N01223:91
Bonifacius. An essay upon the good, that is to be devised and designed, by…
Bonifacius. An essay upon the good, that is to be devised and designed, by those who desire to answer the great end of life, and to do good while they live. A book offered, first, in general, unto all Christians, in a personal capacity, or in a relative. Then more particularly, unto ministers, unto physicians, unto lawyers, unto schoolmasters [sic], unto wealthy gentlemen, unto several sorts of officers, unto churches, and unto all societies of a religious character and intention. With humble proposals, of unexceptionable methods, to do good in the world. : [Two lines from Ephesians]Bonifacius. An essay upon the good, that is to be devised and designed, by those who desire to answer the great end of life, and to do good while they live. A book offered, first, in general, unto all Christians, in a personal capacity, or in a relative. Then more particularly, unto ministers, unto physicians, unto lawyers, unto scholemasters [sic], unto wealthy gentlemen, unto several sorts of officers, unto churches, and unto all societies of a religious character and intention. With humble proposals, of unexceptionable methods, to do good in the world. : [Two lines from Ephesians]
printed by B. Green for Samuel Gerrish, 1710
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.
I. At the Birth of my Children, I would use all Explicit Solemnity in the Baptismal Dedication and Consecration of them unto the LORD. I would present them to the BAPTISM of the Lord, not as a mere Formality; but wondering at the Grace of the Infinite GOD, who will accept my Children, as His, I would Resolve to do all I can that they may be His. I would now actually Give them up unto GOD; Entreating, that the Child may be a Child of God the Father, a Subject of God the Son, a Temple of God the Spirit, and be rescued from the Condition of a Child of Wrath, and be Possessed and Employed by the Lord as an Everlasting Instrument of His Glory. II. My Children are no sooner grown capable of Minding the Admonitions, but I would often, often Admonish them to be sensible of their Baptismal Engagements to be the Lords. Often tell them, of their Baptism, and of what ⟨p. 54⟩it binds 'em to: Oftener far, and more times than there were Drops of water, that were cast on the Infant, upon that occasion! Often say to them, Child, You have been Baptised; You were washed in the Name of the Great God; Now you must not Sin against Him; To Sin is to do a Dirty, a Filthy thing. Say, Child, You must every Day cry to God that He would be your Father, and your Saviour, and your Leader; In your Baptism He Promised that He would be so, if you Sought unto Him. Say, Child, You must Renounce the Service of Satan, You must not follow the Vanities of this World, you must Lead a Life of Serious Religion; In your Baptism you were bound unto the Service of your only Saviour. Tell the Child; What is your Name; you must sooner Forget this Name, that was given you in your Baptism, than forget that you are a Servant of a Glorious Christ whose Name was put upon you in your Baptism. III. Let my Prayers for my Children be Daily, with Constancy, with Fervency, with Agony; Yea, By Name let me mention each One of them, every Day before the Lord. I would Importunately Beg for all Suitable Blessings to be bestowed upon them; That God would Give them Grace, and give them Glory, and withhold no Good Thing from them; That God would Smile on their Education, and give His Good Angels the charge over them, and keep them from Evil, that it may not grieve them; That when their Father and Mother shall forsake them, the Lord may take them up. with Importunity I would plead that Promise on their behalf;
I. At the Birth of my Children, I would use all Explicit Solemnity in the Baptismal Dedication and Consecration of them unto the LORD. I would present them to the BAPTISM of the Lord, not as a meer Formality; but wondring at the Grace of the Infinite GOD, who will accept my Children, as His, I would Resolve to do all I can that they may be His. I would now actually Give them up unto GOD; Entreating, that the Child may be a Child of God the Father, a Subject of God the Son, a Temple of God the Spirit, and be rescued from the Condition of a Child of Wrath, and be Possessed and Employed by the Lord as an Everlasting Instrument of His Glory. II. My Children are no sooner grown capable of Minding the Admonitions, but I would often, often Admonish them to be sensible of their Baptismal Engagements to be the Lords. Often tell them, of their Baptism, and of what