The True Interest of Families, Part 1

The True Interest of Families · Part 1

p. 1PART I.

IT has been always reckoned by the beſt and wiſeſt men, a thing abſolutely neceſſary towards a Reformation in the World, to begin with the Inſtruction and right Education of Children; thoſe of elder Years being ordinarily ſo rooted and hardned in their ſinful habits, that, for the moſt part, there's very little can be done to reform them, and make them better. So ſenſible were ſome ancient States of this, that they made particular Laws for educating Children; p. 2thinking it too great a Truſt, to leave it altogether in the Power of Parents, to train up their Children according to their Humour and Fancy. Amongſt Chriſtians, there are few reſtraints upon Parents; in moſt Countries it being in their power to Educate their Children as they think good: It is therefore of no ſmall importance for them to know what their Duty is, that they may approve themſelves to God, in doing whatever he requires towards their Children, for their Souls, their Bodies, and their outward Eſtate.

The deſign of this Treatiſe is, to furniſh thoſe who want ſuch helps with ſome plain and eaſie directions, that they may know how to act the part of Chriſtian Parents.

While Children are yet in the Womb,How Parents ought to be affected while Children are yet in the Womb. it is the Duty of Parents to endeavour to bring their mind to an indifferency, as to the Sex which ſhall be born; not to preſcribe to God, by their impatient deſires, and their bold asking of him, a Child of this or that Sex; but to leave it entirely to his Will and Pleaſure, to do what he p. 3thinks beſt. The happineſs of Parents does not conſiſt in having Children of this or that Sex: Sometimes Sons (who are moſt deſired ordinarily) may prove uſeleſs in the World, yea very hurtful in many regards; they may occaſion great grief of Heart, and laſting Anguiſh and Vexation to their Parents, by their mad and fooliſh Courſes, and wicked doings: And on the other hand, Daughters may prove great Bleſſings in the World, great Comforts to their Parents, and great Examples of Piety and of Zeal for the honour of God: On which Accounts Parents ought to reſign their will to God, and be ready with all gratitude to accept whatever he beſtows.

Secondly, When a Child is born,How they ought to be affected when their Children are born. Parents ought with all thankfulneſs to return praiſe and thanks to God, who hath beſtowed ſuch a Bleſſing on them, giving them a living Child, ſound and perfect in all its parts and proportions, without either defect of neceſſary parts, or exceſs and deformity thereof. This ſhould make them admire and adore the Powerful and Wiſe Providence of p. 4God, which appears in framing and faſhioning their Infant, ſo curiouſly and wonderfully in the Womb, preſerving it, and making it grow up, from a very ſmall and imperfect beginning, to ſuch a bigneſs, with all thoſe comely ſhapes and proportions which they behold.

They ought to look upon their Children as given them of God, to be taken care of both as to their Souls and Bodies; to be bred up in his fear, for his Honour and Glory; to be made fit to ſerve him here, and to live with him for ever hereafter.

The Soul being the chiefeſt part of the charge committed to Parents, I ſhall firſt ſhew what they ought to do for their Childrens Souls.

The firſt Duty of Parents for the Souls of their Children, is, to conſecrate them to God in Baptiſm.

Firſt, They ought to conſecrate their Children to God in Baptiſm, ſo ſoon as conveniently they can: They cannot better expreſs their gratitude to God for bleſſing them with Children, than by preſenting them to him again in this holy Ordinance; that he may p. 5ſet his Seal upon them, and admit them into his Houſe and Family; that he may beſtow upon them the priviledges of his Children, and give them a Right and Title to the Bleſſedneſs, the Grace and Glory purchaſed by Jeſus Chriſt. It is for this End that Baptiſm is inſtituted; not only to be a Ceremony of Admiſſion into the Church, but to ſeal unto us the pardon of our Sins, to aſſure us of the Divine Favour, to make us Members of Chriſt, Heirs of God, and Inheritours of the Kingdom of Heaven, if we by wilful impeuitency and unbelief, do not afterwards hinder and fruſtrate the Virtue thereof. It is not neceſſary for Parents to enquire how ſuch things are done by Baptiſm; it is enough for them to know, That Baptiſm is appointed for thoſe Ends, and we are ſure that God appoints nothing in vain: Our Saviour is ſaid, Eph. 5.26. To ſanctify and cleanſe his Church with the waſhing of water by the Word. And, Tit. 3.5. he is ſaid to ſave us by the waſhing of Regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghoſt. And in the 22d. of the Acts and 16. it is ſaid by Ananias unto Paul, Ariſe and be baptized, and waſh away thy Sins: And ſays St. Peter, 1 Epiſt. 3.21. p. 6The like Figure whereunto, even Baptiſm doth now alſo ſave us (not the putting away of the filth of the Fleſh, but the anſwer of a good Conſcience towards God,) by the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt. And St. Paul tells us, Gal. 3.27. As many of you as have been baptized into Chriſt, have put on Chriſt: Which words import not only our owning and acknowledging him as the Saviour of the World, who alone is able to waſh and cleanſe us with his Blood, but alſo our profeſſing our reſolution to live holy lives, to walk in newneſs of life according to his Example; in token of which in the ancient Church, they who were baptized, were preſently cloathed with White Rayment, to teſtify their reſolution to live in holineſs, and to put off the Old Man, that is, all their former wicked Deeds and Cuſtoms, and filthy Practices. Likewiſe, Rom. 6.3, and 4. it is thus written, Know ye not that ſo many of us as were baptized into Jeſus Chriſt, were baptized into his Death? Therefore we are buried with him by Baptiſm into Death, that like as Chriſt was raiſed up from the dead by the glory of the Father; even ſo we alſo ſhould walk in newneſs of Life. Theſe p. 7words import not only our belief of a crucified Saviour, who dyed and was buried for ſin, to ſave us from it; but alſo our Repentance, whereby we renounce ſin, as dead and buried to it for the time to come. The general Deſign of this Sacrament, being ſufficiently plain and clear from theſe and other Scriptures; it is to little purpoſe, (and oftentimes it proves to very ill purpoſe) to enquire any further as to particulars; for by ſo doing, a great many perſons judging of divine things by their own weak and fooliſh apprehenſions, have reaſoned themſelves (if I may ſo ſpeak) both out of their Reaſon and Religion.

2. Duty, to ſeaſon their Minds betimes with good Impreſſions.

Secondly, When Children begin to ſpeak and to diſcover ſome dawnings of Reaſon, it is fit to ſeaſon their Minds with ſome good Thoughts, with ſome divine Impreſſions, that Religion betimes may catch hold of their tender and innocent Minds, before they are corrupted and defiled with bad Principles, and vain & unreaſonable Opinions, p. 8which they are apt to learn too ſoon from evil Company. Teach them who made them; who dyed for them; for what end they were made; whither good Children go when they dye, and whither naughty Children go; what a place Heaven is, and Hell, &c. Theſe and ſuch like plain and eaſie things are to be told them, which they can underſtand, and which may make ſome impreſſion on their minds. In teaching Children ſuch matters, it is neceſſary to condeſcend to their weak capacity: It is not fit to ask them ſuch Queſtions at all times, nor yet to ſay too much to them at any one time: Such Inſtructions are to be dropt into their minds ſoftly and leiſurely, ſo as not to oppreſs them, but to recreate them; not to be a burden to them, but a pleaſure. It cannot be expreſſed how great Advantages attend ſuch early Inſtructions; theſe are the Seeds of Virtue, which take root inſenſibly, and ſpring up ſometimes very unexpectedly; the Impreſſions which they make continue a great while, as Earthen Veſſels retain the ſavour of that Liquor which was firſt put into them a long time after: So powerful are theſe firſt Inſtructions, that they are able to conquer p. 9even Nature it ſelf. The famous Lycurgus made this appear, by bringing into the Market-place two Dogs of one Litter, and preſenting before them a Pot of Pottage and a Hare; one of them (which was trained up in Hunting) run after the Hare; and the other (which was brought up in the Houſe) fell to the Pottage. What a wonderful power may we daily obſerve in thoſe early impreſſions which are made on mens minds? Thereby it comes to paſs, that the moſt abſurd and extravagant Opinions, which have been ſuck'd in, when one was young, can hardly be removed by the cleareſt and ſtrongeſt Reaſonings.

3. Duty, to teach them to pray.

Thirdly, Teach them, ſo ſoon as may be, to pray to God Morning and Evening; To ſay after you, or others whom you appoint for that purpoſe, two or three ſhort Petitions, which are eaſie to be underſtood; and as their Underſtanding and Capacity increaſeth, teach them the Lord's Prayer; and after that ſome larger Form of Prayer, which they may ſay after p. 10you, till they can read it themſelves, or get it by heart.

You are to have a ſpecial care, that they perform their Devotions in as grave and ſerious a manner as their years can admit: You are to keep them from all ſorts of indecent Actions and Poſtures, when they ſay their Prayers: For this end, you are to teach them who it is they ſpeak to when they pray, and what theſe things mean, which they pray for.

Chuſe the fitteſt times for them, wherein to ſay their Prayers: as in the Morning, when-ever they ariſe; while their Spirits are moſt vigorous, and their Thoughts moſt free. At Night let them ſay their Prayers rather before Supper than after; becauſe after Supper, they are more apt to be very dull and ſleepy, and thereby leſs fit for ſuch a performance. God is not to be ſerved with the refuſe of our thoughts, and with ſluggiſh ſleepy deſires; but with our beſt and moſt lively affections, and with the ſtrength and fervour of our deſires.

You are to prevent their omitting their Prayers at any one time; becauſe doing ſo once or twice, they are apt p. 11to neglect them wholly, or to return to them with great averſneſs: Whereas Cuſtom and Conſtancy in performing their Devotions, will make them much more eaſie and pleaſant to them.

When they are poſſeſſed with more perfect and ſolid thoughts about Religion, with ſtronger and more lively impreſſions of Divine things, and are able without great difficulty to expreſs the ſenſe of their Souls; They may do what they find does ſerve beſt the great purpoſes of Devotion: If praying without reſtraining themſelves to any particular Form of Words, contribute more to their fervency and elevation of mind in Prayer, let them pray without uſing a Form: But if they find that their Minds are more ſtayed and fixed, and their fervency and devotion greater in the uſe of a Form than without it, let them do that which they find beſt.

When they pray for outward and temporal things, teach them to do it with an entire ſubmiſſion to the Will of God, who hath promiſed periſhing things conditionally, that is, ſo far as he ſees the beſtowing of them will be for his Glory, and the good of his p. 12Children: Therefore they muſt not be vehement and importunate in their deſires and Prayers for ſuch things, but ought to pray for them with great humility and reſignation to the Divine Will. As for ſpiritual Bleſſings, to wit, the pardon of Sin, the direction and aſſiſtance of the Spirit of God, his Grace to help them in time of need, power and ſtrength to fight againſt the Devil, the World, and the Fleſh, &c. Theſe things are to be prayed for with all the importunity and earneſtneſs that is poſſible. The more vehement and fervent their deſires and Prayers are for ſuch things, the more acceptable are they to God, and the more likely to obtain from him the deſires of their Souls; for he hath promiſed to ſatisfie the longing Soul with good things.

4. Duty, to obſerve carefully their temper and diſpoſition, and to endeavour to reform what is amiſs therein.

Fourthly, Obſerve carefully their Temper and Diſpoſition, what Vices they are moſt inclined to; If they are ſturdy and proud, peeviſh and paſſionate, p. 13cunning, given to lying, flattery, and diſſimulation; if they are conceited, raſh, and unadviſed, &c. Endeavour all you can to bend their minds another way: For Example, if they are ſturdy and proud, ſtrive to humble them, and break them, to tame their proud Spirits; accuſtom them to the doing acts of humility; do not gratifie them in thoſe things that are apt to make them proud; cauſe them to yield, and to ſubmit to your Will, or to the Will of others, whom you think fit they ſhould obey.

If you find them peeviſh and paſſionate, teach them to be meek and gentle; to be of a ſweet and mild diſpoſition; to love thoſe who have done or ſaid ſomewhat that croſſed them; not to ſeek revenge, but to forgive them, and to be kind to them; to be ready, when they have occaſion, to do them good for evil.

If they be given to Lying, ſhew them the evil of it, that a lying Tongue is an abomination to the Lord, Prov. 6.17. That the Devil is the Father of Lyars, and that they are in the number of thoſe that are ſhut out of the new Jeruſalem, and have their part in p. 14the Lake that burneth with fire and brimſtone, Rev. 21.8. and 22.15. Shew them how great hurt it will do them, and what ſhame it will bring upon them; That if they be found Lyars, people will not believe them, even when they ſpeak Truth. Encourage them to confeſs their faults, if they have done any thing amiſs; be apt to pardon them when they confeſs, and tell the Truth; and commend them for doing ſo: But if you find them in a Lye, be ſure to chaſtiſe them for it, eſpecially if they have done it oftner than once. Nothing tends more to the ſpoiling of Children, than their getting into ſuch a habit: This is a Vice that grows up apace, if not timely cured by good Education; Thereby they learn to grow ſo falſe and diſingenuous, that they are not fit to be truſted or employed.

If you find them to be of too prodigal a Temper, apt to be too profuſe in their Expences; ready to throw away their Money upon Trifles, and when there is no reaſonable occaſion for it; you ought by all prudent and proper Methods to endeavour to make them a little more diſcreet and careful; p. 15That they waſte nothing in vain, that may be of uſe to poor people; That they do not throw away that which may do good at ſome time or other. Suggeſt often to them, that we are Stewards of whatever God beſtows upon us, that he will call us to an account; and that therefore we ought to employ to good purpoſe all thoſe good things he gives us. Shew them what our Saviour ſaid to his Diſciples, after he had ſed five thouſand men with five Loaves and two Fiſhes, Joh. 6.12. When they were filled, he ſaid unto his Diſciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be loſt. He would not have any thing loſt, or thrown away unneceſſarily, which might be uſeful afterwards to one or other.

If you find them of a covetous Temper, endeavour to enlarge their thoughts by the Principles of Chriſtian Charity: Shew them what an excellent thing it is to do good; to ſhew mercy and kindneſs; to make peoples hearts glad: Accuſtom them to the doing ſuch kind and charitable offices; for which end, give them now and then money, and other things to beſtow on p. 16thoſe who are poor and needy. Shew them the evil of Covetouſneſs; that it's the root of all evil, that it takes the heart off from God, and rendereth it unfit for the conſideration of Divine things, and for all worthy and uſeful deſigns; that it diſpoſeth a man for the baſeſt and vileſt actions and undertakings, as it did Judas to betray his Lord; That it bereaves him of true repoſe and ſatisfaction of mind, and pierceth him through with many ſorrows, 1 Tim. 6.9, 10.

If you perceive them to be naturally melancholy, and fearful of every little thing, endeavour to chear up their Spirits: Suggeſt to them ſuch conſiderations, and poſſeſs them with ſuch Maxims and Principles, as tend to fortifie their minds againſt thoſe things which are apt to make them uneaſie, and are the occaſion of their fear. If their diſtemper proceed from ſome bodily indiſpoſition, as oft-times it does, uſe ſuch helps as are neceſſary: When ſuch evil habits of body are once rooted and ſtrongly fixed, and when the blood and ſpirits are deeply infected therewith, they are a very grievous clog to the Soul, and a great hindrance p. 17to that chearfulneſs and liberty of Spirit, wherewith people ought always to endeavour to ſerve God.

If you ſee them to be of too gay and airy a Temper, ſo that they cannot fix and be ſtayed at any time, you are to uſe a great deal of prudence and diſcretion to compoſe and ſettle their Spirits; See that they uſe their Wit and Fancy without giving offence, and that they hurt no body by indecent reflections: Let them by no means take liberty to indulge their humour in jeſting about things that are Sacred, or that have any relation thereto: But you are to take heed leſt your endeavouring to cure one fault, occaſion another; leſt your ſtriving to deliver them from one extream, drive them to the contrary, that is, leſt inſtead of their being too gay, you make them melancholy and dull: Their Wit and Spirit is not to be rooted out, but reformed and rightly managed; for this may be of uſe for ſeaſoning and ſweetning Converſation.

If you obſerve them to be raſh and forward, ready to ſpeak and act without due conſideration; ſtrive to make them more cautious and circumſpect; p. 18to reflect and think a little more, on what they ſay and do; leſt otherwiſe, they fall into a habit of ſpeaking and acting impertinently and indiſcreetly: when they ſay or do a fooliſh thing, for lack of conſideration, then take occaſion to make them ſenſible what a ſhame it is for them to do ſo; what a reproach to thoſe who are reaſonable Creatures, to ſpeak and act like fools without Reaſon and Underſtanding: Shew them ſome of the bad conſequences which attend ſpeaking and acting in this manner.

Thus you are to make it your Buſineſs to conſider what are their defects and faults, and to do all that you can to cure them thereof, and to direct them in the ways of Wiſdom and Virtue.

5. Duty, to ſee that they be taught to Read.

Fifthly, When once they are of an Age fit for it, ſee that they be taught to read, that thereby they may be able to make uſe of the Holy Bible. If your condition in the World is ſuch, as diſables you from doing much for p. 19them as to their outward Eſtate; yet if you do this, it may prove (unleſs it be their own fault) of unſpeakable advantage to them, and in ſome ſenſe better than a great Portion. It is ſad to ſee how a great many beſtow readily enough on their Children, to learn a gainful Trade, that they may get Wealth: And yet they are very unwilling to give a little money to one to teach them to read that ſacred Book, which inſtructs them in the Art of being happy; how to be ſaved; how to obtain a Crown of Glory; to purchaſe a Kingdom which cannot be ſhaken; to obtain a Pearl of greateſt price, and enduring Subſtance. The Word of God doth teach us all this; It's given to make us Wiſe to Salvation, that we may make our Calling and our Election ſure; and therefore neglect not to do this for them, to teach them to read: And when they can do it, cauſe them every day to read more or leſs in that Sacred Book: See that they do it with great Reverence, as being the Word of God: Cauſe them to conſider who it is that ſpeaketh to them therein; and what it is that he commands, promiſes, or threatens; direct p. 20them at firſt to read ſuch places, as are moſt eaſie to be underſtood, and which are apt to make the deepeſt impreſſions: After they have read, ſee what they remember; cauſe them to tell you what they can call to mind: Explain to them ſo far as you are able, what they do not know; eſpecially in ſuch things as are moſt uſeful to make them wiſer and better. Appoint them now and then a verſe or two, to get by heart; cauſe them to repeat them with due gravity; let them not do it in a trifling manner, as if they were telling a ſilly Story. Do not appoint them too many things to be got by heart; for this will do more hurt than good: A few things well underſtood do better than a great many by rote.

Great care ought to be taken what Books they read.Be careful leſt they read any Books which tend to poyſon their minds, to fill them with falſe Opinions, or to lead them to bad practices: Their tender minds are apt very quickly to be corrupted by ſuch Treatiſes. Even they who are of a more fixed and ſolid Virtue, are in danger of receiving hurt by reading ſuch Books; eſpecially p. 21when they are writ with great Art, and when their Notions are repreſented in fair and Beautiful Colours; They are apt to impreſs on the fancy ſome Images of no good conſequence to the Soul: How great need therefore have Parents to reſtrain their Children from reading ſuch Books as tend to pollute their innocent and chaſte minds, which are capable of receiving any ſort of impreſſions either good or bad?

As for Books of Devotion; great care is to be taken, that only ſuch be put into their hands as are writ in a plain and eaſie ſtyle; which treat of things fit and needful to be known by them; and which are moſt likely to make them Wiſe and Good. They are to be accuſtomed to the Writings of thoſe who are Men of greateſt Moderation; who do not impoſe their own conceits, as neceſſary Rules of Devotion; who do not require ſuch things as abſolutely needful to be done, which God hath not declared to be ſo; nor yet who ſhorten the Rule, by cutting off ſuch things as God hath injoyned us: All Books which lead men to extreams, are carefully to be avoided; and ſuch Treatiſes are to be made p. 22uſe of, as contain the plain and neceſſary Doctrines of Chriſtianity; which tend to inſpire Men with the Spirit of Purity, of Truth, of Peace and Love; which promote Sincerity, Juſtice, Temperance, Charity, Meekneſs, Humility, Patience, Reſignation to the will of God in all things, Zeal for his Honour and Glory, a firm belief and truſt in him, &c.

When it is requiſite to acquaint them with the different Opinions amongſt Proteſtants, that their minds may not be unfixed and unſettled, when they go abroad into the World; be ſure not to put into their hands ſuch Tracts as are writ with a fiery uncharitable Spirit, and in a dogmatick and magiſterial manner; but ſuch as are writ with great Temper and Moderation; which tend to heal the Church of all Contentions and Diviſions, and not to kindle and increaſe them; which do not load Mens Opinions with unjuſt, extravagant, and impious conſequences, which never entred into the minds of thoſe who vouched them: but ſuch as make fair and fovourable conſtructions, and juſt allowances. Such Practices are chiefly to be choſen for them, which diſpoſe p. 23Men to be humble and modeſt; not to be ſtiff and pertinacious in their own private Sentiments; not raſhly and ſeverely to condemn others who have different thoughts; and never on the account of any ſuch particular Opinions to break the peace of Chriſtian Society; nor to grow more cold in their reſpect and affection towards thoſe who have not the ſame thoughts with themſelves in leſſer matters. They are as it were, to feed upon Books of this ſort, and carefully to digeſt them.

6. Duty, to bring them to the place of publick Worſhip ſo ſoon as they are fit for it.

Sixthly, You are to bring them to the place of publick Worſhip ſo ſoon as they are fit for it, that they may have the benefit of the Prayers of God's People, and may learn, as they are capable, ſomewhat that may make them wiſer and better. Take heed how they carry themſelves in the Houſe of God, that it be with all poſſible ſilence and reverence; and that they perform their publick Devotions in a decent manner. When they come from Church, ſee what they remember; if they have got p. 24any thing by heart, encourage them: If they remember nothing, you may tell them ſomewhat or other of the Sermon which is fit for them to learn. Endeavour by their conſtant attendance on the publick Worſhip, to beget in them a mighty regard thereto, as being one great means appointed of God to increaſe in them, true Knowledge and Piety. Let them not ſpend the reſt of the Lords day in rambling about; but ſo far as their age can bear it, let them be imployed uſefully.

7. Duty, to make them underſtand their Baptiſmal Covenant.

Seventhly, Do all that you can to make them underſtand their Baptiſmal Covenant; and if there be opportunity to own and renew it publickly and ſolemnly, fail not to encourage their doing it. It's of great importance for them, to make a ſolemn profeſſion of their Faith, and to declare their Reſolution of performing their Baptiſmal Promiſe: It is of great advantage to them, at ſuch an occaſion, to have the Prayers of the Church, and particularly of thoſe, who are appointed of p. 25God, to bleſs the People. It is true, the great abuſes which have been committed in the performance of this ancient Ceremony, have made many people to ſlight and neglect it; but if Confirmation were performed with that care and ſeriouſneſs, which ought to be uſed on ſuch an occaſion, it is a cuſtom which might be of marvellous benefit in the Church; both to ſtir up Parents to inſtruct their Children, and Miniſters to Catechiſe them, and acquaint them with thoſe things that are needful for them to know, to believe, and to do. The careful and Religious uſe of it, would tye Children more ſtrictly to mind the great concerns of their Souls; it would afford them occaſion to conſider what it is to have been baptiſed, and to be a Chriſtian: It would work in them a more powerful ſenſe of the Obligations of Chriſtianity; and make them more careful to live up to that holy Religion, whereof they made ſo publick a profeſſion: It would make them more afraid to do bad things, againſt which they had proteſted ſo ſolemnly. And not only fear, but ſhame in this caſe, would reſtrain them from doing wickedly. This p. 26would be to young People a great defence againſt Temptations: Bad men would not ſo boldly ask them to ſin, if they knew they had openly and ſolemnly diſowned and renounced them, and all their wicked Courſes; and if they were tempted, they would be more apt to ſay in their own minds; Shall we do ſuch wicked things, and run the hazard of being Covenant-breakers, and perjured perſons? Shall we commit ſuch Villanies, and practice ſuch Abominations, and thereby break our ſolemn Vow and Engagement? Shall we by our folly and impiety give occaſion of offence and ſcandal to the Church of Chriſt, which he hath purchaſed with his Blood? Shall we renounce the Captain of our Salvation, and prove Deſerters, who have ſo lately vowed to renounce the Devil and all his Works? What a mighty defence would this be to your Children, when aſſaulted by the fiery Darts of the Devil, the Vanities of the World, and the luſts of their own deceitful hearts; to conſider, that by their own actual Conſent, they have renounced all theſe, and given up themſelves into the hands of God, to be kept by his mighty Power, p. 27through Faith unto Salvation? They have vowed, and they ought to perform it, to keep his righteous Judgments. Theſe things being impartially conſidered, ſhould mightily excite Parents to ſee that their Children do openly and ſolemnly profeſs their Faith in Chriſt crucified; their reſolution to obey him, to ſerve him, and love him, to fight under his Banner, againſt ſin, the Devil, and the World, and to continue his Faithful Souldiers and Servants unto their lives end. Is not this your Glory, that your Children are Chriſtians? and do you think it a ſhame or diſhonour for you or them, if they make a ſolemn profeſſion of their Chriſtianity; that they avow their Religion, and will by Gods help make good the promiſe which was made in their Name in Baptiſm? Of ſo great importance is this Cuſtom, that the greateſt men amongſt the Reformers did highly commend it, and did earneſtly with that it might be reſtored, as a thing of great uſe towards the reviving the true Spirit of Chriſtianity.

p. 288. Duty, to encourage them to come to the Lord's Table.

Eighthly, When they are fit for it, you ſhould encourage them to come to the Table of the Lord, that they may be ſtrengthened in their moſt holy Faith, and further aſſured of the love of God; that they may make a publick profeſſion of their Chriſtianity, of their love to their Lord and Maſter Jeſus, of their Charity to all Men, and of their ſincere affection to thoſe who are Chriſts Members and Followers: They ought to make uſe of this holy Sacrament, that their love to their deareſt Lord and Saviour may be kindled and enflamed, by remembring his Love, and ſhewing forth his Death; that they may bind themſelves more ſtrictly to ſerve and obey him, and to fulfil their Baptiſmal Engagement. How glad ſhould Parents be to ſee their Children advanced to this honour, to eat and drink at their Lord's Table, to partake of ſo great a Teſtimony of his Kindneſs and Friendſhip? How earneſtly ſhould they encourage them to embrace this opportunity of renewing their Covenant with p. 29the Lord, to live and to dye his faithful Servants? Do you not deſire to have them ſaved, to have them delivered from their Luſts and Paſſions, their Pride and Revenge, Uncharitableneſs and Malice, their Hatred and Envy, and from all manner of Sin and Folly, to be made pure and clean in Heart and Life, to be made meet for that holy place, where no unclean thing can enter? Do you not deſire that their Sins may be blotted out, that they may be waſhed with the Blood of their Saviour? And yet do you not adviſe and entreat them for their Souls Health and Safety, to come to the Holy Communion, which is deſigned for theſe excellent and great Ends and Purpoſes? But, alas! how far are too many Parents from doing this for their Children? How many do either wholly, or for the moſt part, neglect and ſlight this holy Ordinance themſelves, as if our Lord had without any juſt or neceſſary ground appointed it? How can ſuch Perſons expect the precious Fruits of the Death of Chriſt, who will not remember his Death, when he ſo lovingly and kindly calls and invites them to do it? Do this in remembrance of me. What a p. 30great Argument is it of a wonderful decay of true Piety and Religion in the World, when Men do thus deſpiſe and ſet at naught the kindneſs of their Lord and Saviour? When they refuſe to do a thing, ſo juſt and reaſonable, and ſo eaſie as this is; which tends ſo much to his Glory and their own true Happineſs and Welfare, both here and hereafter?

9. Duty, to take care that they accuſtom themſelves to Self-Examination.

Ninthly, When they are fit for it, ſee that they accuſtom themſelves to Self-Examination, that they ſpend a few moments every night (if another time of the day be not more convenient for them to do it in,) in calling themſelves to an account; That they may ſee what good or what evil they have done; That they may give praiſe and thanks unto God for any thing they have done, which was good and right; and that they may confeſs their Sins and Follies, begging his gracious pardon; p. 31and renewing their purpoſes and reſolutions to do better for the time to come.

But beſides theſe daily ſhort Reviews of their Heart and Life, 'tis fit to call upon them when they are well advanced in years, to a more ſtrict and ſolemn Examination of themſelves; to Prayer and Faſting, as their Age and Strength can bear it. This may be done once a Month, or once in two Months, or once a Quarter at leaſt. As to their abſtinence from Food on ſuch days, there's no Rule can be given to ſerve all perſons; if they can faſt one meal or two, it is well; if not, then they may eat leſs at a time, and of ſuch things as are leſs apt to be a hinderance to their Devotion: That is to be done that ſerves moſt to render them fit for Prayer and Meditation. It will be convenient in order to their doing this to good purpoſe, to be directed to a method, that ſo their Thoughts may not wander and be unfixed: For which end, it will be of good uſe, to have the direction of their Miniſter, if he be a diſcreet and good Man, or of ſome other prudent ſerious Chriſtian Friend: p. 32Or you may recommend to them ſome plain and eaſie ſhort Treatiſe on this Subject, ſuch as you ſhall find written diſcreetly with due moderation of Spirit.

There is not any one method can be preſcribed for all perſons, nor fit for all times: But in general, upon ſuch days it's fit for them to begin with Prayer to God, humbly begging the Divine Aſſiſtance and Direction; that he may open their eyes to ſee their ſin and folly; and to diſcover his mercy and kindneſs, his long ſuffering and patience towards them, that they may be thereby led to Repentance.

They may next enquire particularly and ſtrictly into their ways and doings; which they may do, by conſidering what have been their thoughts, their words and deeds; each of which they are to examine according to the Rule of God's Word: Or, (which comes to the ſame thing) they may go over the Commandments, and ſee wherein they have broken any of them: Wherein they find themſelves guilty, they are with unfeigned ſorrow and inward contrition, to confeſs it, to mourn for it, and earneſtly to beg forgiveneſs of God; reſolving p. 33with full purpoſe of heart, to do ſo no more; but to ceaſe from evil, and to learn to do well. They are to conſider what Temptations they are moſt in danger of; that they may avoid them: They are alſo to conſider what courſe they muſt take, and what Chriſtian Methods they muſt uſe, to overcome their evil Inclinations, and fooliſh and bad Cuſtoms; and they are to reſolve to govern themſelves accordingly; and ſincerely to endeavour to go on unto perfection. After this, they may reflect on the kind Providences they have met with; that their Souls may be filled with a grateful ſenſe thereof; that they may return all praiſe and thanks to God for his mercy and love; and may be excited for the time to come, to truſt more firmly in him, and to depend upon him. They may particularly conſider, wherein God hath been pleaſed to anſwer their Prayers, and to grant them the good things they have asked of him for their Souls and Bodies, for themſelves or for others; that their Piety and Love to God may be thereby the more kindled, and their Devotion excited; that their Faith and Hope may be made more ſtrong and lively.

p. 34They may take notice likewiſe of the Corrections and Chaſtiſements, wherewith God hath thought fit to exerciſe them; that thereby they may be awakened from ſin, and made wiſer and better for the time to come.

It will be very uſeful for them to have a Note in writing of thoſe various particulars; that they may on ſuch days review them, and with the more eaſe make ſuch Reflections on them, as tend to their improvement in real Piety.

Beſides theſe Acts of Devotion, which concern themſelves immediately; it will be fit on ſuch days to make earneſt and hearty Prayers to God for all Mankind; for the Converſion of Jews, Turks and Pagans: For the Reformation of thoſe Chriſtian Countries that are corrupted with Superſtition and Idolatry; for Union amongſt thoſe that are divided in their Opinions about leſſer matters; for deliverance to thoſe who are perſecuted for Righteouſneſs ſake; and for theſe Lands, (that God may inſpire us with a Spirit of Peace, of Love, and of true Piety;) For our King and Queen; for all Judges and Magiſtrates; for all the Miniſters of the p. 35Goſpel; for all their Frie nds and Relations; for all their Enemies, and for all who deſire their Prayers; of whom it is not unfit to keep a particular Note in writing, that this Chriſtian Office may be performed towards them with all faithfulneſs and kindneſs.

They are next to conſider, what may be done by them for the honour of God and the good of Men; and are to reſolve to do ſome Act or other of Piety or Charity, which may be of real advantage to Mens Souls or Bodies.

One thing more I ſhall mention, which may be very uſeful on ſuch days; and that is, That they conſider what are the things wherein they deſire more earneſtly the divine Aſſiſtance and Direction; which they may write down diſtinctly, that they may renew their Petitions therein every day. And thereafter, eſpecially on ſuch days as they appoint for more ſolemn Reflection and Humiliation, they may conſider what Anſwers God has been pleaſed to afford them.

Theſe are a few General Heads on this Subject, which may be of great advantage, in order to the promoting of true Devotion: But the deſigned brevity p. 36of this Treatiſe does not permit the enlarging upon them.

10. Duty, to obſerve what Providences they meet with, and to acquaint them therewith in due time.

Laſtly, Conſider what Providences they meet with, what ſignal Mercies and Favours their merciful Father beſtoweth upon them; what Dangers and Hazards they have eſcaped; wherein God's kindneſs and mighty power has appeared towards them, in preſerving them, and keeping them alive: Keep a Note thereof in writing; that ſo when they come to be of age, you may acquaint them therewith, that they may therein read the loving kindneſs and tender Mercies of the Lord, and his wonderful goodneſs and favour towards them; and may be excited to be thankful, and to put their truſt and confidence in him, whoſe Mercies are over all his Works. But, alas! How far are moſt Parents from doing this? Very few do any ſuch thing for themſelves; the Mercies of God are renewed to them every morning, they live at his coſt and charge, he gives them richly all p. 37things to enjoy; all their good things are from him alone: But how little do they conſider, and take notice of the Hand of God, in thoſe many and great benefits he loads them with every hour and moment? They do not reflect upon the great and marvellous things that he does for them; they live as if they were altogether inſenſible of God's mercies and loving kindneſſes; and no wonder if they take little thought to poſſeſs their Children with any Impreſſions of that whereof they have no ſenſe themſelves.

Some Directions to Parents, how to render their Endeavours effectual.

Now, to render your Admonitions and all other Endeavours effectual,1. They muſt give their Children good Example. for the good of your Children; Firſt, you muſt give them good Example; when you bid them read or pray, or partake of the Holy Sacrament, or attend the publick Worſhip, &c. you muſt do (ſo far as is needful and fit) the ſame things your ſelves: This will make your Admonitions ſucceſsful: Children learn more p. 38by the eye than by the ear. If they ſee you do contrary to what you adviſe them, they will be apt to think you do not believe what you ſay; or that you are very cruel and unmerciful towards them, to bind heavy burdens upon them, and not to touch them your ſelves; and if you ſhould conſtrain your Children to do what you do not your ſelves; what would it ſignify? It would only make them Hypocrites and Diſſemblers, to do that which they have no heart unto, and which they are not perſuaded to be their Duty. Such Children, when once the reſtraint and force which is upon them is removed, will be ſure to give themſelves the full ſwing in all manner of Folly; they will do thoſe things which they have ſeen in you, and learned by your Example.

2. They muſt chuſe good Company for them.2dly. Chuſe good Company for your Children, (ſo far as you have opportunity and ability to do it,) otherwiſe, neither your Admonitions nor Examples will ſignifie much: Their ordinary Company, if naughty, will pull down faſter than yeu are able to build: Corrupt Nature is eaſily drawn away by the Example and Allurements p. 39of ſinners; This is like going down hill, which is eaſie, conſidering Mens natural bent and inclination: Whereas Self-denyal and mortifying our Luſts and Paſſions, is more difficult, eſpecially at firſt, like going up hill. When therefore you ſee your Children falling into the acquaintance of vicious and fooliſh Perſons, delay not to reſcue them from the ſhare; to break off their Familiarity, that they be not corrupted thereby, and utterly ruined. We ſee how careful People are to keep their Children from thoſe who have the Small Pox, or any other infectious Diſtemper; and yet what a ſtrange madneſs is it for them to truſt them to the Society of thoſe, whoſe Lives and Manners are full of the deadly Poyſon of Sin, which infects and kills the Soul.

As this Rule is neceſſary to be followed at all times,Advice to Parents who ſend their Children abroad to Travel. ſo eſpecially when Parents ſend their Children into Foreign Countries, when they are fit to Travel; how careful ſhould they be not to truſt them to every body? But to the Conduct of thoſe who not only may be uſeful to advance them in the p. 40Knowledge of the World, to aſſiſt them in their Journeyings, to take care about their Lodging and Diet, to wait on them to viſit great Men, to ſee fine Places, curious Fabricks, famous Monuments, and ancient Inſcriptions, to learn the Language of the Countrey, and the different Modes and Faſhions, the Government and Policy, and ſuch like: But who likewiſe (through the Bleſſing of God on their Endeavours,) may preſerve them from the Vices of thoſe Countries where they Travel; from thoſe bad Cuſtoms to which they have a great inclination: Who may make it their buſineſs to ſeaſon their Minds with deeper and more lively impreſſions of Virtue; to poſſeſs them with a mighty regard for ſuch excellent Examples as they have occaſion now and then to ſee, to fortify them againſt the many wicked and dangerous Opinions and Practices they meet with; to acquaint them chiefly with the wiſeſt and beſt Men, by whoſe Converſation they may be improved in Wiſdom and Virtue; that they may return into their own Country with their Minds furniſhed with uſeful Notions, with ſolid Principles, and wiſe Obſervations; that p. 41they may be able, either in a more private way, or in a publick capacity, to do ſomewhat, not unworthy of thoſe who have had ſuch good occaſions for improving themſelves in thoſe things which are excellent. To ſerve this deſign, Parents are to be careful of two things; One is, That their Children travel under the conduct of one who is wiſe and prudent, and is of a ſincere and ſolid Piety: If he be one that is either fooliſh, or prophane and Atheiſtical, his Company muſt needs be very hurtful and dangerous; It may utterly ruine the young perſons who are intruſted to him. What an unaccountable thing is it to think, that men who are careful to have a skilful Groom to look to their Horſes, ſhould be ſo mad, as to venture their Children (who are their chiefeſt Poſſeſſion, and the principal Objects of their care and kindneſs) into the hands of thoſe who have little diſcretion, and leſs piety? The ſecond thing that Parents ought to be careful of, in this matter; is, That their Children do not travel till they are come to ſomewhat of ſtayedneſs, and ſolidity of Judgment; till their underſtanding and diſcretion p. 42is ſuch, as may give ground to hope that their Travelling ſhall do them no hurt, but good. It is none of the wiſeſt parts in ſome Parents, to ſend their Children too ſoon into Foreign Countries, before their Judgment is prepared, and made fit to make uſeful Reflections and Obſervations on the World; before their minds are poſſeſſed with ſolid Principles of Virtue, and with a deep ſenſe of Religion; ſo as not to be in great danger from the tentations which they are ſure to meet with in moſt places: Before they know any thing at home, it is too ſoon to ſend them abroad: Before they know themſelves a little, it is not adviſable to ſend them into the wide World, to know a vaſt multitude of other things: Hence it too often comes to paſs, that a great many return after their Travels greater Fools than they went; they bring back nothing but a load of the Vices and Vanities of other Countries.

3. They muſt, as need requires, reprove and chaſten their Children: and how?Thirdly, Let not over-great fondneſs blind your eyes, ſo as not to ſee the faults of your Children; nor cauſe p. 43you to ſtop your ears againſt juſt complaints. It's true, there are ſome wicked people who love to ſow diſcord, to kindle ſtrife and contention; to divide the neareſt Relations: But all are not ſo very wicked; you cannot but know ſome who love you and your Children ſincerely; and when ſuch perſons tell you of their faults, you ought to do the part of thoſe who are wiſe, as well as kind Parents; that is, you ought to do all you can to reform their faults, and make them better; and withal you ought to be heartily thankful to thoſe who do not flatter you and your Children, to the hurt both of you and them.

In order to their Reformation, try firſt all gentle Methods to make them better: Endeavour to conquer them with the Weapons of Kindneſs and Affection; Endeavour by Inſtructions and Admonitions to make them ſenſible of their Faults; Uſe Promiſes and Encouragements to allure them to do what they ought; When Threatnings are neceſſary, make uſe of them likewiſe; and if they do not ſerve the turn, then try the Rod; but let it be always the laſt remedy, after you have p. 44in vain attempted their Reformation by milder and gentler Methods: And when you uſe Severity, do it with due moderation, and with great care; leſt you kindle your own paſſion, and exceed the bounds of wiſdom and diſcretion. If once you give way to this rough, ſevere, and violent Method of dealing with your Children,The Evil of too great Severity. there is a threefold diſadvantage attends it; Firſt, you diſcourage your Children, you break their Spirits, you make them unfit for any uſeful thing; you tempt them to do ſuch things as are hurtful to themſelves, and may prove grievous to you. If oppreſſion makes a wiſe man mad; 'tis no wonder if a Child, or young perſon, is ſadly diſordered, and made half mad by cruel and tyrannical uſage: Tho' it be a fault in Children to be ſo; yet Parents ought to be careful not to provoke them over-much to wrath, by a ſevere unmerciful carriage towards them. Secondly, you kindle your own paſſions, you diſorder your minds, and accuſtom your ſelves to a fiery Temper; you become fierce, barbarous, and ſavage; thereby you turn one of your p. 45great Temporal Comforts into a grievous Croſs and heavy Burden. Thirdly, you hereby likewiſe teach your Children, thorough your Example, to be of a paſſionate and violent Spirit; and ſo you do them more hurt, than all your Corrections and Inſtructions can do them good: Never think to cure them of their Faults, by your committing as bad your ſelves: You muſt not do evil that good may come of it: The wrath of man worketh not the Righteouſneſs of God.

Fourthly, When it pleaſeth God to viſit them with ſickneſs,4. They muſt carefully improve the Time of their Childrens Sickneſs, or of any other afflictions they meet with, towards the making of them wiſer and better. or any other adverſity; be ſure to do all that you can, to bear in upon their minds, a ſenſe of thoſe things you are moſt deſirous to have them touched with, and which in time of their health they made but very little account of. Affliction is the time, in which God uſeth to work upon the hearts of people moſt powerfully and effectually; Then he awakeneth them, and convinceth them of their p. 46ſad and dangerous ſtate; He caſts them down, that being made ſenſible of their ſin and danger, he may again raiſe them up, and ſpeak comfortably to them. I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderneſs, and ſpeak comfortably to her, Hoſ. 2.4. Therefore all they who ſincerely deſire to reclaim their Children, or others, from their bad and fooliſh courſes, ought to take the opportunity of their ſickneſs, their pain and grief, their loſſes and diſappointments, and of any other ſorts of troubles and afflictions wherein they are, that then they may ſuggeſt to them ſuch Counſels and Advices as are proper for their Inſtruction, their Conviction, and Amendment. At other times, there are a great many things which are apt to hinder good Counſel from entring into the mind, or from making any deep impreſſion thereon; pleaſures and vanities are apt to choak the good ſeed: But when they are afflicted and humbled a little by ſome outward preſſure, or bodily diſtemper; they are thereby ſomewhat better diſpoſed to hear friendly Admonitions and Counſels, and to think a little more ſeriouſly of their ways and p. 47doings. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his Youth; He ſitteth alone and keepeth ſilence, &c. Lam. 3.27, 28.

Fifthly, Be earneſt in your Prayers to God daily for them;5. They muſt daily pray to God for them. that he would make them what he requires them to be, his dutiful and obedient Children and Servants; That he would ſeaſon their hearts with his Fear and Love; That he would turn them from Sin and Folly; and incline their hearts to keep his Precepts always, even unto the end; That he would hold up their goings in his paths, that their footſteps may not ſlide; That he would be their God and guide; their Sun and ſhield, and their portion for ever; and that he would give every one of them thoſe things which be beſt and moſt needful for them. You have great encouragement to do this; becauſe you are aſſured that God heareth Prayer; He hath ſaid, Every one that asketh receiveth. So that either he will grant your Children what you beg for them, or if they render themſelves unworthy of the mercy and kindneſs of God, by p. 48their perverſeneſs and ſtubbornneſs; yet you are ſure of one thing, that your Prayers are not loſt; they ſhall return into your boſom: God will plentifully reward your Piety, your Charity, and Zeal, with more Grace here, and Glory hereafter.

Some Motives to excite Parents to do theſe things.

Now to ſtir you up to perform theſe things;1. Motive, from the Divine Command. Conſider, firſt, It is the Will of God that you bring up your Children in his Fear, and acquaint them with his holy Laws and Commandments. He who made you, requires you to do this; he who preſerves you and keeps you alive; he who is your King and Lord, who has a Right to your ſervice, to all that you are able to do; who is your Father in Heaven; who daily takes care of you, and loads you with his benefits; who is the God of your Salvation; who hath ſent his Son into the World to die for you: It is even he who ſaith, Eph. 6.4. And ye Fathers, provoke not your Children to wrath, p. 49but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. If you then be the Subjects, the Servants, and the Children of the great God; If you love and fear him, as you ought to do, you will be ſure to make it your buſineſs to train up your Children in true Virtue and Piety; to make them what God requires them to be, holy, as he who hath called them is holy, in all manner of Converſation; you will excite them to ſtrive to enter in at the ſtrait gate; To work out their Salvation with fear and trembling; To remember their Creator in the days of their youth; To ſeek God while he may be found, and to call upon him while he is near; To love the Lord with all their heart, and their Neighbours as themſelves.

Secondly, 2. Motive, from its being a work worthy of the utmoſt care and pains of Parents.Is not this a work worthy of all your care and pains, to ſave the Souls of thoſe, who are parts of your ſelves, who derive their Being from you? You are the Inſtruments not only of their Being, but the means of conveying unto them natural defilement and corruption: And therefore you ought with a great deal of Zeal p. 50to endeavour to have their pollutions waſhed off by true unfeigned Repentance, and a hearty turning from Sin unto God; by their putting off the works of darkneſs, and putting on the Armour of light; by their putting on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and walking as he walked. Are you ready to do all that you can to make your Children rich and wealthy, great and honourable in the World? And yet are you at ſo little pains to do that for them, which tends to make them rich in Faith, and Heirs of a glorious Inheritance? You endeavor to acquaint them with thoſe who may be uſeful to them in their worldly Affairs and Concerns; And why do you not ſtrive to acquaint them with God, their greateſt and beſt Friend? Who is ſure to ſtand by them, to take them up, and to take care of them, when all forſake them, and turn their backs upon them? Why do you not with greater earneſtneſs endeavour to procure unto them his Friendſhip and Love, who is infinitely Powerful, and infinitely Good and Kind; and therefore not only can, but will do for them exceeding abundantly above all that either you or they can think or ask?

p. 51Thirdly, The doing of this is attended with great Rewards,3 Motive, from the Rewards which attend thoſe who faithfully do theſe things. not only in another World, but even in this Life. You cannot but find unſpeakable Joy and Comfort, when you behold your Children walking in the fear of God, going from ſtrength to ſtrength, and from Grace to Grace, that at laſt they may come and appear before the Lord in Sion. It will free you from a great many anxious thoughts about them for the time to come, when you know that they have God for their Friend, who will be a Guide and Buckler to them: What a great ſatisfaction will it afford you, to think that they, for whom you make ſo great proviſion, and are at ſo much pains, are good and wiſe, and in all probability will make good uſe of what is given them, or deſigned for them? When you ſee them humble, of a mild and gentle temper, apt to bear uneaſie things meekly and patiently; when you ſee them ſober and temperate, charitable and compaſſionate, juſt and upright, true and faithful, wiſe and prudent, devout and religious, zealous p. 52for the Honour of God, and ſtudying daily to grow up in all Virtue and Piety; How will this fill you with a Pleaſure that cannot be expreſſed? So true is it that is ſaid by the Wiſe Man, Prov. 15. and 20. A wiſe Son maketh a glad Father.

Fourthly, If you neglect to do theſe things for the Souls of your Children,4. Motive, from the ſad Effects which attend the neglect of theſe Duties. and leave them to themſelves to do as they liſt, then you may expect that their Sins and Follies, their Pride and Paſſion, their Gluttony and Drunkenneſs, their Curſing and Swearing, their Lying and Deceiving, their Malice and Revenge, their Chambering and Wantonneſs, their Atheiſm and Irreligion, will not only prove Tragical to them, but occaſion great uneaſineſs, vexation and grief of mind to you. Prov. 10.1. A Fooliſh Son is a heavineſs to his Mother, and Ch. 17.21. He that begetteth a Fool, doth it to his ſorrow, and the Father of a Fool hath no joy.

'Tis true, 'tis not in the Power of Parents to infuſe good Qualities into the Minds of their Children; ſome are ſo very perverſe, that all that can p. 53be ſaid or done by Parents, is altogether ſlighted, and neglected by them: However ſuch Parents, who have the affliction of ſad and wretched Children, have ſome comfort and ſatisfaction in having done their Duty for them, and in endeavouring to approve themſelves unto God, who will accept of their honeſt and ſincere endeavours; and will crown them with glorious Rewards. But it is otherwiſe, when Children prove bad through the too great indulgence or the negligence and bad Example of Parents. What a deep wound muſt it needs give them, when they begin to conſider that they did not their part to make their Children good, and were ſo far from it, that they corrupted and ruined them by their bad Example, and over great kindneſs and indulgence? Such Parents do often eat the Fruits of their cruel fondneſs, and feel the ſad Effects of their own bad Example, by means of their Prophane and Graceleſs Children. As God doth often viſit the iniquity of the Parents upon the Children; ſo when Children are ſuffered to go on in their fooliſh and wicked courſes, through the indiſcreet gentleneſs and kindneſs of Parents, p. 54who, perhaps, are in other reſpects good people; the Lord doth ſometimes puniſh ſuch Parents, and bring Temporal Judgments upon them. Ely was a great inſtance of this, 1 Sam. 2. and 22. He heard all that his Sons did unto all Iſrael; which were things of a very vile nature, whereby, as it's ſaid Chap. 3. and 13. they made themſelves Vile, that is, hateful to God, and baſe and contemptible to all the People, by their lewd and abominable practices. Ely did reprove them, but it was too coldly and gently. Chap. 2.23, 24. And he ſaid unto them, why do you ſuch things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this People: Nay, my Sons; for it is no good report that I hear; you make the Lord's People to tranſgreſs. Beſides his reproof, he ought to have reſtrained them, Ch. 3. and 13. as being High-Prieſt, a Judge, and Chief Governour amongſt the People: He ought to have put them out of the Prieſthood, as accurſed perſons, and executed the Laws of God againſt them. Which becauſe he did not, therefore God denounced very dreadful judgments againſt him by a Prophet, whom he ſent unto him, Chap. 2.31, 32, 33, 34, 36. and Chap. p. 553.13, 14. And in Chap. 4. we find his two Sons Hophni and Phineas were ſlain in Battel by the Philiſtines, and the Ark of God was taken; upon the news whereof, the Old Man fell from off his Seat backwards, and his neck brake, and he dyed.

We ſee likewiſe in David, what was the Effect of his too great indulgence to ſome of his Children; eſpecially Abſalom and Adonijah, who not only wrought their own deſtruction, but proved great Croſſes to their aged Father.