A50162:157
Small offers towards the service of the tabernacle in the wilderness four discourses accommodated…
Small offers towards the service of the tabernacle in the wilderness four discourses accommodated unto the designs of practical godliness : preached partly at Boston, partly at Charleston / by Cotton Mather ; published by a gentleman lately restored from threatening sickness as a humble essay to serve the interest of religion, in gratitude unto God for his recovery.
Boston: printed by R. Pierce, 1689
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And here, yet further to particularize, We are to try them with Questions about their Understanding. Our Lord Jesus asked his Disciples, in Matth. 13. 51. Have ye understood all these things? Thus are we to ask our young people, ⟨image 29⟩Do you understand the great Mystery of Godliness O keep up the great Ordinance of Catechising in your houses. Before your little Folks have left off living upon Milk, let them be so well versed in their Milk for Babes, that they may readily answer any Question there. The Echoes of this Exercise, are a most refreshing Melody in the ears of God himself. Ask we our young ones, What they think of God, and of Christ, and of Themselves; and let them be able to refound the Words of Truth.
And here, yet further to particularize, We are to try them with Questions about their Vnderstanding. Our Lord Jesus asked his Disciples, in Matth. 13. 51. Have ye understood all these things? Thus are we to ask our young people, ⟨image 29⟩Do you understand the great Mystery of Godliness• O keep up the great Ordinance of Catechising in your houses. Before your little Folks have left off living upon Milk, let them be so well versed in their Milk for Babes, that they may readily answer any Question there. The Echoes of this Exercise, are a most refreshing Melody in the ears of God himself. Ask we our young ones, What they think of God, and of Christ, and of Themselves; and let them be able to refound the Words of Truth.
We are to search them also with Questions about their Experience. As our Lord asked His Family, in Joh. 16. 31. Do ye now believe? So should we ask our young people, Have you Experienced a work of Regeneration in your souls? Ask them, Have you ever yet carried a labouring and heavy-laden soul unto the Lord Jesus Christ? It was the Advice of Wisdom, Know the state of thy Flocks. Thus, we should endeavour to Know the state of the Souls which we are to be concerned for; to know whether they are in a Natural, or a Renewed state.