A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

1. The Souls of Children, as well as their Bodies, are committed to the care and trust of Parents by the Lord, to whom they must give a strict account. 'Tis a grand mistake to think that the care of Souls belongs only to Ministers: True indeed, it eminently belongs to our Spiritual Pastors, Ezek. 3.18, 19. If they warn not the wicked from his wicked way to save his life, the same wicked man shall dye in his iniquity, but his blood will God require at the negligent Pastor's hand. ¹And no less doth God bespeak Parents in the same language that we find 1 Kings 20.39. Keep this man, this child, if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life. If he be lost, and miscarry through thy neglect, thy life, thy Soul shall go for his.

1. 1Omnia, quae deliquerint filii, à parentibus requirentur; qui non erudierint filios suos. Orig.

As therefore Parents dread the guilt of Soul murder of their children, they ought to be careful of their pious Education,

As therefore Parents dread the guilt of Soul murther of their children, they ought to be careful of their pious Education,

¹2. The state of poor children's Souls calls aloud on Parents for the discharge of this duty. Alas poor Creatures! conceived in sin, brought forth in iniquity; those whom we fondly miscall Innocent Babes, come into the World with an Indictment on their Foreheads, with ropes about their necks, full of guilt, full of filth, bloody, loathsome Creatures,