the_o great_a charity_n of_o instruct_v poor_a child_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o st._n botolph_n aldgate_n upon_o lord's-day_n mar._n 24._o 1700._o on_o the_o occasion_n of_o a_o charity-school_n new_o erect_v in_o that_o parish_n by_o josiah_n woodward_n minister_n of_o poplar_n london_n print_v by_o k._n astwood_n for_o ra._n sympson_n at_o the_o harp_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1700._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a francis_n lord_n guildford_n my_o lord_n that_o noble_a delight_n and_o industry_n wherewith_o your_o lordship_n advance_v the_o knowledge_n and_o service_n of_o god_n demonstrate_v the_o honour_n that_o almighty_a god_n do_v you_o in_o make_v you_o eminent_a in_o that_o work_n for_o which_o he_o send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n and_o on_o this_o account_n those_o school_n of_o charity_n which_o your_o lordship_n together_o with_o other_o person_n of_o great_a worth_n and_o quality_n have_v studious_o advance_v in_o this_o city_n and_o other_o part_n those_o good_a book_n which_o be_v by_o these_o mean_v distribute_v into_o poor_a family_n and_o those_o catechetical_a library_n which_o be_v about_o to_o be_v compile_v in_o this_o nation_n and_o our_o plantation_n abroad_o will_v be_v acknowledge_v with_o sensible_a respect_n and_o gratitude_n by_o all_o but_o such_o as_o have_v slight_a thought_n of_o the_o benefit_n of_o god_n manifest_a in_o the_o flesh_n to_o destroy_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n which_o be_v such_o a_o pitch_n of_o gross_a and_o odious_a insensibleness_n as_o one_o will_v hope_v can_v never_o have_v appear_v in_o a_o christian_a land_n but_o yet_o alas_o we_o have_v too_o many_o notorious_a instance_n of_o it_o through_o the_o desperate_a depravity_n of_o man_n in_o their_o mind_n and_o manner_n i_o know_v i_o need_v not_o mind_v your_o lordship_n though_o some_o other_o can_v be_v call_v upon_o too_o often_o to_o consider_v it_o that_o our_o adore_v lord_n and_o saviour_n arise_v as_o a_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n and_o truth_n to_o give_v light_n and_o warmth_n to_o this_o dark_a and_o degenerate_a world_n and_o that_o the_o splendid_a beam_n of_o his_o glorious_a gospel_n excel_v the_o 27._o the_o prov._n 20._o 27._o candle_n of_o humane_a reason_n and_o those_o taper_n which_o the_o best_a philosopher_n hold_v forth_o to_o man_n as_o much_o as_o the_o glorious_a sun_n exceed_v those_o twinkle_v lamp_n and_o torch_n wherewith_o we_o endeavour_v to_o supply_v its_o absent_a light_n yet_o alas_o through_o the_o depravity_n of_o humane_a understanding_n and_o man_n condemn_a love_n of_o darkness_n more_o than_o light_n we_o find_v some_o like_o the_o mole_n and_o bat_n decline_v the_o splendour_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o dote_v on_o the_o dimness_n of_o humane_a reason_n say_v with_o philostratus_n porphirie_n and_o the_o ancient_a humanist_n or_o rather_o with_o julian_n and_o former_a apostate_n let_v my_o soul_n take_v its_o risque_n with_o philosopher_n and_o the_o follower_n of_o natural_a reason_n rather_o than_o with_o the_o disciple_n of_o a_o reveal_v religion_n and_o the_o admirer_n of_o the_o book_n which_o god_n send_v from_o heaven_n like_o the_o wayward_a jew_n who_o be_v for_o desert_v the_o pillar_n of_o heavenly_a fire_n which_o lead_v they_o into_o canaan_n and_o conspire_v to_o make_v a_o captain_n of_o their_o own_o who_o may_v lead_v they_o back_o into_o egyptian_a darkness_n again_o a_o amaze_a choice_n and_o what_o can_v otherwise_o be_v account_v for_o but_o by_o what_o the_o apostle_n have_v tell_v we_o 4._o we_o 2_o cor._n 4._o 4._o namely_o that_o if_o the_o gospel_n be_v hide_v it_o be_v hide_v to_o they_o that_o be_v lose_v in_o who_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n have_v blind_v the_o mind_n of_o they_o that_o believe_v not_o lest_o the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o image_n of_o god_n shall_v shine_v into_o they_o we_o see_v indeed_o with_o sorrowful_a heart_n that_o it_o please_v god_n to_o permit_v the_o legion_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o darkness_n to_o oppose_v the_o kingdom_n of_o his_o dear_a son_n and_o in_o this_o great_a and_o general_a contest_v all_o man_n upon_o earth_n be_v engage_v on_o one_o side_n or_o other_o for_o our_o saviour_n have_v declare_v 30._o declare_v mat._n 12._o 30._o that_o none_o can_v be_v consider_v as_o neuter_n but_o that_o such_o as_o be_v not_o with_o he_o be_v against_o he_o and_o though_o there_o be_v but_o few_o of_o the_o devil_n be_v confederate_n that_o be_v hardy_a enough_o to_o own_o the_o side_n they_o take_v but_o call_v it_o the_o defence_n of_o humane_a reason_n or_o humane_a liberty_n or_o some_o such_o thing_n yet_o alas_o they_o busy_o do_v the_o devil_n work_n they_o sap_n the_o very_a foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v the_o only_a true_a and_o subvert_v the_o authority_n of_o its_o sacred_a author_n it_o be_v therefore_o my_o lord_n to_o the_o great_a honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o great_a comfort_n of_o devout_a mind_n that_o we_o find_v some_o person_n of_o eminent_a rank_n piety_n and_o honour_n who_o in_o the_o vigour_n of_o youth_n in_o the_o height_n of_o worldly_a blandishment_n and_o in_o the_o crowd_n of_o corrupt_a example_n brave_o trample_v on_o all_o that_o the_o usurp_a god_n of_o this_o world_n can_v offer_v to_o draw_v they_o to_o his_o party_n and_o who_o in_o christian_a zeal_n for_o the_o prince_n of_o light_n oppose_v the_o pernicious_a encroachment_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o darkness_n and_o be_v daily_o instrumental_a in_o discover_v to_o ignorant_a soul_n the_o certain_a path_n which_o lead_v to_o eternal_a light_n and_o bliss_n in_o which_o glorious_a work_n your_o lordship_n and_o the_o worthy_a gentleman_n with_o you_o be_v very_o happy_o engage_v and_o will_v certain_o find_v the_o bless_a account_n of_o it_o in_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o great_a and_o precious_a promise_n which_o be_v make_v to_o such_o as_o glorify_v their_o creator_n and_o administer_v to_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n which_o be_v thing_n most_o true_o great_a and_o noble_a for_o which_o a_o wise_a man_n will_v chief_o wish_v to_o live_v and_o a_o good_a man_n will_v not_o grudge_v to_o die_v and_o that_o your_o lordship_n may_v long_o be_v successful_a in_o these_o divine_a erterprise_n and_o at_o last_o reap_v the_o immortal_a glory_n of_o they_o be_v the_o earnest_a desire_n and_o incessant_a prayer_n of_o my_o lord_n your_o honour_n be_v most_o respectful_a and_o obedient_a humble_a servant_n josiah_n woodward_n a_o sermon_n etc._n etc._n prov_n v._o 23._o he_o shall_v die_v without_o instruction_n and_o in_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o folly_n he_o shall_v go_v astray_o solomon_n who_o have_v a_o very_a virtuous_a education_n and_o be_v honour_v with_o singular_a communion_n with_o god_n in_o his_o youth_n be_v inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o his_o infinite_a love_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o write_v this_o book_n of_o proverb_n for_o the_o instruction_n of_o youth_n as_o he_o tell_v we_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o book_n prov._n 1._o 4._o to_o teach_v the_o young_a man_n knowledge_n and_o discretion_n that_o be_v to_o show_v they_o how_o bless_v it_o be_v to_o be_v religious_a betimes_o and_o to_o embrace_v those_o principle_n of_o wisdom_n and_o virtue_n which_o all_o that_o despise_v they_o in_o their_o youth_n come_v to_o lament_v in_o their_o age_n cry_v out_o in_o the_o bitterness_n of_o their_o spirit_n at_o last_o how_o have_v i_o hate_a instruction_n and_o my_o heart_n despise_a reproof_n prov._n 5._o 12._o we_o be_v therefore_o to_o consider_v this_o wise_a prince_n as_o a_o tutor_n to_o youth_n in_o this_o chapter_n and_o we_o see_v he_o begin_v it_o like_o a_o grave_a catechist_n to_o his_o child_n my_o son_n attend_v unto_o my_o wisdom_n and_o bow_v thy_o ear_n to_o my_o understanding_n ver._n 1._o in_o which_o he_o intimate_v that_o since_o he_o speak_v to_o they_o from_o the_o bowel_n of_o a_o father_n and_o in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n all_o young_a person_n however_o conceit_v of_o their_o own_o wit_n and_o addict_v to_o their_o own_o will_n as_o youth_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v ought_v to_o submit_v and_o bow_v their_o mind_n and_o heart_n to_o his_o divine_a and_o fatherly_a instruction_n and_o know_v the_o unsteadiness_n of_o youth_n in_o virtuous_a purpose_n to_o engage_v they_o more_o firm_o herein_o he_o show_v they_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o the_o chapter_n to_o what_o a_o deplorable_a condition_n such_o young_a person_n usual_o come_v who_o slight_a the_o counsel_n of_o their_o parent_n and_o friend_n and_o run_v into_o those_o excess_n to_o which_o their_o youthful_a lust_n prompt_v they_o he_o instance_n in_o the_o lust_n of_o uncleanness_n and_o insist_o upon_o it_o throughout_o the_o great_a part_n of_o this_o chapter_n dissuade_v young_a people_n
ashamed_a to_o acknowledge_v themselves_o ignorant_a of_o that_o in_o which_o they_o perceive_v many_o little_a child_n able_a to_o be_v their_o tutor_n so_o that_o we_o can_v be_v too_o urgent_a with_o all_o parent_n and_o such_o as_o have_v the_o management_n of_o child_n that_o they_o begin_v early_o to_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o in_o their_o catochism_n and_o that_o they_o take_v care_n that_o they_o learn_v to_o read_v betimes_o that_o they_o may_v of_o themselves_o draw_v water_n out_o of_o the_o well_n of_o salvation_n for_o it_o be_v a_o most_o deplorable_a and_o move_a case_n that_o god_n shall_v send_v we_o a_o book_n from_o heaven_n concern_v our_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o that_o any_o among_o we_o shall_v say_v as_o those_o isa_n 29._o 12._o i_o can_v read_v it_o for_o i_o be_o not_o learned_a it_o be_v write_v in_o unknown_a character_n as_o to_o i_o because_o i_o be_v never_o teach_v to_o read_v we_o many_o time_n now_o hear_v such_o ignorant_a person_n blame_v their_o parent_n for_o neglect_v they_o in_o their_o youth_n when_o they_o come_v to_o perceive_v the_o want_n of_o such_o learning_n as_o they_o may_v have_v attain_v in_o their_o youth_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o too_o many_o such_o parent_n will_v hear_v the_o more_o doleful_a accusation_n and_o curse_n of_o their_o wretched_a child_n in_o their_o torment_n hereafter_o where_o it_o may_v probable_o be_v say_v by_o many_o a_o person_n have_v my_o parent_n teach_v i_o better_o i_o may_v have_v escape_v these_o everlasting_a burn_n this_o lead_v i_o to_o my_o three_o observation_n viz._n iii_o that_o the_o neglect_v of_o good_a education_n and_o early_a instruction_n be_v the_o ruin_n of_o many_o a_o person_n in_o both_o world_n '_o they_o be_v bring_v up_o negligent_o they_o live_v vicious_o and_z die_v desperate_o this_o be_v so_o sad_o verify_v in_o the_o case_n of_o eli_n son_n 1_o sam._n 3._o that_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o terrify_v every_o sensible_a person_n out_o of_o such_o neglect_n his_o son_n be_v first_o child_n of_o darkness_n than_o son_n of_o belial_n and_o then_o son_n of_o perdition_n and_o thus_o alas_o it_o usual_o fare_v with_o uncorrected_a ungoverned_a and_o uncatechize_v child_n as_o it_o will_v further_o appear_v in_o the_o five_o follow_v particular_n which_o demonstrate_v the_o dismal_a case_n of_o ignorant_a and_o undisciplined_a youth_n 1._o they_o can_v live_v as_o christian_n if_o they_o know_v not_o the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n a_o man_n can_v act_v no_o better_o than_o his_o principle_n dictate_v to_o he_o and_o such_o as_o be_v not_o teach_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v never_o like_a to_o have_v they_o a_o express_a faith_n in_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o salvation_n of_o a_o christian_a mar._n 16._o 16._o he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v but_o how_o can_v they_o believe_v on_o he_o of_o who_o they_o have_v not_o hear_v how_o can_v they_o come_v to_o know_v the_o person_n the_o office_n the_o covenant_n the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o will_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n except_o they_o learn_v it_o by_o the_o instruction_n of_o their_o parent_n and_o friend_n out_o of_o their_o bibles_n and_o catechism_n it_o be_v true_a the_o foundation_n of_o the_o sacred_a moral_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v lay_v in_o nature_n itself_o and_o the_o equity_n fitness_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o they_o be_v discernible_a by_o natural_a light_n for_o why_o of_o yourselves_o judge_v you_o not_o that_o which_o be_v right_a say_v our_o bless_a lord_n luke_o 12._o 57_o but_o then_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n be_v so_o dim_a and_o faint_a that_o it_o will_v soon_o be_v obscure_v and_o overlay_v by_o sinful_a custom_n and_o if_o the_o light_n which_o be_v in_o man_n be_v darkness_n how_o gross_a be_v that_o darkness_n mat_n 6._o 23._o how_o extravagant_o vicious_a will_v those_o affection_n and_o passion_n be_v which_o have_v no_o light_n by_o which_o they_o may_v steer_v and_o no_o good_a principle_n from_o which_o they_o may_v act_v such_o uncatechize_v child_n i_o say_v can_v be_v good_a christian_n yea_o they_o usual_o prove_v the_o worst_a of_o men._n for_o 2._o for_o want_v of_o be_v ground_v in_o the_o essential_o of_o christian_a doctrine_n they_o be_v easy_o mislead_v into_o any_o error_n or_o heresy_n it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o ever_o any_o foolish_a opinion_n start_v but_o the_o vain_a author_n find_v some_o as_o vain_a as_o himself_o to_o follow_v he_o in_o it_o as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o mahomet_n mugleton_n and_o other_o and_o it_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o ignorance_n that_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o such_o devotion_n the_o ignorant_a catch_n at_o any_o thing_n and_o hence_o proceed_v those_o unhappy_a division_n and_o party_n that_o be_v among_o we_o which_o be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n owe_v to_o the_o want_n of_o due_a catechise_v the_o enemy_n sow_v tare_n whilst_o those_o be_v asleep_a that_o shall_v have_v sow_o better_a grain_n 3._o these_o undisciplined_a and_o uncatechize_v person_n usual_o prove_v ill_a member_n of_o the_o state_n and_o the_o very_a pest_n of_o the_o neighbourhood_n in_o which_o they_o live_v one_o may_v indeed_o call_v they_o the_o very_a vermin_n of_o the_o public_a body_n hence_o come_v those_o swarm_n of_o idle_a pilfer_a and_o purloin_v people_n of_o which_o we_o hear_v daily_a complaint_n and_o feel_v the_o dismal_a effect_n some_o of_o which_o be_v so_o crafty_a in_o their_o device_n and_o so_o harden_v in_o their_o wickedness_n that_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o very_a black_a guard_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o darkness_n and_o a_o fruitful_a nursery_n of_o a_o sort_n of_o people_n which_o fill_v the_o goal_n and_o load_v the_o gallow_n a_o very_a sad_a but_o a_o very_a great_a truth_n 4._o these_o untaught_a and_o uneducated_a people_n be_v they_o who_o chief_o bring_v a_o reproach_n on_o our_o religion_n and_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n among_o we_o they_o live_v like_o infidel_n in_o a_o christian_a land_n and_o many_o of_o they_o be_v breed_v up_o to_o no_o employment_n at_o home_n be_v force_v by_o their_o necessity_n to_o seek_v their_o bread_n abroad_o and_o so_o they_o carry_v our_o shame_n together_o with_o their_o villainy_n into_o foreign_a part_n and_o many_o foreigner_n take_v up_o a_o prejudice_n against_o our_o nation_n and_o against_o our_o religion_n by_o what_o they_o see_v and_o suffer_v from_o these_o profligate_n which_o have_v prove_v a_o great_a bar_n to_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 5._o that_o which_o be_v yet_o the_o most_o dreadful_a thought_n of_o all_o be_v that_o the_o god_n that_o make_v they_o will_v reject_v they_o at_o the_o last_o they_o be_v a_o people_n of_o no_o understanding_n say_v the_o prophet_n isaiah_n therefore_o he_o that_o make_v they_o will_v not_o have_v mercy_n upon_o they_o and_o he_o that_o form_v they_o will_v show_v they_o no_o favour_n isa_n 27._o 11._o they_o bear_v the_o image_n and_o superscription_n of_o their_o father_n the_o prince_n of_o darkness_n and_o will_v be_v adjudge_v to_o he_o by_o the_o just_a judgement_n of_o he_o in_o who_o there_o be_v no_o darkness_n at_o all_o they_o have_v long_o live_v in_o defiance_n and_o enmity_n to_o he_o that_o come_v to_o be_v the_o light_n and_o life_n of_o the_o world_n they_o hate_v the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n they_o have_v please_v themselves_o with_o the_o delusion_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o therefore_o they_o fall_v a_o prey_n to_o he_o as_o apostate_n from_o their_o creator_n and_o as_o they_o love_v darkness_n more_o than_o light_n they_o must_v inevitable_o take_v their_o portion_n in_o eternal_a darkness_n for_o they_o die_v without_o instruction_n and_o go_v astray_o from_o god_n and_o his_o beatific_a presence_n o_o dreadful_a end_n of_o such_o as_o be_v neglect_v in_o reform_a enough_o to_o create_v horror_n in_o every_o soul_n that_o consider_v it_o who_o be_v there_o that_o have_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n in_o he_o that_o will_v not_o think_v a_o great_a part_n of_o his_o care_n pain_n and_o estate_n well_o lay_v out_o if_o he_o may_v but_o be_v instrumental_a to_o save_v some_o few_o yea_o but_o one_o single_a person_n from_o this_o eternal_a ruin_n and_o that_o i_o may_v incline_v every_o one_o that_o hear_v i_o to_o take_v this_o move_a and_o mournful_a case_n into_o consideration_n i_o now_o come_v to_o apply_v what_o have_v be_v say_v since_o the_o case_n of_o gross_a ignorance_n be_v thus_o dreadful_a and_o deplorable_a we_o may_v see_v infer_v 1._o to_o how_o divine_a and_o bless_a a_o state_n the_o holy_a gospel_n
from_o it_o with_o all_o the_o argument_n and_o earnestness_n that_o the_o matter_n can_v be_v press_v show_v that_o it_o be_v a_o deep_a pit_n in_o which_o people_n bury_v their_o all_o at_o once_o it_o be_v a_o vice_n that_o blind_v the_o mind_n oppress_v the_o conscience_n harden_v the_o heart_n and_o give_v such_o a_o arbitrary_a power_n to_o the_o sensual_a faculty_n as_o over-bears_a all_o that_n good_n and_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o though_o the_o beginning_n of_o such_o sinful_a way_n seem_v smooth_a as_o oil_n and_o sweet_a as_o honey_n which_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v for_o they_o yet_o they_o appear_v in_o the_o end_n as_o bitter_a as_o wormwood_n and_o sharp_a as_o a_o two_o edge_a sword_n be_v the_o direct_a road_n to_o hell_n and_o to_o eternal_a weep_v and_o wail_v for_o as_o the_o poor_a wander_a youth_n hate_v instruction_n and_o will_v not_o bear_v restraint_n but_o count_v those_o his_o enemy_n who_o show_v he_o his_o danger_n and_o admonish_v he_o to_o 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apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o all_o our_o other_o work_n though_o never_o so_o splendid_a will_v avail_v we_o nothing_o without_o charity_n 1_o cor._n 13._o and_o indeed_o there_o be_v so_o many_o command_n in_o the_o gospel_n which_o require_v it_o and_o so_o many_o promise_n which_o enforce_v it_o that_o we_o must_v quit_v our_o christian_a faith_n if_o we_o renounce_v this_o christian_a grace_n suppose_v therefore_o that_o your_o christian_a breast_n glow_v with_o charitable_a affection_n and_o disposition_n you_o have_v only_o two_o thing_n to_o look_v to_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o your_o charity_n namely_o first_o that_o you_o give_v to_o a_o good_a design_n and_o second_o that_o you_o deliver_v it_o to_o such_o hand_n as_o will_v faithful_o employ_v it_o according_a to_o your_o intention_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o first_o contribution_n towards_o the_o teach_v of_o child_n to_o read_v and_o to_o the_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n be_v one_o 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