the training up our Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures cause the Ministry or Ministers of Gods word to be slighted but on the contrary the more our Children and Servants are acquainted with the Scriptures the more they will prize and reverence the Ministers of Christ for the Scriptures do teach us to esteem very highly of Christs Ministers 1 Thes 5.12 13. We beseech you Brethren to know them that labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake Rom. 10.15 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace and bring glad Tydings of good things 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine They are stiled Christs Embassadors 2 Cor. 5.20 Now we are Ambassadours for Christ And who are more honoured than the Embassadours of an Earthly Prince The Scriptures shew what a great sin it is to despise the Ministers of Christ the Lord Jesus counts himself and his Father despised when they are despised Luke 10.16 He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me 1 Thes 4.8 He that despiseth despiseth not man but God who also hath given unto us his holy Spirit So that the training up of our Families in the fear of God and knowledge of the Scriptures will be so far from causing them to slight the Ministers of Christ or the Ministry of the Word that it will cause them to reverence and esteem them SECT 16. It is dangerous to neglect reading the Scriptures or teaching them our Children from this Plea That we need do nothing more than follow the Light within us Object 16 THere is a Light in all Men Women and Children which will teach them to do that which is just and right in the sight of God and men and will lead them to Life and Salvation if they do but follow the Light that is in them So that we judge it needless to read the Scriptures or to instruct our Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures we do enough if we call upon them to follow the Light that is within them Answ It is a great and dangerous mistake for a man to neglect reading and searching the Scriptures and instructing his Family in the knowledge of the Scriptures from a perswasion that neither he nor his Family need to do any thing more towards the obtaining Salvation than to follow the Light that is in them To make this evident Consider 1. There is no man hath so much Light or Knowledge but it is necessary that he should give himself to the reading of the Scriptures thas he may gain more Knowledge All men may be ranked under these two heads either they are such as abide in their natural unregenerate condition or they are such as are converted and endued with the grace of God As for men in their natural condition they are destitute of saving knowledge Rom. 3.11 There is none that understandeth there is none that seeketh after God 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Rom. 1.31 Without understanding They are said to be in darkness 1 John 2.9 11. He that saith he is in the Light and hateth his Brother is in darkness even until now He that hateth his Brother is in darkness and walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth because that darkness hath blinded his eyes They are said not only to be in darkness but to be darkness it self Ephes 5.8 Ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye Light in the Lord walk as Children of Light And therefore men in their natural condition had need give themselves to reading of the Scriptures that they may be inlightned and converted to God Psal 19.7 8. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple The Commandment of the Lord is pure inlightning the eyes And that they may be made wise to salvation for the knowledge of the Scriptures will make men wise to salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 From a Child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus As for such as are inlightned and converted to God even those of them that are endued with the greatest measure of saving knowledge have need to read the Scriptures daily and diligently that they may get more knowledge for the wisest men are imperfect in knowledge The Apostle Paul saith of himself that he knew but in part 1 Cor. 13.12 Now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face Now I know in part but then I shall know even as also I am known David who was wiser then his Enemies Psal 119 98. and had more understanding than all his Teachers vers 99. and understood more than the Ancients vers 100. doth acknowledge before God that he had much folly and ignorance Psal 69.5 O God thou knowest my foolishness Psal 73.22 So foolish was I and ignorant I was as a Beast before thee And he prayeth with great earnestness unto God to give him knowledge and understanding and to teach him his Statutes as we may see Psal 119.18 Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law Verse 33. Teach me O Lord the way of thy Statutes Vers 34. Give me understanding and I shall keep thy Law Verse 125. I am thy Servant give me under standing that I may know thy Testimonies And in many other places We are commanded to grow in knowledge as well as in grace 2 Pet. 3.18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And therefore seeing the Scriptures are the means whereby we get knowledge Psal 119.104 Through thy Precepts I get understanding And the means of increasing knowledge verse 99. I have more understanding than all my Teachers for thy Testimonies are my meditation It is necessary that they who have the greatest measure of Light and Understanding should read and meditate in the Word of God night and day that they may grow in knowledge 2. There are some sins which that Light which is in natural men cannot discover without the help of the Word and Spirit of God As for instance The first motions of sin though not consented to are sin for they are transgressions of the Law which saith Thou shalt not covet The Law doth not only say Thou shalt not consent to thou shalt not follow or yeild to thy inordinate desires but it forbids the motions themselves Thou shalt not covet Now the Apostle Paul telleth us he had not known these first motions which he calls by the name of lust to be
and instruct our Children or Servants because they are stubborn and rebellious 3. Though our Children and Servants should be hard-hearted and rebellious yet we should not forbear or cease to instruct and teach them the good word of the Lord For 1. This will be a means to break their hard hearts and lead them to Repentance and keep them from being rebellious for time to come It will break their hearts though they be as hard as the Rock Jer. 23.29 Is not my word lik as a fire saith the Lord and like a Hammer that breaketh the Rock in pieces It will be a means to lead them to repentance though they be of such a refractory spirit as to oppose the the Truth and should be such slaves to Satan as to be led captive by him when and to what he pleaseth 2 Tim. 2.24 c. The servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil who are taken captive at his will It may keep them from being rebellious for time to come Psal 78.5 7 8. He established a Testimony in Jacob and appointed a Law in Israel which he commanded our Fathers that they should make them known to their Children that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God and keep his Commandments and might not be as their Fathers a stubborn and rebellious Generation 2. We should sin against God if we should leave off teaching our Children or Servants because they carry themselves unkindly and disobediently towards us The people of Israel carried themselves stubbornly and rebelliously both against God and against Samuel 1 Sam. 8.7 19. yet Samuel tells them he would not cease to pray for them and to teach them lest he should sin against God 1 Sam. 12.23 Moreover as for me God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you but I will teach you the good and the right way It is the Will and Command of God that rebellious and hard-hearted persons should be taught his Word as we may see Ezek. 2.3 4 7. where the Lord acknowledgeth the Children of Israel to be rebellious impudent and stiff-hearted and yet he saith to the Prophet Thou shalt speak my words unto them whether they will hear or whether they will forbear for they are most rebellious And if it be Gods Command that the Rebellious should be taught his Word it must needs be a sin to forbear teaching our Families though some or all of them are rebellious persons for then we sin when we transgress any of the Commandments of God 1 John 3.4 Sin is the transgression of the Law 3. Though our Children should for the present rebel against those Instructions and Commands which they receive from us yet afterward they may consider their ways and repent and follow those Counsels and Instructions which we have given them The elder Son spoken of in the Parable at first refused to obey his Father but afterwards he repented and did what his Father commanded him Matth. 21.28 29. A certain man had two Sons and he came to the first and said Son go work to day in my Vinyard he answered and said I will not but afterwards he repented and went 4. If your Children be hard-hearted weep over them when you instruct them that may be a means to break their hearts Acts 21.13 What mean you to weep and to break my heart It is said Job 14.13 The Water wear the Stones Seeing waters will wear the stones why may not you hope by your tears to dissolve and break the stony hearts of your Children SECT 6. The Plea of such as say their Children are too young to be instructed answered Object 6 Mr Children are young and it is too soon to begin to teach them the Scriptures they can't understand any thing as yet if I should go about to teach them and besides I am afraid I should prophane the word of God and take the Name of God in vain if I should teach them whilst they are young and therefore I will let this work alone until they are grown up unto years of discretion then I will do it Answ 1. We can't begin too soon to teach our Children the word of God As soon as they have learned to speak we should endeavour to learn them the Scriptures Isa 28.9 Whom shall he teach knowledge and whom shall he make to understand Doctrine Them that are weaned from the Milk and drawn from the Brests It is said of Timothy 2 Tim. 3.15 From a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is rendred by the Vulgar Latin Ab infantia From thy Infancy and by Schmidius A primâ infantia From thy first Infancy the same greek word is translated Luke 18.15 Infants and Acts 7.19 Young Children Luke 2.12 A Babe The word imports that Timothy was taught the Scriptures very early as soon as ever he was capable of learning them That Precept which is given Prov. 22.6 Train up a Child in the Way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it implies that we should begin betimes to teach our Children the ways of the Lord. The Hebrew word used there for a Child as Schindler observes totam aetatem teneram complectitur comprehends all a mans tender years as Infancy Childhood Youth It is rendred a Babe Exod. 2.6 The Babe wept and it is applied to one that hath not capacity to discern between good and evil Isa 7.16 Before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and chuse the good So that when Solomon saith Train up a Child in the way that he should go this Precept reacheth our youngest Children and intimates we should begin very early with them to teach and instruct them as soon as there is any capacity in them to learn 2. Satan begins betimes to corrupt our Children and to teach them that which is evil We see many Children learn to lie as soon as they can speak Psal 58.3 They go astray as soon as they are born speaking lies Others learn to mock the people of God 1 King 2.23 There came forth little Children out of the City and mocked him Others learn other vices And shall not we begin as early to teach them good things as Satan begins to teach them wicked and evil things 3. There is a greater capacity in Children to learn and understand than many are aware of They are capable of receiving the holy Ghost whilst they are in their Mothers womb Luk. 1.15 41. And such on whom God pours out his Spirit whilst they are Infants are capable betimes of knowing the things of God We read Psal 8.2 Out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings hast thou ordained strength because
saving knowledge of God and Jesus Christ Even in those places in those families and in those Churches where persons injoy great means of knowledge if inquiry be made what understanding in the things of God such persons have attained unto there will be found much ignorance in many that have a long time injoyed great advantages to get knowledge The people of Israel had greater means of knowledge than any Nation under Heaven Psal 147.19 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgments unto Israel he hath not dealt so with any nation yet hear how God complains of Israels ignorance Jer 4.22 My people is foolish they have not known me they are foolish children and they have none understanding they are wise to do evill but to do good they have no knowledge The Hebrews who had excellent teaching a long time in so much that in respect of the time and means they might have been Teachers of others were so raw and weak in knowledge that it was needful for them to be instructed in the first principles of the Oracles of God Heb. 5.12 When for the time ye ought to be Teachers ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the Oracles of God The Church of Corinth had many eminent Pastors and Teachers as Paul Apollo c. and did excel in gifts 1 Cor. 5.7 In every thing ye are inriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledge so that ye come behind in no gift Yet in this eminent Church there were some found that had no knowledge of God 1 Cor. 15.34 Some have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame Now in regard there is naturally much blindness and ignorance in the minds and understandings of our children and Servants it is necessary we should labour and take great pains with them to bring them to the knowledge of God by instructing them out of Gods word if we have any regard either to the glory of God or to our own good or the good of our Children and Families For 1. The permitting of our Families to remain without the knowledge of God will bring down Gods Judgments upon them for God is wont to pour out his fury upon those persons and Families that have no knowledge of God Jer. 10.25 Pour out thy fury upon the Heathen that know thee not and upon the Families that call not upon thy Name Ignorance of God was one ground of the Lords controversie with the Land of Israel Hos 4.1 The Lord hath a Controversie with the Inhabitants of the Land because there is no truth nor mercy nor knowledge of God in the Land If where the knowledge of God is wanting in a Nation God hath a controversie with that Nation may we not also conclude that God hath a controversie and will plead his controversie with those Families where there is no knowledge of God 2. Our Children will prove great Crosses and bring much grief and sorrow upon us if we train them up in ignorance Prov. 17.25 A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her that bare him Prov. 19.13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father And as they will be a great grief to their Parents who are nursed up in ignorance so they will walk in such courses as will pierce themselves through with many sorrows Hos 13.13 The sorrows of a travelling woman shall come upon him he is an unwise son 3. If we do not instruct our Children and endeavour to instil knowledge into them they will become useless persons and spend their days in vanity and do no service for God or their Generation They will be unable to undertake and manage common and easie employments Eccles 10.15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them because he knoweth not how to go to the City What is more easie to find out than the way to a City where there is much commerce and frequent going to and fro Such persons as are foolish and indiscreet though they labour and toil in common and easie things as easie as to find the way to a City they can bring nothing to any effect And as foolish children will be unable to manage any employments of themselves so so they are unfit to be employed by others Prov. 26.6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet and drinketh damage 4. If our Children and Servants be not taught to know the Lord they cannot live godly lives but will be alienated from the life of God Ephes 4.18 Having the understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart They will be so far from leading godly lives if they be brought up in ignorance of God that they will prove vitious persons when the Israelites neglected the knowledge of God they became a sinful nation a people laden with iniquity Isa 1.3 4. Israel doth not know my people doth not consider Ah sinful nation A people laden with iniquity a seed of evil doers Children that are corrupters they have forsaken the Lord they have provoked the holy One of Israel to anger they are gone away backward The Apostle ranketh such as are without understanding among haters of God and the chiefest of sinner Rom. 1.30 31. If our Children and Servants be destitute of the knowledge of God they will be easily drawn to the vilest and most abominable sins such as Idolatry Gal. 4.8 When ye knew not God ye did service to them which by nature are no Gods Blasphemy Psal 74.18 The foolish people have blasphemed thy Name Persecution of the people of God so far as to kill and destroy them Joh. 16.2 3. They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think he doth God service and these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me Adultery Prov. 7.7 10 21 22 25. I beheld among the simple ones I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding and behold there met him a woman with the attire of an Harlot With much fair speech she caused him to yield with the flattering of her lips she forced him he goeth after her straight-way as an Ox goeth to the slaughter till a dart strike through his Liver as a Bird hasteth to the snare and knoweth not that it is for his life Such as have no instruction or being instructed do not obey the counsels that are given to them are in the ready way to run into all kind of evil Prov. 5.13 14. I have not obeyed the voice of my Teachers nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me I was almost in all evil in the midst of the Congregation and the Assembly If we tremble at the thoughts of having our Children prove Blasphemers Idolaters Adulterers Persecutors of the people of God and
salvation SECT 4. Many Benefits accrue to our Children by Instruction Motive 4 BY training up our Children in the knowledge and obedience of the Scriptures we shall greatly promote their welfare That this is the way to furnish them with wisdom and what Advantages will come to them by being endued with Wisdom hath been shewed already There are many other great Benefits and Advantages will accrue to our Children by being instructed in the Scriptures I will instance in some of them 1. Acquaintance with the Word of God will furnish them with grounds of Consolation whereby they may be able to bear up chearfully and comfort themselves under all the troubles of this present life We know not what troubles our Children may meet with when we are at Rest in our Graves we leave them in a troublesome world where they must expect to meet with variety of afflictions Job 14.1 Man that is born of a Woman is of few Days and full of trouble especially if they walk in the path that leads to life for there is no getting to Heaven but through much tribulation Act. 14.22 We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God And if our Children have not somewhat out of Gods Word to comfort themselves withall under their afflictions they will sink under their sorrows and be in danger to make away themselves Psal 119.92 Vnless thy Law had been my delight I should then have perished in mine affliction But if they be acquainted with the word of God they may from thence be furnished with grounds of Consolation under the greatest troubles that can come upon them in this world Jer. 15.16 Thy words were found and I did eat them and thy word was unto me the joy and the rejoycing of mine heart It was a time of great trouble with the Prophet and he was alone and had none to comfort him as we may see Vers 10 17 18. yet even then when he was a man of contention to the whole earth and sat alone being filled with indignation and looked upon his pain as perpetual and his wound as incurable Gods word was the joy and rejoycing of his heart So David when his heart was ready to break with grief Psal 119.28 My Soul melteth for heaviness found joy and comfort in Gods word Vers 49.50 Remember thy word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope This is my comfort in mine affliction And Vers 143 162. Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me yet thy Commandments are my delight I rejoyce at thy word as one that findeth great spoyl 2. Acquaintance with the word of God will keep our Children from taking evil and destructive courses from going in those paths that will bring them to destruction Psal 17.4 Concerning the works of men by the words of thy Lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyers The word of God laid up in their hearts will keep them from associating themselves with evil men and evil women It will so over-awe their hearts that they will not only not run of themselves into evil Company but also shun and avoid them though they use many flattering speeches to entice them to that which is evil Prov. 7.15 My Son keep my words and lay up my Commandments with thee That they may keep thee from the strange woman from the stranger which flattereth with her words See also Prov. 6.23 24. 3. The knowledge of Godsword will keep them from falling into Errors which persons of weak Judgments and not well grounded in the Scriptures are easily drawn into Errors arise from ignorance of the Scriptures Mark 12.24 Do ye not therefore err because ye know not the Scriptures neither the power of God Growing in knowledge is prescribed by the Apostle as a means to prevent persons being led into errors 2 Pet. 3.17 18. We had need be careful to preserve our Children from Errors especially in Fundamental Points of Religion as well as from gross sins For 1. Except they abide in the Doctrine of Christ they can have no enjoyment of God 2 John 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son 2. Heresies are manifest works of the flesh as well as Adultery and Murder and such-like sins and will as certainly exclude men from the Kingdom of Heaven as the grossest sins as we may see Gal. 5.19 20 21. 4. If we instruct our Children in the knowledge of Gods word that will guide and direct them how to carry on all their undertakings and how to manage the great Turns and Changes of their Lives and all their other affairs Psal 119.105 Thy word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path And the Lord hath promised to such as converse much with his word and treasure it up in their hearts that his word shall lead and guide them in all their ways and they shall have such plain direction from his word how to order their Affairs as if they heard one talking with them and saying this is the way walk therein Prov. 6.21 22 23. Bind them continually upon thine heart When thou goest it shall lead thee when thou sleepest it shall keep thee when thou wakest it shall talk with thee For the Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light and Reproofs of Instruction are the way of life Isa 30.21 Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying This is the way walk ye in it when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left 5. It will help our Children even whilst they are young to reform their lives Psal 119.9 Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word It will keep them from sinning against God Psal 119.11 Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee It will cause them to do those things which are right in the sight of God 2 Kings 12.2 And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days wherein Jehoiada the Priest instructed him Now who is there that feareth the Lord that would not most gladly have his Children reform their lives and be kept from sinning against God and do that which is right in the sight of the Lord 6. By leaving our Children instructed in Gods word we shall leave them better than if we were able to leave them thousands of pounds of Silver and Gold For the Law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of Gold and Silver Psal 119.72 7. Godly Parents may have all that they can desire on the behalf of their Children if they do train them up in the knowledge and obedience of the Scriptures Do we desire that our Children should be brought to know and fear the Lord This may be effected by causing them to treasure up Gods word in their hearts
shall be saved In a word whatever Duties have a promise of Salvation annexed to the performance of them instruct them in the nature and stir them up to the practice of those Duties IV. Teach them Seasonable Truths The more suitable and seasonable the Instructions are which you give your Families the more good they will receive from them Prov. 15.23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth and a word spoken in due season how good is it By teaching them seasonable Truths I mean 1. That you should suit your Instructions to their state and condition whether they be in a state of nature or a state of grace under temptations and spiritual trouble or free from it in a sleepy secure condition or in an awakened convinced condition but not converted or if converted consider whether they go forward and walk as becometh the Gospel or whether they decline and walk unsuitable to their profession 2. Caution them against the sins of the times and places where they live or where their lot is like to be cast in time to come and caution them against the sins that their age condition constitution or calling are liable to be assaulted withall Thus the Apostle counsels Timothy who was a young man to flee youthful lusts 2 Tim. 2.22 and cautions him against such sins as he would be incident to in the discharge of his Calling as Partiality 1 Tim. 5.21 Rashness vers 22. c. 3. Have an eye to the various Dispensations of Gods Providence both towards the Nation and your own or other Neighbouring Families and instruct them how to improve such Providences As for instance if the Lord send the Sword or Pestilence or Famine or any other great Judgment upon the Nation teach them what duties God expects from them under such Judgments and what means they should use that they may be hid in the day of the Lords anger and be preserved in time of common calamity Or if God send sickness or death or any other affliction into your own or your Neighbouring Families teach them what use they should make of such afflictions 4. If there arise any errors or any Seducers come into the places where you live caution them against those errors and bid them beware of those Seducers and establish their Judgments in the belief of those Truths which are opposite to those Errors that so they may not be led away by them Suit your Instructions to their Capacities and teach them such things as they are most capable to understand When our LORD JESUS CHRIST instructed the People he had respect unto the Capacities of his Hearers Mark 4.33 With many such Parables spake He the Word unto them as they were able to bear John 16.12 I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now The like also we may see in his Apostles 1 Corinth 3.1 2. And I Brethren could not speak unto you as unto Spiritual but as unto Carnal even as unto Babes in Christ I have fed you with Milk and not with Meat For hitherto ye were not able to bear it neither yet are ye now able SECT 3. What manner of Instruction is most edifying What are edifying Duties Direct 3 IF you would convert edifie and save the Souls of such as are under your charge by those Instructions which you give unto them do not only teach them sound and Soul-saving Doctrine but teach them in an edifying manner The manner as well as the matter of Instruction conduceth much to edification Act. 14.1 They SO spake that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed There is an emphasis in the word so which respecteth the manner of their teaching the manner of their teaching was such that it became successful for the converting of great multitudes to the Faith of Christ If any say In what manner should we teach our Families so as to promote their Edification I answer 1. Search out suitable and pertinent Scriptures for proving and explaining those points wherein you purpose to instruct them and digest them into a good method Such a course as this the Preacher took in teaching the people Eccles 12.9 Because the Preacher was wise he still taught the people knowledge yea he gave good heed and sought out and set in order many Proverbs And by his selecting choice portions of Scripture and setting them in order his words became like Goads and Nails that pierced deep and stuck fast in the hearts of his Hearers vers 11. The Word of God aptly and rightly applied hath great force to work upon the Conscience Job 6.25 How forcible are right words 2. Explain the sence and meaning of those Scriptures which you teach your Families if they contain any difficulties that are above their understandings Neh. 8.8 So they read in the Book in the Law of God and gave the sence and caused them to undersand the reading The Lord commanded the Jews not only to train up their Children in the use but to teach them the meaning of his Ordinances Exod. 12.26 27. It shall come to pass when your Children shall say unto you What mean you by this service That ye shall say It is the Sacrifice of the Lords Passover who passed over the Houses c. The plainer you make the Truths which you teach your Families the greater efficacy they will have upon their hearts to produce Faith and Obedience John 16.29 30. Lo now thou speakest plainly and speakest no Proverbs Now are we sure that thou knowest all things By this we believe 3. Teach them that the Scriptures are the word of God and advise them to receive those Counsels Reproofs and Exhortations which you give them out of the Scriptures not as yours but as the Counsels Reproofs and Exhortations of God Exhort them to look upon the Doctrines Precepts Threatnings Promises c. which are contained in the Scriptures to be as truly and really the word of God and to be embraced with the same Faith and ready Obedience as if they heard God speaking the same things with an audible Voice from Heaven This perswasion will make those Instructions which you give them out of the Scriptures to take place and work effectually upon their hearts 1 Thes 2.13 When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which worketh effectually in them that believe 4. Teach them to make a particular application to their own Souls of those Instructions which you give them out of the Scriptures As the Prophet Malachy made a particular application of what he taught the Priests Mal. 2.1 And now O ye Priests this Commandment is for you So must Parents deal with their Children O my Children this Commandment of keeping holy the Sabbath day of loving God with all your heart and your Neighbour as your self c. is for you And this Threatning If you
live after the flesh you shall die the Companion of Fools shall be destroyed c. is for you you shall die as well as any persons in the world if ye live after the flesh and if ye will keep evil company c. And this promise is for you They that seek the Lord shall want no good thing c. If you will seek the Lord he will give you all good things And the example of Gods Judgments on such as murmured and such as committed fornication c. was written for your admonition to deter you from committing those sins 1 Cor. 10.8 10 11. When Eliphaz had been instructing Job in several things concerning the misery of wicked men the nature of afflictions the blessings that God bestoweth on godly men c. he concludes his discourse thus Job 5.27 Lo this we have searched it so it is hear it and know it for thy good or as it is in the Margin for thy self From the different rendring of the last clause of this Verse we may draw this note That then a man knows Divine Truths for his good when he knows them for himself that is the way for a man to get good by the knowledge of Divine Truths is to make a particular application of them to his own Soul 5. When you instruct them in the performance of any duty either towards God or their Neighbour teach them how and in what manner to perform that duty shew them also the necessity of it and the advantages and benefits that will come to them if they follow your counsel and the evils that will befall them if they neglect it Thus David instructed Solomon he exhorts him to know and serve the Lord 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my Son know thou the God of thy Father and serve him Then he shews him in what manner he must serve the Lord willingly and sincerely Serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind He tells him why it was necessary that he should serve the Lord with a perfect heart and with a willing mind For the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts He acquaints him also with the benefit that he should receive if he would seek and serve the Lord If thou seek him he will be found of thee and with the evils that would come upon him if he forsook the Lord But if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever It is said of Solomon Eccles 12.10 The Preacher sought out acceptable words or as some render it verba desiderii words that might stir up desires after those things which he taught the people words that might win and gain upon their affections Follow Solomon's example in teaching your Children seek out such Scriptures as may put an edge upon their affections and inflame them with a desire to practise those things which you teach them to be their duty Consider also what may dicourage or hinder them from the performing those Duties which you press upon them and endeavour to remove those hindrances for what the Apostle saith in another case 2 Thes 2.7 the same is true here That which now letteth will let until it be taken out of the way 6. So teach them their duty as also to direct them where they may have strength to perform it And to that end guide them to Christ without whom they can do nothing John 15.5 Without me ye can do nothing and by whose help they shall be able to do all things Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthneth me By which means when they find no strength in themselves they shall be able to say they have it in Christ Surely shall one say In the Lord have I Righteousness and Strength Isa 45.24 And seeing Christ conveys his strength to us in a way of Reliance upon him for it is through faith that out of weakness we are made strong Heb. 11.34 and seeing faith is helped much by the promises when you instruct them in their duty guide them to some promise of the Covenant of Grace where God hath promised to inable them to perform that duty that so by the help of the promises they may trust in Christ to work all their works in them and for them and may through faith in him receive strength to walk before God in newness of Life Thus when the Apostle taught the Romans that they should not let sin have dominion over them Rom. 6.12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal Bodies that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof He presently puts them in mind of a promise wherein the Lord hath promised so to over-rule us by his grace that sin shall not have the Dominion over us vers 14. Sin shall not have the Dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace 7. If you would so instruct your Families as to edifie them in your Teaching then stir them up to the practise of those Duties which make for their edification As First To walk in the fear of the Lord Act. 9.31 The Churches were edified walking in the fear of the Lord. Secondly To live in love and peace 1 Cor. 8.1 Charity edifieth Ephes 4.16 Maketh increase of the Body unto the edifying of it self in love Rom. 14.19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace and things wherewith we may edifie one another Thirdly To get Faith and to live by Faith after they have gotten it 1 Tim. 1.4 Godly edifying which is in faith Fourthly To pray in a fervent gracious spiritual manner Jude 20. But ye Beloved building up your selves in your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost Fifthly To meditate often on what you have taught them 1 Tim. 4.15 Meditate upon these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear unto all SECT 4. What are the fittest times and seasons for instructing our Families Direct 4 THe seasonableness of a work makes it amiable Eccles 3.1 11. To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven He hath made every thing beautiful in his time The seasonableness of a work renders it also the more successful Psal 1.3 He shall be like a Tree planted by the Rivers of waters that bringeth forth his fruit in his season and whatsoever he doth shall prosper Such as are Rulers of Families must not only provide meat for their Families but meat in due season and by so doing he that is the supreme Lord of all Families shall give them his blessing Matth. 24.45 46 47. Who then is a faithful and wise Servant whom his Lord hath made Ruler over his Houshold to give them meat in due season Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Verily I say unto you That he shall make him Ruler over all his goods Now concerning the times and seasons that you should take for the doing this work
made the same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord Lord and Christ Now when they heard this they were pricked in their heart 2. To demonstrate to them out of the word of God the evil and danger of those things for which you rebuke them for Gods word is called the Sword of the Spirit Ephes 6.17 No sword cuts and pierces like the sword of the Spirit For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit and the Joynts and Marrow and is a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4.12 6. Reprove with wisdom for when a Reproof is managed wisely it becomes more amiable and successful Prov. 25.12 As an ear-ring of Gold and an Ornament of fine Gold so is a wise Reprover upon an obedient ear Our wisdom must be discovered in taking the fittest time for giving a Reproof and doing it in a judicious manner Eccles 8.5 A wise mans heart discerneth both time and judgment We must take the fittest time we must not defer too long We must do it when we are in the best capacity to give and the offending party to receive a Reproof We must reprove with Judgement which will teach us to weigh and consider the nature of the Offence and the Offender Some persons are of a more softly yielding disposition than others a word will do more with one than many blows with another Prov. 17.10 A Reproof entreth more into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool Some Offences are more heinous for their own nature and for their circumstances than others In some cases we are to rebuke secretly Mat. 18.15 Go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone In some cases we are to rebuke publickly in the presence of all 1 Tim. 5.20 Them that sin rebuke before all that others also may fear Wisdom will direct us what to do in these and other such like Cases Eccles 10.10 Wisis profitable to direct And that we may manage this work the more wisely we must not go about it rashly but consult with our selves about the fittest season and best manner of giving a Reproof Neb. 5.7 Then I consulted with my self and rebuked the Nobles Prov. 13.10 With the well-advised is wisdom 7. Look to God for Direction Courage and Success in giving a Reproof and rest upon him for his blessing for the success of every work we take in hand depends upon Gods blessing And therefore we must pray to God to assist accept and prosper us in this work And as we must pray so also rest upon God for his blessing in the administring a Reproof whether it be to such as are unconverted or to such as are in a state of Grace for God hath promised to bless Reproof to both sorts To such as are gracious Prov. 19.25 Reprove one that hath understanding and he will understand knowledge To such as are yet in their sins Pro. 24.25 To them that rebuke him that is a wicked person spoken of ver 24. shall be delight and a good blessing shall come upon them 8. Reprove and tell them of their faults with a tender compassionate heart not in an insulting way or in a way of jesting or jearing but rather mourning over them and for them Phil. 3.18 Many walk of whom I told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are Enemies of the Cross of Christ When the Apostle wrote an Epistle to the Corinthians to reprove them for their indulging the incestuous person he tells them Out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears 2 Cor. 2.4 SECT 8. The Benefits of Correction Directions for Correcting Children Direct 8 IF Reproofs do not prevail with your Children to practise those things which you teach them out of the Scriptures correct them Correction joyned with Instruction rightly administred is the way to make our Children holy and gracious Prov. 19.15 The Rod and Reproof give Wisdom but a Child left to himself bringeth his Mother to shame It maketh Children prove great blessings and comforts to their Parents Prov. 29.17 Correct thy Son and he shall give thee rest yea he shall give delight unto thy Soul Correction will be a means of preventing their eternal Damnation by effecting their Reformation Prov. 23.13 14. With-hold not Correction from the Child for if thou beatest him with the Rod he shall not die Thou shalt beat him with the Rod and shalt deliver his Soul from Hell Though they be never so much addicted to any sin which seems to be deeply and fast rooted in their Souls Correction prudently and rightly administred will be a means to reform them and make them leave their sins Prov. 22.15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a Child but the Rod of Correction will drive it far from him Prov. 20.30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil so do stripes the inward parts of the Belly If any ask How should we correct our Children so as to make our Corrections become effectual for their good I answer 1. Begin with them betimes before they have got too great an head or are habituated to sin A Twig is easily bent and made straight whilst it is young but being let alone for some years it becomes inflexible Prov. 19.18 Chasten thy Son while there is hope Prov. 13.24 He that spareth his Rod hateth his Son but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes 2. Be not overcome with fond pity either by their crying or pleading with you to with-hold correction from them when you see it meet and necessary to correct them Prov. 19.18 Chasten thy Son while there is hope and let not thy Soul spare for his crying They had better cry and roar under your Rod than roar under Gods wrath in Hell to all Eternity 3. Joyn Faith and Prayer with your Corrections Pray to God to bless the Corrections as well as the Instructions which you give your Children and though you see no present fruit of your Corrections yet be not discouraged but rest upon Gods promises who hath promised that Correction shall make our Children leave their sins Prov. 22.15 and be a means to save their souls Prov. 23.13 14. 4. In correcting your Children imitate God in correcting his Children As for instance 1. God joyns Instruction with Correction and thereby his Corrections come to have a blessed effect upon his Children Psal 94.12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest O Lord and reachest him out of thy Law Deal thus with your Children when you chasten them teach them out of the Scriptures the evil of those things for which you correct them 2. When God chastens he doth not only shew us our sins but layeth his commands upon us to leave off our sins Job 36.8 9 10. If they be holden in cords of affliction then he sheweth them their work and their transgression that they have
instil Grace into their hearts and to convert them to God Psal 34.16 Come ye Children hearken unto me I will teach you the fear of the Lord. We should not only teach our Children to know the Lord but we must also teach them to fear the Lord. It may be you will say Can we instil Grace into our Children Can we put the fear of God into their hearts Can we give them Repentance I answer No but we may use the means and in so doing we may hope for Gods blessing If you ask What means should we use to instil Grace into and convert such of our Families as are in a graceless unconverted condition I answer 1. Warn them of the danger of a graceless unconverted condition tell them That except they be converted they cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 18.3 and that if they do not repent they will most certainly perish be cast into everlasting burnings Luk. 13.3 Mat. 13.41 42. And therefore warn them often of the danger of living and dying in an impenitent condition Warning persons of the danger and damnable nature of sin is an effectual means to prevent their dying in their sins and to bring them to repentance and salvation 2 Chron. 19.10 Ye shall warn them that they trespass not against the Lord Ezek. 3.21 He shall surely live because he is warned Ezek. 33.5 He that taketh warning shall deliver his Soul If you find that after many warnings there is no amendment yet cease not to warn them day after day and year after year and that with much tenderness till you see some fruit of your labours Act. 20.31 By the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears 2. Take all occasions to discourse with them about the things of God especially of those things wherein you have formerly instructed them out of the Word of God Good Discourse is a means of conveying Grace to those with whom we converse Ephes 4.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister Grace to the Hearers 3. Reprove them when they do that which is contrary to the Will of God and if Reproofs will not make them reform joyn Correction with Reproof Reproof and Correction are means of instilling grace into our Children Prov. 29.15 The Rod and Reproof give Wisdom 4. Stir them up to consider their ways how contrary they are to the Word of God and what will be the fruit and effect of their sins if they repent not A serious consideration of our ways is a means of leading us to repentance Psal 119.59 I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto thy Testimonies Ezek. 18.28 Because he considereth and turneth away from all his transgressions 5. Stir them up to read and meditate upon the Word of God that may be a means of converting their Souls Psal 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul 6. Cause them to attend upon the Publick Ministry of the Word The preaching of the Word is the usual means of working Grace in our hearts Jam. 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us with the Word of Truth Acts 10.44 While Peter yet spake these words the holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word 7. Exhort them to forsake ungodly company and to walk and converse with them that fear God Prov. 9.6 Forsake the foolish and live and walk in the way of understanding Prov. 13.20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise 8. Be earnest with God to give them saving Grace By prayer to God we may obtain Grace for others as well as for our own Souls 1 John 5.16 If any man see his Brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death Secondly If upon discoursing with your Families you find they profit by the Instructions you give them and that they obey from the heart that Form of Doctrine which you deliver to them and that they grow in Grace and in the knowledge of JESUS CHRIST Then 1. Be thankful to God for blessing your Labours Rom. 6.17 God be thanked that ye were the Servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine which was delivered you 2. Love the Lord for causing your Family to flourish and prosper by those instructions that you give them Cant. 7.11 12. Come my Beloved let us go up early to the Vineyards let us see if the Vine flourish whether the tender Grape appear and the Pomegranates bud forth there will I give thee my loves Our Families may be compated to Vineyards the Wife is resembled by the Psalmist to a Vine and the Children to Olive-Plants Psal 128.3 The Governour of the Family is placed in this Vineyard as Adam was in Eden to dress it and to keep it Now such of us as are made keepers of Vineyards should be often looking whether the Vine flourish whether the tender Grape appear and when we go about this work we should call to CHRIST to go with us and assist us And if we find any Grapes though they be but tender yea if we perceive but any Buds any thing that gives us hope of Fruit we should give the Lord JESUS not only our love but our loves that is we should love him abundantly for 't is He that gives a Blessing to our Labours 1 Cor. 3.6 I have planted Apollo watered but God gave the increase 3. Exhort them to look to themselves that they do not lose what you have by Gods Blessing wrought in them that so neither you nor they may lose your Reward 2 John 8. Look to your selves that ye lose not those things which we have wrought but that we may receive a full Reward When Jesus saw some of the Jews believing he exhorted and incouraged them to continue in his word John 8.30 31. As he spake these words many believed on him then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him If ye continue in my word then are ye my Disciples indeed 4. Endeavour to make them more Fruitful Thus God dealeth with his Children that bring forth fruit he teacheth and helpeth them to bring forth more Fruit John 15.2 Every Branch that beareth Fruit he purgeth it that it may bring forth more Fruit. The more fruitful any Christian is the more glory he bringeth to God vers 8. Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit 5. Direct them to the right end in bearing Fruit which is not any selfish interest for that Fruit which is brought forth for selfish ends is in Gods account as good as none Hos 10.1 Israel is an empty Vine he bringeth forth fruit unto himself The glorifying and pleasing God is that which we must aim at in our bearing fruit Rom. 7.4 That we should bring forth fruit unto God 6. Endeavour that they may
sin if it had not been for the Law of God Rom. 7.7 Nay I had not known sin but by the Law for I had not known lust except the Law had said Thou shalt not covet Not to believe in Jesus Christ is a great sin it is a sin for which God will damn men at the day of Judgment Mark 16.16 He that believeth not shall be damned Now the Light of Nature doth not convince a man that it is a sin not to believe in Jesus Christ it is by the Scripture which holdeth forth the damnable nature of this sin of not believing in Jesus Christ John 3.18 He that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the onely begotten Son of God And by the help of the Spirit that we come to be convinced of the sin of not believing in Christ John 16.8 9. And when he that is the Spirit which is the Comforter spoken of in the former verse is come he will reprove the world of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgment of Sin because they believe not in me And as there are some sins of which natural Light doth not convince a man so those sins of which it doth convince a man it doth not convince with such clearness and power as the Law doth which stops a mans mouth and makes him fall down before God as as a lost undone Creature Rom. 3.19 20. Now we know that what things soever the Law saith it saith to them who are under the Law that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God By the Law is the knowledge of sin 3. There are several Points of the Christian Religion of great moment which that Light that is in natural men discovereth not neither can we know them any other ways but by the help of the Scriptures or by immediate Revelation from God As for instance To know and believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah is of such moment as that we can't be saved unless we believe him to be the Messiah John 8.24 I said therefore unto you That ye shall die in your sins for if ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sins Now this knowledge Flesh and Blood Nature in its highest improvements cannot attain it must either be by Revelation from God Matth. 16.15 16 17. Whom say ye that I am And Simon Peter answered and said Thou art Christ the Son of the living God And Jesus answered and said unto him Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in Heaven Or by the help of the Scriptures And therefore when Apollos would convince the Jews that Jesus was the Christ he did it by the Scriptures Acts 18.28 For he mightily convinced the Jews and that publickly shewing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ And this way the Apostle Paul took also he alledged those Scriptures that spoke of the Messiah and explained them and thereby proved to them that Jesus of Nazareth was Christ And Paul as his manner was went in unto them and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures opening and alledging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the dead and that this Jesus whom I preach unto you is Christ It is of great moment to know what that Righteousness is whereby a Sinner should come to be justified in the sight of God If a man be ignorant of this Righteousness he will seek to establish his own and will not submit to the Righteousness of God Rom. 10.3 For they being ignorant of Gods Righteousness and going about to establish their own Righteousness have not submitted themselves unto the Righteousness of God The Light of Nature cannot find out this Righteousness it is no where revealed but in the Gospel Rom. 1.16 17. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth to the Jew first and also to the Greek for therein is the Righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith as it is written The Just shall live by faith That there are Three Persons and yet but One God is plainly revealed in the Scriptures 1 John 5.7 There are Three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these Three are One But without the help of the Scriptures the Light of Nature can attain to but little or no knowledge of this great Mystery And as there are some Doctrines so also some Duties in the Christian Religion which the Light of Nature cannot discover As for instance Baptizing of persons with water in the Name of the Father Son and holy Ghost is an Ordinance of Jesus Christ which he would have continued and with which he will afford his presence to the end of the world Matth. 28 19 20. So also is eating Bread and drinking Wine in the Lords Supper and Ordinance of Christ to be continued in the Church till his coming to Judgment 1 Cor. 11.26 As often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lords death till he come But natural Light doth not teach a man that it is his duty to be baptized or to receive the Lords Supper It is from the Scriptures we learn that Baptism and the Lords Supper are Ordinances of Jesus Christ and that the use of these Ordinances is to be continued in the Church of Christ to the end of the World 4. The Light which we must attend unto and follow and by which we must order our Lives and Conversations is the Mind and Will of God revealed in the Scriptures 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure Word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place until the Day dawn and the Day-star arise in your hearts Observe here First That the Light to which the Apostle would have us take heed and saith they do well who take heed to it is the Word of Prophecy by the Word of Prophecy he understands the Scriptures which were written and delivered to us by the Prophets as is evident from the ensuing word Knowing this first that no Prophecy of the Scriptures c. Secondly It is our duty to take heed to the word of Prophecy as long as we live in this world Whereunto ye do well to take heed until the Day dawn and the Day-star arise in your hearts By the Day-star is meant Jesus Christ Rev. 22.16 I am the bright and morning Star By the Day is not meant only or chiefly the day of Grace or the day of the Gospel for these days had already dawned upon those persons to whom the Apostle wrot this Epistle for he saith of them They knew and were established in the present truth vers 12. They were not only acquainted with the Doctrine of the Gospel
the very act of sin as they were offering up strange fire fire came from the Lord and consumed them Eli's children were such sons of Belial that their wickedness caused men to abhor the offerings of the Lord 1 Sam. 2.12 17 David met with much affliction in his children Amnon ravished his sister Tamar Absolom killed Amnon when his heart was merry with wine Absolom was cut off in the Act of his Rebellion Adonijah seeks the Crown which his father had devolved upon his son Solomon Our Lord Jesus Christ himself had a select Family consisting of twelve Apostles whom he chose out of all Israel and whom he often instructed with great power for his word was with power Luke 4.32 and yet one of them proved little better than a devil John 6.70 Have not I chosen you twelve and one of you is a devil He proved so vile that he betrayed his Master for thirty pieces of silver and then went and hang'd himself and went to his own place Elisha the Prophet had a lying servant Gehazi who went in his Masters name but contrary to his Masters mind to Naaman the Syrian and demanded and received for his own use a great sum of money as much as two men could carry and two changes of Garments 2 Kings 5.20 21 22 23. These examples with several others which might be produced do shew that though it be a great affliction to have evil children and evil servants yet it is a temptation common to men even to good men yea such as have befallen the best men that ever lived upon the face of the earth whose persons have been very dear and precious in the sight of God and their works and labours have been graciously accepted of him And therefore we should not be disquieted or cast down without measure because God doth not bless our labours with the converting and saving of all the members of our families neither should we conclude from hence that either our persons or our labours are not accepted with God III. Our children are Gods creatures as well as our children God hath a greater right to them and a greater interest in them than we have We were but Gods instruments to bring them into the world It was not we but God created and gave them their beings it was Gods hands that framed and fashioned their Bodies when they lay in their Mothers womb Psal 119.97 Thy hands have made and fashioned me 1 Cor. 12.24 God hath tempered the body together It is God that gave them every part of their Bodies as Skin and Bones and Flesh and Sinews Job 10.11 Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh and hast fenced me with bones and sinews And every member of their Bodies as Eyes Hands Feet c. Psal 139.16 Thine eyes did see my substance yet being imperfect and in thy Book all my members were written which in continuance were fashioned whenas yet there was none of them It was God which created their Souls after he had formed their Bodies Zech. 12.1 Saith the Lord which stretcheth forth the Heavens and layeth the foundation of the Earth and formeth the Spirit of Man within him Ezek. 18.4 Behold all Souls are mine as the Soul of the Father so also the Soul of the Son is mine the Soul that sinneth shall die It was God that drew them out of the womb Psal 22.9 Thou art he that took me out of the womb It is God that hath preserved them alive ever since they were born Psal 66.8 9. O bless our God ye people who holdeth our Soul in life And seeing God hath a far greater right to our Children than we have shall we be discontented when he disposeth of them as he seeth good May not he say to us when we repine at any thing that he doth to our children as the good Housholder said to those that murmured at him Matth. 20.13 15. Friend I do thee no wrong Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own And as our children are the works of his hands so his mercies towards his works are beyond our mercies towards those that proceed from our bowels Psal 145.9 The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works He desires their welfare both here and for ever more than we can do Job 14.15 Thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands Deut. 5.29 O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always that it might be well with them and with their Children for ever Now if the Lord whose tender mercies are over all his works and who desireth our Childrens welfare more than we our selves do saw cause to cast away the works of his own hands into eternal torments shall we by our discontent go about to controul God in what he hath done as though we were wiser or more merciful than He IV. Though there be a great depth in Gods Judgments and such as we can't search out the reason of them why sometimes he converteth one and leaveth another to perish in his sins although both are born of the same Parents and live under the same means of grace Yet he is always Just and Righteous and True and Faithful in all his ways The Apostle was a man of a deeper insight into the mysteries of the Gospel than we are yet he confesseth some of Gods ways to be unsearchable Rom. 11.34 O the depth of the Riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments and his Ways past finding out Whatever Judgments God inflicts upon Nations or particular Persons though we may not be able to fathom the reason of them yet we must believe that all that the Righteous God doth is Just and True and that he never acts contrary to the Truth of his Word or against the Rules of Justice Rev. 15.3 They sing the Song of Moses the Servant of God and the Song of the Lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty Just and True are thy Ways thou King of Saints This Song was sung upon the pouring out of the seven last Plagues in which was filled up the Wrath of God verse 1. From hence it is evident that the Lord doth nothing beyond the Rules of Justice or contrary to his Truth when he poureth out his wrath to the utmost either upon a Nation or upon particular persons When the children of godly Parents sin against God and God casteth them away for their sins he doth not by this act pervert Justice and Equity Job 8.3 4. Doth God pervert Judgment Or doth the Almighty pervert Justice If thy Children have sinned against him and he have cast them away for their transgression Now when God doth those things which are Just and Right we should be so far from murmuring that vve should praise and honour God although vve our selves should suffer deeply by those Judgments After Nebuchadnezzar
a thousand times more value than many Sparrows And seeing it is God hath done it how grievous and bitter soever it be unto your Souls you must bear it with patience Psal 39.9 10. I was dumb I opened not my mouth because thou diddest it And this was no small stroke under which David was dumb because the Lord gave him the blow but it was so great as that he was even consumed with it as the next words shew Remove thy stroke away from me I am consumed by the blow of thine hand By his being consumed we may understand the greatness of his grief as Psal 31.9 Mine eye is consumed with grief yea my soul and my belly yet under this great stroke which consumed his Soul and his Body with grief he was dumb and opened not his mouth because God did it Whatsoever cometh from the hands of God must be born with silence and submission to his will although it be so sharp and bitter as that it will make us go mourning as long as vve live Isa 38.15 What shall I say He hath spoken unto me and himself hath done it I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my Soul And as vve must be patient under all our griefs so we must contentedly bear vvhatever grievous things befal our children Jer. 10.19 20. Wo is me for my hurt my wound is grievous but I said Truly this is a grief and I must bear it My Children are gone forth of me and are not II. God is righteous in vvhat he hath done to your Children although he hath cast them into eternal torments If you think it not consistent with Righteousness and Equity to punish the sins of a few years vvith endless and eternal torments consider 1. That the Scriptures assure us that the Lord is righteous in all his vvays Psal 145.18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works And if the Lord be righteous in all his ways then also in this vvay of his Providence vvhen he condemneth vvicked men to eternal torments for the sins they committed in that short space of time they lived in the vvorld Yea more particularly vve find the Scriptures ascribing Righteousness to God in this very case vvhen he punisheth ungodly persons vvith everlasting torments 2 Thes 1.6 9. It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2. The Angels are more glorious Creatures than the Souls of Men yet vvhen they sinned against God the Lord did not spare them but for their first sin cast them down into hell 2 Pet. 1.4 God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into Chains of Darkness to be reserved unto Judgment And that they shall be punished in Hell vvith everlasting torments is evident from Matth. 25.41 Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels And this he did vvithout affording them any means of their recovery from their sin and misery vvhich vvas granted to fallen man Heb. 2.16 For verily he took not on him the Nature of Angels but he took on him the Seed of Abraham Now seeing God cast those glorious Creatures the Angels into eternal torments for their first transgression and did not spare them one day or afford them any means of recovery after their fall shall vve think that God deals hardly vvith the Sons of men in condemning them to eternal torments vvhenas he afforded them means of grace and salvation and gave them a long time and space for their Repentance vvaiting day after day and year after year for their returning to him Is not this far greater mercy and less severity then vvas shewn to the fallen Angels 3. Sin is committed against an eternal God against an infinitely holy great and glorious GOD and therefore deserveth an infinite and eternal punishment We do not understand or at least vve do not consider what an odious thing Sin is and what a great God the Lord is and vvhat an infinite distance there is between the great and holy God and a poor sinful man vvhen vve think that the Lord deals hardly vvith sinners in punishing their sins vvith eternal torments What an hainous crime is it for man who is but a poor vvorm made of dust and ashes to affront despise and rebel against the great GOD of Heaven and Earth vvho gave him his Being and loadeth him vvith his Benefits every day To tread the Laws of God under his feet and to cast his vvord behind his back to slight all his Promises and Threatnings to contemn all his offers of Grace and Mercy and though he wait with much patience and long-suffering many days and years for his Repentance to refuse to return and obey the Voice of his Creator Doth not such a despising of the Eternal Immortal Ever-Blessed God deserve to be punished with eternal Torments 4. It is accounted no injustice among men to inflict a punishment of long continuance for a crime that was committed in a very short time If Murder Adultery Treason or some other capital Offence which was committed in the space of a few minutes be punished with perpetual imprisonment or perpetual banishment no man counts it injustice or thinks the Offender is hardly dealt with because he is so long punish'd for an offence committed in so short a time Why then should any man think that the Righteous God dealeth hardly or unjustly in punishing sinners with perpetual torments for the sins they committed those few years they lived in the world 5. It was their own choice to embrace eternal death God set before them Life and Death He told them if they did evil they should die eternally but if they would repent and do that which is good in his sight they should have everlasting life and he called upon them earnestly to chuse Life rather than Death Deut. 30.15 19. See I have set before you this day life and good death and evil Therefore chuse life He offered them Life in his Son and they would not go unto him for it John 5.40 And ye will not come to Me that ye might have life He protested solemnly to them that he was loth they should die and therefore pleaded with them Why will ye die Ezek. 33.11 Say unto them As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live Turn ye turn ye from your evil ways for why will ye die O House of Israel And therefore they must blame themselves not the Lord for their being cast into eternal Torments 6. Had they been permitted to have lived for ever upon the face of the Earth they would have sinned for ever The heart of the Sons of men is fully set in them to do evil
you must take heed of being swallowed up with over-much sorrow Satan labours what he can to keep us under blindness and hardness of heart and to hinder us for mourning for our sins but when he cannot do that because God hath opened our eyes and affected our hearts with the sight of our sin and misery he will endeavour to make us mourn without measure especially if we have been great sinners The incestuous Corinthian committed a great sin such as was not so much as named among the Gentiles 1 Cor. 5.1 And till he was brought to repentance the Apostle adviseth the Church of Corinth to deal sharply with him ver 4 5. but when he was humbled the Apostle adviseth the Church to comfort him and why Least perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with over-much sorrow 2 Cor. 12.7 2. Though this be a mighty great and crying sin for Parents by their evil example or their neglect to teach them or by any other means to be guilty of the bloud of their Childrens souls yet it is not an unpardonable sin but I may say of it as Shecaniah did to Ezra in another case Ezra 10.2 We have trespassed against our God Yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing By Faith and Repentance you may obtain forgiveness of this as well as of other sins The bloud of Christ being applied by Faith cleanseth us from all manner of sin 1 John 1.7 The bloud of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin If Christs bloud cleanseth from all sin then from being guilty of the bloud of souls as well as from other sins The merits of Christs bloud are sufficient to wash away the sins of the greatest sinners in the whole world John 1.29 Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world And all that believe in him shall for his sake receive the remission of their sins of what nature soever they have been Acts 13.38 39. Be it known unto you men and brethren that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins And by him all that believe are justified from all things from which we could not be justified by the Law of Moses Acts 10.43 To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins Such whose sins are of the deepest die who have committed scarlet and crimson sins whose hands have been full of bloud have the full and free remission of all their sins promised upon their repentance Isa 1.15 16 17 18. Your hands are full of bloud wash ye make ye clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes cease to do evil learn to do well Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool The Lord taxeth the Jews with the bloud of the Souls of poor Innocents and telleth them their guilt herein was as evident as what appeareth upon a mans skirts Jer. 2.34 Also upon thy skirts is found the bloud of the souls of poor innocents Yet to these Jews that were guilty of the bloud of souls of poor Innocents the Lord promiseth mercy upon their repentance Jer. 3.12 13. Return thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you for I am merciful saith the Lord and I will not keep mine anger for ever only acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God Who were greater sinners than they that shed the bloud of the Lord Jesus Christ Yet even to them that were guilty of the bloud of Christ the Lord promiseth remission of that and all their other sins upon their repentance Acts 3.14 15 19. Ye denied the Holy One and the Just and desired a Murderer to be granted unto you and killed the Prince of life Repent ye therefore and be ye converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. The like we have also promised Acts 2.23 38 39. where the Apostle tells them who had taken and with wicked hands had crucified and slain the Lord Jesus that they were not excluded from the promises of mercy but that upon their repentance they should receive remission of their sins 3. Testifie the truth of your repentance for suffering your deceased Children to perish through your negligence by doubling your diligence in doing what in you lieth to save the souls of your surviving Children and Servants and all others under your charge by praying to God for them night and day and instructing them in the knowledge of those things that make for their peace and shewing of them a good example and the use of all other means This will be a means to moderate your excessive sorrow and to restore peace and comfort to your souls For all Gods ways are ways of pleasantness and his paths are paths of peace Prov. 3.17 whilst we are in the way of our duty God is wont to come in with comfort SECT 5. The Plea of such as are cast down because God hath not answered their Prayers or prospered their labours answered Plea 4 IT may be some will say The ground of my trouble for my deceased Children ariseth from hence because I prayed often and earnestly for their conversion and took much pains in teaching them and yet the Lord hath cast them away and because he hath not answered my prayers nor blessed my labours I am afraid I am none of his Elect because it is said Isa 65.22 23. Mine Elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands They shall not labour in vain Answ I. This is not so to be understood as though Gods Elect did convert every soul whom they laboured by their instructions to bring home to the Lord. Jesus Christ is stiled Gods Elect Isa 42.1 Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my soul delighteth Yet we find the same Prophet bringing in the Lord Jesus speaking thus Isa 49.4 I have laboured in vain I have spent my strength for nought And when he was here upon earth many that saw his Miracles and heard his Sermons remained in their unbelief and unconverted condition Luke 16.14 John 12.37 II. You have not laboured in vain although your Children were not converted for 1. Though you did not convert your Children yet you have delivered your own soul Ezek. 3.19 If thou warn the wicked and he turn not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way he shall die in his iniquity but thou hast delivered thy soul And the delivering of your own soul is worth all your pains although you had taken a thousand times more than you have done 2. Your labour is not in vain in respect of God 1 Cor. 15.58 You know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord Although you did not