The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…

2 And whereas many hold that it is not material, nor to be regarded, what children do, and that they are not to be examined nor censured by their doings, though they be wanton and childish, they be confuted, Pro. 20. 11. They shall be judged by their steps▪ As the blessing of Gods is upon them, that give themselves to wisdom, Psalm. 127 & 128. whom David compareth to a quiver full of arrows, & to olive branches: so doth he not spare those that do evil, although they be children. 2. Reg. 2. 24. The boys that scoffed Elisha were torn in pieces with two bears. To this the Hebrew proverb may be added, in Golgotha are¹ to be seen souls of all sizes, that is, death the reward of sin cometh on the young as well as upon the old. I saw little and great saith John, Apoc 20. 12. waiting for their judgement. Christ who hath said of himself, I have given you an example. John, 13. 13. and of whom the Divines rule is, Every action of Christ serves for our instruction, hath given² our children an example of his youth, that is, that at twelve years he was grown as much in wisdom, namely in the fear of God and in the favour of God as in years. He alloweth of the children's singing Hosanna. Mat. 21. 16. when the Pharisees thought it a foolish thing to regard the children's cry. He shows, that his father maketh an account of children, and hath no desire that they should be lost for teaching, & lost must they be, except they come³ to the Church. Therefore he giveth commandment, that they be suffered, and not forbidden, if they have any desire unto him, and therefore he pronounceth a woe upon any, that when such would come to Christ, do scandalize them either by word, counsel or example, or any other undue means keep them from coming to him.