each other in Election and three in Reprobation 〈◊〉 ten Commandments how they are broken Seven causes how justification is wrought 2d Doct. by two reasons and the 3d. by five proved 4th Doctrine proved by thirteen Reasons Forty Rules to direct Children in their duty The twelve Articles of the Nicene Creed proved Four principal Motives to move all to their duty The Conclusion with the fifth Doctrine THE Father's Spectacles c. EPHES. VI. 4. And ye Fathers provoke not your Children to Wrath but bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. THe Holy Apostle writing to those that were Gentiles by nature knowing that they were naturally subject to may failings might violate natures bounds by being induced by corrupt nature to sin which they were formerly dead in he exhorts them to general rules of Christianity as Humility Long-suffering Unity Peace and Holiness of Life First In Mortification by putting off Lying Anger Malice and corrupt Communication and the like Secondly By having no Society with Evil Company but to live in Brotherly Love and to be diligent in their callings and to submit themselves one to another as also to know all their duties as they stand related one to the other which he discourseth at large And then he setteth forth very excellently the great and wonderful work of their Redemption by Jesus Christ Also he shews them their undone state by Nature without a Christ and that Humility and true Faith is the true way of attaining true Peace And that the right way of retaining of it is by perseverance First To search into and to know the love of Christ Chap. 3.19 Secondly To keep in unity and to walk worthy of that Vocation in which they were called Chap. 4.1 to 6. Thirdly To be firm and stedfast Chap. 4.14 Fourthly To let their Conversation be suitable to their profession Chap. 4 22 to 29. Fifthly To put on the whole Armour of God not to flinch or draw back for there is never a Backpiece See Chap. 6.11 to 18. Sixthly The Duties of Honour Respect Service Obedience to Superiors and Familiarity and true Love to each other partâ—cularly that so their Christian work may be throughly accomplished Lastly It appears that the many failings and neglects of duties in the last age foreseen by the Apostle occasions him to write thus unto this Church c. And ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The Words being thus read here is First The Person speaking Paul Secondly The Persons spoken to Fathers Leigh in his Critica Sacra saith is of a large extent than the Male kind it properly setteth forth natural Parents implying as well Mothers as Fathers as the usual method of the Spirit is to include both Sex in one Expression Gen. 5.2 1 Cor. 11.28 Thirdly The Duty enforced by a positive Command negatively expressed Provoke not c. Fourthly Here are the Persons not to be provoked viz. Children Such as are under the care and tution of Parents This Negative Precept may possibly extend it self so high as Kings to their Subjects 2 Kings 5.13 1 Chron. 28.2 Isa 22.21 Judges 5.7 17 10 11. And also to Judges and Magistrates to those that cry to them for Right Equity and Justice Deut. 20.5 to 11. Numb 11. 17 18. And to Executors Trustees and Governors of Orphans to Officers in Towns Liberties and Cities In a word to all that are in Authority to teach instruct rule and govern any persons whatsoever Heb. 13.17 Fifthly Here is the true nature of the defined subsequent or that inveterate exasperated passion that is prohibited set forth viz. Wrath. Sixthly Here is an absolute Direction 1st To educate them in good discipline as the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth 2dly To instruct them in divine knowledge Thus much by way of Explication I now come to the Doctrinal conclusions that do naturally arise from this Text Which are these which follow 1 Doct. That Parents should take all care possible to avoid all Occasions of Provocations as not to give any just Offence whereby their Children are exasperated or so far provoked as to offend the Lord or disobey their Parents 2 Doct. That if Parents have real affections for their children they will use the best means possible to keep them from sin 3 Doct. They that are true Christians indeed have such tender love to their Childrens Souls that they will use all means possible to nurture them up in the right way of the Lord. 4 Doct. That Children ought to yield obedience to all their Parents Commands in the Lord with holy Reverence Honour and Zeal 5 Doct. That the Lord doth take great care for the eternal good of those that cannot any ways take care for themselves But to the first Doctrine That Parents should avoid all occasions of Provocations c. First Here I shall shew you what may be properly called Provocations that so Parents may take them out of the way that they do not cause their Children to stumble fall and be broken to pieces Which are these sixteen as followeth First When Parents will not teach and instruct their Children and slight and abuse them if they do not learn This is a hard Lesson if the Lord should deal so with the Sons of Men who of them but would fall immediately into the gulf of Despair among all the Children of men can we expect to reap where we never sowed If I had not known such a thing as this to be I could hardly have conceived that ever any should be so very austere and unnatural or ever had been to the fruit of their own bowels The wise man's Counsel to Fathers is Prov. 23.12 Apply thine heart to instruction it should be part of thy every days meditation to consider how thou shouldest instruct teach and train up thy Child in all things uppertaining to this Life and that which is to come Train up a Child saith Solomon in the way he should go Prov. 22.6 which is rightly done by mild and gentle instructions and not by causeless slighting Reflections A Second Provocation is when Parents shall never give their Children a good Word nor a good Look though the Child do whatever it possibly can to please them if the Lord should always frown upon thee and ever speak to thee with an angry Countenance and Words how couldest thou be able to stand before him consider it is a mild carriage and loving speech that doth win the heart It was St. Paul's way 1 Thes 2.7 't was by gentle words and carriage that Abigal overcome David though he was in great wrath 1 Sam. 25.24 Love is a special winning grace 1 Cor. 13.5 It doth not behave it self unseemly soft words will stop sin in its course Prov. 15.1 Mild Speeches become good Men My Son faith Abraham God will provide c. Read Isaac's manner of Speech to his Sons Gen. 27. Chap. 28.1 When
Parents if they know any thing at all know that sin is a transgression of the Law and by it the Lord is offended with them that break his Commandments He that keepeth the whole Law and offends in one point is guilty of all James 2.10 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth the Law for sin is a transgression of the Law 1 John 3.4 Parents knowing this if they love their Children they will keep them from sin if possible Reason 2. Parents know that the wages of sin is death Rom. 6.23 not only the death of the Body but the second Death or the eternal depravation of the Soul from Eternal Happiness and sentenced to eternal wrath Mat. 25.41 I pass to the Third Doctrine which is Doct. 3. That they that are true Christians indeed have such entire love to their Childrens Souls that they will use all means possible to nurture them up in the right way of the Lord This Doctrine seems to be one perfect Character of a Christian and it naturally ariseth from the Text viz. Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The 1st Reason is Because Parents know that if the Soul be eternally lost there is no recovering of it again There is a great gulf fixed Luke 16.26 'T is the eternal decree of the Lord that none can pass it none can enter in when the door is shut Mat. 25.10 2d Reason is Because Nurture and Instruction is the way to eternal Life This is life eternal to know thee saith Christ the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17.3 As 1st To know him in his Titles John 1.5 14 29 45 49 51. 2ly To know him in his Nature Rom. 1.3 Acts 13.23 Gal. 4.4 3ly To know him in his Attributes as he is all Wisdom Justice Life Light Mercy Power Majesty Immortality Incomprehensible and Immutable 1 Cor. 1.24 John 1.4 Mat. 28.18 1 Tim. 6.16 James 1.17 4ly To know Christ in his Person in his Excellencies and in his Offices as 1st King 1 Tim. 6.15 2ly Priest Heb. 7.21 3ly Prophet Acts 3.22 23. 5ly To know him in his Promises John 14.16 Mark 10.29 30. 6ly To know him in his Conception and Birth Mat. 1.20 25. 7ly To know him in his Life and Doctrine Acts 10.38 8ly To know him in his Death 2 Cor 5.15 Heb. 2.9 Rom. 5.10 9ly To know him in his Resurrection Rom. 8.11 1 Cor. 15.14 20. 10ly To know him in his Ascention John 3.13 Acts 1.11 Eph. 4.9 10. 11ly To know him in his Glorification Mat. 25.31 John 17.5 12ly To know him in his infinite and special Love John 3.16 Mark 16.15 13ly To know him in our hearts by Faith Eph. 3.17 2 Cor. 13.5 This is a Work that is not truly attained to but by Nurture and wholsome Instruction and God's gracious Inspiration Rom. 10.17 And it requireth great labour diligence and care 3d. Reason is Because Nurture and Instruction in the right way of the Lord is a thing that is hard to be attained As 1st All the promises of the Gospel are spiritual and they that embrace the Gospel must be spiritual men 1 Pet. 2.5 John 15.19 2ly The Doctrine of the Gospel holds forth a state of self-denial Luke 14.26 3ly The way of truth is a way of of Persecution either in word or deed 2 Tim. 3.12 4ly In spiritual Communion all true Believers must separate from sinners Jer. 51.6 Isa 52.11 2 Cor. 6.17 Revel 18.4 John 15.19 5ly There is required great diligence in that there are so many voices in the World and all conclude themselves in the truth that a person that will find the right way had need as Paul saith To prove all things but let them remember to hold fast that which is good 1 Thes 5.21 That Doctrine which is according to the commands of Christ the practice of the Apostles and that in which all the first Churches were constituted must needs be the truth and no other 4th Reason is Because He that believeth and walketh in the way of the Lord with a perfect heart shall be by Christ made free from the law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 He that is in Christ is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 Parents if they truly love their Children will endeavour their conversion 5th Reason is Because all the promises in the Gospel do belong to those that believe and walk uprightly in the right way of the Lord All is yours saith St. Paul 1 Cor. 3.22 I must not travel any further in this large field but pass to the fourth Doctrine which is The Second Part. Wherein the Duty of Children to God and their Parents is opened 4th Doct. That Children ought to yield obedience to all their Parents commands in the Lord with boly Reverence Honour and Zeal If in our Text Parents are commanded to bring up their Children as t is plain in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Then it is most certain that those Children are Rebels if they do not obey and this Obedience must be performed according to the best Rule or Rules prescribed in the Holy Scriptures And they are these two First What they must not do to their Parents Secondly What they must do to and for their Parents But First What you must not do to your Parents You must not do any thing that doth withdraw and withhold from them that Honour or diminish their Dignity nor that holdeth you back from Love Reverence Obedience and Thankfulness or that which doth seem to lessen their Authority And therefore 1st You must not mock at them when they command you to do that which is lawful right you must not scornfully imitate their words nor their Gestures Looks or Carriages least the Lord be offended with you as he was with those Children 2 Kings 2.23 who by two Bears slew forty two of them Job counts Mockage a great Provocation Job 17.2 As Parents are commanded not to provoke their Children so likewise by Childrens wicked Carriages Parents may be provoked several ways as you will find these Negative Precepts do declare and confirm The eye that mocketh at his Father and dispiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the Valley shall pluck it out and the young Eagles shall eat it Prov. 30.17 Jeremiah enters his complaint to the Lord very Pathetically saying Every one mocketh me Jer. 20.7 'T is a grievous sin in the sight of God and a great offence to Man therefore do not use it at all to any least thou forget thy self and use it to thy Parents and so thou provoke them and offend the Lord Job 21.17 2d Direction is You must not revile or reproach your Parents He that revileth his Father or Mother shall surely be put to death Exod 21.17 Thou shalt not revile the Gods nor curse the Rulers of thy People Exod. 22.28 Margin Judges Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dijs non detrahes Thou shalt not report ill against the mighties that is they that have Power and
seem to mock at their Parents and dispise them when dead and gone their interment is in the field and their grave the birds of the air Prov. 30.17 and their end shame and everlasting contempt Dan 12.2 30th Direction is Let all thy duties be sweetned with a true hearty and ever lasting affection towards thy Parents in their Life Death and after This is the first Commandment 1 John 2.7 and the last commandment 1 Tim. 1.5 1 Cor. 13.8 the new commandment John 13.34 and the old commandment Levit. 19.18 If thou do all in love thou hast a stamp of the divine nature in thee for God is love 1 John 4.8 and love is the fulfilling of the Law Rom. 13.10 Gal. 5.14 Love covers a multitude of infirmities Prov. 10.12 Love worketh no ill Rom. 13.10 it is the fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 This should be the first mover of thee to thy duty and that which should keep thee close to it unto the last 1 Cor. 13.4 to 13. So also thou must with patience submit thy self under the discipline of a true Church of Christ Remember to submit to the Authority of Magistratical Power and Rulers under all moral and civil Laws also for they in a Nation are as Parents ruling under Divine Authority Atheism and Idolatry are as opposite to divine power as Adultery Theft or Murder and other criminal Facts and ought to be suppressed by the civil laws but in point of matter time and manner relating to the worship of the Trinity in Unity none have power neither Prelate nor Magistrate to make or impose laws to compel the conscience it being Vicegerent only under divine Authority that none can compel or command it the carnal Sword may put the Mind into fear and also wound the Body but it cannot hurt the Conscience the most it can do is to fright some into Hypocrisie but for certain it never makes good Christians We read 2 Cor. 1.24 St. Paul had no dominion over the Churches faith neither can Pope Conclave Councils Convocations nor Magistratical Powers by Fines Imprisonment Inquisition Exilement or Confiscation of Goods nor Death but the Tares and Wheat ought to grow together till the Harvest which is the end of the World Mat. 13.30 39. Our Saviour taught a good Lesson if those in Authority could but learn it To do to all men even as we would have they should do to us Mat. 7.12 Luke 6.30 When the Apostle saith Let every soul be subject to the higher powers Rom. 13.1 He cannot mean in matters of Religion and Conscience for then he himself would not have been continually under Persecution for his Religion and Conscience as he was at all times and places Acts 20.23 But his meaning must be in civil things Again where St. Peter saith Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2.13 14. He shews you their Authority is only to afflict evil doers not the conscientious persons for if so he himself had been guilty Acts 4.18 19. In yielding thy self with patience under the Authority of thy Governours thou art in a state to receive the Blessing in that fifth but first Commandment that hath the promise Ephes 6.2 In the next place I shall add some motives as inducing arguments to perswade you to be mindful of your duties each to other And First Let the necessity of the work be the primum mobile to move you to those duties preceeding And 1st If you omit your duties each to other you are under the guilt of sin Sin lieth at thy door Gen. 4.7 2ly You are Bond-slaves to the Devil 2 Tim. 2.26 3ly Every spiritual part in you is altogether out of joynt James 3.16 4ly You are totally void of an holy life 1 Thes 3.13 5ly You desace the image of Christ in your Souls Rom. 8.10 6ly None of your works can be pleasing to the most high Rom. 13.7 7ly You leave your selves without a promise of eternal life Heb. 6.12 15. 8ly You are still under the wrath of God Rom. 2.5 9ly You live always in fear and danger of the Execution of divine justice Heb. 2.15 10ly You have no true peace in this life nor assurance of eternal peace in the world to come Isa 57.21 11ly You are destitute of an heavenly heart Rom. 8.6 12ly You are under the Dominion Power Curse and Thunder-claps of the Law Deut. 27.16 For there is but one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy James 4.12 The Lord is our judge the Lord is our Law-giver Isa 33.22 Whoso breaketh one of his Laws and teacheth Men so to do is guilty of all James 2.10 Mat. 5.19 If he that despised Moses Law died without mercy what will become of them that despise the law of Christ Heb. 10.28 Therefore Parents obey this Law and educate your Children betimes Prov. 22.6 And you Children honour love fear reverence and obey your Parents that you may not come under the lash of the Law Deut. 5.16 A Second Motive is Consider the woful state of thy Soul if thou live and die in disobedience Die thou must for certain sooner or later the time when the place where the manner how the matter for what none knoweth Remember 1st Christ will come in Flaming Fire taking vengeance on the disobedient 2 Thes 1.8 2ly The Lord himself will be a swift witness against those that fear him not Mal. 3.5 3ly Thy own conscience then will be worse to thee than a thousand witnesses 1 John 3.20 Mark 9.44.46.48 4ly The Disobedient as Goats will Christ set apart as cursed for everlasting fire Mat. 25.41 5ly When death comes it deprives us of the means of grace which hath been often offered to us if we would but have had hearts to have embraced it Eccles 9.10 Mat. 23.37 Luke 13.34 6ly It will be a weeping time too late to see the Saints in glory and you your selves thrust out Luke 13.28 7ly It will be very dreadful to repent when repentance will do no good Luke 16.24 8ly For those that omit their duty now it will be a sad time when they shall pray and it will be too late Mat. 25.11 12. 9ly It will be bad and sad to have the damned and infernals to be thy Companions Mat. 25.41 10ly It will be a woful time to stand at the very gate of Heaven crying calling and knocking yea beholding the Saints in their glory Luke 13.28 when you must be cast down into eternal flames Mat. 25.41 This is enough to make an heart of Stone to melt but yet moreover thy Torment is aggravated still 1st Thy sins will hang on thy back heavier than ten thousand mountains to press and keep thee down into Hell fire Isa 24.21 Chap. 30.27 Jer. 25.27 Thy sins will be set in order before thine eyes Psal 50.21 A 2d is Because they had time means and power while they were in this world to embrace the means of Grace offered to them but they refused it and
ΠΑΤΡῸΣ ΚΆΤΟΠΤΡΑ ΚΑῚ ΠΑΙΔῸΣ ΓΟÎΥΚΛΙΣΊΑ THE Father's Spectacles TO Behold his CHILD by AND The Child's Cushion TO Kneel before his Parents By a Lover of Parental and Filial Unity For I know Abraham that he will command his Children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18.19 In the last days perilous times shall come some shall be proud disobedient to Parents unthankful unholy without natural affections 2 Tim. 3.2 Pater adversus filium filius adversus patrem LONDON Printed by John Astwood for the Author 1695. To all Parents of Children and Children of Parents True Grace be multiplied in Christ Jesus BE it known unto you Oh ye Children of men that the signs of Christs second coming soundeth daily in our ears how often have we seen wonders in the heavens above us and how hath the earth trembled and quaked beneath us how many false Prophets have there been that own no other Christ but the light within them how great is the apostatizing from the truth how is Antichrist getting up to his height how doth the noise of Wars sound aloud in our ears how many thousands hath the pestilence swept away in a moment how have the Saints been afflicted and persecuted of whom the World was not worthy how much treachery and deceit is there in every corner how much hatred and malice meerly for professing Religion how many deceivers have spread themselves abroad in the world how doth iniquity abound in every village how cold is love grown in all persons how doth drunkenness and gluttony surpass ages past and famine succeed in many places how great are the variances that are in Nations Churches and Families nay among own Relations they are directly opposite one to the other among these sixteen signs of Christs coming this is none of the least for Satan hath but a short season and therefore he is the more busie to keep people ignorant of their duty that they may be employed to serve sin to hinder him in his purpose about the breach of Amity is my main design for at present it is my purpose to let you know what amity has been and ought to be between near Relations that so we may arrive at that ever lasting amity and felicity which we all aim at Many there are that have tuned a string or two on this subject but I at present never saw nor heard of any that have played a whole lesson on it and therefore I who am induced to this task for the Honour of God and the grace of Religion have cast my small mite into the great and rich treasury of Knowledge though I know this Learned Critical Penetrating Eagle-eyed Age may look on my lines and censure them or me as not being Rhetorically adorned and Logically digested and drawn out in the flourishes of the times but let them know that the manner of the ancient times was to be plain 1 Cor. 1.27 The Subject matter plain Scripture Language Acts 17.2 The method and style according to the capacity of the persons spoken to John 16.12 My intent is to stir the dull and ignorant to their duty and not to teach them that know enough but yet there be some that know and do not practise their duty these lines may reach them a rap it is the doer of the Law is justified Rom. 2.13 I have taken notice of the evil carriage of some parents to their children which has been against nature and the plain words of the Scriptures and the abominable wickedness of some children who regard not their parents at all as to appearance in no sence nor kind I wish I could be instrumental to reform the one and convert the other and that going in this tract some other which is more expert in knowledge better read in Scripture having more endowments of the Spirit and of a larger capacity than I am would undertake this task to perfect this work which I have now in a short figure but as it were but a little begun which if any good shall come by this or any be perswaded to parental or filial affections by it and those that shall by this be perswaded to make a larger discovery in this kind I have my end and hope the Lord will be glorified in it that the curse may be taken off from the land of the living Mat. 15.4 Levit. 20.9 Malachi 4.6 He that liketh these lines let him receive and practise them and he that liketh them not let him sit down and take his Bible and Pen as I did and produce better I am content that in this I have done part of my duty do you do all yours and then sit down to rest but do not rest with the foolish Virgins without oyl in your vessels least Christs coming be to your terror which is the desire of him who is a Lover of your Souls Eternal Consolation Vale. I Our duty from the Scriptures have noted O And to confirm it have some Authors quoted Hence you may learn what duty you do owe How unto God and to your Neighbours too Come learn this Lesson and do not gainsay Ought that is in it but always obey What God commands do not give a deaf ear Prepare thy Heart the Lord always to fear Ever remember thy own frail condition Regard thy conscience peace and souls submission Offend not God nor Man in heart nor deed 〈◊〉 from thy sin the Lord thy soul has freed Serve God Instruct thy Child and him correct And always pray the Lord may thee direct Let Parents speak and Children hold their tongue 〈◊〉 in mild speeches let them shew their wrong Here is a blessing if in love you live And Christ his Peace unto you he will give Remember then thy duty and still obey Serve God always and do not go astray Till he by death do call you all away In ignorance many live and also do 〈◊〉 get the way in which they ought to go Some Parents scarce their duties ever know Uncircumcis'd in ears and heart they grow O spend each day and time in contemplation Search out Gods will and mind thy souls salvation Ever to the most High O let thy Spirit sing Xanto like his High Praises Everlasting A short TABLE of the General Heads 1. THe Text opened in six Considerations 2. Five Doctrines in which four parties are concerned 1st The Lord is concerned in his love and care Doct. 5. 2ly The Minister is concerned to inform all of their duty 3ly Parents are concerned in their general Duties 4ly Children are concerned in honour love and obedience Sixteen ways Parents may provoke their Children Ten Motives to move Parents to love their Children Thirteen Reasons to prove the first Doctrine Forty Rules to direct Parents to their Duty Eleven Rules for Christian Correction The acts and effects of the light within twelve ways Prayer spiritual shewed in ten heads Christs love universal proved by thirteen reasons Seven things ensue
should so far violate the Bounds of Nature and so wilfully and willingly destroy his natural Issue David though his Son Absolom were his mortal Enemy yet he took great care and gave a strict charge for his preservation 2 Sam. 18.5 Parents should think thus with themselves the Lord is our Father even as we would he should do unto us even so should we do to our Children and if thus I am sure no Parents will give any just cause of Provocation to them 2d Reason Why Parents should not give their Children any just Occasion of Provocation is Because their Children be of their own Substance Who is so mad as to cut his own Flesh how doth it cut the Child even to the very heart that it makes it weary of its life to be under continual provocation it is a Pain intollerable a Disease incurable but as Scorpions Blood will best cure its own stinging so no salve to heal the Childs wound but its parents true love and real affections what a sacred Bond of Unity is there in the Firmament what natural union is there among the Birds of the Air and Beasts of the Field no dissolving it but by inducements to Hatred Love and Concord continues still then why should not Men be taught by natural things to have and continue natural affections to their Children and learn of the Lord who doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of Men Lament 3.33 But bemoans their conditions and wills them to turn from iniquity Hosea 11.8 And is very pittyful and of tender mercy James 5.11 So should all Godly Parents be 3d. Reason is Because the Lord doth highly esteem of all such Parents as are godly that be careful for and tender of their Children Shall I saith the Lord hide from Abraham the thing that I do why because he will command his Children and Houshold after him to keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18.17 19. The Lord commends Job for a perfect and upright Man whose work it feems was daily to offer Sacrifice for his Children Job 1.5 8. For fear they had sinned against the Lord by this Parents should learn to pray with and for their Children every day the just man walketh in his integrity his Children are blessed after him Prov. 20.7 It is the Character of a Godly Bishop to have his Children in subjection 1 Tim. 3.4 with all gravity The Lord did make Israel to hear and fear that they might teach their Children after them Deut. 4.10 Ch. 6.7 Ch. 31.13 The Lord was so well pleased with King Jehu that he saith His Children shall sit on the Throne of Israel to the fourth Generation 2 Kings 10.30 The Lord hath 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 that the Generations to come might know them even the Children which would be born who should arise and declare them to their Children that they might set their Hope in God and not forget the Works of God but keep his Commandments at all times Psal 78.5 6 7. Deut. 4.9 which truly being performed takes off all just occasion of Provocation 4th Reason is because Provocation is the high road to Childrens Disobedience and an evil instrumental means to cause them to break the fifth Commandment which saith Honour thy Father and thy Mother Exod. 20.12 Provocation disputes a Child into Fude and Anger and what will you do to quench that flame what will you call him then but a furious turbulent outragious Monster no ways then to be disputed with Wrath carrieth down all before it and cares not if he dash himself in a thousand pieces he carries the Blood of Revenge in his Face and his Eyes sparkle like Fire his Hair stands an end and his Teeth gnash one against another his Countenance is fierce and his Voice thundereth without sence or reason his Brows are knit in fury and the motion of his Head declares his destruction his Hands strike one against another and falleth with violence on his own Breast he stampeth and teareth his Cloaths and if it were possible his Flesh from his Bones he hath detestation in his mind and Firebrands in one Hand with a drawn Sword in the other yelling and houling with hideous Outcries saying I will ruine all for I am undone Wrath and Anger defaceth the Image of God in Man and casteth a mist before the Eyes it stops the Ears that he will not hear Instruction and hinders his Understanding from receiving Counsel it is an Obstruction of the Judgment and Reason the Senses and Conscience are dulled and blinded by it and it causeth the heart to be continually stubborn and subject to much evil and what not O then Parents provoke not Children to Anger for in that condition you will hardly perswade them to the Duty of Honour learn patience and be kind to them and what great quiet of Conscience can you have whilst you see your Children ruined before your Eyes by your folly and madness would you have your Child hate you who begat him and be your Enemy because you shew your self an Enemy to him or to her besides if the cause of your anger to your Child cannot now be prevented as if it be in the Case of Marriage it can't what aggravation of Folly and Shame is that in you would you be feared and not loved and strive for that sweet Harmony of Love and Fear together regard your Honour but joyn with it Parental Affections between such Parents and Children that live as they ought what a sweet Harmony is there James 1.4 Rom. 12.16 Ephes 4.32 Col. 3.13 23. 5th Reason is Because when Children are provoked they are in the fittest posture for Satan to work upon them by his Temptations Satan delighteth to fish in troubled Waters the terrible smoak of Fury that doth ascend occasioned by Provocation it so far darkeneth the Eyes of the Mind that now any Temptation suits and the Party being blinded cannot discover it without the special grace of God The Astronomers tell us that the Inferior Orbs are restrained in their motion by the primum mobile or else they would set all the World on fire So if the Grace of God and true Religion do not keep Persons in due Order Satan hath too much combustible matter to work upon in the Soul to set the whole course of Nature on fire by his manifold Evil and Subtil Temptations therefore Parents take heed of giving Satan an Inch least he when he hath gotten a little footing on them instead of an Inch he take an Ell Ephes 4.27 James 4.7 6th Reason Because the very Evils that do attend Provocation is or ought to be a sufficient Argument against it A Person under Provocation may be fitly compared to a bed of Serpents when the wind blows cold they lye still but when they are stirred or chafed with heat let every body look to themselves
grand Occasion 2dly Carry your selves kindly to your children in word and deed This will be one means to prevent provocation to sin lastly To prevent their provocation to evil turn to those sixteen Demonstrations at the beginning of this book read them and so learn them that you may take all Obstacles out of your childrens way 18 Direction is Teach and Instruct your children in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures Christ blames the Sadduces because they erred the cause was because they did not know the Scripture Mat. 22.29 It seems that ignorance of the Scriptures is the first step to Error surely Christ did not speak in vain when he bid the Jews search the Scriptures John 5.39 For by them we obtain the knowledge of Christ The Bereans were called noble because they searched the Scriptures Acts 17.11 Philip preached out of the Scriptures Acts 8.32 35. Apollos is said to be mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 28. Paul his usual manner was to reason out of the Scriptures Acts 17.2 Rom. 1.2 Ch. 4.3 Ch. 11.2 Paul highly commends Timothy for his knowledge in the Scriptures For saith he they will make thee wise unto Salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus They are profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way saith the Psalmist but by taking heed thereunto according to thy word Psal 119.9 If you would have your children to be perfect and furnished to all good works then teach and instruct them in the knowledge of the Scriptures 18 Direction is You must not set too high an Esteem upon your children so as to idolize them Parents may as it appears by Christs words love their Sons and Daughters better than they love Christ Mat. 10.37 't is possible for a man to idolize any thing the Apostle calls Covetuousness Idolatry Colos 3.5 If Men shall love Riches so much as to bow down their Souls Affections Wit Memory Judgment Understanding and all their Faculties to it what can we call it less may we not say that some make their Honour their Pleasures of Eating and Drinking Phil. 3.19 Hunting and Hawking Carding and Dicing and what not their God therefore Parents look to it that you do not put too high a Value upon your children you ought to look up unto him first that gave them unto you who can as he did good Job's take them all away in a moment of Time Job 1.19 It seems as though David had too much love for his Son Absolom whom God left to murder his Brother Amnon and to rebel against his Father 2 Sam. 13.39 Ch. 18.33 The Lord permitted both these and also suffered him to be taken away possibly that David might see the vanity of his too much Toleration and fond Affection and Indulgence 19 Direction is Be often yea constantly exhorting them to walk in the way of God according to the best of your judgment to the Law and to the Testament saith Isaiah 8.20 Stand in the way and see ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls Jer. 6.16 saith Samuel God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you but I will teach you the good and right way 1 Sam. 12.23 This is a sure Maxim that all the Ordinances that our Lord Jesus Christ appointed his Church to observe are by his true Church to be uphold contended for Jude 3. Both in matter and manner and to be truly and rightly maintained by all the true Servants of Christ in all ages by all Persons in all places and at all times to the end of the World Mat. 28.20 Who it was that gave men power to alter the subject of Baptism from a Believer to an Infant and the manner of doing of it from dipping to sprinkling except Pope Innocent the first and the Milevitan Council I know not this I know that the Cate chism of the Church of England confesseth that the persons that are to be baptized are such as have repentance whereby they forsake sin and have Faith whereby they stedfastly believe the promise of God made to them in that Sacrament which no Infant of a day or two or a week old could ever perform also it confesseth that the manner is by dipping which they have since altered and thus express it Water wherein the person is baptized Also how they come to alter the Lords Supper from Night to Noon from breaking the Bread to cutting of it and from sitting at a Table to kneeling I say how this comes to be altered and kneeling one by one at Noon at the Altar and there to receive a peice of Bread cut square I leave the Criticks of our age to determine for certain Christ gave no Man power to alter his Sacraments neither in matter not form but they are to continue as they were first instituted to the end of the World or till Christs second coming 1 Cor. 11.26 It must needs be a nullity of the Sacraments if the right matter and manner be wanting may I be so bold to say with the Apostle This is not to eat the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11.20 Plain it is that Paedorantism is not Christ's Ordinance of Baptism O 't is very dangerous to alter any thing in the worship of God Prov. 30.6 Deut. 4.2 Ch. 12.32 Revel 21.18 Nadab and Abihu did but take common fire and did not take it from the Altar according to the command Exod. 30.8 and the Lord slew them Lev. 10.2 Here they had the right matter fire but only they missed the right place where they should have taken it Also Dathan and Abiram who were not of that tribe which the Lord appointed to offer incense but rebelled against the Lord and they were swallowed up alive in the Earth Numb 16.1 3. Here was the wrong subject Moreover the Lord commanded that the Altar should be made of unhewed stone Exod. 20.25 Dent. 27.5 Joshua 8.31 But Israel sinned in making Altars of Brick Isa 65.3 And the Lord was provoked thereby their sin was in the false subject also the Lord commanded that the Offering should be offered at the door of the Tabernacle Levit. 17.9 but they offered in Groves 2 Kings 23.4 6 15. Here they missed the place and are charged with great guilt Isa 66.4 what shall I say more they that add to any of Christs commands or diminish from them in any kind the Lord will visit them in his anger Rev. 21.18 therefore teach your children to walk in the footsteps of the Church in its primitive Institutions as near as you can comprehend and understand it and as you find it recorded in the New-Testament And this is our only rule to walk by both for our children and our selves 21 Direction is Often awakening your Childrens
Authority over thee Magistratus ne exsecrator Thou shall not be he that curseth the Magistrate that is the Powers that rule over thee He that wasteth his Father and chaseth away his Mother is a Son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach Prov. 19.26 St. Paul saith That no Revilers shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6.10 Therefore have a care and do not speak slighting and deriding Words to thy Parents nor of or to any person of what Rank Degree or Quality whatsoever 3d. Direction is You must not curse your Parents For every one that curseth his Father or Mother shall surely be put to death Levit. 20.9 He that curseth his Father or Mother his lamp shall be put out in obscurity Prov. 20.20 He that curseth his Father or Mother let him dye the death Mat. 15.4 Mark 7.10 Prov. 30.11 As you must not curse them in words so you must not curse them so much as in your Hearts or Thoughts Eccles 10.20 For the Lord seeth and knoweth the Heart and all its purposes intents and imaginations for all things are naked before him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.13 4th Direction is You must not set light by your Parents Cursed is he that setteth light by his Father or his Mother and all the people shall say Amen Deut. 27.16 The Prophet Ezekiel reckons it up among the sins of Jerusalem in that Catalogue Ezek 22.7 In thee saith he have they set light by Father and Mother For which sins the Lord was so much offended that he threatens them with Captivity and Destruction Ezek. 22.15 16. The Commandment saith Honour thy Father and thy Mother But he that setteth light by them as not to regard them does no part of Honour to them and so by it becometh a Transgressor against God and his Parents 5th Direstion is You must not despise them when poor or old Joseph who was then a Ruler in Egypt when his Father came to him who was old blind and poor too in respect to Joseph who was the next Man to the King yet it is said He bowed himself with his face to the ground and fell on his neck as their manner was and wept Gen. 46.29 48.12 So far was Joseph from despising his Father though he did sustain him and his in Poverty and Necessity that he shews him great Tokens of Honour saith the Wise Man Hearken to they Father that begat thee and despise not thy Mother when she is old Prov. 23.22 Also he counts him a Fool that despiseth his Fathers Instruction Prov. 15.5 And a foolish Son despiseth his Mother Prov. 15.20 Therefore despise them not and be wise 6th Direction is Thou must not stain their Innocency by thy unjust uneven and wicked Walking The Lord took so much care that Parents should not be stained with their Childrens sins that he gives it in charge that if the Daughter of a Priest prophaned her Father by wheredom she should be burnt with fire Levit. 21.9 They that stain themselves by Murder shall dye Dent. 19.13 The rebellious and stubborn are to be stoned to death Deut. 21.21 Therefore walk in Innocency all thy days Phil. 2.15 7th Direction is Thou must not smite nor prosecute them He that smiteth his Father or his Mother shall surely be put to death Exod. 21.15 in the latter days our Lord foretold that the Wickedness of some would be so great that they would not only rise up against their Parents But they would cause them to be ut to death Mat. 10.20 Absolom that went about to persecute his Father David was hanged in an Oak as not being fit for Heaven nor yet to live on Earth 2 Sam. 18.9 Therefore Children have a care of Rebellion and Persecution least the Lord take you away as he did Absolom 8th Direction is You must not use so much as any shew of revenge if you think you are wronged You must not harbour such a thought in your breast it may be it is an Instigation of Satan to tempt you to evil or what is done is done on purpose to prove you whether you have any grace in your Hearts or no. Avenge not your selves but rather give place unto wrath Vengeance is mine saith the Lord I will repay it Rom. 12.19 9th Direction is You must not use any slighting Expressions neither of them nor to them nor yet slander them If he that uttereth a slander is a fool as the Wise Man saith Prov. 10.18 What shall he be counted that is the first framer thereof Children should always count their Parents much better than themselves which if they did there would be then no ground to slight and reproach them A Wise Son maketh a glad Father Prov. 15.20 Then he that slighteth laugheth at and reproacheth his Parents is but a fool and a Capital Sinner 10th Direction is You must not if your Parents are wicked follow them in evil Examples It is recorded to the everlasting shame of many of the Kings of Israel and Judah how they followed the evil Examples of their wicked Parents 2 Kings 21.4 in Idolatry and other grievous crying Sins as you may read at large in the two Books of the Kings and Chronicles 11th Direction is Thou must not steal from thy Parents nor pourver away their Goods nor like the Drone Bee to wast and consume thy Parents Estate Whoso robbeth his Father or his Mother and saith it is no transgression the same is a Companion of a destroyer Prov. 28.24 He that wasteth his Father and chaseth away his Mother is a Son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach Prov. 19.26 Therefore let him that hath stole steal no more Ephes 4.28 12th Direction is Thou must not follow thy Parents in any kind of Sedition Heresie Schism Superstition false Doctrine or Idolatry If thou know it so to be by the plain words of Scripture but thou must avoid it and perswade thy Parents to turn from it In this case it is far better to obey God rather than Man Now in the second place I come to the positive Rules to shew you what you must do And 1st Direction is Thou must stand in fear of them this is a positive command Ye shall fear every man his Father and his Mother Levit. 19.3 He that feareth them not will never do them any honour he that truly standeth in fear of his Parents how doth he seek all means and use all ways possible to please them 2d Direction is You must do your best endeavour to hide your Parents faults Children may see many gross faults in their Parents which they themselves ought not to mind to be such they ought not to discover it but as Shem and Japhet hide their Fathers nakedness if possible Gen. 9.23 It is one way to oblige their Parents to love them at all times and in all places 3d. Direction is You must do your duty in all service of honour Such is the fifth Commandment and the first with promise Ephes
6.2 You must honour them by shewing them all reverence both in word and carriage that occasion opportunity time place matter and manner doth require and permit Deut. 5.16 4th Thou must rise up at their presence when they pass by you and bow when you meet them in the Streets Levit. 19.32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man and fear thy God It is a positive command King Solomon rose from his Throne to meet Bathsheba his mother coming to him 1 Kings 2.19 Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the Land Gen. 23.7 Haman was greatly offended with Mordecai because he did not rise up before him as he passed by Esther 5.9 Job expresseth his admirable honour in his prosperity saith The young men saw me and hid themselves and the aged arose and stood up the Princes refrained their talking and the Nobles held their peace Job 29.8 9 10. Her children rise up and call her blessed Prov. 31.28 5th You must bow at their presence when they come to you or you go to them when you deliver any thing to them or take any thing of them when they speak to you or you to them when they pass by you or you pass by them The Sons of the Prophets came to meet Elisha and bowed themselves to the ground before him 2 Kings 2.15 Jacob bowed to Esau seven times after his long exile Gen. 33.3 Jacob's Hand maidens and their Children as also Leah and Rachel and their Children when they met Esau bowed themselves before him Gen. 33.6 7. Joseph bowed to Jacob Gen. 48.12 David to Saul 1 Sam. 24.8 Saul to Samuel's Emblem 1 Sam. 28.14 Mephibosheth bowed to David 2 Sam. 9.8 So did Joab 2 Sam. 14.22 So did Absolom 2 Sam. 14.33 Cushi bowed to Joab 2 Sam. 18.21 Araunah bowed to David 2 Sam. 24.20 or Ornan 1 Chron. 21.21 Nathan bowed to David 1 Kings 1.23 Adonijah bowed to Solomon 1 Kings 1.53 Solomon bowed himself to his Mother 1 Kings 2.19 Joseph's ten brethren bowed themselves to him Gen. 43.28 What an odious thing is it to see Children shew no respect nor reverence to their natural Father and more odious to see Members of Churches to shew no respect nor reverence to their Pastors who are their Spiritual Fathers nay more they are Ambassadors of Christ whose person they represent 't is a dishonour therefore done to Christ They that deserve double honour from them have perhaps not single honour shewed them but upon every small occasion of offence some carry it to them in an irreverent manner to their shame and shame of Religion The Scripture is very full of civil Obeisance of all sorts of persons to their superiours but those men that disown the Scriptures to be the Word of God and the Rule for a Christians Faith and Practice may not only deny tribute to whom tribute is due honour to whom honour and fear to whom fear but any Command what they please and deny that which is recorded tho' never so plain in the Holy Scriptures of Truth Dan. 10.21 Rom. 13.7 6th Therefore you must shew all Christian-like reverence to your Parents true reverence is an inward work of the mind and appeareth in all good deportment and carriage of the body towards them to whom we shew due respect we ought to behave our selves with all humility and observance possible in outward decent behaviout Saith St. Paul We have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence Heb. 12.9 We are commanded to give an answer of the hope that is in us with reverence 1 Pet. 3.15 Mephibosheth fell on his face before David and did reverence 2 Sam. 9.6 And Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and did reverence to the King and said let my lord King David live for ever 1 Kings 1.31 1st She bowed very low 2dly She did reverence 3dly She gives him his true Title King 4thly She adds his proper name to his Title 5thly She complements him to an high degree let my Lord King David 6thly She shews how much she honours and reverences him by desiring his perpetual being Vivat Rex in seculum How can the Enthusiasts of our time read this place and such like Scriptures but that they must conclude complemental acts and expressions are lawful since it is there recorded either for her praise or our example as appears by the Apostles words 2 Tim. 3.16 Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him Lord 1 Pet. 3.6 If we ought to rise up before our betters and bow to them as is evident then to shew our reverence as the manner of our Country is to stand uncovered to give them their proper Titles as Sir And it please your Worship your Honour your Highness your Majesty or the like to stop and do obeisance to any of our Superiours when we meet them and to give them the upper hand in standing sitting or walking to be humble and tractible to and before all our betters in all moderate and civil complimental Ceremonies then as the Apostle saith we do shew honour to whom honour is due fear to whom fear Rom. 13.7 in so doing we do our civil duty in part each one in our proper places 7th You must help them in such their necessities and afford all accommodations you are able as they stand in need of saith St. Paul If any Widows have Children or Nephews let them learn to shew pity at home and to requite their Parents 1 Tim. 5.4 For it is good and acceptable to God This rule good Joseph observes to his poor distressed Father in the midst of famine though he himself were the second man in Egypt Gen. 47.12 Thou oughtest to nourish thy Parents when they are poor First Because of them next to God thou hadst thy first being Secondly They preserved and nourished thee when thou couldst not help thy self 3. Their pains fears charges and cares for thee were many and great in bringing thee up for which thou canst never recompence them enough Our Lord greatly blames them that did what they did to their Parents by way of gift and not out of filial duty or love as being transgressors of the fifth Commandment Matth. 15.5 6. If those proud Pharisees are charged with rejecting of the Commandment of God by relieving their Parents by way of gift and not by way of duty or out of filial obedience what may be said of those who when their Parents are poor low aged weak and not able to subsist that do not supply their wants and relieve them but instead thereof look over them and by them and will neither send them relief nor come at them at all to assist their destitute aged and impotent poor distressed Parents in the midst of great extremity and need No pretence or excuse except impotency and poverty can absolve or acquit any from their duty in this kind nor yet properly that neither Ainsworth mentioneth an Hebrew
Commentary called Chazkuni We read saith he Honour the Lord with thy substance Prov. 3.9 Honour thy Father and thy Mother Exod. 20.12 The Lord is honoured if thou relieve thy Father and thy Mother If thou hast nothing thou art bound to beg for them in their great need 4thly They take care to seek after thee when thou goest astray or art lost 1 Sam. 9.5 5thly To be dutiful is a comely ornament to Christianity and as Chains about thy neck Prov. 1.9 6thly The Lord hath very often inflicted immediate Judgments on those that rebel against their Parents as on Absalom 2 Sam. 14.9 Hophni and Phinchas 1 Sam. 2.25 the Fourty two Children 2 Kings 2.25 7thly Doing thy duty to thy Parents is well pleasing lunto the Lord Coloss 3.20 8thly The Lord reproveth Israels rebellion by the good example of the Rechabites obedience to their Parents Jer. 35. the whole Chapter 9thly This duty is a righteous thing Ephes 6.1 2. 10thly Children ought to follow the good example of all such as have been in the exercise of this duty as there be many Examples in Scripture 11thly This duty is commanded Exod. 20.12 Deut. 5.16 12thly Those that are faithful in this duty are under a promise Ephes 6.2 Let these Twelve Reasons though out of due place suffice for the proof and confirmation of the Doctrine 8th You must obey their just and lawful Commands saith the Apostle St. Paul Children obey your Parents in the Lord for this is right Ephes 6.1 Children obey your Parents in all things for this is well pleasing to the Lord Coloss 3.10 If any Parents be so wicked as to command their Children to lye steal cousin and cheat or do any thing that is forbidden by the Lord in his Word they must not obey their Parents in that for the word all things intends all things that the Scriptures or rather God allows as lawful for the Child to obey his Parents in but here mind to do it in modesty meekness and a good and clear Conscience as in fear to offend the Lord and disobey his Word and not to act in stubbornness and rebellion against thy Parents for this is not well-pleasing to the Lord nor approved of by men and was of old to be punished by death Deut. 21.21 Isaac obeyed Abraham in going to the place of sacrifice Gen. 22.5 Jacob obeyed his Father and Mother and fled from Esau to Padam Aram Gen. 28.7 Joseph obeyed Jacobs command in visiting his brethren when they sold him into Egypt Gen. 37.14 Israel is reproved by the good Example of the Rechabites in obeying their Fathers Jer. 35.8 to the 14th Christ our good and holy Pattern is said after he was twelve years of age to be subject to his Parents Luke 2.42.51 The Scripture is full of Examples of this kind as Moses Samuel Saul David Jephthah's Daughter Esther and many others who were all obedient to their Parents 1 Sam. 17.17 Exod. 18.24 Judges 11.26 1 Sam. 1.28 9th You must have an honourable esteem of your Parents in hearty affections actions and words you must abhor and detest the doing of any thing that you may dishonour vex grieve or disquiet your Parents by also you must carry your selves with an aw and respect and must most gladly do those things in kindness and hearty affections which may bring much joy peace and comfort to your parents since you can never pay that debt which is due to them for their care and pains for you when young you must call upon the Lord for his help both for your Pareuts in their need and for your selves for assistance to supply their wants In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God Phil. 4.6 10th You must be ready and willing to suffer any hardship travel service and care for your Parents without grieving murmuring and repining What a great and good pattern was that good Woman Ruth in this case who said to Naomi though but a Mother-in-Law Whither thou goest I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodge thy People shall be my People and thy God my God where thou diest I will die and there will I be buried Ruth 1 16 17. Here is a lesson of Honour indeed tho' but a poor alienated Moabitish young Woman and the Lord remembred her and was always with her in all her undertakings Ruth 2.8 chap. 4.13 11th Be often speaking in their praise and taking your Parents parts in all companies and places The Children of Israel spake very honourably to Joseph of their Father Gen. 43.28 44.24 The Daughters of Zelophehad spake in their Fathers praise justifying him that he did not cause others to sin as Korah did but had only his own sins to answer for Numb 27.3 Children had better not to speak at all concerning their Parents words or deeds if they cannot speak in the behalf of their Parents Praise to augment their dignity or honour let thy parents be either godly or wicked thou must not 〈◊〉 diminish one jot or tittle of their honour for they are thy Parents still let them be never so vile but still labour to let thy good and Christian-like carriage be that which may win their hearts to Christ and then how happy will it be for Parents if they be converted by the fruit of their own bowels 12th Let thy Parents be thy chiefest joy and glory in this World Childrens Children are the crown of old men and the glory of Children are their Fathers Prov. 17.6 Her children call her blessed Prov. 31.28 What should we joy in and talk most of but of the original fountain from whence we sprang and this will put us in mind of our duty to God also who made us and gives us our life and being and all things necessary for this life and that which is to come Acts 17.26 28. 13th Hearken to your Parents instruction and observe to do and believe so far as it is agreeable to the Scripture it is said Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days wherein Jehoiada the Priest instructed him 2 Kings 12.2 A wise Son heareth his Fathers instruction Prov. 13.1 My Son hear thou the instruction of thy Father and forsake not the law of thy Mother Prov. 1.8 He is a fool that despiseth his Fathers instruction Prov. 15.5 Reproofs of instruction are the way of life Prov. 6.23 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser Prov. 9.9 If thy Parents do instruct thee in the Articles of the Christian Faith as it is expressed in the Nicene Creed all which is confirmed by plain Scripture as you may observe in this ensuing Discourse thou must obey Article the First I Believe in one God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth and of all things visible and invisible 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jehovah An eternal Self Being a most powerful and Spiritual Substance the Maker and
is Let your eye be towards your Parents Abilities in all that you request of them and ask no more of them then you well know that they can give you without too much impoverishing of themselves You must bear a share of all burthens with them And be content with such things as ye have Heb. 13.5 Having Food and Raiment if it be not so voluptuous and gaudy as pleaseth you yet you must be therewith content 1 Tim. 6.8 If the Angels which kept not their first state but were discontented therewith and left their own habitation are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day Jude 6.2 Pet. 2.4 Job 4.18 What dost thou think will become of thee if thou art not contented with they lot and portion that thy Parents can conveniently bestow on thee in this world If thou art discontented with one Talent the Lord may justly take it from thee and leave thee none it were an happy and good lesson if you could truly say with Paul I have learned in whatsoever state I am in therewith to be content Phil. 4.11 19th Direction is Receive all whatsoever your Parents in love bestow upon you with hearts filled with thankfulness both to the Lord and them It is a sign of true Grace Let the peace of God rule in your hearts to the which also ye are called in one body and be ye thankful Col. 3.15 Ingratitude is reckoned by the Apostle such a capital sin that it is the Original for which the Lord let man fall into great and notorious sins as you may read Rom. 1.21 to 32.2 Tim. 3.2 20th Direction is So far esteem thy Parents above all others as to let them be always thy chief Subject in thy petitions St. Paul exhorts that Prayer and Supplication c. be made for all that are in Authority 1 Tim. 2.2 Thou needest not at all to fear so long as thou art in thy duty that the Lord will forget thy works and labour of love Heb. 6.10 21th Direction is Thou must not affront thy Pareuts in speaking that in their presence which is unseemly or that which they allow not of or blame thee for 1st Thou must not speak any unsavoury words Phil. 1.27 2ly Thou must not parrot at them when they speak to thee or when they command thee in any thing Titus 2.9 3ly Thou must not use swearing nor cursing Mat. 5.34 4ly Thou must not go swelling about or fling away in a rage when they speak to thee Prov. 14.16 5ly Thou must know that if thou dost not with patience hearken to thy Parents Commands thou art a Transgressor of the Law Hear thy Fathers Instruction Prov. 1.8 Chap. 4.1 Chap. 7.1 to 5. Hearken to Israel your Father Gen. 49.2 Prov. 7.24 8.32 Thou must be like Job's Princes to refrain thy talking and lay thy Hand upon thy Mouth in thy parents presence when they speak Job 29.9 10. 22th Direction is Thou must arm thy self with much patience in all thy Duties towards thy Parents 1st Quietly to submit thy neck under that yoke and not to shew violence if they reprove instruct correct or direct thee yea if they be bitter to thee thou must bear it patiently they ought to shew severity if thou sin Old Eli his too much lenity and mildness in restraining his Sons from sin was that for which the Lord was greatly offended with him 1 Sam. 3.13 2ly If the thing for which thou art reproved and corrected be not true that is that which thou didst not do but it was done by another if thou consentedst to it thou art guilty Psal 50.18 If thou art altogether innocent thou must arm thy self with patience and overcome evil with good Rom. 12.21 3ly Thou must lay Aside all Obstinacy Disdain Ambition Stoutness Stubbornness Lowring and Swelling with all heart-burning against thy Parents together with all malice 1 Pet. 2.1 and let true affections overcome all 4ly If Love and Patience be wanting in thee all Instructions Reproofs and Corrections will be spent in vain Reproofs of instruction are the way of life Prov. 6.23 But it is to them which receive it with patience and a good resolution to an amendment of life and then the Rod and Reproof will give Wisdom Prov. 29.15 to 17. 23th Direction is Be always humble and meek before and towards thy Parents The Ornament of a Meek and Quiet Spirit is in the sight of God of great price 1 Pet. 3.4 Know this that God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble James 4.6 1 Pet. 5.5 Prov. 3.34 24th Direction is Do not grudge or murmur nor any ways do not be in any unseemly posture in the doing thy duty When Children have disdained their Parents commands and muttered and murmured raged and raved fretted and fumed against their Parents and despised and hated them in their hearts they are not one jot bettered by it but are in the high road to Hell and Destruction and the Lord will meet with the obstinate stubborn and rebellious Child at the last Prov. 30.17 25th Direction is Avoid if possible the least shew of any arrogant Carriage towards thy Parents Know this that the Lord hateth a proud look Prov. 6.17 Yea much more a froward arrogant Carriage Prov. 8.13 26th Direction is If it it be possible when thou partest from thy parents either into any calling or into the state of Marriage Be sure first to get thy Parents consent to it how canst thou expect a blessing from the Lord if thou livest in rebellion against thy Parents Yea and against the Lord too who commands thee to fear reverence obey and honour thy Parents Levit. 13.3 Heb. 12.9 Col. 3.20 Deut. 5.16 He that stealeth a Virgin unknown to her Parents who is more dear to them than any of their worldly goods he is a breaker of the eighth Commandment and no less is she that freely yieldeth her self to such a fact 27th Direction is When thy Parents have ended this life be sure take care that they be decently buried according to their Degrees and Qualities Be not too peevish in their Funeral expences nor yet too over-lavish prodigal and sumptuous as to make such a Solemnity a Feast for Gluttons and Drunkards but let it be solemnized decently and in order 1 Cor. 14.40 29th Direction is You must so far esteem your Parents credit as to pay all their just due debts when they are dead So far as that Estate they left will Permit and not to let them when they are dead be numbered among the wicked who borrow and pay not again Plal. 37.21 29th Direction is When Children shall hear their Parents evil spoken of when dead they ought to put a check and stop to it if possible It is one of the last duties they can do in honour to their Parents those that favour ill reports of their Parents are a generation that curse their Father and do not bless their Mother Prov. 30.11 Such as
Jacob had offended him yet he blessed him a second time To disswade your Children from sin let your Arguments be as hard as you will but let your words be soft 2 Tim. 2.24 Hear me my Brethren saith King David 1 Chron. 28.2 To all Israel not like Rehoboam who answered them churlishly Naphtali is said to give goodly words Gen. 49.21 Courteous Language hath an acceptance among all men and the blessing of God is with it Deut. 33.23 Let your words be seasoned with grace the Ornament of Scripture Language Phil. 1.27 avoid corrupt Speeches that administer no grace to the Hearers Ephes 4.29 't is better not to speak at all than to speak evil words Mat. 12.36 Prov. 18.21 by the nature of the expressions of a man the intent of his heart is made manifest Mat. 12.34 Prov. 12.25.15 13. Third Provocation is when Parents are never contented with any thing that their Children do though they do to their utmost abilities what they can to please them Such is the wickedness and hard heartedness of some covetous Parents who would wring out their Childrens labours by a kind of Extortion something whereby to satisfie their greedy and discontented minds though the Apostle saith Let your moderation be known to all men Phil. 4.5 But their Children shall know but little of it And again he saith be content with such things as you have Heb. 13.5 He that is never content shall never be happy Fourth Provocation is when Parents shall pretend love to their Children before their Neighbours and Friends and the Child can never find in very deed that they have any love at all for them Such Hypocritical Parents will one day recieve a double stroke for this twofold Wickedness Such Parents have not learned divine wisdom James 3.17 that teacheth other things Luke 7.35 According to your sins shall your recompence be Isa 65.6 These outward Lovers and Whited Sepulchres are all in Tongue and none in Heart their Hope shall be like the Spiders web Job 8.13.14 and their Joy but for a moment Job 20.5 Saith st Paul Let your love be without dissimulation Rom. 12.9 Plain dealing and true love never fails 1 Cor. 13.8 Methinks natural love is taught by all the birds in the Air and Beasts of the field who many of them will lose their own lives to preserve their young their Love is real and purely natural without flattery or deceit Why then should some Parents be worse then Beasts without natural affections 't is a sign that the coming of Christ draweth near 2 Tim. 3.3 Fifth Provocation is when Parents shall let their Servants or any body else chastise beat and abuse their Children and they take no notice of it but do often allow of their so doing with good liking and approbation this very thing the wife man saith is one of the four things the earth is disquieted with and so tedious that it cannot bare it viz. A Servant when he reigneth prov 30.21 22. If Christ call him an evil Servant that smiteth his Fellow-Servant Mat. 24.24 much more evil is he that lifteth up his hand in smiting his Masters Child 1 Kings 2.32 If Servants are to give to their Masters double Honour 1 Tim. 6.1 They are to shew some reverent respect to their Masters Issue 2 Sam. 18.12 The Lord has promised to punish such Servants as are so wicked to fill their Masters House with violence Zach. 1.9 When he cometh to search Jerusalem with candles therefore Servants if your Masters be so ignorantly wicked as to allow to you correct his Children you may not must not do so vile a thing by which the Child may be provoked the earth disquieted and the Lord offended and your masters house filled with violence and distraction for the Lord loveth Unity Peace and Concord 1 Cor. 14.33 Moreover you of the Neighbourhood may not correct your Neighbours Children but if they have transgressed you must mildly acquaint their Parents with the offence and the Parents are to give them due correction Prov. 13.24 29 17. Heb. 12.9 For the Lord hath put them in that place to rule and govern their Children at all Seasons and to correct them according to their offences with a severe Countenance without flattery with savoury expressions shewing them the nature of their offence without railing or evil words least they learn that of you for which you correct them also forbear giving threatning and provoking words and then thy Correction will be no provocation but to good and the obstruction of evil 'T is good for every one to be employed in their own business and not in the concerns of another Sixth Provocation is when parents hurry their Children night and day in their Worldly Business and take no care about their Childrens Souls or their Eternal Happiness when Children come to years of Understanding and are capable to know the lost state of their Souls and that its worth is more then the whole world Mu. 16.26 Mark 8.36 And their Parents have made no provision for them in this kind not so much as to teach them to read the Word of the Lord nor have instructed them in their duty to God nor taught them how to pray unto him and worship him in no sence nor kind nor have instructed them to believe in Christ their Saviour neither acquainted them with the Baptism of Repentance for remission of Sins also do keep them ignorant of the benefit of the body and blood of Christ in the sacrament and of holy walking with God and Man in all duties of Love and Piety These things when the Child comes to understand and that he can have no time nor means allowed in order to obtain his Souls peace but all ways possible rather used to hinder him in all good ways This is a very great Provocation and therefore Parents above all things have a care in this viz. That you instruct your Children in the way of the Lord betimes Prov. 22.6 Let them suck in the Word with their Mothers Milk From a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures saith St. Paul to Timothy 2 Tim. 3.15 The Lord commands the first fruits Exod. 22.29 Sanctifieth the first born to him Exod. 13.2 The fat was the Lords viz. the best therefore do not neglect early instruction Prov. 13.24 And the Lord will give you an early recompence Prov. 12.14 Isa 3.10 Seventh Provocation is When Parents shall neglect their Children in temporal Education as not to bring them up in such a lawful calling as that they may by it get a necessary livelyhood And herein Parents ought to study their Childrens Constitutions and Abilities and to put them out to such employments as their ability of Body and Estate will not fail in the management of for want of such good Education many have been bred so idlely who have had no Estates to maintain them when their Parents are dead and they come to Men and Womens state that some have made away with themselves
of reward by it Brethren fall out each one desiring his Brothers right It is Covetousness makes Masters and Dames of Families to be over eager up early and late to be too sparing and pinching in necessary provision for their Families and to be fierce mistrustful outragious harsh ridged over-greedy discontented often chaffing at and chiding with their Children and Servants oppressing over-tormiling them letting them have no time to serve the Lord or if they have a little time they are so over-wearied with labour that their bodies and sences are both asleep and their sacrifice at best is but blind and lame Mal. 1.7 8. It is covetousness that makes Children and Servants to plot and contrive how they may pilser imbezzle steal take and dispose of their Fathers and Masters goods and employ them to their own use and it instigates a poor Labouner to take that many times which is none of his own which doings teacheth his Children to steal it is Covetousness that makes some Ministers act like Elie's Sons 1 Sam. 2.18 sets them to buying and selling of livings to act Simony Acts 8.18 And to make Merchandise of Men 2 Pet. 2.3 And forsake their flock for larger benefits and 't is covetousness that makes the people to oppress their Ministers leaving of them to the cares of this world and not allowing them a competent and comfortable maintenance but let their Wives and Children after their decease be exposed to want and poverty by it the Judges judge for reward Micah 7.3 Zeph. 3.3 by it the Magistrates cease to do justice and grind the face of the poor Isa 3.14 15. and the Lawyer pleads for hire Ezra 4.4 5. Nehem. 6.13 by it Causes are mispleaded and delayed yea moved from one Court to another witnesses are subborned evidences counterfeited writings forged wills concealed and the like by it Statesmen ease themselves and lay heavy Burthens on other Mens shoulders Mat. 23.4 Luke 11.46 It maketh the Physitian take more care of the Payment of his large Bill than of his Patients health and the Soldier to venture his life for Honour and Plunder it maketh the Mariner and Merchant to venture their all to the gaining and obtaining of prizes unjustly and Stewards Bailiffs and Officers of trust to sacrifice their Oaths and Honesty it makes Pirates and Thieves to rob by Sea and Land and Gamesters to get what they can by cheating it makes Tradesmen to lie deceive defraud couzen and cheat and others to commit all manner of Villany and what not What shall I say more Thou shalt not covet 1st Because these abovesaid Evils with many more attend it John 12.6 Josh 7.21 2ly Because there is a woe pronounced against it in these six several Scriptures Isa 5.8 Hab. 2.9 Micah 2.1 2. Isa 10.1 2. Jer. 22.13 Ezek. 34.2 3. 3ly Because Riches when so gotten bring no peace but Terror of Conscience Ezek. 13.10 4ly Because they that possess ill gotten goods it consumeth none can tell how James 5.2 3. 5ly Because they do not only consume but flee away Prov. 23.5 6ly Because Covetousness is Idolatry Col. 3.5 The Covetous Man makes his riches his God and places his happiness in his substance Luke 12.15 to 20. 7ly Because 〈◊〉 is the root of all evil and causeth them that use it to err from the faith 1 Tim. 6.10 8ly Because the Lord abhorreth the Covetous Person Psalm 10.3 9ly Because by hating of Covetousness our days are prolonged Prov. 28.16 10ly Because no covetous Man shall inherit the kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6.10 I shall give you some Scripture-Marks of a Covetous Man and pass it And 1st They grasp and take what they covet Joshua 7.21 2ly They take fields by violence Micah 2.2 3ly Their heart runs after it Ezek. 33.31 Psalm 62.10 4ly They take Bribes 1 Sam. 8.3 Deut. 16.19 Exod. 23.8 5ly They are greedy of gain Prov. 1.19 6ly They are never satisfied with silver Eccles 5.10 7ly They enlarge their Desires still crying Give Give Hosea 4.18 Hab. 2.5 8ly They serve unrighteous Mammon Mat. 6.24 9ly They mind earthly things Phil. 3.19 10ly They love the wages of Unrighteousness 2 Pet. 2.15 11ly They withhold more then is meet Prov. 11.24 12ly They give sparing and grudgingly 2 Cor. 9.6 13ly They trust in their Riches Prov. 11 2◠1 Tim. 6.17 14ly They think gain to be Godliness 1 Tim. 6.5 15ly They deal falsly for gain Jer. 8.10 16ly They make Gold their hope Job 31.24 17ly They keep back part of the Wages of the Labourer Jer. 22.13 James 5.4 18ly They love abundance with increase Eccles 5.10 19ly They will shed blood for gain Jer. 22.17 Prov. 1.19 20. 20ly They oppress the poor Job 20.19 James 2.6 Eccles 5.8 21ly They shut up the bowels of compassion towards them that are in need 1 John 3.17 Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as ye have Heb. 13.5 yet you may covet earnestly spiritual gifts 1 Cor. 12.31 yea desire and seek after them 1 Cor. 14.1 36 Direction is Be often stirring up your Children to hear the preaching of the Word with such diligence that they may give you a good account of every Sermon immediately after the hearing thereof My son keep thy Fathers Commandment and forsake not the law of thy Mother bind them continually upon thy heart and tye them about thy neck when thou goest it shall lead thee when thou sleepest it shall keep thee and when thou wakest it shall talk with thee for the Commandment is a lamp and the law is a light and reproofs of instruction are the way of life Prov. 6.20 to 24. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy Children Deut. 6.6 7. Hear the instruction of thy Father and be wise Prov. 1.8 Ch. 13.1 37 Direction is Teach your Children to pay to every one their due that they may carry themselves in a civil sober decent and Christian manner towards all people of all Ranks Degrees and Qualities whatsoever Render therefore to all their dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custom to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honour to whom Honour Rom. 13.7 in honour preferring one another Rom. 12.10 Let the elder that ruleth well be counted worthy of double honour 1 Tim. 5.17 Honour all Men 1 Pet. 2.17 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their Masters worthy of all Honour 1 Tim. 6.1 And not irreverently as some impudent people do to come into their Fathers or Masters presence yea into the Kings Courts in the presence of Magistrates without bowing their Bodies 2 Kings 1.13 1 Kings 1.16 Gen. 42.6 Gen. 33.6 7. or so much as uncovering their heads or wagging their hats because the three Children Dan. 3.21 were cast into the Eurnace with their Hats on they think it not lawful to pull off their Hats to any 1st The Scripture does not express any thing when they came