Serious Truths feriously delivered are not indeed very agreeable to the reigning Genius of Gallantry and Pleafure, fo much in fashion, and fo tenderly indulged. But as there is a Time to be allowed for the innocent Pleasures of Mirth and Diverfion, fo the Hours that are employ'd in the more ftudious Contemplation of Wisdom and Virtue, are naturally produ Etive of that fort of Pleasure which is above all other the most folid, fatisfactory, and durable. Of this, Sir, your own delightful Experience may give you a Proof. Of this every knowing and unprejudic'd Perfon is fo far fenfible, that he cannot eafily diflike a fincere and impartial Reprefentation of the true State of Things, efpecially where there are great Dangers and Difficulties to be avoided or conquered, great Advantages to be improved, and immenfe Rewards to be won or loft, all which require Care and Conduct, Courage and Induftry, and will never be flighted or fupinely neglected by fagacious, noble, and generous Minds. If you fhall be pleased to reflect a little on the laborious and hazardous Atchievments of ancient Heroes recorded in Hiftory when they have only aim'd at Secular Glory, or on thofe of our own Times nearer in view; if you recollect with what Sweat and Toil, with how many perilous Expeditions and Fatigues of Camps, with what Tharp and bloody Conflicts many Young Young Gentlemen of our own Nation have of late Years eagerly pursued Military Fame, and fuch Temporary Felicities, as the Favour of their Prince, and the Applaufe of their Country, you will certainly be willing to take fome Pains, and use the ferious Application of your Powers and Faculties for overcoming more formidable, because Spiritual Enemies, for procuring the Favour of Almighty God, and obtaining a far more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory. We may remember, that neither the Heat of Spain, nor the Cold of Germany, nor the ill Temperature of any foreign Climate, nor the Scarcity of Provifions, nor the Strength of the Enemy, nor the Face of any Danger, could rebate the Courage of our brave Captains, after it was once inflam'd by the Efteem they had of the Merit and Diftinctions of the Field, and their Ambition to augment the Luftre of their honourable Profeffion, tho' when it rifes highest and shines brightest 'tis but fublunary and fading. Why then fhould any Difficulties, Trials, or Dangers, fince to Divine Grace none of them are infuperable, difcourage any Chriftians, of what Rank or Quality foever, from fighting under the Banner of their Lord and Saviour, who will confer infinitely better Rewards on all his faithful Soldiers and Servants. In this greatest and highest Warfare there are many illustrious Examples of renowned Worthies that have triumphantly march'd- before you, fome of which the Second Chapter of this A 3 Effay Effay offers to your Confideration. God grant you may conftantly and unweariedly follow the noble Patterns they have fet you, until you your felf, as well as they, fhall give a bright Example to a degenerate Age, and render your felf as eminently confpicuous in refifting and conquering all that is oppofite to Piety and Virtue as any of them ever were. These are the Hopes, Wishes, and Prayers of him who is with all Respect, THE The Happiness of those Young Gentlemen and Ladies who Some general Defcription of these Difficulties, Whether a rich, bonourable, and profperous, or a poor and mean Condition, be most expofed to Temptations? The Dangers of both compared together, and those of the former State fhewn to be more numerous and confiderable, P. 3 The Temptations arifing from corrupt Nature and evil Cuftoms, as great Obstacles to the Young Gentry in the Practice of Re- The Temptations from the World and the Devil commonly The Poffibility of overcoming the greatest Difficulties No Allurements of the World can hinder the Rich and Greas from living a holy Life, if they vigorously refift them, and and daily implore the Divine Grace to enable them to perfe- This evinced from the Promife of God's Spirit made to all Men, of what Rank foever, that petition for it, This further proved from the Examples of those who amidst the The Reasons why fo large a Collection is here made of fuch Many Examples of this fort extracted from the Sacred Hiftory, Some choice Inftances of this kind which our own Nation has produced in the excellent Lives of divers young Princes, No- blemen, Gentlemen, and Ladies, who have been eminently re- ligious, notwithstanding the Affluence of their Earthly Enjoy- Queen Mary II. and her Sister Queen Ann, our prefent most Prince Henry, the Eldeft Son of King James I. P. 37 Edward Earl of Darby, one of the Minifters of State to Queen Mr. George Herbert, of the Family of the Earls of Pembroke, |