Comfort for Parents, Mourning over their Hopeful Children, THAT DYE YOUNG. In a Funeral Discourse upon JER. 31. xvii. 
And there is Hope in thine End, saith the Lord.   
By Thomas Whitaker, Minister of the Gospel at Leeds, in Yorkshire.  
LONDON: Printed for John Dunton, at the Raven, in the Poultry, 1693.   

THE PREFACE.  
AT the Desire of Mr. Nicholas Dunwell, who was particularly concerned, both for the Preaching and Publication of the following Sermon, I writ this Preface. In his Hopeful Child he saw many Pleasant and Amiable things, but now that dear Comfort of his Life, being withdrawn, as he acquiesces in the Holy Providenee of God, that causes many times those Flowers to whither by an Early Decay, which perhaps we should be very apt to dote upon; so he doubts not but this Discourse, made by that Minister, under whose Instructions he sits with great Delight, will contribute to the Good of others, especially those who are yet in the Morning of their Age.  
I could not in Civility refuse the prefexing my poor Name, such as it is, tho' the worthy Author needs no Recommendation, much less mine; his Skill in Spiritual Affairs, and the Success wherewith God has blest his zealous Eudeavours for the Good of Souls, render it needless for me to say any thing that hath so much as the Show of Flattery; he neither expects it, nor does my Genius lead me to say much of one who is too modest to hear his own just Praises, and who has so many Witnesses of his fitness for his Honourable Work amongst his Numerous and Happy Auditory, which was, I doubt not, Edified at the Hearing of the following Sermon, and will be more so at the Reading of it; it must be their own fault if they receive not considerable Benefit from a Subject, so suited to the use of Parents and Children, and which is so well managed.  
I shall only speak a little to those that are Young, and to those Parents, who are shedding Tears for the Loss of Hopeful Children.  
Those that are Young have but little Experience of the Sorrows and Calamities of Life; and in a World, where they have been for so short a space, every thing appears to them as Gay and Fine; they are but beginning to Travel, and finding no Pain nor Trouble at present, promise to themselves many smooth Years, and to be at ease a long while; and being Charmed and Blinded with sensual Pleasures, they put afar off the Evil Day. But I would desire them to consider, that they may be taken away betimes, that their Sun may be Clouded a little after be is risen, and that now in their full Strength and Vigour it is the most proper seasson, wherein to prepare for another World; and if they should live to be old, they'll find no Inconveniencies from such an Early Preparation. it will be the Joy of their Parents, and their own Joy; God will multiply his Favours, and he will be pleased to see them in his Vineyard in the Dawn of Life; this will enable them to run their Christian Race with an eager haste, and the Brightness of their Examples will allure others to run for the same Blessed Crown; whereas, if they be secure, careless, and unthoughtful of Eternity, their Minds will be laid waste, and be like the Field of the Sluggard, all overgrown with Thorns and Briers, with every evil and unpleasant thing: This Earth with its fair Charins' and Tentations, will chain them to its self, and the Devil will lead them Captive at his Will; he will insult over them in their growing Age, and strive to keep them from deserting his Service when they were before his Volunteers. And it must be a doleful, and Melancholy Prospect to their poor Parents to see their dear Children run in the way of Hell, and like to be the fuel of Eternal Flames. I would beg of them to read this Sermon, and other good Discourses, that may give them a right sense of things, and especially to delight in the Holy Scriptures, the frequent perusal of which will keep them from the Vanities of Youth, and with admirable Clearness and Efficacy direct them to cleanse their ways, and while they read in so Divine a Book, to pray to the great Father of Lights, that he would irradiate their Souls with Vital Beams, that they may not only see the Light, but feel the warmth of Truth; and then, if they die early, if they go to Bed betimes, they'll fall asleep in Jesus, and never complain that they were in Heaven too soon; if they be good, 'tis no great matter whether their Lamps be extinguished at Midnight, or at Noon.  
As to Parents, who have lost good Children, whom they loved with all imaginable Tenderness, tho' it is impossible for them not to shed tears at the pleasant Images of themselves, their pretty Carriage, their little innocent Actions, their serious Discourse, and their Holy Prayers, yet they have a great many things to sweeten the bitterness of their Grief. Oh what a Spiring is it of daily Consolation, to think, that a part of themselves is in Heaven! And that tho' Death has plucked from their Embraces, a Child, that was so Amiable and so good, yet instead of groaning under the miseries of Life, he is praising God above with Loud and Cheerful Hallelujahs: How reviving must it be to think that the Supreme Ruler, whose, they and theirs are, has removed the sweet Flowers that they looked upon with Joy, into the Coel stial Paradise! It is reviving to think that these little Vessels are filled with an Early Glory, and gone to see the Face of their Heavenly Father, as their Angels did before, the Parents of such Children ought not to shed unprofitable Tears, for all their Sorrows will not cause a Spring in the Grave, nor make the louly plants to grow again: They should not always keep their Finger on the Sore; for the Rod that chastens them is dipped in Honey, and managed by a Father's Hand, who must be more to them than many Sons and Daughters: Their Love to these Amiable things should not exceed their Love to God; he must be more to them than their Life, which yet is a dearer and sweeter thing than all their other Comforts: What Graces soever adorned the Bodies of their Children, what Perfections soever enriched their Souls, yet it should support them to think that whilst they are left to many a Cold and Stormy Winter, they whom they once loved, are arrived at their home; and tho' they see them no more in their Families, yet they shall meet them with Pleasure at the Great Day, and never part again; and then those Bodies which the Grave for a season preyed upon, shall be like the Glorious Body of our Lord. You that are Parents, may Lawfully drop some tears over the Graves of your departed Children, but you ought not to bury yourselves alive, nor to be made unserviceable to God by excess of Grief. You prayed that they might be good, and they were so; you prayed that they might get to Heaven and they are gone thither▪ only you Mourn that they are there s● soon. Weep not for them, but for you● selves; you may live to see disma● times, and heavy Judgements, which ma● occasion a general Amazement and Consternation; and which may make man● a Mother say, Blessed is the Wom● that never bear, and the Paps tha● never gave Suck. Remember that th● time is short, and it signifies little, th● one Rose whither in the Morning, an● another in the Afternoon, seeing a●… will certainly decay. If you see som● die in the Bud, and in the green o● Youth, you must be satisfied, tho' yo● begged that they might not be gather'● till they were laden with a great deal of Fruit. It must comfort you to think that they are like the Early Dew, exhaled to Heaven betimes, though the shining Drops are vanished. These young Heirs of Glory peeped into the World, they saw nothing here but Vexation, Sin and Misery, and so they went out again. If you say we Mourn for our Loss, as being a sad Discovery of Wrath against us, we are afraid our Children were taken away from us in Anger; but is it not a Testimony of Love to deliver any out of Pain betimes, and not to suffer them to Languish very long? Those that God has dearly loved have died soon; the first Person that went to Heaven died in the Flower of his Age, even Abel, the Righteous, so did Abijah, Josiah, and our Excellent King Edward the VI These all died Young; and was it an Argument of Divine Displeasure to let them Conquer and Triumph almost as soon as they began to Fight, whilst others must endure the heat of the Day, and many a furious Combat,  they march from the Field of Battle?  
That God would by his own Gracious Presence supply the want of all outward Comforts to those who are bereft of their Dear and Hopeful Children, and that he would Bless this Sermon, and the Author, and that he may long shine in the Sphere where he is placed, for the Good of many Souls, Is the hearty Desire of,  
Timothy Rogers.   

Comfort for Parents, Mourning over their Hopeful Children, That Dye Young.  JER. 31. XVII. 
And there is Hope in thine End, saith the Lord.  
THE two great Supports of a Christian in this Vale of Tears, are a lively Faith, and a steady Hope. For, as a Christian's highest Happiness lies within the Veil, 
2 Cor. 5.7.  so Faith and Hope alone can give him a Comfortable Prospect of what Sense and Sight cannot yet reach unto.  
They minister a singular Support, both in Life and Death.  
In the greatest Troubles of Life, 
Psal. 42.10,11.  Faith in the Perspective of the Promise, can spy Light through the darkest Cloud: And Hope, being encouraged by Faith, can wait with Patience for an happy Issue.  
In the Approaches of Death, Faith can cast its Eagle-Eye over this Dead Sea, unto the Fragrant Mountains of Spices beyond: 
2 Tim. 1.12.  And Hope can animate the Thoughtful Soul with a Gracious Expectation, that a few Moment's will waft it safe over the Gulf, and make it Possessor of those Glorious Mansions.  
Does God send his grim Messenger, Death, to summon ourselves to come away? It's an Encouragement, beyond Expression, 
Psal. 17.15.  to have Faith and Hope lead us through the dark Passage, till Faith be Converted into Vision, and Hope advanced into Fruition.  
Is it our dear Relations or Friends, that God sends the tremendous Summons to? What a blessed Stast of Support is it to the Surviving Mourners, when we have Hope in their Latter End?  
The Departing Soul can venture comfortably upon, 
Psal. 23.4.  and walk cheerfully through the Gloomy Valley of the Shadow of Death, when attended with two such Refreshing Companions, as Faith and Hope, truly grounded upon the Promises of the Word, and the Experience of a Gracious Principle in its own Heart.  
And we that survive, can part with our Dying Relations, with a more cheerful Resignation, when we are encouraged with some Comfortable Grounds of Faith and Hope: That their Departure hence is but their happy Passage into a far better State and Place.  
Accordingly, This is the very Consideration, which a Gracious God Administers for the Support of the Mourners in the Text.  And there is Hope in thine End, saith the Lord. 
In opening the Words, we shall consider: 

1. The Primary and Litteral Import of them.  
2. What Practical Improvement may be made of them.    
1. We shall take a short look into the Primary, Original Sense of the words. For the understanding whereof, you need only to have Recourse unto v. 15. of the Chapter, where you have Rachel, (i. e.) The poor distressed Tribe of Benjamin (who were Descendants from Rachel) Mourning for her Children, because they were not.  
A great many of them were very probably cut off by the Fatal stroke of Death, and the rest were ready to be carried away Captive into Babylon, which was as a civil Death: Upon which doleful Occasion, this Bereft Tribe breaks out into a most bitter Lamentation; the Ditty of whose Mournful Elegy was, That her Children were not; There were lost and gone, and she was like to enjoy them no more.  
Now to stem the Tide of these Swelling Waters of Mara, God seasonably suggests this Relieving Ground of Comfort in the Text, There is Hope in thine End, saith the Lord.  
The Sense whereof amounts to this purpose: Why dost thou Mourn, as one utterly undone, or as one, whose Case admits of no Relief, or Comfort? Tho' thou be as a Desolate Mother, bereft of her Children, yet there is Hope, both respecting thyself, and respecting those, whom thou concludes to be utterly lost and gone. Those that are Dead, and must return to this Life no more; if they be transplanted to a better, what Reason is there to indulge an Immoderate Sorrow for them?  
And those that are carried into Captivity, and ready to be put into their dismal Graves in Babylon; they shall have a seasonable Resurrection, and shall return unto their own Border in due time, which may be a sufficient Ground of Consolation as to them.  
This being the Literal Import of the Words, we come now,  
2. To consider what practical Improvement may be made of them, with respect to Cases of a like Nature. Now, in order hereunto, you may observe from the Account that's already given; that the Words are a Supporting Cordial, reached forth by the Compassionate Hand of Heaven, to Disconsolate Parents, bleeding over the Loss of their dear Children.  
And tho' there may be a considerable difference in some Particulars, betwixt the Case in the Text, and other Cases, that may bear some Proportion thereunto; yet from the general Design of the Words, we may (without any great Force) deduce from them this useful Observation.  
Observe. That it is a Sovereign Support to surviving Parents, under the Loss of their Departed Children; That there is Hope in their Latter End.  
Children are Parts and Branches of ourSelves; OurSelves are multiplied into so many lesser Sprigs; yea, our own very Bowels spun out into so many smaller Threads: And consequently, when these, by an Irresistible Hand, come to be rend and torn from us; it cannot but be very Grievous to Innocent, and much more to Corrupted Nature.  
But when there is a well-grounded Hope in their latter End; when there is a good Foundation to believe, That they are made Brahches in Christ, before they are plucked away as Branches from ourselves: That there are some Lineaments of the New Creature form in them, before they are called off the Stage of this Old Creation: This cannot but open a Refreshing Spring of Consolation, to Mournful Parents, to assuage their swelling Sorrows, and to staunch their bleeding Wounds.  
In the management of this Point, we shall endeavour to show. 

1. What are those Symptoms, which may administer good Ground of Hope, with respect to our dying Children.  
2. In what Respects this is such a Sovereign Support, to Surviving Parents and Relations.    
1. What are those Characters, which may administer good Ground of Hope, with respect to our dying Children.  
I shall not here concern my Discourse with those Children, that die in their Morning-Infancy, and are snatched from their Mothers, or Nurse's Breast, by that time they are well come into the World; and consequently, are no more capable of exerting any Acts of Grace, than they are of Reason. The Occasion requires not, and the Time will not allow me to engage in that Subject.  
But I shall confine myself to such Children, as have arrived to some Competent years of Understanding, and so are in a Capacity of leaving some Intimations of the early Impressions of Divine Grace upon their Hearts, altho' cut off in their Early Blooming days.  
Yet in our Management hereof, it becomes us to exercise all humble Sobriety, it being attended with some difficulty, to state aright the first Sprouting of Divine Grace in Adult Persons, and much more in Young Children.  
We shall therefore make an Adventure, only so far, as the Line of Scripture, without offering any Violence to it, will conduct us, and leave the more Intricate Secrets of Divine Operation, to him that best understands them, even to God himself: Who can discern Grace in those Minuter Workings, which lie beyond the Reach of our Observation.  
To come to Particulars:  
There are these timely Intimations of Goodness in Children, which may minister good Grounds of Hope, with respect to their latter End.  
1. A Teachable Disposition in the Things of God. As it is the unquestionable Duty of Parents to teach their Children betimes, and prudently to instil Divine Truths into their Minds, as soon as they are capable of learning; so it is a very hopeful Indication in Children; when they are Teachable in Divine things, and cheerfully receptive of Spiritual Instructions in their tender Years. Whom shall I teach Knowledge, says God, 
Isa. 28.9.  whom shall I make to understand Doctrine? Them that are weaned from the Milk, and drawn from the Breasts. I know, the Words are designedly a very cutting Rebuke to the Unteachable Jews; intimating, that a weaned Child was as teachable as they: But withal, we may make this Observation from them, That when Children are so early receptive of Gracious Instructions, it is an Argument, That God is at work with them, as their Sovereign Teacher.  
To hear Children studiously Inquisitive into Spiritual things, and ask good Questions about Serious and Heavenly Matters: To see them leaning their Heads, and lending their Ears, earnestly to listen to Discourses about Soul-affairs, and things of everlasting Moment; what a Comfortable Prospect must it afford! And as it cannot but be very Affecting to the Hearts of concerned Parents; so it can be esteemed no less than an hopeful Intimation in those tender Plants: That God is dealing with their Hearts in their Morning-years, tho' in a way and manner undiscernible to us.  
Who is it that forms the Heart, which by Nature is Crooked and Perverse, into this Spiritual Docibleness; 
Prov. 21.1.  but he who has all Hearts in his Hand, and can mould them, when and how his Sovereign Goodness pleases? Child's Hearts in their Natural State, are locked up against Divine things, as well as other Men's: And who is it, that opens the Lock so early, 
Rev. 3.7.  but be that has the Key of David, and opens where none can shut, and shuts where none can open.  
In a word, A Teachable Mind, in an Age of Life, that's oftentimes the most untoward and Indocible, implies an Heart, touched with the Finger of Heaven; And where God has his Hand upon the Spring so soon, it cannot but suggest a good Hope (through Grace) unto Thoughtful Parents.  
2. An Affectionate Respect to the Holy Scriptures, is another early Intimation of an hopeful Import. It's recorded as one of the Morning-Bloomings of Divine Grace in a young Timothy, 
2 Tim. 3.15.  That from a Child he was acquainted with the Scriptures. His early Acquaintance with them implies his early Affection to them. He was such an early Proficient in them, because he had an early Desire unto them, and delight in them: which can be attributed to no other than a Divine Original.  
When Children therefore express an early Respect to the Holy Bible, and love frequently to converse with those Blessed Oracles; when they take pleasure in Reading them themselves, and in hearing others Read them; when they make a particular Remark upon signal Passages, and inquire into the Meaning of them, and lay them up as a choice Treasure in their Hearts; when they love to Read such Passages over and over again, and to be telling of them, as if their Hearts were greatly affected with them, and sucked some Virtue and Sweetness from them; what Construction can all this admit of, but as an hopeful hint from Heaven, of some Gracious Beginnings in those tender Years.  
Is it not an Intimation, That the same Spirit of Grace and Truth, that indicted the Scriptures, has begun to draw some Lineaments of those Blessed Truths upon such children's Hearts? When the Heart is much in the Bible, it's an Argument, there's something of the Bible in the Heart: There's something within answering to the Truths without, which gives them such a pleasant Taste and Relish to the Soul.  
There's some Minims of the Law writ in the Heart, though the Characters as yet be but very small, and scarce discernible. 
Heb. 8.10,11.   
This also may afford a very Supporting Foundation of Hope, to Pious Parents.  
3. A Towardly Inclination to Religious Duties, is another Token of an encouraging Nature. What a doleful Sight is it, and worthy of the most compassionate Resentments, to observe the wretched Auk wardness of some Children to Religious Exercises! Do but compare them then, with what they are at other times; and they are never more froward, or more prone to Sleepiness, than at such Seasons. How apparently do their Spirits enther sink or fall, or grow cross and sour, upon the Management of any Holy Duty? Thereby manifesting their secret Disrelish of, and prevailing Averseness, unto things of a Spiritual Heavenly Character.  
But on the contrary, when Children evidence a pleasant Towardliness to the Holy ways of God; when they manifest a dear Affection to Prayer, and reading good Books, and Religious Discourse, as performed and managed by others; and when they frame themselves to these things, in what Manner and Measure their short Capacity will admit; making up in the Will wherein they come short in the Work: This is also a very Amiable, Hopeful Symptom.  
It's left as a Mark of Honour upon young Josiah, That when he was but Eight Years old, he walked in the ways of his Father David, to do that which was Right in the Sight of the Lord. 
2 Kin. 22.1,2.   
What a lovely Discovery was it of an Immortal Seed, dropped into the Heart, when it thus began to sprout above Ground! How delightful were such early and choice Beginnings! The Power of Divine Grace must be at work betimes, where the Effects were so Early and Signal.  
Well, It ministers no less matter, both of Delight and Hope, to see our Children beginning to savour the things of God, and to disrelish their Childish Vanities, in the timely Spring of their Day. And it cannot but bespeak a new Divine , form in the Soul, to which the Vanities of Youth are so unsavoury, and the Exercises of Heaven so Grateful and Pleasant.  
4. A Thoughtful Concernment about an Eternal State, is another hopeful Indication of early Goodness. Childhood is a Time of Life, that ordinarily runs so much into Froth and Vanity, that it seldom admits of any serious Consideration. How difficult is it to fasten a serious Thought upon Children, either of their Duty or Danger, either of their Present State, or Future Doom! Their Vain Minds are possessed with their Childish Trifles, 
Eccles. 11,10.  that there's no Entertainment for Thoughts, or Fears, or Cares of an higher Nature: They are so charmed by the present Allurements of Time, that they know not how to apply their Minds to the more solemn Concerns of Eternity: And therefore, where any Thoughtfulness appears of this kind, it is the more remarkable.  
For Children to be possessed with an Awful Sense of an Eternal State; to hear them enquiring, What they shall do to be saved; to see them concerned about Death and Judgement, and Heaven and Hell, must be much more than the same things in grown Persons: It's the more observable in them, by how much it's the more rare, and more contrary to the Temper of that Foolish Age. It's rare to have a Child's Mind composed to any thing, and much more to things that lie so remote from Sense and Fancy, which are their chief Governing Principles.  
Whence then must these Thoughts have their Original? To what Spring must they be ascribed? Certainly to no other, than the secret Operation of Heaven. Children do not use to look into their Graves, or take a Prospect of Eternity, but when the Finger of the Almighty powerfully directs them thither: They do not use to entertain themselves with Anxieties about another World, or what will be their future State therein, but when such Thoughts are dropped from above. And how seldom do such Thoughts abide, but when they are riveted by the same Hand that made the first Impression?  
When therefore Thoughts of this Nature take up such early Possession in the Minds and Hearts of Children, it is a Token of very comfortable Signification.  
5. A real Desire after an Interest in Christ, is another Intimation, that affords a good Ground of refreshing Hope. What an Encouraging Presage done it suggest, to hear Children timely inquisitive after the Blessed Jesus; ask, who and what is he, and of what use to the Souls of Sinners: And upon Intelligence received, to be mighty solicitous and concerned about an Interest in his Grace and Mercy! Our blessed Saviour himself, who was no Stranger to the early Appearances of Divine Grace, lays it down as a fundamental Maxim: 
Job. 17.3.  This is LIfe Eiernal, to know the only God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent: It's Eternal Life in the Seed, though not in the Flower; in the Beginnings, though not in the Perfection of it. The first Buddings of Spiritual, and consequently of Eternal Life, are frequently couched in Pleasing Inclinations, to hear of this Incomparable Person, and in secret Desires to have a Part and Lot in him.  
And this argues both some Conviction of a lost State by Nature, and also some Spiritual Acquaintance with the Nature, Uses, and Ends of Jesus Christ, as the great Contrivance of Heaven, for saving Perishing Souls. Why do such Souls esteem it their concern to look after a Saviour, but that they are in some measure sensible of their guilty, undone Condition, by reason of Sin? And why do they desire to be interested, and wrapped up in the Mercies of a Gracious Jesus, but that they have had some Beam of DivineLight breaking into their Minds, whereby to understand him, as the great Propitiation, ordained of the Father for Guilty Sinners?  
You must allow for the Incapacity of Children, in not coming to that distinct Acquaintance with Christ, which maturer Years may arrive unto: But it is a singular Foundation of Hope, when they know so far of themselves, as to be afraid of dying in a Natural State; and so far of Jesus Christ, as to breathe out their Hearts in an Affectionate Concernment for a Portion in him, as the only Saviour of dying Souls: And more may be wrapped up in a Sigh, a Groan, a Word, a Tear of theirs to this purpose, than we are ware of.  
6. A tender Fearfulness of known Sin, is another hopeful Testimony of early Goodness. We must indeed make allowance for the unballasted Temper of Childish Years, which cannot be expected to be altogether free from the Vanities and Follies of that Age: But when Children are under powerful Impressions of Fear of doing any thing, which they are convinced to be downright Sin; and this not so much from a Servile Awe of the Rod, as from an ingenuous Tenderness of Heart; it cannot but suggest a good Hope, notwithstanding some Childish Follies, that they may be incident to.  
Children cannot be supposed to have that explicit and extensive Knowledge of Sin, that riper Years may attain unto. But what they understand to be Sin, they are sensible, it's offensive to God, and displeasing to their Godly Parents, as well as Damning to their own Souls; and from all these Considerations are possessed with an Awful Fear of doing amiss: Who can esteem this any other than a Divine Spark, struck from Heaven into their Hearts, while yet in their tender Minority?  
How fearful have some Children been in Lying (tho' an Iniquity too commonly incident to that Age) of taking the Name of God in vain, of profaning the Sabbath, or bearing apart in the wicked Excesses, that other Children run into? How conscientious have some been to reprove their Fellows, that have been involved in these and such like Vices, and that to the Admiration of such as have observed them! How careful have some been to avoid the Company of those that could not be reclaimed from their early Profaneness? They have had no mind to Play, or Converse, or keep Company with such, tho' under many Temptations thereunto: What Construction can be made of this early Tenderness, but that it is some line or stroke of the New Creature, drawn in the Heart of such young ones; which may justly encourage Parents to entertain a Comfortable Hope concerning them?  
It's observed, as a Character of a Gracious Import in the young King Josiah, 
2 Kin. 22.19.  That his Heart was tender, When Conscience is so early impressed with the Sense of Sin and Duty; it is a good Sign. It's taken notice of, as an early Appearance of Goodness in this young Prince, and it is the like in others, wherever it is found, 
Jer. 32.40.  Being a Branch of that Fear, which God hath promised to put into the Hearts of his own People.  
7. An Obediential Regard unto Parents, is another Argument for Good. As it is a frequently-repeated Charge upon Children, 
Eph. 6.1. Col. 3.20.  To obey Parents in the Lord; so it is a very Promising Intimation, when they are early affected with the Conscience of their Duty in this particular.  
Disobedient Children, as they are the Grief and Heartbreak of their Parents for the present, so they generally give but a very poor Prospect of Hope for the future, especially when their Disobedience is attended with Contempt and Obstinacy. Accordingly it is very observable, that among the Persons, whom the Children of Israel were to pronounce Accursed, upon Mount-Ebal, Contemptuous, Undutiful Children are set, almost in the very Front of the Black Catalogue. Next to the Idolater, that Maketh and Worshippeth any Graven or Mosten Image, 
Deut. 27: 16.  is He that setteth Light by his Father and Mother. And what blacker Mark of Infamy and Hopelesness can be put upon any Persons, than to be set in the Forefront of such, as the Curse of Heaven is upon? To bear any Place in that miserable Bead-roll, is sad enough: But to be the very second Rank of the Accursed Crew, bespeaks the Case to be particularly dreadful and discouraging.  
But on the contrary, dutiful, obedient Children, as they are the Joy and Crown of their Parents, while they live, so they give very good Ground of Hope, when they come to die; For they are the Children of Promise: And if they have not the Promise made good to them in a long Life upon Earth; it cannot but be comfortably hoped, that a Gracious and Faithful God will fulfil it in that which is better, even Life everlasting in Heaven. I know the Exterternal Acts of Obedience may proceed from different Springs or Principles, whichmay often vary the case. A Child may yield outward Obedience from Fear, as well as from Love. The dread of the Rod may overawe them, when Love, and the Sense of Duty does not incline them; and in that case we cannot make so hopeful a Conclusion: But when a Child's Obedience evidently springs from an Obediential Disposition; when it is influenced not so much by a slavish awful Fear, as by Principles of Conscience, Love and Reverence; Love and Reverence to Parents, and Conscience to the Command of God; it cannot but be reckoned a very encouraging Symptom. It's recorded to the Honour of our blessed Saviour, That he was Subject to his Parents. Tho' the Advancement of his Humane Nature into the Person of the Son of God, advanced him above any Obligations of that kind, yet to testify how natural, how amiable, how becoming Obedience to Parents is, himself yielded all the Subjection and Obedience that could be expected from the Relation. He was Subject, that was Lord over all; to leave a blessed Example to Children to be, and do likewise: And it cannot but be esteemed an Hopeful sign, to be conformable to so good a Pattern. It's a part of the Image of the blessed Son of God, 
Rom. 8.29.  to which all the Children of God are predestinated to be conformed: And any Branch of Conformity to that Image cannot but afford a good Hope concerning those in whom it is found.  
Do you see then, Children giving all becoming Proofs of their inward Acknowledgement of, and Veneration for their Parents? Do you see them careful to please, and fearful to offend and grieve them? When other Children are Proud and Stomachful, and Self-willed; impatient either of Advice or Reproof; Do you see these listening to their Parent's Exhortations, and melting under their Reproofs? When others make no matter of disobeying and offending, and provoking their Parents; Do you see these efflicted and grieved at themselves for grieving theirs? When the Obedience of others lasts no longer, than while their Parent's Eye is over them; Do you see these bear a tender respect to their Parent's Pleasure and Favour, as well from under, as while they are under their Parent's Eye? In a word, Do you see them Fearful of, or Penitent for any thing, that looks like Undutifulness? Such Children but be looked on, as leaving a good Testimony behind them, tho' snatched away in their Morning-age.  
8. A particular Love to good People, is another hopeful Appearance in Children. That Love to the Saints is made an evidence of Grace in Adult Persons, is so plain in Scripture, that nothing can be plainer. Particularly, it's the Mark mainly insisted upon by the Beloved Disciple, John; whose own Heart being much affected with Love to God, and the Brethren, he makes this a Principal Trial, with respect to others. I need not point to all the places that occur in his Epistles to this purpose, That one is enough▪ 
1 Joh. 3.14.  We know, that we are pasled from Death unto Life, because we love the Brethren. Observe, he lays it down, not merely as a probable, but as a Damonstrative Argument. We know, that is, with an Holy Confidence and Assurance, that we are passed from Death unto Life, from a State of Sin, unto a State of Grace, because we love the Brethren; that is, the Children of God, as such, or under that Consideration and Character. And, as this is a Character so express in Scripture, so in Experience it has been so singularly useful, that it has supported the Spirits, and quieted the Fears of many doubting Souls, when all their other Graces, not being so perceptible in their Operations, have been able to afford them little or no Relief. Now, if it be an Argument of such Evidence in grown Persons, why may we not allow it the like evidentialness, with respect to Children?  
It's true, Love may be caused by such Motives, as may prove too weak a Foundation to build upon in this case; as when it proceeds from nearness of Natural Affinity, or from a sweetness of Temper and Conversation, or such like common Endearments. We may love good People, but not as such, but either as related to us in the Bonds of Nature, or as endeared to us, by their sweet and innocent, and obliging Company any Converse. Now this is but a Natural Humane Love; not that Divine and Siritual Affection, which can yield any Conclusion, as to the good Estate, either of Elder or Younger Persons. But is it Love to a Disciple of Christ, as a Disciple; Love to a good Man, as Good; a Love founded, not in Carnal Considerations, but Spiritual Attractives; Love to them, because of their Goodness, and as bearing the Characters of Heaven? I should not doubt, under these qualifications, to pronounce it a clear Argument of a Divine, and Heavenborn Principle, wherever it is found. Love to the Image bespeaks Love to the Original; Love to Saints, as such, argues Love to the God of Saints, whose Signature and Superscirption they bear: It's Love to Goodness, as Goodness, which argues that they have something of it in themselves; it's Love to the Divine Nature, as Divine, and from Heaven; and consequently cannot but import some Lines of the same Nature, in the Person who loves.  
Now, what remarkable Appearances have there been of this Gracious Affection in some Children! What pleasing Motions of Respect have been stirred up in their Breasts, upon the Sight of good People! 
Luk. 1.41.  as the Babe sprung for joy in Elizabeth's Womb, at the Salutation of the Mother of our Lord. How glad have they been to enjoy their Company, and to hear them discourse of God, and Christ, and Heaven! What a sensible Pleasure have they taken, both in their Persons and Conversation! That we may say of them, as the Holy Psalmist once said of Himself, 
Psal. 16.3.  They hath been the Persons, in whom have been their principal and chief Delight. Now what Judgement can be made of all this, 
1 Joh. 5.1.  but that surely they love him that begat, who love those so dearly that are Begotten of Him?  
There's a certain Instinct that attends Grace, as well as Nature: And as Nature will begin early to express itself in a tender Affection towards all the Children of the same Father; so when there is the like early Affection towards the Children of our Heavenly Father, it is an Argument, there's something of that divine Instinct, which attends the new Nature.  
It's a Character of Renown left upon Abijah, the Son of Jeroboam, 
1 Kin. 14.13.  That there was found in him some good thing towards the Lord God of Israel: And this good thing is thought by some, to be the secret Countenance and Respect, that he shown to those good People, that could not comply with his Father's Idolatry, which he had set up at Dan and Bethel.  
Love to the People of God is Love to God himself at the second Hand: And so God himself, tells you, that he will esteem it at the great Day. 
Macth. 25.40.  Inasmuch as you have done it to One of these, you have done it unto me. And if it will be so honourably owned in grown Persons, it will surely be accepted and owned with no less Honour in Children.  
9 A delightful Appetite to the Food of Life, is another encouraging Symptom in Children. What an Early Desire has appeared in some little Ones to the Word and Ordinances of Christ! Nothing has pleased them better, 
Prov. 8.34.  than to watch daily at Wisdom's Gates, and towait at the Posts of her Doors, where the Bread of Life uses to be distributed amongst hungry Souls: And what a Character the Scripture puts upon such, is plain, Blessed are they.  
What an high Value have some Children set upon Sermons! How desirous have they been of all Opportuhities of that Nature! How ready to embrace them, when at any time offered, and unwilling to let one such Season slip, as if they esteemed it the loss of a Spiritual Meal-time! With what listening Ears, and earness Looks have they been observed to sit under the Droppings of the Sanctuary, as if they were as greedy of the Breast of the Word, as the hungry Child is of the Mother's Breast! How sweer and grateful have the glad Tidings of Salvation been to their tender Hearts; and with what Delight have they sat under the Shakes of the Tree of Life, as might easily be discerned by their Trickling Eyes, or steadfast Looks, and pleasing Countenance.  
Now, what does all this import, where it is found, but a Principle, fuitable to the Food, which it is carried out unto? You may know every Creature by its proper Food, which it most inclines unto, and delights in; and the new Creature is equally discernible by its Food. The Newborn Infant no sooner almost makes its Appearance in the World, than it discovers a natural Instinct, leading it to the Mother's Breast: And may not the Spiritually-new-born Soul be discovered by the like Inclination to the sincere Milk of the Word? So the Apostle plainly suggests. 
Pet. 2.2.   
What is it that hungers and desires, and carries the Soul out after the Heavenly Manna? What is it that the Milk and Honey of the Promised Land, is so accommodate and agreeable to? Is it any Principle of the old Nature? That cannot be, because the old Nature must have Food suitable to its self, something Carnal and Sensual; 
Rom. 8.  For they that are in the Flesh, savour only the things of the Flesh. Therefore it must be some higher and Divine Principle; and consequently no other than that Heavenborn Principle, which is styled the new Nature.  
As the Food is, that is most acceptable to the Soul, so is the Inclination; and as the Inclination is, so is the Principle, from whence it flows.  
10. Sensible Breathe after more Clearness for Heaven, do also administer a blessed Ground of Hope. That Children should have such a Faith and Sense of that invisible State, as earnestly to desire an Interest, a Part, a Place in those Heavenly Mansions, is an Intimation of Hope, not to be despised. But when you observe them breathing them out of their Hearts in warm and affectionatesDesires, that their Evidences were but clearer, and their Title to Heaven more distinct and legible! This cannot but minister a still more refreshing Argument of Hope.  
How sensibly must it move the tender Affections of concerned Parents, to hear their Children express a Thoughtful Heart about going to Heaven! But to hear them sweetly and concernedly sigh out, Oh that my Interest in Christ, and Right to the Heavenly Inheritance, was but more clear and evident, less obscure and cloudy! This must make a very fensible Addition to Parents Comfort and Joy.  
Not to be content with a dark and doubtful Interest, but to send up fervent Groans to Heaven for more Evidence and Clearness; not to be satisfied with some languid Hopes, but to aspire after a more lively and confirmed Hope, and yet in the mean time to dread Presumption; not to be content with some imperfect Dawnings of that Glorious Day, but to breathe after clearer Discoveries of the Love and Favour of God, in and through a Saviour: This must certainly be a Frame of Soul, that carries not a little Encouragement in it. It's a very encouraging Symptom in grown Persons, and much more in Children.  
What was it but the sweet Breath of a Gracious Heart, when the Holy Psalmist addressed himself in such a Pathetic Prayer to Heaven; 
Psa. 106.4,5.  Remember me, O Lord, with the Favour of thy People: Oh visit me with thy Salvation, that I may see the Good of thy Chosen! Two Evidences of a Sincere Gracious Soul, are observable in the Prayer: First, That no less would satisfy his Panting Heart, than the Favour that was peculiar to God's own People, the good of his Chosen: And secondly, that could not content him neither, but he must have the sensible Refreshing Evidence of that Favour.  
Such Heavenly Breathing have sometimes appeared in young ones; that nothing could satisfy them but some cheering Glimpse of the Salvation of God; and what can be the Spring of such Divine Bubbling but an Heart seasoned with an Heavenly Tincture from above? It's an Argument, that Christ lies near the Heart, when the Desires are so strong after Clearness of Interest. Heaven must both be understood and valued, where the Soul is so solicitous for a sure and clear Title; and would not only have some Hope, but rejoice in Hope in the Glory of God.  
11. Willingness to be gone, to be with Christ, is the last Gracious Symptom I shall mention. It's not to be doubted, but Death in its self must be as terrible to Children, as to others. The Separation of two such dear Intimates, as Soul and Body, cannot but look with a frightful Aspect upon them, as well as more grown Persons; the utter Extinction of all Worldly Relations, and Earthly comforts, cannot but be very unwelcome and uneasy to Flesh and Blood: 
Isa. 38.11.  To be taken from the Land of the Living, and lodged in the Dark and hideous Mansions of the Grave, where they shall see Man no more, with the Inhabitants of the Earth, cannot but make recoil in them, as well as others. And yet it's very remarkable, how welcome this Grim and Melancholy Messenger has been to some young Ones; and how willing have they been to leave the World, and to go to the House, prepared for all Living: tho' they have but just begun to taste the Sweet and Pleasure of the World, and have felt little of the Bitter to wean their Hearts from it; yet how contented have they been to bid it Farewell, with all its Delights and Pleasures, and have entertained Death with a very sweet and resigning Composure of Mind! Now, what could thus reconcile the King of Terrors to them, but the Thoughts and hopes of something beyond the Grave, to recompense the loss of what they leave here? It's an argument of their Faith, that they believe a future State; and that the Happiness thereof, infinitely exceeds all the Felicities of this present state of Time. It's an Evidence they have got, some Peep within the Veil, where they have seen great and wonderful Things, far surpassing all the Enjoyments of this lower Region. It's a demonstration of their Love to, and Valuation of Christ, that they esteem the Fruition of him, more worth than all the World; and are willing to be absent from the Body, that they may be present with the lord 
2 Cor. 8. 5.  It's an argument they have some Inin God, as their God, they are so willing to go to Him, though it be through such a Gloomy Passage. And that they love their Father's House, since the Messenger is so welcome, tho' but a frightful One, that's sent to fetch them thither. It's an intimation they know and have felt something of Heaven, when they can be so content, to exchange Things seen for unseen; the visible, sensible Comforts of this World, for the invisible Delights of Heaven.  
In a Word, I''s an evident Proof, that Christ is their Life, their Joy, their Hope, their Happiness, their Portion, their All, when they can so freely throw off all the Courtships of Flesh and the World, 
Phil. 1.23.  that they may be with their Exalted Redeemer, as the best of all. The pale Horse of Death, could not meet with such a welcome and submissive Reception, but that he carries them thither, whither their Hearts are already gone, And siher their Hearts are Above, it is an Argument their Treasure is there also.  
It is, not to be expected, that Children should have such clear and explicit Apprehensions, as more mature Christians: But however, when they know so much, as to esteem it a Being with Christ, and upon that account, not only Heaven is truly desirable, but Death is welcome, as the Way thither: it cannot but be reckoned as a very hopeful Presage. And what can suggest more affecting and refreshing Hopes to Mourning Parents, than to see their departing Children thus preter being with Christ before their Continuance in this Vain and Changeable World?  
Thus I have endeavoured to take afflicted Parents by the Hand, and to lead them to some of those Cordial-Springs of Hope, which may minister good Encouragement as to the good Estate of their Dying Children. And tho' it's a rare Happiness to find all these Blessed Symptoms in a sweet Conjunction; yet where there is any of them, it may give some Support and Hope: And the more that appears, the higher may our Hopes advance towards an holy Confidence.  
2. I come now to show,  
In what respects these Grounds of Hope in Dying Children, minister Matter of Support and Comfort to their Surviving Parents and Relations.  
1. Having such Grounds of Hope, Parents may be satisfied, that their Children are not lost, but laid up. It's a Thought, that oftentimes perplexeth the Minds of tender Parents not a little, what becomes of their dear Children, when they go hence; into what Hands they fall, and whither they are transported and carried: And that which renders the Parting many times more Bitter and Afflictive, is the Perplexity of this. But having the forementioned Grounds of Hope, the Perplexity is presently removed. Your Children, though gone out of your Sight and Care, yet they are not lost, but safely lodged up: Not lost among the Infernal Apostate Fiends of Hell, those Robbers and Murderers of precious Souls; 
Malach. 3.17.  but safely laid up amongst God's Jewels, who will have them all forthcoming another Day. 
Psal. 57.4:  Not lost in Satan's Territories among those raging Lions of Prey, but happily conducted to their Heavenly Father's Bosom, where they are laid up in Peace and Safety.  
As God has stamped the Lineaments of his own Image upon them, in True, though not in such Large Characters; so will he not take care of those, whom he has set his own Child's-mark upon? Will he lose his Children, whom he hath adopted into the Line of Heaven, and set his own Superscription upon, or suffer the Mortal Enemy to rob him of what's so Dear and Precious to him? 
Joh. 10.28,29.  No, no, they have all the Safety that Infinite Love, in Conjunction with Infinite Power can give them: Tho' Death have removed them from this Region of Sensible Supports and Comforts, yet Death has not put an utter end to them. They are not perished by the Removal, nor relapsed into their First nothing, but still live in the Divine World, and another kind of Life, than they lived here in this Vale of Sin and Sorrow.  
2. Having such Intimations of Hope, Parents may be comforted, That their own Loss is their dear children's Gain. We can part with our Children here, to Places and Countries at a remote distance, and comfort ourselves with this, That it is for their Benefit and Gain, though but a poor Worldly Gain. And may we not more comfortably part with them to Heaven, where their Gain infinitely exceeds any thing we can propose here below? 
Phil. 1.21.   
You Tender and Sorrowful Parents; you lose their Sweet and Delightful Company; you lose their Charming and Refreshing Converse. And as a Person that has been conducted by the Light of a Candle in the Night, is the more sensible of the Darkness, when it is taken away; so it may be, you are the more overclouded with Sorrow, by the Loss of your Hopeful Children, after the sweet of your Enjoyment, than if you had never enjoyed them. But do you duly consider what you do? You think you express your dear Love to them, in your Sorrow for parting with them: But should not true Love oblige you, rather to rejoice in their Gain, than to grieve for your own Loss? Though you are Losers, yet they are infinite Gainers: And should not the Thought of that diffuse a sensible Pleasure into your troubled Minds, and reduce them to a Serene Calm?  
They exchange Earthly Parents, who it may be have wanted no Tenderness towards them; but it is for an Heavenly Father, who is not only Loving, but pure and perfect Love itself. They bid adieu to their Dear, but Imperfect Friends here below; but it is to go to better, and more desirable Friends above, where there is all Perfection and Pleasure, and Harmony. They put off their filthy Garments of sinful Mortality; but it is to be arrayed with shining Robes of Immortality and Glory. They are called from a State of Sin and Sorrow, and Temptation here, but it is to pass into an endless State of perfect Purity and Joy in the Blessed Mansions above. They are snatched out of your tender and Compassionate Arms; but they are received into the dearer Embraces of a Glorified Redeemer. They are taken from your Charge and Care, but they are taken under the immediate Wing and Care of a Faithful Covenant-keeping God. Oh Blessed Exchanged Who would not take Comfort at the Thoughts of their Children or Friends, making such a Glorious and Happy Change!  
3. Having this Hope, Parents may be supported, that they and their Children shall meet again with Rejoicing. Though you and they are separated for the present, yet it's not an Everlasting Separation: You shall meet again, not indeed by their Return unto you, but by your going unto them, 
2 Sam. 12.23.  as afflicted David comforts himself as to his Child: And your Meeting shall be in another manner than now you part Your parting indeed is sorrowful, and attended with a great deal of Bitterness and Exercise, what by dying Agonies on the one side, and what by cutting Resentments on the other: But the Comfort of your Meeting will infinitely countervail the Sorrow of your parting.  
You part in the vile Rags of perishing Mortality; but your Meeting will be in the Royal Robes of Immortal Holiness and Glory: You part in Tears and Fears, and Complaints and Sorrows; but you meet again with Everlasting Joy upon your Heads, with all Tears wiped from your Eyes, and with all Fears banished from your Hearts; never to sin, never to Sorrow any more. You part, so as to expect to see one another no more in this Lower Region; but you shall meet again in the Celestial Regions above, never to be separated any more, but to enjoy God, and one another in God for ever: You part from one another, Mourning, though bearing your precious Seed; but you shall meet again, Rejoicing, bringing your full Sheaves with you. Oh Triumphant Meeting! How reviving must the Thought of it be! What Mournful Breast is there, whose Soul springs not within him at the Prospect of such a Meeting? Set the Joys of Meeting against all the Afflictive Circumstances of Parting, and refuse to be comforted, it you can.  
Having thus dispatched the Doctrinal Part, it remains now that we make some short Application.  
1. Let me address a few words to you Mournful Parents; both you, who are immediately concerned in the present occasion, and all others in the like case. Your Faces are covered with Sadness, and your Hearts ready to bleed within you, over the Loss of your Dear and Hopeful Children: But let Consideration govern your Passion; and while you are showing your Parental Affection in your Mourning, labour to express your Christian Moderation, in carrying yourselves like Mourners of Hope. And therefore,  
1. Indulge not an unbounded Sorrow: For the same Hand that hath made you to bleed, hath not left you without an Healing Balsam, seasonably to close up again the gaping Orifice. You need not take on, as those that have no Hope, or as those that have bruied their Children and their Hopes both in the same Grave. 
1 Thess. 4.13.  You may not sit down in your Despondency with Hagar, 
Gen. 21.16,19.  as if you had not Well of Consolation by you, when the Well is so near you; though your Children be gone, and gone, never to return more, yet God called them not away, till they had left with you some Blessed Pledges of Hope, to let you know whither they were a going. Tho' you are never like to see them, nor to hear from them, nor of them any more, till you go where they are, yet they were not sufifered to leave you, till they had dropped some sweet Tokens into your Bosom, which may be a sensible Support, till you meet again. And having such Encouragement, does it become you to Mourn, as if the Swelling-Waves knew no Bounds?  
There be many that Die, who neither carry any good ground of Hope with them, nor leave any good ground of Hope behind them, to their surviving Relations, And, indeed, I scarce know a more humbling afflictive Case, that can befall Godly Persons, then when they have the bitter Occasion to mourn over Hopeless Relations, who neither had any Comfort in their own Death, nor left any matter of Comfort behind them. This was probably the wounding Ingredient, 
2 Sam. 2.23.  that made David so passionate in his Resentments when he had lost his Absalon. But this is not your Case; though the Cloud that God has drawn over you be Dark, yet it's not all Darkness, it has its Bright, as well as its Dark Side. And while the One ministers matter of Sorrow to you, the reviving Beams of the Other, may give you Light and Comfort, in the midst of your Sorrows.  
2. Bless God, that hath given you such Hope, instead of Grieving and Repining, for what you have lost. Adore Divine Goodness for what you have left you. You have lost a Child, but you have a Legacy of Hope left you, to help you to bear your Loss: Be more in Blessing God for the one, than in mourning for the other. It might have been otherwise with you, that you neither might have had Child nor Hope. But since God has been more gracious to you, take heed of carrying it, as if either you had no sense of Divine Goodness, or your Relation Died without Hope. As there is a Debt of Tears owing to your Hopeful departed Children, so there is a Debt of Thankfulness owing to the God that made them such. Be not over-liberal in paying the One, while in the mean time you forget the Other. Tho' God have taken away the tender Olive-Plants, that should have adorned your Tables; yet (as good old Jacob said in another case) it's enough that you have a Comfortable Hope, that they are transplanted to a richer Table in their Father's Kingdom. They have taken their flight, never to make their Return to Earth any more: But it's enough that you have Hope in their Latter End. Bless God for, and comfort one another with that Hope.  
2. Give me leave now to improve this Point more generally, to all to whom it may be useful; and that 1. To Parents, 2. To Children.  
1. Here's Matter of Exhortation to you Parents, That you would use the utmost care in the Holy Education of your Children; that whether they live or die, you may have Comfort; if they live, you may have Comfort in their Lives; if they die, you may have Hope in their Death: Or however, you may have this Support in your own Spirits, that you have discharged your Duty.  
As soon therefore as they arrive to a Competent measure of Capacity, take all Opportunities prudently to instil Divine Truths into their Minds, such as their tender Years are most capable of receiving; that their Minds, being so early tinctured with things of Eternal Moment, may derive a suitable Impression to their Hearts. Take all convenient Seasons to acquaint them, that there is a Great and Glorious, though invisible God, who made all things, and curiously form them in Secret, and form an Immortal Spirit within them, to know and love, to live unto, and live with Him in an Everlasting State. Be telling them, as they are able to bear, how their Natures are depraved and fallen off from their God and Happiness; and that thereby they are become Children of Wrath by Nature, and obnoxious to the Judgement and Curse of an offended Majesty. Acquaint them, with what Condescension to their Capacities you can, what guilty, perishing Creatures they came into the World, by reason of Sin; and if it were not for Infinite Goodness, that they might have been tumbled into Hell, as soon as ever they drew their First Breath. Tell them, that in this miserable State they might have lived and died without Remedy, had not Infinite Compassion provided a Saviour, to deliver poor Guilty Souls from going down to the horrible Pit. Inform them (with what plainness and distinctness you can possibly use,) who this Saviour is, and what he has done and suffered, and what he is still a doing, in order to the Recovery of lost, undone Souls. Tell them, that they, even they must have an Interest in this Saviour or they are undone for ever; and that the way of coming to an Interest in Him, is by an Humble casting themselves upon his Blood and Grace, for the Pardon of their Sins, and the Healing of their Corrupted Natures.  
Such Truths as these, labour to possess, and season their early Thoughts withal: Only, in the doing thereof, use all the Prudence and Gentleness, and Condescension you can; that you neither overcharge them with too much at once, nor confound them with Things that their Capacities cannot reach unto. And who knows how this Divine Leaven may (under the Influence of the Heavenly Blessing) diffuse its powerful Virtue through their Tender Souls?  
As soon as they begin to talk, learn them to talk in the Language of Canaan, and not of Ashdod; in the Dialect of Heaven, and not of a Profane World; that their early Breath be not corrupted with the rotten Communication of the Children of Belial. 
2 Kin. 2.23.   
Let it be your Pious and Early Care to teach them their Catechism, as being the most familiar and methodical way of Instruction; and content not yourselves that they learn it by rote, but labour to convey the Truths therein to their Understandings and Affections. As soon as possible also, learn them to Pray; and in order thereunto Pray with them yourselves, and acquaint them, both what need they have to Pray, and how they must address themselves to God in this Solemn Duty.  
Carry them, as soon as you can judge it convenient, to the Public Worship and Ordinances of the Gospel; and esteem it a Mercy, that you may carry your Young and your Old with you. Observe them, with what Reverence and Attention they carry themselves, while they are there, and call them to an Account, what they have brought with them, when they come home; and take Advantage of what they remember, though it be the less, to improve it to further Instruction.  
Above all, inure them to their Bibles betimes, and direct them to such Places, as may be most fitted to their weak Capacities; and if in their Reading, any thing offer itself, which may afford special Instruction to them, improve it to that end. And through Divine Goodness, some Grains of the Immortal Seed may take Root,  you are ware. In a word: Train them up to all Religious and Divine Exercises, that their tender Years are capable of: And cease not to water all with your Prayers and Tears for an happy Success.  
Would you have your Children Comfortable in Life, and Hopeful in Death; let these be the Particulars of your Serious and Early Care. And the more effectually to excite you thereunto, let me offer to you the following Cosiderations.  
1. Without this Religious Care of Education, you cannot expect the Comfort you desire, neither in their Life, nor Death. I know, there is nothing more Natural, than for Parents to place a great deal of Hope, and to prosmise to Themselves large share of Comfort from their Rising Offspring. When you are pressed down with the Pains, and almost wearied with the Care that's laid out upon them, this sweetens and alleviates all. But seriously consider with yourselves, what just Ground have you for such Expectations, without a Conscientious Endeavour. to render them such as you would have them, by an Holy Education? Can you expect to attain the End, without a careful use of the means, in order thereunto? Has not the Holy God, the Father of all our Comfort, connected the Means with the End, in this, as well as other Cases? And who dare separate what God has conjoined?  
What God may do in a way of Prerogative is one thing; and what you may expect in a way of Ordinary Dispensation is another. God may be Better and Kinder to your Children, than yourselves are, and may do that for them which you take no Care about. But what Warrant have you to expect this, while you are negligent in your Duty? Though God promised to do great Things for Abraham, his Friend, and for his Posterity, yet he tells you, That in order thereunto he knew, 
Gen. 18.19.  that Abraham would command his Children and his Household to keep the way of the Lord. Intimating thereby, that he was not to expect the Comfort, without the Discharge of the Duty; no more can you. It's in a way of diligent Performance of your Part, and in an humble Dependence upon God for doing his Part, that you have any Foundation for Hope; that they shall be Comforts, not Crosses to you.  
It's true, it's the Royal Prerogative of a Gracious God, to give them that Grace, whereby they must be rendered comfortable, whether in Life or Death: But tho' the Grace is his, the Duty is yours, and it's by the Instrumentality of a Gracious Education, that he oftentimes conveys that Immortal Seed to the Soul; which though it may lie hid under the Clods for a time, yet in due Season appears above Ground: Though God sows the Seed, you may Act in a Holy Subserviency, in Cultivating the Ground, in order to a Blessed Crop.  
2. Without this holy Care of Education, you do not answer the Charge of Heaven, that's incumbent on you. If you are Relious Parents, your Consciences cannot but be affected with the Command of God, as well as your Hearts influenced with the Consideration of Comfort. Add this therefore to the former, and labour to impress your Spirits with the Ponderous Thoughts thereof; your Children are not so much yours as God's; they are not so much born unto You, as to the Blessed God. 
Ezek. 16.20.  And as they are born unto him, so they are given in charge to you, to train and bring up for him. 
Prov. 22.2.  Train up a Child in the way that he should go, etc. 
Eph. 6.4.  Ye Fathers, bring up your Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord.  
What can be more express? Your Children are not mere Gifts, but a signal Trust: You may not do with them, nor carry towards them as you please; but the Charge of Heaven is upon You to Educate and breed them up for the God that gave them. And how will you answer your Neglect to the Great and Sovereign Lawgiver, if you live either in the Wilful or Careless Violation of so Solemn a Charge? Or, with what Reason can You expect Comfort, either in their Enjoyment, or in their Removal, if You be guilty of a provoking Disobedience to so plain a Command? Can God be pleased with such Parents, or can You expect that He should make Your Children pleasing unto you?  
3. Without this Pious Care of Education, you do not answer your Care for them in other Particulars: You are careful to Feed and  them, without needing any Arguments to press you thereunto. You can take Advantage of their First capacity, to learn them some External Civilities, and to form their flexible Years into some Decenoy of Carriage, which you call good Manners. You are careful to provide, not only for their present, but for their future Livelihood, and to breed them up to some way of Comfortable Subsistence in the World, as your Abilities, and their Capacity will admit. And while all this Care is bestowed upon the Outward Man, should there not be a proportionable Concern for the better part? Should the One engross all, and the Other be neglected as a Matter of no great Moment? Our Saviour's Rule is; 
Matth. 6.36.  Seek first the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness thereof, and all other things shall be added unto you. Seek first for the Kingdom of God; and if for yourselves, then for you Children.  
Which should challenge the highest Care, but the best Part, whether of ourselves, or Children? And, whether is the better; the External, Mortal part, or the Internal Immortal Spirit? Whether is the more Valuable; their Present, Temporary Being? If Eternity be of more Importance than Time, then surely their Eternal State should be the largest Sharer in your Thoughts and Cares; or how will you answer the Inequality? You would have them do well in this World, that is the Motive of all the Thought and Pains, and Expense, which you bestow upon their Outward Being. And would you not have them to do well in the Eternal World? Why then does not your Care for that bear some Proportion to your Concern for the other? You esteem it a Natural, and a most Becoming Office of Parental Affection, to study and endeavour their Temporal Welfare. And so it is. But should not Your Love travel in more earnest Endeavours and Agonies for that which is infinitely better; the Everlasting happiness of their Immortal Souls? Whether should be Dearer to you, the Cabinet or the Jowel? The Perishing Earthly Tabernacle, or the Inestimably precious Soul? How then will you answer it, either to your own Consciences, or to the Supreme Judge; if you are more Liberal in your Care about the Worse, than the Better part?  
4. Without a Conscientious Care of Education, your Affliction will be doubled in their Miscarriage: As they are so Near and Dear unto you, you cannot but be deeply afflicted, if either they should prove Crosses in Life, or should be snatched away in their Sins by a Premature Death: But what a cutting Addition will it be to your Affliction, if you have Reason to accuse yourselves, as being Accessary to their Ruin by your Sinful negligence! It will be Grief enough, to think that you have nourished and brought up Children for the Destroyer: But it will be a far more sensible Grief, when you are forced to take the Gild of their undoing very much upon yourselves, for want or a due Performance of your Doby to them. It cannot but go very near your Hear as, that those, who are as it were Limbs, and Pieces of yourselves, should become a Prey to the oruel Murderer; but it must break your hearts to the very Dust, when by your own Neglect you have as it were murdered them with your own Hands; or at least have not done what in you lay to save them from the Murtherer's Hands. That you have neither Comfort in their Life, nor Hope in their Death, will be Sorrow and Bitterness enough: But when your own Consciences fall upon you with the outting Reflection, that all this is but the sad Fruit of your own Remissness and Negligence, how will you he able to bear a Charge of so wounding a Nature?  
If they should prove uncomfortable or unhopeful, after the Conscientious Discharge of your Duty, though your Affliction will be great, yet you will have one Support at least under your Burden: You may comfort yourselves, that you have discharged your Duty; and it is not through your Default, that they Perish; and though they miss of the Benefit of your Cares, and Prayers, and Endeavours, 
Psal. 35.13.  yet the Blessing may return in your own Bosom; but if you contribute to their Miscarriage, by your neglecting the appointed Means of Heaven, for the Prevention thereof, your Burden may weigh heavier, than you will be able to bear. Why might not this be one embittering Ingredient in David's Sorrow, 
2 Sam. 18.33.  that might cause him to take on so heavily at the Death of his Son Absalon? Possibly he might be under some bitter Reflections of his own Failure in his Duty; which might make the Struck pierce so deep: And it will be no less an Aggravation of your Bitterness, if it should prove your case.  
But thus much may serve to Partents, who would have Hope in their Children.  
2. I come now to direct myself in a few Words to You Children.  
You have heard how much your Parents Comfort is bound up in the Proof of your Blooming Years; labour therefore after that which may afford the most solid Consolation, both to Yourselves and them, whether in Life or Death. Next, to their own Souls, you are the great Object of your Parent's Cares and Fears, of their Prayers and Thoughts of Heart: And if God should see meet to pluck you away in the Bud, you had need to make your Death as comfortable, both to yourselves, and your concerned Parents, as you can. It will be Sorrow enough to them, to part with you, when they should come to enjoy the sweetest and most comfortable part of your Life: You had need to make it as easy as you can, by leaving them some Gracious Pledge of Hope behind you.  
And that you may do so, I cannot give you more proper Advice than now in your Morning-years to look after the best things, 
Heb. 6.9.  even the things that accompany Salvation. I suppose you to be capable of apprehending and enquiring into things of this Nature: Know therefore, that you, as little and young as you are, have a Real and Everlasting Concern in such things, as well as others: And it's not too soon for you to take yourselves to be concerned about them. Now, to inquire after God, and to mind the things of your Peace, is God's Call to you, as well as more grown Persons. 
Eccles. 12.1.  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy Youth. Observe the little Word, now; it takes date from the Morning-Twilight of your Day, as soon as your Rational Powers peep forth into Competent Exercise: And from the time it takes date, it admits of no delay. Now remember: Now delay not; for you cannot assure yourselves of another Moment. Say not, It will be time enough to Morrow; for to Morrow, as short a time as it seems to be, you know not, but you may be under the Arrest of Death, and ready to be shut up in your silent Grave, where there is no Wisdom nor Knowledge. 
Eccles. 9.10.  Say not, Such work will be more proper for Riper Years: For who can give you assurance, that you shall live to more Maturity? Death comes not by Order of Nature, but according to the Divine Commission. As Young and Sprightly as you are, and as many Daysas you seem to have before you, yet for aught you know, your Glass may be running out its last Sand: And this may be the last Month, or Week, or Day, that you have to live. As young as you are gone to the cold Mansions in the Grave; and what Security have you from the fatal Stroke, more than they? Go into the Shops, and see if there be no Coffins of your size: Go into the Church yard, and see if there be no Graves of your Length. If there be, as your own Eyes will soon convince you, consider with yourselves, that a few Moment's may bring it to your Turn. And then, how comfortable will it be, both to yourselves and Friends, that you have so Early secured your Everlasting Interest! Your Parents will be better able to part with you, when your Early Goodness gives them Hopes, that you are going to a better, an Infinitely better Father. And you your, selves will more Comfortably shoot the Dismal Gulf, when you have Reason to believe, that you have committed your Souls into those Blessed Hands, that will land them sare on the other side.  
In order hereunto, let me recommendun to you a few seasonable Instructions, and beg of you to put them into serious and speedy Practice.  
1. Begin to entertain your Early Thoughts with Soul-Matters: God having Mercifully preserved you beyond the Incapacity of your Infant-Age; and having brought you to some Competency of Understanding; it's time for you to apply your scrious Thoughts to things of the most concernful Moment. And what can be of more Indispensable Moment, than the Everlasting Concerns of your precious Souls? It's not too soon for you to know, that you have Immortal Souls in your Bosoms, which though Invisible to an Eye of Sense, yet are not only Real, but the most Precious and Valuable Part of yourselves: It's not too early for you to understand and consider, that these Spiritual Being's are form on purpose for an Everlasting State; and that when the Dreggy Carcases are thrown to the Dust, yet these Immortal Spirits survive to pass into the Invisible World, there to be the Subjects of unexpressible happiness, or Misery for ever. It's not improper nor impertinent for you to lay to Heart, that Eternity must be of greater Importance than Time; and that the State, which must last for ever, is of more absolute necessity, than that which is but like to last for a few Days.  
Let it be your endeavour therefore, to apply your Early Thoughts to such things as these; instead of suffering them to be carried away with those Vanities, which too ordinarily get the start of more serious Matters. It's impossible for you to be truly Religious, till you begin to be serious Thinkers, as you may see in the Instance of the Prodigal Son. And what more meet, more proper, more concerning, to entertain Your first Thoughts with, than what we are, and what will become of us for ever? What are we? Bruits, that have only a Life of Sense; or Reasonable, Understanding Creatures? What will become of us? Shall we perish with the Beasts, and there be end of us, or shall we live beyond the Grave? And, if we must survive the Grave, what will be Our Condition in that Future State?  
Such Thoughts as these will neither be unbecoming, nor unnecessary, as Young as you are. And your Thoughts, by thus looking Inwards, will by a necessary Connexion, be led to look Upwards. By thinking of yourselves, you will be led to think and consider of God, as the Author of your Being's, as the great Object of your Duty, as the Awful Judge, before whom you must stand within a few Days; and as the Blessed Centre, where alone you can expect Rest and Happiness.  
How profitably, how sweetly may your Thoughts run upon these Subjects! And how refreshing will it be to your Expecting Parents, to observe, that you are Thoughtful about such Matters?  
2. Labour to possess your Hearts with the Early Conviction of your Miserable State by Nature. As innocent as you may suppose yourselves to be, yet be willing to know, 
Eph. 2.3.  That by nature you are Children of Wrath, as well as the worst of Sinners, and that you came into the World with that Corruption and Defilement of Nature, which renders you Guilty before God. 
Rom. 3.19.  Be willing to be convinced, that you are so many undone, perishing Souls, whom God is angry with every day, and who are obnoxious to his Righteous Judgement, every moment, 
Joh. 3.36.  till a Change of State have passed upon you.  
Look within you, and see what wretched depraved Creatures Sin hath made you: Full of little, but Rebellion and Enmity against God, and Serious Goodness. Look above you, and see the Flaming Sword of Offended Justice, waiting only for a Divine Commission, to dislodge your Trembling Souls out of your Bodies, and to send you down to the Chambers of Death. Look before you, and behold the Burning Lake of Infinite Wrath, opening her Mouth to receive you into Unquenchable Flames. And having got a sight of your Danger and Misery, argue the Case with your own Souls; Is this a Condition to be rested or lingered in? Is this a State to be careless, or unconcerned about? Who can dwell with Consuming Fire? Who can in hub it with Everlasting Burn? Why art thou at ease, O my Soul? Why art thou secure within me? Thy case is thus Dreadful and Dangerous.  
Sequester some of the Time, which is too often spent in Vanity, to entertain your Minds with such Considerations and Expostulations, as these; and put not off the matter with a few slight Thoughts, that almost perish in the Thinking; but labour to press and follow the Conviction, till your Awakened Souls begin to cry out, 
Act. 16.30.  Oh! what shall we do to be saved? What blessed News will it be to your Concerned Parents, to hear from you such an Enquiry!  
3. Endeavour to impress your Hearts with your absolute need of a Saviour. You must know, You cannot be saved now, but in an humble Compliance with the Terms of the Gospel no more than others; and that must be by looking after Pardoning and Healing Grace in a Redeemer; pardoning Grace, to deliver you from the Condemnation; Healing Grace, to deliver you from the Dominion of Sin. Be assured, that nothing short of this Grace can savingly recover you; 
Col. 1.19.  And that this Grace is not to be had, but in a Mediator. Make it therefore the matter of your Early Inquiry, who this Redeemer is, what he hath done and suffered, and purchased for you, and how you must come to an Interest in Him and His Glorious Purchases. 
Act. 4.12.   
When you hear the Tidings of this Beloved Saviour, attend thereunto, as those that are sensible, that you have as Needful a Concern in Him as any. When he is proposed and tendered to you upon Gospel-terms, know that your Consent is expected, as well as from others; and that now you are past your Infant-state, you must be saved in the very same way, and by the very Rules, as Older Persons. Is a Cordial Acceptation of Christ, as their only Lord and Saviour required of others? The same is expected from you. Is a Sincere Resignation of themselves to be entirely the Lord's, required of others? The very same is called for from you, without any Exception or Dispensation. Prov. 8. from the 22 th' ver. to the end. Labour to settle these things upon your Hearts betimes, for they are your Life.  
4. Apply yourselves to a serious Reading the Scriptures and Attendance upon Public Ordinances. As soon as you have learned to read, put yourselves to Christ's School, and let the Bible be the chief Book you desire to learn in. The Scriptures are for your Instruction as well as for Others: Read them, not merely as a Task, but as the matter of your Delight; not to gratify your Curiosity, 
2 Tim. 3.13.  but as the Blessed Means to make you wife unto Salvation. Here, as in a Glass, you must behold your own Wretchedness and Misery: 
Jam. 1.23. 2 Cor. 3.18.  And here also you must behold the Matchless Glory and Excellency of a Redeemer. 
Rom. 7.13. 1 Pet. 2.7. 2 Tim. 3.16,17.  In this Crystal Mirror you must see Sin to be exceeding sinful; and here also you must see Christ to be exceeding Precious. Whatever is necessary, either to your present Duty, or future Felicity, must be all learned from hence. Make this blessed Book then your Early Companion; it's a Book to make you Wise, as well as more grown Persons; and you cannot be too soon acquainted with it.  
And the better to promote your Acquaintance therewith, and Improvement thereby, put yourselves betimes under the Dispensation of public Ordinance. Public Ordinances must help on Private Duties: The Divine Truths, that you read in private, may be more opened and applied with that Heavenly Light and Warmth, as may not only enlighten your Understandings, but inflame your Affections with an Holy Life and Love: I Let it be your Delight then, as soon as you are capable 
Prov. 8.34.  to wait daily at Wisdom's Oats, and to wait at the Posts of hat Doors. And wait with all Seriousness and Reverence, with an earnest Desire and Expectation of the Coming down of the Angel, to heal your Souls, and to make you Sound and Sincere Converts.  
5. Send up your early Cries to Heaven, that you may not fail of the Grace of God. During your uncapable Infancy, your Parents have prayed for you; now you must pray for yourselves. And you have both as much need, and as many Encouragements to Pray as others. You have as much Need to Pray as Others: For being Guilty before God, you stand in need of Pardoning Mercy; and your Nature's being depraved, you stand in need of Regeneration by the Spirit of Grace, as well as others. And who are more obliged to Pray for these Divine blessings for you, than you are for yourselves? Or who have a nearer Concern in you, than you have in your dearest selves? You have also as many Encouragements to Pray as Others: For besides the blessed Encouragements, common to the Generation of Seekers in general, you have Special and Appropriate Promises to encourage you. 
Prov. 8.17.  I love them that love me; and they that seek me early shall find me. Early Seekers are the surest Finders. And who would not see about so Blessed a Duty, that have such Encouragements of Success?  
Learn then to make your humble Addresses to the throne of Grace betimes; and though you cannot Pray as you would, yet strive to Pray as well as you can. Press your Hearts with the Sense of your Wants; and that will direct you to such Expressions, as will be acceptable to God, though they may but be Poor and Confused in themselves. If you can say little, yet send up your Sighs and Groans; 
Rom. 8.26.  and that Broken, Inarticulate language may have Power with God, and prevail. When you can do no more, tell him in all Humility, 
Gen. 23.26.  that you are resolved to hang at his Door, and lie at his Foot until he bless you. Oh! howgrateful must it be, both to Heaven and Earth, to see you so Early in your Bibles, and upon your Knees, breathing after Christ, and enquiring the Way to the Heavenly Zion!  
This is now Early Religion: This is the Holy Course I would recommend to your Blooming Years, both for your own and your Parent's sake. The Observance whereof will be your Crown and Joy, whether you live or die. If you live to arrive to more Maturity, it will be your Glory and Honour, that you have began so Early with God, as well as you parents Delight and Joy: And if you die in your tender Minority, it will both be your own Peace, and your Parent's Comfort in your Latter End.  
Finis.