§. 18. Of the reaſons to moue parents to ſee their children baptized. to §. 26. Of well nurturing children.

§. 18. Of the reaſons to moue parents to ſee their children baptized.

That parents are bound to procure Baptiſme for their children theſe reaſons declare.

1. The commandement of God concerning circumciſing [gap]hildren: in the roome whereof Baptiſme ſucceedeth now [gap]nder the Goſpell (Col. 2. 11, 12.) Gods commandement to [gap]his dutie was firſt giuen to Abraham: and that for himſelfe [gap]nd all his poſterity to obſerue (Gen. 17. 10.) After this it was [gap]n the law laid downe as a poſitiue ſtatute, Leu. 12. 3.

2. The practiſe of the Iewes in a faithfull and conſtant ob [gap]ruance of this ordinance: as of Abraham; of Zachary and [gap]lizabeth: of Ioſeph and Mary, and many others.

Obiect. The children which were borne in the wilderneſſe were not circumciſed.

Anſw. They had no abiding place in the wilderneſſe, but were euer and anon remouing: ſo as it would haue beene dangerous for the children to haue beene circumciſed: in that extraordinary caſe this rule tooke place, I will haue mercy and

not ſacrifice.

3. The practiſe of Chriſtians, who beleeuing were themſelues and their whole houſhold baptized. Vnder whole houſhold children muſt needs be compriſed.

4. Chriſts embracing and bleſſing ſuch children as were brought to him: and rebuking thoſe that would haue kept them from him.

5. The promiſe of God made to them: for ſeeing God is ſo gratious as to extend his promiſe to our children: our care muſt be to procure the ſeale which God offereth for the confirmation of that promiſe.

6. The right they haue to Gods Kingdome. Baptiſme is an euidence of that their right. It is parents duty to get them that euidence. If children haue iuſt title to any lands and reuenues, or to any earthly honours and dignities, parents will doe what they can to make that title ſure vnto them euen in their infancy: much more carefull ſhould they be to make that rich and glorious inheritance, which is in heauen reſerued for them, as ſure vnto them as they can: now no better meanes for the effecting of this then Baptiſme.

7. Their conception and birth in ſinne. Children drew contagion from their parents: therefore great reaſon it is that their parents ſhould ſee them waſhed with the water of regeneration.

8. The comfort which from the performance of this dutie will ariſe to Chriſtian parents, yea and to the children alſo themſelues when they come to the age of vnderſtanding. When parents behold the couenant of God ſurely ſealed and confirmed to their children, they cannot (if at leaſt they beare any loue to their children) but much reioyce therein. And it muſt needs alſo much comfort the childe when (being of vnderſtanding) he ſhall know that from his infancy he hath caried the ſeale and pledge of his regeneration.

9. The conſtant continued cuſtome of the true catholicke

Church, which euer ſince the Apoſtles time hath afforded the ſacrament of baptiſme to children.

§. 19. Of Parents procuring their children to be rightly baptized.

There being ſuch forceable motiues to ſtirre vp parents to performe the dutie, (which motiues ſhew it to be a weightie dutie) I will further ſhew how this dutie ought to be performed.

Two things in childrens baptiſme ought to be obſerued.

• 1. That it be rightly done.

• 2. That it be ſeaſonably done.

In the right performance thereof, ſome things are neceſſarie, and ſome expedient.

Things of neceſſitie are theſe eſpecially:

1. That the childe be baptized by a Miniſter of the word.

2. That it be baptized with the element of water: the only element ſanctified to this purpoſe.

3. That the forme preſcribed by Chriſt (Matth. 28. 19.) be vſed, In the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy Ghost: whereby the vnitie of the Godhead, and trinitie of Perſons is plainly ſet forth.

4. That the proper rite be vſed of applying the water to the bodie of the childe, ſo as at leaſt the face of the childe may be ſprinkled therewith.

Things of expediencie are,

1. That the childe be baptized in a publike place, where Gods people ordinarily meet together, being ſet apart for the worſhip and ſeruice of God.

2. That ſuch a time be choſen out, as an aſſembly of Saints may be there preſent.

Theſe two circumſtances are the rather to be obſerued, becauſe Baptiſme is one of the ſolemne parts of Gods publike worſhip; a pledge of our incorporation into the bodie of Chriſt, and communion of his Saints, and therefore with the more ſolemnitie, (as a matter of great moment) before many witneſſes, with the aſſiſtance of the faithfull prayers of an aſſembly of Saints, to be performed.

§. 20. Of Parents care to giue a fit name to their childe at his Baptiſme.

A third matter of great expediencie about a childs baptiſme, is, that Parents be carefull in giuing a fit name.

It belongeth to Parents to giue the name to their childe: for ſo holy parents (whoſe patterne in Scripture is in this reſpect commended vnto vs) haue done from time to time: and for their warrant to doe it, it is worthy to be noted, that when God was pleaſed to appoint a name to a childe, he gaue in charge to the Parent ſo to name him, ſaying to him, Thou ſhalt call his name thus and thus.

It is alſo euident, that the time of Baptiſme is the fitteſt time for giuing the name. Vnder the Law, childrens names were giuen at their Circumciſion: and ſo vnder the Goſpell it hath in all ages beene vſed: and that for theſe reaſons.

• 1. That their names may be a teſtimonie of their baptiſme.

• 2. That ſo oft as they heare their names, they may be put in minde of their baptiſme.

• 3. That they might know how by name they are giuen to Chriſt to be his ſouldiers, and therefore there muſt be no ſtarting from him.

• 4. That they may alſo be aſſured, that being baptized with water and the ſpirit, by name they are regiſtred in heauen.

Now becauſe names are ſo ſolemnly giuen, and of ſo good vſe, moſt meet it is that fit names ſhould be giuen to children. And for proofe hereof, let the names which in Scripture are recorded to be giuen by God himſelfe, and by ſuch holy men and women as were guided by his ſpirit, be obſerued; and we ſhall finde them to be holy, ſober, and fit names.

For direction to parents in this dutie, I will ſet downe ſome ſorts and kinds of names as be fit, and beſeeming Chriſtians.

1. Names which haue ſome good ſignification: and among them ſuch as are warranted by the Scripture, as Iohn (the grace of God) Ionathan (the gift of God) Andrew (manly) Clement (meeke) Simeon (obedient) Hannah (gratious) Prudens (wiſe) and ſuch like: that thus their name may ſtirre them vp to labour after the vertue ſignified thereby.

2. Names which haue in times before vs beene giuen to perſons

of good note, whoſe life is worthy our imitation, as Iſaak, Dauid, Peter, Marie, Elizabeth, and ſuch like: that the names may moue them to imitate thoſe worthies.

3. Names of our owne anceſtors and predeceſſors, to preſerue a memorie of the familie: which appeareth to haue beene an ancient practiſe euen among Gods people, in that the friends would haue had Zachariahs ſonne named Zachariah; and when the mother had iuſt cauſe to name him Iohn, they anſwer, none of thy kindred is called by this name.

4. Vſuall names of the country, which cuſtome hath made familiar, as Henry, Edward, Robert, William, and ſuch like among vs.

§. 21. Of Parents care in bringing their children to be baptized in due ſeaſon.

Though Chriſtians are not ſo ſtrictly tied to a ſet day, as the Iewes were to the eight day; yet from that ſtrict direction giuen to the Iewes, we may well gather, that it is not meet for Chriſtians to defer the baptizing of their children beyond eight dayes: for a young childe of that age may with more eaſe, and leſſe danger, be baptized, then circumciſed.

The moſt ſeaſonable time I take to be the day whereon Gods people vſe in the place where the childe is borne, publikely to aſſemble together to worſhip God next after the birth of the child, if at leaſt it fall not out within two or three dayes after, which is ſomewhat with the ſooneſt both for mother and childe.

Whether we reſpect the honour of God (the riches of whoſe mercy is liuely ſet forth in the ſacrament of baptiſme) or the good of our childe (which in that ſacrament receiueth a pledge and ſeale of that rich mercy of God) Baptiſme is of great conſequence: and therefore the firſt ſeaſon of performing it to be taken. For parents by their diligence and due ſpeed therein, giue euidence both of their zeale to Gods glory, and alſo of their earneſt deſire of the childs ſpirituall good.

§. 22. Of Parents faults in neglecting their childrens Baptiſme.

Contrary to the forenamed dutie of Parents about well baptizing their children, are many aberrations, as

1. The corrupt opinion of Anabaptiſts, who denie the lawfulneſſe of baptizing children. The arguments before noted are ſufficient to ſtop their mouthes.

2. The practiſe of Separatiſts (comming too neere to Anabaptiſme) who excepting againſt the miniſterie and orders of our Church, doe what they can to keepe their children from that Sacrament. And to that end carry their wiues ready to be deliuered vnto a ſtrange place, where they are not knowne, and anon after they are deliuered, priuily conuey wife, childe, and all away, that ſo the Magiſtrate may not, againſt their will, cauſe their childe to be baptized: and hauing no miniſterie of their owne, nor meanes to conuey the childe ouer ſea, keepe it many yeeres vnbaptized. Where is the euidence of their faith in Gods promiſe, of their reſpect to Gods ordinance, and of their deſire of their childs ſpirituall good? Though it be a great wrong to children to be kept from baptiſme, yet the ſinne lieth on ſuch parents as procure not baptiſme for their children: eſpecially at that age when their children cannot gainſay it.

3. The peruerſe opinion and practiſe of certaine ancient heretikes, who in ſtead of baptizing children with water, had them branded with an hot iron. They grounded their error on a falſe interpretation of this phraſe (he ſhall baptize with the Holy Ghoſt and with fire.)

Anſw. 1. They erre in taking this word (fire) literally and properly, which was meant myſtically and metaphorically.

2. They erre in applying that to the outward action of a Miniſter, which was meant of the inward operation of Chriſt. By this their miſinterpretation they thwart the maine ſcope of him who firſt vſed that phraſe, which was to manifeſt the difference betwixt all other Miniſters and Chriſt Ieſus.

4. The opinion and practiſe of thoſe, who vſe other formes of Baptiſme, beſides this, (In the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy Ghost.) Their opinion and practiſe is grounded on certaine conciſe phraſes vſed by the Apoſtles: ſuch as theſe, Baptized in the name of Ieſus Chriſt: In the name of the Lord: In

the name of the Lord Ieſus, &c.

Anſw. Thoſe phraſes rather ſet forth the very ſubſtance and inward matter of Baptiſme, then the forme thereof.

5. Their opinion and practiſe, who care not by whom their children are baptized, whether heretiques, idolaters, laicks, or women: Little doe they regard the comfort of conſcience, and

ſtrength of faith, that ariſeth from this; that a lawfull Miniſter in Gods roome and name, as Gods ambaſſador, putteth the ſeale of God to his couenant.

6. The practiſe of thoſe as (I know not vpon what niceneſſe or ſtate) muſt haue their children baptized at home in their priuate houſe. This manner of baptiſing taketh away much from the honour of that high ordinance, which ought to be done with all the ſeemly ſolemnitie that may be.

7. Their practiſe who bring their childe to Church to be baptiſed, accompanied only with the Midwife, and three witneſſes. It were almoſt as good be baptiſed in a priuate houſe: for it is not the walls of the Church, but the aſſembly of Saints, that addeth to the honour of the Sacrament, and is moſt of all to be reſpected.

8. Their practiſe who vpon ſtate, or for great witneſſes, or ſuch by-reſpects put off the baptiſing of their children longer then is meet, ſome, two or three weekes, ſome, two or three moneths, ſome longer: whereby they ſhew too light eſteeme of this Sacrament, in that they preferre meere complementall circumſtances before a matter of ſo great moment. God oft ſheweth his iuſt indignation againſt ſuch, in taking away their [gap]hildren vnbaptiſed before the time ſet downe by them for baptiſme be come.

9. Their practiſe who care not what heatheniſh, idolatrous, [gap]idiculous names they giue to their children. What reſpect [gap]oe they ſhew either to God in whoſe name their childe is [gap]aptiſed, or to the holy Sacrament it ſelfe, or to the congrega [gap]ion of Saints before whom the name is giuen, or to the childe [gap] ſelfe who all his life is to carrie that name?

§. 23. Of parents prouiding things needfull for the life and health of their children.

Hitherto of the duties of parents reſpecting their childrens Infancie. Such as reſpect their childhood follow.

The childhood of a childe is [gap]eckoned from the time that it [gap]eginneth to be of any diſcretion and vnderſtanding till it be [gap]t to be placed forth: euen ſo Many diſtinguiſh the whole courſe of a mans life into foure parts.

• 1. Childhood

• 2. Youth.

• 3. Man-age

• 4. Old-age.

long as ordinarily it liueth vnder the parents gouernment.

The duties which parents for this time muſt performe to their children may be drawne to theſe two heads.

• 1. Care to bring them vp.

• 2. Care to place them forth.

For their well training vp, reſpect muſt be had both to their temporall and alſo to their ſpirituall good.

Two things are required of parents, in regard of the temporall good of their children.

• 1. To nouriſh them well.

• 2. To nurture them well.

Children muſt be well

Fed.

Taught.

Child-hood from his birth to 14. yeeres.

Youth from 14 to 25.

Man-age from 25. to 50.

Old age from thence to his death.

But for better diſtinguiſhing the duties which parents are to performe, I follow not ſo accurate a diuiſion, but rather diſtinguiſh the degrees of age according to the times wherein new duties are to be performed: and therefore I make a diſtinction betwixt infancie and childhood.

Feed them in diſcipline, ſaith the Apoſtle.

Vnder nouriſhment are compriſed all needfull things for health and life: which parents ought to prouide for their children, as

1. Food, which Chriſt taketh for a ruled caſe. Whence he draweth his argument to ſhew that God will prouide for his children. What father (ſaith he) if his ſonne aske him bread would giue him a ſtone, &c. Mat. 7. 9, 10, 11.

2. Apparell, for it is expreſly noted, that Iſrael made his ſon a coat, (Gen. 37. 3.)

3. Recreation, which in young children eſpecially is needfull for their health. In that Zachary chap. 8. verſ. 5. told the Iewes, and that in way of bleſſing, that boyes and girles ſhould be playing in the ſtreets, he implieth that it is a lawfull and meet thing, which parents ſhould permit vnto their children. But yet the time, and meaſure, and kinde of recreation muſt be well ordered.

4. Meanes for recouery of health when they are ſicke: for this end was it, that Ieroboam ſent his wife to the Prophet,

in behalfe of his ſonne who was ſicke: that the Ruler came to Chriſt for his ſonne alſo who was at point of death; and that many others came to him for their ſonnes and daughters being ill.

Whatſoeuer other things are needfull, parents to their power muſt prouide for their children: elſe the Apoſtle counteth them worſe then Infidels.

Both equitie and neceſſitie require thus much of parents.

Equitie, in that children owe all their paines and ſeruice to their parents while they are vnder them, and are wholly at their command, and in that regard haue no meanes to prouide needfull things but by their parents helpe. Parents therefore in all right muſt herein be helpfull to them.

Neceſſitie, in that, if the life and health of children be not well prouided for, no dutie, no ſeruice can be expected at their hands.

§. 24. Of parents too much niggardlineſſe, and careleſneſſe toward their children.

There are two extremes contrary to the forenamed prouident care of parents for their childrens good:

In the defect, Couetouſneſſe.

In the exceſſe, Lauiſhneſſe.

Some parents ſo farre faile in the defect, as they almoſt ſtarue their children through want of neceſſaries: not affording them ſufficient wholeſome food, nor meet and comely appa [gap]ell, but ſuffer them to goe tagged and ragged like beggars [gap]rats: if they be ſicke, God may recouer them if he pleaſe, but the parents will vſe no meanes when they are well, they afford them no time of refreſhing themſelues by any recreation, but [gap]uer-ſtrictly hold them in. There is not only want of charity, [gap]ut plaine vnnaturalneſſe in ſuch parents: euen more then in [gap]e moſt cruell beaſts. For the wilde beaſts doe with much ten [gap]erneſſe prouide for their young ones.

§. 25. Of parents too much lauiſhneſſe and indulgency vpon their children.

Others ſurpaſſe as much in the exceſſe, feeding them too [gap]intily: attiring them too gariſhly: tending them too

cockeringly: and letting them ſpend too much time in ſport and play. Many and great are the miſchiefes that follow thereupon: as

1. They who are in their childhood daintily fed, and too much pampered, beſides that for the moſt part they are moſt ſickly, they will in time grow ſo ſqueamiſh, and choice of meats, as their parents ſhall not know what to prouide for them, or when to giue it them: The full ſoule loatheth an hony

combe: yea if a ſtranger commeth to the table, where ſuch a childe ſitteth, he may ſoone obſerue that he hath beene too daintily fed. If at firſt children be fed with ordinary moderate diet, they will afterwards both be in better health and liking, and alſo more contentedly, and thankfully accept whatſoeuer ſhall be prouided for them. But exceſſe breedeth diſeaſes both in body and minde.

2. Vanity in apparell doth alſo much corrupt young children: for there is in them euen from the cradle a naturall diſpoſition to outward brauery: now for parents to pranke them vp, what is it but to blow vp the fire of that vanity, and make it ariſe into ſuch a flame as in time may much ſcorch the parents themſelues, and vtterly conſume the children: and yet how vſuall a fault is this? how monſtrouſly doe many parents offend therein? what fooliſh faſhion is vſed of the greateſt ſwaggerers, and lighteſt ſtrumpets, which they will not bring their children vnto, and that when their children are not able to diſcerne betwixt ſtuffes or colours? what can this proclaime but parents pride and folly? Proud maids are many times the inſtruments of pranking vp children (eſpecially when they are little ones) more then is meet: but yet the blame lieth on parents for ſuffering it.

3. Tending children too cockiſhly maketh them too long children, and too tender: and oft altereth a good conſtitution of body. Some are ſo ouer-much tender of their children, as if a childe neuer ſo little complaine, or refuſe the meate (though for daintineſſe or fulneſſe) the Phyſician muſt preſently be ſent for, and the Apothecary ſent vnto, and the childe with ſuppoſed and apiſh kindneſſe made much worſe.

4. Too much ſport maketh them wilde, rude, vnfit to be

trained vp to any good calling, and ſpendeth their ſpirits, and waſteth their ſtrength too much. Yet many parents care not how much time their children ſpend in ſport, and how little in learning: they thinke it duls their children too much to be held to ſchoole, or to any learning: whereas indeed too much play infatuates them more, and learning would much ſharpen their wits.

§. 26. Of well nurturing children.

I referre good nurture in part to the temporall good of children, becauſe (as afterwards we ſhall heare in the particulars) it is an eſpeciall meanes of the outward temporall welfare of the childe euen in this world. Vnleſſe this be added to nouriſhing, wherein doe reaſonable men and women exceed vnreaſonable beaſts? the moſt cruell beaſts that be are very tender (as we heard before) towards their young ones, nouriſhing them, and prouiding all things needfull for them till they can ſhift for themſelues. But as God hath giuen to man a reaſonable ſoule, an vnderſtanding head, capacity, docility and aptneſſe to learne, ſo ought parents to make vſe of thoſe parts and gifts, leſt for want of vſing them, in time they be loſt: and ſo children proue little better then bruits. In this reſpect the prouerbe is true, better be vnfed then vntaught. Experience ſheweth that good education is better then a great portion. The Holy Ghoſt doth very much preſſe this point on parents, as we ſhall after heare in the particulars. For I will handle theſe three points.

• 1. The kindes of nurture.

• 2. The time when it is to be done.

• 3. The meanes of well doing it.