A brief commentary upon the CIII Psalme with the severall axiomes or doctrines therein conteined [sic], and uses thereupon inferred.

Uses.

Hence we may observe 1 If children be the objects of pity,* 1.1 then they are also the subjects of misery. For commiseration alwaies sup∣poses

misery in the object of it. And this is evident not onely to experience but reason, if we seriously consider the condition both of their bodies and soules.

2 He is unworthy the name of a father, that doth not pity his children.

3 Those married folk who have children, have indeed a blessing, Psal. 127.3, 4, 5. but a worldly blessing, & so not without troubles attending it. Therefore they who think of marriage must consider beforehand, that if God shall send them children, though never so good, they must not look to have them causes onely of joy and comfort, but some∣times also of grief and pity. How much more if they be deformed, sickly, idiots, &c. On the other side, if they have no children; as they want those of whom they may re∣joice, so those also, whom sometimes they may have cause to bemone and pity.

And if this be the duty of a father to pity his children, then they are to be reproved,* 1.2 who want this naturall affection, who do not pity their children. 1 In respect of their soules, wherein folly is bound (Prov. 22.15.) like to break out into actuall sinnes, which will bring eternall damnation, if not preven∣ted. Those parents therefore have no pity of their children, who seeing them lying under

that misery and danger, do not endeavour with the rod of correction to drive away that folly, which is so bound in the hearts of their children. And much more are they to be reproved, who will not so much as teach their children how to avoyd that so great an evil. 2 In respect of their bodies. So they who by their own sinnes heap temporall pu∣nishments upon the heads of their children, Exod. 34.7. Psal. 109.14, 15. Jer. 32.18. Especially idolaters, Exod. 20.5. Sacrilegi∣ous and rebellious men, Jos. 7.24. Num. 16. &c. So they who either through idlenesse do not get, or through riot and prodigality la∣vish out and spend that wherewith they should provide necessaries for their children. These are worse then heathen, yea then brute beasts. Neither are they onely in this fault, who do not supply their childrens necessities for the present, but they also, who do not providently take care for them for the fu∣ture so farre as lawfully they may, 2 Cor. 12.14. Some men bring up their children daintily enough, yea too daintily, for the present, but forgetting that rule of oecono∣micks (That ordinarily a mans revenews should exceed his expenses) they spend pro∣fusely what their parents have left them, and so leave litle or nothing for their children:

whereas by reason of their dainty education they will be more sensible of hardship and penury, and so more miserable. So they who are too severe and cruell toward their children, provoking and discouraging them, Coloss. 3.21.

This also should exhort 1 Parents to pi∣ty their children.* 1.3

Motiv. 1. Consider the miseries which they either do or may suffer. 2 All are com∣manded to pity those that stand in need of pity, Job 6.14. & 19.21. Lam. 1.12. Rom. 12.15, 20. 1 Pet. 3.8. Prov. 12.10. Exod. 23.5. Much more ought parents to pity their children 1 For their neare relation. Kindred, though more remote, are called our bone and flesh, Gen. 29.14. 2 Sam. 19.12, 13. Much more are children so unto their parents. That therefore which the Apostle writes to Philemon ver. 16. holds much more in parents in respect of pity. If every man ought to pity every man in misery for Gods commandements sake, then parents surely above others should pity their chil∣dren, both for the commandement, and in regard of their relation. 2 Because parents have been the means of bringing misery upon their children: all thus farre, in that they have begotten and brought them forth into

this miserable world, and derived to them that spirituall corruption of nature, which themselves have received from their parents, and all from Adam: some yet further trans∣mit unto their children bodily infirmities, and such a temper or constitution, whereby they are more then ordinarily prone to some notorious vices: some by their own actuall sinnes draw down Gods temporall judge∣ments upon their children &c. And shall they not pity those, whom themselves have made miserable?

2 Children, thankfully to requite accor∣ding to their ability the care and tender affe∣ction of their parents, who take such pity on them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Instr.
• * 1.2

  Repr.
• * 1.3

  Exhort.