The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…

The next duty is,¹ Catechize a child in his youth, ²and he will remember it when he is old: This is the right blessing which fathers and ⟨p. 65⟩mothers give to their children, when they cause God to bless them too.³ The wrong mother cared not though the child were divided, but the right mother would not have it divided: so wicked Parents care not though their children be destroyed, but godly parents would not have them destroyed but saved, that when they have dwelt together in earth, they may dwell together in heaven. As the Midwife frameth the body when it is young and tender, so the parents must frame the mind while it is green and flexible, for youth is the seed time of virtue.⁴ They which are called fathers, are called by the name of God, to warn them that they are in stead of God to their children, which teacheth all his sons. What example have children but their parents? and sure the providence of God doth ease their charge more than they are aware; for a child will learn better of his father than of any other.⁵ And therefore we read of no Schoolmasters in the scripture but the Parents: for when Christ saith to the Jews,⁶ If ye be the sons of Abraham, ye will do the works of your Father Abraham: he showeth, that sons use to walk in their Fathers steppes, whether they be good or bad.

The next dutie is,¹ Catechize a childe in his youth, ²and he will remember it when he is olde: This is the right blessing which fathers and ⟨p. 65⟩