The children's example. Shewing how one Mrs Johnson's child of Barnet, was tempted by the Devil to forsake God, and follow the ways of other wicked children, who used to swear, tell lies, and disobey their parents: how this pretty innocent child resisting Satan, was comforted by an angel from heaven, who warned her of her approaching death: together with her dying words, desiring young children not to forsake God, least Satan would gain power over them.

The CHILDREN's EXAMPLE . Shewing , how one Mrs Johnson's Child of Barnet , was tempted by the Devil to forsake GOD , and follow the Ways of other wicked Children , who used to Swear , tell Lies , and disobey their Parents : How this pretty innocent Child resisting Satan , was comforted by an Angel from Heaven , who warned her of her approaching Death : Together with her dying Words , desiring young Children not to forsake God , least Satan would gain Power over them . To the Tune of Bleeding Heart .

depiction of angel

depiction of child and woman

depiction of woman praying

YE Parents , that love Children dear , To what I shall relate give Ear ; And if you 'd have them Heaven partake , You 'll buy this Sheet for their sweet Sake . In Barnet liv'd a loving Pair , A tender Wife and Husband dear , Whom cruel Death of Life beguil'd , And left his tender Wife with Child . It prov'd a Daughter , therefore she , Was brought up very tenderly ; And as she did grow up in Time , Her temper seem'd like one divine . So sweet , so modest and so fair , That few could with this Child compare , For when her words had Silence broke , You would have thought an angel spoke . She was her Mother's Darling bright , In Learning she took great Delight , But above all her Mind was given , To find the speedy Way to Heaven . Whatever Time that she could spare , She spent to Heaven in fervent Prayer , If she one Farthing had in Store , She freely gave it to the Poor .

Now observe good People , this heavenly Child reproved some wicked Children who were cursing and swearing . AS she did come from School one Day , She saw some Children were at Play , And wickedly they did blaspheme , And take God's holy Name in vain . Says she , dear Children do forbear , What makes you thus to curse and swear ? At School you never learn'd the same , Therefore I think you are to blame . Besides , what will your Parent's say , When they hear how you go astray ? I 'm sure their Hearts would troubled be , To know you liv'd so wickedly . Don't you fear that God who gave His Son's dear Blood our Lives to save ; Remembers every sinful Word , You 'll answer for before the Lord . Then started up a little Elf , Saying , Mistress , pray go mind yourself , We 'll lead our Lives this merry Way , In Spite of what you do or say . We value not our Parents dear , The Church we never will come near : For there 's no Heaven to enter in , No Hell to punish us for Sin . A Gentleman has told us so , Who gave us money so to do ; So hold your tongue , and do'nt us teaze ; For Madam , we 'll do what we please . The tender Infant weeping , said , It is the Devil I 'm afraid , That bids you God's Commandments break , That he your precious Souls may take ; But , dear Companions , have a Care , You fall not in this woful Snare ; Take this advice , I do implore , Or else I 'll not come near you more . One taking this in great Disgrace , Did strike her o'er the pretty Face , Saying , Young Mistress , hence depart , We scorn you from our very Heart . Oh! God foregive you , she did say , Though thus you strike me I will pray , That your Souls may in Heaven dwell , But now I bid you all farewell . Tears from her Cheeks then did glide , Her Mother as'd her why she cry'd ; What! did your Mistress you chastise , That you come Home with weeping Eyes . My dearest Mother , she did say , Some Children I have seen to Day , Who will not God's Commandments keep And 't is for their poor Souls I weep For when I blam'd them for their Oaths , They gave me many cruel Blows : But let them do whate'er they will , Their precious-Souls I 'll pray for still . Her Mother took her in her Arms , My dear God keep thee from all Harms , Don't weep , my Child , be not distress'd , They 'll answer for their Wickedness .

Now observe how the Devil appeared to the Child , and would have enticed her to be as wicked as other Children were . AS this Child went to Church one Day , Thro' the Church-yard she took her way , Where lo ! the Devil came and said , Where are you going , pretty Maid ? To School , I 'm going , Sir , said she , Pish , Child don't mind the same , saith he ; But hast to your Companions dear , And learn to lie , and curse , and swear . They bravely spend their Time in Play , God they don't value , no , not they : It is a Fable , Child , he cry'd ; At which his Cloven Foot she ' spy'd . I 'm sure there is a God , said she , Who from your Power will keep me free : And if you should this thing deny , Your cloven Foot gives me the Lie . Satan , avoid , hence out of hand , In Name of Jesus I command , At which the Devil instantly , In Flames of fire away did fly . Soon after came an Angel fair , Who says to her , why weeps my Dear , What does your Time too swiftly run , On Dial which you look upon ? If it be so , be not beguil'd , You only die to live my Child ; At which the pretty harmless Maid , Thus to the shining Angel said , Dear Sir , I 'm not afraid of Death , For if God took me from the Earth , Satan would then cease to torment , A harmless Child and innocent . O Sir , he was but here just now , Without God's Help what shall I do ? But Heaven , I hope , will hear my Prayers , And dry my Cheeks from weeping Tears . The Angel took her by the Hand , Sweet Child I come by Heaven's Command , To comfort you in this sad Hour , The Devil shall not have a Power To tempt you more while you have breath Too good you are to live on Earth , : But dearest Child , Continue on , In Heaven for you there is a Throne , Where Christ doth sit in Glory bright ; In such as you he takes delight , May Blessings e'er on you remain , So farewel till we meet again . This pretty Infant straightway went home , And told her Mother what was done , Who wept , because she did foresee , Her Child not long with her to be . In a Month's Time she did complain , That she did feel tormenting Pain : The Doctors were sent for with Speed , To help the Child in time of Need . Her Sickness it was most severe , And yet this pretty harmless Dear , Would never utter one Complaint , But seemed like a dying Saint . And when the Doctors gave her o'er , Nothing could grieve this dear Child more ; Than when her Mother's Tears she 'd spy , Dear Mammy for me do not cry . Come kiss your Child and don 't complain , We only part to meet again : My Soul doth seem in Cage to be , But Death , I hope , will set it free . To my Companions tell this truth , To serve the Lord in time of Youth , That so their Sins may be forgiven , And when they die may go to Heaven . So spoke the dying Infant dear , When lo ! the Angel did appear , Have Mercy , Lord ! she then did cry , And-comfort me before I die .

Now mark the sweet Behaviour of the Child to her Mother , and the Heavenly Angel , who came to visit her before she died . LOOK Mother dear , I pray behold , My Angel shining bright as Gold , Where is he Child , I cannot him see , O there he is , 't is he , 't is he ! Speak , lovely Angel , take me hence , Thy words exceed all Eloquence , Sweet Child , said he , thy Days are done , I by Minutes fly , thy glass in run ; I 'm coming Lord , the Child did say , One last Embrace , dear Mother pray Oh! think I am not snatch'd too soon , But love my Memory when I 'm gone . Methinks I hear my passing Bell , My Friends all taking their Farewel , Sweet Lord , receive my Soul , she said : Thus died this harmless pretty Maid . When lo ! was heard a charming Sound , As though a Saint in Heaven was crown'd , And at her Funeral likewise there Was heard sweet Music in the Air . The People wept for this dear Child . It was so heavenly meek and mild , But God has made her now his own , Where Satan's Power cannot be snown , Now , Children dear , strive piously , Like her to live , like her to die ; Then God will bless you while on Earth , And make you happy after Death .

FIFIS .