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

2. Take all opportunities of reading the writings of godly learned men, who by their labours have cleared the main and principal points of Religion. And amongst the many Books now extant, be sure you rather make choice of such as do soundly inform the judgment, and work powerfully upon the heart and affections, than of such as containing little but frothy conceits of wit, do only please the fantasy with fruitless flashes.

2. Take all opportunities of reading the writings of godly learned men, who by their labours have cleared the main and principal points of Religion. And amongst the many Books now extant, be sure you rather make choice of such as do soundly inform the judgment, and work powerfully upon the heart and affections, than of such as containing little but frothy conceits of wit, do only please the phantasie with fruitless flashes.

3. Especially be frequent in reading the holy Scriptures, which contain not only the Principles of Religion, but also all necessary truths to be known and practised. Yea as David speaketh, Psal. 119. 105. Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. It giveth wisdom to the simple, and to the young man knowledge and discretion. For this Timothy is commended, That he had known the Scriptures from his Childhood, 2 Tim. 3. 15.

II. Return to the Lord: Repent, and be converted to God. Conversion being so great and necessary a duty, and so especially included in that remembering of our Creator required in the Text, I shall insist a little the more distinctly upon it; and shall,

II. Return to the Lord: Repent, and be converted to God. Conversion being so great and necessary a duty, and so especially included in that remembring of our Creator required in the Text, I shall insist a little the more distinctly upon it; and shall,