your selves What have I done for their welfare how are the Souls of my Children Servants and lift up an Ejaculation for them Be much in Prayer Give your selves to Prayer Prayer is your Physick your Armoury Ammunition your Antidote against Satan World Flesh This is your way of Trading with God for the richest Commodities for your selves and yours the profit will be yours the glory God's To help you in this work I have writ this Treatise not having seen any directly upon this so needful a Subject and was requested to do something this way Supplement to Morning Exercise at Cripplegate Printed 1676. but after I had compleatly finished this following Work there came to my hands a very Learned and Elaborate Discourse of Mr. Tho. Dâ—olittle's on Josh 24.15 driving this Nail home which may seem to render this Essay needless yet upon these considerations if it be judged convenient I am willing it should receive impression 1. That Excellent Discourse full of Sinewy Arguments may be more suitable to Learned this plain Treatise to Vulgar Capacities being adapted to the common use of Countrey People 2. Both matter and method are far differenâ— as I perceive upon reading and comparing both 3 That Discourse is inserted amongst the Voluminous Books of Morning Lectures this being a small thing by it selâ— is more attainable and portable 4. Possibly this may fall into some hands that the former hath not and may be an Appendix and Supplement to that choice Piece which I do earnestly recommend to the Reader to purchase and peruse and if this my slâ—nder Attempt may provoke any to purchase that and both together may but attain this great end of setting up Family-Worship in the power of it I have my End and shall follow all these Soul-helps with my earnest Prayers that the God of all Grace would pour into your Souls the Spirit of Grace and Supplication make the Members of your Families conscientious in joyning and Governours and Governed Orthodox in Principles sincere in their Spirits holy in their Practices to the Glory of God and good of his Church which is the hearty desire of thy Soul-friend Feb. 2. 1692 3. Oliver Heywood TO THE READER THIS Discourse and that other by Reverend Mr. Newcome on Prov. 25. v. 28. do very opportunely come out together both in reference to one another and to the Time we live in and to that which should be aimed at in all Times the reviving and keeping alive of serious practical Religion but most of all in this Time wherein it so much languishes They that know the Reverend Author of this Work or have perused with desire to profit those pious practical Treatises which he hath formerly Published will think as we do that there is no need of any Letters Commendatory to bespeak thy favourable acceptance of the following Discourse The design of which is to perswade and engage those that are Heads and Governours of Families to take up Joshua's Resolution that whatever others do yet they and their Houses will serve the Lord in daily faithful fervent Prayer with Thanksgiving It is a word in season For 't is a common Complaint and that too by many who are not a little guilty of it themselves That the Power of Godliness the Life of Practical Religion is at this day under a lamentable decay And amongst the many Causes of this decay there is scarcely any that hath been more perniciously influential thereunto than the neglect of Family-Worship of God which is one most proper means to promote Seriousness in Religion Frequent solemn Addresses to God having a tendency to keep God in remembrance and to cause the Apprehensions of God to make the deeper impression and to have the stronger influence upon the hearts of those who have not quite lost all sense of a God or forgotten that they have Souls to save or lose Prayer also being a means of God's appointment to obtain Family Blessings and Mercies as well as Personal and National according to the many Promises which God hath made of Audience and Acceptance of the Prayers that are put up unto him in the Name of Christ with upright hearts To those that sincerely love God and have wisdom to judge of things as they relate to Eternity the Duty commended in this Treatise will appear not only to be a necessary Duty but a precious Priviledge and gracious Vouchsafement For there are two things which do especially render a Christians continuance in the World desirable and comfortable to him the one is that he may acquaint himself with God and enjoy some sweet Communion with him which is a beginning and foretast of Heaven whilst we are here on Earth They that are utter strangers to this have no cause to think that they are as yet made meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light The other desirable End or Business of a Christians Life is that he may be serviceable to God by promoting his Glory and Interest in the World especially by furthering the spiritual Good and Salvation of Souls both these do meet together in the conscientious practice of this Duty First Communion with God When the Head and Master of a Family who is as Prophet Priest and Ruler in his Family doth joyntly with his Children and Servants as a little Church of God in his House offer up daily Sacrifice of Prayer Praise and Thanksgiving unto God the Author of their Beings the God of their Lives and the giver of every good gift wherewith their Lives are sweetned And does also receive from him Communications of Grace and Mercy for our bountiful God will never be behind-hand with those that seek him in truth but giveth liberally to them that ask in Faith Secondly Serviceableness unto God in training up his Family in the fear of God God himself bearing witness how greatly acceptable Family-Religiousness is unto him in that high Commendation which he hath recorded of Abraham I know him saith God that he will command his Children and his Houshold after him and they shall keep the Way of the Lord. 'T is a Duty that is both Work and Wages a Service that carries its Reward with it Reward not of Debt but of Grace it brings a Blessing upon a Family as the Ark did on the House of Obed-Edom when on the contrary dreadful Wrath is imprecated to be poured out upon the Families that call not on the Name of God Jer. 10.25 Reader if thou be one that livest in the daily exercise and due performance of this Duty of Family-Prayer thy own experience of the spiritual Benefits and Advantages of it will enable thee to set to thy Seal to what the God of Truth hath spoken in his Word I never said to the Seed of Jacob Israelites indeed that know how to wrastle with God seek ye my face in vain But if being a Master of a Family thou be a stranger to this duty either through slothfulness multiplicity
of your Family will bring every one a Stone to raise the pile of praise to an higher pitch yea and bring their Coal to warm your hearts together and kindle a greater Flame of heavenly devotion try this course and you 'll see the blessed issue 9. Consider what dangers you are daily incident to and see if that will not afford you matter of Prayer possibly some of your Callings expose you to greater hazards than ordinary some ride much abroad early and late to Markets and are subject to falls some work under ground and may be crusht to death others go to Sea and see the wonder of the Lord in the deep and it hath been said he that knows not how to Pray Qui nescit orare discat navigare let him go to Sea there is no Calling but it hath its Snares and difficulties which it exposeth Persons to and Wisdom is profitable to direct foreseen Dangers least hurt for as Persons are forewarned at least it affords Matter of Deprecation But there are thousands of accidents that the most sagacious eye cannot foresee which you see others fall into and fall by one falls into a Pit and perisheth another his Horse falls and he breaks an Arm or Leg or his Neck others are assaulted by Robbers and Slain others are burnt by sudden Fires in their Houses your own observation may afford you many sad Instances and what befalls others may befall you and may not these afford you matter of Prayer for their prevention or your preparation for them put your selves into Gods hands every Morning and Evening for you are never safe but under his Tuition the Omniscient Omnipotent God can only guard you and your Family He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleepeth Psa 121.4.227.1 2. other means are ineffectual without him Zech. 12.10 10. Beg Gods Holy Spirit It is a Spirit of Grace and Supplication go to God in the name of Christ and if you can say nothing else yet tell him you cannot Pray but withall say Lord I hear others can Pray why not I No matter how dull the Schollar is so I have thee for my Master I hear others of mean gifts Naturally are yet instructed Spiritually and have arrived to great dexterity in managing Family-Worship and may not I be endowed with the same Spirit first of Sanctification and then of Supplication come Lord and teach me to Pray as John taught his Disciples or rather as Jesus teacheth his Members thou saist Luk. 11.1 v. 13. if ye being evil know how to give good Gifts unto your Children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him I know this is an hard Text but it must not be understood as if God would give his Sanctifying Spirit to a carnal mans Prayer by vertue of a promise but either common gifts of the Spirit to such or further degrees of the Spirit to his own Children and so I think it is to be taken as the Pledge and earnest of the Holy Spirit to Sanctified Souls as Calvin takes it as being one of the good things of the kingdom of Heaven Which Godly Souls most importunately ask and beg for and you see here a free and faithful promise of Christ that his and our Father will bestow his Holy Spirit on us Jubemar qâ—idâ—m pulsare sed nemo Sponte praâ—nditari vel 〈◊〉 Syllabâ—m poâ—erit visi arcado Spiritus sui instinctu nos Deus puisiâ—â— adeâ—â—â— sibi corda nostra aperiat Cal. ix loc and the Blessed Apostle tells us the advantage of the Holy Spirit for our assistance in prayer Rom. 8.26 likewise also the Spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should Pray for as we ought c. All acknowledge that the Spirit must help our infirmities in the manner of right Praying exciting Graces and Holy affections and knitting our thoughts to God But the great question is whether the Holy Ghost dictates to Gods Children matter or expression in Prayer I think the Text is clear that it doth For the Text saith not that we know not how to pray but what we should pray for as we ought hence a Schoolman saith Dissicillimum est scire quid sit desiderandum it's most difficult to know what is to be desired a Godly man knows the end Gods Glory and the injoyment of him but unless the Spirit teach him he will miss it in the means and as our Saviour saith ask they know not what Mat. 20 2â— Luk. 9.54 55. Job 6.8 9 Jonah 4.3 as we have some instances in Scripture and many sad experiments in our selves and though the Lords Prayer be a rule in general yet we may be to seek in particulars except the Spirit bring things into our thoughts and often suggest Scripture expressions to our Memorys in earnest and perinent Pleading with the Lord the Spirit inlightens us in our Ignorance assists us in our weakness resolves us in our doubtings Comforts us in our Sadness Quickens us in our Deadness Composeth us in our distractions Oh! therefore sue out this blessed Advocate within which will make Interpellation in our Hearts as Christ makes intercession at Gods right hand and then you Pray acceptably But God hears no Language but that of his Spirit yet God's Spirit makes intercession by helping God's people to intercede Spiritus iâ—tâ—â—lat â—aâ—i endo nos â—â—terpell 〈◊〉 â—r ac saciâ—â— to nos orare clamat faciendo nos clamare videsis Pareâ—m in loc it Prays by helping us to Pray not as Arrians imagine that the Holy-Ghost is below the Son as supplicating the Son or that the Son is less than the Father as supplicating the Father which is a grosse mistake for Christ intercedes for us by the vertue of his merit with the Father the Holy-Ghost by helping us to cry Abba Father Gal. 4.6 Let none Imagin that this is an Euthusiastick fancy or a miraculous gift as Chrysostom thought no nor a Melancholy dream they that have any solid experience in the things of God know that the assistance of the Spirit in Prayer is the greatest reality in the World nor was it a temporary gift but a permanent Grace abiding with the Church for Ever Joh. 14.16 Eph. 6.18 Jude 20. Enabling even private Christians to Pray in the Spirit and in the Holy-Ghost yet differently as God sees good sometimes more inlarging their hearts and at other times withdrawing his Influences but it becomes us to embrace its Motions and Pray earnestly for it Thus much for helps to the matter of Prayer Chap. IX Helps how to manage Family-Worship as to the manner of Performance THUS at last I have dispatch't the instructions that concern the matter of Family-Prayer for the help of such as are weak and are sensible of their own Insufficiency and have been longer than I intended and must contract in the Rest As to the due manner of managing this Solemn Family-Work
Rom. 12.11 But do your best in every Duty Be you fervent in Spirit serving the Lord Be in good earnest as if this were the last prayer you were to put up Muster up all your Forces excite your Graces rouze your Affections to and in the work then you 'll pray better and better 5. Take a fit season for Family-Worship it 's a great fault to put off Family-prayer till the last thing you do it will not be so seasonable to go down upon your knees when you are fitter to ly down in your Beds Our Lord saith of his sleeping Disciples the Spirit indeed is willing but the Flesh is weak Mat. 26.41 but alas some in your Families that have not a willing Spirit and would rather be at rest than wrestling with God Eutichus might be a Godly man Act 20 9. yet being at an unseasonable hour he dropt asleep which Calvin saith Quid mirum si nocte intempâ—â— cum Soâ—â—o â—â—latus â—â—â—dem Succâ—buit Calv. in loc might be in some sort excusable for it s no wonder if having struggl'd against sleep at such an unseasonable time at length he was overcome he concludes he had not compos'd himself to sleep because he chose an unfit place to sleep in being in a Window and it must be ascribed more to natural Infirmity than willful fault but by this instance Governours must learn to take fit times for Family-Worship not when Children and Servants are tired out with working if it be attainable go to prayers before Supper when your Spirits are most brisk and lively drowzy Devotion brings guilt on the person and Family especially if it be through imprudent Management a fit time for Duty Morning and Evening when the Family Comes together to their Stated Meals 6. Let Family-Worship be performed when other Worldly business can be best laid aside One thing is needfull Luk. 10.42 take heed of incumbring your selves with the many things of the World I hope I need not bid you order the members of your Family to lay hands off all other Works but you must endeavour that if possible their hearts be also taken off all other Imployments 1 Cor. 7.35 that they may attend upon the Lord without distraction not that Governours can pretend to govern the inward man but that they may so dispatch and dispose of Worldly concerns under their cognizance as to leave both themselves and Families as little occasion of diversion as may be therefore must you take such times for Religious Excercise wherein you may be freest from business Pro. 18.1 Solomon saith Through desire a man having separated himself seeketh and intermedleth with all Wisdom Mans mind is but Finite and cannot be intent on several things at once you must mind Religion in your Earthly business but if you mingle Earthly business with your Religious Dutys you marre all 7. Be short and serious Be not ordinarily long lest you be judged tedious Consider the infirmities of Children and some Family occasions and conveniences Weaklings of the Flock must not be over driven lest they faint or tire in the way Children and Servants have but a measure of affection especially if yet Carnal They will soon be ready to say Mal. 1.13 Amos 8.5 Behold what a weariness is it and when will the Duty be over Yea and perhaps will fall asleep or seek Diversions or take occasion to be absent Not but that 't is their fault but you may give them occasion Yet though you may be short you must be serious run not over Duties cursorily or in post hast as a task and longing for a Period You must be warm and lively Our Lords Prayer was short but pithy and full of affection Mat. 26.39 O my Father if it be possible let this Cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt It is not length of speaking but strength of affection that God looks at Yet a longer Prayer is not unlawful upon some special occasion or upon more than ordinary inlargement of affections But what I now say is in a stated course of Family Duty 's Be short Succinct Distinct Methodical and Pathetical in your Devotions 8. Let not guilt stop your Mouths If you have in the intervals of Duty slipt into any Sin Oh! Be sure to get it off before you wait on God in your Families Retire into a corner confess thy sin bewail it act Faith on the Mediator for Pardon Yea suffer not guilt in thy Family let not wickedness dwell in thy Tabernacles for then thou shalt lift up thy face without spot Job 11.14 15. If thou indulge sin in thy self or in thy Family Conscience will stare in thy face and weaken thy confidence in thy Approaches to God Guilt had shut Davids Lips till it was Pardoned therefore he Prays O Lord open thou my Lips Psal 51.15 An unsuitable Carriage provokes God to withdraw Assistance Then what can you do And as guilt stops your Mouths so it opens the Mouths of others They will be ready to say it 's no matter of your praying except you practised better Your Servants and Children will be ready to despise you and withdraw from you and so breed Confusion in your Family which will hinder Prayer But if your Lives speak for God as well as your Lips you may say as David Psal 119.42 v. 43. So shall I have to answer him that Reproacheth me for I trust in thy Word Then you may hope he will not take the word of Truth out of your Mouth Let there be a sweet Harmony betwixt your Professions Prayers and Practices and then God will hear you Men will own you and your own Consciences will witness for you 9. Familiarize Holy Discourses with your Families and put the Members thereof upon Secret Duties If your Relations never hear a word of God or Religion in intervals of Family Exercise that Duty will be strange to them and they will but judge it as a formal round and your selves will have less Heart to the work If God be not in your thoughts all the day Psal 10.4 Impius hoc loco nomen collectivum est utque enim de una tantum persona loquitur sed indifinite de omnibus Talis est hominum natura quando destituitur gubernatore Deo Moller in hoc you will but coldly Pray at Night nay it 's well if you be not like those wicked Men that through the Pride of their Countenance will not seek after God Why so The Text saith God is not in all his thoughts or as it is in the Margent all his thoughts are there is no God Wicked here is a Collective word for he speaks not only of one person but indefinitely of all saith a good Interpreter for such is the Nature of Man when he is Destitute of God to govern him And if God be not in your thoughts he will not be in your words for out of the
weight c. Mr. Hildersham the Oracle of his time saith Hildersham on Psal 51. Lect. 12. p. 63. See 3. Arg. for forms I dare not deny but a weak Christian may use the help of a good Prayer-Book in this Case better to pray on a Book than not to pray at all certainly it is the Spirit of Errour that hath taught the World otherwise 2. Yet these worthy men affirm truely that every Christian even the meanest and weakest hath the gift and Spirit of Prayer 1 Tim. 4.14 So saith the latter of these Worthys and must not neglect the gift that 's in him Dr. Preston saith there is no man that hath any work of Grace in his heart but he is enabled in some measure to pray without a set Form of prayer there was never any man in any extream want but he knew how to express himself where he had liberty to speak 3. But Yet considering that some Christians though truely Gracious may for a season be very raw and unfit to open their Cases to God methodically or in apt words and considering it's before a Family that a man is to be the Mouth of and considering that unmeet and undigested expressions expose an Ordinance of God to contempt I could advise some Christians before they pray with others to premeditate and duly weigh what they are to say to God and think of a proper method and some Scriptural expressions to produce them in Prayer as I have before directed 4. As I doubt not the lawfulness of a member in a Family joyning with such a Prayer if the matter be sound and Orthodox so I question but such a Master as Conscientiously useth this practice will so increase in gifts and abilities that in due time he will cast away those Crutches and learn to go on profitably in daily Family Exercise to the edification of all that joyn with him So that in the diligent and humble use of these means many nauseous Tautologies and needless Impertinencies will be paired off which offended intelligent ears The Worthy Dr. Preston saith a Child that cannot go may have a prop to help it but we must not always be Children we must not always use that help 8. Case is What if the Housholder or Governour be loose and careless possibly comes home full of Drink yet will Pray though in no fit case for it or he is unsound at heart Prays but coldly formally may I joyn Answ 1. Thy acceptance with God depends not on the state of him that Prays nor on his zeal but upon thy non acting of Faith in Christ it thou be upright in joyning with the words and endeavoured to lift up thy Heart to God the Lord may graciously entertain thee Gal. 6.5 Rom. 14.12 though the person praying may be Rejected For every one shall bear his own burden and give an account of himself to God Not of others that we joyn with 2. Yet if thou beest certainly assured that the party Praying speaks Nonsense or Blasphemy in stead of Praying thou art bound in Conscience to shew thy dislike of it lest God be Dishonoured and Offended with the whole Family the Man hardned in sin thy own Conscience defiled and thy selt in danger of playing the Hypocrite in pretending to joyn with what thy Soul abhors In this case thou must withdraw and get alone and mourn for it 2 Kin. 5.13 1 Sam. 25.37 3. And 't is also thy Duty humbly and modestly to take a fit season to speak to thy Master as Naamans Servants did to him when they saw him out and you know it did good And Abigail told her Husband Nabal of his fault and danger and his heart dyed within him who can tell what good such a word in season may do He may think of it afterwards Jonathans Preaching Davids Case 1 Sam. 19.4 6. with his Passionate Father Saul did good for a while If you come to a Father or Master humbly and submissively not saucily and malapartly you may win upon them and if you can say little yet if you burst out into tears for their sin it may prove as convincing Rhetorick to them as King Edward's weeping was to Bishop Cranmer and Ridley denying his Sister Mary liberty for Mass who said The King had more Divinity in his little finger than they had in their whole body 4. If still there be no Remedy or Reformation tho' thou must not with cursed Cham discover thy Fathers or Masters nakedness if otherwise it may be helpt yet thou may'st or must acquaint a godly Minister or Christian friend ask their advice and if that be judged expedient that they may speak to thy Father or Master with as much secresie as possible and this runs parallel to our Lord's Rule Mat. 18.15 16. Who knows but a conviction may fasten and if he be obstinate he will leave off his praying in a little time for his sinning will make him give over praying or his praying his sinning 9 Case Suppose I be cast into a graceless and prayerless family how must I do or what is my duty A. 1. Examine thy grounds and ends in coming thither consider thy Call if thy Parents fixed thee there as an Apprentice quiet thy self in God's dispose make good use of this Providence if thou came thither voluntarily without due consideration be humbled for sin beg pardon make sure of a friend above 2. Use all lawful means to remove into a more wholesom Air I say to thee as the Apostle to a godly Servant 2 Cor. 7.21 Art thou called being a Servant care not for it but if thou may'st be made free use it rather Methinks God saith to you as once to Israel Numb 16.21 24 26 31. Depart I pray you from the Tents of these wicked men It 's a wonder the ground doth not cleave in sunder or some Judgment comes not down upon such praverless Families 3. Humbly propound some Expedients for Remedy See if any other Member in the Family will undertake that work or whether the Governour will give you leave to pray in the Family and behave your selves so holily and winningly that the good conceit of Superiours or Equals may be a prologue and preparative to that work 4. If all this avail not for Family-worship and necessity detains you there as you love your Souls spend more time take more pains in secret Abi in Cellam dic miserere mei get into your Cell and say Lord have mercy on me as the old Monk said to Luther Jer. 13.17 or as Jeremiah If ye will not hear it my Soul shall weep in secret places for your Pride Pray for your own Soul that you may not perish with others pray for the Family and all the Members thereof Governours and Governed be not discourraged with their scoffs who knows what the Event may prove 10 Case What if I be cast into a praying-family what use shall I make thereof Ans 1. Give
Answ 1. God loseth not his Authority to Command because man hath lost his Capacity to Obey it is his Duty still though he cannot perform it in such a due manner as God requires He is bound to Pray as a Creature though he cannot do it as a Child Better do it as men can than not do it at all Prayer is a natural duty Jonah 3.8 The Ninevites must cry aloud and mightily to God and it was not in vain Act. 8.22 Simon Peter bids Simon Magus Pray though in the Gall of bitterness 2. We must distinguish betwixt a resolved and a returning Sinner We bid not a Thief pray that he may meet with a Booty that 's abominable Psal 66.18 Isa 55.6 7. or men Regarding Iniquity in their hearts But in a complex sense we bid them Turn from their evil ways and so Pray Prayer must be joyned with Repentance as Prayer is Medium Cultus so it is Medium Gratiae as means of carrying the heart to God in Worship so it is a mean to obtain Grace Prayer is the Souls motion God-ward desire is the Soul of Prayer and who dare say to the wicked desire not God Christ Faith By Praying men may learn to Pray right Luk. 11.13 For God gives his Holy Spirit to them that ask him Oject 4. There 's wicked Children or Servants in the Family how dare we joyn with them For whose sake God may justly reject us Answ 1. If the Praying Governour be Godly and pray right he need not fear non-acceptance Christ was heard in his Prayer though Judas was present What think you of poor Ministers Prayers in mixt Congregations Act 27.35 Certainly the presence of unworthy Persons prejudiceth not the entertainment of sincere Worshipers 2. Prayer is Gods institution to make bad good some have been much wrought upon by the Prayers of others God heard Stephen for Paul in time if it advantaged not at present Mr. Weems said of Mr Bruce he knockt down the Holy Ghost upon us all Deny them not this means of Conversion Object 5. This setting up a Family-Altar for so constant Prayer savours of Forms and will fill the Country with Formalists and Hypocrites Answ 1. Forms are not simply condemned but Forms only wanting the power of Godliness 2 Tim. 3 5. Our business is not to make Hypocrites but Converts By Form is meant a Mask Vizor or Appearance opposed to Substance and Reality But we persuade and direct to sincerity as to Priciple Manner and End of Religious Exercises 2. But a Form of Goliness is better than none at all Men cannot have the Power of Godliness without the Form no more than you can have the Kernell without the Shell He that Prays doth something towards Duty but he that refuseth to Worship God at all bids open defiance to God's Commanding Authority and saith I scorn to bow so much as a Knee to God in Prayer This is a presumptuous Sin Psal 10.4 The wicked through the pride of his heart will not seek after God Let him answer it as he dare The Text saith 1 Tim. 4 8. Bodily Exercise profiteth little 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a little 1 King 21.27 i. e. for a little time or for a little i. e. in some outward respects as in Ahabs fasting though it reach not so far as the Eternal Salvation of the immortal Soul However this is better than a total neglect Object 6. But such kind of Praying Morning and Evening is a stinting the Spirit a limiting God to mans time when the Spirit moves not to it Answ 1. Christ and his Apostles had set times for Prayer Jesus oft times resorted into the Garden Judas knew his stated hour and place John 18.2 And the Apostles had an hour of Prayer Acts 3.1 Was this stinting the Spirit Indeed this Objection is levelled against Preaching Singing Supper and all stated Ordinances how do men know that the Spirit will move at such a season 2. It 's one thing to stint another to lie in the walk of the Spirit Men are bound to wait at the posts of Wisdoms Doors and are blessed Prov. 8.34 and in the road of further blessing for the wind of the Spirit bloweth where and when it listeth Joh. 3.8 And no body will say he limits the wind that waits in the Heaven for a fair gale to wast him over Besides Isa 64.7 God expects that men should stir up themselves to take hold on God Self-excitation is God's appointment to get the heart into frame How often doth David begin low and end high 2 Tim. 1.6 We must stir up the gift of God in our hearts A Dead Dull Senseless Heart is no supersedeas from Duty Omission upon indisposition doth but harden the heart and indispose for Duty and gratifie Satan yea and displease God Object 7. This Family-Prayer is but a singular invention of brain-sick novellists not used of old and is more adoe than needs Answ 1. In Scripture-times it was used and in the purest Primitive-timess Basil saith Mane orto die in precationes properare that Christians made haste to Prayers by day-brake in the Morning Chrysostom saith we go not a mensa ad lectum from Table to bed but to Prayers lest we be more bruitish than bruits It were easie to produce instances from Cyprian Augustin c. of Primitive Christians frequency in Prayers You will say butt these were Church prayers Answer Churches were mostly then in Houses yet some instances prove also daily Family-Prayers And Godly Persons in all Ages have used it 2. Can men be too Devout Doth not our Lord say Luk. 18 4◠Mat. 6.33 Mat. 22.37 one thing is needful Seek first the Kingdom of God Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart Mind Strength Can you do too much for God Can you be too oft with God Eccl. 7.16 Alas you cannot be over-much righteous in the internals of Religion no nor in the externals as long as you keep to commanded duties and one duty cross not another Nay when we have done all that 's commanded Luk. 17.10 yet still we are unprofitable Servants we have but done our duty Joh. 12.3.4 It was Judas that said Wherefore is this wasted Godly Souls still complain of defects Whom did you hear complain on their death-bed that they had served God too much or been too religious Object 8. They are no better than others that pray in their families they can lye cheat be covetous proud passionate censorious hard-hearted Ans 1. Take heed what you say act not the Devil's part to be false-accusers taking up a false report or without proof It 's well known that now a-days if persons be strict and serious in Religious duties many pick quarrels with them take advantage against them aggravate their faults these mens Motes are Beams Act. 28.22 yea Mountains this Sect is every where spoken against there needs no further
to Erect an Altar or offer Sacrifice A poor Carnal Master of a Family that knows not how to frame for Gods Worship alas poor ignorant sott He is not capable of speaking a Word from God to his Family or of speaking a word to God for them You go to bed and rise Psal 127.2 one time after another Prayerless you can keep them up late and call them up early to their work but never say come to Prayers not a word of God all the day long not a Chapter read not a Psalm Sung not a Prayer put up in the Family from day to day nay it 's well if there be any solemn praying for a blessing at Meats or giving God thanks for meat but Schollars grace as they say every one for himself so they sit down and rise up like beasts at best they fall to saying God bless my Meat Amen and so put off God with a compliment Ah graceless Master ah graceless Family i. e. as a Family wo be to thee 1. How durst you Marry set up Houses or take the charge of of a Family upon you that are no better furnished for it Do you not shame with your selves that you cannot say a word to God for them No not if thy Wife Child or Servant lie a dying and their Souls ready to be damned thou hast not a word to speak for their recovery or Salvation O wretched miscreant 2. Do you not condemn your selves that can teach your Children and Servants a trade to get a livelyhood by and live hansomly in this World and not one word for another World You command them to work never to Worship God You quarrel with them for offending you never for offending God You expect they ask you for what they need but you will not ask any thing of God either for them or your selves 3. Are you not worse than Idolatrous Micah Judg. 17.5 He had an house of God's and made an Ephod and Teraphim and consecrated one of his Sons who became his Priest Much what like some ignorant Parents that will set a Lad to say a Primmer-grace better so than none at all But Micah was not content with that but got an Hedge-hog Priest a wandring Levite to say Divine Service in his family and now he 's a jolly fellow and thus boasts v. 13. Now know I that the Lord will do me good seeing I have a Levite to my Priest This poor Idolater will rise in Judgment against thee 4. How will you answer your charge do not your Children and Servants cry out Oh pity us pray for us cruel Parents you brought us sinful creatures in a sinful World help us out of this woful state But alas you have not a word to say for them with them you regard their precious Souls no more than an Oxe or Horse their blood will be required at your hands How will they curse you in Hell Oh wo is me had I lived in a praying-family I might have been converted and saved I never heard a word of God except blaspheming his Name How will this grind your Ears and grieve your Hearts another day 2. Other families are without an Altar have not so much as a form of godliness not so much as a shew of Religion Oh! that it should be said of many houses of England as of Israel 2 Chron. 15.3 Now for a long season Israel had been without the true God without a teaching Priest and without Law As God threatens in Hos 3.4 That the wretched Jews shall be without any Religion true or false as it hath been since their murdering Christ to this day 1. How do these wretches resemble the Beasts that own God no more than a Dog or Swine Isa 1.13 Jer. 8.7 8. and it is better to be a Beast than to be compared to a Beast Yea God calls in dullest creatures to condemn an irreligious People 2. How can you expect a blessing upon your mercies they are unhallowed things as to you nay they are accursed to you and if God give commission will rise up in Rebellion against you Lev. 27.14 Thou hast not sanctified thy House so it 's not estimated as to thee 3. You hinder God's Interest in the World and do what you can to propagate Irreligion to future Generations how will they plead the practice of Ancestors My Father never prayed in family nor will I Omission is a Trade soon learned hardly rooted out 1 King 14.16 Here Jeroboam made Israel sin many Generations after Oh you little know how far your sin may spread 4. Do you not often read your sin in the punishment of it When you are Atheists in not worshipping God your Children are Atheists in denying God You are defective in duty they abound in iniquity You pray not for them God rejects them and leaves them to notorious Villainies to be punished by the Judges or God strikes them with some astonishing Judgment as he did Eli's Sons This will make thy heart ake and call thy sins to remembrance 3. Some families possibly have a Priest an Altar but want a Sacrifice As Isaac said to his Father Abraham Gen. 22.7 Behold the fire and the wood but where is the Lamb for a burnt-offering So say I here is materials the outward form but where is the marrow and mystery of true godliness Dost thou give up thy Soul and Body as a Living Sacrifice to God Rom. 12.1 Psal 51.17 Dost thou bring a broken and contrite heart for sin Dost thou practically obey Divine Heb. 13.16 Commands and do all the good thou canst in thy Place dost thou especially take Jesus Christ in the Arms of thy Faith Heb. 13.10 Eph. 1.6 and expect acceptance only in the Beloved Dost thou only Compliment with God Wo be to thee 1. If there be not a Principle of Grace within thou art but a lifeless Machine like a Parrot that speaks articulatly without Sense and feeling Psal 17.1 David's Prayer went not out of feigned Lips 2 Sam. 7.27 why so he had found in his heart to Pray his Prayer mind it thou must find thy Prayer in thy heart before thou utter it with thy lips and then thou must Pray a Prayer and not only say a Prayer as most do Some will down on their knees and patter over a few words in a heartless manner when their minds are roving to a thousand trifles and this is their devotion they brag of and God must be pleased with whereas it is a poor Heartless Lifeless Spiritless form without power 2 Tim. 3 5. Isai 29.13 Gal. 6.7 which God rejects This Lip-labour is but Lost-labour for it is a mocking of God and he will not be mocked 2. If you sleepily slug gishly unseasonably perform your Family duties Some spend all the day and the evening in work or worldly business it maybe in idle chat and vain discourse and just when they are for going to bed rush up and fall
on their knees and patter over a few words betwixt sleeping and waking And most of the Family fitter for their beds than for Devotion Alas Sirs doth not God clap a Curse upon such as do the work of the Lord negligently Jer. 48.10 and doth not God say Mal. 1.14 Cursed be the deceiver that hath in his stock a Male and voweth and Sacrificeth to the Lord a Corrupt thing Ah! Soul hadst thou not a Male a better fiter hour in thy Power than that sleepy hour at bed-time must God be put off with the Worlds leavings doth not he that gives thee all thy time deserve the best doth not God bid thee seek first his Kingdom and shall this be last must the very Flower and Cream of thy time be spent in Vanity and God be thus served O! be ashamed and blush at thy disingenuous dealing with the Almighty 3. If you come to own God in Family excercises by Fits and Starts in a good mood or when some affliction lyes on You or Your Family Oh how slavish are you but Alas there are some that are never gracious but in Pangs never Serious but when severely handled like a Dog under the Cudgel Hos 7. and then it is but howling not Child like Crying Hos 5.15 Isa 26.16 in their affliction they will seek God early and earnestly they pour out a Prayer when his chastning is upon them and never else Poor Souls should you not come to the Throne of Grace Heb. 4.16 to find Grace to help in time of need And when is the day wher 's the place and what 's the state wherein you have not need of God are you not daily Sinning and need Pardon as well as Daily-bread may you not dye this Day this Night are not Morning and Evening due times to seek God Some will not Pray in their Families but a little on Lords-days Nights when they have nothing else to do as though all time were not Gods week-day as well as Lords-day surely God is to be owned daily I will said David Psal 61.8.86.3 daily perform my vows and I cry unto thee daily and why should you be as the Morning Cloud and early Dâ—w Hos 6.4 when God is daily teaching you with his benefits and therefore must be daily praised not Lords-day but week-day and every day in the week Psal 68.19.72.15 what if God forget or forsake you any day what would become of you 4. If you miss it in the End of your Family-dutys you will be rejected and alas thousands propound wrong Ends to themselves in this as in other excercises of Religion some keep up Family-duty because it was the custom of their Ancestours and it would be a kind of disparagement to degenerate Some to gratify a Religious Wise or Pious Servant some to make a shew and ostentation of their gifts others to stop the mouth of a clamorous Conscience Some for a Worldly gain Mal. 6. Mal. 23.14 others as the Pharisees to be seen of Men nay it 's well if some Pray not for a Cloak of their Villainy that devour Widows Houses and for a pretence make long Prayers long Prayers are not simply condemned in themselves for it 's a sign of rare Piety Nam quo quisque Sanctior est precandi studio magis est deditus the more Holy men are the more Prayerful But Oh! damnable Hypocrisy to make so Holy an Ordinance truckle to so vile a lust it 's well if that wickedness be dead and buried with the Pharisees of whom Calvin saith Quia illis precanda assiduitas turpis lucri fit ancupium neq exim aliter preces vendebant quam Mercenarii diurnas operas locant Calv. in loc quod res per sâ— laudabilis in pravum finem conversa est nam ubi ex conductitiis precibus captatur quaestus quo magis crescit fervida ut loquuntur devotionis species to magiâ— profanatur Dei nomen Id. ibid. their assiduous Praying was a kind of stalking-horse or occasion to their filthy lucre neither did they sell their Prayers otherwise than Mercenary men order their day-labours For saith that Prince of Interpreters Where gain is gotten by such designing Prayers the more fervent that kind of Devotion increaseth the more is the name of God Prophaned thus he I beseech you therefore tremble to think of prostituting so Glorious a work to so Ignominious an End for the End makes or marâ—s an Action 4. As some Families are without Priest-Altar Sacrifice of the right kind so there are some that have something of all these yet have another Altar and Sacrifice inconsistent with these that Swear by the Lord and that Swear by Malcham Zeph. 1.5 that set up the Devils Altar by the Lords as the Samaritans of old it 's said in one verse they feared the Lord in the next verse they feared not the Lord why so the answer is put betwixt them they feared the Lord and served their own Gods 2 Kings 17.32 33 34. i. e. They did materially do the same things in Worship that Israel did for fear of being hurt by the Lions ver 25 but they had Gods of their own ver 29. and God could not endure this Mongrel-Religion and interprets it to be no true Fear or due Worship of God for God will not be partner with Idols he only must be served or not at all Ezek. 43.8 Our Lord takes it ill when men set their thresholds by his thresholds there post by his Posts thus they defile his Holy Name by their abominations these are a grievous nauseance to the Holy and jealous God Psal 94.20 shall the Throne of Iniquity have fellowship with thee can men serve God and Mammon must Bacchus Venus Vulcan be set up cheek by joul with the Living and True God wickedness practised in the Governours tolerated in Inferiours Swearing Cursing Lying Cheating Drunkeness Uncleaness mocking at Strictness of Religion observe it ther 's no true Worship where there is not strict Disciplin how sad is it to see some men devout in Worship profligate in Practice one thing on their knees another on their feet Pray like Angels practise like Devils confess Sin one hour commit it the next plead for Pardon to obtain a Dispensation Alas that any now a days should resemble Israel of old that would Steal Murder commit adultery steal falsly and come stand before god in his house Jer. 79.10.11 or worship say we are delivered to do all these abominations or like the impudent whore pro. 7.14 I have peace-Offerings with me this day have I paid my vows so some men think they may do as they list and cast the reins in the Neck to run to all licentiousness why so have they no Religion yes they have said their Prayers and are in good Reputation for Religion and since they have been so Serious now they hope God will not take notice of their infirmities but
over-look them as the man Mr Shepheard tells of that frequented Taverns Ale houses and Whore-houses all day yet would not go out without Prayer in the Morning Oh horrible Impiety this is grosse Atheism for 1. It is a making God the Patron of their Impiety as if the Holy God approved and incouraged these Vices so they bribe him with a few Formal-duties But what saith God to such vile Atheists that hate instruction and cast his words behind them and then allow themselves in all villainies these things hast thou done Psal 50.17.21 and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thy self but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine Eyes a time is coming that God will vindicate his Justice and Omniscience against these audacious Sinners that did misconstrue and abuse his long suffering as if by his connivance he had justified or allowed their courses 2. This greatly dishonours God Dicebantus Christiani ad Contumeliam Christi Sal. and takes his name in Vain as long as you say one thing and do quite contrary you discredit your profession whilst you will be called Jews or Christians make your boast of God know his Will and practise it otherwise through breaking the Law you dishonour God Rom. 2.17.24 for the name of God is Blasphemed among the Gentiles through You You harden wicked men against God's ways and make them conclude that either God is as bad as you or approves of you or is Ignorant of your doings else he would be avenged on you Exod. 20. he will not hold you guiltless that take his name in vain Psal 66.18 3. How can you expect acceptance that thus regard Iniquity in your hearts You bring your Sacrifice with a wicked heart therefore it is abomination to the Lord Pro. 21.87 when you spread your hands See Isai 1.11 19. saith God Yea when you make many Prayers I will not hear Your hands are full of Blood God will disown your Persons and performances Mal. 2.3 and even spread the dung of your Solemn Feasts upon your Faces methinks when you read that astonishing Text in Psal 50.16 your Consciences should fly in your faces as it did in Origen's But unto the wicked God saith what hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy Mouth O tremble at such a sharp rebuke 4. You tempt your Children and Servants to be Atheists while you act so contrary to your Prayers Professions just as scandalous Ministers that speak Well and live Ill people are ready to say if this man believed himself what he imposeth on us he would act at another rate will he direct us this way to Heaven and go clean contrary surely he thinks it 's but a fancy else he would embrace it himself Oh! what have both to answer for you lead them to Hell by your Example offend them hinder them in Heavens way Mat. 23.15 and make them many fold more the Children of Wrath than they were And by this means you gratifie Satan he will give you leave to say well and Pray well so that you be still in his Fetters by Wicked works this mightily strengthens his interest yea by this means you fortifie your selves against Convictions and go Hood-wink'd to Hell for you will not believe but that your state is safe as long you can Pray so well and are so Religious in your Families and alas though you bolster up your selves with an imagination of your interest in Christ yet abundance of Scriptures tell you you have nothing to do with him without holyness in heart life Tit. 2.14 for he gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all Iniquity and Purifie to himself a peculiar People Zealous of good Works And be it known to you that it 's not saying a few Prayers according to which you must be Judged another day 2 Cor. 5.10 but according to what you have done whether it be good or bad Nay these very Family Prayers without a principle of Grace and Holy Life will aggravate your Sin and Condemnation your Hypocrisy will sink you deeper in Hell and your long Prayers will make you receive greater damnation for the Furnace of Hypocrites is seven times hotter than others Mat. 23.14 Mat. 24.51 and Conscience will torment you the more nor is it a sprinkling a little Holy-water in your houses that will remove the Curse of God that lyes on your Families contracted by your wickedness Covetousness and unjust gain for brevity I referr you to Hab. 2.9.10 11 Zech. 5.3 Pro. 15.25 27. I say not all this to discourage any from Family-Prayer but to deter from Sin and regulate Prayer and that such specious Hypocrites and formalists may be alarmed to Repentance reformation A word more to such inferiours as live in praying Families young persons look to your state it 's not living amongst godly persons that will make you godly nor yet complying with Praying gestures that will denomintae you Saints or Gospel-Worshipers you may do as your Governours would have you for Carnal ends 2 Chro. 24.2 as young Joash did right in the sight of the lord all the days of Jehojadah but his heart was not right he prov'd naught so may You if you be unprincipled you will either gaze about you or think of other things or fall asleep which is the common practice of Young Persons when their Parents or Masters are at Prayer I shall but relate a passage of that Pregnant Young man Mr Janeway Mr. Clarkes last vol. of lives fol. 66. to his Brother sleeping at Family-Prayer Oh saith he what an high contempt is this of the great God! how little sense of your own danger what dreadful Hypocrisie what a miracle of Patience you were not wakned in Hell-flames This reproof softened his Brothers heart and wrought savingly on him as was hoped the Child being about 11 years of Age Oh! that it might have this effect on guilty Souls Alâ—â— Sirs are not you concerned in the Prayers of the Family while you sleep Satan watcheth and rocks the Cradle and be it known to you your judgment sleeps not 2 Pet. 2.3 your damnation slumbereth not for ought you know you may wake in Hell what meanest thou O Sleeper arise call upon thy God Jonah 1.6 if so be that God will think upon thee that thou Perish not But besides there are graceless Souls in Praying Families alas how many walk unsuitably will Swear Lye be Wanton Unclean tippling Drunken persons that commit lewdness when they are out of their Fathers or Masters sight and think if they can but hide their pranks from the Eye of their Superiours all 's right Ah poor Atheist doth not God see thee Psal 94.89 10 11. Vnderstand you bruitish among the People ye Fools when will ye be Wise he that planted the Ear shall he not hear he that
formed the Eye shall he not See Be sure your sin will find you out And do not others see you will not they cry shame on you and reflect upon the Families where you were bred or have lived Oh what a reproach and disparagement do you cast on the Instruments of your Education what grief are you to the Godly that shake the head and cover their faces to behold you where 's your imitation of Godly patterns is this the fruit of their pains the answer of their Prayers were you thus taught Wo be to you that must be snatch't out of Godly-Families and cast among Devils you had better never have been born or born among Turks or Pagans your condemnation will be aggravated your own Consciences will fly in your faces Oh how many good instructions have I slighted how many convictions have I striffled What great Motionss have I resisted good examples contradicted Prov. 5.11 12 13 14. I have not Obeyed the voice of my Teachers nor inclined mine Ears to them that instructed me and now I must mourn without hope and dye without instruction or any to pray for me Chap. VI. Motives to persuade Governours of Families to set up Altars to God for his Solemn Worship AND now Friends what remains but a due Compliance to this call Oh that Sacred Altars weâ—e set up for Gods Solemn Worship in all the Families through the Kingdom were God duely Worshiped in all Houses how happy a Nation should we be we might hope that God would tarry with us and Bless us if men would Pray as Christians and live as Christians things would be better with us than they are let none mistake us together with the Worship of God we must discover the necessity of a saving Principle in the heart and suitable practice in the life men must first be good then they will do good and they must be first united to Christ or neither will follow for he saith Joh. 15.5 without me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being divided from me you can do nothing you can do nothing Spiritually nothing acceptably Oh Sirs do not think to put off God with a few Dutys or formal performances without Sense and Savour God saith See this fully explained by Mr. Burroughs on Hos 6.6 pag. 600.618 I desired Mercy and not Sacrifice i. e. not only Sacrifice and the Knowledg of God more than Burnt-Offerings the word Mercy is a Synechdoche comprehending all the dutys of the second Table under one by Sacrifice is meant Synechdochically all instituted Ordinances and Worship all the affirmative precepts of the second and fourth Commandments but yet Prayer to God is of such absolute necessity and founded in Nature if it be granted that there is a God that the Heathen could prefer it to Sacrifices saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 offer Prayers to the Gods not Oxen but though Prayer it self be a natural duty yet the Circumstances of time and place may be various as occasion is offered hence Divines say Negative Precepts bind semper et ad semper always and to all times affirmative bind indeed semper always but not ad semper to all times therefore Pray continually if it be done in season God looks upon it as always or continually done but if another duty of great importance be to be done at that instant God dispenseth with the former and it ceaseth to be a duty then yet the duty continues and must not be totally superseded only God will have Sacrifice See 10 instance ib. p. 603. but not without the Spirit for instituted Worship without natural Worship is not regarded Joh. 4.24 he will be Worshiped in Spirit and in truth nor will God accept these Prayers and Sacrifices as an Attonment for Sin or a dispensation to continue in Sin if you leave out Christ in the former and make use of Christ in the latter your Prayers are abominable Having premised this I shall subjoyn a few Motives to pesuade You to Family-Prayer besides the Reasons to prove it a duty which I desire you to review and learn to practise this lesson as you would obey a Divine Command Answer old Testament Types not act against nature it self accomplish promises and Prophecies imitate Godly Examples Answer divine Providence distinguish yours from Profane Families approve your selves and Families to be little Churches as you will give account of the charge committed to your trust obtain a supply of your Family-necessitys and a blessing upon your selves and yours and avoid God's curse and wrath upon your Families fall close to this duty I have answered many objections And now I Beseech you in the Bowels of Christ to set up Altars and offer your selves and Families wholly and intirely to the Lord as a whole Burnt-offering for Gods-sake who made you for himself daily preserves you and can plentifully reward your Obedience and revenge your Disobedience 2. I Beseech you for Christs sake who laid down his Life for you Tit. 2.14 that he might purchase you to himself a peculiar People zealous of Good works 3. For the Holy Ghosts sake which is moving you to duty suggesting good things into your minds will help your infirmities Oh do not quench it grieve it 4. For the Churches sake for Zions sake hold not your peace Isa 62.1 but help the travelling Church in her Pangs till she be delivered 5. For the Nations sake that is almost drowned in Atheism and Sensuality and daily subject to Gods displeasure and fury 6. For your poor children and servants sake who need your Prayers for their Conversion Pardon and Reconciliation with God 7. For your own Souls sake that are oft under guilt imperfect in Grace and have much work and burden upon your hands and a great account to make Surely if you have any sense upon your hearts of any of these things you will instantly constantly and affectionatly call upon God in your Families Again let me urge you with the benefits of this work of Family-Prayer 1. This Altar-Devotion will be the best Ornament to your houses no Pictures stately Rooms or houshold good will be such neat and Splendid furniture as this Worship of God the bravest hangings and most Glorious Paintings are but Sordid and Nauseous Excrements to this it is this that renders a beggers Cottage far more honourable than a Princes Pallace without it Righteousness exalteth a Nation and family but Sin is a reproach to any People or Person this is far before full bags Magnificent tables and entertainment a large train of attendants for God is there as the poor Hermit-like Philosopher said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here dwell the Gods Pro. 14.34 So the high and lofty one dwells with the contrite and humble Spirit Isai 57.15 in the most homely habitation What a comely sight is it to behold all the members of a family Prostrate on their knees every Morning and Evening to hear Melodious Praises to God unanimously Sung 't
is an Emblem of Heaven it is recorded of the Prince of Anhalts House that it was Templum Academia Curia a Church an Academy and Court where himself was as Priest Tutour Judg and Soveraign Lord Oh happy such a family I may say of such a Governour as the Queen of Sheba of Solomon happy are thy men happy are these thy Servants which stand continually before thee 1 Kin. 10.8 This this only is the Glory of a Family 2. This is not only the Ornament but muniment and defence of a Family Psal 91.1 he that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty Communion with God usually is attended with protection from God if any be safe it is the Godly that shall be safe Lot's Family must be delivered from Sodoms flames the Lord shall create upon every dwelling-place of Mount-Zion Isai 4.5 as well as upon her Assemblies a Cloud and Smoak by day that the Enemy shall not find them and the shining of a Flaming Fire by night that they may see the their way Zech. 2.5 yea it shall be a Wall of Fire round about them for upon all the Glory shall be a defence yea God himself will be the Glory in the midst of them none know the advantages of Praying families but experienced and Observant Christians 3. This is the way and means to bring Spiritual and Eternal Salvation to your Houses surely that was a great word that our Dear Lord spoke to Zacheus Luk. 19 9 this day is Salvation come to this House that little man used great care and made an hard shift to behold Jesus and meat with a blessed unexpected guest that brought him the greatest Blessing himself and Salvation with Him Our Lord never comes alone but brings Happiness with him the conversion of one man as it was a pledg of his Adoption so it made even domum illam salut is haeredem the whole Family an heir of Heavenly Glory Nam quia deus dum patrem familias adoptat toti etiam ejus domni se in deum fore promit tit jure salus a capite extenditur ad totum corpus Calv. in loc Act. 10. 2 11 14. for as Calvin observed when God adopts the Governour of a Family he promiseth to be a God to the whole house and by right Salvation is extended from the head to the whole body So Lydia was baptized and her houshold and the Jaylour Act. 16 15 33 34. and oh what joy was produced when himself and his house believed yea Cornelius owning God in Family-worship brought to him and his words whereby the Master and all his house should be saved not of Merit but in a Covenant-way and in answer of Prayer Oh Sirs would you not have your Children and Servants saved this is Gods appointed way to bring it about call in Divine aid and grace to do that for yours which you cannot 4. Family-Worship will make up a defect in or want of publick Ordinances Providence may cast your lot in places where the streams of the Sanctuary run low or muddy in this case house-wells may do you much Service when publick persecution breaks up Church-assemblys house-worship will maintain Religion in the World and that private Fire will break out into an open Flame what had become of Religion had it not lodged in private houses this hath been Gods usual reserve to maintain the power of Godliness Church-History â—ells us that the open profession of the Gospel hath run at a low Ebbe and this hath helped it to a Glorious Resurrection Ministers were Banished Assemblies scaterred Churches demolished and scarce any appearance of publick Meetings yet then the fire glowed hot in private hearths and in God's due time a door was opened for Solemn Assemblies how much are we beholding to God for House-Altars and such a day may overtake us again And suppose you have free liberty of Publick and Powerfull Ordinances how can you expect a blessing upon them without seeking God for it in your Families What good will Preaching do without your private instructions admonitions councels prayers this will inculcate truths and may lay a foundation for after-godliness and as Family-Worship is most indisputable so least unaproachable by the enemy because oft indiscerneabl however you may most warrantably suffer for it if that be God's will as you heard Daniel ventured himself for it to the hungry Lions My Beloved Friends what shall I say what Arguments shall I use to perswade you to this duty of Family-Worship I doubt your Religion is to seek if you be so loath to set up this Family-Altar which may consecrate all your Civil and Natural acts and Offices I will but Pose you with these few Interrogatorys 1. Suppose a Grave and Pious Minister or Christian friend lodge with you would you not for shame reach him a Bible and desire him to go to Prayer with you lest he should suspect you to be Prayerless at other times and will not Gods authority and presence have the like influence and awe upon your Spirits 2. Suppose your Friends and Relations should quite disown and disclaim you unless you would Pray in your Family would you not make an hard shift to do something that way rather than be accounted unworthy of Humane Society and shall that prevail more than God's disclaiming you or disowning converse with you 3. If your Landlord should turn you out of your House or your Father shoud Disinherit you if you set not up this Family-altar could you be content to suffer both rather than do it and shall a threatning of your Father in Heaven or Great Land-lord to reject or eject you out of Heaven avail nothing 4. If a Law were imposed upon you to pay five Shillings a time that you neglect Prayer in your Family would you forfeit that summe toties quoties as oft as you go Prayerless to Bed and would you not fear that would begger you and shall not greater losses and heavier penalties deter you from this Omission 5. If the King or a Nobleman should promise you five Pound a time that you call your Family together read a Chapter Sing a Psalm Kneel down and Pray to God would you not strain hard to procure that Money and will not a greater profit from the Almighty God prevail with you to perform this excercise to obtain a reward 6. Suppose a Brand were set upon your Foreheads like Cains Tan or a dreadfull Trembling should seize upon your bodies for such a Neglect or you should pass under such a Stigmatizing character as that in Deut. 25.9 10. The house of him that hath his Shooe loosed So if this name be given you this is a Graceless Prayerless man would not this shame you out of this wretched Omission 7. Suppose the next time you go Prayerless to Bed your loveliest Child and Darling should be snatch't away by a sudden stroak of Death as it was in
Friend they say Bores whett their Tusks one against another and the younger Oxe learns to Plow of the elder wicked men do exasperate one another So must Heb. 10.24 so will God's Children consider one another to provoke unto Love and to good works 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it 's a word borrowed from Physicians who describe a violent Feaver by this word which imports that at some times the Fit is so strong as to make the Body to tremble the Bed to shake under the Patient The same word used of the Contention or Paroxism betwixt Paul and Barnabas Only this is of Love Acts. 15.39 that was of Anger striving which should exceed in Zeal for God from the sense of Christ's Love to them outstripping one another in heavenly motions However if you frequently converse in the Societies of praying Christians you will be acquainted with their expressions which you may make use of so you have experience thereof and your hearts be joyned therewith and suited thereto and their phrases becoming yours you will be more fit for Family duty 5. Converse with God alone first Pray in your Closets and then you 'll be more inabled to Pray in your Families both as to Matter and Manner a frequent exercise of Closet-prayer will move you to conversing with God there you will find that God will suggest Words into your minds which you may produce in your Families with your Mouths and this course will imbolden you before others and possibly this is one part of Gods rewarding Closet-prayer openly which our Lord promiseth Mat. 6.6 Job 22. 21 26 27. Thus saith Eliphas to Job acquaint now thy self with him i e with God and as one of the blessed Fruits of Familiarity thou shalt lift up thy Face unto God i. e. thou shalt openly own him before others without Sinful modesty or blushing 2 Cor. 3.18 as a Man dare boldly approach his intimate Friend whoever be present â—he adds also thou shalt make thy Prayer unto him and he shall hear thee Oh the blessed Fruits of a Souls acquaintance with God in a Corner such will not be ashamed of him before others such shall resemble God this Intimacy Transforms men into his likeness as long intimate acquaintance hath altered the Habit of some mens bodies and disposition of their Minds into that of their friends Moses conversing with God in the Mount made his Face shine Exo. 34.30 so that some Rays of Divine Glory appeared to Aaron and the Israelites the more you are with God the more you have of God and this of Praying with boldness confidence and assurance is both a Duty and Priviledge obtained by frequent conversing with God as our friend But the manner of the expression is worth nothing thou shalt make thy Prayer to him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Midâ—p icavit 〈◊〉 verâ—◠〈◊〉 fudit â—â—â—atioâ— the Words are Emphatical and signifie a pouring out of Prayer with Multitude of Words in Prayer strong Words clothed with Power you will never want Matter or Words or inlargedness if you be thus acquainted with God your Family will soon take notice that you have been with Jesus in a corner when they discern such freedom of Speech and Spirit yea no body can hinder you from Praying with your Family one Act of Religion draws on another secret Duties prepare for more publick and 't is true what Dr. Preston observes that helps to Religion are within the compass of Religion multiplyed Acts strengthen habits by running men learn to run by writing they learn to write so by Praying you will best learn to Pray 6. Study the Nature of Sin see what a Scriptural discovery you can make of the Sin of Nature and Nature of Sin the kinds degrees circumstances aggravations of Sin together with the doleful effects and consequences of it in this and another World this will help you in Confession self-accusation and deep Humiliation which is a considerable part of Prayer This Self-knowledge helps both in the Matter and manner of Praying 2. Chron. 6.29 What Prayer or supplication shall be made of any Man or of all thy People of Israel when every one shall know his own Sore Psal 38.9 and his own Grief Sorrow makes eloquent you need not prompt a necessitous Beggar he hath Words at will and shews his Sores which is powerful Oratory if Sin were your burden it would squeeze out Sighs and Groans and a Groan is a good Prayer Lord my desire is before thee and my Groaning is not hid from thee and if there be inward Sighs there will be outward Speeches if you be full of Griefs you will be full of complaints Job 32.18 1.0 29 if you be full of Matter it will make you burst like new bottles and you will speak that you may be refreshed consult the Book of Conscience and you will find it easy to draw up a large bill of Indictment against your own Souls 7 Study your wants need makes beggers and adds Spurs to Prayers learn of poor Beggers at the Door Malefactors at the Barr consider your own Indigency the case of your Families Congregations the Nation is there no unconverted Sinner in your Family is there no Sin breaking out amongst you is there no Grace weak or wanting in your self or yours Is there no Temptation assaulting any of you or no affliction or Judgment incumbent on you or impendent over you look and look again as you use to make an inspection into your Stock when you go to the Market to make provision follow the Lord importunately for a crum of Mercy Mat. 15.27 Duk. 18.3 verse 13. as the poor Woman in the Gospel or as the importunate Widow or if you can say no more say as the Publican God be merciful to me a Sinner the Lord be merciful to my poor Sinning Family who knows what prevalency may be in such a Word uttered from an humble sense of Soul-wants you know that Man went to his House justified rather than the vaunting vainglorious Pharisee 8. Make a Catalogue of your mercies recollect the kindness of God Personal Domestical both in Temporals and Spirituals it 's true Psal 40.5 they are so many that they cannot be declared in order they are more than can be numbred Verse 12. but let that not discourage you in your attempt no more than reckoning up your Sins which are also innumerable but do what you can in both if you cannot do what you would or ought the more you endeavour the more will be suggested to your Memory and so the more will be matter of praise and thankfulness for renewed Mercy every day and as you find any signal Mercies set up an Eben-ezer and say hitherto hath the Lord helped us 1 Sam. 7.12 you will experience multiplied occasions of such Memorials speak good of God in conferrence Psal 34.3 and call in the help of others to magnifie the Lord with you and perhaps the members
abundance of the Heart the Mouth speaketh And who will believe you are in earnest when your Lips are sealed up in Silence tell your Wife Children Servants at due seasons of the preciousness of Souls the necessity of grace excellency of Christ the Concernment of Eternity the near approach of Death the great account of Judgment and the importance of Watching Praying And put them upon going alone by themselves and praying as well as they can And as such Discourse will familiarize these Solemn Truth and Duties to them so it will make them willing to joyn with you in Family Worship If you will not own God before your Relations sure you will not own him before Enemies Gordius the Martyr being perswaded to keep his Heart to himself Oh! no saith he it is fit that this Mouth of mine which was made by God and for God should speak of God and for God Oh! Friends will you take your leave of God in the Morning or Evening Sacrifice and never own him till the return of that Family Service God forbid Are not the Souls of yours committed to you Must you not give an account of them And is not faithful speaking to them for God one way of discharging trust 2 Cor. 9.13 profess your Subjection to the Gospel and your example may prevail on all about you for God is much glorified thereby 10. Observe answers of Prayers and gather up Experiences As this will furnish you with matter of Prayer so it will help you in the due manner of managing it How did the Lord assist my Heart in such a Duty What quickenings What meltings What Communion with God What further degrees or strength of grace got I in such a performance What power against such a Corruption What strength against Temptation What further Ability or Incouragement in and for Gods Service Or make your remarks upon your Family what person is informed reformed conformed to the ways of God What Convictions or Impressions have I observed on the Spirit of such a Child or Servant What Miscarriages to be reproved or bewailed What evils have been prevented or removed How the Lord hath blessed or prospered your undertakings That God may have the glory your selves may have the use or profit of what you have met with in your Families David saith Ps 8 8. Ps 5.3 I will bear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak peace unto his People and to his Saints In the Morning I will direct my Prayer unto thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dispâ—â—iom â—ibi◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est spiculâ—â—or instâ—r speculatoris observaturus â—â— venias mihi auxilio and will look up the words are very Emphatical First his great care and exactness so to Order Direct and Compose both his Person and Prayers in such a manner as to be well pleasing to God Then will I stand as a Watchman upon my Watch-Tower to consider what answer he will give me The Altar which I have made shall be my Watch-Tower also on which I will stand to expect some blessed Answer What help the Lord will afford me By this means you may suit the condition of your Family and not shoot at Rovers But always find matter from things daily occurring to present before the Lord yea and those very occurrences will excite suitable affections of Joy and Sorrow to quicken you in Prayers or Praises This is what Solomon prescribes in Prov. 27.23 Be thou diligent to know the State of thy Flocks and look well to thy Herds Whether it refer to a literal Inspection of Shepherds in a proper Sense or Metaphorical in a Political as Magistrates Ecclesiastical as Ministers or Oeconomical as Governors of Families It 's a great Duty in all respects est praeceptum oeconomicum saith Mercer it properly and principally belongs to House-holders Else how can you accommodate your Counsels Admonitions of them or Petitions for them or your Sympathy or Compassion with them Thus I have disparcht my Instructions both Preparatory for erecting this Family Altar and also directed in the due manner of managing this Family Worship both for matter and manner And now you cannot plead Ignorance or Imbecillity I have in my weak Capacity reacht out my Hand to help you your way is lined out yea some have written down words and forms of Prayer to assist you and you have godly Ministers to whom you may repair for further direction and if still you wilfully live in the neglect of this known Duty your Blood â—e upon your own Heads yea the Blood of your Families will also be required at your Hands God Almighty make you willing and able for the Discharge of your relative Duty But if after all this you will not speak a word to God for your Poor Languishing Gasping Dying Families to keep them out of Hell I leave you to that Justice which will shortly plead with you at another rate than we poor Ministers can do and will take vengance on you for your willful neglect and Disobedience to the Calls of God Chap. 10. A Resolution of several Cases of Conscience concerning the Worship of God in Families MY last work is the Answering of Sundry Cases of Conscience some whereof have been propounded to me others are ordinarily incident in this point concerning this Family-Altar and Sacrifices in Families 1. Query Whether may an House-Holder take upon him to Preach expound Scripture dispense the Seals of the Covenant as Baptism and the Lords Supper to the Members of his Family seeing he is a Priest Answ 1. Ministerial Authoritative teaching by vertue of others is one thing and charitative subservient teaching is another A Master of a Family Deut. 11.18 19 20 21. Heb. 5.4 must teach all under his Charge as a Master yet not usurp the Office of a Minister without a just due Call His teaching must not be in opposition but in subordination to Ministerial Instruction As Families are Subordinate to Churches 2. Masters of Families must not take upon them that they are not fit for or presume beyond their Capacity incurring the guilt of proud self-conceitedness or vain ostentation as to undertake to interpret the Original or give the Sense of dark Prophecy or obscure Scriptures or determine knotty Controversies Yet may declare when it lies in their way what they have read or heard from Learned Pious Men or got in publick Preaching 3. Yet it is safest ordinarily to pass by those abstruse and difficult points and insist upon plain practical fundamental catechistical Truths or take occasion from the Chapter read in the Family to infer such a seasonable word suppose of admonition as I have heard a godly Father say this is for you look to 't this aims at you in such a case and with serious Exhortations press it home upon Conscience Or inform the ignorant in such or such a point requiring them to remember it 4. But as for administring Baptism and the Lords Supper they may not
glory to God admire his wise and gracious Providence It 's not the Lot of all young people Think and say Lord who am I to enjoy this Priviledge this is a blessed place Judg. 6.37 Gen. 28.17 a place of blessings This Fleece is wet with Dew when others are dry This is none other but the House of God and this is the Gate of Heaven Blessed be God that hath cast my Lot here 2. Joyn in family-prayer Be not needlesly absent but do not content your selves with bodily presence or postures but see to it that your hearts also joyn with the expressions else you play the Hypocrites And when you go forth and set up Families of your own use the same practice but with the same spirit of your pious Masters 3. Improve this stock of your Relation's prayers A Father may lay up an Estate for his Child in Bills and Bonds which may prove a good Portion The Corn sown in the Field is as good as that in the Garner in some respects better The Father sows the Child reaps a blessed Crop God forbid that I should lose my Child's Portion for want of looking after it Lord cut not off the Entail of my Fathers Covenant Oh hear the many cryes he put up for me in my hearing 4. Behave your selves suitably to that Family where so gracious a Providence hath cast you God forbid you should be a scoffing Ishmael in an Abraham's house a prophane Esau in Jacob's a Rebellious Absalom or a filthy Ammon in holy David's Family You disgrace the ways of God more than others when it shall be said See what a Beast was bred in a praying-family You greatly discredit your Breeding and sink your selves deeper in Hell God Almighty open your Eyes awake your Consciences and reform your Conversation that you may walk worthy of God to all well pleasing I have now done with this great Subject of a due Erecting a Family-Altar and offering Gospel Sacrifices to the Lord and oh that there were of these Altars set up in every dwelling-house Cant. 3.6 and Divine Incense ascending like Pillars of Smoke Heaven wards I have but a word of Incouragement to weak but willing Souls that set upon Family-worship but meet with so many discouragements from without but especially within that their hearts are apalled and are ready to give hack and say Will God accept such poor lean and lank Sacrifices so dead heartless lifeless I do no good I get no good I might as well give over I am oft so wofully indisposed for duty that I might as well let it alone O my Friends look on this as a temptation and beware of it strive against it rouze up your spirits 1. Consider you are not the first or only persons that Satan hath resisted in duty for even Joshua the High-Priest a Type of Christ had Satan standing at his right hand Zech. 3.13 2 Cor. 2.11 to resist hâ—â— and he had too much advantage against him for he was cloathed with filthy garments And our weakness is Satan's strength our guilt his advantage But our Jehovah saith The Lord rebuke thee The Devil makes spots and then accuseth us of our spots but Christ wipes them off 2. Our Lord takes well your good will to do though you can do but little 2 Cor. 8.12 The imprimis of a willing mind is accepted though your following Items be few and poor The Lord is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love Heb. 6.10 i. e. those duties we perform to the Lord with labour and hard struggling It 's the observation of precious Mr. Hildersham Think not On Psal 51. p. 65. saith he Beloved that those prayers only are pleasing to God wherein we please our selves best or which we perform with most facility and aptness of mind and speech no no when we can perform this duty in obedience to God even against our own disposition and oppositions in our own heares these are the prayers that are most acceptable to God as Abraham's Obedience Gen. 22.12 3. By using and exercising little grace improving small ability to pray you will encrease it and will more comfortably carry on the work Mat. 25.29 so the Text To every one that hath i. e. by employing it he shews that he hath for otherwise the unprofitable Servant had a Talent also shall be given and he shall have abundance Sick persons whose appetite is weakned by eating provoke and recover them one morsel drawing down another You 'll find this true in spirituals 4. The weaker you think your selves and the more likely to depend on the right means of your acceptance that is the Spirit of Christ for assistance and the Merit and Intercession of Christ for entertainment For alas you find you have no flush of gifts to fill the Sails or height of enlargement to carry with full gale to God you are emptied and your Plumes quite fallen as to any thing you do and therefore conclude you are too low to reach God and your duties quite lost except your persons and performances be found in Christ Phil. 3.9 I shall therefore conclude this whole Discourse with that sweet Text that 's worth a world without the benefit of which all our Altars and Sacrifices are Ciphers Rev. 8.3 And another Angel came and stood at the Altar having a golden Censer and there was given unto him much Iecense that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar which was before the Throne FINIS