A discourse concerning the Redeemer's dominion over the invisible world, and the entrance thereinto

How little is this Matter considered, by most, that go under the Name of Christian Parents; that are (more generally) very solicitous to have, as they call it, their Children Christened. But never have it in their Thoughts to have them educated in the Knowledge of Christ, or trained up for Christ. As if their Baptism were intended for a Mockery, their Education in the whole course of it, hath no such reference. 'Tis how they may with better Reputation, bear up, not the Name of Christ, but their own. Their Aim, looks no higher, than that they may inherit their Lands, maintain the Honour ⟨p. 196⟩of their Families; appear (if such be their own Rank) well-accomplished Gentlemen: And of some of those little things that are thought requisite hereto, we may say as our Saviour did in another Case, These things ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other (the much greater things) undone.

How lit•le is this Matter considered, by most, that go under the Name of Christian Parents; that are (more generally) very solicitous to have, as they call it, their Children Christ'ned. But never have it in their Thoughts to have them educated in the Knowledge of Christ, or train'd up for Christ. As if their Baptism were intended for a Mockery, their Education in the whole course of it, hath no such reference. 'Tis how they may with better Reputation, bear up, not the Name of Christ, but their own. Their Aim, looks no higher, than that they may inherit their Lands, maintain the Honour ⟨p. 196⟩of their Families; appear (if such be their own Rank) well-accomplisht Gentlemen: And of some of those little things that are thought requisite hereto, we may say as our Saviour did in another Case, These things ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other (the much greater things) undone.

What should hinder, but that learning to Sing, or Dance, or Fence, or make a modish Leg, might consist with learning to know God in Christ, in which Knowledge stands Eternal Life! Whatsoever hath real Excellency, or hath any thing in it of true Ornament, will no way disagree with the most serious Christianity. And how lovely is the Conjunction of the well-accomplished Gentleman, and the serious Christian! Only sever Inconsistencies, as how fashionably