from what we do that is wrong, how shall we come to ascertain what is right? and, if we know not what evils to refuse, how shall we know what duties to perform?

Son. I know nothing we do that we ought to leave off.

Fath. That is the reason why I bewail so much your want of instruction and education, and that I am so willing to retrieve the loss. I can soon tell you what you should leave off, viz. you should leave profaning the Lord's-day in sports, diversions, visiting, riding to the park, company, and the like; and spend it, as it was appointed to be spent, viz. in acts of religious worship, in hearing and reading God's word, and in other duties proper to that purpose. Next, you should leave off the play-houses, and reading plays, as not only introductory to vice, and an extravagant misspender of time, but as they lead to engaging in such society and bad company, as will be destructive to any sober character in the world. Thirdly, that a general sobriety of behaviour be fixed upon the whole scheme of your couversation; free from passion, ill words, swearing, blaspheming God's name, and from drunkenness, and all other excesses. These are the main heads of the negatives which I speak of, and which I desire to be observed; and this is so just, so easy, and so equitable, that I cannot but expect, especially considering how my children are circumstanced, a ready compliance with it. I shall direct you to positive duties afterwards.

Son. I know not how we are circumstanced, or what you would have me understand by that word.

Fath. I find your temper is such, that I am rather to let you know what I expect, than to hope for your observing it, and that you will put the hardship upon me of doing all with you by force. This is a treatment, I think, very disingenuous, and unlike a dutiful son. I am willing to indulge you in every thing that is reasonable and just; but, as I am convinced what I desire is not only your duty, but your interest to comply with, I therefore cannot indulge you to your own ruin; and for that reason, if you will oblige

me to use violent methods to restore you, and to restore my family, although I shall be sorry for it, yet, as it is my duty, I must do it. And I let you know therefore very plainly my resoultion, and the reason of it. If you can give better reasons why you should not comply with these things, 1 am ready to hear them.

Son. What signifies giving reasons against what you resolve to do?

Fath. It might take off the scandal of disobedience from you, when you pretend to oppose your practice to my directions.

Son. I don't concern myself about scandals, not 1. Fath. You fortify yourself against every thing a wise man ought to be concerned at; and that by a general negligence of God and man, as if you were unconcerned for conscience and reputation. I hope you don't desire to be known by such a character.

Son. I don't see that I do any thing that deserves reflection.

Fath. Well, come examine a little. Is your Lord's-day conduct to be justified? Do you think you keep the Sabbath-day as you ought to do?

Son. Why, sir, do I not go constantly to church?

Fath. Where do you find in God's law, that going to church is the sum of the Sabbath-day's duties. If you can show me that in the scripture, then I am put to silence.

Son. I see no harm in taking the air a little after sermon time.

Fath. If sermon time be the whole of the Sabbath-day, you are in the right; but then you must prove that the fourth commandment should have been translated thus, viz. "Remember that thou keep holy the sermon-time on the Sabbath-day."

Son. I think there is no need of so much strictness.

Fath. God and your father are of another opinion; or else neither the rules of the one, or the discourse of the other, are to be credited. I see all your arguments against

these things are only in general, that you do not think thus, or you do not see that. But have you any just objections against the express commands of God? If you have, let us hear them.

Son. I do not object against the commands of God; but I do not see, on the other hand, that I break the commands of God, in taking a turn in the park, or visiting a friend on a Sunday after sermon.

Fath. I'll lock up all argument on that side against you, thus-If you can prove that taking your pleasure on the Sabbath-day is keeping of it holy, you may justify yourself; if not, you cannot. And for that, read this text, Isa. lviii. 13. "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day," &c. There is the word of God directly against you: would you have any further authority?

Son. I cannot dispute of these things.

Fath. They that cannot dispute, should not contradict. However, I think it my duty to let all of you know, that as I have no reason to doubt but the command of God is clear, and that I ought to see it obeyed, I join to it my command, viz. that in my family I will have no more profaning the Lord's-day, no more going to plays, no more swearing, drunkenness, or immorality whatsoever, if I can help it; and I expect to be put to as little trouble as possible, in having this order of mine submitted to.

Son. I suppose you may find some opposition besides what you think I shall make. You have more children than me.

Fath. You have the less need to make my task harder, and join with them: however, I am speaking now not of their obedience, but your's.

Son. Perhaps I may obey as much as they; but I suppose I may bear the blame of their standing out.

Fath. If you do well, you are sure to be accepted: if not, sin lies at thy door. If you are an encouragement to their disobedience, you take your share of the guilt, whether

it be by words or by example. My business, however, is not with them now, but with you; and I desire to know your mind, having now told you what I expect.

Son. I know not what you would have me say. You say you will be obeyed: then I must obey, I think. I know nothing else to be said. If you will make the house a monastery, I must turn monk, I think; but nothing is more certain, than that we shall all think it hard, and think we are not used kindly.

Fath. The commands of God are not grievous, nor are my resolutions hard or unjust; and that makes the opposition which you make the more unnatural. However, since you are not to be wrought upon to think it reasonable, I must content myself to take your outward compliance, whether willing or unwilling; though I think your behaviour highly disubliging, and shall always let you know I resent it as such.

Son. You will find all your children will think it hard as well as I.

Fath. That cannot be true; for I know some of them to whom God has given more grace.

Son. I am sure then others have not.

Fath. Yes, I know your sister has shown herself much to the disgrace of her good breeding, as obstinate as yourself; and has been very insolent to her mother; and I hear she talks at a rate of her mother that does not become her. I assure her it shall not be borne with.

Son. I think my mother used her very ill.

Fath. I find you are too partial to be judge of it; and, therefore, ought to let it alone. What has her mother done to her?

Son. She has taken away all her books of value, and not only ruffled her with hard words, but even struck her with very little provocation.

Fath. You have a truer account of the fact, I find, than of the provocation. As to striking her, I regret she had not done it sooner, and repeated it oftener. Her sauci

ness to her mother, and her contempt of God, were insufferable. It was her good fortune that I was not there. And as to taking her books, I have had the mortification to look them all over; and with a great deal of affliction to think that any children of mine should spend their time in such foolish, filthy, and abominable books.

Son. What, do you mean the plays?

Fath. Yes, I do mean the plays, songs, novels, and such like, which made up her whole study. Were they fit for a young maid's contemplation?

Son. I must own I think them very fit.

Fath. Then your sin is come up to a maturity very fit for public reformation, and it is high time you were begun with; wherefore I tell you very plainly, I shall cause you to pass the same trial with your sister; and if I find any such like books in your custody, you may be sure they shall go the same way.

Son. Then you will put me to the expense of buying more; for I cannot be without my plays: they are the study of the most accomplished gentlemen, and no man of sense is without them.

Fath. No man of vice (you may say) is without them: but I am positive against plays, as before; and I had rather have you not accomplished, than that the other inconveniencies of plays shall be your lot: but I can shew you many accomplished young gentlemen who are noways con◄ cerned with them.

Son. What, who never see a play?

Fath. No, never.

Son. It is impossible!

Fath. No, no, far from impossible.

Son. I can never promise not to go to the play.

Fath. Then you and I shall differ to the greatest extremity.

Son. This is intolerable! I had rather you would turn me out of your door. I'll be content to go to the West Indies, or to be a foot soldier, or any thing, rather than be