TO My Beloved HEARERS, Especially Those of the Younger sort, Grace and Peace.

Men, Brethren and Fathers,
GOD that made your souls,
sets a very high value upon
them; and Christ that bought
them, though they cost his
heart-blood, thought them
worth his purchase, and that eternal glory
or misery that is prepared for souls speaks
them not to be inconsiderable. Vpon this
account it's impossible that you and I should
use too much diligence in the securing these

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souls; for this cause the Ministers of Christ
can easily over-look prisons, banishment and
faggots, so that they may but be instrumental
for the saving of souls, and delivering them
from the wrath to come: This I hope is
the ground that I am carrying on in this
ensuing Discourse: This may speak when I
may not, when I cannot. I might give
many reasons of my appearing thus in print.
I might tell the world of the desires of many,
that by reason of the multitude could
only see, but not hear. I might speak of
the want of time to deliver the fourth Part
of what is here presented to you. I might
tell you of the importunity of some of the
young men that would gladly write after
this Coppy: But I must profess all this would
have signified little with me; did I not find
by that account which some give of the work
of grace upon their hearts, that the Lord
hath owned my poor papers formerly:
Among others, that poor penitent Murtherer,
Thomas Savage, which makes me not
without hope that the same Spirit which
breathed life into my other Writings, may
please also to give a blessing to these. I will
not stand now to answer the Objections
that may be made against the Publication
of this Sermon. I never met with this,
that it is impossible that it should be subservient
to the salvation of a soul, and
therefore I think the cost answerable. I
must confess, had it not been for a necessary
Caution or two, I should have eased you
of the trouble of reading, and my self of
writing this Epistle. The first is this; Be
not offended if you find in the Young
Mans Evidences some expressions that may
sound somewhat harsh, and some tautologies;
remember that they are word for word from
his own papers, as he wrote them hastily:
consider also that he was but young, and a
servant too; so that it seems almost incredible
that one that had so much business,
should be able to redeem so much time as to
do what he did of this nature. Secondly,
I would it might be a little considered
what a hurry I was in when this task was
laid upon me, and how little time to peruse
my own Coppy; I beg you therefore candidly
to over-look many mistakes. As for
you, my dear friends, I suppose a pardon
is easily granted. As for others, scorn not
holiness, contemn not the future blessedness,
and make sure of happiness in the life
to come, and then I can easily bear your
slighting of me. Young Men, I may be bold
with you; I charge you as you value

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the comforts of another life, forget not
what an excellent example this precious
Brother of yours gave you. Read this ensuing
Discourse with seriousness, and let
it be read again in your lives. Brethren,
you are my Joy and Crown, and if you
stand fast, I live. O make not my boasting
void! How can I bear to think that
any of you should perish? For Gods sake,
and for your souls sake, falsifie that Proverb,
A Young Saint, and an Old Devil.
Brethren, my hearts desire is, that I may
see you all with that blessed Saint at the
right hand of Christ. Remember, your
sands run apace, and you are hasting into
Eternity. O make sure of that which will
stand you in some stead when you die! O
secure somewhat to live comfortably upon
in another world! let your lives bespeak
you persons resolved for Christ, and Heaven
upon any terms. Let your loyns be alwaies
girt, and your lamps be burning. Watch ye,
be strong; quit you like men. Remember,
Christ, Heaven and Glory are before you.
Sit not still till you are safe in the bosom
of Christ. Consider that many set out fair.
and look as if they were bound for Zion, and
yet founder in the way. I say again, make
sure: Sirs, I expect ere long to pass upon
Eternity; let me beg of you as you hope for
our good meeting in another world, that
you make Religion your business, and labour
to get every day nearer Heaven. Endeavour
not only to be Christians, but solid,
experienced, and exemplary Christians;
that so you may prove the glory of your
generation, the credit of Religion, and the
Joy of gray-headed Saints. Sirs, you are
now my hope; your love, zeal and union,
my comfort; go but on at this rate, and you
are made for ever. Know this, now the
eyes of the world will be upon you; nay,
that which is more, the eye of God is upon
you, and will take notice how you improve
such a Providence as this. I beseech you look
about, and let the world understand that
you are not nominal Christians, but real
Saints. Will any of you send me sorrowing
into the grave? shall I lose my hopes,
and comforts, and you your souls? can you
easily forget what was the practice of this
Young Man? do you remember what was the
usual subject of his discourse? did you not
observe how holily, meekly and diligently he
served his great Master? is there no weight
in a Crown of Glory? is there no desireableness
in happiness? is it a small thing to
live in the society of God, Saints and
Angels? I am perswaded you think these
things considerable. Well then, act as persons
that long for possession; which that all
of you may enjoy, is, and shall be the prayer
of one that desires not to count his life dear
so he may but finish his course with joy, and
meet you with comfort hereafter;

James Janeway.
July 28.1669.