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

2. That they be used moderately, not spending too much time in them, nor taking too much pains about them; for thereby you will rather be disabled for the discharge of the duties of your Calling, than fitted thereunto, which crosseth the main end of Recreations. The Mowers whet is counted no let, but rather a furtherance of his work. But if he spend the whole day, or half a day in whetting, he spoils his Sith, and hinders his work. Now our Recreations ought to be as whetting to the Mower, wherein no more time must be spent than doth conduce to the better fitting us for the duties of our general and particular Calling.

2. That they be used moderately, not spending too much time in them, nor taking too much pains about them; for thereby you will rather be disabled for the discharge of the duties of your Calling, than fitted thereunto, which crosseth the main end of Recreations. The Mowers whet is counted no let, but rather a furtherance of his work. But if he spend the whole day, or half a day in whetting, he spoils his Sythe, and hinders his work. Now our Recreations ought to be as whetting to the Mower, wherein no more time must be spent than doth conduce to the better fitting us for the duties of our general and particular Calling.

But contrariwise, how do the greater part of Young Men, either accustom themselves to unlawful Recreations, sporting themselves in sin and wickedness; or else abuse their lawful Recreations, by lavishing away much of their precious time therein, making a Vocation of their Recreation; as if their work were to play, and their pastimes were the very Trade to which they had ⟨p. 126⟩served an Apprenticeship, and idleness were the business of their lives.

Ah Young Men, is your peace yet to be made with God? the pardon of your sins yet to be obtained? your Salvation yet to be wrought out? And is the time allotted for these things both short and uncertain, and yet do ye squander it away in sports and pastimes? Doth your everlasting happiness and misery depend upon your well or ill improving of your time here, and can you so prodigally lavish it out in sensual pleasures and delights? O that men endowed with reason should be so foolish and unwise, as to hazard the eternal welfare of their precious Souls for a few pleasing vanities, which last but for a moment!