The Young Mans Monitor, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII. Affirmative Characters what the vertuous Young Man is and ought to be.
YOu have now received some Negative Characters, and description of the Young Person that is worthy of commendation and love indeed. That we might plainly understand what he is not, what he ought not to be. And oh that you likewise may cordially hate the work of them that thus turn aside, and for your parts unfainedly meditate a better course of life.
We will now look to the right hand, Affirmatively, and consider what the vertuous Young Person is, and ought to be, in whole heart are the waies of God. We might almost make our bo…st here, and say, in some measure as in the Psalms, Grace is poured into his lips, and he is much fairer than the common Race of the Children of men.
He is one whose mind is richly inlayed, like the Kings Daughter all glorious within; curiously wrought by the hand of the Spirit. There may you find the Prophets Vision, Ierusalem pourtraied upon a tyle. Much of the very glory of Heaven it self drawn upon his tender soul: His heart is as a living Temple for the Holy Ghost. *Anima amans sertur votis, trabitur d…siderus; rapitur, atque …labitur a s… ipsa, ut …eo fruatur. Manual. Aug.His thoughts and affections as perfumed Odours, aspiring and ascending continually as pillars of Incense heaven-ward. He cometh forth out of the purple morning of his youth, as the Bridegroom out of his Chamber, as the Sun out of the dawning East, and rejoyceth to run the Godly Race. More particularly.
1. He is one that chooseth the fear of the Lord with his whole heart: 1 Affirm. Char.For he knoweth it is to God he stands, or it is to God he falls. Others are vain, others are profane: but so dares not he, because of the fear of the Lord.
He believes the Scripture, and accounts it no burden, no sadning: but a Jewel well worth his carefullest preserving and laying up,Isa. 33.6. The fear of the Lord is his treasure. Wherever this is wanting he reckons that place an habitation of Dragons; undesirable, unsafe for any man to live in. And Abraham said,Gen. 20.11. Surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they will stay me.
He hath heard, all true wisdome, wherever it is, may be found out and known by this; This is its first and great principle,Psal. 111.10. Noveris teipsum, ut Deum timeas; noveris Deum ut ipsum diligas. In altero ad samentiam imtraris, in altero consummaris. Bern. saper Cant. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This is to him as the due ballast to the Ship, which makes the Vessel indeed loome somewhat deeper: but keeps it from tossing too lightly upon the uncertain waters. It composeth his whole Conversation to great sobriety and stedfastness.
There is a sleighty sort of profession, too frequently up and down the world in these last daies, without much mixture of this weighty grace in it. But he easily concludes, that mans Religion, will soon prove as salt that hath lost its savour, and quickly go out into some stinch. Oh! what shipwrack of faith, and all good conscience, must needs follow there, where the heart stands in no awe of God. *Facile deviat a justitia, qui timorem dei excussit.The Father long ago gave over that man as an hopeless Patient: He will soon be out of his way in point of conversation: that sets light by the true fear of God in point of affection.
It is a sad note, but it is a true one, That man that will not fear God willingly; shall be made (though little to his comfort) to do it by force. What most would seem to refuse, none shall be able to exclude. That dread of God which they flee from, shall pursue them, and overtake them between the straits. God will (be we never so loath) be feared of all. But woe be to that man, who having refused filial fe…re, as a grace, is constrained to lie under the scourgings of a judicial trembling, as his torment for ever and ever. The Lord preserve you from it.
But now it is still a note as comfortable on the other hand, to every true Child of God, that accepts his gracious fear chearfully; the Lord will himself become their shelter, and City of refuge, that their hearts may quietly return to their rest, and need no more be amazed at any terrour outwardly. God would not have his dear people, fear the fears of others. Only let us sanctifie the Lord of Hosts i… our hearts, Psa. 8.14.and he shall be for a Sanctuary unto us.
The case is truly weighty on both sides. The serious Young Person takes it up, goes with it into the Sanctuary, and there weighs it before the Lord, and at length comes forth cordially contented, that the just fear of God, should be to him (as to the Patriarks of old) the great Badge and Cognizance of his Religion.
2. He is one to whom the Lord Iesus Christ is exceeding precious. 2 Affirm. Char.He loves his Father, he loves his Mother: but still saies, Jesus Christ alone, he, and none but he can be my Saviour. He could herein even break forth into an holy triumph, and begin (with *foreign Greg. Naz.the Father) to sing the Songs of the Lamb; The Saviour is born; oh! glorifie the Lord. He hath appeared on Earth; be ye henceforth lift up ye everlasting Gates. The Bridegroom is shortly returning again; oh light your Lamps, and go out to meet him. Sing to the Lord in the joy of this salvation; Oh! let all the earth praise the Lord.
The Iron, though senseless, willingly moves toward the Loadstone, and is loth to part any more from it. Christ is his Load-stone, and his heart is even constrained and drawn out with great affection after him. If the presence of the Sun, be that which alone makes day to the dark world: The enjoyment of Christ is more to him; the light of life, that makes a day of grace; the chief of his comforts, *foreign Chrys.his heaven, his all.
He could say wi…h pious Suenes, in the midst of the greatest discouragements, I will follow my Saviour in liberty▪ and bondage; in prosperity, and adversity; in life, and death. Whilest the smallest thread of life remains in my heart, or the least measure of warm breath shall sit upon my trembling lips. Him will I love, and combate for him against the gates of hell.
All in Christ is excee…ing dear to him. His Offices, his Ordinances, his Person. He pleaseth himself, to be often piously thinking, what Christ hath done for him; but above all, in the thoughts of what glory he shall shortly have with him.
Such a Saviour he cannot but dearly love, the desire of his soul is toward him; and having heard by the hearing of the ear a report so sweet, and so comfortable concerning him, he henceforth even longeth till he may come where he may see him. In the mean time he waits with patience, and saies with Peter, though trembling, yet truly,Joh. 21.17. Lord! thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee.
3. He is one that greatly reverenceth, 3 Affirm. Char.and desireth much enjoyment of the Spirit of God. What others either carelesly know not, or carnally speak evil of, he hath set his heart much upon.
He sees the Spirit of this world, and what that is; a foolish, low, worthless, and froward thing. It is to him, as Saul in his fury; and he desires it should sway no Scepter in his bosome.
The Spirit of God, he understands it is far nobler; a Spirit of power: and yet so of power, as it is withal, a Spirit of much sweetness and love. A Spirit indeed of many excellencies, rarely contempered together. A Spirit of power, 2 Tim. 1.7.of love, and of a sound mind, which makes him still cry, as David, Psal. 51.12.Lord! uphold me with thy free Spirit: Which is as the pleasant *foreign Ver. Sept. Ex utrisque, spiritu liberali, & imperatorio, me sustenta.Emphasis of the radical word imports, Thy Princely, generous, ingenuous, and noble Spirit. A Spirit of Divine Conduct, a Spirit of Soveraign Command. So fit to guide, so able in the greatest straights to order, to govern, and lead the whole man.
The Spirit of God, may be unworthily blasphemed by some, and falsely pretended to by others: but it carries its own testimony with it; bright rayes of divine luster and beauty will quickly appear, quickly shine forth, and shew themselves, wherever it truly comes.
He understands (as indeed the poor Heathen likewise did) in the affairs of this life, there is nothing of worth to be performed, without the common gifts of it. No *Nemo unquam sine astatu aliquo divino, vere magnus evasit. Cicero.man (said the great Orator) ever became eminent, without some peculiar breathings of a divine spirit upon him.
And in the concernments of grace, he sees yet more plainly; †Missus est Spiritus Sanctus, ouo vasacordium preparentur, & vinum novam in utres nov…s infundatur. Man. Aug.it is by this good Spirit of God, that we poor earthen Vessels, are prepared to receive any heavenly treasures.
This is as Zerubhabel, without which, the work of the Temple goes not on. No praying, no hearing, no duty, no service, no true professing of Christ, without this Spirit. *1 Cor. 12.3.No man can say (in language acceptable to God) that Iesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost.
This is that blessed Guide, which should lead him into all truth; the Comforter he so much longs for, which should relieve his soul; the Spirit of Witness, which is to seal him up to safety, and keep him alwaies ready, to the great day of Redemption.
He humbly purposeth, through grace never to grieve, never to quench, this Spirit. He esteems it as the Sun to the Day, as the Soul to the Body; and begs of God, that he may all his daies live in it, and in all his waies be led by it.
4. He is one that desires and labours 4 Affirm. Char.to acquit himself Christianly toward his Conscience. This is that Theam, so slightly talked of almost every where. He is willing to sit down, and study it more seriously before the Lord.
He takes notice, it is set as Gods Vicegerent for the government of all his waies, and under him to be his greatest comforter or tormentor; which may *Conscientiam accepimus que divelli a nobis non potest. Cicero. pro Clu.not be despised, neither can it with all our frowardness be deposed.
This is that faithful Register, that (against the wills of many) so †Quocunque …ado, co… scientia mea mecum est; portans secum quicquid in ea posai, sive bonum, sive mahum. Bern. Med.carefully transcribes, and preserves forthcoming, upon indeleble Characters, whatever is put into its hands, whether good or evil.
He is loth it should slumber in his bosome, as those Idols in the Psalmist, which have eyes, Psal. 115.5, 6.and see not; ears, and hear not; neither do they understand. And he is as cautious, that it be not causelesly frighted, or superstitiously put in fear where no fear is. That usually proves (as the *Geas superstitions obnoxia, religioni adversa. Tacit.Historian easily saw) a deifying indeed of our own Idols: but an open neglect of the true God, and in conclusion, a carnal treading down all good Religion.
He therefore takes great heed, that his conscience be not over-ruled, and brought in bondage by Customes, Times, Interests, Examples, or whatever is not of God. He brings it frequently to God, and his word; he dares not perplex it with perverse disputings, or endless intricacies: but leaves this one great charge instead of many with it; Know thou (oh my conscience!) The voice of the shepheard: but trouble not thy self whatever strangers shall buz in thine ear, or say unto thee.Mat. 4.10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Thus to treat our Conscience were honourable indeed. It might put some period to our wearisom strifes, and would certainly become the praise of profession, and our great rejoycing before the Lord. Conscience though it riots not: yet it feasteth, and being duly respected, is truly pleasant, ever chearful. And happy is that Young Man, who reflecting upon his former waies, can in his riper years, truly read those great words of the Apostle, Acts 24.16.and say, Herein have I exercised my self, to have alwaies a Conscience void of offence toward God, and toward man.
5. He is one that loves and delights 5 Affi…m. Char.indeed in his Bible. It is to him the Oracle of God; and he is willing it should be the man of his Counsel.
It is no offence to him that he finds it (as the Father) in its phrase so *Institui a…mum intendare in Scripta…as fa… ctas. Ia…eri illas incessu hamil…s, saccessu excelsas, velatas mysteriis, & odihostes ejus …chementer. Aug. Confes. lib. 3. & lib. 13.familiar and open; he finds it nevertheless in its success exceeding powerful, filled every where with the deep mysteries of God. And he accounts it a sin of a very high nature for any to neglect or esteem lightly of it.
He could heartily write upon it,Lady Ia… Gr…y in Fox. as once that noble Lady, the night before she suffered, in the first Leaf of … Testament she gave her Sister; I have here sent you good Sister! a book; which although it be not outwardly trimmed with Gold, and Pearls: yet inwardly is more worth than all precious stones. It is the Book dear Sister! of the Law of the Lord. It is his Testament and last Will, which he bequeathed unto us poor wretches, which shall lead you unto the path of eternal joy.
He sees the great instability, the tossings and unfruitfulness of men in Religion; *foreign Chrys.and fears it ariseth from their being too great strangers to the Word of God. And therefore endeavours for his part, wisely, and graciously to prevent the growing of such evils upon himself: and believes, a pious and constant converse with the Scriptures, the readiest and loveliest way thereunto.
He therefore rests not (as too many fondly do) in a thin verbal commendation: but presseth still further after, the most familiar acquaintance, with these sacred and only evidences of his heavenly inheritance; making much conscience of putting in practice that faithful advice of the *foreign … nego… … & …a…a legi. Pu…e. Abhoth.Ancients, Wisely to contract his occasions in the World, that he may have the more leasure and freedom to read and meditate, and that day by day, in the good word of God.
He remembers with himself, the Tables of old were carefully kept in the Arke. And that he might never lose his Bible, he laies it up safely in his best †Spo…sa Ca…sti est arca testament…. Hier. 6 Astum. Chat.Cabinet, his very heart.
6. He is one that willingly prepares, and composes himself to some honest calling, wherein he may live afterward serviceable and comfortably in his Generation. He is loth to come into the world as an useless Cipher, or to stand in it as a Tree that cumbers the ground; and therefore often forethinks with himself, how he may appear in his time, with somewhat of true worth upon the Stage. He reckons his life as a Lamp; which should be giving some light to others, while it spends it self. And is very prone to conclude with him, who was wont to say, There is too little difference between him that is dead indeed, and him that lives dead in point of usefulness.
The Lord hath committed to all some Talents for improvement, though with great variety. To some more eminently, those of the inward man, for counsel and direction. To others more manifestly those of the outward man, for labour and exercise. It will be expected at all our hands, that we bind not up our Lords Talent in a Napkin: but as we are individually qualified, we should address our selves, and chearfully attend our measure of service to the good of the whole.
We are all of us Gods witnesses, that throughout the whole Creation, from the Angel in heaven, to the Hyssop by the wall; from the Sun in the Firmament, to the waters in the hidden veins of the Earth, all of them labour to perform those good offices, which God in his wisdom hath created them unto. Thus is uselesseness to all these a thing unknown.
The industrious Young Man is willing to take example from them: and desires not to stand idle in the Market place; while all other Creatures are thus diligently at work in the Lords Vineyard.
His first care is in the choice of his Calling. Wherein he observe …00 many miscarry. Some by unadvisedness therein, bind themselve; (as it were) Apprentices to continual temptations; and in effect, necessitate themselves to the promoting and service of (what no man should abet or shelter) sin and vanity in the World. Others again, match themselves to imployments, which their dispositions can never affect; and so *Consuctudo, contra naturam tyrannos quaedam est; & cita ac levi occasione corru…. Aug.toil in them (as the Slave in the Turks Gallies) heavily and unwillingly all their daies.
These Rocks, he endeavours wisely to shun. And therefore aims that his Calling, may he in its nature, just and lawful. In its discharge, comporting with a publick good, and serviceable to his private support. In its kind, he remembers the Lacedaemonians wisdom, and seeks to have it in some measure suited to his own *Versate din quid ferre recusent, quid valiant hume…. Horat.abilities and inclinations. And because in these things he is young, unexperienced, and very subject to mistake: he refers himself very far, to the riper judgement, and disposal of his Friends.
His next care is, concerning his due carriage in his Calling. Having thus chosen, he now setles his mind, *Suum singulis vivendi genus, est quasi statio. Calv. Institut.reckons his Calling, the Sphaere, and Station which God hath set him in, and studies henceforth how to adorn his Province. A homely Cottage well kept may yield a delightsome abode. And the meanest Calling may be highly beautified by a wise carriage in it.
He is very desirous to be truly dexterous, and skilful in it. His affections are even enflamed, having observed the Scripture to take such an honourable notice of Tubal Cain, as being an Instructer of Artificers. Gen. 4.22So lovely is ingeniousness, even in these lower things, before the Lord. For the encouragement whereof he is pleased to record it as proceeding from his own Spirit; That Bezaliel was so skilful about the work of the Tabernacle.Exod. 31.2…3. See, saies God (and let no man slight it) I have called Bezaliel by name, and have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, and all manner of workmanship. Isa. 28.26It is his God that teacheth, even the Plowman his discretion.
He is further willing to be heartily painful. Chearfully submitting himself to that great Law, which is now unalterably imposed on all flesh; In the sweat of our brows to eat our bread.
He flatters not himself with great expectations of building his nest on high. Duty is his; the Lord hath left that with him. Disposal is the Lords; and he is contented it should rest there. A blessing from God, that indeed he counts much upon, and joyes greatly in it: but as concerning the World, he easily sees, all things are, and will be here, full of disappointments, vanity, and vexation of spirit.
He takes himself concerned, be his Calling never so plain, to commend his endeavours, and all their success by prayer to the Lord; in the Language of the Psalmist, Let the beauty of the Lord my God be upon me;Psal. 90.17. establish thou the work of my hands, yea, the work of my hands establish thou it.
Thus our Young Man chooseth, and thus he travelleth in his Calling. He that passeth by may justly break forth, and say, The Lord be with you, we bless you in the name of the Lord.
7. He is one that is easily contented with almost any food and raiment. 7 Affirm. Char.He sees the time of his life, in the whole of it, is like to be but short: and he concludes with himself, it were very preposterous, very unbecoming, if our thoughts about such inferiour things as these should be very long.
Fond cares about the body, prove commonly, as Absalom, that stole away the hearts of Israel from one more righteous than himself; from David, his Father. These also too frequently entice away the strength of the mind after them; they love to hunt abroad; but they even *No… tanto … …etur corpo…ris cultus, usi prius neglecta …. ….starve the precious soul, and leave that neglected, and disrespected enough at home.
He therefore shares the dividend, as equally as he can, between them both. Somewhat (he is sensible) he owes to both; and is willing to wrong neither. His †foreign. H…b…tis ingenii signum est, in rebus corporis immorari. Cura omnis ad animum est transferenda. Epictet. Enchir.soul shall have the first fruits, as an offering due to that. The remains and gle…nings he thinks will be enough, and may well serve for the body.
In his diet, V…ctus ratio, quo simplicior …o …clio…. Aphoris. Med.he hears plainness and temperance, breed the kindliest health and constitution of body; the freshest agility and liveliness of mind; preserving life (so dearly desired of all) with much sweetness, and freedom from diseases, through the blessing of the Lord, unto gray hairs. Such are the fruits of Temperance; it makes a fair amends in the end: whether it pleaseth or no for the present.
These things, the sober Young Man accounts matters of weight, too great to be h…zarded, Vitellius-like, for the humouring of an irrational appetite, and therefore resolves to be justly tender of them.
*Comeditur quantum ad famem; b… bitur quantum satis pudicis & castis. Sunt omnia quasi comederit & biberit disciplinam. Tertul. Apol.The ancient care, and carriage of the Primitive Christians is highly honourable in this respect, and he is willing to take it for his Golden Rule. He eates what may temperately allay his hunger, he drinks what may equally quench his thirst. Such a proportion in both, as may become the modest and chaste to allow themselves. His whole deportment shews, while his Religion is the Theory, his Conversation is the Praxis. He so eats, and so drinks, as one that receives Instruction as well as food, as one that is ever mindful of the righteous Laws of Christian Discipline; and doth all (that he doth) to the glory of God.
It is to him a maxime not altogether contemptible, To rise up from Table, as well as sit down with some stomack. The Italian Proverb frequently whispers him in the eare as he sits at meals, If you would eat much, eat little. Oppress not nature, quench not the fire by casting too much fewel upon it.
His health, it is to him as the salt and sauce; which give the relish to every dish upon the Table. It is his best bed-maker, that makes his bed so easie to rest on, and his sleep so refreshful to him. It is his taster to all the comforts of life; without which nothing savours, nothing pleases. And therefore he bids farewell to those surfetting dishes, which would otherwaies banish, and force away so sweet, so pleasant a Companion from him.
The endowments of his mind, and their exercise are to him still far dearer. It is by them that the Soul looks forth out of her Mansion of the body; appears at the Casement of the Senses; and shews her self fair as the Morning, clear as the Sun; a Princess indeed, the Daughter of the great King.
He would not for a world, that the least indignity should be offered to so Noble a Guest, or any obstruction put upon those honourable operations, it is so divinely imployed in. That the motion of those Golden Wheels should be clogged by any Kitchin dust, or filth getting within them.
He allows his body very much respect, as remembring it shall be one day Copartner with him in glory. But desires it still to rest satisfied with what is fit for it in its place; that as *Servi tu ei, qui fecit te; ut tibi fer…iat quod factum est propter tu. Tibi Caro. Tu D…o. Aug.a Servant it may be alwaies ready …t the Souls beck; a weapon of righteousness to serve the glory of the Lord.
In his habit, his cloaths are to him the sad memorial of his sin, the covering of his shame; taken up at the second hand, having been either †Hanc onis olim gestavit nec aliud interim quam obis fait. Mor. Utop.the Lodging of Worms, or the every-day Coats of Beasts, before ever they were his. He remembers, and thinks on these things; and sits down, finding but cold encouragement to be proud of his Cloaths.
The utmost that he henceforth aims at is a clean and decent plainness. Concluding *foreign Xen. Lac. Resp.(as Lycurgus amongst his Laced…monians) that it is he, the endowments of his mind, the comlines of his body, which must rather be an ornament to his cloaths, than they to him. He is willing with that Ambassadour, to wear his Doublet of Cloath of Gold, with a plainer baize Coat over it without. Any Garments satisfie him outwardly; so he may but have (his Cloath of Gold underneath) an enlarged heart toward God and goodness inwardly.
It is enough to him if he hath, with Iacob, any convenient rayment to put on. He *Adhibenda est munditia, non odiosa, neque exquisita nimis; tantum quae fugiat agrestem & inhumanam negligentiam. Cicero.troubles not himself with a restless affectation and niceness about trifles; what trimming or what Lace, he knows Wisdom and Vertue are far the best. The Peacock may be the gayer, but the Eagle is still the far nobler bird. †Vestitus insignis, ac mollis, superbiae vexill…m; nidu… luxuriae. Aug. Caesar. dict.And indeed cloaths with any, are but like the Sign over the door, which tell all men what kind of shop and mind there is within.
8. He is one of great modesty, 8 Affirm. Char.and chastity in all his carriage. This he reckons his Shibboleth, his nearest trial; wherein nature must, and soon will discover it self, whether filthiness, or holiness; the righteous commands of God, or the wretched lusts of the flesh be dearest to it.
This is indeed the dangerous *A labore procli…is ad lividinem.season of his life. The Archers begin now to shoot sore temptations, and enticing thoughts rush in thick upon him. But he goes to Gods Armory, he takes up his Bible, and often reads the Fathers conversion-Scripture, praying the Lord that it may prove his also, and a preservative to him from the power of evil;Rom. 13.13. Not in chambering, and wantonness: but in putting on the Lord Christ. We may I see in a few words understand all of us, what our life and great care should be.
These last daies of the World are greatly sunk from a generous nobleness, and man-like delight in heroical a…chievements, to a Spirit of *Novi seculum hoc, quibus moribus sit; malus, bonum malum esse vult, ut si… s… similis, —hiulca g…ns, Plau. in Trin.effeminacy and so…tness. It is not desirable, nor indeed altogether convenient to lay before the chaste Reader much description of it. Let it be thrown amongst the works of darkness, to be brought to light no more, let it so die, the sooner the better. Only we cannot be ignorant, we are born to far higher things; toward God, toward our native Country, and toward ou… own Souls: than wanton Complements, and dalliances of the Flesh. And oh that all would know, a Sard… napalus life, seldom but meets with a Sardanapalus's death. Babylon shall one day receive for all her luxury wherein she hath been so profuse; measure for measure, from the avenging …and of God. How much she hath lived deliciously, Rev. 18.7so much sorrow and torment give her. Such is the sad Exit of a loose and vicious life; he dieth, and is numbred for ever amongst the unclean.
These things are the Young Mans warning pieces; and for their sakes he is resolved to stand upon his guard, and to abstain from all appearance of evil. Wantonness in Gestures, obscaeness in Speeches, lasciviousness in Actions, (however too much favoured by others) are to him as the sulphurous sparks of Aetna, as so many flames breaking forth from the bottomless pit; the shame of the Actor, the danger of the Spectator; an immodest abusing of nature, an open defiance to all Vertue, and which is yet far more, an high contempt poured forth in the fa…e of Religion it self. His Soul, as the righteous soul of Lot, is grieved, and he turneth away from them.
*Ubi Deus, ibi pudicitia. Hieron.Chastness is still exceeding dear, and honourable in his eyes. As the cleanness of the vessel, where the heavenly Treasures should be put, the clearness of the Paper, whereon the words of life should be written; the Souls fidelity to God under all allurements to the contrary, its victorious triumph and conquest over the snares of Satan. He willingly cuts off all occasions, which might in the least endanger or stain the purity of his mind, and watcheth…to the utmost, that he may keep himself unspotted of these pollutions of the flesh.
He …irst maketh a Covenant with his eye †Time vid…re, unde possis cadere. Aug.that it should not rove after vanity. He knows the heart is weak, and too prone to be drawn away by it. He hears of some that have eyes full of adultery, 2 Pet. …14.that cannot cease from sin, (the sad character of too many) but he desires to feast his on the good Word of God; and then without rowling to or fro, to look straight forward, and to ponder the path of his feet.Prov. 4.25, 26.
He sets the like guard upon all his other Senses, remembring the sage (…though almost Paradoxal) counsel of the *Obstiue quinque …enest…as; ut laceat domus, & habitans in illa. Erpen. in Proverb. Arab.Ancients, Shut up those five windows, that the house may shine the clearer, and the noble Inhabitant (the soul) may rest the safer.
He then wisely withholds making provision …or the flesh: Lest †Periclitatur castitas in delitiis, humilit…s in divitiis, veritas in multiloquio, charitas in hoc …equam seculo. Bern.giving lust its baits, it should become as the Sons of Zervia, too hard for him. Fulness of bread and idleness were Sodoms sins; and all unnatural leudness, was by and by Sodoms shame.
Strange and light attire, it is to him a thing needless to provide it; burdensome to mind it, and when all this is done, disgraceful to wear it. He hath heard the Ancients much condemn it, and he doth not desire it.
But above all, he chargeth his heart, that it should not dare to dally with any lustful thoughts, though never so secretly. *Vos s…Satan eleta admissa punitis: apud nos & ipsum cogitare, est peccare. Minut. Faelix.Sin is sin in the root, as well as in the fruit; in the thoughts as truly as in the actions; and S…tan will soon grow bolder. If he once gets footing so far as the heart, he will sc…rce be so modest as to stay long there. The fire once kindled there, will quickly break out further; Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak, the hands will act, and will no…, be restrained.
Or however his danger is still the same; where sin seeks most for shelter in the secret chambers of the heart: there, even there Gods searchers come most. God will have the secretest Cabinet opened. Where his sins burn most, the eye of God shall find him out. The unclean person may take it as a Mene Tekel written upon the wall for him. I the Lord search the heart, Ier. 17.10.and try the reins to give unto every man according to his waies, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Finally, He concludes, as we all likewise justly may, that our bodie; ought to b… the Temples of the Holy Ghost. If he could break away from other considerations, and set light by them: yet the dread of God comes in; and curbs him, with this tremendous warning in his ear,1 Cor. 3.17. If any man shall de…ile the Temple of God, that man shall God destroy. Oh Sirs! it is no deceiving our selves, or dallying with sin; God cannot be mocked.
9. One that wisely laies up all the memorable experiences and observations of his Youth for the better instruction of his riper years. 9 Affirm. Char.These are that good Treasure so well worth our gathering; the safest and trusty guides of life. The Eleazars, the faithful servants with which the most tender mind, as Rebeccah, is very inclinable to go along.
*Per varios usus artem expertentia fecit, Exemplo mons…raente viam. — Manil.It is by them that so many Arts and honourable Attainments have been hatched up, and brought by degrees to any maturity. Books and bare reading may render us nicely witty and ingenuous for airy discourse: but it is still left to further experience to settle and furnish us out more solidly for real affairs. We may reckon, and not misreckon neither, as †usus me genuit, mater peperit memoria. Sophiam me Graii vocant, …os sapientiam. Affran.Affranius the old Poet, in hi… famous Inscription upon the doors where the Roman Senators so frequently met. If Wisdom be the Child, Experience seems the Parent that brought it forth; and Memory the Mother in whose bosome it rests and still lies.
It runs much in all our minds naturally to say, (as he in the Gospel,) Except I see I will not believe. *Nihil est in intellect… quod non prius suit in sensit.Knowledge it seems must come in by the broad gates of the Senses, ere it can have its access to the mind, or any private audience in those inward Chambers.
The ingenuous Young Man hears all this. And what Historians tell us was ingraven of old upon Plato's Seal, he is freely willing it should be the sententious Motto of his Arms: †foreign usus iis omnibus dominatur. Buxt. Flo. Hebr.Experience (when all is done) is the great Governess, that beareth the best rule in all things.
And therefore that he might not lose the surest means for his good information, or live upon trembling uncertainties all his daies; he agrees heartily with himself, to get the best and …ullest satisfaction that he can, as an eye-witn…ss in all things. And therein resolves more particularly,
1. To keep a Diary and just account of all the sore judgments of God upon wicked men in his time. For they are indeed as the severity of God upon Shiloe; as devouring flames upon our neighbours house, and may well be a near warning to us. They are as the stroke upon the two first Captains and their Fifties; that we might fall upon our faces, and say, Oh my Lord! let my life be precious in thy sight, 2 Kings 1.14.I will henceforth fear, and not dare to do thus presumptuously.
2. Of all the Lords tender mercies toward his faithful servants. The hidden Mannah wherewith he inwardly so often feasts them. The manifold sweet outward deliverances, wherein he so remarkably in their greatest straights owns them. Which makes him cry out as the Queen of Sheba, 1 Kings 10.8.Blessed are these thy servants▪ oh Lord! Happy are they that are in such a case, whose God is the Lord. Oh! that I may be also as one of those, upon whom thine eyes are thus for good continually.
3. He is as desirous to preserve the Register of all the Lords dealings by him in particular, and whatever befals him from his Youth. Herein the Lord plainly chargeth him, (as Moses of old adjured the Israelites,) Thou shalt well consider in thine heart, Deut. 8.2, 5.and remember all the way that I have hitherto led thee; to try thee, and to prove thee, that thou mightst in the following part of thy life, know and acknowledge the God of all thy mercies.
Dear Children! these things I commend unto you with the utmost Cordialness, that I am able. He is a Scholar indeed, that is Gods Scholar; and he learns indeed, that meditates in the Works, as well as in the Word of God.
Here you may see all things, as in a glass before you. Here you may gather every one of you, a little History of your own, wi…h great delight and profit.
Be oh! I pray, be you truly careful herein, and it shall be a sweet means to make you wise in your Generation, as men; to establish you in a great composure of Spirit in all your profession, as Christians.
10 Affirm. Char.10. One that willingly bears in mind that great Memonto, which the Lord hath so particularly given in charge to Young People: Eccl. 11.9.Rejoyce oh Young Man! (… if so thou darest, and thine heart can serve thee to sport securely in thine own ruine) but know that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement.
This is that day, that shall come as a snare and destruction from the Almighty upon the Children of Men. A day that all are enough warned of; a day that few duly provide for. This is that day that shall decide that great Case, which hath so long depended; that shall resolve that Question of all Questions, which to this hour hovers, and passes to and …ro so thoughtfully in all mens minds:Num. 16.5. Then shall the Lord shew who is holy, and who are his.
This is that day wherein the World to its utter astonishment (as Iosephs Brethren, troubled at the unexpected …ight of one so little looked for, so little delighted in) shall yet once again hear and see more of Christ: That the residue o… the great work of Redemption might be finished, and the Kingdom delivered up according to the earnest longing of the whole Creation, in the fulness of its glory to the Father.
This is once more that day, wherein grace, and *Veniet dies illa, in qu… plus valebunt pura corda, quam aslutaverba. Index nee falletur verbis, nee sl…cletur donis. Bern.grace alone shall find favour in the eyes of God. Hypocrisie shall then shelter none; Estates shall then buy off none; It is the just Judge of the whole Earth, who sitteth then upon our trials, and a righteous judgement, according as every mans Case shall then be sound, he will impartially pass.
None can here plead ignorance, o… say,Jude ver. 14. they heard not of it. Enoch the seventh from Adam (so long ago prophesied of this (so openly, that who would might understand it) Behold, he cometh with ten thousand of his Saints.
We cannot make our selves strangers to it. The blind and the deaf both heard and saw it. The poor Heathen awaked as amazed men, and said one to another; This World will one day have a tragick end, and we shall all be certainly judged for what we now do.
*Quae quidem & Philosophorum muadi opinio est, omnia quae ceratmus igae peritura. Hieron.Their Philosophers they freely yielded it. Their †Huic luci sinem impovent cum fata supremum, Iudicium Aetherius pater excercebit in omnes, judicium humano generi imperiumqae verendum. Sybil. apud Lactant. Communis mundo suberest rogus. Lucan. Esse quoque i… fatis reminiscitur assore tempus; Quo mare, quo tellu, convexaque regia coeli Ardeat, & mundi moles operosa laboret. Ovid. MetamSybils and Poets dayly sung of it. And all flesh may now without further thought or doubt sit down and confess with the Apostle, … We know we must all (none excep…ted) appear before the judgement seat of Christ (in the solemnest case that ever was tried) to receive of him according to the things done in the body; whether they be good, or whether they be evil, 2 Cor. 5.10.
Oh Young Man! Young Man! how often hast thou seriously thought of this day? A day wherein these eyes of thine shall see Christ himself coming in the clouds, with great power and glory: from the brightness of whose presence, Heaven and Earth shall be ready to flee away.
Then shalt thou see th…se Royal Officers of State, the Angels of Heaven, so numerously up and down amongst us, attending their Masters business, summoning the Graves of the Earth, calling to the Waters of the Sea, to deliver up their dead (almost now forgotten) that have been so long since committed to them.
Then shalt thou hear the shrill voice of the last Trumpet, sounding that solemn Call to all Flesh; Arise ye dead! and come unto judgement. Oh how loth will the Sinner be, to rise at the ringing of this Watch-bell! How little heart will he have to put on his old cloaths of sinful Flesh, and appear in them before the Lord! How loth to meet with his body in so sad a place, upon so sad an occasion;*Infelici Collegio colligandi, sempiternis involventur incendiis, qui socii suerunt in vitiis. Ber. Med. that they may now together as joyless Companions, receive the bitter wages of all their former sins.
Then shall you see the Prophets Vision, dry bones live indeed; then shall the dead awake from their Long sleep: the Father with the Son, the Poor with the Rich, and go to receive every one their several Sentence from the Lord.
Then must, the Sun be content to be darkned, and the Moon (to the amazement of all beholders) shall become as bloud. Then must the Stars, like withered leaves, fall from their places. The Flouds roaring, the Earth flaming, the Elements melting, the Heavens, like a Scrowl of Parchment, passing away; and almost all Flesh shreeking, and crying out, In vain have we flattered our selves, in vain have we put far from us the evil day. Notwithstanding all our lothness it is come; even the day of his wrath, and who can stand before him?
Then comes forth the definitive Sentence from the Judge's own lips, to the godly on the right hand,Mat. 25.34. Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared (so long by me, desired so affectionately by you) Enter ye (now at length once for ever) into the joy of your Lord.
Then also comes forth that heartwounding Condemnation on the left hand,Mat. 25.41. Depart from me ye Cursed (go, go, cursed ye are, and shall now to your own everlasting smart feel it, far from any rayes of blessedness shining upon you shall your place henceforth be, and your condition as far from rest or ease) Depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels.
Then shall that slighted word Eternity, trampled so much under foot now, be found, and felt a ponderous thing indeed. *Eternitas efficit bonum infinite melius; & malum infi…te pejus. Lessius.This oh! this shall make the night of Sinners sorrow so doleful to him; there shall never, never, never, more arise or shine any day upon him.
Never so many aking hearts, never so many pale faces seen together since the World began. Then shall the stout hearted be spoiled, and he that knew not how to brook the fe…r of the Almighty here on earth, his spirits shall then fail him apace, his heart shall thenceforth meditate terrour, and his own tongue confess, his punishment is now become greater than he knows either how to †Heu miser peccator! quo fugies? Latere erit impossibile, apparere iatolerabilt. Ansel.avoid, or how possibly to bear.
This great day is to the pious young man, the Memorial of all Memorials; a cogent, and constraining argument to bring him into Gods Vineyard. As the Apostle calls it, the terrour of the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.11.and he is willing it should perswade him.
He goes up to his Watch-tower, he concludes with himself; what ever lies neglected, this day must be timely provided for: and he prepareth unfainedly (as he is able) for it.
1. He first spreadeth his hands toward heaven, and draweth with much humility toward God. Having been so exceeding sinful hitherto; he is loth to be false, or further dilingenuous now. He freely confesses guilty. And what could easily enough be proved against him, if he should go about to deny it, he filially acknowledgeth; passing sentence upon himself, as one whom God for his manifold and hainous sins, most righteously might condemn. Yet still hoping the Lord will give him the benefit of his reading, and the blessed favour of that sweet Scripture.1 Cor. 11.31. He that judgeth himself, shall not be judged of the Lord.
2. He then beforehand entreats the Judge himself (for the Lord in his stupendious mercy allows it) to become his Advocate. He dares not indeed trust his Case in any meaner hands. He now putteth the very hopes of his life in his Saviours righteousness; saying, That, and that alone is the righteousness, that can answer for him in times to come.
3. He lastly resolves to set the straightest steps, to take the greatest heed to his whole Conversation: doing those things only now, which may be fairly responsible, and abound to his good account then. And so he waits till the Lord shall please to call for him.
In this posture he watches day and night; left the spirit of slumber (which is faln upon these last daies) should at any time overtake him. And wishes that all men had also the ear of the Learned, to †Seu vigilo intentus studiis, seu dormio seviper. Iudicis aetherei nostras tuba personat aures. Schoon. ex H…cion.hear (as the Father of old) the voice of the last Trumpet sounding continually from heaven unto them.
He sadly sees indeed, what is doing, or rather every where misdoing in the World. Some contending too unkindly, too unnaturally, too unbecoming Christians each with other; as if Christ were now divided, and Religion, contrary to its own sweet nature, setting up a fiery standard, and the Professors of it (to the amazement of all beholders) transported into a spirit of inhumane fury, every man against his Neighbour. Which makes him cry out with the *Tantaene animis coelestibus irae? Virg. Aenead.Poet; Oh Friends! is it possible, that heavenly minds should harbour such earthly passions?
He sees others, panting as eagerly after the very dust of the earth, to the apparent hazard of what is infinitely more worth, Heaven, and Everlasting happiness. So that the very Child might too justly upbraid them in the words of the †Vide, vide, dum terram desondit; ut ca…lum amittit. Demad.Philosopher, See, see, how they grasp after Earth: to the loss, the utter loss of Heaven it self.
He sees in conclusion almost all men too near the words of the Psalmist, Walking in a vain shaddow.
But he for his part thinks himself highly calle… of God to another temper of heart, a far better course of life. And therefore pitcheth upon this one request, as that which of all other most concerns him, Oh let me be found of thee my Lord! at that day in peace.
11.11 Affirm. Char. He is onee that aims to make his every-day Conversation a just Copy, and Pattern of his whole life. He considers how …itly the day resembles life: seeming indeed but an Epitomy, … Abridgement, and lesser Map of it. And therefore he awakes in the Morning with the chearful remembrance of God.
He delights also to rise as early … that he might gain some fresh, persumed, and previous thoughts before o… her affairs crowd in upon him … accounting it very *Tarpis qui alto sole semilomnis jacet, cujus vigilia medio die incipit. Sen. Trag.unbecoming, and the open Symptom of an ignoble hopeless disposition; To fold the arms to any longer sleep, when God brings in so fair, so bright a Lamp, as the rayes of the Sun, for us to rise by.
He enters the day with Prayer, and Reading: seeking to interest the Lord and take fresh counsel from his Word for all the following occasions of the day. He goes forth from chance to his Calling, endeavouring painfully, and patiently to undergo the service, and evils of the day, with an unbroken mind. *Anima mea quid fecilte bodie? &c. quod malum sanasti? Seneca de ira.He sets down in the Evening, and Pythagoras-like, makes up the accounts of the day now past; He commends his Soul to God at night, as one ready to take his leave of the World, to whom it would be no surprize, though his bidding good night, should be his parting with his Friends indeed; his undressing, his putting off all things here; his Bed, his Grave; & his sleep, a sleeping with his Fathers, till the sweet Morning of the Resurrection, when he might awake, satisfied in Gods likeness, and see the Sun of righteousness shining upon him indeed.
Thus with the Rose he lifts up his face toward the Sun in the Morning, perfumes the ambient air with a fragrant odour all the day. And still with the Rose, vails up his head at night, with a fresh dew from heaven, resting, and lodging upon him.
So sweet a life, so dayly a death oh! how familiar, how welcome, and easie would they make death it self (as a friend of long acquaintance, and before-hand provided for) when ever i… comes indeed.
13. 12 Affi…m. Char.Lastly, and more comprehensively. He is one whose growth is an intire growth; of the min… within, as well as of the body without. In Vertue, as well as in Stature. It is his dayly care, and prayer that he may grow in wisdom, and savour with God, and Man.
He esteems it the beauty of his Youth, to be truly respectful to the Aged. *Cred… vant hoc grande ne…as, & norte piandum, si … iuvenis vetulo …o… assurrexerat. Juv.Nature presented it as … matter of high concern to the blind Heathens: and the Lord himself hat… more expresly required it at our hands. †Lev. 19.32.Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God. I am the Lord. God scarce takes himself to be duly feared: where this is neglected.
He is one who foresees his Parents shortly giving up their places, and leaving him, as the branch of their hope to succeed therein. He takes it to be his just debt, both to them, and to himself, to be (what his Name in the holy Language well suggesteth to him,) †foreign silius a foreign aedificavit, quasi in quo dom…s de futuro sit …edificanda.The wise builder up of the Family when they are gone. The strength, the stay, and ornament of it; that it may live, and become a Famimily of some praise and honour amongst the thousands of Israel.
He is one that takes care to naturalize himself betimes to vertuous habits of diligence and goodness; watching, and declining the very occasions, and first entertainments of Vice; *Pare is malis assuc…isse magnam est mal…in. Erasm. de pueris lib. Instit.Left Nature should be wooed, and too easily carried away by such had Suiters; and evil courses (like the Sons of Zervia) in a little process of time *Sero recusat serre, quod s…mel subut jugum. Sen.become too hard for him.
He is one that walketh chearfully in his station; is merry and sinneth not: pleasant, but not frothy: Serious, but not melancholy. One that by sweetness of nature and disposition; one that by meekness of carriage and conversation renders himself lovely to all.
His Parents shall look upon him with comfort, and say, My Child! my heart rejoyceth, even mine; because thou hast chosen the waies of Wisdom. His Neighbours shall enquire after him, and propounding him as an example to their own Families, shall even bless the breasts which gave him suck, and account that Parent happy, who hath such Arrows in his Quiver, he may speak with his adversary in the gate.
And now such, oh! such for Piety, and Vertue are you desired to be. Whom all that know you may esteem and Sirname according to that old,Amor, & deliciae generis humani. de Tito dict. yet honourable phrase, The love and delight of mankind.