: der an account every evening. The time for work, for walking, for meals, may be certain, at least as near as may be: and grieve not thyself with careless servants; they will disorder thee; rather pay them, and let them go, if they will not be better by admonitions; this is best to avoid many words, which I know wound the soul, and offend the Lord. 'Thirdly: Cast up thy income and see what it daily amounts to; by which thou mayest be sure to have it in thy sight and power to keep within compass and I beseech thee to live low and sparingly till my debts are paid; and then enlarge as thou seest it convenient. Remember thy mother's example, when thy father's public spiritedness had worsted his estate (which is my case). I know thou lovest plain things, and art averse to the* pomps of the world; a nobility natural to thee. I write not as doubtful, but to quicken thee, for my sake, to be more diligent herein, knowing that God will bless thy care, and thy poor children and thee for it. My mind is wrapt up in a saying of thy father's, 'I desire not riches, but to owe nothing;' and truly that is wealth, and more than enough to live is a snare attended with many sorrows. I need not bid thee be humble, for thou art so; nor meek and patient, for it is much of thy natural disposition: but I pray thee be oft in retirement with the Lord, and guard against encroaching friendships. Keep them at arm's end; for it is giving away our power, aye and self too, into the possession of another; and that which might seem engaging in the beginning may prove a yoke too hard and heavy in the end. Wherefore keep dominion over thyself, and let thy children, good meetings, and friends, be the pleasure of thy life. Fourthly: And now, my dearest, let me recommend to thy care my dear children; abundantly beloved of me, as the Lord's blessings and the sweet pledges of our mutual and endeared affection. Above all things endeavour to breed them up in the love of virtue, and that holy plain way of it which we have lived in, that the world in no part of it get into my family. I had rather they were homely than finely bred as to outward behaviour; yet I love sweetness mixed with gravity, and cheerfulness tempered with sobriety. Religion in the heart leads into this true civility, teaching men and women to be mild and courteous in their behaviour, an accomplishment worthy indeed of praise. "Fifthly Next breed them up in a love one of another tell them it is the charge I left behind me; and that it is the way to have the love and blessing of God upon them; also what his portion is who hates or calls his brother fool. Sometimes separate them, but not long; and allow them to send and give each other small things to endear one another with: Once more I say, tell them it was my counsel they should be tender and affectionate one to another. For their learning be liberal. Spare no cost; for by such parsimony all is lost that is saved: but let it be useful knowledge, such as is consistent with truth and godliness, not cherishing a vain conversation, or idle mind; but ingenuity mixed with industry is good for the body and mind too. I recommend the useful parts of mathematics, as building houses or ships, measuring, surveying, dialling, navigation; but agriculture is especially in my eye: let my children be husbandmen and housewives; it is industrious, healthy, honest, and of good example: like Abraham and the holy ancients, who pleased God and obtained a good report. This leads to consider the works of God and nature, of things that are good; and diverts the mind from being taken up with the vain arts and inventions of a luxurious world. It is commendable in the princes of Germany, and the nobles of that empire, that they have all their children instructed in some useful occupation. Rather keep an ingenious person in the house to teach them, than send them to schools, too many evil impressions being commonly received there. Be sure to observe their genius, and do not cross it as to learning: let them not dwell too long on one thing; but let their change be agreeable, and all their diversions have some little bodily labour in them. When grown big, have most care for them; for then there are more snares for them both within and without. When marriageable, see that they have worthy persons in their eye, of good life, and good fame for piety and understanding. I need no wealth, but sufficiency; and be sure their love be dear, fervent, and mutual, that it may be happy for them. I choose not they should be married to earthly covetous kindred; and of cities and towns of concourse beware; the world is apt to stick close to those who have lived and got wealth there: a country life and estate I like best for my children. I prefer a decent mansion of an hundred pounds per annum before ten thousand pounds in London, or such like place, in a way of trade. In fine, my dear, endeavour to breed them dutiful to the Lord, and his blessed light, truth, and grace, in their hearts, who is their Creator, and his fear will grow up with them. Teach a child,' says the Wise Man, the way thou wilt have him to walk, and when he is old he will not forget it.' Next, obedience to thee, their dear mother; and that not for wrath, but for conscience' sake; liberal to the poor, pitiful to the miserable, humble and kind to all; and may my God make thee a blessing, and give thee com-.. fort in our dear children; and in age gather thee to the joy and blessedness of the just (where no death shall separate us) for ever! "And now, my dear children, that are the gifts and mercies of the God of your tender father, hear my counsel and lay it up in your hearts; love it more than treasure and follow it, and you shall be blessed here and happy hereafter. "In the first place, remember your Creator in the days of your youth.' It was the glory of Israel in the second of Jeremiah: and how did God bless Josiah because he feared him in his youth! and so he did Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. O, my dear children, remember and fear and serve him who made you, and gave you to me and your dear mother; that you may live to him and glorify him in your generations! "To do this, in your youthful days seek after the Lord, that you may find him; remembering his great love in creating you; that you are not beasts, plants, or stones, but that he has kept you, and given you his grace within and substance without, and provided plentifully for you. This remember in your youth, that you may be kept from the evil of the world for in age it will be harder to overcome the temptations of it. "Wherefore, my dear children, eschew the appearance of evil, and love and cleave to that in your hearts which shews you evil from good, and tells you when you do amiss and reproves you for it. It is the light of Christ that he has given you for |