A Fathers Testament, Chapter 1
CAP. I.
EVen the Sea-monsters draw out the breast; they give suck to their young ones,
Lam. 4.3.
I know well (my dear Children) that it is the Fathers duty to lay up for his posterity, (2 Cor. 12.14.) Nor am I ignorant, or insensible of that heavy censure, If any man provide not for his own, for those of his own house, he hath denyed the …aith, and is worse than an Infidel, (1 Tim. 5.8.) nor yet forgetful, or careless, (as God hath, or shall enable me in the way of my calling,) to provide for you the needful comforts of this life: yet I have learned that One thing is needful, (Luk. 10.42.) and that Life consists not in abundance (Luk. 12.15.) Let me speak to you as those Apostles, Silver, and Gold I have little, but such as I have I give you, Act. 3.6. I have ever esteemed you the special blessing which God hath given me upon earth, and desire to see you rather blessed than rich. For even the most worldly, (though lamentably blinded) affect riches for blessedness, and desire an overflowing wealth for no other end, but that they may bathe, and swimm in a full tide of happiness.
The great Legacy which I desire to confer upon you is that which my dying Father bequeathed unto me, and from him (through Gods grace) descended upon me, whose last, and parting words were these; My Son had I followed the course of this World, and would either have given, or taken bribes, I might (happily) have made you rich, but now must leave you nothing but your education, which (I bless God) is such, as I am well assured yo… chuse rather that I should dye in peace, tha… your selves live in plenty. But know certainly… that I your weak, and dying Father leave yo… to an everliving, and All-sufficient Father, an… in him a never fading inheritance; who will no… suffer you to want any good thing, who hat… been my God, and will be the God of my seed.
Thus he entred into peace, and slept in Christ; leaving behind the fragrant perfume of a good name, to all his acquaintance, leav…ng to us a prevalent example of an holy conversation, and that goodly heritage where the lines are fallen to us in pleasant places, (Psal. 16.6.) and leaving us to his protection, who hath never failed us. This I desire, and (as I am able) endeavour to bequeath unto you.
When the men of this World have barter…d Heaven for Earth, and with loss of their pretious souls have gained false, and fading treasures, they can but point to their full …offers, and deliver their keyes to their Children, they can give them neither wisdom to …se, nor providence to keep them. In the …irst I am no whit short of them; I can point out to you the place where those infinitely better riches are stored up for you. I can direct you in the way wherein you shall find …hem; And in the second place (further than …hey) I can (through Gods grace) set you …own a course, which if you take, you shall …urely unlock and enjoy them, and be ever …lessed in the fruition of them.
If I could bequeath you mountains of …arthly treasures, were you vain, and care…ess, how soon would they melt to Mole-hills, …d vanish like a morning cloud into nothing? If then earthly things, and perishin… can neither be got, nor kept without muc… labour, and carefulness, oh think not muc… of any pains, or diligence in the search o… that Heavenly portion, which will certainl… be found, when it is rightly sought, an… when it is once found, can never be los… If it tarry, be not weary of seeking, for … will surely come, and will not tarry, Hab. 2.3… Shameful is it to faint in that labour, whic… will bring infallible success, and eternal r…freshing. My God leading me, I will lea… you the good, and right way, (1 Sam. 12.23… follow, that ye may apprehend, (Phil. 3.12… Be ye followers of me (so far) as I am of Chris… 1 Cor. 11.1. All treasures are hid up in hi… (Col. 2.3.) whom if ye follow, you shall sure… have treasures in heaven, Luk. 18.22. Fir… therefore take notice that,