The Cursed Family, Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
The Pernicious Influence of the Sins of Wicked Families, upon this Church and Kingdom, from seven Aggravations.
1. THere was never any Nation well 1. Aggravation of Family Impiety. It depopulates Kingdoms. Sir W. R. Ghost.and peaceably Governed, in the which Religion, and a Perswasion of a Divine Providence, was not well and soundly planted in the minds of Men. And the more that any one was privately devoted to Religion, and the Reverencing of a Divine Spirit, the more Illustrious and Famous he became in all innocency and probity of Life. As the secret Atheism of Mens Judgments, so the known Atheism of their Practise, opens the Door to all Wickedness, Injustice, Pride, Perjury, Tyranny, Sacriledge, or any other Villany, Psal. 14. 1, 2, &c. Titus 1. Last. They profess they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate. It is observable, that the Book called the [Practise of Piety] was Dedicated to King Charles the First, then Heir Apparent of these Kingdoms; Intimating, that, true Religion, is, the best Crown Imperial, the undoubted Glory and Safety of Church and State. Wisdom is better then Weapons of War, but one sinner destroyeth much good, Eccles. 9. Last. The good of the Commonalty depends upon the Exercise of Religion. If thou hast true Loyalty in Una custodia Pietas. Char. of Wisdom.thy heart, live with an Awe of Religion in thy Family, the want whereof will render thee unjust abroad, as well as at home. Those that are without Devoted Service to God, will not be subject to Rulers for Conscience sake.
He that is subject only upon the account Bp. Wilkins Sermon before the King 1670.of wrath, and the Power of the Sword which is over him, will be no longer so, when he hath an opportunity of escaping or resisting that Power. Nor is there any possible way, to secure Men in their quiet subjection and obedience, but by their being obliged for Conscience sake. And therefore such kind of Persons as by their open profaneness and contempt of Religion, do endeavour to destroy Conscience from amongst Men, may justly be esteemed, as the worst kind of seditious Persons, and most pernicious to civil Government.
Was it not hence, that the Roman Empire suffered so much, namely, from their Cateline, Brutus, Cassius, Sylla, Marius, and such like wicked fellows? Righteousness exalts a Nation, but sin is a reproach to any People, Prov. 14. 34. It is the observation of Josephus in his Antiquities, that the Jews were grown very prophane and careless of Religion, before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. The Lord hath a controversy with the Inhabitants of the Land, Because there is no Truth, nor Mercy, nor Knowledge of God in the Land. By Swearing and Lying, and Killing and Stealing, and Committing Adultery, they break out, and Blood toucheth Blood. Therefore shall the Land mourn and every one that dwelleth therein, &c. Hos. 4. 1, 2, 3. The abominable wickedness of Canaan, provoked the Lord to visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the Land vomitted out her Inhabitants. Ye shall therefore keep my Statutes and my Judgments, &c. That the Land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, &c. Levit. 18. 25, 26, 27, 28. Personal sins quickly become Popular, and as sin goeth not alone, so it goeth not without its Contagion: It is a Plague, and infects others when we see them not, it is as diffusive as the air which we breath in. There is much danger in a Contagious Conversation. One Bp. Hall, In a Sermon at Hampton Court, before King James the First. 1624.person infects a Family, one Family a whole Street, One Street a whole City, One City a whole Countrey, One Countrey a whole World. If sin begin with one Angel it infects Legions, If with one Woman, it inserts all the Mass of Mankind. Thou sittest at home, and thinkest that thou doest no hurt to the Kingdom or Church, but sure is, that thy Familysins will abroad, and as its said of those that are infected with Plague sores, so it may be said of sinners, that they strive to infect others. Sin never goeth alone whether considered as Criminal or Penal.
Thy Sabbath-breaking, Idleness, Pride, Prodigallity, Backbiting, Drunkenness, Coveteousness, and such like, breed more sins first at home, then in thy Neighbours House, then afterwards, both thou thy self, thy untoward posterity and thy corrupted Neighbours, carry them into Company, in Villages, Market Towns and Cities, and in process of time, the whole Land where thou livest, is defiled thereby. This fire of Family sins, being once kindled, finds more fewel among sinful Men, and so going from one to another, at last, it breaks forth into consuming Flames. A whole Tribe was corrupted with Idolatry, which first came from Micha's Family, Judges 17, and 18, Chapters. Achan's sin brought God's hand, not only upon himself and Family, but all Israel smarts for it, Josh. 7. 13. And a long time after, Achan is called the [Troubler of Israel] 1 Chron. 2. 7. But especially the Families of Great Persons, as of Princes, Magistrates, Nobility, Gentry, Clergy, bring Judgments upon whole Nations and Countries. As in Saul's time, Jeroboam's, Baasha's, Ahaz's, and Manasseh's time. The sins of Nobility, and Gentry, are of a more spreading Infection, then the sins of Inferior Persons. And as to the Contagion of the sins of the Ministry; It is said, From the Prophets of Jerusalem, is Prophaneness gone forth into all the Land, Jer. 23. 15. There be some sins which are Domestick and Private, which grow quickly into National and Politick sins, as Sabbath-breaking, Whoredoms, Murther, Perjury, Rebellion against Parents whether Natural or Civil Parents, Oppression, Idolatry, Heresy, Deut. 13. 19, and 21. Chapters, Shewing the Punishment of Idolatry, Murther, Rebellion against Parents. And touching the Punishment of Whoredoms, see Deut. 22. 21, 22, ver. All which Texts shew the National Epidemical malignity of those sins; And therefore all Israel must hear and fear, and do no more any such wickedness as this among them.
2. Consider, That Ungodly Families, 2. Aggravation of Family Impiety. It Overthrows Churches.Overthrow Churches. Prophane hands in Parishes pull down Gods House. It is Unbelief, Impeuitency, Sabbath-breaking, common prodigious swearing, revelling at Wakes, Merry Nights, Greens, May Games, Healthing; Inlets to Debauchery and all Impiety, to Atheism, Blasphemy, Whoredom, Contempt of Religion and Morallity. These are the Boars of the Wood, and Beasts of the Field, which waste and devour the Lords Vineyard. These are the sins, which the Prince of Darkness, and his Infernal Rabble, strive to maintain and propagate, to the Overthrow of Christianity, yea, and (I had almost said) Humanity it self. The Tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites, of Moab, and the Hagarens, Gobal, and Ammon, and Amalek, the Philistines with the Inhabitants of Tyre (I mean wicked Families) say, Come, let us cut them off from being a Nation (a Church) that the Name of Israel (the Name of the Reformed Church of England) may be no more in Remembrance, Psal. 83. The General, Ignorant, and Scandalous sins of too many called Christians, Is like unto the Abomination of Desolation in the Holy Place, Dan. 11. 31. Parochial sins, which rise out of Irreligious Households (as Persecuting Saul's) make Havock of the Church. And are (in effect) the Bloody Hamans against Gods Church: Family-wickedness of Princes, Priests, and People brought Destruction upon Jerusalem, and demolisht the Temple, the wonder of the World for Building, a Type of Christ in the flesh, and of his Church upon Earth. Joshua a Good Ruler, (at a full and honourable Assembly of Elders, Heads, Judges and Officers) delivereth this weighty charge in his Speech, Namely to fear the Lord and serve him in Sincerity and Truth: And not only in Cities and Towns, but in all Families, as the Principal Means for the Prosperity of Church and State, Josh. 24. 1, 14, 15, 20. Go ye now to my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my Name at the first, and see what I did to it. For the wickedness of my People Israel, Jer. 7. 13. It is most certain, that the Church cannot flourish, unless the parts and members of it, perform Holy Duties and Offices in their Capacities, both in Church and Family. The want of Religion in Families, is the Decay of Churches. The difference between a Christian Family and a Church, is that of Parts and Whole, if the parts be wicked and profane, the Constitution of the whole is Vitious and Depraved (more or less) according to the proportion of the parts.
Is it likely, That Heads of Families should be truly Devout in the Church, and Exercise no Religion at home? How shall we Judge of the Churches encrease, if not from Parochial Religion in Families? Wickedness of. Families, maketh the Glory of Jacob thin, Isa. 17. 4. Wicked Families eat up Jacob, devour, consume, and make his Habitation desolate, Jer. 10. 25. As by appearance at Musters we Judge of the military Strength and Population of Kingdoms; so from Piety in Families the Strength and Prosperity of the Church and Christs Kingdom.
The Life of Religion, and the Welfare Mr. B. Gildas, Chap. 2. Sect. 5. And his Account of the Reason and Use of his Paraphrase on the N. T.and Glory of Church and State, dependeth much on Family Government and Duty. If there be any hope of the amendment of a Wicked, Miserable, Distracted World, it must be mostly done by Family Religion and the Christian Education of Youth. What Countrey Groans not under the Confusions; miseries and horrid wickedness which are all the Fruits of Family neglects, and the careless and ill Education of Youth?
In the Preface to the Record for Dissolution Dr. Fullers Ch. Hist. lib. 6. p. 310.of Lesser Monasteries, the Reasons returned were, The Vitious Living of those Houses.
Another saith, That Fornication, Adulteries, Treachery, Soddomy, Incest, were Committed and Brooded in those Houses. And the Reverend Author goeth on, saying, An Hundred Thousand Whores made by Bp. H. In his Occa. Med. 76. On the Ruines of an Abby.the Unmarried Clergy. Every stone hath a Tongue, to accuse of Superstition, Hypocrisy, Idleness, Luxury, the Late Owners.
How soon would the best part of the World Decay, upon the Corruption of Families? As in the Body Politick, so in the Mystical, it thrives or wasteth, according to the Good or Bad Temperament of the Parts constituent. If Families of Nominal Christians, were Real Living Members of the Church, succeeding Posterity would encrease it. But we have cause to lament the weakness of it by reason the wickedness thereof. It is most He is no good Churchman, who is not good Christian at Home.evident from Scripture, that such Professors are not True Members of Gods Church, which are not Living Members of Christ. He is not a Jew which is one outwardly neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the Flesh: But he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and Circumcision is that of the Heart, in the Spirit, and not in the Letter, whose Praise is not of Men but of God, Rom. 2. two last verses, He is not a sound Christian that is Baptized, except he be inwardly renewed and sanctified by the Holy Ghost. The real Christian Is a New Creature, Old things are past away, behold all things are become New, 2 Cor. 5. 17. And the New Creature hath put off his former Conversation, the old Man which is corrupt according to the Deceitful Lusts, And is renewed in the Spirit of his mind, And hath put on the New Man, which after God is Created in Righteousness and true Holiness, Eph. 4. 22, 23, 24. It is for want of Religious Government in The mischief of irreligious families.Households, that the Lords Day is not better observed, that few profit under the Word, and that there are so few prepared Communicants at the Lords Table. It is from hence, That Ministers have slender Congregations, and that Taverns, Alehouses, Walks, Fields, Gardens, Tatlinghouses in the Neighbourhood, are more resorted to, then the places of Gods Worship.
Oh! All you Careless, Ignorant, Worldly, and loose Heads of Families, let not this Aggravating Consideration (Namely, That your Family-wickedness overthrows Churches) pass out of your thoughts, till it please God to change you, and reform your Families. Are you Friends to the Church? Set up the Practise of Piety in your Families, which are the Nurseries of the Church. This Duty is of Great weight and Importance to the Interest of Reformed Religion, and of the Church of England. If professing Christians, live in their Si ita Singuli id faciant quod pietatis est, totum corpus facil… Sanabitur, &c. Synop. Bodini de Repub. lib. 1. c. 1. que 24.Houses, in due Conformity to their Covenant in Baptism, this (through Gods Mercy) will render our Church Beautiful as the Garden of the Lord; And our Land, as the smell of a Field, which the Lord hath Blessed. The Romans were as Careful to maintain their Vestal Fire, as to preserve the Palladium, as Pledges of Felicity to the Empire; Signifying to us Christians, that, If Religion and Vertue, Piety and Policy, be Countenanc'd, and defended, and their Contraries, Profaneness and Immorallity supprest, and punished, then the Lord will Build us, and not Pull us down, Plant us, and not Root us up. If we entertain the Life and Power of Christianity and Honesty in our Families, Upon all the Glory shall be a Defence, Isa. 4. 5.
Quest. What think you of Errours and Heresies, tending to the subverting of Christianity? A. Quest.And what may we think of Parties and Sectaries, Are they not greater Enemies to the Church then profane Families?
Answ. (1.) Here is not intended a Comparative Answer.Enquiry, whether Damnable Errours and Heresies, do more mischief in our Church, then wicked Families, but the main Business in hand, is to shew, that Profane and Wicked Families, are Pernicious Enemies to both Church and Sate. Sabbath-breaking, Swearing, Drunkenness, Filthiness, Coveteousness, Oppression, Pride, Treachery, Perjury, Cursing, Cheating, Killing, Stealing, Lying, and such like black infernal Sins in Families, will (without Reformation) Ruin Kingdoms and Churches.
(2.) Profane Scandalous Livers, are Practical Atheists and Hereticks, They profess that they know God, but in good works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient and to every good work reprobate, Tit. 1. Last.
(3.) Moral Evils of Sin and Intellectual, are Conjunct; A foul Stomach hath an aking Head, and corrupt Streams come from a corrupt Fountain, St. Paul, In Titus 3. 10. And, 1 Cor. 5. 11. Joyns together Hereticks, and Sensualists, or Scandalous Persons in Families and Parishes, as Fatal and Capital Enemies to the Church, and equally obnoxious to Ecclesiastical and Civil Punishments.
(4.) We have sad experience what Mischief, Parties and Sectaries, Rents and Schismatical Causes and Instruments, have wrought among Christians, even to oppose, That Great Article of our Faith [The Communion of Saints].
(5.) He is no better then a Wicked Man, that hatcheth Divisions, and Covets to make separations, and will not admit of healing. Such were the Donatists, whose Tumults were supprest by the Magistrate.
O that all Scandalous Profane Families in Parishes, would sit down, and set themselves as in Gods presence, seriously considering, that they are no more Living Members of Gods Church, then the Dead Bodies in the Church Yard, are Living Members of that Family, whence they came to be Interr'd.
3. Consider, That Profane Families are 3. Aggravation of Family Impiety: It rendereth the Ministry of Gods Word unprofitable.great Enemies to the Ministry. If Heads of Families would perform their Duties, according to Gods command, that is, to set up Religion in Families, Prayer, reading the Word of God, Catechizing, shewing good Examples, in the Week Day, and upon the Lords Day, causing their Families to keep it Holy, both publickly and privately; I say were their Families thus Governed, the word Preach'd would take better effect upon them. Is it likely that Preachers should do any good, when Parents by open Profaneness, pull down what they set up? As if they were resolved to live as they do, let the Minister say what he will. Is it likely that the Ministry should prosper in a Congregation, when most Families will do nothing towards it themselves, by keeping Holy the Lords Day, and serving and worshipping him in the Week Day? Would Masters of Families take hold with the Minister, Religion would enter into Families through Gods Blessing. But O what little is done to help forward the salvation of Souls by Good Parents! They ought to prepare and break up the fallow ground of their Families, they ought to Root out the Weeds of Vice, and pluck up corrupt Principles out of this little spot of ground, that it may be fit to receive the Seed of the word with profit, Jer. 4. 3, Hos. 10. 12.
Governours of Families ought to make their Families Nurseries for the Church, i. e. well Husbanded, well disciplined, and well taught. In their own Houses. Parents are both Magistrates and Ministers, in a Subordinate way, to the training up an hopeful Generation, for Church and Kingdom. Why do Ignorant, Loose, Worldly, Careless, Prayerless Families, cast off their Duty upon sureties for the Christian Education of their Children? Whereas they themselves stand Bound as they are Believers, not only to Dedicate them to the Lord by Baptism, but as their Childrens Sponsors, To bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord, Eph. 6. 4.
4. The Barrenness of the ground, upon which the Seed of the word is sowed, is 4. Aggravarion of the sin of Family-Impiety: It is a great Discouragement to the Office of the Ministry.cause of sorrow as well as discouragement to a faithful Minister. Is it not matter of discontent and sorrow, that the Seedtime for Corporal Bread, is stopt by some rude wicked fellows, in the Neighbourhood? And do you think (O wicked Families) that it is not greater sorrow, to Godly Ministers in their Office, that the Seed-time for the Bread of Souls is hindered by you? Is not Christ himself Lord of this Harvest, who is Judge of the World? Are not you the Tares, and must not they be cast into the Fire, not only for Being Tares, but for hindering the Wheat, Mat. 13. 40, 41? It was the Great grief of that Holy Man and Famous Divine, Mr. Ric. Greenham (about the 35 Y. of Q. Eliz.) That notwithstanding his Dr. F. Church History, Book 9.Preaching, Prayers, Tears, he had a Barren, Obstinate, Ignorant Parish.
Greenham had Pastures green,
But Sheep full lean.
Is it not matter of sorrow, that the good Minister finds little more shew of Religion in his Congregation, then what cometh in Course upon the Sabbath-Day, or that most in the Parish part with Religion, as soon as they turn their backs on the place of Gods Worship? This troubleth the good Minister, that most Heads of Families deny that at home, which they seem to like well in the Congregation; that some (it may be) bring their Bibles to the Church, and never take them up all the week after; that they Joyn in Publick Prayers, and will not Pray in their Families; And lastly, This discourageth and troubleth the good Minister, that many carry it like Christians in Gods House, and live like Heathens in their own. Our Blessed Saviour, wept over Jerusalem, saying, Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the Prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy Children together, even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings, and ye would not, Mat. 23. 37? When he beheld the City he wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy Day, the things which belong unto thy Peace, but now they are hid from thine eyes, Luke 19. 41, 42. After this sort the Prophet is affected, If you will not hear it, my Soul shall weep in secret places for your Pride, &c. Jer. 13. 17. O ye Irreligious Families, What will you do? Will you be obstinate and impenitent, because your Good Minister, nay, your Blessed Lord and Saviour, is Tender and Compassionate? Will you be careless and secure because your Minister is commanded to watch for your Souls? And will you be cruel to the Souls of your Families, because Ministers are sent of God, to Preach Faith and Repentance, Mercy and Forgiveness to you? Will you harden your Hearts, and stand it out, because God by his Ministers, is praying you in Christs stead to be reconciled to God?
5. Consider, That Profane Families do 5. Aggravation of Family Impiety. It provoketh God to take away the Gospel from us.provoke God to take away the Gospel from us, and give it to a Nation that will bring forth the Fruits thereof, Mat. 21. 43. God hath been pleased to Plant his Vineyard in England, which since the Reformation hath taken Root, and spread her Branches in abundance. And Blessed be the Almighty, the Wall thereof (our good Laws) is not broken down. But where are the Fruits? We hear of common seandalous sins of Drunkenness, Swearing, Whoredom and Pernicious Doctrines; And the sin of Sabbath-breaking in Towns and Villages is notorious: Notwithstanding K. W. the IIId. 10th. Y. of his Reign, Feb. 24. 1697.his Majesties Royal Proclamation for the suppressing and preventing of Profaneness, dissolute Living and all Immorallities, and for the Countenancing of Vertue and Piety in this Church and Kingdom. What shall we say of Loiterers, Travellers, Tatlers going from House to House? What shall we say of Debauched Prodigals, Harlots, Hectors at Drunken and Filthy Meetings? How few Families in Cities, Towns, or Villages do make any better Account of the Lords Day, then Almanack Holy Days? How few Christians keep Holy the Lords Day, after Service in the Publick Assembly? It were Just with God to Translate the Gospel to another People, and to put a Bill of Divorce into our Mothers hand, for the too common Disgust of the Power of Christianity and Practise of Piety. It were Just with God, to deliver his Strength into Captivity, and his Glory into the Enemies hand, Psal. 78. 61. Referring to the sins of Eli his Sons, in the Priesthood, 1 Sam. 2 Chap. And to the Punishment, in the 4 Chap. not only of the Priests but People also. And, we of this our Church, both Ministers and People, for our sins of other Kinds, have cause to fear least God deprive us of our Strength and Glory, i. e. his gracious and influxive presence.
6. Consider, That this Profaneness of Families, is the greatest reproach upon 6. Aggravation of Family-Sins. They bring the greatest Reproach upon such Families.them. As sin leaveth behind it the forest wound upon Conscience; So, It marketh the Person, with the Vilest Brand. What can expiate that Guilt, which staineth the Heavens, Curseth the Earth, hath cast down Angels from their Glory, and made Man as vile as the Beasts that Perish? Who can blot out that, which is written in Heaven in Gods Book, on Earth in the Consciences of Men, and unhappily Copied out, to be written in the memory of succeeding Posterity? Who can purge that away, which Peccati inacula durat in aeternum ex se, & Seclusa Dei misericordià.defileth the Souls of Men? It is not devouring time, nor flight, nor Banishment, nor change of Climate, nor strange Inhabitants, no, nor Death it self of the Infamous sinner, that can free his Conscience from the Guilt of his sin, and wipe off the reproach and everlasting shame thereunto belonging, Dan. 12. 2. And those that sleep in the Dust of the Earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. The Seed of Evil doers shall never be renowned, Isa. 14. 20. The memory of the Just is Blessed, but the Name of the Wicked shall Rot, Prov. 10. 7. Thou hast consulted shame to thy House, by cutting off many People and hast sinned against thy Soul, Hab. 2. 10. Are not Ahabs and Jezebels sins upon the File of Reproach? There was none like Ahab, who sold himself to work wickedness, whom Jezebel his Wife that Cursed Woman stirred up. Add hereunto, Jeroboam the Son of Nebat who made Israel to sin: And this is, That King Ahaz, Simon the Sorcerer, Elymas the Sorcerer, Judas the Traitor. These Persons to this day have their foreign, their Brand of Infamy. Man never came to loose his The way to true Honour.Honour but by sin, then he Marr'd his Creation-Robe, and was clad with Guilt, Shame and Amazement. To this ancient Estate of Honour and Communion with God, none but the Annointed of the Lord can restore, Investing with a New-Creation. Robe of Righteousness and Holiness. Well then, Grace is the Foundation Nemo deni que egregius, nisi qui b… nus & innocens. Lact. lib. 5. Cap. 15.of Pristine Glory. The way to raise thy self and Family is by the steps of Piety and Vertue, down then with Wickedness and Vice, and set up Religion in thy Family. Them that Honour me I will Honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed, 1 Sam. 2. 30. It is said, That the Valiant Roman Marcellus, built two Temples of
Honour,
Vertue,
in such manner that none could enter into that of Honour, but he must first pass through the other of Vertue. By the Laws of Armory, Plut. Vita Marcelli.none ought to be promoted to Civil Honour, unless they be Loyal, Temperate, Religious, Valiant, Charitable to the poor, and ready to attend their Soveraign to the Wars: And can any hope that God will Honour any such Families or Persons as trample upon his Holy Laws, Blaspheme his Name, renounce their Allegiance in Holy Baptism, and give no Honour and Service to that God, who hath condescended to take them for his Covenant Servants. Can we say properly that such as these are Christians? Are they not the scandal and shame of Christianity? Are they Members of Gods Church, Are they not of the Synagogue of Sathan, Rev. 2. 9? It's very excellently said, by a Learned Bp. Sand. his third Sermon Ad Cler. pag. 109, 110.Divine to this matter, as followeth: All the Members of the Body have their proper and distinct Offices, according as they have their proper and distinct Faculties. As in the Body, that indeed is no Member, which cannot call it self by any other Name, then by a common Name of a Member: So in the Church, he that cannot stile himself by any other Name then a Christian, doth indeed but Usurp that too. If thou saist, thou art of the Body: I demand then, what is thy Office in the Body? If thou hast no Office in the Body, then thou art at the best, but [Tumor praetur naturam] a Scab, or Botch, or Wen (as Physitians call them) or some other Monstrous Excrescency upon the Body, but certainly thou art no true Member of the Body. And if thou art no part of the Body, How darest thou make Challenge to the Head, by miscalling thy self a Christian? Therefore oh Christian beware of having a Name to Live, and yet Dead. As a Dead Man is no Man, so the Nominal Christian is no Christian.
7. Why wilt thou O Professor of Christianity, 7. Aggravation of Family-Impiety. It is condemned by Heathens.live in thy Family, As without God in the World? Why wilt thou Heathenize thy self and Posterity. Idolaters Condemn thee for thy course of Life, as they did (by the Prophets Testimony) the professing People of the true God under the Law; Pass over the Isles of Chittim, and see and send to Kedar, and consider dlligently, and see if there be any such a thing, Hath a Nation changed their Gods, which are yet no Gods, but my People have changed their Glory, for that which doth not profit? Jer. 2. 30, 31. All People will walk, every one in the Name of his God, and why wilt not thou walk in the Name of the Lord thy God, A…icah 4. 5? O Christian, thou art not only Condemned by Idolaters, for thy Irreligion in thy Family, but Condemned by thy own self; As Joshua said unto Israel, Ye are Witnesses against your selves, that ye have chosen you the Lord to serve him, and they said, we are Witnesses, Joshua 24. 22. Thou (O Christian) hast chosen the Lord to serve him, and to put away the Idols of the Flesh and the World, by thy Covenant in Baptism. Therefore take up Joshua's Resolution; and say, As for me, and my House, we will serve the Lord, Josh. 24. 15. O therefore, be Households of faith, govern your Families in the fear of God, and hope of his Mercy. O ye Worldly, Ignorant, Carnal Parents, Masters and Heads of Families, will it be comfortable parting at Death from your Children and from your Servants, when you go out of this World, not only with the guilt of your own sins, but of your Children and Servants? You say you believe in Christ, and yet Live without Repentance; This Faith the Scripture calls Historical, and it is the Faith of Devils, such Believers are Mockers and Impostors. And (as one saith excellently) Charron of Wisdom, pag. 262.more then [Men] in the Articles of their Belief, and worse then [Swine] in their Lives. The Lord have mercy upon all such Families, that call not on his Name, and grant them Grace to reform their Houses as becometh Christians, for their own Comfortable Account, and the benefit of succeeding posterity, at the great Day of Appearance; That so God may put his Name in their Houses, and leave an Entail of a [Blessing] and not of a [Curse] upon the surviving Generation, For the Lord our God is a Jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children, unto the third and fourth Generation, II. Commandment.of them that hate him, and shewing mercy unto Thousands, of them that Love him and keep his Commandments.
To him, the Habitation of whose Throne are Justice and Judgment, and before whose presence are Mercy and Truth, be Glory and Worship from all Families for evermore. Amen, And Amen.
FINIS.