SECTION IL 535 moderate exercise. Every day let the memory of a child be en- trusted with something new : every day let some lesson be learn- ed : and every Lord's -day at least, even in their youngest years, let them learn by heart some one text of scripture, (chiefly that on which the minister preaches :) this will grow up in time to a considerable treasure of scriptural knowledge, which will be of unspeakable use to them in the Christian life. I have known children, who from their early years have been constantly trained up and taught to remember a few sentences of a sermon besides the text, and by this means have grown up by degrees to know all the distinct parts and branches of a discourse, and in time to write down half the sermon after they came home, to their own consolation, and the improvement of their friends: whereas those who have been never taught to use their memories in their younger parts of life, lose every thing from their thoughts when it is past off from their ears, and come home from noble and edi- fying discourses, pleased (it may be) with the transient sound, and commending the preacher, but uninstructed, unimproved, without any growth in knowledge or piety. 3. The judgment is another natural power of the mind which should be exercised and improved in children. They should be taught to pass no judgment on men or things rash- ly or suddenly, but to withhold their judgment till they see suffi- cient reason to determine them. To this end, shew them in little common instances how often they are deceived when they judge on a sudden, without due consideration, and how often they are forced to change their opinions. Put them in mind how soon they have found themselves mistaken, when they have given their opinions too hastily. This will make them cautious, and afraid of being so rash, either in praising one thing or in condemning another. Teach them to judge, not merely by outward shew and appearance, but by searching things to the bottom. Convince them that every man who bath fine clothes is not rich ; and that every man who talks hard words is not wise or learned ; that every one who wears a red coat is not a soldier ; nor is every person good-humoured who speaks very complaisant things in company. Take frequent occasion to shew them, how mueh they will be mistaken if they judge immediately by outward appear- ances of things. Tell them that they must not judge of things by custom, nor by the common opinions of the multitude, nor ley the practices of the rich and the great : for all these things may deceive them : but that they must judge of things merely by reason, except in matters of religion, and there they must judge rather by scripture or the word God. Let them know, that customs change and alter, and the custnms of one age or
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