[ 273] Though the graces of godly Parents cannot avail for bad children, yet their good example may prevail with them.
IT was a custom amongst the Indians,* 1.1 after the death of any worthy man, to in∣scribe his name, and his act upon the doors of his house, for the ennobling of his issue. So it was ever esteemed no mean blessing to be well descended, to be born of Noble Christian Parents. And though the Fathers goodness shall avail thee little, if thou beest not good thy self, Nihil mihi conducit Martyr pater, si malè vixero, said Origen;* 1.2 What if my Father, for the testimony of a good conscience, gave his body to be burnt, it shall do me no good, if I live wickedly: yet for all that, it availeth much to make a man good, there being no way more expedite of instruction to good life, than by the knowledge of things past, and of the worthy acts of true Christian Parents, their Histories being our instruction, and their honours our incite∣ments to goodness.