Parents to be carefull what they say in presence of Chil∣dren. [ 1061]
ELiah was taken up to Heaven in a fiery Charior, and having left Elisha behind him in his room,* 1.1 there was no want of mockers and jeerers in Israel, that were ready to laugh at any goodnesse, such as made themselves sport with the Prophets of God, saying, that Elisha should be taken up into Heaven too; and this they did in the hearing of their Children; No sooner was Elisha come to Bethel, but a company of Children meet him, saying, Goup thou bald pate, go up thou bald pate; do as thy Master did, thou must be in his room forsooth, then thou mayst mount as he did; The Propher hearing this, turned back and looked on them (it had been better for them, if he had looked another way) and cursed them, whereupon there came forth two she-bears out of the woods and tore forty two of them a∣sunder, 2 King. 2. 24. Here was a company of ill-bred Children; Their Fathers had in their hearing abused the Prophet,* 1.2 and they like ready Schollers, were not long in taking our such a lesson, though they paid very dear for their learning; Let Pa∣rents therefore be carefull what they say or do in presence of their Children, it can∣not be imagined what large ears such slender pitchers have, how apprehensive, how imitable they are, especially in that which is bad.