Compassionate Counsel to All Young Men

Chapter 1

15. The Conclusion, To Ministers .................................................. 160

-- 4 of 161 -- 5 1. Preface There is no man that ever understood the interest of mankind, of families, cities, kingdoms, churches, and of Jesus Christ the King and Savior, but he must needs know that the right instructi

Chapter 2

3. The youngest have not assurance of life for a day, or an hour.

Thousand go out of the world in youth. Alas, the flesh of young men is corruptible, liable to hundreds of diseases, as well as the old. How quickly may a vein break, and cold seize on your head and lungs, -- 7 of 161 --

Chapter 3

4. But were you sure to live to maturity of age, alas, how quickly

will it come! What haste makes time! How fast do days and years roll on! Methinks it is but as a few days, since I was playing with -- 8 of 161 -- 9 my school fellows, who now am in the sixty-sixth year of my age: had

Chapter 4

5. Either you will repent and live to God, or not; if not, you are

undone forever. Oh how much less miserable is a dog, or a toad, than such a sinner! But if God will show you so great mercy, oh how will it grieve you to think of the precious time of youth which you madly cast away in s

Chapter 5

6. And be it known to you, if God in mercy convert and save you,

yet the bitter fruit of your youthful folly may follow you in this world to the grave. God may forgive the pains of hell to a penitent sinner, and not forgive the temporal chastisement to his flesh. If you waste your est

Chapter 6

7. If ever you think to be men of any great wisdom, and usefulness

in the world to yourselves or others, your preparations must be made in youth. Great wisdom is not got in a little time. Whoever was an able lawyer, physician, or philosopher, without long and hard study? If you will not

Chapter 7

8. And oh what a dreadful danger is it, lest your youthful sin become

remediless, and custom harden you, and deceivers blind you, and God forsake you for your willful resistance of his grace! God may convert old hardened sinners: but how ordinarily do we find, that age doth but answer the

Chapter 8

9. Yea, did you but know of what moment it is to prevent all the

heinous sins that else you will commit, you would make haste to repent, though you were sure to be forgiven. Forgiveness maketh not -- 11 of 161 -- 12 sin to be no sin, or to be no evil, no shame or grief to the soul t

Chapter 9

10. And is it a small thing to you, that you are all this while doing

hurt to others, and drawing them to sin, and plunging them into that dangerous guilt which can no way be pardoned but by the blood of Christ, upon true conversion. And when they have joined with you in lust and fleshly p

Chapter 10

12. Those that have most wisely used them to the meetest public

teachers and helped them to remember and understand what they hear, especially the fundamental truths in the catechism. 13. Those that have most wisely engaged them into the familiarity and frequent converse of some suit

Chapter 11

2. Accordingly many children have more violent passions, and

carnal desires, than others, which run them into wicked ways impetuously, as if they were almost brutes, that had no reason or power to resist. And all words and corrections are to them of little force; but they are as b

Chapter 12

3. And some have cross and crooked natures, addicted to that which

is naught, and the more, by how much the more you do contradict them: froward and obstinate, as if it were a desirable victory to them to overcome their parents, and escape all that would make them wise and good: dogged,

Chapter 13

4. And too many have so great an enmity and averseness to all that is

holy, spiritual, and heavenly, that they are weary to hear you talk of it; and you persuade them to learn, to read, to pray, to meditate or consider, as you persuade a sick man to meat which he doth loathe, or a man to d

Chapter 14

5. And when custom is added to all these vicious dispositions, alas,

what slaves and drudges of Satan doth it make them! For instance, (1) Some are so corrupted with the love of sport, that gaming or stage-plays, or one such foolery or another, becometh so pleasant to them, that they can

Chapter 15

1. As the thief on the cross said to his companion, "Thou art in the

same condemnation, and we suffer justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds," Luke xxiii. 40, 41; wicked parents and wicked children are in the same gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity. They -- 39 of 161 --

Chapter 16

2. And it is their wickedness which was much of the cause of their

children's sin and misery; and their own deep guilt will be more to them than their children's suffering. God and conscience will say to them ere long, O cruel parents, that had no mercy on your children or yourselves! W

Chapter 17

10. He hath made infallible promises of it to sanctified believers: he

calleth you to examine and judge yourselves, 2 Cor. xiii. 5. And do you know the difference between CERTAINTY and UNCERTAINTY in so great a case? O none can now sufficiently conceive what a difference there is, between a

Chapter 18

1. Which side is Christ, and his prophets and apostles on? Which

side doth the Scripture speak for? Which way went all the saints whose names are now honored? Were they for the fleshly or the spiritual life? Were they for the love of pleasures more than God? Doth Christ from heaven te

Chapter 19

2. Which do you think were the wiser and better men, and worthy to

be believed and followed, whether Christ, and all his apostles and saints, that ever were in the world, to this day; or the drunkards, and whoremongers, and worldlings, who deride the doctrine sent from heaven? If there

Chapter 20

8. They give no peace to others, and God will deny peace to

themselves. Yea, the nature of their own sin denies it them, as broken bones and griping sickness deny ease to the body. And can you think you shall become the shame of the church and the troublers of the land, and that

Chapter 21

I. Set your understandings seriously and diligently to the work

which they are made for and consider well what is your interest and your duty, till you come to a fixed resolution that is for your good, and what is for your hurt, and what that good or hurt will be. Should it be a hard

Chapter 22

II. Therefore I next advise you and entreat you, that you live not as

at a great distance from eternity, nor foolishly flatter yourselves with the deceitful promises of long life: and were it sure to be a hundred years, remember how quickly and certainly they will end. Oh! time is nothing!

Chapter 23

III. My third counsel is, if your consciences tell you that you have

foolishly sinned against God and your salvation, make not light of it; but, presently and openly, go to your parents or masters, and penitently confess your sinful life in general, and your known or open sins particularl

Chapter 24

IV. My next counsel is, Presently, understandingly, and

considerately, renew the covenant which you made in baptism with God your Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Consider whether to be a Christian is not necessary to your salvation; and then consider what it is to be a Chr

Chapter 25

V. Henceforward set yourselves, as the true scholars of Christ, to

learn his doctrine; and as his true subjects, to know his laws; and as those that trust their souls into his hand, to understand and firmly believe his promises for this life and that which is to come; and as -- 78 of 1

Chapter 26

1. For the full resolving of your hearts to a sound repentance and a

holy life, read Joseph Allen's book of Conversion, Richard Allen's Vindication of Godliness, and their book of Covenanting with God, and his Victory over the World; Mr. Whateley's New Birth; and some of the old sermons o

Chapter 27

2. If you would have help to try your hearts lest they be deceived,

read Allen's foresaid Book of the Covenant, and Pinke's Trial of Sincere Love to Christ. Many books of marks are extant, Bifield's, Rogers's, Harsnet's, Berries's, &c. and Mr. Chishull and Mr. Mead of Being Almost Christ

Chapter 28

3. For the daily government of heart and life, read the Practice of

Piety, Scuder's Daily Walk, Mr. Reyner's Directions, (three excellent books,) and Mr. Corbet's small Private Thoughts. And if you would have any of mine, read my Family Book, and The Divine Life, the Life of Faith, or Th

Chapter 29

4. And it will not be unuseful to read some profitable history,

especially the lives of exemplary persons, and the funeral sermons -- 80 of 161 -- 81 which characterize them. I have prefaced to two, which are eminently worth your reading, and most true, both young men, that is, Joh

Chapter 30

5. As you grow up to more judgment, you may read methodical

sums of divinity, especially Ames's Marrow, and his Cases of Conscience (which are in English translated,) and Commentaries. Great store of all sorts of good books (through the great mercy of God) are common among us: he

Chapter 31

5. It will keep you from the sinful lose of time, by idleness or

unprofitable employment or pastimes. You will cast away cards and dice, when you find the sweetness of useful learning. But be sure that you choose the most useful and necessary subjects, and that you seek knowledge for

Chapter 32

VI. The sixth part of my advice is, forsake ill company; and

converse with such as will be helps to your knowledge, holiness, and obedience, and not such as will draw you to sin and misery. You have found by sad experience what power ill company hath on fools; with such a merry ta

Chapter 33

VII. Especially be sure that you run not willfully upon temptation

but keep as far from every tempting bait and object as you can. Fire and gunpowder, or straw, must be kept at a sufficient distance. No man is long safe at the very brink of danger, especially if it be a sin that his nat

Chapter 34

VIII. Make it the chief study of your lives to understand what man's

everlasting hope is, and to get a lively, well-settled belief of it, and to bring your souls to take it joyfully for your true felicity and end, and thence daily to fetch the powerful motives of your duty and your patien

Chapter 35

1. The end is the life of all the means. If heavenly blessedness be not

the chief end that you live, hope, and labor for in the world, your whole lives will be but carnal, vain, and the way to misery: for the means can be no better than the end. God, that is the BEGINNING, is our END; we are

Chapter 36

2. And oh how great and how needful a work it is, to search, study,

and pray for so firm a belief of this unseen glory, as may so resolve, engage, and comfort us in some good measure, as if we had seen it with these eyes! Oh what men would one hour's being in heaven make us, or one clear

Chapter 37

IX. Still remember that the GREAT MEANS of all the good that

here or hereafter you can expect, is the GREAT MEDIATOR, the GREAT TEACHER, RULER, and INTERCESSOR for his people; and therefore, out of him you can do nothing. All duty that you offer to God, must be by his mediation; a

Chapter 38

X. And still remember that it is by the operation of the HOLY

SPIRIT that the Father and the Son do sanctify souls, and regenerate and breed them up for glory. It is by the Holy Ghost that God dwelleth in us by love, and Christ by faith. Therefore see that you rest not in corrupted

Chapter 39

3. Those of noblemen, knights and others, who are bred up for some

places of government in the kingdom, according to their several ranks. And of these it is the first that I shall most freely speak to. Sect. 2. And, first I shall mention the importance of their case; and secondly the da

Chapter 40

4. To their parents, above the common case of others.

Sect. 4. 1. Of how great importance the quality of the clergy is to the church and men's salvation, many thousands have found to their joy and happiness; and, I fear, many more thousands to their sorrow and destruction.

Chapter 41

4. And if that good parts and studies be not kept from the

mischievous enmity of a worldly mind and fleshly lusts, how easily -- 95 of 161 -- 96 are they corrupted, and turned against their use and end, to the great hurt of the church, and of themselves!

Chapter 42

7. And if lay patrons have the choice of parish pastors, and most or

many of them should be such as Christ tells us the rich most usually are, a worldly and sensual sort of men, or such as have no lively sense of heavenly things, we may easily conjecture what men such are likely to presen

Chapter 43

8. And if the people have anywhere (as anciently) the choice, when

most of them are bad, what men will they choose? Or if they have not the choice, yet they are so considerable, that their consent or dissent, love or hatred, will sway much with those that much live among them. But I mus

Chapter 44

3. In what manner they will do it. In all which, the effects may be

probably foreseen. And, First, It is supposed, 1. That they will be worldly-minded men, that will take gain for godliness, and will judge that to be the best cause, and those the best persons, who most befriend their wor

Chapter 45

2. And their fleshly desires will have little restraints, but what one

sin doth put upon another, or God's controlling providence give them. Their reputation may make them avoid that which would be their disgrace. But, secretly, they will serve their appetites and -- 97 of 161 -- 98 flesh

Chapter 46

3. And pride will be their very nature. Esteem and applause will be

taken for their due, and seem as necessary to them, almost, as the air, and as water to a fish. Ambition will be their complexion and will actuate their thoughts. And all these voices will so corrupt their judgments, tha

Chapter 47

8. They will turn their preaching against such, partly to vent their

malignant spleen, and partly to overcome them as their enemies. Hereupon they will describe their serious piety as faction, self- opinion, and hypocrisy, and will raise jealousies against them in the minds of rulers, and

Chapter 48

10. They will, by their making light of godliness, and by the scandal

or unholiness of their own conversations, make the vulgar believe that godliness is either a cheat, or a matter of mere words and outward observances, and to be of the religion of their rulers, and a thing to keep men in

Chapter 49

11. Their ignorance oft makes them unfit for hard controversies; and

yet their pride and malignity will make them forward to talk of what they understand not, and to take thence an occasion to revile those whom they dislike; and, speaking evil of what they never knew, they will make up th

Chapter 50

12. And if any man's conscience be awakened, to call him to true

repentance, they will either tell him it is needless, melancholy trouble, and give him an opiate of some flattering, false comfort, or preach him asleep again with unsuitable things, or a cold, dull, formal kind of manag

Chapter 51

1. Their ignorance or scandalous ambition, covetousness, and other

sins, do render them so contemptible in the eyes of many, that it tends to make the church and all religion so. And when nobles, gentlemen, and people think basely of the ministry, church, and religion for their sakes, h

Chapter 52

2. And indeed a carnal, worldly clergy are oft the most powerful and

obstinate hinderers of the peace and quietness of church and state. (1.) By fitting themselves to be humors of those in whose power their preferments are, be it never so much to the injury of men's souls, bodies, or esta

Chapter 53

33. Even God that forgives it to the penitent, will shame it, to keep

-- 103 of 161 -- 104 others from committing it. He that minces or hides it, tempts others to imitate it. Alas! what work have a worldly, proud, and ignorant clergy made in most Christian nations, these thirteen hundred

Chapter 54

3. They aggravate their guilt by their nearness to God in their office

and works, as Aaron's two sons that were struck dead, Lev. x. 2, 3. "For God will be sanctified in them that come nigh him, and before all the people he will be glorified." The examples of the -- 107 of 161 -- 108 Beth

Chapter 55

4. And it greatly adds to the guilt, to do all this or much of it as in

the name of God, or by his commission. This is a dreadful taking of God's name in vain, for which he will not hold them guiltless. To pretend, that it is by God's command that they set up that which he abhors; that they

Chapter 56

5. Indeed, while a poor blind clergyman as his trade, for applause

and gain, doth study and preach that word of God, which is against him, how dreadful is it to think how all that he doth and says is self- condemnation, and that out of his own mouth he must be judged, and that all the w

Chapter 57

1. They are far hardlier brought to repentance than others.

(1.) Because they have, by wit and study, bended that doctrine to defend their sin which should be used to bring them to repentance. (2.) Because their aggravated sin against light doth most forfeit that help of grace wh

Chapter 58

3. And their place, office, titles, and learning with many will give sin

reputation and advantage. It a drunkard in the alehouse deride godly men, as heretics, schismatics, hypocrites, or puritans, sober men will not much regard it; but they think they owe more belief and reverence to a learn

Chapter 59

2. And thus God uses them as his special instruments for the

convincing, converting, edifying, comforting, and saving of souls. Others may be blest herein; but the special blessing goes along with those that are specially obliged to the work, which is parents in families, and past

Chapter 60

3. And in this they are co-workers with Jesus Christ, the great Savior

of souls, and with the Holy Spirit, the Regenerator and Sanctifier. Yea, Christ doth very much of the work of his salvation by them: when he ascended on high, he gave gifts to men, for the edifying of his body, till they

Chapter 61

I. He must have a good natural wit and capacity. It should be

somewhat above the ordinary degree; but it must needs be of the better rank of ordinary wits: for grace supposes nature, and, by sanctifying it, turns it the right way; but doth not use to make wise teachers of natural d

Chapter 62

2. They must have some competent readiness of speech, to utter the

knowledge they have got. One that cannot readily speak his mind in -- 119 of 161 -- 120 common things, is not like to come to that ready utterance which will be necessary to a preacher.

Chapter 63

3. He must be one that is so far hopeful for godliness,

(1.) As to be captivated by no gross sin. (2.) To have a love not only to learning, but to religion, to the word of God, and good company, and prayer, and good books; and a settled dislike of the things, words, and perso

Chapter 64

3. Or of serious piety, love to godliness, and heart-devotedness to

God; do not meddle with that calling which requires all these. Sect. 18. Obj. But, you may say, what shall we do? We have gone so far that we are fit for nothing else. Answ. You are less fit for the ministry than for any

Chapter 65

2. Children cannot be expected to show that understanding in

religion which men must have. But if they show not a love to it, and a conscience regardful of God's authority and the life to come, and a dislike of ungodliness and sin, you have no reason to presume that they will be f

Chapter 66

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. -- 122 of 161 -- 123 Sect. 20. II. My next advice to you is, Abhor sloth a

Chapter 67

4. Choose not one that is factious and uncharitable, violent for a

party, either because it is uppermost, or because it stands for some odd opinion or causeless singularity; but one that is of a Christian, catholic charity, and loveth a godly man as such, even as himself, and is for wro

Chapter 68

2. By preaching some years to a small, ignorant people, where you

fear not critical judgments, you will get boldness of speech, and freedom of utterance, without that servile study of words, and learning your written notes without book, which will be tiresome, time-wasting, and lifeles

Chapter 69

I. Make not the getting of money, and your own worldly prosperity,

so much of your end as the doing good in the world, by the preservation of men's health and lives, and the pleasing of God thereby. Selfish, low ends show a selfish mind, that lives not to God or public good.

Chapter 70

V. Study simples thoroughly, especially the most powerful, and

affect not such compositions, as by the mixture of the less powerful, do frustrate the ingredients, which would else be more effectual. Vl. Forget not the poverty of most patients, who have not money to pay large chargea

Chapter 71

VII. Take heed of self-conceitedness, and rash confidences, and too

hasty judging. Most of your work is hard; many things, which you think not on, may occasion your mistake. Causes and diseases have marvelous diversities. Most that are quick judges, and suddenly confident that all their

Chapter 72

VIII. Give not too much physic; nor too often, or without need; nor

venture on things dangerous. Man's life is precious; and nature is the chief physician, which art must but help. The body is tender and easily distempered: rather do too little than too much. Oft tampering uses to kill a

Chapter 73

5. Direct them to such familiar remedies at home, in their drinks and

diet, as is suitable to their distempers for preservation, and are safe and harmless, and put them not to a needless dependence on your frequent help; make not use of weak women's fears, to make them miserable by needles

Chapter 74

X. Give them good counsel for their souls that need it; flatter them

not with false hopes of life, when it tends to hinder their preparation for death. They and you are hasting to so great a change, as requires great and careful forethoughts. It is sad to go out of the world, and not at a

Chapter 75

2. And their studies and callings make it their interest, as to know, so

also to maintain the laws; and that is to maintain propriety, just liberty and order, and so to preserve justice and the common peace, except in countries that have pernicious laws. Injustice in judges and lawyers is lik

Chapter 76

I. And here, first, I warn all such to take heed of the sins of

sensuality. Alas! London doth so abound with temptations, that, without grace and wise resolution, you are unsafe. There are so many sensual, proud, and ungodly young men ready to entice you; so many play-houses, taverns

Chapter 77

2. Those that being themselves deceived would deceive you, against

religion and your salvation. It is too well known that such persons in London are not rare, though the danger by them is not known enough. Even those that are so unchristian and inhuman as to prate against the Christian

Chapter 78

4. In "More Reasons for the Christian Religion."

And avoid also the snares of those that would draw you into uncharitable factions, on pretense of right religion, to hate, or censure, or fly from all that are not just of their sect and way; especially the proud faction

Chapter 79

5. Live in the familiarity of the most useful men of your profession,

that is, the wisest and the most conscionable; and choose those pastors, for your best helpers in religion, who keep closest to God's word, and warp not after any dangerous singularities, or worldly preferments, or unpea

Chapter 80

I. One part of your great danger is, that you are commonly bred up

among the baits of sensuality. It is not for nothing that "fulness of bread " is made one of the sins of Sodom, Ezek. xvi. 49; and that he that after lay in the flames of hell, is described as "richly clothed and faring

Chapter 81

II. Another of your dangers is the ill examples of too many persons

of your rank. You are apt to think that their wealth, and pomp, and power, makes them more imitable than others, as being more honorable. And if they wallow in drunkenness or filthy lust, or talk profanely, you may think

Chapter 82

III. Another of your temptations will be pride, and overvaluing of

yourselves, because of wealth and worldly honor. But this is so foolish a sin, and against such notorious humbling evidence, that, as it is the devil's image, it is nature's shame. Is not your flesh as corruptible as a b

Chapter 83

IV. Another of your dangers is from flatterers, that will be pleasing

and praising you, but never tell you of that which should humble you and awake you to the sense of your everlasting concerns. But none here are so dangerous as a flattering clergy, who, being themselves carnal worldlings

Chapter 84

V. And one of your greatest dangers here will be, that your own

fleshly minds, and this worldly sort of men, (especially if of the clergy,) will be drawing you to false, contemptuous thoughts of serious godliness, and of serious, godly men. When as if you be not such yourselves, you

Chapter 85

VI. But above all, I beseech you fear and watch, lest you be drawn

to espouse anything as your interest, which is against the interest and command of Christ, and against his kingdom, or the good of his church, or the commonwealth. As the devil first undid the world, by making deceived E

Chapter 86

M. Aurel., Antonine, and Alex. Severus; yea, and such lawyers,

philosophers, physicians, but especially divines, as Melchior Adamus in four volumes hath recorded; and of such bishops as Cyprian, Nazianzen, Ambrose, Austin, Basil, Chrysostom, and our Usher, and each others. -- 146 o

Chapter 87

VIII. Live not in idleness, as the sons of rich men too oft do; for that

will rust and corrupt your minds, and cherish besotting damning lusts, and render you worthless and useless in the world, and consequently the greatest plagues of your country, to which you should be the greatest helps a

Chapter 88

IX. Remember that the grand design of the devil, and all deceivers,

is to delude and corrupt the rulers of the people, knowing how much they signify by their laws, power, and examples; and how sad it will be to be judged as a persecutor, or a captain of iniquity. And therefore you must h

Chapter 89

II. How very much their welfare is entrusted to your care. You have

the teaching of them before the ministers, and have them always nearer with you, and have greater power over them. Oh that you knew what holy instructions, and heavenly excitations, and good example God requires of you f

Chapter 90

IV. Yet use them with tender, fatherly love, and make them perceive

that it is for their own good and cherish their profitable delights; study how to make all good delightful to them, encourage and reward them. Tell them of the wisdom and goodness of God's word and let them read the live

Chapter 91

XI. Remember that your own comfort or sorrow in them lieth most

on your own duty or neglect. If they prove wicked and plagues of the world, and you are the cause, it may tear your hearts. But what a joy is it to be the means of their salvation, and of their public service in the worl

Chapter 92

XII. Disgrace sin to them and commend holiness by word and

practice; and be yourselves what you would have them be; and pray daily for them and yourselves. The Lord bless this counsel to them and you! -- 150 of 161 -- 151 14. A Short Word to Church Ministers for Youth What are

Chapter 93

3. And to go before them in the example of a holy and heavenly life;

Job xxxii. 4; viii. 8; Heb. v. 14; Tit. ii. 2, 3; 1 John ii. 13, 14; Judges vi. 13; Psal. xliv. 1; lxxviii. 3, 5; Deut. i. 21; Exod. xii. 26; Deut. xi. 19; Josh. iv. 6, 21, 22; Joel i. 3. Sect. 2. And nature and Scriptur

Chapter 94

3. And such a one is not bound to think, that he knows not what he

knows; nor to believe, that every old man is wiser than he; all this we grant. Sect. 4. But though "Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished," (Eccles. iv. 13,) yet,

Chapter 95

1. It is certain that knowledge cometh much by experience; and long

experience and use is far more powerful than the short; and time and converse are necessary to it. Naturally or ordinarily, long learning and use increase knowledge. Do not all take it for granted, that, usually, the boy

Chapter 96

2. And this proud ignorance is so odious a sin, and the nurse of so

many more, and so great an enemy to wisdom and all good, that it is no wonder that it is the way to "the condemnation of the devil." Sect. 5. Therefore though young men should not receive any falsehood, heresy, or ill ex

Chapter 97

6. It is a nest of continual ERROR in the mind, which is the soul's

deformity, and contrary to nature's love of truth. Sect. 7. And it hath abundance of mischievous effects. 1. lt keeps out that truth or knowledge which should be received. It obstinately resists necessary teaching, where

Chapter 98

4. And self-conceit and hasty confidence maketh them continual

liars; even while they rage for what they say as true: for being usually mistaken for want of patient trial, they say what they think, and are not to be much believed in their preference. Sect. 8. But seeing many old men

Chapter 99

3. When your confidence of your understandings is so

unproportionable to your time and studies, that you must suppose -- 156 of 161 -- 157 you know by a miracle or some rare capacity and wit; as if you had got more in a few years than the rest of mankind doth in many. 4.

Chapter 100

5. When you talk most in a bold asserting or a teaching way, as if

you were oracles to be heard and reverenced; and not in a humble, inquiring way, with that necessary doubting which beseems learners. "Except ye become as little children" in teachable humility, you are not fit for the s

Chapter 101

7. When you can too easily without certain cogent reason dissent

from the judgment, not only of those whose light and integrity hath by self-manifestation convinced the world, but also from the generality of such as are commonly known to be the wise, godly, and impartial; yea, perhaps

Chapter 102

9. When you are hardly and rarely brought to a humble confession

of your errors, but in all debates you seem still, whatever the cause be, to be in the right, and when you have once said it, you will stand to it, and justify untruths, or extenuate and excuse them.

Chapter 103

10. When you too much affect the esteem of wisdom, and love to

have your judgments a rule to others, and are unfit for true subjection. In a word, when instead of being "swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath," you are swift to speak and dictate, slow to hear and learn, and