might not sin against him and that she might not die before she had an Interest in Christ for then she must be in Hell to all Eternity and did desire she might be helped to believe It was never desired by her in all her long Sickness that any should pray for her natural Life or recovery out of her Affliction but continually desired her Visiters to seek the Lord for Patience and Strength to bear quietly her Affliction All that came to visit her did greatly wonder to hear such lisping Words for she could not then speak plainly so full of Wisdom and spiritual Understanding She became a wonder to all that saw her when they heard a Babe utter such great things Her usual Enquiry was concerning such as came to see her whether they were praying Persons and when she understood they were if they came to see her again then she would desire them to pray for her And as she did increase in Knowledg so she did express to them new things to be prayed for as that she might be made a new Creature that Christ might be her Portion and that she might not murmur against God Thus she continued in a very low Condition as to her Body earnest with many to pray for her After this a Friend told her it was her Duty to pray for her self and within a little time she did desire one that came to visit her to tell that Person she did now pray but it was replied to her you tell me so it may be that you may be commended which she denied and fell into a Passion of mourning so that they could not but encourage her and speak comfortably to her The Lord poured out upon her a Spirit of Prayer in which she did abound yet very privately and only with her Mother She chiefly prayed for her self and her Relations that they might all go to Heaven and be there together for ever She had but one Brother and when he came from School she would be persuading him to get alone into some private place and pray to God instead of playing Brother said she you may be praying It was her great desire to get an Opportunity to speak her Mind to her Brother largely and when he was by her Cradle she spake to him for near a quarter of an hour very affectionately and said Brother pray that the Lord would make you sensible of your Condition and pray that you may have a new Heart and that you may have an Interest in Christ O Brother going to Hell is sad O mind what I say it is for the good of your precious Soul that I speak this and that you may have good Hopes and good Grounds for Salvation O that the Lord would work a Change in your Heart that you may come to Heaven after me I have Joy but you have none I see that Christ hath died and suffered for me and O Brother that thou mayst see the same O Brother if thou diest without an Interest in Christ thou must go to Hell to all Eternity there is Fire and Brimstone and the time will never end O Brother delay no longer mind what I say to thee for thou dost not know but thou mayst die this Night before the Morning And she told him how sweet it was to go to Heaven for there was praising and singing Halelujahs to all Eternity Her Words were so affecting as they caused one that heard these things to shed many Tears She spake like one of full Age and not like a little Child in a Cradle It was her frequent Practice to persuade her Brother to be serious and to mind that which was good and to regard his precious Soul Altho she heard much for her Instruction from her Parents and was a Child of good Understanding yet her Teachings were more immediate than those of riper Years It was an Expression often uttered by her that she could not have spoken these things if it had not been in her Heart for it was not constantly that she did speak thus but as she enjoyed the sweet Gales of the holy Spirit Sometimes she spake but little and then again she was full of matter and her Tongue like a flowing Stream and she spake to Admiration so that the most that came to see her had presently that Scripture in their mouths Psal 8. compared with Mat. 21. 16. Out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou hast perfected thy Praise Her Afflictions still encreased and she was now in the Furnace and had very sore nights days O the wearisom months that were appointed to her All that did behold her concluded that she would die suddenly yet revived and was as the Bush on fire and yet not consumed Much means was used for her recovery by a Neighbour Physician viz. Mr. Twiss who was very careful of her and sometimes she did amend but presently fell under greater Weakness The Lord held her Soul in Life to declare his Wonders Whilst her outward-Man decreased her inward-Man was renewed day by day Some Ministers and others beholding this great Work of God did think it their Duty to set apart some time solemnly to bless the Name of the Lord for his rich Grace bestowed on her and to seek to the Lord for his supporting Arms to be underneath her Her delight was very great in these days of Prayer and did earnestly desire many of them and she had choice Visitations from Heaven in and after those Times When a Day was appointed O how did she long for it and did say I shall long for the Day And when the Time was come she would of her own accord express what she did desire should be prayed for for her self for her Relations and would declare what she desired for her Brother the same she did for her Sister She did desire that she might have Faith and true Faith she was afraid to be an Hypocrite and it was one great request that they would pray for her that she might not die in the Dark Her Love was so great to those that prayed with her and for her that she would weep and mourn when they took their Leave of her she was unwilling to lose their Company Never did any Beggar more earnestly desire an Alms than she did beg for Days of Prayer even to her dying Day Her Light was as the Light of the Just shining more and more unto the perfect Day As the great God did ever honour his Word so he did by this Babe for she did beg for a Scripture-Evidence for her Future Happiness and after some days of Darkness the word Faith was set upon her Heart and much in her Mouth which is the Evidence of things not seen Heb. 11. 1. She had a clear Knowledg of Christ and did believe in him for Salvation She grew up also to a full Assurance yet had many Temptations causing her to fear she should go to Hell and would say That would be sad indeed Yet
by casting Salt into the Spring Yet it is evident the Lord requires of Parents a diligent Discharge of their Duty as the ordinary way wherein they may expect the Blessing to be given forth and the usual means of its Conveyance For I know him that is Abraham saith the Lord that he will command his Children and his Houshold after him There is the Parents Duty and they shall keep the way of the Lord there is the Blessing promised That the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him whereby is intended the way and means of dispencing it Gen. 18. 19. This Duty of Parents towards their Children hath two Parts 1. Instruction 2. Discipline which are so much one and go together as often in Scripture the same Word signifies to instruct and to correct The Apostle's Exhortation Ephes 6. 4. agrees hereunto namely That Children be brought up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord like as God deals with his Children It is not pertinent to my Scope to treat of these particularly nor to enquire what hath been the neglect in both with the Consequences I only recommend to the serious Consideration anâ— diligent Practice of such Parents as are conscienciously concerneâ— for the Glory of God and thâ— eternal Welfare of their Children heartily wishing some skilful Hand would guide them To which purpose they may consult the Book of worthy Mr. Stockton deceased entituled Family Instructions I shall instance in one thing only as an Introduction to that which follows wherein Parents Neglect is least discerned unless it be in the Consequences and that is when they begin not the Work of educating their Children so early as should be Many Parents give up the first seven or ten Years of their Children wholly to Indulgence pleasing themselves and the Child with hearing its Wit as they say tho it speaks Vanity and to see its Humour while they let it do according to its Will tho it acts in Disobedience saying it will be wiser afterwards gratifying its Desire in every thing tho it be mere Fuel for Lust and if any thing be amiss they say they will rectify it afterwards and reduce it to order But Experience of the contrary Effects might convince of the Error which ariseth as I conceive especially from too slight a consideration of corrupt Nature its strength and efficacy even in the youngest and from a want of a due sense if not Ignorance of the duty of Parents towards their Children in this particular Somewhat whereof I shall therefore briefly declare and offer some Motives for Encouragement unto a diligent performance thereof Manoah enquired of the Angel How shall we order the Child and how shall we do unto him An Enquiry proper for every Pâ—rent that desires a Godly Seeâ— It is answered in that divine Dâ—rection given by the Apostâ— Paul Bring them upâ—n the nurtuâ—â— and admonition of the Lord. Thâ— Nurture or Discipline seasonable compassionate as we hinteâ— before Like as the Lord deaâ— with his Children Not as may bâ— for the Parents pleasure but the Child's profit And in the Admonition of the Lord In the good Knowledg of the Lord And the Duty he requires of them herein to bring them up or nourish them as the word signifies like as they do the Babe with Milk So Timothy is said to be nourished up in words of Faith and good Doctrine and that from his Infancy 2 Tim. 3. 1 5. From a Child thou hast known the holy Scriptures The Word Child is the same in the Greek used elsewhere for the new-born Babe The Jews were wont as soon as ever their Children were capable to teach them the Knowledg of the Scriptures And it is wonderful what we read of the Proficiency of the young Children of the Christians of Piedmont and other Places And we may do well to consider of what Benefit it was to the Children of the French Protestants when put upon renouncing the Truth at seven Years old and what Comfort to the Parents who had been faithful in instructing them when they stood the Trial and abode in the Truth The same Advice is given in the Proverbs Ch. 22. 6. Train up a Child in the way he should go The Word signifies to catechise or instruct a Child in the way as a Learned Writer renders it In the beginning of his Way that is in his tender Years soon as ever he is capable of Iâ—struction And when he is old will not depart from it that is tâ—â— Impressions made in Childish Yeaâ—â— will remain for the most part hath been observed by all sorts 〈◊〉 Learned Writers The like Direction is given 〈◊〉 the Proverbs concerning the othâ—â— part of the Parents Duty namâ—ly to chasten betimes in his tendeâ— Years The Hebrew Word iâ— early in the Morning of his Day For this Reason as I conceivâ— we read so often in the Book oâ— the Proverbs of the Mother aâ— being especially concerned in thiâ— Work She being most conversant with the Child and having the over-sight and ordering of it iâ— its tender Years hath the fairesâ— Opportunity to be instilling the Knowledg of Spiritual Things to draw the Affections to prompt and lead it by good Example in Words and Deeds to restrain and check the first appearance of Evil and watch against the Occasions of it Wherefore it is said The Child left to its self that is suffered to follow its own Will or Lust without Restraint brings the Mother to Shame Prov. 29. 15. for her neglect of Duty whilst she had the especial Care of it in not observing the Divine Direction foregoing The Rod and Reproof gives Wisdom to the Child It also gives Rest and Delight to the Soul of the Parents vers 17. in the Success through the Blessing as no doubt the Mother of Timothy found who had been his Instructer from his Infancy for his Father was a Greek and as Expositers observe would not suffer him to be circumcised Not but that the Father is equally obliged and a Concurrence of both Parents is exceeding requisite unto a successful Managemenâ— even from the beginning Tho for the Reason before-mentioned the Mother is to be especially concerned in the tender Years aâ— is the Father when the Child is grown and both may see Cause to ask of God that Wisdom which is profitable to direct in that Duty and must be constant in the Discharge of it After all ascribing the Success wholly to his Blessing who maketh the Seed that is sown in the Morning or that in the Evening to prosper And while we are in a way of Duty working out our Salvation with Fear and Trembling worketh in us and so in ours to will and to do of his good Pleasure For Encouragement in so early an Undertaking it may be considered 1. That the Children of Believers of whom we speak are born Children of the Covenant and Promise And who would not train them up in that way in order to the
inheriting of the Blessing which the Lord requires and expects from the Parents with a Trust and Confidence in them that they will so do I know Abraham saith the Lord whatsoever others do that he will command his Children and his Houshold after him On this account of the Covenant the Lord calls them his Children and doth in a Sense spiritually give Charge to the Parents concerning them as Pharaoh's Daughter said to the Mother of Moses Take this Child and nurse it for me our Lord himself saith concerning little Children Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven and for that Reason commands them to be brought to him and he blesseth them All that Parents do in a way of Duty is but to bring them unto Christ and being come to bring them up in him The Lord declares in his Word concerning the Infant-Children of Believers They are holy that is to be esteemed really so as Dr. Goodwin interprets it in the Judgment of Faith joyned with Charity that is a Faith of Waiting and Expectation grounded on what God indefinitely promiseth and declares about them till he reveal the contrary and in the mean time to be judged as Saints so as to bind the Consciences of Parents unto a Discharge of all Duties towards them as Saints until the contrary appear 2. These Children in their Infancy received the Sign and Seal of the Covenant were baptized in the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy-Ghost therein given up and solemnly engaged to be the Lords whence the Parents must needs be obliged and ought to be encouraged as to be much in Prayer for them so diligently to teach them as they are capable the Covenant and to lay hold thereof to know the Lord and excite them to seek him to love his Name and be his Servants Like as we read David did exhort Solomon his Son 1 Chron. 28. 9. and as the Son of the Stranger is encouraged to do Isa 56. 6 7. much more the Children of the Promise 3. Young Children are capable of Divine Impressions It is rational to suppose them capable Subjects of Grace as they are of Sin and of the Operations of the Spirit if he please to work tho we know not the manner how as they are of the Motions of Sin And as they are receptive of gracious Dispositions so these is will shew themselves as the Powers of the Soul and Organs of the Body attain meetness for Action which alone were sufficient ground to encourage Parents to be early dropping Words of Instruction and Reproof for as much as the Seed of the Kingdom springs up we know not how and oftentimes before we are aware We see the Fruit of the Spirit sometimes in little Children before the use of Means or while little could be done by Man for such a Production Experience doth sufficiently confirm the Truth hereof by a number of Instances I question not in every Age there hath been not a few remarkable Instances of late Years in our own Nation some of which are noted by worthy Mr. Janeway The design of this small Tract is to present the Reader with an Account of what was very lately observed in one Child soon after it was four Years old before it could read until near seven Years of Age having lived all that time in Affliction by a Consumption whereof it died And although I suppose the one half of what was said and done in that time is not told Yet that which is reported I think is beyond any thing yet written of those Years the Truth whereof is confirmed by many Witnesses It is written that all may magnify his Work which they behold giving God the Glory that Parents may be encouraged in their Duty and Children be invited to seek the Lord while they are young and fear him from their Childhood And as for such as deny and despise the Work of the Spirit in Regeneration and effectual Grace if they be no hereby convinced they may bâ— constrained to acknowledg likâ— as the Jews said in the Apostles Time that indeed a notable Miracle hath been done is manifest to all and we cannot deny it Yet further to evidence the Credibility of this thing I am desired to second it with a brief Narrative of what was observed in another much younger who was not full two Years and an half old when she died and that which I shall relate concerning it is of my own Knowledg It was a Child much prayed for while it was in the Womb that it might be sanctified and after it was born solemnly offered up to the Lord by the Parents as the First-Fruits of their Increase It had the Advantage of speaking very early and intelligent beyond its Years which rendr'd it the more capable of the Mothers Instructions from whom she learned many good Sentences which she would often repeat to others and sometimes to her self with seeming Pleasure She was first seized with the Rickets and afterwards languished of a Consumption being confined six Months to the Cradle chastened with much Pain and Weakness all the time notwithstanding all Means possible used for Relief which a most indulgent Mother could provide for it During the time of her Affliction she all along manifested a more than ordinary Affection to the Ordinances that is to the Word and Prayer so as she would not be satisfied if denied that Liberty to be present Insomuch as she was often carried in her Cradle into another Room for that purpose And notwithstanding her great Weakness and and Pain she would keep in her Groans and compose her self in her Cradle for some hours together at special times of Prayer attending without any seeming Weariness Yea tho her great Illness made Diversion necessary she would not permit her Maid to rock but very softly nor sing her which at other times she would by no means have forborn and the Play-things wherewith she much pleased her self for Diversion at other times she would in time of Prayer of her own accord throw from her to the end of the Cradle with dislike as if they were a Trouble to her Sometime she would be turned in the Cradle or taken up in the Arms asking to see such a Minister whom she would name Pray for Miss as she always call'd her self from hearing others so call her and when Prayer was ended she would speak in Commendation of him that prayed Such a one is a good Man and call to be taken in his Arms and kiss him many times before she ceased When any did commend her she would say Naught naught she was so earnestly desirous to be present at Family-Prayer that they could not satisfy her tho in other things it was seldom but the giving her a Reason would do it But once in a day the Family came up to prayer in her Chamber which was done with that Pleasure and Satisfaction as if she had been much older and when the Occasions of the Family would not admit it