N00727:40
A family well-ordered. Or An essay to render parents and children happy in one…
A family well-ordered. Or An essay to render parents and children happy in one another. Handling two very important cases. I. What are the duties to be done by pious parents, for the promoting of piety in their children. II. What are the duties that must be paid by children to their parents, that they may obtain the blessings of the dutiful. / By Cotton Mather. ; [Three lines from Malachi]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Michael Perry, 1699
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.
But, Let a Third of your Charges, be that in Mat. 6.6. Enter into thy Closet, and when thou hast shut thy Door, pray to thy Father that sees in secret. Charge them to Retire for Secret Prayer, every Day that comes over their Heads. Talk with them, till you see, that they can tell, what they should pray for: And then, often charge them to pray every day; yea, sometimes Ask them, Do you Remember the charge I Laid upon you? Ah, Parent, Thy Children will do well, while it can be said, Behold, They pray. And thy House filled with thy Children's Prayers, would be better accommodated, than i• it were filled, with all the Riches of the Indies.
But, Let a Third of your Charges, be that in Mat. 6.6. Enter into thy Closet, and when thou hast shut thy Door, pray to thy Father that sees in secret. Charge them to Retire for Secret Prayer, every Day that comes over their Heads. Talk with them, till you see, that they can tell, what they should pray for: And then, often charge them to pray every day; yea, sometimes Ask them, Do you Remember the charge I Laid upon you? Ah, Parent, Thy Children will do well, while it can be said, Behold, They pray. And thy House filled with thy Childrens Prayers, would be better accommodated, than i• it were filled, with all the Riches of the Indies.
Let a Fourth of your Charges be That, in Prov. 9.6. Forsake the Foolish and Live. Charge them to avoid the snares of Evil Company; Terrify them with Warnings of those Deadly Snares. ⟨p. 29⟩Often Repeat this Charge unto them, That if there be any Vicious Company, they shu• […], as they would the Plague or the Devil. Often say, My Son, if Sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Often say, My Child, Walk with the Wise, and thou shalt be wise, but a Companion of Fools shall be destroyed. Oh, Don't let the Beasts of prey, carry away thy Children alive.