An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…

Note hence.

First, Young men are apt to run into mistakes, their heat usually exceeds their light.

Youth drives furiously, and commonly carrieth presumption with it, or is it self hurried by presumption. Though God hath given a young man a good understanding, quick parts, and a ready tongue, yet he wants much, because he hath not seen much, and so is very liable to miscarriage. He cannot look through, nor see to the end of things; for as it is the great and sole privilege of God to cast an eye quite through all intermediate, both actions and revolutions, and to see the end from the beginning: so it is more peculiar to those that are aged and long experienced, to see much of the end of things in their beginnings, or to see what is like to be as well as what is. 'Tis the part of a wise man to consider what may come, and whether things tend; there is much weakness and deficiency in young men as to this. As most young men want senses exercised (as the Apostle speaks of all un-improved Christians of what age soever (Heb: 5.19.) as I say, most young men want senses exercised) to discern what is good or evil; so they want senses exercised to discern what good or evil is like to be, they rarely see effects in their causes, or events in their prognostics. Therefore Elihu might well say, I am young, therefore I durst not venture to show mine opinion. ⟨p. 44⟩Paul giveth Timothy somewhat a strange warning (2 Tim. 2.22.) Flee youthful lusts. Timothy was young, but was he noted for indulgence to any youthful lusts? what lusts doth he mean? surely not drunkenness, nor uncleanness, nor any loose behaviour; for though the most sober and temperate young men, have in them the seed of all these, yea of every lust, yet Timothy at that time was a pattern, a mirror, not only of sob jetty, but of holiness; and Paul was even forced to bid him take more liberty in the use of the creature, then he used to allow himself; Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach sake, and for thy often infirmities. Surely Timothy was a man that fled such youthful lusts fast and far enough when he drank nothing but water, and must be bid to drink a little wine (1 Tim: 5.23.) What lusts then were they which Timothy was exhorted to flee? the words following (ver. 23, 24, 25.) seem to clear it; that because he was young, he should take heed of rushing into unnecessary Questions and disputes, which young men are apt to do in the heat of their spirits;