glory from them that perish page 313. 314. 6. We should consider Gods great mercy in taking our own souls into a Covenant of Life and Salvation page 314. 315. The case of such as are overwhelmed with grief because they fear their Children are in eternal torments Gods justice in punishing sinners to eternity vindicated page 315 to 325. The case of such as are troubled because they conveyed Original Sin to their Children considered page 325 to 327. The case of such as are troubled because their Childrens bloud will be required at their hands considered page 327 to 331. Though it be a great sin to be guilty of the bloud of souls yet 't is a pardonable sin page 329. 330. The case of such as are cast down because God hath not answered their Prayers for their Children or prospered their labours considered page 331 332. The case of such as cannot reconcile the Providence of God in casting away their seed with his promise I will be thy God and the God of thy seed page 333 to 336. A TREATISE OF Family-Instruction CHAP. I. The Evils that arise from the neglect of Family-Instruction Whence it proceeds that Family-Instruction is neglected Five Arguments to prove it to be a Duty The Instructions we give our Families must be drawn out of the Scriptures Servants as well as Children must be instructed Mothers as well as Fathers must instruct their Children THe neglect of Family-Instruction is a great and yet a common Evil The sad effects thereof such as the decay of the power of Godliness gross ignorance undutiful and disobedient Children evil and unfaithful Servants the growth and increase of sin c. are so plain and visible almost in all places that he that runneth may read them Neither is it the present Generation only which is corrupted through the carelesness of those Parents and Masters of Families who neglect to train up their Children and Servants in the knowledge and fear of God but hereby ignorance and iniquity are like to be propagated unto and greatly increased in the Generations which are yet to come For when God shall give those Children and Servants who were trained up without Instruction Families of their own it is most probale that they will neglect to teach their Children and Servants and that the succeeding Generations which shall spring out of their Loyns will tread in their Fathers steps and so vice and ignorance will descend from one Family to an other for many generations If we enquire into the ground and cause of this evil whence it cometh to pass that Family-Instruction is so much neglected I conceive the reason of most if not of all mens neglect of this Duty may be reduced to one of these four heads 1. Either they are not convinced that it is their Duty to instruct their Families Or 2. Though they know it to be their Duty they want an heart to set about the performance of it Or 3. Though they are willing to instruct their families yet they know not how to set about this work at least they know not how to carry it on in an advantageous successful manner and therefore leave it undone Or 4. They have gotten certain pleas whereby they think to excuse their neglect of this work Wherefore in this ensuing Treatise the design whereof is to excite parents and masters of families to train up their children in the knowledge and obedience of the Scriptures I shall do these four things 1. I shall prove it is the duty of parents and masters of families to instruct their children and servants in the knowledge and to train them up in the obedience of the word of God 2. I shall produce some motives to excite those who neglect this work of Family-instruction to be diligent constant and conscientious in the performance of their duty in teaching and instructing their families 3. I shall give some directions how this work of family-instruction may be carried on so as to promote the conversion edification and eternal salvation of such as are under our charge 4. I shall answer the most material Pleas and Objections that are brought against training up our Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures whereby many persons are either kept from or discouraged in the performance of this work I shall begin with the first of these namely to prove that it is the duty of all Parents and Masters of Families to teach the Scriptures unto their Children and Servants and to train up their Families in the knowledge and obedience of the Word of God SECT 1. Scripture proofs for Family-Instruction The Instructions we give our Families must be drawn out of the word of God Arg. 1 WE have many plain and express Commandments from God wherein the Lord straightly chargeth all Parents and Masters of families to teach his word unto their children and servants and requireth them to be very diligent therein I shall mention some places both out of the old and also out of the new Testament where we have express commands from God for the teaching his word to our children and prove that under the name of Children are comprehended our Servants and all the Members of the Family Deut. 6.6 7. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up This being a full and pregnant Text for proving the point in hand I shall observe several things from it 1. What it is which we are to teach our children and that is the word of God These words which I command thee this day thou shalt teach them unto thy Children The Apostle gives this commendation of the Scripture that it is profitable for instruction in Righteousness 2 Tim. 3.16 and intimates to us Rom. 2.17 18. That the Jews drew their instructions which they gave to those whom they taught out of the Law of God Behold thou art called a Jew and knowest his will and approvest the things that are more excellent being instructed out of the Law of God 2. Observe who they are whom God commands to teach his word unto their Children and you shall find that this Charge is not given to the Tribe of Levi but to all Israel The Lord calls out twice to the whole Body of the People Hear O Is ael vers 3. Hear O Israel vers 4. If it had been said Hear O House of Aaron or Hear O ye Sons of Levi we might have thought it had special reference to the Ministers of the Word but when this charge is ushered in with a double Call to all Israel to give audience no man can say This Command of teaching Gods word to my Children belongeth not unto me except he be one that is and resolveth to continue an alien to the Commonwealth of Israel I may adde further that
against thee As is the Mother so is the Daughter So that if Mothers live religiously and shew a good example to their Children and instruct them out of Gods word there is great hope that their Children will become Religious also It is remarkable both amongst the good and evil Kings that were in Judah and Israel that the Scripture doth frequently record their Mothers names as for good Kings we may see 1 Kings 22.42 43. 2 Kings 18.2 3. and 22.12 And for evil Kings 2 King 8.26 27. 1 Kings 15.2 3. which sheweth that the Mothers example and carriage amongst her Children hath a great influence upon them to make them either good or evil 6. Mothers have greater opportunities to be instilling good things into their Children than their Fathers for they are oftener with them especially whilst they are young as they are dressing or undressing them or giving them meat or sitting with them at work or walking abroad with them they should be talking with them of the word of God Deut. 6.6 7. And every one is to do good according to the opportunities that God puts into their hands Gal. 6.10 7. Hereby Mothers may do great service for Christ in training up Children for the Lord All the good that such Children shall do in their generation shall redound to the Mothers Comfort and Reward The Apostle mentioneth the bringing up of Children by which is meant bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord amongst the first and chiefest good works which women are able to do in their generation 1 Tim. 5.10 Well reported of for good works if she have brought up Children 8. What service women do for Christ he takes as kindly as he doth what men do for him when there was a woman poured upon his head a Box of pretious Oyntment though the Disciples had indignation yet the Lord Jesus took it well from her and said that this act of the woman should be had in remembrance and be spoken of to her praise as long as the Gospel should be preached in the world Mat. 26.13 Verily I say unto you Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world there also this that this woman hath done shall be told for a memorial of her If you that are Mothers teach Gods word to your Children and labour to bring them up in the knowledge and fear of God the Lord Jesus will take this more kindly from you than he took this box of pretious Oyntment from this woman which anointed his body against his burial And that may be evidenced several ways 1. Christ was more pleased with those that minded his word than with those that were at the cost and trouble to provide for his Body as appears from the case of Mary and Martha Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard his word but Martha was cumbred with much serving Luk. 10.38 39. Hereupon Martha complains to Christ that her sister had left her to serve alone and desires him to bid Mary to help her but Christ commends Mary's choice and her work who was employed about his word above Martha's who was employed in preparing food for his Body and those that were with him Vers 40 41 42. 2. The Lord Jesus loves your Childrens Souls as well as he loves his own Body he gave his own Body to be crucified to save your Childrens Souls And therefore doubtless it is as acceptable to see you endeavouring to save your Childrens Souls by instructing and teaching them out of his holy Word as it was to have his Body anointed with pretious Ointment 3. The Name of God and Christ is like pretious Ointment Cant. 1.3 Thy Name is as Ointment poured forth Yea it is more precious than any Ointment in the World And when you bring your Children acquainted with the Name of God and Christ by instructing them out of the Word of God you convey that to them which is beyond all the pretious Ointment in the world 4. The Ointment that was poured on Christs Body did bur little if any thing advantage the body of Christ he accepted it not so much for the advantage he had by it as he did for the Faith and Love which the Woman manifested in this work But by instructing your Children out of the Word of God you shall greatly promote the good and welfare of their pretious Souls If the Lord Jesus did so kindly accept the Womans anointing his body with precious Ointment that he recorded her praise in the Gospel and will have the Memorial thereof preserved in all Ages throughout the whole World Then doubt not you that are Mothers that if you instruct your Children in the knowledge of his Word but he will accept this very kindly at your hands and cause this good Work of yours to be had in eternal Remembrance CHAP. II. Motives to stir up Parents and Masters of Families to instruct their Children and Servants in the Knowledge and to train them up in the obedience of the Scriptures IN the former Chapter I have proved it to be the Duty of Parents and Masters of Families to train up their Children and Servants in the knowledge and obedience of the Scriptures I shall now proceed to lay down some Motives to stir up those that neglect this good work to be diligent constant and conscientious in the performance of their Duty in teaching and instructing their Familier SECT 1. Instructing our Children and Servants out of the Scriptures will be a means of their Conversion Reasons why we should endeavour their Conversion Motive 1 INstructing your Children and Servants out of the word of God will be a powerful and an effectual means to convert and save their souls For The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul Psal 19.7 And The Gospel is the power of God to salvation Rom. 1.16 The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light and Reproofs of instruction are the way of Life Prov. 6.23 Though they be such as walk in sinful and destructive courses by teaching and instructing them out of the Scriptures they may be converted from their sins unto God Psal 5.13 I will teach Transgressors thy ways and Sinners shall be converted unto thee We read of Cornelius that both he himself and all his house were saved by the word wherewith they were instructed by Peter Act. 11.14 Who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved In like manner if Governours of Families did carefully instruct their Families out of the word of God they might in so doing both save themselves and all their house With what diligence with what speed with what alacrity with what a resolved minde to persevere therein under all discouragements should you set upon this work seeing there is hope that hereby you may save your Children and your Servants Souls That this argument may have the greater force to perswade and prevail with you to set your hearts to this work Consider 1. What
the same shall judge him in the last day Rev. 20.12 And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life and the Dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their works SECT 14. They deal unjustly with their Families who defraud them of the Instruction that is due to them Motive 14 THe Law of Equity requires that Parents should use their utmost diligence to instill knowledge into their Children and to train them up in a godly sort 1. Because they have been instrumental to convey to them a sinful ignorant nature Psal 51.5 Job 14.4 If one man had hurt another the Law of God delivered by Moses required that he should be at the cost and pains to get him throughly healed Exod. 21.19 He shall pay for the loss of his time and cause him to be throughly healed Seeing Parents are instrumental to convey that sin to their Children which hath given their Souls a deadly wound t is but just and equal that they should be at the cost and take pains to get them healed of their ignorance and do what in them lieth to get their Souls converted to the Lord. 2. It is just and equal that we should teach our Children because God hath taught us his Word for this very end and purpose that we should teach the same unto our Children Deut. 4.10 The Lord said unto me Gather the people together and I will make them hear my words that they may teach their Children 3. Justice requires that we should give to every one that which is due to him He that detains from any one that which is his due when it is required and it is in the power of his hand to render it is an unjust man Now Instruction is due to our Children and Servants for God commands us as we have heard before to instruct them and their necessity calleth aloud upon us to be diligent in teaching and instructing them and therefore we cannot withhold instruction from them without being guilty of injustice And it is a great crime to be guilty of injustice Unjust persons are accounted amongst the chiefest of Sinners And to with-hold from our Children or Servants that which is due to their Souls is greater injustice then to wrong them in their Estates or in those things which are due to to their outward man If then we would fulfill that Precept Col. 4.1 Masters give unto your Servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye have a Master in Heaven And that of the Apostle Rom. 13.7 Render to all their dues And that of Solomon Prov. 3.27 With-hold not good from them to whom it is due when it is in the power of thine hand to do it We must not neglect this good work of teaching and instructing our Children and Servants seeing Instruction is due to them Let thus much suffice by way of motive to stir up Parents and Masters of Families to set upon a diligent performance of this duty of training up their Children and Servants in the Knowledge and Obedience of the Scriptures CHAP. III. Directions for managing of this work of Family-Instruction so as to promote the Conversion Edification and Eternal Salvation of all that are under our Charge I Shall in the next place proceed to some Directions for the successful managing of this work of Family-Instruction and shall shew how we should carry it on so as to promote the Conversion Edification and Eternal Salvation of all such as are under our Charge SECT 1. Such as would instruct their Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures must be diligent in studying the Scriptures Direct 1 IF we would instruct our Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures it is necessary that we our selves should be well acquainted with them and that we may come to be well acquainted with the Scriptures we must read them often observe diligently what we read and pray to God to open our understandings that we may understand his holy Word and lay up what he teacheth us in our hearts and meditate in his Law night and day Before the Lord commands us to teach his Word to our Children he prefixeth this Charge That we should lay up his Word in our own hearts Deut. 6.6 7. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children And the Apostle calls upon those whom he would have teach others to let the word of Christ dwell richly in themselves Col. 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another A daily searching of the Scriptures attended with Meditation and Prayer will greatly advantage us in this work of Family-Instruction and that in several respects I will instance in two 1. Hereby we shall be furnished with wisdom and knowledge Psal 119.98 99. Thou through thy Commandments hast made me wiser than mine Enemies for they are ever with me I have more understanding than all my Teachers for thy Testimonies are my meditation And the more we are furnished with Heavenly Wisdom the more dextrous and ready we shall be to win those Souls that are committed to our charge Prov. 11.30 He that winneth Souls is wise 2 Cor. 12.16 Being crafty I caught you with guile And as wisdom will make us dextrous in winning Souls to Christ so also it will conduce much to the inabling of us to edifie and build up such as are brought home to him Col. 1.28 Teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus The Romans who were filled with knowledge were thereby made able to teach and admonish others Rom. 15.14 I my self am perswaded of you my Brethren that ye also are full of Goodness filled with all knowledge able also to admonish one another 2. By searching the Scriptures and meditating on them night and day we shall become successful in this work of Family-Instruction God will make this work prosper in our hands to the Conversion Edification and Salvation of such as he hath committed to our care to be instructed in his holy word For the Lord hath promised that whatsoever that man doth who meditates in his Law it shall prosper Psal 1.1 2 3. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly But his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth he meditate day and night And he shall be like a tree planted by the Rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season his leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doth shall prosper Ezra who was a ready Scribe in the Law of Moses Ezra 7.6 taught Gods Word to the people of Israel vers 10. And what effect had his teaching It had great power to humble and reform the people Ezra 10.1 12. The people wept very sore
I shall give four or five directions 1. Let this work be done when there is greatest quiet in the Family not at such a time as the Members of the Family are distracted or cumbred with variety or a multitude of worldly business or when their Spirits are royled with passion or contention but when they are in the most quiet and composed frame Eccles 9.17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet 1 Cor. 7.35 That you may attend upon the Lord without distraction 2. Let this work be done often Mal. 3.16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another Deut. 6.7 Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children God worketh many ways and often times with us to bring about our salvation Job 33.29 30. Lo all these things worketh God often times with man to bring back his Soul from the pit to be enlightned with the light of the Living And shall we think much to be diligent and frequent in teaching our Children and Servants that their Souls may be kept from falling into the pit of Hell and that they may be enlightned with that knowledge which will make them wise to Salvation 3. It will be convenient to have fixed and stated times for the doing of this work that so the Family may be the better prepared for it and all family-occasions may be so ordered and all business set at such a stay as that every one may be at liberty and leasure to attend this work 4. Avocations and Diversions should not be easily yielded to for the putting by our intended exercise at the appointed time As for instance If Company come in though they be great Persons and such as are our Superiours we should not be ashamed to go on with our works Psal 119 46. I will speak of thy Testimonies also before Kings and will not be ashamed And if we be at any time diverted by some unexpected and urgent occasions we should redeem that loss by taking some other time for their instruction as soon as conveniently we can 5. We should take such times wherein both we and our Families are fresh and lively not over-tired with worldly business not heavy with sleep for we must be fervent in spirit when we serve the Lord Rom. 12.11 and when the Body is tired or heavy with sleep the Spirit is not likely to be servent 6. The Lords day which is to be spent in holy and Religions Exercises Isa 58.13 is a very convenient time for this work It was the Custom of the Jews to read the Scriptures in their Synagogues every Sabbath day Acts 15.21 Moses of old time hath in every City them that preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day And we need not doubt but they did the same in their Families seeing they were commanded by God to read some portion of his word every day as long as they lived yea their greatest men even their Kings who had the weightiest business of all other men lying upon their hands were not excused from this Law of daily reading the Scriptures Deut. 17.18 19. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the Throne of his Kingdom that he shall write him a Copy of this Law in a Book And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law and these Statutes to do them I shall not undertake to prescribe what other days besides Lords days Masters of Families should take for this work but shall leave that to their own prudence and discretion Only I shall say this That they for whom God hath done much and who have more spare time than others should be more frequent and abundant in this work For unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required Luk. 12.48 SECT 5. The Advantages that come by having the Word of God in our Memories Direct 5 CAuse your Children and Servants to commit to their memories those Scriptures which you teach them and to keep them in remembrance We are often commanded to treasure up Gods Word in our Memories Job 22.22 Receive I pray thee the Law from his mouth and lay up his words in thine heart Deut. 6.6 These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart And because this duty of committing Gods Word to our Memories is much neglected both by Parents themselves as well as their Children to stir up both the one and the other to the practice of it let me shew you how much this duty is urged upon us and what advantages will come by it The Prophets of God charge us in Gods name to remember the word of the Lord Mal. 4 4. Remember ye the Law of Moses my Servant which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel with the Statues and Judgments Jesus Christ when he was in the world charged us to remember his word John xv 20. Remember the word that I said unto you The Apostles also call upon us to keep in memory Gods word Jude 17. Beloved remember ye the words that were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ Acts 20.35 I have shewn you all things how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus Heb. 2.1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest at any time we let them slip The holy Angels when they appeared to those that came to Christs Sepulchre bid them remember the words of Christ Luke 24.6 Remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee One great benefit which we have by the holy Ghost is his helping us to remember Gods word John 14.26 The Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you We have seen how earnestly this duty is pressed upon us now let us see what advantages will come to us by remembring Gods Word 1. It will be an help to Faith John 2.22 When he was risen from the dead his Disciples remembred that he had said this unto them and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said 2. It helps us in our obedience Numb 15.40 That ye may remember and do all my Commandments and be holy unto your God Psal 119.55 I have remembred thy name O Lord in the night and have kept thy Law 3. It is an help to Repentance Matth. 26.75 And Peter remembred the words of Jesus and he went out and wept bitterly 4. It promotes our Comfort Psal 119.52 I remembred thy Judgments of old O Lord and have comforted my self 5. It will breed a spiritual frame of heart for if Gods word be treasured up in our hearts it will be in our minds night and day Prov. 6.21 22. Bind them continually upon
way and while he opened to us the Scriptures If you endeavour to water your Families with the dew of heaven God will water your souls Prov. 11.25 He that watereth shall be watered also himself 3. If you do this work out of obedience to the command of God and act your faith on the Lord Jesus for the pardon of the imperfections that attend this work though you do not find so much comfort and delight in the doing thereof as you wish you could but are sensible of some driness and flatness of spirit yet your work shall be accepted of God Acts 10.35 In every Nation he that feareth him and worketh Righteousness is accepted of him 4. If you apply your selves to Jesus Christ he will take away your driness and refresh and replenish your Souls with the Graces of his Spirit It is said of Jesus Christ That he shall be as Rivers of Water is a dry place Isa 32.2 And he hath promised such of his Servants as find their Souls to be like the dry ground that he will pour out his Spirit like flouds of water upon them that is in an abundant measure Isa 44.3 I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and flouds upon the dry ground I will pour out my Spirit upon thy Seed and my Blessing upon thine Off spring SECT 14. The Plea of such as say 'T is the Ministers work to instruct their Children answered Object 14 THis is the Ministers work not mine to catechise and instruct my Servants and my Children and why then should I take it in hand Answer Besides what the Ministers of Gods word are to do in this kind it is the duty of Parents and Masters of Families to teach and instruct their Children and Servants as hath been proved already by many clear Texts of Scripture I shall re-mind you of some of them Isa 38.19 The Father unto the Children shall make known thy truth Psal 78.5 He established a Testimony in Jacob and appointed a Law in Israel which he commanded our Fathers that they should make them known to their Children Ephes 6.4 And ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Deut. 6.6 7. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children This Precept is not given only to the Priests or Levites but to the whole House of Israel vers 4. So that it is a frivolous excuse for any man to think to put off this work from himself by saying it is the Ministers work to catechise his Children for God commandeth all Parents to teach his Word to their Children Yea it is a notorious falsehood for any man to say This is none of my work to instruct my Family whenas the Lord hath given so many and such strict Precepts to every man to instruct his Children SECT 15. Only such as are called of God are to take upon them the work of the Ministry Family-Instruction will not bring the Ministry into contempt Object 15 IF every man should take upon him to teach and instruct his Family this would be the way to make every man turn Preacher and would cause the Ministers of the Word to be slighted and despised and this makes us not only forbear this work our selves but also to dislike it in others because we would not have any take upon them the work of the Ministry but such as are called to it and we would not have the publick Ministry brought into contempt Answ 1. Family-Instruction and the work of the Ministry are two distinct works The one belongs to every Master of a Family the other belongs only to such as are called and sent forth by God to preach the Gospel Rom. 10.15 How shall they preach except they be sent And God hath not called all men to the work of the Ministry 1 Cor. 12.28 29. God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers Are all Apostles Are all Prophets Are all Teachers We may learn from this Text 1. That none are to be Teachers in the Church but those whom God sets there 2. That God doth set some not all to be Teachers in the Church Under the Law no man was to take the Office of the Priesthood without a call from God Heb. 5.4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself but he that was called of God as was Aaron Yea God made it death for such as were not called to intermeddle with the Priests Office Numb 18.7 Thou and thy Sons with thee shall keep your Priests Office for every thing of the Altar and within the Vail and ye shall serve And the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death What work our Lord Jesus did in and for the Church of God he did not do it without a Call Heb. 5.5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high Priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee And God hath ordained under the Gospel that every man should improve those gifts which he hath distributed to him within the sphere and compass of his Calling 1 Cor. 7.17 As God hath distributed to every man as the Lord hath called every one so let him walk and so ordain I in all Churches Those works which are in themselves good works become sinful when they are done by those that have no call to do them and instead of being rewarded they have been punished by the Lord. To burn Incense upon the Altar of Incense was a very good and acceptable work David wisheth that his Prayer might be like Incense Psal 141.2 Let my Prayer be set before thee as incense Yet when Vzziah undertook to burn Incense who had no Call to do it it is called a Transgression and he was punished with Leprosie all his days 2 Chron. 25.18 21. It appertaineth not unto thee Vzziah to burn incense unto the Lord but to the Priests the Sons of Aaron that are consecrated to burn incense go out of the Sanctuary for thou hast trespassed neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God And Vzziah the King was a Leper unto the day of his death The more knowledge any man hath of the Scriptures the less fear there is of his taking upon him the work of the Minstry without a Call from God what this Call is and how a man may discern when he hath it would be too great a digression if I should here undertake the explanation thereof because the Scriptures are so full so plain so express in this point That only they that are called of God should take upon them the work and Office of the Ministry So that this Objection Every man will turn Preacher if he take upon him to instruct his Family in the knowledge of the Scriptures is of no force to hinder this work of Family-Instruction 2. Neither will
A TREATISE OF Family Instruction Wherein it is proved to be the Duty of Parents and Masters of Families to Train up their Children and Servants in the Knowledge of the SCRIPTURES With Directions how this Work may be done so as to promote the Conversion Edification and Eternal Salvation of all such as are under their Charge Useful for Parents and Masters of Families By Owen Stockton Minister of the Gospel Deut. 6.6 7. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children LONDON Printed for H. Brome at the Gun at the West End of St. Pauls MDCLXXII To Parents and Masters of Families more especially to such as are Inhabitants of Colchester in Essex Men Brethren and Fathers IT is God that setteth the solitary in Families a Psal 68.6 And when he buildeth us houses and committeth to our charge the Education of Children or Servants he reposeth a great trust in us For our Children are more his Children than ours b Ezek. 18.4 Behold all souls are mine As the soul of the Father so also the soul of the Son is mine And our Servants are more his Servants than ours As the soul of the Master so also the soul of the Servant is his Both children and servants are committed to us not so much for our own use and service as that we should train them up to know serve and glorifie God What Pharaoh ' s daughter said to Moses his Mother c Exod. 2.9 Take this child and nurse it for me and I will give thee thy wages The like God saith to us Take these children Take these servants and educate them for me and I will give you your reward Your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. The charge which the Lord giveth us concerning every one that he commits to our trust is strict and weighty much like that which is mentioned 1 Kings 20.39 Behold a man turned aside and brought a man to me and said Keep this man if by any means he be missing then shall thy life be for his life At the Day of Judgment every one of us shall give an account of himself to God d Rom. 14.12 And not of our selves only but of all the souls also that are under our charge as we may learn from the words of the Apostle e Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give an account At that day when we the children and the servants whom God hath given us shall appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ if any of them be missing and it be found that they perished either through our negligence or our evil example or any other way through our means our lives shall go for theirs When Laban committed the keeping of his flock unto Jacob he required at Jacob ' s hands every beast that was lost although he was his near kinsman f Gen. 31.39 That which was torn of beasts I brought it not unto thee I bare the loss of it of my hands didst thou require it whether stoln by day or by night If Laban required at Jacob ' s hands every beast that he lost God may much more require at our hands every soul which he entrusts us withal and if any be lost through our carelessness cause us to bear the loss of it for one soul is of more value than all the beasts in the whole world Wherefore the Apostle Paul called unto Timothy g 1 Tim. 6.20 O Timothy keep that which is committed unto thy trust So may I call unto you my beloved Brethren O keep those children keep those servants whom the great God hath committed to your trust Keep them from sinning against the Lord. Keep them from walking in the broad way that leads to destruction Keep them from perishing by ignorance error or a sinful conversation least their bloud be required at your hands for not shewing them the path of life and h Ezek. 3.17 18. warning them to turn from their evil ways Keep them as our Lord Jesus kept those whom his Father committed to him of whom he saith i John 17.12 While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy Name those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the son of perdition And how did Jesus Christ keep those whom his Father had given him By praying for them k Ver. 92.11 I pray for them Holy Father keep through thine own Name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one as we are And by instructing them I have manifested thy Name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world And whence did he draw the Instructions which he gave them Out of the Scriptures l Luke 24.27 Begining at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself He gave them his Word whereby they were brought to know and believe in him m John 17.8 I have given them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me He did not only teach them to know but also to obey the Word n Vers 6. They have kept thy Word And they keeping his Word were kept by his power through faith unto salvation As soon as Manoah had but the promise of a child he went to God and desired to be taught how he should order and educate his child o Judg. 13.8 Then Manoah intreated the Lord and said O my Lord let the Man of God which thou didst send come again unto us and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born Would you that have not only a promise but the actual enjoyment of children and servants know what God would have you do unto them You need no Angel or Man of God to come from Heaven to tell you Do but search the Scriptures and there you shall find that the Lord requireth you to instruct and train up your children and servants in the knowledge belief and obedience of his holy Word Hear what God himself saith to you concerning this matter p Deut. 6.6 7. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children q Eph. 6.4 Ye Fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. And as God commands you to teach your children so he hath put great advantages into Parents hands for doing this work in regard of their daily presence with their children their authority over them the interest they have in their affections and their dependance on their Parents for their present and future subsistence How much it conduceth to
the glory of God to train up our children and servants in the knowledge and obedience of the holy Scriptures what blessings it will bring upon our selves and Families what exceeding great benefits will accrue thereby to our children what good we may do to the generations that are yet to come how much it tends to the propagating of Religion and the power of godliness and how Family Instruction may be carried on successfully to the Conversion Edification and eternal Salvation of such as are under charge you may see in the perusal of this ensuing Treatise which I have composed for the use of such Heads of Families as are not provided of better helps but more especially for you my dearly beloved Friends among whom I have lived and with whom I have conversed My humble and earnest request to you is that if you have any love to the Lord Jesus you would express it by feeding his Lambs with the sincere milk of his Word if you have any zeal for the glory of God if any bowels towards your posterity if any desire of their spiritual and eternal welfare if any regard to the generations that are yet unborn if you have ever found any comfort in or benefit by the Word of God that you would bend your minds and set your hearts to this good work of instructing your children and servants in the knowledge and training them up in the obedience of the Scriptures And that you and all others into whose hands the Providence of God shall bring this small Treatise may by the perusal thereof be quickned to directed and encouraged in this work of Family Instruction and be enabled to manage the same to the glory of God your own and your Families Edification shall be the prayer of Your Servant in the work of the Lord Owen Stockton ERRATA Page 17. line 15. for 1 Cor. 5.7 read 1 Cor. 1.5 7. p. 23. l. 27. for 1 Pet. 2.22 r. 1 Pet. 1.22 p. 75. l. 15. r. Cocceius p. 105. l. 20. for Prov. 15.20 r. Prov. 13.20 p. 144. l. 2. r. fortifie Some other small faults have escaped the Press which the judicious Reader will easily correct The Contents THe neglect of Family Instruction a great evil page 1 2. Several Scriptures to prove it to be our duâ—y to instruct our Families and that the Instructions which we give them be drawn out of the Word of God page 3. to the 11. Servants as well as Children must be instructed page 11. to the 16. The ignorance of Children and Servants proves the necessity of Family Instruction page 16 17 Ignorance brings many and great evils upon our Families page 17. to 22 The corruption that is in Children and Servants prove the necessity of Family Instruction page 22 to 26 Family Duties cannot be performed without Family Instruction page 26. to 30. We have Gods example for teaching our Children and Servants page 30. to 33. Mothers as well as Fathers must instruct their Children page 33. to 40. Chap. 2. Motives to Family Instruction 1. Instructing our Children and Servants will be a means of their conversion page 40 41. Six reasons why we should labour after our Children and Servants conversion page 41. to 45. 2. Neglect of Family Instruction makes us guilty of our Children and Servants blond What a great evil it is to be guilty of the bloud of souls page 45. 3. Instructing our Children out of the Scriptures instils wisdom into them The advantages that will come to them by being endued with wisdom page 51. to 57. 4. Instructing our Children will bring them great advantage on several accounts page 57. to 62. 5. We benefit our selves several ways by instructing our Families page 62. to 66. 6. The neglect of Family Instruction is the cause of several evils page 66. to 59. 7. Family Instruction will propagate Religion to a thousand generations page 69. to 73. 8. Family Instruction greatly advanceth the glory of God page 73. to 76. 9. We shew our love to God by instructing our Families page 76 77. 10. Gods mercy in giving us Families should stir us up to instruct them page 77. to 79. 11. We have the example of Jesus Christ and the best men that ever lived for instructing their Families page 79. to 84. 12. Gods Judgements that have lately been upon the Nation call for Family Instruction and Family Reformation page 84. to 87. 13. The usefulness and excellency of the Scriptures should stir us up to train up our Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures page 87. to 92. 14. They deal unjustly with their Families who defraud them of Instruction page 92. to 95 Chap. 3. Directions how to manage the work of Family Instruction so as to promote the Conversion Edification and eternal Salvation of all such as are under our charge page 95. to 200. 1. Direct We must be diligent in studying the Scriptures page 95. to 98. 2. We must teach our Families the knowledge of the Principles and the practice of the Duties of Religion Nothing but the Truth Soul-saving Truths seasonable Truths page 98. to 107 What are Soul-saving Truths page 102. to 105. What are seasonable Truths page 106 107. 3. We must instruct our Families in the most edifying manner What manner of Instruction is must edifying What are Edifying Duties page 107 to 113. 4. We must take the fittest seasons for Family Instruction What are the fittest seasons for this work page 113. to 116. 5. We must cause them to keep the Word of God in remembrance What benefits come by remembring the Word page 116. to 119. 6. We must watch over our Families page 119. to 121. 7. We must reprove them when they do any thing contrary to the Word of God page 121 122. How to manage this duty of Reproof with success page 122 to 128. 8. When Reproofs take no place we must correct our Children page 128 How Corrections may be made effectual for our Childrens good page 129. to 132. 9. We must keep up our authority in our Families page 132. How to keep up our authority in our Families page 132 to 137. 10. We must endeavour to gain our Children and Servants affections How this may be done page 137. to 140. 11. We must endeavour to engraft those Scriptures which we teach our Children and Servants in their hearts How this may be done page 140. to 143. How to bring our Children and Servants in love with the Word page 143. 12. We must endeavour to draw our Families to Christ page 144. How to draw our Children and Servants to Christ page 144. to 148. How to fortifie our Families against the offence of the Cross that when troubles arise for the Gospels sake they may not fall off from the ways of Christ page 148. to 151. 13. We must labour to know the state of the several members of our Families How we may gain this knowledge page 152 to 155. 14. We must commune with our Children and Servants about their
instruction in righteousness such instructions as are drawn out of the Scriptures to instruct and direct us how to lead a righteous and holy life It is sometimes also used for correction Heb. 12.5 My son despise not the chastening of the Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies such a teaching as fixeth in the mind and fasteneth upon the heart those instructions which are useful to inform the judgment and reform the life To this effect Zanchy interprets this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Significat admonitionem non simpliciter sed talem quâ in mentem pueri ponas ingeras quae sunt illi ad salutem necessaria And Camerarius Significat efficacem admonitionem quâ aliquis ad meliorem mentem revocatur The Apostle adds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to shew that those instructions and admonitions which we give our Children must not be what our own hearts or our own wisdom prompts us to but they must be drawn out of the word of the Lord. The Ethiopick Translation renders the words thus Enutrite erudite in Doctrina Dei bring them up and instruct them in the Doctrine of God The Doctrine of God is an Epithet given the Gospel Tit. 2.10 When therefore the Apostle exhorts Parents to bring up their Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord the sense and meaning of those words is to this effect That they should labour by instruction correction and dayly admonitions to train up their Children in the knowledge faith and obedience of the Word of God and thus the generality of Expositors interpret this place As Beza Monitis ex verbo Dei petitis Draw the Counsel and Admonitions which you give your Children out of the word of God And Vatablus Date eis vivendi modum secundum doctrinam monita Christi Give them Rules and Directions how to order their Lives according to the Doctrine and Commandments of Christ Zanch. Vt pueri instituantur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est in verâ Dei cegnitione verâ Pietate veraque religione doctrinam coelestem in liberorum animos semper instillando To bring up our Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord is to bring them up in the true knowledge of God true Piety and the true Religion by a continual instilling heavenly Doctrine that is the word of God into our Childrens minds And Piscator Erudiant instituant in Doctrina Christiana Let them bring them up and instruct them in the Doctrine of Christ Corn. Lapid Vos O Patres educate illos in Doctrina Christi date eis Christiana monita quibus bene Christiane vivendi modum addiscant Do you O Fathers educate your Children in the Doctrine of Christ give them Christian counsel that they may learn to live well and as becometh Christians Our English Annotations explain those words In the admonition of the Lord thus Such Admonitions Instructions and Precepts as are taken out of the word of God and are acceptable to him I might mention Theodoret Chrysostom who discourseth very largely on this place about the education of Children in the knowledge of the Scriptures and divers others who give the same sence of this Text but I suppose it needless to adde any more VVhat is implied in those words Bring up your Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord may be gathered by comparing this place with 1 Tim. 4.6 where the same Apostle speaking of Timothy saith He was nourished up in the words of Faith and good Doctrine And what those words of Faith and good Doctrine were in which Timothy was nourished up we may learn from 1 Tim. 6.3 Even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine which is according to Godliness So that to bring up our Children in the nurture and admontion of the Lord is to nourish them up from their Childhood in the knowledge of the word of the Lord and especially to instill such portions of the Gospel into their minds as may breed in their hearts faith in Jesus Christ and may bring them to lead godly and holy Lives SECT 2. Servants as well as Children are to be instructed IT may be some will say These Scriptures which you have produced speak fully of teaching Gods word unto our Children but here is nothing spoken of instructing our Servants How doth it appear that we are to teach Gods word unto our Servants as well as unto our Children I answer 1. In Deut. 6.7 8. Where the Lord commands us to lay up his words in our hearts and to teach them diligently unto our Children there is added Thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and vers 9. Thou shalt write them upon the posts of thine house and on thy gates which Precepts imply thus much That it is our duty not only to teach our Children but that we are also bound to instruct all that go out and all that come in at our doors even our whole houshold in the knowledge of the word of God 2. In those fore-quoted Scriptures wherein the Lord commandeth us to teach his word unto our Children we are commanded to teach our Servants also for our Servants are comprehended in this word Children This will be made evident by considering how the word Children is used in other places and the use of the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Greek words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is usual with the Scripture to call those persons whom we either do or by our duty are obliged to instruct our Children 1 John 2.1 My little Children these things I write unto you that ye sin not 2 Cor. 6.13 I speak as unto my Children Psal 34.11 Come ye Children hearken unto me and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. The People of a Nation that are united under one form of Government are called the Children of that Nation Thus we read of the Children of Israel and the Children of Judah 2 Chron. 13.18 The Children of Israel were brought under at that time and the Children of Judah prevailed because they relied upon the Lord God of their Fathers The Children of Israel signifie the ten Tribes that were under Jeroboam's Government and the Children of Judah the two Tribes that were under the Government of the house of David Now if all the People that belong to one Nation are called the Children of that Nation why may not all the members of a Family be called the Children of that Family 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the Hebrew word that is used for Children Deut. 6.7 is translated by the Septuagint Zeph. 1.8 Amos 3.1 and in many other places by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth an House or a Family And younger persons are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Prov. 7.7 I discerned among the youths where the Hebrew word translated youths is the same with that which is rendred Children Deut. 6.7 It is also of
that comprehensive signification that it includes all Inferiours and such as are in subjection to others as well as Children 2 King 16.7 So Ahaz sent Messengers to Tiglath-Pileser saying I am thy Servant and thy Son And the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Servants as well as Children It is rendred a Servant Mat. 8.13 Mat. 14.2 It is translated a Child John 4.51 Mat. 2.16 So also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is another word used for Children signifieth not only Children in a strict sense that is such as come out of our Loyns but such Persons as inhabit one and the same place are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luk. 13.34 O Jerusalem Jerusalem how often would I have gathered thy Children together And such as are under the care and instruction of one and the same person are called by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that mans Children Thus the Apostle writing to the Corinthians whom he had instructed and begotten to Christ calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my Sons 1 Cor. 4.14 As my beloved Sons I warn you I may adde this farther That the Master of a Family is called Pater Familias The Father of the Family Naamans Servants call their Master Father 2 Kings 5.13 His Servants came near unto him and said My Father And it is usual in Scripture for Superiours to call their Servants and Inferiours by the name of Sons or Children I will produce of many instances which might be named only these two the one of Joshua who calls Achan son Josh 7.19 Joshua said unto Achan My son give I pray thee glory to the God of Israel and make confession to him The other of Christ who tells his Disciples that he was their Lord and Master John 13.13 yet he calls them by the name of Children John 21.5 Jesus saith unto them Children have ye any meat 3. The practice and example of the Servants of God in former Ages proveth it to be our duty to instruct our Servants as well as our Children If we observe what they did we shall find they were careful to train up their houshold in the knowledge and fear of God Thus did Abraham Gen. 18.19 I know him that he will command his Children and his Houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment So also did Joshua Josh 24.15 As for me and my House we will serve the Lord. Cornelius being a devout man himself trained up all his house in the fear of God Act. 10.2 A devout man and one that feared God with all his House 4. In all Religious Exercises we find Governours of Families enjoyned to regard with an equal care their Children and their Servants whether they be Men or Maid Servants As for instance in the sanctification of the Sabbath they are commanded to look after their Servants and them that sojourn with them as well as their Children Exod. 20.8 Remember the sabbath to keep it holy In it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy stranger that is within thy Gates So also in the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles the whole Family was to keep the Feast unto the Lord Deut. 16.14 Thou shalt rejoyce in thy feast thou and thy son and thy daughter thy man servant and thy maid servant 5. Instruction is as necessary for and will be as beneficial to our Servants as our Children as shall be shewed afterwards and therefore we should not think much to bestow our pains in teaching them such things as are necessary to salvation Seeing 1. They have immortal Souls which are as precious to God as our own Souls or the Souls of our Children Ezek. 18.4 Behold all Souls are mine 2. Jesus Christ hath done as great things for our Servants as he hath done for us or our Children He died for them as well as for us He makes the Bond as well as the Free Members of his Body and Partakers of his Spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 By one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been made to drink into one Spirit He makes no distinction of Bond or Free in the communication of his benefits but the bond man and the free man are all one in Christ Gal. 3.28 There is neither Jew nor Greek there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for ye are all one in Christ Jesus 3. God the Father will do as great things for our servants as he will for us or our Children if they seek and serve him he will give them his Spirit Joel 2.29 And also upon the Servants and upon the Handmaids in those days I will pour out my Spirit He will give them an inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven Col. 3.22 24. Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance John 12.26 If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my servant be He will give them all good things Psal 34.10 They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Shall we think much to spend a little time and to take a little pains in teaching our Servants when God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ doth such great things for them It is evident from these Scriptures which I have produced that it is our duty to teach Gods word unto our Children and not only to our Children but also to our Servants yea that there are many clear express and strict Commandments given to us by the great God for our performance of this Duty Now how shall we be able to appear before God at the day of Judgment if we live in the neglect of a known Duty which is so often and so earnestly pressed upon us by God himself SECT 3. The ignorance of Children and Servants proves the necessity of Family-Instruction The Evils of Ignorance Arg. 2 THe great ignorance that is in our Children and Servants sheweth Family-Instruction to be a necessary duty Children before they are instructed have no knowledge of the things of God Deut. 31.13 And that their Children which have not known any thing And not Children only but the greater part of such as are grown to mans estate have little or no knowledge of God Psal 14.2 The Lord looked down from Heaven upon the Children of men to see if there were any that did understand and seek God And what account doth he give of the Children of men Rom. 3.11 There is none that understandeth there is none that seeketh after God There is none comparatively there are so few understanding men that they seem to be none compared with the multitude of ignorant persons or if it relate to men in an unregenerate condition they are all destitute of the true and
to run into all kind of evil let us endeavour to prevent these great evils by training them up in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. 5. If we bring up our Children in ignorance they can have no fellowship with or enjoyment of God who is the chiefest Good For God is Light and in him is no darkness at all 1 Joh. 1.5 And persons that have no knowledge are said to be in darkness Ephes 5.8 Ye were sometimes darkness And there can be no communion between Light and Darkness 2 Cor. 6.14 What Communion hath Light with Darkness Now what will all the good things which we give our Children whilst we live or which we shall leave them when we die avail them if they have no enjoyment of God who is the chiefest Good 6. Without knowledge our Children and Servants cannot obtain salvation but must perish eternally Psal 5.5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight Job 36.12 They shall die without knowledge Prov. 2.16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the Congregation of the dead That is he shall be cast into Hell and abide there among the Devils and damned persons for ever So it is expounded by R. Sel. in caetu gehennae And Menoch Videtur sensus esse cum Daemonibus futuros cum impiis hominibus ad aeterna supplicia â—amnatis That the Hebrew word which is here translated dead signifieth Hell may be gathered from Prov. 9.18 He knoweth not that the dead are there and that her guests are in the depths of Hell 7. Without knowledge our Children will not only be undone in the world to come but they are likely by their folly and indiscretion to undo themselves and their Families in this world either by idleness Eccl. 4.5 The fool foldeth his hands together and eateth his own flesh Prov. 24.30 31. Or by prodigality Prov. 21.20 There is a treasure to be desired and Oyl in the dwelling of the Wise but the foolish spendeth it up Or by Surety ship Prov. 17.18 A man void of understanding striketh hands and becometh Surety in the presence of his friend Or by Law-suits Prov. 18.6 A fools lips enter into contention Or by speaking against persons in Authority Eccles 10.12 The lips of a fool will swallow up himself Prov. 10.14 The mouth of the foolish is near destruction Or by some other rash and indiscreet carriages 8. Instructing our Children and Servants out of the word of God will remove their ignorance and make them of foolish and simple to become wise and understanding persons and so consequently will prevent all the afore-mentioned evils which will accrue both to us and them if they be trained up in ignorance Prov. 12.1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge Prov. 8.33 Hear instruction and be wise Psal 19 7. The Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple Prov. 1.1 4. The Proverbs of Solomon to give subtilty to the simple and to the young man knowledge and discretion Psal 119.130 The entrance of thy word giveth light it giveth understanding to the simple SECT 4. The corruption that is in children and servants proveth Family-instruction to be a necessary duty Arg. 3 THere is not only much blindness and ignorance in the minds of our children and servants but they have also very sinful and corrupt hearts That we may see and understand what sin and corruption is bound up in the hearts of our children and servants let us consider what the Scripture saith of the hearts of the sons of men The heart of man by nature is void and destitute of all good Rom. 7.18 I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and full of evil Eccles 9.3 The heart of the sons of men is full of evil Yea the seeds of the foulest sins such as Murder Adultery Blasphemy and the like are in the heart of man which will break out if they be left to themselves Matth. 15.19 Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts murders adulteries fornications thefts false witness blasphemies The inclinations of the heart to sin even to the worst of sins are strong and violent so that the heart is not only set upon evil but fully set to do evil Eccles 8.11 The heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil There is such a bottomless depth of sin in their hearts that we cannot fathom it it is hard to express yea hard to understand how wicked and sinful the heart of man is Jer. 17.9 The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it And this corruption of the heart begins to work and discover it self very early even whilst we are young Gen. 8.21 The imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth Isai 48.8 I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously and wast called a transgressour from the womb Now seeing there is so much sin and corruption in the hearts of our children and servants from hence it will follow that it is our duty to train them up in the knowledge and obedience of the Word of God whereby their hearts may be purified and sanctified and that it is necessary that we should imploy all the skill and strength that we have in this work for 1. Though their hearts be exceeding sinful as we have heard before yet if we instruct them in the knowledge and train them up in the obedience of the Word of God this will be a means to purifie and sanctifie their hearts and to reform their lives for the word of God hath a sanctifying vertue in it John 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth And being hid in the heart it will cleanse the heart and keep a man from sinning against God John 15.3 Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken unto you Psal 119.11 Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee Obeying and practising the word will purifie the heart 1 Pet. 2.22 Ye have purified your Souls in obeying the Truth through the Spirit If we can bring our Children to take heed to their ways and to frame them according to the word of God we need not doubt but this will cleanse their hearts and lives Psal 119.9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way By taking heed thereto according to thy word 2. If we suffer our Children and Servants to live without instruction and do not labour to bring them acquainted with God and with his holy word there is no hope that they should be reclaimed from their sins Hos 5.4 They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them and they have not known the Lord. The Prophet gives this reason why they would not frame their doings to turn to the Lord They did not know the Lord and the spirit of whoredoms was in them By the spirit of whoredoms we may
to be performed every day Psal 145.2 Every day will I bless thee Psal 92.1 2. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto thy Name O most High to shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning and thy faithfulness every night It is a duty to be performed not only by our selves when we are alone but all the members in the Family should joyn together in blessing and praising God Psal 135.19 Bless the Lord O house of Aaron Psal 34.3 O magnifie the Lord with me and let us exalt his Name together Deut. 14.26 Thou shalt rejoyce thou and thy houshold Now how can our Families bless and praise God for his mercies if they be not taught that all the good things they have come from God and also taught who that God is that gives them all good things and how and in what manner they should express their thankfulness unto him We find that when the Scripture speaketh of praising God it often intimates that we should praise him with understanding Psal 47.6 7. Sing praises to God sing praises sing praises unto our King sing praises For God is the King of the Earth sing ye praises with understanding 1 Cor. 14.15 I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding also Which implieth that the Lord cannot be praised by the sons of men in an acceptable manner if they be not endued with knowledge and understanding 3. It is our Duty to exhort our Children and Servants to flee from sin and to follow after Righteousness to love and fear and serve the Lord and to walk in his ways c. Heb. 3.13 Exhort one another daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin Now if we would have our exhortations to take place we must joyn Doctrine or Instruction with our Exhortations 2 Tim. 4.2 Exhort with all long suffering and doctrine If we do not instruct them wherein the nature of those Duties lieth unto which we exhort them and how and in what manner they should be performed we shall be like those that beat the air our Exhortations will be of no advantage to them 4. It is our Duty to reprove our Children and Servants when we see them negligent in their duty or committing any sin against God Lev. 19.17 Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Neighbour and not suffer sin upon him If we must rebuke a Neighbour then much more those of our own house when they sin against the Lord. Now instruction makes way for reproof one word of reproof to a man instructed with wisdom and understanding will do more good than an hundred stripes will do towards the reformation of an ignorant foolish person Prov. 17.10 A reproof entreth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool We shall find it a very difficult matter to fasten a reproof upon our Children and Servants so as to make it take place and do them good if they be without understanding The like may be said of other Duties which we ought to perform towards our Children and Servants they cannot be performed successfully if we suffer our Families to be without Instruction SECT 6. We have Gods example for teaching our Children and Servants Arg. 5 GOD teacheth and instructeth his Children and Servants and therefore it is our Duty to teach and instruct our Children and our Servants for we ought to be followers of God Ephes 5.1 Be ye therefore followers of God as dear Children In order to our imitation of God in this practice Let us consider 1. Who they are whom God teacheth all his Children and Servants from the greatest of them to the least he leaves not one of them without instruction Isa 54.13 And all thy Children shall be taught of the Lord Jer. 31.34 They shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord. Deut. 33.3 Yea he loved the people all his Saints are in thy hand and they sat down at thy feet every one shall receive of thy words So should we teach and instruct every one of our Children and Servants from the least to the greatest 2. God begins to teach his Children betimes Psal 71.17 O God thou hast taught me from my youth So should we begin early with our Children 2 Tim. 3.15 From a Child thou hast known the holy Scriptures 3. God teacheth his children and servants knowledge Psal 94.10 He that teacheth man knowledge shall not he know He teacheth them to know himself Jer. 24.7 I will give them an heart to know me that I am the Lord And to know and believe in his Son Jesus Christ John 6.45 It is written in the Prophets And they shall be all taught of God every man therefore that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me And to love one another 1 Thes 4.9 Ye your selves are taught of God to love one another He instructs them to shun and to avoid evil company and evil examples Isa 8.11 For the Lord spake thus unto me with a strong hand and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people He teacheth them by his grace to deny all ungodliness and to live righteous and holy lives Tit. 2.12 The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us That denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world He instructs them how to order and manage the works of their Callings with Wisdom and Discretion Isa 28.24 25 26. Doth the Plowman plow all day to sow Doth he open and break the clods of his ground When he hath made plain the face thereof doth he not cast abroad the Fitches and scatter the Cummin and east in the principal Wheat and the appointed Barley and the Rye in their place For his God doth instruct him to discretion and doth teach him He instructs them how they should walk and what they should say and do and how they should order their Conversations aright in all things Psal 32.8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go Exod. 4.12 15. I will be with thy mouth and will teach thee what thou shalt say and will teach you what ye shall do 2 Chron. 32.22 The Lord guided them on every side Psal 107.7 He led them forth by the right way He shews them the Path of Life and guides them in the way to Heaven Psal 16.11 Thou wilt shew me the Path of Life Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterwards receive me unto glory Herein we should imitate God we should teach our Children and servants to know God and his Son Jesus Christ and to believe in Christ and to love one another and to forsake evil company and to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world We
should instruct them how to follow their Calling and how to speak and walk and to order their conversations aright in all things we should shew them the path of Life and guide them therein that they may obtain eternal salvation in the world to come 4. God teacheth his children and servants out of his holy Word Psal 94.12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest O Lord and teachest him out of thy Law The Lord builds up all his houshold in knowledge faith and holiness upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles that is the Doctrine delivered in the Scriptures by the Prophets and Apostles Ephes 2.19 20. Ye are of the Houshold of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone He instructs penitent persons by making known his word to them Prov. 1.23 Turn you at my Reproof behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you I will make known my words unto you David describes Gods teaching his people Israel thus Psal 147.19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgments unto Israel In like manner when we teach our children and servants we should teach them out of the word of God and establish them in the knowledge belief and practice of the Doctrine delivered in the Scriptures by the Prophets and Apostles 5. The Lord condescends to teach such as are of a froward and perverse disposition The Children of Israel were a perverse generation Deut. 32.5 They are a perverse and crooked generation yet the Lord taught and instructed Israel Vers 10. He found him in a desart Land and in the waste howling Wilderness he led him about he instructed him he kept him as the apple of his eye And this he did notwithstanding they were a very froward people as Moses tells us again vers 20. They are a very froward Generation In like manner though our Children or Servants should be of a froward perverse spirit yet we should not forbear instructing them 6. The Lord imprints and fastens in the minds and hearts of his Children and Servants those Instructions which he giveth them hence he is said to seal their instruction Job 33.14 He openeth the ears of men and sealeth their instruction So should we endeavour to imprint those Instructions which we give our Families upon their minds that they may retain them in their memories as long as they live SECT 7. Mothers as well as Fathers must instruct their Children Quest IT may be some will here demand Is it not the Duty of Mothers as well as of Fathers to teach their Children Answ Although the Scripture doth forbid Women teaching in publick Assemblies 1 Cor. 14.34 Let your women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the Law 1 Tim. 2.11 12. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection But I suffer not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man but to be in silence Yet it doth allow them to teach their Children and Servants and though this work doth lie chiefly upon Fathers to teach Gods word unto their Children as appeareth by the special charge that is given to them Ephes 6.4 Isa 38.19 Psal 78.5 yet it is the duty of Mothers also to instruct and watch over their Children and Servants For the proving hereof and the stirring up of Mothers to joyn with and to be helpful to their Husbands in instructing their Children and Servants I shall propose to them these following Considerations 1. It hath been the practice of godly women in former times to instruct their Children in the knowledge of the Scriptures which the holy Ghost hath left upon record as a monument of their praise as long as the world shall continue and as a Pattern to be followed by all women that fear God Solomons mother though she was a Queen did not look upon it as a work beneath her to instruct her Son but taught him a Prophecy containing excellent Lessons concerning Chastity and Temperance defending the Oppressed c. Prov. 31.1 The words of King Lemuel the Prophecy which his mother taught him What this Prophecy was that his mother taught him is set down in the following verses Solomon was instructed by his Father Prov. 4.3 4. I was my Fathers Son he taught me also yet Solomon's mother did not think her self excused from teaching her Son because his Father instructed him but she joyn'd with her husband and teacheth him a Prophecy Now if those women who haue godly Husbands that instruct their Families must also instruct their Children how much more is it the duty of those women who have careless and negligent Husbands that regard not their Families to be diligent in teaching their Children and Servants Another example we have in Lois and Eunice Lois being converted to the Christian Religion trains up her Daughter Eunice in the faith of Christ Eunice being instructed in the faith of Christ instructs her Son Timothy 2 Tim. 1.9 2. Children are commanded to hearken to and not forsake the instruction which their Mothers as well as which their Fathers give them out of the Law of God Prov. 1.8 My Son hear the instruction of thy Father and forsake not the Law of thy Mother which implies That Mothers as well as Fathers are to teach Gods Laws to their Children 3. It is mentioned as one of the Vertues of a vertuous woman That she looketh well to the ways of her Houshold Prov. 31.27 and this oversight that she takes of the ways of her Houshhold conduceth so much to the good of her Children that it will cause them to bless God for her as long as they live as the next verse implieth Her Children arise up and call her blessed vers 28. And the Apostle Paul adviseth elder women to be Teachers of good things Tit. 2.3 And he tells them both whom they should teach younger women and what Lessons they should teach younger women vers 4.5 which is to be understood of instilling those Principles into their Children and Maid Servants how they should demean themselves when God shall bring them into a married estate and also of instructing their Neighbours and Acquaintance when they visit them and have occasion to confer with them 4. The Mother as well as the Father doth concur to the conveying of a sinful nature unto their Children Psal 51.5 In sin did my Mother conceive me And therefore Mothers ought by their prayers and tears and instructions and the use of all good means to endeavour after the Conversion and Regeneration of their Children as well as their Fathers 5. Children are very apt to follow their Mothers example in so much that it 's become a Proverb As is the Mother so is the Daughter and the truth of this Proverb is such that God himself alloweth of it Ezek. 16.44 Behold every one that useth Proverbs shall use this Proverb
it is evident from the word of God that all such as live and die ignorant of God having attained to years of discretion shall be destroyed for ever without having any mercy shewed to them 2 Thes 1.7 8 9. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Isa 27.11 It is a people of no understanding therefore he that made them will have no mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no favour Hos 4.6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge Now if the Lord will condemn our Children and Servants for their ignorance and their ignorance proceed from our neglect of instructing them are not we the cause of their condemnation Such as have the Rule and Government of Families are in the nature and condition of Watchmen as well as those that bear Rule in the Church and must give an account for those souls that are committed to their charge Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the Rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give an account And as for those that are placed in the condition of Watchmen if any persons over whom God hath made them Watchmen be lost through their neglect to instruct them in their duty or to reclaim them from their sins the Blood of those that perish shall be required at the Watchmans hands Ezek. 3.17 18. Son of man I have made thee a Watchman unto the House of Israel therefore hear the word at my Mouth and give them warning from Me when I say to the wicked Thou shalt surely die and thou givest him not warning nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity but his blood will I require at thine hand What Inditement is brought in against the Jews Jer. 2.34 In thy Skirts is found the Blood of the Souls of the poor Innocents I have not found it by secret search but upon all these The like may be said of many Masters of Families In their Skirts will be found the Blood of the Souls of their Children and Servants In their Skirts That is it will plainly and evidently appear unto all men at the day of Judgment that they are guilty of the Blood of the Souls of their Children and Servants for want of instructing and training them up in the fear of God VVe cannot possibly be clear from the blood of those that are committed to our charge if either through wilfulness or through sloth and negligence we forbear to instruct them in those things that are necessary to their Salvation but if we do our duty and they perish in their sins their Blood shall be upon their own head Act. 20.26 27. I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the Counsel of God Did Parents and Masters of Families seriously consider what it is to have their Children and Servants die eternally and that through their neglecting to teach and train them up in the fear of God did they also consider what it is to have the blood of Souls laid to their charge it would stir them up to be diligent in instructing their Families unless they be such as have lost all regard to their own and their Families welfare To press home this consideration with the greater efficacy I shall suggest to you three or four things more under this head As 1. The death of a Child goes near a Parents heart Hagar could not endure to see her Child die and therefore when she thought he would die she gets a great way off from him and sat down and wept Gen. 21.16 She said Let me not see the death of the Child and she sat over against him and lift up her voice and wept VVhen tydings came to David of Absolom's death he was exceedingly troubled at it 2 Sam. 18.33 And the King was much moved and went up to the chamber ever the gate and wept and as he went thus he said O my Son Absolom my Son my Son Absolom would God I had died for thee O Absolom my Son my Son VVhen Jacob did but suppose that Joseph was dead though he had eleven Sons living his sorrow was so great that he refused to be comforted Gen. 37.34 35. Jacob rent his cloaths and put sackcloth upon his loyns and mourned for his Son many days and all his Sons and all his Daughters rose up to comfort him but he refused to be comforted and he said For I will go down into the Grave unto my Son mourning Thus his Father wept for him If it be so grievous to Parents to see their Children deprived of their natural life how should it pierce their hearts to have them deprived of eternal Life If they are so grieved at the death of their Bodies how should they lay to heart the death of their Souls How should it wound them to have their Children cast into the lake that burneth with fire and Brimstone which is the second death where they shall be always burning and yet never be consumed they shall be always dying and yet never be dead yea how should it affect them when they consider that they themselves have through their negligence been the cause of their Childrens dying the second death 2. It would pierce a flinty heart to see Children dying in their Parents Arms for want of Bread VVhen Jeremiah saw little Children in the time of Famine some dying in the streets others breathing out their souls in their Mothers Bosoms for want of Bread to sustain their Lives it made him weep till his eyes and his heart failed him with grief Lam. 2.11 12. Mine eyes do fail with tears my bowels are troubled my Liver is poured upon the earth for the destruction of the Daughter of my People because the Children and the Sucklings swoon in the streets of the City they say to their Mothers Where is Corn and Wine When they swooned as the wounded in the Streets of the City when their Soul was poured out into their Mothers Bosom This is a sorrowful sight but it is far more dreadful to see Children perishing to all eternity in their Parents Houses for want of their communicating to them the Bread of Life than to see them die by Famine 3. It is an unspeakable loss for a man to lose one Soul Though he do not lose his Children and Servants Souls though he lose not one Soul besides his own the gain of the whole world will not make up this loss as appears from the fore-quoted Scripture Mar. 8.36 What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and
Prov. 2.1 5. My Son if thou wilt receive my words and hide my Commandments with thee Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God Would we have our Children continue in the ways of God walking with and serving God as long as they live By instructing them whilst they are young we shall obtain our desire in this thing Prov. 22.6 Train up a Child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Would we have our Children instructed how to lead a godly and righteous Life And would we have them throughly furnished with abilities for every good work This may be done by acquainting them with the Scriptures 2 Tim. 3.16 17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works Do we desire our Children should be prosperous men both whilst we live and after we are dead and gone into another world This may be obtained by training them up in the knowledge and obedience of Gods word Deut. 29.9 Keep therefore the words of this Covenant and do them that ye may prosper in all that ye do Do we desire that our Children may be blessed with all manner of blessings whilst they live here in this world and do we desire to have their Souls saved when they die The way to obtain this is to train them up in a godly sort that they may know and walk in the ways of the Lord which he hath prescribed to us and to them in his holy word For 1 Tim. 4.8 Godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Prov. 10.17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction See also 2 Tim. 3.15 John 17.3 Deut. 28. from vers 1. to 24. SECT 5. We benefit our selves by instructing our Families Mo ∣ tive 5 BY inflructing our Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures we shall not only procure much good to our Children and Servants but shall also exceedingly advantage our own Souls and obtain many blessings from God for our selves as well as our Families When Obed-Edom entertained the Ark of the Lord in his house The Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his houshold 2 Sam. 6.11 And the Blessings that God gave Obed-Edom were so remarkable that others as well as himself took notice thereof vers 12. And it was told King David saying The Lord hath blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that pertained unto him because of the Ark of God In this Ark were laid up the Laws of God written upon two Tables Deut. 10.2 If we treasure up Gods Laws in our own hearts and teach the same unto our Families instructing them both in the Duties of the first and second Table that is in their duty to God and to Men the Lord will as surely and in as eminent a manner bless us as he did Obed-Edom for receiving the Ark wherein were the two Tables of the Law of God I will instance in some advantages and blessings which those Parents and Masters of Families shall receive that are diligent in training up their Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures 1. The Lord hath promised a long and blessed Life to them and their Children that instruct their Children in his word they shall enjoy a kind of Heaven upon Earth Deut. 11.18 19 21. Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your hearts and in your souls And ye shall teach them your Children speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way when thou liest down and when thou risest up that your days may be multiplied and the days of your Children as the days of Heaven upon Earth 2. They shall have a great reward in Heaven who are diligent in instructing those whom God hath committed to their Charge Mat. 24.45 46 47. Who then is that faithful and wise Servant whom his Lord hath made Ruler over his houshold to give them meat in due season Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Verily I say unto you That he shall make him Ruler over all his Goods If we teach our Families the Commandments of God and do also keep them our selves we shall be great Persons in the Kingdom of Heaven how mean and low soever our condition be in this world Mat. 5.19 Whosoever shall break one of these least Commandments and shall teach men so he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven but whosoever shall do and teach them the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven 3. Our Children and Servants will be great Comforts and Blessings to us if we train them up in the fear of God Onesimus before his Conversion was a great cross to his Master but after he was instructed by the Apostle Paul and God had wrought upon him who was a more dutiful Servant than One simus Philem. 11. Which in time past was to thee unprofitable but now profitable to me and to thee They will be great Comforts to us in this world Prov. 10.1 A wise Son maketh a glad Father Prov. 29.17 Correct thy Son and he shall give thee rest yea he shall give delight unto thy Soul The Chaldee Syriack Arabick Greek and Vulgar Latin translate the word Erudi filium tuum c. Instruct thy Son and the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to instruct as well as to correct as Psal 2.10 Be instructed ye Judges of the Earth So that the words may be as well rendred Instruct thy Son and he shall give thee rest yea he shall give delight to thy Soul What greater Comfort can a Parent have than to see his Children walking in the ways of God 3 John 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my Children walk in truth They will also be a Comfort to us in the world to come What a Joy will it be to a godly Parent to present himself and his Children before the Lord and to say Lord here am I and the Children whom thou hast given me As it is with Ministers of the Word they shall have great joy in those they have instructed and converted to the Lord 1 Thes 2.19 20. What is our hope or joy or crown of rejoycing Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming For ye are our Glory and Joy So it will be with Parents and Masters of Families they shall have great Joy at the day of Judgment in those whom they have taught and brought home to the Lord. 4. It will keep the memory and savour of Gods word upon our hearts and breed in us a spiritual frame of heart to be often teaching Gods word to our Families Deut. 4.9 10. Only take heed to
of the Earth be blessed but his being a Blessing to all Nations is also attributed to his instructing his Family and training up his Children and Servants in a godly sort whereby the knowledge of God and the Seeds of Piety and true Religion were conveyed from one Family to another and from one Generation to another and from one Nation to another as will appear from Gen. 18.18 19. All the Nations of the Earth shall be blessed in him How so How should it come about that all Nations should be blessed in him The following words will declare this For I know him that he will command his Children and his Houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do Justice and Judgment that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him Lo here how effectually Family-Instruction propagates Religion By means whereof from one Family the Seeds of Piety are conveyed to many Nations SECT 8. Family-Instruction greatly advanceth Gods glory Motive 8 INstructing our Families in the knowledge of Gods holy word will very much advance the Glory of God For then we glorifie God when we manifest and make known his Name unto those persons whom he hath committed to our charge and are careful to bring them acquainted with his word John 17.4 I have glorified thee on Earth And how did Christ glorifie his Father upon the earth He tells us Vers 6. 8. That it was by manifesting the Name of God to those that were given to him by his Father and by instructing them out of his word I have manifested thy Name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me When David was desirous to exalt and magnifie the Name of the Lord the way that he resolved to take for the exalting and glorifying God was to teach his Children to fear the Lord Psal 34.3 11. O magnifie the Lord with me and let us exalt his Name together Come ye Children hearken unto me I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Family-Instruction advanceth the glory of God several ways I will mention only two or three 1. Instructing our Children and Servants out of the word of God will be a means to bring them to lead holy godly and righteous Lives and when our Families walk in the fear of God and live righteously God is glorified Isa 60.21 Thy People also shall be all righteous that I may be glorified 2. The good that our Children and Servants will receive by our instructing them out of the word of God will be so great that they will bless and praise God for it as long as they live yea to all eternity so that hereby we shall bring eternal glory to God for then and as long as God is praised he is glorified Psal 50.23 Whoso offereth me praise glorifieth me 3. Family-Instruction glorifieth God as it is a means to propagate Religion and increase the number of Converts and to bring multitudes to become Servants of the Lord for the more godly Families are erected the more the number of Gods Servants is multiplied the more God is glorified Prov. 14.28 In the multitude of People is the Kings Honour What Solomon saith of earthly Kings the same is true of the King of Heaven The Prophet Isaiah also informeth us Isa 26.15 That the increasing of the number of Gods Servants advanceth his glory Thou hast increased the Nation O Lord thou hast increased the Nation thou art glorified And it hath been shewn before that instructing our Families will be an effectual means of their Conversion and will greatly propagate Religion and the Power of Godliness from one Family to another for many Generations Now seeing Family-Instruction glorifieth God we should set our Heads and Hearts on work how to carry on this duty in the most advantagious and successful manner for we were every one created and are maintained in our being for this very end to glorifie God Isa 43.6 7. Bring my Sons from far and my Daughters from the end of the earth even every one that is called by my name for I have created him for my glory And Vers 21. This people have I formed for my self they shall shew forth my praise And seeing we had our Beings given us for this end to glorifie God we ought to attend those Services which glorifie God with all our might And as the training up of our Children in the knowledge and fear of God greatly advanceth his glory so the neglect of this duty may be said to rob God of eternal glory Hence God complains of such as neglect or hinder the Religious Education of Children that they take away his glory for ever Mich. 2.9 From their Children they have taken away my glory forever How did they take away from their Children the glory of God for ever Locceius gives this interpretation of it malâ educatione By their evil education of their Children they robbed God of eternal glory To the same effect Gualther expounds the words Institutione destituuntur quâ ad Dei gloriam educentur They were deprived of instruction whereby they should have been trained up to the glory of God Corn. à Lapid also gives the same sence of the words Tulistis ab eis meam laudem tum quia eos à matribus avulsos honest â piâque educatione privastis in idololatriâ vestra educastis tam quia eos ad paupertatem adegistis ob quam ad omnia scelera vestramque voluntatens libidinem inflexistis Winckelman D. Stokes and several others expound this Scripture of the depriving Children of Religious Education And they that neglect the educating their Children in a pious manner may well be said to take away from their Children the glory of God for ever For when Children are trained up in a godly sort they will glorifie God all their days in this world and also in heaven to all eternity and they would not only glorifie God themselves but teach their Children to do so also and they would teach the next Generation and so the knowledge and glory of God might be transmitted from one Generation to another as long as the world shall continue all which glory is taken away from God where the pious Education of Children is neglected SECT 9. We shew our love to God by Instructing our Familiet Motive 9 THe Lord will take it kindly at our hands and account it a real demonstration of our love towards His Sacred Majesty if we are careful to feed our Families with the knowledge of his word Three times the Lord Jesus calls upon the Apostle Peter that if he had any love to him he would shew it by feeding his Lambs and his Sheep John 21.15 16 17. Jesus saith unto Simon Peter Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me more than these He saith unto him Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my Lambs He saith to him again
their destruction Are they of a sorrowful spirit The word of God will fill them with Joy Psal 19.8 The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart Are they ignorant The word of God will inlighten them Psal 19.8 The Commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes In a word whatever is needful and profitable either for our selves or for our Children to be acquainted withal it is revealed in the Scriptures Act. 20.20 I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you Neither we nor our Children need the knowledge of any thing more than the whole Counsel of God concerning our Salvation and this is fully revealed in the word of God Act. 20.27 I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God Whatsoever Christ heard of the Father that he taught his Apostles John 15.15 All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you And all things that Christ taught the Apostles they are written in the Scriptures Acts 1.1 2. The former Treatise have I made O Theophilus of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which he was taken up after that he through the holy Ghost had given Commandments unto the Apostles whom he had chosen And therefore the Scriptures are a perfect Rule of Righteousness containing all things that are necessary for any man to know believe or practise in order to his eternal salvation And as the Scriptures are profitable for instruction in respect of the usefulness and suitableness of the matter contained in them so also in regard of the power that is in them to convince the Judgment and to prevail with the Conscience and to bow and bend the will to a compliance with Gods will For they carry the Authority of God with them and work efficaciously upon the stoutest hearts when God accompanies them with his Spirit Act. 18.28 He mightily convinced the Jews and that publickly shewing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ The Jews were exceedingly prejudiced against Christ they were so far from believing that Jesus was the Christ that they had crucified him as an Impostor and a Deceiver of the People yet Apollos bringing clear Scripture-proof for what he taught the Jews were hereby mightily convinced that Jesus was the Christ The word of God is of a more piercing nature than a sword and carrieth greater power along with it Heb. 4.12 The Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart It astonisheth the minds of men and carries out their Souls to believe in and obey the Lord notwithstanding all Oppositions and Discouragements that lie in the way either of Faith or Obedience Elimas the Sorcerer was full of subtilty and mischief and he opposed all he could the word of God which was dispenced by Paul and Barnabas and sought to turn away Sergius Paulus from the Faith but the Word of God had such power upon the Deputy that notwithstanding all the endeavours of Elimas he became obedient to the Faith Acts 13.12 The Deputy when he saw what was done believed being astonished at the Doctrine of the Lord. Of all the Jews none were more opposite to believing in Christ than the Priests for the Priests plotted and contrived Christs death Matt. 26.3 4. They sent Judas and a multitude of People with him to apprehend Christ vers 47. They suborned false witnesses against him vers 59. They held a Counsel after he was apprehended by what means they should put him to death Matth. 27.1 The Priests accused him with great vehemency before Herod Luk. 23.10 They stirred up the multitude to ask Barrabas when Pilate was willing to have released Jesus Matth. 27.20 It was the cry of the multitude that were stirred up by the Priests and the voices of the Priests that prevailed with Pilate to crucifie Christ Luk. 23.23 After the death of Christ the Priests took greatest offence at the Apostles preaching and were the chief Agents in their imprisonment Acts 4.1 And yet notwithstanding all the opposition that was in the Priests against Christ and the Doctrine of the Gospel such was the power of the Word of God that thereby a great number of the Priests were converted to the faith of Christ Act. 6.7 The word of God increased and the number of the Disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly and a great company of the Priests were obedient to the Faith Besides this consider the excellency and weightiness of the matter contained in the Scriptures They reveal to us the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven Gods eternal Counsel concerning our salvation the gracious Covenant God hath made with man They reveal to us Gods Attributes his works of Creation and Providence the great Mystery of our Redemption They shew to us how we may serve glorifie and enjoy God which is mans chiefest happiness They treat of the Torments of Hell and of the unspeakable Joys and Glory of Heaven and shew us how we may avoid the one and get possession of the other In a word they discover to us such excellent things as the eye of man never saw the like neither did ear hear neither can it enter into the heart of man to conceive the transcendent worth and dignity of them 1 Cor. 2.9 10. They open such Mysteries as the Angels of Heaven desire and delight to look into them 1 Pet. 1.12 Which things the Angels desire to look into And shall we hide such excellent things as these are from our Children We should resolve with full purpose of heart as the godly Jews of old did concerning those glorious things which their Fathers had told them Psal 78.4 We will not hide them from their Children shewing to the Generations to come the praises of the Lord I might adde further There is nothing revealed in the Scriptures but what is of great and near concernment to us and to our Children and that as long as we and they shall live in this world Deut. 29.29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our Children for ever that we may do all the words of this Law If those things that are treated of in the Scriptures did not belong to us or to our Children we might have some excuse for not teaching them the word of God But what Apologie can we make for our neglect of this Duty seeing they were revealed purposely for us and our Children to be conversant therein as long as we live They are of such near and great concernment to us as that every mans Judgment for his eternal state shall be given at the last day according to what is in the written word John 12.48 He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him the words that I have spoken
live after the flesh you shall die the Companion of Fools shall be destroyed c. is for you you shall die as well as any persons in the world if ye live after the flesh and if ye will keep evil company c. And this promise is for you They that seek the Lord shall want no good thing c. If you will seek the Lord he will give you all good things And the example of Gods Judgments on such as murmured and such as committed fornication c. was written for your admonition to deter you from committing those sins 1 Cor. 10.8 10 11. When Eliphaz had been instructing Job in several things concerning the misery of wicked men the nature of afflictions the blessings that God bestoweth on godly men c. he concludes his discourse thus Job 5.27 Lo this we have searched it so it is hear it and know it for thy good or as it is in the Margin for thy self From the different rendring of the last clause of this Verse we may draw this note That then a man knows Divine Truths for his good when he knows them for himself that is the way for a man to get good by the knowledge of Divine Truths is to make a particular application of them to his own Soul 5. When you instruct them in the performance of any duty either towards God or their Neighbour teach them how and in what manner to perform that duty shew them also the necessity of it and the advantages and benefits that will come to them if they follow your counsel and the evils that will befall them if they neglect it Thus David instructed Solomon he exhorts him to know and serve the Lord 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my Son know thou the God of thy Father and serve him Then he shews him in what manner he must serve the Lord willingly and sincerely Serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind He tells him why it was necessary that he should serve the Lord with a perfect heart and with a willing mind For the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts He acquaints him also with the benefit that he should receive if he would seek and serve the Lord If thou seek him he will be found of thee and with the evils that would come upon him if he forsook the Lord But if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever It is said of Solomon Eccles 12.10 The Preacher sought out acceptable words or as some render it verba desiderii words that might stir up desires after those things which he taught the people words that might win and gain upon their affections Follow Solomon's example in teaching your Children seek out such Scriptures as may put an edge upon their affections and inflame them with a desire to practise those things which you teach them to be their duty Consider also what may dicourage or hinder them from the performing those Duties which you press upon them and endeavour to remove those hindrances for what the Apostle saith in another case 2 Thes 2.7 the same is true here That which now letteth will let until it be taken out of the way 6. So teach them their duty as also to direct them where they may have strength to perform it And to that end guide them to Christ without whom they can do nothing John 15.5 Without me ye can do nothing and by whose help they shall be able to do all things Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthneth me By which means when they find no strength in themselves they shall be able to say they have it in Christ Surely shall one say In the Lord have I Righteousness and Strength Isa 45.24 And seeing Christ conveys his strength to us in a way of Reliance upon him for it is through faith that out of weakness we are made strong Heb. 11.34 and seeing faith is helped much by the promises when you instruct them in their duty guide them to some promise of the Covenant of Grace where God hath promised to inable them to perform that duty that so by the help of the promises they may trust in Christ to work all their works in them and for them and may through faith in him receive strength to walk before God in newness of Life Thus when the Apostle taught the Romans that they should not let sin have dominion over them Rom. 6.12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal Bodies that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof He presently puts them in mind of a promise wherein the Lord hath promised so to over-rule us by his grace that sin shall not have the Dominion over us vers 14. Sin shall not have the Dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace 7. If you would so instruct your Families as to edifie them in your Teaching then stir them up to the practise of those Duties which make for their edification As First To walk in the fear of the Lord Act. 9.31 The Churches were edified walking in the fear of the Lord. Secondly To live in love and peace 1 Cor. 8.1 Charity edifieth Ephes 4.16 Maketh increase of the Body unto the edifying of it self in love Rom. 14.19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace and things wherewith we may edifie one another Thirdly To get Faith and to live by Faith after they have gotten it 1 Tim. 1.4 Godly edifying which is in faith Fourthly To pray in a fervent gracious spiritual manner Jude 20. But ye Beloved building up your selves in your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost Fifthly To meditate often on what you have taught them 1 Tim. 4.15 Meditate upon these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear unto all SECT 4. What are the fittest times and seasons for instructing our Families Direct 4 THe seasonableness of a work makes it amiable Eccles 3.1 11. To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven He hath made every thing beautiful in his time The seasonableness of a work renders it also the more successful Psal 1.3 He shall be like a Tree planted by the Rivers of waters that bringeth forth his fruit in his season and whatsoever he doth shall prosper Such as are Rulers of Families must not only provide meat for their Families but meat in due season and by so doing he that is the supreme Lord of all Families shall give them his blessing Matth. 24.45 46 47. Who then is a faithful and wise Servant whom his Lord hath made Ruler over his Houshold to give them meat in due season Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Verily I say unto you That he shall make him Ruler over all his goods Now concerning the times and seasons that you should take for the doing this work
not answer our Prayers for our Children whilst we live yet he may answer those Prayers after we are dead which we did offer up to him whilst we lived with them Our Lord JESUS CHRIST prayed for the Jews that were so vile and wicked as to put him to death Luke 23.34 Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they do And as an answer of Christs Prayer thousands of those Jews that were not wrought upon either by Christs Doctrine or Miracles or Godly Life but continued in an impenitent condition till after his death yea were so hardened as to have an hand in the crucifying of the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Life and Glory were notwithstanding converted by the preaching of the Apostle Peter Acts 2 23.37 41. Suppose neither your Instructions nor godly Example nor Prayers should prevail for the conversion of your Children whilst you live but they should be vile and stubborn and disobedient to God and to you unto your dying day yet cease not praying for them It may be the Lord will answer your prayers by making use of others to convert them when you are laid in your Graves 4. We should sin against God if we should cease praying for our Children because we see no effect of our Prayers but do behold much stubborness and perversness in them The people of Israel were a perverse people Samuel saw little fruit of his Instructions or Prayers on their behalf they were set upon their own way and he could not disswade them from desiring a change of Government although therein they did not only reject Samuel but God himself from raigning over them 1 Sam. 8.5 6 7 8. yet he would not cease from praying for them lest he should sin against the Lord 1 Sam. 12.23 Moreover as for me God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you If Samuel was afraid to cease praying for a stubborn perverse people lest he should sin against the Lord ought not Parents to continue praying for their graceless and disobedient Children for fear if they should cease to pray for them they also should sin against the Lord 5. If you have prayed for your Childrens Conversion and cannot prevail joyn fasting with prayer Sometimes mercies cannot be obtained from God unless we fast as well as pray Mark 9.29 This kind can come forth by nothing but by Prayer and Fasting If we have a Child that is sick unto death we do not stick at seeking God by Fasting and Prayer for its Recovery 2 Sam. 12.15 16. The Lord struck the Child that Vriah's wife bare unto David and it was very sick David therefore besought God for the Child and David fasted And shall we not much more seek to God by fasting and prayer to recover our Children and Servants from the power of sin and Satan and to deliver them from everlasting Burnings This duty of Fasting rightly performed is of great use both for the obtaining direction from God in the management of our undertakings Ezra 8.21 23. I proclaimed a Fast that we might afflict our selves before our God to seek of him a right way for us and for our little ones and for our substance so we fasted and besought our God for this and he was intreated of us And also for procuring of success in what we take in hand as we may see in the case of Esther Nehemiah and several others who setting upon their undertakings with fasting and prayer prosperously effected what they took in hand though their work was very great and attended with very great difficulties God seldom lets any Fast that is performed in a right manner go without a remarkable Reward Matth. 6.17 18. And therefore it will be very much for our own and our Families advantage to set apart some days of humiliation with our Families to seek God by fasting and prayer to bless and succeed us in this Work of Family-Instruction SECT 20. The usefulness of Faith in reference to Family-Instruction Several sorts of Promises relating to our Families The Case of such as are discouraged from acting Faith upon the Promises because they see no Fruit of their Faith or Labours Direct 20 ACT your Faith upon God for the Conversion and Salvation of such as are under your charge Trust in him by vertue of his Promises to bless and prosper your Labours in teaching your Families We read of Isaac that he blessed his Children in faith Heb. 11.20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come As Isaac blessed his Children in faith so should we instruct our Children in faith believing that God will bless our Instructions for the doing their souls good To do our work in faith believing in God and resting upon God for his blessing is the way to prosper in what we do 2 Chron. 20.20 Believe in the Lord your God so shall you be established believe his Prophets so shall ye prosper By believing in the Lord we may obtain salvation for our Houshold as well as for our own Souls Acts 16.31 Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy House Which is not to be understood as though the Governours faith would avail for the salvation of such of his House as live and die in an unregenerate condition but that upon his believing and using of the means of Grace in faith he shall obtain conversion and so consequently salvation for his Houshold Wherefore seeing Faith is of such prevalencie with God as to obtain converting Grace and Salvation for our Families I shall put you in mind of several sorts of Promises which may encourage and help you to trust in God for Family-Mercies and Family-Blessings and that not only Temporal but Spiritual and Eternal Blessings As for instance 1. God hath promised not only to be a God to his People but also the God of their Families Jer. 31.1 At the same time saith the Lord will I be the God of all the Families of Israel and they shall be my People 2. The Lord hath promised to bless the several Members of his Peoples Families as the Wife the Children the Servants He hath promised to bless the Wife and to make her as a fruitful Vine Psal 128.1 2 3. Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord that walketh in his ways for thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands happy shalt thou be and it shall be well with thee Thy Wife shall be as a fruitful Vine by the sides of thine House Now that we may understand what is couched under this phrase Thy Wife shall be as a fruitful Vine Let us consider what the Scripture saith of the Vine in other places The Vine brings forth Wine which cheareth God and men Judg. 9.13 It casteth forth a pleasant delightful smell Cant. 2.13 To dwell under a Vine implies safety and confidence 1 King 4.25 Also a dwelling in peace without Wars Jars and Contentions Mich. 4.34 The Vine hath no
of thine Enemies that thou mightest still the Enemy and the Avenger And we find this Scripture applied by Christ to the little Children who cried in the Temple Hosanna to the Son of David Matth. 21.15 16. These little Children by the Revelation of Gods Spirit knew and understood that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah which thing was hid from many of the Pharisees who were wise and prudent men Matth. 11.25 4. Suppose our Children should not understand for the present some of those Scriptures which we teach them yet they may understand them and reap great benefit from them hereafter it may be after we are laid in our Graves John 12.16 These things understood not his Disciples at the first but when Jesus was glorified then remembred they that those things were written of him and that they had done these things unto him And in another place we find that the Disciples after Christs death were much helped in their Faith by remembring a word that Christ had said to them in his Life time about his building of the Temple in three days after it should be destroyed John 2.22 When he was risen from the dead his Disciples remembred that he had said this unto them and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said 5. It is not a profaning of Gods Name or of his holy Word to teach our Children the Scriptures whilst they are young but it makes much for the glorifying of God When little Children cried in the Temple Hosanna to the Son of David the chief Priests and Scribes were sore displeased but what said Christ to this He justifies them he saith it redounded to Gods praise yea so far was he from counting it a profaning of Gods Name that he calls it a perfection of praise Matth. 21.16 Out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou hast perfected praise And therefore we should look upon this as a Temptation of Satan when we are perswaded to neglect instructing our Children while they are young lest we should thereby profane the Name of the Lord. 6. Jesus Christ hath given a Charge for the feeding of his Lambs as well as his Sheep John 21.15 Lovest thou me Feed my Lambs He was much displeased with those that would have hinder'd little Children from being brought unto him Mark 10.13 14. They brought young Children to him that he should touch them and his Disciples rebuked those that brought them but when Jesus saw it he was much displeased and said unto them Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God It is the duty of little Children to praise the Lord Psal 149.12 13. Both young men and maidens old men and children let them praise the Name of the Lord. And how can they do this except we teach them to praise the Lord Amongst the Offerings under the Law we find several Creatures offered to God very young Samuel offered a sucking Lamb 1 Sam. 7.9 And Aaron is required to offer a young Calf Lev. 9.2 And they that were poor and could not go to the price of a Lamb were to offer two young Pigeons Lev. 5.7 This may teach us that we cannot dedicate our selves or our Children too soon to the Lord but the younger our Children are when we begin to train them up in the knowledge and fear of God the more acceptable it will be to the Lord who desireth the knowledge of God more than Burnt-Offerings Hos 6.6 7. We know not how little a time we may live with our Children or our Children may live with us and therefore 't is not safe deferring this work for All flesh is grass Isa 40.6 and grass is of a fading nature In the morning it flourisheth and groweth up in the evening it is cut down and withereth Psal 90.6 Mans life is set forth by a more transient fading thing than grass by the Apostle James What is your life It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Jam. 4.16 Whilst therefore God continueth us with our Children and our Children with us we should set upon this work of teaching and instructing them with all speed and with all our might Eccles 9.10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the Grave whither thou goest SECT 7. The Plea of such as neglect Family-Instruction because their Families are endued with knowledge answered Object 7 My Family are all knowing persons and are well acquainted with the Scriptures already so that it is needless for me to instruct them Answ First If the case be so indeed that all the Members of your Family be knowing persons you have great cause to bless God and to be thankful every day on their behalf 1 Cor. 1.4 5. I thank my God always on your behalf for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ that in every thing ye are inriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledge 2. It may be if you examine the several members of your Family you shall not find all of them so eminent and abounding in knowledge as you think them to be before you have made trial Who would have thought that Nicodemus who was a Master in Israel should have been so ignorant in the Mystery of Regeneration that when Christ spake of a mans being born again or else he could not see the Kingdom of God he should reply How can a man be born when he is old Can he enter the second time into his mothers womb and be born Joh. 3.4 And when Christ had explained his meaning that he spoke of being born of the Spirit he replied afterward How can these things be Vers 9. Insomuch that our Lord Jesus wonder'd that such a man as he should shew so much ignorance in such things as these were vers 10. Jesus said unto him Art thou a Master of Israel and knowest not these things The Disciples of Christ after they had been a long time with their Master and had been often instructed by him both publickly and privately were so ignorant in the Doctrine of Christs Resurrection that they did not know what his rising from the dead should mean Mark 9.10 They kept that saying with themselves questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean And as they did not understand the Resurrection of Christ so neither did they understand of a long time that he was to die for our sins Luke 9.44 45. Let these sayings sink down into your ears for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men but they understood not this saying and it was hid from them that they perceived it not And they were not only his ordinary followers but his twelve Apostles whom he chose to be with him continually that understood not what he taught them when he spake of his Death and Resurrection
as we may see Luc. 18.31 32 33 34. Now if Nicodemus a Master in Israel was ignorant of the nature of Regeneration which is a work that must pass upon every one that shall be saved if the Disciples of Christ yea his Apostles after they had been a long time with him were ignorant of those plain and fundamental Truths of the Death and Resurrection of Christ had not those Masters of Families that think all in their Families are endued with such a great measure of knowledge that they want no instruction need make enquiry into their Children and Servants knowledge whether they are indeed so knowing as they think them to be Thirdly Suppose all the Members of your Families be wise understanding persons endued with a great measure of knowledge yet it is your duty to instruct them that they may get more wisdom and it will be a benefit and advantage unto them to be instructed Prov. 9.9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser teach a just man and he will increase in learning For 1. Though you should teach them nothing but what they knew before yet thereby you may edifie them whilst you stir up their Faith Hope Love Joy Thankfulness and Obedience c. by putting them in remembrance of known Truths They to whom the Apostle Peter wrote knew and were established in the Truth yet he resolved as long as he lived to stir them up by putting them in remembrance of what he had taught them before 2 Pet. 1.12 13. I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of those things though ye know them and be established in the present truth yea I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance But 2. There is no man knows so much but he may and ought to labour to grow in knowledge David knew more than the Antients and more than all his Teachers and yet how often do we find him praying after this manner Give me understanding Teach me thy Statutes c. In the 119 Psalm where he speaks of the great measure of knowledge whereby he excelled his Enemies his Teachers and the Antients he prays 24 or 25 times to God to give him knowledge You should not rest satisfied that your Families do know the will of God but you should desire and endeavour as the Apostle did in the behalf of the Colossians that they may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding Col. 1.9 10. You should not only labour to bring them acquainted with the word of God but endeavour that it may dwell richly in them and that it may dwell in them in all wisdom Col. 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom SECT 8. Family-Instruction must not be neglected because we have but a small Family Object 8 SOme perhaps may object My Family is so small I do not think it worth my time and pains to instruct them If I had many Children or many Servants I would take pains to instruct them but having so small a Family I do not think it worth the while to bestow my time on one or two because I can imploy my time better Answ 1. If you have but one Child or one Servant to instruct it is worth much time and pains to instruct that one person for one Soul is more worth than the whole world Mark 8.36 Now you have spent and do spend much time and pains to get a little of the world and will you then grudge the spending a little time or pains to save a Soul which is more worth than the whole world when as you willingly spend much time to gain a little of the world 2. To instruct persons in the knowledge of Christ is such a great and glorious work that the holy Angels did not think much to go to a few Shepherds to acquaint them with the time and place of Christs birth Luc. 2.8 9 10 11 12. And when one Angel was publishing this message to the Shepherds there suddenly descended a multitude of the heavenly Host as being desirous to do the same work vers 13 14. And shall any of us think much to do that which the Angels of Heaven do and rejoyce to be imployed in 3. The Lord Jesus spent much time and pains in teaching and instructing one poor woman the woman of Samarla who was a sinner and a woman of a churlish disposition that in an upbraiding manner denied him a Cup of Water notwithstanding the Well was deep and she saw that he had nothing to draw withal and this he did at such a time as he had been wearied with his journey and was both hungry and thirsty John 4.6 to 28. Now one hour of Christs time was more worth than our whole lives and shall we then think much to spend a little time in teaching one Child or one Servant whenas the Lord Jesus did not think much to spend his time when he was weary hungry and thirsty in teaching one poor woman 4. Though you have but one Child or Servant to instruct if God bless your labours so as to convert that Child or Servant that one person may be instrumental to bring great glory to God and to do good to many others When the woman of Samaria was converted by Christ she was a means of drawing a great part of the City where she lived unto Jesus Christ John 4.28 29 30. she did not only draw a great part of the City to hear him but also was a means of their conversion vers 39. Many of the Samaritans of that City believed on him for the saying of the Woman which testified He told me all that ever I did 5. Faithfulness to God and such as are under our charge is shown in discharging our duty to a few as well as to many and he that is not faithful to a few would not be faithful if he had many committed to his charge Luc. 16.10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much They that have but a few things committed to their trust if they are faithful in them shall have a great and glorious Reward as well as they that have been intrusted with much Matth. 25.23 His Lord said unto him Well done good and faithful Servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee Ruler over many things enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. 6. Whereas you say you could spend your time better than in teaching so few as you have in your Family you should do well to consider That we are not to spend our time in those things which seem right in our own eyes Deut. 12.8 Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes But we are to
a very hard matter to come to the knowledge of Christ Crucified IV. That this Scripture doth not make void either Ministerial Teaching or Family-Instruction besides what hath been already said may further be proved 1. Because God teacheth in the use of means God could have revealed Himself and his Son in an immediate manner unto Cornelius but he puts him on sending for Peter to instruct him Acts 11.13 14. Send men to Joppa and call for Simon whose sirname is Peter who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy House shall be saved And it is his Covenant to teach his People not by his Spirit only or by his Word only but by his Word and Spirit and that as long as the world stands Isa 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord My Spirit which is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the mouth of thy Seeds Seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever 2. We see by sad experience the great ignorance and rudeness and dulness of those Children and Servants and of those Families and Places that have no instruction Though they live in Gospel-times and in the days of the New Covenant yet if they have no instruction they are as ignorant as they were that lived under the time of the Old Testament SECT 18. Though some Persons are nothing bettered by instruction yet we must continue to instruct them Object 18 WE see many Children and Servants that have good instructions prove very vile and corrupt and are never a whit the better but rather the worse for all the pains that is taken with them and therefore it is to no purpose for us to instruct our Families Answ 1. Though some are never a whit the better for the instructions and good counsels which are given them yet others are converted to God and edified thereby And who can tell but God may bless your labour unto the Conversion and Salvation of those that are under your Charge 2. If any means under Heaven will do them good instructing them out of the word of God is the most likely way and means to lead them to Repentance We think if a damned Soul should come out of Hell and declare what torments it hath felt in Hell or a Saint should come out of Heaven and declare what Joys he hath possess'd in Heaven this would work wonderfully upon our Children towards the leading of them to Repentance but the word of God which is contained in the Scriptures will do more towards the bringing men to Repentance then the rising of one from the dead would do Luc. 16.29 30 31. They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them And he said Nay father Abraham but if one went to them from the dead they will repent And he said unto him If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rise from the dead If the Scriptures will not perswade men to repent and believe such men would not repent and believe though Jesus Christ himself were on earth to speak to them John 5.46 47. Had ye believed Moses ye would have believed me for he wrote of me but if ye believe not his writings how shall ye believe my words 3. If you should not convert your Children and Servants but they should still go on in their evil ways yet it is worth your time and pains to instruct and warn them of the danger they are in by reason of sin for hereby you shall deliver your own souls from being guilty of their Blood Ezek. 3.19 If thou warn the wicked and he turn not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way he shall die in his iniquity but thou hast delivered thy Soul 4. The word of God is to some men the savour of death unto death yet the Ministers of Christ must not cease to preach the word because all that hear them are not converted from their evil ways And when they discharge their work and duty faithfully they are a sweet savour unto God in those that perish as well as in them that are saved 2 Cor. 2.15 16. We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish to the one we are the savour of death unto death and to the other the savour of life unto life So it is with Masters of Families they must not desist from Family-Instruction though they should see their Children or Servants continuing in their sins for if they discharge their duty faithfully and with diligence though they should have no success they shall be accepted of God in Christ Jesus SECT 19. The fear of aggravating our Childrens Condemnation should not make us neglect Family-Instruction Object 19 THe more light my Children have the greater their Condemnation will be if they make not a good use of it and I am afraid they will not and therefore I am afraid to instruct them lest I should aggravate their condemnation Answ I. It is true that the more Light any man hath the greater his condemnation will be if he do not make a good use of it Luc. 12.47 That Servant which knew his Lords will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes II. Though the case be so that the more light any man hath the greater will be his condemnation yet this must not make you neglect instructing them out of fear that they should not improve their light and so have the greater condemnation For 1. Some mens sin and condemnation will be aggravated by the coming of Christ into the world John 15.22 If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin but now they have no cloak for their sin Yet God did well in sending his Son into the world The preaching of Christ and the Gospel will make their condemnation more dreadful where Christ and the Gospel are not embraced than the condemnation of the Heathen that never heard of Christ John 3.19 This is the condemnation That Light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than Light because their deeds were evil See also Mat. 11. 23 24. Yet the preaching of Christ and the Gospel to the world is a good work and God pronounceth a wo against those that he hath called to the Ministry of the Gospel who preach it not 1 Cor. 9. 16. For necessity is laid upon me yea wo is unto me if I preach not the Gospel Suppose it should increase your Childrens misery in the world to come to have Light if they make not a good use of it yet you do well when you instruct them yea a necessity is laid upon you and wo be unto you if you do it not 2. You run a greater hazard both of your own and your Childrens condemnation by neglecting to
instruct them than you do of aggravating their condemnation in case you should instruct them when as you do not know whether they will make a good use of their Light You hazard your own condemnation by neglecting your duty and your Childrens by nursing them up in ignorance but by instructing them you may promote both your own and their salvation 1 Tim 4.16 The same argument that the Apostle useth to perswade Wives to dwell with their Husbands and Husbands to dwell with their Wives 1 Cor. 7.16 For what knowest thou O Wife whether thou shalt save thy Husband Or how knowest thou O man but thou shalt save thy Wife The like may I use with Parents to instruct their Children notwithstanding all their fears of aggravating their condemnation What knowest thou whether thou shalt save thy Children III. Whereas Satan would beat you off from instructing your Children by putting you in sear that you shall thereby aggravate their condemnation this is but a vain suggestion to hinder you in your duty for you can't take a more effectual course to prevent your Childrens condemnation and to promote their salvation than to instruct them in the knowledge of the Scriptures for Knowledge is a means to breed Faith Psal 9.10 They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee and true Repentance Jer. 24.7 I will give them an heart to know me for they shall return unto me with their whole heart and to obtain Remission of sins Isa 53.11 By his Knowledge shall my Righteous Servant justifie many Knowledge also is a means of obtaining eternal life John 17.3 And this is eternal life that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent SECT 20. Family-Instruction will prevent not spread Errours How such as teach others may be kept from perverting or corrupting the Word of God Object 20 THis will be the way to spread and multiply Errors for illiterate men to take upon them to instruct their Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures Answ I. It doth highly concern all Misters of Families as well as Ministers of the Word to be very careful that they do not teach any false and erronious Doctrine unto those whom God hath committed to their charge This would bring down a curse instead of a blessing yea though they should seem like Angels yet would they be accursed if they perverted the Gospel of Christ Gal. 7 8. There be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ but though we or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you let him be accursed The Apostle was so desirous to prevent the spreading of false Doctrine that he earnestly besought Timothy to stay on purpose at Ephesus to charge in a solemn manner those that he saw inclinable to Errours to teach no other Doctrine but what was agreeable to the Doctrine of the Gospel 1 Tim. 1. 3 4. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other Doctrine so do Such as teach lies instead of truth are accounted by God the bafest and vilest of men and therefore are compared not to the Head but the Tail Isa 9.14 15. Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel Head and Tail Branch and Rush in one day The Ancient and Honourable he is the Head and the Prophet that teacheth lies he is the Tail When they that are Leaders of others do cause them to erre instead of promoting their salvation they will be the cause of their destruction Isa 9.16 For the Leaders of this People cause them to erre and they that are led of them are destroyed If you ask What shall we do that we may be kept from corrupting and perverting the word of God when we instruct our Families I answer 1. Pray to God with humble and lowly hearts to give you his holy spirit God hath promised his holy spirit to them that ask it Luc. 11.13 If ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your Children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him And when God hath given you his holy Spirit he will make and keep your minds sound in the Faith He is stiled The Spirit of Power and of Love and of a Sound Mind 2 Tim. 1.7 2. See that your hearts be right and sincere with God and that you walk before God in truth and uprightness do all your works and speak all your words as in the sight of God and then he will guide you by the Spirit of Truth into all Truth and keep you from corrupting his holy word 2 Cor. 2.17 For we are not as many which corrupt the word of God but as of sincerity but as of God in the sight of God speak we in Christ 3. Purifie your hearts and minds from all corrupt Lusts VVhen a man hath a corrupt mind he will be apt to put corrupt glosses upon the vvord of God VVhen he can't bring up his VVill to Gods he will be ready to interpret Gods Mind according to his own VVill. The Apostle conjoyns these two Men of corrupt minds and destitute of the Truth 1 Tim. 6.5 Now if you would purifie your minds 1. Have faith in Christ Acts 15.19 And put no difference between us and them purifying their hearts by faith 2. Obey those Truths vvhich God hath revealed to you 1 Pet. 1.22 Ye have purified your Souls in obeying the Truth 4. Take heed of departing from the simplicity of the Gospel under the notion of seeking after more sublime spiritual and mysterious Truths The Apostle vvas jealous lest the Corinthians should be corrupted this vvay 2 Cor. 11.3 But I fear lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your mind should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ 5. Keep to the Analogy of Faith Rom. 12.6 Having then Gifts differing according to the Grace that is given to us whether Prophecy let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith By prophesying here most understand not the gift of fore-telling things to come but the Gift of interpreting and explaining the Scriptures as the word is used 1 Cor. 14.3 He that prophesieth speaketh unto men unto edification and exhortation and comfort Now the Apostle adviseth that this prophesying be according to the proportion or analogy of Faith by prophesying according to the analogy of Faith we may understand that no Scripture should be so expounded as to contradict any Article of our Faith or Precepts of an holy godly life 6. Be sober-minded and do not exercise your selves in those things which are too high for you Psal 131.1 Understand well your selves what you undertake to teach your Families The Apostle gives this character of some in his time desiring to be teachers of the Law understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm 1 Tim. 1.7 When we teach our Families
chastising us for it as hath been already hinted Object 5. Answ 1. 2. Pray to God to turn and bow their hearts to be willing to embrace instruction What Solomon saith of the heart of a King Prov. 21.1 The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the Rivers of Water he turneth it whither soever he will The same is true of the hearts of all other men they are in the Lords hand and he turneth and disposeth of them as he pleaseth Though your Children or Servants should be never so vile perfect slaves to Sin and Satan opposite to all that is good God can change their hearts and make them come and submit themselves to you and desire to be instructed by you in those things that concern their salvation Rev. 3.9 Behold I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet What a great and sudden change did God work on the Jayler's heart Before God touched his heart he dealt harshly and ruggedly with the Apostles He thrust them into the inner prison and made their feet fast in the stocks Acts 16.24 but when God came to awaken him before one night had passed over his head he was so altered that he came trembling and fell down at the Apostles feet and desired to be instructed what course he should take to save his soul vers 29 30. He called for a light and sprang in and came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas and brought them out said Sirs what must I do to be saved 3. After you have prayed to God watch your opportunities wherein it is most probable they will listen to you as in sickness or when they are under some other affliction or in a great storm of Thunder and Lightning or under any other awakening Providence and when you find them in a tractable frame deal effectually with them set home upon their hearts the greatness of their sin in refusing instruction and to that end put them in mind of these Scriptures Prov. 1.24 25 26 27 28 31. 15.32 Jer. 6.8 In times of distress God is wont to open mens ears to discipline which are shut against good counsel in the day of prosperity Job 36.8 10. If they be holden in the cords of affliction he openeth their ear to discipline When there were mighty thundrings and lightnings in the Land of Egypt Pharaoh though he was a man of a hard heart sent for Moses and Aaron and humbled himself for his sins and desired their prayers Exod. 9.27 28. The Prophet Jeremiah likeneth unruly persons that will not listen to and obey such Instructions as are given them out of the word unto the wild Ass Jer. 2.24 A wild Ass used to the Wilderness that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure in her occasion who can turn her away All they that seek her will not weary themselves In her month they shall find her As the wild Ass that is used to the wilderness wanders up and down at her pleasure and cannot be tamed till her month come that is till she grows big with young and is weary and heavy pained with the burden that she carries and then it is easie to find her out and deal with her So it is with some sinners though they be as wild and as unruly as the Ass that is used to the Wilderness and there is no turning of them whilst they are in their prosperity and when they have their occasions and opportunities of sinning yet when their month comes when they are burdened with afflictions and involved in such streights difficulties that they cannot tell what to do to wind out of them then it is easie having access to them Wherefore if you have unruly Servants or unruly Children watch your seasons to deal with them and when God strikes fear and terrour into their hearts by any providence do you strike in with your instruction 4. If you cannot do any good to them by instruction endeavour to win them to Christ by a pious heavenly exemplary conversation There is great force in a godly conversation to gain upon such persons as stand out against and shew much opposition to the word of God 1 Pet. 3.1 Likewise ye Wives be in subjection to your own Husbands that if any obey not the Word they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the Wives 5. Desire some godly Ministers to deal with them if you cannot prevail with them your selves to submit to instruction It may be God will bless the Counsel the Reproof the Exhortations that his Ministers shall give your Children and Servants if you make known your cafe to them and desire them to deal with your Families and to convince them out of Gods word that it is their duty and will conduce much unto their good to submit to instruction It is said of John Baptist who was one of Christs Ministers Luke 1.17 He shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias to turn the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and the Disobedient to the wisdom of the Just And the like is promised Mal. 4.6 He shall turn the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and the hearts of the Children to the Fathers lest I come and smite the Earth with a Curse And what was promised to John the Baptist the same good effect may we expect from the endeavours of other godly Ministers namely that God will bless their labours to the conversion of our Children 6. If they be your Children that refuse to be instructed correct them The Rod may do that which words will not do Solomon adviseth to apply the Rod to such as are fools Prov. 26.3 A Rod for the fools back Now if you would know whom he accounts fools you shall find they are such as refuse and despise instruction Prov. 15.5 A fool despiseth his fathers instruction And Prov. 1.7 Fools despise wisdom and instruction Now the Rod of Correction will fetch this folly out of the hearts of your Children Prov. 22.15 If they be your Servants that refuse instruction as soon as you can with a good conscience dismiss them from your service David's care was to get good Servants and if any of them proved vitious and would not be reclaimed he cast them out of his Family Psal 101.6 7. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the Land that they may dwell with me he that walketh in a perfect way he shall serve me he that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my House he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight Imitate this example of David get godly Servants or at least endeavour to make them godly after they are come under your Roof and if they be such as will not be instructed and reformed remove them and make this Covenant with all that you shall admit for time to come That they submit unto instruction SECT 26. What they should do who
he calls you off from mourning for your children whom he hath rejected to make sure of your own and your surviving Relations Salvations VII Turn your indignation which is apt to arise in your hearts against God because he hath cast away your Childrens Souls into indignation against sin which was the cause why God cast away their Souls Hate all sin in your selves and hate all sin in others with a perfect hatred and never be reconciled to it as long as you live for the mischief that it hath done to you and your Children Seek by way of holy revenge the utter destruction of all sin Root it out of your hearts and of your Families and do what you can to hinder it from growing any more SECT 3. The Plea of such as are troubled because they conveyed Original sin to their Children answered Plea 2 MY Children that died in their sins and are now gone down into everlasting burning received their corrupt natures from me I was instrumental to convey unto them their Original Sin and their Original Sin caused their Actual Sins which caused their Damnation and this troubles me so exceedingly that I know not what to do I am ready to curse the day in which I entred into a married condition I might have kept my self single and then my wicked Children had never been born and sometimes I am ready to curse my Parents who conveyed a sinful nature unto me Answ 1. It is true that Parents do convey sinful natures to their Children Psal 51.5 Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me 2. Though it be thus Children must not blame their Parents for the blemishes they receive from their birth Isa 45.10 VVoe unto him that saith unto his Father what begettest thou or to the woman what hast thou brought forth Deut. 27.16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his Father or Mother and all the People shall say Amen Neither should we blame our selves for entring into a married state of life For Marriage is honourable in all Heb. 13.4 The Lord Jesus honoured it with his Presence and working one of his first Miracles at a Marriage Feast Joh. 2.1 2 11. Though Parents convey sinful natures to their Children yet Marriage is no sin 1 Cor. 7.28 But and if thou marry thou hast not sinned and if a Virgin marry she hath not sinned 3. Your being instrumental to convey corrupt natures to your Children should make you look more throughly into the odious nature of Original Sin and to loath your selves and to be deeply humbled for it but it should not make you to repine that you were instruments of bringing Children into the World for Children are counted blessings of God and the man is called happy that is full of them Psal 127.3.6 So Children are an Heritage of the Lord. And the fruit of the womb is his reward Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them 4. The Lord did provide a remedy against your Childrens sinful natures which they derived from you He hath sent forth his Son to save us from our sins and to make us partakerr of the Divine Nature His bloud is compared to a fountain which cleanseth from all sorts of sins it procureth the pardon of Original as well as Actual Sin Zech. 13.1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness 1 Joh. 1.7 The bloud of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin He was sent by God not only to pardon our sins but to give us grace to turn from our sins Acts 3.26 Vnto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities And God made a free offer of his Son Jesus Christ with all his saving benefits to your Children Rev. 22.17 It was their refusal of the remedy provided in and by Christ which was the cause of their condemnation John 3.19 Their neglect of the great Salvation of the Gospel brought upon them eternal destruction Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation 5. As God provided a Seviour for them so you if you did not neglect your duty were careful to train them up in the knowledge of this Saviour and to acquaint them with all the counsel of God what he would have them believe and what he would have them do in order to their salvation and did exhort them to wait upon God in all his Ordinances when you saw them do any evil you reproved them and warned them of the danger of their evil ways If thus you have discharged your duty towards them in warning them to turn from their evil ways and declaring to them the will and counsel of God concerning their salvation which may be reduced to these two heads That they should repent and turn from their sins unto God and believe in his Son Jesus Christ you are clear from their bloud although they died in their sins Ezek. 3.19 If thou warn the wicked and he turn not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way he shall die in his iniquity but thou hast delivered thy soul Acts 20.20 21 26 27. I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the bloud of all men for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God SECT 4. The case of those who are troubled because their Childrens bloud will be required at their hands considered Plea 3 MY Childrens Souls are lost through my negligence and carelesness if I had discharged my duty towards them it would have been some relief to me but I have been wanting in my duty towards them And now what can I expect but that God should require their bloud at my hands and this is such a trouble to me that my Children through my negligence should be cast into everlasting burnings and that their bloud should be required at my hands that I know not what to do I cannot rest either night or day by reason of my sin in destroying my Childrens souls and the misery which hereby I have brought upon mine own soul Answ 1. This is a great sin and ought to be much lamented that you should be guilty of the loss of your Childrens souls And it is a wonderful thing that many Parents make so light of it it is an argument that they are under a spirit of slumber and judicial hardness of heart How great an evil it is for Parents to be guilty of the bloud of their childrens souls and how they ought to be affected with it I have shewn before Chap. 2. Sect. 2. But though this be a great sin a sin to be lamented as long as you live yet