in the meaning of that fervice, how the SERM. Lord had paffed over their houses, when he II. fmote the Egyptians, and by ftrength of band had brought them out from Egypt*, and appointed the redemption of their firstborn.

Thus was the knowledge of God's law and of his dealings to be continued from one generation to another, that that which they had heard and known, and their fathers had told them, might not be hidden from their children, whilft they fhewed to the generation to come, the praises of the Lord, and bis ftrength and wonderful works that he had done. For he established a teftimony in Jacob (fays the Pfalmift) and appointed a law in Ifrael, which he commanded our Fathers, that they should make them known to their children. That the generation to come might know them, even the children which were yet unborn, who should arife and declare them to their children. This was to be the frequent fubject of inftruction in their families, and to be made familiar by the most open and perpetual repetition. And therefore Mofes did not only fay-Ye fhall lay up thefe my words in your hearts, and in Joul; but he added-And ye shall teach them your children, fpeaking of them when

your

*Exod. xiii. 14. 15. + Pfalm lxxviii. 3, &c. Deut. xi. 18, &c.

thou

SERM. thou fittest in thine house, and when thou walkeft II. by the way, when thou left down, and when thou rifeft up. They were to be very early inculcated in the most plain and fimple ftyle, and very often repeated in the firft years of childhood as is intimated by the Prophet, when he explains God's condefcenfion to the weakness of his people by an allufion to the method of inftructing children. Whom shall be teach knowledge? and whom shall be make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breafts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little *.

As

Now the obligation upon Parents to inftruct their Children, is fo obvious and natural, that one would think they should have little need to be convinced of it. they can hardly fail of having a strong af fection for the fruit of their own body: Should not that affection be difplay'd in promoting their most fubftantial intereft, and making the beft provifion they are able for their moft lafting welfare and fecurity? As they are the inftruments of bringing them into that temporal life, where they are the Candidates for that which is eternal: Should they fail to furnish them with thofe notices and inftruc*Ifa. xxviii. 9, 10.

tions, which may put them in the best SERM. method to make their production into being II. become a real bleffing, and prevent their falling into fuch mifery, as fhall lead them to curfe the day of their nativity, and fay, It had been good for them if they had never been born? As they have the care of educating and forming them into men, whilst their difpofitions are tender and pliant and fitteft to receive impreffions: fhould they neglect this noble opportunity to instruct them in fuch ufeful knowledge, and feafon their minds with those just sentiments of things, which will be greatly conducive to their happiness both in this world and to all eternity? As they are reasonably concerned to provide for the temporal welfare of their children, their fubfiftence and advancement in this life: Should they not think it a matter of much greater moment, to make all this fubfervient to their wellbeing in another, to their obtaining true and durable poffeffions, a treasure in the heavens, that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth? As they are inftrumental to fupport the body politic by an increase of members, and add numbers to the subjects of their earthly Sovereign Should they not be alfo careful to make them citizens of heaven, and enrol them as the fubjects of a fpiritual kingdom, and heirs of a better country,

II.

4

SERM. i. e. an heavenly? As the dependence which follows upon the filial relation, cannot but add great weight and influence to thofe advices and inftructions which Parents give their children: Muft they not be ftrictly accountable to God, that that influence be well and confcientiously applied? and will not the guilt of thofe children, who miscarry through the neglect of it, be, in great measure, charged upon the parents for neglecting it?

may

There can be little pretence for leffening this paternal obligation to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord*. Nor the fervants be thought to stand exempt from the care and concern of the Master of the family. If they come young into his Houfhold, they should fo far be confidered in the quality of children, as not to be neglected in those points of inftruction, which are neceffary to their fouls health. And whether young or old, that they may prove good Chriftians, and honeft in their ftation, fhould by no means be a matter of indifference to the person whom they serve. It is his duty as a Chrifian, to promote the caufe of Religion and Virtue, and, as far as the exercife of his authority will reach, to extend their influence. It is his duty, as a Chriftian Housebolder, to watch over the conduct of thofe * Eph. vi. 4.

who

who live under his roof, and are fubject to SER M. his command, and whofe frequent oppor- II. tunities of converfing with the children, do make it but too eafy for them to communicate the vices and ill qualities to which they are addicted. And if Magiftrates are to blame, when they fuffer irreligion and diffolutenefs of manners to go on uncontrouled among the people; no doubt but Mafters of families must be without excufe, if they connive at domeftic irregularities, who might, with much less difficulty, obferve and direct their little common-wealths, and train them up in the knowledge and the fear of God. They fhould look upon their fervants, not meerly as they do their cattle, for the labour and fervice they may do them, but as fellowcreatures, and fellow-chriftians, as brethren in Chrift Jefus, and members of the fame body. And yet by this means they will alfo take the beft order for their temporal concerns; fince they may better trust to have their business executed with fidelity and diligence, and be free from any fear of frauds and injuries, when their fervants are taught to act from a principle of conscience towards God, and * as the fervants

VOL. III.

Eph. vi. 6, 7.

F

of