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

supposing no manifest forfeiture by disobedience^(l): For in the exercise of Parental authority, there may be some special consideration and rational regards had to the most dutiful, but still according to equity. Daughters, according to that constitution were to be copartners and share as coheirs in the inheritance^(m). And how Parents without valuable reasons, can now disinherit them, considering the prohibition in my Text, is not easy to conceive. But in laying up for, and apportioning their children, Parents should have a care [1.] That they be not dilatory, as those who unseasonably put off the supplies of their children with that God hath given them, till they themselves be dead; or, so long till it hath occasioned an abatement of affections in their Children, which is not to be excused in them; but the Parents should not tempt ⟨p. 428⟩them; or put them upon any sharking tricks, to supply necessities, by keeping all the patrimony in their own hands, above an handsome reserve of conveniences for their own food and raiment: Being of a different temper from that Prince's Father^†, who coming into his son's Closet, and seeing there all the gold and silver plate he had a long time before given to him, said, I see you have not a generous mind enough; for with all the gifts you had from me, you have not known hitherto how to make your self one friend. Or in any other respect, by any avaricious detention of what is requisite to be bestowed on their Children, lay them under the discouragement, which Parents are in my Text obliged to avoid, as that which is displeasing to God. [2.] They should be sure they came honestly by the portions they leave their Children, that they are goods well gotten, and well used: For if they be treasures of iniquity, they will not long abide⁽ⁿ⁾, having a curse attending them: yea, a little ill gotten, will be as a little leaven, that will sour the whole lump: or, as the coal, which the Eagle carried with the flesh she took from the Altar, that fired all: but if they are well-gotten, then, as one said, of a small portion, they will wear like steel.