A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

Fifthly, It stirreth up hearty rejoicing in the Lord, that he hath vouchsafed in tender compassion to look upon them, and their posterity, and thus to honour and advance them: for the truest Nobility is to be made a Christian, and to live in favour with God. A worldly Father would much rejoice, if his child should be preferred to some chief Office in the Princes Court, as soon as it was borne: A Christian Father hath much greater cause of joy, that he is admitted, not as a servant, but as a son and heir, into the Court of the great King of Heaven and Earth. If parents can compass but a Lease of some Farm for themselves, and theirs, they are glad: and shall they not rejoice, that God hath by covenant and seal passed the grant of the Kingdom of Heaven to them and theirs?

Fiftly, It stirreth vp heartie reioycing in the Lord, that hee hath vouchsafed in tender compassion to looke vpon them, and their posteritie, and thus to honour and aduance them: for the truest Nobilitie is to bee made a Christian, and to liue in fauour with God. A worldly Father would much reioyce, if his childe should bee preferred to some chiefe Office in the Princes Court, assoone as it was borne: A Christian Father hath much greater cause of ioy, that he is admitted, not as a seruant, but as a sonne and heire, into the Court of the great King of Heauen and Earth. If parents can compasse but a Lease of some Farme for •hemselues, and theirs, they are glad: and shall they not reioyce, that God hath by couenant and seale passed the grant of the Kingdome of Heauen to them and theirs?

Sixthly, It stirreth up parents to be diligent and careful ⟨p. 422⟩to bring up their children in information and fear of the Lord, being instant with God to bless their endeavours for the good of their children, and the glory of his name. For thus faith persuadeth: Thy child is not thine, but the Lords: thou hast dedicated him unto the service of his Maiest•e, and he from whom thou receivedst him at first, hath committed him to thy charge, to be trained up in his fear. It is a great honour to be trusted with such a chrge, and it is a fearful sin to neglect so great a trust. Wilt thou consecrate thy child to God this day, and leave him to the Devil for ever after? Wilt thou teach him a trade, that he might live as a Man, and not teach him the way of godliness, that he might live as a Christian? Didst thou not undertake for his education in the true Religion, and wilt thou neglect the performance of that solemn oath?