A new family-book, or, The true interest of families being directions to parents and children, and to those who are instead of parents : shewing them their several duties, and how they may be happy in one another : together with several prayers for families and children, and graces before and after meat : to which is annexed a discourse about the right way of improving our time / by James Kirkwood ... ; with a preface, by Dr. Horneck.

The Duties of Guardians.

GUardians are either chosen by Parents before their Death,* 1.1 or by Children themselves after their Parents Decease, or by the Magistrate. Which way soe∣ver they are chosen, their Duty is, to do what they can for the benefit and advantage of their Pupils, both in Spiritual and Temporal Things.

As to their Souls, they must take care of their good Education, accord∣ing to their Age and Capacity. If they are not as yet taught to read, they ought to make choice of a skil∣ful and prudent Schoolmaster or Tutor for them, of whose fitness for such a Charge they are well assured. But they must not so intrust them to the Care of such Persons, as never to mind them more themselves: They ought to enquire after them now and then, and either by themselves or others more fit for it, make tryal of their profici∣ency, that so they may be able to judge and resolve what is further to be done for them.

As for the way of training them up in true Piety, the Directions given to Parents are to be observed and practised.

As to their Bodies, the former Di∣rections likewise to Parents, concern∣ing Childrens Diet and Apparel, ought to be followed.

As to their outward Estate, when they are fit for a Trade, or some sort of business, they ought to take care to settle them in good Company, so far as is possible, and in such a way of living as is most agreeable to their Genius and Inclination, and which their Friends and Relations reckon most sutable and convenient for them. It will afford great peace and satisfaction to Guardians, whatever be the Event, if in this matter they have a due re∣gard to Childrens own Inclination, and to the Opinion of their Friends and Relations.

As to their Marriage, when it is time to dispose of them that way, they onght to do nothing by force and violence: They must not constrain them to Marry, unless they have a mind themselves: And tho' they are not bound absolutely to approve of

those whom their Pupils fancy, with∣out any regard to their fitness, yet they are obliged by the Law of Ju∣stice and Equity, not to impose upon them such Matches as they cannot like.

As to their Patrimony and Inheri∣tance, they ought to improve it, as much as may be, for the Childrens good, and to employ it wholly for their use, except so far as the Law does allow them their necessary Char∣ges, in which they ought to govern themselves, by that Golden-Rule, Mat. 7. 12. All things whatsoever ye would that Men should do to you, do ye e∣ven so to them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Duties of Guardians.