Advice to Young People (1)

While you are entering on the stage of the world at this time, you must either act the part of witnesses for God against the sinful courses of the day, or enter into the conspiracy of the generation against God. You cannot be neutral, however you may think to be so. “He that is not with Me,” says Christ, “is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad” (Matt. 12:30). Therefore, consider well which to choose, and resolve to place yourselves forthwith on Christ’s side. Say as Joshua, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”(24:15).

Among our fathers were found witnesses for God, who, at the expense of all that was dear to them in the world and even of their own lives, transmitted the testimony for truth and holiness unto us. It lies upon your consciences to take it up and maintain it; for you must be answerable to God for it in your stations, and woe, woe will be to that generation in whose hand it falls! This was expressly enjoined to, and strongly inculcated upon, the Jewish church, as you may see from Psalm 78:5–7, “For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.”

The stream of irreligion, neglect and contempt of seriousness, runs so high among the young generation of this day that you are in great hazard of being carried away with it, and can hardly miss to be so if you do not look well to yourselves.

Therefore take these advices:

Begin your life as you would desire to end it, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Eccl. 12:1). Though you are young now, you will become old, and go the way of all flesh then, if not before. It is a pity to stand at a distance from religion and seriousness while you are young, since you know the day will come when you will need it, and you know not how soon.

Give an obedient ear to good advice for your souls. Nature is corrupt; youth is headstrong, raw, and inexperienced; there is much need to be pliable to the counsels of those concerned for your spiritual welfare, lest “thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, and say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof!” (Prov. 5:11). A few years may come to let you see the folly of the way of wilfulness.

Take heed to your company, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Cor. 15:33). Ill company has been the ruin of many, and is so to this day. Many have fallen into such company in their youth as has given them an ill set which has stuck to them all their days, or led them into such courses as have soon ruined them.

Observe carefully and improve what you see befalling young people as well as others. You see there are of that sort carried off to eternity in the middle of their days; and is it not reasonable you should timely see to your own state, in case it be your lot too? You see what wretched snares the folly of youth betrays many into, and be you therefore on your guard. Take heed of sad examples set before you, lest you become examples to others.

Study the lesson of the vanity of the world. What is youth, strength, beauty, wealth, etc. but fair, fading flowers that last not, but are quickly gone? Cease your towering imaginations, your flourishing hopes of worldly possessions, your big promises to yourselves of what fine things you may reach. These will but make your disappointments the more cutting.

Consecrate yourselves to the Lord and let Christ Jesus, the plant of renown, the chief among ten thousands, have your heart and affections while you are young, “My son,” says the Lord, “give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My ways” (Prov. 23:26). Lay hold on Him in the covenant of grace and be knit unto Him by faith, and so lay your measure for your welfare in time and eternity.

Rev. T. Boston (1676–1732) was a Scottish Puritan and Marrowman, renowned for hisHuman Nature in its Fourfold State and TheCrook in the Lot, as well as for publishing a new edition ofThe Marrow of Modern Divinity with ample notes. HisComplete Works in twelve volumes is still in print and is highly recommended. This and a concluding article are reprinted fromThe Banner of Truth (1968).

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