CHAP.24. cí.ß Commentarievpo the 410 ties, pride, (elfeconceit, and fo caufe himto fall through toomuch con- Thegcaccof fidence. Now how fitly is this precept direéted to young men, the finne fobricty very err cowmen- of whome is the firength of lofts. Salomon himfelfe afcribeth this to dedtoyoung their age, to carne much indignation, wrath, griefe ix the heart, and men. Hcdcs.uso, much exitl in theirfeJh: that is, many noyfcme and troublefometufts,' wherewith through their heat theyare affayled. Of their prefùmption andouerweening themfelues, wehaue inftance in theyoung man, efl11' Matth.19.so, theft haue Inept frommyyouth. Of their want of confideration and ex- perience in an other youngman, who heedleflywent on todeftruthp,,a1 an Prou.v.ss. oxe to the flaughter, or afooleto theflockes ; euen fo went he. Of their rage andheate with vnaduifed rafhneffe , in Rehoboams younger counfellers, Seething; pats (lirringvp their mailer toneedleffe terrors and threats. Of their prodi- oftCUore. galitieand vncleanneffe, in the younger brother called the prodigall tu14t9a;r4. bonne, who (pent all vpon harlots: all which things arenot (pokers ro free other ages from (uch inordinate lulls : for-naturall corruption is nor idle in any age, but incefí'antiy is hatching euiUmotions and a&tions; but of all ages, youth is moil fertill and abounding (as the fartefl grounds with weedes) with all wicked inclinations, viciousand ragingaffeóRions :and there is no vicevnder the funne untowhich it is not after a fpeciall fort fubieEt, that it is a ungular fauour of God for a youth fo innocently to paffe ouer his younger years,as that Tome notable blot or inconuenience eleauenot to him, which perhaps longafter cranes his feruice, or addeth veto his forrowes -. Reafooc to en. But ifthefe be not reafons waightie enough-to drawe young men to force thedu y. this grace offobrietie, we might adde manymoe. As, t. to fariate ones (elfe with his owne wayes, argueth an heart declined fromGod , Prou. r4. 14. z. The Lord himfelfe mocked) vnbridledyouth; Ecclef. ¡/.9. which is a moil feuere judgement, for God neuer laugheth at vs but we haue caufe to wee ae : that which men laugh at as a tticke or touch of youth, or Tome light flippe, the Lord laugheth at , becau(e it is tobee 3 brought to a more righteous fudge and confiflorie. 3. What a feare- full finne and judgement it is to be giuenvp to amans owne hearts lulls, 4 fee Rom.t.26, and Ier.9.74.r S. 4. The commandementof God , Eccl. r t. to. Put away anger, &c. Oh but we (hall depriue our (clues of the pleafure ofour lines; but the wife man bath ananfwer readie, that youth andmorning is but vanitic, that is Toone gone, andwithout great beetle loll irrecouerably. Mre.c, ofpra Now the meanesto attaine this vertue. Firft, beginne at the heart, be fober minded, get anhumble heart, which will frame toan humble carri- age in behaujour, (peach, apparel!: for the fmalnefie ofa man in his own eies croffeth thofeouerweenings,and ouerdeemings of youth, whetby they
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