the matter of Prayer I Have briefly dispatcht the preparatives for Erecting and managing Family Worship in a due order I now proceed more closely to the carrying on of this work â—â—â—ly that you may please Glorify and injâ—od profit and edify your selves and others in this undertaking in which I propose two sorts of instructions Which do Concern 1. Matter of managing Family Worship Concern 2. Manner of managing Family Worship 1. For matter or words in Family-Prayer the Holy-Ghost saith take with you words and turn to the Lord Hos 14.2 say unto him take away all Iniquity and receive us Graciously by words he means not only Phrases or literal expressions for therein Hypocrites may abound but 1. The subject Matter to be treated upon as Joab put words into the Womans Mouth 2 Sam. 14 3. i. e. the main purport design or manner of her Similitude not every Syllable she spoke 2. Practise accordingly keep the law Ebraei eâdem voce expriâ—unt verba et 〈◊〉 verba debent esse realia et homine digna praesertim apud Deum vid. Pol. crit in loc act as real Saints for the ten Commandments are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 words and our compliance therewith must answer our professions and prayers Else we do nothing we must live up to our prayers the word also signifies an ordering regulating and Marshalling a thing and indeed we cannot order our Words before him by reason of darkness therefore must we be very Cautious and exact as the wise man admonisheth Eccl. 5.2 Be not rash with thy Mouth and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any thing before God for God is in Heaven and thou upon Earth therefore let thy words be few i. e. Well weighed in Prayer or vows God is of Infinite Majesty not to be despised of Transcendent Holiness not to be offended and of unsearhable Knowledge not to be deceived nor to be flattered with vain Repetitions study not to speak fine but fit words not many but weighty proceeding from thy heart directed unto God and pertinent to the matter in hand 4. Words may signify Arguments in Prayer So Job 6.25 how forcible are right words i. e. Proper Arguments as appears from the later clause but what doth your arguing reprove accordingly holy Job wisheth Oh that I knew where I might find him that I might come near to his Seat Job 23.34 I would order my Cause before him and fill my Mouth with Arguments not to out-argue God or to prove him unjust no nor to move God to that which he is unwilling to for he is in one mind and who can turn him No ver 13. he is Righteous and Unchangable I dare not deal with God or challenge him to deal with me upon terms of strict justice but upon terms of new Covenant-Grace pleading his promise made to Sinners in Christ and soliciting for performance of them And now I proceed to help House-holders in the matter of their Family-Worship particularly in Prayer I shall produce some Stones out of the Word of God for rearing this Family-Altar and the rather because this is a general complaint and was a principall objection that they knew not what to say if they should kneel down in their houses with their Families but to such as are willing but weak in their addresses to the throne of Grace I shall subjoyn these two instructions for their help 1. Attend upon a powerful Ministry there you will hear Directions Motives Precepts Promises Scripture-Arguments to quicken and direct you in this work there you may gain knowledge of God the object of Worship Christ the Mediator and Advocate of the Holy-Ghost that must assist you there you will get a good understanding in Gods mind and will which will furnish you with abilities and further your acquaintance with God Prov. 3.13 Happy is the man that findeth Wisdom and the man that getteth understanding that man is prepared to every good work But how shall a Soul obtain this sacred understanding I answer one way is by the ear as he lost true wisdom by abusing that sense and hearkening to the Syren Songs of the subtile Serpent so the Scriptures frequently calls you to hearken to the voice of God in the Ministry of the Word Light and Life and Love may come in at that door Isa 55.3 Rom. 10 1â— Gal. 3.2 Hear and your Souls shall live Faith comes by hearing yea men may receive the Spirit by the hearing of Faith But how shall men breath without Spiritual Life and how can men Pray without the assistance of the Spirit Rom. 10.14 how shall they call on him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a Preacher nor is it any kind of preacher that you must hear but you must take heed whom you hear that they be sent i. e. duely qualified and regularly Commissionated you must take heed what you hear that it be not mens fancys but the approved word of the Living God you must also take heed how you hear alas any kind of hearing will not serve turn you must Pray and prepare before you hear it set your selves in Gods presence cast out all Sin apply it to your selves mix it with Love own Gods Authority in it hide it in your hearts meditate on it resolve upon the practice of it and who can tell what blesssed fruits it may produce in your hearts and lives 2 Thes 3.1 Pray you that the word may have free course and be Glorified and if it be so in you the fruit of Preaching will appear in your Prayers as well as Practices Psal 81.10 11. an heart opened to the Word will open the Mouth wide in Prayer But if you will not hearken to Gods voice you will have no voice to God nor will God regard what you say Prov. 28.9 for He that turneth away his Ear from hearing the law even his Prayer shall be abomination 2. Search the Scriptures Joh. 5.39 this is both the Rule and Matter of Prayer if you be mighty in the Scriptures you will be mighty and pithy in Prayer God loves to be spoken to in his own language study Scripture-Precepts turn them into Prayers study Scripture-Promises and turn them into Pleas study Scripture-Threatnings and turn them into deprecations and study Scripture-Patterns for imitation you may find several excellent Prayers in the Bible as of Abraham Gen. 18.23 32. So Jacob Gen. 32.9 12. Moses Exod. 32 11-13 So Joshua 7.6 9 Hanna 1 Sam. 1.11 Solomon 1 Kings 3 6 9 8.22-53 David 1 Chron. 17.16 27. Neh. 1.4 11. Ezra 9. Dan. 9. And many sweet Prayers put up and recorded by the blessed Apostle Paul and others too many to be mentioned which in reading the Holy Scriptures you may meet with Say not then you have nothing to say before the Lord it is your
Answ 1. God loseth not his Authority to Command because man hath lost his Capacity to Obey it is his Duty still though he cannot perform it in such a due manner as God requires He is bound to Pray as a Creature though he cannot do it as a Child Better do it as men can than not do it at all Prayer is a natural duty Jonah 3.8 The Ninevites must cry aloud and mightily to God and it was not in vain Act. 8.22 Simon Peter bids Simon Magus Pray though in the Gall of bitterness 2. We must distinguish betwixt a resolved and a returning Sinner We bid not a Thief pray that he may meet with a Booty that 's abominable Psal 66.18 Isa 55.6 7. or men Regarding Iniquity in their hearts But in a complex sense we bid them Turn from their evil ways and so Pray Prayer must be joyned with Repentance as Prayer is Medium Cultus so it is Medium Gratiae as means of carrying the heart to God in Worship so it is a mean to obtain Grace Prayer is the Souls motion God-ward desire is the Soul of Prayer and who dare say to the wicked desire not God Christ Faith By Praying men may learn to Pray right Luk. 11.13 For God gives his Holy Spirit to them that ask him Oject 4. There 's wicked Children or Servants in the Family how dare we joyn with them For whose sake God may justly reject us Answ 1. If the Praying Governour be Godly and pray right he need not fear non-acceptance Christ was heard in his Prayer though Judas was present What think you of poor Ministers Prayers in mixt Congregations Act 27.35 Certainly the presence of unworthy Persons prejudiceth not the entertainment of sincere Worshipers 2. Prayer is Gods institution to make bad good some have been much wrought upon by the Prayers of others God heard Stephen for Paul in time if it advantaged not at present Mr. Weems said of Mr Bruce he knockt down the Holy Ghost upon us all Deny them not this means of Conversion Object 5. This setting up a Family-Altar for so constant Prayer savours of Forms and will fill the Country with Formalists and Hypocrites Answ 1. Forms are not simply condemned but Forms only wanting the power of Godliness 2 Tim. 3 5. Our business is not to make Hypocrites but Converts By Form is meant a Mask Vizor or Appearance opposed to Substance and Reality But we persuade and direct to sincerity as to Priciple Manner and End of Religious Exercises 2. But a Form of Goliness is better than none at all Men cannot have the Power of Godliness without the Form no more than you can have the Kernell without the Shell He that Prays doth something towards Duty but he that refuseth to Worship God at all bids open defiance to God's Commanding Authority and saith I scorn to bow so much as a Knee to God in Prayer This is a presumptuous Sin Psal 10.4 The wicked through the pride of his heart will not seek after God Let him answer it as he dare The Text saith 1 Tim. 4 8. Bodily Exercise profiteth little 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a little 1 King 21.27 i. e. for a little time or for a little i. e. in some outward respects as in Ahabs fasting though it reach not so far as the Eternal Salvation of the immortal Soul However this is better than a total neglect Object 6. But such kind of Praying Morning and Evening is a stinting the Spirit a limiting God to mans time when the Spirit moves not to it Answ 1. Christ and his Apostles had set times for Prayer Jesus oft times resorted into the Garden Judas knew his stated hour and place John 18.2 And the Apostles had an hour of Prayer Acts 3.1 Was this stinting the Spirit Indeed this Objection is levelled against Preaching Singing Supper and all stated Ordinances how do men know that the Spirit will move at such a season 2. It 's one thing to stint another to lie in the walk of the Spirit Men are bound to wait at the posts of Wisdoms Doors and are blessed Prov. 8.34 and in the road of further blessing for the wind of the Spirit bloweth where and when it listeth Joh. 3.8 And no body will say he limits the wind that waits in the Heaven for a fair gale to wast him over Besides Isa 64.7 God expects that men should stir up themselves to take hold on God Self-excitation is God's appointment to get the heart into frame How often doth David begin low and end high 2 Tim. 1.6 We must stir up the gift of God in our hearts A Dead Dull Senseless Heart is no supersedeas from Duty Omission upon indisposition doth but harden the heart and indispose for Duty and gratifie Satan yea and displease God Object 7. This Family-Prayer is but a singular invention of brain-sick novellists not used of old and is more adoe than needs Answ 1. In Scripture-times it was used and in the purest Primitive-timess Basil saith Mane orto die in precationes properare that Christians made haste to Prayers by day-brake in the Morning Chrysostom saith we go not a mensa ad lectum from Table to bed but to Prayers lest we be more bruitish than bruits It were easie to produce instances from Cyprian Augustin c. of Primitive Christians frequency in Prayers You will say butt these were Church prayers Answer Churches were mostly then in Houses yet some instances prove also daily Family-Prayers And Godly Persons in all Ages have used it 2. Can men be too Devout Doth not our Lord say Luk. 18 4◠Mat. 6.33 Mat. 22.37 one thing is needful Seek first the Kingdom of God Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart Mind Strength Can you do too much for God Can you be too oft with God Eccl. 7.16 Alas you cannot be over-much righteous in the internals of Religion no nor in the externals as long as you keep to commanded duties and one duty cross not another Nay when we have done all that 's commanded Luk. 17.10 yet still we are unprofitable Servants we have but done our duty Joh. 12.3.4 It was Judas that said Wherefore is this wasted Godly Souls still complain of defects Whom did you hear complain on their death-bed that they had served God too much or been too religious Object 8. They are no better than others that pray in their families they can lye cheat be covetous proud passionate censorious hard-hearted Ans 1. Take heed what you say act not the Devil's part to be false-accusers taking up a false report or without proof It 's well known that now a-days if persons be strict and serious in Religious duties many pick quarrels with them take advantage against them aggravate their faults these mens Motes are Beams Act. 28.22 yea Mountains this Sect is every where spoken against there needs no further
for Omission but take another more convenient which may more directly suit your occasions 4. Case Suppose the occasions of an Householder call him abroad about his lawful occasions before the rest of his Family can rise out of their Beds may he omit Family-Duty Answ 1. In such a Case he must go to Prayer with such of his Family as are risen as it 's likely some are to help him away 2. However he must pray alone committing himself and his Family into Gods hands which the Lord may graciously accept 3. He must double his Diligence at his return or at another time And mourn for what he cannot mend A good Heart will lament any providential hindrance of Communion with God 4. But if possible so cast your Worldly concerns as not to hinder your Family Exercise prudent foresight may do much to forecast for it Ex. 16.22 But if your Calling be such as that cannot be do as the Israelites did gather double the Day or Night before two omers for a Man or Family lay in for the Day following what may stand you in stead by pleading with God for what yow 'll need 5. Case What gesture is to be used in Family-Prayer whether sitting be lawful Answ Scripture tells us of several gestures in Prayer as Luk. 18.13 1. Standing Mark 11.25 When ye stand Praying forgive The Publican stood afar off smote upon his Breast yet a Penitent Praying posture John 17.1 2. The Eyes fixed upwards Jesus lift up his Eyes to Heaven as we look a Man in the face when we speak to him Or in some Cases the Eye may be shut to prevent gazing or distraction 3. Sometimes prostration or laying the Body on the Earth hath been a Praying gesture Gen. 18.2 Josh 7.6 Mat. 26.39 Abraham bowed himself toward the ground but Joshua fell to the Earth upon his Face Our Lord also fell on his face and Prayed 4. Eph. 3.14 2 Chron 6.12 13. Luk. 22.41 Psal 95 5. Pâ—i 2.18 But the most ordinary gesture is kneeling called bowing the knee Even King Solomon kneeled down upon his knees and spread forth his hands Our dear Lord also whose Example is our Rule kneeled down and Prayed Methinks we should not be too stiff to kneel before the Lord our Maker before whom every knee must bow either in Devotion or Destruction All agree 1. That the gesture should be reverent before the great God Cum quis quoerit or are coliocat membra sicut ei occurrit Aug. De orat 2 That bodily gesture should be such as doth best express the inward reverence of the Heart 3. That the gesture be such as doth most quicken the Heart and help on in the Duty 4. That it be such as gives a good example to others As for sitting in Prayer it 's an unbecoming lazy gesture especially if chosen and in the beginning of a Duty Indeed for weak Bodies tyred out with other gestures some excuse may be made but ordinarily it 's not allowable Object But is it not said of David he went in and sate before the Lord 2 Sam. 7.18 yet he Prayed Answ 1. Some say David was a King and therefore might sit according to the Jews Rule it 's not lawful for any to Pray sitting before the Lord but the King 2. Others say the King Sate in Dust and Ashes in an humble posture he fell on his face say others 3. This was more a Meditation than a Prayer admiring the goodness of God Or he might first sit and then kneel Mansit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 resâ—itit Pius arim quam corpre sedie quiâ—tus coram â—â—mino Case 4. But indeed the word sitting signifies Davids constancy in Meditating Praying for a Man usually continues longer sitting than standing David sate i. e. continued longer and more familiarly before the Lord and with him than ordinary It refers more to the Composedness of his Mind than to the posture of his Body Therefore let not this Text patronize that sleepy gesture 6. Case is What place must we choose or how must we use our Voice in Family-Prayer Answ 1. We are not bound to Consecrated places for Family-Duty In this you may use your liberty In Gospel-times God stands not so much upon the place of Worship as the quality of Worshippers and manner of Worshipping Joh. 4 23 24. 1 Tim. 2.8 Look at the frame of your Hearts as before described and fear not Entertainment where ever you be 2. Yet the Circumstance of place may be duely weighed if you live amongst Lions Mockers Scorners of Religon though you must maintain your profession of God's name in your Families as Daniel did yet it 's a disputable point whether you may not sometimes retire from open violence into some private place But there may be a greater reason for retirement than that viz. To avoid the suspicion of Hypocrisy Mat. 6.5 and Vain-glory which was the Pharieses great fall or you may withdraw into some distant place from the street to avoid disturbance by hurrys Tumults and Confusions that may distract you 3. But let the place be so known to the Family as all may repair to it as an Exchange at the time of prayer be it dwelling-house parlour Chamber Dan. 6.10 as Daniel improved some convenient room called a Chamber for his Family-Devotion So may You. 4. For voice it 's true God is an all-seeing Spirit and men may speak to God when they speak not a word as Moses Hanna Nehemiah prayer is the motion of the will to God but in Family-prayer 't is otherwise men have Bodies and Tongues and Ears and cannot understand others conceptions without a vocal articulate sound what you pray must be audible else they cannot joyn with you or be edified by you only see your Hearts go along with your Lips and Remember the saying of Solomon The words of Wise-Men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among Fools Eccl. 9.17 I know it referrs to Wise Counsels not prayers but some may pray more affectionatly with a low Voice than others with loud clamours Yea possibly you may command your thoughts better in the former than latter see you be serious and your voice Audible and Intelligible not Mumbling your prayers so that your Family cannot understand you or know what you mean 7. Case is Whether is a form of Prayer Lawfull or whether may an House-holder use a Form of Prayer or may others joyn with him in the use thereof Answ 1. Our most solid judicious Divines of those called Puritans do not judg forms of Prayer absolutly unlawfull Dr. Preston saith Dr. Preston Saints daily Exercise p. 80 81 82. I think there is none here that doubt of it but that a Set Form of Prayer may be used you know Christ prescribed a Form there were certain Psalmes that were Prayers used constantly still in all times the Church had Set-Forms I know no objection against it of
for ever You had need pray and pray again for new Covenant-Mercy That God would give you a new Heart Ezek. 36.26 27. and a new Spirit That you may walk in his Statutes Eph. 4.22 23 24. 1 Pet. 1.18 Be not content with the Old Man that corrupt rotten Image of Old Adam but put on the New Man that will make you capable of new Acts in a new manner Better late than never Be not wedded to old Traditions Object 18. I have used it formerly but got no good by it and so gave it over and if I begin again I doubt I shall not hold out Answ 1. Whose fault was that Was it God's fault or thine The blame must not be laid on the Duty but on the Person Thousands have got good by it and would not lay it aside for all the Worlds wealth If thy heart had been right Job 17.9 thou wouldst have held on thy way if thy hands had been clean thou wouldst have been stronger and stronger 2 John 8. Alas that thou shouldest lose thy reward by losing what thou hast wrought Poor Soul thou hast Run in vain all thy Labour is lost Ezek. 18.24 thy former Righteousness shall not be mentioned for thee but against thee 2. Who persuaded thee to leave off Family-Prayer You did run well who hindred you Not God or his Ministers this persuasion cometh not of him that called you Gal. 5.7.8 No no it was the Devil and a Wicked Heart that bewitched you And is it not egregious folly Gal. 3.1 3. having begun in the Spirit to think to be made perfect by the Flesh Will you go out of God's blessing into the warm Sun Jer. 2.5 Mal. 3.14 What iniquity have you found in God or in his ways Oh gratifie not the Devil and Flesh 2 Kin. 6.33 by saying It is invain to God Or what should I wait for the Lord any longer Hos 2.7 Come Sirs renew you old Acquaintance Return to your first Husband receive your ancient convictions impressions engage the strength of God and you shall hold on Object 19. I like not this precileness you shall never persuade me to it you spend your breath in vain yet I hope to be saved as well as the best of you all God is merciful Answ 1. Now Flesh and Blood and carnal reason speak out and vent the natural malignity of a wicked heart Rom. 8.7 the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be Oh that any of Gods creatures should spit such venom against its maker How far are you from blessed Paul who when God called him by his Grace He conferred not with Flesh and Blood Gal. 1.16 Will you ask the Devils Advice whither you shall be God's Children or no Will you not serve God without the Devils leave Well go on in your gratifying God's enemy and see the issue it will be bitterness in the End 2. Dare you stand by this answer at God's Bar and great Tribunal Dare you then say Lord thou didst indeed bid us Pray but we had no mind of that Duty we loved not thee nor did we approve of thy ways we thought they were too strict and bound us too strait we had more mind of our carnal ease and sensual lusts Luk. 19.14 we were Latitudinarians and resolved upon it we will not have this man to rule over us whatever it cost us Well Sirs think not not much if God say Prov. 1.25 26. Psal 50.21 You have set at nought all my Councel and would none of my Reproof I also will laugh at your calamity Your thought I was altogether such an one as your selves but I will reprove you Now is the day of Vengeance Mercy hath an end and Justice takes place and those mine Enemies that would not that I should Reign over them Luk. 19.27 bring them hither and slay them before me Object 20. Well now I am convinced Prayer is a Duty Family-Prayer is my Duty and I have a mind to perform it but I know not how to to manage it I am a meer strangeer to it God help me I am a meer Ignoramus and know not what to say Answ 1. Where 's the fault Hast thou not injoyed Means Helps Ordinances many years for the good of thy Soul Do'st thou not see others as very Idiots as thou attain to excellent gifts under the same helps that can pray very pertinently even extempore but I guess the true cause it 's either the Pride of thy heart that thou canst not pray so well as others or it 's thy laziness that thou hast not diligently used means to get knowledge or excite thy faculties Prov. 1.32 thy sloth will slay thy Soul and thy damnation will be just 2. God stands not upon Gifts Elocution or ready Utterance the Sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit Psal 51.17 a broken and a contrite heart God will not despise If thou hast not precious Liquor canst thou not offer him thy empty Bottles If thou canst not Pray canst thou not fall down on thy Knees and tell God thou canst not Pray Canst thou not desire him to help thee to pray Yea canst thou not say as much as the poor Publican God be merciful to me a Sinner Luk. 18.13 to us Sinners If it be not wilfulness but weakness God will indulge thee much his Spirit will help thy Infirmities Rom. 8.26 both what to say and how to pray But in this case I shall give some helps anon Chap. V. An use of Conviction Lamentation over Prayerless-Families THE first use I shall make of this point is of Lamentation and severe Admonition if this be so as I have Proved and Answered Objections against it That Governours must Act the parts of Priests to Erect Altars for the Worship of God in their Families Then I doubt it will fall heavily upon many thousand Families in England for which I fear God's Vengeance is hanging over their heads God looks and expects that in a Professing Kingdom a Nation where the Gospel hath been so long owned by Publick Authority that Religion Should have been more owned and practised in Families than I fear it is God may justly wonder That there is no Intercessor Therefore how justly may the Lord put on Garments of Vengeance Isa 59.16 17 18. and Repay recompence to these Islands Wo is us that there is so few serious gracious Families to be found in these Islands Religion runs at a low Ebb serious devotion is banished from among us Some Families are 1. Without Priests 2. Without Altar 3. Without Sacrifice Or 4. The Sacrifice of Devils instead of Gods or joyned with Gods A Brief hint of all these 1. There are many Houses without Priest i. e. where the Governour of the Family hath no Religion is not devoted to God anointed with the Spirit and consecrated to be a Gospel-Priest
to Erect an Altar or offer Sacrifice A poor Carnal Master of a Family that knows not how to frame for Gods Worship alas poor ignorant sott He is not capable of speaking a Word from God to his Family or of speaking a word to God for them You go to bed and rise Psal 127.2 one time after another Prayerless you can keep them up late and call them up early to their work but never say come to Prayers not a word of God all the day long not a Chapter read not a Psalm Sung not a Prayer put up in the Family from day to day nay it 's well if there be any solemn praying for a blessing at Meats or giving God thanks for meat but Schollars grace as they say every one for himself so they sit down and rise up like beasts at best they fall to saying God bless my Meat Amen and so put off God with a compliment Ah graceless Master ah graceless Family i. e. as a Family wo be to thee 1. How durst you Marry set up Houses or take the charge of of a Family upon you that are no better furnished for it Do you not shame with your selves that you cannot say a word to God for them No not if thy Wife Child or Servant lie a dying and their Souls ready to be damned thou hast not a word to speak for their recovery or Salvation O wretched miscreant 2. Do you not condemn your selves that can teach your Children and Servants a trade to get a livelyhood by and live hansomly in this World and not one word for another World You command them to work never to Worship God You quarrel with them for offending you never for offending God You expect they ask you for what they need but you will not ask any thing of God either for them or your selves 3. Are you not worse than Idolatrous Micah Judg. 17.5 He had an house of God's and made an Ephod and Teraphim and consecrated one of his Sons who became his Priest Much what like some ignorant Parents that will set a Lad to say a Primmer-grace better so than none at all But Micah was not content with that but got an Hedge-hog Priest a wandring Levite to say Divine Service in his family and now he 's a jolly fellow and thus boasts v. 13. Now know I that the Lord will do me good seeing I have a Levite to my Priest This poor Idolater will rise in Judgment against thee 4. How will you answer your charge do not your Children and Servants cry out Oh pity us pray for us cruel Parents you brought us sinful creatures in a sinful World help us out of this woful state But alas you have not a word to say for them with them you regard their precious Souls no more than an Oxe or Horse their blood will be required at your hands How will they curse you in Hell Oh wo is me had I lived in a praying-family I might have been converted and saved I never heard a word of God except blaspheming his Name How will this grind your Ears and grieve your Hearts another day 2. Other families are without an Altar have not so much as a form of godliness not so much as a shew of Religion Oh! that it should be said of many houses of England as of Israel 2 Chron. 15.3 Now for a long season Israel had been without the true God without a teaching Priest and without Law As God threatens in Hos 3.4 That the wretched Jews shall be without any Religion true or false as it hath been since their murdering Christ to this day 1. How do these wretches resemble the Beasts that own God no more than a Dog or Swine Isa 1.13 Jer. 8.7 8. and it is better to be a Beast than to be compared to a Beast Yea God calls in dullest creatures to condemn an irreligious People 2. How can you expect a blessing upon your mercies they are unhallowed things as to you nay they are accursed to you and if God give commission will rise up in Rebellion against you Lev. 27.14 Thou hast not sanctified thy House so it 's not estimated as to thee 3. You hinder God's Interest in the World and do what you can to propagate Irreligion to future Generations how will they plead the practice of Ancestors My Father never prayed in family nor will I Omission is a Trade soon learned hardly rooted out 1 King 14.16 Here Jeroboam made Israel sin many Generations after Oh you little know how far your sin may spread 4. Do you not often read your sin in the punishment of it When you are Atheists in not worshipping God your Children are Atheists in denying God You are defective in duty they abound in iniquity You pray not for them God rejects them and leaves them to notorious Villainies to be punished by the Judges or God strikes them with some astonishing Judgment as he did Eli's Sons This will make thy heart ake and call thy sins to remembrance 3. Some families possibly have a Priest an Altar but want a Sacrifice As Isaac said to his Father Abraham Gen. 22.7 Behold the fire and the wood but where is the Lamb for a burnt-offering So say I here is materials the outward form but where is the marrow and mystery of true godliness Dost thou give up thy Soul and Body as a Living Sacrifice to God Rom. 12.1 Psal 51.17 Dost thou bring a broken and contrite heart for sin Dost thou practically obey Divine Heb. 13.16 Commands and do all the good thou canst in thy Place dost thou especially take Jesus Christ in the Arms of thy Faith Heb. 13.10 Eph. 1.6 and expect acceptance only in the Beloved Dost thou only Compliment with God Wo be to thee 1. If there be not a Principle of Grace within thou art but a lifeless Machine like a Parrot that speaks articulatly without Sense and feeling Psal 17.1 David's Prayer went not out of feigned Lips 2 Sam. 7.27 why so he had found in his heart to Pray his Prayer mind it thou must find thy Prayer in thy heart before thou utter it with thy lips and then thou must Pray a Prayer and not only say a Prayer as most do Some will down on their knees and patter over a few words in a heartless manner when their minds are roving to a thousand trifles and this is their devotion they brag of and God must be pleased with whereas it is a poor Heartless Lifeless Spiritless form without power 2 Tim. 3 5. Isai 29.13 Gal. 6.7 which God rejects This Lip-labour is but Lost-labour for it is a mocking of God and he will not be mocked 2. If you sleepily slug gishly unseasonably perform your Family duties Some spend all the day and the evening in work or worldly business it maybe in idle chat and vain discourse and just when they are for going to bed rush up and fall