what they learn or how they live; and no one is willing to see that
this is the command of the Supreme Majesty, who will most strictly call
us to account and punish us for it; nor that there is so great need to
be so seriously concerned about the young. For if we wish to have
excellent and apt persons both for civil and ecclesiastical government
we must spare no diligence, time, or cost in teaching and educating our
children, that they may serve God and the world, and we must not think
only how we may amass money and possessions for them. For God can
indeed without us support and make them rich, as He daily does. But for
this purpose He has given us children, and issued this command that we
should train and govern them according to His will, else He would have
no need of father and mother. Let every one know therefore, that it is
his duty, on peril of losing the divine favor, to bring up his
children above all things in the fear and knowledge of God, and if they
are talented, have them learn and study something, that they may be
employed for whatever need there is [to have them instructed and
trained in a liberal education, that men may be able to have their aid
in government and in whatever is necessary].

If that were done, God would also richly bless us and give us grace to
train men by whom land and people might be improved and likewise well
educated citizens, chaste and domestic wives, who afterwards would rear
godly children and servants. Here consider now what deadly injury you
are doing if you be negligent and fail on your part to bring up your
child to usefulness and piety, and how you bring upon yourself all sin
and wrath, thus earning hell by your own children, even though you be
otherwise pious and holy. And because this is disregarded, God so
fearfully punishes the world that there is no discipline, government,
or peace, of which we all complain, but do not see that it is our
fault; for as we train them, we have spoiled and disobedient children