N00425:253
Addresses to old men, and young men, and little children. In three discourses ...…
Addresses to old men, and young men, and little children. In three discourses ... To which may be added, a short scriptural catechism, accommodated unto their capacities. / By Cotton Mather.
Boston: printed by R. Pierce for Nicholas Buttolph, 1690
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, Have you no Regard for Gods Command and Glory? Why, the Immortal God, who made your children has committed them into your Hands, and said, as the Princess of Egypt unto the Mother of Moses, Here, take this Child, Nurse it for me, and I'll give thee thy wages. 'Tis the charge which God has given you, about your Children, in Eph. 6. 4. Bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. And this is the way to propagate and continue the Service of God, unto after-generations; you that make it not your study, to see your Offspring become gracious little Children, are willing that God ⟨p. 118⟩could never have any honour in the world, after this Generation shall be expired.
Secondly, Have you no Regard for Gods Command and Glory? Why, the Immortal God, who made your children has committed them into your Hands, and said, as the Princess of Egypt unto the Mother of Moses, Here, take this Child, Nurse it for me, and I'le give thee thy wages. 'Tis the charge which God has given you, about your Children, in Eph. 6. 4. Bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. And this is the way to propagate and continue the Service of God, unto after-generations; you that make it not your study, to see your Offspring become gracious little Children, are willing that God ⟨p. 118⟩could never have any honour in the world, after this Generation shall be expired.
Thirdly, Have you no Regard for your own Credit and Comfort? It is said in Prov. 23. 24. The father of the Righteous shall greatly Rejoice: Truly, if you had gracious little Children, you might, you would Rejoice exceedingly. Which of you had not rather have a Joseph than an Esau, for his Age to lean upon? And when you leave your Children, or your Children leave you, how much would you give to have just Hopes, of having their Company in the sweet Joys, of the Third Heaven for-ever? Besides, it will be a blessed mark upon your Souls, it will be a sign that you are among the Children of Abraham, if you Command your Children to keep the way of the Lord.