PARENTAL RESOLUTIONS. God would give them grace, and give COMPOSED FOR HIS OWN USE, BY A VERY PIOUS MAN. pre them glory,and withhold no good thing from them; that God would smile en their education, and give his good angels charge over them, and keep them from evil, that it may not grieve them; that when their father and mother shall foresake them, the Lord may take them up. Most earnestly would I plead that promise in their behalf; The heavenly Father will give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him." happy children if by asking, I may obtain the Holy Spirit for them! Ο Is At the birth of my children, I would use all due solemnity in the baptismal dedication and consecration of them to the Lord. I would sent them to the baptism of the Lord, not as a mere formality; but, won dering at the grace of the infinite God, who will accept my children as his, I would resolve to do all that I can that they may be his. I would now actually give them up to God, entreating that the child may be a child of God the Father, a subject of God the Son, and a temple of God the Spirit; that it may be rescued from the condition of a child of wrath, and be pos-"olive plants about my table" are casessed and employed by the Lord, as an everlasting instrument of his glory. II. As soon as my children become capable of attending to my instructions I would frequently admonish them to be sensible of their baptismal engage ments to the Lord: often remind them of their baptism and of the duties to which it binds them. IV. I would early entertain the children with delightful stories out of the Bible. In familiar conversation I would go through the Bible, when the pable of being so watered. But I would always conclude the history by some lessons of piety, to be inferred from them. V. I would single out some seriptural sentences of the greatest import ance; and some also that contain spe· cial antidotes to the common errors and vices of children. They shall quickly get these golden sayings by heart, and be rewarded with silver or gold, or some good thing, when they do so. Such sentences as the following. Psalm cxi. 10. The fear of the Lord is the begin Matthew xvi. 26. What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and loose his own soul? I would often say to each of 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 very vile thing. You must every day cry to God that he would be your Father, your Saviourning of wisdom. your Leader; in your baptism he promised that he would be so, if you prayed to him. 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 to the service of your only Saviour.What is your name? You must sooner forget this name that was given you at your baptism, than forget that you are a servant of Jesus Christ, whose pame was then put upon you. 1 Timothy i. 15. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Matthew vi. 6. Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father, which is in secret. Eccles. xii. 14. God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing. Ephesians v. 25. Put away lying, speak every one III. Let me daily pray for my children with the greatest constancy and fervency; yea, let me daily mention each of them before the Lord. I would the truth. importunately beg for all suitable blessings to be bestowed upon them; that Psalm cxxxviii. 6. The Lord hath respect unto the 1 1 lowly, but the proud he knoweth afar heard a sermon, I will repeat to them off. Romans xii. 17, 19. Recompence to no man evil for evil. Dearly beloved avenge not your selves. Nehemiah xiii. 18. the main subject of it, and ask them thereupon, what they are now to pray for. I will charge them, with all possible cogency, to pray in secret, and often say to each of them, Child, I hope you do not forget my charge to They bring wrath upon Israel, by you about secret prayer; your crime profaning the Sabbath. is very great if you do. A Jewish treatise tells us, that among the Jews,when a child began to speak, the father was bound to teach him that verse, Deut. xxxiii. 4. "Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob." O, let me betimes make my children acquainted with the law which our blessed Jesus has commanded us! It is the best inheritance I can give them. VIII. I would betimes do what I can to produce a temper of benignity in my children, both towards one an other and towards all other persons.I will instruct them how ready they should be to communicate to others a part of what they have; and they shall not want for encouragement when they discover a loving, courteous, and benevolent disposition. I will give them now and then a piece of money that with their own little hands, they may dispense something to the poor. Yea if any one has hurt or vexed them, I will not only forbid all revenge, but will also oblige them to do a kindness as soon as possible, to the vexatious person. All coarseness of language or behaviour in them, I will discountenance. VI. I would cause my children to learn the catechism. In catechising them, I would break the answer in to many smaller and appropriate questions; and by their answer to them observe and quicken their understand ings. I would connect with every truth, some duty and practice; and expect them to confess it, consent to it, and resolve upon it. As we go on IX. I would be solicitous to have in our catechising, they shall, when my children expert, not only at readthey are able, turn to the proofs, reading with propriety, but also at writing them, and inform me what they prove, a fair hand. I will then assign them and in what manner. Then I will such books to read, as I may judge watch an opportunity to put more nice most agreeable and profitable: obligand difficult questions to them and ing them to give me some account improve the times of conversation with of what they read; but will keep a my family, for conferences on reli- strict eye on what they read, lest they gious subjects. should stumble on the devil's library, VII. I would be anxious, till I may and poison themselves with foolish ro. be able to say of my children, Beholdmances, novels, plays, songs, or jests, they pray! I would therefore teach" that are not convenient." I will them to pray. But after they have particularly require them now and learned a form of prayer, I will press them to proceed to points which are not in their form. I will shew them the state of their own souls; and on every discovery will inquire of them, what they think ought now to be their prayer. I will direct them every morning to take one or two texts out of the sacred scriptures, and thence to form a desire, which they shall add to their usual prayer. When they have then to compose a Prayer, and bring it to me, that so I may discern what sense they have of their own everlasting interests. X. I wish that my children may, at a very early period, feel the principles of REASON and HONOR working in them; and that I may proceed in their education, chiefly on those principles. Therefore I will wholly avoid that fierce, harsh, crabbed usage, of the children, that would make them dis- advance to still higher principles. I like and tremble to come into my will often tell the children what cause presence. I would treat them so, that they have to love a glorious Christ they shall fear to offend ine, and yet who has died for them; how much heartily love to see me, and be glad he will be pleased with their well-doof my returning home when I haveing! and what a noble thing it is to been abroad. I would have it consid- follow his example, which example I ered as a severe and awful punishment will discribe to them. I will often for a crime in the family, to be forbid-tell them that the eye of God is upon den for a while to come into my pres- them; that he knows all they do, and ence. I would excite in them a high hears all they speak. I will frequentopinion of their father's love to them, ||ly remind them that there will be a and of his being better able to judge time, when they must appear before what is good for them, than they are the holy Lord; and that they must for themselves. I would bring them now do nothing which may then be a to believe that it is best for them to be source of grief and shame to them. and to do as I would have them.I will set before them the delights of Hence I would continually insist upon that heaven which is prepared for piit, what a charming thing it is, to KNOW ous children and the torments of the things that are excellent, and how that hell which is prepared for wicked much better still to do the things that ones. I will inform them of the kind are virtuous. I wish them to propose offices which the good angels perform it to themselves as a reward of good for children who fear God, and are abehavior; "I will now go to my father, fraid of sin; how the devils tempt and he will teach me something that I them'to do bad things; how they hear never knew before." I would have ken to the devils, and are like them them afraid of doing any base thing, when they do such things; what misfrom a horror of the baseness there is chiefs these evil spirits may obtain in it. My first animadversion on a permission to do in the world, and smaller fault shall be, an exclamation how awful it would be to dwell among of surprise and wonder, vehemently the devils, in the "place of dragons." expressed before them, that ever they I will cry to God, that he may make should be guilty of doing so foolishly, them feel the power of these princiwith an earnest expectation that they ples. will never do the like again. I will en- XII. When the children are of a deavor also to excite in them a weep-proper age for it, I will sometimes ing resolution to this effect. I will have them with me alone, and connever use corporeal punishment, ex- verse with them about the state of their cept it be for an atrocious crime, or souls; their experiences, their profifor a smaller fault obstinately persis- ciency, their temptations; obtain their ted in. I would ever proportion chas-declared consent to every article in tisements to faults; not punish severe- the covenant of grace; and then pray ly for a very small instance of childish-with them, earnestly entreating, that ness; and only frown a little for some the Lord would bestow his grace upon real wickedness. Nor shall my chas-them, and thus make them witnesses tisements ever be dispensed in passion of the agony with which I am travailand fury; but I will first shew them ing to see the image of Christ formed the command of God, by transgress-in them. Certainly they will never for- * ing which, they have displeased me. get such exercises as these! The slavish, boisterous manner of ed- XIII. I would be very watchful and ucation too commonly used, I consid-cautious about the companions of my er as no small article in the wrath and curse of God upon a miserable world. XI. As soon as we can, we will children. I would be very inquisitive : ed by vicious company, I will earnest- which God sent them into the world ly pull them out of it, as “brands out to perform; what attempts they have of the burning ;" and will try to pro- made towards it; and how they design cure for them fit and useful associates. to spend the rest of their time, if God XIV. As in catechising the children, continues them in the world. so in the repetition of the public ser- XVI. When the children are in any mons, I would use this method: I would trouble,whether sickness or otherwise, put every truth into the form of a ques-I will take advantage of the occasion, tion, to be answered with yes, or no. to set before them the evil of sin, the By this method I hope to awaken their cause of all our trouble: and will repattention, as well as enlighten their un-resent to them, how fearful a thing it derstandings. And thus I shall have will be, to be cast among the damned an opportunity to ask, Do you desire who are in unceasing and endless such and such a grace? with other sim- trouble. I will set before them the ilar questions. Yea, I may by this benefit of an interest in Christ, by means have an opportunity to demand which their trouble will be sanctified and perhaps to obtain, their early, fre- to them, and they will be prepared for quent, and, I would hope, sincere con- death, and for fullness of joy in a hapsent to the glorious articles of the new py eternity after death covenant. The Spirit of grace may XVII. I wish, that even if God fall upon them in this action, and they should give me wealth, all my chilmay be seized by him and possessed by dren, the daughters as well as the him as his temples thro' enternal ages. sons, may have so much acquaintance XV. When a day of humiliation with some profitable avocation, that arrives, I will make them know the they may be able to obtain for themmeaning of the day and after some selves a comfortable subsistence, if by time given them to consider of it, I the providence of God, they should will require them to tell me, what spe-ever be brought into destitute circumcial afflictions they have met with, and stances. Why should not they be what good they hope to get by those thus instructed as well as Paul, the afflictions. On a day of thanksgiving, tent-maker! Children of the highest they shall also be made to know the rank may have occasion to bless their intent of the day; and after considera- parents who made such a provision tion, they shall inform me, what mer- for them. The Jews have a saying cies of God to them they take special on this subject, which is worthy to be notice of, and what duties to God they mentioned: Whoever teaches not his confess and resolve to perform under son some trade or business does in resuch obligations. Indeed, for some-ality teach him to be a thief." thing of this importance, to be pursued in my conversation with them, I would not confine myself to the solemn days, which may occur too seldom for it ;but, particularly when the birth-days of my children arrive, I would take them aside, and remind them of the age, which, having obtained help of to bring others to acknowledge him; God, they have attained; and tell them how thankful they should be for the mercies of God, upon which they have hitherto lived; and how fruitful they should be in all goodness, that so they may still enjoy their mercies. And I would inquire of them, whether they have ever yet begun to mind the work XVIII. As early as possible, 1 would make my children acquainted with the chief end for which they are to live that so their youth may not be altogether vanity. I would shew them that their chief end must be to acknowledge the great God, and and that they are never acting wisely nor well, but when they are so doing, I would shew them, what these acknowledgements are, and how they are to be made. I would make them able to answer the grand question"For what purpose do you live: and what is the end of the actions that em I ploy your lives ?"! I would teach || married state, aim at the espousal of them how their Creator and Redeem- their souls to their only Saviour. er is to be obeyed in every thing, and would, as plainly and as fully as I can, how every thing is to be done in obe-propose to them the terms on which dience to him; I would instruct them the glorious Redeemer will espouse in what manner even their diversions, them to himself, in righteousness and their ornaments, and the tasks of their judgment, favor and mercies forever; educations, must all be managed to and solicit their consent to his proposal fit them for the further service of Him and overtures: then I would proceed to whom I have devoted them, and to do what may be expected from a how, in these also, his commandments tender parent for them, in their tem must be the rule of all they do. Iporal circumstances. would therefore sometimes surprise them with an enquiry, "Child, what is this for? Give me a good account why you do it." How comfortably shall I see them" walking in the light,' if I may bring them wisely to answer this question; and what "children of the light" they will be! THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. All the affairs of his kingdom are conducted according to the counsel of eternal wisdom. If the world is to be destroyed by a deluge of waters, he will raise XIX. I would sometimes oblige up Noah, a preacher of righteousness, the children to retire, and ponder on to give warning of the approaching ca that question; "What should I wish tastrophe. If his people are to be deto have done, if I were now dying?' livered from Egyptian bondage, he After they shall have reported to me will raise up Moses and Aaron, and their own answer to the question, I will give them commissions and instruc take occasion from it, to inculcate up- tions for the important purpose. If his on them the lessons of godliness.Son is to be sent into the world, to I would also direct and oblige them, make reconciliation for iniquity, and at a proper time, seriously to realize to bring in everlasting righteousness, their own appearance before the aw-and a great and permanent change is ful judgment-seat of the Lord Jesus to take place in the outward adminis Christ, and to consider, what they have||tration of his kingdom on earth, he will to plead that they may not be sent a- raise up John, and send him forth, in way into everlasting punishment: the spirit and power of Elijah, to pre what they have to plead, that theypare the way for these great and nota may be admitted into the holy city. ble events. I would instruct them what plea to As John, the harbinger of the Messiprepare first, shew them how to get ah, made a distinguished figure in the a part in the righteousness of him who perspective of ancient prophecy: as is to be their Judge, by receiving it his office, his ministry and baptism with a thankful faith, as the gift of in- constituted an important part of the finite grace to the distressed and un-outward administration of the church worthy sinner: then shew them how of God; and, as a right understanding to prove that their faith is genuine by of them is of very considerable importheir continual endeavour in all things tance, under the present economy of to please him who is to be their Judge, the covenant of grace, it may be use and to serve his kingdom and interest ful to collect the scattered rays of in the world. And I would charge Scripture upon them, and shew them, them to make this preparation. as clearly as we can, in their true light. XX. If I live to see the children arrive at a marriageable age, I would, before I consult with heaven or earth for their best accommodation in the E To his ancient people, by the mouth of his prophet Malachi, the Lord said, BEHOLD, I WILL SEND MY MESSENGER, AND HE SHALL PREPARE THE WAY |