Some Memorials to Parents
13.
Some Memorials to Parents Should I now say to parents and teachers what on their part is necessary to their great duty, and the good of youth, it would be more than all that I have said already; but that is not the present work, and you may see much of it done in my "Christian Directory."
But because so much lieth on their hands, I beseech all such that read these lines, to remember, I. How near their relation to their children is; and that for a parent to betray their souls to sin and hell, by neglect or by ill means, seems more inexcusable cruelty than for the devil, a known enemy, to do it.
II. How very much their welfare is entrusted to your care. You have the teaching of them before the ministers, and have them always nearer with you, and have greater power over them. Oh that you knew what holy instructions, and heavenly excitations, and good example God requires of you for their good, and how much of the hopes of the church and world lie on the holy skill and fidelity of parents, in the right education of youth!
III. O feed not their sinful desires and lusts; use them not to pride, to idleness, to too much fulness or pleasing of the appetite; but teach them the reasons of temperance and mortification, and the sin and mischief of all sensuality.
IV. Yet use them with tender, fatherly love, and make them perceive that it is for their own good and cherish their profitable delights; study how to make all good delightful to them, encourage and reward them. Tell them of the wisdom and goodness of God's word and let them read the lives of holy men.
V. Choose them both callings, habitations, and relations which make most for the common good, and for the advantage of their souls; and not those that most serve covetousness, pride, or slothfulness.
VI. Know their particular inclinations, corruptions, and temptations, and accordingly watch and keep them, as you would do against death.
VII. Settle them under wise and godly pastors, and in the familiar company of godly persons, especially of their age and usual converse.
VIII. Keep them as much as possible from temptations at home and abroad, especially those that tend to sensuality, and to impiety, or corrupting their judgments against religion. Thrust them not beyond sea or elsewhere unfortified among deceivers, for a mere ornament, as some cruelly do.
IX. Remember how you dedicated them to Christ in baptism, and what was promised, and what renounced, and what you bound yourselves to do.
X. Remember still how much the happiness or misery of church, and kingdoms, and of the world, doth lie on the right or wrong educating of youth, by PARENTS, much more than our UNIVERSITIES or SCHOOLS.
XI. Remember that your own comfort or sorrow in them lieth most on your own duty or neglect. If they prove wicked and plagues of the world, and you are the cause, it may tear your hearts. But what a joy is it to be the means of their salvation, and of their public service in the world!
XII. Disgrace sin to them and commend holiness by word and practice; and be yourselves what you would have them be; and pray daily for them and yourselves. The Lord bless this counsel to them and you!