I 91 'The NeceJfi'fy andAdvcmfag-~ n1ofi adventag(,:ous when we learn them. betimes, ·that we n1ay have the ufe of then1 in .the con.duet of our after lives. An ear– ly engagen1ent into the ways of religion is .. a great felicity; and the n1eans whereby this is to be effected, can never be too foon adminHl:ered. Youth is n1ore foft arid pliable; aA.d evil difpofitions are 1110re ea– fily cured, before tin1e and cuflon1 have hardened us in then1. A tree needs little f0rce to bend it when it is young; and there needeth the lefs of the rod, if the ·child be brol!ght under difcipline betiines.. And thus on many accounts it is good for .a man -to, bear the yoke in his,youth. We proceed to the particular advantag·e . ofaffliCtions which is tnentioned in the :text: l-Ie fitteth tJlone and keepeth filence, becaufe he hath borne it upon him. The v1ords are capable of a twofold interpre– - tation, arid both fuit well 'Yith the pupofe: .for we may either underfiatfd t~em . pr:_o– ·perly of.folitude and filence; or n1etapho– ,rically, .of patience and quiet fobmiffiou .; .l1o'~h of which are the good effeCls of fanc– tifieq and well . improved affliCl:ions: and accordingly we ihall fay fon1ething to both. Nature hath made us fociab.le crea- ·tures: but corruption hath carried this in– . · ·dination
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