Counsel to a Youth
13 March 1637
I rejoice to hear that Christ has run away with your young love, and that you are, so early in the morning, matched with such a Lord; for a young man is often a dressed lodging for the devil to dwell in. Be humble and thankful for grace, and judge it not so much by weight, as by its truth. Christ will not cast water on your smoking coal; he never yet put out a dim candle that was light-ed at the Sun of Righteousness.
I recommend to you prayer and watching over the sins of your youth; for I know that missive letters go between the devil and young blood. Satan has a friend at court in the heart of youth; and there pride, luxury, lust, revenge, and forgetfulness of God are hired as his agents. Happy is your soul if Christ man the house, and take the keys himself, and command all (as it suits him full well to rule all wherever he is). Keep and entertain Christ well; cherish his grace; blow upon your own coal, and let him tutor you.
Now, for myself, know that I am fully agreed with my Lord. Christ has put the Father and me in each other’s arms. Many a sweet bargain he made before, and he has made this among the rest. I reign, as king, over my crosses; I will not flatter a temptation, nor give the devil a good word; I defy hell’s iron gates. God has passed over my quarreling against him at my entry here, and now he feeds and feasts with me. Praise, praise with me, and let us exalt his name together.
On this day…
- Galatians 4 – 2025
- Galatians 3 – 2025
- Numbers 1 – 2024
- Leviticus 10 – 2024
- Lord Jesus Christ – 2012
- One instance of the Holy Trinity – 2012
- Christ is greater than the one who proclaims Him – 2012
- God, the Infinitely Greatest Being – 2012
- Inductive Reasoning – 2012
- Inductive reasoning – 2012
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