The saints everlasting rest

4. Look into the dispositions and lives of your children, and see what a work there is for you to do. First, It is not one sin that you must help them against, but thousands; their name is legion, for they are many: it is not one weed that must be pulled up, but the field is overspread with them. Secondly, and how hard is it to prevail against any one of them! They are hereditary diseases, bred in their natures: they are as near them as the very heart; and how tenacious are all things of that which is natural! How hard to teach a hare not to be afraid, or a lion or tiger not to be fierce! Besides, the things you must teach them, are quite above them; yea, and clean contrary to the interest and desires of their flesh: how hard is it to teach a man to be willing to be poor and despised for Christ; to deny themselves, and displease the flesh; to forgive an enemy; to love those that hate us; to watch against temptations; to avoid occasions and appearances of evil; to believe in a crucified Saviour; to rejoice in tribulation; to make GOD their delight and love; and to have their hearts in heaven, while they live on earth! I think none of this is easy, they that think otherwise, let them try and judge; yet all this must be learned, or they are undone forever. If you help them not to some trade, they cannot ⟨p. 244⟩live in the world; but if they be destitute of these things they shall not live in heaven. If the mariner be not skilful, he may be drowned; and if the soldier be not skilful, he may be slain: but they that cannot do the things above-mentioned, will perish for-ever; For without holiness no man shall see God. O that the LORD would make all you that are parents sensible what a work and charge doth lie upon you! You that neglect this important work, and talk to your families of nothing but the world, I tell you the blood of souls lies on you: make as light of it as you will, if you repent not and amend, the LORD will shortly call you to an account for the guilt of your children's everlasting undoing.

4. Look into the dispositions and lives of your children, and see what a work there is for you to do. First, It is not one sin that you must help them against, but thousands; their name is legion, for they are many: it is not one weed that must be pulled up, but the field is overspread with them. Secondly, and how hard is it to prevail against any one of them! They are hereditary diseases, bred in their natures: they are as near them as the very heart; and how tenacious are all things of that which is natural! How hard to teach a hare not to be afraid, or a lion or tyger not to be fierce! Besides, the things you must teach them, are quite above them; yea, and clean contrary to the interest and desires of their flesh: how hard is it to teach a man to be willing to be poor and despised for Christ; to deny themselves, and displease the flesh; to forgive an enemy; to love those that hate us; to watch against temptations; to avoid occasions and appearances of evil; to believe in a crucified Saviour; to rejoice in tribulation; to make GOD their delight and love; and to have their hearts in heaven, while they live on earth! I think none of this is easy, they that think otherwise, let them try and judge; yet all this must be learned, or they are undone forever. If you help them not to some trade, they cannot