And there you shall find him an eminent pattern of filial respect, unto all Gentlemen of his rank; it is hard to say, whether he loved or honoured his Parents most; he was troubled with nothing but what troubled them, and ambitious of nothing so much as of their content and satisfaction. It is a passage worth remembering, that after he had made some entrance on his studies in the Law, his father and mother, tender of his content, encouraging him cheerfully to persist, and telling him the worst was past; every day, for the future,1 would render those studies more pleasing and profitable, He did ingenuously profess unto them, that the satisfaction which he gave ⟨p. 87⟩them in that way, would countervail the greatest difficulty he could meet with; and that if he should find no other pleasure or profit then that, he would never desist nor be discouraged. Upon this Model was all his carriage towards his Parents, formed from his very infancy.2 He had learned of Solomon to give them the greatest reverence that might be, and never grieved their spirits, but at last, in dying. It was an high expression I had once from his father (and I believe it was no hyperbole) That his whole life was so satisfactory to him and his mother, that they could not remember one entire week together in it, which if he were to live over again, they could wish he should ⟨p. 88⟩otherwise spend then he did: To which he added as an acknowledgement of divine favour, that he was so blest of God all along, that if God at his birth had promised whatsoever they could have desired for him, for near twenty two years (the time he lived) upon condition they should then be willing to resign him back again, they could not have asked more of God, then he did bestow upon him, for their comfort, and to make his person valuable. Ah, how few sons be there in the world, the Christian world, to whom their Parents can give such a testimony! Behold, here a worthy pattern for young Gentlemen's imitation.
And there you shall finde him an eminent patterne of filial respect, unto all Gentlemen of his rank; it is hard to say, whether he loved or honoured his Parents most; he was troubled with nothing but what troubled them, and ambitious of nothing so much as of their content and satisfaction. It is a passage worth remembring, that after he had made some entrance on his studies in the Law, his father and mother, tender of his content, encouraging him cheerfully to persist, and telling him the worst was past; every day, for the future,1 would render those studies more pleasing and profitable, He did ingenuously professe unto them, that the satisfaction which he gave ⟨p. 87⟩them in that way, would countervail the greatest difficulty he could meet with; and that if he should finde no other pleasure or profit then that, he would never desist nor be discouraged. Upon this Model was all his carriage towards his Parents, formed from his very infancy.2 He had learned of Solomon to give them the greatest reverence that might be, and never grieved their spirits, but at last, in dying. It was an high expression I had once from his father (and I believe it was no hyperbolie) That his whole life was so satisfactory to him and his mother, that they could not remember one entire week together in it, which if he were to live over again, they could wish he should ⟨p. 88⟩otherwise spend then he did: To which he added as an acknowledgement of divine favour, that he was so blest of God all along, that if God at his birth had promised whatsoever they could have desired for him, for near twenty two years (the time he lived) upon condition they should then be willing to resigne him back again, they could not have asked more of God, then he did bestow upon him, for their comfort, and to make his person valuable. Ah, how few sons be there in the world, the Christian world, to whom their Parents can give such a testimony! Behold, here a worthy pattern for young Gentlemens imitation.
- 1His child-like care and delight to please his Parents.His childe-like care and delight to please his Parents.
- 21 Kings 2.19.
