2. In regard of himself: The first seasoning of the Vessel is very considerable, Prov. 22. 6. Train up a child in the way in which he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. When well principled and seasoned in youth, it sticketh by them, before sin and worldly lusts have gotten a deeper rooting. If Solomon's observation be true, a mans infancy and younger time, is a notable presage what he will prove afterwards: Prov. 20. 11. Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure; and whether it be right. Much may be known by our young inclinations. But alas, this is not full out the case. The vessel is seasoned already, But wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? which presupposeth a defilement. No Infant is like a vessel that newly cometh out of the potters shop, indifferent for good or bad infusions. The vessel is tainted already, and hath a smatch of the old man, and the corruptions of the flesh: Psal. 51. 5. Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. We came polluted into the world, our business is to stop the growth of sin. As a child walloweth in his filthiness, so we do all spiritually wallow in our blood: Ezek. 16. 4, 5. As for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born, thou wert not washed in water, nor swaddled at all. No eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee, but thou wast cast out into the open field, to the loathing of thy person in the day that thou wast born. And when I saw thee polluted in thy own blood, I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, Live, &c. Therefore the Question is very savoury and profitable, Wherewith shall a young man, &c.
2. In regard of himself: The first seasoning of the Vessel is very considerable, Prov. 22. 6. Train up a child in the way in which he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. When well principled and seasoned in youth, it sticketh by them, before sin and worldly lusts have gotten a deeper rooting. If Solomon's observation be true, a mans infancy and younger time, is a notable presage what he will prove afterwards: Prov. 20. 11. Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure; and whether it be right. Much may be known by our young inclinations. But alas, this is not full out the case. The vessel is seasoned already, But wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? which presupposeth a defilement. No Infant is like a vessel that newly cometh out of the potters shop, indifferent for good or bad infusions. The vessel is tainted already, and hath a smatch of the old man, and the corruptions of the flesh: Psal. 51. 5. Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. We came polluted into the world, our business is to stop the growth of sin. As a child walloweth in his filthiness, so we do all spiritually wallow in our blood: Ezek. 16. 4, 5. As for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born, thou wert not washed in water, nor swadled at all. No eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee, but thou wast cast out into the open field, to the loathing of thy person in the day that thou wast born. And when I saw thee polluted in thy own blood, I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, Live, &c. Therefore the Question is very savory and profitable, Wherewith shall a young man, &c.
