A Treatise of Family Instruction, Chapter 4 · Section 8
SECT. 8. Family-Inſtruction muſt not be neglected, becauſe we have but a ſmall Family.
Object. 8 SOme perhaps may object, My Family is ſo ſmall, I do not think it worth my time and pains to inſtruct them: If I had many Children, or many Servants, I would take pains to inſtruct them; but having ſo ſmall a Family, I do not think it worth the while to beſtow my time on one or two, becauſe I can imploy my time better.
Anſw. 1. If you have but one Child, or one Servant to inſtruct, it is worth much time and pains to inſtruct that one perſon, for one Soul is more worth than the whole world, Mark 8.36. Now you have ſpent and do ſpend much time and pains to get a little of the world; and will you then grudge the ſpending a little time or pains to ſave a Soul, which is more worth than the whole world, when as you willingly ſpend much time to gain a little of the world.
2. To inſtruct perſons in the knowledge of Chriſt, is ſuch a great and glorious work, that the holy Angels did not think much to go to a few Shepherds to acquaint them with the time and place of Chriſts birth; Luc. 2.8, 9, 10, 11, 12. And when one Angel was publiſhing this meſſage to the Shepherds, there ſuddenly deſcended a multitude of the heavenly Hoſt, as being deſirous to do the ſame work, verſ. 13, 14. And ſhall any of us think much to do that which the Angels of Heaven do, and rejoyce to be imployed in?
3. The Lord Jeſus ſpent much time and pains in teaching and inſtructing one poor woman, the woman of Samarla, who was a ſinner, and a woman of a churliſh diſpoſition, that in an upbraiding manner denied him a Cup of Water, notwithſtanding the Well was deep, and ſhe ſaw that he had nothing to draw withal; and this he did at ſuch a time as he had been wearied with his journey, and was both hungry and thirſty, John 4.6. to 28. Now one hour of Chriſts time, was more worth than our whole lives; and ſhall we then think much to ſpend a little time in teaching one Child, or one Servant, whenas the Lord Jeſus did not think much to ſpend his time when he was weary, hungry, and thirſty, in teaching one poor woman?
4. Though you have but one Child or Servant to inſtruct, if God bleſs your labours ſo as to convert that Child or Servant, that one perſon may be inſtrumental to bring great glory to God, and to do good to many others. When the woman of Samaria was converted by Chriſt, ſhe was a means of drawing a great part of the City where ſhe lived, unto Jeſus Chriſt; John 4.28, 29, 30. ſhe did not only draw a great part of the City to hear him, but alſo was a means of their converſion, verſ. 39. Many of the Samaritans of that City believed on him for the ſaying of the Woman, which teſtified, He told me all that ever I did.
5. Faithfulneſs to God, and ſuch as are under our charge, is ſhown in diſcharging our duty to a few, as well as to many; and he that is not faithful to a few, would not be faithful if he had many committed to his charge, Luc. 16.10. He that is faithful in that which is leaſt, is faithful alſo in much, and he that is unjuſt in the leaſt, is unjuſt alſo in much. They that have but a few things committed to their truſt, if they are faithful in them, ſhall have a great and glorious Reward, as well as they that have been intruſted with much, Matth. 25.23. His Lord ſaid unto him, Well done good and faithful Servant, thou haſt been faithful over a few things, I will make thee Ruler over many things; enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord.
6. Whereas you ſay you could ſpend your time better than in teaching ſo few as you have in your Family, you ſhould do well to conſider, That we are not to ſpend our time in thoſe things which ſeem right in our own eyes, Deut. 12.8. Ye ſhall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatſoever is right in his own eyes. But we are to ſpend our time in doing thoſe works which God hath given us to do, and in ſo doing we ſhall glorifie God, and follow the Example and Pattern of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, John 17.4. I have glorified thee on the earth, I have finiſhed the work which thou gaveſt me to do. Now this is one work which God hath given you to do, to teach his Word to your Children, and hath commanded you to be diligent in it, Deut. 6.6, 7.