The Saints' Everlasting Rest

7. Look into the dispositions and lives of your children, and see what a work there is for you to do. First, It is not one sin that you must help them against, but thousands; their name is Legion, for they are many; It is not one weed that must be pulled up, but the field is overspread with them. Secondly, And how hard is it to prevail against any one of them? They are Hereditary diseases, bred in their Natures. Naturam expels furea, &c. They are a• near them as the very heart, and how tenacious are all things of that which is natural? how hard to teach a Hare not to be fearful? or a Lyon or Tiger not to be fierce? Besides, the things you must teach them are quite above them, yea, & clean contrary to the interest and desires of their Flesh; how hard is it to teach a man to be willing to be poor, and despised, and destroyed here for Christ! to deny themselves, and displease the flesh, to forgive an Enemy, to love those ⟨p. 530⟩that hate us, to watch against temptations, to avoid occasions and appearance of evil, to believe in a crucified Saviour, to rejoice in tribulation, to trust upon a bare word of Promise, and let go all in hand (if called to it) for something in hope that they never saw, nor ever spake with man that did see; to make God their chief delight and love, and to have their hearts in heaven while they live on earth; I think none of this is easy; they think otherwise let them try and Judg; yet all this must be learned, or they are undone for ever. If you help them not to some Trade, they cannot live in the world, but if they be destitute of these things, they shall not live in heaven; If the Mariner be not skilful he may be drowned, and if the Soldier be not skilful he may be slain; but they that cannot do the things above mentioned will perish for ever; For without holiness none shall see God, Heb. 12.14. O that the Lord would make all you that are Parents sensible what a work and charge doth lye upon you! You that neglect this important work, and talk to your Families of nothing but the world, I tell you, the blood of souls lies on you, make as light of it as you will, if you repent not and amend, the Lord will shortly call you to an account for your guiltiness of your children's everlasting undoing;

7. Look into the dispositions and lives of your children, and see what a work there is for you to do. First, It is not one sin that you must help them against, but thousands; their name is Legion, for they are many; It is not one weed that must be pulled up, but the field is overspread with them. Secondly, And how hard is it to prevail against any one of them? They are Hereditary diseases, bred in their Natures. Naturam expells furea, &c. They are a neer them as the very heart, and how tenacious are all things of that which is natural? how hard to teach a Hare not to be fearful? or a Lyon or Tiger not to be fierce? Besides, the things you must teach them are quite above them, yea, & clean contrary to the interest and desires of their Flesh; how hard is it to teach a man to be willing to be poor, and despised, and destroyed here for Christ! to deny themselves, and displease the flesh, to forgive an Enemy, to love those