Infant Baptism, Essay · Chapter 10
CHAP. X. The third grand Queſtion propoſed. The duty of Parents towards their Children reduced to two Heads. Their duty to be performed immediately and directly towards them again reduced to two Heads. What they are to teach and inſtruct them in and about: As alſo what means they are to uſe for the rendring. Inſtructions given them, opened. Some rules for their right management of them in the performance of their duty, laid down. Their duty to be performed immediately towards God on the behalf of their Children, ſhewed. Some Motives to preſs them to a faithful performance of their duty, urged.
Queſt. 3. WHat is the duty of Parents towards their Children, as under the bond of the Covenant and bearing the Token of it?
Anſw. This and the next Queſtion being frequently and largely treated of by others, I ſhall ſpeak the more ſparingly to them. For this Queſtion then, the duty of Parents is conſiderable two ways.
1. Firſt, As to be performed immediately, and directly towards their Children.
2. Secondly, As to be performed more immediately towards God, but with reference to, and on the behalf of their Children, they are to deal with their Children in the Name, and on the behalf of God, and to deal with God, with reference to, and on the behalf of their Children.
Firſt, For their duty immediately and directly reſpecting their Children, the Apoſtle ſummarily comprehends it under theſe two terms, Nurture and Admonition, and both muſt be of the Lord, Eph. 6.3. And ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Though the Apoſtle here ſpeaks expreſsly only unto Fathers, yet Mothers are not exempted, but included: As they are alike intereſted in their Children with their Husbands; ſo they are to joyn with them in the holy education of them; and ſays the Apoſtle, bring up your Children in or with the nurture and admonition of the Lord; as if the Apoſtle ſhould ſay, to your ſeeding, cloathing and providing neceſſaries for their bodies, and a comfortable ſubſiſtance in this life, add the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Here I ſhall do two things. 1. Briefly open their duty. 2. Add ſome Rules for a more ſucceſsful performance of it.
1. For the firſt, under theſe two terms, we are to comprehend two things in the general.
1. Firſt, Inſtruction.
2. Secondly, The Uſe and Application of all due and apt means ſubſerving or conducing to their imbracing, acting and practiſing according to inſtructions given them:*Hortatur ut eos educent cum inſtitutione & commonefactione Domini, hoc eſt, ut eos inſtituant, & erudiant in Doctrinâ Chriſtianâ, & ſubinde piis commonefactionibus ad officia pietatis forment. Piſca. in loco. ſo that the duty of Parents towards their Children conſiſts in two things in the general.
Firſt, In teaching and inſtructing them. And though they are to teach and inſtruct them in their whole duty both towards God and Man; yet I ſhall only inſtance in five things, wherein they are in a peculiar manner to inſtruct them.
1. Firſt, They are to teach and inſtruct them in the knowledge of God, acquaint them with the Being of God, endeavour to convince them that there is a ſupreme Being whom we call God, who is the Creator and Governour of all things, from whom themſelves have originally received their Beings, whoſe they are, and upon whom they depend, whom they muſt worſhip, and who will judge them at the laſt day, and then reward them according as they have obeyed or diſobeyed his Commands. And as they are to inſtruct them in the Being of a God; ſo to acquaint them with the manner of his Subſtence and Nature, as revealed by his Names, Titles and Properties, as they are able to bear it. And we find Children ſoon comply with the notions of a Deity, and not altogether unreadily entertain eſpecially ſuch notions of and about his Nature, as are diſcoverable by, and agreeable to the light and dictates of Nature. Some have obſerved, that all Religion is ingraffed upon the ſtock of Nature; God hath left ſomewhat of thoſe Original Principles of Religion implanted in the Nature of Man at his firſt Creation, which facilitates the reception of the firſt fundamental Principles upon which all Religion is built; as a brand ſooner inkindles than the green wood that hath never been in the fire. Hence Parents are to begin with the revival of ſuch principles and Notions as are not utterly obliterated and blotted out of the Nature of Man, and ſuch are theſe concerning the Beeing of God, his Nature and Relations towards Man as his Creator and Governour, &c. Let but theſe Principles and Notions be throughly revived, and more fully fixed and reveted in the minds and Conſciences of Children; it will greatly facilitate their reception of all higher Truths and Doctrines revealed in the Scriptures.
2. They are to teach and inſtruct them in the way of God's dealing with Man as his Creature, that it always hath been and ſtill is according to ſome Covenant, wherein he promiſes ſomewhat of Good unto Men upon condition of their performing that duty himſelf hath preſcribed and injoyned; having always annexed rewards and puniſhments to the performance or non-performance of that duty. For Parents to inſtruct their Children and make them apprehenſive and ſenſible that this always hath been, and ſtill is the way of God's dealing with Men, will greatly conduce to their more ready entertainment of what ſhall be ſhewed them concerning the ſeveral Covenants God hath made with Men, and their ſtates, conditions and duties as intereſted in the one or the other Covenant that God hath made with Man.
3. They are to teach and inſtruct them in and about the Covenant of Nature, or the Law of Works eſtabliſhed with Man at his firſt Creation; and here they are to inſtruct them, in that happy eſtate Man was in as under that Covenant, how happy he ſhould have been had he performed the conditions of it; what penalty was annexed to the tranſgreſſion of that Law; how that Covenant was broken by Adam the firſt Parent of Mankind; how far all his poſterity are concerned in that breach; what the penalty is that all Mankind as born into the World are under, and farther ſubject to, as involved in that breach; how the guilt of Adam's ſin redounds to them; how their Natures are corruped and depraved; how that corruption and depravation of their Natures flows from that firſt breach of that Covenant; how they are Children of Wrath, as under that guilt, and as having their Natures ſo vitiated and depraved.
4. They are to inſtruct them, in and about the Covenant of Grace, as eſtabliſhed in the Sacrifice, Death and Sufferings of a Mediator; and here they are to inſtruct them, in the Perſon, Offices and Works of this Mediator; what are the terms and conditions of this Covenant; how far themſelves are intereſted in it, as the Seed of believing Parents; what Good they have already granted to them by it; upon what terms that Good was granted, and hath been hitherto continued to them; what is now required of them to the preſervation of their Covenantſtate.
5. They are to teach and inſtruct them in the uſes and ends of their Baptiſm;*Doctrinam Baptiſmi teneant Baptizati. Hild. what is ſignified by it; how the Covenant they are received into, is ſealed and confirmed by it; what aſſurance they have thereby of injoying all the Good, Benefits and Bleſſings promiſed, unleſs they forfeit them by the non-performance of that duty God requires on their parts; what incouragements they have to perform that duty; what obligations ly upon them to take hold of the Covenant, and give up themſelves to God; what their ſin and miſery will be in caſe they do it not; how happy they ſhall be in caſe they do it. Thus the Lord commands the People of Iſrael to inſtruct their Children in the uſe and ends of the Paſsover, and the ſame they were doubtleſs to do in reſpect of Circumciſion, and other Sacramental ſings in uſe among them, Exod. 12.26, 27. And it ſhall come to paſs, when your Children ſay unto you, What mean you by this ſervice? then ye ſhall ſay, It is the Sacrifice of the Lord's Paſsover, who paſſed over the houſes of the Children of Iſrael, when he ſmote the Egyptians, and delivered our houſes. And here we may obſerve the uſefulneſs of bringing Children to the adminiſtration of Baptiſm: to others it may occaſion their enquiry after the meaning of that Ordinance; but however, whether they enquire or no, it is the duty of Parents to let them behold the adminiſtration of it, and thereupon take occaſion to inſtruct them in the uſes and ends of it. But
2. For the Uſe and Application of all due and apt means conducing to their imbracing, acting and practiſing according to theſe inſtructions given them. And thus
1. They are to keep them, as much as may be, from any notice or knowledge of any Objects, Principles, or Doctrines, as alſo from any ſuch notions, or apprehenſions of, and about earthly things, as by means whereof, they may be obſtructed and prejudiced in their cloſing in with God in Chriſt, imbracing the Covenant, and giving themſelves up to God according to the terms of it.
Preſerve their minds and affections, as much as may be, from anticipations or pre-ingagements, by means of which their imbracing, acting and practiſing according to what they are taught, would be prejudiced.
Thus, ſuppoſe Believers to have their lot caſt in places where ſome falſe God is worſhipped, their duty would be, to keep their Children from any notice of ſuch a God: ſo where corrupt Principles and Doctrines, whether relating to worſhip or manners, are preached or maintained, it is the duty of Parents, what in them lyes, to keep their Children from any knowledge of them, leſt their minds and judgments ſhould be infected with them; So to keep them from the ſight of ſuch things as have a tendency to vitiate their minds, and excite the corruptions of their hearts. For this reaſon Ariſtotle tells us a Law-giver foreign, viz. leſt the minds of youth ſhould be vitiated, and they ſhould firſt learn to ſpeak filthily, and then to act filthily. So again, to keep them from any ſuch notions or apprehenſions of, and about earthly things, as tend to ingage their affections to them. Parents are not a little prejudicial to their Children, to appland their bravery, on the account of fine clothes and the like: ſo by inſinuating the worth and excellency of Mony, Eſtates, Honours and the like; they ſhould rather endeavour to convince them of the nothingneſs, inſignificancy and vanity of theſe things. When Childrens minds are prepoſſeſſed with notions and apprehenſions of a worth and excellency in ſuch things, their deſires run out after them, and they begin to promiſe to themſelves a kind of felicity in them; whence they ſoon ingage in a purſuance of them, to the neglect of Chriſt, and that inheritance above they are born Heirs unto.
2. Frequent repetitions and inculcations of the ſame things greatly conduce to the ends mentioned: Children, as they receive but little at a time, ſo they need frequent repetitions and inculacations of the ſame things; their underſtandings are weak, their memories ſlippery, and what impreſſions may be made upon their hearts and affections, ſoon wear off again: hence the ſame things muſt be often repeated and inculcated upon them. Indeed repetitions and inculcations of the ſame things are uſeful to the Adult: To write the ſame things to you, ſaith the Apoſtle to the Philippians, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is ſafe, Phil. 3.1. Men it is true are deſighted in variety, and in the newneſs of things propoſed, but ſaith the Apoſtle, to write the ſame things is ſafe for you: yet the ſame things may be written, or ſpoken in variety of phraſes and different expreſſions, and ſo to do, is uſeful to prevent tediouſneſs, and loathing; but to have the ſame things frequently repeated and inculcated, if not in the ſame, yet in different phraſes and expreſſions, is exceeding ſafe for grown Chriſtians, and much more for Children; yea to repeat the ſame things, in the ſame words and expreſſions, ſuppoſing purdence be uſed, is uſeful for them. The Lord, ſpeaking of the Commandments, Statutes and Judgments he had given his ancient People, gives them this charge about them, that they ſhould teach them diligently to their Children, Deut. 6.7. and what he means by teaching them diligently, he explains in the following words, thou ſhalt talk of them (viz. to thy Children) when thou ſitteſt in thy houſe, and when thou walkeſt by the way, when thou lieſt down, and when thou riſeſt up; as much as to ſay, thou ſhalt be frequently talking of, and inculcating them upon thy Children. The capacities of Children require a frequent repetition and inculcation of the ſame things, as in reſpect of their natural ſood: As they can receive and digeſt but a little at a time, ſo they muſt be frequently fed: So in reſpect of inſtructions, which are the food of their ſouls, they muſt be frequently inſtructed in the ſame things.
3. The intermingling Exhortations, Perſwaſions, Intreaties, Commands, &c. with Inſtructions, tends greatly to render thoſe Inſtructions more effectual; it is not enough to inlighten the underſtanding, and inform the judgment, but the affections and paſſions muſt be wrought upon, and excited. We find the working upon, and exciting of the affections and paſſions in grown perſons is highly ſerviceable to their converſion, imbracement of, and ſtedfaſtneſs in the ways of God; and much more muſt it be ſo in Children. Now the aflections and paſſions are wrought upon by the means now mentioned. Theſe Exhortations, Perſwaſions, Commands, &c. are conceived to be included in this word foreign, we tranſlate admonition; Parents are to bring up up their Children in the admonition as well as nurture of the Lord: ſo ſaith God of Abraham, I know Abraham that he will command his Children and his Houſehold; and what the iſſue of that ſhall be he tells us, they ſhall keep the way of the Lord, Gen. 18.19. of which more by and by. Such Perſwaſions and Exhortations, Intreaties and Commands are expreſſive of the affections of Parents towards, as well as their authority over their Children; and the more Children are ſenſible of their Parents affection towards, and authority over them, the greater efficacy will their Inſtructions have upon their hearts. Their Parents are preſent with them, and viſible to them; God is out of their ſight, their apprehenſions of him can be ſuppoſed to be but low, and confuſed; they live by ſence, and not by Faith. Hence an affectionate Exhortation, or Intreaty from their Parents, may, and poſſibly will do more with them, than the bare Commands of God; however ſuch Exhortations and Commands, &c. from their Parents added to the Exhortations and Commands from God in his Word, muſt needs rationally be more effectual. There is their Parents affection anſwered by a natural ſtorge and filial affection towards them, and Paternal authority anſwered by a natural kind of inſtinct, or inclination to obey, ſuperadded to the efficacy of thoſe dawnings of Light, let into their underſtandings by Inſtructions given them, and of thoſe morning-apprehenſions they have of God, more effectually to induce and ingage them to act and practiſe accordingly. Hence this intermixture of Exhortations, Perſwaſions, Intreaties and Commands muſt needs greatly further their converſion and imbracement of the Covenant.
4. Good Examples are great furtherances to Childrens falling in with, and imbracement of the ways of God; and indeed neither inſtructions, nor the uſe of any other means can be rationally expected to be ſucceſsful, without this example conduce to the rendring Inſtructions effectual two ways.
1. They reallize to Childrens apprehenſions the things they are inſtructed in, and about: for Parents to ſpeak of a God infinitely holy, and a perfect hater of ſin; to ſpeak of God infinitely juſt, and a ſevere avenger of ſin, &c. and yet not expreſs any fear towards him themſelves, nor take heed of what is ſinful, will ſignify little; Children will quickly apprehend the inconſiſtency between what is ſpoken of, or concerning God, and their Parents ways and actions. Now how can Parents expect their Children ſhould believe, what their own ways and actions declare themſelves believe not?
2. Examplies induce and provoke to Imitation, Exempla magis movent quàm documenta, is peculiarly true, as applyed to Children; we ſee how prone they are to Imitation, their manners are much formed by example;*Ariſtotle would have youth kept even from the ſight of all Pictures of any Limner, excepting of ſuch an one who foreign, repreſents the honeſt manners of worthy Men. hence good examples not only from Parents, but others highly further their falling in with, and imbracing of the ways of God.
5. To put Children upon and inure them to holy exerciſes, will greatly further the ends aimed at: hence Parents ſhould put their Children upon the practice of what they have taught them, thus they are to cauſe them to joyn in holy duties both publick and private.
It is prejudicial to Children to be excluded from Family duties, at leaſt when they are capable to joyn in them, without cauſing diſtractions; and let me ſay for Parents to plead Children will be troubleſome, when the fault is in themſelves, in not bringing of them under their command, will be but a bad excuſe at the laſt.
So again, Parents ſhould inure them to holy exerciſes themſelves, as Reading and Praying, and direct them in a right performance of that duty: we find both our Lord Chriſt, and John Baptiſt inſtructed their Diſciples in performance of that duty, and probably betimes, Luk. 11.1. Let them know that all Good muſt come from God, and put them upon the ſeeking for it from him; let them know their continuance in a Covenant-ſtate depends upon their performance of the conditions themſelves, but let them know withall that it is God muſt give what himſelf requires.
6. The adding of due Correction as the caſe may require, will yet promote the ſame ends; the Rod is the Child's ordinance, hence ſo frequently recommended by Solomon. Though correction conveys not Grace to, nor can it work Grace in the ſoul, yet it highly ſubſerves their gaining of Grace.
2. But ſecondly, Let me juſt touch upon ſome few Rules, that may be of uſe unto Parents in their right and ſucceſsful performance of their duty towards their Children.
1. By grave and ſerious dealing with them about the concerns of God and their ſouls, with a gravity and ſeriouſneſs becoming matters of ſuch an importance. It is ſaid of a Biſhop, he muſt be one who ruleth well his own houſe, having his Children in ſubjection with all gravity, 1 Tim. 3.4. the ſame is the duty of all Chriſtian Parents, though eminently required in the Miniſters of the Goſpel. Some deal with their Children in ſoul-affaires, as though they were rather in jeſt than earneſt; and no wonder though Children are neither ſerious, nor in good earneſt in …ending to, or practiſing ſuch inſtructions: Parents ſhould labour to carry it ſo in all their words …, as that their Children may perceive the weight and importance of the things they deal with them about.
Inſtructing and chaſtiſing Children requires the utmoſt gravity and ſeriouſneſs.
2. Shew as much love to God, as alſo as much affection towards your Children, but as little of ſelf and paſſion as poſſibly you can: the more Children are apprehenſive of theſe things (and quickly apprehenſive they will be) the more weight will inſtructions have upon their hearts; the leſs of God, and the more of ſelf appears in any Inſtructions, Counſels, Perſwaſions or Commands, the leſs will they be attended to, and regarded, ſic vice verſâ.
3. Exerciſe Wiſdom and Prudence. Wiſdom and Prudence is required hardly in any thing, if in any thing at all, more than in the education and bringing up of Children; yet I ſhall not attempt to give any Reles in this caſe, neither is it in the power of any man to give ſuch Rules and Directions, as may ſufficiently furniſh all Parents with that Wiſdom and Prudence neceſſary to the right managing of themſelves in the diſcharge of their duty towards their Children; they muſt have it from God, or after all, they will be greatly defective therein. I ſhall only intimate ſome Caſes wherein ſpecial Wiſdom is requried.
1. In beginning with ſuch Inſtructions as thoſe principles connatural to them will ſubſerve their imbracement of, to kindle the brand, if I may ſo ſpeak, where it hath the greateſt diſpoſition to take fire.
2. Again, Wiſdom is required in ſo repeatîng and inculcating Inſtructions, as that they may be moſt uſeful for the inlightning their minds, and working upon their affections; and yet may not beget tediouſneſs or ſlightneſs of ſpirit.
3. Again, much Wiſdom is required in intermingling ſuch inſtructions; and ſo adminiſtring them, as may keep up their love to, and delight in Religion, with ſuch inſtructions as may keep up a holy awe and fear in their hearts Godward.
4. Again, Wiſdom is required in keeping up their incouragements, and yet preventing their preſumption and formality.
5. Once again, much Wiſdom is required in dealing with Children according to their different tempers and conſtitutions; ſome are more eaſily wrought upon by love, others by fear; ſome by gentle, others by more ſevere means; ſome need more of the rod, others leſs: and variety of the like inſtances might be given. This is certain, the ſucceſs of Parents diſcharge of their duty towards their Children, very much depends upon the Wiſdom they are indued with, and do exerciſe therein.
4. Begin with your Children betimes, Chaſten thy Child betimes, ſaith Solomon; ſo inſtruct him betimes. Parents ſhould endeavour (were it poſſible) to anticipate Satan, and put a check to the very firſt buddings forth of corruption, Quò ſemel eſt imbuta recens, &c. 'Tis the folly of moſt Parents to leave themſeles only an after-game to play; they ſow not till the thorns have got ſuch rooting, as that they check the ſeed ſowen; their Childrens minds are ſo vitiated, that their in ſtructions meet with ſtronger oppoſition than otherwiſe they would do: therefore begin with them betimes, In the morning ſow they ſeed. 'Tis applicable to our preſent purpoſe, Children have ears to hear before they have tongues to ſpeak. That may be received by the ear and eye which the tongue cannot expreſs; hence Parents ſhould not forbear inſtructions till their Children are capable of returning anſwers. But
2. The duty of Parents more immediately reſpects God, yet to be performed on the behalf of their Children, and thus their great duty is Prayer; and two things in the general they are to pray for:
1. The beſtowment of ſuch endownents upon themſelves, as may capacifie them for the due performance fo their duty towards their Children. And of all gifts and endowments they ought to be peculiarly importunate for Wiſdom and Prudence. He that gives wiſdom to the Husband-man for the caſting in the Fetches and ſcattering the Cummin, &c. when he hath plowed his ground and made plain the face thereof, muſt teach Parents wiſdom to manage their duty aright towards their Children. Lower abilities managed with wiſdom prove more effectual than greater without it. What encouragement parents have to be importunate for this gift the Apoſtle James ſhews us, Jam. 1.5.
2. They are to pray for a bleſſing upon the performance of their duty towards their Children, with the concurrence of the Spirit to make all means uſed effectual. Prayer and Inſtruction; yea Prayer and Correction ought to go together. The moſt faithful, diligent and wiſe diſcharge of duty will leave Children graceleſs, unleſs God add his bleſſing. Now though a Covenant-ſtate be hereditary, yet Grace is not ſo, that's from God, given to whom he pleaſeth in a cpmpliance with his eternal Purpoſe and Decrees. But theſe being ſecret, hid in the breaſt of God, are not to be parents rule in the performance of their duty, they are to perform it equally and alike unto all. Let me add, the more Faith there is in Prayer, the more prevalent it will be; and how far Faith may be acted with reference to Children, may be gathered from what hath been already ſaid. Among other things they may believe, that the promiſes of the firſt Grace do appertain to them indefinitely, as members of that Collective Body to which thoſe Promiſes are made. And hence, though they cannot poſitively believe that theſe Promiſes ſhall be made good to every one of their Children, yet they may and ought to believe the truth and faithfulneſs of God, and anſwerably act a dependance upon him, with a comfortable hopethat the Good promiſed ſhall be givent to each one of their Children. I ſhall only add two or three Motives to preſs Parents to a faithful diſcharge of their duty, and ſo paſs from this third Queſtion.
1. Conſider the manifold obligations lying upon you to be faithful, conſciencious, and diligent therein; and to paſs by all others, an account of which I have already given, let me only remind you of, and a little preſs upon you that reference and ſubſerviency that your diſcharge of your duty hath to your Childrens imbracement of the Covenant, and conſequently to God's bringing upon you in vouchſafing unto them the Good promiſed. That paſſage of God's concerning Abraham cannot well be too often inculcated upon believing Parents, Gen. 18.19. There are two things peculiarly remarkable in this Scripture.
1. To mention that in the firſt place which is ſet down in the latter part of the Verſe, the ſubſerviency of Parents faithful performance of their duty to God's bringing upon them the Good promiſed, viz. with reference to their Children, That the Lord may bring upon him what be hath ſpoken of him; as if God could not (keeping exactly to the terms of the Covenant) vouchſafe the Good promiſed to Children, unleſs that Parents be faithful in the performance of their duty towards them. It ſeems at leaſt very probable to infer an abſolute neceſſity of Parents performance of their duty in order to God's giving them the Good promiſed in purſuance of the Promiſe made to them on the behalf of their Children; however this muſt be ſaid, that Childrens forfeiture of their Covenantſtate, and all the Good annexed thereunto, is greatly hazarded by Parents failing therein. It's true, God may extend Mercy to them, and anſwerably ſupply the neglect of Parents, by the vouchſafement of tother means, as he doth to others born of unbelieving Parents, unto whom he is under no obligation by vertue of any peculiar Promiſe made to them: But it may ſeem that Parents neglect of their duty diſchargeth God from that obligation the is under by his Promiſe made to them on the behalf of their Children, and that muſt needs extremely hazard their ever injoying the Good of the Covenant. Now ſurely if any thing will cauſe ſorrow, or allay the joy of believing Parents at that day, againſt which joy is ſowen for the Righteous, and gladneſs for the upright in heart; this will do it, to miſs their Children in that day of Triumph, and that through their own deſault in point of duty towards them. Let me ſay, Is all the Good of the Covenant of ſo ſmall a value, as that a ſond affectio ſhall ſuperſede the diſcharge of your duty towards your Children? Or is everlaſting ſeparation from the preſence of God, and the glory of his Power ſo ſmall a matter, as that rather than you will put your ſelves to a little pains, or impoſe any difficulty upon your Children. you will hazard that? Will their roaring in Hell be a leſs evil than their crying under the ſmart of the Rod? Alas! what do Parents think of Heaven or Hell, that they will hazard their Childrens loſs of the one, and undergoing the other upon ſuch trivial accounts?
2. Conſider, what excellent incouragements you have to a vigorous, faithful, and conſciencious performance of your duty towards them, which is the other thing remarkable in the forementioned Scripture, viz. the iſſue and fruit of the diſcharge of your duty, They ſhall keep the way of the Lord, implying at leaſt the uſual concurrence of a bleſſing from God with the diſcharge of your duty, and concurrence of the Sapirit to make the means uſed effectual. God would not aſſert the efficacy of the means, but upon a ſuppoſition of his concurrence with them by his own Spirit and Bleſſing. It may poſſibly ſeem ſtrange to ſome, ſhould I ſay, whether ever any of the Seed of the Righteous apoſtatize from the ways of God, and thereby forfeit their Covenant-ſtate, but upon a failure in Parents in the due diſcharge of their duty, is a queſtion of more difficult determination, than is uſually apprehended, or appears at the firſt propoſal of it. But beſides the incouragement you have from this Scripture, how much more means have you ſubſerving the converſion of your Children, than others, who either are unbelievers themſelves, or deny their Childrens Covenant-intereſt, have? how many Motives have you to preſs upon them? what incouragements to preopoſe to them? and conſequently what ground have you to hope for ſucceſs, that you ſhall not labour in vain? Theſe things I had ſometimes intended to have inlarged upon, but for ſome reaſons I ſhall contract. You may be ſufficiently furniſhed with incouragements from what hath been already ſaid. And therefore,
3. Conſider, how great a good your Childrens converſion will be to your ſelves as well as unto them. Doth not the comfort of your lives depend much upon the welfare of your Children? will it not highly advance your comfort, to be able to live in the World as in a ſtrange Land, as Heirs your ſelves, and as ſeeing your Children Joynt-heirs with you of an everlaſting ingheritance in Heaven? would it not be your joy to ſee the Kingdom of Chriſt upheld, his Church continued and propagated by thoſe that proceed out of your own loyns? Beſides converting Grace will make them uſeful and ſerviceable unto you both in temporals and ſpirituals, See Philemon 11. Will it not doubly ſtrengthen your weak hands and feeble knees, when old age comes, to have them ſtrengthned and ſupported by the gracious words of your own Children? And ſurely, ſeeing Mothers have uſually moſt need of comfort from their Children, they ſhould be peculiarly careful to perform their duty towards them.