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

CHAP. I. The Exposition of the Words.

Eccl. 12. 1. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy Youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw night, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.

Eccl. 12. 1. Remember now thy Creatour in the dayes of thy Youth, while the evil dayes come not, nor the years draw night, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.

THE Royal Preacher King Solomon in the latter part of the foregoing Chapter, doth by an emphatical Irony dissuade young men from those youthful lusts, and sensual pleasures, whereunto they are naturally addicted; and that by the consideration of that dreadful account they are to give unto God at the great day, as vers. 4. Rejoice O young man in thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things, God will bring thee into Judgement. As if he had said, since thou art so set upon it to have thy will, and thy way, to suck the sweet, and make the best of what is before thee, take thy course, take thy fill of thy pleasure, ease, and hearts-content whilst thou livest: but remember what comes after, and know ⟨p. 2⟩that for all thy sweet morsels, and pleasant draughts, for all thy pleasant sins, and youthful liberties, and those vain, and wicked courses, wherein thou now takest such content and delight, God will bring thee into judgement: die thou must, thou knowest not how soon, and after death thou shalt be brought before Gods Tribunal, there to answer for all that thou hast done, and receive a just recompense of reward. Remember this, O young man, and then go on thy way at thy peril.