STAGE First.

§. 1. Let Naturalists, and Ancient or modern Masters of Medicine, discourse of the Formation of the Child in the womb, Job and the Royal Psalmist draweth this un­seen Embryo best with a Divine Pencil. Job 10. 8. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me together round about, thou hast fashioned me as the Clay; Has thou not powred me out as Milk, and croudled me as Chees? Thou hast Clothed me with Skin and Flesh, and fenced me with Bones and Sinews. And Psal. 139. from 13. Thou hast possessed my Reins, thou hast covered me in my Mothers Womb. I am fear­fully and wonderfully made and Curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the Earth, and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when yet there was none of them. Man's a wonder before [Page 4] the World see him, lying in the dark Cells of the womb; and if he consider from what he Flows, and his little Chamber in the womb and how nourished there; It may humble him; he flows from Blood, and lives on Blood, and dwells amongst Blood and Ordurs. Thy very nature may humble thee: For, as it proves the Wisdom and power of the GOD of Nature, who can extract a quintessence out of Dullest mat­ters, so doth it bid thee look unto thy Original. All the Earth being of one Blood, Acts 17. 26. And there being no differ­ance 'twixt the Prince and the Peasent; and that GOD, who teacheth Art to extract Rarities, who by nature brings Silk from a Worm, a Pearl from a Shell, and precious Minerals from Dust and Rubbish; doth make this Raritie; Man, Ex Humo, Eccle. 12 7. For Dust thou art, and to Dust thou shalt return; thou comes from the womb, and goes to thy long home, the Grave; If thou boast of thy Pedigree: Go to the House of Rottenness, and look to the worms, that makes thy Flesh to shrink; and learn to confess with Abraham, that thou art Dust and Ashes, Gen: 17. 28. And with Job, abhor thy self in Dust and Ashes, Job: 42. 6. And if thou shall consider, that thou art not only Dust, [Page 5] but fallen in the Dust, and comes forth with a Contaminate Blood, dying in thy sin, and no Eye pitying thee, Ezek: 16. 1. it may further abase thee, and not suffer thee to be proud when thou lyest in the Dunghill, all besmeared with filth and uncleanness: Consider then thy rise and thy fall, and learn to be humble, else thou art proud of nothing, or worse than nothing.

§ 2. Next, As to the Propogation of the Soul, and how the dust body comes to be animated, not only with vital spirits, but with a rational Soul; I shall leave the curi­ousity of this also to Philosophers; For al­tho some will have the Soul ex traduce, be­cause, if not so, Man doth not beget a perfect Man, and commonly Children Patriscent follow the ill of the Parents, and they are Father-like; there is not only vitium Gentis & familiae, of the Nation and Family; but also personae, of the Person: Yet its safest to joyn with the universal Church, that the soul is infused, according to that of St. Aug: Creando infunditur & infundendo Creature; By creation it is infused, and by the infusion of the Soul it is created. And this common Vote is not infringed by the sentiments of some Private Men; For although Man beget­teth [Page 6] not a Soul, yet he begets a spiritu [...] Organ and Embryo, disposed for the Soul a [...] so doth he begett Man Virtually.

And the Scripture favours this Infusion, as Solomon sayeth, Dust shall return to Dust, and the spirit to GOD that gave it: He gave it not as He doth many things; by the use of means, but peculiarly, GOD, no [...] man, gave the spirit, Ecc. 12. 7. And our Saviour in proving the Resurrection assert [...] that Abraham, Isack and Jacob, Yet live in a separated state from the Body: and such as be­lieve the immaterality and immortality of the Soul, (which is the common belief of, al [...] most, the whole World) cannot but acknow­ledge this; so St. Paul reasoneth with Phi­losophers at Athens, Acts 17. How long it is ere the Embryo in the Womb receive the soul is something quisquus to determine, tho some of the Ancients, have been positive as the following distich doth declare.

§. 3. But leaving this to Philosophy, [Page 7] to discuss; as to Religion, since our spirit or soul is the daughter of an high house, no lower than Heaven, and the product of the Father of Spirits, it is fit that we labour as much as we may in the use of the means to deliver her out of the bon­dage of corruption; she groans with the load of flesh, 2 Cor: 5, 3, In this Tabernacle we groan being burthened. And the natural bo­dy hath an Animal spirit, to lust after sin, as St. James sayeth, the spirit in us lusteth to Envy, Jam. 4. 5. But this spirit evaporateth in pleasure, and that sore must be morti­fied, that our soul may be saved in the day of the LORD, 1 cor: 5. 5. But the rational, tho it be hugely darkned, and alienated from the life of GOD, Eph: 4. 18. Yet hath it rea­son, tho much master'd by the brutall part; and by that Reason, and the facul­ty even of a natural conscience, it cannot but groan under the burden of sin.

§. 4. Now that the soul is contami­nate, and participant of original sin with the Body, and how it is propagated and corrupted, are purposes that we should rather yeild to▪ with humble Faith, then with canvassing Curiosity labour to com­prehend: Since the Scripture is positive in the thing, That the imaginations of the [Page 8] heart of man are evil, and only evil a pu [...] ­tia, Gen: 6. 5. The thoughts of his heart [...] only evil continually; And without wre [...] ­ing that of Psal. 51. 3. and 5. Verses. [...] must confess Original Sin; And our Savi­our, Joh. 3. 6. sayeth, That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and inferreth the necessity of Regeneration from this Disease: If we Compare this then with that of Gen. 6. 3. My spirit shall not strive with Man, for that [...] is flesh; We may easily perceive that Man in his whole Compositum, is Corrupt and Carnal: And the Apostle St. Paul Con­cludes the whole World under sin, And guilty before GOD, Rom. 3. 9. and Rom. 7. 23. he descrives unto us a Man, inter Rege­nerandum, convinced by the Law, and entering the doors of a new Life, groaning under the power of sin and death, wretch­ed under that corrupt Body of sin and death till he be delivered; This is also, the Doctrine of the Orthodox and prime­val Church, and what has been said a­gainst it by the Manicheans and Pelagians, is fully refuted by that great Dr. Aug: con­cluded against by General Councils, and the Current of the Catholick Church all along: Yea, the sensible amongst the Heathens, as Pliny and Tully, have acknowledged [Page 9] this, and found out the Disease by their own Sentiments Confessing, that, Niti­mur in vitetum, &c. Now to Dive into that deep Gulf, how original sin comes in, (since no sin is of GOD) whether by the breath of Eve corrupted by the Serpent, or by the poisonous quality of the Tree of Knowledge, whose fruit, thô sweet, possib­ly was Venemous, which GOD forbad Man to eat of under the pain of Death; And GOD may make poison to be in Nature for good and Holy Ends. Whe­ther by these wayes or any other Way; or by permissive providence, leaving Man under the facultie of Free Will, to make his own Election, or whether the Soul was infused void of Original Righteous­ness? Or by the first Contact with the Body? (as our Countryman Dr. Baron De prop: pecc: doth very pertinently clear) is a businesse improper for this Treatise to enlarge upon: Yet it is best for thee, O Man, humbly to believe and sensibly ac­knowledge, what thou feel's that thou may Cleanse thy self from all filthiness of flesh, and spi­rit, 2 Cor: 7. 1. And that You may be sanctified throughout Soul, Body and Spirit, as the Apostle prayes for the Church of the Thess: 1 Thes [...] 5. 23. And labour by all means to dig out this [Page 10] root of bitterness from thy Soul and Heart, and make use of the salutary means, thy Saviour hath prescribed for this end.

§. 5. Now this gets an excellent open Entrance by early Baptism, and bringing the Children from the Womb to the Font, to be washen in this saving Flood, in the Laver of Regeneration, from the guilt and filth of sin; Which mercy, according to the Tenor of the new Covenant, is allow­ed of GOD, to Infants; For, as Circum­cision in old, which was a seal of the Cove­nant, Rom: 4, 11. was conferred on In­fants; so Baptism upon that same ground may be thought to belong to Children of believing Parents; Or, at least, reputed to be so, or if one of the Parents believe they are federally holy; as St. Paul sayeth, 1 cor 7. 14. Else were your children unclean, but now they are holy; And St. Peter tells the Jews, that the promise belongs to them, and their children, Acts, 2, 39: CHRIST himself took little Children and blessed them, and said, suf­fer Little Children to come to me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven, and he laid his hands on them, and blessed them; If his blessing belong to such, Why not Baptism? Which is a­mong the first of his Blessings: And we find from Scripture that GOD hath sanc­tified [Page 11] some in the Womb, and from the Womb; why may he not than sanctifie His own institution of Baptism to Infants? and the sooner the better, this Antidote be applyed against the poyson of the Serpent, it doth also much inhanse this Truth, that it is, and hath been the practice of the Universal Church, in and since the Apostles times. For we read that some have been baptised and their whole house, of which probably Children were a part, And altho' some Sectaries have opposed this, and have denyed Infant Baptism, yet neither is their grounds nor practice to be laid, against the General Vote of the Church, well instructed by the word of GOD, and it is no small defence and war­ [...]and for Infant Baptism, that it is not now a question in the Church: and it is so fully asserted and proved, that it were superflu­ous, and like lighting a Torch at Noon, to add any thing upon the head, since none but Phanaticks that follow the fume of their phansie, who deny CHRIST's Offices, Mi­nisters, Ordinances and Institutions, will be so bold as to contradict it: And therefore it concerns Parents, Religiously to go about the Baptism of their Children, and remem­ber the great obligation they stand under, [Page 12] for their pious Education: And of Children baptized, to reflect upon it when they come to any Knowledge, and to improve it well by the Instruction of their Parents and Tutors, whose serious Instructions, grave Example, and earnest Prayer for Young Ones, may help to instill and drop in such Counsels into their easie and blank minds as may leave some Relish; as a Vessel may still keep something of the tast and smell of the first liquor, according to that Ancient observe, quo semel est imbuta, &c. and this stage of our life may be rec­koned to the fourth year of our Age.

STAGE Second.

§ 1. As the Children grows so should the care of their Parents increase towards them; its dangerous to suffer the evil of their Nature to take rooting, for then it will turn tenacious and obstinate, it's bet­ter to take the little Foxes that hurt their ten­der Gardens, Cant. 2. 6. and by Religious con­duct, use the best means to Eradicate the corruption of their Nature, and to cor­rect that [...], and disorder that is natu­rally in them, by frequent and gradual dropping of good counsel into their hearts, especially by fixing in them the common notion of a GOD, and fearing of Him, of honouring their Parents: And withal to acquaint them with their Baptismal De­dication; and, in as much as is possible, to open up unto them the m [...]sterie of their redemption through Jesus Christ, and that, not only, they know to Repeat the Law, the Creed and Lords Prayer: But also to make them, according to their capacitie, to understand these. Thus entereth Knowledge into their Hearts, as a little Drop by frequent falling makes a cavity and hollowness in the stone.

§: 2. Although the Spirit of GOD, the Author of Regeneration, like the wind, bloweth when, where, and how he pleases [Page 14] Joh. 3. v. 8. And calleth some soon­er, some later, yet is it not improper to set it down here, for that same LORD that Blessed Babs, can Sow the Seed of Grace in their Hearts. And of this Regeneration, I shall only remember Man, of the Necessi­ty, Nature, and Evidence thereof. First, as to the necessity: Our Saviour is very positive. Job. 3. v. 2. and 3. Except a man be Born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of GOD: and no outward exercise of Re­ligion can avail us without the New Cre­ature, the Old-man must be Crucified, and the New-man formed and Nurished, ere we can be fit for the Kingdom of GOD. And 2ly. We cannot better take up the Nature of it than by considering the Au­thor, and the manner of his Operation in producing this Work: It is only the Spi­rit of GOD that doth it, so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3. 8. Of His own Will begatt He us, that we should be a kind of first Fruits of His Creatures. Jam: 1. 18. This New Creature then is clearly the Product of the Spirit of GOD, Who doth this work mediatly, by the use of means, especially by the Word o [...] Truth, and other holy Engines, that he is pleased to make use of; Yet is not this Work [Page 15] produced of any means, but by the con­curse of the principal Agent; the Word illuminats and perswads, but there's more then Moral Swasion in this Work; for GOD's promise in the Covenant is, to put his Laws in our inward parts. Jer: 3. 33. They re­ceive by their Conversion a heavenly seed, which abideth in them that will not suf­fer them to sin as the wicked do, John 3. 9. Whosoever is born of GOD doth not commit sin for His seed remains in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of GOD. Yet as to the pro­duction of this new Creature, it may be so secret for a time, like the Infant in the Womb; so clouded and over-powr'd by Temptation and Corruption, that it doth little appear, and it takes a long time ere it become perfect in degrees, and vi­sibly compleat as to parts, althô the Child, tho little and weak, is potentially a perfect man, Parents, then and Gover­nours should with St. Paul travel in birth, till Christ be formed in their Children. 3ly, As to its Evidence, the Apostle manifests it fully, 2, cor: 5. 17: Behold all things are become New, The man is wholly renewed in Quality▪ tho not in Substance, so that he may very well say, Ego non sum ego. He hath a more generous spirit, with Caleb, [Page 16] a better heart with David, a more shinin [...] face with Moses, and the lips of the Righ­teous feed many: And tho no man ca [...] make this Change, yet is he exhorted to make him a new heart, Ezek. 18 31. Th [...] is, to use the means, and well to consi­der that the spirit of GOD begets this ne [...] Creature by the word of Truth, Jam: 1 18 That such may be a kind of first fruits of H [...] Creatures, and for himself to show forth [...] His praise, Who hath called them from dark­ness to Light.

§. 3. It is very promotive of Grace also, when Children comes to this state of Life, that they be Confirmed, after they can give any account of their Creed, and of their Prayers according to the Blessed Pattern, The LORDS Prayer; For, we read frequently in the Acts, of Confirming the Disciples after they were Prose [...]ted to the Chri­stian Religion, whereby the new Plantation was fixed, and by a sort of personal Co­venanting with GOD, they were En­gaged to His Service by their Voluntar Consent. This is the practice of the Uni­versal Church; Which, if simply done, and not elevated unto a Sacrament, is laud­able and promotive of the Ends of Religi­on. And tho it be quarrelled with, by [Page 17] some in this Nation; Yet, if it could be got well done, in every particular Parish: Since the Bishop may not be alwayes Va­cant, it may be thought no Disorder, for the Parish Minister every year as Oc­casion offers to do this in the presence of the Parents and famous Witnesses, per­sonally and particularly to joyn them to the LORD: And if there were not, alas! too great incuriousness about matters of Religion, a mean so helpful to the ends thereof, may be put in use. So, to con­clude this Point, I shall Reinforce my earnest Exhortation to Christian Parents, in behalf of their Children, for this par­ticular instance of their Care for their Souls; and to remember Gospel Ministers of their duty as to this. And since through the unsetledness of the Times, it can not be so well made eflectual, let both Pastors and Parents double their Diligence, in bearing in the Principles and Practices of Religion, into the tender Hearts of their Children, by Prayer, and other laudable means, for that Holy End.

STAGE III.

§. 1. IT is a sad Complaint of the Spi [...] of GOD, Gen 6. 5 That the Im [...] ­ginations of the thoughts of the heart of man [...] evil, and only evil continually, and that [...] pueritia, from his Childhood; Which, [...] we consider aright, Man shall find that [...] hath all the Dimensions of the Body [...] sin and Death, Rom: 7: to the end. [...] tho, where Grace comes, this Canaani [...] not ejected, tho dejected, this corrupti [...] hath invenomed our whole Nature, [...] hath its seat in our Heart, and never ce [...] ­eth to foam and to boil like the Bottom [...] pit; It is a deep thing that no Huma [...] Engine can reach, for; The heart is dec [...] ­ful above all things, VVho can know it? Je [...] 17. 9. This disease doth alienate us from t [...] Life of GOD, Eph: 4 18. It hardneth ou [...] heart, depraveth our will, perverteth ou [...] [Page 19] affections, infecteth our Senses, and in­flameth our Appetite after evll. O man search and dissect this disease, and thou shall find the Poison of Asps, not only under thy tongue, but in thy heart, Rom: 3. 11. And the very nature of the Serpent in all thy Faculties. Which, if reflected upon a­right, may through the Grace of GOD begin the Rise, and kindle the first sparks of Regeneration.

§. 2. Although it be hard to Enumerate all the evils of Childhood; Yet to the help of any considering Man in his Re­flection, I shall hint at some Blemishes thereof: Some have mentioned Vitium naturae gentis, & personae. The common Vice of Nature, and the more particular evils of the Clime and Person: All have the common disease, which vents it self in Nations, Families, and Complexions, in a different manner. So, some Natures are more mild, some more fervide: In some the Irascible, in others the Concu­piscible appetite, doth Predomine. This would be well considered, that man may be the more fitted to correct the corrup­tion of this inconsiderat time of his Age: But the more particular errors of this Circumstance, are Ignorance, Idleness, [Page 20] Careleness, Inconsidera [...]ness and Falsen [...] whereby Man is Inclined to Lying, Ch [...] ­ing and Stealing; So that this indisc [...] Fool hath some Wisdom to do evil, [...] he be simple to good. As also Envy, [...] Spirit that is in us, sayeth St. James, lust [...] to Envy, and St. Augustine after him sai [...] Vidi zelantem puerum, a sort of Emulati [...] and Envy in Young Ones, together wi [...] evil custom; Especially in speech, whe [...] by a man, alas! layes aside his Glor [...] and soon learneth to speak the Langua [...] of Hell. As also, how prone is the N [...] ­ture of man in this Circumstance to lea [...] and use sinfull Childish Tricks? In thin [...] belonging to Nature, which fair Natu [...] hath put a Vail over, to hid the [...] from the Eyes of Curiosity. And a [...] these are Nursed by an inconsiderate min [...] and an unactive Conscience: But wha [...] need I mention these evils? Since th [...] poor Stripling is exposed naked to all evils under the Sun. So that, Man [...] when he hath any power to reflect, is to consider the mercy of GOD, that ever he hath been reduced to any Sense and Judgement. For,

§. 3. If he shall now delineat himself, he shall find the Root, the rise, the sprute­ing [Page 21] of these evils in him; Ignorance is the [...]ause of all our wandrings; he is born blind, [...]nd like a whelp, seeth not till such a day; [...]s long ere the scales fall off his eyes, and [...]s by a mercifull miracle of Grace that [...]ver he sees. He's ignorant of GOD, [...]hat rude conceptions and Ideas doth his [...]ind and phansy conceive of the Deity? [...]ot considering GOD in his Spiritual and [...]oly Nature, and excellent Properties, the Eternal, and first Being, the infinite Rea­ [...]on, and Light of all the rational World: And so good that, if known, Man cannot [...]ut adore, fear, love, and choise him, [...]hen he beholds him in the mirrour of [...]is word and works, and in the express i­ [...]age of his person, Jesus Christ. He is also [...]gnorant of himself, tho' (nos [...]e teipsum) be a common principle; He knows not whom he represents, being the image of the in­visible GOD; tho much eclipsed by sin, Yet there remains some sparks and scin­tils of it in his Rational Nature, Which, if by Grace improved, may reduce this wandring Creature to the paths of Righ­teousness. He is also ignorant of the way to Salvation; and his eyes will be no soon­er op [...]ed, but he'l have reason to cry out, What shall I do to be saved? Acts 20. 37. [Page 22] altho he may think at first, the way to [...] strait, (for so indeed it is, sayeth our Savio [...] Yet shall he see his corruption to be [...] cause that it is so difficult: and if throu [...] GOD's blessing he shall consult Grace [...] he shall find rhe way so straight and pla [...] that a wayfairing Man, tho a fool, shall [...] err therein. Isaiah. 35 8.

§. 4. I shall not enlarge upon the oth [...] evils incident to our Nature, Since if th [...] of Ignorance were Removed, and Co [...] ­scence awaked to any exercise, man sha [...] find it highly rational to correct the re [...] for, when Light comes in, it will make [...] ashamed of those things we have taken pleasu [...] in; When we feed the Brute in Darkne [...] and forgot the Soul, and left it lyin [...] maimed and dying in its Blood. Th [...] light will easily discover the preferance of love to Envy, Truth and Honesty to fals­hood; And make the man, when he finds himself naked to hid his eyes from him­self, and bestow the more abundant honour upon his more uncomely parts; this light will discover the Leopards spots, of ill custome, and turn the man from black to white. It will reduce the straying sheep, and let him see where he is, what he is, and what he shall do.

§. 5. Solomon gives unto such an excel­ [...]ent Direction, The fear of the LORD is the [...]eginning of Wisdom: And the LORD's word makes the simple wise, sayeth the Psalmist: This parents and teachers should mainly [...]nculcate upon young and tender Hearts; And as man has by Education, The ad­vantage of these Instructions: So he would be also taught to moderate and Govern his passions, and to Rule his own Spirit, especially ro guard against any peculiar and personal infirmity of his nature, and to strangle the Eruption thereof by Dis­cretion: And with-all to learn to bow his knee betimes, and seek Grace from GOD, who giveth liberally and upbraideth no man: For which he is to consider the ad­vantage of Early piety, and to weaken sin, ere it come to an habite. Isaack had the advantage of good education, but his sons were more pregmatick, and possibly lost much of his pious instructions, yet doubt­less Jacob was well principled from the be­ginning, which made him so anxious for the Blessing. Abijah came only to the Grave in peace, of all the Sons of Jeroboam; Good Josiah was tender hearted in his Tender Age, Timothy was instructed in the Scriptures from a Child, 2 Tim. 3. 15. [Page 24] St. John was a young Disciple, yet much beloved of his Master. Some get their call [...] in the morning, and have much of their work done ere the heat of the day; and man should receive this Call, least GOD pursue him with the Rod. Its a sad thing to be Satan's Slave from the womb: No Creature loves to be fettered, and were no [...] man a dull brute, he would cast off the Chains of Satan. It's high time to a­wake out of the sleep of sin, and by ac­tual care to Restrain the Power of his na­tural Corruption. This Age, if it do no [...] answer, It's education will after cry out O mihi Praeteritos, &c. Because he did no [...] obey the voice of his Teachers, Prov. 5. 13. For shall he let his body Grow, and the Spirit [...]ly in a trance? To have nimble Limbs and a lasy spirit: Man must there­fore begin at the heart, where the Root of the evil lyes: for out of the heart com [...]th all evil, sayes our Saviour: He must therefore Wash, Watch, Keep, Guard, cleanse, and purifie the heart, and seek the Blessing of the Covenant, Jer. 4. 14. Psal. 51. 10. Man in this Circumstance must shun evil Company, and not listen to the black art of Knowing the tricks of sin. He would have great care that things be [Page 25] right in the first Region, for if there be an error in the first concoction, the sound­ness of Grace will be much Obstructed by our natural diseases: O then present thy soul and sores to GOD, and seek the Balm of Gilead to heal thy soul, but bewar of hy­pocrisy, to pray and sin, and sin and pray, and thus Run thy self into a Circle, thus to fall into Satans Labyrinth, from whence the Out-gate is difficult, as the Ingress is dangerous. Rather beginn thy General Calling as a Christian, and pre­pare thy self to Climb up to the Zenith of a more perfect age.

§. 6. And the Rudeness of this Incon­siderate age, should of it self inforce the Duty of Parents and such as are Over Chil­dren, to make Conscience of their Educa­tion, Deut: 1. Compared with Eph: 6. to be much in Prayer for them, and to teach them to be serious. And pray in the Forms following.

STAGE Fourth. From the 12 to the 18 Year of Man's Age.

§. 1. IT is now high time for the [...] O Man, to lift up thy Eye [...] higher then the firmament, and [...] mind thy Creator, look well then tha [...] thou consider thy bounden duty [...] GOD, the timous dedication and givin [...] up of thy name to Him, and to po [...] ­der thy early engadgement and Bap­tismal Vow: and as Baptism is the L [...] ­ver of Regeneration, thou art to look, [...] it hath any influence upon thee: and [...] thou finds any thing of the motions of a [...] new life within thee: if Baptism has ha [...] lowed thee: and if thou does seriously consider that thou art washed that thou mavest begin now to escape the polutious of the World through lust, and that as new born Babes, thou desire the sincere milk of the word that thou mayest grow thereby, and if thou, hast learned the Language of Canaan, to [Page 31] speak with GOD and for GOD, if thou hast attained to any discretion to put on Modesty, humility, and patience? If thou hast learned to govern thy homour propassions, and passions? If thou yet knows any thing of the Vanity and De­ceitfulness of the World and the necessi­ty of renuncing the same? If these things be in thee, O Child of Man, then thou layest a good foundation against the time to come, and for thy progress in Piety and Vertue.

§. 2. And for Parents and Overseers, Let me in all modesty, enquire of you, if your heart approves you as to your Duty to your Children and Pupils, in order to their Religious education: Some are ready to boast of Blood and Kinred, Friends and Riches, and other worldly priviledges: but the great bussiness is, to look well they be illuminated with the Rayes of Grace and the beauties and pro­perties of Religion: As also if you have used the rod with discretion, for he that spar­eth the rod hateth the Child, sayeth Solomon: Which must be used, not out of passion, but from good Principles to holy ends; For, this is an instance of your Tender [Page 32] love of them, since GOD Himself, the Father of us all, hath said, Whom I love I Chastise, that we may be Zealous and Repent, Rev. 3. 21. And [...]e chastneth every [...] whom He Receiveth, Heb: 12. 6. Folly is knit to the heart of the Child, till the Rod of Correction take it out: And it is far better for your Children to feel the Lash of your Rod, then to be stricken and wound­ed with the effects of their own after miscarriage, when their own Iniquity find them out.

§. 3. And it is an excellent Mean for your Childrens happiness, that you stu­dy their genius and proper Gift (as I be­fore hinted) that so ye may prepare them to enter such Callings as may make them most useful in their Generation: That their Calling be laudable and approved, as little lyable to snares as possible; a Cal­ling, that may most naturally dis­pose them for a course of Vertue; And therefore they would be instructed to be Industrious, Honest and diligent in the Exercise thereof: And of whatever Rank they be, it is a greater blemish then ob­scure blood, to be idle in their Generati­on: So that even, the Noble and Rich, as they have a High and Noble general [Page 33] Caling, So must they act in some parti­cular Calling and Exercise, in these more Eminent Spheres, GOD has placed them in. And if ye find your Children's ge­nius so disposed, it may be very helpful, and behoveful for their Comfort in this Life, and that to come, to give them to GOD, and separate them for the Holy Tribe, by the Holy and Honourable Cal­ling of the Gospel Ministry; Wherein, if Men would answer their Character, they might get Esteem and Respect, and with their Master, Grow in favour with GOD and Man.

§. 4. Neither is the Femal Sex to be neglected as to this Religious Education: The Daughters are to be directed as well as the Sons; For, as they have Interest in the Covenant, 2 Cor: 6. to the end. I will be a Father unto you (sayeth the LORD) and ye shall be unto Me Sons and Daughters: So, when our Sons are as plants grown up in their Youth, and our Daughters as Corner Stones polished after the similitude of a Palace, it is a great token of the Happiness of a People, Psal: 144. 12. 15. Our Danghters are not born or bred to be idle: For, beside their General, they have a particular Calling to be Employed [Page 34] in; For which end, and to illuminate their life, they are to be very careful, and such as Oversee them, that they be neither like a gadding Dina, nor a paint­ed Jezebel; or like the Daughter of Midi­an, who were a stumbling block, by the counsel of Balaam, to the People of GOD; They must shun the way of the prostitute Woman in the Prov: and learn to do vertuously after the Copy of the gravest Matrons: And to attire themselves with modesty, and Vail themselves with shamefacedness, and learn Humility, which is a foundation Grace, and to beware of pride and vanity; since this may make them like the daughters of Zion. Isa▪ 2. 24. and bring baldness and a Scab upo [...] them in stead of Beauty; They would labour also to refine & Purifie all their Passions by giving Christ, who is fairer than the So [...] of Men, The first and highest place in their love; and to Espouse themselves to such a Blessed Husband, ere they think upon their Nup [...]ials: That when by the Approved methods of GOD, and their Parents they begin a conjugal state, they may enter the Marriage bed, White as Swans, and Purer then the Snow of Lebanon. They would learn also to moderate all [Page 35] their affections, speech and way, with the Spirit of meekness, for, a meek and quiet Spirit is the Ornament of a Woman; 1 Pet. 3. 4. And this being observed, let them be as vertuous as they can, both in a single and married life; Let reason rather then Romances be their Study, let them Deck their minds, ere they adorn their Body; Let them consider that they are the Weaker Vessel, and under subjection, and still think it to be unsuitable to their Sex and way, to be Imperious, and not to keep within the Sphere, in which GOD hath placed them, least they make Clamour, Noise, and in discretion which doth much blot and Blur their delicacy.

§. 5. And now by way of transition, from the bygone time to the present: (For in this Stage of Mans life; its high time for him to begin to reflect upon by­gone, and to consider where he is, and that he ascends to an higher Horizon) I shall leave all what I have said in order to the first Period of our life, and the Stages thereof, and take Man in his ascend­ant, by the hand, and lead him by Re­ligion in this second Period of his life, and the Various Circumstances and Stages thereof.

STAGE I. Which commenceth from the 18 year of Mans age, to twenty two, or thereabout.

§. 1. NOw come I to consider, a ve­ry turbulent and dangerous part of Man's Age: Let man now consider [Page 38] what he is now arrived to? almost at the top of the wheel, and may be a little look back to the darker Region of his Childish years, and how long he hath been buried in Oblivion, without true sense & solidity, his many Unmanly and Unchristian Infirmities. It hath been enquired con­cerning Childish follies: See Dr. Taylors Ductor dubitantium, Pag: 800. How long they are excused, as Inevitable Errors, and Invincible Ignorance: But since our Original sin makes us Culpable & miserable before GOD, I think it best to reflect with grief upon bygon infirmities; and to labour in our growing Age nad Youth-hood (which I have guessed to begin about the eigh­teen year of Man's Age) to correct our selves of bygon infirmities, and prepare to act more wisely and solidly, in the more grave and settled state of Life.

§. 2. Youth now i [...] his Morning Rise having the timous season to begin a course of Vertue and Duty, having put off chil­dish habits & childish things & being now dissintangled from these triffles, must act like a Man. God doth make some embrace his Yoke from their Youth, & by his Grace makes the motion and life of the New Creature appear in them and their way; and such a Youth is like to be usefull in [Page 39] his Generation to GOD, the World and himself: and O how happy is such a [...] whom GOD takes by the heart and by the hand betimes, and fitteth him with good inclinations, and warm tender Af­fections, to love GOD and fear Him. And to remember his Creator in his Youth, Ecc: 12. 1. Whereby much sin and folly in him is prevented and such corruptions as make the way to Life difficult, if not impossible, to Man; Thus, many seek to enter in at the strait gate, and are not found able, & like that young Man in the Gospel, Mat 19 6. Who probably had some good in him, and came to CHRIST sincerely and not as the Pharisees did, to tempt him; Yet, Because the Idol of the World was lurking in his heart, he went away sorowfull from CHRIST: But the Youth that hath reminded his Baptism Vow, is put in a fair way to make progress in Vertue and Duty.

§ 3. But alas! Youth is in a sharp fever with a phrensie, till GOD cool a [...]d c [...]re him, some are rather Gazers then Discerne [...]s; a sort of Animal, that but stares on the World and knows not well what he is doing? Like a Bullock or wild Colt unac­quainted with the easie yoak of duty: He [Page 40] Evaporates in Air and Vanity, like an imaginary Prince thinks himself None such, & who but he? he towers up int the Air, there to build a Castle, and propose to get a name through phansie, without the methods of Fame and Vertue, No considering that he lyes like a silly fool exposed to all temptation.

§. 4. The Wisdom of GOD pronunc­eth that Child-hood and Youth are Vanity, Ec [...] 11. 10. And the Psalmist praveth tha [...] the Errors of his Youth be not Remembred, Psal. 25. 7. The most of Youth, without Re­strain, are evil; there may be some better natures and Humours, but all have the Common Corrupt nature, which makes it's Eruptions, like Aetna, and giveth Cause of Regrate all the follow­ing life-time. Great Augustine, (who of a profligate youth became the Oracle of Doctors) because of the extravagancie [...] of his younger Age, is very full and par­ticular in his confessions. Youth is wise in it's own conceit, and so the Greater Fool, he's a little Gay, with warm blood strength and health, so that he is ready to think himself invincible; and being of uncertain Humour, concludes himself without a change. But what's thy strength, [Page 41] O Young Man, to the strength of a horse, Behemoth or Leviathan? A Lion or a beast of Prey may soon devour thee, a Feverish disease may soon consume thee, and Death, thou so little thinks upon, may turn thy White and Red Complexion in­to Black and Pale Dust. The strength of the horse may fail, but such as trust in the LORD shall renew their strength, Isa: 40 29. It is good then for Youth to pray for the In­fluence of that CALL, that raised Lazarus from the Dead; For, if Grace interveen not, There is a Law in the Members which rebels against the law of the mind, which leads the Youth Captive to the power of sin and Death, Rom: 7. 23.

§. 4. But I must descend to more minute Particulars concerning Youth; For, this is, in many, a very unruly part of their Age, very confused in the Rati­onal Part; And man in this State is alto­gether lighter then Vanity; Who lives much by Phansie and Imaginations, and is not so careful to [...]ress the Soul, as to attire the Body. Yet a Ro [...]e hath a greater gloss and beauty than all his artificial De­corement: O it is sad to be proud of that which hides his nakedness, and discovers that he is fallen! Let this painted [Page 42] Spectacle appear in view, he is like a Will [...] Ass snuffing up the wind; Some are L [...] quacious, others Tongue-tyed; Yet, what is wanting in words, is made up [...] Vaunts and vain Glory; they look [...] high that they are like to fall in a Ditc [...] Some act as in a dream, and roave as in [...] Fever with an unjoynted Judgement [...] and a Scopeless Life, their Tongues are th [...] own (sayeth their way) who is LORD over them? They think Religion either [...] phansie or a Superstitious restraint of thei [...] lusts; And say, Come let us break his Bond [...] assunder: And do all they can, to ru [...] on Precepieces, and a fatal fall. Yet som [...] (as has been before observed) are mo [...] tractable: To shew that there is an Elec­tion, and that GOD has His Jewels amon [...] a heap of Stones; Some are taught o [...] GOD from their Youth, and are under [...] His Discipline and the Life of Grace [...] spruting forth in little buds; Which makes them serious at their Studies, Pio [...] in their Devotion, solid in their Conver­sation, and, in stead of all the Gayet [...] from without; They cloath themselves with Humility, Charity, and Holiness; and act by the Principles of Wisdom and Dis­cretion.

§. 5. But alas! This Light shines but in few, for the most take pleasure to live in darker Regions. Now this Particular consideration shal be, 1. To observe the evils incident to this State of Mans Age. And 2ly. The Directions and Motives for his Recovery.

§. 6. As to the first, I condescend upon

• First, The ignorance and prejudice of the Mind of Youth, against all Vertue; And Inclina­tions to Vice, carryed on with great Inconsi­deration.
• Secondly, Pride and Vanity.
• Thirdly, Stoutness in sin, with an aptness to follow the ill customs of the Generation.
• Fourthly, Idleness, and omissions of Duty and good Exercise.
• Fifthly, A sleeping and unexercised Consci­ence.

§. 7 First, The Philosopher as well as the Divine observes Praejudicia Juventutis: Great prejudice against Vertue: And Experience may teach any Man, that his imaginations have been evil from the beginning: And if there be any thing of acquired Knowledge, which is learned in the School: Yet Speculation without Grace and saving Knowledge is not warm light, and doth not nourish the tender [Page 44] Plants: For, tho the man were as learned as Plato or Aristotle, he is but rude and dull as to that Knowledge which tends to Salvation: And the fums that come from the forge of his lusts, darken the heart, and the head; and if he hath the Advantage of the Gospel Light, surely his Ignorance flows from Supine Negligence or self Conceit and feest thou a man wise in his own Eyes; there's more hope of a fool than of him GOD gives Grace to the humble, but youth, for the most, is so swelled with self Conceit and vanity, that he will n [...] bow himself to learn to wise to Salvation▪ But it's better for him to learn of the Royal Psalmist, to [...]eek the gift of right Ʋnderstanding: And at the wisest of King [...] to dig and labour for Wisdom, as the Prin­cipal thing, as the greatest accomplish­ment, either of Youth or Riper year [...] And no Man that looks to his Instinct, but finds it naturally tending to that which is Evil. Till the Old Man be Mortified, sin lives and Reigns without controul, especially, the sin that agrees with our present frame; Concupisce not now rides in a hot Career, sets up the Brute, and puts down the Man: It Cor­rupts the affections, and blasts the Plants [Page 45] of Zion with corrupt Breath; It makes the Man Degenerate, and by giving place to carnal, quencheth the Flams of Seraphick and Divine Love: It makes the Man a brute Who might by Grace be made an Angel. Awake then out of sleep: For if thou live after the flesh, thou shalt die, Rom, 8. 15.

§. 8. 2ly. As to Pride and Vanitie, much incident to youth, Because he knows not well where he is, and hath such complasancy in his present Circum­stances, as not to consider what mav fall out to a mortal Man; Pride and vanity may soon be layed with Herod's; And a little time of a Disease, may Make him more feeble then an Infant: Solomon saw much of this vanity, and saw no cure for it, but by Religion, and the consideration of our account at Judgement; Pride is devilish, it turned Lucifer to a Devil; And the higher any towers up the more subject is he to a vertiginous fall, His [...] as well as his Brains prove Air, but GOD hates the proud; and Agur prayes LORD Remove from me vanity and lies. Prov. 38. 8. Let no man then Glory in Strength, Wisdom, Riches, or Beauty; but let him that Glorieth Glory in the LORD. Jer. 9: 23. [Page 46] 24. This vanity makes a man walkin [...] vain show, and act the worst part of the Scene, to play the Fool.

§. 9. 3ly. Stoutness in sin, &c. Hear [...] ye stout hearted, sayes the Prophet, you must stoup e're GOD look upon you. This is a Natural & contracted hardne [...] of heart, that alienates Man from the Life [...] GOD, Eph: 4 18. His blindness make [...] him bold; Yet he hath not only an An­gel; with Balaam, but the Great GOD for his Enemy; Consider this thou that for­gets GOD, least he tear thee in pieces wh [...] there is none to deliver, Psal: 50: 22. A [...] make your stout heart turn into a fech [...] Mind, for who can stand against GOD when He is angry? Yet alas! how lice [...] ­tious is this state of Age? And do speak [...] as their tongue were indeed their own, b [...] GOD will break this fool-hardiness & ma [...] thee either contreet, or crush thee: Neve [...] then be stout in sin, except thou think [...] master thine Enemy, If thou Kick aga [...] the pricks, CHRIST can cast thee do [...] and turn a stout hearted Saul, into a hum­ble Paul, to cry out LORD What wilt Th [...] have me to do, Acts 9. 6.

§ 10. 4ly. Idleness and emissions of Duty, [...] Youth's very prone thereunto, to for [...] [Page 47] GOD (when he should remember his Creator) as he dwelr in a Land of For­getfulness; Wherein he passeth much of his time ere he consider the great use there­of; He lets the Night come on him, Wherein no man can work Joh. 9. 4. And may drop into the Grave, Where no bussi­ness is. Eccles: 9. 10. His Life is but a Digression, if he work not while it is cal­led the day, and work not for Eternity: Our Life is but a Minute and for a Day; O that thou knew in this thy Day, the thi [...]gs that belongs to thy Peace.

§. 11. 5lv, A sleeping and unexercised Con­science, This is a great Disease in Youth, which occasioneth bad conduct, Youth is subject to Inconsideration, layeth not things to heart as he should do, his Conscience lyeth under a heap of hu­mours; And so is void of Action, and neither informed or Employed: He looks not to the Rule, nor reflects upon his way; whereas he should first consult the Word, and thereby awaken and in­form his Conscience to have his bosom Monitor, Vigilant; And the Witness within him honest; And judge impartially, according to the Rule: Man cannot want Conscience, because there is a GOD; [Page 48] But Conscience may sleep, be bride [...] deadned, and to Government, useless and unactive, (as Tertullian long ago hath ob­served) because it is not a God, noscc teipsum know thy self: The Heathens Lesson is very fit for a Christian. The benefit of S [...] Acquaintance, tends much to right Discre­tion and the Government of our Life [...] Which makes many invert that of S [...] Paul, I know nothing by my self, for want of reflection, they can curse, swear [...] lie, and work abomination, and their [...] heart never smites them: So they are lef [...] to themselves, and put under the sadd [...] plague, of getting success in sin. Better [...] have the Way hedged with Thorns, lea [...] thou run to ruine, and labour so to guid [...] thy self that thy Heart condemn thee not, and to exercise thy self with St. Paul, to have [...] Conscience void of Offence towards GOD and Man.

§. 12. Many other things may be ad­ed, as rashness, [...], and following vain customs; [...] into a calling and course of life [...] with no Deliberation, but meerly from fondness and folly; drive like Jehn, in the pursuit of their carnal love, and enter into a married sta [...]e so rashly and indiscreetly, [Page 49] that thev may have leasure eneugh after, to regrate▪ and so youth runs himself into inextricable difficulties: But quod faciendum semel deliberandum diu. And he should en­gage in this warefare with good advice: but of the most of these, I may have oc­casion to speak to, after this.

§. 13. And so I come to the second thing, to wit, The directions and motives for his recoverie, and the ordering this state of Age.

1. As long as Man climbs to the top of the Wheel, and Ascends to the hight of his Temporary Horizon, he should take leasure to look back on his bygone life, and view well that he act contrary Good to these evils fore-mentioned, that he be Considerate, Knowing, tender▪heart­ed, busie in good Exercise, rhat his Conscience be awak'd, & himself humble, even cloathed with humility which layes a good foundation for the Reception of Grace in his after Age, that he learn to change Vain thoughts [...] into Delibera­tion; and Passions to rule them by a quiet Mind, peaceable by patience and Mode­ration, and the sooner he listens to the Call of GOD, it will be easier for him, that with great Aug: he be alarmed with [Page 50] that of the Apostle Rom 13. 11. It is [...] time to awake out of sleep: Memory may decay in old Age. But Youth must re­member, hear Children the instruction of Wisdom Prov 6. 7. And since some a [...] snatched away in their younger yea [...] some sin away, and some play away their time; Youth should not think i [...] too soon to be serious, since posibly h [...] may not live till he think it time to b [...] serious.

§. 14. It is Good for youth that is ready to stare upon rarities, to take Wisdom from the example of such as miscarry least he himself become an Example; and all sad accidents to others, should make us li­sten to that of Solomon: Follow the way of good men: Better to be A monument of mercy than of wrath. He must impartially correct [...] the errors of his bygon life, and not be sparing in his own case to cry out, with Judah against the Harlot, and yet be the man himself that is defiled, Gen. 38. 24. He must consider how he hath carri­ed in all relations, what sentiments he had of Religion, what was his Temp­tation, inclination, humour and phansie: what was his gift, and what little good he hath done: And if he Consider well, [Page 51] he may acknowledge that he hath not obeyed the voice of his Teachers, and that his Religion hath but Come by fi [...]s, and that Possibly, he hath harboured, and does harbour some predominant sin; and if he were serious he would find out the Dalilah that hath possessed his heart, and know where the strength of his sin lyes, and pray, with the Psalmist, LORD who knows his errors? Psal. 19. 12.

§. 15 It is high time then to smite thy thigh, and knock thy breast, and to be humble for thy bygon errors; which thou may know to be a sincere repentance for them that if thou were placed in the former cir­cumstances, thou wouldst not react these follies; And that thou doest not relish them with wonted affection: And since they have not ruin'd thee, show thy zeal & revenge against these thy former Idols; keep no reserve, least thy Religion be Partial and Unpleasant; look back with grief, and redeem it with Duty, sell not thy time for nought, be no more be­guild with toyes, look back with Repen­tance, and before thee with Prudence.

§. 19. It is more then time, also to consider thy Baptismal Engagement. Whereby thou art sworn to GOD, gets [Page 52] his mark and his Cognizance of Christia­nity; Thou must renunce sin and Sata [...] GOD can make thy Baptism Effectual but 'tis by Faith, Repentance and Obedi­ence, that it works in the Adult; Tho [...] must give the Answer of a good Conscienc [...] 1 Pet. 3. 21. to thy Baptism as St. Peter speak [...] thou must wash in the Laver of Regenera­tion, till it produce the new Creature. An [...] draw Vertue, as a living Member from thy Blessed Head.

§ 16. Who is now wise to consider these things? look how the LORD trains thee in his Providence from Childhood to Youth, GOD may bring thee hom [...] with the voice of the Rod: look the [...] what Influence Providence hath upon thy Younger heart, if it be humbled and [...] to receive the Blessings of Religion.

§. 17. And yet; more particularly to direct this ingoverned Age, that needs solidity to keep it from Reeling, [...] the Scripture teacheth thee, 1, to remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth; It is a part and a great part that layes the foun­dation of practical principles, Memento [...] vere & memento Mori: both to remember how to live and how to die. And 2ly. the Scripture bids thee flee youthfull [Page 53] lusts, 2 Tim: 2, 2, 1 What these lusts are thou reads not there, but certainly youth hath its [...] [...]. proper lusts, the vice of their age, of their nature, person and Nation. Yet if thou look to the contrary Vertues which the Apostle there com­mends, as Righteousness, Grace, Faith, Love &c. Thou shalt find, Injustice, Ambition, Animosity, Carnality, Ʋnruliness, Facileness, Broils, Tumults, Contests, and Duels that produceth dearfull deaths, all which are against Charity which the Apostle there commends, bnt thou must follow after Faith, Love, and Peace.

Secondly, Shun idleness and evil Com­pany, beware of the Tavern and Stew, If sinners entice thee, consent thou not, It is a Token that GOD hath called thee, If thou choice a Right Calling; It is time for thee now to think how to live: Every minute of our short day has its Work; Consider then well what Work thou, puts thy Hand to and what Calling, by the Advice of these that are Wiser than thy self, may through GOD's Bles­siing serve thee in this World, and not Impede thy general Calling as a Christian; Let thy Calling not be insnaring but ap­proved, propone not so much Gain as [Page 54] Contentedness: And (as I hinted before) Oeteris paribus, the Holy Calling, of serv­ing under Christ, our great Apostle, and high Priest, is very desireable; For [...] makes Heaven and the Golden Way that tends to it, the greatest Study and [...] o [...] the Candidate; It gives him a Prospec [...] to view the Embellished Toys of a vain World, and occasion to Contempl [...] GOD, and see Things invisible: It make [...] the Man, if he answer his Character, [...] Man of GOD, a guide to the Blind [...] Strength to the Weak, and, according to his measure, a Saviour; For in so do­ing, he shall save his own Soul and them that hears him: And if through the badness of the Soil, he do not alwayes succeed In his Ministry; Yet tho Israel be not gathered, his Reward is with his GOD. 'Tis true, the prejudiced and ignorant World may have other Sentiments, but it knows not the Use, End and Rewards of this Rank of Men: But taking pleasure in their own way, they may Ra [...]e it according to the Relish of their corrupted pallat; And this should not discourage any Engaging or engaged in it; since our Blessed LORD was so raited; that the Prophet sayes, When we see him, there is no beauty in him, [Page 55] that we should desire him. 4ly. Beware of passion, that it predomine not, either in the Irascible or Concupiscible Appetite: Be not too intent upon trifles; but learn to be solide in thy florid Age, shun rashness and feed not upon wind; Particulary, guarde against Carnal Love, which hath been the great bane of many: Wise Solo­mon was intangled with it, tho in the first 7: Chap: of the Prov: he giveth sound coun­sel against this Delirium and Vanity: If in due time with good advice, thou affect a sui­table Mate carry as the Cherubs, with the Propitiatory in the midst, & like the Sun and Moon who never meet, but by the disposition of nature and issues such in­fluences as refresh the earth. 5ly. It is good to season and sweeten thy Humour betimes with Religion, thy Ghostly Enemie hath an evil eye upon thy Genius, and and if he can prostrate thee to a carnal phansie, he gains his point; for if passion and phansie predomine, the better part is put low: But I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome, (or should over­come) the wicked one, 1 Joh. 2. 13. And to soil Satan at first, is our great advantage; Thy thoughts are but indigested till thy heart be established with Grace. Consider [Page 56] thy Talents and gifts, and the rise of the morning of thy life, that thou may manure them; & found well that in thy after life thy building totter not; look back what you have been; you ly a while in the womb, sleeping in a dark Cell, on the Breasts, the dug was your care, while at School, the ferula was your fear and the play your pleasure, thc School was to thee a Prison, and the play house [...] palace, begin therefore well with God, for a careless mind now, may make thee stupid all thy dayes. If thou labour to hide thy sins and thinks to Repent after, thou beguiles thy self, because thou cannot pro­mise to thy self a day after; and tho that day should come thou art not sure that GOD will give thee Grace: principle well and act accordingly. guard against the vice of the time, and of your age and person, be constant and sincere in duty; and never undertake any business of con­sequence, without advice: Moderate your Recreations, and neglect not the Ʋnum necessarium, the one thing needful.

§. 19. And for motives to press this timeous duty of youth; consider. 1. That Early fruit is a seasonable sacrifice to [Page 57] GOD; It is a good thing to begin with GOD, and the sooner thou begins, the Work is the more easie, but if sin take rooting, it is not so soon eradicated; And makes the Sinner, like the Ethiopian, that can not change his hew: But timous beginning in Grace breeds a great deal of Facility to serve GOD, and makes Christs yoak easie: Grace gives thee a come­ly Feature, and Joseph thereby was better adorn'd than his Coat made him; It makes thee Splendid and Honourable, it breeds a satisfying and solide Joy to the Soul, it sweetneth all the accrbities and tedious­ness of Discipline and other Incumbran­ces; And tho Youthful lusts may make it at first a little difficult, yet if thou flee them, and mortify them, and follow after Godliness; The difficultie will over, and Religion will become thy delight. 2ly▪ Remember thy Creator, and consider the examples of Youth that have done so; St. John writes to Young Men, as well as to Fa­thers, and Timothy knew the Scriptures from his Youth; Youth must consider that, tho he bloom & blossom, yet a little blast may much wrinkle and wither him, as the Flower begins to hing its head, and loss much of its beauty and smell, till it [Page 58] fall amongst the portion of weeds: But▪ early Piety is a savoury sacrifice to GOD, to bring to him thy first Fruits. To be sanctifyed from the Womb is extraordi­nary, and in the Womb singular, and to be sanctifyed in Youth, is rare: Ye [...] many Young Men and Virgins gave u [...] their lives for Christ; and wilt thou no [...] sacrifice thy sins for him? O but a ne [...] Heart is pleasant in a Young Breast! A [...] a new sprung Rose sends forth a fragran [...] smell: And in thy Youth thou hast th [...] Advantage of warmer affections; Car [...] and Incumbrances ceaseth upon year [...] but Youth is free to care for the things of [...] LORD; The Young Disciple had war [...] ­est affections, and, if thy love be fix [...] for the right Object, it may be a war [...] Season to produce Fruit. Suffer not [...] therefore to prepossess thine heart, whi [...] may trouble thee all thy dayes, and mak [...] thee possess the sins of thy Youth to th [...] sorrow; And with the Psalmist, have rea­son to pray, Remember not the errors of my Youth, Psal: 25. 7.

§. 20. And, For the further advance­ment of the Piety of Youth; Let the rising Generation consider. 1. The Glory and Dignity of Adoption. 2ly. The Luster and [Page 59] Fragrancy of Grace. 3ly. The Guidance of the Spirit. 4ly. The Guardianship of Angels. 5ly. Their Inheritance. [...]. Then, the Glory and Dignity of Adoption; 'Tis no small mat­ter for to be the Children of GOD, I'le make him my first born higher than the Kings of the Earth. CHRIST became the Son of Man, that thou mightest become the Son of GOD: He was humbled, that rhou mightest be Exalted, and except thou Receive him, thou hast no tittle to Adoption. Joh. 1. 12. Close with Christ, and then thou may lift thy heart and head as high as Heaven, and Glory in thy high descent, tho thou dwell in a house of Clay: be then of a noble Spirit with Caleb. 2ly. The lustre of Grace, which makes thy face to shine with Moses, and makes thee altogether Lovely; O what excelency, and vertue is in the new heart! How Beautious are it's Rayes up­upon the life! Man thereby becomes like himself, and Masters all brutal Passions; Grace is a Ray of GOD, it is all in light, life and love; If it could be seen, it would be fairer than the Sun. It puts such a prin­ciple in thee, that thô sin may infest, yet it shall not prevail because the Seed of GOD Remains in thee, and makes the Righteous man [Page 60] more excellent than his Neighbour. Prov. 12 26. 3ly. The guidance of the Spirit; which is not only the Character, But the Privi­ledge of the Children of GOD: The way­fairing man hath an unerring guide, and tho thou should not lean to a Phanatick and Enthusiastick Spirit, yet in the use of the means, thou must Rely upon the gracious conduct of GOD's Spirit; For, If thou be led by the Spirit, thou art the Son of GOD. Rom. 8 14. 4ly. The Guardian­ship of Angels. The elder Children guard the younger: If thou walk in GOD's way, they get charge over thee. Psal. 91. 11. They rejoice at thy conversion, delight in thy duty▪ and keep thee in all thy wayes. 5ly. The inheritance, All is yours, and ye are Christs, and Christ is GODS; 1 Cor. chap. 3 to the end. Heirs and Co­heirs with CHRIST, and have interest in that inheritance that is incorruptible, with the Saints in light; which should make the World be little in thine eye.

Amen.

STAGE second. From the 22 to the 30 Year of our Age.

§. 1. THe Race of Mans life Rolls on a wheel, and the Spoak that is ascendant, Immediatly goes down and declines; thou shouldest therefore run that thou mayest obtain, improve well the present, because bygone is past, and thou knows not whats before thee: But this thou art sure of, that time passeth as a thought, and Eternity can-not be comprehended with thy thoughts; thon spends thy time here in an Imaginary world: But eter­ni [...] is solid and cannot alter.

§. 2. It will be fit then in this Stage, if thou hast come to any solidity. 1. to [Page 63] look back to thy former wayes; 2ly. To consider what frame thou art now in, as to thy present Circumstances: After which, it being now the ordinary time that man begins to think upon a settled life: Con­sider to enter there-into (especially a mar­ried state) with great deliberation, and be carefull, that thou manage and exer­cise thy particular Calling, by the Rules and measure of Religion; with means to conduct, and lead you in the Right path, and with Seasonable Motives to perswad thee into the duties of a foris-familiated Life, and the Employ of thy Calling: All which are summed up with some serious Reflexion and suitable Devotion.

§. 3. First, I thought upon my former wayes sayeth the Psalmist, Psal, 119. 57. Thou will not get that which is passed, again, nor the Res Gesta, the thing done, undone: But by Repentance, so the Psalmist prayes, Let not the errors of my Youth be remembred. Look that thou leave not an error in the first Region, least thy following Life be not so healthful: If thou leave any In­temperat Work behind, it may turn to A root of Bitterness, Heb. 12. 15. Thou must found well, and bring up your Work upon a right Base; For, alas some [Page] are unhappy for want of Education a [...] Instruction; some abuse and neglect [...] and improve only as to Gifts, but not [...] Grace; They learn a profession but [...] Christ: Let thy heart therefore be ev [...] in the Covenant, thy Faith real, thy Re­pentance unfeigned, and thy Engag [...] ­ments solide; And then thou may ha [...] some clearness and peace as to Religio [...] and Vertue.

§. 4. 2ly. Look to thy present Ten [...] and Temper; O if thou hadst known, e [...] thou in this thy day; Said Christ, wi [...] weeping Eyes to Jerusalem, Luke 19 2 [...] To day if you will hear his Voice, Psal. 81. [...] the end: It is now high time to be wis [...] than before; Thou hast Work enoug [...] adoe both for Time and Eternity: Bu [...] therefore an A [...]k to save thee, tho th [...] World mo [...]k thee, as it did Noah [...] Seek first the Kingdom of GOD, and oth [...] things will be added to thee. Remembe [...] Hoc opus hoc age, is our Motto, There [...] much to be done, and much to be undone in Or­der to Religion: Indulge not sin, Especial­ly garde against a course of sin: Forecast dangers and be as frugal in duty as pos­sible, which will help to fasten thee at the Root, which will not be soon shaken with Temptation.

§. 5. And with this premonition thou must act under GOD for thy self, and thou hadst never more need of right Con­duct than now: This being the ordinary time that Man sets out to a setled Life, and under GOD, good Example, and the Conduct of the Holy Word and Spi­tit, he doth begin to think upon a rela­tive and a conjugal Life; And set up in the Exercise of his particular Calling: It will be fitting that he be led by the Hand, as to both these, by sound and solid Di­rection; And the influence of Motives to excite him to Duty.

§. 6. As to the fifst, it will not be amiss to speak a little to these particulars follow­ing. First, That thou lay a solid Foun­dation by Religion. 2ly. That thou enter into such a serious and lasting state of Life, with the good Advice of GOD, & under him, of those of Experience. 3ly. That thou propose the most pheasable means and good Ends for the Comfort and Contentment of thy Life. 4ly. That thou fall upon the most clear and approved Methods to attain these Ends. And Last­ly, When engaged in this Relation of conjugal Life, that thou carry well there­in, and behave as a solid Christian in [Page 66] thy Family. First, Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that bui [...] it, Psal: 127. 1. See that thou marry i [...] the Lord, and that thou set him befo [...] thee, that he may be at thy Right-hand [...] and keep thy Heart still in His Hand [...] that thy choice may be dexterous an [...] fortunate; learn to be a Christian an [...] Espouse Christ ere thou be a Husband o [...] a wife; for Religion is the bond, the Ble [...] ing, the beauty, and the thrift of thy Relation, and will have a greater influence upon the peace, and prosperity [...] thy family, and the sweet converse [...] the married twain Psal. 128 2. And ma [...] them live together as Heirs of the grace [...] Life. 1 Pet. 3. 7. 3ly. Thou shouldest no [...] enter rashly unto this Covenant; Consi­der what thou does: Seek Counsel at Go [...] and good men, especially of thy Parent [...] Let not Pride, hast, passion, and indiscretion, engage thee to make such an adventure, and if the Council of GOD and good men be wanting, thou mayest be fond this night, and faint to morrow; and begin to repent when it is too late, and canst propose no Remedy, but that which is desperate. 3ly. Have a Right designe before thee; Marry Rationally and with [Page 67] discretion, consider the ends for which GOD has appointed Marriage: And ne­ver think to accomplish them, except thou shape out fit means to obtain them; bewar of Being unequally yoked. Let thy match be suitable, if thou wouldest have it profita [...]le: Consider how thou shalt live in that Relation, that thou may live well in It. Bewar of the Snare of Poverty, nor too greedily look after gain; Keep the midle mean, and that is to propose an honest and unchargeable way of living; Say with Ag: Give me neither Poverty nor Riches, but what's convenient for me. Be not too confident, in that thou art, Perhaps, young and strong to provide for thy self: For thy youth may soon fade, and thy strength decay; a laudable seeking after a creditable way of living is rhy duty that thou have some talent and stock; to use well, which may, by the Blessing of GOD, be improved, and thy Family provided. 4ly. That thou fall upon most clear and approved meth­ods to attain these ends; Besides what is already hinted, thou art to engage in this setled state with consent of Parents, if they be living, for if thou oughtest to honour or obey thy Parents, as GOD's [Page 68] Word directs. Eph. 6. 1. Then thou [...] not be but culpable: If in this thou co [...] contrary to their will: And if the Sc [...] ­ture gives it as a note of Prophane E [...] that by his Marriage, he was a grie [...] heart to Isaac and Rebekah: Whe [...] Jacob followed his Fathers Cou [...] thou shalt find it most agreeable to foll [...] Jacobs Rod, and if thy parents should [...] too tyranical and self willed in this, [...] imped thee for their own ends, or as [...] Apostle to the Hebrews, sayeth in the [...] of Chastisement, for their own pleasu [...] yet shouldst thou be very submiss: B [...] they be unreasonably wilfull, thou ha [...] fuge in the Church, which hath po [...] to call Parents to an account of their t [...] ­ciousness: But this point is so fully h [...] ­led by Divines, and determined by [...] Church, that I shall not enlarge this trea [...] upon it; Only I would commend this [...] ­siness to be orderly done, with all th [...] necessarly previous to its consummat [...] and with suitable solemnities in the [...] of GODs Chnrch, and not after some [...] ­sual Caruse, nor done like a thing [...] dares not hold up its face; but doth [...] and sneak in corners, as the persons eng [...] ­ing were ashamed that it shonld be kno [...] [Page 69] [...] the World; whereas they must give an [...]count of it before GOD, Angels and Men. And make that suspected to the peo­ [...]e which they should approve themselves [...] to their own Consciences, and to the re­ [...]ular Church; The Blessing whereof is not [...] be despised by any private Man. 5ly. [...]o carry Christianly in this Relation, [...]hat Man or Wife make conscience of [...]eir mutual duties; and the main thing [...]hat concerns the Husband is Religious and Conjugal Love to his Wife, which the A­postle so fully presseth. Eph. 5. Gives the Man an excellent Pattern of the free, sin­ [...]ere, full and constant Love of CHRIST to [...]he Church: And the great Specifick of [...]he Wifes duty is Reverence and Obedi­ [...]nce to her Husband as the head: For this Rational and Religious Love of the Hus­band, Will last, when the heats of passi­on shall expire and evanish; And that Reverence and Obedience of the Wife to the Husband, as it will Indear his Heart to her more and more, so shall it make her to be taken among the number of the Godly Women, especi­ally Sarah, 1 Peter, 3 6. Who reverenced her hnsband, and Called him LORD. So that these things being observed, they [Page 70] may be freer for a good Understand [...] among themselves, to govern their Fa [...] ­ly with Discretion, and their Affairs [...] Frugality and Vertue. 2ly. As to y [...] entrance into the Exercise of your P [...] ­cular Calling, be well advised that it q [...] ­drate with thy General Calling, as a Chri [...] ­an; Be as vertuous as thou may, but [...] not thy Bussiness hinder thee from worki [...] out the Work of thy own Salva [...]ion: [...] ­gin and end the Day with GOD, a [...] seek first the Kingdom of GOD a [...] His Righteousness, Mat. 6. 20. And ne [...] say that thou hast not time, For, if th [...] improve thy time with Frugality, th [...] will never want leasure to seek and se [...] GOD: It is to be feared thou wants Wi [...] and there lyes the root of the evil. Th [...] would also take care to Employ thy se [...] well in an approved Calling: Beware [...] the snares thereof, keep a good Consci­ence, let the Word of GOD, and no [...] Interest rule thy Conscience; Be hone [...] in thy Calling, beware of fraud an [...] sneaking wayes, and work not in th [...] Calling to be called a Cheat; Take right [...] Measure, true Ballance, and the same Weights; otherwayes thy Tricks are an Abomination to the LORD. Consult the [Page 71] most approved Proportions for thy gain: [...]nd if thou be engaged in the laborious Work of the Husband-Man, let Grace [...]uide thy Georgicks; And consider that in [...] beginning, such a Calling payed Fruits [...]o GOD, Gen: 4. 3. He makes the ground [...]st up to thee, and brutish Animals [...]eed thee, Cloath thee and serve thee: The LORD brings food out of the Earth, Psal: 104. 14. And makes the senseless Clod and Tur [...] produce Corn and Grain; And all thy Labour without His Blessing will not profit thee; Thou canst therefore have no excuse to neglect Religion in thy most busie Employment. It will be good also that thou be a keeper at home, and be not like a Bird that wanders from his Nest. Let no sinful diversion, (especially the Tavern) take thee away from thy Trade: And (if thou enclines to Religion) follow not the guise of the Times, be not carryed about with every wind of Doc­trine: Rather follow the Faith of the Orderly Church, For, it is very danger­ous, for love to a Sect, to cutt the Church, and break the Staves of Beauty: For, as long as thou reels with this giddy humour, thou canst not well fix in a solid course of Religion. And Lastly, Beware of Discord [Page 72] and Division, in thy family; For, [...] consumes the Substance thereof, mak [...] many careless and desperate, is an En [...] ­my to all th [...]i [...]t; For, A house divi [...] cannot stand.

§. 7. And for the management, b [...] of thy conjugal Relation, and calling [...] must here in the beginning of thy sett [...] ­ment, Recommend unto thee, dom [...] ­tick devotion and [...]amily worship; a du [...] that none of the seed of Jacob should [...] ­cline, it being their Fathers practice, wh [...] house was a Bethel to GOD, a little Te [...] ­ple for the LORD of Glory; who h [...] this duty brought down to him from [...] famous Grandfather, Faithful Abrah [...] who is commended for the Religious G [...] ­vernment of his Family, whose steps [...] sau treased a man much of Contemp [...] ­tion at home: And thô Jacob h [...] Greater incumbrance, and a more nu [...] ­erous family; Yet his house, as well [...] person, was consecrated to GOD. a [...] not only the Jews, but also Christia [...] should follow the Steps of these Vener [...] Patriarchs to be lively portractures of th [...] vertues, as Images of their nature. A [...] this duty is so proper to the family, th [...] before the Church was enlarged, [...] [Page 75] Master or Father of the House was [...]iest, and did officiate in the dayly S [...] ­ [...]ifice at home: And when the Church [...] made more ample, it is constitute of [...]amilies, which, if Heterogenius to the [...]ody, they are but useless and corrupt [...]embers: Whereas the Families of the Faithful are blessed of GOD: And His [...]rath power'd out upon such families as all not upon His Name, Jer: 10. 25. Joshua, that great Cap [...]ain of the LORDS [...]ost; did not suffer his military Affairs [...] hinder him, and his House to serve GOD, tho all Israel should neglect it; David after him, in the midst of a Bloom­ [...]g State, under the burthen of a Crown and Countrey: Yet walked Righteously in his House; And every Tribe & Family is called to pray and mourn a part, Zech: 12. 13. And the Gospel hath set up this Duty clearly, Christ hath promised to be among the midst of two or three conveened in his Name; And we read of the Church being in particular Houses, and the Centurion feared GOD with all his House, Acts 10 2. And Christ hath made [...] a Royal Priesthood, and a Holy Gene­ration. And this doth rather prepare for, than invade, a setled order of a Priesthood; [Page 74] Private and Publick duty doth not inter­fere and Clash; Thou must not only pray for thy Family, but pray in thy Family. Is the LORD the GOD of all the Familys of the Earth, and not of thine? Shalt thou wish GOD a Catholick service, and cutt of thy Family by schisme This were to joyn thy House to another GOD, or else to have none at all. Let all Houses then that Smoak, Smoak with Sacrifices to GOD, for the House of the Godly is under a special Protection, his Eyes are open to their Prayers; GOD is a Shadow and Covert over the Roof of such Families: It's good To declare his Faithfulness every night, and his Loving Kind­ness every morning, Psal: 92. 2. Let the People praise Thee, O LORD let all the People praise Thee. And Lastly, This Duty of Family Devotion may be called Ezekiels Sign and Mark, that saves from the destroying Angel, and if any trouble fall out, GOD knows how to deliver the Godly out of Temptations. This Fami­ly worship, is the great Characteristick of a Christian, it makes thy House thy Home, and gives thee Repose in thy Pe­rigrination, it makes thy house a Duty­ful Tenement to the Great Land-Lord, [Page 75] it payes due Rent to GOD, it is the Bond and Beauty of thy House, and makes thy Family, like Jerusalem, compact together.

§. 8. Let every Christian then Regard Domestick duty, which is so necessary and useful to guide the family, and to consecrate and cover thy house, which if thou Rule well with discretion and good Government, thou shall find some leasure, if it were but as long as to take thy Brakefast, thou may conveen thy family, and joyn together and seek GOD, it would never hinder thy busi­ness, but rather advance it; if thou pre­tend thy ignorance, it is much to be imputed to thy own fault, and the ne­glect of thy Soul: And if you say it is not, the custom of many of your Rank: Alas! You are ready to follow an evil cus­tom, but to imitate what is good you have neither heart nor hand: yet I am loath to leave thee in such neglect, and therefore for meaner Capacities, I shall subjoyn the Practice of Domestick Devo­tion, and family Worship.

STAGE Third. Which commenceth from the 30 to the [...] year of our age, or there about: which be­ing a very material part of our Life, I shall, for clearness sake, consi­der in three courses.

1. Of the Ordering thy person, Famil [...] and walking in the pathes of Vert [...] and Religion.

2. A Discourse to several Ranks of peopl [...] with all seriousness and modesty.

3. What fine your labour in Vertue, Pi­ety, Good Government of your lif [...] and family, and the progress of your Re­ligion, the ordering of your House, and the setting forth of your Children [...] to Laudable and Lawfull callings and settlement, hath come to?

STAGE First.

1. EVery man should know himself, and every Good man is intent upon this study; he should now be so solid as to recollect himself, and to draw his life as in a little Map, and that so im­partially, that the Blemishes as well as a­ny vertue may appear. Thou has an im­partial and penetrating Eye, to see thee, a perfect Rule to direct thee, which if thou follow, thou hast a well informed consci­ence [...] admonish thee, and the Wisdom [Page 121] of GOD to make thee Cast a Right ac­count of thy life; for which thou art with a pious curiosity to enquire into these parti­culars following. 1. If thou hast unfeignedly repented of all thy former Sins? 2ly. If there be yet any Residive humour of folly in thee? 3 ^ly If thou findest any thing of true grace and Divine Nature in thee? 4ly. If thy heart do not condemn thee? As St Paul sayes. 1. Cor. 3. 4. I know nothing by my self, yet am I not hereby justified. 5ly. How thou art resolved to encounter the Tryals of this Stage. 6ly, If thou has defeated all delayes and finds thy thy self now intent upon the one thing necessary. 7ly. Whats the product of thy particular and General calling.

A Continuation of this STAGE. From 50 to 70. and to the uttermost extent of Mans Life.

§. 1. ALtho many fall ere they arrive to this stage of Life, Yet since GOD hath given it, and does give it, to some to teach the length; thou art serious­ly to consider thy Duty, and how thou may improve it to the best, which through Grace may be done; If 1. thou labour to arrive at any pitch of Wisdom 2. If thou be well resolved to encounter and endure incident personal afflictions; 3ly. What account thou can give of thy self to GOD and Man. 4. If through CHRIST helping thee thou labours to perfection. 5. If thou be running thy Race in the good fight of Faith. 6ly. If thou be bu [...]ie now in ripening thy self for Heaven, 7ly. If thou dayly pre­pare for Death, and have thy. Soul fixed upon wing to flee to yonder Regions, where CHRIST is? And last of all, to consider the means and motives to advance these.

§. [...]. First, If now thou hast arrived [...]o any pitch of Wisdom. The Apostle James Gives a full direction as to this, Who is a wise Man among you? let him shew forth [Page 132] by a good Conversation with Meekness Wisdom. For as the Fear of GOD is beginning of Wi [...]dom, so it compleats Wisdom forseeth and is provident, F [...] ­rageth with vain confidence; Wisd [...] makes thee a wise Virgine to provide [...] in thy Lamps; it directeth and clear [...] your affairs, it puts thy house and Soul order, and it keeps a clear account by good conscience, since GOD is the J [...]d [...] and knoweth all things: And now its h [...] time that thy Wisdom appear to ma [...] thee wise unto Salvation, otherwise i [...] but, worldly wit, For true Wisdom is Si [...] ­plicity, heavenly sincerity and accurate walkin [...] which as it makes thee useful in thy Ge [...] ­ration [...] So makes it thy face to shine, a [...] ­elevates thee to a clearer orb, there to R [...] ­main as a fixed Star.

§. 3. 2ly. What resolutions thou [...] h [...] to encounter incident personal afflictio [...] Afflictions spring not out of the dust, bu [...] they attend dust & ashes; they flow from many causes: And now in thy declin­ing age, thou art to encounter with the de­cay of a frail Body, occasioned By ob­structions, Rehums, distillations, and ma­nifold distempers, which requires a great deal of fortitude and firmitie of mind, to [Page 133] [...]dure and improve; together with all inci­ [...]ent tryals from without, that are appoint­ [...]d for thee, which thou should sweeten by [...]e consideration of Christ's sufferings. [...]rm thy self with patience, and poise thy [...]elf with Christian Contentment, in all [...]he counterbu [...]s of tryal, know with the A­ [...]ostle, How to be abased, and how to be ex­ [...]lted, through Christ strengthening thee. Phil. 4. 12.

§. 4ly. What account thou can give of thy self to GOD and man. Every one must give account of himself to GOD: enquire then if thou hast any register of thy diurnal and Annual accounts; if thy conscience doth report to thee, that thou art serious in Religion, and dissintangled from any affection to sin, and false way; which if thou find, as it will afford great peace, so will it commend thee to Men, especially to such as deserve the name of Men, and thou shalt, by such accuracy, deservedly get the name of a good, wise and honest man, and go off the Stage of time, with a Euge and an ap­plause, well done good and faithful servant, en­ter into thy Masters joy. Matt. 28. 21.

§. 5. 4ly. If thou through CHRIST [Page 134] helping thee, labours to perfection. It is t [...] nature of Grace still to grow, and such [...] are planted in the LORDS house, by [...] hand off GOD, bring forth fruit in th [...] old age, there is no time for sloth, [...] Man be now as to his outwardframe, mu [...] ab [...]agendo, yet the Spirit is loosing and nearer Heaven, and hath more of Heav [...] and so the inner Man is renewed day [...] day, and thou canst do all things throu [...] CHRIST strenghning thee; if thy dut [...] be lame, and thy graces weak, thou m [...] ­strive to make them up, and labour [...] square thy self by Religion, for that [...] which lyeth four square; let no part [...] thee be without its policy, that thou ma­attain unto that perfection that can [...] reached here.

§. 6. 5ly. If thou be running thy Ra [...] in the good fight of Faith? Thou must no [...] stop till thou come to the end, and ob­tain the prize, and tho thy limbs be no [...] weak, thy faith should be strong, an [...] thy Soul vigorous, to take Heaven [...] Violence.

§. 7. 6ly. If thou be busie now in ripen­ing thy self for Heaven; As thy Soul should be purified, so should it be ready and all in white, with the holy Vesture of the [Page 135] Wedding Garment, that thus adorned thou mayest meet the Bridegroom; The world now may clog thee, but it should be little in thy Eye, for it is empty, and nothing can satisfie thy Soul but GOD, and thy thus continuated Grace must take fire with the sparks of Divine Love, till it be consummate in Glory, and thou attain to the Regions of Love, Life, Peace, and Joy.

§. 8. 7 ^ly If thou dayly prepare for death, and have thy Soul upon readiness. Thou must now wait the Gail of Grace, with a Calm and comfortable Air, to conduct thee to thy fathers house: death hath al­ready entered thy windows, ceased upon thy faculties and loosed thy Tabernacle, and there remains but little of animal and Vital Spirit in thy [...]ead and heart; Thou shouldst now have thy Loyns girt up, and be ready to shake of thy fetters when thy Master calls, that thou mayest resolutely render up thy Soul into the hands of a Faithfull Creatour. And,

§. 9. 8ly, Come I now, to consider the Means & Motives to advance this. Beside all that has been said, the great [...]ean now to be used, consists in Consideration, Action, and Devotion: To con [...]ider well where ye are, and whither ye tend; If every thing [Page 136] relating to Eternity, be well ordered [...] disposed; If Faith and Repentance [...] had their perfect Work; And if n [...] thou be disposing thy [...]elf by Heave [...] Mindedness, that with thy Eyes clo [...] upon the World, thy faith; as a prosp [...] beholds in the Heavenly Visions of so [...] and serious Contemplation, the Glori [...] thy Fathers House. To which thou m [...] add sincere Devotion, and by a consta [...] Course of lively Prayer, labour to atta [...] unto the Land of Praise. For which [...] thing can be added by way of Moti [...] more useful, than the consideration [...] thy Heavenly Aid, to help and assist th [...] in duty; with the proposal of that grea [...] Recompence of Reward, that is laid u [...] for thee in Heaven; with all that Lov [...] the appearing of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

§. 10. And altho in this stage of thy Li [...] (to which few attai [...]n) thou must make use of thy stock, and live upon it as a Be [...] doth in Winter upon hony; & tho through the Infirmity of Old Age the outward Or­gans be much weakened, & the inward fa­culties not as before, yet must thou bring forth fruit in old age Psal: 92. 14. & as much as possible Guard against that which is called [Page 137] Dottleness; by dissentangling thy self [...]rom the cares and affairs of the World, and labour, by wisdom and wariness, to keep thy self from the weakness of a Cra­zy Brain, and a fible mind; that thou do not much affect converse, except that with GOD, who is the Ancient of dayes, that thou lean not to thy memory; but learn of St. James To be swift to hear and slow to speak; and that through the direction of GOD, Thou follow the Patriarchs in old, and the Primitive Fathers under the new dispensation, as Polycarp, St. Johns disciple, who Vigorously Endured his Tryal in the 86 year of his Age Eus: Hist: li [...]. 5. Cap. 15.: and to seek in to the GOD of Wisdom, that thy Judgement and intellectuals be clear, which is a mercy that should be much sought after by all: that thus, the strength of thy mind may be fresh after the toils of thy life, and that thou esteem the mer­cy of GOD, that has lengthned thy dayes on earth, against long and everlasting E­ternity; And that thô GOD for Holy ends may remove some, who are hopefull in the very Bud, and Alas! Thô many hasten their own fate, and shorten their [Page 138] dayes, by misdiet, Passion and foll [...] Yet if thou persevere in the way of right [...] ousnses, thou shall have the advantag [...] of great experi [...]nces, and have a fre [...] and nearer prospect of the promised land every hour looking for Eternity, an [...] with old Simeon, waiting the LORD's pas [...] and not only Dye with Christ in thy arm [...] but in thy heart.

STAGE Second OF The Quatuor Norissima, or feur Last things: and how Man is to improve himself in the Consideration of th [...]se.

§. 1. IT is a great Mercy while we last and endu [...]e, that the last things be minded: For the longest Day will come to an Even; and these last things are so new that they never change, except that the last Enemy, Death will be des­tro [...]ed, 1 Cor: 15. 26. It suits well then with a Christian, to be well setled as to these. Tria sunt omnia, said some of the Phi­losophers, but four things are necessary, sayeth the Scripture, and it is the Ʋnum N [...]ssarium, The one thing needfull to know the [...]e practically: for what more certain than D [...]ath? What mo [...]e searching than Judgement? W [...]a [...] more dreadfull than Hell? And what m [...]re comfortable than Heaven? Take then a View of them, for thy Christian pr [...]fi [...].

STAGE Third. Treateth of such things as the serious Con­sideration of Eternity should suggest.

ss. 1. The best way to conceive Eternity is to read the WORD that endureth for ever; and to improve our short time, and well digest in our mind; What will be for ev­er more; it is impossible in this mortal state [Page 164] to have full conceptions of Eternity, for we Roll in a course of time; O [...] thoughts are measured by dayes a [...] years. We should not therefore too mu [...] by speculation, pore upon this Vast E [...] ­pansion, least instead of clear conceptio [...] we turn confused. Rest therefore [...] mind in these modest considerations. I. th [...] Eternity is the O [...]b of the Eternal GO [...] & as by searching, we cannot find out th [...] Almighty (for no man can see GOD a [...] live) so we cannot conceive of Eterni [...] It is only Faith that gets satisfaction [...] this matter, while Curiosity lyes in th [...] dark. Eternity is much hidden from M [...] tals, therefore we should not enquire [...] it, since it is hidden: Look well then [...] thy duty in order to Eternity, and lea [...] the uptaking, till thou be more capacita [...] by the Beatifick vision; delay till tho [...] come to Eternity, and then thou shall be satisfied; be very busie here, because tho [...] wo [...]ks for Eternity.

ss. 2. 2ly. After this life we shal be like th [...] Angels, of nimble conception, but no [...] such knowledge is too high for us, it [...] supra nos, in the instant of our life, and the [...] fore as to speculation, Non ad nos, in th [...] [Page 165] [...]nterim of time; We can scarcely con­ [...]eive of time, much less of Eternity: our [...]ith promp [...]s us to Prepare for Eternal life [...]t not to stand, and pore in the Sun, [...]ast we dazel our Eyes and fall in the [...]itch. It is our Wisdom then to number [...]wr dayes in time, because we cannot number the Ages of Eternity: these two words Never and Ever have great emphasis; O sad! To be never happy and ever miserable! O Bles [...]ed thing, to be ever happ [...] and never miserable; Sow then, the good seed for Eternity, and fix thy house so in time as to bring thee through all the storms of life; to have a house with GOD Eternal in the Heavens, lay up treasure [...]o [...] your self in heaven, which may man­tain you World without end, work with in­tense projects for Eternity; every seed we sow in our finite life tends to infinity, and let a sinner be still stated in his formercirum [...] stances, he would sin in infinitum, and never cease to be evil: And this is the reason that some of the School men give for the Eternal punishment of sin; For a sinner, as a sinner, would live in a per­p [...]tual emnit [...] against GOD, but the seed sown by the Godly, has a great vertue, [Page 166] to spring in time, and last to Eternity where Grace is crowned with Glor [...] We should therefore, like Noah, build a [...] Ark to carry us through the storms of Lif [...] and make us ar [...]ive on a mountain, mu [...] more fixed than Ararat; there to dwell [...] Eternal Splendors; for Mount [...]ion [...] not be removed. Ex [...]rcise then your Gra [...] aright, that your Faith may end, in se [...] ing your hope in Fruition, and your labour in Rest.

Amen.

STAGE Last,

ss. 1. I Should thus concluded; were not, that I cannot well ommit to vent my Lamentation, for the great neglect, and decay of practical Religion; and speak something concerning the Devotion used in this Treatise.

ss. 2. And First, Of that Pathetick threne and regrate for the great Declensi­on of Christian piety and practice, which has been well handled by an unknown Au­thor and others some years ago: But alas time hath still produced great Causes of Regrate: For, such is the Impietie, Irreli­gion, and immoralit [...] of the most part of men under the Christian Name; that the first Propogators of this excellent Religion, so perfective of humane Nature, would now misken the Christian Chutch, and see nothing but a Rudera and Confusion, in stead of the well compact beauty of Zion: For even they that pretend to be the true [Page 168] Church, and would inhance the whole Prerogatives thereof, to their own Romis [...] Sect: What errors of Doctrine? What corruption of Worship? What Iameness of Morals is among them, I leave it to any such serious men as travels into these places: What darkness and ignorance? What prophanity? What leaudness and abomi­nation is there, is but too Visible to all the World; Moreover, that Church that car­ries that Glorious Name of Protestant, and Reformed, is much deformed and degenerate in manners from the practice of the purest primitive times: And GODS Laws are violated by a p [...]o­phane age, Christs Gospel, Offices, in stitutious and Ministers are all vili­fied, contemned, dissowened, and almost utterly rejected by our licentious Age, and wicked Generation. O What boldness of Men! affrontedly in the f [...]ce of the Sun, to incroatch & invade all things Sacred: what swearing for swearing, what profanity, what pe [...]jur [...]; does the great part of the Chris [...] tian World manifest, that not like Moses in a [...]i [...]t of Z [...]al breaks both Tables; but in a course of i [...]pious madness, they say, Come let us break the bonds of the Lord and His Anointed assunder, They have [Page 169] said in their hearts that there is no GOD: and as to the Universal decay of Religion it may be now said comparatively, There is none that doth good, no not one; And they act the worst of crimes habitually, and with freedome; they deny GOD by their works, and so live as if they had a new Creed, and espoused the Anathema of ano­ther Gospel, to believe and so live as if GOD had forsaken the Earth, Ezek: 9. 9. and t [...]at he, Whose Eyes see, and his E [...]e-lids try the Children of Men, did indulge and allow them to lick up the Vomit, that the Hea­then hath cast our, and to be much more wicked than their Fathers. Follow the most of men, even to that peece of For­mality, which is all their Religion, in coming to the Church, ye may hear some of them, cursing, swearing, laughing, rag­ing, as men intoxicat with Mammon and Sensuality; Behold them in the Church, [...]ou shall see them as dull as the seats they sit upon; And follow them from the Church, ye shall find some of them haunt­ing the Tavern, and others wandering and erri [...]g, as if they had not a GOD to fear, nor a Soul to save; And amongst many, as little Religion in their Family, as among their Oxen, Isa [...] 1. 3. Is not this [Page 170] then a Lamentation, and for a Lamentati­on? Is not the LORDS Wrath to be fear­ed, that he will be avenged on such a Nation [...] [...]bis; The World now in the last times is secure as the old world, before the De­luge, and that which aggravates all, [...]ew or none lay it to heart.

§. 3. It will not he amiss then, modest­ly to enquire into the Case, The Cause, and the Cure or Remedy, of this sad declension o [...] the Church.

§. 4. First, The Case, is both sad and singular, against such Grace, such Light, and such wonderous Demonstration of the Love of GOD, to Man; to sin against Love, Light and Mercy, and all the En­dearments of Heaven; to sin against the Coming of the LORD JESUS His Word, His spirit, His Blood and Powerful Inter­cession: The sin of the old World had it [...] own aggravation, that it was Epidemick, that all flesh had corrupted its way, and against the Pathetick Preaching of Noab, before the Deluge: The sin of the Jews was also very great, against the Indulgence, and the peculiar Instances of Mercy to that people, that GOD in a manner in the or­dinary strains of reclaiming people, Could not done more Isa: 5. 5. and it was their great [Page 171] gratitude that makes the LORD by His Prophet complain, That he had nourished and brought up people that had rebelled against Him; which is such an amazing transgr [...]ssion, that it ma [...] be very well, with the Pro­phet expostulated, Be astonished O ye Heavens, &c: Isa. 1. 2. For my people hath committed two evils, they have forsaken Me the Fountain of Living Waters, and digged to themselves broken Cisterns, that can hold no water: And altho GOD did punish them with the Assyrian and Babylonish Rod. after which, upon their Repentance, H [...] restored them; yet, when the cup of their sin, came to the brim, as that of the Ammonites before them, He did with great Indignation, destroy that City, and People, and aban­doned them to perpetual Exile: Yet, after all this, there was some hope of Out­gate, a new dispensation to follow; And the Son of GOD came in the flesh to save both Jews and Gentiles: But good LORD! Where shall the corrupt Christian appear? that hath rejected Christ, and the Gloti­ous [...]eams of His Light: For, if they es­caped not who despised Moses Law, Of how much sorer punishment shall the [...] be accounted werthy, who have trampled under foot, the blood of the Covenant? What can they now forsee, [Page 172] but look for a firy Indignation! and hav [...] nothing to stand in the gap, against th [...] wrath of an angry God: And if this Gospe [...] be not a powerful enough engine to cu [...] and heal them, they cannot expect ano­ther, nor other Terms, nor another He [...] ­venly Messenger, to come down to sav [...] them: What remains then? but Despera­tion and dismal dread our, of that wrath which shall burn in great fervor, upo [...] that Miserable Victim; that exposed miscrea [...] that hath no Sacrifice nor Propitiatory, to present, but himself, to be a miserable Vi [...] ­tim to eternal fire; and that which make [...] this Case yet the more sad, is the consi­deration of that inavoidable Judgement, that cannot but fall upon such that have slighted the opportunities of Grace, and sinned against the whole Series of GODS Love, and infinite Mercies.

§. 5. 2ly. As to the cause of this sad Case, it lyes in the corrupt Nature of Man, which tho it may be closed up for a time, when the Church is in Vigour, yet as a sluse of Water that is restrained for a while to run; it comes out with the greater force when it gets any liberty, and makes the man like a Brute, without Fetters; to run at random, and so they cast off the [Page 173] tyes of Religion, and turn either brutal or devilish, and take pleasure to greati­fie their Lusts in the Expressions of the Irrascible or Concupiscible appetite; and in Regard this Excellent Religion of Christianity, Puts a stop to their Carrier; If they were not deaf and unreasonable, they Reject it while they grow worse and worse, and sin without fear, and keep thei [...] Delilahs in their bosom, notwith­standing of the dreadful Threatnings of the wrath of GOD: So that having their Eves darkned, and being alienated from the life of GOD, they run to all excess of Riot, and work wickedness with greediness, in which continuing, in the frequency of use, they habitually sin against GOD, and cannot more change their customs, than the Ethtopian can change his hew, and beeing thus separated from GOD, they are turned into brutal savagness, with Nebuchadnezar, and so provoke GOD to give them up to a Judicial stroak, and leave them [...] the GOD of this World, to blind their [...], least the Light of the Glorious Gospel should Shine upon them, 2 Cor. 4. 4. Tha [...] as their opportunities of Light and Grace, were the more ample, being under the dispensation of the Blessed Gospel, thei [...] [Page 174] Judgement and dreadful Declension from the way of GOD, is the more dreadful and criminal; That as St. Peter sayeth it had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness, than after they had known it, to turn from the Holy Commandment; And being thus Stricken of GOD, they are glad of licentious times, and an arm­less Church, that every one may do accord­ing to the Imagination of his wicked heart.

§. 6. 3ly. We may easily then perceive what will be the proper cure of this. And that is, that the Gospel of CHRIST and the Oeco­nomy of His House be received and punc­tually observ [...]d, for in effect the Gospel of it self is such a powerful Engine, even the Power of GOD unto Salvation Rom: 7. 16. that if it were not opposed by the petty power of Men, (and GOD may suffer this for good and holy ends) it would certain­ly make a sensible change in the Christi­an World. This Gospel not only pressing and propounding a pure Faith and also good manners, and impartially distribut­ing to every Rank their Duty, It cannot be suffered in this Luxurient and Wanto [...] Age, when the lusts of Men, not the Gol [...] pel carries the sway; And further, if th [...] methods of Christs Oeconomy, for the go­vernment, [Page 175] and the Education of His Dis­ciples, were not despised, and not consi­dered; all would be observant of their Station and Relation: But alas! Bap­tism and Baptisma [...] Engagements, are very little headed by Parents or Children, and Confirmation is either not in use, or not in force; And the Keyes both of Doctrine and Discipline, are cunningly thrusted out of the Churches hands: and the great Men of the World will have it so, and the most of Men hate restraint, and there­fore love to have it so: but let the Godly humble and mourn for all this, and pray that the Gospel may yet have its Native Power, and the Sacraments and the Dis­cipline of CHRIST have their Genuine force, that the Church may be yet Patro­nised and become fair as the Moon, beauti­ful as the Sun, and terrible as an Armie with Banners; Cant. 3. 6. Then would Religi­on shine in its glory, then would diffe­rences be healed, and good and bad be discovered; then People would return to the LORD with their faces thitherwa [...]d; then would GODS Day, [...]rdinances and Ministers Be punctually looked to, and respected, then would GOD be set up in the Houses and Hearts, profession and [Page 176] practices of Men, and a golden Age woul [...] be Restored, that all the Godly migh [...] cry, grace to the work, and Glory to the Worke [...].