The Saints' Everlasting Rest

I Shall therefore conclude with this earnest request to all Christian parents that read these lines; that they would have compassion on the souls of their poor children, and be faithful to the great trust that God hath put on them. O Sirs, if you cannot do what you would do for them; yet do what you can. Both Church and State, Cities and Country, do groan under the neglect of this weighty duty: your children know not God nor his Laws, but take his name in vain, and slight his worship, and you do neither instruct them nor correct them: and therefore doth God correct both them and you. You are so tender of them, that God is the le•• tender both of them and you. Wonder not if God make you smart for your children's sins: for you are guilty of all they commit, by your neglect of doing your duty to reform them, even as he that maketh a man drunk, is guilty of all the sin that he committeth in his drunkenness. VVill you resolve therefore to set upon this duty, and neglect it no longer? Remember Eli; your children are like Moses in the basket in the water, ready to perish if they have not help. As ever you would not be charged before God for murderers of their souls, and as ever you would not have them ⟨p. 547⟩cry out against you in everlasting fire, see that you teach them how to escape it, and bring them up in holiness and the fear of God. You have heard that the God of heaven doth flatly command it you: I charge every one of you therefore, upon your allegiance to him, and as you will very shortly answer the contrary at your peril, that you neither refuse nor neglect this most necessary work. If you are not willing now you know it to be so plain and so great a duty, you are flat Rebels, and no true subjects of Christ. If you are willing to do it, but know not how, I will add a few words of direction to help you. 1. Teach them by your own example, as well as by your words. Be your selves such as you would have them be; practice is the most effectual teaching of children, who are addicted to imitation, especially of their parents. Lead them the way to prayer, and reading, and other duties. Be not like base Commanders, that will put on their Soldiers, but not go on themselves. Can you expect your children should be wiser or better then you? Let them not hear those words out of your mouths, nor see those practices in your lives, which you reprove in them.