A PLAIN DISCOURSE OF The Mercy of Having GOOD PARENTS▪ With The Duties of CHILDREN that have such Parents.
Written by M. G.
Printed in the year 1668.
To the Honourable, the Lady A. W.
YOur Honors constant and chearful attendance to these plain Truths when delivered in your Family, did then incourage me in that Work, and now to present them to your Honour; not doubting but [Page]you will cordially receive the Truths, though covered with an ordinary dress, & judg of them according to the End for which they were written (which was the good of yours & your sweet Childrens Souls) and the sincere desires that accompany them, that they may prove effectual to that end.
What I have here written, your Honour can much more perfectly teach us by your own experience, the Lord having by his gracious Providence made you the Daughter of holy Parents, who prayed [Page]for you, instructed you, and from a Child made you acquainted with the Scriptures; and blessing their Endeavours made you a godly Child, and gave you the same unfained Faith that dwelt in your Father and Mother; and made you now the gratious Mother of many sweet Children, whom I hope the Lord will bless with his Grace, according to your earnest desires and endeavours. Be incouraraged to trust God with them, & to believe that he will bless them (being your Children, and the Grand-children [Page]of those eminent godly Persons) and bring them to know him, that they may be blessed for ever. Now the Lord bless you, and the fruit of your Womb, that all your children may fear him, & grant that his grace may run in your Family for ever; and that you and all yours may be eternally happy, shall be the prayers of him that desires an Interest in your prayers, and shall for ever be, Madam,
When I call to remembrance the unfained Faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy Grandmother Lois, and thy Mother Eunice, and I am perswaded in thee also.
CHAP. I. The Text opened and an Observation raised and proved.
THe words (you see) are a part of Pauls Epistle to Timothy (his Son in the faith, 1 Tim. 1.2.) which words may [Page 2]be considered in two respects:
First, Relatively, and that either, 1. In respect of the words foregoing, and then they are the cause of Pauls Joy in the fourth verse, Paul remembring the unfained faith of Timothy, was filled with Joy: From whence observe,
That Believers do exceedingly rejoyce (especially those that have been Instruments of their Conversion) when they see the Reality of Grace in the Souls of others. Or,
Secondly, They may be considered in relation to the following words, and so they are the reason of that Exhortation [Page 3]in the sixth verse, from which you may observe these two things:
1 Observ. Paul had not exhorted Timothy to preach to others, but that he was perswaded of his unfained faith.
2 Observ. Before you teach others, you must see that you have unfained Faith your selves.
Secondly, Positively, as they are in themselves; and then the words contain these two things:
1. Pauls remembring the unfained Faith of Timothy.
2. That it dwelt first in his Grandmother and Mother, which he mentions, first for [Page 4]the comfort of Timothy, and his establishment; and secondly for the honour of the Family. The end of the whole Discourse is to comfort and strengthen Timothy, and to prepare him for the following Exhortations.
I shall now open the words.
Call to remembrance] That is, When I think of, or remember thy faith.
Ʋnfained Faith] That is, real or sincere faith, faith without dissimulation: You have the same word used in several places, as 1 Tim. 1 5. Of faith unfained, that is, not hypocritical: 2 Cor. 6.6. By Love unfained, that is, sincere Love. So 1 Pet. 1.22. Ʋnfained Love. And Rom. 12.9. [Page 5] Love without Dissimulation, or pure Love; the same is spoken of the Wisdom of Christians, Jam. 3.17. without Hypocrisie. So that you see that the word notes a real sincere Faith, without hypocrisie or dissimulation.
Which dwelt, &c.] Not the same numerical faith, but the same specifical or kind of faith; as if he had said, Thy Grandmother Lois, and thy Mother Eunice, had the same sincere unfained faith.
From the words thus opened, I shall raise several Observations.
The first shall be from the Apostles mentioning the faith of his Grandmother and Mother: Whence observe,
Obser. 1. It is a very great Mercy to be the Child of Godly Parents, of such as have unfained Faïth.
And that for these following Reasons.
The first Reason.
It is a great mercy to be the Children of believing Parents, because there are many Promises made to such, which they may lay hold on, and plead with God; and it is a very great mercy to have a Promise to plead with God: but the Seed of the Righteous have such Promises; Exod. 20.6. But shewing Mercy to thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments: [Page 7]That is, the Lord will be merciful to the Children of those that love him. So Isa. 44.3. I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine Off-spring. The Righteous may plead this Promise for their Children, and so may their Children for themselves; and is not this a great mercy? You might have been the Children of such as have an interest in nothing but curses, upon them and their Seed; but you have blessed Promises to plead with God. Therefore it is a great Mercy to be the Children of Godly Parents.
CHAP. II. Reasons to prove the Doctrine; Godly Parents pray for their Children, Instruct them in the Scripture, and incourage them in all good.
The second Reason.
IT is a great mercy to be the Children of godly Parents, because such Children have many Prayers for them, and are dayly dedicated by their Parents to God; a godly Parent considereth the state of his Child, and prays earnestly for him; he cries unto God as Abraham did for his [Page 9]Son I shmael; Gen. 17, 18. And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! so saith a Godly Father or Mother, O that such a Son or such a Daughter might live before thee! and though God bestows Graces upon some of their Children, yet they still continue praying for the rest; as Abraham did for Ishmael, though he had a Promise that the Seed of Sarah should be blessed, Gen. 17.16. A Godly man will not cease from praying till all his Children be gracious, but cryes out to God, to bless all his Seed, and that for ever, as 2 Sam. 7.26. Let it please thee to bless the House of thy Servant, that it may continue for ever before thee, and with [Page 10]thy blessing let the House of thy Servant be blessed for ever; that is, bless all my Seed, for by (house) is meant those that are born in his house, that have a relation to him; and he prays that as long as any of them dwell upon the Land of the Living, they may be blessed. So doth Godly persons pray for their Children; is it not a great mercy to have Parents that will daily offer Sacrifice for us as Job did for his Children, Job 1.5. You might have had Parents that would never have prayed for you, or if they had, had no Interest with God, but you have such as pray often for you, it may be when you cannot or do not pray for your selves, and is not this a great [Page 11]mercy? While wicked persons dedicate their Children to the service of Satan, Godly Parents when God gives them Children, dedicates them to the Lord, and by Faith give them to be his Children for ever, as Hanna did Samuel, 1. Sam. 1.26, 27, 28. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord, as long as he liveth; That is the Child that God hath given me, I give to God, to Worship him for ever: Thus do all godly Parents, when God gives them Children, they give them to Worship and serve God. This will appear to be a very great mercy, if you consider how acceptable the Prayers of the Righteous are to God, The Prayers of the wicked are an [Page 12]Abomination, but the Prayers of the Righteous are a sweet smelling savour before him, Prov. 15.8. God rejecteth the Prayers of the wicked, but receives the Prayers of the Godly, the fervent Prayer of the Righteous a vaileth much with God; God is far from wicked persons, but he heareth the Prayers of the Righteous, Prov. 15.29. Therefore it is a great mercy to be the Child of such Parents.
The third Reason.
It is a mercy to be the Child of godly Parents, because such Children are Instructed in good things, especially, in the knowledge of the Scriptures, and the Fundamentals of Religion. As soon as the Child [Page 13]is capable of Instruction, they begin to Instruct him, and acquaint him with good things, presently fall to Instruct them in the Truth of God, and to make them acquainted with his mind, they readily obey that command, Deut. 6 6 7. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy Children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up, Deut. 11.19. Psal. 7.4, 5 6. that is, thou shalt take all opportunities to Instruct thy Children; a wicked man that rejects the Commands of God out of his heart, is not like to teach them [Page 14]his Children, but godly Parents that hide the Commands of God in their hearts, will be ready always to teach them to their Children, the love they have to the Souls of their Children, doth oblige them so to do, & besides they have a love to the commands of God, that engageth them to spread them abroad as much as they can. They deal with their Children as godly Eunice did with her Son Timothy, make them from their Childhood to know the Scriptures, 2 Tim. 3.15. And that from a Child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, Consider that the Scriptures contain the whole Mind of God, and have in them every thing that concerns our Salvation; that [Page 15]they are the words of Eternal Life, and that they are able to make you wise to Salvation, 2 Tim. 3.15. Wicked Parents leave their Children in Ignorance, or Instruct them in Superstition and Vanity, but the godly Instruct their Children in the Scriptures; Is it not then a great mercy to be the Children of such Parents.
CHAP. III. They are instructed what sin is, made acquainted with Christ, with Gospel Duties, with Heaven and Hell.
GOdly Parents in instructing their Children in the Scriptures, do take special care to teach them the fundamentals of Religion, and those Truths that are most necessary to Salvation, and these they paticularly instructs them in; and they are such as follow:
I. They make them acquainted with sin; they do [Page 17]not lead them into sin, but they teach them,
First, what is sin, that they may avoid it, they shew them the Law of God, and acquaint them with what is evil: They tell them that to lie is a sin, to swear is a sin, &c. and bid them avoyd them: And this is a mercy.
Secondly, They do not rest there, but they tell them also what an evil sin is; they open to them the nature of sin, that it is a transgression of Gods holy Law, that it is that which is contrary to God. They shew them also the danger of sinning, and the fruits and effects of it; that it is that which made God cast our fore fathers out of Paradise, and it is that which made glorious [Page 18]Angels become Devils: It is that which makes God cast his Creatures to Hell for ever: It is that which brings all the misery that is in the World; Sin was that that destroyed Sodom, and drowned the old World; and it is that that will destroy every one that walks in it, it is a mercy to know this betimes.
Thirdly, They acquaint their Children with their natural Pollution, and tell them what their condition is by sin, that they are all under sin, and by nature in a lost condition, and if they do not get from that Condition, they will be undone for ever, and so put them upon looking after deliverance, and is not this a great mercy; for wicked Parents [Page 19]do neither tell their Children what is sin, nor what an evil sin is; nor what their condition is by sin, till they drop to Hell, therefore it is a mercy to have good Parents.
II. Godly Parents when they have acquainted their Children with sin, acquaint them also with the Way and Means to be delivered from sin; they tell them that there is a Fountain opened for sin, and for uncleanness; and that the Lord Jesus Christ came into the World to save his people from their sins, Mat. 1.21. That he is able to save all those that come to him, and will most certainly save them if they believe in him; they describe the excellency of his [Page 20]Person, that they may be taken with him, and lay open his Offices before them, shewing that he hath satisfied for sin, and hath conquered all the Enemies of our Salvation, and that there is strength to be had with him to overcome sin; they are always speaking to them of Christ and of his love to sinners: Shewing the riches and freeness of his Grace, and what perfect Salvation is to be had; and these things take the hearts of their Children: whereas many Parents never speak of these things to their Children. Therefore it is a great mercy to have good Parents.
III. The Children of godly Parents are made acquainted [Page 21]with Gospel Duties, and Ordinances, their Parents teach them, wch are the duties of the Gospel, (believing and obeying) and shew them the necessity of performing them, (For he that believeth not, is condemned already) the fruitfulness and pleasure of them, and the great benefits of them; which are, Peace of Conscience, Joy in the Holy Ghost, and Everlasting Salvation: they acquaint them with the Ordinances, and bring them to them, and shew them how they must be performed, that it must be in Spirit and in Truth; that the Heart must be engaged in every duty. Many think that when they have repeated a few words, they have prayed: [Page 22]Or when they have sate in Church or House, they have heard: Or when they have received the Bread and Wine, they have received the Lords Supper, but a godly Man teacheth his that they must pray with Understanding, and that the heart must be engaged in prayer, and that the Word and Sacrament must be mixed with Faith; Therefore it is a mercy to have good Parents,
Fourthly, They acquaint them with Heaven and Hell, they lay the Glory of Heaven before them, and tell them that all Tears are wiped from the eyes of the Saints in Heaven, and that they enjoy God and are continually in his presence; blessing and praising [Page 23]his Name: They tell them also, that none go thith [...]r but those that are Holy, and that the Way is narrow, and few enter thither, therefore they must strive. They acquaint them also with Hell, and the Torments of it, that there is continually weeping and gnashing of teeth, that there is an Everlasting fire: They tell them also, that the way is broad and many find it, and that all that do not repent of their sins go thither, and so bids them take heed of sin. Wicked parents are Ignorant, and leave their Children Ignorant of them; Therefore it is a mercy to have godly Parents.
CHAP. IV. Other Reasons: they are encouraged in good, and discouraged from evil; and prayed for by the godly.
The fourth Reason.
IT is a great mercy to be the Children of godly Parents, for they are exhorted to, and encouraged in every thing that is good. Good Parents do not only acquaint their Children with the commands of God, but do daily exhort them to obey them; they tell them what are their duties, and diligently perswade them [Page 25]to perform them, and they also encourage them in the performance of them: they are not satisfied to acquaint them with Gods mind, but study all sorts of Arguments to perswade them to Obedience. Wicked Parents do not exhort their Children to Holiness, but at best to some outward Forms of Religion, and if they find the power of Godliness in their Souls, they are apt to hate them, and instead of Incouraging them, they discourage them; Therefore it is a mercy to be the Children of godly Parents.
The fifth Reason.
It is a great mercy to be the Children of godly Parents; because such are warned against [Page 26]all evil, wacht over least they should run to evil, and always discouraged in whatsoever is evil: and if nothing will do, then they correct them, knowing how God useth to bless the corrections of his Children, Prov. 22.17. Correct thy Son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight to thy Soul, that is, God will bless thy due Correction, that thou shalt find a satisfactory Fruit arising from it, or however thou shalt find rest in doing the duty: Such Parents know that the rod and reprooss gives Wisdom, Prov. 29.15. Therefore, rather then their Children should spend their dayes in folly, they will give them Correction, they love the Souls of their [Page 27]Children, and therefore rather then they should be lost, they will correct them, following the advise of the Spirit of God, Prov. 23.13, 14. With-hold not correction from the Child, for if thou beatest him with the Rod he shall not die; thou shalt beat him with the Rod and shall deliver his Soul from Hell; That is, God will bless Correction to save the Child, and with Correction they Instruct them, and pray over them, they know what a danger it is to be accustomed to sin, and therefore they Principle them against sin, and correct them for sin, and this is a special Mercy: But wicked Parents do not discourage their Children, nor correct them for [Page 28]displeasing God, although they may Correct them over-much to please their own humor; Therefore it is a mercy to have good Parents.
The sixth Reason.
It is a great mercy to be the Children of godly Parents, because the Saints are continually praying for them: I suppose that godly Parents do go themselves, and bring their Children to the Society of godly People, and all the Saints pray for them: Now this is a very great mercy, if you Consider how the Saints Prayers do prevail with God, and how Often [Page 29]he hears them; and answers them. Therefore it is a mercy to be the Children of godly Parents.
CHAP. V. Other Reasons; they have holy examples to teach them, they have the benefit of their Fathers expertences, they are in Scripture called Blessed.
The seventh Reason.
IT is a great mercy to be the Children of Godly Parents, because such have holy Examples laid before them: Good Parents take special care to say no stumbbling-block before their children, but live up to the inst uction they give them▪ They labour to be an example [Page 31]to their children in word, avoiding all vain and foolish words; in conversation, walking holily according to the commands of God; in Charity, that is, full of love and pity to poor creatures; living peaceably with all, in spirit, upright and sincere in spirit, full of zeal and fervency, in faith, having an holy unfained faith; in purity, being pure in all their carriages, 1 Tim. 4.12. So Prov. 29.7. The just man walketh in his integrity, his Children are blessed after him: His upright walking, and holy practices conduceth to their happiness.
And further, they take care to bring their Children to such places and companies as may give them holy examples; [Page 32]and there is nothing conduceth more to work good on others, than holy examples; especially the holy examples of Parents conduce to the good of their Children: Wicked Parents give evil examples to their children, they swear, curse, lie, cheat, slight the Ordinances of God, drink to excess, riot, hate and persecute Gods children, and run to all m [...]nner of wickedness, keep wicked company, and thereby teach their Children to do so also; therefore it is a mercy to be the Children of good Parents.
The eighth Reason.
The Children of godly Parents are in Scripture called [Page 33]Blessed; therefore it is a mercy to be such children, Prov. 20.7. His Children are blessed after him.
The Ninth Reason.
It is a great mercy to be the children of good Parents, because such enjoy the benefits of their Parents experiences; it is a mercy when men teach experiences: such Parents will tell their children that they have tried sin, and find it to be a great evil, that they tried the World, and found no satisfaction, that all the pleasures of it are vain; that they have found much satisfaction, much real joy and comfort in walking with God, and in obeying his commands; that they have found [Page 34]the Lord Jesus to be a gracious Soul-satisfying Redeemer; they tell them that they never saw the Righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread, Psal. 37.25. They tell them what joy and pleasure they have found in holiness; and experiences are very prevalent to perswade Souls. Wicked Parents have no such experiences to teach their Children, therefore it is a mercy to be the child of good Parents.
CHAP. VI. Other Reasons; they have such as make Conscience of providing for them, they are both spared and rewarded for their Parents good; their estates got honestly.
The Tenth Reason.
TO be the Children of Godly Parents, is a great mercy, because such make conscience of providing for the good of their childrens Souls and Bodies; they are conscienciously bound to educate their Children in the fear of God, and to match [Page 36]and settle them so as they may be incouraged in those hings: And so also to provide for their bodies to breed them in honest Callings, and to leave them as much outward Estates as they can, they are conscienciously bound to Improve their Estates in an honest way for for their Children, Prov. 13.22. A Good man leaveth an Inheritance to his Children; strives so to do; however his Holiness and Sincerity is an Inheritance to them; Believers consider that place seriously, 1 Tim. 5.8. But if any provide not for his own; and especially to those of his own house, (or kindred) he hath denied the Faith, and is worse than an Infidel; Infidels have a natural tye on [Page 37]them to provide for their Families, but Believers have both a Natural and Conscientious tye to provide for theirs; Therefore it is a mercy to be the Children of such.
The eleventh Reason.
It is a great mercy to have godly Parents, because God oftentimes rewards Children for the good of their Parents, and with-holds Judgments from seizing upon them, upon the account of their Parents, Lev. 26.42. I will remember my Covenant with Jacob, and I will remeber the Land, verse 44. and I will not cast them away, neither will I destroy them utterly; that is, upon the account [Page 38]of their Godly fore-Fathers 1 Kings 11.34. Howbeit, I will take the whole Kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him Prince all the dayes of his life, for David my Servants sake, whom I chose because he kept my Commands, and my Statutes. How is a Judgment with-held, and a Mercy bestowed upon the account of the Godliness of a Father? so 2 Kings 10.30. Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, thy Children to the fourth Generation, shall sit on the Throne of Israel: so Prov. 20.7. The Just man walketh in his Integrity, his Children are blessed after him: that is on the account of his Integrity. Personal goodness is [Page 39]a good means to bring Safety, Honour, Wealth, and many comfortable blessings on Posterity; Therefore it is a mercy to be the Children of such.
The twelfth Reason.
It is a mercy to be the Children of godly Parents, because their Estates come with a blessing, they are gotten honestly, and so God blesseth them; and a little with a blessing, is better than a great deal that the wicked bath, Psal. 3.7. A little that a Righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked: because God blesseth the one, and curseth the other; the one is got justly, and the other unrighteously. Prov. 15.16. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, [Page 40]than great Treasures with trouble: That which is gathered in the fear of God, though little; is better then great Possessions got wickedly, for usually it comes to nothing, having a Curse going along with it: therefore it is a mercy to be Children of godly Parents
CHAP. VII. Other Reasons; there is a curse on the wicked and their Seed; and the children of Believers have an interest in the Covenant.
The thirteenth Reason.
'TIs a great mercy to be the Children of good Parents, because the Seed of the Wicked are under a curse, and God often-times pours down a curse upon them, on the account of their Parents, Exod. 20.5. Visiting the sins of the Fathers upon the Children: As for eternal Judgments, [Page 42]every one suffers for his own sins; but for the Fathers sins the children are often punished in body, in goods, and other things, which they had, and derive from their Parents, Numb. 14.33. And your Children shall walk in the Wilderness forty years, and bear your whordoms. So 1 Sam. 15.3. Smite Amaleck and utterly destroy all that he hath, and spare them not, but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, Ox and Ass, Camel and Sheep. Amaleck sinned, and his children suffer. So that you see it is a mercy to be the children of good Parents.
The fourteenth Reason.
It is a great mercy to be the children of Godly Parents because such have an interest in the Covenant of Grace, the Covenant belongs to the Faith [...] their Seed, Gen. 17.7. [...] will establish my Covenant [...]een me & thee, and thy Seed after thee, in their Generations, for an everlasting Covenant, to be a God to thee, and thy Seed after thee. Jer. 32.39. where the Covenant is mentioned, it is said to be for the good of them, and their Seed after them. And although there are none saved but the faithful children of Believers, yet all the children of Believers have an interest [Page 44]in the external part of [...]e Covenant: They are to be baptised, Many of Gods people are not [...] my mind in [...]is, but I hope [...]ey will not be [...]nded with [...], for decla [...]g my mind. they have a foederal holiness, and that gives them a title to baptism, for that does seem to be the direct [...]eaning of that place, 1 Cor. [...].14. For the unbel [...]eving [...]usband is sanctified by the [...]elieving Wife, and the unbe [...]eving Wife is sanctified by [...]e Husband; else were your [...]hildren unclean, but now are [...]ey holy: This husbands san [...]ifying of the Wife, or the [...]fe the Husband, is not [...]ant real sanctification, for [Page 45]that they do not always do, though God makes them instrumental to it sometimes; nor are their children made really holy and gracious, but faederally holy, so that they may be baptized; which the children of unbelievers have no title to, and this is a great mercy. Therefore it is good to haue godly Parents.
CHAP. VIII. Some Uses of the Point, by way of Information and Exhortation.
USE I.
THese Reasons that I have given to prove it a great mercy to be the children of godly Parents, do contain in them the duties of Parents: Therefore let all Parents look to it, that you pray for and instruct your Children, and provide for them, and educate them in the fear of the Lord; will it not be a sad thing when you come to die, to [Page 47]think that you have children that are no instructed in Gods ways, or to see your children die ignorant of Christ? Therefore look to it.
USE II.
That we should all of us take special care to bring our selves under the Covenant: How can any think of marrying, till you are married to Christ? and of having children, till you are sanctified? Therefore strive to be holy, that your children may have this mercy.
USE III.
Let such as are Parents walk holily before the Lord; lay [Page 49]up your prayers for your children in heaven: Leave them holy examples: You have given them a sinful nature, and have brought them to a sinful world, do what you can to make them gracious, and and answer the desire of the Spirit of God Deut. 5.29. O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me and keep my Commandments that it might be well with them and their children for ever.
USE IV.
Do not be discouraged to breed your children in godliness, though it may seem contrary to their outward profit, for the greatest good you can [Page 49]do them, is to [...] care them, the fear of the Lord, [...]ov 14.26. In the fear of th [...] Lord is strong confidence, an [...] his Children shall have R [...] fuge.
CHAP. IX. Another Use; The evil of a fained Faith shewed in several Particulars.
USE V.
LEt me exhort all Parents to take great care that their faith be sincere: for as the unfained faith of Parents is a great mercy; so a fained faith of Parents is a great Judgement, both to themselves and children: And that for these Reasons:
The first Reason.
Because this brings them under a curse: Hypocrites are accursed, and they bring their Children under a curse; therefore if thou lovest the Souls of thy children, be real and sincere.
The second Reason.
Because the faired faith of Parents do prejudice them against Religion: they see a contradiction in their profession and practices, and this prejudiceth them against Religion; and though it will not excuse them at last, yet it [Page 52]is a great Judgement; therefore let parents be sure to live up to that they profess, or else they may prejudice their children against Godliness for ever.
The third Reason.
The fained faith of Parents is a great evil, for it breeds a searedness of Conscience in them, always seeing nothing but the outward shew of Religion, and being brought up onely in the outward form of it, never seeing any thing of the Life and Power of Godliness, they grow secure and seared, and this is a very great Judgement.
The fourth Reason.
It breeds a fained faith in them, therefore it is a great Judgement to have Parents that have a fained Faith only: Hypocrisie is a Leven, (Luk. 12.10 Reware of the Leven of the Pharisees, which is Hypocrisie) and levens a whole Family, and runs from one Generation to another; and when the Parents are hypocritical, the children are apt to be hypocritical too.
The fifth Reason.
It is a great Judgement to have P [...]rents that have fained [Page 54]faith onely, because the children shall see an end of their faith, and usually a sad end, running to open sin and profaneness, and this doth the children more hurt than their profession did good.
Upon all these accounts you see what reason Parents have to look that their faith be not fained, but real and sincere: Try then the reallity of your faith: look to the object of it, that the things you believe be right and true, or else you will run your self, and lead your children to an error: look to the nature of your faith, that it be sincere and real, or else you deceive your selves, and [...]umble your children.
CHAP. X. Other Uses; Such should bless God, and labour to Improve this great Mercy.
The sixth Ʋse.
LET all the Children of such, admire the Proviof God, and bless him for it; you might have been borne under a curse, and have had such Parents as would have neglected your Souls and Bodies, and have breed you in the way of sin, and have laid wicked Examples before you, but you have Parents that [Page 56]pray for you, instruct you, and lay Holy Examples before you. Therefore bless and praise God for his good Providence.
USE VII.
Let the Children of good Parents labour to Improve this mercy.
Directions to improve this mercy.
The first Direction. Improve this mercy by being willing to be Instructed, pray to God for a teachable heart, take fast hold of Instruction; keep her, and let her not go, for she is thy life, [Page 57] Prov. 4.13. be not weary of Instruction: Read these following Scriptures. Prov. 5.11, 12. and .8.33. and 12.1. and 13.18. and 15.32. Therefore be Instructed.
The second Direction. Improve this great mercy by a Cordial receiving of their lawful Commands, and Corrections; do not let thy heart rise against the corrections of thy Parents, but be ready to obey and submit: Read these Scriptures, Ephes. 6.1. Prov. 15.10. and readily embrace the commands and corrections of your Parents.
The third Direction. Improve the mercy, by following their examples in what is good, as they lay Holy Examples before you, so be you Holy in Words, Conversation and Heart; you see them praying much, and doing good, and hating sin; so do you also.
The fourth Direction. Improve this mercy by avoiding all their weakness, covering them, knowing that they are such as they will be ashamed of, and humbled for.
The fifth Direction. Improve this mercy by being thankful to your Parents, always ready to serve them, and help them in what you can, and by being thankful to God for them.
The sixth Direction. Improve this mercy, by taking care, and by using all diligence to get the same Faith, that your Parents have; And so I am come to the second Observation.
CHAP. XI. The second Observation, Reasons why the Children of Believers should take care to look after the same Faith.
I Am come now to the second Observation from the Text,
Obser. 2. It should be the care of the Children of godly Parents, to get the same unfained Faith with their Parents. This was Timothies happiness; that he had the same unfained Faith with his Parents; you would not come behind your Parents in Estates, [Page 61]Honour, and the like: Be sure then to be Good and Holy as well as them, and as you would have their Estates, so get their Holiness, and that for those Reasons.
The first Reason.
Children should take care to get unfained faith, because the Faith of their Parents cannot save them, although the Faith of their Parents may bring down many outward mercies upon them, and with-hold outward Judgments from them, yet it cannot hinder Eternal Judgments from seizing upon them, if they walk in sin and iniquity, Esau, a wicked Son of a Godly Parent must go to Hell; notwithstanding the Godliness [Page 62]of his Parents, and so must all the wicked Children of godly Parents, if they dye in their sins, every one is saved by his own Faith; and as a wicked mans Child shall be saved if he Believe, for see Acts 13.39. for by him all that Believe are justified; whither they be the Children of wicked or good Parents; so no good mans Child shall be saved without Faith, see Joh. 3.18. He that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he believeth not on the Name of Christ. Whosoever is saved; is saved by Faith, and that his own Faith; not the Faith of his Parents: Therefore let the Children of Believers use all [Page 63]diligence to get the same unfained Faith, with their Parents.
The second Reason.
The Children of godly Parents should take care to get Faith, because Faith is not entailed on the Children of Believers, they do not convey Grace, as they do corruption on his Children, for Faith is the gift of God, and although godly Parents are often Instruments of working Faith in their Children, yet it is given by the special hand of God; neither is God bound to give Grace to Children for the godliness of their Parents, although he often Sanctifies [Page 64]such, and hears the Prayers of Parents for their Children, yet he is a free Agent, and bestows Grace on whom he pleaseth; and therefore we see that godly Parents sometimes have wicked Children, and wicked Parents have godly Children, Ephes. 1.5. Having predestinated us to the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will; the will and pleasure of God is the rule of his bestowing Grace. Therefore let the Children of Believers be careful to get Faith.
The third Reason.
The Children of good Parents, should be careful [Page 65]to get Faith, because this great mercy we enjoy, (of having Parents that are godly, that p [...]ay for us, instruct us, correct us, bring us to the Ordinances, and give us holy Examples) if we do not receive Instruction, increase our Condemnation at last. Therefore be careful.
The fourth Reason.
Such Children should be careful to get Faith, for if they miss of it, they will be without excuse, they cannot say but they have been offered Heaven, and called upon to walk with God for ever, they cannot say but they have been Instructed, reproved, exhorted to Good, [Page 66]Incouraged in it, and told of the evil of sin, and d [...]horted from sin. Therefore see you get grace, or else you will be without excuse and miserable.
CHAP. XII. Other Reasons; an use of reproof, the several ways that godly mens Children forfeit their mercy.
The fifth Reason.
GODLY mens Children should be very careful to get Faith, because Satan is most busie with such, he sees your Parents use diligence to save you, and sees you are nearer Heaven, therefore he will bestir himself, and use all means to make you miscarry, and he is a cunning Adversary. Therefore it concerns you to be careful.
The sixth Reason.
Such Children should take care to get unfained Faith, because they are apt to rest in the form and outward Profession of Religion; being bred up civilly, and not suffered to run to any outward evil, and used to Ordinances: Satan perswades them they are well, and makes them rest in a Form of Godliness without the power of it, therefore let all such take care, and not trust in the goodness of their Parents nor outward Profession, but get an unfained Faith your selves.
Ʋse.
If the Children of Godly Parents should be so careful [Page 69]to get unfained Faith, this sadly reproves such as neglect it, and continue in sin, though they have Parents that hate sin; how many such are there! If there be any weakness in their Parents, they will Imitate them in that, but never look after their good; they slight the Mercy of having good Parents, as if it was of no value; hath God given you these Mercies and will you abuse them? Are you so fair for Heaven, and will not you strive to enter? God offers Heaven and will you refuse it? There are three ways that I find in Scripture, and Experience, that the Children of godly Parents depart from God and abuse this mercy, which I shall lay down, that [Page 70]you may avoid them.
1. Way, Where the Children of godly Parents do not prove godly, they often prove to be Mockers and Persecutors of Godliness, see Gen. 21.9, 10. Ishmael (the Son of Godly Abraham) mocked Isaac; that is, persecuted him: We have many sad Experiences of this, and is it not a sad thing to see persons Educated righteously, persecute Religion? Certainly their condition is sad: Take heed then of this.
2. Way. When godly mens Children do not prove godly, they g [...]ve themselves to Worldly Pleasures. Esan the Son of godly Isaac, sold his Birthright for a mess of Pottage, Gen. 25.31. How many [Page 71]Examples have we of godly mens Children, selling Heaven and all their Priviledges for the pleasures of this world, for that is to loose everlasting pleasures, and to purchase everlasting so row.
3. Way. Many godly mens Children, not proving godly, do grow confident in their own righteousness, and trust in their own gifts and priviledges, resting in a Form of Godliness, without the power of it; we may say of many as of them, Rom. 10.3. For they being Ignorant of Gods Righteousness, and going about to establish their own Righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the Righteousness of God. It is Ignorance that makes any trust in their own [Page 72]Righteousness, this we are all apt to, aspecially such as have the form of Godliness; therefore beware of this, and if thou art in any of these ways: Consider these following partculars.
CHAP. XIII. Fourteen Considerations; to the Children of Godly Parents, that are ungodly.
Consid. 1. Let all the ungodly Children of godly Parents consider, that God never rejected them, but they despised the Covenant, neither was there any necessity laid upon them, of departing from God.
Consid. 2. Let such consider that your own Consciences will condemn you, those Consciences of yours, that are now seared, will one day condemn [Page 74]you, and make you say (Prov. 5.12.) How have I hated Instruction; and my heart despised reproof?
Consid. 3. That all these mercies, the Instructions, Examples, and Ordinances, which thou enjoyest, will rise up in Judgment against thee, and increase thy condemnation.
Consid. 4. Let the wicked Children of Good Parents consider that they shall hardly escape a curse here, for usually such as are bred in a godly manner, if they be wicked and persecute Gods Children, or prophane, God overtakes them with some sad Judgments here.
Consid. 5. However such may escape here, they will be sure [Page 75]of the lowermost part of Hell hereafter, for such (usually) know much, And he that knoweth his Masters will and doth it not, shall be beaten with many Stripes, Luke 12 49
Consid. 6. All men in their hearts will hate you, though wicked men endeavour to draw you to sin, yet their Consciences tell them that your Fathers ways were right, and and that you should be as they were: Therefore when you grow Prophane, you will be hated, and slighted of all-
Consid. 7. That you once stood fair for Heaven? you had the means of Grace, and by sin you have forfeited all your mercies, and chose Hell rather then Heaven.
Consid. 8. Let such consider [Page 76]the difference that will be between them and the godly Children of good Parents, The Lord receives them into inward Fellowship, so that they are Justified by Christ, Sanctified, and shall be glorified for ever; but the wicked bring themselves under Condemnation, and are damned.
Consi. 9. Consider the Odium that is put upon such, they are called cursed; cursed Esau and Ishmael: But the godly Children of good Parents are honoured; as Timothy was, so Isaac, Jacob, &c.
Consid. 10. Let such conder the Promises that are made to those that are good Children, that receive Instruction, they are blessed, Prov. [Page 77]23.28. He that regardeth reproof shall be honoured, yea, they that fear God, are blessed for ever, but the rest shall be accursed and ashamed, Prov. 23.28.
Consid. 11. That if you that have had so much means of Grace prove wicked, that none will pitty you when you are in misery.
Consid. 12. Let such consider what a Blessed Foundation they have to build upon, they have Blessed Promises, Instructions, Examples: Therefore if they prove wicked, it must needs be very sad.
Consid. 13. Let such consider what a mercy it is to have such Parents, you might have had wicked, but you had [Page 78]Parents that were godly, and you have heard what a mercy it is, and how dare you to abuse it?
Consid. 14. How joyful a thing it would be to your Parents to see you fearing God; and what a grief and trouble it is to their Souls, to see you walking in sin, and un-reconciled to God: and if you have any Ingenuity in you, strive to be Holy, that you may rejoyce your Parents hearts. A foolish (or a wicked) Child is a grief to his Father, and a bitterness to her that bare him.
CHAP. XIV. Some Directions to such, that they may come to be Godly.
I Hope by this time, that you are resolved to get the same unfained faith with your Parents: And that you may improve this mercy, I shall propose these few Direction.
Direction 1.
Let such Children of Godly Parents as would receive good by the mercy, highly esteem the persons and goodness of their Parents; else they are not like to get good by them.
Direction 2.
Let your ears and hearts be opened to receive their Instructions, and be not weary to be instructed.
Direction 3.
Pray earnestly that God would bless the means that your Parents use for your good, and sanctifie the mercy to you.
Direction 4.
Lay hold upon the Promises that are made to the Seed of the Righteous, and to Parents that use means to do their children good, and plead them with God.
Direction 5.
Get a sight of your sinfulness, [Page 81]and never rest till you are washed in the blood of Christ.
Direction 6.
Examine the instructions and practises of thy Parents, by the word of God, and receive them upon that account. For,
1. Gods Word is the Object of Divine Faith.
2. When temptation comes, all that we have received, if not founded on Divine Authority, will fail.
3. If we do not try them by the word of God, we shall be apt to take up their weaknesses as well as their goodness, their Errors as well as what is right: therefore try them by Gods Word, and [Page 82]that will give them perfect authority.
Direction 7.
Inquire diligently after unfained faith in Christ.
CHAP. XV. An Unfained Faith described, and the description opened.
Question. HOw may I know whether my Faith be unfained?
Answer. I shall answer it by giving you a description of unfained faith.
Description.
An unfained faith is a grace wrought by the Spirit of God in the Soul of a person, whereby the Soul apprehends the Lord Jesus Christ, as a willing [Page 84]and sufficient Saviour, and relies upon him for the pardon of his sins, and everlasting Salvation.
Now try your Faith by this:
1. Is your faith a Grace wrought by the Spirit of God? Or is it a thing flowing from your Nature? If you have not received your faith from God by a supernatural work, it is not unfained; for faith is the gift of God, Ephes. 2.8. For by Grace are ye saved, through Faith, and that not of your selves, for it is the Gift of God.
2. Is it wrought in the Soul? That is not Faith that is only in the mouth, but it must be in the heart.
3. The Object of Unfained [Page 85]faith, is the Lord Jesus Christ; If you believe in any thing else, it will not do.
4. An Unfained Faith apprehends the Lord Jesus as a willing and sufficient Saviour; we can never trust in him, unless we apprehend him so.
5. A relying on him as such, and a trusting in him, and laying hold of his mercies.
Now you must see that you be real and sincere in this, which may be discovered, for Faith carries an evidence with it.
CHAP. XVI. The true Signs and Characters of an Unfained Faith.
I Am now come to the last Observation from the words:
Observ. An unfained Faith discovers It self to our selves and others. So Paul was perswaded of Timothy's faith: Unfained Faith discovers it self to our own Souls by these effects:
1 Effect. An unfained faith brings peace, satisfaction and joy with it to the Soul, Rom. 5.2. By whom also ye have [Page 87]access by faith into this grace wherein ye stand, and rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God. Rom. 14.17. But the Kingdom of God is not in meat and drink, but Righteousness and Peace, and Joy in the holy Ghost; by Kingdom is meant the state of Grace.
2 Effect. Wherever there is sincere faith, it works love in the Soul to God and all his Ordinances, Ways, & People. Gal 5.6. Faith which worketk by Love.
3 Effect. An unhypocritical faith, or a sincere faith, without dissimulation, fills the Soul with zeal for Christ and his ways, that the Soul cannot endure to see them abused, or to hear them evil spoken of.
4 Effect. An unfained faith begets a real hatred in the Soul to all sin and iniquity.
5 Effect. A sincere faith begets an inward delight & pleasure in the Soul, in Gods ways and Ordinances: Psal. 119.97. O how love I thy Law! It is my meditation all the day.
An unfained Faith discovers it self to others by these Signs:
1 Sign. An unfained faith makes the person that hath it, constantly own & appear for Christ and his ways.
2 Sign. An unfained Believer highly prizeth Christ, and all that is his.
3 Sign. Unfained faith discovers it self by a conformity to Christs will, which is 1. Universal to all his will, 2. Readily [Page 89]he need not be constrained to obedience, 3. Constantly, in all places and companies, and at all times.
4 Sign. Where there is an unfained faith, there is a willingness to suffer for Christ.
By these things you may try whether your faith be unfained or no.
ƲSE.
Try your faith by these former effects, and never be satisfied till you have an unfained faith: Take that advice in 2 Pet. 1.5, 6, 7, 8. Giving all diligence, adde to your Faith Vertue, and to Vertue Knowledge, and to Knowldge Temperance, and to Temperance Patience, and to Patience Godliness, and to Godliness [Page 90]Brotherly kindness, and to Brotherly kindness Charity: for if these things be in you and abound, they will make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
Now to Him be all Glory AMEN.