Solomon, speaking to us as unto children, observes here how much the
comfort of parents, natural, political, and ecclesiastical, depends
upon the good behaviour of those under their charge, as a reason, 1.
Why parents should be careful to give their children a good education,
and to train them up in the ways of religion, which, if it obtain the
desired effect, they themselves will have the comfort of it, or, if
not, they will have for their support under their heaviness that they
have done their duty, have done their endeavour. 2. Why children should
conduct themselves wisely and well, and live up to their good
education, that they may gladden the hearts of their parents, and not
sadden them. Observe, (1.) It adds to the comfort of young people that
are pious and discreet that thereby they do something towards
recompensing their parents for all the care and pains they have taken
with them, and occasion pleasure to them in the evil days of old age,
when they most need it; and it is the duty of parents to rejoice in
their children's wisdom and well-doing, yea, though it arrive at such
an eminency as to eclipse them. (2.) It adds to the guilt of those that
conduct themselves ill that thereby they grieve those whom they ought
to be a joy to, and are a heaviness particularly to their poor mothers
who bore them with sorrow, but with greater sorrow see them wicked and
vile.