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

Consider, O Young Man, how unfit old age is either to grapple with thy Lusts, or thy duties, to resist the tyranny of sin, or to bear the difficulties of Religion. We find by experience, that the soul acting by and through the body, acts according to the disposition thereof. When the body is dull and heavy through age, or infirmity, the soul acts thereafter. Is thy dullness and coldness all that thou wilt spare to the God of thy spirits? How will he take it at thy hands? when the Devil hath rode thee off thy legs, and so lamed and crippled thee that now thou canst do no more, then thou wilt be for God: think how ⟨p. 16⟩well this will please thy Maker. Ye shall not see my face, said Joseph to his Brethren, except you bring your younger Brother with you, Gen. 43. 2. And how canst thou look to behold the face of the Lord Jesus with comfort, if thou bring not unto him thy Youth and strength?

Consider, O Young Man, how unfit old age is either to grapple with thy Lusts, or thy duties, to resist the tyranny of sin, or to bear the difficulties of Religion. We find by experience, that the soul acting by and through the body, acts according to the disposition thereof. When the body is dull and heavy through age, or infirmity, the soul acts thereafter. Is thy dulness and coldness all that thou wilt spare to the God of thy spirits? How will he take it at thy hands? when the Devil hath rode thee off thy legs, and so lamed and cripled thee that now thou canst do no more, then thou wilt be for God: think how ⟨p. 16⟩well this will please thy Maker. Ye shall not see my face, said Ioseph to his Brethren, except you bring your younger Brother with you, Gen. 43. 2. And how canst thou look to behold the face of the Lord Jesus with comfort, if thou bring not unto him thy Youth and strength?