The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…

Ah sinner! be convinced, that these things must be done by thee, or else thou wilt be undone for ever, And then judge, whether it be not high time for thee to bid adieu to all sinful pleasures, and delights, and seriously to mind the Concernments of thy precious and Immortal Soul. Surely thou canst not be so simple as to flatter thy self with a conceit, that all those things may be done, either in time of sickness, or in old age.

First, For the time of Sickness; that must needs be very unfit, in regard of the many lets and impediments which then usually fall out to hinder the performance of them; as pains of body, faintness of spirit, dullness and deadness of heart, perplexity of mind, partly through fear of Gods Judgments, and partly with care of disposing thy outward estate for the future maintenance of Wife and Children; which will not suffer thee so to collect thy spirits, as is requisite for such weighty works.

First, For the time of Sickness; that must needs be very unfit, in regard of the many lets and impediments which then usually fall out to hinder the performance of them; as pains of body, faintness of spirit, dulness and deadness of heart, perplexity of mind, partly through fear of Gods Judgments, and partly with care of disposing thy outward estate for the future maintenance of Wife and Children; which will not suffer thee so to collect thy spirits, as is requisite for such weighty works.

Secondly, As for Old Age, which is scarce able to bear the infirmities of Nature, how unfit must that needs be for such hard and difficult services? How can it be expected, that such who are in a manner past working, should go through the greatest works, that in this world are to be performed? Eccl. 12. 1, Solomon calls the days of Old Age, evil days; not because they are so in themselves, but because of the manifold weaknesses and diseases, pains and aches which do accompany them, whereby they are very much disabled unto any good work. And therefore to put off the main business of our lives, the things which concern the Salvation of our Souls to our Old Age, must needs be the greatest folly in the world, because in so doing we put it to the hazard whether ever it will be done. Besides, that God who requireth the First-fruits of all we have, will not be put off with the Devils leavings. If a Soldier should spend the strength of his days in service against his Prince, and in his Old Age offer his service to him, would he, think you, accept thereof, and