Plain Sermons by Contributors to the, Tracts for the Times Jeremiah 13:20 Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given you, your beautiful flock? To the minister of Christ, when looking back on the irremediable past, and forward on the dim future, the thought must naturally arise, — How much have we to answer for, and what answer shall we make? But let all seriously minded Christians consider how great is the responsibility of us all, with respect to children and young persons, that they be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Everyone knows that example is more forcible than precept, and especially evil example than good precept. When grown-up persons then, whether parents or others, use themselves to violent and intemperate language, swearing, or indecent expressions, or slander, it is as if they took pains to instruct children in the language of lost spirits. Or, to glance at another case; many there are who, while they preserve a decent exterior of conduct, yet leave their children, or other young persons for whom they are in any manner responsible, to shift for themselves; I mean in religious matters, take no personal care or trouble to give them an education substantially Christian. But I ask, Is not that which is true and good for the parent, true and good for the child? Must not fathers and mothers be answerable for the bringing up of their little flock, the children whom God has given them, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? And can this be true Christian nurture and admonition, to habituate them to those unfixed and unprincipled notions and ways in the great matter of Divine worship, and communion with Christ's Church here militant, but in heaven triumphant? This responsibility lies on us all — all grown-up persons — all have an influence either for good or evil on the younger; and happy will they be, who shall be found to have exerted this influence to the honour of our Almighty Lord and Master, and the edification of that flock which He purchased with His own blood. Such persons, if parents, have made it a principal matter of their thoughts and cares that their children should be also God's children. (Plain Sermons by Contributors to the "Tracts for the Times.) Parallel Verses KJV: Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock? |
    |