296 Search ofSin necefary toConfolation. pral. i 30. building, no wonder if it alwaies thakc and totter. Mens leaving of any tin unfearched to the bottom, will poifon all their confolation. David knew this, when in dealing with God in his diftrefí'es, he prayes that he would not remember the fins and trapfgre f ons of hisyouth, Pfal25. 7. routh is oftentimes a time ofgreat vanity and unmindfulnefs of God ; many Plains and fpots are tlitrein ufually brought upon the confciences of men. Childhood andyouth are vanity, Ecclef, i s. 'Io. Not be- caute theyPeon pats away, but becaufe they arc tifuatly fpetit iii vanity, as the following advice (ofchap. i z. I.) to remember God in tbofe dales, doth manifetl. The way of' many is to wear fuch things out of mind, and not to walk in a fence of their follyorcd madnt fs, ni_ver tomake through work with God about them. 1 (peak of the Saints themfelves ; for with others that live under the Means of Grace, whom God intends any way tomake ufefull and induffrious in their Generation, this is the ufual courfe; byconviflions, retlraining Grace, Afi6 ions,Love cfEmployment and Repute , God gives them another heart than they had for a feafon. Another heart, but not a new heart. Hence another courre of life, another proftffion, other ations than formerlydoe flow ; with this change they do content themfelves ; they look onwhat is puff perhaps with de- light, ox as things fit enough for thole daies, but not for chore they have attained unto; here they rcff, and therefore never come to re¡f. But I fpeak of the Saints themfelves, who make no fuch through, full, elofe work in this kind as they ought. An after- reckoning may come in on this hand to their own diflurbance, and an inconquerable hinderance of their peace and fcttlement be brought in, on this account. So was it with 7ob,chap.i3.a6, He makes me pcffefs the fins of myyouth. God filled his heart, his thoughts, his mind with there fins ; made them abide with .him, fo that hepoffejied them ; they were alwaics prefent with .him. He made the fins of his youth the fufferings of his age. And it is a fad thing, as one (peaks, whenyoung fins and old bones, meet together; as Zophar, chap. ao. II. Hi bones are Fedwith -thefins of his youth. The joyous frame of force mens Youth, makes way for fad work in their Age. Take heed young ones
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