The true interest of families, or, Directions how parents may be happy in their children, and children in their parents to which is annexed a discourse about the right way of improving our time / by a divine of the Church of England ; with a preface by A. Horneck.

The Duties of Parents as to their Childrens Bodies.

HAving treated of the Duty of Parents towards their Children, as to their Souls, the better part; I shall next shew what their Duties are, as to the Bodies of their Children.

First, It belongs to the Mother to give suck to her Children; unless some bo∣dily imperfection, great weakness, or sickness, or her circumstances in the World, make it impossible, or very dangerous and inconvenient both for her and the Children, or for either. For this end it is that God hath given Breasts unto Women, and caused the

Milk to flow into them, that there may be nourishment suitable to the ten∣der Infants in a readiness for them. Neither can we suppose any other bo∣dy capable of shewing equal Care and Love to the Children, with that which it is natural for the Mother to express to the Fruit of her own Womb. Be∣sides this, it cannot well be imagined, that the Milk of any other Body can be so fit for the Child as its own Mo∣thers, if she be but in tolerable Health. Even amongst the Heathens, they were accounted but half Mothers, who neg∣lected to give Suck to their Children. An ancient Author amongst the Hea∣thens, speaking on this Subject, saith, How unnatural a thing is this, how imperfect, and only to be a Mo∣ther by halves, having brought forth a Child, presently to throw it a∣way? having nourish∣ed in her Womb some∣what that she could not see, not now to nourish it with her Milk, when she sees it alive, and calling for her assistance?

We see likewise that Nature hath impressed on the most Savage and Wild Creatures a rea∣diness to draw out their Breasts to their young. Lam. 4.3. Even the Sea Monsters draw out the Breast, they give Suck to their young ones. And shall Women de∣generate into such un∣natural Barbarity towards their young, as is not to be met with amongst the most savage Creatures? Shall they, whose love and tenderness has been so noted and admired, prove unkind and cruel to the fruit of their own Womb?

2ly. When Children are fit for stronger Food, Parents are not to indulge them too much in gratifying the curiosity and daintiness of their Palate, which not only is apt to make them too soft and tender; but likewise disposeth them to gluttony and sensuality; to make their Belly their God. It is fit to accustom them to a plain and simple Diet; which is generally more wholsom than that

sort of Food which is very artifically prepared. The State of all Humane Things is very uncertain; they who have at present all manner of things in greatest plenty and variety, may meet with changes and vicissitudes: It's therefore a part of the Wisdom of Pa∣rents, to accustom their Children (so far as their Health and strength can bear it) to eat any sort of Food; that so, if God sees fit to change their out∣ward condition and circumstances, they may be the more fit and able to en∣dure such an alteration.

Thirdly, As to their Ha∣bit and Apparel: Parents ought to cloathe them de∣cently, but not gorgeously: Fineries and Gayeties in Apparel are apt to make people, especially younger persons, vain and conceited, to value themselves upon their gay Cloathing. It is fit often to suggest to them, that their Cloaths and Apparel are but borrowed Fea∣thers; and therefore that it is a great folly to be proud of that which is not their own, but which they owe to the Sheep or Goats, to the Worms or Bow∣els of the Earth.

It is not fit for Parents, to make too great distinction among their Children, as to their Apparel; because this is apt to cause discontents and jealousies, ha∣tred and envy, contentions and quar∣rellings amongst them. Joseph's Coat of many Colours, which his old Father Jacob gave him, caused his Brothers to hate and envy him, and at last to conspire most wickedly against him, Gen. 37.3, 4. &c. The same is to be said as to their Diet, and other things; wherein it is no small part of the Wis∣dom of Parents, not to shew too much fondness to one above all the rest. This does not hinder, but that Parents may, to very good purpose, give Rewards to their Children for their Acts of Vir∣tue, for their ready and chearful O∣bedience to their Commands; for their diligence and care in performing what was appointed them, &c. Whereby they who do such things are encoura∣ged, and they who do not, but are careless and negligent, are punished, and spurred up to amend their faults. But when such marks of favour are be∣stowed, 'tis fit to let the rest know, that if they do as well, they also shall have a Reward: By which means they

will see that Virtue and Goodness are the things which their Parents love and esteem most; and for which they are ready to bestow the marks of their affection.

Notes

• 1. Duty, it belongs to the Mother to give suck to her Children.
• Aulus Gellius, lib. 12. cap. 1. Quod est enim hoc contra natu∣ram, imperfe∣ctam atque di∣midiatum ma∣tris genus?
• Peperisse, ac sta∣tim ab sese abje∣cisse? aluisse in utero, sanguine suo, nescio quid, quod non videret? non alere nunc suo lacte quod videat, jam viventem? jam hominem? jam matris officia implorantem?
• 2. Duty, about Childrens Diet.
• 3. Duty, a∣bout Childrens Apparel.