Children of Israel Lev. 16.11 Lev. 1.5 8. Aaron must make an Atonement for himself and for his house And verse 21. Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live Goat and confess over him all the iniquities of the Children of Israel Thus did Job ch 1.5 He rose early in the morning and offered burnt-Offerings according to the number of them all for Job said It may be that my Sons have sinned Thus must we do confess the sins of our Family and beg pardon through Christ 3. The Priest was to intercede for the People as Aaron was to take a Censer and put fire thereon from the Altar and put on Incense and stood between the dead and living Nam quoties in Sanctum ingrediebatur Sacerdos quasi in Dei conspectum prodibat ut inter eum populum esset Mediator Calv. in loc Numb 16.46 48. Hence the Priests Office was to burn Incense in the Temple and the multitude of the People were praying without at the time of Incense Luk. 1.9 10. For as often as the Priest entred into the holy place he appeared as in the presence of God that he might be a Mediator between God and the People It 's true there is no Mediator of Intercession no more than of Redemption betwixt God and Sinners but Jesus Christ alone in a proper sense yet as one may pray and prevail for another through Christ so a godly Housholder may and must be the mouth of his Family on their behalf 4. The Priest was to bless the People Numb 6.23 Speak unto Aaron and to his Sons saying on this wise ye shall bless the Children of Israel saying unto them the Lord bless thee and keep thee c. Doubtless this was petitory or by way of petition and God answers that prayer verse 27. And I will bless them But how far they did this in the Name and by the Authority of God the Father Son and Holy Ghost I cannot say Weemsâ— Christian Syn. p. 311. Weemse tells us that the Priests lifted up both their hands when they blessed the People The Text in Psal 134.2 Lift up your hands in the Sanctuary alludes to this because the Priests could not lay their hands upon all the People they lifted them up for in blessing they were wont to lay on their hands therefore Jacob laid his hands on Joseph's Sons Gen. 48.17 There was a Sacerdotal a Patriarchal and a Parental Blessing Thus the Chief of a Family blesseth his Houshold 2 Sam. 6.20 Then David returned to bless his Houshold which was by prayer and in the Name of the Lord pronouncing a Blessing upon his Family not as a Priest nor as a Prophet only but as a Governour of his Houshold which the meanest Housholder may and must do Chap. III. Arguments to prove that Governours of Families must set up Altars for the Worship of God THE second Head proposed is the proof of this Doctrine That Housholders must Erect Altars for the Worship of God in their Families 1. The Command of God Prayer is the great duty required of all men 〈…〉 bread aâ— David's Table continually i. e. at meal-times 2 Sam. 9.7 So in dâ— season is expounded continually Numb 28.2 3. The Text saith pray without ceasing 1 Thes 5.17 This is not to be understood as the Euchites or Messalians of old did as excluding other Duties but either maintaining a praying disposition or improving all seasons of Prayer Using a constant course of praying Customary praying is one thing and a custom of praying is another 1 Pet. 4.7 Col. 4.2 this latter is a Duty Therefore we are bid to watch unto Prayer as well as watch in Prayer i. e. be sure you observe the hours and season of Prayer in Closet Family Publick be not absent be not negligent Then for the place 1 Tim 2.8 I will that men Pray every where If in all places then in their Houses and with their Families in conjuction For it means our common dwellings as well as Temples since there is no promise perculiarly appropriated to one place Joh. 4.21 Mal. 1.11 more than another under the Gospel For so was the Prediction In every place Incense shall be offered to my name Then for the sorts of Prayer read Eph. 6.18 Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit i. e. Mental Vocal Prayer Petition for good Deprecation of evil Intercession for others Thanksgiving for mercies In the Publick Assemblies in Private Houses in secret Closets Certainly these kinds of Prayers are necessarily included And by good Consequence inferred Let none say this is far fetched for Scripture-consequence is good Argument â—at 22.29 37. As our Saviour proves the Resurrection If Prayer at all times in all places of all sorts be a Duty surely Family-Prayer is a Duty for it will come under all these 2. Scripture-types prove Family Worship as the Passover was clebrated in private Houses Exod. 12.3 Thy shall take to them every man a Lamb A Lamb for an House i. e. an Houshold ver 4 For the Hebrews say there must be ten if one Family was not sufficient they must call in the members of another Family for it must all be eaten at once The Passover was a token of the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt and and saving their first-born when the first-born of Egypt were destroyed The Master of the Family took Bread brake it hence was called Boâ—zeang a breaker Then he Blessed it saying blessed art thou O Lord God King of the World who bringest Bread out of the Earth Then gives to every one about the quantity of an Olive to some the bigness of an Egg This saith Weemse Weemse Christian Syn. p. 13â— Whether there was two Suppers or no. See Godwin Moses Aaron lib 3. cap. 4. p. 137. was at their common Supper with which the Passover was joyned and doubtless Religion must always attend our Civils This holds forth Family-Devotion Let none say this were their Sacrament for though it was yet it was a Family-Religion and though it typified the Lord Jesus answered by the Lord's Supper in the New Testament which is a Church-Ordinance yet it also held forth God's Worship in Families But a clearer type is the Morning and Evening Sacrifice one Lamb is to be offered in the Morning the other in the Evening this must be day by day continually Exod. 29.38 39. This was for every individual Family and Person and it must be every day not only on Sabbath-days and other Solemnities but it shews that God must be daily worshipt Yea it must be Morning and Evening that prayer and praise may be the Lock and Key of the day And David alludes to this Psal 5.3 Psal 141.2 saying My voice shalt thou hear in the Morning and let my prayer be set before thee as Incense and the lifting up of my hands as the Evening Sacrifice This was constantly managed but solemnly yet we
Governours Yea therefore are Parents rewarded or punished in their Children according to the second Commandment because Governours must account for their Inferiours Yea God orders Housholders to bring all under their roof to the feast of Weeks with their Free-will Offerings Deut. 16.10 11. and the feast of Tabernacles v 13 14. Yea they were to bring their Males yearly three times in the year v. 16. And it is not for nothing that Housholders have this charge laid on them because they have greater Authority opportunity to bring them together for God's Publick Worship in the family for they may call them together upon natural and civil accounts to eat and to work and why not to pray together their command is a Law A Master may say Luk. 16.2 Give an account of thy Stewardship and why not of such a Sermon They may demand an account of their time and talents committed to their trust and why not a Reason of their hope and an account of their piety or proficiency why not call them to prayer And indeed it is a debt due to mens Children and Servants This is implied in Col. 4.1 2. Masters give unto your Servants that which is just and equal presently he adds continue in prayer intimating that praying for and with Servants is just and equal both upon their own and Servants account it 's as due as their promised wages God makes Masters as truly Watch-men as Ministers and if they fail Ezek. 3.18 God will require their blood at their hand Besides the advantages and conveniency of frequent intercourse capacitates Governours for this solemn Exercise and God will require accounts of all these Talents another day 10. There are daily cases occasions necessities that concern families to be presented unto the Lord There are family-sins to be confessed wants to be bewailed mercies to be desired cares and crosses to be removed fears to be prevented temptations to be resisted duties to be performed graces to be exercised obtained peace to be maintained or regained passions to be suppressed mercies to be acknowledged and all these must be laid at God's foot in daily prayer That 's a rare family that hath not some Prodigal Son or Carnal Soul as a Member of it some body sick in it or some Child to dispose of in Marriage or Calling some doubts or difficulties that call for prayer wherein the whole family is concerned or if there be no such exigency at present yet who knows how soon any of these or all these may light upon a family And what remedy is there like family prayer Phil. 4.6 Be careful in nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God This is a Catholicon a Cure for all Diseases a Salve for every Sore We find that when God afflicted Abimelech's family Gen. 20.1 1 Exod. 9.2 Abraham prayed unto God and God healed him his Wife Maid-servants and they bare Children A Pharaoh will beg Moses prayers for him in his Affliction and oh what a woful state is that family in that hath no body to speak a word to God for it and with it in domestick troubles A Child lies groaning and the Father cannot groan out a prayer a Servant lying at the point of death and the Master hath no skill or will to bring him to Jesus for cure Alas that any should be so insensible of their wants Deest sempe quod petitur vel ex toâ—o vel ex parte vel in sâ—se veâ— in sersu nestro vel denique quoad actum vel quod continu atam ejus durationem Ames Med Theol. l. 2â— cap. 9. so ignorant of the means of relief or distrustful of the Power of God or efficacy of prayer No family is above wants therefore none should be without prayer for prayer riseth from sense of wants which no person or family is without in whole or in part in it self or in sense in act or continued duration of mercy 11. The Blessing of God usually attends Family-Altars Not as though God were tyed to Religious Families as Heathens chained their Idols or as Elies Sons fancied Gods presence necessarily attending the Ark but God usually visits pious Families Scripture and Experience testifie this Psal 115.12 13. Psal 118.15 He will bless the house of Israel he will bless the house of Aaron he will bless them that fear the Lord both small and great i. e. Proselites Gentiles Converts The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the Tabernacles of the righteous Our Lord loves to converse where his Children inhabit it 's true he prefers publick Assemblies The Lord loveth the Gates of Zion Psal 87.2 more than all the Dwellings of Jacob God loves to see his Children together in his H. Worship The greater the Solemnity if good the more of Gods Spirit and Presence But God doth not despise his Children seeking him in families Psal 101.1 2. when devout David sings of mercy and judgment to God and behaves himself wisely in a perfect way he cries out O when wilt thou come unto me Gods kind visits are worth a World whether by way of Providence Assistance Influence or Evidence How often have Gods Children met with God in their families Gen. 18.10 Act. 10.3 Luk. 8.43.51 Abraham had a Promise of a Child Cornelius had a glorious Vision of an Holy Angel and our Lord came to Jairus's house to raise his dead Daughter How often hath God answered family-Family-Prayer Even at present by melting the hearts of Children Servants And afterwards It 's recorded of Mr. Banen of Stepleford That he seldom performed Family-duty but he had some Answers of Prayer to bless God for since the former time of appearing there before God Anno autem 1584. terrae motu Mons quidam in Ditiore Bernatum ultra alias Montes violenter latus pagum quendam nonaginta familias habentem contexit totum dimidiâ domi exceptâ in qua paterfamilias cum uxore liberis in genua provolutus Deum invocabat Polani Syntag. cap. 22. fol. 301. It is a remarkable story that Polanus relates of an Earth-quake in the year 1584. in Berna in a Mountain violently hurried beyond other Mountains overturning a whole Village of Ninety houses and families excepting half of one house in which the Father of the family with his Wife and Children were prostrate on their knees praying So true is that of Solomon Prov. 12.7 The Wicked are overthrown and are not but the house of the Righteous shall stand Prov. 3.3 God blesseth the Habitation of the just Exo. 12.1 He thinks fit sometimes to distinguish by his wise Providence betwixt the houses of the Israelites and Egyptians And experience doth daily shew that the house is blessed where God is sincerely worshiped as the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom and his Houshold for entertaining the Ark 2 Sam. 6.11 12. On the contraty God curseth Prayerless-families that 's
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
a Prophecy as well as a Prayer Jer 10 25 Pour out thy fury upon the Heathen that know thee not and upon the Families that call not on thy name It 's a dreadful Prediction 1. For the wrath threatned not ordinary but fury anger boyled up to the highest degree of revenge anger and fury are sometimes joyned Jer. 7.20 Ezek. 8.18 and when God deals in fury his eyes spare not neither hath he pity This is dreadful But 2. Here 's the measure of it Pour out thy fury this notes plenty abundance variety of sore Judgments not one or two but multitudes of Plagues like drops in a Shower or as Flood-gates opened as a general Inundation spreading it self universally poured out on Children Jer. 6.11 young Men Husband and Wife aged with him that is full of days Isa 34.2 Oh what would become of England if this fury were as universal as the neglect of this family-duty Descensus à â—ummis in â—imum and this fury is irresistible it 's like a descent from above which can no more be stopped and avoided than the Showers of Rain There is no stopping these Cataracts of Heaven no quenching this fire of fierce wrath against irreligious Families when the Lord renders his anger with fury Isa 66.15 and his rebuke with flames of fire 3. But what is all this for what meaneth the heat of this great anger is it for Idolatry Murder Drunkenness Blasphemy or for some horrible hainous crimes no it 's for sins of omission not knowing God not calling on God's Name O miserable families where Religion is not exercised there these threatnings must be executed Object But we see no such thing prayerless families flourish live bravely have all things at command Job 21.7 13. prosper more than others their houses are safe from fear neither is the Rod of God upon them I must confess this promiscuous dispensing of outward Providences that wickedness is prosperous holiness oppressed hath been an offence to the godly and an hardening to the wicked And David himself was puzzled with it Psal 73.17 till he went into the Sanctuary then he understood their End and God's End in this Deut. 32.35 Rom. 9.22 But I answer 1. Forbearance is no acquittance a Reprieve is no Pardon Their foot shall slide in due time God bears long with sinners for wise ends till the Vessels of Wrath be fitted for destruction God will be in some mens debt till another World They shall have their good things here Luk. 16.25 and torments hereafter A wise man will chuse his Heaven hereafter though he have an Hell here 2. Yet this Curse and wrath upon wicked persons and prayerless families is secret and invisible even in outwards Hag. 16. Mat. 22. they may sow much and bring in little eat and not have enough Yea God curseth even the Blessings of such as worship not God however they have not a Covenant-right to what they do enjoy it is not sanctified to them for their good 1 Tim. 4.5 for the Creature is sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer but prayerless families have no outward comforts thus sanctified Besides the saddest invisible Curse is upon their Souls and Spirits a blind mind hard heart a seared conscience and a spirit of slumber are the greatest Judgments and Fruits of God's heaviest fury Rom. 1.26 28. 2 Thes 2.10 11. Psal 81.11 12. It 's a dreadful thing when a Lord have mercy on them is writ upon mens Doors and they cannot read it will not believe it or lay it to heart Isa 42.24 25. This is next to Pharaoh's Plague and next door to Hell They that will not heed now must feel this fury and in the latter days shall consider it perfectly Read Jer. 23.19 20. Deut. 29.19 20. Thus much for the Reasons to prove erecting Family-Altars for God's Worship an important duty The Command of God Scripture-Types Natural Religion Promises Prophecies Scripture-Examples Divine Providence discriminating Character their being Christian Churches Governours charge and account daily necessities of Families God's Blessing on praying-families his Curse and Wrath upon prayerless families Chap. IV. Objections proposed and answered that militate against Family-Altars BUT there is no Truth so plain no Duty so good but Satan can furnish a witty head and wicked heart with plausible Arguments against it And it 's strange if men have not something to say against this Duty that apparently tends to undermine Satan's Kingdom Object 1. Had Family-prayer been a Duty we had found it expresly commanded in Scripture but we find it not in any express Precept Ans 1. Where find you Infant-Baptism expresly commanded in the N. Teftam yet it is plain by necessary consequence so is this Circumcision was commanded there 's the like Reason for Baptism both are plain to all but perverse spirits I hinted before that proper consequence is strong Argument 2. Let not proud Reason dictate to the wise God how he must speak General Rules laid down in Scripture are to be applied to particular Cases by Nature and Reason in several circumstances If God say Men must provide for their families he leaves it to their discretion what kind of Meat Cloaths Lodging Callings they provide God bids us pray without ceasing in all places all manner of prayer and leaves it to prudence for particular places times words company so that it answer the main End of God's Glory Communion with himself and Edification Let not captious Wits pick quarrels to evacuate the substance of a Duty because the circumstance is not exprest God gives Laws to Rational Creatures and indulgeth us so far as to leave us to our liberty in mutable circumstances except expresly prescribed Object 2. Jesus Christ prayed not with his family yet he is the best Pattern if he had prayed with them constantly they would have learned from him but they want to be taught Luk. 11.1 Ans 1. Christ's case and ours are far different what was suitable to his Disciples was not proper to him he needed not for himself to confess sin ask forgiveness beg mortification increase of grace assurance so that it was not necessary that he should ordinarily be their mouth 2. Yet Scripture-silence is no good Argument And their desire of instruction in Prayer is no good Argument he Prayed not with them for Prayer is a Personal Duty And our Lord could not be always with them And yet we find our Lord did occasionally Pray with his Family In Gratitude Mat. 11.25 26. In working Miracles Mat. 14.19 In the Holy Supper Luke 22.19 And that large and last Prayer uttered with his Disciples John 17. In all which he spake what was proper to him as God-Man and our Mediator and herein he is an excellent pattern to all Housholders Object 3. The Sacrifice of the wicked and so his Prayer is abomination to the Lord Prov. 15.8 How can you then put them on Praying when most are bad
Ignorance or Negligence if you be barren in your addresses to the throne of Grace some good Devines have proposed a method and words in Scripture-phrase which I will not now trouble you with but if you daily use to read the Bible you will find patt expressions flowing into your mind in Prayer which will prove pertinent matter upon all occasions when you read Scripture think now God is speaking to me and thereby furnishing me with matter to speak to him in Prayer this passage suits my case I will improve it in Confession Petition Deprecation or Thanksgiving in my addresses to God and thus you will arrive to an habit of free-conversing with God and it becomes Governours of families to be more imployed in reading Scriptures than others Deu. 17.19 Josh 1 8. 1 Tim. 4.14 so God appoints Kings Captains Ministers to be daily exercised in this duty because they were to be helpfull to others so must you if you consult with Gods word you go in unto God so some observe by comparing Psal 73.17 of going into the Sanctuary of God with 2 Sam. 7.18 then went King David in and sate before the Lord. i. e. he went in to God to intimate that Reading and Praying are near a kinâ— the one is an help to the other if you read much it will help you to Pray much it will help you to read and understand Be much imployed in both 3. Learn to understand and improve the Lords Prayer Mat. 6.9 12. Consider the Prologue Parts and Conclusion of it get some Succinct and plain Exposition of it do not Cantingly Formally and Superstitiously blubber it over as a Charm but use it as a Comprehensive Platform of Praying I am not altogether against the use of the words in the Lords Prayer Nay I would rather you kneel down with your Family and said nothing but the Lords Prayer than that you should use no Prayer at all only see you understand the meaning of it and do not rabble it over as a Parrot but do it seriously and take heed of Mocking God Hypocrisie is a sin as well as Atheism to pray otherwise than Christ hath taught is not only Ignorance but a gievous sin saith an Ancient * Aliter orarâ— quam doâ—uit non ignorantâ—a Selaest sed et Culpa Cyprian Serm. 6. a orat Domini et cum ipsuâ— habâ—amus apud â—atreâ— Advocatum â—o peccatis nostriâ— Advocatâ— nostâ— verba prommus id ib. this referrs both to the matter and manner of praying for saith he the Father will acknowledge the words of his Son when we Pray to him in his name qui habitat intus in pectore ipse sit et in voce let him be in our voice that dwells in our hearts quia Deus non vocis sed cordis auditor est God is not the hearer of the voice but of the heart But we are now speaking of Family-Prayer wherein God requires both voice and heart and I am giving helps for the matter of Prayer and this is a certain truth that all and only the things that are to be asked of God are comprehended in the Lords Prayer that 's the summe and substance of the petenda things to be asked if you do not always utter the words you must express the Sense therefore it 's fit you should understand them for every word hath it's weight Our Father which art in Heaven thou art the common Father of all Mankind our Father in Christ we humbly and reverently prostrate our Selves at thy Footstool in confidence of entertainment through thy well-beloved Son and our Advocate give us child-like affections to thee and endeared love to all thine and tender Compassion to all others Hallowed be thy name let thy Glorious Titles Attributes Word and Ordinances be manifested through the World dispose all things to the Glory of thy name assist us in our confessing and forsaking our Sins adoring thine infinite perfections believing in thee subjecting our selves to thee attending on thee and aiming at thy Glory in all we are or do or suffer Thy Kingdom come destroy O Lord the Devils kingdom of Ignorance Wickedness advance thy Kingdom in Converting Sinners building thy Church maintaining the power of Godliness and hastning the Kingdom of Glory confirming and preparing our own Souls for our Lords second coming Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven let thy preceptive Will be our rule enable us to comply with it give us knowledge of it conquer the enmity of our stubborn wills enable us to do it singly Sincerely Universally and constantly as Angels and Saints Glorified help us quietly to acquiesce in thy Providential will be it for us or against us Give us this day our daily bread vouchafe to us a competent portion of outward Comforts for our daily supply thy blessing therewith which is the staff of our bread for we depend on thee for all Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors for Christ's sake and satisfaction Pardon all our Sins whereby we are endebted to divine Justice and can never satisfie but lay hold by Faith on the Lord our Righteousness and freely forgive all men their offences against us and Pray God to forgive them And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from Evil Lord we have bad Herds prevent occasions of Sin restrain the tempter keep us out of harms way or make us conqerours of World Flesh and Devil let not Sin have Dominion over us For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for Ever Amen We take not our incouragement in our Prayers from any thing in our Selves but from Thee who art the only Soveraign All sufficient God able and willing to help poor Creatures to thee only be ascribed all Dominion Blessing Honour Glory and Power for evermore Amen So be it Thus I have given you a short hint of the meaning of this Excellent Prayer that you may be left without excuse for your willful Neglect 4. Frequent Christian Society converse with Godly Praying persons this will help you in Family Work and Worship not only as it is a good Example but as it assimilates you to them and also as it provokes to an holy Emulation it will make you shame with your selves that such as had no better breeding or higher Education than you have yet attained to such Knowledge Gifts and Elocution this will make you admire the Grace of God in them and think it not impossible but that the same Grace may do as much in you Rom. 11.12 2 Cor. 9.2 Paul sought by the Gentiles Piety to provoke the Jews to Emulation and tells us the Corinthians zeal in Charitable contribution had provoked very many it 's not to tell what Light and Life Eccl. 49.12 and Love may be conveyed from one Christian to another If two lye together they have heat Pro. 27.17 Iron sharpens Iron A â—ow majori discit all â—ll so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his
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
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-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
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-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
do not find that the whole Assembly met every day therefore most probably a Family work and worship 3. Natural Religion prompts to it There is certainly such a thing as the Law and Light of Nature which puts men on to what is morally good and restrains men from or checks them for what is grosly evil Hence the Apostle saith Rom. 2.14 15. The Gentiles do by Nature some things materially good and natural Conscience accuseth or excuseth So he appealeth to Nature as an Argument à Fortiori 1 Cor. 11.14 Doth not even Nature it self teach you Whence these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 common in workings proceed I dispute not whether from some Relicks of Gods Image in Man which some censure as â—elagianism or they be superinduced by God since the fall for the benefit of mankind See Mr. Gepel of Temptation But doubtless such notions there are as that there is a God a Supreme Being that he is to be feared loved worshiped And that not only Singly but Socially in Families as well as alone or in greater Assemblies hence besides their National and City-Gods they had their Lares and Penates their Houshold Gods tho' alas they were but Dumb Idols From them it may be Idolatrous Micah had an House of Gods Judg. 17.5 And shall poor dim-sighted Heathens think it highly rational to have Dung hill Gods in their houses and shall not men professing the true Religion of the true God own their Omnipresent God by setting up an Altar to him in their houses the Prophet speaks peremptorily Mic. 4.5 All People will walk every one in the name of his God and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever Is there not much more reason and should not such as own the true God run parallel to these poor Idolaters in Acting for and Worshiping of the true God Shall Nature teach them to have more care of their Children than Christians in Gods way Yea shall even the Sea Monsters Lam. 4.3 draw out their Breasts and give Suck to their young ones And shall Christians be so cruel to the Souls of theirs as to neglect this Houshold Duty 4. The Prophecies and Promises of the Word imply this Family-Worship Jer. 31.1 At the same time saith the Lord will I be the God of all the Families of Israel and they shall be my People Whether this mean all the twelve Tribes or Judah only it 's a Gospel-Promise and implies Worship For relation to God infers Adoration of him Mat. 4.10 Putatis nos occulâ—â—re quod câ—limus si delubra aras non habemus eum sit litabilis hostia bonuâ— animus pura mens ut sincera conscientia haec nostra Sacrificial ac Dei sacra sunt sic apud nos Religiosin est 〈◊〉 qui 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—inucia â—â—â—cis Octavius Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and this in Families not only larger but lesser Holiness to the Lord is not only to be written on the Bells of the Horses but the Pots in the Lord's house shall be like the Bowls before the Altar i. e. their very Kitchin-stuff and common Utensils shall be reckoned as holy as Altar-vessels immediately imployed in Sacrifices Yea further every Pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be Holiness to the Lord of Hosts Zech. 14.20 21. The Persons and Utensils in private shall all be dedicated to God and accepted by him in Gospel-times Civilities shall savour of Sanctity These New-Testament Priests shall without scruple serve God in their houses Every Family shall be a Temple wherein God will be woshipped House-pots shall be holy Vessels This is meant of Gentile Worshippers verse 16. And Jews shall not be behind them Zech. 12.12 13 14. The Land shall mourn every Family apart Heb. Families Families Royal Family Sacerdotal Tribe and common People they shall mourn apart and shut up themselves apart from company and pleasures to exercise godly sorrow vent their spirits in repenting prayers and mournful groans for their barbarous Crucifying the Prince of Life This some from all places did at Jerusalem Act. 2. and more shall do it the day of their general Call and Conversion to God 5. The Servants of God have Practised it You can scaace name a Religious Housholder but he hath set up an Altar in his Family and offered Spiritual Sacrifices thereupon Joshua a Noble Warriour resolves upon this chap. 24.15 But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord let others do as they dare answer it another day I with my Children and Servants must and will worship the Lord Worshipping God is serving him Psal 72.11 All Kings shall fall down before him all Nations shall serve him i. e. Zeph. 3.9 by calling on God in prayer Doubtless Joshua did this David a great King in the midst of Political and Ecclesiastical Imployments withdraws himself from all and returned to bless his House 2 Sam. 6.20 1 Chron. 16.43 which could be no other way but by prayer and praising God for and with his Family Publick occasions must not justle out this Family-worship Job rose up early in the Morning offered Burnt-Offerings sanctified the Members of his Family and lest it be thought that this was but occasional and accidental the Text saith Thus did Job continually chap. 1. 5. And good Expositors think Daniel's going into his House Dan. 6.10 and his Windows being open in his Chamber or Dining room his usual Oratory he kneeled upon his knees three times a day and prayed this they judge to be Family-prayer being so obvious and discernable by his Adversaries However that devout Captain Cornelius that feared God with all his house prayed to God with his Family Act. 10.2 which he explains saying Nec omittenda est circumstantia quod familiam in Dei timore insti tuit contempto periculi metu quod inde inst abat valde enim exosa erat Judaica Religio nec impunâ— erat Civi Romano peregrinam ut vocabant Religionem suscipere Quare et si hodiè pessime in mundo audit sincera Evangelii pâ—oâ—â—ssio tamen nimis vitiosa est timiditas si quem impediat injustum isâ—ad caâ—â—â— ne suam familiam Deo audeat in Sacrificium suâ piâ Institutione assâ—re Vid. Calv. in Act. 10.2 I prayed in my house verse 30. Calvin notes That Cornelius instructs his Family in the fear of God contemning the fear of danger for the Jewish Religion was then hateful nor might a Roman espouse a strange Religion wherefore although the sincere Profession of the Gospel is much decayed in the World yet that fearfulness is too criminal if upon the account of that unjust hatred any one should not dare to dedicate or offer up his Family as a Sacrifice to God by a holy Institution Thus Calvin 6. Argument for Family-Altar is the Providence of God calls for it God setteth the solitary in Families Psal 68.6 There is certainly a signal
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
Egypt the first born of Pharaoh and others dyed Exo. 11.56 and there was a great Cry would not this move you into better Manners Oh but a greater evil befalls you your own precious Souls are endangered by Neglect 8. Suppose a Red Cross with a Lord have Mercy upon Vs were set upon your doors and the Pestilence were within your house seizing on you one after another and you had nothing else to do but to get ready to dye would you not spend some time in Prayer for your selves and Families Behold a worse Plague is upon you of Sin and will you not Pray 9. Suppose upon every Omission of Family Prayer you should lose a Limb or member of your Body first one finger then a Toe should be cut or torn off till all be gone and you dismembred would not this force you to this duty and yet your Precious Souls are in hazard which are ten thousand times more worthy than a Limb yea than the whole Body by wilfull Neglect 10. Suppose a Gallows were set at your door and you must be hanged thereupon the next time you go out of your door when you have not Prayed in your Family would you venture to be hanged rather than omit this duty do you love your lives no better Oh! but Eternal death is far more dreadfull and are Eternal torments Rev. 21.8 that lake that burneth with fire Brimstone nothing to you is the second death easie and shall not Sinners be damned for their Omission of good as well as Commission of Evil Be it known to you Numb 32.23 that if you will not do so i. e. as God Commands Behold ye have sinned against the Lord and be sure your sin will find you out it will hunt you as a Blood hound and haunt you as an evil Spirit in conscience here and in Torments hereafter if God said to Cain for a defect in his Sacrifice Gen. 4.7 if thou doest not well Sin lies at the door i. e. guilt shall be charged upon thee and you know how it dog'd him though he failed but in the manner of it not acting Faith on Christ for acceptance Oh what will become of you that fall short even in the matter also and do nothing of what God Commands you yea you think it is a needless ceremony and mock them that do carefully constantly and conscientiously perform this duty wo unto you if you dye in this Sin you are undone forever But one word more if any offer themselves to be members of particular Churches and partake of the Lords Supper I should judge them not fit to be Communicants except they Pray in their Families and if any be admitted and perform not their duty I should think them as worthy church-censures as those that are Idle and omit working in their particular callings which is injoyned 2 Thes 3.6 12 14. what censure this is lesser or greater whether only withdrawing familiar converse with the offender or upon obstinacy publick Excommunication I leave to the judgment of the Learned But * Si quis renuit libeâ—os suos alere reprehendunt eum pudefaciunt eum urgent eum Si adhuc renuit publice in eum proclamant in Syna goga dicentes 〈◊〉 crudelis est non vult alere liberos â—unâ—vel ipsis voluâ—ribus immundis crudelior nam illae pullos suos alunt c Dr. Lightfoot in Evang Mathaei Borae Hebraicae cap. 18. 17. p. 215. Dr. Lightfoot tells us out of the Rabbins that if any refuse to nourish his children they must reprove him make him ashamed urge him if he still refuses they must publickly proclaim in the Synagogue such a one is cruel and will not nourish his children he is more Cruel than the unclean Fowls for those nourish their Young ones and may we not say the same of such as neglect these needfull Family-excercises for the Souls of their's Chap. VII Directions how to set up an Altar in Families and how to manage Family-Worship I Have now done with persuasives to this great Excercise of Family-worship whether all that I have said will prevail I know not but loath I am all this should be in vain it 's pitty so needfull an Exercise should fall to the ground and all that I have said should rise up in judgment against you I again renew my motion in the name of the Lord Jesus you that are young set up your families with God whatever you have of the World beside to set up with this will be your treasure your Palladium your defence you cannot miscarry if you begin with God you that are old have been house-keepers long set up this altar turn over a new lease begin a new life you are not too old to learn nor too good to be taught better thrive late than never though you begin at the eleventh hour you shall not be rejected Death looks you in the face look up to God and be saved say not I will go to Hell because I have been long traveling in that road Be not ashamed to undo all you have done or misdone unravel this confused skein what stick you at Is not the Infinite God worthy of your love Fear worship are not the Souls of your Families precious is not heaven worth your seeking having Oh! say you I would fain set up an Altar in my Family to the Lord I would offer him a Sacrifice and Worship God but I know not how to set about it or manage it to any purpose so as may be acceptable to God profitable to my Family or comfortable to my own Soul I Pray you give me some directions on this behalf I answer that I shall very willingly but first I do solemnly require your promise to set about it in the name and strength of Christ and do thy best you can to do it right my Instructions I shall reduce to two heads viz. 1. Preparatives to it 2. Management of it For the Preparatives to your setting up this Family Altar I shall but give you these four 1. See your heads and hearts be well stock't your heads with sound Knowledge and your hearts with Saving-Grace without either of these you 'll not be fit for this undertaking without the former you 'll have no skill without the latter you 'll have no Will to the Work but go to it as a Bear to the stake 1. Be sure you get Scripture knowledge a knowledge of God the object of worship of the Mediator by whom only you must have access to the Father a knowledg of the Holy-Ghost that must help your infirmities a knowledg of your selves of Divine Truths Precepts Prov. 19.2 Promises that the Soul be without knowledg it is not good otherwise you will Worship you know not what or you care not how or regard not why you 'll degenerate into Formality and Superstition it 's worth nothing what you find in Isa 19. having told us of an Altar in ver 19. he tells
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
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
so much is writ by others concerning the necessary Essentials of all Prayer that it 's needless here to add any thing what belongs to all Prayer Publick 1 Cor. 14.15 Family Secret Prayer you must be sure it be Cordial you must pray with the Spirit and understanding also your Family devotion must not be a meer customary Formality like the Papists Tongue-threshing as Luther calls their Cantings You must ingage your hearts in the work Jer. 30.21 and then draw nigh to him You must also ask what is according to God's will 2 Sam 7.27 ground Your prayers upon a Promise as David did and God requires You must also prepare your heart and then stretch out Your hand to God in prayâ—â— 1 Joh. 5.14 15. Joh. 11.12 Psal 26 â— 66 â—8 Isa 64.7 Wash before You Worship for if you regard Iniquity God will not hear Your prayer You must stir up your selves to take hold of God come in sincerity with all Humility with Importunity You must propound right Ends in your prayers not for self-credit to be seen of Men as the Pharisees nor for Worldly profit or to please a Friend But for God's Glory and injoying Communion with him But above all see that you improve Christ as your Advocate in all your addresses to God without whom your best Sacrifices are rejected Buâ— I must not insist on these but lay down some general Directions how to manage this Family-Altar and the Sacrifice thereon 1. Set Your Souls in God's presence Remember who it is you have to deal with Psal 16.8 not with men like your selves but with the Infinite Eternal Incomprehensible Majesty of the great God an Heart-searching All-seeing and Holy God Hab. 1.13 Psal 11.57 Job 13.16 17 that is of purer Eyes than to behold Evil and cannot look on Iniquity whose Throne is in Heaven who loveth Righteouness but an Hypocrite cannot come before him work your hearts to an awe of his Divine Majesty Consider of his Infinite perfections and the great distance betwixt the Glorious God and silly Worms yea betwixt the Holy God and your Sinful Souls Remember God is a Consuming Fire Heb. 12.28.29 and you as dryed stubble therefore serve him with Reverence and Godly Fear Psal 29.2 give him the Glory due unto his Name internally externally in your conceptions of him affections to him prostration before him he is to be had in reverence of all that are round about him Psal 39.7 It 's more to appear before God than the Holiest men or greatest Princes on Earth regard not Auditors or joyners in Worship so much as the object of Worship Say as Abraham the friend of God Behold Gen. 11.27 now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes Oh that my Soul were weighted with the Glorious Majesty of God! 2. Call in Divine assistance presence and his Gracious Benidiction the first thing you do stand up and bespeak God's Blessing upon you in the present undertaking except you find it convenient to begin with a Psalm to call the Family together Psal 86.11 and desire the Lord to unite your hearts unto him and prevent distractions and Satans Temptations and vain Worldly cogitations in that Duty and lift up your Souls to himself with such an Ejaculation as that Lam. 3.41 Deu. 26.16 Let us lift up our hearts with our hands to God in the Heavens look down from thy Holy Habitation from Heaven and bless thy Servants We are taking thy blessed Book into our Hands Lord 〈◊〉 our Eyes to behold Wondrous things out of 〈…〉 let it be a light to our Feet and a 〈…〉 to our Paths let it be as our neces◠〈…〉 Food Yea sweeter than Honey or honey 〈…〉 more profitable than Thousands of 〈…〉 and Silver help us to understand ap◠〈…〉 and Practise what we read let our 〈…〉 a set before thee as Incense and the 〈…〉 of our hands as an Evening Sacrifice 〈…〉 be now attentive and thine Eyes 〈…〉 in the Prayer of thy Servants to us 〈…〉 shame and confusion of Face but to 〈…〉 Lord our God belong Mercys and Forgivâ—esses Thou hast Proclaimed thy name â—â—racious â—â—â—ifull Long-suffering c. To â—is name of the Lord do we flee pleading 〈◊〉 Mercy only for the sake of Christ look 〈…〉 be face of thine anointed 〈◊〉 â—mmediatly set upon this practice of 〈…〉 Altar to the Lord Embrace the 〈◊〉 â—viction the Evening of that day 〈◊〉 â—ou have heard the Duty pressed on 〈◊〉 about it plead no excuse to put it 〈◊〉 more convenient season Felix lost his 〈◊〉 and Soul by such a demur set about it 〈◊〉 your Spirits are warm give not Satan advantage by delay Imperatives have no future tense present dispatch is Essential to Gods commands anon anon at my leisure is no Obedience now or never there 's danger in delays Ps 119 60. I made haste saith David and delayed not to keep thy Commandments Remember his holy Resolution in a weighty matter of the like nature for settling God's Worship Psal 132.23 45. Your Spirits will cool by delays Satan will get advantage some have confessed that the Holy Spirit hath departed from them upon their not yeelding to it's motions and they have run into the dead Sea of Prophaness by degrees if you miss your opportunity you are undone you may dye before Morning if you go prayerless to Bed where will you be then You have no lease of your Lives you must not say to your Neighbour go Pro. 3.28 and come again and to Morrow I will give and will you say so to God Oh do not put off God in paying his dues either as to first undertaking or after-performance Qui non vul hodiâ— or as minus aptiâ— erit Take heed of delays and make no intermissions he that is not fit to day will be less sit to Morrow 4. Excite your selves and Families to the Work it was the Practice of the Primitive Church to have one to say before Prayer sursum corda up with your hearts alas our Spirits grow dull in the Intervals of Duty Isa 64.4 you must stir up your selve to take hold on God You must wind up your affections and turn your Spirits as you would do the strings of an instrument and you 'll find they will quickly slip down again twice did David say O God my heart is fixed yet immediately he found it unfix't again and crys Psa 57. â— Awake Psaltery and harp I my self will awake early You must be forced to give your hearts a pluck and check many times in a Duty if you make conscience to maintain them in a good frame 1 Pet. 4 7 Col. 4.2 hence those expressions of Watching unto Prayer and watching in Prayer as well as Watch and Pray Mat. 26.42 Oh take heed of doing the work of the Lord neglegently serve not God with that which costs you nothing