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 neither food nourishes, nor plaster heals, nor clothing warms; but His blessing is always present with us for the sake of children, in order that they may be sustained. For, if God liberally bestows food on the young ravens calling on Him, how much more should He not care for children, His own image? Therefore, Luther has wisely said: “We do not nourish our children, but they nourish us; for because of these innocents God supplies necessaries, and we aged sinners partake with them.”

20. Finally, silver, gold, and gems afford us no further instruction than other created things do, namely, in the wisdom, power, and beneficence of God; whereas children are given to us as a mirror, in which we may behold modesty, courteousness, benignity, harmony, and other Christian virtues, the Lord himself declaring, “Unless ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.” Since, then, God has willed that children should be unto us in place of preceptors, we judge that we owe to them the most diligent attention.