I Have oft thought that Christ speaks to you, as Pharaoh's Daughter did to Moses's Mother; Take this Child and Nurse it for me. O Sirs, consider what a precious Jewel is committed to your charge, what an advantage you have to show your love to Christ, to stock the next Generation with Noble Plants, and what a joyful account you may make, if you be faithful: Remember, Souls, Christ, and Grace, cannot be over-valued. I confess you have some disadvantages, but let that only excite your ⟨image 3⟩diligence; the Salvation of Souls, the commendation of your Master, the greatness of your reward, and everlasting glory, will pay for all. Remember the Devil is at work hard, wicked ones are industrious, and a corrupt nature is a rugged knotty piece to hew; but be not discouraged, I am almost as much afraid of your laziness and unfaithfulness, as any thing. Do but fall to work lustily, and who knows but that rough stone may prove a Pillar in the Temple of God? In the Name of the living God, as you will answer in shortly at his Bar, I command you to be faithful in Instructing and Catechizing your young ones; If you think I am too peremptory, I pray read the command from my Master himself, Deut. 6.7. Is not the duty clear? and dare you neglect so direct a Command? Are the Souls of your Children of no value? Are you willing ⟨image 3⟩that they should be Brands of Hell? Are you indifferent whether they be Damned or Saved? shall the Devil run away with them without control? Will not you use your utmost endeavour to deliver them from the wrath to come? you see that they are not Subjects uncapable of the Grace of God; whatever you think of them, Christ doth not slight them; they are not too little to dye, they are not too little to go to Hell, they are not too little to serve their great Master, too little to go to Heaven; For of such is the Kingdom of God: And will not a possibility of their Conversion and Salvation, put you upon the greatest diligence to teach them? Or are Christ, and Heaven, and Salvation, small things with you? If they be, then indeed I have done with you: but if they be not, I beseech you lay about you with all your might; the Devil ⟨image 4⟩knows your time is going apace, it will shortly be too late. O therefore what you do, do quickly; and do it, I say, with all your might;
I Have oft thought that Christ speaks to you, as Pharaoh's Daughter did to Moses's Mother; Take this Child and Nurse it for me. O Sirs, consider what a precious Jewel is committed to your charge, what an advantage you have to shew your love to Christ, to stock the next Generation with Noble Plants, and what a joyful account you may make, if you be faithful: Remember, Souls, Christ, and Grace, cannot be over-valued. I confess you have some disadvantages, but let that only excite your ⟨image 3⟩diligence; the Salvation of Souls, the commendation of your Master, the greatness of your reward, and everlasting glory, will pay for all. Remember the Devil is at work hard, wicked ones are industrious, and a corrupt nature is a rugged knotty piece to hew; but be not discouraged, I am almost as much afraid of your laziness and unfaithfulness, as any thing. Do but fall to work lustily, and who knows but that rough stone may prove a Pillar in the Temple of God? In the Name of the living God, as you will answer in shortly at his Bar, I command you to be faithful in Instructing and Catechizing your young ones; If you think I am too peremptory, I pray read the command from my Master himself, Deut. 6.7. Is not the duty clear? and dare you neglect so direct a Command? Are the Souls of your Children of no value? Are you willing ⟨image 3⟩that they should be Brands of Hell? Are you indifferent whether they be Damned or Saved? shall the Devil run away with them without controul? Will not you use your utmost endeavour to deliver them from the wrath to come? you see that they are not Subjects uncapable of the Grace of God; whatever you think of them, Christ doth not slight them; they are not too little to dye, they are not too little to go to Hell, they are not too little to serve their great Master, too little to go to Heaven; For of such is the Kingdom of God: And will not a possibility of their Conversion and Salvation, put you upon the greatest diligence to teach them? Or are Christ, and Heaven, and Salvation, small things with you? If they be, then indeed I have done with you: but if they be not, I beseech you lay about you with all your might; the Devil ⟨image 4⟩knows your time is going apace, it will shortly be too late. O therefore what you do, do quickly; and do it, I say, with all your might;
