Compassionate Counsel to All Young Men, Chapter 1
Compassionate COUNSEL TO ALL Young-Men.
Especially,
I. LONDON-Apprentices.
II. Students of Divinity, Physick, and Law.
III. The Sons of Magistrates and Rich Men.
By RICHARD BAXTER.
LONDON, Printed by T. S. and are to be Sold by B. Simmons, and Ionath. Greenwood, at the Three Golden Cocks at the West End of St. Pauls, and at the Crown in the Poultry. 1681.
The CONTENTS.
Chap. 1. Prefatory.
Ch. 2. Of what grand Importance the Case of Youth is to themselves, that betimes they live to God.
Ch. 3. Of what publick Concernment the quality of Youth is.
Ch. 4. How the Case standeth with our Youth in matter of Fact.
Ch. 5. How sad the Case of many of them is.
Ch. 6. The joyful State and Blessing of good Children to themselves and others.
Ch. 7. Vndeniable Reasons for the speedy Repentance of those that have miscarried: By way of Exhortation.
Ch. 8. Directions to them that are willing to amend.
Ch. 9. Special Counsel to the Candidates for the Ministry.
Ch. 10. Short Counsel to young Students in Physick.
Ch. 11. Short Counsel to young Men in the Inns of Court, that study the Law.
Ch. 12. Short Counsel to the Sons of Nobles and Magistrates.
Ch. 13. Some Memorials to Parents.
Ch. 14. A short Word to Church Ministers for Youth.
To the YOUTH of London, (and the rest of England) Richard Baxter's Last and Compassionate Warning and Advice.
CHAP. I.
THere is no man that ever understood the Interest of Mankind, of Families, Cities, Kingdoms, Churches, and of Jesus Christ the King and Saviour, but he must needs know that the right Instruction, Education, and Sanctification of Youth is of unspeakable consequence to them all. In the place where God most blest my labours (at Kidderminster, in Worcester-shire) my first and greatest success was upon the Youth. And (which was a marvellous way of Divine Mercy) when God had toucht the hearts of young Men and Girles with a love of goodness, and delightful obedience to the truth, the Parents and Grandfathers who had grown old in an ignorant worldly State, did many of them fall into liking and love of Piety, induced by the love of their Children, whom they perceived to be made by it, much wiser and better, and more dutiful to them. And God by his unexpected disposing Providence, having now twenty years placed me in and near London, where in variety of places and conditions, (sometimes under restraint by men, and sometimes at more liberty) I have Preached but as to Strangers, in other mens Pulpits as I could, and not to any special flock of mine, I have been less Capable of judging of my success: But by much experience have been made more sensible of the Necessity of warning and instructing youth, than I was before. The sad reports of fame have taught it me: The sad Complaints of mournful Parents have taught it me: The sad observation of the wilful impenitence of some of my acquaintances tells it me. The many score if not hundred bills that have been publickly put up to me, to pray for wicked and obstinate Children have told it me. And by the grace of God, the penitent Confessions, Lamentations, and restitutions of many Converts have more particularly acquainted me with their Case. Which moved me on my Thursdays Lecture a while to design the first of every month, to speak to youth and those that educate them.
And though I have already loaded the world with books, finding that God seems to be about ending my life and labours, I am urged in my mind by the greatness of the case to add yet this Epistle to the younger sort. Which shall contain I. The great importance of the Case of youth. II. How it stands with them in matter of fact. III. What are the Causes of their sin and dangerous degeneracy. IV. How great a blessing wise and godly youth are to themselves and others. V. How great a plague and calamity the ungodly are. VI. What great reason ungodly sensual youth have, presently to Repent and Turn to God. VII. Directions to them how to do it. VIII. And some Directions to Parents about their Education. And all must be with the Brevity of an Epistle.