Part 10 (1/2)

Wise. Yea, and poor Children, that ever they were sent into the world as the fruit of the loyns, and under the government of such a father as Mr.

Badman.

Atten. You say right, for such children, lye, almost under all manner of disadvantages: but we must say nothing, because this also is the sovereign Will of G.o.d.

Wise. We may not by any means object against G.o.d: yet we may talk of the advantages, and disadvantages that Children have by having for their Parents such as are either G.o.dly, or the contrary.

Atten. You say right, we may so, and pray now, since we are about it, speak something in brief unto it, that is, unto this; What advantage those Children have above others, that have for their Parents such as indeed are G.o.dly.

Wise. So I will, only I must first premise these two or three things.

{83a}

1. They have not the advantage of Election for their fathers sakes.

2. They are born, as others, the children of wrath, though they come of G.o.dly Parents.

3. Grace comes not unto them as an Inheritance, because they have G.o.dly Parents. These things premised I shall now proceed.

1. The children of G.o.dly Parents are the children of many Prayers: they are prayed for before, and Prayed for after they are born, and the Prayer of a G.o.dly Father and G.o.dly Mother doth much.

2. They have the advantage of what restraint is possible, from what evils their Parents see them inclinable to, and that is a second mercy.

3. They have the advantage of G.o.dly instruction, and of being told which be, and which be not the right ways of the Lord.

4. They have also those ways commended unto them, and spoken well of in their hearing, that are good.

5. Such are also, what may be, kept out of evil company, from evil Books, and from being taught the way of Swearing, Lying, and the like, as Sabbath-breaking, and mocking at good men, and good things, and this is a very great mercy.

6. They have also the benefit of a G.o.dly life set before them doctrinally by their Parents, and that doctrine backt with a G.o.dly and holy example: and all these are very great advantages.

Now all these advantages, the children of unG.o.dly Parents want; {84a} and so are more in danger of being carried away with the error of the wicked.

For unG.o.dly Parents neither Pray for their Children, nor do, nor can they heartily instruct them; they do not after a G.o.dly manner restrain them from evil, nor do they keep them from evil company. They are not grieved at, nor yet do they forewarn their children to beware of such evil actions that are abomination to G.o.d, and to all good men. They let their children break the Sabbath, swear, lye, be wicked and vain. They commend not to their children an holy life, nor set a good example before their eyes. No, they do in all things contrary: Estranging of their children what they can, from the love of G.o.d and all good men, so soon as they are born. Therefore it is a very great Judgment of G.o.d upon children to be the Offspring of base and unG.o.dly men. {84b}

Atten. Well, but before we leave Mr. Badmans wife and children, I have a mind, if you please, to enquire a little more after one thing, the which I am sure you can satisfie me in.

Wise. What is that?

Atten. You said a while ago, that this Mr. Badman would not suffer his wife to go out to hear such G.o.dly Ministers as she liked, but said if she did, she had as good never come home any more. Did he often carry it thus to her?

Wise. He did say so, he did often say so. This I told you then, and had also then told you more, but that other things put me out.

Atten. Well said, pray therefore now go on.

Wise. So I will. Upon a time, she was on a Lords day for going to hear a Sermon, and Mr. Badman was unwilling {84c} she should: but she at that time, as it seems, did put on more courage than she was wont; and therefore, after she had spent upon him, a great many fair words and entreaties, if perhaps she might have prevailed by them, but all to no purpose at all: At last she said she would go, and rendred this reason for it; I have an Husband, but also a G.o.d; my G.o.d has commanded me, and that upon pain of d.a.m.nation, to be a continual Wors.h.i.+pper of him, and that in the way of his own Appointments: I have an Husband, but also a Soul, and my Soul ought to be more unto me, than all the world besides.

This soul of mine I will look after, care for, and (if I can) provide it an Heaven for its habitation. You are commanded to love me, as you love your own body, and so do I love you; {85a} but I tell you true, I preferr my Soul before all the world, and its Salvation I will seek.

At this, first, {85b} he gave her an ugly wish, and then fell into a fearfull rage, and sware moreover that if she did go, he would make both her, and all her d.a.m.nable Brotherhood (for so he was pleased to call them) to repent their coming thither.

Atten. But what should he mean by that?