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

5. Young men, take he•d of Quarrelling; forbear gaming, and you will be out of the occasion of many quarrels. Take heed of a contentious spirit: In your young blood and strength of body, you are apt to have that which the world falsely terms a high spirit, and may be ready to offer affronts and injuries to others, and be able to bear none; but let me tell you, that such a spirit is a low, base spirit, a mean ignoble spirit: The high spirit indeed is such a spirit, as is most like the Spirit of Christ, he who had the most noble soul that ever God created, and his Spirit was humble and meek, who did injury to none, but bore all injuries patiently; who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; when he was smitten, he did not return blow for blow. This was noble. Young ones, labour to be like unto Jesus Christ in meekness, and patient bearing injuries and reproaches: Strife and contention comes from beneath, and is termed James 3. devilish; but meekness and patience cometh down from above, and will truly ennoble you; a meek and quiet spirit, not on•y in women, but also in young men, is their ornament, and before God of great price, 1 P•t. 3. 4.

5. Young men, take he•d of Quarrelling; forbear gaming, and you will be out of the occasion of many quarrels. Take heed of a contentious spirit: In your young blood and strength of body, you are apt to have that which the world falsly terms a high spirit, and may be ready to offer affronts and injuries to others, and be able to bear none; but let me tell you, that such a spirit is a low, base spirit, a mean ignoble spirit: The high spirit indeed is such a spirit, as is most like the Spirit of Christ, he who had the most noble soul that ever God created, and his Spirit was humble and meek, who did injury to none, but bore all injuries patiently; who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatned not; when he was smitten, he did not return blow for blow. This was noble. Young ones, labour to be like unto Jesus Christ in meekness, and patient bearing injuries and reproaches: Strife and contention comes from beneath, and is termed James 3. devilish; but meekness and patience cometh down from above, and will truly ennoble you; a meek and quiet spirit, not ony in women, but also in young men, is their ornament, and before God of great price, 1 Pt. 3. 4.