The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Introduction
• Of the Nature and Qualification of Religion, In Reference to Civil Society, &c.
• §i.
• §2.
• §3.
• §4.
• §5.
• §6.
• §7.
• §8.
• §9.
• §10.
• §11.
• §12.
• §13.
• §14.
• §15.
• §16.
• §17.
• §18.
• §19.
• §20.
• §21.
• §22.
• §23.
• §24.
• §25.
• §26.
• §27.
• §28.
• §29.
• §30.
• §31.
• §32.
• §33.
• §34.
• §35.
• §37.
• §38.
• §39.
• §40.
• §41.
• §42.
• §43.
• §44.
• §45.
• §46.
• §47.
• §48.
• §49.
• §50.
• §51.
• §52.
• §53.
• §54.

§4.

The first Care of religious Worship lodged in Parents. It is an unquestionable Truth, and generally received among Mankind, That one is obliged to give a helping-hand to another in several Respects: In the same manner it is with Religion; that these who by nearest of Blood, are in Duty bound, to take Care of young Peoples Education, ought at the same time to Instruct them in the true Knowledge of God, and prepare their Minds for the receiving of the Christian Doctrine. ’Tis upon this score, that this Care touches most nearly all Parents, in regard of their Children, it being the principal Part of Paternal Duty, to take effectual Care, that they may be throughly Instructed in all Matters, relating to God and his holy Word; and to be encouraged in all manner of religious Exercises: For it is too dangerous, to leave young People to their own Inclinations, till they may be capable, by the Strength of their own Reason, to learn their Duty towards God. And it would be much more dangerous, to defer it under pretence or expectation of Revelations to be made upon that account, at this time, when the Word of God is already planted and established among us: Besides, that Children soon grow head-strong and refractory, if they are not in their tender Age, accustomed to pious Exercises. Nevertheless, Parents ought not to exercise this Paternal Office any otherwise, than in a manner suitable to the Genius of the Christian Religion, which will have them not to act with Violence, but to be diligent and assiduous in Teaching, Exhorting, Praying, and announcing God’s Wrath. Wherefore, the Priestly Office was originally joined with the Paternal, in the antient Fathers of Families; and Abraham is commended both for a good Father, and a good Master of his House, because he instructed his Children in all manner of Piety, and himself Administred Circumcision.14 The like Commands were made to Parents, both in the Old and New Testament;15 and the Patriarch Jacob, removed the Idols out of his Family, not by Compulsion, but by Instructing those of his House in the Knowledge of the true God, who thereupon, voluntarily surrendered those Idols to his Disposal.16 This part of the Paternal Office, like all the rest, does cease as soon as a Son, after leaving his Father’s House, comes to set up for himself, and consequently becomes the Father of a separate Family, and enjoys the same Rights, which his Father had before over him. And, tho’ perhaps in such a Case a Father may still retain the priviledge of giving some Paternal Admonitions to his Sons, yet ought the same to be look’d upon to resemble in their Nature our last Will or Testament, which does not always imply properly a Command; but ought to be observed for its good Intentions sake, and to shew a due Reverence to the Memory of a Father, never to be neglected by any, that will not at the same time profess themselves guilty of Improbity.

[14.]Gen. 18:19.

[15.]Deut. 6:7, 11:19; Eph. 6:4.

[16.]Gen. 35:2, 3, 4.