Note 287 — CASES OF CONSCIENCE, ABOUT MATTERS ECCLESIASTICAL. (continued 3)
Reading edition
Eph. vi. 4, 5; Col. iii. 21; Gen. xviii. 19; Deut. vi. 6-8; xi. 18-20.
[288] Second commandment. Prov. xx. 7.
[289] The Holy Ghost is promised in baptism to give the child grace in his parents' and his own faithful use of the appointed means.
[290] Mr. Whiston, p. 53. As Abraham as a single person in the covenant was to accept of and perform the conditions of the covenant—so as a parent he had something of duty incumbent on him with reference to his (immediate) seed; and as his faithful performance of that duty incumbent on him in his single capacity, so his performing that duty incumbent on him as a parent in reference to his seed, was absolutely necessary in order to his enjoying the good promised, with reference to himself and his seed: proved Gen. xvii. 1; xviii. 19. He proveth that the promise is conditional, and that as to the continuance of the covenant state the conditions are, 1. The parent's upright life. 2. His duty to his children well done. 3. The children's own duty as they are capable.