The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...

DOCT. That Christs tender care of his Mother even in the time of his greatest distress;* 1.1 is an excellent pattern for all gratious Children to the end of the world.

There are three great foundations or bonds of relation on which all family government depends.* 1.2 Husbands and Wives, Parents and Children, Masters and Servants. The Lord hath planted in the souls of men, affections sutable to these relations, and to his people he hath given grace to regulate those affections appointed dutys to exercise those graces, and seasons to discharge those dutys. So that as in the motion of a wheel every spoke takes its turn, and bears a stress, in every manner in the whole round of a Christians conversation like affection, grace, and duty at one season or other comes to be exercised.

But yet grace hath not so far prevailed in the sanctification of any mans affections, but that there will be excesses or defects in the exercise of them towards our relations, yea, and in this the most eminent Saints, have been eminently defective. But the pattern I set before you this day, is a perfect pattern. As the Church finds him the best of Husbands,* 1.3 so to his Parents he was the best of Sons, and being the best and most perfect, is therefore the rule and measure of all others. Christ knew how those corruptions we draw from our Parents, are returned in their bitter fruits upon them again to the wounding of their very hearts, and therefore it pleased him to commend obedience and love to Parents in his own example to us.

It was anciently a Proverb among the Heathen, in sola Sparta, expedit senescere, It's good to be an old man or woman only in Sparta, The ground of it was the strict Laws that were among the Spartans to punish the rebellions and disobedience of Children to their aged Parents. And shall it not be good to be an old Fa∣ther or Mother in England, where the Gospel of Christ is Preach∣ed, and such an argument as this now set before you urged; an argument which the Heathen world was never acquainted with? Shall Parents here be forced to complain with the Eagle in the Fa∣ble, that they are smitten to the heart, by an arrow winged with

their own Feathers. Or as a Tree rived in pieces by the wedges that were made of its own body? God forbid.

To prevent such sad occasions of Complaints as these, I desire all that sustain the relation of Children into whose hands providence shall cast this discourse, seriously to ponder this example of Christ, proposed for their imitation in this point. Wherein we shall first consider what dutys belong to the relation of Children, secondly, how Christs example enforces those dutys, and then sutably apply it

[ 1] First, Let us examine what dutys pertain to the relation of Children. And they are as truly as commonly branched out into the following particulars.

First, Fear and Reverence are due from Children to their Pa∣rents, by the express command of God, Lev. 19.3. Ye shall fear every man his Mother, and his Father. The Holy Ghost pur∣posely inverts the order, and puts the Mother first, because she by reason of her blandishments, and fond indulgence is most subject to the irreverence and contempt of Children. God hath cloathed Parents with his authority. They are instrusted by God with, and are accountable to him for the souls and bodys of their Chil∣dren. And he expects that you reverence them, although in re∣spect of outward estate, or honour you be never so much above them. Ioseph, though Lord of Egypt, bowed down before his aged Father, with his face to the earth, Gen. 48.12. Solomon, the most magnificent and glorious King that ever sway'd a Scepter when his Mother came to speak with him for Adonijah, he rose up to meet her and bowed himself to her, and caused a seat to be set for the Kings Mother, and set her upon his right hand, 1 King. 2.19.

Secondly, Dear and tender Love, is due from Children to their Parents. And to shew how strong and dear that love ought to be, it's joined with the Love you have for your own lives. As appears in that injunction to deny both for Christs sake, Matth. 10.37. The bonds of nature are strong and strict betwixt Parents and Children. What is a Child but a piece of the Parent wrapt up in another Skin? O the care, the cost, the pity, the tenderness, the pains, the fears they have exprest for you. It's worse than Hea∣thenish ingratitude, not to return Love for Love. This filial Love is not only in it self a duty, but to be the root or spring of all your other dutys to them.

Thirdly, Obedience to their commands is due to them, by the Lords strict and special command, Eph. 6.1. Children obey your Parents in the Lord for this is right; Honour thy Father, and thy Mother, which is the first Commandment with promise. Fili∣al obedience, is not only founded upon the positive Law of God, but also upon the Law of nature. For though the subjection of Servants to Masters came in by sin, yet the subjection of Children to Parents is due to them by natural right, therefore saith the Apo∣stle this is right, (i. e.) right both according to natural, and po∣sitive Law. However, this subjection and obedience is not abso∣lute and universal. God hath not devested himself of his own authority, to cloath a Parent with it. Your obedience to them must be in the Lord, (i. e.) in such things as they require you to do in the Lords authority. In things consonant to that divine and holy will to which they as well as you must be subject; and therein you must obey them. Yea, even the wickedness of a Parent ex∣empts not from obedience,* 1.4 where his command is not so. Nor on the other side must the holiness of a Parent sway you, where his Commands and Gods are opposite. In the former case, the Cano∣nists have determined, that the command must be distinguisht from the person. In the latter, it's a good rule. My Parents must be loved, but my God must be preferred.

Yield your selves therefore chearfully to obey all that which they lawfully enjoin, and take heed that black character fixed on the Heathens who know not God, be not found upon you, disobedi∣ent to Parents, Rom. 1.30. Remember your disobedience to their just commands rises higher, much higher, than an affront to their persons, and authority; it's disobedience to God himself whose com∣mands second, and strengthen theirs upon you.

Fourthly, Submission to their Discipline, and rebukes is also your duty, Heb. 12.9. We had Fathers of our flesh that correct∣ed us, and we gave them reverence. Parents ought not to abuse their authority.* 1.5 Cruelty in them is a great sin, but wrath and re∣bellion in a Child, against his Parents, is monstrous. It's storied of Aelian, that having been abroad, at his return, his Father asked him what he had Learned since he went from him; he answered, you will know shortly. I have learned to bear your anger quietly, and submit to what you please to inflict. Two considerations should especially mould others into the like frame, especially to their godly Parents. The end for which, and the manner in which

they manifest their anger to their Children. Their end is to save your souls from Hell. They judge it better for you to hear the voice of their anger, than the terrible voice of the wrath of God. To feel their hand than his. They know if you fall into the hands of the living God; you will be handled in another manner.

And for the manner, in which they rebuke and chasten, it is with grief in their hearts, and tears in their eyes. Alas, it's no delight to them to cross, vex, or afflict you. Were it not meer conscience of their duty to God, and tender love to your souls, they would neither chide, nor smite. And when they do, how do they afflict themselves, in afflicting you! When their faces are full of anger, their bowels are full of compassion for you, and you have no more reason to blame them for what they do, than if they cry out, and violently snatch at you, when they see you ready to fall from the top of a Rock.

Fifthly, Faithfulness to all their interests is due to them by the natural and positive Law of God. What in you lies, you are bound to promote, not waste and scatter their substance. To assist not to defraud them. Who so robbeth his Father, or Mother, and saith it is no transgression, the same is the companion of a de∣stroyer, Prov. 28.24. This, saith one, as far excells your wrong∣ing another as parricide is a greater crime than man-slaughter, or as Reubens incest, was beyond common fornication. God never meant you should grow up about your Parents as suckers about a Tree to impoverish the root.* 1.6 But for a Child out of a covetous∣ness after what his Parents have, secretly to wish their death, is a sin so monstrous, as should not be once named, much less found, among persons professing Christianity. To desire their death from whom you had your life, is unnatural wickedness, to dispose of their Goods, much more of your selves without their consent is (ordinarily) the greatest injustice to them. Children are obliged to defend the Estates and persons of their Parents with the hazard of their own. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are Children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them. They shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemy in the gates, Psal. 127.5.

Sixthly, And more especially, requital of all that love, care, and pains they have been at for you, is your duty so far as God enables you, and those things are requitable, 1 Tim. 5.4. Let them learn to shew piety at home, and to requite their Parents. The

word is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and signifies to play the Stork, to imitate that creature of whom it's said, that the young do tenderly feed the old ones, when they are no longer able to fly abroad and pro∣vide for themselves. Hence those that want bowels of natural af∣fection to their Relations, are said to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Rom. 1.30. worse than Storks. O 'tis a shame that Birds and Beasts should shew more tenderness to their Dams, than Children to their Parents.

It's a saying frequent among the Jews,* 1.7 a Child should rather la∣bour at the Mill than suffer his Parents to want. And to the same sence is that other saying, your Parents must be supplyed by you, if you have it, if not, you ought to beg for them, rather than see them perish.* 1.8 It was both the comfort and honour of Io∣seph, that God made him an instrument of so much succour and comfort to his aged Father, and distressed family, Gen. 47.13. And you are also to know, that what you do for them, is not in the way of an alms, or common Charity. For the Apostle saith; it is but your requiting them, and that's Justice not Charity. And it can never be a full requital. Indeed the Apostle tells us, 2 Cor. 12.14. That Parents lay up for their Children, and not Children for the Parents, and so they ought, but sure, if providence blast them, and bless you, an honourable maintenance is their due. Even Christ himself took care for his Mother.

Secondly, You have had a brief account of the duties of this Relation, next let us consider how Christs Example, who was so subject to them in his life, Luk. 2.51. and so careful to provide at his death, enforces all those duties upon Children, especially upon gratious Children. And this it doth two ways, both as it hath the obliging power of a Law; and as he himself will one day sit in Judgement to take an account how we have imitated him in these things.

First, Christs example in this hath the force and power of a Law, yea, a Law of Love, or a Law lovingly constraining you to an imitation of him. If Christ himself will be your pattern. If God will be pleased to take Relations like yours, and go before you in the discharge of relative Duties; Oh how much are you obliged to imitate him, and tread in all his footsteps! This was by him in∣tended as a president or pattern to facilitate and direct your Du∣ties.

Secondly, He will come to take an account how you have an∣swered the pattern of obedience, and tender care he set before you

in the days of his flesh. What will the disobedient plead in that day? He that heard the groans of an afflicted Father or Mother, will now come to reckon with the disobedient Child for them. And the glorious example of Christs own obedience and tenderness for his Relations, will in that day condemn and aggravate, silence and shame such wretched Children, as shall stand guilty before his Bar.

Inference 1.

* 1.9Hath Jesus Christ given such a famous pattern of obedience and tenderness to Parents. Then there can be nothing of Christ in stub∣born, rebellious, and careless Children; that regard not the good or comfort of their Parents. The Children of disobedience, can∣not be the Children of God. If providence direct this to the hand of any that are so, my hearts desire and Prayer for them is, that the Lord would search their souls by it, and discover their evils to them; whilst they shall read the following Queries.

First Query, Have you not been guilty of slighting your Pa∣rents, by irreverent words or carriages; the old man, or woman. To such I commend the consideration of that Scripture, Prov. 30.17. Which methinks should be to them as the hand writing that appear'd upon the plaister of the Wall, to Belteshazar. The eye that mocketh at his Father, and despiseth to obey his Mother: The Ravens of the Valley shall pick it out, and the young Eagles shall eat it. That is they shall be brought to an untimely end, and the Birds of the air shall eat that eye, that had never seen but for that Parent that was despised by it.

It may be you are vigorous and young, they decayed, and wrinkled with Age. But saith the Holy Ghost, despise not thy Mother when she is old, Prov. 23.22. Or when she is wrinkled, as the Hebrew signifies.* 1.10 It may be you are rich, they poor; owne and honour them in their poverty, and despise them not. God will requite it with his hand if you do.

Second Query, Have you not been disobedient to the commands of Parents? A Son of Belial is a Son of wrath, if God give not Repentance to life. Is not this the black brand set upon the Hea∣thens, Rom. 1.30. Have not many repented this upon a Ladder, with an halter about their necks? Woe to him that makes a Father or Mother complain as the Tree in the Fable, that they are cloven

assunder with the wedges that are cut out of their own bodies.

Third Query, Have you not risen up rebelliously against, and hated your Parents for chastening your bodies, to save your souls from Hell? Some Children (saith one) will not take that from a Parent, which Beasts, yea, and salvage Beasts too; Bears, and Lions will take from their keepers. What is this but to resist an Ordinance of God for your good? And in rebelling against them to rebell against the Lord? Well, if they do not, God will take the Rod into his own hand; and him you shall not resist.

Fourth Query, Have you not been unjust to your Parents, and defrauded them? First help to make them poor, and then dispise them because they are poor. O horrid wickedness! What a com∣plicated evil is this! Thou art in the Language of Scripture a com∣panion with destroyers, Prov. 28.24. This is the worst of theft in Gods account. You think you may make bold with them, but how bold do you make with conscience, and the command of God?

Fifth Query, Are you not, or have you not been ungrateful to Parents? Leaving them to shift for themselves in those straights that you have helpt to bring them into. Oh consider it, Children, this is an evil which God will surely avenge, except ye repent. What to be hardned against thine own flesh! To be cruel to thine own Parents, that with so much tenderness fed thee, when else thou hadst perished! I remember Luther gives us a story of one (and oh that it might be a warning to all that hear it) who having made over all he had to his Son, reserving only a maintenance for himself; at last his Son depised him, and grudged him the very meat he eat, and one day the Father coming in when the Son and his Wife were at dinner upon a Goose, they shuffled the meat under the Table; but see the remarkable vengeance of God, upon this ungracious, unnatural Son; the Goose was turned into a mon∣strous Toad which seiz'd upon this vile wretch and kill'd him. If any of you be guilty of these evils, to humble you for them, and reclaim you from them, I desire these six Considerations may be lay'd to heart.

First, That the effects of your obedience, or disobedience will stick upon you and yours to many generations. If you be obedi∣ent Children in the Lord, both you and yours, may reap the fruits of that your obedience in multitudes of sweet mercies for many generations. So runs the Promise, Eph. 6.23. Honour thy Father

and Mother, which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with thee, and thou maist live long on the earth. You know what an eye of favour God cast upon the Recabites for this, Ier. 35.8. from the 14. to the 20. verse: and as his blessings are by promise entailed on the obedient, so his curse upon the disobedient, Prov. 20.20. Whoso curseth his Father or his Mother; his Lamp shall be put out in ob∣scure darkness, (i. e.) the Lamp of his life quencht by death, yea say others, and his soul also by the blackness of darkness in Hell.

Secondly, Though other sins do, this sin seldom escapes ex∣emplary punishment, even in this world. Our English Histo∣ry tells us of a Yeoman of Leicestershire, who had made over all he had to his Son, to prefer him in marriage, reserving only a bare maintenance at his Sons Table. Afterward upon some discontent, the Son bid his Father get out of his House. The next day Mr. Goodman the Minister of the Parish meet∣ing the young man, walking about his ground, asked him how he did, he answered, very well; but before the Minister was gone far from him, his bowels fell out, which he carried in his hands, got to his house, sent for Mr. Goodman, bitter∣ly bewailed his sin against his Father, and so died. And Dr. Tay∣lor in his great exemplar tells us of another, that upon discon∣tent with his Father, wisht the House might be on fire, if ever he came any more into his Fathers House. Afterwards coming in, it was fired indeed, and this wicked Son only consumed. I could multiply instances of this nature, (for indeed the Righteous Judgement of God hath multiplied them). But this only for a taste.

Thirdly, Heathens will rise up in Judgement against you, and condemn you. They never had such precepts, nor presidents as you, and yet some of the better natured Heathens would have rather chosen death, than to do as you do. You remember the story of Croesus his dumb son, whose dear affections could make him speak when he saw Croesus in danger; though he never spake before, yet then he could cry out, O do not kill my Father: But what speak I of Heathens, the Stork in the heavens, yea, the Beasts of the earth will condemn the disobedience of Children.

Fourthly, These are sins inconsistent with the true fear of God, in whomsoever they are found. That a man is indeed, which he is in his family, and among his relations. He that is a bad child, can never be a good Christian. Either bring testimonials of your godliness from your relations, or it may be well suspected to be no better than counterfeit. Never talk of your obedience to God, whilst your disobedience to the just commands of Parents, gives you the lie.

Fifthly, A parting time is coming, when death will break up the family, and when that time comes, Oh how bitter will the re∣membrance of these things be! When you shall see a Father or a Mother lying by the wall, what a cut will it be to remember your miscarriages, and evils. They are gone out of your reach, you cannot now if you would give them any satisfaction for what you have done against them; but oh how bitter will the remembrance of these things be, at such a time! Surely this will be more insup∣portable to you than their death, if the Lord open your eyes, and give you repentance, and if not, then,

Sixthly, What a terrible thing will it be to have a Father, or Mother come in as witnesses against you at Christs Bar? As well as they loved you, and as dear as you were to them in this world; they must give evidence against you then. Now what a fear∣ful thing is it for you but to imagine your Parents to come be∣fore the Lord, and say, Lord, I have given this child many hundred reproofs for sin; I have counselled, perswaded, and used all means to reclaim him, but in vain; he was a child of disobedience, nothing could work upon him? What think you of this?

Inference 2.

Have you such a pattern of obedience and tender love to Pa∣rents,* 1.11 then children imitate your pattern, as it becomes Christi∣ans; and take Christ for your example. Whatsoever your Pa∣rents be, see that you carry it towards them becoming such as pro∣fess Christ.

First, If your Parents be godly, O beware of grieving them by any unbecoming carriage. Art thou a Christian indeed, thou wilt

then reckon thy self obliged in a double bond, both of grace and nature to them. O what a mercy would some children esteem it, if they had Parents that feared the Lord, as you have!

Secondly, If they be carnal, walk circumspectly, in the most precise and punctual discharge of your Duties: for how knowest thou, O Child, but hereby thou maist win thy Parents? Wouldst thou but humbly and seriously intreat, and perswade them to mind the waies of holiness; speaking to them at fit seasons, with all ima∣ginable humility and reverence: Insinuating your advice to duties, or trouble for their evils rather by relating some pertinent History, or proposing some excellent example; leaving their own Consciences to draw the conclusion, and make applica••ion, than to do it your selves: it's possible they may ponder your words in their hearts, as Mary did Christs, Luk. 2.49, 51. And would you but back all this with your earnest cries to Heaven for them, and your own daily example; that they may have nothing from your selves to retort upon you; and thus wait with patience for the desired effect: O what blessed instruments might you be of their everlasting good!

Inference 3.

* 1.12To conclude, let those that have such Children as fear the Lord, and endeavour to imitate Christ in those daies, account them a sin∣gular treasure, and heritage from the Lord: and give them all due incouragement to their duties.

How many have no Children at all, but are as a dry tree! And how many have such as are worse than none? The very reproaches, and break-hearts of their Parents; that bring down their hoary heads with sorrow to the grave?

If God have given you the blessing of godly Children, you can never be sufficiently sensible of, or thankful for such a favour. O that ever God should honour you to bring forth Children for Heaven! What a comfort must this be to you, what ever other troubles you meet with abroad; when you come home among godly relations, that are careful to sweeten your own family to you by their obedience? Especially what a comfort is it when you come to die, that you leave them within the Covenant! Entitled to Christ, and so need not be anxious how it shall be with them

when you are gone. Take heed of discouraging, or damping such Children from whom so much glory is like to rise to God, and so much comfort to your selves. Thus let Christs pattern be im∣proved, who went before you in such eminent holiness in all his re∣lations, and left you an example that you should follow in his steps.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doct.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Arist.
• * 1.3

  Optimus i•• ••••••∣quoque genere, est regula & mens••ra catero∣rum.
• * 1.4

  Officium à per∣sona discerneu∣dum.

  A••a••dus ge∣nitor, sed prae∣ponendus Crea∣tor.
• * 1.5

  Saevitia patris in filios grave pec••atun, sed ira filii in pa∣trem, gra••e monstrum.
• * 1.6

  Filius ante di∣em patrios in∣quierit in an∣nos.
• * 1.7

  Vel in pistri•••• laborare filium debere, ut paren∣tibus subve••iat.
• * 1.8

  Honorandi pa∣rentes si habes, si non h••b••s prodis men••i∣candum.
• * 1.9

  Infer. 1.
• * 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.11

  Infer. 2.
• * 1.12

  Infer. 3.