A Godly Form of Household Government, Part 4

A Godly Form of Household Government · Part 4

The dutie of Parents towards their children.

THis dutie consisteth in foure points.

First, that fathers and mothers The dutie containeth foure points: Namely in teaching or instructing them in religion, in manners, good example of life, and skill of an occupation.do instruct and bring vp their children (euen frō the cradle) in the feare & nurture of the Lord.

Secondly, that they bring them vp in shame fastnesse, hatred of vice, and louelove of all vertue.

Thirdly, that they be vntounto their children examples of all godlinesse and vertue.

Fourthly that they keep them from idlenesse, the mother of all mischiefes, and bring them vp either in learning, or in some good art or occupation, whereby they may get their liuing with honestie and truth, when they shall come to age, and yeares of discretion.

1. Touching the first point. Parents are to The first point.be admonished; that they beare in minde, that the cause why the Lord hath blessed them with children, is: First, that they should be carefull to see that their children be so vertuously brought vp, that they may become Citizens of the Church of God; so that whensoeuer they themselues shall die in the Lord, they may leaue their children true worshippers of God in their place. But alasse, there be few that hauehave any great care of this dutie.

It is to be remembred, that it is the fathers dutie, with all conuenient speed to present the child to baptisme, and there to giuegive the name vntounto his child: as may appeare by the example, Luke 1. 3. Gen. 21. 3.

And it were a thing to be wished, that all parents, when, and at such time as God blesseth The children of Christians ought not to be called by any papish name.them with children, would giuegive them such names as are named and commended vntounto vsus in the holy. Scriptures, to the end that when they come to yeares of discretion, they by hearing those names, may be excited and moued to follow the vertuous life and Christian conuersation of those men and women whose names they beare, which the holy Ghost hath commended them for, and contrariwise to … We are neither better nor worse in respect of our names. Iosua 10. 3.Josh 10:3and auoide those faults and vices which are discommended in them. And yet we hauehave to remember, that those children which are named and called by, and after any of the names of the …, Prophets, Apostles, or by the name of any other Saint, man or woman, are not any thing the better, because they hauehave such godly and Christian names, vnlesse that they do imitate and follow them, in faith, vertue, The name profiteth none in whom vertue is not conuinced.and godly behauiour: so on the other side, they that be not called by such Christian names as are mentioned in the sacred Scripture, are not in respect of their names any thing the worse, hauing an assured faith in the merits of Christ his death, passion, and bloud: shedding, and leading their liues agreeable to the same. For as neither the reuenues, nor the glorious titles and names of ancestors, … descend of noble parentage, maketh men noble and renowned indeed, vnlesse they themselues be godly, honest, and wise: so neither the godly names, no nor yet the faith and vertue of the fathers, auaileth the wicked and vngodly children any thing at all, vnlesse they repent and become faithfull and godly, as they were. Let vsus here consider, that so often as in the race of our life we do heare, or do speake of our name, it doth put vsus in remembrance, first of Gods merciemercy shewed vntounto vsus in our baptisine: secondly, of our promise to God againe. And as in times amongst our ancestors, Infants had their names giuen them when they were circumcised, as appeateth in Luke, no doubt to this end, that Luk. 1. 59. & 2. 21.Luke 1:59Luke 2:21the circumcised should be admonished by the calling by their names, at what time and place Proper names are also giuen vntounto vsus for this vse and end, that is, to distinguish between man & man.they had their names giuen them, and would thinke that they are written in the number of the children of God, and ioyned in league with him, and made partakers of his couenant: so likewise after the same manner, must we that hauehave had our names giuen vsus in baptisme, remember and beare in minde, that we are by grace adopted to be the sonnes of God, and receiued into his fauour, and therefore that we are Gods owne, and as it were his goods and riches, who beare his name as proper vntounto him.

2. Secondly, they may assure themselues, that all their labour is lost which they bestow vponupon their children, vnlesse they bring them vp in the feare of God, and oftentimes call vponupon Gods helpe by earnest prayer, that he in mercy would vouthsafe to preserue them from the manifold snares; subtilties, and temptations of Sathan, which their tender age is subiect vntounto. We may heare many parents complaine of the disobedience of their children: but they do not marke and consider that they are iustly punished by God, for that they thinke by their own industrie and wit to make them good and vertuous, without Gods blessing, which they seldome or neuer call for in good earnest.

3. Thirdly, let them consider how noble a thing a child is, whom God himself hath shaped and formed in his mothers wombe, nourished, brought forth into the light, and indued with body and soule, to the end he should (as it were in a table) represent God hîs first patterne.

4. Fourthly, let them know that these things are to be dealt with all in order. VntoUnto the body they owe nourishment, bringing vp, apparell, Instructing, correcting, & prayer, make good children, and happy parents.and sometimes correction, that they may keepe children in awe. VntoUnto the soule they owe catechising, instruction, and doctrine: and that of two sorts; namely, of godlinesse, and of ciuilitie. By the one, they shall keepe a good conscience before God; by the other, they shall obtaine a good report among men. For these are the two principall points, which parēts ought to be most carefull to plant in this life in their children, both which the Apostle comprehendeth in one verse, where he saith, Ephes. 1. 4. Ye fathers prouoke not your children to wrath, but bring them vp in instruction, and information of the Lord.

And therefore all parents are diligently to instruct and teach their children the first principles of Christ his Religion, so soone as by age they are able to perceiue and vnderstand the same, that they may (as it were) suck in godlinesse together with their mothers milke, and straight-wayes after their cradle, may be nourished with the tender foode of vertue, towards that blessed life. To hauehave godly children (no doubt) is the greatest treasure that may be. For in the children do the parents liue, (in a manner) after their death. And if they be well instructed, catechised, and vertuously brought vp, God is honoured by them, the Commonwealth is aduanced; yea, their parents, and all other fare the better for them. They are their parents comfort, next vntounto God, their ioy, staffe, and vpholding of their age: and therefore parents ought to begin betimes to plant vertue in their childrens breasts: for late sowing, bringeth a late, or neuer apt haruest. Young branches will bow as a man will hauehave them, but old trees will sooner breake then bow. And therefore, as arrowes are an excellent weapon of defence, to a strong and a mightie man that can shoot them with courage: euen so children godly brought vp, are a speciall protection and defence to their parents. And as the strong mans quiuer the better it is furnished with chosen shaftes, the better defence he hath: so likewise, the more godly children their parents hauehave, the greater is their ioy and happinesie. Yea and further, as arrowes are at the commandement of the owner to be vsed: euen so children well-taught, are at the commandement of godly parents.

5. Lastly, Iet parents remember how many sinnes they commit and heape one vponupon another, which do not their dutie in bringing vp their children as they ought to do. First, they transgresse the law of nature, which telleth all men, that their dutie is to bring vp their children godlily and honestly. Secondly, they sinne against Deut. 6. 7. 8 & 4. 9. & 11. 19. Psal. 78. 5. 6. 78. Iosu, 4. 6.Deut 6:7Deut 6:8Deut 4:9Deut 11:19Ps 78:5Ps 78:6Ps 78:78God: for they despise the commandement and authoritie of God: for he commandeth that children should be brought vp religiously, and honestly; but he is a despiser of God, that refuseth to do as he is commanded. Thirdly, they offend against their owne credite and estimation. For Gods will is, that parents should, (after a sort) be in his stead, so farre foorth as pertaineth to outward discipline. But such make Exod. 12. 26. 27.Exod 12:26Exod 12:27small account of this dignity, who neglect their dutie in this behalfe. Parents are further to vnderstand, that it is their dutie to hauehave diligent care to hauehave their children taught to pray to God, and to rehearse the Apostles Creede, and the ten Commendements. For as by this exercise their hearts and mindes shall the rather be inclined to godlinesse and reuerence towards God; so as they increase in age, they shall eueryevery day better then other, comprehend that which they learne, to their owne comfort, instruction, and saluation. Also, the tongue is called the glorie of man, because that besides all other reasons, by his speech he is discerned from the bruit beastes; so it is meete, that so soone as the child can begin to speake, his tongue should be employed to glorifie God, by calling vponupon him, and by learning some short Catechisme containing the principles and grounds of Christian religion; as also in repeating the will of God, in such sort as he will that we should serue and honour him.

If parents do note and perceiue any vice in their little ones, as swearing, lying, choller, enuie, filching, couetousnes, contempt of parents, readinesse to strike, and other like corruptions: it is their duty, diligently, and in time to reproue and correct them, as men vse to pluck vp weeds while they be yet yong, lest growing vp among the good seedes, they should hinder their growth, and choke them vp. By experience, we can see that mothers in swadling their little ones, do lay their limmes right, each in his place: likewise, if a child be giuen to be left handed, they chide him, yea, sometimes they bind it vp, or otherwise restraine the vse of it, that he may be accustomed to vse his right hand. Also, if the child hauehave some string vnderunder his tongue, they cut it, lest it should hinder his speech: much more then ought they to beware, that through their negligence the vices of the soule do not increase. For it is the dutie of the parents, euen in the infancie, to begin to shape and frame the foule vntounto vertue.

It is also the dutie of parents to prouide that their children may learne, at the least to write and rcade: for it may be vntounto them a great helpe in the course of this life and a treasure of much greater account then mony. And therefore the negligence ofmany is sharpely to be reproued: besides that the performance of this dutie doth greatly binde their children vntounto them. Neuerthelesse, the principall end thereof, should not hauehave respect to such commoditie, as the children may reape thereby towards the vse of this present-life: but rather that they may reade the word of God to their comfort, and instruction to saluation. Also it … their parts to vse them daily to reade some Chapters of the holy Scriptures, thereby to incline and winne their affections to the word of God, to inure and acquaint them in the phrase of the holy Ghost, by little and little to learne the heauenly doctrine, to note the examples of Gods vengeance powred vponupon the wicked and disobedient: and of his blessings vntounto those that walke in his feare. Therefore if parents do looke that their children should obey them, then let them ioyne and accustome them to Gods word, which will redound much to their parents profit. If they cause their children to heare and read the holy Scriptures, therein they may learne, Honour thy father and thy mother: but if parents do otherwise, then they traine them vp in the Scriptures of diuels, whereout their children will learne most wicked things: but it is not so when they are instructed in the holy Scriptures. Parents therefore are diligently to apply themselues to this which God commandeth, and so often and earnestly commendeth vntounto them: namely, to instruct their children in the knowledge and feare ofGod, and in the faith of Iesus Christ: Deut. 6. 6. 7. and 32. 46. Ephes. 6. 4. So also to teach them those things which they are to vse in their age. It is then great folly to linger children in the learning of vaine, …, and vnprofitable things, which as they grow in years they will contemne and forget. Parents can be carefull enough to bring vp their children in some course, trade, or other estate, wherein to get their liuings when they come to be men: and verily such fathers as do neglect that, are vnworthy to hauehave children. But as the soule is more precious then the body, so is the dutie of parents, in youth to traine vp their children in the practise of those things, wherewith in age, euen in this life, they may glorifie God, and be heires of the Lord. If parents want knowledge, or bevnwilling to take leisure to teach them; yet let them do as much for their childrens soules, and the life to come, as for their bodies and this present life. Parents that either cannot write and reade, or will not, or hauehave no time to teach their children, will yet send them to schoole: and such as would hauehave them learne some art or occupation or traffique, if themselues professe not the same, wherein they like to employ their children, they will yet put them to dwell with those that do professe the same, to the end they may learne. How therefore can parents excuse themselues, when their children remaine vntaught in those things that concerne the glory of God and life euerlasting? But howsoeuer it be, if they be neither able of thēselues, nor do prouide to hauehave them taught by others, they shall be inexcusable in the sight of God: & the ignorance of the children, ingendring contempt of God, louelove of the world, and neglect of heauenly felicitie, will crie out for euerlasting vengeance against their parents: so that if they account not their children as beastes without soule, or if they louelove them with the due louelove belonging to parents, let them declare their louelove especially to the soule: the Christian instruction whereof surmounteth all worldly treasure.

Some say, it would be a great comfort for them in heauen to know their neare kindred, and consequently their children: and this commeth of naturall affection. But might it not be a greater discomfort for them, euen in their life time, to see them go to hell for want of instruction? Some charge their children to be dull witted, and hard to be bowed, or brought to any goodnesse or vertue. Albeit naturall inclination be a great helpe to profiting, yet exercise and custome to do well, is a mightie meanes to bend and sharpe them that way: yea, euen such, that by experience we find this old Prouerbe true: Vse ouer cometh nature: as the wheelewright doth by strength bow his timber, and letting it lie long in that bent, it bideth crooked. Barren ground well tilled, soyled, and sowen with good seed, groweth fruitfull, and yeeldeth good increase: iron weareth with handling: the water by continuall dropping weareth the stone: wilde beasts may be tamed: and wilde colts by custome are brought to the saddle, and are content to be led by the bridle: euen so the dullest capacities may by instruction and custome be fashioned to vertue. As contrariwise, the wiz most inclined by nature to vertue, may by bad instruction and the conuersation of the wicked be peruerted and grow vicious.

Parents therefore are herein to respect two points: first, to begin to frame and bend their children in their tender youth to vertue, remē bring that a seale entreth deepest into softest waxe. They must be carefull that they do not speake or tell any foolish tales, baudie rimes, or vngodly speeches before their children, lest they infect their tender wits with follie and astonishment. Experience sheweth, that children will sooner learne any language by conuersation then elder folkes. Also that the yonger the twig is, the sooner it is bent or made straight.

Secondly, it is the parents dutie to restraine their children from haunting and conuersing with such as be vicious, peruerse, and wicked. And vndoubtedly we see that they do soone learne villanous and vnseemely speeches, and malicious lewd actions, with their corruptions: and as the old Prouerbe saith, halting with the lame, they shall learne to halt. A child that naturally speaketh wel, by conuersing with such as corrupt their speech, shall degenerate and speake as badly. Tye a yong twig that is crooked, with a straight one that is stronger then it, and in growing it will become straight, and so continue when it is vndone. And contrariwise, a straight one tyed to that which is crooked, and stronger then it selfe, will grow and continue crooked.

Moreouer, parents when they meane to put forth their children to any trade or occupation, or to learning, then they ought carefully to see and enquire whether such as they thinke to place them withall, be religious and vertuous, and endued with the feare of God.

In the admittance of a seruant, the feare of some temporall or carnall inconuenience, causeth men to enquire of his, or her truth, honestie, or other qualities. Therefore if parents shall commit their child to the ordering and instruction of a maister, before they make enquirie of his honestie and Christian conuersation, they plainely shew, that they hauehave lesse care of the corrupting or infecting of their child with vice, then of some small inconuenience that might happen by an vnhonest and vnthriftie seruant.

When men buy an earthen pot, they sound vponupon it, to see whether it be broken, lest they should be deceiued in a small peece of monie, yet do they not sound whether the maister to whom they commit their child be vicious, or vertuous: albeit by putting and placing him with one that is vicious and irreligious, they put him in danger of losse, both of body and soule.

Some do respect their friendship with some maisters rather then their vertue, and so do commit to them their children, lest they should be angrie for putting them to another.

These men do resemble and be like him, who being dangerously sicke, vseth the aduise of an ignorant Physition, that is his kinsman or familiar friend, for feare he should take offence if he should call another, albeit, without comparison, more learned and skilfull.

If thou shouldest liaue any weightie matter in law, wouldest thou rather commit thy cause to an ignorant and negligent atturney, because he is thy friend, then to him that were both diligent and learned? Making a voyage through some dangerous sea, wouldest thou in a tempest commit thy ship to a young Pilot, vnskilfull or drunke, because he is thy friend? What a foole art thou, that wilt not take the like care of the profit, honour, safetie, and saluation of thy childe?

Others commit their children either to him that will take them at the easiest rate, or by whom they may grow into greatest aduancement in the world, but neuer respect the hazard of their child, so they may either spare, or get worldly goods. Let them also be carefull to restraine their children from vice, and to inure and accustome them to vertue: and indeed the fathers that instruct, or cause their children to be instructed, do far excell such as onelyonly do beget them: for of these they … life onelyonly, of the other good and vertuous life. Yet parents ought not so much to relie and rest vponupon the diligence of their childrens maisters, as neuer to care to vnderstand how they profit and go forward in learning and vertue: for the regard of such diligence would make the maisters more carefully to discharge their duties. And thereof came the Prouerbe; The maisters eye fatteth the horse: and this, The maisters eye is the fruitfulnesse of the garden.

VponUpon these sinnes ensue many punishments, both ghostly and bodily, as well in the parents, as in the children: yea, and in all the posteritie.

The holy Scripture giueth great commendation to sundry men and women, for their godly education, and vertuous bringing vp of their children: as to Abraham, for he commanded Gen. 18. 19. 1. …. 28. 9. Act. 10. 2. 2. Tim. 1. 5.Gen 18:19Gen 18:1Gen 18:28Gen 18:9Acts 10:22 Tim 1:5his sonnes and his houshold, to keepe the way of the Lord. So Dauid counselled his sonne … to serue God with a perfect heart, and a willing mind. It is said also of Cornelius, that he Parents must performe their dutie to their children moderately, with great grauity and authority.feared God and all his houshold. Likewise of Eunice the mother of Timothie, that she nourished vp her sonne in the words of faith, and good doctrine. For where a vertuous and godly childhood goeth before, there a godly and vertuous age followeth after. Contrariwise, when the parents are not carefull to teach their children to know God, and to know themselues: when they do not breed them vp in vertue, nor reproue them when they do amisse, Which is done by example.they then become corrupt in their vnderstanding, and abhominable in their doing: ignorant and voide of all knowledge and grace, and of reuerence or feeling of nature.

If parents be desirous to hauehave their children vertuous and honest indeed, (as in conscience they ought) then they must be diligent and carefull to practise godlinesse & honesty themselues. For we see by experience, according to Fruits are wont to take their shape & nature of the tree.the common Prouerbe. As the old cocke croweth, the yong learneth; such a father, such a sonne: & such a mother, such a daughter. For like as when the head is well and sound, and also the stomacke pure from hurtfull humours, the bodie is commonly well affected: euen so, where the head, or chiefe of any familie or houshold, is religious, and sound in the faith, and feareth God; it commonly goeth well with all the houshold.

What shall it auaile for parents to teach their children honestie and modestie, when they themselues in their workes and behauiours do inuite them to wantonnesse and lewdnesse? Verball instruction, without example of good deedes, is a dead doctrine; and contrariwise, good examples are the life of instruction, to make it profitable and effectuall. If the example of parents be contrarie to their instructions, if they teach their children sobrietie, modestie, and chastitie, and yet themselues will follow drunkennesse, fowle & lasciuious speeches, gestures, and actions: it is as if with their tongues they should say, be vertuous, and by the hands leade them with them to all vice and corruption. So that wicked parents are wicked counsellors to their children. If we would take him to be a monster in nature, and vnworthie to liue in a Common-wealth, that should counsell his child to drunkennesse and fornication: what shall we thinke of those, who committing such iniquitie, do by their example much more mightily put forwards their children to such abhomination, then by word they are able? What account can those parents giuegive vntounto God, who by their euill example hauehave drawne into hell their children, whom he deliuered to their charge to be giuen into heauen? Albeit such parents pittie not themselues, yet at least let them take pitie of their children; and not carrie them with them into euerlasting destruction. Such parents then deserue grieuously to be reprooued, as shall vse any leude speeches, or shamelesse behauiour: in briefe, any worldly or carnall actions in the presence of their children, to whom their examples may be as a dispensation to giuegive themselues to the like. As also, how can they forbid that in their children, which they themselues do commit? How can they correct them for the faults which they themselues vse? Albeit, children in respect and reuerence to their parents dare not reply and say; themselues do those things for the which they reproue them; yet will the neighbours or others obiect it to their shame. Besides, their authority shall be so much the lesse, in that they declare in their workes and actions, that they allow that which they forbid in words.

If parents therefore desire that their instruction may be effected and yeeld fruite, let them declare the same in holy life and vertuous conuersation: let them so order and gouerne themselues, that their children seeing the same, as it were in a glasse, may be restrained from dishonest speech, and wicked deeds; let them do as guides that shew the right way ouer foords and riuers, by going before those whom they leade: that their children (following the steps and examples of their parents) may conforme themselues to their vertues; and so with them, and by them, be led to saluation and life cuerlasting.

For this cause Moses gaue commandement vntounto Deut. 6. 5. 6. 7. & 31. 13.Deut 6:5Deut 6:6Deut 6:7Deut 31:13the Iewes, that the Law might be kept in their families, that they might prosper in all that they went about. When Obed-Edom had receiued the Arke of God into his house, which signified true religion, the Lord blessed him and all his houshold. Whē the widdow of Zarephtah, 1. King. 17. 10. &c.1 Kgs 17:10in the dayes of Eliah, and the other widdow of Israel in the dayes of Elisha, had receiued the 2. King. 4. 1. &c.2 Kgs 4:1Prophets of God into their houses, who is ignorant how mightily and mercifully the Lord prouided for them? When our Sauiour Christ had Ioh. 4. 53.John 4:53restored the Rulers sonne to his health, the Ruler beleeued and all his family. After Zachaus Luke 19. 9.Luke 19:9had receiued Christ into his house and was conuerted, saluation came to the same houshold.

To be short, when Cornelius the Centurion embraced the Gospell, his familie also beleeued & Act. 10. 44.Acts 10:44were baptized, and the holy Ghost fell vponupon them all which heard the preaching. And how well that house was ordered, where Timothie 2. Tim. 1. 5. & 3. 15.2 Tim 1:52 Tim 3:15was brought vp, his knowledge in the Scriptures from a child can witnesse.

And this is also a point worthy to be remembred, that the Lord by his Prophet Ezechiel, calleth the children of the Israelites which they had begotten (his children,) because they were partakers of the Promises, and signed with the seale of the Couenant: and the Prophet calleth Ezech 16. 20. 21. Psal. 127. 3.Ezek 16:20Ezek 16:21Ps 127:3them, The inheritance of the Lord.

Such parents therefore as be Christians must know, that their children are also the children of God, and partakers of those blessings that are promised to them in Christ Iesus their Sauiour: See more of this point in the vse and necessity of catechizing.and therefore they shall do great iniurie to God himselfe whose children they are, if they shall not see them carefully brought vp in his feare: and much more, if they, as before time many hauehave done, bequeath them, & in a manner, consecrate & sacrifice them to the seruice of men, by thrusting thē into Abbeyes, Munkeries, Fryeries, Nunneries, and Seminaries, there to be brought vp, and remaine in perpetuall bondage of ignorance, in … and idolatrie.

The second point is, that fathers and mothers The second point.do nourish and traine vp their children in shamefastnesse, hatred of vice, and louelove of all vertue.

They be charged by the fift Commandement, to feede, to nourish, and to bring vp their children, to teach them the principles and seede of Christian religion, to see they learne the Catechisme, Deut. 6. 10. Exed. 12. 26. & 13. 14.Deut 6:10to teach them to praise God before and after meales: as also to teach them by little and little, and by often repetitions, to vnderstand The proper dutie of good parents to their children, is to … them soberly, to keepe them vender obedience, and to teach them good manners.wherefore the Sacraments were instituted: to teach them manners how to behaue themselues decently in their going, in their speaking, and gesture of their bodies: how to order themselues reuerently in the Church, how abroad in all places, and towards all men in all honest companies; and so to begin some conscience in them. For it were better for children to be vnborne then vntaught.

Now contrary to this, is, when parents suffer their children to hauehave their will from the beginning: when they discourage and daunt them by seueritie, & by being too hasty with them, when they let the cōmon ignorance of the word to be rooted in them, and hauehave no care to frame them to learne truth and godlinesse; and so to prepare them to be apt to receiue profit from the publicke ministerie.

It is therefore meete for all fathers and mothers, if they will hauehave ioy of their children, that then they correct them when they do amisse, Prou. 23. 13. & 19. 18. & 19. 15. 17. & 22. 15. & 13. 24.Prov 23:13Prov 19:18Prov 19:15Prov 19:17Prov 22:15Prov 13:24& keepe them in shamefastnesse, hatred of vice, & louelove of all vertue, according as the Wiseman in sundry places.

For as the common Prouerbe is, birch breaketh no bones; neither doth moderate correction bring danger of death: but oftentimes it bridleth & keepeth backe the child, that otherwise would run headlong into hell, and so is a meane to saue his soule.

For the fountaine of all vertue, and chiefe of all mans felicitie, is good instruction, and right bringing it. And contrariwise, children euill brought vp, bring shame and great heart-break to their parents.

As old Elie was corrected himselfe, for not 1. Sam. 2. 12. & 3. 12. 13. 14. 1. Kin. 1. 5. 6.1 Sam 2:121 Sam 3:121 Sam 3:131 Sam 3:141 Kgs 1:51 Kgs 1:6correcting his sonnes; which is a notable example, necessary for all parents to imprint in their hearts: that they may see their children well taught and corrected, lest they procure the wrath of God to fall vponupon thē, as it did vponupon this Elie, who honored his children aboue the Lord, and therefore the Lord cut him and them off.

For the comfort he had of his sonnes was this: the Arke (the witnesse of the Lords presence) was lost, thirty thousand of the people slaine, his two sonnes, Hophni and Phineas killed; himselfe, when newes thereof came vntounto him, for sorrow fell backward and brake his necke: vponupon this his daughter in law fell in trauell, and in trauell dyed; the remnant of his house were glad to craue and beg for a small peece of siluer and a morsell of bread.

Also, the two and forty children that mocked Elisha the Lords Prophet, saying: Come vp thou 2. Kin. 2. 23. 242 Kgs 2:232 Kgs 2:24Bald-head: were rent in peeces with beares. Thus we see, that children vntaught and vnchastized, bring shame and confusion to their parents.

Let them therefore alwayes remember this, that they prouide, and bestow diligent labour, How children should be brought vp. Hold thy children in awe, and they shall hauehave thee in reuerence.that their children be foorthwith instructed in vertue and godlinesse, whilest their wits are yet voide from cares and vices, and whilest their age is tender and tractable, and their minds flexible, and readie to eueryevery thing: for then they will keepe fast good lessons and vertuous precepts (if they be taught them.) For this is certaine, that we remember nothing so well when we be old, as those things we learne in young yeares.

It shall be conuenient and profitable therefore, to handle the waxe straight way while it is moist: to season those earthen vessels with very good liquor, whilest they are new: to die, and litte the wooll, while it is faire and white, and not defiled with any spots. The Emmets or Pismires Prou. 30. 25. and 6. 0 7.Prov 30:25Prov 30:6are not taught to gather into their holes or hillockes in Sommer, whereby they should liue in winter. Bees learne not to make their cells, to gather iuyce, and to make honey; but all these things be done by instinction of nature. So eueryevery liuing thing, the lesse meete it is to learning, so much the more it hath of natiue prudence: but man neither can eate, nor go, nor speake, except he be taught. Then if fertile fields for want of tillage waxe barren; if trees being neglected, either bring forth no fruite, or else the same vnsauourie, without diligence or grafting and pruning; if dogs be vnmeet to hunt, the horse and oxen vnapt to the plough, except mans diligence be put thereto? how vile then and vnprofitable creatures would children become, except diligently and in due time they should be fashioned by good bringing vp? What a shame is this for any man, to take great care to hauehave his dog well taught, his horse well broken, his land well husbanded, his house goodly trimmed and richly furnished, and yet to hauehave his child shamefully rude in manners, and altogether voyd of all garnishing and instruction of vertue and godlinesse? What a great folly and madnesse is this, for a father to take great care and thought how to get money and possessions, and to hauehave no regard of his child, for whom the same is gotten? This is no lesse shame to heare, then if a man taking thought for the shooe, would set nought by the foote: or with great care and studie would prouide that there should be no fault in the childes garments, not regarding the health of his body. This is (as the common saying is) to be penny wise and pound foolish: to saue a sticke, and burne a house: to saue a ioynt and lose the body. But oh vaine man, hast thou more care and desire to leaue thy sonne faire buildings, and full of lands, then for to instruct him in the way of godlinesse, and so leaue him a vertuous consceince? Hast thou rather a desire to hoord vp treasure for him, with Mat. 6. 19.Matt 6:19rust and moth to be consumed, then to teach him the knowledge of God, which will not canker but last for aye? Most parents (a pitifull thing to remember) be louing to the bodies of their children, but their soules they care not for: they desire their welfare in this world, but they passe not what they shall suffer in the world to come. Yea fathers prouide lands, rents, reuenues, great annuities, fees and offices for their children here: but alas, few prouide or be carefull to hauehave them brought vp in vertue, and the feare of God. For the losse of their liues and bodies, they will sore bewaile and much Iament: but the health and saluation of their soules they make no reckoning of. If they see them poore and sicke, they sorrow and sigh; but though they see them sinne, and greatly displease God, they are nothing grieued. It behooueth that parents do carefully obserue, vntounto what vices their children are most inclined, and so by good meanes admonish and draw them from their sinne. As parents be carefull to prouide temporall things for their childrens bodies, which are transitory: so much more carefull ought they to be to prouide spiritual things for their soules. And as they be diligent to keepe the bodies of their children from fire and water when they be young: so much more they ought to take care, that their soules be not poysoned with vices, and false and erronious doctrine, when they come to yeares of discretion: and this is the most acceptable seruice that they can do to God. Children are called the fruite of their parents. Therefore, as sal. 127. 3. lat. 12. 33.a good tree is knowne by bringing foorth good fruite: so parents should shew their goodnesse in the good education of their children, which are their fruit.

To teach a child in the trade of his way, as Salomon commandeth, Prou. 22. 6. is, not onelyonly to instruct him vntounto godlinesse, but also vntounto all other humane duties: wherefore this dutie then belongeth vntounto parents, and they are bound to do it. For who should teach and informe Reasons.the childe, but they which hauehave the gouernment and commanding of him? But it is well knowne, that parents onelyonly hauehave the gouernment and commanding of their children, or such as they shall procure for their better education, and therefore this charge and dutie lieth vponupon them, and they must looke vntounto it. Againe, this is apparent euen by the generall law of nature, which hath taught the very bruite beasts to bring vp their young. And further, this dutie is yet enforced from the opportunitie of the thing commanded. For euen as a plant will sooner take nourishment, and thriue better in the soyle where it first grew or sprong vp, then in any other ground, because it liketh his owne soyle best: so children will sooner take instruction and good nourture from their parents, whom they best like, and from whom they had their first being, then from any other: and therefore you parents are in fault, if your children be not well taught. For whatsoeuer good commeth from the parent to the child, is naturall and kindly, no otherwise then the warme milke from the mothers dug: you shall sooner be heard of your children, then either the sage counsell of the ancient, or the forcible and mouing speech of the learned. Lastly, the rule of iustice doth require, that euen as the first parent Gen. 5. 3.Gen 5:3Adam, and so all other after him, hauehave bene a meane of falling to their posteritie, in the begetting of children in their owne image, which according to the law of creation, should hauehave bene borne Gods Image: so now in lieu of this, all parents should lend their hands to lift them vp againe, & neuer ceasse vntil they see in some measure the beauty of the first Image, and the vertue of the second Adam. This is confirmed by many testimonies of Scripture, as amongst other these do prooue. Deut. 4. 9. and 11. 18. 19. Ephes. 6. 4. Psal. 78. 5. And because this duty of parents, is many times committed to Schoolemaisters, to Maisters of families, to Dames, to Patrons, and Guardians, and such like: they must therefore vnderstand, whosoeuer they be, that they are bound by the voyce of the Almighty, to performe and to do the dutie of parents, to all such as are committed to their charge, as if they were their owne children.

Now, the vices which some parents commit, in not performing these duties before and after named, and ought of them to be eschued, are these.

First, the ignorance of the parents: as if they be so rude that they be not able to teach their children, then they greatly offend God in the breach of this so necessary a duty: and therefore they must indcuour to get so much nurture and knowledge, as that they may be able to instruct others vnderunder them.

The second vice is, the prophanenesse of many parents, who so they may prouide liuelyhood and necessaries for their children, they care for no more.

The third vice is committed of such poore parents, which make no great choise with what Maisters and Dames they place their children, so they may hauehave meate and drinke enough, and wages thereto competent, and are neither backbeaten nor belly-beaten, as they say. Alas, such poore children, while they serue for their bellies, they may lose their soules, because they want godly maisters and dames to giuegive them wholesome instruction, to hold them in by good example, and to gouerne them continually in the feare of the Lord. Wherefore here let all parents learne, that it is their dutie to make choise of such maisters and dames for their children, as are godly and religious, wise hearted, such as are both able and well disposed, to traine vp youth in all good nurture and Gods seruice: and not onelyonly this (for the greatest care of all lieth vponupon the parents) but also they must so often as conueniently they may, repaire vntounto them, and see how they profit, and hold them vp by their good counsell, and be carefull to intreate those which hauehave the gouernment of them, to be good vntounto them, in this chiefe point aboue the rest. For (as Salomon saith:) Life and Prou. 18. 21.Prov 18:21death is in the power of the tongue: so we may well say, life and death is in the education of our children. If they be well brought vp, it shall be life vntounto them: but if it be otherwise, they are trained vp to euerlasting death.

4. The fourth vice is, the fault of many maisters and dames, who make no further reckoning of their seruants, then they do of their bruit beasts. For so long as their worke and businesse be well done by them, they care for no more, and they will teach them no further then may serue for their owne turne and benefit: that is, to be a profitable seruant vntounto them. Such maisters make their seruants drudges to the world and the diuell: and the life of such youth dieth while it shooteth vp. All these sin and trespasse against the will and word of God, because they are contrary to good nurture and godly instruction. Parents must be very carefull that their children may learne some occupation, or profession of life: and this is either mechanical, which we call handicraft: or liberall, which is the learning of schooles: and the end of this is, either to get their liuing honestly, and in Gods ordinance, or else, if they want no maintenance, to apply their profession and trade to the benefit of the Common-wealth. No childe of what birth or stocke soeuer he be, ought to want this instruction and bringing vp. If thou say, my childe hath no neede of any trade: yet the Common-wealth and Gods Church hath need of him: for no man is borne for himselfe, but his friends will require one part, his kindred another, and his countrie the third. And if handicrafts like thee not, thou hast the liberall Sciences, of which no man euer was yet ashamed, but many hauehave made them their crowne of glorie. Saul was annointed King, while he was seeking 1. Sam. 9. 2. &c. and. 16.1 Sam 9:2his fathers Asses: and Dauid was taken from the sheepefold, to feede with his wisedome, 11. Psal. 78. 70. 71.Ps 78:70Ps 78:71and gouerne with prudence, that honourable people the children of Israel. And againe, we reade that those two famous Prophets, 1. Kin. 19. 19. Amos 1. 2.1 Kgs 19:19Amos 1:2Elisha and Amos, the one was called from the plough, and the other from keeping of beasts: which examples do plainly teach vsus, that the great and reuerent God despiseth no honest trade of life, be it neuer so meane, but crowneth it with his blessing, to draw all good minds to his holy ordinance. But now adayes, such is the pride of our hearts (a thing to be lamented through all our land) that many gentlemens children may not be brought vp in any trade. Oh it is too base and beggarly for them: they must liue of their lands, they must maintaine their gentrie: a small learning will serue their turne: but in the meane while this ordinance of God is neglected, what misery from hence ensueth? Who are the wasters of patrimonies? Who are the robbers and rouers in the Common-wealth? Who are the deflowrers of maidens? Who are the defilers of …? Who are the corrupters of youth? and to speake in one word, who are the seedes-men of all mischiefe in our country, but these children of Gentlemen, who hauehave not bene taught and trained vp in learning, or some occupation, while they were young? For euen as a weed, if it grow in a ranke soyle, will waxe out of measure noysome: so these children coming of honourable and worshipfull parents, brought vp in ease, and pampered with the delights of gentrie, they waxe immeasurably vicious, and who may keepe them vnderunder? neither lawes, nor Magistrates, not any other good meane.

First, parents must teach their children to vse Good manners in speech.faire speech, not onelyonly towards themselues, but also towards others, and to call their betters by a reuerent and honourable name: 1. Sam. 25. 24. Marke 10. 17. Prou. 16. 24.

Secondly, to speake modestly and humbly of themselues: & this point of good manners they may learne of that wise matron Abigail, in 1. Sam. 25. 41. where we reade, that when she was sent for of Dauid to be his wife, she first bowed her selfe to the seruants, and then made this lowly answer to him that brought the message: Behold, let thine handmaid be seruant to wash the feete of the seruants of my Lord.

Thirdly, to admonish them louingly to salute their friends and acquaintance, and generally all others whom they take to be Christians and brethren: which consisteth in praying well to others, wishing health & prosperitie vntounto them, Luke 1. 28. 40. 1. King. 1. 17.

Fourthly, to put them in mind to acknowledge a benefit where they hauehave receiued it, with giuing of thanks.

Fiftly, to teach them to confesse an offence where it is committed, with humble crauing of pardon. An example hereof they may hauehave in that vertuous and faire spoken matron Abigail, as they may reade in 1. Sam. 25. 23. &c. Oh that men and children saw what great dangers they draw vponupon them by the neglect of this duty, and might preuent it: and also what gratious blessings they might procure, both to themselues and others by meanes of it, as this vertuous Abigail kept Dauid from shedding of innocent blood, saued her owne life with the liues of her familie; and in the end was receiued to be a Princes wife, for the wise carriage of her selfe in this matter.

Againe, parents must teach their children good manners, and ciuill behauiour, to rise vp to their betters, to vncouer the head, to make obeysance, to be curteous towards their equals, to be gentle and louely to their inferiours, and louing and kind to all: this is no lesse needfull for youth, then their meate and their drinke.

Also to admonish them, to giuegive their elders and betters leaue to speake before them: Iob 32. 45. That they keepe silence while their betters are in place, vntill they be spoken vntounto, and then they must make answer in few words, without vnnecessary circumstances, and directly vntounto the matter. And they may not be loud, babling, or hote in speech, but cold and milde: Prouerbes 17. Warne them that they do not interrupt or trouble others whiles they are in speaking: Prou. 19. 20. Wherfore if children will keepe the bounds of good manners, they must not be streperous or troublesome in talke, but they must obserue and take their due time and course: And if there be any thing spoken, vntounto which they would willingly make answer, they must either curteously craue leaue of him that speaketh, or else they must carrie it in remembrance vntill their turne cometh to speake, which is the better of the twaine. And further, they must giuegive an entercourse of speech vntounto others, and suffer others to speake by them: for there is a time to keepe silence, and so to heare others speaking: for he that will hauehave all the talke, passeth the bounds of good manners.

Moreouer, parents ought to teach their children how to frame their gestures to a reuerent Good manners in gesture.and dutifull behauiour towards others: which consisteth in these points.

1. The first is, to meete those that are comming towards them. And of this they hauehave an example in holy Abraham: Genes. 18. 2. where it is said; And he lifted vp his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him, and when he saw them, he ranne to meete them from the tent doore. Againe, another example they may hauehave in king Salomon, sitting vponupon his regall Throne: 1. King. 2. 19. Bethsheba therefore went to King Salomon, to speake vntounto him for Adoniah; and the King rose to meete her.

2. The second is, to rise vp to elders and betters, when they passe by them. And this is taught, Leuiticus 19. 23. Thou shalt rise vp before the hoar-head, and houour the person of the old man, and dread thy God; I am the Lord. But here we must warne you of a great abuse, which (for the most part) is cōmitted in all Churches; and which tendeth to the high dishonour of God: which is this, that neither you your selues, neither your children, nor seruants, do know the time of your duties, but you will then rise vp to men, when both you and they, should kneele downe to God: as if one that is more honorable among you, shall come into the Church, while you are vponupon your knees in prayer vntounto God, presently you start vp, and leaue God, to reuerence men. Is this religion? Is this deuotion becomming Gods house? Is not this all one, as if a man should say, Stay God, here comes in my father, my maister, my worshipfull neighbour, and my good friend: to whom I am much beholden; I must do my dutie vntounto him, I must rise vp till he be past, and then I will come to thee againe.

What is this, but to preferre men before God? This doing plainely sheweth, that such are louers of men more then of God: and that such as take this dutie and reuerence vponupon them, are robbers of Gods honour, and they shall answer him for it.

Is there no time to shew our duty towards men, but euen then when we are about Gods seruice? Why (know you) when man standeth before God, how honourable soeuer he be, he is but dung and filth, and not to be regarded, in comparison of him. And let parents learne this wisedome, that while they are taught their duties towards men, it is not to rob God of his worship; but there is an appointed time to eueryevery dutie and purpose: as Ecclesiastes in his third Chapter. well admonisheth; To all things there is an appointed time, and a time to eueryevery purpose …. 3. 1.vnderunder heauen. It is recorded of Leuie, to his eternall praise: Deut. 33. 9. that in Gods cause he said of his father and mother; I see him not, neither knew he his brethren, nor his owne children: Euen so beloued, our eyes and our minds, and deuotions, should be so fixed and intent vponupon God when we are in his seruice, that we should not see nor regard any man in that while.

And againe, we reade in the second Chapter of the Gospell after Saint Iohn, of our Sauiour himselfe, who though he was the most dutifull child that euer was borne of woman, yet when he was about his fathers businesse, he said vntounto his mother: Woman, what hauehave I to do with thee? Ioh. 2. 4.John 2:4Which examples will teach vsus, that when we are about Gods seruice, all other duties must sleepe, and be laid apart.

3. The third dutie of good manners to be obserued in their gesture, is to stand while their betters are sitting in place. Example of this we hauehave in holy Abraham, of his entertaining of the three strangers; as it is written, Geneses 18. 8. And he tooke butter and milke, and the calfe which he had prepared, and set before them, and stood by himselfe vnderunder the tree, and they did eate. Well may Abraham be called the father of the faithfull, for giuing his children so good example.

4. The fourth dutie is, to bend the knee, in token of humilitie and subiection: example of this, 1. King. 2. 19.

5. The fift thing is, that they giuegive the chiefe place to their betters, and to offer the same to others in courtesie, 1. King. 2. 19. Luk. 14. 8. 9. 10. Prou. 15. 33. and 16. 18.

6. Their last dutie is, to vncouer their head. And though we finde no example for this in holy Scripture, as being not vsed in those former times: yet seeing the thing is ciuill and comely, and one of the speciall courtesies of our dayes, we will confirme it also with the authoritie of Gods word, Philippians 4. 1. Whatsoeuer things are honest, whatsoeuer things are of good report, those things do. And againe, 1. Corin. 14. 40. Let all things be done decently, and according to order. Now this kind of ciuilitie, is both decent and according to order, as also honest, and of good report: and therefore warranted and commended by Gods word, and so worthie to be followed.

Therefore, if our children be not thus trayned vp in nurture while they be young, when they be old they shall be found so head-strong, that they will not be gouerned, but this consequent must needs follow, that all order shall be taken away, & then confusion must needs ensue.

For if nurture be neglected, then our elders and gouernours shall not be reuerenced: if they be not reuerenced, they will not be regarded: if they be not regarded, they will not be obeyed: and if they be not obeyed, then steps in rebellion, and eueryevery one will do what he listeth.

These vices and great abuses are to be reformed, and with speed amended; not onelyonly of many parents and maisters themselues, but also they must labour with all diligence, that they may be redressed and amended in their children and seruants. First, the grosse ignorance in the groundes of Christian religion, which yet remaineth in any parents, maisters, and their families, who giuegive themselues to sleep in the Church, to talke one with another, to turne ouer their bookes there, and vsing of their owne priuate deuotions or prayers in the time of publike preaching and prayer: all which no doubt, are grieuous sinnes and transgressions: and besides many absent themselues from holy exercises, and especially vponupon the Lords day: then lying in their beds, haunting of ale-houses and tauernes, ryding and going abroad about their worldly affaires, for pleasure and profit, being also weary whilst they be present at prayers and preaching, seldome do they preuent or come before prayers: Nay, many come in the midst thereof, to the great disturbance of the same, and others that are there: and some againe, before the Sermons are ended: other some after the prayers made, and before the singing of the Psalmes, and the vsuall blessing to be pronounced, depart thence, whereof they, as well as those that tarrie, should be partakers, posting also out of the Church as it were from a play, or maygame; as though they supposed that no more reuerence should be shewed there, then in other places: or that some part of diuine Seruice belonged vntounto them and not vntounto other some: whereas in very truth, eueryevery one ought to be alike partakers of the whole.

And how should we look for any goodnesse from God, where this, that is the seed of all sin, and the nurse of all abhominations, reigneth and swayeth so much?

Let such as are fathers and mothers, and hauehave children, know in what sort they must be carefull for them. Their children are the good blessings of God, they be members of the body of Christ, and the sonnes of God. The kingdome Mat. 18. 10.Matt 18:10of heauen belongeth to them. God hath appointed his Angels to guide and leade them, and to shield them from euill; and their Angels be in the presence of God, and do behold the face of their Father which is in heauen. They be fresh plants of the Church. Who knoweth what necessary instruments they may be in the house of God? It is not enough to seed them, to cloath them, and to nourish their bodies with necessary sustenance.

For the heathen do this, which know not God, and the sauage and bruite beasts, and the birds, which hauehave no vnderstanding, they breed vp their yong ones, and are tender and painfull to prouide for them. The Asse though she be dull, the Beare and Lyon, though they be wilde and cruell, yet seeke they farre and neare to get where with to helpe their young. Therefore, if there be any, or can be any, which doth forsake and leaue his owne, he is more beastly then the foolish Asse, and more vnnaturall then most cruell Beares, and Lyons, and Tygers.

But in this behalfe, men are for the most part ouer-carefull. For this cause many build their houses with bloud, and seeke possessions by iniquitie: they ioyne house to house, and field to Esay. 5. 8.Isa 5:8field, and will dwell alone vponupon the earth: they oppresse the poore and needie, and do wrong to the widdow and the fatherlesse; they make money their idoll, and spoile one another: and all to prouide for their children.

This is the couer and cloake for all their mischiefes; they may not leaue their children vnprouided for. Vnhappy are such fathers, which in this sort care for their children, by the ruine and spoile of the needie and innocent, and so breake the Commandements of God; because their portion shall be with the wicked, in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. And vnhappie are their children, because they are partakers of their fathers wickednesse; and therefore shall also be partakers of punishment with them.

The Prophet Dauid saith: I hauehave seene the wicked strong, and spreading himselfe like a greene Psal. 37. 35. 30.Ps 37:35Ps 37:30Bay-tree: yet he passed away, and lo he was gone; and I sought him, but he could not be found. His roote was deepe, his stocke strong, his branches broade, he spread ouer and shadowed the whole countrie, yet he passed away; he departed, his sonnes died, his house soone decayed, and his name was in little time quite forgotten.

Oh, how much better then is it, to furnish the minds of our children, and to instruct them in godlines, to teach them to know God, to leade their life vettuously, and to rebuke them, and chastise them for ill doing?

The beginning of wisedome is the feare of God. Let them then learne, what that good and Psal. 111. 10. Prou. 9. 10.Ps 111:10Prov 9:10acceptable will of God is. Shew them the way in which they should walke; that they go neither to the right hand nor to the left. The word Psal. 19. 7. 8. & 119. 105.Ps 19:7Ps 19:8Ps 119:105of God is pure, and giueth vnderstanding to the simple: it is a light to their foote-steps; it teacheth those that are yong to amend their waies. For children by nature are darknesse, and cannot see, except they be enlightened with Gods word.

And therefore Salomon sayeth: Catechise a child in his youth, and he will remember it when he is old. This is a right blessing which fathers and Prou. 22. 6.Prov 22:6mothers giuegive to their children, when they cause God to blesse them too.

When Christ came into Ierusalem, the yong children receiued him: They cried, Osanna to the Mat. 21. 15. 16.Matt 21:15Matt 21:16sonne of Dauid, Blessed is he that commeth in the Name of the Lord. Christ giueth witnesse of them: By the mouthes of babes and sucklings, hast thou set Psal. 82.Ps 82foorth thy praise. The words of the little and simple children, were able to confound the wisedome of the Pharises. Thus were they taught from their cradle, so carefull were their godly parents ouer them.

Contrariwise, they cannot hauehave any wisedome that despise the way of the Lord. They become blinde and wicked, and abhominable in all their wayes. They hauehave no sense, nor feeling of the will of God. They cannot know light from darknesse, nor God from Belial. Such were the childrē that derided Elisha, as also Absolon; 2 King. 2. 13.2 Kgs 2:13whose heart Sathan had so possessed with the spirit of pride and ambition, that he went about 2. Sam. 16. 15. &c.2 Sam 16:15to despose his father from his kingdome. So also his brother … vsurped the kingdome 1. King. 1. 5.1 Kgs 1:5of his father Dauid.

Another care which a father ought to hauehave of his children is, to traine them vp in the study of vertue, and of a godly life. Blessed are the pure in Mat. 5. 8.Matt 5:8heart, for they shall see God. They which keepe not this way, are the children of wrath Herein standeth the whole profession of a Christian life. For God hath not called vsus to vncleannesse, but vntounto holinesse. 1. Thes. 4. 7.1 Thess 4:7This is the will of God, and this is out promise made vntounto him, that we serue him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life, that we increase in vertue, and grow from grace Luk. 1.74.75.Luke 1:74Luke 1:75to grace.

A wise and louing father which sendeth his sonne on a dangerous iourney, either by sea or land, first instructeth him with aduise, and telleth him in what sort he shall auoide perils.

Take heed, (saith he) the way is dangerous which thou must passe. The sea is terrible, the waues rise vp as high as heauen, and by and by. thou shalt see a pit as low as hell. The sands may swallow thee, the rocks may destroy thee. Thou shalt passe by huge mountaines, and through a wildernesse, where theeues will assault thee. Thy heart will quake Thou shaltcrie for succour, and find no man to helpe thee. In these and these places hath many a good mans child bene cast away. Oh take … (my sonne,) thou art the … and comfort of mine age: if ought come to thee otherwise then well, I shall soone end my dayes in sorrow.

If a father be thus carefull that his child should escape worldly dangers, he must also be carefull of spirituall dangers, in which whosoeuer is lost, is lost for euer. Therefore thus, or to this effect, may he say to him: Oh my sonne, vnderstand what God hath done for thy sake. Take heed to thy selfe. The world is all ouer-strewed with snares. The diuell runneth and seeketh 1. Pet. 5. 8.1 Pet 5:8whom he may deuoure. GiueGive not ground to him, but resist him, and he will flie from thee. I am. 4. 7. Pro. 18. 10.Prov 18:10Be strong in faith. The Name of the Lord is a strong tower of defence. Call vponupon him in the day of thy trouble, and he will deliuer thee. He Psal. 50. 15.Ps 50:15will giuegive thee of his spirit. Take heed my sonne, and be not deceiued, let no wilfulnesse cast thee away. If sinners entice thee, be not a companion with them in wickednesse. Fashion not thy selfe Prou. 1. 10. 11 Rom. 12. 2.Prov 1:10Prov 1:11Rom 12:2to the likenesse of this world: for the world passeth away, and the lust thereof. He that loueth 1. Ioh 215.this world, the louelove of God is not in him. Be not like vntounto them that perish. Thou wast conceiued Psal. 51. 5. Ephes. 2. 3. Col. 1. 12. 13.Ps 51:5Eph 2:3Col 1:12Col 1:13and borne in sinne. Thou art by nature the child of wrath: but God made thee meete to be partaker of the inheritance of the Saintes in light, and hath deliuered thee from the power of darknesse: and hath translated thee into the kingdome of his deare sonne: Receiue not this grace in vaine; but cast away the works 2. Cor. 6. 1. Rom. 13. 12.2 Cor 6:1Rom 13:12of darknesse, and put on the armour of light. Be renewed in thy heart, and in thy spirit, that it may appeare I hauehave bene carefull for thee. Thus a carefull father seeketh to traine vp his sonne, & to nurture him.

Now there be some necessaire meanes and helpes, whereby godly parents may the more effectually and vertuously bring vp their children, according to the directions before spoken of, as these:

First, not to suffer their children and youth to hauehave their owne will: For Salomon saith, Prou. 11. 20. They that are of afroward heart, are abhominable vntounto the Lord. And againe, in the 29. Chap. verse 15. A child set at libertie, maketh his mother ashamed. But what will some be readie to answer in this case? Oh he may be broken of that time enough afterwards. But what saith the wiseman, Ecclesiastic. 25. 27. GiueGive no passage to the waters, no not a little. The heart of child is as the violent waters. And as those which hauehave experience in keeping and repairing the sea bankes, can easily tell vsus, that if the raging waues should be suffered to breake ouer but one tide, they should hardly in many dayes recouer it againe: so if thou sufferest thy childs affections to hauehave the full swinge and course, yea but a small season, thou shalt hardly or neuer againe winne this breach.

2. The second meanes is, moderation in diet; not to pamper children with too much meate, or that which is delicate, but to giuegive them that which is wholesome and sufficient, and no more. For excesse breedeth disease, both in body and mind, maketh them gluttons and drunkards, consumers of patrimonie, and this vice draweth a thousand more with it: and euen as the fattest soile bringeth forth the rankest weeds, so pampered children brought vp without due gouernment and discipline, thrust foorth the greatest and most ouergrowne vices.

3. The third helpe is, not to cloath them with costly apparell, or to attire them with new fashions. For this againe is contrarie to the nature of paines and labour, and stirreth vp pride. For euen as soft flaxe is soone on fire: so youthfull nature will soone be inflamed with this vice, as lamentable experience too much teacheth at this day. For, from whence commeth this disguised and monstrous apparell, but from wanton and dissolute education of youth? This is the speciall sinne of England, and if any thing be the ouerthrow of it (which God for his mercy turne away) it will be this: the land is too heauie of this sinne. For the pride of all nations, and the follies of all countries are vponupon vsus, how should we long beare them? How art thou fallen from heauen, ô Lucifer, sonne of the Esay. 14. 12. Zoph. 1. 8.Isa 14:12morning? And it shall be in the day of the Lords sacrifice, that I will visit the Princes, and the Kings children, and all such as are cloathed with strange apparell.

4. The fourth helpe is reprehension, or chiding. And this is taught, Prou. 19. 15. The rod, and correction giuegive wisedome. Where by the rod, is vnderstood chastisement: and by correction, is vnderstood, chiding or reprehension. The want of this helpe was the vtter spoile and vndoing of Adonyah, as may be seene, 1. King. 1. & 2. Chapters. And here we cannot but iustly find fault with most parents, who though they be somewhat carefull for their children while they be tender: yet when they be come to some years of discretion, as to fifteene or sixteene, which time is most fit for reprehension, because then by all reason it should soonest enter; and which time againe is most dangerous, be cause then our affections are most strong in vsus, oh then they be growne to mens and womens eftate, they may not be reprehended, they may not be disgraced. But know thou, oh wise parent, that so long as thou hast a child, so long thou art a parent: and so long as thou art a father, so long thou must carry a fatherly authoritie and power ouer him.

5. The fift helpe, is chastisement, and it may well be called a helpe, because where reprehension will not serue, that must helpe; and this must be vsed in order and method: as the skilfull Physition will not giuegive his strong and bitter pill before his preparatiue, lest the working of it should be hindred by the stubburne and indurate obstructions: so the wise parent in curing his sonnes vices, must not strike before he hath reprehended or preadmonished: lest either he be too much caft downe and discouraged, or waxe obstinate. This kind of physicke, as it is more strong then the former, so it hath a more forcible and excellent working. For great is the godlinesse in that seueritie by which the power of sinning is taken away. And againe, Salomon in the 22. of the Prouerbes, verse 15. saith more worthily: Foolishnesse is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall driue it away. And againe in the 13. Chapter, verse 24. He which spareth the rod, hateth his sonne, that is, he is an enemie vntounto him. Wherefore know thou this, ô thou father, that when thou feest thy sonne dangerously sicke with the disease of sinne, and doest not vse this helpe or remedie, which God in his holy word hath prescribed vntounto thee, thou art accessarie to thy childs death, as an enemie, and his bloud shall be required at thy hands: because where thou mightest hauehave saued him, thou hast wilfully cast him away. For Gods louelove (good parents) looke to your children.

Oh that parents had lesse carnall affection, and more wisedome: for eueryevery parent is blind in his owne children.

Oh, is it not a pitifull thing, that parents should themselues make graues for their owne children, and burie them quicke without all compassion, and thinke they do well in it? And is it not a follie aboue all follies, that while the parent layeth his hand vponupon his childs mouth, to keepe away the cold winde, he presseth it downe so hard, that he strangleth him there-with? Thus many a father and mother in the world, hauehave killed their deare ones by their inordinate louelove and cockering of them, and thus many poore infant must still be murthered, because parents will not be warned.

Parents are bound by the law of nature to louelove their children: for what a crueltie were it, not to louelove them that they hauehave begotten and borne? But yet wisedome requireth, that they some what dissemble and hide their louelove, (specially to those children that be of some reasonable discretion) lest they should take boldnesse thereupon, to do what they list.

For if we well consider of mans nature, that Gen. 6. 5. & 8. 21. Mat. 15. 19.Gen 6:5Gen 8:21Matt 15:19it is euill euen from his birth, we shall then find the young child which ly eth in the cradle, to be both way-ward, and full of affections: and though his bodie be but small, yet he hath a great heart, and is altogether inclined to euill: and the more he waxeth in reason by yeares, the more he groweth proud, froward, wilfull, vnrulie, and disobedient. If this sparkle be suffered to increase, it will rage ouer, and burne downe the whole house. For we are changed and become good, not by birth, but by education.

For like as planting and carefulnesse hath great power in all growing things: euen so hath education greater vertue and strength: yea, and better fruit, in the diligent bringing vp of their children.

Therefore parents must be warie and circumspect, that they neuer smile or laugh at any words or deeds of their children, done lewdly, vnhonestly, naughtily, wantonly, or shamefully, not to kisse and commend them for so doing. For children will commonly accustome themselues vntounto such things, as they shall see and perceiue to be pleasing and delightfull to their father and mother. Therefore they must correct, and sharpely reproue their children for saying or doing ill, and make it knowne vntounto them, that they be neither well pleased nor contented with their so doing, but that it greatly disliketh them. And againe on the other side, let them kisse and make much of them, whensoeuer they shall see or heare them do any thing that is a signe of goodnesse.

But such is the fond and too much cockering affection of some parents towards their children, that there is more need in these dayes, to teach and admonish them, not to louelove them too much, then to perswade them to louelove them. For Dauids darling, was Dauids traytor.

And this is the manner of God, and his iust iudgement; that when any father or mother begins 2. Sam. 15. all, & 18. 35.2 Sam 15(as it were) to set their child, or any thing else in the roome of God, and so louelove the same aboue him which gaue it, either to take away the childe, or the thing, or else to take away the parents, before they prouoke him too much. For as the Ape doth (with too much embracing) well-neare kill her young whelpes: so likewise, some vndiscreet parents, through immoderate louelove, and ouer-much pampering and cherishing, do vtterly spoile and marre their children.

Therefore, if parents would hauehave their children liue, they must take heed that they louelove them not too much: for the giuer is displeased, when the gift is more esteemed then he.

We may see by experience, how that many Ill bringing vp, is a cause of marring many which are of a good towardnesse and wit.children of good wit … towardnesse, are marred and spoyled for want of good education, and so get those vices from their tender yeares, which all their life after, do for the most part accompany them.

For when parents do either too much cocker their children, or by their leud example allure to naughtinesse, or neglect due instruction; what other thing (I pray you) can come to passe, then which we see in trees, which from the beginning being neglected, become crooked & vnfruitful?

Contrariwise, they that are pruned, erected, ordered, and watered, with the hand and cunning of the husbandman, are made straight, fertile and fruitfull. So the manner of life, education, and custome, are of great importance to moue to vertue.

What a great folly is it in parents to toyle themselues, and be occupied in getting riches, and to be nothing carefull for their children, for whose sake riches are gotten? Assuredly, there can none more precious and better heritage be left vntounto children, then if they be well and vertuously brought vp from their tender age, and be rightly instructed vntounto vertue from their infancie. This patrimony remaineth with them Two things which much hinder good education.continually, nothing at all subiect to the stormes and troubles of fortune. But we see two speciall causes why some parents do more negligently prouide that their children be instructed, to wit, too much cockering, and niggardship.

In cockering, mothers do more often offend, and specially those that hauehave but few children.

These do like as if some husband-man should refuse to till his field, because he hath but one onelyonly. Who could suffer this mans follie and peruersenesse of iudgement?

Is it not much more to be tilled, because it is onelyonly one?

Yes verily, that so the profit and increase of one, may recompence the want of many. Euen so after the same sort we may iudge it to be the dutie of mothers, so much more diligently to bring vp their children, by how much they are fewer.

But we see what doth let mothers, that they The fewer the children the more diligently to be cared for, that they be well brought vp.louelove their children more dearely then that they can suffer them to be an houre out of their sight: but this is cruell louelove, so to louelove their children, that they should be (as it were) giuen ouer of their mothers vntounto all naughtinesse; of which peruerse and cruell louelove, not a few shall suffer the iust punishment, which with great griefe of mind, and with teares shall be compelled to see the vnbrideled wantonnesse and vngraciousnesse of their children, vntounto which they do now (all too late) go about to prouide a remedie.

On the other side, niggardship is oftentimes The second cause which … good education.greater, then that parents will … the cost.

Whatsoeuer is spent vponupon horse-keepers, or horse-breakers, fooles, minstrels, dogs, hawkes, &c: that some thinke well bestowed: but if they see any thing to be spent about instructing their children, they thinke all ill bestowed; and are much more carefull that an horse be well framed to vauting & leaping, then that their child be well instructed to vertue.

This inconuenience cometh to the minds of children, if they be not well brought vp, that they become seruile, and lie open to all sin and naughtinesse.

For if a man leaue his field vntilled, he shall find it to hauehave brought forth fearne and thystles, and such vnprofitable weeds: after the same sort, if he shall leaue the wits of his children vnlooked vntounto; and vnexercised, he shall be sure to reape most abundant fruite of wantonnesse and vngraciousnesse.

The holy Ghost, speaking in the Scriptures of foolish sonnes, as that he that begetteth such a one getteth himselfe sorrow. and that the father of a foole hath no ioy: Prou. 17. 21. he meaneth it not so much of naturall fooles, or idiots, and such as are destitute of common reason, (although it is true, that is a lamentable iudgement of God, and a heauinesse to the parents of such a child) as of wicked children, such as either are ignorant in the word, or not knowing how to order one right step to the kingdome of God: or else hauing some knowledge, abuse it, to maintaine their carnall lusts and appetite.

For in this case as it would grieue parents to hauehave naturall fooles to their children, or such as either in some imperfection of nature, are dismembred, or deformed, and misfigured in the parts of their bodie: euen so much more should it grieue them to hauehave such children, as either for want of knowledge and heauenly wisedome, cannot walke in the feare of God, or abusing the knowledge giuen them, prostitute and giuegive themselues to all sinne and wickednesse.

It is maruellous how greatly parents can bewaile the want of one naturall gift, proceeding of some imperfection, and how easily they can passe ouer without any griefe, the want of all spiriruall graces, springing from corrupt education.

In like manner it is strange, that men can take the matter so heauily, when their children breake into such offences, as either hauehave open shame or ciuill punishments following them: and yet can make no bones, but passe ouer such sinnes as are against the maiestie of God, accompanied with euerlasting confusion, & vnspeakable torments.

Wherein, what doth the most part of men bewray, but their great hypocrisie, in that neither their ioy, nor their griefe is sound to their children; and that they louelove themselues more in their children, then either their saluation or the glorie of God: the tender louelove and care whereof (no doubt) did increase the sorrow of Dauid, for the death of his sonne Absolon; who was not 2. Sam. 18. 33.2 Sam 18:33so much grieued for the losse of a sonne, as for that vntimely end of his sonne, to whom the time of repentance, for his saluation and the glorie of God, was denyed, which haply, if he had liued, his father Dauid might hauehave reioyced in.

Let parents therefore learne to correct their affections to their children, and be grieued for ignorance, impietie, and sinnes; whereof either their carnall copulation, the not lamenting of their naturall corruption, the want of prayer, and holy seede, or prophane education, armed with the wrath of God, may be a most iust occasion.

Can parents hope for a holy posteritie? or do they maruell if the Lord crosie them in the children of their bodies, when they make as bold and brutish an entrance into that holy ordinance of the Lord, as is the meeting of the neighing horse with his mate? when being ioyued in that honourable estate of matrimonie, either as meete naturall men, without all knowledge of God, they beget their children: or as too carnall men, without the feare & reuerence of the Lord, neither bewailing their corruptions which they receiued of their ancestry, nor praying against their infirmities, which may descend to their posteritie, they abuse the marriage bed.

Lastly, when hauing receiued the fruite of the wombe, they hauehave no care by good and vertuous bringing vp, to offer it to the Lord, that their child by carnall generation, may be the child of God by spirituall regeneration.

Surely no: and yet men looking vp to God his prouidence and secret counsell, without all bethinking themselues of their corrupt generation, from which their children are descended, without all looking back into their wicked and godlesse bringing of them vp, will fret against their sinnes, fume against their children: yea, often they will correct them, and that to serue their owne corruptions, not so much grieued for that they hauehave sinned against God, as that they hauehave offended them.

Christians therefore must know, that when men and women, raging with boyling lust, meete together as bruite beasts, hauing no other respect then to satisfie their owne carnall concupiscence, when they make no conscience to sanctifie the marriage bed with prayer, when they hauehave no care to increase the Church of Christ, and the number of the elect, it is the iust iudgement of God, to send them either monsters, or naturall fooles, or else such as hauing good gifts of the mind, and well proportioned bodies, are most wicked, gracelesse, and prophane persons.

Againe on the contrary, we shall find in the word of God, that noble and notable men commended vntounto vsus for rare examples of vertue and godlinesse, were children asked and obtained of God by prayer.

Our first parents Adam and Eue, being humbled Gen. 4. 2. 25.Gen 4:2Gen 4:25after the birth of their wicked sonne Caine, obtained a righteous Abel: of whom, when by his bloudie brother they were bereft, they receiued that holy man Seth.

Abraham, be getting in the flesh, had a cursed sonne Ismael, but waiting by faith for the accomplishment of God his couenant, he obtained Gen. 21. 2.Gen 21:2a blessed Isaack.

Iacob not content with one wife, according Gen. 30. 24.Gen 30:24to the ordinance of God, was punished in his children: yet afterward being humbled, he receiued faithfull Ioseph.

Elkanah and Hannah, praying and beinst cast 1. Sam. 2. 9.1 Sam 2:9downe, had a Samuel that did minister before the Lord.

Dauid and Bethsheba lamenting their sins, obtained 2. Sam. 22. 24.2 Sam 22:24Salomon, a man of excellent wisedome.

Zacharias and Elizabeth fearing the Lord, receiued Luke 1. 13.Luke 1:13Iohn the Baptist, a fore-runner of Christ.

Looke what sinnes parents hauehave receiued naturally, without God his great blessing, without prayer and humbling themselues, they shall conuey them to their posteritie. And although the Lord granteth sometimes ciuill gifts vntounto the children of naturall and carnall men: yet for the most part they receiue their naturall sinne.

But if the children of God, by regeneration do see into themselues, and lament their sinnes of generation, praying that their naturall corruptions may be preuented in their posterities; they shall see the great mercies of God, in some measure, freeing their children from the same.

Now when thou shalt see such sinnes to be in thy children, enter into thine owne heart, examine thy selfe whether they are not come from thee? Consider how iustly the hand of God may be vponupon thee: and when thou wouldest be angry with thy childe, hauehave an holy anger with thy selfe, and vse this and such like meditation with thine owne soule; Lord shall I thus punish mine owne sinne, and that in mine owne childe? shall I thus persecute the corruptions of my ancestors? Nay, I see (ô Lord) and proue that thou art displeased with me, for the too carnall conception of my childe: I lay then in some sinne, I asked it not of thee by prayer: be mercifull vntounto me (ô Lord) and in thy good time shew some pittie vponupon my child.

Thus thinking, thou goest about to correct nature in thy childe, which he could not helpe, arming thy selfe with prayer, repenting with Iacob, thou shalt be so affected, as desirous to draw thy child out of sin, yet with the mildest meanes and least rigor.

And one thing is most wonderfull; that some will teach their children to speake corruptly, and do wickedly whilest they are young, and yet beate them for it when they are old.

Againe, some will imbolden their little ones to practise iniquitie towards others, which when by the iust iudgement of God, they afterwards exercise towards the parents themselues, they are corrected for it. And yet reason with these and such like men, for the euill education of their children, and they will answer: Do not we as much as is of vsus required? we send our children to the Church, to be instructed of the Pastor: and to the schoole to be taught of the maister: if they learne, it will be the better for them: if not, they hauehave the more to answer for: what can we do more? But remember, ô man: consider ô woman, whosoeuer thus speaketh, that for sinnes sake, and the want of prayer, there may be a plague vponupon the Pastors paines, and a curse vponupon the teachers trauell.

If parents therefore would hauehave their children blessed at the Church, and at the schoole, Children profit more by good example in one month, then by instruction in a whole yeare.let them beware they giuegive their children no corrupt example at home, by any carelesnesse, prophanenesse, or vngodlinesse: for when examples are set before childrens eyes, they are easily led away to that which is euill: otherwise, parents will do them more harme at home, then both Pastor and schoole-maister can do good abroad. For the corrupt example of the one, fighteth with the good doctrine of the other: which is so much the more dangerous, because that corrupt walking is armed with nature, & therefore more forcibly inclineth the affections of children to that side.

And further, experience teacheth vsus, that children like or mislike more by countenance, gesture and behauiour, then by any rule, doctrine, or precept whatsoeuer.

Some there be, that will not hauehave their children taught vntill they be ten or twelue yeares old, because (as they say) at that age they hauehave but an apish imitation.

To whom we answer, that although they cannot then deepely discerne, nor profoundly conceiue things: yet how many things before these yeares, will they both receiue and remember?

And we demand, if children be apish in imitation and following that whilst they be young, which they will hauehave the habit, qualitie or propertie of when they be old, may they not much better do apishly good whiles they are young, which they may carefully do when they are old? Besides, let them go so vntaught, and they will grow so head-strong, that they will sooner be broken then bended: sure it is, that one stripe, or two words, will do more good to a child in time, then an hundred stripes afterward.

And here let parents be admonished of their vndiscreet correction; who do their children more harme in shewing a merrie countenance after their discipline vsed, then they do good by their chastisement of them whiles they do correct them.

Neither do we purpose to take away naturall affection, and a Christian kind of compassion in all our censures: for it is our great complaint of the brutish vnmercifulnesse of many parents here, but we would wish Christians to correct their vndiscreet affections herein by heauenly wisedome.

Neither are we so Stoicall, as to deny a more milde and affable kind of speech to be lawfully and conueniently vsed to children, and yet we wish it to be voyd of all vnseemely lenitie, and without all shew of foolish, vaine, and vnnecessary behauiour.

To be briefe, how needfull houshold gouernment is towards children, may appeare by the slender thriuing, and small profiting either of religion or vertue, either in the Church or Common-wealth.

Speake men of discipline neuer so much, complaine they of the want of Church gouernment neuer so lowd, preach they, teach they neuer so much abroad, vnlesse they will begin discipline in reforming their houses, & giuegive religion some roome at home, they shall trauell much and profit little.

And surely, if men be carefull to reforme themselues first, and then their families: if their charge be greater then their circuites and prouinces wherein the Lord hath placed them, it were the best way to moue the Lord to bestow reformation & discipline on his Church among vsus: and of all meanes that now may be hoped for, this seemeth best: for of particular persons, come families: of families, townes: of townes, prouinces: of prouinces, realmes: so that conueying discipline thus from one to another, in time, and that shortly, it would come into the Church.

Well (we say) let there be neuer so good lawes in Cities, neuer so pure order in Churches, if there be no practise at home: if fathers of families vse not doctrine and discipline in their houses, and ioyne their helping hands to Magistrates and Ministers, they may indeed, but vniustly, as many hauehave done, complaine that their children are corrupted abroad, when they were before, and are still, corrupted and spoiled at home.

Alas, if parents (to whom the comfort of their children well brought vp, is a precious crowne) will not informe and reforme their children in the feare of God, how can hope sustaine these men, that others will performe this duty for them, to whom this charge doth farre lesse appertaine?

Lastly, let parents remember, that therefore they hauehave disordered and disobedient children to themselues, because they hauehave bene disobedient children to the Lord, and disordered to their parents when they were young: whereof because they hauehave not repented, the Lord punisheth their sinnes to others, with the like sinne to themselues.

Wilt thou know, thou father, how thou maist hauehave that blessing, to be the blessed father of a blessed seed? Wilt thou know, thou mother, how to auoyd that curse, to be the cursed mother of a cursed seed? Bring thy children within the compasse of the couenant, indeuour to make thy sonne the sonne of God, and thy daughter by nature, the daughter of God by grace: and remember that God on his part protested to father Abraham, that he was all sufficient for the accomplishment of his promise, in giuing him a blessed seede: and requested also on father Abrahams part, that he should walke before him, and be vpright.

Wilt thou then hauehave the one part of this couenant, that is, that God should blesse thee in thy seede? then remember also, that thou walke before the Lord, and be vpright.

Wilt thou hauehave thy children as the blessed seede of Abraham? teach them with Abraham the iudgements of the Lord: pray for them with Abraham, that they may liue in the light of the Lord: be readie to offer them with Abraham, that they may be an holy sacrifice vntounto the Lord.

It is thou (ô man) (ô woman) that maist do thy child the greatest good, and the greatest harme: if thou prayest for them, and repentest for thy selfe, the Lord will blesse thy care, the Pastors paines, and the teachers trauell: but if thou despisest these duties, the Lord will denie thee these blessings, and the curse of God will fall vponupon the childe, at home in thy house, abroad in the Church, and in the schoole.

And seeing the Lord hath promised, that he will be thy God, and blesse thy seede, if thou beest faithfull; thou mayest bothe hope that thou art of the faithfull, if thou hast a blessed seede: and feare that thou hast not as yet the blessing of the couenant, when thy seede is accursed.

But had not Iacob wicked children, and Dauid Obiection.vngodly sonnes? and doth not daily experience teach vsus, that wicked men hauehave godly children?

Yes; for besides the secret counsell of the Answer.Lord herein, we must know, that neither the promise of the Lord is so vniuersall, that eueryevery particular child of a faithfull man should be within the Couenant: or if of many there be but one blessed, the promise is performed yea, which more is, though the faithfull man hauehave neuer a good childe, yet, if vntounto a thousand generations, there be but one good, the Couenant is not broken. Noither must we tye the Lord his worke so much to man, that a good man may not hauehave an cuill: sonne, seeing though the Lord visit not his sinnes, yet he may visit the sinnes of some of his fore-fathers, to the third and fourth generation going before.

To the second we say, that an euill father hauing a good child, though the Lord shew not mercy to that particular man therein, yet he may remember his promise to some of the fore-fathers, in the thousand generations going before: and though that euill man hauehave no cursed child, yet the curse may be accomplished in the third and fourth generation following.

Wherefore, not speaking of Election or Reprobation, which we leaue onelyonly to the Lord, to make good or bad: we exhort parents to the ordinary meanes to bring vp their children, so as they, either (by some good tokens) may see them the children of God, as heires of the couenant, or at least be comforted in their owne consciences.

If their children for some cause vnknowne, refuse it, yet they may reioyce in this, that to the vttermost of their ability, they hauehave vsed all good and godly meanes, to bring them vp well, and offered them to God.

And if parents hauehave cause to be grieued, when thus trauelling in good education, they cannot see good in their children; how much more cause of griese may they hauehave, when they hauehave vsed and bestowed no labour at all, to bring them vp in the feare of the Lord? And yet many will be grieued for the one, that will not for the other.

Wherefore if we wish to conuey God his blessings to our posterities, let vsus vse the duties thereunto; let vsus, if we be loth to conuey God his iudgements to our children, carefully auoid the meanes vntounto it.

And surely, as it is a blessed thing in the houre of death, with Symeon, to depart in peace; leauing our wiues, children, and seruants, Zuke 3. 29.members of Christ, spouses to Christ, children to God, and seruants to the Lord: So in death, no one thing will be more grieuous vntounto a man, then (the Lord hauing giuen him the charge of so many soules, to be furthered to saluation,) that his owne tormented conscience shall presse him: How, as much as he could, he hath helped them forward to their damnation: and so (which is more fearefull) he shall hauehave them spewing, and foming out on his face, continuall curses in hell, accusing him for euer to be a murtherer of their soules, and a cut-throat of their saluation.

The end of all this briefly is thus much, that parents hauing fooles, children not walking either in knowledge or in a good conscience, must make some vse of so iust a cause of griefe, examining themselues, and accusing their owne soules before the Lord, either for that their meeting was prophane, to so holy an estate, or brutish, because they desired rather a seed like vntounto themselues in flesh and bloud, then such as might be like Christ, by grace, and new birth; or, that they begat their off-spring as meere naturall, or very carnall men: or because they either prophanely neglected all good education, or monstroufly misliked that in their yong children, which they liked in themselues, and punished in them their owne corrupt precepts: or, for that they suffered their children iniuriously to do euill to others, which they could not suffer to do to themselues: or, vntaught them that at home, which was taught abroad: or, in that they do lye in some sinne vnrepented of: or else, because they neuer made conscience to bring their posteritie within the couenant of saluation, but still loued the flesh of their children, and not their soule.

Let all parents remember, that they are bound by the law of God and nature, as concerning this bodily life, to make good and honest prouision, (according to their degrees) for the reliefe and maintenance of their children and familie. And therefore such fathers and mothers, as consume and wast away their money and substance vnthriftily, by dycing, carding, gaming, or by any other indirect and vnlawfull meanes, whereby their children and familie should be maintained, do very vnnaturally sin, and breake Gods Commandements.

The Wiseman sheweth parents, when is the best time to sow the seed of vertue in their children, that it may bring forth the fruite of life, and make them alwayes readie to die: saying, Eccles. 12. 1. Remember now (saith he) thy Creator, in the dayes of thy youth. As if he should say; Youth must thinke on death betimes, to the end to liue to well, & die well.Be mindfull and thinke on God in thy youth, and do not prolong or deferre it vntill age. And so all their life shall runne in a line; the middle like the beginning, and the end like the middle: as the Sunne setteth against the place where it arose.

One of the principallest. duties that belong to parents towards their children, is, that they Marriage with Papists, &c. Gen. 23. 24.Gen 23:24be very wary and carefull, that their sonnes and daughters do not match in marriage with such as are vngodly, wicked, and voyde of true religion. Which if they do, they endanger the faith of their children, and so commit a grieuous sinne.

For proofe whereof, let vsus consider first what marriage is, and how nigh a coniunction the Lord hath made it. He made the woman of the mans nature; flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bones: So that we may not imagine, that that God, which required so neare a coniunction in the outward and inferiour part, will suffer the minde and spirit of the husband and wife, betweene faith and superstition to be rent asunder. Therefore when God said: They shall be two in one flesh: we may not thinke but that he spake it of the whole and perfect creature, made of bodie and soule, that they should be of two one: or that God did by so holy a Law, set free the holiest part, requiring onelyonly such agreement in the flesh and bodie, and leaue the soule and spirit in dissention. For as God gaue vntounto both one name, as touching their earthly nature, signifying their vnitie, and called them Adam; Genesis 5. 2. so he gaue vntounto them a likenesse in name, as they were ioyned in marriage; to signifie their agreement in minde and spirit, and called the one man, and the other woman: Genesis 2. 22. 23. Yea, he gaue vntounto marriage this especiall priuiledge: For this cause Gen. 2. 24.Gen 2:24shall a man leaue his father and his mother, and shall cleaue to his wife, and they shall be one flesh: but it could neuer be, that any vniting onelyonly of flesh and bloud, should hauehave found a dispensation from the Law, that bindeth minde and conscience; Honour thy father and thy mother, Exod. 20. 12.

The holy and faithfull bond of marriage betweene man and wife, is commended to vsus by that most holy coniunction of Christ with his Church: Ephes. 5. 2. Seeing that this is a coniunction both of bodie and soule, then such as How should it marriage … well, whē … bridegroome … such a one, … whom he cannot say, God speed, because she is one of Gods friends: 2. Ioh. 10.2 John 1:10are Christian parents, ought to be carefull, that their children may reioyce in it: howsoeuer it liketh others to marrie their children, yet they ought to see that their children do settle themselues, that they may knit their minds in religion, where they make their bodies one: that so their marriage may be to them as a looking-glasse, to view and behold the louelove of Christ.

S. Paul giueth this generall rule to all that wil marrie, that they marrie onelyonly in the Lord; and to 1. Cor. 7. 39. But how do they marry in the Lord, who marry the Lords enemies?1 Cor 7:39marrie only in the Lord, is not to be led by flesh and bloud, with fauour, credite, honour, friendship, riches, or beautie, but rather it is to marrie religiously in the feare of God, & in the fellowship of the Church of Christ, where true Christians liue by one faith, professe one religion, and serue one God.

Now let vsus a little call to our remembrance, what fruit such vnequal mariages hauehave brought forth from the beginning.

The sonnes of God, saw the daughters of men, Gen. 6. 2.Gen 6:2that they were faire, and they tooke them wiues of all that they liked.

This aduenturous marriage in a strange religion, did so infect the world, that all flesh had As the Iewes might not marry with the Cananites, so Christians may not marry with them which are like Cananites.corrupted his wayes. For this cause God gaue this plaine and expresse Law vntounto the people of Israel, as touching all the inhabitants of the land of Canaan: Thou shalt not giuegive thy daughters vntounto his sonnes; Deut. 7. 2. 3. 4. Exod. 34. 16. Surely they will turne away thy heart: 1. Kings 11. 2. Ezra 9. 1. 2. &c. and 10. 18. 19. Reade the Gen. 24. 3. & 28. 1. Mal. 2. 11. Ezr 9. 14.Gen 24:3Gen 28:1Mal 2:11Ezra 9:14places.

We may not here thinke, that this inhibition serueth not now … ys, as touching Pagans, Turks, or Infidels; but rather we must assure our seiues in the truth, and know that no people in the world are more within the compasse of this law then the Papists, and superstitious idolaters. The holy Ghost forbiddeth vsus to keepe company with Idolaters, and such as are of a strange religion: and how can he then permit, that we should marrie with them? He commandeth If adulterie may separate marriage, shall not idolatr y hinder marriage, which is worse then it?streightly that we should not draw in one yoke with the vnbeleeuing: 2. Cor. 6. 14. which to do, is as vnseemely, as an Oxe and an Asse to be yoked together to plough: Deut. 22. 10. And how can we possibly deuise to violate and breake this commandement more contumeliously, then to yoke our selues in marriage with the vnfaithfull? We are charged, To offer vp our bodies a liuely, a holy, and a reasonable sacrifice vntounto God: Rom. 12. 1. But if we shall giuegive our bodies to Papists, we then shall make them one flesh with the Papists: and then we may be sure, that no corrupt sacrifice can be a sweete smelling sacrifice vntounto the Lord our God.

Here godly parents ought then aduisedly to consider, that the strengthening and constant Parents may not giuegive their daughters to a man ….standing in religion of their children, is onelyonly of God, and from God, and not of themselues; and therefore although they hauehave brought vp their children religiously and vertuously, and Gen. 34. 14.Gen 34:14thinke they are so well grounded and setled therein, that they cannot be remoued & drawne from their sound profession: yet they must beware that they do not tempt God, and venture their children to walke in that way which so many hauehave fallen in. How can they assure themselues, that their children shall abide constant, and stand vpright, if they shall consent that they may couple themselues in marriage with Papists?

Sampson was borne by Gods promise, consecrated to the Lord from the day of his birth to the day of his death, made a Iudge of Israel; a deliuerer of Gods Church, and a reuenger of his enemies: very great and especiall tokens of the grace of God in him, that it should be continued: yet, when he would attempt to marry one of a strange religion, he lost his honour, and became a laughing-stocke vntounto the enemies of God. Iudges the fourteenth Chapter, and first verse, &c. and 16. 4. 17. 18. &c.

Salomon was a wise man, as euer was any before him, or after him: God hath endued him with heauenly gifts, and had set him vp as a figure of his Sonne Christ: yet when he had married with Pharaohs daughter (and others, of an other religion, and strangers from the commonwealth of Israell) he then fell from worse to worse, till at the last, he fell to miserable idolatrie: 1. King. 11. 4.

What was the cause that Ahab king of Israell, Miserable is that mā which is fettered with a woman that liketh not his religion. He feareth not sinne, which doth not shun occasions, and he is worthy to be snared, which leadeth himselfe into temptation, & so maketh a trap for himselfe.did worse then all the kings before him? a man euen sold to worke wickednesse in the sight of the Lord: aboue all his idolatries, and walking in the most wretched wayes of Ieroboam, the Scripture layeth this to his charge, euen as his greatest …, that he tooke the daughter of the king of the Sydonians to his wife: 1. King. 16. 29. 30. 31. 23. 33. And lest such parents as either hauehave, or hereafter shall marrie their children to Papists, should thinke their case to be better then his, because though they marry them to Papists, or to Atheists, yet they do not marry them to any Pagans: let them consider what the Scripture teacheth them more.

Iehoram King of Iudah, married neither Luk. 11. 4. The wife must be meete, as God said: Gen. 2. 14. But how is she meete, if the husband be a Christian and sh e a Papist?Luke 11:4Gen 2:14with anie Sydonian, nor AEgyptian, neither with Pagan, nor Infidell; but with one of his owne people, and of the Tribe of Israell: yet because she had corrupted her religion in her fathers house, the Scripture sheweth this to to be the cause of all Iehorams sinne: He did euill in the sight of the Lord, because the daughter of Ahab was his wife: 2. Kings 1. 18. Yea, the Scripture maketh this sinne so great, that Iehosaphat a good King, was yet defiled with it, and it is reported as a great blemish of his vertuous doings, that euer he suffered his sonne Iehoram so dangerously to marrie. 2. Chron. 1. 18.

When God would blame the idolatrie of his people of Israel, shewing both how greatly he did hate it, and what plagues he would bring vponupon them for it, he reuealed it vntounto the Prophet … this parable: bidding him take vntounto himselfe a wife of fornications: that is, a wife full of spirituall whoredomes, such a one as a papist is, that in such a marriage (as in a glasse) he might behold how lothsome the peoples idolatries were, Hos. 1. 2. &c.

Parents hauehave further to remember, that they hauehave not this rule and authoritie ouer their children, that they may chuse whether they will let them marrie or no, or when they list, and whom they list: but fathers and mothers must consider, that they hauehave rule ouer their children vnderunder the Lord; so that the Lord is aboue them: and therefore parents must deale with their children according to the will and minde of God, which will of God is reuealed vntounto vsus out of his word. Now God by his Apostle saith; To auoide fornication, let eueryevery man 1. Cor. 7. 1.1 Cor 7:1hauehave his owne wife: and let eueryevery woman hauehave her owne husband: Whereby all parents may see, that God commaundeth them to permit and suffer eueryevery one to marrie, that is disposed to marrie.

Now, if they may not forbid any man or woman to marrie, much lesse their owne children, whom if they suffer not to marrie, not hauing the gift of continencie, then they breake and resist Gods ordinance. For we reade, that when Isaack forbad his sonne Iacob to marrie any Gen. 18. 1. 2.Gen 18:1Gen 18:2of the daughters of Canaan, he did not restraine him altogether from marriage: and therefore he directed him, where, and with whom he should marrie.

Likewise the parents of Sampson, when he asked Iud. 14. 1. 2. 3.Judg 14:1Judg 14:2Judg 14:3a wife of them, did not simply forbid him to marrie: but they reproued him, for because he would marrie an Insidell, and a prophane woman.

**It is the parents duty to giuegive their children that which may helpe them in this life, to counsell, or to prouide them fit and religious marriages 2. Cor. 12. 14. Gen. 4. 2. 3. 4. Ruth 3. 1.2 Cor 12:14Gen 4:2Gen 4:3Gen 4:4Ruth 3:1Therefore such parents as be godly, will hauehave aduised consideration and regard of the infirmities of their children, and whether they can liue continent and chast, or no: and if they shall make choise, and hauehave a good liking to such as be honest, religious, and godly, (hauing craued their parents consent) although they be not so rich and wealthie as they would wish them to matc h with, yet they ought not to hinder, …, and forbid their children to marrie, onelyonly for want of goods and substance.

Parents ought to be carefull, that their children do marrie in such an age wherein they should vnderstand whom they choose, and very well perceiue what they take in hand, and that they do not seeke to match themselues in marriage aboue their degree. And it is very expedient, that parents admonish their children, to make their choise according to their complexion and condition.

This is a most vnnaturall and cruell part, for When parents do abuse their authority.parents to sell their children for gaine and luker, and to marrie them when they list, and to whom they list, without the good liking of their children, and so bring them into bondage. And therefore if parents shal force and compell their Parents must not match their children onelyonly for carnall respects.children to marrie contrarie to their minde and liking, then the sorrowfull children may not say they hauehave married them, but for euer they hauehave marred and vndone them. And therefore to the end that marriages may be perpetuall, louing, and delightfull betwixt the parties, there must and ought to be a knitting of hearts before striking of hands.

The places of Scripture, are many and diuerse, by which it may plainely appeare, that all When parents do marry their daughters to men of vnderstanding, they shall performe a weightie worke.godly and Christian parents, are charged by God himselfe, that they should be carefull in time, to make meete choise of husbands for their daughters, and fit wiues for their sonnes: amongst many, these quotations do sufficiently proue it. Deut. 7. 3. Nehemia 13. 23. 24. Ierem. 29. 6. 1. Corinth. 7. 36. 37. 38. Genesis 24. 10. &c and 28. 1. 2. and 4. 4. and 38. 6. 8. Iosua 15. 16. 17. 2. Samuel 13. 23. Iudges 14. 1. &c. Let fathers and mothers therefore (on whom this charge by God his Commandement lyeth, to take wiues for their sonnes, and to prouide husbands for their daughters) take diligent heed hereunto, that they abuse not their power Colos. 3. 21.Col 3:21and authoritie ouer their children, but as in other cases, they are willed by the Apostle, that they deale not in such sort to wards them, that they thereby be dismayed & discouraged: so especially in this matter of greatest moment and value of all other worldly things whatsoeuer, let them abstaine from all rigour and roughnesse, and beware that they turne not their fatherly iurisdiction and gouernment, into a tyrannicall sowrenesse and waywardnesse, letting their will go for a law, and their pleasure for a reason.

For the rule of parents ouer their children, ought to resemble the gouernment of good Princes towards their subiects: that is to say, it must be milde, gentle, and easie to be borne.

For as they, so likewise parents, so farre as concerneth them, and lyeth in their abilitie to performe, must carrie such an euen and vpright hand in their gouernment, that they may by louelove seeke to winne the hearts of those ouer whom they are set, to be firme and sure towards them: and not to keepe them vnderunder a seruile or slauish awe & subiection, by too much feare, but rather be a child-like and reuerend feare, which both the subiects owe vntounto their Princes, and children vntounto their parents; and which both the one and the other easily obtaine at the hands of such as are vnderunder their gouernment, by their equall, vpright, and modetate behauiour towards them.

It doth therefore stand parents greatly in hand, that in making choise for their children, Parents ought to deale sincerely in the choise for their children.they be free from all sinister and corrupt affection, and that for luker and couetousnesse they seeke not to thrust such matches vponupon their children, as they cannot brooke nor like well of.

Yea, and in this most graue and weightie cause, it is a thing earnestly to be wished, that all Christian parents would not take this matter and businesse lightly in hand, as it were but a toy, or a ieast, but that they begin it with In prouision of matches for their children, parents ought to begin with prayer.prayer: that in the whole action they may in such sort be directed, that they do nothing against the word of God, or vnbeseeming the same authoritie the which God himselfe in this cause hath imposed or laid vponupon them.

And thus doing, God (no doubt) will adde a blessing vntounto their godly endeuour and holy care, and worke obedience in the hearts of their children, as he framed the heart of Isaack with entire affection to embrace Rebecca, whom his father Abraham had by his steward prouided for him: Gen. 27. 7. &c.

The third point that appertaineth to parents, is to be themselues examples of all godlinesse The third point. Examples do much more perswade then words, … must … not by …and vertuousneste to their children. So that they must remember, that they themselues do not say, or do any thing that is euill, or offensiue, in the presence of their children. For it is certaine, that children follow and learne nothing so much, and so soone, as that which they see their father and mother do or say. For the vertue, thriuing and prosperitie of children, is for the most part wrought by the fathers and mothers good examples and instructions, and contrariwise: for that which is done by examples, the inferiours will thinke they may lawfully do the like. As good examples do edifie and vphold: so ill examples do destroy and confound. For humanity is taught by the law of nature.

If therefore parents (by their example) should teach the contrarie; what do they else, but indeuour to transforme men into beasts, beginning first to performe it in their owne children? They must be circumspect that their children do not fight, and iniurie one another; and if they sweare, curse, lye, or speake any bawdie or ribaldous words, or sing any … rimes, or vnchristian songs, then to reprooue them sharply for it.

And let all parents alwayes labour, that their children may rather feare them for louelove and reuerence, then for fearé of punishment. For children that obey their parents for feare of correction, commonly feare them no longer then the stripes endure. Before all things, it is needfull that parents should shew themselues As the father beginneth, so it is like the son will proceed.vntounto their children as a manifest patterne or example, not onelyonly by not sinning and offending God any wayes, but also by liuing godly, and by doing all things honestly, that so their children may look into their liues, and peruse themselues as in a glasse. And therefore if parents do giuegive good examples, they shall reape the Gal. 6. 7.Gal 6:7fruite thereof, in the life, behauiour, manners, and prosperitie of their children. For children louelove and delight to do as their parents did before them.

All Christian fathers ought to be most carefull, in nourishing and maintaining naturall louelove and concord amongst the children and family, and in no wise to suffer any sparke of hatred to enter into their hearts, lest it kindle a fire in their breasts: much lesse ought they themselues Mat. 18. 7.Matt 18:7to cast in coales of discord among them, by vnkind or iniurious examples of dealing. For the state of a family if it be in due order, is like to a frame of ioyning worke, or building, whereof if some one peece be out of his place, it tendeth to the disordering of all the rest: and one disorder following another, all becommeth out of ioynt, and falleth into confusion very dispraiseable.

So that parents therefore ought to be carefull to maintaine their children in peace, concord and amitie: for if discord and contention be dangerous and pernicious among all men, how much more betweene brethren and sisters?

Likewise if it be hard quenching of stomacke and debate betweene those that are not enioyned in kindred, it is farre more difficult to revnite brethren, because enmitie amongst them is mightie and strong, like iron-barres, to keepe them asunder. Neither is there any thing more slipperie or of greater efficacie to subuert a family, then dissention among brethren.

It is an old saying: by concord small things do grow; but by discord great things come to nought.

Againe, how dangerous it is for parents to shew more louelove and affection to one child then to another, except vponupon iust and great cause, the example of lacobs children doth testifie. For what was the originall of their enuie and crueltie executed against their brother Ioseph? Geneses 37. 3. Moses there saith, that Iacob (louing Ioseph better then his brethren) made him a partie-coloured-coate, and thereof they tooke occasion to hate him, and to speake roughly vntounto him.

Parents therefore to the end to preuent the like inconueniences, are to vse equalitie among their children, so neare as may be, whether in their ordinary vsage, or in the diuision of their goods.

For as all men naturally are inclined but too much to the louelove of earthly goods: so the vnequall sharing and diuiding of the same, doth oftentimes breede great brawles, and pernicious debate betweene brethren and sisters.

Therefore all fathers and mothers are with great diligence to take heede, what they say or do in their houses, and that they do not commit any leude or wicked deed, whereby their children may be moued to imitate and follow the same: neither that they vtter or speake any bawdy or ribaldous words; or vse to sweare, or lie in their presence: for euill speakings or communication (saith the Apostle) corrupteth good 1. Cor. 15. 33.1 Cor 15:33manners.

Seruants also are to be looked vntounto, and sharply rebuked, if they do commit or shew any leud trickes, or vnhonest behauiour in the presence of children, either in word, deede, or gesture. For if they be iustly called murtherers, that kill the children being new-borne, and kill but the bodie; how great wickednesse is it then to kill the mindes of children through euill example? Deserue not such seruants seuerely to be punished by law (thinke you) that bewitch young children, and hurt their weake bodies with poysons? What then do they deserue, which corrupt the chiefe parts of Infants, with most vngracious venime (we meane) by filthy talke, and leude conuersation of life? Yet it is a lighter matter to kill the bodie, then the mind and soule.

Further, parents ought to be circumspect and warie, that their children do not haunt or vse euill companie; nor vse any vnhonest pastime. For if it be so, that a father will not suffer his childe to come into a place where he may be in danger to take hurt of his body, either by infection of the plague, or otherwise: how much more is he bound to with-hold and keepe his childe from comming there where he should hurt and poyson his soule?

The fourth and last point is, that parents do with all care and diligence, keepe their children The last point.from all lazie idlenesse; a vice (no doubt) out of which do spring many inconuehiences, and is condemned by the holy Ghost in many places of Scripture: whereby God declareth, that he created no man in vaine, or to no purpose: neither is there any man, vntounto whom he hath not allotted (as it were) a certaine standing and Gen. 3. 19. Ezech. 16. 49. Prou. 12. 11. & 18. 9. 1. Tim. 5. 10. 11. 2. Thes. 3. 10. 11.Gen 3:19Ezek 16:49Prov 12:11Prov 18:91 Tim 5:101 Tim 5:112 Thess 3:102 Thess 3:11roome, and a lawfull calling to walke in. Whereupon it followeth, that the order which God hath appointed, is troubled by such as liue idlely: yea, Gods ordinance is broken, which is a great sinne and wickednesse.

So then, by the word of God none ought to liue idlely, and to neglect his charge and dutie, but ought to giuegive himselfe to some profitable calling to get his liuing by, and to do good to others.

Although fathers prouide for their children, great store of money, and huge heapes of treasure; yet in three … foure houres all may be wasted and come to nought. For much euill commeth through idlenesse: it is an euill teacher; he that doth nothing is ill occupied. The mind of man is euer stirring and doing somewhat: if it be not doing well, it is doing ill.

As water, though it be neuer so cleare and faire, fresh and comfortable; yet if it stand still in a pit or hole, or be kept long in a vessell, whence it hath no issue, it will putrifie and corrupt, rot, and smell, and he vnwholsome: Euen so fareth it with children; yea, and with all the sonnes of Adam, if they hauehave nothing to do, no way to bestow their wits, they will rot, & proue vnwholesome, and deuise mischiefe all the day long.

For as labour and exercise of body of one Idlenesse bringeth much euill.man, industrie and diligence of mind in another man, are sure forts, and strong bulwarkes of countreys; euen so, idlenesse and negligence are the cause of all euill: for an idle mans braine becometh quickly the shop of the diuell. And as in all things naturall, there is one thing or other which is the spoile of it; as the Canker to the rose; the Worme to the apple, and the Caterpillar to the leafe: so the common spoile to all youth, is the contrary to paines & labour, which is idlenesse. Therefore is idlenesse worthily called the mother of all euils, and step dame of all vertues.

The Prophet Ezechiel in his sixteenth Chapter, verse forty nine, teacheth that idlenesse was one of the principall sins of Sodome, which pulled downe fire and brimstone from heauen vponupon their heads.

This idlenesse is the diuels confederate: for euen as the traiterous seruant, while his maister is a sleepe, and all thing at rest, setteth open the doore for the thiefe to enter in vponupon him, and spoile him at his pleasure: euen so, idlenesse, (while we are not aware) lying soft vponupon the pillowes of securitie, openeth the doore for the diuell to enter into vsus, with full swing, to the destruction both of body and soule.

Saint Mathew saith, Chapter thirteene, verse twenty fiue; that while men slept, the enemie came and sowed … among the wheate: So, the fittest time that the diuell can find to worke vppon vsus, is when we are idle; for that is the sleepe of the soule.

In the eleuenth Chapter of the second of Samuel, we reade, that while Dauid tarried idle at home, in the beginning of the yeare, when kings vsed to go forth to battell, he was soone ouertaken with two fowle sinnes, of adultery and manflaughter.

Oh that men saw to how many vices and euils they shut the doore, when they ceasse to be idle, and giuegive themselues to honest labours, and … lawfull calling!

So long as Sampson (Iudg. 19.) warred with the Philistines, he could neuer be taken or ouercome, but after that he gaue himselfe to idlenesse and pleasure, he not onelyonly committed fornication with the strumpet Dalilah, but also was taken of his enemies, and had his eyes miserably put out.

If those two which were such excellent men, endued of God with singular gifts, (the one of prophesie, and the other of strength) and such as no labour or trouble could ouercome, were notwithstanding ouerthrowne, & fell into grieuous sinnes, by yeelding for a short time to ease; then what crimes, what mischiefes, and inconueniences are to be feared of them, who all their life long, giuegive themselues to idlenesse and loytering? But such hath alwayes bene the peruerse incredulitie of mens hearts, that they will not beleeue that other men hauehave perished, vntil they themselues perish also.

If we be vtterly voyde of vnderstanding, let vsus go to the bruite creatures, which want those helps of reason and gouernment that man hath, and learne of them: Go to the Pismire, ô sluggard, (saith Salamon; Prou. 6. 6.) behold her wayes, and be wise; For she hauing no guide nor ruler, prepareth her meate in sommer, and gathereth her foode in the haruest.

What is it that filleth the prisons, and bringeth so many to the gallowes, & causeth so many parents to lament and bewaile the vntimely death of their children, but idlenesse? When the poore condemned wretches hauehave receiued their iudgements, and come to the place of execution, and stand on the ladder; what counsell giuegive they to young men and to children, but to beware of idlenesse?

What is the cause of such, and so many diseases in the body? Aske the Physitians, and they will tell you, idlenesse. Whereof rise rebellions in kingdomes against Princes? Whereof rise mutinies and mutterings in Cities against Magistrates? You can giuegive no greater cause thereof, then idlenesse.

Christ our Redeemer saith; Of eueryevery idle word Mat. 12. 36.Matt 12:36(that is, vaine and vnprofitable trifles, which the most part of people spend their liues in) that men shall speake, they shall giuegive account thereof at the day of iudgement. If we shall make an account for idle words, what shall we do for idle hands, for idle feete, for idle body, for idle soule?

What account for all idlenesse, especially for wicked deeds, shall we make at the day of iudgment? Seeing then, that idlenesse is so noysome and hurtfull; let all Christian parents therefore labour and endeuour to auoyd it, both in themselues and their children, as a plague, or contagious disease.

Therefore it is most requisite and necessary, that parents do bring vp their children, either in To learne that Science which they be most apt for.learning, or in some occupation and handycraft, whereby they may get their liuing another day, and so liue the better.

But some vnaduisedly and foolishly do reason saying; what need is it for noble and rich mens Obiection.children to hauehave learning? they shall hauehave enough?

We answer, the greater the ship is, and the Answer.more merchandise it carrieth about, the more need it hath of a cunning ship-maister: So, the greater the childe is (both by birth, and by inheritance) so much the more neede is it for him to be brought vp in learning, and in good literature. For learning, knowledge, and vnderstanding, Pro. 3. 13. 14. 15.Prov 3:13Prov 3:14Prov 3:15is profitable both for rich and poore: so that (as the Grecians say) he that is ignorant and vnlearned, seeth nothing, although he hauehave eyes. The life of such a one, is (as a tree without fruite) a day without Sunne, a night without Moone or Starres, a house without a man, and an head without a bodie.

It is found by experience, which is the best Schoole-maister, that vntounto what occupation or science soeuer any young man shall be put, the more skill and knowledge he hath in the liberall Sciences, so much the more sooner shall be learne his occupation; and the more ready, and handsomer shall he be about the same.

And besides all this, he that hath learning, although it be but small, shall much better vnderstand the Preachers, and take more profit by hearing of them, to his great and endlesse comfort, then he that hath no learning. Experience also teacheth vsus this, that goods, riches, beauty, glory, and health, be vnstable, and fade, perish, passe away, come and go: but learning and vertue neuer stagger, alway be constant. Therefore of all the charges that parents be at about their children, that mony is best bestowed, that is laid out vponupon learning: especially when they are taught to know God aright, and how he will be serued.

It is a lamentable thing, to consider how carelesse some parents are of their children, when they put them to the schoole, in that they make small account and reckoning to what schoole-maister they put their children to learne, so they may hauehave them taught for little or no cost, though their children profit little or nothing in learning; so that oftentimes they not onelyonly bestow their money in vaine, but also they suffer their children to loose their time, which is a thing so precious, as it cannot be redeemed with any money, and so let them spend two or three yeares in learning that, which they might by the diligence and orderly teaching of a skilfull schoole-maister, learne in lesse then halfe this time, if there be any aptnesse and towardnesse in the children.

Therefore let parents remember, that as the goodnesse of the ground is not much profitable for corne, vnlesse there be a meete husband-man to till and sow the same: so likewise it is not enough to find good towardnesse in your children, vnlesse you prouide a meete and fit Schoole-maister to further the same.

And as Noblemen and Gentlemen are desirous to hauehave a good and skilfull horse-keeper, that can keepe their horses well, and they spare not to giuegive stipends to such: euen so much more ought Christian parents to be desirous to hauehave, and maintaine a good Schoolemaister, that might bring vp their children in vertue, wisedome and good learning. And like as if their horle be not well broken, or hauehave any … qualitie, they will be carefull to see it remedied, and that he may be made tractable and gentle: so likewise godly parents ought to be much more carefull, not onelyonly that their children may by instruction be brought to some good order, but also to looke that there be no fault in the teacher, to whom they commit the care to bring them vp in learning and good manners.

But alas, and with griefe be it spoken, many men now a daies, albe it they perceiue their children to be toward and apt vntounto letters, and capable to receiue good learning, hauing wealth and riches enough to maintaine them thereat, yet will they not suffer them to continue thereat vntill they come to any good perfection: Why some men bring not vp their children to any good perfection in learning.some because they themselues do not like of our state & religion: othersome because they see little preferment, and no worldly aduantage to follow learning, but great trouble and affliction: all which men, in this doing, declare themselues to be irreligious, vngodly, and destroyers both of themselues, their children, and of all Common-wealths and congregations. For what publicke wealth, Towne, Citie, or Parish, can be well gouerned, except the Prince, Magistrate, or Preacher, be learned both in humane and diuine lawes?

In times past when ignorance and superstition was accounted good deuotion, at which time men saw so many spirituall promotions (as they then called them) vntounto rich Bishoprickes, Abbies, Priories, Deaneries, Benefices, &c. then they would let for no cost to hauehave their children learned in some sort, to the end they might get them to be Priests, and so to say Masse, and the rest of that idolatrous seruice, that so they might liue in ease and idlenesse.

But now that they see how painfull and perillous a charge it is to preach, and rightly to diuide Gods word, and to deliuer the same freely and faithfully, and also how vnthankfull an office and calling it is, to gouerne well a congregation: they had rather their children should be bound prentises to some trade, or else follow any other profession, then that they should study Diuinitie.

When children were nothing apt to good learning, and when there was no good learning to be had, no, nor good teachers; yet then, well was he that might set his child to Schoole. But now, when youth was neuer so apt to good learning, as it is at this day: and learning and all good meanes neuer so plenteously flourishing; being restored and reduced into such a facilitie, and a compendious briefenesse: yea, neuer so good, learned, and skilfull schoole-maisters: neuer such plentie of so good and plaine books printed, neuer so good cheape: the holy Ghost mercifully offering his gifts, as it were, into the mouthes of all men: few there be that will open their mouthes to receiue them, their eyes to see the cleare light, nor yet their eares to heare so pure, manifest, and wholesome, and heauenly doctrine, euen the word of God, the meanes of our saluation.

It is therefore to be feared, that for this our great vnthankfulnesse, these so manifold heauenly blessings shall be taken from vsus, and giuen to some other nation, that will both be more thankfull for them, and also shew forth better fruites of Christianitie, then we hitherto hauehave done.

Oh therefore that parents would aduisedly consider, that the want of this Christian dutie, of the good education of their children, is the onelyonly cause of great mischiefe and much miserie, both vponupon children and themselues; yea, in truth it is from hence that so much sorrow, griefe, and shame, befalleth many times vponupon the fathers and mothers.

And how cometh this to passe, that the parents owne dung is cast in their faces by their owne children, in mocking and despising of them? and whence arise all these inconueniences before named, together with all these grieuous plagues and iudgements of God vponupon their children, to the consuming of their eyes, but from this their owne negligence, in bringing vp their children? For it is euen iust with God, that seeing they hauehave offended him in the greatest blessings, they should be plagued with the same thing wherein they offended him, in the greatest iudgements.

O you vnnaturall parents! the rich man in Luke 16. 27.Luke 16:27hell shall rise vp against you in the day of iudgement, and condemne you: for he being in hell had a care of his fathers house, that they might be forewarned: and therefore desired Abraham to send Lazarus to his brethren, to testifie vntounto them that they came not into that place of torment: but you will not admonish your children, you will not teach them Moses & the Prophets: and you will not shew them the danger of Gods heauie displeasure hanging ouer their heads, and therefore your owne children shall be one of the furies of hell to torment you. The Lord open your eyes to foresee and flie these fearefull iudgements.

But if you will bring them vp well and vertuously, Prou. 22. 6.Prov 22:6they shall be the better for it all their liues after: nay, the world to come shall reape this benefit: for such children as you now bringvp, such parents shall they be after when you are gone: and looke what parents you leaue behind you, the like children againe shall they reare vp.

Wherefore, ô you parents, you are either the making or the marring of the world: for if your children learne no good education at your hands, how should they be good fathers after you? and how should they leaue that to their posteritie by the right of inheritance, which they neuer receiued from their ancestors?

To conclude this point we say, once againe, Oh ye parents, endeauour to go forward in this vertuous education of your children, and then (no doubt) God neither shall, nor will hide any necessary secret or instruction from you, neither will he with-hold any good blessing from your posteritie: so shall ye be fathers of the faithfull, as Abraham was, if you will hauehave the same care, and practise the same diligence for your children and family, that he did. Genes. 18. 18. 19. and 12. 2. 3.

Parents also hauehave to remember, that they shall commit an act very vnnaturall, iniurious, and vngodly, if they should vndeseruedly disinherit their eldest sonne. For as nature in all her works, for the most part seemeth to make some … of the eldest … is athing ….one thing to be chiefe before all the rest, whereby the same is, and the rather continueth: so reason in the order of a family, which is an imitation of a state ciuill, or body politicke, perswadeth Chron. 21. 3.by experience, that of necessitie there be one before the rest as chiefe: whereby may be conserued, that beautie of vnitie, and harmonie of concord, which the Almightie in his creation so wonderfully and diuersly teacheth, and our Sauiour himselfe so carefully and especially commended to his Church. And therof seemeth to come that preheminence or more speciall regard, which the Law of God in the old Testament appointed to his people the Israelites, to Exod. 13. 1. 2. & 34. 19. 20. Num. 3. 13. & 18. 16.Exod 13:1Exod 13:2Exod 34:19Exod 34:20Num 3:13Num 18:16be obserued towards the first begotten sonne, and likewise somewhat concerning other dumbe creatures, which first were brought forth into the world.

By the ancient law of the Iewes, the eldest had double so much as the others, of the fathers goods, and alone to the eldest pertained the blessing of the father, wherewith should seeme alwaies the heritage to go and succeed: as is manifest by the will of God in Deut. 21. 15. 16. 17. If a man hauehave two wiues, one loued, and another hated, and they hauehave borne him children, both the loued, and also the hated: if the first borne be the sonne of the hated, then when the time commeth, that he appointeth his sonnes to be heires of that which he hath, he may not make the sonne of the beloued first borne before the sonne of the hated, which is the first borne: but he shall acknowledge the sonne of the hated, which is the first borne, and giuegive him double portion of all that he hath: for he is the first of his strength, and to him belongeth the right of the first borne.

The Patriarkes and other the seruants of God, although by diuine reuelation and other notice of the will of God, they were certified that they might marrie many of sundry wiues at one time, yet did they exclude from their heritage the prerogatiue of the blessing, all the children of those secondarie and after marriages. This appeareth in Genes. 21. 10. The sonne of the bond-woman shall not be heire with my sonne Isaack: yet was he the eldest, but was not the sonne of the first marriage, nor borne of a free-woman.

Also an heire is the worke and institution of nature, and heritage is due to the sonne of nature, therefore it is so due that he must needes hauehave it; seeing those things which come by nature, or be naturall, are not mutable or to be changed.

Moreouer, this name heire, which in a manner with all nations is the eldest, is the successor of the law nationall, besides the lawes naturall and diuine. And that father who maketh another heire, then is by the Authorities appointed, cannot but expresse himselfe a Rebell, in disobeying and contemning so great lawes and authorities, beginning a new law of his owne head contrary thereunto. Then what is more vniust, then to do contrary to all lawes, and therewith to disobey the will of God, to peruert the due order of descent, preferring the second marriage before the first; the yonger before the elder; the late off-spring before the first begotten; so much tendred and respected? Now, as the greatest iniurie a father can do to his sonne, is to disherite him: so it it the most reprochfull blot or dammage, to suffer. the infamie and discredit of disherison.

For if the eldest sonne be worthy to be disherited in his fathers house, he may be thought not worrhy to draw breath out of it: for that he ought to be conuinced faulty in those crimes and hainous offences, which be either repugnant to the duty of a child, or not meete for the profession of a Christian.

Namely, if he strike or offer violence to his father: Deut. 21. 18. &c.Deut 21:18if he oppresse him with some great wrong: if he seeke his death or destruction, by poysoning, Gen. 35. 22. 1. Chron. 5. 1.Gen 35:221 Chr 5:1or otherwise: if he lie with his fathers wife, if he will not suffer his father to make his will: if he be not of the true and Catholicke faith, but is conuinced to be an heriticke, whereby his life and heritage is in hazard. Or if he refuse to succour and deliuer his father out of prison, by his surety-ship; or if he follow the trade and companie of such persons, as in the law be counted infamous, vile, and most dishonest; as Iuglers, Sorcerers, Coniurers, Theeues, Cozeners, and Pyrates.

Or if he be an idiot, a mad-man, a naturall, or lunaticke person. Or if the father offering him a meete marriage, vnderunder fiue and twentie yeares, he refuse it, and delight to liue continually in whoredome, and filthy order of life: These and such like be the causes, that the Ciuill or Ecclesiasticall lawes do assigne.