Parents if they know any thing at all know that sin is a transgression of the Law and by it the Lord is offended with them that break his Commandments He that keepeth the whole Law and offends in one point is guilty of all James 2.10 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth the Law for sin is a transgression of the Law 1 John 3.4 Parents knowing this if they love their Children they will keep them from sin if possible Reason 2. Parents know that the wages of sin is death Rom. 6.23 not only the death of the Body but the second Death or the eternal depravation of the Soul from Eternal Happiness and sentenced to eternal wrath Mat. 25.41 I pass to the Third Doctrine which is Doct. 3. That they that are true Christians indeed have such entire love to their Childrens Souls that they will use all means possible to nurture them up in the right way of the Lord This Doctrine seems to be one perfect Character of a Christian and it naturally ariseth from the Text viz. Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The 1st Reason is Because Parents know that if the Soul be eternally lost there is no recovering of it again There is a great gulf fixed Luke 16.26 'T is the eternal decree of the Lord that none can pass it none can enter in when the door is shut Mat. 25.10 2d Reason is Because Nurture and Instruction is the way to eternal Life This is life eternal to know thee saith Christ the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17.3 As 1st To know him in his Titles John 1.5 14 29 45 49 51. 2ly To know him in his Nature Rom. 1.3 Acts 13.23 Gal. 4.4 3ly To know him in his Attributes as he is all Wisdom Justice Life Light Mercy Power Majesty Immortality Incomprehensible and Immutable 1 Cor. 1.24 John 1.4 Mat. 28.18 1 Tim. 6.16 James 1.17 4ly To know Christ in his Person in his Excellencies and in his Offices as 1st King 1 Tim. 6.15 2ly Priest Heb. 7.21 3ly Prophet Acts 3.22 23. 5ly To know him in his Promises John 14.16 Mark 10.29 30. 6ly To know him in his Conception and Birth Mat. 1.20 25. 7ly To know him in his Life and Doctrine Acts 10.38 8ly To know him in his Death 2 Cor 5.15 Heb. 2.9 Rom. 5.10 9ly To know him in his Resurrection Rom. 8.11 1 Cor. 15.14 20. 10ly To know him in his Ascention John 3.13 Acts 1.11 Eph. 4.9 10. 11ly To know him in his Glorification Mat. 25.31 John 17.5 12ly To know him in his infinite and special Love John 3.16 Mark 16.15 13ly To know him in our hearts by Faith Eph. 3.17 2 Cor. 13.5 This is a Work that is not truly attained to but by Nurture and wholsome Instruction and God's gracious Inspiration Rom. 10.17 And it requireth great labour diligence and care 3d. Reason is Because Nurture and Instruction in the right way of the Lord is a thing that is hard to be attained As 1st All the promises of the Gospel are spiritual and they that embrace the Gospel must be spiritual men 1 Pet. 2.5 John 15.19 2ly The Doctrine of the Gospel holds forth a state of self-denial Luke 14.26 3ly The way of truth is a way of of Persecution either in word or deed 2 Tim. 3.12 4ly In spiritual Communion all true Believers must separate from sinners Jer. 51.6 Isa 52.11 2 Cor. 6.17 Revel 18.4 John 15.19 5ly There is required great diligence in that there are so many voices in the World and all conclude themselves in the truth that a person that will find the right way had need as Paul saith To prove all things but let them remember to hold fast that which is good 1 Thes 5.21 That Doctrine which is according to the commands of Christ the practice of the Apostles and that in which all the first Churches were constituted must needs be the truth and no other 4th Reason is Because He that believeth and walketh in the way of the Lord with a perfect heart shall be by Christ made free from the law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 He that is in Christ is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 Parents if they truly love their Children will endeavour their conversion 5th Reason is Because all the promises in the Gospel do belong to those that believe and walk uprightly in the right way of the Lord All is yours saith St. Paul 1 Cor. 3.22 I must not travel any further in this large field but pass to the fourth Doctrine which is The Second Part. Wherein the Duty of Children to God and their Parents is opened 4th Doct. That Children ought to yield obedience to all their Parents commands in the Lord with boly Reverence Honour and Zeal If in our Text Parents are commanded to bring up their Children as t is plain in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Then it is most certain that those Children are Rebels if they do not obey and this Obedience must be performed according to the best Rule or Rules prescribed in the Holy Scriptures And they are these two First What they must not do to their Parents Secondly What they must do to and for their Parents But First What you must not do to your Parents You must not do any thing that doth withdraw and withhold from them that Honour or diminish their Dignity nor that holdeth you back from Love Reverence Obedience and Thankfulness or that which doth seem to lessen their Authority And therefore 1st You must not mock at them when they command you to do that which is lawful right you must not scornfully imitate their words nor their Gestures Looks or Carriages least the Lord be offended with you as he was with those Children 2 Kings 2.23 who by two Bears slew forty two of them Job counts Mockage a great Provocation Job 17.2 As Parents are commanded not to provoke their Children so likewise by Childrens wicked Carriages Parents may be provoked several ways as you will find these Negative Precepts do declare and confirm The eye that mocketh at his Father and dispiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the Valley shall pluck it out and the young Eagles shall eat it Prov. 30.17 Jeremiah enters his complaint to the Lord very Pathetically saying Every one mocketh me Jer. 20.7 'T is a grievous sin in the sight of God and a great offence to Man therefore do not use it at all to any least thou forget thy self and use it to thy Parents and so thou provoke them and offend the Lord Job 21.17 2d Direction is You must not revile or reproach your Parents He that revileth his Father or Mother shall surely be put to death Exod 21.17 Thou shalt not revile the Gods nor curse the Rulers of thy People Exod. 22.28 Margin Judges Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dijs non detrahes Thou shalt not report ill against the mighties that is they that have Power and
their time and spend their whole Estate to Pamper and feed their Carkass whose God is their Belly and whose glory is in their shame who mind Earthly things Phil. 3.12 Feeding themselves without fear Jude 12. The iniquity of Sodom was Pride and fulness of Bread with abuudance of Idleness Ezek. 16.49 Iniquity in the most strictest sense is Idolatry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the house of an Idol or the house of Iniquity Hosea 4.15.17 the Iniquity of Glutony was such an heinous Sin in the time of the Law that the Glutton was to be stoned to death Deut. 21.20 Secondly Some make their riches their God setting too much love on them and trusting in them as the rich man in the Gospel who said to his Soul Eat Drink and be Merry Luke 12.19 St. Paul gives charge to the Rich that they trust not in uncertain Riches 1 Tim. 6.17 and that Covetousness be not once named by them Eph. 5.3 because it is Idolatry Col. 3.5 it was well said of good David if Riches increase set not you heart upon them Psal 62.10 for riches profit not in the day of Wrath Prov. 11.4 3dly Some men love their Wives and some Women their Husbands above Christ they that so do Christ saith are not worthy of him Matt. 10.37 there ought to be a natural and a mutual love but we ought to love our Creator above all Matt. 22.37 Deut. 6.5 Luk. 10.27 Deut. 10.12 4thly Some love their Farms and Merchandize above Christ I have bought a piece of ground saith one I have bought five Yoke of Oxen saith another Luk. 14.14 They think their houses shall continue for ever they call their lands after their own name Psal 49.11 this their way is their folly 5thly Some men love their Dogs or Horses better then they love Christ as appears 1st Some men expend hundreds by the year on them 2dly They build stately Houses for them 3dly They pride up themselves in them and always delight in their company they do not love to walk without them at their heels 4thly They feed them with mans food and are at the charge of great fires and costly Cloathing for them but these very Men will not admit Christ to have any such Charges bestowed on him at any time his Interest Ministers and Poor are slighted by them Judge ye whither these men do not love them more then they love their Maker or Christ the Saviour 6thly Some men make their pleasures their God they will spend whole days and nights yea almost all their Life-time in Carding and Diceing and other vain and foolish Gaming and Pastime as they call it and quite forget the Lord their Maker Isaiah 51.13 Job 35.10 The Lord accepted not of Israels service because that in the days of their Fasts they did find pleasure Isaiah 58.3 St. James plainly sets out wicked men by this among other marks to know them by that they lived in pleasure James 5.5 not that they had pleasure now and then but it was the Summum bonum of their Life these shall receive the reward of unrighteousness 2 Pet. 2.13 it being at best but meer Vanity Eccl. 2.1 as Idols are Isaiah 41.29 7thly Some people Idolize their Children 1st They lay up almost their whole time upon them 2dly They think the Earth bringeth forth nothing good enough for them to feed on 3dly They bestow great charges upon Costly and Superfluous Cloathing them and attendance on them 4thly They set their whole heart on them to admire them quite for getting that they are but lent them of the Lord and they are to be brought up in his Service Deut. 6.7 and not to be loved served admired and adored above their Creator 8thly Some have innovated Sacraments and Anathematized them that would not fall down before them here the Church of Rome may admire her Multiplication of Sacraments Christ hath but two Sacraments in his Church viz. Baptism and the Lords Supper but they have made a large edition besides altering of Sacraments As First Baptism from a Believer to an Infant from Dipping to Sprinkling or Pouring as the mincing Reformers would have it Also they altered the Supper from Night to Noon from breaking the Bread to putting a melting Wafer into the Mouth not only of Men and Women but of Children so soon as they received their Cristendum all which if omitted must be punished with Anathema's or Death as are many of those Vanities which they enjoyn to be believed or done As 1st The Infalibility of their Church 2dly Mass 3dly Prayer for the Dead Saints 4thly Prayer to the dead Saints 5thly Transubstantiation 6thly Purgatory 7thly Auricular Confession 8thly Prayer in Latin with Beads 9thly Merrits of Works 10thly Denying the Laity the Cup. 11thly Absolution and Indulgencies 12thly Images They that enjoyn matters in Religious worship which Christ hath not appointed and punish the offenders with Excommunication Imprisonment or Death or that which is Ten times worse viz. the Hellish Inquisition these do set up their own inventions and adore them above their Maker when we ought to extol him only that rideth upon the Heavens Psal 68.4 9thly Great is the Folly and Madness of some who worship the Image of any Creature in which they imagine there is Divine Goodness as those which adore the Image of the Virgin Mary and the like when we are directly commanded not to make to our selves the Image of any thing that is in the Heaven above or on the Earth beneath nor yet to fall down and Worship it Deut. 5.8 9. 10thly To make to our selves an Image of our Creator and to fall down to worship it is Idolatry in an high degree yea great Folly and Vanity for any to imagine that they can make an Image of such an incomprehensible Essence Job saith He doth great things that we cannot comprehend Job 37.5 to 8. read Isaiah 40.12 to 20. 11thly Some men commit Idolatry by extolling adoring and worshiping of Men such was the evil of the Jews concerning Herod Acts 12.21 23. Peter was afraid that Cornelius would have worshiped him and therefore saith he stand up I my self am a man Acts 10.26 The Priests of Jupiter were guilty of this fact in that they endeavoured to offer a great sacrifice to Barnabas and Paul which makes Paul to cry out Sirs why do ye these things we also are men of like passion with you Acts 14.13.15 12thly It is Idolatry to worship an â—mageâ— twice St. John was reprehended for this fact in falling down to worship an Angel Revel 19.10 Rev. 22.9 13th It is Idolatry to worship the Sun the Moon or other Planets or any of the hosts of Heaven in the days of that young good excellent King Josiah The people of Judah did burn Incense to the Sun and to the Moon and to the Planets and to all the Hosts of Heaven 2 Kings 23.5 This good man caused this their wickedness to cease he being convinced of the evil of such
ΠΑΤΡῸΣ ΚΆΤΟΠΤΡΑ ΚΑῚ ΠΑΙΔῸΣ ΓΟÎΥΚΛΙΣΊΑ THE Father's Spectacles TO Behold his CHILD by AND The Child's Cushion TO Kneel before his Parents By a Lover of Parental and Filial Unity For I know Abraham that he will command his Children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18.19 In the last days perilous times shall come some shall be proud disobedient to Parents unthankful unholy without natural affections 2 Tim. 3.2 Pater adversus filium filius adversus patrem LONDON Printed by John Astwood for the Author 1695. To all Parents of Children and Children of Parents True Grace be multiplied in Christ Jesus BE it known unto you Oh ye Children of men that the signs of Christs second coming soundeth daily in our ears how often have we seen wonders in the heavens above us and how hath the earth trembled and quaked beneath us how many false Prophets have there been that own no other Christ but the light within them how great is the apostatizing from the truth how is Antichrist getting up to his height how doth the noise of Wars sound aloud in our ears how many thousands hath the pestilence swept away in a moment how have the Saints been afflicted and persecuted of whom the World was not worthy how much treachery and deceit is there in every corner how much hatred and malice meerly for professing Religion how many deceivers have spread themselves abroad in the world how doth iniquity abound in every village how cold is love grown in all persons how doth drunkenness and gluttony surpass ages past and famine succeed in many places how great are the variances that are in Nations Churches and Families nay among own Relations they are directly opposite one to the other among these sixteen signs of Christs coming this is none of the least for Satan hath but a short season and therefore he is the more busie to keep people ignorant of their duty that they may be employed to serve sin to hinder him in his purpose about the breach of Amity is my main design for at present it is my purpose to let you know what amity has been and ought to be between near Relations that so we may arrive at that ever lasting amity and felicity which we all aim at Many there are that have tuned a string or two on this subject but I at present never saw nor heard of any that have played a whole lesson on it and therefore I who am induced to this task for the Honour of God and the grace of Religion have cast my small mite into the great and rich treasury of Knowledge though I know this Learned Critical Penetrating Eagle-eyed Age may look on my lines and censure them or me as not being Rhetorically adorned and Logically digested and drawn out in the flourishes of the times but let them know that the manner of the ancient times was to be plain 1 Cor. 1.27 The Subject matter plain Scripture Language Acts 17.2 The method and style according to the capacity of the persons spoken to John 16.12 My intent is to stir the dull and ignorant to their duty and not to teach them that know enough but yet there be some that know and do not practise their duty these lines may reach them a rap it is the doer of the Law is justified Rom. 2.13 I have taken notice of the evil carriage of some parents to their children which has been against nature and the plain words of the Scriptures and the abominable wickedness of some children who regard not their parents at all as to appearance in no sence nor kind I wish I could be instrumental to reform the one and convert the other and that going in this tract some other which is more expert in knowledge better read in Scripture having more endowments of the Spirit and of a larger capacity than I am would undertake this task to perfect this work which I have now in a short figure but as it were but a little begun which if any good shall come by this or any be perswaded to parental or filial affections by it and those that shall by this be perswaded to make a larger discovery in this kind I have my end and hope the Lord will be glorified in it that the curse may be taken off from the land of the living Mat. 15.4 Levit. 20.9 Malachi 4.6 He that liketh these lines let him receive and practise them and he that liketh them not let him sit down and take his Bible and Pen as I did and produce better I am content that in this I have done part of my duty do you do all yours and then sit down to rest but do not rest with the foolish Virgins without oyl in your vessels least Christs coming be to your terror which is the desire of him who is a Lover of your Souls Eternal Consolation Vale. I Our duty from the Scriptures have noted O And to confirm it have some Authors quoted Hence you may learn what duty you do owe How unto God and to your Neighbours too Come learn this Lesson and do not gainsay Ought that is in it but always obey What God commands do not give a deaf ear Prepare thy Heart the Lord always to fear Ever remember thy own frail condition Regard thy conscience peace and souls submission Offend not God nor Man in heart nor deed 〈◊〉 from thy sin the Lord thy soul has freed Serve God Instruct thy Child and him correct And always pray the Lord may thee direct Let Parents speak and Children hold their tongue 〈◊〉 in mild speeches let them shew their wrong Here is a blessing if in love you live And Christ his Peace unto you he will give Remember then thy duty and still obey Serve God always and do not go astray Till he by death do call you all away In ignorance many live and also do 〈◊〉 get the way in which they ought to go Some Parents scarce their duties ever know Uncircumcis'd in ears and heart they grow O spend each day and time in contemplation Search out Gods will and mind thy souls salvation Ever to the most High O let thy Spirit sing Xanto like his High Praises Everlasting A short TABLE of the General Heads 1. THe Text opened in six Considerations 2. Five Doctrines in which four parties are concerned 1st The Lord is concerned in his love and care Doct. 5. 2ly The Minister is concerned to inform all of their duty 3ly Parents are concerned in their general Duties 4ly Children are concerned in honour love and obedience Sixteen ways Parents may provoke their Children Ten Motives to move Parents to love their Children Thirteen Reasons to prove the first Doctrine Forty Rules to direct Parents to their Duty Eleven Rules for Christian Correction The acts and effects of the light within twelve ways Prayer spiritual shewed in ten heads Christs love universal proved by thirteen reasons Seven things ensue
others have sled to Sea some to be Souldiers some fall into deep melancholly and dye others take to the High-way to Robbery and abundance of Evils Therefore Parents you that have any king of Love at all for your Children take Solomons advice To train them up in the way which they should go Prov. 22.6 Better unborn then untaught 't is far better to spend an hundred to give them good Education than to give them thousands without any Education at all for that will abide with them and be a portion when riches fail for they many times flee away as an Eagle towards Heaven Prou. 23.5 Eighth Provocation is When Parents shall promise their Children that which they never intend they shall have some have gone and tied themselves by Covenant to Virgins by vertue of their Parents Promises and when the Parents have relinquished it it hath been the ruin of them both Parents wickedness in this case may be and many times is an hourly and daily Provocation to their Children which makes them to live in Horror Bondage Discontent and Slavery until the very day of their death because their Parents hindered them by it of their first choice and ever after their affections can never be truly settled also it causeth them to suspect their Parents love but this know that Love ought to be honest and without dissimublation Rom. 12.9 Do to your Children in this case and esteem their Peace as your own There is no joy nor true peace where content is wanting an hearts content is a continual feast Prov. 15.15 Ninth Provocation is When Parents shall threaten their Children that they will give them no portion or cut them off as many do with a shilling The Lord in the case of giving of Parents Estates hath given forth a possitive Law which though it were given to the Jews yet it being not ceremonial or typical but moral and perpetual it extends its power to all Ages Nations Sects Kindred Tongues and People to whom this Precept shall come it being never as yet abolished which law you will find recorded in Deut. 21.15 16 17. That the Eldest if hated yet he shall have a double portion and the youngest though best beloved shall share all alike Have a care Parents in breaking this Law in threatning words Eph. 6.9 much more in wicked actions He that breaketh one commandment is guilty of all James 2.10 The Ten Commandments was given to the Jews but who dareth to deny but all the moral part thereof is perpetual and extendeth its power to every individual person in the whole world which Law to transgress would be a sin in any and then the Lord may look on them as he he did on Cain and say If thou doest not well sin lieth at thy door Gen. 4.7 Tenth Provocation is When Parents shall give all or some part of their Estates to those that be not heirs by Birth There are they that give many and great Legacies and to the impoverishing of their Children or diminish their Birthright and look on it as a small fault some have such foolish affections for their name that they will give their Lands from their female natural Issue of their Bodies to a Stranger as though their Names were their chief Happiness though the Lord be offended with them and for the continuance of their Name they will as it were go one step beyond him but he will meet with them by death and put out their name for ever as the Psalmist saith Psal 49.11 12. This their way is their folly There be some that will disinherit their Children for a word speaking when they themselves have provoked their Children to it by their wicked words and Deeds to all such Parents I must say 1st If the Lord should disinherit you for one Offence nay for ten an hundred nay a thousand I fear you will never possess Eternal Happiness 2ly He that taketh that from me which is my Birthright is a Thief and a Robber and hath broken the eighth Commandment Exod. 20.15 3ly He that provideth not for his family chiefly for his Children hath denied the Faith and is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 5.8 4ly These are more unnatural than the savage Beasts of the Field who will not leave their young but provide for them till they be in a capacity to live in the world they peaceably live with them and leave them their Possessions at Death 5ly This causeth Heart-burnings and Animosities in those Children against those that give and those that possess their Estates 't is much if it do not terminate in Outrage and Murder except the Lord endow them with his special Grace 6ly You that have no Male Issue Numb 27.7 8 9 10 11. Here the Lord gives you a Law break it upon your own peril and look to it you are bound by this Moral Commandment why will you not to give your Lands to your Daughters as above to possess Numb 36.8 and not to deprive them for their Sex if they be your natural Issue 7ly Let me advise you Parents in this case to do to your Children as you would your Parents should have done to you is not that a Moral Precept which if neglected you neglect to do as you would be done unto you should not so deprive them of any part of your Estates if you would not have been pleased that your Parents should have disinherited you 8ly This causeth a suspicion in the Child that you doubt whether they are your natural Issue since so me wicked men are jealous of their innocent Wives without any just reason or cause and some foolish women are misted with that vulgar Error and fond foolish Conceit of Changelings which seems to be the working of Satan in the minds of some it being beyond the Bounds of Nature Reason and Common Sence that Women should leave their natural Issue to Strangers and take theirs to themselves 9ly What will you Parents do in the Judgment-day if your disinheriting your Children should be the only cause of their Eternal Ruin can you answer for them at the Bar of Justice 10ly Let your loving Instructions and Counsels with your blessing and estate be divided and given to your Children save what is wisely given to charitable uses that you may win their hearts to God and your selves that so long as your Estates continue with them and their Lives last you may be had in their Affections that Satan tempt them not to evil Eleventh Provocation is Where Parents shall and do require more of their Children than their natural Abilites will permit or that is possible for them to undertake or to accomplish with undertaking such Parents if they may be so called shew their Malice by Frowns Sour-Looks Evil Words nay and many times by Cursings and Bannings and sometimes with cruel and merciless blows here they let loose their reins and run at random in the road to Destruction without either pause consideration or affections as though
1st A Person under provocation is hard to be workt upon Prov. 18.19 2dly Moses himself being provoked by Israel's Idolatry brake the Tables of the Commandments Exod. 32.19 3dly Cain Esau and David being provoked resolved upon murder but Cain only was in the Act Gen. 4.8 The other two were overcome by length of time and loving importunity Gen. 27.41 1 Sam. 25.21 4thly The Patriarchs being provoked by Jacob's special love to Joseph sold him into Egypt Gen. 37.27 5thly Simeon and Levi being provoked by Sechem's deflowring their Sister Dinah they destroyed them all Gen. 34.25 6thly Samson being provoked several times by his Wives and the Philistines he burnt their corn and destroyed many of them and himself with them at the last Judges 14. Ch. 16. Ch. 17. 7thly Saul being provoked by Nahash the Ammonite destroyed his Army 1 Sam. 11.11 I might tell you of Jehosaphat Josiah Hezekiah Jeremiah and many more both of the Kings and Prophets as also some of the Apostles who were provoked to do that and also to speak that which otherwise they would not had they not been urged to it but it will be too large a Task here to enter upon You may observe the Effects of Provocation in them as you read of them in your Bibles I pass to the seventh Reason 7th Reas is Because by Provocation they are tempted many times to destroy both body and soul which is both accomplished by felo dese it being a breach of the sixth Commandment my self hath been by 〈◊〉 Provocation tempted to this evil had not the grace of God restrained me Benedictus fit Deus What Horrid extremity and Inveterate Cruelty in opposition to the Commandment of God and love to our own selves does Provocation drive such into who beyond any brutal act do lay violent hands on themselves how hath it emptied them of all Faith Fear Love and Hopes of a future Happiness that were as Saul and his Son Jonathan Achitophel Zimri and Judas provoked to destroy themselves 1 Sam. 31.4 2 Sam. 17.23 1 Kings 16.18 Mat. 27.2 The true fear of the Lord was fled from before their eyes who are under a Provocation to act in this kind Parents for the love of your Childrens Souls least this Temptation attend them give them no just occasion of Provocation least their blood be required at your hands and you will have enough to do to answer for your selves 1 Pet. 4.18 For if the righteous scarcely shall be saved where wilt thou O poor sinner appear 8th Reason is Because Provocation is the first step to take off Childrens natural Love from their Parents and so a means to teach them to break Gods Commandment Honour thy Father and thy Mother and will you teach them to dishonour you by being unnatural to them and provoke them to wrath and so to disobedience True natural Love is not so settled in the heart the Child being under the Continual Dropping of this dark Cloud of Provocation First Doubts of its Parents true Love to it and then being chaffed a long time by it comes to believe they have none at all and so that love that was before seated in the heart is now as I minded before turned into a kind of an Antipathy which 1st If the belief of being their natural Issue And 2dly If the Grace of God did not bear them up their pure natural Love would be turned into an absolute Hatred but Parents take the stone out of their way least they should stumble and fall and none to help them Col. 2.2 Let your hearts be knit together in love 9th Reason is Because the faithful in all ages have been to us in this a good Example What great love had Abraham for Isaac as the Lord testifieth Gen. 22.2 Isaac to Esau Gen. 25.28 Rebeckah to Jacob Jacob to Joseph and Benjamin Gen. 37.3 David to Absolom though a Rebel 2 Sam. 13.39 Hannah to Samuel 1 Sam. 1.22 Job to his Children Job 1.5 Which the Lord taketh special notice of Oh how tender are the Ews of their young and the Hinds which the Prophet Jeremiah seems to wonder at Jer. 14.5 It is said of Monica the Mother of Austin while he was addicted to sin her Prayers and Tears were so abundant that St. Ambrose comforted her with these words Impossibile est ut filius tantarum Lachrymarum periret 'T is impossible a Son of so many Prayers and Tears should miscarry 'T is reported of several Parents in Carthage who when their Sons were exiled as soon as they were aboard they threw themselves down into the Sea and were drowned How many in this our age have been seized with death as soon as they have lost their Beloved Children Time will fail and I should be too tedious if I should travel this Field any further I leave it to your judicious reading Contemplation and Experience and pass it 10th Reason is Because Provocation may be the great Hindrance of their Souls Salvation If the value of one Soul be of more worth than the whole world as is most certain Mark 8.36.37 Mat. 16.26 Then how tender of and what care should Parents take of their Childrens Souls Emit chare qui solvit animam He buys dear that pays his Soul But much more dearer that pays two at once Parents should stand in the Gap with Moses Exod. 32.32 and plead with the Lord for their Children Paul was so vehemently affected for Israels Salvation that he wisheth himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Separated from the fruit of Christs Love for a Season so they might be eternally saved Rom. 9.3 It will be sad at the last day if you must answer for their Souls who I fear will have too much to answer for your selves endeavour to win them and not to provoke them this know that he that winneth Souls is wise Prov. 11.30 Take the yoke of Christ on you and learn to be meek and then you will find rest unto your souls Mat. 11.29 You should with the good Shepherd watch for your Childrens Souls Heb. 13.17 And with Paul be glad to spend and be spent for them 2 Cor. 12.15 11th Reason is Because all Carriages of Parents to Children ought to be sweetned with true Love Love is a winning Grace My Son saith Abraham when he was to sacrifice Isaac Gen. 22.8 God will provide himself a Lamb a Loving Speech your Looks your Carriage your Words and Deeds should be all seasoned with Love 't is the first the last the new and the old Commandment 1 John 2.7.3.11 23. God is love 1 John 4.8 It will surely please his Sacred Majesty most to have all his of the same nature as himself if thou do all in love the Lord will love thee freely Hosea 14.4 He will preserve thee Psal 145.20 Paul saith Ye are taught of God to love one another 1 Thes 4.9 It will do well to learn this Lesson and then every wheel being oyled with this grace will go round very pleasantly and all
worship by the words of the Book of the Law as you may read more at large in that Chapter Lastly Some men do extol their Learning their Arts their Acquirements in knowledge yea their gifts above the giver saying can such learned men as we are Err when they themselves full well know that almost all the greatest Hereticks that ever were since the Apostles time have all been very great Scholars these men stretch themselves beyond their due measure 2 Cor. 10.12 13. Such ought to labour after true Humility and that will teach them to extol the Most High and to worship and serve him only that will be Worshiped and Served in Spirit and in Truth John 4.24 And to make Learning the Handmaid not the Mistress 3dly You must not take the Name of the Lord in Vain that is you must not express that Sacred Name in vain discourse but always express it with holy Fear and Reverence as is becoming Christianity An Oath is a Sacred thing in point of Controversie to cease strife Heb. 6.16 14. being commanded by the Lord himself Deutt 6.19 Chap. 10.20 Jer. 12.16 but all vain Swearing is in many Scriptures positively forbidden Amos 8.14 Matt. 5.34 James 5.12 Yea he is a Sinner that heareth the voice of Swearing and alloweth of it Levit. 5.1 by so doing we may partake of others Sins 1 Tim. 5.22 Therefore have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of Darkness but rather reprove them Ephes 5.11 Twelve several ways men may commit this Sin of taking the Name of the Lord in vain As 1st When men do Swear when there is no lawfull call nor cause for an Oath Ephes 4.29 2dly In Swearing falsly Levit. 19.12 3dly In Vowing and not performing 2 Chron 36.13 4thly In vain repetitions in Prayer Matt. 6.7 5thly By Preaching false Doctrine 2 John v. 10. 6thly In unjust Excommunication Isaiah 66.5 7thly In jesting vainly Ezek. 33.31 Ephes 5.4 8thly In abusing the Lords Table 1 Cor. 11.27.29 9thly When the Mouth and Heart do not agree in performing of Holy Duty Ezek. 33.31 10thly In Hearing Reading or Praying without Faith Rom. 14.23 11thly In calling the Lord to witness without a true sense and Holy Reverence of his Name 1 Sam. 19. 12thly When any of the Names or Titles of God are vainly expressed by which the Father Son and Holy Spirit are understood Fourthly You must not Prophane the Sabbath by needless Labour or other excercise that is vain the Sabbath-Breaker shall surely be put to Death Exod. 31.14 15 16. Ezek. 20.22 Men may break the Sabbath Eighteen several ways As 1st By Sleeping or lying on Bed too long on Sabbath-Day Morning Solomon saith The Sluggard desireth and has nothing Prov. 13.4 The Sabbath-day is the Harvest-day of the Soul to sleep in harvest causeth Shame Prov. 10.5 This was one of the Sins for which Israel went into Captivity Amos 6.4 2dly Some break the Sabbath by Idleness they will sit still and neither go to hear a Sermon nor yet will they read in the Bible or other Book of Divinity by which they might receive some good Instructions nor will they Pray nor use Divine Meditations or other Holy Duty Col. 4.2 3. but their Idle Soul shall suffer Hunger Prov. 19.15 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts consider your ways Hag. 1.5 3dly Some break the Sabbath by imploying themselves in their Worldly Business Nehemiah Testified against such doings shut the Gates of Jerusalem to keep out the Traders he forced them to keep off till the Sabbath was over Nehem. 13.15 to 22. Many will imploy themselves secretly on the Sabbath day and do that which they are not willing their Neighbour should know of but some will Sin more openly but they do that which the Law will not take hold of them for their so doing or choose Morning and Evening for the doing it that it may be the easier passed by 4thly Some break the Sabbath by gaming sporting and playing that Day Against whom do you Sport your selves against whom do you make a wide Mouth and draw out the Tongue are ye not Children of Transgressors and seed of Falshood Isaiah 67.4 Such are Spots and Blemishes in the Church who Sport themselves with their own deceiving 2 Pet. 2.13 Israel is complained of that they Sate down to Eat and to Drink and rose up to Play Exod. 32.6 1 Cor. 10.7 5thly Some break the Sabbath by their needless Journies they that will not work that day will spend the whole day to go to such and such a Place to visit their Friends or to do such Worldly Business as may be done by agreement or appointment of Business and the like from Even to Even shall ye Celebrate your Sabbath Levit. 23.33 Then surely the Lord hath not given any time on that day to go any Frivilous Journies or to do any needless Business 6thly Some break the Sabbath by using much vain discourse That day they will gather together in Companies to tell and hear any kind of vain Stories and Tales by which comes abundance of evil yea and ill-will among Neighbours Friends and Relations therefore well might the Lord give it in charge to Israel Thou shalt not go up and down as a Tale-bearer Levit. 19.16 The words of a Tale-bearer are as wounds Prov. 18.8 26 22. Therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips Prov. 20.19 where there is no Tale-bearer the strife ceaseth Prov. 26.20 In the multitude of words there wants no sin Prov. 10.19 Death and Life are in the power of the Tongue Prov. 18.21 For every idle word that a man shall speak he shall give an account in the day of judgment Mat. 12.36 Therefore let thy Words be few Eccles 5.2 Curb thy Tongue with David as with a bridle Psal 39.1 7thly Some Men break the Sabbath by letting their eyes wander after divers Objects and they immediately carry away the heart from the benefit of the Word preached that they can have no profit by it such had need with good Job resolve to make a Covenant with their eyes Job 31.1 The Lord complains of Jerusalem saying They have hid their eyes from my Sabbath Ezek. 22.26 But good David was very careful in this matter when he prayeth O let me not wander from thy Commandments Psal 119.10 8thly Some break the Sabbath by letting their hearts run after the concerns of this life while they are under the hearing of the Word of this sort of People were they which the Lord complains of They sit before thee as my people and they hear thy words but they will not do them for with their mouth they shew much love but their heart goeth after their Covetousness Ezek. 33.31 They cry when will the Sabbath be over that we may sell corn Amos 8.5 'T is they that hearken diligently with all their heart that have the promise Deut. 11.13 14. Ch. 15.5 Jer. 17.24 25. Deut. 7.12 13. But the Lord complains of the heart-wanderers saith he