27S A PRESERVATIVE FROM SIN AND POLLY. their coarse or thread-bare garments. There may be a neatness in poverty, which is always agreeable and gains respect. 77. Q. What is heedlessness, or the sixth vice of children ? A. When I take little or no care or thought about anythingthat I am to do, or when I givebut littleattention to any thing that is said to me. Note, This does not always proceed from obstinacy of temper, but often from a mere lightness and wandering of thought and absence of the mind from its present business. Sometimes it may arise from a great degree of natural Vivacity, and an excessof spirits ; but stilt it ought to be corrected. Reason against this fault. Because heedlessness would makeme stumble at every stone, and carry me into many a mistake and danger; besides, if I am heedless, t shall neither grow wise nor good ; for I shall neither givediligent at- tention to instructions at home, nor to sermons at church. 78. Q. What is rashness, orthe seventh vice or folly of children and youth ? A. I may well be called rash, if I speak without thinking before.. band, and venture upon bold actions without considering the danger. Note, This rash temper carries children sometimes to climb high trees, to walk on the narrow tops of walls, to venture on the edge of precipices, to try to leap over brooks or currents of water, and thereby they expose themselves to many hazards of their life or limbs. It is the same temper that inclines them to speak very improper things on a sudden, without due regard to the occasion or the company; it leads them to make rash vows, and promises, and engagements, and thus they bring them. selves into manydifficulties. Reasonagainst this folly. Because God has given me the power of season and of thinning, on purpose to direct mywords and nay actions; and therefore I ought neither to speak nor act without thought and consideration. 79. Q. What is fickleness, or the eighth folly of children? A. Then may becalled fickle, when I am soon weary of what I was very fond of be- fore ; when I am perpetually changing my desires and purposes, so that 1 can stick to nothing long, but always want something new. Reason against this frailty. Because if I am always seeking out new things, new books, new lessons, and new employments, I shall never dwell long enough upon any thing to become master of it, or toprofit by it, according to the pro. verb, " a rolling stone gathers no moss." Besides, if I indulge a fickle tempere I shall be often tempted to break my appointments, and my friendswill not know how to trust a creature that is ever given to change. 80. Q. What is the ninth vice to which children and youth aresubject,. which is called lavishness or profuseness ? A. I am then profuse, if I squan- der away much money upon trifles; if I lavish away upon myself more than my friends allow, or give away to others more than is proper on every slight occasion, without considering how far my stock will hold out, nor how much pains it cost my parents to get it, nor ever thinking to how much better putt pose this money might beapplied. Reason against profuseness. It is a waste of the good things with which the providence of God and e the kindness of my friends have furnished me, tomake any life comfortable and honourable; besides, this profuse and lavish conduct bath put many young creatures upon gaming, to their utter ruin; and those who indulge a wasteful and prodigal humour in their younger days, may bitterly repent their folly in a longpoverty, and in the want of all things. Note. Profuseness is generally the fault of youth, as covetousness is fee. fluently the vice of age. 8 f. Q. Is there any other vice or folly which childrenare guiltyof? A. A talkative or tattlinghumour, when children tell all that they see, or hears or know, in any place or company, without guard or fear. Reason against this folly. Such great talkers are in danger of becoming busy- bodies and tale-bearers: they will talk over in public the private con. cerna of their own family, and the families of others, as far as they know them : they will tell ose person whatsoever another happens to speak, of him, and do a deal of mischief in the world. Great talkers are often ad, nus nished in scripture; but tale-bearing is a sin which the word of Godplainly forbids.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=