CHAP. I. Dear Children, Hearken diligently to the Counsel and Advice of your Parents, for they watch over you for your good.

IN the First place, let the Fear of the LORD, Who is the Searcher of your Hearts, be al­ways in your Minds, that in awe of HIM, you may for ever stand; not daring to bring the least Reproach upon HIS Holy Name, by any Mis­carriages of yours; so shall you be CHILDREN to HIS Praise, and a Comfort and Blessing to your Parents.

2. SEE that none of you render Evil for Evil unto any one; but do you ever follow that which is Good, both amongst your selves, and towards all Men.

3. TAKE heed of letting out your Minds and Affections to Visible things; for they Perish in the using, and bring Trouble and Sorrow to all whose Hearts are set thereon; but let your Mind [...]l­ways be retired Inwards, that you [...]ay w [...] to feel That, which is not of this World, nor e­steemed by it; but only esteemed [...] T [...]e who know the Virtue and Ex­cellency of it, and who have been willing to part with all to purchase it; It is the Or W [...] [...] STONE [...] NAME, Re [...] 2. [...] whi [...]h no Ma [...] nor [...] nor [...]an know, but [...] that hath it. PEARL of greatest price; happy are they that have found, or that yet shall find it.

4. TAKE heed of entering into many Words, when you are bid to do any Business, either by your Parents, Masters, or other Superiors; but with all Readiness of Mind, see you Obey all their Lawful Commands with Diligence and Chear­fulness.

5. BEWARE of mentioning the Name of the LORD in any case, but with Fear and Reve­rence; for HIS Name is Hallowed by them that Fear HIM, but taken in Vain by those that Fear HIM not. And tho' they seem to Praise or Pray unto HIM, yet such Services, without HIS Fear, are an Abomination: Wherefore take heed you be not Deceived by Those, who are only in the good Words, and fair Speeches; but let your Minds be kept single to the LORD, and HE will shew you, who They are, that draw nigh to HIM with their Lips, when their Hearts are far from HIM; and from such you are to turn away.

6. LET your Words be few; and be always more ready to Hear than Speak, especially when the Question is not asked you: But when 'tis your place to Speak, be sure it be in Mildness, Love, and Gentleness; lest through your Provo­cation you cause others to Sin, and then you will not be Guiltless, for their Sin will be charged up­on you: Wherefore let this be always in your re­membrance, and for ever observ'd by you, (as it hath been the Practice and Experience of your Parents) to give Mild and Soft Answers, for they do often turn away Wrath.

7. WHATEVER you see Virtuous in any, be sure to follow That; and what you see Amiss in [Page 5]others, diligently search your own Hearts, lest your Selves be found Guilty thereof; for 'tis an easy matter to see and find Fault with Another, (most can do that) but few love to Examine Themselves: Be you (my dear CHILDREN) of that Number, least you Perish with the Multi­tude; for the Way is Broad that leads to De­struction, and Many walk therein: Therefore whilst you are Young, seek after True Wisdom, and it will Guide and Lead you in that Narrow Way, which all the Holy Men walked in, and in which All must walk, before they can enter into Eternal Rest.

8. BEWARE of Reading Foolish and Vain Books, which tend only to the Corrupting of Youth, and Dishonouring the LORD: Where­fore heed you only Those that tend to Holiness and Vertue.

9. I WARN you; as I did at the first, so I do again Charge you, that you walk in Fear and in Humility all the Days of your being upon the Earth; then shall you know, that the LORD hath not only Blessed and Prosper'd your Pa­rents, but will also Bless and Prosper You: But if you depart from HIS Fear, and cast these my Instructions behind your Backs; then know, that you shall Perish in your own Iniquities, and I shall (thus far) be clear in my Conscience con­cerning you.

CHAP. II.

1. DEAR Children; Beware of a Lying, Flat­tering, Deceitful Tongue, both in your selves and others: Also beware of Pride, High­mindedness, [Page 6]and an Exalted Spirit; for such the Righteous GOD will judge.

2. BUT be you Adorn'd with Faithfulness, Meekness, and Patience; and let your Behaviour be Modest, Courteous, and Gentle towards all: And what-ever you would have Others do unto You, be sure you do that unto Them; and heed not so much Their Duties, as your Own.

3. BUSY not your Minds with Others Concerns, but be you Careful and Diligent in the Discharge of your Own; and then you need not be trou­bled, what Reproach you bear for them.

4. BE sure you Waste not the Substance com­mitted to your Trust: Yet, let not That be a Cloak for Covetousness, ( that Grand Iniquity) but when there's cause for it, part with it freely, lest through your Unfaithfulness therein, you be Rejected both of GOD and Good Men; for know, you are but Stewards of what you Possess, and for which you must be Accountable.

5. BE cautious how you enter into a Married Condition; but when in that State (whatever Disappointment you meet withal) see that you Faithfully perform your Relation therein; for anothers Iniquity and Vnkindness to you, will not Justify nor Excuse your Iniquity or Un­kindness to them.

6. BEAR patiently Afflictions, for they are good for you; therefore hasten not to be deli­ver'd from them; but in the Retiredness of your Minds, Consider the Cause, and being bet­ter'd thereby, Bless the LORD for HIS Mer­cies; for whom HE Loves, HE Chastises.

7. BE careful with whom you Associate; and chuse none to be your Intimates, but Such who are Exemplary in Virtue and Goodness; so will you avoid much Contention and Trouble.

8. BE ready to do Good unto All, as Oppor­tunity is offer'd: And take heed of Wasting any of the Good Creatures; for if you be Unfaithful in those Things that are Earthly, who shall com­mit to you Those that are Heavenly?

9. BE not desirous of Riches or Honour; nei­ther Covet That which is anothers; but be Con­tent with your Present Conditions, and Learn to be as well Satisfied with Want, as Abundance; then will you follow the Steps of your Parents, who have learn'd Contentment, whatever befalls them,

10. BEWARE of Jeering, or Scoffing at any; neither give Abusive or Scurrilous Language, (ei­ther by Tongue or Pen) for That will Provoke the LORD's Anger against you, and bring Re­proach and Trouble upon your Parents, who always Disliked, yea Abhorred, such things.

11. BE careful your Hearts and Minds be kept Clean within, and then you need not be Advised to have your Words and Actions Clean without, for that will unavoidably follow.

12. BE not hasty in Reproving or Correcting of any; but if call'd thereto, let it be in Love, and in Wisdom; and if the Offence be Great, let it be with Severity, yet not in Anger or Pas­sion; for That will Harden them against you; and so instead of bettering them, you will thereby become Transgressors your selves.

13. BEWARE that your Wills bear not Rule in any case, but let Truth and Righteousness al­ways be the Sway of your Judgments; then will you be deliver'd from that great Iniquity, which hath so deeply Corrupted many.

14. BE sure you have regard to the Oppressed, and take heed how you make Advantage of Ano­thers Necessity, but rather Consider how you may be Helpful unto them; always remembering the Parable of the good Samaritan, Luk. 10.33.

15. BE Cautious for Whom you are Engag'd, or unto Whom you are Oblig'd; for such things do often prove Snares: But be more ready to Give, than to Receive, and yet be sure to Ac­knowledg the least Kindness; for Ingratitude is hateful.

16. BE not Self-ended; neither spend too much upon your own Particulars, either in Meats, Drinks, Clothing, or any thing else, for That may be a hinderance to the Good you should do; but rather be Sparing in That which relates to your Selves, that you may be in the better capacity to do the Good you ought to perform to Others.

17. BE not found in many Needless Words; neither Contend with such as are in them, for That begets Strife: But as They (out of the Evil that is in their Hearts) bring forth Evil things; so do You (out of the Good that is in yours) bring forth Good things.

18. BE not grasping after Earthly Concerns; for They bring Trouble and Sorrow; and yet, how many, through their Eager Desires after such things, have choaked that Good, which once [Page 9]stirred in them? Wherefore, take Warning, and learn this as a Truth Experienc'd by Me, that a Little will Satisfy a Contented Mind.

19. BE not desirous after that Knowledg, which will lift and puff up your Minds; neither be too Prying into those Mysteries, that are hid; but if the LORD should Reveal any thing unto You, be sure of Leave, When, and to Whom to Im­part it, not daring, either to Add, or Diminish; for That has been (and is, this Day) a great and sore Evil.

20. BUT lest, through many Words, your Minds should be drawn forth, and (as but too too many have been) hurt thereby, it's with me, to Conclude with those Two Great and Weighty Commandments, viz.. the First is, You shall Love the LORD with all your Hearts, with all your Souls, and with all your Strength. And the Second is like unto it, You shall Love your Neighbours as your Selves: For upon these Two Commandments depends All that can be Written, or Spoken, con­cerning your Duties either to GOD or Men.

CHAP. III. Hear Me your Father, O Children, and do there­after, that you may be Safe. Ec. III. 1.

1. IF you come to Serve the LORD, prepare your Souls for Temptation. Set your Hearts aright, and Constantly endure, and make not haste in time of Trouble.

2. WHATSOEVER is brought upon you, take Chearfully: For, as Gold is Tried in the Fire, so [Page 10]are Acceptable Men in the Furnace of Adversity.

3. SO incline your Ears unto Wisdom, and ap­ply your Hearts to Understanding, and seek Her as Silver, and search for Her as for hid Trea­sures: Then shall you Understand the Fear of the LORD, and find the Knowledg of GOD.

4. HAPPY is the Man that findeth Wisdom, and the Man that getteth Understanding: But where is Wisdom to be found, and where is the place of Ʋnderstanding? The Fear of the LORD, that is Wis­dom; and to depart from Evil, that is Ʋnderstanding.

5. WISDOM exalteth Her Children, and layeth hold of them that seek Her; they that love Her, love Life; and they that seek Her early, shall be filled with Joy; and wheresoever She entereth, the LORD will Bless; and if you commit your selves unto Her, you shall inherit Her. But at the first, She will Walk with you by Crooked Ways, and bring Fear and Dread upon you, and Torment you with her Discipline, until She can Trust your Souls, and Try you by Her Laws. Then will She return the Streight Way unto you, and Comfort you, and Shew you of Her Secrets. But if you go Wrong, She will Forsake you, and give you over to your own Ruin.

MY Love is Sincere to All, that in Upright­ness of Heart Serve the LORD, in what Profes­sion, or Perswasion of Religion soever; well knowing, that 'tis Those, and only Those, that Love, Fear, and Obey HIM, and do the Things that are Just and Right amongst Men, that are Accepted of HIM at this Day.

FOR, What doth the LORD require of Thee, O Man, but to do Justly, to love Mercy, and to walk Humbly before HIM?

HAPPY is he that shall be Exercised in these things; and he that layeth them up in his Heart, shall become Wise.