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time, &c. Phil.2.12. Work out your own falvation with fear and trembling. 1 Pet.4.18. If the righteous fcarcely be faved, where fhall the ungodly and the finner appear? If the righteous hardly, (ie. with much friving, diligence and watchfulneß) attain falvation; what will become of the negligent secure finner? Can any think of ever coming to Heaven, which is a state of holineffe and purity, whole hearts difrellifh Holineffe, and cannot away with it, as too much strictness and more ado than needs?

obj 4. We are young enough: We intend to turn to God hereafter, but not yet.

Sol. Concerning the danger of delaies fee before pag.510 In all likelihood there are many in Hell, that thought of turning hereaf

ter.

obj.5. We fhall be flouted and jeer'd if we begin to be religious and precife fo foon.

Sol. What are reproaches to the great things others have fuffered for Chrift? What is the enduring a jeer to the enduring a burning for the fake of Chrift: 1 Pet.4.14. If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye, for the Spirit of Glory and of God refteth upon you. 2 Cor.6.8. By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as decievers and yet true. Mat. 5. 11. Bieffed are ye when men shall revile you, and perfecute you, and fhall fay all manner of evil against you fally for my fake, V. 12. Rejoyce, and be exceeding

ceeding glad, for great is your rewardin

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obj.7. We see many that once feem in Religion, do fall off, fome to ope neffe, and fome into crrour and first

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Sol. I confeffe 'tis a very fad thing that feemed Lights in the Firmame Meteors, and falling stars. But though yet (through Grace) many stand, and faithful to the end. There was a Jada our Saviours own Difciples, and yetitf not from thence, that any of the rest we The fals of fome profeffors (hould teach est be high-minded, but continually jealous own hearts. We fhould be exceeding and ceafe from trafting in our felves, and our trust in God, to be kept by his power Faith unto Salvation, The Devil aimes can to foil profesors. If he can but fol Dir them, he blurs their profession, makes other this of it, and fo advances his own Kingdom might Therefore the fall of fome should not difon el us, but make us more humble and watchful, ».

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cause us often to examine our hearts whether Gods Glory be our aim and end, and whether we do in humility and integrity walk before him.

obj.8. God is merciful. We fee Mercy was afforded to the thief on the Croffe, a little before his death,

Sol.i. 'Tis an example without a promife. Here is an example of a late repentance, but where have we a promife that God will give repentance at laft to fuch as go on in a long courfe of fin? 'Tis not examples but the promises of God that is a foundation for Faith to build upon.

2. This was an extraordinary time. What if our Saviour on this extraordinary occafion, was pleafed by this rare Miracle of Mercy to honour his Croffe, will this afford any ground of hope that he vill do fo ordinarily and especially to wilfull fin

ers?

3. We do not find that this thief had ever nown Christ before, or had ever neglected or reufed any offers of Grace made unto him. Thou aft little reafon to plead this, who fittest daily nder the calls and intreaties of the Gofpel; This cafe will minifter little comfort to thee, if hou goest on in thy fins,

I come now in the third place, to give fome irections to fuch as are willing to be advised in his matter of fo much concernment to them. 4. Let them take heed of those things that ufually do young people. Such are,

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1. Care

1. Carelefneffe, want of confideration, then ing to heart the things that most concern them. Le ing on in a diffolute negligence, without evended ing themselves what their fate and condere God ward is?

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2. An eager following youthful lufts al pleafures. Therefore the Apoftle 2 Tim.3.22. To flee youthful lufts, & 11.. As pilgrims and strangers to sit flefbly lasts, which war against the faul confider that the feet of thefe lufts thPar ried away and buried millions of the LoRs in perdition, ftand ready to camí. Jame way, if preventing Grace comes ver them.

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4 A headinele and wilful obftinake good counfel. Carnal reafon flesh ass a usually young mens counsellors, and and dec courfe

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5. Slighting religion, and whateverter as too ftrict for them.

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II. Let them be especially careful to be well rounded in the Principles of Chriftian Religion. If there be a good foundation of faving knowledge laid in their minds betimes (fo that they hroughly understand how the Religion they proFeffe, is grounded on the Scriptures) they will not be like children, easily toffed to and fro with very wind of Doctrine, as too many now a daies are. And for this purpose I refer them to the firft Part of this Treatile containing the Princi ples of right Knowledge.

III. Let them labour to understand betimes; wherein the chief happinesse of man confifts, namey, in the pardon of his fins, a gracious frame of eart, and communion with God. Every one naurally defires to be happy; but people commonly iftake the way to it: Therefore it highly conerns all young perfons to be early acquainted ad deeply poffeffed how they may feer aright urfe both to be happy here, and hereaf

IV. Let them acquaint themselves well with he Scriptures; be much in fecret prayer, and f-reflexion, keep close to the publick Ordiinces, and liften to the awakenings of Gods pirit, they shall meet with in them.

V. Let them take heed of finning against Gonence. When Confcience faies, do it not, fec em liften to that voice; let them labour to Min z

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