A29676:395
Apples of gold for young men and women, and a crown of glory for…Apples of gold for young men and vvomen, and a crown of glory for…
Apples of gold for young men and women, and a crown of glory for old men and women. Or, The happiness of being good betimes, and the honour of being an old disciple Clearly and fully discovered, and closely, and faithfully applied. Also the young mans objections answered, and the old mans doubts resolved. By Thomas Brooks preacher of the gospel at Margarets new Fishstreet-hill.Apples of gold for young men and vvomen, and a crown of glory for old men and women. Or, The happiness of being good betimes, and the honour of being an old disciple Clearly and fully discovered, and closely, and faithfully applyed. Also the young mans objections answered, and the old mans doubts resolved. By Thomas Brooks preacher of the gospel at Margarets new Fishstreet-hill.
London: printed by R.I. for John Hancock, 1657
THE Young-Mans Duty AND EXCELLENCY. › Good Couns to Young men
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Sixthly and lastly, If you would be good betimes, then you must know betimes, that the heart of Jesus Christ is as much set upon sinners now he is in Heaven, as ever it was when he was upon earth. Christ is not less loving, less mindful, less desirous of sinners eternal welfare now he is in Heaven (in a far Country) than he was when he lived on earth: 1witness his continuing the Ministry of Reconciliation among poor sinners, in all ages; witness the constant Treatise that by his Ambassadors and Spirit he still hath with poor sinners, about the things of their peace, the things of eternity; 2witness his continual knockings, his continual callings upon poor sinners by his word, Rod, Spirit, to open, to repent, to lay hold on mercy, and to be at peace with him; witness his continual wooing of poor sinners in the face of all neglects, 3and put offs, ⟨p. 247⟩in the face of all delays and denials; 4in the face of all harsh entertainment and churlish answers; in the face of all gain-sayings and carnal reasonings; in the face of all the scorn and contempt that wretched sinners put upon him; and witness that plain word, Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, 5and to day, and for ever. Christ is the same aforetime, in time, and after time, he is unchangeable in his essence, in his promises, and in his affections. I am Alpha and Omega, 6the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come. The phrase is taken from the Greek letters, whereof Alpha is the first and Omega the last; 7the first and last letter of the Greek Alphabet is a description of me, saith Christ, who am before all, and after all, who am above all, and in all, who am unchangeable in my self, and in my thoughts and good-will to poor sinners; therefore do not