Page:Advice to the young.pdf/5

 this I do deliberately, ſincerely, frely, and forever.

Early ſobriety, early knowledge of religion, and early habits of piety, are the moſt probable means of ſecuring the favor of God.

As every flower hath its ſweet favour, ſo every good word carries meat in the mouth, and comfort in the performance of it.

By painting ſin in virtuous colours Satan knows that if he ſhould preſent ſin in its own nature and dreſs, the ſoul would rather flee from it than yield to it; and therefore he preſents it to us printed and gilded over with the name and ſhew of virtue, that we may more eaſily be overcome by it, and take more pleaſure in committing it. Pride, he preſents in the ſoul, under the name of neatneſs and cleanlineſs. Covetouſneſs, to be but good huſbandry. Drunkenneſs, good fellowſhip Rioting, under the nation of liberality; and wantonneſs is a trick of youth.

I have many books that I cannot