A Body of Practical Divinity

Use 1. If so, then how sad is it to be the Child of an Idolater? It had been sad to have been one of Gehazi's Children, who had Leprosy entailed upon them, 2 Kings 5.27. The Leprosy of Naaman shall cleave to thee, and to thy Seed for ever. So it is sad to be a Child of an Idolater, or Image-worshipper. His Seed are exposed to Gods heavy Judgments in this Life: God visits the Iniquity of the Fathers upon their Children. Methinks I hear God speak, as Isa. 14.21. Prepare slaughter for his Children for the Iniquity of their Fathers.

Use 1. If so, then how sad is it to be the Child of an Idolater? It had been sad to have been one of Gehazi's Children, who had Leprosie intail'd upon them, 2 Kings 5.27. The Leprosie of Naaman shall cleave to thee, and to thy Seed for ever. So it is sad to be a Child of an Idolater, or Image-worshipper. His Seed are exposed to Gods heavy Judgments in this Life: God visits the Iniquity of the Fathers upon their Children. Methinks I hear God speak, as Isa. 14.21. Prepare slaughter for his Children for the Iniquity of their Fathers.

Use 2. See what a Privilege it is to be the Children of good Parents: The Parents are in Covenant with God, and God lays up Mercy for their Posterity, Prov. 20.7. The just man walks in his Integrity, his Seed are blessed after him. A Religious Parent ⟨p. 284⟩doth not procure Wrath, but helps to keep off Wrath from his Child: He seasons his Child with Religious Principles; he prays down a Blessing on his Child: He is a Load-stone, drawing his Child to Christ by good Council and Example. O what a Privilege is it to be born of Godly Religious Parents! St. Austin saith, That his Mother Monica travelled with greater Care and Pains for his new Birth, than for his Natural. Wicked Idolaters entail Misery on their Posterity. God visits the Iniquity of the Fathers upon their Children: But Religious Parents procure a Blessing upon their Children. God reserves Mercy for their Posterity.