And if Children could but understand that Parental Instruction is an Instituted means of Gods Blessing them with the principal Blessing, & that whereon all others, as unto them, do much depend, whereunto the Fifth Commandment is Express, they would with more Diligence and Reverence apply themselves unto the reception of it, than is usual among them. (2.) They do it by their Example. The Conversation and Holy walking of Parents is Gods Ordinance whereby he Blesseth their Children. This is the Second way of Instruction, without which the former will be insufficient, yea, insignificant. Let Parents take what pains they please in the Teaching and Instructing of their Families, unless their Personal walk be Holy, and their Lives Fruitful, they will do more for their Destruction than their Edification. The least Disorder of Life persisted in, is of more prevalency to turn aside Children from the ways of God, from the liking and practice of them, than a multitude of Instructions are to persuade their Embracement. For besides that we are all Naturally more prone to Evil than Good, and a far less occasion or means will hasten us down a precipice, than raise us and bear us up in the difficult course of Holy Obedience; Instances of a Life inconsistent with Instructions or not answering them, beget secret thoughts in the minds of them who are Instructed, that all the pains taken therein is Hypocritical, than which Apprehension nothing is more effectual to alienate the minds of any from the ways of God. But when Mens Teachings of their Families are exemplified by the Holiness and Fruitfulness of their own Lives, then are they an Ordinance of God for the Blessing of them. To Pray, to Read, to Catechize, to Instruct, and then to lead a Life in Frowardness, Passion, Worldly-mindedness, Vain Communication, and the like, is to pull down with one hand what we set up with the other, or rather with both our Hands to pull down our own Houses. (3.) By Prayer for them. So David Blessed his Household, 2 Sam. 6. 20. For besides the Duty of Prayer, absolutely considered, there is in those Prayers by the Appointment of God, an especial Plea for, and Application of the Promises of the Covenant unto them which we our selves have received. So it is expressed in the Prayer of David, 2 Samuel 8. 29.
And if Children could but understand that Parental Instruction is an Instituted means of Gods Blessing them with the principal Blessing, & that whereon all others, as unto them, do much depend, whereunto the Fifth Commandment is Express, they would with more Diligence and Reverence apply themselves unto the reception of it, than is usual among them. (2.) They do it by their Example. The Conversation and Holy walking of Parents is Gods Ordinance whereby he Blesseth their Children. This is the Second way of Instruction, without which the former will be insufficient, yea, insignificant. Let Parents take what pains they please in the Teaching and Instructing of their Families, unless their Personal walk be Holy, and their Lives Fruitful, they will do more for their Destruction than their Edification. The least Disorder of Life persisted in, is of more prevalency to turn aside Children from the ways of God, from the liking and practice of them, than a multitude of Instructions are to perswade their Embracement. For besides that we are all Naturally more prone to Evil than Good, and a far less occasion or means will hasten us down a precipice, than raise us and bear us up in the difficult course of Holy Obedience; Instances of a Life inconsistent with Instructions or not answering them, beget secret thoughts in the minds of them who are Instructed, that all the pains taken therein is Hypocritical, than which Apprehension nothing is more effectual to alienate the minds of any from the ways of God. But when Mens Teachings of their Families are exemplified by the Holiness and Fruitfulness of their own Lives, then are they an Ordinance of God for the Blessing of them. To Pray, to Read, to Catechize, to Instruct, and then to lead a Life in Frowardness, Passion, Worldly-mindedness, Vain Communication, and the like, is to pull down with one hand what we set up with the other, or rather with both our Hands to pull down our own Houses. (3.) By Prayer for them. So David Blessed his Household, 2 Sam. 6. 20. For besides the Duty of Prayer, absolutely considered, there is in those Prayers by the Appointment of God, an especial Plea for, and Application of the Promises of the Covenant unto them which we our selves have received. So it is expressed in the Prayer of David, 2 Samuel 8. 29.
