Advice to Youth

Verse 1

Now is the time, O lovely youth, To think on your creator God; Attend the words of sacred truth, While in the days of youthful blood.

Verse 2

This is the only way to find, The paths of peace and endless joy; The way to store your youthful mind With pleasure that will never cloy.

Verse 3

But if you foolishly delay, And hearken to the tempter's breath, To walk in the destructive way, Till age comes on, or sudden death.

Verse 4

O think what dreadful risk you run, You hazard your immortal soul, To be eternally undone, And plunged where endless sorrows roll.

Verse 5

Behold the wretch advanced in years, And with his years grown old in sin; No more repentance now appears, That when his life did first begin.

Verse 6

Lo still upon the horrid brink Of everlasting wrath he goes; Anon with horror down to sink, Into the gulf of endless woes.

Verse 7

Young sinners then a warning take, Now in your precious days of youth; All flattering vanities forsake, And take the advice of sacred truth.