Puritan Nuggets of Gold # 62

Parents

If it be the usual method of Divine Providence to visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, see then what great reason parents have to beware that they do not lay up a stock of plagues and curses for their posterity; nor clog the estate which they leave them, with so many debts to be paid to the justice of God as will certainly unto them. (Ezekiel Hopkins)

You are the instrumental causes of all their spiritual misery; and that, 1. by generation, 2. imitation. (John Flavel)

If parents would have their children blessed at church and at school, let them beware they give their children no corrupt examples at home by any carelessness, profaneness, or ungodilness. Otherwise, parents will do them more harm at home than both pastors and schoolmasters can do them good abroad. For the corrupt example of the one fighteth with the good instruction of the other, which is so much the more dangerous because that corrupt walking is armed with nature, and therefore more forcibly inclineth the affections of the children to that side. (Richard Greenham)

Let them (children) go untaught and they will grow so headstrong that they will sooner be broken than bended. (Richard Greenham)

Let me take heed therefore that I do not over-love them, that I do not pamper by indulgence him, and as it were mar and kill his soul by over-cherishing his body. (William Whately)

As for those parents who will not use the rod upon their children, I pray God He useth not their children as a rod for them. (Thomas Fuller)

Some parents, like Eli, bring up their children to bring down their house. (George Swinnock)

If you neglect to instruct them in the way of holiness, will the devil neglect to instruct them in the way of wickedness? No; if you will not teach them to pray, he will to curse, swear, and lie; if ground be uncultivated, weeds will spring. (John Flavel)