Addresses to old men, and young men, and little children. In three discourses ...…

The God of Heaven is a Father to gracious ⟨p. 97⟩our little Children. Religious Children when they are sitting perhaps upon the knee of an Earthly Father, may remember that there is another Father, whom they belong unto; namely, A Father which is in Heaven.

But in what Respects may gracious little Children call God, Their Father.

First, Gracious little Children may look upon God as their Father, in respect of Creation; for indeed all Creatures thus have Him, for their Father. 'Tis intimated in Job 38. 28. He is the Father of the Rain, and of the Dew. But he is especially thus a Father unto all Spirits; it is said, in Heb. 12. 9. He is the Father of Spirits; and thus the Angels, are styled, The Sons of God. Hence man also, every man may say unto God, our Father; we all owe unto God, our Production and Original; and, as the Apostle Paul speaks in the words of the Greek Poet, Aratus; in Acts 17. 18. We are his Offspring. Thus, little Children should betimes be sensible of this, I am newly come out of the hands of the great God; it is God that made me, and shaped me, and bestowed my life and my Being on me.

First, Gracious little Children may look upon God as their Father, in respect of Creation; for indeed all Creatures thus have Him, for their Father. 'Tis intimated in Job 38. 28. He is the Father of the Rain, and of the Dew. But he is especially thus a Father unto all Spirits; it is said, in