Answ. There be some lawful liberties which God doth allow to that age, as Zach. 8.5, & 9, 17. But if he had spoken of these, he would have given some just ground of encouragement (for it is your portion or the like;) but here he rather giveth a check and admonition against it, from a ground that is wont to damp not lawful but carnal delights. But know that for all these things God will bring thee to judgment. The ways of, 1. Childhood, First, Ignorance, 1 Cor. 14.20. Secondly, Vanity; serious in trifles, and trifling in serious things, Text. verse 10. Thirdly, Folly. Fourthly, Falsehood, Psal. 58.3. Fifthly, Forwardness, Matth. 11.16, 17. 2. Youth, First, High conceits of their own sufficiency and worth, 1 Tim. 3.6. Secondly, Inordinate and excessive love of liberty. Thirdly, Wantonness. Fourthly, ⟨p. 248⟩Strong affections upon weak grounds. Fifthly, Impatience of counsels and reproofs, which is stubbornness, Jer. 31.18, 19. Sixthly, Prodigality, Luke 15.12, 13. Seventhly Impudency, Isai. 3.5. God giveth up children and Youth to these ways; First, by not giving them his grace, either restraining or converting so soon. Secondly, By taking from them such Parents, governors and friends, as might restrain them, 2 Chron. 24.17. As he that taketh away a dam giveth a running River leave to run strongly. Thirdly, By giving them up to a company of flatterers and Parasites, sons of Belial, who encourage them to evil, 2 Chron. 24.17, 18, and harden them against wise and grave counsel, 1 Kings 12.10, 11. Fourthly, By suiting the heart with fit and strong objects, and leaving the heart to the impetuousness of its own passions and lusts.
Answ. There be some lawful liberties which God doth allow to that age, as Zach. 8.5, & 9, 17. But if he had spoken of these, he would have given some just ground of encouragement (for it is your portion or the like;) but here he rather giveth a check and admonition against it, from a ground that is wont to dampe not lawful but carnal delights. But know that for all these things God will bring thee to judgment. The wayes of, 1. Childhood, First, Ignorance, 1 Cor. 14.20. Secondly, Vanity; serious in trifles, and trifling in serious things, Text. verse 10. Thirdly, Folly. Fourthly, Falshood, Psal. 58.3. Fifthly, Forwardnesse, Matth. 11.16, 17. 2. Youth, First, High conceits of their own sufficiency and worth, 1 Tim. 3.6. Secondly, Inordinate and excessive love of liberty. Thirdly, Wantonnesse. Fourthly, ⟨p. 248⟩Strong affections upon weake grounds. Fifthly, Impatience of counsels and reproofes, which is stubbornnesse, Jer. 31.18, 19. Sixthly, Prodigality, Luke 15.12, 13. Seventhly Impudency, Isai. 3.5. God giveth up children and Youth to these wayes; First, by not giving them his grace, either restraining or converting so soon. Secondly, By taking from them such Parents, governours and friends, as might restraine them, 2 Chron. 24.17. As he that taketh away a damme giveth a running River leave to run strongly. Thirdly, By giving them up to a company of flatterers and Paresites, sons of Belial, who encourage them to evil, 2 Chron. 24.17, 18, and harden them against wise and grave counsel, 1 Kings 12.10, 11. Fourthly, By suiting the heart with fit and strong objects, and leaving the heart to the impetuousnesse of its own passions and lusts.
