N00759:10
A token for children. Being an exact account of the conversion, holy and exemplary…
A token for children. Being an exact account of the conversion, holy and exemplary lives and joyful deaths of several young children. / By James Janeway, Minister of the Gospel. : To which is added, A token, for the children of New England. Or, Some examples of children, in whom the fear of God was remarkably budding before they died; in several parts of New England. Preserved and published for the encouragement of piety in other children.
printed for Nicholas Boone, 1700
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
To all Parents, School-Masters and School-Mistresses, or any that have any hand in the Education of Children.
Dear Friends,
I Have oft thought that Christ speaks to you, as Pharaoh's Daughter did to Moses's Mother, Take this Child and Nurse it for me O Sirs, consider what a precious Jewel is committed to your charge what an advantage you have to show your love to Christ, to stock the next generation with N•ble Plants, and what a joyful account you may make, if you be faithful: Remember, Sou•s, Christ & Grace cannot be over-valued, I confess you have some disadvantages, but let that only excite your diligence; the Salvation of Souls, the commendation of your Master, the greatness of your reward, and everlasting Glory, will pay for all. Remember the Devil is at work hard, wicked ones are industrious, and a corrupt nature is a rugged, knotty piece to hew: But be not discouraged, I am almost as much afraid of your laziness and unfaithfulness, as any thing Do but fall to work lustily, & who knows but that rough stone may prove a Pillar in the Temple of God? In the Name of the living God, as you will answer it shortly at his Bar, I command you to be faithful• in Instructing and Catechizing your young ones; if you think I am too peremptory, I pray read the command from my Master himself, Deu• 6.7. Is not the duty clear? and dare you neglect so direct a Command? ⟨image ?⟩Are the souls of your Children of no value? Are you willing that they should be Brands of Hel•? Are you indifferent whether they be Damned or saved? shall the Devil run away with them without control? will not you use your utmost endeavour to deliver them from the wrath to come? You see that they are not subjects uncapable of the Grace of God; whatever you think of them, Christ doth not slight them; they are not too little to die, they are not too little to go to Hell they are not too little to serve their great Master, too little to go to Heaven; For of such is the Kingdom of God: And will nor a possibility of their Conversion and Salvation, put you upon the greatest diligence to teach them? Or are Christ and Heaven, and Salvation, small things with you? If they be, then indeed I have done with you But if they be not, I beseech you lay about you with all your might; the Devil knows your time is going apace, it will shortly be too late: