To apply this —
Use 1. For encouragement to godly parents concerning their children.
1. Consider the mercy of the covenant, how it overflows ; it is not only stinted to their persons, but runs over to their children ; they are beloved for our sake. Oh, fear the Lord not only for your own sakes,
206 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. XXXVIII.
but for your children's sake ! this will be the best way to provide for your children ; not to heap np wealth and honour for them, but to leave them the honour and wealth and privileges of the covenant. It is true, the election shall obtain ; sanctification and regeneration doth not descend from the parents to their children ; yet in outward mercies they have their share, if they have nothing else. Though you have nothing to leave them, yet leave them God's love, and that will be enough. It is a usual observation, many parents go to hell in getting an estate for them, and their children go to hell afterward in spending that estate. In Exod. xx. 5, G, the commandment which forbids idolatry and compliance with outward false worship, hath a promise annexed concerning children. What should be the reason of tliis ? Because parents are drawn to com})ly with things against their conscience out of an aim to maintain their children and preserve the interest of their families ; therefore God hath made a s]iecial pro- vidence ; walk in the fear of the Lord, and the Lord will provide for them ; keep in God's ways and then you will leave them to his blessings.
2. Instruct your children ; you have more encouragement to do so than others, because they are born within the covenant, and by this means you make way for the blessing : Gen. xviii. 19, ' I know Abraham, that he will command his clnldren and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord.' Instruction makes way for a blessing ; and so saith David to Solomon, 1 Kings ii. 3. 4, ' KecjD the charge of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways, . . . that the Lord may continue his good word which he hath spoken con- cerning me, saying. If thy children take heed to their way to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee a man on the throne of Israel.' Hereby you open the dams and obstructions, that grace may have its free passage.
Use 2. If children are beloved for their parents' sake, then it serves to shame and terrify them that are born of godly parents, )'et are not godly, but by their luxury and riot have forfeited all their bles- sings, their spiritual privileges in the covenant, and many times the outward blessing too. Or if you have temporal blessings, they do but harden you to greater torment, especially when you are so wicked to mock and reproach yonr parents because of their strictness and holy life. God looks for more from you than from others ; the natural branches are more easily grafted into the good olive-tree. You are natural branches of the covenant, and you might plead the promises made to your parents with God ; you have had a greater sufficiency of outward means ; the example of your parents, frequent instruction, and many prayers have been laid out for you, and you have been more acquainted with the ways of religion.
Use 3. It may press us to admire the grace of God to his children. He cannot satisfy himself in doing good to you, but he must do good to your children too. How should we entertain this with reverence ! When God told Abraham, I am thy God, and the God of thy seed, 'Abraham fell upon his face,' as humbly adoring the goodness of God, Gen. xvii. 3 ; so David, when God spake concerning his house and his children : 2 Sam. vii. 18, 19, ' What am I, 0 Lord, and what is my
Vim. 7.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL 207
house, that thoii hast brought me hitherto ? ' And tliis was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God ; for thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come ;' he stands wondering at this mercy of God.
Use 4. We learn hence that we are to save ourselves, and others committed to us. Noah prepared an ark * for the saving of his house- hold ;' 2 Tim. iv. ] 6, 'In so doing, thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.' It is good to instruct and teach our families : Gen xviii. 18, ' I know Abraham, that he will command his children and his household after him, that they shall keep the way of the Lord.' And this is to be done morning and evening : Dent. vi. 6, 7, 'And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart : and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.' All religion at first was in families, and to this we are bound by all the bonds of nature and religion.