The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…

For indeed those children are always best provided for, whose parents bear this mind, that they had rather trust God with their children, then riches with their children; and make this their hope, when we are dead, yet God is alive. Indeed if God were dead or should not look to our children, though we were living, yet we might be afraid, and think they should be undone; but so long as God liveth, use the good means we can, and he will provide for the children of his servants. Therefore one should neither withhold himself, from any works of mercy, nor niggardly and pinchingly restrain himself of any necessary thing, yea any comfortable delight for his children's sake.

For indeed those children are alwaies best prouided for, whose parents beare this mind, that they had rather trust God with their children, then riches with their children; and make this their hope, when wee are dead, yet God is aliue. Indeede if God were deade or should not looke to our children, though we were liuing, yet we might be afraid, and thinke they should be vndone; but so long as God liueth, vse the good meanes we can, and he will prouide for the children of his seruants. Therefore one should neither withhold himselfe, from any works of mercy, nor nigardly and pinchingly restrayne himselfe of any necessarie thing, yea any comfortable delight for his childrens sake.

Lastly for disposing, let this be the first and main rule, that those be used best, which are best, and those have most goods given them, that have more grace in their hearts. So Jacob had the blessing, though Esau was the first borne, and Joseph had the double portion, though he was the youngest but one of twelve. For grace makes the younger to be the elder, and ⟨p. 11⟩sin makes the elder the younger; therefore he was indeed the right heir; for every one of the former ten had stained themselves with some soul and gross sin, which did put them out, and therefore they were justly disinherited. So Solomon was not Davids eldest son, but he was the son of his age; yet he succeeded him in the kingdom, because the other were proud, and undutiful, and there was no hope that they would do any good in Church or common weal. This must be the first then, that grace have the first place; virtue must make the heir. Secondly, the other also must have their portion proportionably; not one all, and all the rest never a whit, as is contrary to the common practise, that the eldest must go away with the whole, and the rest have just nothing, as though he only were a lawful child, and the rest not legitimate; and hence grows much hurt and much heart burning, and emulation among brethren. Now God saith, parents must lay up for their children, not for one child only. And others that if they have no heir male, but all daughters, the heritage must be put away from them and given to some other; and why so forsooth? because of the name sake, that the name might continue; but how know you that he shall continue to keep up your name, or how know you that he may not live so, as that he shall be a blot to your name and to your self, rather then a credit? why then should one for a foolish regard of name, break both Gods law, and the law of nature too? For God hath appointed,