The Young Mans Monitor, Title page 1 – Errata
The Young Mans Monitor.
OR A modest Offer toward the Pious, and Vertuous Composure of Life FROM Youth to Riper Years.
By Samuel Crossman, B.D.
Wherewithal shall a Yo…ng man cle…nse his way? By taking heed th…reto according to thy Word,
Psal. 11 99.
Verecundo Adolescence quid amabilius? Pera
Gratum est, quod patriae civem, populoque dedisti;
Si facis, ut Patriae sit idoneus, &c. Iuvenal.
Lo…do…, Printed by I.H. and are to be sold by S. Thompson, at the Bishops head in St. Pauls Church-yard, and T. Parkhurst, at the three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside, near the Conduit. 1664.
The Epistle to the Reader: More particularly to Parents.
Courteous Reader!
YOu are here presented with these ensuing Pages, intended for the endearing of God, and the bringing up a good report upon Piety, and Vertue, in the hearts, and hearing of Young Persons, if by any means the Generation now rising up might become (what we are all so justly desirous they should be)*… S…g…s Buling. a real blessing to the next Age.†P…e…itia citra pu…ilitatem, ad … is … … habitu… sequa…. E…asm. C…ne. de pu. les. Wisely taken off from the Follies, and Vices of Youth; timely and truly perswaded to the love of all goodness; and in conclusion, (as Origen to his Father) the dear joy of Parents; *Eu… ci…, & felix pro…e…ies, in qua Parentes renovati; ut quasi secundo vivere incipiant, qui alioqui statim desicer…nt. Calvin.the happy revival of their fading life; the praise and beauty of the Land.
The Paper (such as it is) was first sent as a more private Letter to the Children, and Servants of some Friends, for their encouragement and direction in the good waies of God: though since thus far enlarged, as you now receive it.
The truth is, the season under which it was drawn up, both then, and now, was unto flesh and bloud sadning enough; and too disadvantagious to the competent rendring a work of this nature (as the words of the wise had need be) acceptable, and set in some good order, for the gaining of the shie affections of Youth to any good resentment, or acceptance of their own welfare.
But what God in his high wisdom appoints, we must not sinistrously charge with harshness or folly. What he is pleased inwardly to sweeten, we may not ungratefully call bitter, nor unadvisedly open our lips with uncomely complaints thereof.Lam. 3.22 It is of his (free and dear) mercies (must we all say, and that chearfully too) that we are not consumed.
Reader! you are not, neither shall you here be challenged into the fields of Contention. Nature indeed is very forward (as the Disciple in the Gospel) to draw its Sword: but we scarce any of us well know, (though we are all too favourable interpreters of our selves) what spirits we are of. So easie is it to mistake carnal passion, (for that which is far higher and more divine) a truly gracious composure in Religion.
We might all too truly confess with the Father;*Ecclesi…e nomine armamini, & contra E…clesiam dimicatis. Aug. We can easily arm on almost all sides, under those golden names of God, and his Church: and yet as readily turn the Cannons mouths in conclusion against them both.
It may justly become the sore lamentation, which we may all mournfully take up for these last daies; That Peace, the sweetest of mercies, the sum and scaling up of all other blessings (as the*foreignPax oma… um benedictionum sigillum, & obsig…atio est. Abaib. (Iewes so chearfully delight to call it) is through our great unworthiness judicially taken away from amongst the Sons of men. Love, the rich, and precious perfume of life, the peculiar character of the true Disciple, the pathetical recommendation of a dying Saviour, how is it (as the beauty of Israel) fallen in the streets! Nobleness, and Sweetness of spirit are put away as strangers, that have no form nor comliness in them. A common good (the great and just concernment of all) how, oh! how is it unknown, unregarded of most? It may lie (like him in the Gospel) wounded upon the rode, and yet scarce any that turns aside to comfort it, or to shew any friendly kindness to it.
A Catiline (saies the*Catilinam quocu…que in populo videas, quocu…qu… sub a…e▪ s…d aec Brutus crit, Bruti nec, a… culus usquam. Juv. Sa…yrist) a troubler of mankind, grows as the weed, almost every where. But a Brutus, a worthy Patriot, that bears the welfare of others, the true prosperity of his native Land, upon his heart, and sets his eyes perpetually thereon for good, such an one is a rare Iewel; worthy of all honour, and embraces wherever he is found.
Such enobled Spirits (saies the great Orator in his affectionate language) they are the dear offspring, the delight and care of God. A divine race, it is from the *Omnes qui patri…m co…serva …at, a… …uveri…t, & auxerint certus …is i… coelo ac definitus locus, ubi be…ti. … sempiterno fra…ntur, hiac p…o…eci, huc reveituntur. Cicero in Somn. Scip.Heavens they come down to us: and to the Heavens again, when ever they take their leaves of us, shall they triumphantly return.
But oh! that our heads were Fountains, and our eyes Rivers of tears. For amongst all the children that Nature hath brought forth, they are few that take her by the hand, and wisely lead her. Amongst the numerous Family, that are registred unto Religion, few that are willing to be true to God, or kind to each other.
Therefore must the pious mourn, and the lover of his Country go with the Prophet into his secret places, and weep bitterly, crying out with that holy man; *Quis non vita etiam suâ redimeret sub motum istud infinitum dissidi… scandalum? Mart. Bue.Who would not be willing with the price of his very life, to redress and heal that endless strife and variance, so unkindly sprung up amongst us.
These are (as the†Bella geri placuit mullos babitura triumphos. —Pares aquilae, & pila n… …antia pilis. Luc. Poet sadly sung) the wars that can never be crowned with any triumph. The amazing prospect, (our hearts must even tremble at the very uttering of it) where Bibles against Bibles, are the known Ensigns on both sides. As if Religion had sounded a Martial Alarum, calling her Children, (like those Young men before Abner and Joab) to arise, and slay each other.
Thus with the foolish Bees, instead of gathering true honey, we quarrel and sling each other;*Hi wotus …, atque i…c certamina … pulveris exigu… …acta compressa quiescant. V.….G… Till death comes in, and parts all, by throwing its dust upon our cold herse. And then shall these combats (will we, nill we break up, and be no more.
In the mean time, this Spirit (we must all confess) it is not of God. The banner of Christ is a banner of love. And our best Character will be meekness, and Gentleness, as becomes us in the Lord. It were no betraying of the Sacred Principles of Religion for all the true Professors of it, to conclude, (as Alexander well answered one that importuned him to sharpness;) *foreign Nar. de Alex.Rigour may please you: but mildness, and sweetness will best become me.
They are indeed daies of great agitation wherein we live. Great thoughts of heart on the right hand, and on the left. And there is doubtless much of the truth of God in Concernment upon the Stage; which in its time shall safely rest, (as the Arke) upon a quiet Mountain. We may adventure it (as David) against the greatest Giants, in fighting the Lords Battels. With its own bare arm (as the *foreign Veritas potens, & superabit.Ancients are wont proverbially to say) shall it win it self the victory.
But there is withal too much of the wrath and frowardness of man, as dross immixed with this Gold, both Pro, and Con. So that the gracious heart could almoct conclude; It is safer being a sorrowful mourner for both: then a fiery party in either.
I confess, I think there is no sober Christian, but is ready in a mixture between joy, and grief to say, (as that great man, great for Piety, great for Learning, a little before his death to his bosome Friend;) †Cognori per gratiam D. i, quid sit habere pro certá normá salutis verbum Dei: & quid sit humana somma, placitaque sequi. Cyrillus nupe…us Const. Patriar, vide Hottinger in vita ejus.I have known through the grace of God, what it is to have the Word of God for the sure and trusty rule of Salvation unto me: and what it is to follow the v…in dreams and pleasures of men.
The Concerns of Religion are exceeding great, and ponderous. God and Man will expect, God and Man will allow, that all be cordial and upright in them.
Only the pleasure of our Father still is; that we graciously temper, and carry Moses his meekness, with Moses his zeal. Deporting our selves in the profession of his name, as the Sun in the Spring; which so shines, as not to scorch. Retaining all due candor, as men; while we further profess to honour and serve holiness and peace in a higher capacity, as Christians.
And oh! that we might see those Magnalia Dei; those great things of God, and of Religion, (the very ornamen…s and beauties of holiness) revived, and espoused amongst us. Repentance from dead works to serve the living God. Faith unfained, Faith without Complements; thinking so well of God, as to repose our selves, and dearest Concerns chearfully upon him, his power, and faithfulness in Christ. An holy care to lead a right godly course of life; placing Religion (where of right it justly, and only centers;) *foreign Ignat.not in formal, or contentious words: but in a willing, and faithful practice. Putting off (what none indeed can be very willing to keep on) the old man, with all the odious lusts thereof. Walking (as the ransomed of the Lord) in newness of spirit, newness of life. Pressing heartily after the mark. Rejoycing day by day in all the sweet hopes that are set before us; till the seed time shall reach the harvest, and the sheaf of glory be reapt, and seen with joy in the Believers bosome.
This, oh! this was the Religion, so many righteous men have wished so well unto, and longed so much to see; such Gospel, such gracious daies of the Son of Man. Thus might we also honourably answer, (as Nehemiah) we are doing a great work, the work of God, and of our Souls; and have neither desire, nor leave to come down, suffering that to cease, while we wear out our precious time, and gain no more, than (what may well be wept out again) the distempering of our weak, and tender minds into high Feavers, and passions by the angry strife of Tongues.
God Almighty grant, we may at length reach the Apostles great charge; Eph. 4.15and follow the truth in love. Tender of the truth; that it be not changed into a lye. Cordial toward love; that it sustain no wrong, while we seem in the pursuit of truth. Remembring with our selves (as the Father) how unnatural, and even Prodigious it would be to have the *Quid facit …s pectors Christianoruis lupovum s… ritas? Cyp.Wolfs savage heart found in the Lambs bosome.
Oh! thou the God of so great forbearance, and tenderness towards us all; give unto us also of that sweet spirit of thine; bowels of mercies, kindness, and humbleness of mind each toward other. Pity thy weak and froward Children. Rowle away our reproach, and let our eyes yet see that dear, and sacred thing; the *Pa… optima v… rum quas nobis na. … dedi S…llius.Iewel of Nature, the Honour of Religion, the Promise of God, the great Desire of all gracious hearts, Peace, thy Peace, upon this thine Israel.
Reader!
I had purposed some further instructions here to the Elder. To have intreated you respectfully as Fathers. That you might (as David) walk with a perfect heart (*Verior cujusque fama e domo emanat. Bacon fidel. Ser. where indeed the integrity of the heart is most tried) in the midst of your house. And with Abraham, bring up your children, (how mean soever outwardly, yet) each one as the Child of a Prince; for God, and the praise of his Name. For your †Ego te non Catilinae genui, sed patriae. Fulvius …lio suo.Country, and the welfare thereof; to minister before both, in the lovely services of righteousness all their daies.
But a weighty providence from the Lord intervening takes off my hand for the present. Let it be accepted, oh Lord! that it was in mine heart to have served thee therein.
This only shall I abruptly now say; you have given in your Pledges to Posterity, and are leaving your Children, as Absaloms Pillar in the Valley, to preserve your names when you are gone. Oh! let your care be such concerning them, your carriage so Exemplary before them; that your selves may become true Benefactors: and your Children a real Treasure to the next Age; rendring your names thereby, as sweet odours to all.
So might you welcome your death with pleasant smiles when ere it comes. Assuring your dearest Friends (as that pious Emperour upon his death-bed so chearfully said to his;) *Lubens jam morior, quandequidem talem reliquero filium. Anto. dict.I am now willing indeed to die: since I shall leave a living Monument, a Child of mine, to hold up the Lamp in my stead, to serve unto Vertue when I am gone.
So might it be further acknowledged by others at your Funeral, when your dust shall lye silent before them, (as was said of Theodosius to his just and deserved honour;) *Theodosius Impe. necessi… a …obis ta… …us, sed … totus; elquit …nim libeos suos in …uibus d… … ig…os…re. Hist vitae Theod. …mper.A great man, a good man is this day taken from us. He is gone, but not wholly. He hath left (part of himself,) his hopeful Children, here behind him. In them may we see the fair Fruits of a pious Education; in them we freely acknowledge much of the Fathers worth, and goodness still surviving. By them (as Abel) though dead, he yet liveth, and dayly renews a vertuous example before us.
The Lord thus blesse the arising Generation amongst us; vouchsafing this sweet, and pleasing mercy, as his choice favour; till it become the joy, and beauty of our dear, and native Land. The Lord thus shine (with his Lamp) upon your Tabernacles, and your Childrens Children unto many Generations after you. In the affectionate desires whereof I rest,
Your Friend, and Servant, in the just obligements of Nature, and Grace, Samuel Crossman.
Errata.
Reader!
YOu are much desired candidly to excuse, and with your Pen to correct the many Errata's which in the Authors absence have unawares sl…pt through the Press. Amongst divers others, these at first sight appeared in a Cursory view of some few Pages.
Page 4. in the quot. read Persius. p. 21 foreign. p. 55. line 5. r. astliction, 9.80. l. 19. r. regret. …. 142. quo …. ovis twice. p. 147, quot. r. humilitas. p. 155. quo. …. co…vexaque. p. 184. quo…. r. candidissim. e. p. 193. l. 15. r. con: …s p. 219. l. 8. r. ingenious. p. 221. l. 25. r. thread. p. 17. l. 19. in the Poems, for circl'st, r ceil'st.
You will easily find several other mistakes of the like nature. As also mispointings, and mispellings. Especially in the Marginal Notes. Wherein the Hebrew, initial Letters are often set for final; and Accents some omitted, others misplaced in the Greek. But these Errata's are far the least; and little danger in them: if we carefully prevent that great, and common one, so incident both to Writer and Reader; A practical neglect after all, of any good counsel, how usefully soe…er given, how affectionately soever for present received.
To the Children, and Servants of my dear Neighbours at, &c. My Christian love, with desires of your real welfare in this life, and that which is to come.
Ingenuous Youths!
UPon whom the eyes of all are justly set; observing your present carriage, and further waiting what your following years will prove. Pro. 20.11.Even a Child (though but a child) is known by his doings; whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.Sit virilis …etas jure fructiosior: erit tamen juve…tus i… terim ama…ilio. So early doth nature put forth its inclinations, and discover it self.
May your youth be as the Spring for loveliness; your riper years as the Summer for real fruitfulness.