A Mother. Who her own self oinstructed her only son to read even his Accidents, and like another pEunice, to know the Scriptures from a child; framing and propounding such questions to him, as made him give a good account of ⟨p. 5⟩the chief Histories in the Bible, she was in pain till she saw Christ formed in him; prayed daily for him, followed him with her wholesome counsel and wise reproofs, not conniving at the least imperfection or appearance of evil in him; ambitious to have him eminent and useful in that employment which he intended, often persuading him to be diligent, and therefore setting before him the delectableness of the life of an idle Gentleman. What her true love to him was, and that though it was great, yet not foolish and sinful, may appear by this following letter, written to him four months before his death. Dearly beloved Child, I rejoice exceedingly to hear of the welfare of thy body, and that thy outward man prospers; but the qflourishing of thy inward man, and the prosperity of thy soul, thy thriving in grace, how much this will add both to the inward joy and outward contentment of her that bare thee, I want both time and words to express? And as God in his wise providence hath seen it good to give me but one to build my hopes upon, I hope the Lord Jesus hath both purchased and prayed that this one rmay be one with himself, which ever hath been, and I hope shall be the prayer of thy most affectionate and endeared mother. As also this passage in a letter of hers to his friend. Sir, one request more in the behalf of my Child, to beg your earnest prayers that what you have endeavoured sto plant, God would water with the heavenly dew of his Spirit, that his soul may flourish, and you see of the travel of yours and be satisfied. And6 for this, her son most ardently loved her, most dutifully obeyed her, and arose up and blessed her: yet herein was she to be blamed, that she was over-careful about him while he lived, and over-sorrowful when he dyed.
A Mother. Who her own self oinstructed her only son to read even his Accidents, and like another pEunice, to know the Scriptures from a childe; framing and propounding such questions to him, as made him give a good account of ⟨p. 5⟩the chief Histories in the Bible, she was in pain till she saw Christ formed in him; prayed daily for him, followed him with her wholesome counsel and wise reproofs, not conniving at the least imperfection or appearance of evil in him; ambitious to have him eminent and useful in that employment which he intended, often perswading him to be diligent, and therefore setting before him the deteltablenesse of the life of an idle Gentleman. What her true love to him was, and that though it was great, yet not foolish and sinful, may appear by this following letter, written to him foure months before his death. Dearly beloved Childe, I rejoyce exceedingly to hear of the welfare of thy body, and that thy outward man prospers; but the qflourishing of thy inward man, and the prosperity of thy soul, thy thriving in grace, how much this will adde both to the inward joy and outward contentment of her that bare thee, I want both time and words to expresse? And as God in his wise providence hath seen it good to give me but one to build my hopes upon, I hope the Lord Jesus hath both purchased and pray'd that this one rmay be one with himself, which ever hath been, and I hope shall be the prayer of thy most affectionate and endeared mother. As also this passage in a letter of hers to his friend. Sir, one request more in the behalf of my Childe, to beg your earnest prayers that what you have endeavoured sto plant, God would water with the heavenly dew of his Spirit, that his soul may flourish, and you see of the travel of yours and be satisfied. And6 for this, her son most ardently loved her, most dutifully obeyed her, and arose up and blessed her: yet herein was she to be blamed, that she was over-careful about him while he liv'd, and over-sorrowful when he dyed.
- oOther examples see in the Authors already cited.Other examples see in the Authours already cited.
- p2 Tim. 1. 5. with 3. 15. Prov. 1. 8, 31, 1, 2, &c.
- q2 Cor. 4. 16. Epist. 3. of Joh. ver. 2.
- rJoh. 17. 21.
- s1 Cor. 3. 7.
- 6Isa. 53. 11.
