for Omission but take another more convenient which may more directly suit your occasions 4. Case Suppose the occasions of an Householder call him abroad about his lawful occasions before the rest of his Family can rise out of their Beds may he omit Family-Duty Answ 1. In such a Case he must go to Prayer with such of his Family as are risen as it 's likely some are to help him away 2. However he must pray alone committing himself and his Family into Gods hands which the Lord may graciously accept 3. He must double his Diligence at his return or at another time And mourn for what he cannot mend A good Heart will lament any providential hindrance of Communion with God 4. But if possible so cast your Worldly concerns as not to hinder your Family Exercise prudent foresight may do much to forecast for it Ex. 16.22 But if your Calling be such as that cannot be do as the Israelites did gather double the Day or Night before two omers for a Man or Family lay in for the Day following what may stand you in stead by pleading with God for what yow 'll need 5. Case What gesture is to be used in Family-Prayer whether sitting be lawful Answ Scripture tells us of several gestures in Prayer as Luk. 18.13 1. Standing Mark 11.25 When ye stand Praying forgive The Publican stood afar off smote upon his Breast yet a Penitent Praying posture John 17.1 2. The Eyes fixed upwards Jesus lift up his Eyes to Heaven as we look a Man in the face when we speak to him Or in some Cases the Eye may be shut to prevent gazing or distraction 3. Sometimes prostration or laying the Body on the Earth hath been a Praying gesture Gen. 18.2 Josh 7.6 Mat. 26.39 Abraham bowed himself toward the ground but Joshua fell to the Earth upon his Face Our Lord also fell on his face and Prayed 4. Eph. 3.14 2 Chron 6.12 13. Luk. 22.41 Psal 95 5. Pâ—i 2.18 But the most ordinary gesture is kneeling called bowing the knee Even King Solomon kneeled down upon his knees and spread forth his hands Our dear Lord also whose Example is our Rule kneeled down and Prayed Methinks we should not be too stiff to kneel before the Lord our Maker before whom every knee must bow either in Devotion or Destruction All agree 1. That the gesture should be reverent before the great God Cum quis quoerit or are coliocat membra sicut ei occurrit Aug. De orat 2 That bodily gesture should be such as doth best express the inward reverence of the Heart 3. That the gesture be such as doth most quicken the Heart and help on in the Duty 4. That it be such as gives a good example to others As for sitting in Prayer it 's an unbecoming lazy gesture especially if chosen and in the beginning of a Duty Indeed for weak Bodies tyred out with other gestures some excuse may be made but ordinarily it 's not allowable Object But is it not said of David he went in and sate before the Lord 2 Sam. 7.18 yet he Prayed Answ 1. Some say David was a King and therefore might sit according to the Jews Rule it 's not lawful for any to Pray sitting before the Lord but the King 2. Others say the King Sate in Dust and Ashes in an humble posture he fell on his face say others 3. This was more a Meditation than a Prayer admiring the goodness of God Or he might first sit and then kneel Mansit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 resâ—itit Pius arim quam corpre sedie quiâ—tus coram â—â—mino Case 4. But indeed the word sitting signifies Davids constancy in Meditating Praying for a Man usually continues longer sitting than standing David sate i. e. continued longer and more familiarly before the Lord and with him than ordinary It refers more to the Composedness of his Mind than to the posture of his Body Therefore let not this Text patronize that sleepy gesture 6. Case is What place must we choose or how must we use our Voice in Family-Prayer Answ 1. We are not bound to Consecrated places for Family-Duty In this you may use your liberty In Gospel-times God stands not so much upon the place of Worship as the quality of Worshippers and manner of Worshipping Joh. 4 23 24. 1 Tim. 2.8 Look at the frame of your Hearts as before described and fear not Entertainment where ever you be 2. Yet the Circumstance of place may be duely weighed if you live amongst Lions Mockers Scorners of Religon though you must maintain your profession of God's name in your Families as Daniel did yet it 's a disputable point whether you may not sometimes retire from open violence into some private place But there may be a greater reason for retirement than that viz. To avoid the suspicion of Hypocrisy Mat. 6.5 and Vain-glory which was the Pharieses great fall or you may withdraw into some distant place from the street to avoid disturbance by hurrys Tumults and Confusions that may distract you 3. But let the place be so known to the Family as all may repair to it as an Exchange at the time of prayer be it dwelling-house parlour Chamber Dan. 6.10 as Daniel improved some convenient room called a Chamber for his Family-Devotion So may You. 4. For voice it 's true God is an all-seeing Spirit and men may speak to God when they speak not a word as Moses Hanna Nehemiah prayer is the motion of the will to God but in Family-prayer 't is otherwise men have Bodies and Tongues and Ears and cannot understand others conceptions without a vocal articulate sound what you pray must be audible else they cannot joyn with you or be edified by you only see your Hearts go along with your Lips and Remember the saying of Solomon The words of Wise-Men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among Fools Eccl. 9.17 I know it referrs to Wise Counsels not prayers but some may pray more affectionatly with a low Voice than others with loud clamours Yea possibly you may command your thoughts better in the former than latter see you be serious and your voice Audible and Intelligible not Mumbling your prayers so that your Family cannot understand you or know what you mean 7. Case is Whether is a form of Prayer Lawfull or whether may an House-holder use a Form of Prayer or may others joyn with him in the use thereof Answ 1. Our most solid judicious Divines of those called Puritans do not judg forms of Prayer absolutly unlawfull Dr. Preston saith Dr. Preston Saints daily Exercise p. 80 81 82. I think there is none here that doubt of it but that a Set Form of Prayer may be used you know Christ prescribed a Form there were certain Psalmes that were Prayers used constantly still in all times the Church had Set-Forms I know no objection against it of
A Family-Altar Erected to the Honour Of the Eternal God OR A Solemn Essay to promote the Worship of God in Private Houses Being some Meditations on Genesis 35.2 3. By O.H. an unworthy Minister of the Gospel Psalm 101.2 I will behave my self wisely in a perfect way O when wilt thou come unto me I will walk within my house with a perfect heart Psalm 118.15 The voice of Rejoycing and Salvation is in the Tabernacles of the Righteous Si enim negligit Deus in hoc Saeculo genus hominum cur ad Coelum quotidiè manus tendimus cur orationibus crebris misericordiam Dei quaerimus cur ad Ecclesiasticas Domos currimus cur ante Altaria supplicamus nulla enim est nobis ratio precandi si spes tollitur impetrandi Salvian Massil de Gubernat Dei lib. 1. LONDON Printed for T. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside 1693. To the Christian Reader especially to Housholders professing Religion FOR your sakes dear Friends I presume again to appear upon the publick Stage to be your faithful Monitor to prompt you to your duty and to promote the Work of God in your own Souls and the Worship of God in your Families And I know not how a Minister can imploy his Time and Studies and Pen better next to the Conviction and Conversion of particular Souls than pressing upon Housholders a care of the Souls under their charge This hath a direct tendency to publick Reformation Religion begins in Individuals and passeth on to Relatives and lesser Relatives make up greater Churches and Common-wealths consist of Families There is a general complaint of the great decay of the Power of Godliness and Inundation of Prophaneness and not without cause I know no better Remedy than Domestick Piety Did Governours teach their Inferiours by Counsels and Examples did they severely discountenance and restrain Enormities and press Holiness and then call on God unitedly and affectionately that he would efficaciously work what they cannot effect who can tell what a blessed alteration would follow In vain do you complain of Magistrates and Ministers while you that are Housholders are unfaithful to your Trust You complain the World is naught what do you to mend it Do not so much complain of others as of your selves and complain not so much to Man as to God and plead with him for Reformation and second your Prayers with earnest Endeavours Sweep before your own doors Act for God within your sphear As you have more opportunity of familiarity with House-fellows so you have more authority over them by their dependance on you to influence them and if you improve not this Talent you will have a dreadful account to give especially when their blood will be required at your hands because their sin will be charged on your neglect Oh Sirs have you not sins enough of your own but you must espouse the guilt of your whole Families It 's you that make bad Times and bring down Judgments on the Nation Would you rather see your Children frying and hear them crying in Hell Torments than speak a word to them for their instruction hear them cry under your correction or cry to God for their Salvation Oh cruel Tygers and barbarous Monsters You may conceit your selves to be Christians but I cannot judge that Man worthy to be a fit Communicant at the Lord's Table that maintains not the Worship of God ordinarily in his Family and I think he deserves admonition and a censure for this sin of omission as well as for the scandalous sins of commission for he bewrays his horrid Hypocrisie in pretending to be a Saint abroad but is a Brute at home For a right-bred Christian is an Universalist having respect to all God's Commandments Psa 119 6. Such as are righteous before God Luke 1.6 walk in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless Let these then go amongst the Herd of prophane wretches and fare as they do at the last that make no conscience of Family or Relative Godliness Such as will not pray now will cry too late Lord Lord open to us when the door is shut Mat. 25 11 12. yea they that now will not cry for a crum of mercy Luk. 16.24 shall in Hell cry out for a drop of Water to quench their flaming Tongues in those Eternal Torments To these wretched Hypocrites I recommend the serious considering of Prov. 1 24.-31 Job 8.13 14.15.34 ch 27. v. 8 9 10. I shall address my self to honest well-meaning Housholders who make conscience of serving God with their Families You may look on this as your priviledge as well as duty I hope you do David thought it a great mercy that he and his People had any thing to offer 1 Chron. 29 9.-14 and any hopes of entertainment Oh what an honour is it that the King of Heaven gives you any admittance into his Presence-Chamber with your Families twice a day to confess your sins beg pardon supplies of mercy to give him the glory of his Goodness to lay your Load on him and get ease I hope you will never be unwilling to it or weary of it God forbid you should You are not weary of Meal-times if you be healthful know and keep these appointed times of coming to God If you promise to meet a Person of Quality at such an hour when the Clock strikes you rush up crave pardon and tell the company one tarries for you you must be gone Oh make not more bold with God than you would do with Men and keep your hearts continually in a frame for duty Rambling in the day indisposeth your spirits for duty at night So act as to think you must go to an heart-searching God before you sleep and so pray as if it were the last time you should approach to God with your Family in this World Study the frame of your hearts be not content with lip-labour Rest not in the work done without communion with God Presume not upon your own goodness you that are the holiest Despair not because of your wickedness or guiltiness you that think your selves the worst of men Remember Manasseh prayed and God was intreated of him when he humbled himself greatly 2 Chro 33.12 13. Zech 4.10 Be not discouraged because you cannot do so well as others God despiseth not the day of small things God hath babes in his Family â—sa 38.14 that chatter like a Crane or Swallow A Child 's lisping is understood by an indulgent Father And if a distempered Child stoop down and reach us up any small thing we take it kindly so doth God when a sick Soul falls low in Humility and reacheth high in Heavenly-mindedness You cannot be always actually on your knees or speaking with your tongues but still maintain a praying-frame of heart Mr. Greenham saith When one asks how your Family doth let this put you in mind to pray for them thank God for mercies reflect on
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-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
24. If thou bring thy gift to the Altar i. e. to God in a religious action Yea the whole Gospel-Worship is thus denominated Rev. 11.1 Rise measure the Temple of God and the Altar and them that worship therein i. e. look that Gospel-service be regualar according to God's Word cleansed from Antichristian pollutions This is prophesied Isa 19.19 In that day shall there be an Altar to the Lord in the midst of the Land of Egypt i. e. God's Worship shall be settled in all places in Gospel-times not a Levetical but Evangeligal Altar Nothing is more common in Old and New Testament than to speak of gospel-Gospel-worship in the phrase of the Law The like may be said of Sacrifices spiritual Sacrifices in a Gospel sense so offering up to God our selves Rom. 12.1 prayer and praise Heb. 13.15 Acts of Charity v. 16. a broken heart Psal 51.17 Martyrdom Phil. 2.17 As for a false Altar constituted in the Romish Church upon which they would offer Christ daily as a Sacrifice for quick and dead Protestants renounce it as a crucifying the Son of God again and inconsistent with Scripture and Reason Heb. 9.25 nor yet that he should offer himself often v. 26.28 Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many Heb. 10.14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified It cannot be denied that the Antients have called the Lord's Supper an unbloody Sacrifice the Table an Altar Ministers Priests the whole action an Oblation but not in the sense the Papists do but by way of allusion as it is a Memorial of Christ's Sacrifice or as spiritual prayers praises alms are attended therewith as our Divines have abundantly proved and disproved the propriety of speech as applied to that Ordinance Well then we renounce Popish Altar Quid opus est Altari ubi nec ignis ardâ—at nec viâ—imâ— caedantur Pet. Martyr cont Gard. Sacrifices Priests yet acknowledge in a spiritual sense that Christ by his Blood hath made all Believers Kings and Priests unto God and his Father Rev. 1.6 And that we are built up a spiritual House an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 9. The words being thus opened I shall raise this important Doct. That Governours of Families must as Priests erect Family-Altars for God's Worship It well becomes Housholders or Governours of Families to set up and maintain Family-Altars for worshiping of God in and with the Members of their Families As holy Jacob the famous Patriarch was a Prophet to instruct his Family in the true Religion and a King to Govern them for God so a Priest to set up an Altar offer Sacrifices and perform Religious Worship for and with his Family Yea the poorest man that hath a Family is to be Prophet Priest and King in his own House God commands Jacob to build an Altar at Bethel Jacob resolves upon it and gives all his Family orders how to behave themselves in managing this important affair and when they did their duty God secured them they journeyed and passed on safely Let none say that this setting up an Altar by Jacob was but ordered upon this particular occasion of his paying his Vows formerly made at Bethel and so doth not oblige us I Answer 1. It 's true this circumstance of the place occasion and this solemnity are personal and particular but the duty is general moral and prepetual as I shall prove it 2. Jacob doubtless worshipt God with his Family in all places where he had come as he took the fear of God with him in his heart so he left not the external practice of Religion behind him But set up Gods Worship which was equivalent to an Altar in all places where he came as his Father Isaac and his Grand-father Abraham had done 3. And may not we have the like occasion as he had to rear an Altar Have we had no mercies from God Do we lie under no Vows or at least Obligations to the Lord And do not these presidents and general rules bind us to the like practice except we have a particular command by a voice from Heaven or in an extraordinary way I shall evince the contrary 4. Because Jacob was left alone and wrestled with the Angel and prevailed upon an extraordinary occasion Gen 32.24 i. e. the fear he had of his Brother Esau Shall we think that Jacob never prayed alone but when he was in the like hazard No doubtless he was well acquainted with God and much accustomed to this trade of conversing with God So because we find God prompting him to this Family-work here can this be thought to exclude his ordinary course of Family-doctrine No certainly It rather implies and includes this In prosecuting this Point I shall use this Method 1. Open what I mean by Altars in Families 2. Prove it to be Housholders Duty to set them up 3. Answer Objections against this Practice 4. Make some Deductions and Applications Chap. II. Shewing what is meant by Family-Altars and what 's required of Housholders BY Altar I mean by a Synechdoche all the Worship of God to be performed in Families To an Altar in old time literally and in Gospel-times Mystically or Metaphorically there are four things requisite 1. The Institution or Consecration none can appoint an Altar to be Erected but God Exod. 20.24 An Altar of Earth shalt thou make None hath Power to order Gods Worship but himself alone Men may not add or diminish at their pleasure Mat. 28.20 Mininisters must teach Christians must observe all things whatsoever our Lord commandeth us Numb 7.10 Men may Dedicate an Altar It is God alone that properly Consecrates or Sanctifies it yet men are said to Consecrate themselves to the Lord 2 Chron. 29.31 33. yea and other things in a secondary way and instrumentally But as God appoints so himself only doth Authoritatively efficiently actually Consecrate Persons and things Let us see we have a warrant from God for what we do in his Worship 2. An Altar requires a Priest Before Moses Law the First-born of the Family was Priest to offer on the Altar but afterwards Good took the Tribe of Levi instead of the First-born in remembrance of the Lords smiting the First-born in Egypt Num. 3.12.13 Num. 17.9 Aaron and his Family were the blossoming rod whom God had chose in a peculiar manner to Minister before him But our Lord Jesus is our New Testament Aaron yet above him even after the Order of Melchizedeck Heb. 6.20 an higher Order than that of Aaron Upon whose account all Gods Saints be Kings and Priests Joh. 17.17 For as Christs Divinity sanctified his Humanity for our Lord as God sanctified himself as man so he also sanctifies all his Saints Heb. 10.14 By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified for this end that they may be an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual
Sacrifices 1 Pet. 2.5 acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 3. A Priest must needs have something to offer upon this Altar Heb. 8.3 4. The Priests under the Law offered Bulls Goats and brute Beasts Christ offered himself as a Sacrifice for our sins Saints offer their Souls and Bodies as a Thank-offering to the Lord their prayer and praises as was hinted before But the Holy Ghost adviseth us to be more ready to hear than to give the Sacrifice of fools Eccles 5.1 or than fools to give Sacrifice who vainly think to please God with variety and costliness of their Offerings Obedience is better than Sacrifice and the Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord therefore it becomes us all to look to our state and standing and also to the manner of sacrificing as well as the matter sacrificed 4. As to the Altar there must be respect to the End and Design of this Altar for the End either makes or marr's the Action Now the Text saith I will make there an Altar unto God and God saith Exod. 20 24. Hos 8.11 An Altar shalt thou make unto me not to Idols not to sin or to themselves to please their own fancy or for vain-glory God threatens he will break down all such Altars Hos 10.2 For though every Family must have its proper Altar in their peculiar relative capacities yet they must only make use of the one Altar Christ Jesus for acceptance and worship God after the pattern shewed in the Mount Zech. 14.9 that the Lord may be one and his name one i. e. his worship uniform the same in all places Hence it was that when the two Tribes and an half had made an Altar the other Tribes were offended and prepared War against them till they were assured it was not in opposition but as a Testimonial of their relation to and worshiping of the same God therefore called it Ed a witness Read the story Jos 22.10 34. Every Family must Erect such an Altar to be a witness that they serve the same God that is worshiped in publick Assemblies and the Catholick Church in all times and places Only this Altar I am now treating of is distinct from 1. Publick 2 Secret personal Altars 1. It is not properly Publick either National or Congregational such as that which David Erected 2 Sam. 24.18 Gad came to David and said go up rear an Altar unto the Lord This was for all Israel to make an Atonement and this was the place where the Temple was to be built whither all the Tribes were to go up to worship God And this Family-Altar must not exclude the publick Ordinances Upon which holy Davids heart was so set that he envies the Sparow and Swallow that built their Nests near Gods Altars Psal 8â— 3 and is transported with an extasie of holy joy at his approach to it Psal 43 4â— Then will I go to the Altar of God unto God my exceeding joy No no the more a Christian is conversant with God in his Family the more will he prize and improve publick Ordinances Yet this is a distinct Altar 2. This is distinct from secret Acts of Worship or personal Altars such as Abraham Erected Gen 12.7 8. The Lord appeared unto Abraham And there he builded an Altar unto the Lord and in the next verse called upon the name of the Lord. Howbeit some Expositors think this was a Family-Altar which Abraham Erected to keep his Family in the true Religon and to separate himself and them from the Idolatrous Neighbourhood If so it confirms my assertion for Family-Altars But certainly that in Gen. 22.9 was more personal So was Jacob's Gen. 28.18 This therefore that I am speaking of is a Family-Altar an Emblem of Family Worship It 's true sometimes a Family signifies a whole Nation a Kingdom Amos 3.1 The whole Family which I brought up from the Land of Egypt This is all the Hebrews afterward divided into the two Families of of Judah and Ephraim Jer. 33.24 The Sons of Adam were all one Family and after the confusion of Languages they were distributed into the several Regions of the World Deut. 32.8 Jer. 8.3 and had their Names from the Head and Root of that Family from whence they sprung This is not the notion of Family here But it is to be taken strictly for persons dwelling together in one house Lev. 20.5 Then I will set my face against that man and against his Family This is distinct from Kingdoms and Provinces Judg. 1 25. They let go the man and all his Family Esth 9.28 Where Family is distinguished from Province and City And this is the most famous and ordinary use of the Word And in the Text the restriction is to Jacob and his House Lawers Civilians Divines thus use the word and say that Domus est naturae consentanea Societas an House or Family is a Society most agreeable to Nature In this house are such as are most ordinarily and familiarly conversant together that Work Eat Drink Sleep under one Roof To a compleat Family say they is requisite â— A Paterfamilias 2. Materfamilias 3. Filius 4. Servus Father Mother Son Servant But indeed the proper constitutive essential parts of a Family are but these two 1. Pars Imperans 2. Pars Subdita i. e. 1. The Governing 2. The Governed parts And ordinarily the Governing part must set up this Altar and Order the worship of God in his House or Family together with the rest Hear what a great Divine now with God saith in this point Mr. Baxters Christian Directory Tom. 2. Fol. 490. Note therefore that the Governour is an Essential part of the Family and so are some of the Governed viz. that such there be but not each member If therefore twenty Children or Servants shall Worship God without their Father or Master of the Family either present himself or in some representative it is not a Family-Worship in a strict sense But if the Head of the Family in Himself or Delegate or Representative be present with any of his Children or Servants though all the rest be absent it is yet a Family-duty though the Family be incompleat and maimed and so is the duty therefore if culpably so performed thus far that Reverend Man of God If it be inquired how must an Housholder act the part of a Priest in his Family what must he do Answer The office and business of a Priest in the Old Testament consisted in these four things chiefly 1. To instruct the People in the Principles of Religion and their duty to God and each other Mal. 2.7 The Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth Therefore God rejected those Priests that rejected knowledge Hos 4.6 This is the work of Housholders Deut. 6.6 7. Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children 2. To manage the holy Offerings and Sacrifices for the Atonement on the behalf of the
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
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
us of a Sacrifice ver 22 but betwixt those he saith that the Lord shall be known to Egypt yea and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day and shall do Sacrifice and Oblation by Altar is meant Gospel-Worship by a Pillar at the Border of it is meant a Monument of the True Religion betokening Evidences of their Piety in all places but without the true knowledg of God in Christ they will set up the Athenian Altar Act. 17.23 To the Vnknown God and therefore it 's said that the Lord shall be known to Egypt in the Gospel-Publication and not only so but the Egyptians shall know the Lord Savingly Sincerely Sensibly Experimentally for words of sense denote affection and practice then and never till then will they be fit to offer an Oblation for if men offer the blind for Sacrifice is it not Evil Mal. 1.8 and if the offerer be blind and Ignorant is not he Evil will God accept such a person what cares God for mens Ignorant Devotions Hos 4.1 if there be no knowledg of God in the Land there 's no Mercy nor Truth for saving knowledg is the door and window to let in Saving Grace 2. You must allo have a saving Principle of Grace in your hearts a bowed Will a renewed Conscience Sanctified affections a Soul set with a by as Heaven-wards that you may delight in the Law of God Rom. 7.22 Joh. 4.24 after the inward man and may Worship God in Spirit and in Truth else your Praying will be but canting your labour will be but lip labour and so lost labour all your Piety will be but Hypocrisie and your hearts will not be ingaged in it then you will be heartless in setting about it and soon weary of it without union to Christ you can do nothing see then that Christ dwell in your hearts by Faith Eph. 3.17 1 Joh. 4.16 that 's the Mistical Bond that you be united to him by love that 's the Moral Bond and Ligament from that Spring flow Holy desires delight in God fear of God repentance Humility Self-denyal Zeal and all other Graces without which you will be but cold Worshipers of God Set up with something within or you are Formalists at best But you 'll say how shall we get this principle of Grace I answer you must be convinced that you have it not by Nature that you cannot work it in your own hearts Eph. 2.8 for Faith is the gift of God 2 Cor. 13.5 you must examine your selves whether Faith be in you you must study and plead the Covenant of Grace Jer. 31.33 34. Deut. 30.6 wherein God promiseth to put his Law in your inward parts to teach you to know him to circumcise your hearts to love him to put his fear in your hearts Jer. 32.40 Ezek. 36.26 27. to put his Spirit into you and a new Spirit within you and by studying and pleading these pretious Promises you may be partakers of the Divine nature 2 Pet. 1.4 that you may serve the Lord in a new and due manner 2. Another Preparative to this Family-Altar is the due and regular constitution of Families which consists in a Solemn choice of Family Relations Governours of Families must be very cautious herein that are a going to set up Families 't is true Children are necessary parts thereof and persons must take these as God sends them they are not Elective or of our choice but there are ways appointed by God to make them good but that I meddle not with at present it is such as are arbitrary or within our power to make choice of as Wives and Servants the first inferiours or assistants in Families these may be a great furtherance or hinderance to an House-holder in the Excercise of Religion 1. When you are to choose a Wife be very shy and carefull 2 Cor. 6.14 Be not unequally Yoked together with Vnbelievers lest it come to pass that when you draw one way she draws another when you would Pray in your Family she be busie about the World and will not joyn with you but act the part of Scoffing Michal 2 Sam. 6.20 who jeer'd her holy Husband David for his servent Zeal to Gods Worship in Dancing before the Ark Oh what grief of heart will this be to you that must be forced to turn your sweet communion with into a severe admonition of your own Wife and the nearer the Relation the heavier the affliction when your Wife proves a tempting Eve or as Solomons Wives who turned away his heart from God Oh! 1 Kin. 11.2 3 4. the danger of Seduction but if not so yet a bad wife will be a continual vexation like a constant dropping in a very rainy day you little know the inconveniences attending such a Relation you 'll say how can we help it I answer Prudence Prayer and due consideration before-hand may ordinarily Prevent such a bad choice if you make it your business to Marry in the Lord 1 Cor. 7.39 and Yoke only with such an one as bears Christ's Yoke consulting Christian Friends renouncing Carnal Ends in your Choice as Beauty Portion Parentage but be sure of grounded hopes of Saving Grace in the first place let Religion and Reason not Lust or Fancy make your choice lest you smart for your Folly Oh what an help may a Prudent Gracious Wife be in assisting you in setting up this Family-Altar a Wise Woman buildeth her House Pro 14.1 Judg. 13.23 Ruth 4.11 1 Sam. 1. â— 10,13 Manoahs Wife incouraged her Husband and Rachel and Leah builded the house of Jacob or Israel Hanna Prayed while her Husband Elkanah Sacrificed and no doubt joyned with him devoutly at home Oh what a blessed harmony to see Husband and Wife heirs together of the Grace of Life 1 Pet. 3.7 that their Prayers may not be hindred but mutually furthered this plainly intimates that unsuitableness of Spirit or untowardness in either hinders Prayers i. e. either diverts them from Praying or spoils the efficacy of Prayer therefore let Young men be Wise in this main concern of choosing a Wife for who would fetch Water to kindle Fire as one saith or a Bed of Snow to keep one Warm you have quench-coals enough now within espouse not more rather get Bellows to kindle your Spark 2. As for Servants be Serious and cautious in choosing godly ones if it be possible choose godly Servants trust not to your care and pains to make them so if Onesimus be begot in Bonds he will be profitable to his Godly Master Philemon there 's no trusting Carnal Servants Philem. 10.11 they will but comply out of awe may degenerate into Atheism If thy Servant be upright he will not only Pray when thou prayest which will make a blessed harmony Gen. 24.12 but will Pray alone for thee and as Godly Eliezer did in his Masters business and then things will succeed well for as one
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-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