If they form
their character upon the approved model of their parents, then the duty to
give them a Christian model is very obvious. They will rather follow your
ungodly example than obey your godly precepts. "To give children," says
Archbishop Tillotson, "good instruction and a bad example, is but beckoning
to them with the head to show them the way to heaven--while you take them
by the hand to lead them in the way to hell."
This duty is, therefore, enforced by the most powerful motives. The
influence and benefit of a pious example; the promised rewards attending
it; the deep curse that attends its absence; the misery which a bad example
entails upon all the members of the Christian household; and especially the
fruits of both a good and bad example, in eternity,--all these
considerations should prompt you to the faithful performance of this duty.
If the members of your household may he ruined here by a bad example, what
will be its consequences in the eternal world?
"If men of good lives,
Who, by their virtuous actions, stir up others
To noble and religious imitation,
Receive the greater glory after death
As sin must needs confess; what may they feel
In height of torment, and in weight of vengeance,
Not only they themselves not doing well,
But set a light up to show men to hell?"
We see a similar inducement to this duty in the blessings and rewards of a
pious example.
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