or∣chards

full of fruit they are pleased with it; so the Lord when He seeth Young Plants in His Church abounding in Works of Piety and Righteousness: When He beholds Young men a part, and Young Women a part Fast∣ing and Praying, and mourning together be∣cause of the sins of the Times and Places where they live; Oh how exceeding dear are such Young gracious Souls unto God and unto the Lord Jesus Christ. JOHN was the Youngest of all the Apostles, scarce Twenty years old (as Ecclesiastical Writers report) when he began his Publick Ministry, and he was the Disciple whom Jesus loved in a pe∣culiar manner. They that honour God in their Youth, He is wont to honour them; many times He maketh them blessed Instru∣ments of much good in their Generations which is the greatest happiness that men or earth are capable of. How many instance are there in the Scripture concerning this that so Young men might be encouraged to seek and serve the Lord. Joseph a Godl•• Young man, and what a blessing vvas he no only to his Fathers Family, but to a whol•• nation besides? Joshua vvas a pious Youn•…•… man, and the Lord magnified him in th•…•… sight of all Israel. Samuel, David, Solom•…•… Obadiah, Josiah, Timothy, were all of the•…•…

Godly in their Youth, and what blessed In∣struments were they in their several Gene∣rations, to promote the glory of God, and the good of His People? What a Crown of Glory shall such Young men receive at the day of Judgment? I write unto you Young men, because ye have overcome the Wicked one. 1 Joh. 2.13. Ordinarily it is so, that Young men are singled out to be Souldiers: As for those Young men that have approved them∣selves faithful Souldiers of Jesus Christ in fighting against, and Overcoming the flesh, the World, and the Devil, the Lord Jesus will reward them in that day. Christ will then say to them, I know all your Works, I know that when others did serve their lusts, and promote the Devils interest, you did serve God, and promote His Interest in the World. Here is a Crown for you: Now all Angels and men shall see how I have loved you.

INFOR. II. Hence such Young men as conti∣nue to walk in the wayes of their Heart, and in the sight of their Eyes, are very foolish Creatures. The Scripture calls them Fools, and there∣fore they are so. Prov. 17.21. He that begets a fool does it to his sorrow; and the father of a fool ha's no joy. A profane Young man is that fool, whose father ha's sorrow and no

joy in him; one such son is enough to damp the joy which he may have in his other Children, vvho are not such Wicked Fools as that son is. Such Youngsters are Simple ones indeed. Hear what the Wisest of men saith Prov. 7.7. I beheld amongst the simple ones, I discerned amongst the Youths, a Young man void of understanding. Consider a little if it be not so. Fools are easily deceived, and so are Young men that have not Grace in their hearts; sin deceiveth them; the Devil de∣ceiveth them; vain Companions deceive them. They are easily drawn into the snares of Temptation: like silly birds they hasten to the snare not knowing that it is for their life. Persons are known to be ei∣ther Wise or Foolish by the choice which they make. One that does preferr pebbles to Pearles, Trifles to the richest Treasure, is judged to be a fool. Thus it is vvith Young men that vvalk in the vvayes of their own heart, especially if they do so under the light of the Gospel, like fools as they are they re∣fuse a good offer; vvith the Young man in the Gospel, they refuse the Treasures vvhich are in Heaven: And vvhat do they chuse instead thereof? but the Vanities of this present World, nay, sin vvhich is the vilest thing that can be chosen. They that ex∣change

things of the greatest valew, for those that are worth nothing are accounted fools. What folly vvas that of profane Esau to sell his birth right to gratify his carnal appetite. Thus do profane Young men do: They have Immortal Souls vvhich are more worth than all the World, these do they exchange for sensual and brutish Lusts. To part vvith pleasures for-ever-more, to enjoy those that are but for a season, is infinite folly. He that runs into the fire is either a fool or a mad man: What Fools then are they, that vvill cast their own bodies and Souls into the fire that never shall be quenched? If it should be said unto a man, you shall enjoy all the pleasures vvhich your heart can desire for a year together, on condition that after that you shall be in most inexpressible Tor∣ment for an hundred years; no one but a Fool or a mad man vvould accept of the proposal. Are not they then, the greatest Fools vvho to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a few Years vvill go into everlasting punish∣ment. I remember one of the Ancients speaks of a Chast Woman vvho being solli∣cited by a profane vile Wretch to sin against God, desired him for her sake, to hold his hand in the fire but one quarter of an hour: That (said he) is an unreasonable desire, but

ask any thing of me that is reasonable and I'le do it for your sake: To whom she re∣plyed, Is it unreasonable for you to hold your finger in the fire one quarter of an hour for my sake, and do you think that it is reasonable for me for your sake to consent unto that, for which my Body and Soul must burn for ever in the fire that cannot be quenched. Therefore Young men that continue to walk in the ways of their own hearts, and so bring themselves to this at last, are Foolish Creatures.

INFOR. III. What a sad account will they have to give unto God at the day of Judgment, who have out lived their Youth, and yet shall dy in their Sins. If a Young man that ha's not lived Thirty years dying in his sins must be Eternally miserable, what must they be that have lived Forty, it may be Fifty years or more, and shall at last go out of the World in an Unconverted estate? It is said that the sinner of an hundred years old shall be Cursed, Isa. 85.2. O how Cursed! O how Damned will the sinner of an hundred years old be! The Scripture speaks of those that are Old in Adulteries, Ezek. 23.43. An old Wanton, an old Drunkard must needs fall under an heavy sentence in the day when God shall bring them into Judgment. The

longer men continue in sin, the heavier will their Judgment be at last. There are moun∣tains of Guilt on their sinfull Souls, and there∣fore mountains of Wrath will break upon them in the great and terrible day of the Lord. What have such sinners been doing all their lives long? They have been trea∣suring up Wrath against the day of Wrath; such a treasure as will never be spent through∣out the days of Eternity. What an Infinite number of sins have they to answer for? And that not only as to Commissions of e∣vil; but as to Omissions of duty? It will be said to many a sinner at the day of Judg∣ment, thou didst live without Prayer in thy Family: and thou didst live without Prayer in Secret: thou didst live so many thousand dayes without any Prayer to God, and now will God pour out His fury upon thee. For many years together thou didst despise the Offers of Grace in the Gospel. No thought will cut and kill the heart of a sinner at the Judgment day like that. I remember I knew a man that was Executed for an horrid Crime; and he did to me in private Con∣fess his Guilt in other Capital offences which the World knew nothing of, acknowledging that God was righteous in bringing him to such a death; that poor Wretch when he

came to dy, declared unto all the Spectators that nothing troubled him so much, as that of his having disregarded the many Sermons which he heard Preached in the Name of the Lord: These were his sentiments when his Immortal Soul was going to appear be∣fore God the Judge of all. So will it be with sinners at the last day. Suppose a man had heard but one Sermon in all his life in which he was called upon to repent and be∣lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ, but shall neglect so great Salvation; this will make his account dreadfull in that day. But what then will become of those that have heard a thousand Sermons, and yet live and dy in their sins? The remembrance of every neglect of Christ will be a terrible thing at the day of Judgment.

USE. II. Let Young men be Exhorted and Preswaded to Turn from the Wayes of their own Hearts, and to walk in the Wayes of God.

Some Considerations and Counsils Let me set before you.

Consider. I. The way which the generality of Young men walk in is a Wofull way. It will be found so at the Judgment day. It is the

way of their own heart which is the broad way that leadeth to destruction. Oh! that it might not be said so of the greatest part of the Young men who have been born in New England. Many of them are profane. Are there no profane Swearers to be found amongst Young men? It is a sad thing that there are any such. I knew the time when in New-England Young men knew not what it is to Swear. A man might live Twenty years (some have done so, I my self did so when in my Youth) and never hear a pro∣fane Oath in New-England. Is it so now? And are there not Young men who are lovers of Strong Drink? I wish I could say, that we had not Given the Nazarites wine to drink. Are there not Young men who are Sabbath breakers, notwithstanding they have been put in mind of a Young man Ex∣ecuted for Murder, who when dying Cryed out, Let Young men take Warning by me, and let them know that Sabbath breaking will prove a dangerous and a costly sin unto them. Are there not Young men who are disobe∣dient to their Parents, or to their Masters whom God has set over them, and that are like the Children of the Devil, given to Lying? Are there not Young men whose life is amongst the Unclean? Are there

not Young men that will Steal and Purloyn, that will rob their Parents or Masters and say it is no Transgression. Nay, Young men born in New-England, that have turned bloody Pyrates, that to get Silver and Gold have embrewed their hands in blood. God will bring them into Judgment, and than they will wish that they had never been born, and most of all that they had never been born in New-England. There are others that are not profane, but like the Young man in the Gospel, they have Externally kept the Commandments in their Youth, who never∣theless, are strangers unto Faith in Christ, and strangers to the new birth. Is it not so with the Youth throughout this Land generally? There are some and blessed be God that are so many Young men in New-England that the Grace of God is manifest in them. Nevertheless, do we not see that the Young Generation as to the greatest part of them, is a poor Unconverted, Perish∣ing Generation? On that account it is not to be wondered at, that God from Heaven ha's Testifyed His displeasure against the present Generation. He ha's poured it out upon the Children abroad, and on the Assembly of Young men together. Jer. 6.11. It is a sad Word which is spoken in Isa. 9.17. The Lord

shall have no joy in their Young men. And a∣gain, Amos 4.10. Your Young men have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 slain with the Sword. How many Young men in New-England have in these late years been numbred for the Sword? Many ha's a French Sword or an Indian Sword slain•• but more have been slain by the Sword of the Lord in respect of mortal diseases, which He ha's visited them with. We may say after the Prophet, Death is come up into our windows, to cut of the Children from without, and the Young men from the Streets, Jer. 9.21. And have not many Young Persons gone into Captivity. We may say with the La∣menting Church, My Virgins and my Young men are gone into Captivity, Lam. 1.18. Now then the Lord calls from Heaven unto Young ones that yet remain, saying, Oh! do not you continue to walk in the ways of your heart, lest Captivity, lest Death come upon you also. Do you think that the Young Persons whom God ha's thus dealt with, were greater sinners than any in New-Eng∣land? I tell you nay, but repent lest you like-wise Perish.

Consider. II. There are some Young men who if they dy in their Sins, the day of Judg∣ment will in a peculiar manner be a dreadfull day unto them. To instance, it will be so

unto such Young men as have been more wicked than ordinary; who have above others indulged themselves in walking after the lusts of their own hearts. It was said of Babylon, how much she ha's lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her. The more pleasure any have had in sin, the greater will their Torment be in the Judgment day. All ungodly ones will be punished in that day, but not all alike. The Lord ha's reserved the unjust unto the day of Judgment to be punished, but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of Uncleanness. 2 Pet. 2.10. A Young man that ha's committed but one act of Uncleanness, or that ha's been Drunk but one time in all his life, must perish for ever without Repentance, much more one that ha's been so an hundred times over. Again, they that have been favoured with means of Grace above others, and yet shall neglect the great Salvation, will have the fadder account to give unto God at the day of Judgment. The Son of God ha's declar∣ed it, Math. 11.23, 24. Thou Caparnaum which art Exalted unto Heaven; shall be brought down to Hell, it shall be more tolerable for the Land of Sodom in the day of Judgment than for thee. There are some Young men who as they have singular advantages to gain knowledge,

so they do know more than others: Now if such miss of Heaven, their knowledge will be as an aggravation of their sin, so of their punishment at the last day. He that know∣eth his Lords will, but doth it not shall be beaten with many Stripes; unto whom much is given, of him shall be much required. Luk. 12.48. Again, a Young man that ha's had Godly Relations, and yet shall continue in his sins, will on that account come under the sadder Condemnation when God shall bring him into Judgment. When those of the same Family with him have set before him good Examples: It may be he ha's seen his own Brother or Sister turning from sin unto God; and yet continues to walk in the way of his heart and the sight of his eyes: This will render him inexcusable in the day of Judgment. Esau will be Damned the deep∣er in Hell because he had such a Brother as Jacob; whose Piety he saw but did not imi∣tate. But especially such as have been born of Godly Parents, if they continue to walk in the way of their own hearts, will have a sad account to give at the day of Judgment. Inasmuch as they have broken the everlasting Covenant, the Waters of Baptism will be turned into fire at that day: The Tears and Prayers of their pious Parents will be as oyl

to the flames of Hell. There Examples and all their Instructions and Admonitions will rise up in Judgment against the Children of their own bowels. How dreadfull will it be when a Godly Father and Mother shall joyn with the Lord Jesus Christ in passing a Sentence of Death on the Children whom themselves have begotten. As 'tis said Zach. 13.3. His father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, thou shalt not live. So will they say, when they hear the Son of God saying it before them. It is reported of the Emperor Mauritius, that when he saw his Children slain before his eyes, he used that Expression, Thou art Righteous O Lord because thou hast Judged thus. So will it be at the day of Judgment. As the Elders said when the great Whore was Judged, Amen; Halle∣lujah, Rev. 19.4. So when a Godly Father shall hear the Son of God pass the Sentence of Eternal Condemnation on that Child which was exceeding dear to him, he will say, Amen! Amen! Thou Righteous Judge; I Praise thy Glorious Justice: I have nothing to say, why this Child of mine should not be sent into Everlasting burnings. Thou knowest that I Prayed for him; Thou knowest I Instructed him; Thou knowest I Endeavoured to set an holy Example before

him, but he would go on in the way of his heart and in the sight of his eyes; Therefore do I Justify and Joyn with Thee in the Righteous Sentence which is passed upon him. You that are the Children of Godly Praying Parents, think sadly of this.

Consider. III. They that turn from the wayes of their own heart unto God in Christ, shall not come into a Judgment of Condemnation. Indeed, all must be brought into Judgment, but as for them that repent and believe it will be a Judgment of Absolution, and not of Condemnation. He that believes ha's Everlasting life, and shall not come into Con∣demnation, but is passed from Death unto Life. Joh. 5.24. If Young men repent and turn from all their transgressions, and betake them∣selves unto Jesus Christ for Salvation, all their sins will be pardoned. I write unto you little Children, because your sins are forgiven you for his Names sake. 1 Joh 2.12. The sins of Child-hood and Youth are many, and some∣times very great. How many Wicked Words have they spoken? What Sabbath breaking? What disobedience to Parents have Children and Young men been guilty of? How ma∣ny Lyes have they told, for which they must be Damned in Hell fire without Re∣pentance.

But if they truly repent and turn from all their sins unto God in Christ; none of them shall ever be mentioned a∣gainst them, though never so many, though never so great. Ezek. 33.16.

Some Counsils let me leave with you.

1. Do nothing which you are unwilling that ever the World should know that you have done that thing. For it is certain that at the day of Judgment all will be known? Even Every Work whether it be good, or whether it be evil. All the passages of your lives where∣ver you have been, will be called over. They are all Written down in a Book. Rev. 20.12. The Jews have an apprehension that the An∣gels write down all the Works of men, and will produce them at the day of Judgment: To be sure, God Writes them down, and Conscience will remember them, and the World will hear of them. This is a Good Rule for every man to remember; If I•• would not have it known that such a thing ha's been done by me, then never let me do it. If Young men would remember this, it would keep them from committing many a sin. Remember therefore the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ, who ha's said.

There is nothing Covered that shall not be Re∣vealed, neither hid that shall not be known. Luk. 12.2.

2. Beware of those sins in a special manner which do often times prove the Ruin of Young Men. To Instance, Breaches of the Seventh Commandment are evils which Young men are often found guilty of, and by indulging themselves therein they provoke God in a way of Judicial dispensation to give them up unto that and unto other lusts of their own heart also. The Lord in his sorest Wrath saith, He that is filthy, let him be filthy still. Again, those sins of Drinking and Company keeping prove fatal to the Souls of many Young Persons. A Father once hearing that a Son of his was become a Drunkard, gave him up for lost and gone. I shall never forget with what anguish a Young man that dyed in this place above Twenty years ago, on his dead bed laid the ruin of his Soul to his vain drinking Companions. Beware of that sin of Idleness, or mispence of precious Time: there are many Young men who have much to answer for in this respect. They have not been deligent in their Call∣•…•…ngs. They have enticed one another to go •…•…o the Ale house, or to the Coffee-house or •…•…o the Tavern; when they have no call to

be there; and there do they spend a World of precious time in Drinking, or in unprofi∣table Discourse, or it may be in Gaming; for which they will have a fearfull account to give to God at the hour of Death, and at the Judgment to come. An old dying man once said to some Young Persons, O Children prize your Time, I would give a thousand Worlds that I had not lost the Time of my Youth.

3. Let the Counsils of Godly Parents be of great Weight with you. Hear the Instructi∣on of thy Father, and forsake not the Law of thy Mother Prov. 1.8. To disobey and disregard the Admonitions of a Father is one of the blackest marks of Reprobation that can be. Witness the Sons of Eli, of whom it is said, They hearkned not to the Voice of their Father, because the Lord would slay them, 1. San 〈◊〉〈◊〉 2.25. If thou art such a Child as will no hearken to the voice of thy Father, tho•…•… mayest fear that the Lord ha••s determine•…•… thy destruction. The very Heathen have〈…〉〈…〉 Reverence for the Counsils (especially the dying Counsils) of their Parents. And ha•…•… thou who art born of Christian Parents le•…•… Religion in thee than they? Oh Tremi•…•… to become guilty of the Fifth Command∣ment, lest thy light be put out in obscur•…•…

darkness 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Blessings are wont to at∣tend duti••••ll, and signal Curs;es follow dis∣obedient Children. Honour thy Father 〈…〉〈…〉 and thy Mother which is the first Com∣mandment with Promise, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest be long on the earth. Did you ever know any dy on the Gallows, but they professed that their ruin began with disobedience to their Pa∣rents? And no doubt (as one speaks) Hell rings with the same Complaints.

4. Remember DEATH, and the Day of JUDGMENT. Think seriously and often of your dying. You have heard, and daily experience of it before your eyes, may con∣vince you that Young Persons may dy•• as well as others. Serious thoughts about it, would put you upon Prayer and Prepara∣tions for it. A man whose constant practice was to Pray Six times every day, gave this ••••son for his doing so, I Remember I must D••••. I have else where spoken of a gracious Praying Child, whom the thoughts of Death caused to be much in Prayer: and when some said to him, you are a Child and may live many years, what should you think of Death for; he replyed, I was in the Burying place, and there I saw a Grave that was shorter

than I am. You Young ones may dy, and therefore you are concerning to Repent and Pray, and make sure of an Interest in Christ. And think sadly with thy self, If I should dy this night, what would become of my SOUL? In what place would my Immor∣tal Soul be lodged for ever? And remem∣ber The Great Day of JUDGMENT. Live now as you will wish you had lived, when That Day cometh. Think with thy self, If Jesus Christ the Son of God should now rend the Heavens and come down to Judge the Earth; What would He say to me? What Sentence would He pronounce upon me? Would He say to me, Come thou Blessed, or would He not say, Go thou Cursed? Remember these things now, so may you hope to find Mercy in that Day.