fCbap, 2.8 about Chilclkext. Anfn, Firf}, their bleffngs were more then predictions : for they were á1fó af'urances that Godwouldperform thofe bletfings to their children : For they were both, Prophets, and Fathers : As Prophets they foretold things : as Fathers the obtained the bleffmgs pf>onounc.ed,andan allurance thereofto their children, and that by faith and prayer: Secondly, though parents éannot with fuch an extraordinary fpirit affure to their children anydislinei particular bleffng, yet the faithful prayer of parents is a fpecial and ordinary means to obtain the blefling on their children ; Gods promif extending to the faithful; and their feed,Gen.17.7.4FL 2.39. Prov.t S.U. ()Neel. Ifparents bewicked theirprayers are an abominate"; r what bkffïuv thencan children look, forfrom wickedparent, ? Anfw.Though God hear not wickedparents in love and t>oodneffe to them- (elves ; yet for the good of their children he doth and will heir them, and that the rather tomaintain a reverend reípeel of parents in the hearts oftheir chil- dren : For asking a blelíìtv, is an acknowledgement of fuperiority, and auth©- aity , accórdiing to that oftheApot I5Fkb.7.7. the Leff: is 6lefl`edof thegreater. And asfor the geflure of kneeling its an1verable to the geflure tiled by Jotph , Gen.48.1 z. who booed himfelfwithhis face to the earth. Obje&. But kneeling is ageffureproper to God , wor(hrp, Arfw. It is not fo proper,but it may be ufed in civil cafes , elfe Chrif} would have reproved the youngman for kneeling before him , as well as for calling him Good ; for he conceived Clirift to be but a meer man and the worfhip he did was but civil. Its not fim-ply the tenure, but the occafionof ir, the minds ofhim that performs ir,and theends--which he performs it for,tbatmakes it either Divine, or Civil. Cornelius fell down before `l'etir, and was blamed, because his manner ofworshipping was Divine : the jayior fell clown before Paul and Silas, and was not blamed , because his manner of woraipping was meetly civil. Some cifallow not childrens askingtheir parents blefhnd , but think ir meet only for children whiff}young, not confiderin ofwhat years, and 'tare Jofeph was when he performed it. Others think it not unlawful , but carelefly negleeI it, littleconfidering the benefit of a parents blelíìng : Efau fball rife up in judgementagainfl them, Gen.z7.34. lIeb. r z. r 7. Quef. what is another dst)of children to their arents ? Anftv. Obedience, which is the furefi note of the honour a child gives tohls parent : Hence; Eph.6.1. Col.; .2o. without itihich,external reverence is a ulcer mockage; as, kat.11.at. Obedience isa duty fo proper,that the ApoflLap- plie; it to Chril} as a proper attribut, r Pet.1.14. As obedient children,&c, See Chrifls example, Luk,2.51. Solomon calls the n: glee}of ir, a defpifing ßf a pa- rent, Prov.z3.a2. Quef},Wherein confffs this obedience ?. C Anfw. Firfl, in forbearing todo things without their parents content, which is aduty they are moll bound towhiff} they are under their parents government, during which time, parents content is not only meet but necelfary, Numb.3 0:17. and thatforrhef reafons. s..Children are as the goods of their parents , wholly in their power to be or- dered, and difpofedby them. Hence Satan having all that Job had ut into his fan's, took liberty over his childrenas well as his goods andcartel,Jeb 1.1 2,19. s. Children, whilefl under their govrntnent, even the eldeti that are heires, differ nothing from fervants, Ga/.4:r. 3. By Gods Law, parents had power to fell their children, Exod.21.7. 4. Parents hadpower to difanneíl fuch thingsas childrenhad done,Nunt.3o.4, Now this fubjeelion of theirs confdleth principally in five things. Qtwieft. what is the firff ? atnfe Firf , they natthave their parentseiñfent inmaking choife of their t. Liz cal- 1 2 59 I. Ir
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