174 TIDE DUTY OF GOD'S PEOPLE of your own planting. If you should repent and be saved, is it nothing to think of their damnation : and yourselves the occasion of it ? But if you die in your sin, how will they cry out against you in hell ? "All this was wrong of you : you should have taught us better, and did not; you should have restrained us from sin and corrected us, but did. not." What an addition will such outcries be to your misery ! On the other side, think what a comfort you may have, if you be faithful in this duty. If you should not succeed, you. have freed your own souls, and have peace in your own consciences. If you do, the com- fort is inexpressible, in their love and obedience, their supplying your wants, and delighting you in all your remaining path to glory. Yea, all your family may fare the better for one pious child or servant. But the greatest joy will be, when you shall say, Lord, here am I and the children thou hast given me ; and shall joyfully live with them for ever. Consider how much the welfare of church and state depends on this duty. Good laws will not reform us, if re- formation begin not at home. This is the cause of all our miseries in church and state, even the want of a holy education of children. I also entreat pa- rents -to consider, what excellent advantages they, have for saving their children. They are with you while they are tender and flexible. You have a twig to bend, not an oak. None in the world have such interest in their affections as you have. You have also the greatest authority over them. Their whole dependence is upon ÿou for a maintenance. You best know their temper and inclinations. And you are ever with them, and can never want opportuni- ties. Especially, you mothers, remember this, who are more with your children while young than their fathers. What pains are you at for their bodies ! What do you suffer to bring them into the world! And will you not, be at as much pains for the saving of their souls? Your affections are tender; and will it not move you to think of their perishing for ever
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