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

Be sure then they see well, when they aim chiefly at piety: As an ancient Hermite relates^* in his own life, the consultation of a principal inhabitant of Constantinople with his Lady, about the disposal of their only child which was a daughter; the result whereof was not to look at greatness and riches, lest marrying her to a vicious person, they should make her miserable; but rather to one of a lower rank fearing God, who from conscience of his duty would love and make much of her, and so render her condition comfortable; in prosecution whereof, they found out and bestowed her upon the honest son of a very charitable Father, who had a small Estate, but great Virtue, with whom she lived very happily. But my discourse swells, and I must shorten what remains. (5) Maintenance is another part of the Parents office towards their children, unto whom they are to allow a competency, according to their quality and estates to live upon. A just allowance for subsistence is presupposed requisite to the right discharge of the precedent duties from Parents to Children, both in their minority, and when come to maturity, for the accommodating of them with necessaries according to their birth: The neglect of which temporal provision would argue Christian Parents worse than Infidels, who are not so enormous^(f): Sith amongst the barbarous people, they spare not cost to provide suitably for the fruit of their bodies, till at least they are able to carve for themselves. Our blessed Saviour takes for granted amongst the common notions of mankind, that Earthly Parents will give good gifts unto their needy Children, which are most proper for them^(g). But as a superaddition unto this general provision, there is also somewhat more particular which even Nature it self teacheth upon the disposal of children, and Christian institution requires and commends: namely Parents, as God hath blessed them, should lay up for their children^(h): yea so, as that when they are placed in Callings, and married, they may by some stock or competent portion be able to lay up for themselves, and be really serviceable to God's glory, and others welfare with their substance⁽ⁱ⁾