A Body of Practical Divinity

(5.) When a Parent doth any thing which is sordid and unworthy, that which casts Disgrace upon himself, and his Family; as to cozen, or take a false Oath; this is to provoke the Child to Wrath. As the Child should honour his Father, so the Father should not dishonour the Child.

(5.) When a Parent doth any thing which is sordid and unworthy, that which casts Disgrace upon himself, and his Family; as to cosen, or take a false Oath; this is to provoke the Child to Wrath. As the Child should honour his Father, so the Father should not dishonour the Child.

(6.) When Parents lay such Commands upon their Children, as their Children cannot perform without wronging their Conscience. Saul commanded his Son Jonathan to bring David to him. 1 Sam. 20.3. Fetch him to me, for he shall surely die. Jonathan could not do this with a good Conscience, but was provoked to Anger. Ver. 34. Jonathan rose from the Table in fierce Anger. Now the Reason why Parents should show their Prudence in not provoking their Children to Wrath, is set down, Col. 3.21. Lest they be discouraged. This Word [Greek or Hebrew], Discouraged, implies ⟨p. 359⟩three things. 1. Grief. The Parents provoking the Child, the Child so takes it to Heart, that it causeth immature Death. 2. Despondency. The Parents Austerity dispirits the Child, and makes it unfit for Service: Like Members of the Body stupefied, which are unfit for Work. 3. Contumacy and Refractoriness. The Child being provoked by the cruel and unnatural carriage of the Parent, grows desperate, and oft studies to irritate and vex his Parent: Which tho it be evil in the Child, yet the Parent is accessary to it, as being the occasion of it.

(6.) When Parents lay such Commands upon their Children, as their Children cannot perform without wronging their Conscience. Saul commanded his Son Ionathan to bring David to him.