The mourners cordial against excessive sorrow discovering what grounds of hope Gods people have…

Though God can as well save the Child of an unbeliever, as of the most eminent Saint in the world, yet the unbeliever cannot so well hope for it: and the reason is because this soul satisfying Hope, is a fruit of the spirit, and is wrought in none but such whom he sanctifies. An unregenerate man is under the Covenant threatening, and therefore all the Hopes that he maintains himself ⟨p. 80⟩withal in that state, are no better then presumptions; he is ready under a curse, and so cannot challenge an interest in any promise▪ what hath he to do with Gospel Consolations as long as he goes on in his Transgressions.

Though God can as well save the Child of an unbeliever, as of the most eminent Saint in the world, yet the unbeliever cannot so well hope for it: and the reason is because this soul satisfying Hope, is a fruit of the spirit, and is wrought in none but such whom he sanctifies. An unregenerate man is under the Covenant threatning, and therefore all the Hopes that he maintains himself ⟨p. 80⟩withall in that state, are no better then presumptions; he is ready under a curse, and so cannot challenge an interest in any promise▪ what hath he to do with Gospel Consolat•ons as long as he goes on in his Transgressions.

2. The more fruitful and conscientious Gods people are in their Duties to their Children▪ the stronger hopes they may entertain concerning them. There are some Duties which we owe to our Children in their infancy; others are to be attended as they grow up to understanding: the former of these are under our present consideration. Now, though all our care and conscience that we exert in these Duties, cannot work the saving change in them; yet▪ as it is certain, that in order of the means, doing of duty is nearer to the blessing then the neglect of it; so a man hath a great deal more of inward tranquility upon his mind, in the faithful discharge of it, than in the omission or slghty performance,