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

And now do I need to say any more, to show young men designed for the Ministry of what importance it is that they be well prepared and qualified for it: God can and sometime doth turn Wolves into faithful Shepherds, and convert those, that being unconverted, undertake the work that should convert others, and give wisdom and grace to ignorant and graceless Preachers of wisdom ⟨p. 139⟩and grace. But this is not ordinarily to be expected. But as youth is trained up and disposed, they commonly prove when they come to age: Their first notions lie deepest, and make way for their like; and resist all that is contrary be it never so true and good and necessary: Experience tells this to all the world: Those that in youth are trained in Heathenism, Mohammedanism, Popery, or any distinct sect of Christians, they commonly continue such especially if they live among those who are for it, and so make it their Interest in reputation or wealth. And if the Rulers and Times should be but Erroneous, Heretical or Malignant, at enmity to Truth and serious holiness, alas, how hard is it for ill-taught youth, to resist the Stream! How hard is it to unteach them the Errors which they first learnt! A Vomit may easily bring up that which was but lately eaten, but the yellow and the green humours that lie deep, must cost heart-gripes, before they will be cast up. False Opinions as well as Truths are usually linked together; and the chain is neither easily cast off nor broken. And they that have received Errors, have received their defensatives: These are like the Shell-fish that carry their house about them. They have studied what to say for it, but not what can ⟨p. 140⟩be said against it: or which is worse, by a slight and false consideration of the arguments for Truth they have disabled them from doing them any good.

And now do I need to say any more, to shew young men designed for the Ministry of what importance it is that they be well prepared and qualified for it: God can and sometime doth turn VVolves into faithful Shepherds, and convert those, that being unconverted, undertake the work that should convert others, and give wisdom and grace to ignorant and graceless Preachers of wisdom ⟨p. 139⟩and grace. But this is not ordinarily to be expected. But as youth is trained up and disposed, they commonly prove when they come to age: Their first notions lie deepest, and make way for their like; and resist all that is contrary be it never so true and good and necessary: Experience tells this to all the world: Those that in youth are trained in Heathenism, Mahometanism, Popery, or any distinct sect of Christians, they commonly continue such especially if they live among those who are for it, and so make it their Interest in reputation or wealth. And if the Rulers and Times should be but Erroneous, Heretical or Malignant, at enmity to Truth and serious holiness, alas, how hard is it for ill-taught youth, to resist the Stream! How hard is it to unteach them the Errours which they first learnt! A Vomit may easily bring up that which was but lately eaten, but the yellow and the green humors that lie deep, must cost heart-gripes, before they will be cast up. False Opinions as well as Truths are usually linkt together; and the chain is neither easily cast off nor broken. And they that have received Errours, have received their defensatives: These are like the Shell-fish that carry their house about them. They have studied what to say for it, but not what can