CLII lectures vpon Psalme LI preached at Ashby-Delazouch in Leicester-shire / by that late faithfull and worthy minister of Iesus Christ, Mr. Arthur Hildersam.

Lecture LVIII. On Psalme 51.5. May 22. 1627.

FOlloweth the second use that this Doctrine serveth unto, which is the use of exhortation, to exhort, and stirre us up that are parents, to do the uttermost of our endeavour to worke grace in our children, and so to cure that deadly wound, that we have given them, and to preserve them from perishing by that poison, and infection that we have conveyed into them. Now for the better en∣forcing of this so necessary an exhortation. 1. I will give you certaine motives, that may provoke us all to this care. 2 I will shew you the meanes that we must use, to this purpose. And for the motives they are of three sorts: 1. Some of them respect our children and our duty towards them, 2. Some of them our selves, and our owne comfort, 3. Some of them concerne our duty towards God, and the respect we should have unto his glory. Of the first sort of motives, there are two principally.

First, Our love to our children bindeth us to it. Nature moveth us to love them, and hath given bowels of pity and compassion towards them, when we see them in any misery. Insomuch, as the Lord hath beene pleased to set forth his mercy and compassion towards his children by this. By the compassion of [ 1] a mother, Esa. 49.15. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her wombe? And by the compassion of a father. Psal. 103.13. Like as a father pittieth his children, so the Lord pittieth them that feare him. He is worse then a beast that loveth not his children and grieveth not to see them in misery. Lam. 4.3. Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give sucke to their young ones. And the Apostle teacheth us, Rom. 1.31. that they that are without this naturall affection have extinguished in themselves the very light of nature, and are in Gods just judgement given up unto a reprobate mind. And what love can we beare to our children if we have no care of their soules? the nature of true Christianity is to seeke the good of their soules whom we love, Charity edifieth, 1 Cor. 8.1. See how Abraham expressed his love to Ish∣mael, Gen. 17.18. O that Ishmael might live in thy sight. Thus did Solomons pa∣rents, Pro. 4.3, 4. I was my fathers sonne tender and onely beloved in the sight of my mother, He taught me and said unto me, Let thine heart retaine my words; keepe my commandements and live. Nay this is the onely way to expresse true love to their bodies and their outward estate also. No lands or possessions we can leave th••••, can give us that assurance that they shall live comfortably even in this life, as this will do, if we can be a mean to breed saving grace in their hearts. For 1 Tim. 4.8. Godlinesse hath the promises even of this life.

Secondly, Admit we were not bound to love them above others, yet are we bound in justice to make them amends for the wrong we have done them. [ 2] There is no man whom we have hurt in his body, or goods, or good name, but we are bound in conscience to do what we can to make him satisfaction. See the equity of Gods law in this point. Exod. 21.19. He that smote him shall pay for the losse of his time, and shall cause him to be throughly healed. How much more are we bound, to take care that our owne children may be throughly healed of that wound that we have given them in their soules, of that filthy disease that wee have infected them with?

Now for the motives that concerne our selves, and our owne comfort they are three principally.

First, It will be a matter of singular comfort unto us, to see the corruption of their nature healed, and saving grace wrought in them, specially if it be by our [ 1] meanes. A great comfort it is to a Minister, to see any of his people reformed and woon to God by his labours. Ye are our glory and joy, saith Paul, 1 Thess. 2 20. I have not greater joy (saith the Apostle, 3 Ioh. 4.) then to heare that my chil∣dren

walke in the truth. But this must needs be much more comfort to a parent to see this in his owne child. A wise son (saith Solomon, Prov. 10.1.) maketh a glad fa∣ther And 23.24, 25. The father of the righteous, shall greatly rejoyce, and he that begetteth a wise child, shall have joy of him, thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoyce.

[ 2] Secondly. When grace is wrought in them (specially if it be by our meanes) they will be farre more loving and dutifull unto us, then otherwise they can be. A wise son (saith Solomon, Prov. 15.20.) maketh a glad father. How? by his duti∣full and respectfull carriage towards him; this is his meaning there, as appeareth by the last words of the verse, but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Se this in the sons of Isaack Esau cared not for grieving his parents, by matching with the daughters of Heth, but Iacob did, Gen. 26.34, 35. and 27.46. See it also in the sons of Iacob, of all his sons, Ioseph that had most grace, was also the most loving and dutifull child unto him. Genesis 45.11. This will make a man love him dearely, that otherwise was a meere stranger unto him, if hee were the meanes to win him to God. As wee see in the affection of the Galathians towards Paul, Galat. 4.15. I heare you record, that if it had bin possible, you would have plucked out your owne eyes, to have done me good.

[ 3] Thirdly and lastly. This will be a comfortable testimony unto us, of the truth and soundnesse of that grace, that is in our selves, when we are carefull to breed grace, in all that doe belong unto us, and specially in our owne children. And without this we can have no such testimony, and assurance of our selves. Ther∣fore wee shall find this oft observed for a note of them that were soundly con∣verted themselves, that their care was to reforme their families, and make them religious also; as of Abraham, Gen. 18.19. of Ioshua, Iosh. 24 15. of Zacheus, Luke 19.9. of the Nobleman of Capernaum, Iohn 4.53. of Cornelius, Actes 10.2. of Lydia, Acts 16.15. of the Iaylour, Acts 16.33, 34. of Crispus the chiefe ruler of the Synagogue, Acts 18.8. Therefore the Lord in his law for∣bade any Proselite, to be admitted to the passeover (though he were himselfe circumcised, and did outwardly professe the faith) unlesse all the males in his house were circumcised also; and did professe the faith aswell as himselfe. Exod. 12.48. And in the condition of that promise he maketh to his people, for delivering them out of the captivity, which hee foretelleth hee would bring them into for their sins, hee requireth not only that they themselves should re∣turne unto the Lord, and obey his voice, but their children also. Deut. 30.2, 3. If thou shalt returne unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice, thou and thy children, with all thy heart, and with all thy soule, then the Lord thy God will turne thy captivity, &c. As if hee should say, Thou dost not turne to the Lord thy selfe unfeinedly, with all thy heart, unlesse thy care be, that thy children may do so also. Bat (alas) if that law were now in force, that none should bee ad∣mitted to the Lords Supper, that had any in their family, that did not make at the least an outward profession of religion; how few communicants should wee have? If none may be accounted unfeinedly religious themselves, whose chil∣dren and servants doe not live in an outward conformity and obedience to the Word; how few sound-hearted Christians will there bee found in this age?

The third and last sort of motives, doe concerne our duty to God, and the re∣spect we should have unto his glory, and they are two principally.

[ 1] First. The trust that the Lord hath put us in, and the charge that hee hath gi∣ven us concerning our children. For this we must know, that our children are not our owne, but the Lords (I speake to such as are Gods people, and mem∣bers of his Church.) Thus speaketh the Lord to his people. Ezek. 16 20. Thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, thou hast taken and sacrifi∣ced. And as we have begotten and borne them for him, so hath he charged us,

to educate and bring them up for him. And that with such a charge, as the Pro∣phet telleth Ahab in a parable, that hee had received for the keeping of a man committed to his trust in the battell. 1 Kings 20.39. If by any meanes hee bee missing, thy life shall be for his life. If the childs soule perish (through the pa∣rents default, whom God put in trust to keep, and looke to it) the parents soule must dye for it. For this is the righteous sentence of God, against them whom hee hath charged with the soules of others, Ezek. 3.18. Hee shall dye in his ini∣quitie, but his bloud will I require at thy hand. If any shall object, that that is spoken of the charge God hath given to Prophets, and Ministers, concerning their flocks, not of that that he hath given to parents, concerning their children. I answer That every parent is as deepely charged by God, with the soules of his children, as any Pastor is with the soules of his flocke, and more deepe∣ly too. You call our congregations that we are set over, our charge; and you say well, for so they are; and you can cry shame of us, if we either by idlenesse, or worldlinesse, shew our selves carelesse of our charge; and you have indeed just cause to do so. But in the meane time you forget that your children, & fami∣ly, are your charge also, you make no scruple of neglecting all duty, all care of the soules of your owne charge. Know you therefore for certaine, that you are as much, yea much more charged with the soules of your families, and of your children especially, then any Pastor is with the soules of his flocke. And hearken to your charge I pray you. 1. You are as oft, and as expressely charged to use the meanes to save your childrens soules, and to breed grace in them, as any Minister is, Exod. 13.8. Thou shalt shew thy sonne the meaning, the end, and use of the Sacrament of the Passeover, Deut. 6.6, 7. These words which I command thee this day, thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children Psal. 78.5. He esta∣blished a testimony in Iacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which hee commanded our fathers, that they should make them knowne unto their children. Ephes. 6 4. Yee fathers bring up your children in the nurture, and admonition of the Lord. No Minister is more straitly charged of God, to teach & catechise his flock, then you are to instruct your children. 2. Parents stand obliged to their children, by more and stronger bonds, then any Pastor can be to his flocke, as we have heard in the first sort of motives. 3. Parents have more meanes and opportuni∣ties, to prevaile with their children, then any Pastor can have to doe good upon his flocke. The interest they have in their childrens love and affection, is a great matter; and so is the advantage they may take of their childrens tender yeeres; and so is their continuall conversing with them; and so is their authority also. None have such opportunities to instruct, and bring others to goodnesse, as pa∣rents have. This was that that good Hezechiah meant in his prayer, Esa. 38.18, 19. The grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee, The living, the li∣ving he shall praise thee (and who among all the living?) the father to the children shall make known•• thy truth. In which respect we have seene in those eight ex∣amples that I mentioned unto you, how soone godly maisters of families have prevailed with all that were under them, to bring them unto an outward profes∣sion, and conformity in religion. And Ioshua is bold, ••4.15. to undertake for himselfe, and his house, that they shall serve the Lord. Some might have said to him, soft Ioshuah, speake this for thy selfe and that is well too; Nay saith he, and that before all the people, I will undertake this also for my whole house. And in this respect also it is, that the childrens sins are said to be a blemish, and re∣proach to the parents, Prov. ••8.7. Yea the Lord doth oft impute the sins of the children unto the parents, and layeth them to their charge, 2 Chron. 22.3. Aha∣ziah was a wicked man, for Athaliah was his mother. And the Apostle com∣mandeth, that such only should be admitted to the ministery, as govern well their own houses, & keep their children in subjection. 1 Tim. 3.4, 5. as have faithfull chil∣dren, not accused of ryot, or unruly. Tit. 1.6. which hee would not have done, if

parents were not chargable with their childrens sinnes, if they were not a chiefe cause of them; if it lay not much in their power, to prevent the un∣graciousnesse of their children. Let us all that are parents seriously thinke of this Motive, namely how God hath charged us with our childrens soules; and consider that it will bee a most heavie reckoning, that wee must make unto God for them, if any of them shall perish through our de∣fault. And (on the other side) it will be a matter of unspeakable comfort to us at that day, if we can be able to say of our children unto the Lord, as our blessed Saviour speaketh, Ioh. 17.12. Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost.

[ 2] The second motive that concerneth the Lord and his glory is this, That the hope of Gods Church, and of the propagation of religion unto posterity, de∣pendeth principally upon this, that parents have care to make their children re∣ligious. All that feare and love the Lord should unfeinedly desire and endea∣vour to provide for the continuance of religion, and for the deriving of it unto posterity; specially that the true Church and religion to God, may continue in their owne posterity. See a notable example of this care in the two tribes and the halfe that had their possessions given them beyond Iordan, Iosh. 2.24, 25. We have done it (set upon this altar) for feare of this thing, saying, in time to come your children might speake to our children, saying, what have you to do with the Lord God of Israel? So shall your children make our children cease from fearing the Lord. Concerning which you must understand, that there is no man doth so much desire to have a posterity, and to provide for posterity as the Lord doth. And as it is accounted a great honour to a man to have a great posterity, Pro. 17.6. Childrens children are the crowne of old men. So is this spoken of as a great honour to Christ, that he shall have a great posterity, Esa. 53.8. Who shall declare his generation? And verse 10. When thou shalt make his soule an offe∣ring for sinne he shall see his seed. And surely this is the meanes, whereby the Lord may have a seed, and posterity raised and preserved; this is the meanes to derive religion unto posterity, when Parents are not only religious themselves, but are carefull to provide that their children may be so also. This is the Semi∣nary of Gods Church. This was the cause of that commandement, Deut. 4.9. Take heed to thy selfe and keepe thy soule diligently, left thou forget the things which thine eyes have seene, and lest they depart from thy heart, all the daies of thy life, but teach them thy sons and thy sons sons. This is noted by the Prophet, Mal. 2.15. to have beene the cause why the Lord at the first institution of marriage appointed but one woman for one man, and did so restraine pro∣miscuous lust that he might seeke a seed of God; that is, that he might provide for the continuance of his Church. And this is made by the Prophet, Psalme 22.29, 30. one principall end God hath respect unto in converting of us Gentiles, unto the Gospell, and men of all sorts among us poore and rich that our seed might serve him, and might bee accounted unto the Lord for a generation; that God might have a posterity, and a people to serve him when we are gon.

So that to conclude the motives, if either we respect our children, or our own comfort or the glory of God, we must be carefull to do our best endeavour that the corruption of nature, that we have conveyed into them may be healed, and that saving grace may be wrought in their hearts.

Notes

• Vse 2.
• First sort of Mo∣tives.
• Second sort of Motives
• The third sort of mo∣tives.