Directions and persuasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…Directions and perswasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…

11. Moreover, Age it self hath many inconveniences, and youth hath many great advantages; and therefore it is folly to delay. In age the understanding and memory grows dull; and people grow uncapable and almost unchangeable. We see by our every days experience, that men think they should not change when they are old; that opinion or practice that they have been brought up in, they think that they should not then forsake▪ To learn when they are old, and to turn when they are old, you see how much they are against it. Besides, how unfit is age to be at that pains, that youth can undergo? How unfit to begin the holy Warfare against the flesh, the world, and Devil? Gods way is to list his Soldiers as soon as may be; Even in their infancy; which they must own as soon as ever they come to age: And the Devil would not have it done at all; and therefore he would have it put off as long as may be: In infancy he will tell the Parents with the Anabaptists▪ It is ⟨p. 394⟩too soon to be dedicated to God, and entered into his Covenant: when they come to their childhood, and youthful state, he will then persuade them that it is yet too soon; and when he can no longer persuade them that it is yet too soon, he will then persuade them that it is too late. O what a happy thing it is to come unto God betimes, and with the first. What advantage hath youth? They have the vigour of wit and of body: They be not rooted and hardened in sin, nor filled with prejudice and obstinacy against Godliness, as others be. Besides, the capacity of serving God, of which anon.

11. Moreover, Age it self hath many inconveniences, and youth hath many great advantages; and therefore it is folly to delay. In age the understanding and memory grows dull; and people grow uncapable and almost unchangeable. We see by our every daies experience, that men think they should not change when they are old; that opinion or practice that they have been brought up in, they think that they should not then forsake▪ To learn when they are old, and to turn when they are old, you see how much they are against it. Besides, how unfit is age to be at that paines, that youth can undergo? How unfit to begin the holy Warfare against the flesh, the world, and Devil? Gods way is to list his Souldiers as soon as may be; Even in their infancy; which they must own as soon as ever they come to age: And the Devil would not have it done at all; and therefore he would have it put off as long as may be: In infancy he will tell the Parents with the Anabaptists It is