2 Many think youth as the flower of our age, to have a privilege above other ages. But alas, it is an age of great confidence; All this have I done, saith the young man in the1 Gospel. So dangerous is their case, that they must not do things indifferent, for fear they make them sad; and we know, that ordinary things denied, argue an extraordinary peril. The prodigal son did walk his four stations, and as Ambrose saith, he had four provocations: first, his portion; secondly, his fathers indulgency; thirdly, ill company, but youth more than all; Psalm 119. 19. David abruptly with an Apostrophe breaketh off his meditation into this: Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his ways? Upon which place all the Fathers agree, that the accent is upon a young man; for he hath fewest means. The word which David useth for cleansing, is very effectual; by cleansing, signifying the cleansing of glass, and therefore compareth he young men to glass, which though it be very2 clean, yet it will gather filth, even in the Sun-beams, and of it self, which noteth the great corruption of this age: Prou. 22. 13. he hath a bundle of folly bound close in his hart, Eccles. 11. Children and youth are vanity: vanity is not in them, but the age it self is vanity. Such is the stream of affections in them, as the heathen thought it best policy to let them have their course a little. But let us consider their corruption in one measure further.3 Not only the common sort, but the best wit, who is thought to be of an excellent disposition. 2. King. 22. And not only the best in civill gifts, but those that are best in spiritual graces, find it hard, as Timothy, who brought down his body, that Paul was fain to write to him to drink wine, and for all that he wrote Flee new-fangled lusts. This Timothy was such a one, as that saith Bernard, Give me one Timothy in these days, and if he will eat4 gold he shall have it. This maketh me that I cannot subscribe to that saying: Whom God loveth, he taketh away in tender years. For I tell you it is a dangerous thing to die in youth: and surely, except the Lord work marvellously it is dangerous. And why? Surely in young men there is a double proneness: First, their natural corruption: and then their age in which their affections be grounded, but their reasons be raw.
2 Manie thinke youth as the flower of our age, to haue a priuiledge aboue other ages. But alas, it is an age of great confidence; All this haue I done, saith the young man in the1 Gospell. So dangerous is their case, that they must not do things indifferent, for feare they make them sad; and we know, that ordinary things denied, argue an extraordinarie perill. The prodigall sonne did walke his foure stations, and as Ambrose saith, hee had foure prouocations: first, his portion; secondly, his fathers indulgencie; thirdly, ill company, but youth more than all; Psalme 119. 19. Dauid abruptly with an Apostrophe breaketh off his meditation into this: Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his wayes? Vpon which place all the Fathers agree, that the accent is vpon a young man; for he hath fewest means. The word which Dauid vseth for clensing, is verie effectuall; by clensing, signifying the clensing of glasse, and therefore compareth he young men to glasse, which though it be verie2 cleane, yet it will gather filth, euen in the Sunne-beames, and of it selfe, which noteth the great corruption of this age: Prou. 22. 13. he hath a būdle of folly bound close in his hart, Eccles. 11. Children and youth are vanitie: vanity is not in them, but the age it selfe is vanitie. Such is the streame of affections in them, as the heathen thought it best policie to let them haue their course a little. But let vs consider their corruption in one measure further.3 Not onely the common sort, but the best wit, who is thought to be of an excellent disposition. 2. King. 22. And not only the best in ciuill gifts, but those that are best in spiritual graces, finde it hard, as Timothie, who brought downe his bodie, that Paul was faine to write to him to drinke wine, and for all that hee wrote Flee new-fangled lusts. This Timothie was such a one, as that saith Bernard, Giue me one Timothie in these dayes, and if he will eate4 gold he shall haue it. This maketh me that I cannot subscribe to that saying: Whom God loueth, he taketh away in tēder yeares. For I tell you it is a dāgerous thing to die in youth: and surely, except the Lord worke marueilously it is dangerous. And why? Surely in yong men there is a double pronenesse: First, their naturall corruption: and then their age in which their affections be grounded, but their reasons be raw.
- 1Against the unbridled affection of youth. Simile.Against the vnbrideled affection of youth. Simile.
- 2Simile.
- 3Youth how dangerous an age.
- 4Pheûge tàs neo•erikàs epi thumias. h•n phil•i Theòs, apothnés key néos.Pheûge tàs neo•erikàs epi thumias. h•n phil•i Theòs, apothnés kei néos.
