The Parents Primer and the Mothers Looking-glass, Dialogue 1

The Parents Primer and the Mothers Looking-glass · Dialogue 1

p. 1THE PARENTS PRIMER AND THE MOTHERS LOOKING-GLASSE In a Dialogue between A MINISTER and a FATHER.

Miniſter.

GOd Save you Sir, with your good Wife. Whither are you walking this way this morning?

Father.

To See Mr. C. What News Sir?

Min.

News! I ſaid in my heart what I ſhould have. When will this Common Queſtion be out of uſe? Since the Popes Plot appeared, the Proteſtants have ſpent more Time in Talking of it, than All the Papiſts in England are worth. And you (living ſo near us) are like our London Chriſtians: and they Too like the Athenians; who ſpent their time in Nothing elſe, but to Tell or to p. 2Hear ſome New Thing. And if there be no New; we talk over the Old without End. And every Day is alike. If this was the way to do our work, viz, Self-Examination, Humiliation, and Reformation, for the Sins that provoke God to ſuffer this Bloody Beaſt thus to Puſh at us: I would not Oppoſe it. But it's the way to Hinder Every good work: in Heart, and Life. And to render us Ridiculous to the DEVIL and the POPE, to ſee what a Talking Trade we drive, and how we ſpend our Dayes, while Death lies at our Doors.

Fath.

I confeſs we ſpend Too much Time that way.

Min.

Confeſſion without Reformation,Preambulation. is to Poor Purpoſe. Are theſe two little Lads which follow you, Your Children?

Fath.

Yes they are both mine.

Min.

Can you tell me any Good News of Them?

Fath.

They are Pretty good Boys when they Pleaſe.

Min.

They had need be made Better: to which end I pray what Good Diſcourſe have you had with them by the way? for you are now come a Mile from Home.

Fath.

OH HO: I have told them the name of yonder Church Steeple. And of That, I point at with my Cane. And of yonder High Brick Houſe, with abundance of Chimneys.

p. 3Min.

And is this the Beſt Diſcourſe you have had?

Fath.

The Beſt: yes truly. What Diſcourſe ſhould a man have with Children?

Min.

What Diſcourſe! Godly Diſcourſe.

Fath.

What with Children?

Min.

Yes with Children to Chooſe.

Fath.

What Reaſon is there for That?

Min.

There is Great Reaſon for it, which I ſhall not Now Render: but one thing I ſhall Render which is Greater than Reaſon.

Fath.

What is that I pray?

Min.

God's Solemn Command] And theſe words which I command thee this day ſhall be in thine Heart. Deu. 6.6, 7.Deut 6:6Deut 6:7And thou ſhalt teach them diligently unto thy Children, and ſhalt talk of them when thou ſitteſt in thine Houſe, and when thou walkeſt by the Way, and when thou lieſt Down, and when thou riſeſt Ʋp.

Fath.

I believe Few Fathers, or Mothers do ſo.

Min.

In that, you believe Truth: but it's Sad Truth to believe: yet Too True, I may well ſay. For of othis I have made Much Obſervation, for Many Years, in Many Countries, in Profeſſing Families without number. After all which Obſervation, I may ſay with Solomon: There is an evil which I have ſeen under the Sun, Ecl. 6.1.and it is Common among men] Such men have Many a Day been to me an Amazing Conſideration. viz, That ever p. 4Perſons profeſſing Faith in gods Word of Truth which teſtifieth the Miſery of ALL Mankind (that their Children are in a Sad Condition is one part of their Profeſſion) who have been Senſible of their Own Miſery, and Inſtruments to bring Poor Children into a Miſerable World, in a Miſerable Condition: and yet ſo Careleſs to bring them Out of this Condition. And ſo little concerned for a Safe paſſage Out of this World: over Hell, to the deſired Haven:Ezek. 19.14.Ezek 19:14 this is a Lamentation, and Shall be for a Lamentation.

Fath.

But ſome Count that this Command was given to the Jews only.

Min.

Read and Compare theſe two Texts,**Deut. 4.10. Ch. 6.7.Deut 4:10 and you will ſee it is the Moral Law or Ten Commandments, that Parents are Commanded to teach their Children. To ſay [This Law belongs to the Jews only] is plainly to ſay [We Gentiles are Lawleſſe] And may worſhip Idols,Our being under this Law Aſſerted. take Gods name in Vain, prophane the SABBATH, diſhonour Parents, Kill, Steal, commit Adultery, and what the DEVIL and We will.

Fath.

But we Gentiles are under the Goſpel, the grace of which teacheth us to Deny ungodlyneſs.

Min.

There is none to Deny if there be no Law.Proved by being Oppoſed. But this Poſition of Mine [We are Under the Law] needs No more Proof then this Contradiction of Yours [We are Under p. 5the Goſpel.] N B. The preaching of the Goſpel, is the Proffer of a Pardon. This plainly proves Perſons under this Proffer, to be Condemned. They are Condemned by the Law. They are Under it, or could not be Condemned by it. It's for Sin; which is the Tranſgreſſion of the Law. But where No Law is, there is No Tranſgreſſion: And ſo no need of Remiſſion. N B. Under the Goſpel a Perſon is either (1) In a Condemned State under the Proffer of a Pardon: or (2) In a Juſtified State under the Priviledge of a Pardon. In both States he is under the Law. In the former, its Clear he is under the Curſe of the Law. In the latter he is freed from the Curſe, and Condemning power of the Law: but he is not freed from the Commanding power of the Law. It's to be his rule Of life, Temporal, and Spiritual, that thereby God may be Glorified: though not his rule For life Eternal, that thereby he may be Juſtified.Gal. 3.10.Gal 3:10 He that obeys the Law for Juſtification is under Condemnation. And he that believes the Goſpel for Juſtification, without regard to the Law in his Converſation;Jam. 2.20.Jas 2:20 is in the Same Condition. The former expects Salvation, by Dead Works, without Faith. The latter expects Salvation, by a Dead Faith, without Works: Both in a Sad Dead Condition. And what ever be the State, yet p. 6Dead or Deeply Sleepy is the Soul of ſuch a Parent, who neglects his Children ſo contrary to this GREAT Command**DEU. VI.VI, VII.Deut 6

Fath.

I cannot deny your Doctrine. And ſeeing you are diſpoſed to enter into So Serious a Diſcourſe about my Children: I deſire your Advice, and Counſel in their Education. And I will omit the Buſineſſe I was going about, for this is (I ſee) of Greater Concern.

Min.

With a very good Will: I like your motion Well. But it will take up Much Time. And therefore let us Seat our Selves in yonder Shaddow, from the heat of the Sun: as Abraham did,Gen. 18.1, 4.Gen 18:1Gen 18:4 when the Lord appeared to him. And if we ſpend our Time Well: God will be with Us alſo.

Fath.

We are come to the Place: I ſee here are convenient Seats: I am glad I met with you ſo Near it.

Min.

Very convenient. Come Sir, Sit You Down with your Wife as one. And with your leave, let your Children Sit Down with us, and hear our Diſcourſe.

Fath.

Let it be ſo. We are all Seated: I pray proceed.

Min.

Seeing Providence hath placed us together upon this Account: I am glad your Wife is preſent, becauſe ſo much concerned. For by foreign Parents] in theh plural, not two Fathers, but a Father and a Mother is intended.Joh. 9.2.John 9:2 e g. p. 7Maſter, who did ſin, this man or his Parents? And the Hebrew word foreign Achild] comes of the Root and Verb foreign which ſignifies both To Beget and to Bare. e g foreign Who hath begotten me theſe **Iſa. 49.21.Isa 49:21foreign I Bare him with ſorrow ††1 Ch. 4.9. Mat. 19.5. Parents Parallels.Matt 19:5] they twain ſhall be one Fleſh] Parents are Parallels. Equally concerned. When one is Dead, the Care, and Induſtry of the Living is to be Double. But if one be Dead while Alive, the Care of the Living is to be Trible. For the Dead Parent will not Help, but Hinder the Living.

Fath.

We deſire to hear our dutie.

Min.

The Education of Children,Education two Heads. is a Greater Work, than the Greateſt part of Parents in the Whole World are aware of. And that I may be as uſefull to you in One Conference as I can: I ſhall reduce my Advice, and Diſcourſe, to theſe two General Heads, viz [Inſtruction] and [Correction.]

Fath.

What is Inſtruction? Let me hear the word handled.

Min.

Inſtructiō, is a Latine word,Inſtruction opened. of Inſtruo, foreign, To ſet in order.] Inſtruction is a ſetting in Order, for Children are Out of order, both in Heart, and Life. e g. The Soul in Every Faculty, is out of order. The Imagination, Deviſeth evil. The Memory, Retains evil. The Underſtanding, is Dark: and Misjudgeth evil, and good. The Will, p. 8is Oppoſite to the Will of God. The Affections, Love evil, and Hate good. And this diſordered Soul puts the Body out of order in Every Part. e g. The Eye, Beholds vanity. The Ear, Hears it. The Tongue, Talks it. The Hands, Work it. The Feet, Follow it. God ſet All in good order by Creation: but the Devil put All out of order by Temptation: and all into Confuſion and Deſolation. And the ſimple verb Struo, from whence comes [Inſtruction] ſignifies, To build. The Lord God formed Man. **Gen. 2.7.Gen 2:7] The rib which the Lord God had taken from Man foreign he Builded into a Woman. ††Ver. 22.This Stately Structure, which God ſet up by Creation: Satan hath pulled down by Temptation. Now, No Man can build upon That Foundation, which God at firſt ſet ADAM upon. There is no coming At it for the Flaming Sword. But if you SO Inſtruct your Children, as to bring them Unto, and build them Upon Jeſus Chriſt, that Sure Foundation: they ſhall be Safer than Ever was Adam in Innocencie, in Paradiſe. For the Gates of Hell ſhall Never prevail againſt them.

Fath.

That is a Very deſirable condition Indeed! How ſhall I So Inſtruct my Children?

Min.

By [Word] and [Deed] or by [Doctrine] and [Example.Inſtruction by D and Exam.]

p. 9Fath.

How by Word or Doctrine.

Min.

The Word Doctrine,(1) By Doct. is derived of the Latine Word Doctrina, Learning] of Doceo, To teach] as foreign, of foreign. And the Hebrew foreign Doctrine] comes of foreign To receive] for you muſt Receive it from GOD: as you are deſired to do, Receive I pray thee the Law from his Mouth ††Job 22.22.Job 22:22. And your Children are to receive it from You. Hear, O my Son, and Receive my ſayings**Pro. 4.10.Prov 4:10

Fath.

What Doctrine am I to Inſtruct them in?

Min.

The Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures.Tit. 2.10. 2 Jo. 9. Pro. 4.2. Tit. 2.1.Titus 2:102 John 1:9Prov 4:2Titus 2:1 Called, The Doctrine of GOD] The Doctrine of CHRIST] Good Doctrine] Sound Doctrine]

Fath.

Draw me out ſome Documents, and lay ſome Leſſons before me, to learn my Children.

Min.

Take theſe twenty] Firſt.Doc 1. Of God Teach them to know God Himſelf] His Eternity, in his Eſſence, and Being: from everlaſting to everlaſting thou art GOD ††Pſal. 90.2.Ps 90:2.] His Infiniteneſſe in his Attributes, viz, Wiſdom, Knowledge, Power, Mercy, Juſtice.] That He is the Only Wiſe GOD: Omniſcient, Omnipreſent, Omnipotent.] That God doth at Once, and Alway: Know all, See all, Hear all. That he is in every Place; and can doe whatever he Pleaſe: in Heaven, and Earth, and Hell.

p. 10Second.Doc 2. Of Crea tion. Teach them to know God to be the Wonderfull Creatour of the Whole Creation: viz, Heaven, Earth, Sea, Hell. And of every creature in them. And all for his Pleaſure††Rev. 4.11.Rev 4:11. And that God upholds the Whole Creation, by his Uncreated Power. And provides for Men, Beaſts, Birds, Fiſhes, Fouls, Flies. And learn your Children, to remember GOD, as a Creatour, not as a Father, in a State of Nature. And themſelves as Creatures; not Children of God, before they be Born of God.

Third.Doc 3. Of Mans Firſt State. Teach them to know the Holy, and Happy Condition, God made Man in at Firſt. And the Covenant God made with man. And how Man was to continue in that Condition, by vertue of his Obedidience to that Covenant. And how all Man-kind were to Stand, and Fall: In, and With ADAM.

Fourth.Doc 4. Mans Fall. Teach them to know Mans Fall. (1) INTO Original Sin:] by Satans Subtilty. And his Fall, (2) BY Original Sin:] From a Paradiſe, a Palace, a Pure State: into a Dungeon, and Deluge of Wo. The Principal Effects of which Fall, are [Filth, Guilt.] The Filth of Sin hath ſpoiled Man of the Image of GOD: Impreſſed the Image of the DEVILL upon him. And deprived Man of his Intereſt in GOD. He was With p. 11God in Paradiſe: but being Drove out, he is Without God in the World **Eph. 2.12.Eph 2:12. It hath Debaſed him. He was made but little lower than the ANGELS: Sin hath debaſed Man, to a Hog, a Dog, a DEVIL.Sad effects of Sin. Sin hath ſo Darkned mans Soul: that GOD only (who is light) can Illuminate it. It hath ſo Deadned, and Killed him: that none but the Living GOD can Quicken him. It hath ſo Defiled him: that neither Fire, nor Water can Cleanſe him. The Flood of Water that waſht away a World of Sinners: waſht not away One Sin. The Fire that ſhall burn up a World of Sinners, and burn them down to Hell, and burn them there for Ever: ſhall Never burn away One Sin. (2) [Guilt] Adam's Guilt is imputed to All. All guilty of Eternal Death by One mans Sin.Simile As when the Head of a mans body plots Treaſon, the whole Body Hangs for it: So of Adam the Head, and his poſterity, the Body: if Pardon prevent not.

Fift. Teach them to know [Actual Sin] viz. To know what IS Sin.Doc 5. Actual Sin. And to know what Sin IS. (1) The tranSgreſſion of the Law, that IS Sin††1 Jo. 3.4.1 John 3:4. Tranſgreſſion is a going beyond the Bounds of the Law. Or doing any thing Contrary to the Command: in Deed, Word, or Thought. This is Sin. Here note the danger of Smal ſins. Little p. 12ſins lead to Greater.Smal Sin dangerous. The thief Little thought his Theſt, would by degrees bring him to the Gallows: when he began with a Pin, a Point, and a Peny. As little do men think ſuch Small Sins will bring them to Hell. Not only the Meaſure of ſin, but the Nature of ſin is Damnable: if the Meaſure be Never ſo Small: the Soul that ſinneth ſhall Dic ††Ezek. 18.4.Ezek 18:4. If ſo, what doe Thouſands, and Millions amount to! A Fly is a Smal Creature; yet Swarms deſtroyed Egypt **Ex. 8.24.Exod 8:24. A drop of Water is a Smal Matter: but drops enough Drowned the World. A threed is a Smal Thing; yet enough twiſted together, will Bind the Strongeſt Giant, or Hang the Heavieſt man on Earth. Quid levius penna? What is Lighter than a Feather?] yet enough of theſe Packed up together, will break the Porters Back.

2. What Sin IS.] To the Law, and to the Teſtimony for Titles for it.Six Titles of Sin. Sin hath Six Titles to make men Flee from it. (1) A Mire††2 Pet. 2.22.2 Pet 2:22] that makes a Soul like a Swine: ſo wallowing. (2) A Fire] that conſumes to Deſtruction**Job 31.12.Job 31:12: of Goods, Good Name, Body, Soul and all. (3) A Sepulchre] full of dead mens Bones, and All uncleanneſs††Mat. 23.27.Matt 23:27. (4) The Dogs Vomit**2 Pet. 2.22.2 Pet 2:22] i e, ſtinking Carrion, that the Stomach of a Dog cannot endure. (5) The Poyſon of Aſps††Ro. 3.13.Rom 3:13] Tell your Children: an Oath, a Lie, a Wicked Word in the Mouth: is worſe than p. 13a Toad under the Tongue. And Sin in the Heart is worſe than Poyſon in the Heart: for that can but kill the Body. (6) The Plague of the Heart**1 K. 8.38.] a Dreadful Diſeaſe! If the Plague be in London a Year, we think it a Long Time for ſuch a Diſmal Diſeaſe to Laſt, and Waſt. But this Plague of SIn hath been in the World, between five and ſix Thouſand years. A ſtrange diſeaſe! Few are ever Sick of it, yet SO many Die of it; that all the World cannot Sum up one Weekly Bill of Mortality. Sin is Worſe than Sorrow. Some ſorrow Kills Sin, but Sin, (if not killed) Kills the Soul. Sin is worſe than the DEVIL. Sin can deſtroy a Soul without SATAN: but Satan cannot deſtroy a Soul without Sin. Sin is worſe than Hell. Hell is an Affliction, and Contradiction to the Will of Man: but Sin is a Contradiction to the Will of GOD. And a Burden which God ſigheth under, ſaying; AH I will eaſe me foreign I will be comforted ††Iſa. 1.24.Isa 1:24:] implying, a Grieving burden. [And a bitter burden: Ephraim provoked him to anger moſt bitterly foreign with bitterneſs **Ho. 12.14.] A preſſing burden: Behold I am Preſſed under you ††Am. 2.13.Amos 2:13. A breaking burden: I am broken under your whoriſh heart **Ezek. 6.9.Ezek 6:9. Which argues NO weakneſs in GOD: but the Weight and Strength of Sin: I know your Mighty Sins ††Am. 5.12.Amos 5:12.] Thus ſaith the Lord, the Lord of Hoſts, the Mighty one p. 14of Iſrael, AH I will eaſe me **Iſa. 1 24.Isa 1:24. N B. The Mighty One complains of the preſſure of Sin! Well may God ſay to Man, Can Thy heart indure, or can thy hands be ſtrong in the day that I ſhall deal with thee? ††Ezek. 22.14.Ezek 22:14i e, for Sin.] Seeing Sin is SO weighty, Uſe and the Soul SO filthy; Let noue be Proud of a beautiful Body. Let not your Children be Proud if Pretty. Take heed you doe not make their Hearts proud, with proud Habits (as ſome Profeſſing Parents Prophanely doe) leſt God ſend the [Smal Pocks] or the [Great Plague] to pull Pride down to the Duſt. Beauty that is but Skin Deep, will Soon be Blaſted. Fair Skins, and Foul Souls, are Frequently found together. Many Hell black Souls dwell in Shining Shels: but if no New Heart, Soul and Body will ſhortly be in Hell: and Both Black in Everlaſting Burnings.

Mans Sins are Debts, of which God keeps account;

Sinner canſt Tell to what thy Debts amount?

Thy Debts thou art encreaſing Every hour:

Into his Vials, God doth alſo pour.

Pain for thy Pleaſure, though thou wilt not Stop:

As certain as thy Death, there's Drop for Drop.

God's Cup is almoſt Full, as well as Thine:

When both are Full, OH then the Dreadfull Time!

Sixt.Doc. 6. Teach them to KInow, and cauſe them to be Well acquainted with the [Ten Commandments:]Of the Ten Commands. for they are the Pure, p. 15Precious Precepts, of the Holy Lord God. And with the reſt, Remember Well the Sabbath Day. I hope I need not forbid You to convert the Commands into Prayers for your Children: according to the Courſe of Carnal, Ignorant People. Learn them to know they are Gods Laws, to Rule mans Life. And that they are to be Obey'd, in Deed, Word, and Thought. And whatever is contrary to any one of theſe Commands: that is Sin againſt GOD. Learn them to know the Neceſſity of theſe Laws being written in their Hearts, according to the Promiſe. And let your Tongue be the Pen in gods Hand, to write them There, if the Lord Pleaſe.

Seventh.Doc 7. Of Mans Obedience. Teach them to know the Utter IOnſufficiency, of Mans Obedience to the Law, to Save.] And that the moſt Excellent Moraliſt, hath as Abſolute a Neceſſity, of Jeſus Chriſts Righteouſneſs, to Juſtifie him (and that without it he will as Certainly be Damned) as the moſt Prophane Perſon that ever piſſed againſt a wall, in the Whole World.

Eight.Doc 8. Of the Goſpel. Teach them to know the [Goſpel.] The knowledge of the Law, is in Order to the Acceptation of the Goſpel. By the Law is the knowledge of Sin ††Ro. 3.20.Rom 3:20: without which, Who will regard the Goſpel? What cares a Perſon for a Pardon, who p. 16knows not that he is Condemned? In this Leſſon, eye three things. ¶ (1) [The Declaration of the Goſpel.] viz, That GOD hath choſen an innumerable company of Mankind. And hath given them to CHRIST. And ſent him into the World, to Redeem them from the Curſe of the Law, by fulfilling the Law. N B. He was GOD, and Man, in One Perſon. Man, to Suffer, and Die: God cannot Die. GOD to Satisfie, in bearing Wrath Infinitely: which Man could not do. This GOD-man, did Perſonate Man: and in Mans Stead, for Man; did Actively, and Paſſively, obey the Law Perfectly. And ſo hath procured Eternal Life. And this is Freely offered, to all Dead Sinners, by the Declaration of the Goſpel. And Chriſts deſire that Sinnersſhould obtain this Eternal Life: is expreſſed with Longing, Sighing, Sweating, Weeping, and Dying. ¶ (2) The Condition of the Goſpel] on our part: by which Eternal life is made Ours: by which we have Right to the Tree of Life. [That is FAITH.] Men are Dead. God hath made a Law, viz, He that Believes ſhall Live.] He that believes Not, ſhall Never Live, but Die for Ever.] A Condemned Sinner is to be Juſtified by Faith, Without the deeds of the Law ††Ro. 3.27, 28.Rom 3:27Rom 3:28: by the Law of a Juſt GOD, who thus Juſtifies the Ʋngodly **Ch. 5.4.. By which p. 17Law of Faith, without Works: boaſting in Works is excluded.Iſa. 55.Isa 55 [Come buy Wine] Chriſt is bought by Believing. [Buy without Money] i e, Part with Something worth Nothing: i e, Sin, Self Righteouſneſs, Self and all. [Sin] as to the Practice, and Pleaſure of it. [Self Righteouſneſs] as to any Confidence in it. [Self] by giving up Body, and Soul to Chriſt††1 Cor. 6.20.1 Cor 6:20. ¶ (3) The Duties of the Goſpel] viz, Good Works, as fruits of Faith. Faith which alone Juſtifies before GOD: accompanied with ſuch a Holy Converſation, as will Juſtifie before Men: That is the Converſation which becomes the Goſpel. BUT, let Juſtification, by Faith, without Works, be kept Clear. e g. Suppoſe, a Man Famous for Wickedneſſe (who never did any thing elſe but ſerve Satan by Whole Sale) ſhould come under a Sermon. And be convinced of his Sin, Sick of Sin, Sick for a Saviour, and Believe on Jeſus Chriſt: H E is Juſtified. Chriſts Perfect Righteouſneſs is Imputed. And if he ſhould drop down Dead where he Stands: before he have any time to Pray, or do any good Work: He is Certainly Saved.

Now Sir,A Caution for the Mother. though your Wife does not Object, but learn in Silence**1 Tim. 2.11.1 Tim 2:11 (as beſt becomes her) with an intent to ask her Huſband at home††1 cor. 14.35.: Yet leaſt ſhe ſay in her p. 18Heart [What is it the part of a Mother to play the Preacher?] I will give her an Inſtance of one who taught her Son, both Law, and Goſpel. The words of King Lemuel **Pro. 31.1.Prov 31:1Lemuels Leſſon Bathſheba's Catechiſm] Lemuel ſhe calls him, becauſe God owned him. I will be his Father, and he ſhall be my Son ††2 Sa. 7.14.2 Sam 7:14] Lemuel God with him [The Propheſie that his Mother taught him.] The word [Propheſie] in the Hebrew is foreign A burden] of the Root foreign To bear] the ſame word foreign is Engliſhed, A burden**Na 1.1..] This ſhews what a heavy charge lyes upon Mothers: which ſhe Thus diſcharges. [What, my SON! and what, the Son of my WOMB! and what the Son of my VOWS! ††Ver. 2.Give not thy ſtrength to Women **Ver. 3.] Here ſhe teaches him Law, viz, Thou ſhalt not commit Adultery. [It is not for KINGS O Lemuel, it is not for KINGS to drink Wine ††Ver. 4.: Leſt they drink and forget the LAW **Ver. 5..] See how ſhe Schools him. N B. The King of Iſrael was to keep the Law††Deu. 17.19.Deut 17:19. King Solomon who was in twenty things a Type of Chriſt: was in his Obedience to the Law a Type of Chriſts Fulfilling the Law, to free us from the Curſe: from whence comes the Comfort of the Goſpel. [Give ſtrong drink to him that is ready to Periſh **ver. 6.] Parallel, The great Trumpet ſhall be blown, and they which are p. 19ready to Periſh ſhall come ††Iſa. 27.13.Isa 27:13. [And Wine to thoſe that be of heavy Heart] Parallel, Come buy wine without Mony **Iſa. 55.Isa 55. [Open thy mouth for the Dumb ††Ver. 8.] This Phraſe reſpects Solomon as a Type of Chriſt in his Interceſſion: who is to Pray for Them that cannot Pray for Themſelves. Who are ſwallowed up in Silence, and Shame, under a Sight and Sence of Sin; At, or After convertion. Or can ſay Nothing, For: but All, Againſt themſelves. Chriſt Will ſpeak a Good Word for ſuch: which Shall be anſwer'd with Good and Comfortable Words ††Zech. 1.13.Zech 1:13. Thus as Bathſheba teaches her Son Solomon, to officiate as a Type of Chriſt: ſhe teaches him both Law and Goſpel.] And ſee how Solomon approves of the Mothers Miniſtry, as well as the Fathers. My Son, hear the Inſtruction of thy Father, and forſake not the Law of thy Mother **Pro. 1.8.Prov 1:8] My Son, keep thy Fathers Commandments, and forſake not the Low of thy Mother ††Ch. 6.20..] The Law of GOD is called the Law of the Mother. And ſhe commanding her Child according to that Law, Her Law is the Law of GOD. Of the neglect of which Duty, let the Mother take heed: leſt there come a time, when torment makes her Tare the Hair off her Head.

Ninth.Doc 9. Of Faith. Teach them to know the Neceſſity of True Faith.] Learn them to know p. 20it is the Gift of GOD. And the Work of GOD. And that God makes Preparation for Faith, by a threefold Conviction of Unbelief. (1) Of the utter Deficiency of Faith. (2) Of the abſolute Neceſſity of Faith. (3) Of the utter Impoſſibility of Faith, in ones Own Power. Acquaint them with a threefold Effect of Faith, where its wrought. (1) It makes the Heart Pure††Act. 15.9.Acts 15:9. (2) The Conſcience Peaceable**Ro. 15.13.Rom 15:13. (3) It makes Chriſt Precious††1 Pet. 2.7.1 Pet 2:7. This Faith is an One thing neceſſary. For by a Fair Profeſſion without Faith, a Soul may ſeem to be Not Far from the Kingdom of Heaven, and yet Never the near.

Civility gilds Fair, ſets Off a Man:

Grace only makes a Golden Chriſ-ti-an.

Tenth.Doc 10. Of Repentance. Teach them the neceſſity of Speedy Repentance.] That its not a Work to be put Off, for a Year, a Month, or a Day. Let them know its the Gift of CHRIST††Act. 5.31.Acts 5:31. And that a Sinner can No more Repent, himſelf, than he can Pardon himſelfe. Putting off Repentance proves, that the Sinner thinks he can Repent at his Pleaſure. Like him who put off Faith till Death. And being reproved for his Looſe Life, replyed, It's but believing in Chriſt at Laſt.] But at Laſt when Dying, he lay ROARING: OH I have made a Plaiſter, p. 21but I cannot make it Stick.] Shew your Children how the Devil Steals away a Sinners Dayes, by a Day at once. Should Satan ſuggeſt Thus, [Come Sinner, ſerve me to the Death: Live and Die in my ſweet ſervice Without Repentance.] At this a Sinner would Startle, q d,Satans Subtiltie. So I may go to Hell.] No, but [Come ſerve me a Day more. Next morning, Away without Prayer, to pleaſure to Day, its but a Day.] This is eaſily granted. And ſo on to the End. And when the Laſt Day of life begins, [Come go on, its but a Day.] By and by, Down drops the Soul into the Dungeon of Hell. And then it will be Cold Comfort to hear Satan ſay, [Come be quiet, thou haſt but an Eternitie to ſpend, in Repenting thy daily delay of Repentance in time.] N B. Without True and Timely Repentance, For Sin, and From Sin: there is Nothing to be expected, but a Certain, Fearfull, Intolerable, and Eternal Damning for Sin.

Eleventh.Doc 11. Of Truth. Teach them the Excellency of Truth in Tongue] i e, Truth in Word, that hath Truth in Heart, for its Root, and Truth in Deed, for its Fruit. Though this Truth be not the Original Cauſe of Salvation: yet ſuch Shall be Saved. And God hath left you Winning Words to entice them to Truth in Tongue. Surely they p. 22are my People, Children that will not Lie, ſo he was their Saviour **Iſa. 63.8.Isa 63:8. The lip of Truth ſhall be eſtabliſhed for Ever ††Pro. 12.19.Prov 12:19. The reſt read at leaſure **Pſal. 34.12.Ps 34:12N B. The good government of the Tongue, is a Great Task. And that you had need begin to Guide,1 Pet. 3.10.1 Pet 3:10 as ſoon as it begins to Go.2 Jo. 4.2 John 1:4 For if long neglected, you may more eaſily weild a Wild Horſe, or a Weighty Ship driven with Fierce Winds††Ja. 3.2. to 10.. Auguſtus gave a Schollar this Leſſon, [I ſaid I would take heed to my wayes, that I ſin not with my Tongue **Pſ. 39.1.Ps 39:1] And bid him go and learn that Leſſon and come again for another. His Scholar goes,A hard task. and comes again 19 years after, and Complains of his Leſſon: viz, that it was So Hard, he had not well learned it Yet.] There are Many Chriſtians in Citie, and Country, of more than 19 years Standing: who have this Leſſon ſtill to learn.

Twelth.Doc 12. Of Early Piety. Teach them the Excellency of Early Piety.] Of being Quickly Converted, and made good Betimes. The Leſſe time between the Firſt, and Second Birth, the Better. (1) Tell them Such are under that Sweet Promiſe, They that ſeek me early ſhall Find me ††Pro. 8.17.Prov 8:17. (2) Of Such, God hath a Sweet Remembrance, viz, I remember Thee, the kindneſſe of thy Youth **Jer. 2.2.Jer 2:2. (3) Such have not that Mountainous Temptation p. 23to clime, which Old Converts hardly Ever get Over, viz, [You come too Late.] (4) Its the way to be Eminent with God: and Prevalent in Prayer. eg. The Child Samuel Miniſtred unto the Lord **1 Sam. 3.1.1 Sam 3:1.] MOSES and AARON and SAMUEL among them that call upon his name: they called upon the Lord, and he anſwered Them ††Pſal. 99.6.Ps 99:6.] Though MOSES and SAMƲEL ſtood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this People **Jer. 15.1.Jer 15:1] q d, If any Perſons in the World prevail with Me, They are the Men. And how Lamentable is the Loſſe of Such! When all the Congregation ſaw that Aaron was Dead, they mourned for Aaron 30 dayes, even ALL the houſe of Iſrael ††Nu. 20.29..] The Children of Iſrael wept for Moſes 30 dayes **Deu. 34.8.Deut 34:8.] They Murmur againſt them while they Live: but Mourn for them when they are Dead. Samuel died and All Iſrael gathered together and lamented him ††1 Sa. 25.1.1 Sam 25:1] Jeremiah lamented for good young Joſiah, and All the Singing Men, and Singing Women ſpake of Joſiah in their Lamentations to this day **2 Chro. 35.25.2 Chr 35:25.] The Firſt ripe Fruits, were Precious to God††Exo. 22.29.Exod 22:29. And they were ſo to man**Micha. 7.1.Mic 7:1. The Devil in his Old Enmity, againſt Early Piety, hath Tipt the Tongues of ſome with this Taunt: [A young Saint and an old Devil.] Which Satanical Saying, and Peſtilent Proverb, I ſhall not ask Satan p. 24leave to turn thus: [A young Saint and an old ANGEL.] Let Satan ſay his Worſt, to be Good betimes is Beſt. Miſtake me not, it's Being good, and not Knowing good only, that I plead for. One may Know good, and Be evil. One may Know evil, and Be good. Its not ones Knowing, Good or Evil, that makes one Good, or Evil: but its ones Loving of Good, or Evil, which proves one Good, or Evil. If a man would know what City he belongs to, Zion or Babilon: and whether he is going to Heaven or Hell: let him ask his love.

Thirteenth.Doc 13. Of Gods eye. Teach them to Know, that they are Alway under the Open Eye, and Open Ear of God.] Tell them God can ſee as well in the Dark, as in the Light. When Dores and Windowes are ſhut: and Curtains drawn Cloſe, at Midnight: as well as at Noon Day, on the Houſe Top. Tell them God heareth what they ſay, if they ſpeak Never ſo Softly. And knows what they Think, if they think Never ſo Secretly. And Tell them, whatever they Think, Speak, and Act on Earth: God writes in Heaven. What is Good, God looks upon with Love. What is Evil, God beholds with Hatred. Thou art of Purer Eyes than to behold Evil ††Hab. 2.13.Hab 2:13. God beholds NO Evil with an Eye of Approbation: p. 25but ALL Evil with an eye of Obſervation: in order to Damnation; if ſpeedy Repentance prevent it not.

How Dar'ſt thou Sin in Secret? God doth See:

And, Witneſſe, Jury, Judge alone will Be.

Fourteenth.Doc 14. The uncertainty of Life. Teach them to know the Brevity and Uncertainty of Life:] for Age, and Youth, Old, and Inſant.] Tell them, in Golgotha, are Sculls: and in the Church Yard, are Graves, of All Sizes. Solomon tells of a time to be Born, and a time to Die, but he tells us of no time to Live**Ecl. 3.2.. Tell them, Death is Moſt Certain: and may be as Sudden, as Certain. One may be Alive, Young, Strong, Well, Sick, Dead, Damned, and all in a Day, or in an Hour. (1) God the Donour, and Preſerver of Mans Life, may Suddenly end it. (2) The Devil the Envier of Mans Life, may Suddenly end it, as he did Job's Children††Job 1.10.Job 1:10. (3) The Wicked, Satans Workmen, may Suddenly end it: he riſeth up, and No man is ſure of his Life **Job 24.22.Job 24:22. (4) A mans own Relations may Suddenly end it]: as Cain who killed his Own, OnelyOnly brother Abel ††Gen. 4.8.Gen 4:8. (5) A mans own Hand may Suddenly end his own Life.] Ahithophels councel to Others, was as if a man had enquired at the Oracle of God **2 Sa: 16.23., but he could not councel Himſelf, to keep from p. 26the Gallows! It's dangerous provoking GOD to diſpleaſure. God can make a man his Own Enemy, his Worſt Enemy, his own Executioner here, and his own Tormentor in Hell Fire, for ever. N B. Seeing Life is SO Uncertain and Short; Preparation for Death is a Solemn Concern. When men had Longer lives, and Stronger limbs, than Now men have: they ſeemed to be more concerned with Death, than Now men are. The Firſt purchaſe we read of in the Bible, was a Burying Place, not a Building Place, viz, Abraham for Sarah **Gen. 23.4.Gen 23:4.] Lo I die, in the Grave which I have Digged for me, there thou ſhalt bury me: ſaid, Jacob to Joſeph ††Ch. 50.5..] Kings and Councellors built Deſolate places for Themſelves **Job 3.14.Job 3:14.] Joſeph laid Jeſus in his Own Tomb††Mat. 27.60.Matt 27:60.] Few (in our dayes) dig their Graves before they are dead: though the World it ſelf be dying.

Fifteenth.Doc 15. Teach them to know the Difference between Temporal Life, and Eternal Life. The Excellency of One above the Other.] e g. (1) Temporal Life is full of Corporal Labour**Eccl. 1.8.Eccl 1:8. Eternal Life hath none of this. There Remains a Reſt ††Heb. 4.9.Heb 4:9: it Ever Remains, and Never Removes. (2) Temporal Life is full of Mental Miſery, viz. Care, Trouble, Vexation, Sorrow of Mind. Man is Born to trouble **Job 5.7.Job 5:7. He is of Few dayes and Full of trouble ††Ch. 14.1.. His p. 27dayes are Few and Evil **Gen. 47.9.Gen 47:9. Eternal Life is Full of Joy without Sorrow. (3) Temporal Life is attended with the Miſery of Penury, Hunger, Thirſt. Hunger without Bread, Bread without Hunger, are both Miſeries. Bread with Hunger is a Double Mercy, which Many have, and Few prize. Eternal Life is free from both theſe Miſeries of Hunger, and Thirſt. They ſhall hunger NO more, neither Thirſt any more, &c††Rev. 7.16.Rev 7:16. (4) Temporal Life is attended with many Diſeaſes: Eternal Life hath None. All Diſeaſes end at Death. A Saints Funeral, is the Funeral of All his Afflictions. (5) Temporal Life is ſometimes ſuch that a man is Weary of it, and wiſhes for Death: Eternal Life will Never weary one to All Eternity. (6) Temporal Life is but Temporal: if it be the life of Methuſelah, it muſt Certainly end, it may Suddenly end; but Eternal Life is Eternal. Not any thing in Heaven, or Hell, ſhall ever end it.

Sixteenth.Doc 16. Of Heaven. Teach them to know how Deſireable, Heaven is.] Tell them of its Titles, viz, The Kingdom of GOD] The Kingdom of Heaven] The Heaven of Heavens] The Third Heaven] A houſe Eternal in the Heavens] That will never Decay, or want Repair, that the Inhabitant will never be Weary of, or turned Out of.] Abrahams Roſom] i e, Sweet imbraces.] p. 28Eternal Glory] Salvation with Eternal Glory] An Eternal weight of Glory] which will never weary to bear it, but bare up above all wearineſs for ever.] A Crown of Life] A Crown of Glory] A City of pure Gold, it's Streets pure Gold, its Gates, Pearl **Rev. 21.21.Rev 21:21.] A City that hath NO need of Sun, Moon, or Candle ††Ver. 23.. For there ſhall be NO Night there **Ch. 22.5..

Seventeenth.Doc. 17. Of Hell. Teach them to know how Dreadfull Hell is.] Tell them of it's Titles, viz, Deſtruction] A Furnace] Outer Darkneſs] Damnation] Everlaſting Puniſhment] Ʋnquenchable Fire] A Place of Torment] Wrath to Come] A Priſon] Everlaſting Chains] Everlaſting Burnings] The Vengeance of Eternal Fire] The Second Death] A Lake of Fire] The Bottomleſs Pit.] OH, How do Perſons Play with Scripture Thunder! The Word Printed, is like Fire Painted: which they can See, and Feel without Fear. But, could they Stand at the Gates of Hell, and Hear the Damned Howl, it would make their Hair ſtand an End, and Fill their Hearts with Horrour! But what ſhall we ſay of an Eternal BEING in that place of Torment! The Damnation of Hell is beyond All Definition: much harder to Define, than the Spaniſh Inquiſition. Which a Painter deſpairing to do, Did not picture, One man p. 29with a Knife in his his Throat, a Second with a Sword in his Heart, a Third with his Arms Torn Off. But took a Table and Covered it all over with Blood, crying out BLOOD! BLOOD! So may a Miniſter cry concerning Hell: FIRE! FIRE! for a Definition of Damnation.

Eighteenth.Doc. 18. Of temporal Judgements. Teach them to know what Temporal Judgments God hath ſent to Men, Women, and Children, for Sin againſt God.] Tell them how God drowned the World with Water from Heaven**Gen. 7.Gen 7. And burned Sodom with Fire from Heaven††Ch. 19.. And Drowned the Egyptians in the Red Sea. And clave the Ground aſunder to Swallow up Korah, and his Company. And ſlew a hundred fourſcore and five Thouſand in One Night, by One Angel**2 K. 19.35.. And ſlew of Iſrael Five Hundred Thouſand choſen men in One day††Ch. 13.17. Chap. 36.16.. And gave All Iſrael into the hand of the King of the Caldees (that bitter and haſty Nation) who ſlew their Young men with the Sword, had NO compaſſion on Young Man or Maiden, Old man, or him that Stooped for age **Ch. 36.16.. Becauſe they mocked the meſſengers which God in Mercy had ſent among them. Death came in at their Windows, for their Wicked Children. Bares tare them in Pieces. The Mother was daſhed in Pieces upon her Children ††Ho. 10.14..] The ſtrength of Populous NO, was Infinite: Yet ſhe was carried away into Captivity, her Young Children p. 30were daſhed in Pieces at the top of all the ſtreets. **Na. 3.8, 9, 10.Tell them alſo of Judgments threatned, viz, I will Kill you with the Sword, your Wives ſhall be Widdows, and your Children fatherleſs.]††Exo. 22.24.Exod 22:24 I will ſend wild beaſts among you, which ſhall Rob you of your Children. **Lev. 26.22.Lev 26:22Papiſts are coming to Rob our houſes. of Children, and Parents both. Their Children ſhall be daſhed to pieces before their Eyes.]††Iſa. 13.16.Isa 13:16 I will bereave them of Children. **Jer. 15.7.Jer 15:7The Fathers ſhall eat the Sons, and the Sons ſhall eat the Fathers.]††Ezek. 5.10.Ezek 5:10 And I (ſaith Chriſt) will Kill her Children with Death.**Rev. 2.23.Rev 2:23

Nineteenth.Doc 19. Of Eternal Judgment. Teach them to know the Eternal Judgment.] Tell them, Jeſus Chriſt the Judge ſhall come from Heaven, with his mighty Angels, in flaming Fire. With a Shout, with the voice of the Arch-Angel, with the Trump of GOD: to found and raiſe the Dead. That the Godly ſhall riſe in Glory; and all Chriſtians Quick and Dead, be made like Chriſt. That the Wicked ſhall riſe Roaring: amazed one at another; their Faces, Flames.††Iſa. 13.8.Isa 13:8 That all Men, Women, Children, from Adam, to the end of the World: muſt Stand before GOD.**Rev. 20.12.Rev 20:12 And give account of their Works, Words, Thoughts: all which God will bring into Judgment. And whet his glittering Sword (which is now made Bright, p. 31and Wrapt up for the Slaughter)††Ezek. 21.15.Ezek 21:15 and fill it with the Blood of the Wicked. And heap Miſchiefs upon them. And ſpend his Arrows upon them.**Deu. 32.23.Deut 32:23 And make them drunk with Blood.††Ver. 42. And ſhoot his great Hail, which he hath reſerved for the Battel of that Great Day of GOD Almighty.**Job 38.23.Job 38:23 When the Sun, and Moon, and Stars ſhall be Drakened.††Joel 3.15.Joel 3:15 And the Heavens paſs away with a Great Noiſe, and the Elements melt with Fervent Heat: the Earth and the Works therein burnt up:**2 Pet. 3.10.2 Pet 3:10 With a fire kindled in Gods Anger which ſhall burn to the Loweſt Hell.††Deu. 32.22.Deut 32:22 When God ſhall Roar like a Lion, and Rend the Caul of their Heart.**Ho. 13.8. And they Groan with the Groanings of a Deadly Wounded Man ††Ezek. 30.24.Ezek 30:24.] Alas! Who ſhall live when GOD doth This! **Nu. 24.23.Tell ſome of this Day, [OH take You no care for Me: every Tub muſt Stand on its own Bottom.] But how if it have no Bottom to ſtand on? [OH HO: we will do well enough.] What will ye do in the day of Viſitation? ††Iſa. 10.3.Isa 10:3It's a Scaring queſtion. [If we cannot obtain mercy by Entreaty, nor victory by Fight, we will Flee for it.] To whom will ye Flee for Help? A fearful queſtion. Theſe are the men that muſt cry, Mountains fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that ſitteth on the Throne: Who will cloſe this Day with [Come ye p. 32Bleſſed] and [Go ye Curſed.] Then ſhall the King ſay unto them on his Right Hand, Come ye Bleſſed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for You from the Foundation of the World.] **Mat. 25.34.Matt 25:34Then ſhall he ſay alſo unto them on the Left Hand, Depart from me ye Curſed, into Everlaſting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels.] ††Ver. 41.And theſe ſhall go away into Everlaſting Puniſhment: but the Righteous into Life Eternal.**Ver. 46.

Laſt.Doc. 20. Of Eterninity. Teach them to think upon Eternity.] Tell them that after this Final Sentence is Paſſed, viz, [Come ye Bleſſed] and [Go ye Curſed:] the Godly muſt dwell in Heaven, and the Wicked muſt dwell in Hell for Ever and Ever. The Eternity of GOD, hath neither Beginning nor End. The Eternity of Man, hath a Beginning, but NO End. This EVER, is as near its End at its Beginning, as EVER it will be. When the Wicked have been Howling in Hell, as many Thouſand Years as the Number of the Stars of Heaven: and the Drops and Sands of the Sea: they are then NO nearer to the End of their Torment, than when it Firſt Began.] Thus much for Inſtruction by Doctrine.

¶ But, Sir, you are not to Terminate in Theſe Twenty Leſſons. For I lay them not down to Limit you, but to Lead you into the Scriptures, to Search for Twenty p. 33times ſo many More. Every word of God in the Bleſſed Bible hath ſomething in it for the Uſe of Man. The words of Wicked. Men, and DEVILS, which God hath pleaſed to Record for our Profit. To diſcover the Pride, Wickedneſs, Madneſs, Folly, Enmity of the Wicked, and the Devil their Father: againſt GOD their Creatour; a few of which I leave you to conſider at leaſure. (1) Words of the Wicked. Gen. 4.9. Ch. 11.4. Exo. 1.10. Ch. 5.2. Ch. 14.25. Ch. 15.9. Job 21.14. Ch. 22.17. Pſal. 14.1. Pſ. 83.4. Pſ. 94. 7. Pſ. 137.7. Iſai. 10.13, 14. Dan. 3.15. Ch. 6.5, 20. Mat. 12.24. Ch. 27.40, 42, 43, 63, 64. Job. 10.20. Act. 28.4, 6.] (2) Words of the Devil. Gen. 3.1, 4, 5. Job 1.7, 9, 10, 11. Ch. 2.4, 5. Mat. 4.3, 6, 9. Ch. 8.29. Mar. 1.24. Luk. 8.28. Act. 19. 15.] And the Proper Names of Perſons (which many think not worth the nameing) are Profitable more wayes than one. (1) To ſhew that God fulfilled his Promiſe, of ſuch a Numerous Seed, ſo incredible to Reaſon, when Abram and Sarai were both Dead. q d, See what a number of their names I have recorded in the Chronicles and other places, to teſtifie the Truth of my Promiſe. (2) The Signification of the Proper Names of Perſons, and Places; of both, take a few Inſtances.

p. 34¶ (1) Perſons, Adam foreign Earth, Red, Bloody] of foreign To be red.] Male and Female created he them, and called their Name Adam. ††Gen. 5.2.Gen 5:2To tell Proud man, what a Material, and Mettal, man is made of.] Noah foreign Reſt] of foreign To take reſt.] He called his name Noah, ſaying, this Same ſhall Comfort us. **Gen. 5.29.Gen 5:29Noah was a Preacher of Righteouſneſs: it Signifies what a Stay, ſuch ſhall be to a Toſſed Church.] Abram foreign A High Father] Abraham, A Father of a multitude.] i e, A Publick Preſident by his FAITH: for Jew and Gentile to follow for Juſtification. Believers are Honourable. They have a High Father Abram. And GOD is their Father who is Higher than the Higheſt.] Iſaac foreign Laughter] of foreign To laugh.] Sarah ſaid, God hath made me Laugh, ſo that all that hear will Laught with me. ††Gen 21.6.Gen 21:6Iſaac was the promiſed Son, but both Father and Mother muſt be Dead, before the Son is Born. N B. If God once Promiſe, if Never ſo great a Death fall in before the Performance; Never fear it.**Ver. 7. Who would have ſaid to Abraham that Sarah ſhould have given Children ſuck, for I (q d, OLD Sarah) have born him a Son in his OLD Age.] Solomon foreign Peaceable]††Mic. 5.5.Mic 5:5 of foreign To compleat Peace.] A Type of Chriſt the Great peace-maker, and our Peace.]**Eph. 2.19.Eph 2:19 Delilah p. 35foreign Poverty, a conſumer] of foreign To draw out.] As Delilah to Samſon, ſo Sin, Delilah, a beloved luſt, will Impoveriſh, Conſume, and Conquer, a Samſon like Soul for Strength.] Iſhi foreign My huſband] of foreign A husband,] Thou ſhalt call me Iſhi.] Ho. 2.16.To ſhew the Sweet Affection, and Near Relation of God, to a Chriſtian truly betrothed to Chriſt.] Amos foreign A burden] of foreign To load] The land is not able to bear all his words. ††Am. 7.10.Amos 7:10Thus is a faithful Prophet to the Prophane.] Zerubabel foreign Repugnant to, or a diſperſion of confuſion] of foreign To ſcatter foreign Confuſion.] He was to lay the foundation, and to finiſh. God hath had his Zerubabels, Magiſtrates, and Miniſters called Saviours. Magiſtrates to ſave the Body, Miniſters to ſave the Soul. Theſe were but Inſtruments, and the beſt but a Type of Chriſt, THE Saviour: Alpha and Omega, of the Work of Redemption: Author, and Finiſher, from the Foot, to the Head Stone, with Shouting, Grace grace to it.††Zech. 4.7.Zech 4:7

¶ (2) Proper names of Places and Cities.] Babel, Babilon foreign Confuſion,] of foreign To confound.] Let us go down and there confound their language: **Gen. 11.7.Gen 11:7So the Lord ſcattered them. Therefore is the name of it called Babel. †. They cry of Babilon, againſt Jeruſalem, is, Raſe, Raſe it, even to the p. 36Foundation of it. But God will Confound all Babilons Cries, and Conſultations.] Rehoboth foreign Room] of foreign To enlarge.] Iſaac called the well Rehoboth, for which the Philiſtins ſtrove not, for Now (ſaith he) the Lord hath made Room for us. **Gen. 26.22.Gen 26:22Conſidering how Contentious Philiſtins, and Heathens are, Chriſtians ſhould call Every quiet place, for Meeting, and Dwelling, Rehoboth] Bethel foreign The houſe of God] ſo Jacob called the Place where God appeared to him.††Gen. 28.17.Gen 28:17 So precious is Gods appearance, that it makes the place to Spangle: and that place muſt have a memorable Title. And precious is the Humble Perſon, To whom God appears. [I dwell with him that is humble.] **Iſa. 57.15.Isa 57:15He is Gods Houſe; in what place ſoever he be, its Bethel.] Bochim foreign Weeping] of foreign To weep.] The people lift up their voice and wept. And they called the name of that place Bochim. ††Jud. 2.4, 5.Judg 2:4Judg 2:5God will mark the place of Mourning and put the tears into his Bottle.] Achor foreign Trouble] of foreign To trouble.] Achor is a name Joſhua gave to a Valley where they met with much Trouble.**Joſ. 7.26.Josh 7:26 I will allure her and bring her into the wilderneſs, and ſpeak Comfortably foreign upon her Heart. ††Ho. 2.14.N B. If God do bring into the Wilderneſs, that leads to the land of Canaan: he will bring p. 37Safe Out to the Deſired Haven. And turn Sorrow into Joy, yea give Joy in Sorrow, and Life at the Point of Death, at the Dead Sea. For ſaith God, I will give her the Valley of Achor for a Door of Hope, and ſhe ſhall ſing THERE.] **Hoſ. 2.15.Hos 2:15Capernaum, foreign, A field of Repentance] i e, where the Seed of it is Sown, and not Received. Upon which account Chriſt does utter that Dreadful Thunder: Thou Capernaum which art exalted to Heaven, ſhalt be brought down to Hell.] ††Mat. 11.23.Matt 11:23Betheſda foreign, The houſe of Mercy] of effuſion, i e, Pouring forth plentifully.] It's the name of a Pool at Jeruſalem which cured Any Diſeaſe whatever.††Job. 5.2.Job 5:2 A type of Chriſt, who hath for Every Diſeaſe an Infallible Remedy: and calls the Sick to come, and buy All without Mony. ¶ I will add no more of theſe Inſtances, left I Weary you. But again I deſire you to Search the Scriptures: which to do, one had need out-live the Dayes of Methuſelah. Tertullian hath this Expreſſion. Adoro plentitudinem Scripturarum: I adore the fulneſſe of the Scriptures.] Let me ſay, There is a Mountain of Senſe, in a Sentence of Scripture. Into which let not the Leaſt refuſe to Look: for the Lamb may Wade, though the Elephant Swim. Learn your Lambs to wade into the Scriptures, by a Daily courſe of Reading Chapters p. 38And by a Cuſtom of asking you Scriptural Queſtions. When your Children ſhall ask in time to come, Heb foreign To morrow, What means theſe Stones? Then ye ſhall Anſwer them: **Joſ. 4.6.Josh 4:6and with a Bleſſing God will Anſwer both.

¶ To all which Inſtruction by Doctrine, I adde this Exhortation. Take your Children with you to hear Sermons. Stick not at a little trouble: but, bring thy Sons in Arms, and thy Daughters upon Shoulders. ††Iſa. 49.22. SimileIsa 49:22And what you hear preached, Improve for their Profit. As from a Garden, Orchard, Banquet, Parents bring home Flowers, Cherries, Biskets for their childrens Bodies: So do you from Sermons (in Spirituals) for your Childrens Souls. And as a Compaſſionate Parent will give a Part to a Child that ſtands By, having no Parent preſent to Pity it: So I pray do You; to Any Child as you have Opportunity. But eſpecially to Thoſe under your Roof, Care, and Conduct: whoſe Parents are Abſent, out of the World, or at a Diſtance. Give them even the Same Inſtruction with your Own. And let not Such a One be as a Sheep that NO Man takes up. **Iſa. 13.14. Caution.Isa 13:14And do not Deceive your ſelf by thinking you are only Drawn to this Duty, or deed of Charity by my Deſire: but See your ſelf Solemnly Bound to it by p. 39Chriſts Command. As ye would that men ſhould do to You, do you Even So to them. ††Mat. 7.12Matt 7:12Thou ſhalt love thy Neighbour as thy Self. **Ch. 22.39.Dread to be like the Dragon which ſaith, My River is My Own, I have made it for My Self.††Ezek. 29.Ezek 29

Fath.

I Pray God I may practiſe this Advice! and Learn my Children theſe Leſſons, and do my Part to Others.

Min.

I Pray ſo too, or better you had Never heard them. He that knows his Maſters Will and does it not, ſhall be beaten with many ſtripes. N B. My words which I commanded did they not take Hold of your Fathers. **Zec. 1.6.In Gods Command incumbent upon you for Education of Children, there is a Preceptive Part, and a Penal Part. If you take not Hold of the Preceptive Part to Do it: the Penal Part will take Hold of you, to Undo you.

Fath.

Gods Command is almoſt forgotten by Me. And I perceive, ſome Profeſſing Parents carry it, as if they had Quite forgotten Gods Command.

Min.

How if God ſhould quite forget Them, or Theirs?

Fath.

They hope he will not do So.

Min.

Let them take heed of Vain hopes, And hear what God will ſpeak in ſuch caſe.

Jehovah.

Seeing thou haſt forgotten the p. 40Law of thy God, I will alſo forget thy Children ††Ho. 4.6..

Min.

What think you by this? Is it a light thing to forget the Law of God? Shortly in ſome Peril or other the Child of ſuch a Parent may as Certainly, and Suddenly Periſh, as if God had Quite forgot to preſerve it.

Jehovah. I will make it as the mourning of an Only Son, and the end thereof as a Bitter Day**Am. 8.10.Amos 8:10

Fath.

The Lord have mercy on me, and mine! Let me hear how I am to Inſtruct my Children by Example.

Min.

You ſhall.(2)(2)By Example. The Word [Example] is from Exemplum, foreign, A Pattern, a Copy, an Example] for one to follow. Look that thou make them after their Pattern ††Exo. 25.40.Exod 25:40. Heb foreign A Pattern] of foreign To build] Good Example, added to Good Doctrine, builds upon a Good Foundation. He ſhall write him a Copy **Deu. 17.18.Deut 17:18. Heb foreign A Copy or Example] of foreign To repeat.] Good Example muſt be Frequent. I have given you an Example ††Joh. 13.15.John 13:15, foreign, An Example] of foreign, To ſhew] q d. Let men See your Good Works **Mat. 5.16. Example by good Works.Matt 5:16. As Good Doctrine muſt be Audible: So Good Example, muſt be Viſible. Good Doctrine, and Good Example, muſt be Both linked together as Unſeparable. If Doctrin be p. 41Good, and Example Bad: you Do and Undo, and do Nothing, except what is Worſe than Nothing. As the fooliſh woman plucks down her Houſe with her Hands††Pro. 14.1.Prov 14:1, So will you with Bad Deeds, pull down what you ſet up with Good Words. The Moral of that Fable of the crooked Crab is to our purpoſe, viz,The Crab. The Old ſaid to the Young, Go forward] The Young ſaid to the Old, Shew me the way then] The Old went Backward, and Side long: The Young followed, ſaying, See Mother, I go Juſt as you do.] By Reaſon of your Childrens Corruptions, they will Sooner follow your Bad Example, than your Good Doctrin. Let parents Doings, or Sayings be Bad, their poſterity Will approve them, Heb, they will delight in their mouth **Pſal. 49.13.Ps 49:13. N B. The Snuffers to Clear, or Mend the Light in the Tabernacle, were of Pure Gold††Exo. 37.23.Exod 37:23. So muſt your Life be, a Holy, Godly, Golden Life: if you will Mend the Life of others. With what Indignation does Chriſt ſpeak to them that will mend Others: and will not mend Themſelves! THOƲ Hypocrite, firſt caſt the beam out of thine Own Eye **Mat. 7.5.Matt 7:5This following is a Fearful Reflection out of the Mouth of the Almighty. Thou which teacheſt Another, teacheſt thou not thy Self? Thou that preacheſt a man ſhould not Steal, doeſt THOƲ Steal ††Ro. 2.21.Rom 2:21? Thou that p. 42ſayeſt a man ſhould not Commit Adultery, doeſt THOƲ Commit Adultery? What will God ſay of ſuch a man! Why is not here ſome Black Brand put upon this Perſon? No, [This is that King Ahaz **2 Chr. 28.22. A fearful favour.2 Chr 28:22.] Why not that Wicked King Ahaz? NO, that is too great a Favour for him: then he goes among the Herd (of ſwine) and hath a great many Fellows. [O Generation ††Jer. 2.31.Jer 2:31.] Why not of Vipers? for God bids the Heavens be aſtoniſhed at their Sins. NO, that is too Little: and God ſeems to be at a Loſſe for a Title, or a Brand, Black enough for Such Sinners.

¶¶By good words.Let Good Example be both in Works, and Words.] Some, when they have given Good Doctrin by Words, give Bad Example by Words, viz, by Idle, Unprofitable Prattle. And by Back-biting, and Clamouring againſt Chriſtians, in their Childrens hearing. When Parents Tongues are ſet on Fire of Hell,A paſtime for Satan. then they make a Pleaſsant Ditty for the Devil, i e, To hear, and ſee them Sow the Seeds of Indignation, (againſt Profeſſors, and Religion at once) into the Hearts of their Own Children. A wholeſome Tongue is a tree of Life **Pro. 15.4.Prov 15:4, but ſome Parents Tongues will be their Childrens DEATH.

Fath.

That is Very Sad indeed. But are there not ſome Conſiderable Circumſtances, belonging to this Subſtantial Work of Education of Children?

p. 43Min.

Yes, Very Conſiderable. The Circumſtances of an Action are uſually theſe ſeven, Thus Verſified [Quis? quid? quibus? ubi, cur? quomodo? quando?] The Perſon, who.] The Thing, what.] The Means, by which.] The Time, when.] The Place, where.] The Manner, how.] The End, to which.] As to this Action of Education of Children, Here is,

Firſt. The Perſon, Acting.] viz,Circum. 1. The Parent, who hath Begot, or brought Forth: for a Saviour, or a Deſtroyer. Who is under God's Solemn Charge: of which he muſt give Account to GOD. And without whom, the Child had Never been Miſerable: neither Here, nor in Hell.

Second. The Thing, Acted.] viz,Circum. 2. The Education of the Child.

Third. The Means,Circum. 3. by Which] the Child is Educated, viz, [Inſtruction] by [doctrin] and [Example] Paſſed: and by [Correction] to Come.

Fourth. The Time, When.Circum. 4.] (1) The Time of Life. Begin in the Morning of this Day, i e, as ſoon as Ever a child is Capable of any inſtruction. Mane, Early] is Gods Adverb, and Hodie, To day.] But, Mane, Stay, Defer till to Morrow] is the Devils Verb Imperative. But, NOW is a Monoſyllable, that will puzle a Philoſopher to divide. Begin Betime. The ſooner the Safer, and the Eaſier. A Child is not p. 44hardened in Sin, and ſettled on Sands, as a Man is. N B. Sin and Self, are the Principles, and Ends of All carnal mens Actions. If one be a long time Rooted, and Setled in Sin, he is as hardly changed as the Ethiopians Skin, or Leopards Spots††Jer. 13.23.Jer 13:23: and So if one be long Setled on the Sands. OH this ſame Religious Self! Self, Adorned with Duties, Excellent Painted Performances! A Self righteous Rock, that hath been building twenty or thirty years! To pull all Down, to Raſe it, to caſt it Away as a Menſtruous Cloth, and ſay unto it, Get thee Hence **Iſa. 30.22.Isa 30:22: this goes againſt the Hair. To deny Sinful Self, and Religious Self, of So long ſtanding: are Mighty Works. Once more I muſt ſay, Begin Betime. Your Lads ſeem to be ſeven, or eight years Old. You ſhould have begun five or ſix years Ago. N B. From a Child, foreign, From an Infant thou haſt Known the Holy Scriptures ††2 Tim. 3.15.2 Tim 3:15. N B. Parents Expreſſions, make Impreſſions, upon Childrens Memories, e g, A Godly Woman being often in Trouble, did for her comfort, uſually uſe theſe words, [The Lord liveth **Pſal. 18.46.Ps 18:46] At length ſhe Sat Silent as one Swallowed up in Sorrow;A Pretty ſpeech. which her child obſerving, Said, [Mother, is God Dead now?] And this Shamed her out of her Sorrow. This Inſtance ſhews, the Aptneſs of Children to remember what they hear from their Parents: and, the Uſefulneſſe of Children to their Parents, if Well Educated. p. 45Out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings haſt thou ordained Strength, to Still her Enemy ††Pſal. 8.2.Ps 8:2. By this Childs Words, it ſeems Satan was Stilled from his buſie buffeting of the Childs Mother. ¶ (2) The Time of Day. [When] thou ſitteſt in thy houſe, [When] thou walkeſt by the way, [When] thou lieſt down, [When] thou riſeſt up **Deu. 6.7.Deut 6:7. Take Any opportunity: any Seaſonable Time; and ſome Unſeaſonable. Be inſtant, In ſeaſon, Out of ſeaſon ††2 Tim. 4.2.2 Tim 4:2. Write Apelles Poſie, upon your Poſts, viz, [Let No Day paſſe without a Line.] Draw One Line a day at Leaſt. Do Duty Daily.

Fift. The Place, Where.] When,Circum. 5. expreſſes ['Time] and implies [Place] q d, [Where] thou ſitteſt] viz, To Work, To Reſt, To Eat. (1) To Work] Talk of Gods Work. Men can talk of the World at their Work. (2) To Reſt] Talk of Eternal Reſt, and Eternal Wrath. Men can talk of the World when they are Weary. (3) To Eat] Talk of the Bread of Life. Turn Temporal Mercies into Spiritual Diſcourſes. Let Eternity be your Table-Talk. This leads me to teſtifie againſt the Vain Table-Talk, of Prophane and Profeſſing People: which profits not, Soul, Body, Man, Woman, or Child: yet as Common as the Day. And which (if a Stranger be at Table) conſiſts much of a Company of ſuch common Silly Complements, as I am aſhamed to name, viz, Pray eat.Table traſh. You are very wellcome. p. 46I am Sorry I am no better provided. I doubt I did not cut well. Pray pick a bit where you like. You do not think your ſelf welcome. And Finally, I ſee I have but troubled you to ſit down.] At which Traſh I wonder people do not Bluſh, and with Shame ſweep it out at Door, as Dirt. It's Sad to conſider what Superfluity of Vanity, flows from the Mouths of Profeſſors. And its a Marvel men have not Worded away All their Mercies. N B.Moſes Table talk. Moſes had a Great Stranger at His Table: and with him Aaron and all the Elders of Iſrael: and, they came to eat bread before GOD **Exo. 18.12.Exod 18:12. As in his Preſence, with Reverence to feed with Fear, leſt their Table be made a Snare. To feed without Fear, is Fearful. Such are called Clouds without Water, Trees without Fruit, Twice Dead, to whom is reſerved the Blackneſſe of Darkneſse for Ever ††Jude 12, 13. Jeſus table talk.. See ſome of Jeſus Chriſts Table-Talk, who ſaith to YOU, Learn of ME. Mat. 9.10, 11, 12, 13. Lu. 7.36, 40, to 50. Ch. 11.37, to 51. Ch. 14.7, to 25. Ch. 15.4, to 32. Ch. 22.14. to 39. But let us ſee where we are [Where] thou walkeſt by the Way.] Talk of the Way to Heaven, and Hell. Walk is frequently full of Empty, Vain Talk: let your Walk be full of Vertuous Talk. [Where] thou lieſt Down] i e, in Bed, an Embleme of the Grave. In which Bed a man is as Buried Alive, above ground, all but the Head. And that is an Embleme p. 47of Chriſt, the Chriſtians Head,Embleme who keeps out of the Grave while his Body (the Church) is buried: Death hath No more dominion over Him **Ro. 6.9.Rom 6:9. [Where] thou riſeſt Ʋp] i e, out of thy Bed in the Morning, an Embleme of the Reſurrection of the Body out of the Grave: by vertue of Chriſts Reſurrection, and Life. By Reaſon of the Head being kept out of the Bed while the Body Sleeps, the Body Riſes in the Morning (for if the Head was buried in Bed as the Body is, the whole would be Smothered and Dead) So by vertue of Chriſt the Head, who is Above ground, above Death, Alive, THE Reſurrection, and Life: ſhall Saints be Raiſed out of their Sleep. I inſtance theſe Emblems to ſhew you how Lying Down, and Riſing Up, does miniſter occaſion of Talking to your Children.

Sixt. The Manner, How.Circum. 6.] (1) Speak Plainly.] In all Points, Study the moſt Plain Expreſſion, and Explication of Words imaginable. What I ſpeak not ſo Plain to you, I leave with you to Explain to them. I ſpeak to a Man, you to Children.Simile That Key which will moſt eaſily open the Door (though made of Iron or Wood) is to be uſed rather than a Key of Gold that will not open it. So ſuch Plain Wooden Words, which do open Truths: rather than Fine Words, which like Paint on a Window, that lets not In, but keeps Out the Light. I have heard a Man (a Teacher of Men) p. 48ſpeak to a Child in ſuch a Pathetical, Rhetorical, Myſtical Strain: without Conſideration of Condeſcenſion to the Childs Underſtanding: that I have Utterly abhorred it. And had much rather Such had ſat Silent, though it was to my Own, which I Much Deſire ſhould hear the Words, by which they may be SAVED. ¶ (2) Talk Enticeingly,] ſpeak Pleaſantly, Alluringly, Affably, Kindly, Winningly. Deliver things in words of Down. Speak Roſes, and Hony into their Hearts. Let your lips drop as an hony comb. e g. [Come my Sweet Child: Thou muſt not do SO, That is SIN: SATANS Service. He would have thee to Hell: to pay thee with Eternal Pain. But do Thus: This is GODS Service. Love GOD, Serve Him, Fear Him, and it will be well with Thee for Ever. I do SO love thee, I Long to have thee Saved: I cannot Endure thou ſhouldſt be Damned. Be Ruled without the Rod: it grieves me to whip thee, &c.] Thus Win them by working on the Will. You know the Phraſe [John is a good Boy, when Will is at Home:] an Up-hill way, is a Down-hill way to a Willing Mind. Let the Law of Kindneſſe be in your Tongue, and your Children will ariſe up, and Call you Bleſſed ††Pro. 31.26, 28.Prov 31:26Prov 31:28. ¶ (3) Talk frequently.] Thou ſahlt teach them Diligently to thy Children, Heb, thou ſhalt Whet them to thy children **Deu. 6.7.Deut 6:7. The Hebrew word foreign To whet,] hath affinity p. 49with foreign To repeat] which ſignifies, the Word Cuts, and Pierces, by Frequent Repition. An Edge-Tool is Whet, by many Motions, and Rubs upon the Whet-Stone: and the Stone made Bright thereby: So is the Word Sharpened,Simile. and the Heart Brighten'd, and Quickned, by Frequent Repition. But this requires Diſcretion, i e, ſo to whet as to ſet an Edge On, and not whet it Off again: in which work, wiſdom is profitable to direct ††Ecl. 10.10.. She openeth her mouth with Wiſdom, and in her tongue is the Law of Kindneſſe **Pro. 31.26.Prov 31:26. A law hath Force, and Power to prevail: So words ſpoken with Wiſdome. The words of the Wiſe are as Goads ††Ecl. 12.11., they will Prick: and as Nails faſtened, then is a Word well Driven, when it Nails the Heart to God. Do not Do, and Undo, as you will if you Overdo. Children muſt not be over-Driven. Let my Lord paſs over before, and I will lead on Softly, as the Children be able to endure **Gen. 33.14.Gen 33:14. Then ſhall the Lambs feed after their Manner ††Iſa. 5.17.Isa 5:17. N B. Children well educated, have Two Titles in the Bible to teach Parents the Neceſſity of Frequent Inſtruction, with Diſcretion (1) [Arrows**Pſal. 127.4.Ps 127:4.] Will a Knotty Crooked Stick be made a Straight Arrow with eaſe, without Work, and Art? (2) Polliſhed Stones††Pſa. 144.12.Ps 144:12.] Will Rough, Rocky, Cragged Stones, become Smooth Polliſhed Stones, ſit for a Princes Palace, without Pains and Skill in Paring and Hewing? No, nor (ſome) With p. 50it neither, who after Hewn, are Slain, as fit for nothing but Slaughter**Ho. 6.5.. Its ſad when the ſword comes to contemn the Rod††Ezrk. 22.13.. The Rod is to Convert, and Save. The Sword to Kill, and Damn. When the sword does it's Work, it contemns the Rod, becauſe that did not Do it's Work. But Frequent Inſtructions, are Frequently Effectual. The waters wear the Stones **Job 14.19.Job 14:19. How ſo? If a Flood fall on a Flint at Once, it wears it not: but it's falling by a Drop at once, Does it. Gutta cavat lapidem, The ſoft drop hollows the hard Stone,] i e, by falling from the Eaves of an Houſe off the End of a Straw. Thus words Frequently falling from Parents Mouths, upon Childrens Hearts. Smal Acts continued, will produce Great Effects.

Seventh.Circum. 7. The End, to Which Children are Educated.] viz, That Children may be Converted, and Saved, Soul and Body: from Hell, to Heaven. That Parents may be Satisfied, and Comforted in them, in Life and Death. That God may be Served, and Glorified by them. And, They Glorified with GOD, for Evermore. So much of the Circumſtances of Education.

Fath.

If my Children be willing to hear and learn Inſtruction, how ſhall I Carry it to them?

Min.

If your Children deſerve Praiſe, Pray let them have it: i e, So much as will encourage them to Be, and Do better. Not p. 51too Much I pray. Praiſe may ſoon Spoil.Caution. As the fining pot for Silver, and the furnace for Gold, ſo is a man to his Praiſe ††Pro. 27.21.Prov 27:21, i e, ſo is a mans Praiſe to Him.] The fining pot and furnace, Try the silver, and Gold,Simile and diſcover the Droſſe: ſo a mans Praiſe will Try what mettal he is made of: it will diſcover his droſſe, i e, Pride, Vanity, Levity. A man can neither be too Worthy, nor too Wary of Praiſe.

Fath.

How if All the good Inſtruction I can give them, hath No good Operation upon them.

Min.

If Words will not Work, try what Tears will do. Go King Edwards way to Work, viz,K. Edw. the 6th. When he could not prevail againſt Cranmer, and Ridley with Arguments, he Wept: he fell a Crying, and then they were overcome. Tears are Crying Words,Crying Words heard as High as Heaven: the Lord hath heard the voice of my Weeping **Pſal. 6.8.Ps 6:8. Tears have Piercing Tongues. One would think the Tears of a Father, ſhould break a Heart of Flint.

Fath.

How if Crying Words will not work on the Hearts of my Children?

Min.

Then try what Dying Words will do, when That Day Comes.Dying Words Leave Dying Words behind you, to work when You are Dead. Dying Words may be Living Words, by which you may ſpeak when Dead, as Abel Did††Heb. 11.4Heb 11:4. Gather your Children about you Death-Bed, as Jacob did. Jacob called unto his p. 52Sons, and ſaid, Gather your ſelves and hear ye ſons of Jacob, and hearken to Iſrael your Father **Gen, 49.1.. q d, Come my Dear Children, Hear the words of your Dying Father. But, Do not defer any one Dayes Duty, till your Dying Day. A Dying Dayes work is a Great Dayes work of it Self, without any work that layes Behind. It's the Greateſt Dayes work of All the Dayes of a mans Life.Die, a little word, a great work. The Word [Die] is but Small, but the Work [Die] is Great. Beſides, ſhould you defer your Duty till you come to Die, your Children will think you want Sleep, and and are Light-Headed, (your talk being unuſual, and ſtrange) and ſo will not regard your words. Do your Duty Daily while you Live, that when you come to Die, you may ſay to your Children, as Mr. Bolton ſaid to his when he was Dying, viz, None of you will Dare to meet me out of Chriſt, in the Judgement Day. Now; let us come to the Second General Head, viz, [Correction] But—Do you not See? One of your Sons hath given us the Slip. Pray Recall him quickly.

Fath.

HO Sirrah! Whither go You? Come again quick, I charge you. Come not near that Coach there. You Jackanapes, will you Offer it. I would fain ſee that; Ay, Do, I would you Durſt.

Min.

OH Good Lord have merey on theſe Poor Children!Parent corrected. What words are here from a Father, to a Child. [Sirrah, Jackanapes] p. 53Atat! Papae! Apage! OH! Alas, Out upon it [I would fain ſee that, Do, I would you Durſt] What is the Childs Diſobedience, deſirable to the Father? Conſequently, the Childs Damnation in Hell is deſirable. Under the Law the diſobedient Child was ſtoned to Death: under the Goſpel is Damned to Hell. Now I come to Direct you to Correct your Children: it appears you need Correction your Self.

Fath.

Why does he Anger me then? I uſe to ſpeak ſo in my Anger: I cannot Help it: I mean him no Hurt.

Min.

Why does he Anger me] I thought I had been Speaking to a Man all this while, Becauſe your Son is a Child, You will be So too. Becauſe He angers You: You will anger GOD. [I uſe to ſpeak ſo] OH How do you Accuſe your ſelf by this Excuſe! By this Reply, when a man is Accuſed of a Sin, he Accuſes himſelf of a Thouſand more, to clear One: and all that Aggravates that One. If I ſhould ask ſuch a man [Friend why do you Swear?] I am uſed to it, I cannot Help it, it's an old Cuſtom from my Cradle.] This Excuſe is Gods Great Charge: This hath been thy Manner from thy Youth ††Jer. 22.21. Sad Security.Jer 22:21. And will a man clear himſelf with This? Will he defend his Neck with the Edge of the Ax? Save himſelf from being Drowned by leaping into the Sea? From being Damned, by leaping Head-long p. 54into Hell? When God (on his Throne) brings this man to the Bar, q d, [Come Sinner, Thou haſt broken my Law, what Reaſon cauſt thou render why I ſhould not Rend thee in Pieces?] Lord I Uſed to do So.] What will this man mock God to his Face? when Mighty Men cry Mountains fall on us, and hide us from his Face.] But why do I talk to you? for [you cannot help it.] If you cannot, you are under the Power of Sin: that is a Sad Caſe. But ſome Cannot, becauſe they (Care not, or) Will not. A carnall man Cannot, Believe, Repent: theſe are the Supernatural Gifts of God. But a carnal man Can Forbear, many Sins, if he Will. e g, Suppoſe, he that is Drunk muſt pay a Hundred pound, or his Head. He that Swareth an Oath:Peril produces power. Ten Pound or have his Tongue cut out. And this by a Law, the Penalty of which there is No Poſſibility of eſcaping. Then mens Power to paſſe by an Alehouſe, and Bite in their Oaths, would appear. They that Cannot go in the Way of heaven, becauſe they Will not: Shall not go into the Joy of heaven, becauſe GOD Will not. When he that carnally cries [I Sin, I Cannot Help it,] ſhall cry [LORD, Lord, Heaven GATE is Shut, I cannot Enter:] then (in effect) will God reply [I Cannot Help it] I Muſt be Juſt.] Now in ſaying you Cannot help it, when you Can: inſtead of Repentance for Sin, you adde Sin to Sin: for this God p. 55adds Wo to Wo. To cover Sin with Sin, is a Sad covering for Sin: for which God covers Sorrow with Sorrow, by adding Sorrow to Sorrow. By this Plea, you think to Palliate, and Leſſen ſin: That is the way to waſh the Devils Face, but you make it Never the Whiter. By this pretended Infirmity, you expect the Benifit of Immunity: but, He that covereth his Sins ſhall not Proſper ††Pro. 28.13.Prov 28:13: but Periſh. A young man in the Tavern, ſeeing Diogenes, fled farther In, to be out of his Sight. Nay, ſaid Diogenes, the farther thou fleeſt In, the more thou art In the Tavern.] And be ſure your ſin will find you Out **Nu. 32.23.. [You mean your children no hurt] Suppoſe you were Sick of the Plague, and ſhould go among your Children and breath into their Mouths: and I ſhould cry out, OH Mad Man, what do you Mean! Will you reply [I mean no Hurt.

Fath.

I confeſſe its very bad for Parents to uſe ſuch words to Children. I did not think there had been ſo much evil in ſuch words as now I ſee there is. I accept of Reproof for them. Now having Corected me for my Carnal language: I Pray proceed to the Second Head, viz, Correction for my Children, and Direct Me to Corect Them.

Min.

I will ſo.Correction The word [Correction] comes of the Latin Correctio, of Corrigo, To make ſtraight] of Rego To rule] as foreign of foreign, becauſe Children are Crooked, and Unruly, p. 56i e, they do not acord in Heart and Life, with the Straight Line, and Rule, of Gods Word.

Fath.

What am I to Correct my children For?

Min.

For what God Corrects His children. GOD corrects Man for Iniquity, and Man muſt correct Children for the Same.

Fath.

How am I to Correct my Children.

Min.

Correction is twofold, viz, [Verbal] and [Verberal,] i e, with the [Word] and with the [Rod.]

Fath.

How with the Word?

Min.

You muſt Rebuke, Reprove, and Chide your Children, for their Faults.

Fath.

I had need have ſome Direction in ſo Doing.

Min.

In this General Head,(1) Correction with Word. viz, [Correction] both with [Word] and [Rod] I ſhall omit that ſevenfold order of Circumſtance, uſed under the Firſt General Head. And the Sum of So many of them as are to our Purpoe: I ſhall Digeſt into a Rank of Directions.

¶ 1) Do it Timely,Direct. 1. while Tender.] Take a twig of a years growth,Simile. and you may bend it which way you Will: and ſtraighten its crookedneſs at Eaſe. But let it grow crooked many Years, and it will Break before it will Bend. But you can neither Bend it, nor Break it. p. 57Parents from Children, muſt their Vices Weed: As they ſpring Up, before they run to Seed.

¶ 2) Do it Secretly,Direct. 2. and Sweetly.] Pills of Reproof for Children, are to be given Secretly: and in Sugar, or Honey, Gilded over with Gentleneſs. Some Parents Rebukes, are like Fools Bolts:Simile. [Soon Shot:] Bolted out in Any bodies preence,Read to the childs Diſcouragement††Col. 3.21.Col 3:21, Grief, and Diſgrace. And if a parent takes away a childs Good Name, what hath it Left to Loſe?

¶ 3) Do it Proportionably,Direct. 3. to the Fault.] Reprove for Smal Faults, with Soft Words. As Mary when ſhe ſuppos'd her Child was in Fault! Son, Why haſt thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy Father and I have Sought thee Sorrowing **Lu. 2.48.. To Cauterize, and Cut a ſmall ſwelling, which a little Soft, Sweet Oyntment will Aſſwage: is Vanity, and Cruelty. There is that ſpeaks like the piercings of a Sword: but the tongue of the wiſe is health ††Prov. 12.18.Prov 12:18.

¶ 4) Do it ſometime more Pathetically,Direct. 4. as you ſee Cauſe.] e g, What, my SON! and what, the Son of my WOMB! **Pro. 31.2.Prov 31:2and give thy ſtrength to Women, and Wine.] So you, What my SON! and Curſe, Lie, Steal. My SON! and a Swearer, a Sabbath-breaker, a Gameſter, a Fooliſh Jeſter. If a man ſin againſt the Lord, WHO ſhall intreat for him ††1 Sam. 2.25.1 Sam 2:25. If thou for ſake him He will caſt thee Off for EVER **1 Chro. 28.9.1 Chr 28:9.

¶ 5) Do it ſomtime more Piercingly.Direct. 5. Accompany p. 58Sharp Words with a Cutting Countenance. Eli reproved his Sons for their Great Sins, with Solemn Words, but not with Sharp Looks, Heb, foreign He frowned not on them ††1 Sam. 3.13.1 Sam 3:13. He ware too Smooth a Brow, for the work of Reproof, for Such Sins. The Heb, foreign ſignifies to look Dark, frown and wrincle, as when the moiſture is gone.] In great grief the blood returns to the Heart for its relief, and that makes the Face Pale as Death. Eli wanted a ſuitable Senſe of his Sons Sin, to Sad, and Horrifie his Heart, and make his Face look dark as Death on them, when their Death lay at Door. What then? I will Judge his houſe for Ever for the iniquity which He knoweth: becauſe his Sons made themſelves vile, and he reſtrained them not, Heb, frowned not on them.

¶ 6) Do it Scripturally.]6 Direct. Oppoſe their Sin againſt GOD, with Gods Word, againſt their Sin. Oppoſe them with Gods Commands, which are contrary to their Sin: by which their Sin is Forbid. And with the Threats of Gods Judgments againſt Such Sin, as they are Guilty of. Gods Word is called the Sword of the Spirit**Eph. 6.17.Eph 6:17. Handle it Well toward the Spirits of your Children. And then the Word of Correction, may be a Sword to Kill their Corruption. Thus far of Corection, with the [Word.]

Fath.

How am I to Correct my Children with the Rod?

p. 59Min.

Firſt let me give you ſome Scriptural Account of the word [Rod:]Rod fourfold. In doing of which I ſhall take notice of a fourfold Rod. ¶ (1) A Civil Rod] in the hand of the Magiſtrate:] e g, Moſes Rod. It was called the Rod of God††Ex. 4.20.Exod 4:20. And it may be called a Miraculous Rod: by it Waters were turned into Blood**Ch. 7.20.. Duſt turned into Lice††Ch. 8.16.. Thunder and Hail fetched from Heaven**Ch. 9.23.. Locuſts brought, ſuch as Never the like before nor ſince††Ch. 10.14. The Red Sea divided. The Rock made to run Water**Nu. 20.10. And yet this was but the Staff, with which Moſes had kept Jethro's Flock††Exo. 3.1. Ch. 4.2.Exod 3:1: now ſet apart for other Service. And when Kingly Government was ſet up, God took David (with his Sheep-Staff) from following the Sheep, to Feed, and rule Iſrael**Pſal. 78.70.Ps 78:70. And Kings did formerly uſe ſuch Staves as grew out of the Ground: but afterward for their Glory, they were made of Gold: The King held out the Golden Scepter to Eſther ††Eſt. 5.2.Esth 5:2. The Heb is foreign Sherbet, Greek, foreign, Sceptron: Hence the word Scepter: The Scepter ſhall not depart from Judah **Gen. 49.10.Gen 49:10. Here the Heb is foreign Shebet: this word is frequently tranſlated [Rod:] Scepter or Rod it ſignifies Rule. It hath been the cuſtom of a Perſon in Authority, to have a Staff or Rod in his hand as a ſign of Dignity. It was a cuſtom to carry a Rod before a Roman Ruler. Some ſuch cuſtom is to this Day in uſe [as with our Lord p. 60Major) to carry a Scepter, Sword, or Mace, as a Token of Authority. This Civil Rod was Uncivilly uſed, and Horribly abuſed, when (with it) the Jews ſmote Jeſus the Judge of Iſrael upon the Cheek ††Mic. 5.1.Mic 5:1for which the Scepter departed from Judah. Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum. ¶ (2) An Eccleſiaſtical Rod] in the hand of the Miniſter.] Saith Paul to Chriſts Church at Corinth, Shall I come unto you with a Rod ††1 Cor. 4.21.1 Cor 4:21? viz, To rebuke the proud Spirits of ſuch as were puffed up: with ſuch Reproofs, and Cenſures, as the Caſe of the Offender called for. ¶ (3) A Divine Rod] in the hand of God.] This ſignifies Gods Soveraignty over All, to Rule as he pleaſe: the Godly in Mercy, the Wicked in Judgment. God would Rule the Godly by his Word. As he Saves by the Grace of the Goſpel, he would Rule by the Government of the Goſpel: i e, his Holy Laws. But if the Word will not Rule, the Rod ſhall. If for our Rule we would make More uſe of Gods Word: God would make Leſſe uſe of his Rod. Gods Rod with which he whips his children for Sin (many times) is Men: I will be his Father and be ſhall be my Son: if he commit iniquity, I will chaſten him with the Rod of Men **2 Sam. 7.2 Sam 7. Solomon ſinned, And the Lord ſtirred up an adverſary, Hadad ††1 King. 11.14.1 Kgs 11:14. And God ſtirred him up another adverſary, Rezon **Ver. 23.. And Jeroboam lift up his hand againſt the King ††Ver. 26.. p. 61Thus God gathers a Rod, Ties theſe twigs together, Whips his Son, Does his work upon Mount Zion: Then throws the Aſſyrian, the Rod of his Anger into the Fire**Iſa. 10.5, 12.Isa 10:5Isa 10:12. And Sickneſſe is Gods Rod: Hear the Rod, and him that hath appointed it ††Mic. 6.9.Mic 6:9I will make thee ſick in ſmiting thee, becauſe of thy ſins **Ver. 13.. The wicked are ſpared, The Rod of God is not upon them ††Job 21.9.Job 21:9: but when it comes it is to Ruine them: Thou ſhalt break them with a Rod of Iron **Pſal. 2.9.Ps 2:9N B, If the Godly be not Ruled by the Word, they ſhall be Ruled by the Rod:God will Rule or Ruin. but if the Wicked be not Ruled by the Word, they ſhall be Ruined by the Rod or by the Sword. ¶ (4) A Paternal Rod] in the hand of the Father:] with which he is to Rule the Child, when the Word will not Do. The Parents Rod may bare all the Former Titles. [A Civil Rod] as it reſpects the Faners toward Men. [An Eccleſiaſtical Rod] as it reſpects the Childs Obedience to God. [A Divine Rod] as it is by the Divine Appointment of God. Now N B, In all theſe, the Original Word ſignifies a Staff, to Stay or Lean upon. e g, (1) The Civil Rod foreign Matteh, A Staff††Exo. 4.20.Exod 4:20. (2) The Eccleſiaſtical Rod, foreign **1 Cor. 4. 21.1 Cor 4:21] Provide no Staff, foreign ††Mat. 10.10.Matt 10:10.] Jacob worſhipped leaning upon the top of his Staff, foreign **Heb. 11.21.Heb 11:21.] In theſe 3 Texts the Greek word is the ſame. (3) The Divine Rod foreign Matteh Baculus, A ſtaff††Mic. 6.9.Mic 6:9. (4) The Fathers Rod for the Child foreign Shebet, A ſtaff to Stay upon**Pro. 23.14.Prov 23:14.

p. 62Faith.

What are we to learn by this?

Min.

The Parallel of the Rod and Staff.] If a Staff be laid By, its no Stay: but if it be Handled, and well Uſed, its a good Stay to the Body. So (1) If the Magiſtrate handle his [Rod] i e, So officiate as to perfom his part Well: So act as to exerciſe a Good Conſcience: it will be a Good Stay to his Mind. In that Rebellion of Korah againſt Moſes the great Magiſtrate which made his Body fall Flat**Num. 16.4.Num 16:4, what ſupported his Spirit? I have not taken One Aſſe from them, nor hurt One of them ††ver. 15.(2) The Apoſtles were preſſed out of Meaſure, above Strength, deſpaired of Life**2 Cor. 1.8.2 Cor 1:8: what was their Stay? Our rejoycing is This, the Teſtimony of our Conſcience ††ver. 12.. (3) If God's Rod hang at our Back,] If we believe it's in Love, if we take it in the hand of Faith for a token of Eternal Love, if we Thus handle it, it's to us a Staff: Thy Rod and thy Staff, they comfort me **Pſal. 23.4.Ps 23:4. David was in a Fearleſſe, Faithfull frame: and then though in the valley of the ſhadow of Death, he would fear no Evil. God's Rod is ſometimes Terrible: as Moſes Rod when turned to a Serpent.Simile Fear makes him Flee from it††Ex. 4.3.Exod 4:3. But when he handled it in Faith and Obedience, it ceaſed to be a Serpent to Slay him, and became a Rod to Stay him. (4) The Fathers Rod] If he uſe it Well it will be his Staff: Correct thy Son and he ſhall give thee Reſt **Pro. 29.17.Prov 29:17. If the Rod be So uſed as to fetch Folly out of the childs Heart, and make p. 63it Wiſe, what then? My Son, if thine Heart be Wiſe, my Heart ſhall rejoyce, even mine **Pro. 23.15.Prov 23:15. Thus if Good Succeſſe. But if No good ſucceſſe, yet if the Parent perform his Part, it will be his Stay, though the Child falls Down into Hell Fire.

Fath.

Now give me ſome Direction in this Rod Correction.

Min.

I will ſo.1 Direct. for Rod Correction The firſt Direction ſhall be by way of Caution, with reſpect to the Original Signification of the word Rod, viz, A Staff. Hence you are in NO wiſe to imagine that you may beat a Child with a Staff, as if you were to beat a Bull or a Bear: in ſo doing the Child may reply as the Philiſtine to David, Am I a Dog? NO, but with a Rodof ſmall Twigs, or ſuch like, which will Smart, but not Hurt.

¶ 2) Do it Timely] Chaſten thy ſon while there is hope **Pro. 19.18.Prov 19:18q d,2 Direct. There will be No hope if hardened by long neglect. So heart hardening is Sin, that ſome Children under the Rod have reply'd to their Parents [Ay, Kill me if you will, I will Never yield.] Childrens corruptions are the Cords, by which Satan binds them to the Stake to be Burned: and draws them down to hell to be Damned. If you will cut theſe Cords do it Early, and you do it Eaſily. But while you neglect your Duty, Behold a Double Miſerie: viz, Satan is both Softening your Childrens Hears for his own Suggeſtions; and Hardening them againſt your Inſtruction, and p. 64Correction. So that the Heart will be as Soft Wax to Satans Temptation, to receive the Leaſt Impreſſon: and as a Hard Flint to GODS Word a Mans Rod.Paſt Cure. Till at length it may be to as much Purpoſe to correct a Child, as to whip a Poſt, or a Wild Beaſt.

¶ 3) Do it Tenderly,3 Direct. Lovingly, Pitifully, Patiently:] Not Paſſionately, Wrathfully, or Angerly. It was a Sweet Saying of Plato to his provoking Scholar:Parent learn of Plato. [I could find in my heart to Beat thee, but that I am Angry with thee Parents put Children to pain for Satans pleaſure.]. Some parents will not correct their Children, till Provocation hath put them into a Paſſion. He that is moved by Paſſion to Correction, obeyeth not GOD, but the DEVIL, and Paſſion: and God will not Bleſſe, but Curſe ſuch correction. N B, God corrects His Children in Love: to learn you to correct Your Children in Love. Make it manifeſt to your childrens Conſciences, and Capacities, that you correct them in Obedience to GOD, and in Love to their Souls: and the it's like to have Good Succeſſe.

¶ 4) Do it Secretly.4 Direct. Put not a poor Child to Publick Shame. Let not a child be Corrected, as if a man was to be Executed, i e, upon a Stage: but have it into the Houſe of Correction, i e, ſome cloſe Corner, or Chamber. If your Childrens Faults are offenſive to your Neighbours, or Publick: it's convenient to let them Know of Correction, for good Example Sake: and leſt they think you Wink at Wickedneſſe.

p. 65¶5) Do it Unanimouſly.5 Direct.] Let Father and Mother remember, the Inſitution, Conjunction, Injunction of God, for their Union from the Beginning: They ſhall be One ††Gen. 2.24.Gen 2:24. Did he not make One? and wherefore One? to ſeek a Godly Seed, Heb, a ſeed of God **Mal. 2.15.Mal 2:15. God is ſpeaking againſt Unlawfull Marriage, and Diſunion in Life. N B, Marriage according to Gods Inſtitution, accompanied with a Godly Converſation, and Union in the Education of Children: is an Excellent way of Good Succeſſe in ſeeking a Godly Seed. But if Diſunited in this Deed, if there be a Diſunion in Correction, the Faulty Child flees from one, to the other, for Shelter. And thinks the Child, of the next evil Act [I will Venture, for my Mother will ſave me from my Fathers Rod.] This Hardens, and Spoils: and makes a child Love one, and Hate the other: and love that parent Moſt, that Leaſt deſerves it. Note the Fruit of this Parental Diverſity of Education, by this Text. A Wiſe Son makes a Glad Father **Pro. 10.1.Prov 10:1: Why not a glad Mother too? It's when the ſons Wiſdom is a fruit of the fathers Wiſe godly education. [But a Fooliſh Son is the heavineſſe of his Mother:] Why not of his Father too? It's when the ſons Folly, p. 66is a fruit of the mothers Fondneſſe: which ſerves to make children Fools: which folly ſhe muſt Feed on as the bitter fruit of her doings. It' Strange yet True, viz, That Mothers had need Learn to Love their Own Children**Tit. 2.4.Titus 2:4 If they do not, they are like to Love them ſo as to learn God to Loath them: and ſo as to Shelter them from the Rod that ſhould Save them. Parents muſt not one Oppoſe another. But let Both agree, and Both be preſent, and Acquieſce in this Act, of Rod Correction. Vis unita fortior.

¶ 6) Do it Proportionably to the Fault.6 Direct.] And that muſt be ſometimes Softly and ſometime Sharply. If God will Plague David, and Spare Doeg, it is the Lord: let him do as he will. Gods Will is his Rule: Gods Word is Mans Rule: by which Word the offender is to be beaten according to his Fault, by a certain number of ſtripes ††Deu. 25.2Deut 25:2. To which the Law of the N T, is Conſonant**Lu. 12.47. And Laws of Juſtice, among Chriſtians, and Heathens: for even ſome of Theſe have been Excellent in their love To, and exerciſe Of Juſtice. Conſider what Circumſtances of a childs Fault do Aggravate it. e g, Such a Time, Sabbath Day, and in Sermon Time, Often Warned of it, Little Tempted to it, Done with Delight. Sweet Meat muſt have Sowre Sauce.] Conſider what may Leſſen the Fault, e g, Much Temptation to it, Little Warning of it, Ignorance of the p. 67Evil of the Act. He that knows and yet does evil, ſhall be beaten with Many ſtripes ††Lu. 12.47: He that knows not, with Few ſtripes.] Much Correction, for Little Tranſgreſſion: is not Equity, but Cruelty. Little Correction, for Much Tranſgreſſion: is Impiety, Fooliſh Pity. Both Unjuſt, Unſuitable, Unprofitable, next to Nothing, if not Worſe than Nought.

¶ 7) Do it Effectually,7 Direct.] To which end it muſt (ſometime) be done Smartly. A Rod is ſuch a Plaiſter for a childs Sore, as will not Cure without Smart. Let it Smart, till the child Submit. Let not the Rod Go; till the Child do kindly Kiſſe it away. God will do thus by His Children, and you muſt do thus by Your Children, or elſe you do nothing. Some parents think, if they whip a way their. Own Anger, though not the Childs Humour, the work is Done. There is a little Pleaſure for the parents Paſſion performed:Read and the poor child Put into a Paſſion††Eph. 6.4.Eph 6:4: in both which ſome Service for SATAN is done, and That is all. So much for this Rank of Directions. Now, If you have any Objections againſt Rod Correction, bring them Forth.

Fath.

I perceive by theſe two Laſt Directions, Object. 1 againſt Rod Correction.if my Children commit Great Faults, they muſt be Sorely Whipt. But I have ſuch a tender Love and Pitie to my Children, that I cannot ſind in my heart ſo to whip them. I know not what miſerie they may endure when p. 68I am Dead: and I do not intend to Torment them while I Live.

Min.

I like not ſuch Love: I am not pleaſed with ſuch Pitie: Love, Pitie, do you call it?

Fath.

Yes, What elſe ſhould I call it?

Min.

Hatred, and Cruelty.

Fath.

That is Very Strange.

Min.

And it is Very True.

Fath.

I believe not Such Truth.

Min.

Will you refer it to the GOD of Truth, and believe Him?

Fath.

God forbid, I ſhould refuſe that.

Min.

Then hear the Anſwer of GOD.

Jehovah.

He that ſpareth the Rod, Hateth his Son, but he that Loveth him, chaſteneth him Betimes††Pro. 13.24.Prov 13:24

Min.

So, now I hope you will believe it's Truth.

Fath.

I dare not deny it, but I underſtand not how it's hatred and Cruetly.

Min.

The Proverb will partly prove it, viz, Spare the Rod, and Spoil the Child. Fooliſh Pitie, ſpoils the Citie. By ſparing the Rod you chooſe rather to have your Child howl for ever in Hell, under Gods Wrath: than to cry a little under a mans Rod. This pitiful Pity to the Body, is Cruelty both to Body and Soul. And it makes a Man rather a Paricide than a Parent.

Fath.

But may not I forbear when my child cryes Grievouſly, Object. 2 and Grieves me?

p. 69Min.

No no, Let not thy ſoul ſpare for his Crying **Pro. 19.19.Prov 19:19. The Rod ſignifies Nothing without Smart. Your love is ſuch that you would fain deal ill with your Child, and ill requite your Father alſo. N B, God did not ſpare his Only Son, for his Strong Crying and Tears: viz, O my Father if it be Poſſible let this cup paſſe from me ††Mat. 26.39.Matt 26:39Father Save me from this hour **Joh. 12.27.John 12:27. From which he delivered him Not: but delivered him Up, to the Cruſed Death of the Croſſe, for your ſake. And you will not Whip Your Son with a Rod, that cuts not Skin Deep, for his ſake. They that will not Correct a ſon at Gods Command, are very unlike to Kill a ſon at Gods Command††Gen. 22.Gen 22: as Abraham offer'd to do, his Son, his Only Son Iſaac whom he loved.

Fath.

When I go to whip my child for a fault he Cries and Begs, Object. 3 and Promiſes to do ſo no More: and then I think I do well to ſpare him.

Min.

And does he keep his promiſes?

Fath.

I conſeſſe he fails me in that.

Min.

Why do you truſt him then?

Fath.

Becauſe I hope he will be better next Time.

Min.

Now you turn Child. This is a very Cheat. And what a Shame is it for a Man, to be Cheated by a Child: and by his Own, whom he Knows hath Deceived him. This will encourage a child to do Any thing: for he will think [it's but Crying a little when p. 70the Rod comes, and promiſing to do ſo no More: and my Father will Spare me, and I ſhall come off Clear.] And this will learn a Child to ſet Light by his Father, and So will he come under that Curſe††Deu. 27.16.Deut 27:16.

Faith.

If I whip my Children, Object. 4 it makes them take Gods name in Vain, by crying, O Lord, Lord, O God: ſo I think I had better let them alone.

Min.

That Cry is an ?Accident, and not your Intent. And you leave Off becauſe they give you cauſe to go On: for they are to be whipt for that Cry. And it is a ſign they want good government. But take heed you do not pretend Piety, when you intend fooliſh Pity: or pretend Conſcience, when you intend Negligence.

Faith.

But one of my children hath ſuch Paſſions, Object 5 and Fits, when Croſſed or Whipt: that I fear it will die Quite away.

Min.

Fear not its Dying, in doing your Duty. But let us hear the Anſwer of GOD to this Critical Caſe.

Jehovah. Withhold not Correction from the Child, for if thou beat him with the Rod, he ſhall not Die **Pro. 23.13.Prov 23:13.

Min.

So: I hope That fear is removed.

Fath.

But how may I underſtand this [he ſhall not die?]

Min.

Thus. (1) He ſhall not die under the Rod: Correction ſhall not Kill. (2) He ſhall p. 71not die as a Malefactor by the hand of the Magiſtrate. For want of the Parents Rod, ſome come to the Magiſtrates Sword, i e, the Gallows. (3) He ſhall not die an Eternal Death. Thou ſhalt beat him with the Rod and ſhalt deliver his Soul from Hell ††Pro. 23.14.Prov 23:14. Through Gods bleſſing, Correction ſhall Iſſue in the Childs Converſion.

Fath.

A man cannot Convert a child by all the Inſtruction, Object. 6 and Correction in the World.

Min.

By the ſame Argument all Miniſters Living may leave Preaching. But who would be thus deceive by SATAN? To make men Proud, he will ſuggeſt great matters by Doing. To make men neglect their Duty,Satans deceit. he will ſuggeſt, their Doing will come All to Nothing. [All the Education in the World cannot Save a child.] But when by Neglect a child is Loſt, the ſame Satan will ſuggeſt [if the Parents Duty had been Performed, the Child had been Savewd.] (2) Though You cannot Convert your children, GOD can Convert them By you. And make you Inſtruments in their Regeneration, as well as in their Generation. In their Second Birth, as well as in the Firſt. If you Will not be Inſtruments in Gods hand, Tell him ſo. If you Will: Do your Part, and leave God to do His. The endeavour and Care belongs to You: the Cure belongs to GOD. (3) Though you cannot Convert p. 72vert them, you can Reſtrain them. For want of This, god threatned to Judge Eli's houſe for Ever. (4) this Reſtraint, will prevent much Trouble, if God convert them by Other means. Trouble for Sin at Converſion from it: accords with the Meaſure of-Sin, in the Commiſſion of it. The Greater ſin Before converſion, the Greater ſorrow, At, and After converſion. the Parent blames the Preacher for the Childs Terrour: when the fault is in the Father and Mother. (5) If your Children ſhould Never be Converted, but for Ever Damned: this Reſtraint will prevent much Torment. (6) And God will be Glorified by your Service. You will be Inſtruments of his glory. And ſhall be Rewarded, though Iſrael be not Gathered **Iſa. 49.3, 4, 5.Isa 49:3Isa 49:4Isa 49:5.

Fath.

But I ſee no good, Object. 7 whipping and beating children doth. And I have heard Mr C ſay, it hath done his Hurt: and if it were to do Again, he would Never do it: let Preachers ſay what they pleaſe.

Min.

I ſhall pleaſe to ſay this for him, He that will learn of none but himſelf, is like to have but a Fool for his Maſter. No wonder if he ſlight a Miniſter, for he will defie the Almighty, and charge Infinite Wiſdom with Folly. viz, To appoint, to no purpoſe. To command Correction to Cure, and Mend children, which makes them Worſe. Shall any teach GOD knowledge ††Job 21.22Job 21:22? God is ſo wiſe, p. 73he Cannot be taught by Men. Some are ſo Unwiſe they cannot be taught by men. And Mr C is ſo wiſe he Will not be taught by men. He will neglect Correction, till a Child is Hardened. Then under Provocation, fall on in a Paſſion. To which Correction, God cleaves his Curſe. And then Mr C will caſt it Quite off, for he ſees no good it does. Becauſe he may not do it in the Devils way, he will not do it at all. This Peſt is ſo provoking, I Paſſe it: as not fit to be ſpoken to with Patience.

Fath.

I ſuppoſe there are as wiſe men, Object. 8 who do not ſo ſtrictly Inſtruct, and Correct their Children, as there are that do.

Min.

Tell not me of their Wiſdom, if the Word of the Only Wiſe God was never their Rule. Or if they have left Off to take heed to the Lord **Ho. 4.10.. The Wiſe men have rejected the Word of the Lord, and What Wiſdom is in them? Heb, the wiſdom of What Thing ††Jer. 8.9.Jer 8:9? not of the Stork, Turtle, Crane, Swallow: they know their appointed Times: but ſuch people know not the Judgment of the Lord **Ver. 7.. Nor of the Oxe, or Aſſe: That, knows his Owner, This, his Maſters Crib, but Iſrael doth not Know ††Iſa. 1.3.Isa 1:3poor ſilly Ant, the pitifull Pi?ſmire is preferred before Such wiſe men**Pro. 6.6.Prov 6:6. Vain man, Heb, Empty man would be Wiſe, (ie, counted ſo) though man be born like the Wild Aſſes Colt ††Job 11.12Job 11:12. Man is ſo much a Beaſt, that he knows not he is a p. 74Beaſt, till God hath taught him. And he Never learns to be a Man, till he learns to know he is a Beaſt. Ignorance is a Great enemie to Knowledge, but there is one Greater, ie, Self-Conceitedneſſe. Seeſt thou a man Wiſe in his own Conceit? more hope of a Fool than of him **Pro. 26.12.Prov 26:12. They are the Wiſeſt and Beſt Men, who Beſt know they are Beaſts††Pſal. 73.22. Pro. 30.2. Object. 9.Ps 73:22Prov 30:2.

Fath.

But we muſt not take Gods work out of his hand.

Min.

No: but we muſt take Our work into Our hand: and not ſuffer Satan to take it Out of our hand. Your words, I once heard fall from a Miniſters mouth: but it was to me a Hateful Morſel. When a Parent is expreſſing his deſire to do his duty to his Children, then for a Preacher to reply [So ſo, we muſt not take Gods work out of his hand.] Thus for him who ſhould Provoke a parent to his work, to Obſtruct him in it: O Hateful, Sottiſh, Senſuall, Satanical Saying!

Fath.

I have heard Mr. C. ſay, Object. 10 he beat one of his Boys, and he Ran away, and Never heard more of him to this Day. It ſhall be an Item, for Me.

Min.

SO:Curſed correction. There is Correction, with an Execration, and No Benediction: and the parent puniſhed by way of Retaliation. His diſobedience to GOD, in not giving his ſon due Correction: is puniſhed by his ſons diſobedience to Him, not counting Correction worthy p. 75of Acceptation. The Father ran away from GOD: the Son ran away from the Father. [Never heard of him more!] He may hear of him too Soon, viz, that he hath broken into ſome Houſe, or is turned High-way-man, and taken to be both Hanged and Damned, in One Day. And for his fathers neglect, to Howl for ever in Hell. At which his father (if not hardened) may Howl in a Hell upon Earth. And was his Father to be at his Sons Execution, it's probable he would deſire to be Revenged on him, for letting him come to Such an End. As that Boy did, who (when he was going up the Ladder) required to Kiſſe his Mother: but to be Revenged on her, Bit off her Noſe, ſaying,Mr N. [If you had given me Due Correction, I had Never come to This.] Let not your Lads laugh at it. He would have Bit off her Head, and Pulled out her Heart had it been in his Power. If Parents be without Natural Affection for their Children: Children will be without Natural Affection for their Parents. Witneſſe that Wicked Boys reply to his Wicked Mother (who complained at Stake ſhe was exceeding Dry) viz,Mr N. No Matter Mother, you will Burn the Better.

Fath.

One Story and another is enough to Diſtract a man. You tell me of a Boy that was hanged, becauſe Not corrected. Another tells me of a Man that was hanged, becauſe his boy Was corrected. viz, He beat his Son ſo p. 76that he died, and then was Hanged for him. It would make a man afraid to beat Children, I think.

Min.

That Man, or Monſter, I knew: and ſee Hanged in [Cambridge Caſtle-Yard.] What then? was it Due Correction that killed him? God commands Parents to beat children, From death, not To death. Had he uſed ſuch a Rod as I have directed you to uſe: and uſed it by the Rule of Gods Good Word: he had done his child no Hurt. But he (with his Club Law) regarded No ſuch rule:Deviliſh correction. but was Ruled by his Paſſion, and his Parent the DEVIL: with whom (it's to be feared) he is now in Hell Fire.

Fath.

I ſuppoſe it's the ſafeſt way, Object. 12 to erre on the Right Hand, when all is done.

Min.

I wiſh you knew the Right Hand from the Left in this matter. To avoid One Extream, you will run into Another. Both Extreams are Bad: and of two evils, you will chuſe the Worſt. I have exhorted you to uſe the Rod in Love. And I exhort you to do All in Love. But, Fond affection, Sinfull indulgence, and Unſeaſonable ſmiles: I dehort you From, and charge you before God to beware Of: as Vitious, and Perilous. And leſt you Wink at this Warning, Hear ſome of the Sad Effects, of ſuch Parental Vices: of which a ſew Inſtances. ¶ (1) Adonijah] His father David had not diſpleaſed him at ANY Time, p. 77Heb, foreign from his dayes,] Junius, Nunquam, Never] diſpleaſed him, in ſaying, Why haſt thou done ſo ††1 Kin. 1.6.1 Kgs 1:6? And what is the fruit of this fond affection? even Adonijah's Self-Exaltation to his Own Deſtruction. He exalts himſelf, ſaying, I will be King ††ver. 5.: and that brings him home by the horns of the Altar: where he hardly eſcapes**Ver. 50.. Then (to bring it about) he muſt have Abiſhag to wife: and that brings him Quite to the Slaughter††Ch. 2.25. This laying the Reins on the Neck, hath run Many a child to Ruin. Children need No more to undo them than their Own Deſires: No, nor Men neither. ¶ (2) Abſolom] He having Killed Amnon his Brother, comes and Bows to David his Father: and the King Kiſſed Abſolom **2 Sam. 14.33.2 Sam 14:33. After this he aſpires the Crown, ſeeks his fathers Life, loſes his Own††Ch. 18.14, and twenty thouſand more**Ver. 7.. David was (comparatively) a good King: abſolutely, a good Chriſtian, a good Prophet, a good Preacher: and yet a bad Father. Let the beſt in the World beware. Even a David will Dote: and Eli will honour his Sons above God††1 Sam. 2.29.1 Sam 2:29. This makes gods of Children: and that is the way to make DEVILS of them, for God to Deſtroy, or to Spare to their Parents Deſtruction, e g, Thy two (indulged) ſons Hophni and Phinehas ſhall Both Die in One Day **Ver. 34.. And the Man of Thine whom I ſhall not cut off, ſhall be to Conſume thine Eyes and of Grieve thy Heart ††Ver. 33.. That p. 78ſome ſuch gods are Suddenly gone, this True Story will Teſtifie. [A godly Father being ſet at a Feſtival Dinner, in comes a Curious Child: O (ſaith the Father ſpeaking lightly) I fear I ſhall make a god of this Child. But the End of that Dinner was a Bitter Day:Mr Jer Burroughs was preſent. for before they roſe from the Table, that Child was found Drowned in a Pond.] You have your Items, viz, Item the Boy that Ran away from the Rod. Item the Boy that was Killed with Correction. HERE be Items for you! Item, Adonijah, Item Abſolom. Item Eli's ſons, whoſe end was Deſtruction, for want of Correction. And Item the Idolized Child, that was Drowned (I doubt) becauſe Deified.

Fath.

Theſe are Sad things to befall the Godly.

Min.

Sad things (for ſin) befall Such ſooneſt of All: for, Judgment muſt Begin at the Houſe of God ††1 Pet. 4.17.1 Pet 4:17. Such, ſin againſt a Threefold light: viz, the light of Nature, the light of Grace, and the light of Gods Word. Sin againſt Such Light, is a Great aggravation of ſin. Weigh a ſin Single in the Scale, then adde this Circumſtance, viz, it was againſt Knowledge: that weighs more than the Sin it Self. Knowledge of GOD is a Great Good, no leſſe than Eternal Life: ſin againſt Such Knowledge, muſt needs be a Great Evil. N B, If ſin againſt Knowledg, be againſt the Will, it is not So great: but Wo to them that ſin p. 79againſt Knowledg, With the Will. Let us take heed of Sin againſt London light.A Caution for London.. Sin at London, is Greater than ſin in a dark Country: and the ſcourge Sorer upon that account when it comes. WO, wo, wo, to them that go into the Land of Darkneſſe, by London Light.

Fath.

Many poor Parents want Time to Inſtruct, Object. 13 and Correct their Children.

Min.

And ſo may Rich too, the courſe they take. Men have Many wayes, to throw their Time down the Stream: I ſhall Inſtance two, which are Common to men.

Firſt.

They Word it away.Precious time Prated away. Let me ſay they Prate it away about impertinent things, to no Purpoſe, or Profit, for Soul or Body, Self or Others, Church or State. They are for Any thing, Every thing, which is worſe then Nothing. Tell them of their Work: O then, [We want Time.] But, let not Man be Deceived: GOD will not be Mocked. And many times, Pertinent things, and Spiritual things too, are diſcourſed to No Purpoſe at all. Will this diſcourſe do in Dooms Day? to the Law (to try) and to the Teſtimony, of Jeſus. But I ſay unto you, That every IDLE WORD that men ſhall ſpeak, they ſhall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment **Mat. 12.36.Matt 12:36.

Fath.

What is an Idle Word?

Min.

The Greek, word foreign, Idle,Idle word opened] of a privative, and foreign, A work:] ſignifies, a Word p. 80without Work, a Work-leſſe word, a Saying without Service, ie, which neither profits Speaker, nor Hearer. At the multitudes of Such Words, out of the mouths of Profeſſors, I have been amazed times without Number: to think, how CAN they look OVER, or look ON, this Text as a Cypher**MAT. XII XXXVI.Matt 12. As if they had got a Licence, to let their Tongues go as they Liſt. There is a time to Every thing ††Ecl. 3.1., and for ſome things that one would think there ſhould be No Time for, viz, to Kill, to Hate**Ver. 3, 8.: and yet we read of NO Time for Idle Talk. And that Chriſt hath purchaſed Precious Time, with his moſt Precious Blood, for Vain Talkers to ſpend THUS: I leave it with them to Prove, or to Anſwer it in the Day of Judgement. ¶ And much Time is thus loſt about News, as forementioned in the Morning. Many wiſe men reſemble the Simple, who believeth every word ††Pro. 14.15.Prov 14:15: though they know what an uncertain thing Report is: both by Experience, and Sacred Scripture. e g, Tidings came to David, ſaying, Abſolom hath ſlain ALL the Kings ſons, and there is not ONE of them left **2 Sa. 13.30. Report makes an uncertain Sound.2 Sam 13:30. When they were All alive but One who did not deſerve to Live: nor to be Counted One of the Kings ſons: viz, Amnon who had forced his Siſter Tamar. Thus perſons Prate away their Time.

Second.Precious time Piped away. They Pipe it away with that Pidle: and Tabacco, that Bauble. Of which p. 81(becauſe I doubt it's your Vanity) Hear me a little. ¶ By way of Conceſſion, I grant, Tabacco is a Creature of GOD: and hath its Vertue for the Uſe of Man: as every Herb, Weed, and Toad hath. It's good for Cold, Moiſt Bodies, and ſuch Diſeaſes, if moderately Uſed. Againſt the Good, Lawfull, Convenient uſe of it, I ſay Nothing ¶ By way of Conviction, of the Vanity, Inconveniency, and ill Conſequence, of the Common Abuſe, or Immoderate Uſe of it.A wofull waſter. ¶ 1) It's Prodigiouſly Expenſive, both of Time, and Coin. Some obſerve, [A man may walk a Mile while he Puffs away a Pipe of Tabacco.] How many do they that Dote, drink away in a Day! No wonder, ſuch want Time for better work: Time to lay up Eternal Treaſure. Tabacco hath not been of uſe in England 100 Years: in which Term,It came by Sir Francis Drake 1585. it hath Stole away more Time, and Coſt, more Coin, than all England is worth. Doubtleſſe (by God's judicial permiſſion) the Devil had a hand in its importation. Sharper is that Saying of a King.K James. viz, Tabacco is a lively image of Hell. An if I was to invite the Devil to Dinner, I profeſſe (for one Diſh) he ſhould have a Pipe of Tabacco. ¶ 2) It is a very Vain, Vitious, Fooliſh Cuſtome.A very Toy. It makes Men, turn Toys. And with their Mouth, Pidle, and Bauble, ſpend their Time in Foming out Fume, to ſmoke the Air where they Sit, Walk, Ride, or lay in Bed. p. 82As if men were Born to take Tabacco. Should it pleaſe God to raiſe a man from the Dead (who died Anno 1580) and ſay, [Come, I will ſend thee to ſee the Exerciſe of England:] the man would Wonder what men are Doing. This Smoking Trade at Every Turn, would be as great a Wonder to Him, as his Riſing from the Dead would be to Them.It's bewitching. ¶ 3) It is a Venity, which hath a bewitching Faculty. It works on the Will, and makes men Willing to be bewitched with it. It takes away appetite from Bread, the Staffe of Life: and begets an impetuous appetite after it Self. And ſo brings a man under it's power: which Paul in All Points reſolve againſt. All things are Lawful, but all things are not Expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the Power of any ††1 Cor. 6.12.1 Cor 6:12. ¶ 4) It's an Epidemical, Infectious, Contagious Vice: where is it's like under the Sun? Both Sexes, Men, and Women. All Degrees of Men: from the DUKE, to the Drayman on the Dung-hill. All Sects, in point of profeſſion of Religion. In a word All Men (ſome few excepted) are (more or leſſe) Vitiouſly addicted to it. ¶ 5) This bewitching weed, this Indian Henbane,Hot Henbane. is Hot and Dry in a High Degree. It Dries away the Juice and Moiſture of the Body, till it be like a Bottle in the Smoke. It inflames the Blood. It diſtempers and intoxicates the Brain. And doth the whole Man much hurt.Phyſical. ¶ 6) It's ſtrongly Phyſical: therefore not fit p. 83for Food, nor Faſhion. Too much of the Beſt Food, will Soon fit a man for the Worms. Too much of the Beſt Phyſick, will Send a man to the Same Place. Tabacco is a Phyſical Herb. To take Phyſick at every turn: both Full, and Faſting. At every meals meat: in Concluſion, a Potion. Another in Bed. As oft as men Meet, on Any Occaſion, to take a Potion. And abroad in the Cold Air, to open the Veins and Pores of the Body, to let in Death. This is a MAD TRADE.An ill maſter. ¶ 7) Where Tabacco hath got the Maſtery, it is a great Enemy. And the more a man Loves it, and keeps it Company, as if it were a Friend: The more it is an Enemy. And he that is under this Slavery, is not at Liberty, to order either Body or Soul, as he ſhould. Nor does he ſeem to Care, what becomes of one, or the other. Let ſuch beware leſt they loſe Both, by the Love of Tabacco. Let ſuch take heed they do not So ſmoke away their Time, as to ſmoke to Eternity: in the ſulpherous ſmoke of Fire and Brimſtone: which aſcends up for Ever and Ever ††Rev. 14.10, 11. Caution.Rev 14:10Rev 14:11. And let them that Preach Down any one Vice in their Pulpits, take heed they do not Set Up this unparallel'd Vice for another in their Practice. And the ſame I ſay, of All Profeſſors of godlineſs. ¶ 8) The time may come when (if they Had it and that would Do) Prodigal Parents would give Rivers of Oyl, and Sack-fulls of Silver and Gold, for the Golden p. 84hours they ſuffer to Swim Down theſe Two Streams: and will not uſe them for the Education of their poor periſhing children. Job was very Officious for his Children, he Sent to them, he Sanctified them, he Sacrificed for them, he roſe up Early to do it, he did it according to the number of them All, i e, he did his duty to Every one, for, Job ſaid, It May be my ſons have Sinned **Job 1.5.Job 1:5. (How many do know Certainly, their ſons have ſinned Notoriouſly, and yet let it paſſe unpardoned) Thus did Job continually foreign all the dayes ††Ver. 5., as long as they lived. And yet when Dead, what a Doleful Ditie doth he makes with his Elegie**Ch. 29.2, 5.. If So, how may Careleſſe Parents Howl, if by Sudden death their Children Fall!

Fath.

Pray did you never take Tabacco?

Min.

Take it! Yes truly: and that took Me too into Cuſtody and Slavery. But having got Liberty it ſhall Never take me more: nor I That, by the help of God, in whoſe Fear I forſook it.

Fath.

I will never take Tabacco again as I have done. Two Pipes a day ſhall be All. The good, lawfull, convenient uſe of it you allow.

Min.

True, but that reſpects him that can So uſe it. Who can have Himſelf, and It at Command: make it his Servant, not his Maſter: Take it and Leave it as he Liſt, which Few can do. In theſe three words, [Good, p. 85Lawfull, Convenient] are implyed two more, viz, [UnderſTanding, Thankſgiving.] What you take of this Phyſick, you muſt Underſtand to be Proper for your Diſtemper: and take no more than does you Good: and for which you may with Boldneſs, and Acceptance to God, give Thanks††1 Tim. 4.4.1 Tim 4:4. Far be it from you to take it for Faſhion-ſake. Or to p leaſe the Palate. Or to ſhew that piece of Breeding (ſo called) which every Clown hath ſo long ſince learn'd. And as to your Two Pipes (becauſe I doubt you cannot Command it) I conclude it's your Safeſt way to caſt it Quite off. For if it be not a Servant in Subjection, it will be a Maſt er in Dominion. It's like an encroaching Paraſite: give him an Inch, he will take an Ell. It's like the Pope of Rome: Simile.He muſt Up, or Down, now in England. And if with you all England would Expell this Vanity (as I pray they may do Popery) it would be a Thouſand times better: for where it does a Grain of Good, it does a Maſſe of Miſchief. Were Englands Wealth well Ordered, England would live Well. If what the Rich Waſt in this bewitching Weed was given to the Poor, (provided they leave Waſting) it would make them all Rich. And the Rich not the Poorer, but the Richer: i e, with the Reward they ſhall receive of the Lord, who lend to Him, by relieving the Poor**Pro. 19.17.Prov 19:17 But if men have Smoked away their Senſes, it's in vain p. 86to ſay, Lo, how Black is this Crow! or how White is this Snow! Well, So or So, it gives me ſome Content, that I have thus far caſt Contempt upon the Abominable Abuſe of this Honourable Creature [Tabacco:] which hath almoſt England at Command, beſide Other Countries. And whether I call this a Teſtimony for God againſt this Vanity of Vanities, or No: yet Take it SO.

¶ Sir, in pleading againſt Sin, Vanity, Carnality: I plead for GOD, againſt whom it is Enmity. And whether You, or Others, will Hear or Forbear††Ezek. 3.11.Ezek 3:11, yet I will endeavour to deliver my Soul**Ver. 19.. For Gods hand is taking hold of Judgment. In the hand of the Lord there is a Cup, it is full of mixture ††Pſal. 75.8.Ps 75:8, i e, of Judgments, without mixture of Mercy for the Wicked**Rev. 14.10.Rev 14:10. It's a mixture of Mercy, and Judgment for the Godly. And it is to be feared, God will come Down with his Cup, and give England a Vomit, to make it Spew out its Inhabitants, for their Abominations. viz, This Smoking Sin, Drunkenneſs, Adultery, Fornication, Theft, Covetouſneſs, Curſing, Swearing, Lying, Whoring, Sabbath-breaking, Sodomy, Buggery, Blaſphemy, Perjury, Pride, Deceit, Malice, Envy, Hypocriſie, Treachery, Tyranny, Idolatry, Popery. Falſe Oaths, by Baal and Malcham ††Jer. 12.16. Zeph. 1.5.Jer 12:16Zeph 1:5. Covenant breaking. Contempt of God: his Word, and Wayes. Formality without Efficacy in Chriſtianity. Againſt All which, p. 87I Teſtifie, for GOD: He that Heareth, let him Hear, and he that Forbeareth, let him Forbear **Ezek. 3.27.Ezek 3:27.

Fath.

I perceive you have done with Tabacco: Object. 14 and I will try if I can bid it Adiev. But what do you ſay of Poor Parents who do not thus conſume their Time? Yet want time to Educate their Children: becauſe Bodily buſineſſe ſpends it all. I have heard T A ſay, All his time is too Little to get a living for his childrens Bodies: though he Never ſpend any of his time about their Souls.

Min.

As to your repeated Plea for the Poor, I ſay, Parents Poverty is an Argument for Induſtry for the Soul, and Diligence, not for Negligence. q d, We are poor among Men, and ſo we are like to Live and Die. Come, let us labour that We and our Poor Children may be Rich toward GOD. Thus Earthly Poverty, ſhould provoke Parents to procure Heavenly Riches. Chriſts Precept ſhould Drive them to it, Seek ye firſt the Kingdom of God: and his Promiſe ſhould Draw them to it, theſe things ſhall be added ††Mat 6.33 SimileMatt 6:33. As the Seller, gives in the Paper, when the Parcel is Purchaſed. Let them make Sure of Heaven, and truſt God for Earth: in a way of Duty, and Induſtry. Godlineſſe hath the promiſe of This life 1 Tim 4.8.1 Tim 4:8: and before the Godly ſhall want Mercies, GOD will work Miracles. If this will not Do, I would ſay to T A: Thou Wretch, who p. 88art thou Born (and Bound) to obey? God or the Devil. Let them who are ſo full of Bodily buſineſſe, that they are neceſſitated, to neglect the Soul,A ſinfull necſſity. Conſider: (1) Is not neceſſity Voluntary? do not I Chooſe to overcharge my ſelf with buſineſſe? am not I carried into it by a Covetous Mind, after Much Gain? If SO, let them expect it to End as the Act of Eſops covetous Dog:Eſop's fable of the Dog. who ſwimming over a River by Moon-ſhine, catched at the Shadow of the meat in his own Mouth, and So loſt ALL. But (2) If neceſſity be Providential, and a man be Very Poor, or unavoidably involved in abundance of buſineſſe: let him be Humbled under it, and lay it to Heart as a Sad Caſe: and Pray, and Implore God about it. q d, OH Good Lord, what a Judgment am I under! ſhall I be under a Neceſſity to neglect the One thing Neceſſary?A Sad neceſſity. ſhall I and mine be under a neceſſity, So to Labour for our Bodies, as to Loſe our Souls? LORD Help, or Behold, we Die, we Die, Eternally††Nu. 17.12.. And who knows how Prevalent, prayer may be for Liberty, from ſuch a Neceſſity and Miſery.

Fath.

I perceive you ſlight All Objections againſt the Education of Children, and ſo I ſhall adde no more.

Min.

I do ſo, Utterly. And ſhall do ſo, whoſoever be the Oppoſer,All Ob rejected. viz, Parent, Profeſſor, Preacher, Apoſtle or Angel. And do count them All as Dirt, not deſerving a Word p. 89in Anſwer. And I did think to have given No other anſwer, to All yours. Nor would I, but to clear your Way to this Good Work.

Fath.

Now it ſeems our diſcourſe is at End.

Min.

No, if So, it will not end well.

Fath.

Sit you Silent then? go on to the end.

Min.

To what end or purpoſe? except what is Paſt took more Place.

Fath.

Solomon ſaith, He that obſerveth the Wind ſhall not Sowe **Ecl. 11.4..

Min.

Well ſaid. Then I will Sowe On. But if you receive not the Seed into good Ground, and bring not forth fruit well; it will be Worſe for you, and Yours too. Yea, Wo to you, if counſel be Well given To you, and Ill taken By you.

Fath.

I will take it as well as I can.

Min.

Seeing you promiſe ſo Fair,Advice, Civil, Secular. I will proceed to give you ſome Advice of a Civil, Secular, Temporal concern. This is implyed In, and a part Of [Education] propoſed to be ſpoken unto, as the Subject and Sum of our diſcourſe.

Fath.

Pray do ſo, I much deſire to hear that.

Min.

This will have ſome reſpect to Spirituals, as Spiritual advice hath reſpect to Temporals. For by reaſon of the Union of Soul and Body, Good advice for the Soul reſpects the Good of the Body: and Good advice for the Body, reſpects the Good of the Soul. This advice, I ſhall deliver in theſe 12 Documents.

p. 90Firſt.Docu. 1. Learning. Give your children Learning.] Let them that Can, take Cato's Counſel.

Inſtrue praeceptis animum, nec diſcere ceſſes: Nam ſine doctrinâ vita eſt quaſi mortis imago. With learning ſtore thy mind, ceaſe not to learn: Without it none can life from death diſcern.

¶ At leaſt, learn them to read their Own Language Well. Some Perſons (by their Parents negligence) can look on a Bible to No more Purpoſe then to look on a Blank or a Block.A ſad caſe. The Bible is a Sealed Book: when it layes Open before their Eyes. It's as in an Unknown Tongue: in their Own Language. It's tranſlated into Engliſh, and ſome Engliſh men can No more read it, then if it was Still in Hebrew, and Greek. The Bleſſed Bible, contains a Thouſand Letters, of Gods good will and mind to Man. And though all of Infinite concern, yet Some men Never read one of them All while they live. They that can be content with This: their Sleep is Deep, and their Hearts are Dead: yea Harder then either Flint, Adamant, or the nether Milſtone.

Second. As ſoon as children are Capable of it,Docu. 2. Employment. Let them be ſome way well Employed.] Idleneſſe is the hour of Temptation, to Deſtruction. While the little Bird is in action,Embleme. hopping from Buſh to Buſh, it is Safe: but when it ſits Still it is ſoon Shot to Death. Idleneſſe is a time of Temptation to evil Action. And becauſe children are not well Employed, they p. 91Give and Take, much Miſchief. All perſons, Poor and Rich, are to be well ſet a Work. That the Poor muſt work, I need not tell you. But,Great Augusſtus. great Auguſtus Caeſar, ſet his daughters to Spin and Card: and ware no Garments but what They made him. Rich Rebekah (it ſeems) was a Rare Cook††Gen. 27. 9Gen 27:9. And her mother Sarah **Gen. 18.6Gen 18:6. And Tamar the Kings Daughter††2 Sam. 13.6.2 Sam 13:6. They had not the Art to Seek when they had occaſion to Uſe it. And theſe things were written for our Learning **Ro. 15.4.Rom 15:4. But our delicate Damſels now a dayes, would ware Rebekahs Bracelets, but not bare her Pitcher††Gen. 24.15.Gen 24:15. And put on Tamars Coat of divers Colours, but not put their hands into her Kneading Trough.**2 Sa. 13.8.2 Sam 13:8

Fath.

But me thinks you Tie up Children very Strictly. Solomon ſeems to allow more Liberty. What elſe means he by this Text?††Ecl. 11.9.

Min.

Not to give Liberty, for Vanity. Not to adde Fuel to the Fire of youthfull luſts. But this is an Ironical ſpeech, i e, by way of Deriſion.Ironie. And ſo ſometime would Chriſt ſpeak to his Own Diſciples. e g, Sleep on now, and take your Reſt **Mat. 26.45.Matt 26:45: q d, If you like it, with ſo many Halberts about your Heads. If God ſpeak to the Wicked, Ironically; he ſpeaks Judicially. e g, God forbad Balaam to go with Balak's Meſſengers††Nu. 22.12, 19, 20, 31. yet he detains them for a Further Anſwer from God. And he Hath it,Wo to him that God bids go againſt his Will. God ſaid, Go with them: q d, I know thy fingers Itch after Balak's Money-Bag: Go, q d, if thou p. 92Dareſt, and then meets him with a Drawn Sword. Thus Micajah to Ahab: Go up and proſper ††1 K. 22.15, when it was to periſh. Thus Elijah to Baals Prophets, who were howling for help: O Baal hear us **Ch. 18.26. Cry Aloud, ſaith Elijah, for he is a god: either he is Talking, or he is Purſuing, or he is in a Journey, or peradventure he Sleepeth, and muſt be Awaked ††ver. 27.If men will mock GOD, God will mock Men. God bids men Pray: they Play. God bids men Faſt, and Mourn: they Feaſt, and Rejoyce. God bids men run to Heaven: they run to Hell. God bids men, Give diligence to make ſure of Election, and Salvation: they are diligent to make ſure of Rejection,If men will be Croſſe, they will be Croſſed. and Damnation. This preſumption provokes God to ſpeak Ironically, Angerly, and in Indignation: and to give counſel Contrary to Salvation. Thus Solomon, Rejoyce, Let thy heart cheer thee, Walk in the wayes of thy heart: q d, Seeing thou Wilt do ſo, whether God will or No. But know Thou, that for all theſe things God will bring thee into judgment **Ecl. 11.9. Here is the biting [But] at laſt: q d, But God will Hale thee to Judgment, if it be Never ſo much againſt the Hair, and the Heart too with thee.Simile. As a man to a wilfull child, who will not go to School, but to Play: [Go, take your courſe: but, I will make it Dear Play to you.] Now if the Youth will ſincerely deſire to know what Solomon means in good Earneſt, that they may hear God ſpeak p. 93Mercifully, and not Judicially. Then, Rejoyce: is Repent. Let thy heart Cheer thee: is, Let thy ſins Grieve thee. Walk in the wayes of thy Heart: is, Walk in the wayes of Gods Own Heart. And thus is this Text reconciled to, Remember thy Creatour in the dayes of thy youth††Ecl. 12.1.

Third. Teach them to be of Good Behaviour.] Such as becomes the Children of Men.Docu. 3. Comely Carriage. And of Parents profeſſing Godlineſſe. Such Carriage as becomes the Children, of the Children of God. Teach them to honour their Parents. Their Neighbours. And Strangers. That ſalutation of Abrahams ſervant to Rebekah, and her reſpectfull reply to his Petition: is recorded as an Ornament to both He and She. viz, let me (I pray the) drink a little water of thy Pitcher.] And ſhe ſaid, Drink my Lord, and I will draw water for thy Camels alſo **Gen. 24. 17, 18, 19.Gen 24:17Gen 24:18Gen 24:19. Teach them to honour the Aged. Thou ſhalt riſe up before the Hoary head, and honour the face of the Old man ††Lev. 19.32.Lev 19:32. For the Child to be have himſelf proudly againſt the Ancient: is ſpoken of as a Judgment**1 Sa. 2.7.1 Sam 2:7 Take heed they do not deſpiſe the Poor. Whoſo mocketh the Poor, reproacheth his Maker ††Pro. 17.5.Prov 17:5the Lord maketh Poor **1 Sa. 2.7.1 Sam 2:7. Let them not deſpiſe the Lame, the Blind, the Crooked, the Deformed. Theſe are Gods Workmanſhip. God hath made them for his Glory: and not for Objects of Scorn, and Contempt, for their Fellow Creatures. Dread the thoughts of their deſpiſing p. 94the Godly.A Sad Monument. Let parents remember that Monument of Vengeance: viz, Two Bears taring 42 children at Once, for mocking of One godly man††2 Kin. 2.24.2 Kgs 2:24 Barren Michael hath Too many children in England, to mock at holy Habits, and Excerciſes of godlineſſe**2 Sa. 6.20.2 Sam 6:20 Noah could not build an Ark without a Mock. But they had Done mocking when they ſtood on Tip-toe, on the Top of the Mountains,Mocker, Remember this. up to the Mouth in Water. And God will have a Time to Stop, every mocking mouth.A Sad Shame. In the mean time (to the SHAME of their Parents be it ſpoken) there are Multitudes of Children in England, who have No more Chriſtiauity, nor Civility, than if they were the Off-ſpring of Indians and Pagans: or the Seed of Savage Wild Beaſts of the Wilderneſſe.

Fourth.Docu. 4. Care of Health. Have a Special Care of their Health.] Endeavour to prevent Diſeaſes, which come by infected Houſes, or Perſons. Or by Idleneſſe, and want of Exerciſe. Or by Heats and Colds. By going too thin Cloathed, or Wet. By any ill Diet in Food. Or by eating Unripe Fruits: as Apples, Pears, Plums, Cheries. Or over many Ripe. Thus ſome ſuffer their Children, to ſhorten their Dayes: and to be ſent to their Long Home, Long before their Time.

Fift.Docu. 5. Gaſualty. Beware of, and Dread the danger of Sudden Death.] By falling into Rivers, Brooks Ponds, Wells, ſtanding Open, or with Rotten Covers. By climbing, and falling from p. 95Ladders, Trees, Leads on the houſe Top.London! Look to it. Or out at Wide windows, or Caſements. By Timber, Stones, Bricks, falling on them. By Coaches, Carts, Cars, Horſes. By Swallowing any thing Perilous. And let parents that count theſe Cautions Ridiculous, take heed God do not give them more cauſe to Cry by ſuffering their children to Periſh: then I do give them cauſe to Laugh by ſeeking to Save and Preſerve them.

Sixt. Teach them to have a care of evil Company, and evil Counſel.]Docu. 6. Ill company. An evil Companion, is an evil Counſeller: and an evil Counſeller is an evil Companion: one is Both, and they are both One, as unſeparable. Give warning of this Gulf, with wiſe Solomon. My ſon, if ſinners entice thee conſent thou Not ††Pro. 1.10.11.Prov 1:10Prov 1:11. If they ſay, Come: it's the Devils call to a match of miſchief. Let us all have one Purſe **ver. 14.: proves to be all one Gallows. Evil Company, and evil Counſel, hath deſtroyed many a one with a Double deſtruction: Body and Soul, both at once. An evil Counſeller,As evil as the Devil. will ſpeak Death in at the Ear, as the DEVIL at firſt did. Evil Counſel is enough to bring the KING of a Nation to Confuſion, and Deſtruction. I have read of a king,A Kings Confeſſion who confeſſed at his Execution, that ſuch Evil Inſtruments brought him to the Block.

Evil diſcourſe Infects: How oft is Death? Blown into Souls, by an Infectious Breath.

p. 96Seventh.Docu. 7. Reſtraint. Take heed of allowing them too much Liberty, to wander abroad upon Pleaſure.] Dinah muſt go Gadding to ſee the daughters of the Land: and ſhe comes home Deſlowed††Gen. 34.1.Gen 34:1. And much more miſchief follows. Simeon and Levi in their curſed anger, Kill their Confederates, whom they had Coozened into a Covenant**Ver. 25. And it was a wonder, that Damſels walk did not end in the Deſtruction of Jacob, and his Houſe, as he feared††Ver. 30.. I may ſay to you, as Paul bid the Coloſſians ſay to Archippus: viz, Take heed to the miniſtry which thou haſt received in the Lord that thou fulfill it **Col. 4.17.Col 4:17. Every parent is an Archippus, who hath received a Miniſtry of the Lord in Charge for children. Archippus is a Greek word, which ſignifies, A governour of horſes.] Children are Wild Colts††Job 11.12Job 11:12, who when grown Head-ſtrong, will not regard the crying of the driver **Job 39.7.Job 39:7. ¶ Sir, you ſhould ſeriouſly conſider what a Roaring Lyon the Devil is††1 Pet. 5.8.1 Pet 5:8: and how diligently he deviſeth to Devour your children. And that it's not your Own converſion that will prove their preſervation, from Temporal, or Eternal deſtruction: but Their godly education. God hath ſworn that, Noah, Daniel, and Job, ſhall deliver neither Son nor Daughter by their Own righteouſneſſe **Ezek. 14.20.Ezek 14:20. It's not parents imputative righteouſneſſe for Juſtification, nor inherent righteouſneſſe for Sanctification, that will Save their children. But it's p. 97their righteouſneſſe in Converſation, viz, Godly Education, by which they muſt become their Saviours. It's not the Converſion of a Father, nor of an Emperour, that can ſecure a poor child from Satan the Devourer. And therefore a Child was he who cryed out for joy at the Emperours converſion: [O! the Emperour is a Chriſtian!] q d,Emperour Now we ſhall have Halcion dayes, a Heaven upon Earth.] To whom a wiſer perſon thus replyed, But the DEVIL is not a Chriſtian yet.] And ſo long as he is not Converted, nor Confined to the bottomleſſe pit: Chriſtians muſt look for No leſſe miſchief then he can do Them and Theirs too. He will go to the End of his Bounds, to a Hairs Breadth … And here let me adde this Caution,Caution] … …hen your children are under Convictions, enquire into Satans Temptations. For if once the children be come to the Birth, it will be (on the Devils part) a day of Rebuke and Blaſphemy ††2 Kin. 19.3.2 Kgs 19:3[Rebuke] to Conviction, Convertion, Faith, Hope, Prayer: q d, It's too Soon, thou art too Young, or too Good, to need ſuch a Change. Or, its too Late, thou art too Old, and too Wicked to be ſaved. [Blaſphemy] by ſuch ſuggeſtions from SATAN, againſt GOD, CHRIST, the Spirit of grace, that the foul may think Unpardonable. The Sum of all which is, (1) to make a ſoul Secure, and Preſume on ſalvation Without converſion: or (2) to drive a ſoul to Deſpair of ſalvation With converſion.

p. 98Eight.Docu. 8. Examination. Take an Acount of your childrens Practices, Purpoſes, Pretences.] Even a Child is known by his Doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right **Pto. 20.11.. The neglect of this Duty had like to loſt David's Life. Abſalom intends Rebellion, and he pretends Religion: I pray thee let me go and pay my Vow which I Vowed to the Lord in Hebron ††2 Sam. 15.7.2 Sam 15:7. And the King ſaid, Go in peace **Ver. 9.. Poor David! Ah pitifull reply! David ſhould have Sifted the buſineſſe about, q d, How now! what, Vow a Vow to the Lord, and defer to pay it for 40 Years!††Ver. 7. what fiery Fit is this you are fallen into? how comes it to paſſe you are Now ſo conſcionable who have been So long careleſſe?] Had David been Conſiderate, Abſaloms deſign had been Fruſ…. But David makes No more to do: Go in peace, q d, Abſalom is in a Very good mind, I hope he will Now be a Comfort to me.] A way goes Abſalom, to make War with his father. This turns David's Tune: his Harp into mourning**Job 30.31.Job 30:31: Behold my Son, which came forth of my bowels ſeeks my Life ††2 Sam. 16, 11.2 Sam 16:11And beſides Abſalom's Death, and David's Dolorous Grief: this cauſes a Slaughter of Twenty Thouſand men. That Phraſe hath Too much foundation: In nomine Domini incipit omne malum.

Ninth.Docu. 9. Partiality. Take heed of fond Partiality.] It's of evil Conſequence. It ſets that Root which bears Gall**Deu. 29.18.Deut 29:18. And ſets children together by p. 99the Ears. And makes them Murder one another. e g, Iſaac loved Eſau, but Rebekah loved Jacob ††Gen. 29.28.Gen 29:28Iſaac called Eſau HIS ſon **Ch. 27.1.: and Rebekah ſpake to Jacob HER ſon ††Ver. 6.. Eſau was Iſaacs boy: Jacob was Rebekahs boy. What is the fruit of this parental partiality? even Eſau's Partiality and Enmity to his Father, Mother and Brother. Eſau hated Jacob, q d, He hath All my mothers heart: ſhe hath None for Me: and I will have as little for Her. The dayes of mourning for my father are at hand, then will I Slay my brother Jacob **Ver. 41.. q d, Not while my loving Father lives, to grieve him: but when he is Dead, and my mother under Dolour: I will Double it by my brothers Murder. She thinks Birth-right, and Bleſſing, and All too little for him: but he ſhall not Long enjoy it, nor She him. At Eſau's threat, Jacob flees for his Life: yet takes not Warning, but loves Joſeph more than All his children††Gen. 37.3.Gen 37:3 For which Love, his brethren Hate him: conſpire to Slay him: and Sell him into Egypt, to his fathers Sorrow. And Gods Providence in this, will not juſtifie Jacobs inordinate Affection: nor his ſons evil Action. N B. Children can quarrell Too ſoon of their own Heads: though parents ſet them not together by the Ears. e g. Two Brothers walked abroad in a Star-light night. Said A: A Sad Story,Would I had a Paſture as large as this Element. Said B. Would I had as many Oxen as there be Stars. p. 100Said A: Mr Jer Burroughs, and Camerarius.Where would you feed them all? Said B: In your Paſture. A, What whether I will or no? B, Yes whether you will or no. A, What in Spight of me? B, Yes in Spight of you. And thus from Words to Blows: till they Sheathed their Swords in each others Bowels. Let Parents N B. The firſt murder in the World recorded in Scripture, was between two Brothers: becauſe One was reſpected, not the Other. Becauſe God countenances Abel, Cain kills him**Gen. 4.Gen 4. God may Love one brother, and Hate another: but this is no Rule for Father or Mother. And theſe are Ancient Things ††1 Ch. 4.22 Docu. 10. To take heed of Smooth Tongues..

Tenth. Teach them to take heed of being Deceived.] Learn them to be Very Wary of fair falſe Pretences, and Promiſes: and Satanical Subtilties, of Smooth Tongues. e g, [Your Servant Sir, at your Command] and a Thouſand Gingles.] When [your Servant] ſeeks to ſerve Himſelf, and to Swallow up Him,Curſed Complements. and his Subſtance, whom he thus Curſedly complements. Caution your children to be Very Wary of the Wicked Wits of the world. What ſayth the Scripture, of theſe Subtil Serpents? Their belly Prepareth deceit **Job. 15.35Job 15:35. The man's mind is a Shop of deceit, where it's Framed as by an Artificer, and Tools. It's a Work-houſe, and a Store-houſe, for, he he Layeth up deceit within him ††Pro. 26.24.Prov 26:24. He hath it Ready for an Opportunity: and then what the p. 101Mind hath prepared, the Tongue utters, and the Hands act.] His mouth is Full of deceit **Pſal. 10.7Ps 10:7. If one pretence will not take, he hath another. And if Specious Pretences, and Audacious Promiſes will not prevail: he will ſhew [Sorrow] that there is ſo much Deceit in the world: and [Fear] that it will fare the worſe with Honeſt men for Knaves. He will tell you, he would not have you Truſt him, if you do at All ſuſpect him. For though your Goods or Money be Never ſo ſafe in his hand: it may cauſe Fear, and Diſquiet, which he would by No means occaſion. And this is Very Effectual.] Bread of deceit is Sweet ††Pro. 20.17. Secret ſin is the Devil's Inn.Prov 20:17: this entices him to his Trade. But when he eats the Sweet in Secret, the Devil is at Inn in his Heart. And let him not think to Dine with the DEVIL, and Sup with a Saint and an Angel: for afterward his mouth ſhall be Filled with gravel: to trouble the Teeth till they Gnaſh, and torment the Conſcience to Eternity. David, deprecates a deceitfull tongue: prayes for deliverance From it: and is at a loſſe for a Plague, Bad enough For it. What ſhall be given to thee? or what ſhall be done to thee thou falſe tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, Deeply piercing and wounding: Coals of Juniper **Pſal. 120.2, 3, 4.Ps 120:2Ps 120:3Ps 120:4, i e, Fierce, and long laſting Fire. In the mean time, True Men ſuffer by Falſe Tongues: viz, in Goods, Good-name, Life and all: for, Death and Life are in the power of the Tongue ††Pro. 18.21.Prov 18:21. [Death] p. 102by pleading Againſt a man: as them two ſons of Belial againſt Naboth **1 K. 21.13. [Life] by pleading For a man: as Iſrael for Jonathan ††1 Sa. 14.45.1 Sam 14:45. [Death] in a mans Own Tongue, as Adonijah, who ſpake againſt his Own Life**1 K. 2.23.. And ſometime by words drawn out by an Enemy, in Policy. Take heed (ſay ſome) thy Own Tongue, do not cut thy Own Throat.] In a word,Arabick Proverb. there is World of deceit in the world. Sir, it concerns you Seriouſly to conſider it: and to teach them to be as wiſe as Serpents, who muſt have to do with Devils. Such a one was one [Squire] a Papiſt ſent from Spain to Poyſon Q Elizabeth: who, when to that End he was ſecretly poyſoning the Pummel of her Sadle,A white Devil. prayed Aloud ſaying, GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

Eleventh. Get good Trades,Docu. 11. Good Trades or wayes of Lively-hood for your children.] that they may be Subſtantial, and not need to be Supported by others. Friends are apt to Fail: truſt not in them††Mica. 7.5. Brittle mettal.. Uſe them as Venice-glaſſes, i e, Very warily, and lean on them, Very lightly. Nothing coſts Dearer then Some mens Gifts. The donours Geeſe are ſuch Swan: he knows not When he is Satisfied. Freehearted Hiram (who was ever a lover of David **1 K. 5.1.) ſupplies Solomon with Wood for Building††ver. 10.: for which Solomon gives him 20 Cities**Chap. 9.11.: and who would have thought of a word of Diſcord between them two. Hiram comes to ſee them, he is Diſpleaſed††Ver. 12.: What Cities p. 103are theſe thou haſt given me my brother? **Ver. 13.q d, Here be Cities indeed! and he called them foreign Cabul Diſpleaſing,] of foreign Fetters.] They were too Straight to fill his Heart: it would hold 20 more. His heart was ſo much Larger than his Liberty, that he was as Fettered, and Priſoned in his Palaces. And ſo they were Diſpleaſing: Cabul to this Day: they Never pleaſed him.

Fath.

What Trades do you commend to me for my children?

Min.

I have not skill to chooſe Trades for children: but I will give you a Caution.Caution. Take heed how you judge of the Goodneſſe of a Trade, by the Greatneſſe, or Gain of a Trade. To make the Greatneſſe, or Gain of a trade, an argument for the Goodneſſe of a trade: may be Antiſcriptural, and Heatheniſh. Demetrius, the Silver-ſmith, had a Trade of No ſmal Gain: it was not therefore Good††Act. 19.24.Acts 19:24. The godly muſt eye Gods Glory, more than their own Gain. And the Publick good, of Church and State.A good Trade. That is a Good Trade by which the body Lives, and with which the ſoul Thrives, and grows Rich: and by which the Times are in ſome meaſure Mended, and the Devil Troubled. His ſervants, Sanbalat, and Tobiah were Grieved that there was a man come to ſeek the Welfare of Iſrael **Neh. 2.10. A good ground of Bad grief.Neh 2:10. It's better to be a grief to ſuch Sanbalats, becauſe we do Good, and grow Good: than to be a grief to them, becauſe we grow Great. p. 104Tell your children, they are not the Richeſt who have moſt of the World, in their Poſſeſſions, Purſes, and Houſes: but they who have moſt of the Word, Spirit, and Golden Grace of God in their Hearts. And they are not the Wiſeſt who are Ever ſeeking that which will Never ſatisfie, if Never ſo much be obtained: but they who ſeek that which will Sweetly Satisfie, and Eternally Content.

Fath.

But I hope there is no Hurt in Riches, though they be not a Heaven upon Earth, to afford full ſatisfaction.

Min.

No HURT! wiſe Solomon was not of your opinion. There is a ſore evil which I have ſeen under the ſun, viz, Riches kept For the owners thereof to their Hurt ††Ecl. 5.13.. It's a Wonder if the worldling charge not the wiſe man with Folly, or the Printer with Error: ſaying, Surely it is to be read [kept From them to their Hurt.] For this is all his Fear: to have them kept For him, is all his Care: though it be to his Hurt. How to his Hurt? Silver is not Sin: Pearls are not Poyſon. No, but for mans Sin, the Ground out of which they come is Curſed**Gen. 3.17Gen 3:17. Ground is comprehenſive: All curſed to the wicked.Simile As Paint proves not one to be of a good Complexion: Proſperity proves not one to be in a good Condtion. That Gingle [God hath bleſſed ſuch a man with a Great eſtate:]The ſound of a London Cymbal. hath made my Ears to Tingle. For, in Truth, he being Carnal [God hath p. 105Curſed ſuch a man with a Great eſtate.] To ſay [The man is grown Rich] is too Plain, for our Faſhionable Profeſſors: therefore the Speech muſt be Adorned with [God hath Bleſſed.] And then this Fine Phraſe, for mans Ornament and Gods Honour: is a taking the Lords name in Vain, and a Very Lie. Whether or no the Perſon be bleſſed, is not by ſuch conſidered. But if I will know whether the Eſtate be bleſſed, I muſt know whether the Perſon be bleſſed. If a Perſon be curſed, his Eſtate is curſed, both Perſonal, and Real, and All to his Hurt. The fault is not in a mans good Goods, Land, or Houſe: but in his bad Heart. The miſchief lyes not in the Lump of riches, but in the Love of riches. If the Lump of riches gets into the Houſe, the Love of riches gets into the Heart. If a man love the World, he loves not God††1 Jo. 2.151 John 2:15. What a man loves not, is not his god: his Goods are his gods: then no wonder if God do Curſe, him and his gods together. ¶ 2) Nor was a wiſer than Solomon of your opinion, viz, Jeſus. Verily I ſay unto you, that a Rich man ſhall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. And again I ſay unto you, It is Eaſier for a Camel to go through the Eye of a Needle, than for a Rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God **Mat. 19.23, 24.Matt 19:23Matt 19:24. At this the Diſciples were ſo Amazed, that (I ſuppoſe) if great eſtates had then been Offered to them, they durſt not have Owned them. p. 106They ſeem to Faint under the Fear of being Rich.A rare fear. Strange men! Many fear Poverty: Few fear Plenty. Many fear they ſhall be Poor: but who is afraid he ſhall be Rich? this is the moſt Dangerous condition: the Mean is moſt Deſireable: Give me neither Poverty nor Riches ††Pro. 30.8.Prov 30:8. ¶ 3) Nor was that Perſon of your opinion, who gave away his Goods, that he might be the Lighter to climb up Jacob's Ladder: i e,Crates's concluſion with his Coin. into Heaven. ¶ 4) Nor was Crates of your mind, who took his Money and threw it into the Sea: ſaying, [I will deſtroy Thee, leſt thou deſtroy Me.] But he was much of your mind, who being at Sea in a Sinking Ship, ſuddenly fills his Pockets, and Boſom, with Silver and Gold, as faſt as he could. And thus in a few minutes he made himſelf Very Rich.The Rich poor wretch. But, ſteeping out of the Sinking Ship, into the Swimming Boat, he was ſo Weighty with his Wealth that he ſtept Short, and Sank into the Sea, and was Never ſeen more. If not money, yet, the Love of money, is the Root of All evil **1 Tim. 6.10.1 Tim 6:10: an Expreſſion as if ſpoken of the Devil. If no hurt in the Love of money, there is no hurt in the DEVIL, nor any hurt in Hell.

Fath.

HA!

OH Maſter!Min. Madam! Maiden! is it Meet

To ſet thy Heart where Beaſts do ſet their Feet?

It's not untruly Said if you be Told:

You dig for Droſſe, with Mattocks made of Gold.

p. 107Affections are too Precious to beſtow:

Upon the New-things, No-things here below.

The Eagle Scorns to fall down from on High:

The Proverb ſaith, to catch the ſilly Fly.

And can a Chriſtian leave the love of GOD?

To love the Ground, and cleave unto a Clod.

Like him at Sea, who did his Cabbin Sweep:

When All was going Down into the Deep.

Or like the ſilly Bird, that to her neſt:

Is carrying Moſſe, and never is at reſt.

Till feather'd well it be, but doth not See

The Ax below, that's hewing down the Tree.

Twelfth. If it ſhall pleaſe God to bleſſe Education for Converſion,docu. 12. Concerning. Marriage. or to convert your children by other means:] Give not a child in Marriage to one that is Wicked, or without a work of Grace. Marriage is a very Solemn thing: in which Parents ſhould be very Serious. Abraham was old, and he ſaid to his ſervant that ruled his houſe, Put I pray thee thy hand under my thigh: and I will make thee ſwear by the LORD, the God of Heaven, and the God of the Earth, that thou ſhalt not take a Wife unto my Son of the daughters of the Canaanites ††Gen. 24.1Gen 24:1. It's probable Abraham remembred the Ruin, unlawfull marriages brought upon the Old World. The ſons of God **Gen. 6.2.Gen 6:2] i e, which were of the Church of God: the poſterity of Seth foreign Put] in Abel's ſtead, whom Cain ſlew††Ch. 4.25.. Saw the daughters of men] i e, Cain's poſterity. [They took them,] and forthwith are called [Fleſh, **Ch. 6.3.] & threatned with p. 108a Flood to deſtroy all fleſh. And it's probable, the ſons of men took the daughters of God too: and ſo made the greater mixture, and more Apoſtates, as the word foreign Giants] ſignifies, coming of foreign To fall††Ver. 4.. See what an End the ſon of the Iſraelitiſh woman (whoſe father was an Egyptian) came to. She learn'd him to Speak: he learn'd him to Blaſheme: for which he is Stoned to Death**Lev. 24.10.Lev 24:10. The Jews married wives of Aſhdod ††Neh. 13.23.Neh 13:23: and their children ſpake Half in the ſpeech of Aſhdod **Ver. 24.. Their fathers learn'd them to ſpeak like Jews, and Hebrews: and their mothers learn'd them to ſpeak like Heathens: i e, to Swear, and Curſe, for which their parents were Curſed††Ver. 25.. What an unparallel'd wicked perſon is a Husband (ſometime) by reaſon of a wicked Wife. There was None like Ahab, who did ſell himſelf to work wickedneſſe in the ſight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife ſtirred up **1 Kin. 21.25.1 Kgs 21:25. Jehoram ſlew all his brethren with the Sword, and ſlew the Princes of Iſrael††2 Chro. 21.4.2 Chr 21:4, and wrought evil in the eyes of the Lord, for he had the daughter of Ahab to Wife **Ver. 6.. Theſe kinds of Contracts are called Treachery: their ſeed called Strange children††Ho. 5.7.: and the Parents appointed to Periſh. Judah hath dealt treacherouſly, hath married the daughter of a ſtrange god: the Lord will Cut Off the man that doth this **Mal. 2.11, 12.Mal 2:11Mal 2:12. And if you ſay, What is this to us in England? they were Heathens: Paul p. 109provides you an anſwer: Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers ††2 Cor. 6.14.2 Cor 6:14. If unbelievers, it ſignifies Nothing to be Proteſtants and Profeſſors. Such contracts of believers and unbelievers (being as contrary to God as Darkneſs to Light) I conclude are of the Devil. He hath (ſometime) No ſuch infallible way to Ruin a Chriſtian as this. Then he tempts ſome one of his Servants to love ſuch a one. And ſends him with his Suit:A bargain from the bottomleſs pit. dreſſed up with his Tongue tipt with Goodly Talk. Deceitfully addicted to Sermons. To praiſe the beſt Preachers. To complain of Sin. In all points to feign a Conformity to Chriſtianity. If it will not do, great Love, and Trouble is profeſſed. And it will be his Death: or he ſhall Drown himſelf, if his deſire be denyed. But if granted, ſhe ſhall have what Liberty ſhe will. Ask ſuch a Shechem Never ſo much Dowry, he will give it, let him but have the Damſel to wife††Gen. 34.12.Gen 34:12. And when the Devils will is Done, and they be once One, they are ſoon Two. Then ſhe is Frowned upon, and Frumpt, and Fiſted, and excluded at the door. She would not hear God's warning Word, and ſhew ſhall feel Gods ſcourging rod. It ſhall be a Serpent, a Scorpion, a Plague. Better be bound Hand and Foot, to a Dead body, and burried Alive, than thus married. Chriſtians are Strangely ſtupified when careleſſe of Gods Word, in ſuch a Weighty concern. And they ſhall be Strangely puniſhed, to be awakened, p. 110and humbled: and Happy they if ever ſaved. Yea, Happy are they, if they may have the happineſſe, to go through a Hell upon earth, to Heaven.

Fath.

How if my child make a Promiſe to ſuch a Perſon, Before I know it.

Min.

Then you muſt break it After you know it: and the Lord ſhall forgive it**Nu. 30.3, 4, 5..

¶ To all which of Education, I adde theſe two Exhortations,For childrens Children. for Time to come. (1) If you Live to it, and have Time, and Opportunity for it: Teach your childrens Children††Deu. 4.9.Deut 4:9. Let them be brought upon your Knees, to that End. Not to take their parents work out of their hands: but to help them on in this Great good work [Education.] While you live, think not your Time too much for GOD: were it to our-laſt the age of Methuſelah. But (2) Live or Die, Lay a very ſolemn Injunction upon your children, to teach Their children. And to lay the like Injunction on their children, to teach Their children. Thus leave an Inheritance to your childrens Children††Pro. 13.22.Prov 13:22. Make your practice profitable to Poſterity, to convey converſion from Generation to Generation: that Religion may run in a Blood, and flouriſh in your Families throughout All generations: ſo long as the Sun and Moon endures. Theſe Scriptures do not ſtand for Cyphers, which I will only relate, and leave with you to Ponder at leaſure. p. 111Hear me, I will declare that which Wiſe men have told from their Fathers, and have not hid it **Job 15.18Job 15:18. I will utter dark ſayings of old: which we have heard and known: and our Fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their Children, ſhewing the generation to Come the praiſes of the Lord. For he eſtabliſhed a Teſtimony in Jacob, and appointed a Law in Iſrael, which he commanded our Fathers, that they ſhould make them known to their Children. That the generation to Come might know them, even the Children which ſhould be born: who ſhould ariſe and declare them to Their children ††Pſal. 78.2. to 7.Ps 78:2–7. Hear ye Children the inſtruction of a Father, &c. For I was my Fathers ſon: he taught. Me alſo, &c**Pro. 4.1, 3, 4.Prov 4:1Prov 4:3Prov 4:4. The father to the children, SHALL make known thy Truth ††Iſa. 38.19Isa 38:19. When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt firſt in thy Grand-mother Lois, and thy Mother Eunice, and I am perſwaded that in thee alſo **2 Tim. 1.5.2 Tim 1:5. The Elder to the Elect Lady and her Children, whom I love in the truth: for the truths ſake which dwelleth in us and ſhall be with us for ever. I rejoyced greatly that I found of thy Children walking in Truth, as we have received a Commandment from the Father ††2 Job. 1, 2, 4.Job 1:2Job 1:4. Thoſe things which are revealed belong unto Ʋs, and to our Children for Ever **Deu. 29.29.Deut 29:29.

Fath.

Now Sir I ſuppoſe we are at an end.

Min.

NO no, the great work is yet behind.

Fath.

A great Work behind STILL! what is That, I wonder?

p. 112Min.

It's PRAYER Parent!Prayer for a Bleſſing. PRAYER! for a Bleſſing upon [Inſtruction] by Doctrin and Example: and upon [Correction,] by Word and Rod: that Education may end in Salvation. N B, Let Prayer and Endeavour be linked together. He that Prayes, and not Endeavours, mocks God. He that Endeavours, and not Prayes, mocks himſelf. Prayer is to be performed with much Frequency, Fervency, and Solemnity. You are to be very Serious when by inſtruction and correction, you ſpeak to a Child: how much more Serious and Solemn, when by prayer you ſpeak to God. Thus pray; FOR them, and WITH them.

Firſt.Pray, For children. FOR them.] Lift up prayer, as for children that ſtick in the Birth: when there is not ſtrength to bring forth††2 Kin. 19.3, 4.2 Kgs 19:32 Kgs 19:4 Lift up thy hands for the life of thy young children **Lam. 2.19.Lam 2:19. Pray, For them, as if they were at point of Death. Pray, For them, as if they were at brink of Hell. Pray, For them, as if they were poſſeſſed with the DEVIL. e g. Maſter, I Beſeech thee look upon my Son, for he is my OnelyOnly child. And lo a ſpirit taketh him, and he ſuddenly cryeth out ††Luk. 9.38, 39.Luke 9:38Luke 9:39. And oft-times it hath caſt him into the Fire, and into the Waters to deſtroy him **Mar. 9.22 The poor mans prayer improved.Mark 9:22. Improve this thus. LORD have mercy on my child! an evil ſpirit is in him, and he cries out Rudely, and Wickedly. And it oft caſteth him into the Fire: of Fury, of Envie, of p. 113Luſt. And into the Waters: of Sinfull Pleaſures, of Drunkenneſſe: the water of danger of Drowning, and Damning. And I brought him to thy Diſciples, and they could not cure him ††Mat. 15.16.Matt 15:16. So you, q d, I have brought him to the Sermon, and to ſuch a Diſciple to Document him, reprove, convince, convert and recover him: and Still he lies at the Point of death: LORD come down ere my child die **Job. 4.49.Job 4:49. Help from Heaven is the Point, parents muſt Come to, and Prevail for: or their children go down to Hell.

¶ And to encourage you,Ten Con. Conſider how Prevalent, prayer hath Been: and what great things it hath Done. e g. ¶ 1) Prayer hath made the Sun and Moon, to Stand ſtill††Joſ. 10.12Josh 10:12. ¶ 2) It hath made the Sun go Backward**2 K. 20.10.. ¶ 3) hath fetched Fire, from Heaven††1 Kin. 18.36, 37, 38.1 Kgs 18:361 Kgs 18:371 Kgs 18:38. ¶ 4) hath fetched Water, from Heaven**Jam. 5.18Jas 5:18. ¶ 5) hath fetched a Soul, from Heaven††Act. 9.40.Acts 9:40. ¶ 6) hath fetched an ANGEL, from Heaven**Jud. 13.8Judg 13:8. ¶ 7) It hath fetched GOD, from Heaven††Pſal. 18.6, 9.Ps 18:6Ps 18:9. ¶ 8) It hath fetched a Perſon, out of Priſon: who was Guarded, and Chained, and ſhut in with an Iron Gate**Act. 12.4, 5, 6, 10.Acts 12:4Acts 12:5Acts 12:6Acts 12:10. ¶ 9) It hath helped a Soul, out of a Hell upon earth: even out of All trouble††Pſal. 116.3, 4, 8.Ps 116:3Ps 116:4Ps 116:8. ¶ 10) It hath held Gods Hands from deſtroying**Exo. 32.10.Exod 32:10: and hath prevailed with God for Special bleſſing††Gen. 32.28.Gen 32:28. As a Prince had Jacob power with God, and prevailed. He kneeled down Jacob, and roſe up Iſrael. A Divine Dignity. He took his brother by the heel in the p. 114Womb, and by his ſtrength he had power with GOD: yea he had power over the ANGEL and prevailed. Even the Lord God of Hoſts, the Lord is his Memorial **Ho. 12.3, 4, 5.. Godlineſſe is a Myſtery: there is no trade like Beggery. Carnal beggery at Mans door is a Poor trade: but ſpiritual beggery at GOD's gate is a Rich trade.A rich Trade. A praying Chriſtian is like a Courtier: who gets more by One ſuit in Seaſon;Simile than a toyling Trades man gets in 20 years. A little of God's Gold got by prayer, is worth more than a Great many Guinys. ¶ PRAY then with All perſeverance, leſt you play the Hypocrites part. Of him, Job gives you a Character in a Quaere: viz, Will he alwayes call upon God? ††Job 27.10.Job 27:10NOT He. God ſhall hear from him in Hell**Lu. 16.24. And it may be (firſt) in the hour of Death. He will cry when God kills him††Pſ. 78.34 Simile.Ps 78:34: like the Swine, when the Knife is at his throat. It was a ſad Argument, that Atheiſt uſed in his [one prayer] at Sea in a Tempeſt: when he told God plainly [He was no common begger,Heylyn foreign, p 376. had never troubled him with prayer before, & if he would but hear him that time, he would never trouble him again.] This argument which he thought to be two-fold For him, he little thought to be ten thouſand-fold Againſt him.

Fath.

How oft in a day had I beſt to pray, that I may perſevere?

Min.

As to your Time and Times in a Day for private prayer,] if you will take my Counſel, p. 115follow David's Example: viz,Times for private prayer. Three times a day: Evening and Morning, and at Noon will I pray ††Pſ. 55.17.Ps 55:17. And Daniel's example: he kneeled upon his knees Three times a Day, and prayed **Dan. 6.10Dan 6:10. And for a Type of our looking to Jeſus in prayer, his windows ſhall ſtand open towards Jeruſalem, though Death come in at them, and carry him into the Lions Den. Daniel will Pray though he go into the Lions Den for it. Some will not Pray,Some do as Dives did: Periſh firſt, and then Pray. though they go into the Dungeon of Hell for it. And though Daniel's prayer did not keep him Out of the lions den, it kept him In the lions den: which was to God a greater Glory, and to Daniel a greater Mercy, and to his enemies a greater Miſery, than if he had Never come there. It was a Perilous time for Prayer. Daniel's ſafety ſeems to lay in laying a Bed, and laying prayer Down till the 30 Dog-dayes be out††Dan. 6.7, Daniels ſafe danger.Dan 6:7. N B. In the moſt Perilous time for Prayer, then it is moſt Safe to be in that Peril of prayer. The danger layes in the Neglect of prayer: take heed of That. I have read of a Witch who much envied a godly man:Of the Witch. and ſent her Imps oft times to deſtroy him. But they uſually returned with this anſwer [We cannot come at him, for he conſtantly prayes to God.] At length he (being in Haſt) went out one morning without prayer. And that day they did him a greater miſchief than Daniel's Devils did him in the Lions Den: viz, p. 116brake ſome of his Bones. This the Witch confeſſed when impriſoned.Mr Haſt. Remember this that morning [Mr Haſt] is ſo great a Husband, as to call you out before you have been in your Cloſet.

Firſt worſhip God: he that forgets to Pray:

Bids not himſelf, Good Morrow, nor Good Day.

Fath.

It would make a man afraid. But I believe many go out in the morning without prayer, and come Safe home at night too.

Min.

NO wonder. Them condemned Priſoners that lay at quiet in Fetters,Alluſion. why ſhould the Keeper of New-Gate hurt? he knows they will be Hanged when it's the Kings pleaſure to appoint the Execution Day. But if one to his great Damage do break away: WO be to him, if he can come at him. God is not for ſpeedy execution. And what cares Satan for breaking mens Bones, who are Subject to his Service. No, let them go whole-Footed, and whole-Handed to Hell. But if one break Priſon, for liberty to ſerve God: OUT comes the roaring Lion with a Hue and Cry from Hell: to devour Him, if he may.

Second.Pray, With children. Pray, WITH them, in your Family.] It's to poor purpoſe for Parents to pray, For children, and not With them. And for Maſters to pray, For ſervants, and not With them. Sir, you are Maſter of a Family. Set up the Worſhip of God in your Family, or expect the Wrath of God to be rained down p. 117upon your Family††Jer. 10.25.Jer 10:25: Fire and Brimſtone and an Horrible tempeſt**Pſal. 11.6Ps 11:6. But—what cauſes your Countenance to change?

Fath.

I am frighted with fearfull words.

Min.

This countenance is a Character of a guilty Conſcience. No wonder, if you are Frighted. It's more Dreadfull to ſtand before the Drawn Sword of God's mouth without Shelter: than to ſtand naked before Cannon Shot.

Fath.

I deſire direction for Family duty.

Min.

Firſt. As to Time, and Times,Direct. 1. Times for Family prayer. when and how Oft.] I affirm, that you are to perform this duty of prayer, In and With your family. Twice in a day: viz, Morning, and Evening. And this without Fail, except in a caſe of Neceſſity, which hath no Law. And the Lord ſpake unto Moſes, ſaying, Command the children of Iſrael, and ſay unto them. MY offering, and MY bread for MY ſacrifices, made by ſire for a ſweet ſavour unto ME, ſhall ye obſerve to offer unto ME in their Due ſeaſon ††Nu. 28.1.. Day by Day, Morning and Even, continally **Exo. 29.38, 39.Exod 29:38Exod 29:39. Though this be out of uſe as Ceremonial (and ſo Practical) it's not out of uſe as Doctrinal, and directive to Goſpel duty. Goſpel duty contained in One of Gods Two Teſtaments,Goſpel duty Great. New or Old: is a greater Sum then many Goſpelers imagine. Maſters give unto your Servants that which is Juſt, and Equal, knowing that ye alſo have a Maſter in Heaven. Continue in prayer ††Col. 4.1, 2Col 4:1Col 4:2: p. 118i e, For them, and With them. Note theſe Phraſes, Cornelius prayed to God alway **Act. 10.2.Acts 10:2. Pray without ceaſing ††1 Theſ. 5.17.1 Thess 5:17. Thou ſhalt eat bread at my table continually **2 Sa. 9.7.2 Sam 9:7. Was Mephiboſheth ſuch a Cormorant, as to eat bread at David's table Day and Night? is a man to do Nothing but Pray, as if he was an Angel who hath no earthly trade to follow? No: the Senſe of theſe Sayings [Alway,Direct. 2. without Ceaſing, Continually] is, Do it Daily, at Set Times. ¶ 2) Chooſe the Fitteſt, and Beſt part of theſe times: i e, Early in the morning, and Early in the evening. Then are you like to be Beſt diſpoſed: and your Service Beſt accepted: They that ſeek me early ſhall find me ††Pro. 8.17. Direct. 3.Prov 8:17. ¶ 3) Chooſe the fitteſt Place. Chriſt commends a cloſe Cloſet to a Chriſtan, as a fit place, for private prayer**Mat. 6.6.Matt 6:6. Such a place is alſo fitteſt for a Family, which is freeſt from noiſe. Diſtracting thoughts will come in too Soon, though they be not ſent in by Sounds, and cauſed by Clamours abroad.Direct. 4. ¶ 4) Be not hindered by Trifles, that is hatefull to God. He that will not go to Heaven till there be nothing in the Way, is Never like to come there.Direct. 5. ¶ 5) Lay all buſineſſe By, during the Time of the duty. Order your Fire to be freed from that evil kind of Fore-caſt, of placing ſome Veſſel upon it, to be Stirred, or Tended upon, and took Off in prayer.Curſed fore caſt. Some fore-caſt is as good as Work: but this is worſe than p. 119Nought. ¶6) Gather all your Family together,Direct. 6. to prayer. Gather the people together, Men, and Women, and Children, and thy Stranger that is within thy gates, that they may Hear, and Learn, and Fear the Lord ††Deu. 31.12.Deut 31:12. All Judah ſtood before the Lord, with their Little-ones, their Wives, and their Children **2 Chro. 20.13.2 Chr 20:13. Both Young men and Maidens, Old men, and Children, let them Praiſe the name of the Lord ††Pſal. 148.12, 13. Direct. 7.Ps 148:12Ps 148:13. ¶7) And, Far be it from you for Ever, to ſeparate your children from Gods Service, as ſome do: who for a peaceable preparation for prayer, Pack their children to Bed, at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 years of age: with ſuch a Salvo (forſooth) They will Cry, or Sleep, or Something, and diſquiet in duty. Strange peace! is This the way to train up a child in the way he ſhould go? is This the way to bring Up in the Nurture and admonition of the Lord? If they Cry, or Sleep, it's the Parents fault. Late prayer, or ſome diſorder, is the Matter. Serve GOD, and the Soul; before you ſerve the Body. Go to prayer before Supper. And make a Law, viz, They that Cry, ſhall be Whipt, and they that Sleep, ſhall go Supperleſſe to Bed. And do not drive your children away before the Duty,Odious Order. as if they were Dogs: and leave your Dogs in their room, as if they were Chriſtians (as ſome do) Both which are abominations. I have heard of a Youth, who was Converted by an expreſſion in prayer. It was becauſe p. 120he heard it. If he had been Packed to Bed that night before Prayer, to the prevention of his converſion; doubtleſſe it had pleaſed the Devil to Purpoſe. Direct. 8 ¶ 8) Take heed of praying To perſons,Cauttion inſtead of praying For them: i e, by affected Phraſes, and tinkling Tones. Hatefull is that prayer to GOD, which is deviſed, formed, and phraſed to pleaſe Man. And No better are the Prayers of ſome perſons. The Devil is ſuch a Chymiſt, he can extract evil out of Good: and Poyſon a perſon with his Own Prayers: by puffing him up with Pride in them. Direct. 9 ¶ 9) Precede Prayer, with the Word. The word and prayer, are put together**1 Tim. 4.5.1 Tim 4:5. Read a Chapter before Prayer. And ſpeak ſomething to your Family, from what you read. Direct. 10 ¶ 10) And let me commend the Annual reading over the Bible in a Family, for a good Cuſtom: which may be thus performed. There is in the O T, Chapters 779.] Pſalms 150.] Chapters and Pſalms 929.] In the N T, Chapters 260.] In both O T, and N T, Chapters 1039.] In both O T, and N T, Chapters and Pſalms in all 1189.] There is in a Year 365 Dayes. In Biſſextile,A Rule to read the Bible. or Leap-Year 366. Read 3 Chapters a Day: and read ſo many Pſalms a Day (when you are at them) as to read them all in 20 Dayes in Biſſextile, and in 19 Dayes in another Year: this reads the Bible through in a Year, except One Chapter, which is eaſily p. 121added to the laſt dayes Task. Or, if you have Bentley's Bible, it hath 375 Leaves. If you read one leafe a Day, this does it, except 9 leaves in Biſſextile, and 10 leaves in another Year: which is not one leaf a Month more than one a Day. In a word, one quarter of an hour in 24 hours (with a ready Reader) reads the Bleſſed Bible in a Year. And which of us does not trifle away, Ten Times more Time than ſo. Unworthy is that Perſon of the Name (and far from the Nature) of a Chriſtians: who thinks SO little time too Much to ſpend in Reading, God's Precious, Pure, Bleſſed Word. Thus far of Family Duty.

Fath.

But hear me before you proceed any farther. I am unfit for Family Duty, becauſe of my weakneſſe to perform it.

Min.

If you know what you ſay, and be as Willing as Weak, it is well: for then you will venture on your Duty, and truſt to Gods Stregth, which will carry you through what Ever he calls you to. Sufficient for ſatisfaction is that One Promiſe: as thy Dayes, So ſhall thy Strength be ††Deu. 33.25Deut 33:25. Let the weak (believe and) ſay I am Strong **Joel 3.10Joel 3:10But tell me true, is there not ſomewhat elſe at bottom?

Fath.

Truly there is: I am aſhamed to pray in my Family, among my Servants.

Min.

Now you ſay Something, though worſe than Nothing. The former was Weakneſſe, this is Wickedneſſe. Aſhamed! to p. 122ſpeak to GOD! to ſerve GOD! to be like GOD! what aſhamed of GOD! OH dreadfull! read this Text and Tremble. Whoſoever ſhall be aſhamed of me and of my words, of him ſhall the Son of man be aſhamed when he cometh in the Glory of his Father ††Mar. 8.38.Mark 8:38According to Chriſts glory, will the ſhame of ſuch be: i e, Infinite. To ſee what a glorious Perſon is aſhamed to Own them. To ſee what a Maſter they have been aſhamed to Serve. To ſee ſhamefull Spewing upon their Glory **Hab. 2.16Hab 2:16. Shame is the puniſhment prepared for Chriſts implacable enemies: HIS enemies will I cloath with Shame ††Pſal. 132.18.Ps 132:18Its like clothes (1) They are Viſible: ſo is Shame.Simile. (2) Unſeparable while the Perſon is viſible:Diſſimile. ſo is Shame. It's unlike clothes, they Cover nakedneſſe: ſhame Diſcovers it for ever. What ſhall I ſay? if Shame be your Sin: take heed Shame be not your Sorrow. The Sin of ſhame, and the Sorrow of ſhame, are Both unſpeakable. It's written of Ajax, the great Grecian warriour,Ajax's dying ſaying of Shame. that he Died with Shame, and cryed [No death like it.] And Chriſts enemies, who are aſhamed of him (at laſt) are like to cry [No damnation like it. ¶ Sir I muſt tell you (though you deferve not to be told) that you are aſhamed of your Glory. Grace makes a man glorious Within, and godlineſſe makes a man glorious Without. Your Duty is your Dignity: Do it, and God will Dignifie you For it. Them that honour p. 123me, I will-honour **1 Sa. 2.301 Sam 2:30. If any man ſerve me, him will my Father honour ††Joh. 12.26.John 12:26You count it an Honour to ſerve an Emperour: what is it then to be ſerved By an Emperour! yet all this is Droſſe to the Service of God. To be a Servant of the great God, is a greater Honour than to be a Maſter of all the men in the world. And yet is not this All, for he that ſerves God him will God ſerve. God will ſhut the Door after his ſervant Noah **Gen. 7.16Gen 7:16God will make the Bed††Pſal. 41.3Ps 41:3: and he will waſh the Feet**Jo. 13.5.John 13:5 He that will wait on God, on him will God wait††Iſa. 30.18Isa 30:18. Even GOD, who is King of Chriſtans, King of Nations, King of Kings, King of Heaven, and King of Glory. At whoſe Splendor, Angels Wonder: and each one covers his Face, with two wings, as with a double Vail**Iſa. 6.2.Isa 6:2.

Fath.

I will object no more againſt prayer.

Min.

Then I will direct more, For prayer.

¶ Pray with your children not only in your Family, but ſometimes do You,Pray, with children in Cloſet. ſometime let their Mother, ſometime let both father and mother take their children into their Cloſet, and pray with them There. (1) In this way you may the more Freely confeſſe their bad Herts, and Faults to God: bewail their Condition, and ſpeak to God for them. (2) This way will make it manifeſt to GOD that you are in good Earneſt for their Good. (3) It will make it manifeſt to your Children that you have more than a common care of p. 124them, as in Common among your Servants: for it will ſhew them you have a Special reſpect for them. (4) And it will have a Good Effect upon them. If the heart of the fathers be to their children, the heart of the children will be to their fathers††Mal. 4.6.Mal 4:6. Your Children will ſee the difference of this duty: and You will ſee it: for it Will work, and it will NOT be ſo well without it.

¶ Teach your children (a right way) to pray for themſelves.To teach Children to pray. Teach them not to call God Father, in a ſtate of Nature: as ſome parents do, who teach their children to Lie to the Lord, and ſpeak Blaſphemy againſt God. But, put them into Such a way to pray, as Such may uſe. viz, To pray for the life of their Parents. And for their Own life. And for mercies to maintain life: as meat, drink, clothing, protection from danger. And to pray for life for their Souls. For a Sight, and Senſe of Sin. For a Saviour. For Pardon. For grace in the Heart. For a new Birth. That they may be the children of GOD. And be ſaved from the power of Sin, and SATAN, and Hell Fire. And may go to Heaven, and be happy both in Body and Soul, for Ever.

Fath.

If children be wicked, they may not pray: Object. for the praying of the wicked is Sin.

Min.

So is the Plowing of the wicked ſin too**Pro. 21.4.Prov 21:4 By your argument the wicked muſt not Plough: i e, follow a Calling for a Living: p. 125but Beg, Steal, or Starve. (2) I grant, whether the wicked Plough, or Play, or Pray, they ſin: yet they muſt Plogh, and Pray too, or do worſe: for the Neglect is worſe than the Act. If to pray is Sin, not to pray is a Worſe ſin. And of two evils, it's beſt to chooſe the Leaſt, and refuſe the Greateſt (3) The wicked are Created to pray††Act. 17.26, 27.Acts 17:26Acts 17:27 (4) The wicked are Commanded to pray**Act. 8.22.Acts 8:22 (5) Prayer is put up (and recorded) for Wrath to be poured out upon them, becauſe they Do not pray††Jer. 10.25.Jer 10:25. (6) A precept for parents to teach children to Pray, is Certainly implyed in theſe expreſſes for Education. viz, Train up a child in the way he ſhould go **Pro. 22.6.Prov 22:6.] Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord††Eph. 6.4.Eph 6:4

Fath.

I have head a Profeſſor ſay [To teach children to Pray, is the way to make them Hypocrites.]

Min.

He is not ſo ſure of That, as I am of This: viz, To let them go Prayerleſſe, is the way to harden them for Hell Fire. OH what a Cutting Cry will this be One-day in Hell! [I am Damned becauſe my parents did not teach me to Pray to be Saved.] He that forbids the wicked to Pray, if he is not a wicked Man, yet his is a wicked Act. And whatſoever be his Condition, he is in that Point under Deluſion. Let ſuch men ſay what they will: I ſay, teach your children to Pray. And again I ſay, Do it: if in Dooms-day God do Blame p. 126you for it:Caution. Black Art. I will be Bound to bear it. ¶ But, Let not your children learn that Black Art of boldneſſe by prayer: viz, To ſin the more ſecurely. Like that Religious Beaſt, I have paid my Vows, therefore came I forth to meet thee: come let us take our Fill of love **Pro. 7.14, 15, 18. Mr Tho Shephard.Prov 7:14Prov 7:15Prov 7:18. Or like that London Monſter, who haunted Taverns, Theatres, Whore-houſes, all day: but Durſt not go out in the morning without prayer: and Then ſo bold, he durſt bid the Devil do his Worſt. Or like ſuch who ſerve God on the Sabbath day, for a Licence to live licentiouſly all the Week after. For if the Sacrifice of the wicked be Sin, how much more when he brings it with a wicked mind ††Pro. 21.27. Procure prayer.Prov 21:27.

¶ Laſt. Procure the prayers of Praying Perſons for your children (as much as may be) and eſteem of ſuch Perſons, as Precious. Had I an opportunity of Preaching to all the praying perſons in England at Once: I would exhort and beſeech them All in general, and Every One in particular: to pray for ALL the children of the children of God. Some have Obſerved, and Aſſerted, [That the children of Many Prayers do Seldom miſcarry.] So much concerning Prayer. I ſhall come to a concluſion with Ten (conſiderable) Corollaries,Te Corol. to quicken you to your Whole Duty, contained in this Conference.

Firſt.1. Coroll. Fathers Name foreign Ab. The very Name of a father may be a Motive to duty. The Hebrew word foreign A p. 127father] comes of the Root foreign he willed; deſired] of the fathers affection to his children, which doth Naturally deſcend to them, with deſire after their welfare. If not Thus, a man deſerves not the Name of a father. They who have been inſtruments to bring children into a State of Condemnation, and care not to bring them into a State of Salvation: are theſe Parents! ſhall Paul travail in birth till Chriſt be formed in Chriſtians?**Gal. 4.19.Gal 4:19 and be ſo concerned as to wiſh himſelf accurſed from Chriſt for his Kindred?††Rom. 9.3.Rom 9:3 ſhall Miniſters do their utmoſt to Save children? ſhall the Devil do his utmoſt to Damn them? and ſhall their own father that Begat them, and their mother that Bare them, carry it as if they care not whether they are brought forth for a Saviour or a Murderer? and are theſe Parents? Monſtrum! Horrendum! NB. Neglect of duty to a Child, to humour an angry Wife, had like to coſt Moſes his Life: for, the Lord ſought to Kill him **Exo. 4.24Exod 4:24. Let careleſſe parents have a Care, God do not kill them Quite. And let Parents hear themſelves ſpoken to in theſe Texts. Keep this man, if by any means he be miſſing, then thy Life ſhall be for his Life ††I K. 20.39If he Die in his iniquity, his Blood will I require at thy hand **Ezek. 3.18.Ezek 3:18They that are under Such words, abroad without Shelter, and do not hear it Thunder: are very Dull of hearing:

Second. The childs tears at it's Birth,Coroll. 2. Childs Tears. may he a Motive for parents, to Pity and Duty. p. 128Theſe tears ſeem to Preſage its Sorrow. The poor child ſeems to cry to ſee into what a Stormy Sea it is Lanched: in danger to be Swallowed up, Soul and Body at once. Or, to ſee upon what a Shore of trouble it's Landed: to wander in a wilderneſſe of Wo, among wild beaſts of Prey. Yea ſo Cruel are the Devils Creatures, that poor children are in danger of their Death, before their Birth.Cruel cruelty. The cruel Claws of theſe wild Beaſts (ſometimes) tare the Young out of the Womb before they are Born**Am. 1.13.Amos 1:13: and the Old out of the Tomb after they are Buried††Ch. 2.1..

Third.Coroll. 3. Childs Dead ſtate The dead condemned State, children are Born in: and are in till Born again. It is a Dead Life, between the firſt, and ſecond Birth. One paſſing by the houſe of a Sinful Sluggard, ſaid [Here lies (not lives) Such a One.] A natural life, is a kind of a Lifeleſſe, Worthleſſe life.The old youngman A ſtrange Epitaph. An old man converted a little before his Death, would have this Epitaph on his Tomb [Here lies a very Old Man of 3 years old] Barlaam being asked how old he was, ſaid 45.] Said the other, Thou ſeemeſt to be 70.] Yea (ſaid Barlaam) if you reckon ever ſince I was Born: but I do not Count the time I ſpent in Sin.] Lay this Dead Life to Heart. Suppoſe you had a child condemned to Die: yet ſo as there remains a poſſibility to procure a Pardon. The execution hour is concealed in the Kings own breaſt. It may be p. 129the child hath Ten Dayes to live: it may be not Two Hours. How would you beſtir you in Such Caſe? how reſtleſſe Night and Day till your poor childs Pardon is procured? except Jehoram-like you were bereav'd of Bowels††2 Chron. 21.19.2 Chr 21:19, and had not the leaſt Pity left in you. This is your childrens Caſe, if unconverted. As after the Sentence, a malefactor is a Dead man: ſo before the Second birth, a child is a Dead child: i e, Sentenced, and Condemned, to be Hanged, and Burned, and Racked in Hell. And peradventure you are driving on deſigns to procure Portions, and not Pardons. OH Miſerable man! to morrow may be thy Son, or thy Daughters Damning day. And if Once the ſecret ſet time be Out, the poor child is Haled away, into Endleſſe Wo.

Fourth. Your condemned child,Coroll. 4. Suppoſed ſad ſenſe. is alſo to be ſuppoſed, under a Sad Senſe of it's condemned condition. Suppoſe you ſhould Act as if as Inſenſible of it, as a parent is of a childs Soul condemned ſtate. And at your Return in the evening (after all the trifling Turns you take in a day) your poor child ſhould Quaere with a Sad Countenance [Father where have you Been to day?] Here and There, about This and That. [OH Father! what have you not been with the King to day? and do not know but I may be Hanged to morrow.] And as you ſit Idleing, Sleeping, or Smoking in the houſe [GOOD Lord! father, will you ſit Thus and let p. 130me be Hanged!] What a Cutting conſideration is This! OH how Common is it for children to be in a Soul-condemned condition! and will parents (who profeſſe to believe it) Pipe, and Pot, and Prate away their time, while their children ſtand on the brink of Everlaſting Burnings? will they take their Recreation while their children are under Condemnation, near that execution and End to periſh for Ever? the Plague of Pharoh is upon ſuch parents hearts. WHAT Faith have ſuch in Gods word? what Life is in their faith? the faith of DEVILS exceeds a Dead faith**Jam. 2.19.Jas 2:19.

Fath.

It is very Sad to conſider a child in ſuch Caſe.

Min.

Very SAD! in ſo ſaying, you ſay Nothing. It's moſt Deplorable, and Lamentable: enough to make a mercifull man wiſh his head Waters, and his eyes a fountain of Tears: to weep Day and Night for children ſo Diſmally miſerable††Jer. 9.1.Jer 9:1. And its matter of mourning to think how Few Tears fall into Gods Bottle upon this account.

Fift.Coroll. 5. The inhumanity, and cruelty of ſuch careleſſe parents.Cruelty. They are ſaid to be more Savage than Sea-Monſters: for even They draw out the breaſt and give ſuch to their Young **Lam. 4.3.Lam 4:3: but theſe Men-Monſters are like the Oſtriches in the wilderneſſe, with a 7-fold Similitude. (1) The Oſtrich is between an unclean hatefull Bird and a Beaſt: hath part of Both,Oſtrich defined. but No p. 131part of Man, as the Meraid hath.] A ſad Character for a father. (2) Faith outwardly with feathers††Job 39.13Job 39:13.] So is a foul Phariſaical father. (3) She is Proud.] What time ſhe lifteth up her ſelf on High, ſhe Scorneth the Horſe and his Rider **Ver. 18.. (4) She is Fooliſh:] becauſe God hath deprived her of wiſdom ††Ver. 17.. In danger ſhe hides her Head: and then thinks No body ſees Her: becauſe She ſees no body. Man thinks he is Safe becauſe he ſees not God. Man Cannot ſee, he Will not ſee, and then ſayes, God Shall not ſee **Pſal. 94.7.Ps 94:7. (5) She is forgetfull of the great concern.] She leaveth her egges in the earth, and forgetteth that the foot may Cruſh them, or that the wild beaſt may Break them ††Job 39.14 15.Job 39:14. (6) She is without natural affection.] She is hardened againſt her young ones, as though they were not hers **Ver. 16.. (7) She is of ſtrange ſtrong Digeſtion: eats Old Iron.] So ſuch Savage men can Swallow ſuch ſayings of God, as would Tare the very Heartſtrings of a tender Heart in ſunder. Theſe are 7 Sad Curſed Characters, of careleſſe parents. King Herods cruelty to the children in Bethlehem (foreign the males††Mat. 2.16 Auguſtus Caeſar's ſaying.Matt 2:16) founded this phraſe [Better be Herods Swine than his Son] for ſome ſay his Own was ſlain in that Storm. The cruelty of our Oſtrich-like fathers may found this phraſe, [Better be ſuch a mans Swine than his Son, who cares no more for this ſons Soul than if he was a Swine.Crates wiſh.] Crates wiſhed himſelf on the top of the higheſt Mountain in All p. 132the World: to cry out againſt Parents, who are careleſſe of their childrens Souls. The beaſts of the field that manifeſt love to their Young, and mourn if they are Loſt: may riſe up in judgment, and Condemn theſe men.

Sixt.Coroll. 6. Prodigious effect of neglect. The monſtrous prodigious fruit and effect of Parental neglect, and Omiſſion of Education. viz, The univerſal vanity of Youth: and baſe brutiſhneſſe of Boys. Their epidemical diſobedience to GOD: by Curſing, Swearing, Lying, Stealing, prophaning the Sabbath: the Day deſigned by them for Satans Service. Their diſreſpect to Superiours. Their diſobedience to Parents. And to Mr, Mrs, and Dame: of which there is ſuch an univerſal Out-cry in the Kingdom, as of ſome peſtilent Plague and Judgment. ALL layes Principally at Parents doors. For if they would exerciſe that Authority over them which God hath Given them; and perform their Part according to Gods Precept; it would work a great Cure among the contagious Scabs, Wounds, Bruiſes, Sores; which have over ſpread the Body of Great Britain from the Sole of the Foot to the Head**Iſa. 1.6.Isa 1:6. But this neglect of parental duty, is like the Setting open of Sluces, and Flood-gates, to overflow the Land with a flood of Filthineſſe, and Prophaneneſſe. And to make children Famous for (nothing but) Wickedneſſe. To be children of Belial††1 Kin. 21.13.1 Kgs 21:13, Curſed children**2 Pet. 2.14.2 Pet 2:14, children of Perdition††Joh. 17.12.John 17:12, children of the DEVIL**Act. 13.10.Acts 13:10, p. 133and children of Hell, as the Scripture calls them††Mat. 23.15.Matt 23:15. And parents do not only Lay the reins in their necks, to let them run Headlong to Hell: but alſo do Lead them on to that Lake, by learning them to Sin by their example. viz, To Swear, Lie, Curſe, Scoffe at the godly. It's probable the parents taught the children to Mock, which Bares tare for mocking, as an Embleme of the Torment of Hell for mockers. N B. Wicked parents will teach their children to do good men Hurt, rather than to do themſelves Good. Herodias would teach her Dancing-daughter to ask Herod for John Baptiſts Head, rather than for Half the Kingdom**Mar. 6.23, 24.Mark 6:23Mark 6:24. N B. For parents to bring Forth in ſin, and to bring Up in ſin, is a Sure way to bring Down into ſorrow: both themſelves and their children together, for Ever, and Ever.

Seventh.Coroll. 7. Deaths ſmall diſtance. Conſider what a Small diſtance Death may be from (or how near to) your childrens Heart, or your Own. By reaſon of the uncertainty and ſhortneſſe of Life, and certainty and (ſometime) ſuddenneſſe of Death: a Man or Child may be within a Step of death, and not have a Thought of death. Or elſe think it as far Off as the Eaſt is from the Weſt. (1) God may ſmite with a Secret Sudden Stroke. (2) One may die a Natural, and Sudden death: of which no Reaſon can be Rendered. (3) One may die Caſually, and Suddenly, p. 134in Any place in the land of the Living e g. If one be at Sea, or on the Thames in a Boat, there is but a Board between him and Death: Life within, and Death without: and but a Thin Board between. If at Land: but a Shoe-Sole between the Bottom of the Foot, and the Top of the Grave. If in any Street or Lane in London: a Tile, or Brick may Fall, and Kill. If in the Field, or Countrey in a journey: a Thief may murder. If in a Wood: the ſame Death: or a wild Beaſt may Devour. That which hath Life, may take away Life. That which is Dead, may be a mans Death. The fall of Earth, or Stone, or Timber: or a mans fall into Water: or off his Horſe, or Houſe, a Hundred ways to fall Out of the world. What is your Life? it is even a Vapour that appeareth for a Little time, and then vaniſheth away ††Jam. 4.14.Jas 4:14. What is Man? **Pſal. 8.4.Ps 8:4q d, A little bit of breathing Clay, a little bit of creeping Clay, a little bit of living Clay, a little bit of dying Clay. And yet what a Do will a Proud, Painting Jezebel make with a bit of Dirt: which the Dogs are about to eat up for an Excrement††2 Kin. 9.30, 36.2 Kgs 9:302 Kgs 9:36. O Earth, earth, earth! hear the word of the Lord **Jer. 22.29.Jer 22:29. What is that? DƲST thou art, and unto Duſt ſhalt thou return ††Gen. 3.19Gen 3:19.

Brave Madam Silk-worm! O thou Clod of clay! Mayeſt be to Morrow for the Worms a Prey.

Eight.Coroll. 8. Dolorous Death. Your childs condemned State ſpoken of in the third Corollary, peradventure is p. 135by this time forgot. Suppoſe (by your neglect) your child Dies in this condemned condition. And in Dying (to ſting your Conſcience) hath its eyes Opened, to ſee the mouth of the bottomleſſe pit ſtand Open, to ſwallow it Down into the Dungeon of Hell. At which ſight it Shrikes out, O Father, Mother! did you Know me to be in this condition and not Tell me of it, and labour to get me Out of it? did you Know me to be born in Sin, to live Curſed, unconverted, and Condemned; and not Acquaint me with it? did you profeſſe to beleeve the Neceſſity of a new Birth, a new Heart, a new Life: and let me Live and Die without it? was you Willing I ſhould go to Hell that you would not Tell me of it, except in ſuch a Sleighty way as begot disbeliefe of the Truth of it, and of the Verity of my miſery. Curſed be the Day that Ever ſuch a father Begat me, and that Ever ſuch a mother Bare me. And then dies Roaring, as if already in Hell. Can you give no gueſſe at This, what This will be to you? when it's your Caſe, none need to Tell you what it is. Then you may weep with Rachel, who refuſed to be comforted for her children, becauſe they Were not **Jer. 31.15.Jer 31:15. And with Iſaiah, who ſaid, Look away from me, I will weep Bitterly, labour Not to comfort me ††Iſa. 22.4. Solon's Sorrow.Isa 22:4. And with Solon, to whom ſaid one [Why do you weep? it will do no good now.] Alas ſaid he, I therefore weep becauſe weeping will do on p. 136good.] And with the woman who was ſo buſied in ſaving her Stuffe, that her child in the Cradle was forgot, till the houſe (on fire) was Down, and the child Dead: and then ſhe remembred it Roaring [O my child, my child!] And with Jacob when he ſuppoſed Joſeph was torn in pieces: I will go down into the grave unto my ſon mourning, thus his father wept for him **Gen. 37.35.Gen 37:35. If Joſeph had been torn in pieces with a wild beaſt as Jacob ſuppoſed; what had that been to a childs being torn by Devils in Hell to all Eternity.

Ninth.Coroll. 9. Doomsday Dolour. Conſider the Dolefull out-cries of Damned children in Dooms-day, againſt their carnal careleſſe prophane Parents: who have Lamentably loſt Themſelves, and their Children too. When poor children with Pale faces (yet as Flames) and hearts full Horrour, ſhall ROAR out [O Father, Mother! what have You done! I muſt Burn for ever in Hell, for the Sins you learned me to live in by your Sinfull example. The oaths I have Sworn will Curſing of men, God will Curſe me for ever. You ſet me to Work, and let me Play on the Sabbath day. I had no reſt from Sin, and now I muſt have no reſt from Sorrow: but Roar for ever. Now Gods wrath will be Poured out upon me becauſe I did not Pray. To pray you would Never learn me, except to ſay the Creed, the 10 Commands, and the Lords Prayer: by which you learned me to p. 137Lie, for which I muſt Lay in the Lake††Rev. 21.8.Rev 21:8. You learned me to neglect Salvation: now I have Loſt it. You learned me to Mock the godly: now God Mocks at my miſery. You led me after our Blind Guide, who called us Chriſtians, and Gods children: now we are in the ditch of Damnation together**Mat. 15.14.Matt 15:14. You let me Game away my time: by which I have loſt Heaven, and won Hell. I would have heard good Sermons, which I heard folks Commend, and ſay, Sinners were Saved by them: but you would not Suffer me, but Shut up the Kingdom of Heaven againſt me. OH that Dreadfull Judge! will preſently paſſe the Sentence, Depart ye curſed into everlaſting fire ††Mat. 25.41.Matt 25:41: and then we ſhall be a Hell in Hell, to each other for Ever. It will be a Hell to me, to behold You in Hell: you Curſed father, and murderer. And it will be a Hell to you, to hear me Howl and Roar: and Curſe you to your Face, for Ever. And a Thouſand ſuch Dolorous ditties: Ten thouſand times more Terrible than tongue can tell. Sir, though it be not your Portion to periſh with a child loſt by your neglect; yet is it nothing Now to think, that when you are in Heaven, you ſhall have a child to Howl in Hell, and curſe you there for Ever? or will it be Nothing to you in the judgment Day? ſeeing (as the Scripture ſignifies) ſome Saints ſhall then be ſubject to Shame, Sorrow, and ſaved ſo as by Fire**1 Cor. 3.15.1 Cor 3:15.

p. 138Laſt.Coroll. 10. Sweet fruit of good Succeſſe. Conſider the comfortable joyfull effect, and Sweet fruit of ſuch godly Education as ends in Salvation: and that both in Time, and in Eternity. It may be a comfort to you in Any condition on Earth, to think your children are Heaven-born: Pardoned, Juſtified, Sanctified, and ſhall be Glorified. If they ſhould be Poor, yet they are Rich: and will be the Richer for their Poverty to all Eternity. Whatſoever they Do, or Suffer, or Loſe for God: he will Richly reward them. Whoſoever is their Enemy, God will be their Friend, and will Never fail them. If they be Sick, or in any Adverſity: Still they are Happy. If You be ſick, or in any trouble, they will Pray for you. If they Die while you live, you may be more comforted in their Death, than a man can be in a childs Birth, or wicked Life. If You die while they live, you may Sweetly ſay with Jacob, Behold, I die, but GOD ſhall be with you ††Gen. 48.21.Gen 48:21. In the Judgment day! how Sweet to ſtand at Jeſus Right hand! ſaying, Behold, I, and the Children which God hath given me **Heb. 2.13.Heb 2:13: none Loſt by my negligence: all Saved by my diligence. How ſweet to be the Subjects of this Golden Sentence, Come ye bleſſed of my Father! O feſtus dies.while others are the Subjects of that moſt Direfull Doom, Depart ye Curſed. How Sweet to be for Ever in Heaven, to Trumpet out Eternal Praiſes, and Sing Halelujahs for joy of Heart! while others howl p. 139for Sorrow of Heart in Hell. How Sweet for you and your children, to be a Heaven in Heaven to each other! while others ſhall be a Hell in Hell to each other for Ever. Yea, how Sweet may this dayes Dialogue (under this tree) be to you in Eternity! if it may Iſſue in what I aim at. And what ſhall I more Say? ſhall I Yet plead with you for pity to your Own Children? if I was pleading with you for ſome ſmall kindneſſe for my ſelf, methinks I ſhould prevail. If I was pleading with you to pity an Enemy, who is ready to Periſh for want of a Penny, me thinks I ſhould prevail. And ſhall I not prevail with you to pity your own poor periſhing Children? what is your Reply.

Fath.

What ſhall one do who hath long neglected his duty to his Children, till they be hardened in Sin?

Min.

Bewail it to GOD. Implore his Pardon. Confeſſe it to your Children: with Sorrow that you are ſo far in their Debt. Set upon your work with Shame. If they reject your Counſel, bear it patiently. Lay their Diſobedience at your Own Door. And follow God with Petition, and your children with Inſtruction: till (if poſſible) you Prevail, for their Converſion.

Fath.

I hope I ſhall ſet about this Solemn Work of ſo Great Concern. God grant I may, for I am much troubled at my long neglect.

p. 140Min.

I perceive, what I have ſaid ſhakes your Head: but GOD knowes whether it ſhakes your Heart. However I hope you will not ſpend your time in talking to your children of Church-Steeples, and Brick Chimneys by the way back.Concluſive Caution. But, Take heed you do not deceive Me, nor your Self, nor your Children: God is not Mocked. If you do indeed perform your part, Parent-like to the Purpoſe: then may theſe children here Preſent, and the children which are yet Unborn, ariſe up and Call you Bleſſed. To which more might be added, but it's Time to Retire: for I ſee the Sun is walked far into the Weſt. And ſo Sir, I ſhall take my Leave, of You and Yours: wiſhing you all Well, for this World, and for that which is to Come.

Fath.

Sir, we wiſh You and Yours, the like Welfare. And we do give GOD, and You thanks, for this Godly Advice.

ΤΕΛΟΣ.