Section 13

SECT. XIII.

There are two things more, by the discharge of which, we engage our houses to serve the Lord; and those two are in a manner one.

Family-instruction; and family-government.

I link these together, because of their near dependance and agreement in their exercise. This therefore is the address now to be made to us,

Let family-instruction and so family-government be maintained in our houses, that they may serve the Lord.

Let there be no untaught and unrul'd families among us; but let us be careful about the education of such as belong to our families. I beseech you, let there be a difference between English houses and Indian wigwams in the middest of us, and let not English parents be as indulgent and negligent as they report the Indians are. And give me leave to say, you that are mothers have a special advantage to instil the fear of God into the souls of them that sit upon your knees. It is said in (Proverbs 1:8), My son, forsake not the law of your Mother. Solomon was well instructed by his mother, and it proved his eternal benefit. It is not for nothing, that in the sacred records, when men have proved good or bad, it is noted, their mothers were such and such. You that are mothers may insinuate religion into your children earlier and easier than their fathers can.