Solemn advice to young men, not to walk in the ways of their heart,…Solemn advice to young men, not to walk in the wayes of their heart,…

INFOR. II. Hence such Young men as continue to walk in the ways of their Heart, and in the sight of their Eyes, are very foolish Creatures. The Scripture calls them Fools, and therefore they are so. Prov. 17. 21. He that begets a fool does it to his sorrow; and the father of fool ha's no joy. A profane Young man is that fool, whose father ha's sorrow and no ⟨p. 47⟩joy in him; one such son is enough to damp the joy which he may have in his other Children, who are not such Wicked Fools as that son is. Such Youngsters are Simple ones indeed. Hear what the Wisest of men faith Prov. 7. 7. I beheld amongst the simple ones, I discerned amongst the Youths, a Young man void of understanding. Consider a little if it be not so. Fools are easily deceived, and so are Young men that have not Grace in their hearts; sin deceiveth them; the Devil deceiveth them; vain Companions deceive them. They are easily drawn into the snares of Temptation: like silly birds they hasten to the snare not knowing that it is for their life. Persons are known to be either Wise or Foolish by the choice which they make. One that does prefer pebbles to Pearls, Trifles to the richest Treasure, is judged to be a fool. Thus it is with Young men that walk in the ways of their own heart, especially if they do so under the light of the Gospel, like fools as they are they refuse a good offer; with the Young man in the Gospel, they refuse the Treasures which are in Heaven: And […] do they choose instead thereof? but the Vanities of this present World, nay, sin which is the vilest thing that can be chosen. They that exchange ⟨p. 48⟩change things of the greatest value, for those that are worth nothing are accounted fools. What folly was that of profane Esau to sell his birth right to gratify his carnal appetite. Thus do profane Young men do: They have Immortal Souls which are more worth than all the World, these do they exchange for sensual and brutish Lusts. To part with pleasures for-ever-more, to enjoy those that are but for a season, is infinite folly. He that runs into the fire is either a fool or a mad man: What Fools then are they, that will cast their own bodies and Souls into the fire that never shall be quenched?