SERMA VI. But it is not here to be understood, that no other book than the Bible is to be ftudied, and no other intercourse admitted, between father and fon, than ferious exhortation. We only argue that religion should be the first and greatest branch of education. It were amply fufficient could every parent be perfuaded to be as anxious for the eternal, as he commonly is for the temporal welfare of his child. Such is the faint sketch of parental duty. But vain are all our admonitions and inftructions, if our conduct does not correfpond with our precepts. What will it avail to command our children to keep the way of the Lord, if we walk not in it ourselves? What will it profit to teach them juftice and judgment, while we opprefs the weak, and defraud the credulous? Or how can we perfuade the rising generation to fet their affections on things above, while while they see that our thoughts are wholly SERM. engroffed by the world? If then the aged expect to be regarded, let them stand forth illuftrious patterns of holinefs; let them fhew that they have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lufts, and that they feek, above all things, the kingdom of GoD and his righteoufnefs. Then may they with effectual authority exhort their household after them, and prescribe the laws of the LORD, that the generation to come may know them, even the children which shall be born; who shall arife and declare them to their children *. Of him who thus inftructs by precept and example, the bleffing of Heaven shall doubtless be the joyful recompence. He fhall feel its enlivening influence defcending on his head, like the dew upon the VI. SERM. mountains of Zion. His labours fhall VI. be profperous; his end fhall be peace. Can any thing be more cheering to the heart of man, than the fight of an innocent race, like the olive-branches round about his table? While he beholds them increasing in wisdom and in ftature, what can afford fuch true delight as the reflection, that, through his care and vigilance, they are rendered kind, obedient, and virtuous? As they advance in years, he finds them in all his labours his best affiftants, and in all his troubles his best support. When the infirmities of age affail him, those whom he hath nurtured contend with filial tendernefs to amufe and footh him. In the concluding scene of life, he hath the comfort to obferve them ufeful to the world,. and affectionate to each other. His laft moments are fweetened by the affurance, that they will be tranquil here and happy hereafter; and, confcious of having difcharged the duty of a parent, he antici pates pates the glory that awaits him in that region, where, with those that turn many to righteousness, he shall shine as the flars for ever. SERM. VI. |