parents were of the higher or lower Class and rank among men yet if they were such as feared God and wrought righteousness if they took any care to educate you religiously and trained you up in the nurture and admonitJon of the Lord you are bound to reckon it among your chief mercies that you sprung from the loins of such parents for from this Spring a double stream of mercy rises to you 1. Temporal and external mercies to your outward man You cannot but know that as Godliness entails a blessing so wickedness and unrighteousness a curse upon posterity An instance of the former you have in Gen. 17. 18 20. On the contrary you have the threatning Zech. 5. 4. and both together Prov. 3. 33. The Curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked but he Blesseth the habitatJon of the just True it is that both these imply the Childrens treading in the steps of their Parents according to Ezek. 18. but how frequently is it seen that wicked men breed their children vainly and wickedly so that as it 's said of Abijam 1 Kings 15. 3. He walked in all the sins of his father which he had done before him and so the curse is entail'd from generation to generation To escape this Curse is a choice Providence 2. But especially take notice what a stream of spiritual blessings and mercies â—lows from this Providence to the Inner man O it 's no common mercy to descend from pious Parents Some of us do not only owe our natural life to them as Instruments of our Beings but our Spiritual and Eternal life also It was no small mercy to Timothy to be descended from such Progenitors 2 Tâ—m 1. 5. nor to Augustine that he had such a Mother as Monica who planted in his mind the precepts of life with her Words watered them with her Tears and nourished them with her Example We will a little more particularly inspect this mercy and in so doing we shall find manifold mercies contained in it 1. What a Mercy was it to us to have Parents that prayed for us before they had us as well as in our Infancy when we could not pray for our selves Thus did Abraham Gen. 15. 2. and Hannah 1 Sam. 1. 10 11. and some here likely are the fruits and returns of their Parents Prayers This was that holy course they continued all their dayes for you carrying all your concerns especially your Eternal ones before the Lord with their own and pouring out their souls to God so affectionately for you when their eye-strings and heart-strings were breaking Oh put a value upon such Mercies for they are precious It 's a greater Mercy to descend from praying Parents than from the loyns of Nobles See Job's pious practice Job 1. 5. 2. What a special Mercy was it to us to have the excrescencies of corruption nipt in the bud by their pious and careful discipline We now understand what a critical and dangerous season Youth is the wonderful proclivity of that Age to every thing that is evil Why else are they called Youthful lusts 2 Tim. 2. 22. When David asketh Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way it's plainly enough implyed in the very Question that the way he takes lieth through the pollutions of the world in his youth Psal. 119. 9. When you find a David praying that God would not remember the sins of his youth Psal. 25. 7. and a Job bitterly complaining that God made him to possess the sins of his youth Job 13. 26. Sure you cannot but reflect with a very thankful heart upon those happy means by which the corruption of your nature was happily prevented or restrained in your Youth 3. And how great a Mercy was it that we had Parents who carefully instilled the good knowledge of God into our souls in our tender years How careful was Abraham of this duty Gen. 18. 19. and David 1 Chron. 28. 9. We have some of us had Parents who might say to us as the Apostle Gal. 4. 19. My little Children of whom I travail again in birth till Christ be formed in you As they longed for us before they had us and rejoyced in us when they had us so they could not endure to think that when they could have us no more the Devil should As they thought no pains care or cost too much for our bodies to feed them cloath and heal them so did they think no prayers counsels or tears too much for our souls that they might be saved They knew a parting time would come betwixt them and us and did strive to make it as easie and comfortable to them as they could by leaving us in Christ and within the blessed bond of his Covenant They were not glad that we had Health and indifferent whether we had Grace They as sensibly felt the miseries of our souls as of our bodies and nothing was more desirable to them than that they might say in the great day Lord here am I and the Children which thou hast given me 4. And was it not a special Favour to us to have Parents that went before us as Patterns of Holiness and beat the path to Heaven for us by their Examples Who could say to us as Phil. 4. 9. What things ye have heard and seen in me that do and as 1 Cor. 11. 1. Be ye followers of us as we are of Christ. The Parents life is the Childs copy O 't is no common mercy to have a fair copy set before us especially in the moulding age we saw what they did as well as heard what they said It was Abraham's commendation that he commanded his Children and his houshold after him to keep the way of the Lord. And such mercies some of us have had also Ah my friends let me beg you that you will set special remarques upon this Providence which so graciously wrought for you and that your hearts may be more throughly warmed in the sense of it compare your condition with others and seriously bethink your selves 1. How many Children there be among us that are drawn headlong to Hell by their cruel and ungodly Parents who teach them to curse and swear assoon as they can speak Many families there are wherein little other language is heard but what is the Dialect of Hell These like the old logs and small spray are preparing for the fire of Hell where they must burn together Of such Children that Scripture Psal. 49. 19. will one day be verified except they repent They shall go to the generatJon of their fathers where they shall not see light 2. And how many families are there though not so prophane who yet breed up their Children vainly and sensually as Job 21. 11 c. take no care what becomes of their souls so they can but provide for their bodies If they can but teach them to carry their bodies no matter if the Devil act their souls If they can but leave them Lands or Moneys
they think they have very fully discharged their duties O what will the language be wherewith such Parents and Children shall great each other at the Judgement Seat and in Hell for ever 3. And how many be there who are more sober and yet hate the least appearances of Godliness in their Children who instead of cherishing do all that they can to break bruised reeds and quench smoaking â—lax to stifle and strangle the first appearances and offers they make towards Christ Who had rather accompany them to their graves than to Christ doing all that in them lyes Herod like to kill Christ in the Cradle Ah Sirs ye little know what a mercy ye do or have enjoyed in Godly Parents and what a good Lot Providence cast for you in this Concernment of your bodies and souls If any shall say This was not their case they had little help Heaven-ward from their Parents To such I shall only reply three things 1. If you had little furtherance yet own it as a special Providence that you had no hinderance or if you had opposition yet 2. Admire the Grace of God in plucking you out by a wonderful distinguishing hand of mercy from among them and keeping alive the languishing sparks of Grace amidst the floods of opposition 3. And learn from hence if God give you a posterity of your own to be so much the more strict and careful of relational duties by how much you have sensibly felt the want of it in your selves But seeing such a train of blessings both as to this life and that to come follow upon an holy education of Children I will not dismiss the Point till I have discharged my duty in exhorting Parents and Children to their duties And first for you that are Parents or to whom the Education of Children is committed I beseech you mind how concerning a duty lies on you and that I may effectually press it consider 1. How near the Relation is betwixt you and your Children and therefore how much you are concerned in their happiness or misery Consider but the Scripture account of the dearness of such Relations expressed 1. By longings for them as Gen. 15. 2. Gen. 30. 1. and 2. By our joy when we have them as Christ expresses it John 16. 21. 3. The high value set on them Gen. 42. 38. 4. The sympathie with them in all their troubles Mark 9. 22. and 5. By our sorrow at parting Gen. 37. 35. Now shall all this be to no purpose For to what purpose do we desire them before we have them rejoice in them when we have them value them so highly sympathize with them so tenderly grieve for their death so excessively if in the mean time no care be taken what shall become of them to Eternity 2. How God hath charged you with their souls as well as bodies and this appears by two sorts of Precepts 1. Precepts directly laid upon you Deut. 6. 6 7. and Eph. 6. 4. 2. By Precepts laid on them to obey you Eph. 6. 1. which plainly implies your duty as well as expresses theirs 3. What shall comfort you at the parting time if they dye through your neglect in a Christless condition Oh this is the cutting consideration My Child is in Hell and I did nothing to prevent it I helped him thither Duty discharged is the only root of comfort in that day 4. If you neglect to instruct them in the way of Holiness will the Devil neglect to instruct them in the way of Wickedness No no if you will not teach them to pray he will to curse swear and lye If ground be uncultivated weeds will spring 5. If the season of their youth be neglected how little probability is there of any good fruit afterwards that is the Moulding age Prov. 22. 6. How few are converted in old age A twig is brought to any form but grown limbs will not bow 6. You are instrumental causes of all their spiritual misery and that 1. By generatJon 2. ImitatJon they lye spiritually dead of the Plague which you brought home among them Psal. 51. 5. Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive or warm me 7. There 's none in the World so likely as you to be Instruments of their Eternal good You have peculiar advantages that none other hath as 1. The interest you have in their affections 2. Your opportunities to instil the knowledge of Christ into them being daily with them Deut. 6. 7. 3. Your knowledge of their tempers if therefore you neglect who shall help them 8. The consideration of the great day shoâ—â—d move your bowels of pity for them O remember that Text Rev. 20. 12 c. I saw the dead small and great stand before God What a sad thing will it be to see your dear Children at Christs left hand O friends do your utmost to prevent this misery Knowing the terrors of the Lord we perswade men And you Children especially you that sprang from religious Parents I beseech you obey their Counsels and tread in the steps of their pious Examples To press this I offer these Consideration 1. Your disobedience to them is a resisting of Gods Authority Ephes. 6. 1. Children obey your Parents in the Lord there 's the Command your rebellion therefore runs higher than you think It is not Man but God that you disobey and for your disobedience God will punish you It may be their tenderness will not suffer them or you are grown beyond their correction all they can do is to complain to God and if so he will handle you more severely than they could do 2. Your Sin is greater than the Sin of young Heathens and Infidels and so will your Account be also O better if a wicked Child that thou hadst been the off-spring of Salvage IndJans nay of Beasts than of such Parents So many Counsels disobeyed Hopes and Prayers frustrated will turn to sad aggravations 3. It 's usual with God to retaliate mens disobedience to their Parents in kind Commonly our own Children shall pay us home for it I have read in a grave Author of a wicked Wretch that drag'd his Father along the house the Father begg'd him not to draw him beyond such a place for said he I drag'd my Father no farther O the sad but just retributions of God! And for you in whose hearts Grace hath been planted by the blessing of Education I beseech you to admire Gods goodness to you in this Providence Oh what an happy Lot hath God cast for you How few Children are partakers of your mercies See that you honour such Parents the tie is double upon you so to do Be you the joy of their hearts and comfort of their lives if living if not yet still remember the mercy while you live and tread in their pious path that you and they may both rejoice together in the great day and bless God for each other to all Eternity The Fourth
and if destitute of other helps but add those that have fallen out in their own time and experience O what a precious Treasure would these make How would it antidote their souls against the spreading Atheism of these dayes and satisfie them beyond what many other Arguments can do that The Lord he is God the Lord he is God Whilst this Work was under my hand I was both delighted and assisted by a Pious and Useful Essay of an unknown Author who hath to very good purpose improved many Scriptural passages of Providence which seem to lye out of the road of common observation Some passages I have noted out of it which have been sweet to me And O that Christians would every where set themselves to such work Providence carries our lives liberties and concernments in its hand every moment Your bread is in its Cupboard your money in its Purse your safety in its enfolding Arms and sure it is the least part of what you owe to record the favours you receive at its hands More partiâ—ularly 1. Trust not your slippery memories with such a multitude of remarkable passages of Providence as you have and shall meet with in your way to Heaven It 's true things that greatly affect us are not easily forgotten by us and yet how ordinary is it for new impressions to raâ—e out former ones It was a saying of that Worthy man Dr. Hâ—rris My memory said he never failed me in all my life for indeed I durst never trust it Written memorials secure us against that hazard and besides makes them useful to others when we are gone So that you carry not away all your treasure to heaven with you but leave these choice Legacies to your surviving friends Certainly it were not so great a loss to lose your Silver your Goods and Chattels as it is to lose your Experienâ—es which God hath this way given you in this world 2. Take heed of clasping up those rich treasures in a Book and thinking it enough to have noted them there but have frequent recourse to them as oft as new wants â—ears or difficulties arise and assault you Now it 's seasonable to consider and reâ—lect Was I never so distressâ—â— before Is this the first plunge that ever befell me Let me consider the dayes of old the years of aâ—cJent times as Asaph did Psal. 77. 5. 3. Lastly Beware of slighting former straits and dâ—ngers in comparison with present â—nes That which is next us alwayes appears greatest to us and as time removes us farther and farther from our former mercies or dangers so they lessen in our eyes just as the Land from which they sail doth to Sea-men Know that your dangers have been as great and your fears no less formerly than now Make it as much your business to preserve the sense and value as the memory of former Providences and the fruit will be sweet to you FINIS THE TABLE A. ABuse of Scripture punished by Providence Pag. 28 Abuse of Providence cautioned 95 96 AfflictJons preventive of sin 99 AfflictJons restraints from sin 110 AfflictJons how they purge Corruption 112 Adherence to creatures checked 117 AffectJons must suit Providence 148 Afflictive Providences when sanctiâ—ied 23â— Ambrose his providential relief 9â— Andreas how called to the Ministry 80 AnticipatJons by Religion advantageous 47 Assiduity of providential care 91 Aspects of Providence contrary 247 AssocJatJon of natural causes 18 19 Atheism checked by Providence 174 Augustin's strange deliverance 24 Augustin's converting a Manichee 63 B. BArbarous Nations their sad state 40 41 Bible providentially mistaken 63 Body its Elegant structure 35 36 Bolâ—on's Conversion 61 Brethren their different tempers 10â— Bruens happy Marriage 62 C. CAllings ordered by Providence 77 7â— Callings sinful in themselves 7â— Callings poor some mens advantage 82 CautJons about Civil Callings 83 84 Care of God to be eyed in Providence 143 Christ hath his hand six wayes in Providence 187 Children setled providentially in Callings 79 Childrens duties pressed 56 57 CommunJon with God in Providences Rules for it and the sweetness of it 163 Committing to God quieting to us 142 Complaints of painful Callings answered 81 Comparing Providences how melting 194 CondescensJons of God admirable 119 120 212 ConversJon two wayes 58 59 ConversJon endears places and instruments 57 ConversJon how great a mercy 74 75 Content under all Providences 153 Crying to God what it imports 4 Craft sinful providentially defeated 135 CurJosity in prying into Providence 160 161 D. DAngers in extremity 3 Dangers of death providentially prevented 102 Dependance on Creatures checked by Providence 116 Delayes of Providence relieved 156 157 Delayes sink our hearts 226 227 Devil busie with dying Christians 206 DJana's shrines what they were 78 Distrust not God in new difficulties 213 Dod's strange impulse 98 Duty to advert Providence 122 Dying hour sweetned by Providence 205 E. EAvenness of spirit how attained 247 Embryoes their condition 38 Encouragements to wait on God 228 229 Englands Encomium 41 46 47 Epicureans why they denyed Providence 14 ExpectatJon from creatures dashed 115 116 Eye how guarded by nature 102 F. FAcultJes sound a choice Providence 3â— Faithfulness of God eyed in Providence 14â— Faith two signal acts of it 207 FamilJes providentially assigned us 49 Foresight of troubles how taken 25â— Fox his wonderful relief 9â— G. GOd leaves not his in straits 13â— God to be owned in all Providences 21â— Good mens affections over-heated 11â— Greatness of God discovered 11â— H. HArmony of conjugal affections providential 8â— Harmony of Gods attributes 16â— Heavenly-mindedness in all providences 15â— Heart how melted by Providence 192 19â— Heart ballanced under prosperity 25â— Heart cheered under sad Providences 25â— Heart quieted in doubtful Providences 25â— Heart not under our Command 25â— Henry the Second punished by Providence 2â— Holiness improved by eying Providence 20â— I. IDJots the design of Providence in them 37 3â— Idle life a sinful life 7â— Jewel's strange preservation 10â— â—nterpositJons of Providence seasonable 98 â—nobservance of providence sinful 125 â—ntroductive Providences remarkable 130 â—nstruments of Providence to be noted 131 â—mmutability of God in changeable Providences 147 â—oy in God under all Providences 149 â—nterest how best secured 142 â—unJus his Conversion how effected 61 K. KEepers converted by their prisoners 164 L. LIberality the best frugality 141 M. MArrJages the appointments of Providence 86 Ministers removes ordered by Providence 66 6â— MortificatJon promoted by Providence 108 109 N. NAtural causes suspended by providence 15 16 Naaman's change how effected 60 Nativity its place providentially ordered 40 41 Neighbourly Visits improved by Providence 63 Notes of attention why affixt to Providence 123 O. OBjectJons of Vnbelief solv'd by Providence 181 ObservatJons of Providence matter of praise 124 ObservatJons of Providence endear Christ 187 Oâ—colampadJus designed for a Merchant 80 ObligatJons to duty from Providence 212 P. PArents godly what a mercy 50 51 Papists their doom 43 44 Parents advantages opened 52 Parents
suffering from Children 89 Pareus designed for an Apothecary 8â— Pleasures of a Christian in Providence 1â— Places of sinning places of suffering â— Pleasing God our interest 2â— Persecutors baffled by Providence 21 â— Pride check'd by Providence 114 1â— Prayer must preface business 2 â— Prayer furnished by Providence 1â— Prosperity when sanctified 2â— Prosperity when unsanctified 2â— Providence working good out of evil 1â— Providence pursues the Saints 1â— Providence stops the way to sin 2â— Providence must follow Scripture 2â— Providence nicks the opportunity 30 â— Providence consonant to prayer â— Providence breaks AegyptJan reeds 1â— Providence fails none that trust it 138 1â— ProvisJon for us and ours what a Providence â— Q. QUJeting considerations under sad Providences 1â— QuJeting arguments drawn from Providence 1â— R. REcognitJons of Providence supports to faith 1â— RecognitJons of Providence must be full 1â— Records to be kept of Providences 9 â— RelatJonal duties pressed 89 â— Rebukes of Providence how useful 203 2â— RelJance on God pleadable in prayer RelatJons ordered by Providence 85 8â— ResurrectJon of prayers pleasant to observe 17â— RetributJons of Providence very signal 25 2â— ResignatJon to God our duty 26â— ResignatJon facilitated five wayes 261 26â— Rochel providentially relieved â— â—les to discover the Will of God 221 222 S. SAmaritans Conversion how wrought 60 61 Satans malice over-ruled by Providence 67 68 â—nctificatJon of Providence how discerned 135 â—offing at purity punished by Providence 27 â—ope of Providence very Considerable 131 â—â—asonable provisions of Providence 92 93 â—â—amens admirable preservation 104 â—elf-denyal no damage 138 â—Shepherds pious observation of Providence 36 â—panish Souldiers how converted 61 â—ul its excellent nature 37 â—eason set for mercy twofold 224 225 â—â—rings and Autumns of Providence 193 194 â—â—rvant's running from his Master improved 65 â—piritual mercies of two sorts 230 T. TArtars and Turks their sad state 43 Dr. Tates strange experience of Providence 31 â—emptatJons prevented by Providence 96 TemptatJons narrowly escaped 100 101 Tenderness of Providence to the Saints 186 Thanksgiving includes five things in it 183 Tranquillity promoted by eying Providence 196 Trusting God before tryal Noble faith 180 V. VAlue of Providence in diverse things 129 Venice-glass how used by Providence 73 VergerJus his strange Conversion 62 VJews of Providence twofold 10 11 12 Vileness of man discovered 119 Vicissitudes of Providence disorder thoughts 248 Unequal marriages what a misery 87 88 Ungodly Parents their sin and misery 52 53 Unwillingness of good men to surrender their Comforts at thâ— call of Providence 25â— W. WAles a strange conversion there 6â— Wars how Providence preserves in them 10â— Waiting on God prest by ten arguments 22â— Weak means succeeded by Providence 2â— Will of God how distinguished 21â— Will of God how revealed 21â— All Winds serve Providence 17â— Wicked men how quieted under crosses 15â— Wisdom of God to be eyed in Providence 14â— Word of God the best support in trouble 14â— Word of God fulfilled by Providence 132 13â— Wisdom of providential appointments 9â— Y. YOuth Providences then received greatly to be aâ— mired 19â— ERRATA Reader THe Commendable Care of the Printer hath lest but little correcting work for thy Pen what is may be thus â—â—ickly rectified In the Title Page read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 118. l. 3. r. greatâ—â—ss p. 146. l. 14. blot out made p. 150. l. 7. r. brideâ—amber ibid. l. 16. for anger r. enmity p. 152 l. 31. â—ot out not FINIS Mr. Isaaâ— Ambrose Epist. to his Vltima â—schiles â—ragoed Itaschith 〈◊〉 perdas 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 Saulem â—ressit â—im suos â—vid qui â—â—citabant â—â—sum ut â—ulem â—rderet vel 〈◊〉 me â—â—â—eus Geiâ—â— in loc â—ichtam ◠〈◊〉 aureum vel aureolum earmen ◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. aurum optimum 〈◊〉 psalmus hic precJosus est instar auri Bu. gensis Câ—m autâ— locum in quo lateb 〈◊〉 esse ab 〈◊〉 ercitu Sâ— lis videâ— nec jam ullum 〈…〉 quoâ— anteaseâ—per in siâ—libus perculis ferat nâ— qâ—oque a dâ—um coâ—git Mâ—rus in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perfecit desecit destit Pagnin Buxtor When the â—ecords of Eternity shall be exposed to view all the counsels and results of that profound wisdom looked into how will it transport when it shall be discerned Loe thus were the designs â—aid here were the apt junctures and admirable dependencies of things which when acted upon the stage of time seem'd so perplexâ— and intricaâ—e â—owes Blessedness p. 76. â—ther was 〈◊〉 to â—escribe God 〈◊〉 at last 〈◊〉 risit 〈◊〉 dubiè 〈◊〉 sapiâ—iam Doâ—us 〈◊〉 Deus 〈◊〉 non â—uax â—ow â—d was â—phyry 〈◊〉 to it â—en inâ—â— of â—etter 〈◊〉 pretence must serve the turn That Moses taking the advantage of a 〈◊〉 water unknown to the EgyptJans passed over the people thereat as Moses a stranger were better acquainted there than the EgyptJan 〈◊〉 Acts anâ— Mâ—n Voâ— p. 55. Act. Mon. Vol. p. 974. Act. Mon. Vol. p. 974. Possid in vit Aug. cap. 15. Gen. 31. 24. Si ab exor dio mundi ad nostraâ— usqâ—e memoriam percurramus historias insignia divine ultionis in peccatores occurrent inâ—dicia Alstedii Nat. Theol. p. 196. Euseb. l. 7 cap. 29. â—bject 〈◊〉 Contingentia rerum 〈…〉 estè causis proximis secundis particularibus non è causa prima universali respectu cujus nihil contingens est sed omnia necessaria necessitatâ— immut abilitatis non causae Wendelin Theol. p. 183. Providential performance in our forâ—mation and protâ—â—ction in the womâ—â— Meâ—aphorâ— ab acupictoribus 〈◊〉 opeâ—◠〈◊〉 Omâ—ia 〈◊〉 est dominus pondere numero mensurâ— â—â—ther in â—rtJum â—â—â—cept â—here are â—me â—embers â—â—at are â—â—tical as 〈◊〉 liver â—â—are and â—rain in â—â—ese are â—laced the â—atural â—â—tal and â—â—nimal â—â—irits â—â—ese spiâ—â—ts are â—â—rried by 〈◊〉 Veins â—rteries 〈◊〉 Nerves â—he Veins carry the natural Spirits from the Liver the Arteries the viâ—l Spirits from the Heart the Nerves the animal Spirits from the â—rain other members are officJal as the hands and feet the superiâ—â—r doth rule the inferiour and the inferiour support the superiour 〈◊〉 wisdom hast thou made them all Provideâ—tial performancâ— with reâ—spect to the timâ— and placâ— of our Nativity Speed's Chron. â—â—Jerwoods EnquirJes â—hap 13. p. 118 119 â—ide Verâ—igan ' s British Antiquiâ—iâ—s Object Sol. Mr. Pinkâ— Providenâ—ial performances with respect to â—he Stock â—nd Family out of which we â—prang Object Sol. Providential performances about ouâ— Conversion to God Gen. 48. 3. Melch. Adams Vit Theol. par 2. p. 194. See Firmin ' s 〈◊〉 Christiaâ— p. 119. â—lâ—yden ' s â—omment â— 475. 〈…〉 cap. 15. Providential performances with respect to our Civil Calling Object Sol. â—bject 2. 〈…〉 1. Cautioâ— 2. Cautioâ— â— Caution â— Caution Providential performances with respect to â— our Civilâ— Relations Mr. T. C. in his Isaâ—gogâ— providenâ—ial proviâ—ion for us â—nd ours 〈…〉 Vol. â— 342. â—rovidenâ—â—al perâ—â—rmances 〈◊〉 our â—reservaâ—â—on