The Duties of Parents (Annotated) (J. C. Ryle Collection #4)

▶ DESCRIPTION
Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 23: 6.

I suppose that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, or read it, talked of it, or quoted it, many a time. Is it not so?

But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts before us seems fearfully seldom practiced. Reader, do I not speak the truth?

▶ CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. First, then, if you would train your children rightly, train them in the way they should go, and not in the way that they would.
3. Train up your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience.
4. Train your children with an abiding persuasion on your mind that much depends upon you.
5. Train with this thought continually before your eyes—that the soul of your child is the first thing to be considered.
6. Train your child to a knowledge of the Bible.
7. Train them to a habit of prayer.
8. Train them to habits of diligence, and regularity about public means of grace.
9. Train them to a habit of faith.
10. Train them to a habit of obedience.
11. Train them to a habit of always speaking the truth.
12. Train them to a habit of always redeeming the time.
13. Train them with a constant fear of over-indulgence.
14. Train them remembering continually how God trains His children.
15. Train them remembering continually the influence; of your own example.
16. Train them remembering continually the power of sin.
17. Train them remembering continually the promises of Scripture.
18. Train them, lastly, with continual prayer for a blessing on all you do.
19. Other Books

▶ AUTHOR
Ryle was a strong supporter of the evangelical school and a critic of Ritualism. He was a writer, pastor and an evangelical preacher. Among his longer works are Christian Leaders of the Eighteenth Century (1869), Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (7 vols, 1856–69), Principles for Churchmen (1884). Ryle was described as having a commanding presence and vigorous in advocating his principles albeit with a warm disposition. He was also credited with having success in evangelizing the blue collar community. His second son, Herbert Edward Ryle also a clergyman, became Dean of Westminster.