may spend the rest of their days in prayer and fasting?
Again: it is a most grievous sin, for people united in matrimony and blessed with children, to neglect them or their pious education, or to allow them to want the necessaries of life. On this point, we have many examples, both in sacred and profane History: but as I wish to be concise, I shall be content with adducing one only from the first book of Kings: "In that day I will raise up against Heli all the things I have spoken concerning his house: I will begin and I will make an end. For I have fore told unto him, that I will judge his house for ever for iniquity, because he knew that his sons did wickedly, and did not chastise them. Therefore have I sworn to the house of Heli, that the iniquity of his house shall not be expiated with victims nor offerings for ever." (chap. iii. 12, &c.) These threats God shortly after fulfilled; for the sons of Heli were slain in battle, and Hell himself falling from his seat backwards, broke his neck and died miserably. Where fore, if Heli, otherwise a just man, and an upright judge of the people, perished miserably with his sons, because he did not educate them as he ought to have done, and did not chastise them when they be came wicked; what will become of those, who not only do not endeavour to educate their children properly, but by their bad example encourage them to sin? Iruly,
