Thirdly, Because naturally we are thus like a wilderness full of briars, therefore God hath strictly commanded this duty of instructing, and informing those that are rude and ignorant in the ways of God. And this duty is not only upon the Ministers, but the Scripture commands it indispensably upon Parents and Governors. Thus in Deut. 6.7. they are commanded to wh•t the law upon their family, and to write it upon the posts, and to be speaking of them daily: Thus Joshua and Abraham, they made their family to serve the Lord, which cannot be without the knowledge of him. In the new Testament, Paul commands parents, To bring up their children in the knowledge of the Lord, Eph. 6.5. And Solomons Proverbs are full of these exhortations. For certainly if the Scripture say, Jer. 9 23. Let not the rich man boast in his riches, nor the great man in his honours, but in that he knows God; then the endeavour of parents to provide wealth, riches, lands, or a great portion, is nothing so acceptable, as to teach them the fear of God. Oh therefore that at last our families might be made Christs Schools, wherein the principles and commands of Christ may be frequently urged! Oh who can make lamentations bitter enough for the neglect of this! In many ⟨p. 14⟩Families, there is the Devils School; people may learn to curse, to swear, to become brute beasts: But to have the Knowledge of God taught, would be the greatest burden in the world. Well, consider that of Jeremiah 10.25. Pour down thy wrath upon the Families, that call not on thy Name: Which by consequence, at least, reacheth private Families and Households. And how can they call, if they do not believe? and how can they believe, if they do not know? As Aristotle observeth, That Families are the beginnings of Common wealths; and so they are good, or bad, as particular Families are. So it is with the Church, that consists of particular Families. But if they be like a Cage of unclean birds, like the Wilderness, wherein dreadful Birds are, what good can be expected from a Church consisting of such? Men speak of Houses where the Devils walk, where spirits haunt, men dare not dwell there: I tell thee, That a Family where ignorance and profaneness is nourished, is an house, not only haunted, but even possessed by Devils. And how canst thou eat, sleep, and live in such a place?
Thirdly, Because naturally we are thus like a wilderness full of bryars, therefore God hath strictly commanded this duty of instructing, and informing those that are rude and ignorant in the wayes of God. And this duty is not only upon the Ministers, but the Scripture commands it indispensably upon Parents and Governours. Thus in Deut. 6.7. they are commanded to wh•t the law upon their family, and to write it upon the posts, and to be speaking of them daily: Thus Joshua and Abraham, they made their family to serve the Lord, which cannot be without the knowledge of him. In the new Testament, Paul commands parents, To bring up their children in the knowledge of the Lord, Eph. 6.5. And Solomons Proverbs are full of these exhortations. For certainly if the Scripture say, Jer. 9 23. Let not the rich man boast in his riches, nor the great man in his honours, but in that he knows God; then the endeavour of parents to provide wealth, riches, lands, or a great portion, is nothing so acceptable, as to teach them the fear of God. Oh therefore that at last our families might be made Christs Schools, wherin the principles and commands of Christ may be frequently urged! Oh who can make lamentations bitter enough for the neglect of this! In many ⟨p. 14⟩Families, there is the Devils School; people may learn to curse, to swear, to become bruit beasts: But to have the Knowledge of God taught, would be the greatest burden in the world. Well, consider that of Jeremy 10.25. Pour down thy wrath upon the Families, that call not on thy Name: Which by consequence, at least, reacheth private Families and Housholds. And how can they call, if they do not believe? and how can they believe, if they do not know? As Aristotle observeth, That Families are the beginnings of Common wealths; and so they are good, or bad, as particular Families are. So it is with the Church, that consists of particular Families. But if they be like a Cage of unclean birds, like the Wilderness, wherein dreadfull Birds are, what good can be expected from a Church consisting of such? Men speak of Houses where the Devils walk, where spirits haunt, men dare not dwell there: I tell thee, That a Family where ignorance and prophaneness is nourished, is an house, not only haunted, but even possessed by Devils. And how canst thou eat, sleep, and live in such a place?
