A25467:849
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.
London: printed by J.A. for John Dunton, 1683
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 7: Quest. What may gracious Parents best do, for the Conversion of those Children whose wi…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Obj. But how can I possibly love such naughty, such provoking Children?
1. Doth your Duty of loving your Children admit of that exception? Love them, i. e. If they are, or while they are free from all fault; did not the Lord that enjoins this Duty, know full well that no ⟨p. 160⟩mortal man is without his Spots, Imperfections, Failings? In vain is that Precept that is limited to a Condition, which is impossible to fulfil.
1. Doth your Duty of loving your Children admit of that exception? Love them, i. e. If they are, or while they are free from all fault; did not the Lord that enjoyns this Duty, know full well that no ⟨p. 160⟩mortal man is without his Spots, Imperfections, Failings? In vain is that Precept that is limited to a Condition, which is impossible to fulfil.
12. Look inward, and then look upward: Are not you naught? have not you often, and do not you daily, hourly provoke your Heavenly Father? and yet would you not desire that he should Love you? Let your own Prayers and Tears be Witnesses in the Case: Had a man laid his ear close to your Closet, might he not have heard you Ephraim-like bemoaning your self thus? Heavenly Father, I am vile, I have done Iniquity, I have not only touched upon the verge of Vice, but entered the Circle; nay my sins are aggravated by Perverseness in ill-doing, and by resisting counsel; I cannot, dare not clear my self by a just defence, nor, being rightly deprived of thy love and favour, seek for any other Mediators, but thy Christ, and free Grace, for my relief. And therefore give me leave to hope, that a Fathers Bowels are as Potent Orators as a Sons Misery; and that, while my Transgressions Dam up the way to favour, fatherly Compassion will not forget to be merciful: he that bears the name of a Father, cannot forget the tears of a Child. Tell me, severe Parents, is not this a true Echo of some of your most pathetic Prayers? But what answer have you expected, and your Heavenly Father returned?