A26903:265
Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity,…
Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity, physic, and law, III. the sons of magistrates and rich men / by Richard Baxter.Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity, physick, and law, III. the sons of magistrates and rich men / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by T.S., 1681
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. And you can judge but according to probabilities, if they prove bad after a probable profession, it will not be charged upon you; but we all know that a hopeful youth is a great preparation to an honest age.
§. 20. II. My next advise to you is, abhor sloth and idleness, when you are at Country Schools, your Masters drive you on by fear, but when you are in the Universities and at riper age, you are more trusted with your selves: and then all the diligence which fear constrained, will be left off, and if you be not carried on with constant pleasure and love of knowledge, the flesh will prefer its ease, and unwillingness, and weariness will go so slow a pace, as will ⟨p. 148⟩bring you to no high degree of Wisdom. And when you have spent your appointed time, and are void of that, which you should have attained, your emptiness and ignorance will presently appear, when you are called out to the use of that knowledge which you have not. And it is not your Canonical Habit, nor seven or seventeen years spent in the University, nor the Title of Master of Arts, Bachelor of Divinity, or Doctor, no nor Bishop, that will pass with men, in their right wits, instead of Knowledge, Diligence, Humility, Patience, and Charity; nor that without these will do the work to which you are devoted. And then when you find that other men discern that weakness and badness, which you are loth to know your selves, it will be like to exasperate you into diabolical malignity. Believe it, the high and needful accomplishments of a true Divine, are not easily or speedily attained.
§. 20. II. My next advise to you is, abhorre sloth and idleness, when you are at Countrey Schools, your Masters drive you on by fear, but when you are in the Universities and at riper age, you are more trusted with your selves: and then all the diligence which fear constrained, will be left off, and if you be not carryed on with constant pleasure and love of knowledge, the flesh will preferre its ease, and unwillingness, and weariness will go so slow a pace, as will ⟨p. 148⟩