Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity,…

Qu. 15. I take it for granted, that your merry, and sensual, and worldly Tempters and Companions, deride all this, and persuade you to despise it, as if it were but needless, melancholy, troublesome talk: But tell me, do you think in Conscience that it is sound reason that they give you, and such as should satisfy a sober man, that careth what becomes of his soul for ever? If it be, I make a motion to you. Bring any of them to me, or any such man, and in your hearing let the ⟨p. 76⟩case be soberly debated: I will hear all that they can say against a holy, sober life, for the World, and for their fleshly pleasure: And you shall hear what I can say on the contrary, and then do but use the reason of a man, and judge as you see cause. As Elijah said to the Israelites, Why halt you between two Opinions: If the Lord be God, follow him; If Baal be God, follow him. If Money, Preferment, Drink, and Lust be best, take it: But if God, Heaven, Christ, Faith, Hope, and Holiness be best, at your peril refuse them not, and halt no longer. I suppose you sometime think of the case, (or else you are dead in sin.) I pray you tell me, or tell your selves, which cause seemeth best upon the deepest thoughts and consideration: But if you will take the laughter or scorns of ignorant Sots, instead of reason, and instead of sober consideration, you are well worthy of the damnation which you so wilfully choose.

Qu. 15. I take it for granted, that your merry, and sensual, and worldly Tempters and Companions, deride all this, and persuade you to despise it, as if it were but needless, melancholy, troublesom talk: But tell me, do you think in Conscience that it is sound reason that they give you, and such as should satisfie a sober man, that careth what becomes of his soul for ever? If it be, I make a motion to you. Bring any of them to me, or any such man, and in your hearing let the ⟨p. 76⟩case be soberly debated: I will hear all that they can say against a holy, sober life, for the World, and for their fleshly pleasure: And you shall hear what I can say on the contrary, and then do but use the reason of a man, and judge as you see cause. As Elias said to the Israelites, Why halt you between two Opinions: If the Lord be God, follow him; If Baal be God, follow him. If Money, Preferment, Drink, and Lust be best, take it: But if God, Heaven, Christ, Faith, Hope, and Holiness be best, at your peril refuse them not, and halt no longer. I suppose you sometime think of the case, (or else you are dead in sin.) I pray you tell me, or tell your selves, which cause seemeth best upon the deepest thoughts and consideration: But if you will take the laughter or scorns of ignorant Sots, instead of reason, and instead of sober consideration, you are well worthy of the damnation which you so wilfully choose.