1 Mat. 3 5 T Mar.4.34.9 Prov.T3.24. and 2.3.14, Heb. 11.9. Tiphet 6, Tie Converfion of oar Serin. 8. them of what they heard, as our ble{fed Lord the grand pattern of our Imitation dealt by his beloved Difciples, when he had preached that famous Sermon by the Sea-fide. jells asks them, Haveye underffoed all thefe thibgs; and when they were alone, and apart from the multi- tude, then he expounded and explained all things chat he taught, more fully to them. 9. In the next place, if all thefe things fore-mentioned will not prevail, but inferiours will alit run on in a courfe of fin, then oughtett thou to repair to paternal correátion. Now chacifements mutt be fuited to their Age, the temperament of theirnatures, and feveral dif- pofitions, the various qualitiesand kindesof their offences. Indulge a parson í'ooner to leffer faults upon repentance and forrow. You mutt confider , whether their faults proceed from imprudence and weak nefs, upon what ground and occafion, upon what provocation or fedu. ¿lion. Call to mind their former lives , whether they have fallen fe!- dome and rarely, or often and frequently into the fame fin. Obferve whether they appear tobe deeply forrowful , and truly humbled , and readily beg forgivenefs of God and you [ cum animo non revertendi ] with a promife of a new life. In thefe and the like cafes,you mutt ad- hibit great diligence and prudence. Due punifhment is a part of acct nomical juttice, and there mutt be care had, lea(} by frequent impuni- ty they and their fellows be hardned in the wayes of Sin , and grow contnmacious again{( the Commandments of God. He that fpareth his Rod, hateth his Son ; but he that loveth him , chafleneth himbetimes. Thou (halt beat himwith the Rod, and deliver his foul from Hell. This is an Ordinance and Appointment of God. Our Fatherscorret7edws, andwegave them reverence. But let Superiours remember , that they mutt not do this without good, and without great caufe, and when all other means will nor prevail. If it be poflible to rule without the rod, 'cis betl. Happy are thofe Parents to whom God hath given filch Co- wardly Children , that a nod, that a frown , that a wink, will reform them. Certainly the wifdome of Parents might do much this way at firtI. If their Children be ofany tollerable frames, that the holding up of a finger may excufe the holding up the rod. It preferves, and in- dears the affe lions of Children exceedingly. That of the Tragedian is a good Maxime in ceconomicks ; Qui volt revure dim , languida regnet manu. Durable power is fixed upon gentle mannagemenr. Take heed of exafperating, andprovoking your children to wrath, by rigid and fevere courfes , where lefs may effect your purpofe , and that more kindly. There be force cruel Parents and Mailers, that carry them- (elves
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