Words of advice to young men delivered in two sermons at two conventions of…

2. Young men, labour for strong Love. In the time of youth affections do spring, and they put forth themselves with more strength and vigour than in the cold winter of Old age: Dear Youths, endeavour that your affections may be directed to the right objects, that you may not defile your affections with fin, nor debase your affections with the world; that you may not by misplacing your Love, lose your Love, and with the loss of your Love, lose your Souls and your happiness. You may love, and that with the greatest strength you have a capacity for, and it is your duty to be strong in Love, but then let it be carried forth in this order,

2. Young men, labour for strong Love. In the time of youth affections do spring, and they put forth themselves with more strength and vigour than in the cold winter of Old age: Dear Youths, endeavour that your affections may be directed to the right objects, that you may not defile your affections with fin, nor debase your affections with the world; that you may not by misplacing your Love, lose your Love, and with the loss of your Love, lose your Souls and your happiness. You may love, and that with the greatest strength you have a capacity for, and it is your duty to be strong in Love, but then let it be carryed forth in this order,

1. Be strong in love to God; your hearts now will settle upon something; they will work some way; if they do not work upward, they will work downward; if they be not placed upon God, they will be placed upon the Creature. You have now many suitors for your love; all the sensitive alluring objects which are about you would entice and ravish your hearts; but these things if they seem fair, will wither and prove deceitful, they are unworthy of your love. Give me leave to be a suitor for your love; let me beg your Love for God and his dear Son. This is the first and great Commandment, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,