1. §11In being Occasioners of it before, when it may more then probably be said, such sins had not been committed, but upon, and for such occasions given; and that, 1. By neglecting what might and ought to be done for its prevention, Qui non prohibet cum potest (& debet) facit scelus, He, that when he can and ought, hinders not a ⟨p. 335⟩sin, doth contribute to its production; as when men neglect to instruct or teach them who are under their charge, whether Ministers, Parents, or Masters of Families, see Ezek. 3.17-20. 'Twas the Apostles rejoicing, that in this case he was pure from the blood of all men, Acts 20.26, 27. Many a child and servant that hath come to prison and execution, have made this sad complaint, my Parents, my Master never gave me warning, never showed me the danger of sin, nor instructed me in the way of the Lord, the way of Righteousness and Holiness! beware of this. And when sin begins to bud and blossom, nip it by reproofs and discipline, or else you may be charged with sin, as old Eli was, 1 Sam. 3.13. Oh, crush the Cockatrice while in the Egg, dash the Brats against the wall, while young; if you be silent or indulgent, children and servants take it for consent and approbation (as they mis-interpreted Gods holding his peace, Psal. 50.) Inclinations will come into acts, and they into customs and habits, if not checked and restrained. But if you thus meet with them betimes, you may prevent a great deal of sin; 'tis the best proof of your love, Prov. 13.24. And it may be they will say as David did to Abigail, 1 Sam. 25.39. blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent thee this day to meet me; blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, who hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging my self: so may one say, I had been an adulterer to day, and another, I a drunkard to day, &c. hadst not thou given me counsel and correction, hadst not thou ⟨p. 336⟩given me an Item, an helping hint, I had sinned to day, Oh blessed be thou of the Lord. Think of it, is it not better to hear of their blessing then their cursing thee? Oh prevent sin all you can; Solon a Heathen gives a good advice, Liberis nè arrideas, nè in posterum fleas, too many laugh at their children's cunning shifts, their fibbing, and lying; but this laughing may cost you weeping, when you (and before they) are old.
1. §11In being Occasioners of it before, when it may more then probably be said, such sins had not been committed, but upon, and for such occasions given; and that, 1. By neglecting what might and ought to be done for its prevention, Qui non prohibet cum potest (& debet) facit scelus, He, that when he can and ought, hinders not a ⟨p. 335⟩sin, doth contribute to its production; as when men neglect to instruct or teach them who are under their charge, whether Ministers, Parents, or Masters of Families, see Ezek. 3.17-20. 'Twas the Apostles rejoycing, that in this case he was pure from the blood of all men, Acts 20.26, 27. Many a child and servant that hath come to prison and execution, have made this sad complaint, my Parents, my Master never gave me warning, never shewed me the danger of sin, nor instructed me in the way of the Lord, the way of Righteousness and Holiness! beware of this. And when sin begins to bud and blossom, nip it by reproofs and discipline, or else you may be charged with sin, as old Eli was, 1 Sam. 3.13. Oh, crush the Cockatrice while in the Egg, dash the Brats against the wall, while young; if you be silent or indulgent, children and servants take it for consent and approbation (as they mis-interpreted Gods holding his peace, Psal. 50.) Inclinations will come into acts, and they into customs and habits, if not checked and restrained. But if you thus meet with them betimes, you may prevent a great deal of sin; 'tis the best proof of your love, Prov. 13.24. And it may be they will say as David did to Abigail, 1 Sam. 25.39. blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent thee this day to meet me; blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, who hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging my self: so may one say, I had been an adulterer to day, and another, I a drunkard to day, &c. hadst not thou given me counsel and correction, hadst not thou ⟨p. 336⟩given me an Item, an helping hint, I had sinned to day, Oh blessed be thou of the Lord. Think of it, is it not better to hear of their blessing then their cursing thee? Oh prevent sin all you can; Solon a Heathen gives a good advice, Liberis nè arrideas, nè in posterum fleas, too many laugh at their childrens cunning shifts, their fibbing, and lying; but this laughing may cost you weeping, when you (and before they) are old.
- 1As Occasioners before.
