Desires that Joshuas Resolution May Be Revived, Title page – To the reader

Desires that Joshuas Resolution May Be Revived · Title page – To the reader

Deſires that Joſhua's Reſolution MAY BE REVIVED: OR, EXCITATIONS TO THE Conſtant and Diligent Exerciſe OF Family-Religion: Being the Subſtance of Sundry SERMONS

By JOSEPH SEWALL, Paſtor of a Church in Boſton.

Gen. xviii. 19. For I know him, that he will command his Children & his Houſhold after him — that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath ſpoken of him.

Deut. xi. 19. & 21. And ye ſhall teach them your Children — when thou lieſt down, and when thou riſeſt up. That your days may be Multiplied, and the days of your Children — as the days of Heaven upon the Earth.

BOSTON in N. E Printed by B. Green, for Samuel Gerriſh at his Shop on the North ſide of the Town-Houſe. 1716.

Dulciores ſunt Lachrymae Orantium, quam Gaudia Theatrorum.

Auguſtin.

The EPISTLE TO THE READER.

THE Decay of Family Piety is an awful Symptom of the Dying State of Religion among a People: And if ever GOD ſhews Mercy to a Degenerate Land, He will pour out His Spirit upon Families, and thereby give a Glorious Reſurrection to Religion in them.

THAT there is a Scandalous Negligence in this Day of Apoſtacy, in all the vital Parts of that Service, which GOD requires of Heads of Families with their Houſes, is too notorious to be Denyed, p. iiand too reproachful to Chriſtianity, not to be Lamented, with the moſt ſorrowful Reſentments of Soul, by all, that have the Glory of CHRIST, and the Proſperity of Souls at Heart.

THIS flows not from Mens Ignorance of their Duty; but from their reſolved obſtinacy, and willfull Inconſideration, which hinders them from a juſt ſenſe of their many Obligations hereto.

THERE are indeed ſome, who call themſelves Chriſtians, who pretend they ſee no Warrant or Obligation to Family-Prayer, which is a Principal part of that Service, we owe to GOD with our Houſes: They therefore Demand an Expreſs Precept for Divine Worſhip in their Families: And with this they hope to juſtify their Criminal Neglect of this Duty. But aſſuredly whatever trifling Pleas any may make to ſilence the Clamours of Conſcience; yet few or none p. iiiin their cool and ſerious Thoughts, can think them ſufficient to acquit them from Guilt at the Bar of Conſcience, much leſs at the Tribunal of CHRIST.

HOWEVER, ſince there are ſuch, as ſeem to doubt of their Obligations to this Eſſential Part of Family-Religion; I ſhall Offer a few Hints, which may Awaken and Aſſiſt their Powers of Thought and Reflection to a ſight of the Equity and Reaſonableneſs, the Expediency and Neceſſity of Family Worſhip.

HERE it may be Obſerved that the Obligation to this Duty, is Originally Founded in the Law and Light of Nature; and not on Poſitive Inſtitution: And by Conſequence, the leſs need to require an Expreſs Direction for it in Revelation. Yet we are not without plain Intimations of it in Scripture Examples and Precepts.

p. ivAGREEABLE hereto we find Solemn Acts of Worſhip attended in Adam's Family; In Abraham's Houſe: for whereever we find him Pitching his Tent, there we ſee him Erecting an Altar of Worſhip: And there appear Evident Indications that this was Job's, Joſhua's, and David's Practiſe. And moſt probably, this was intended in Cornelius's Character; Act. 10.2. He feared GOD, i. e. Worſhipped Him with all his Houſe. In many Places of the New-Teſtament we have this Duty pointed at. We are Commanded to Pray with all Prayer, Eph. 6 18. Which certainly includes Family-Prayer. And when the Apoſtle Paul had lay'd down the Duties of the ſeveral Members of a Family, he then Exhorts them as One to continue in Prayer, Col. 4.2. And to Pray together. verſe 3. as that Place might be more juſtly rendred. This ſort of Prayer the Apoſtle Peter ſeems to have his Eye upon, in that Admonition, 1 Pet. 3.7. But we need p. vnot inſiſt on theſe; ſince this is an Act of Natural Worſhip, and not purely Inſtituted; and as ſuch approves it ſelf to the …ſon and Conſcience of Men.

HENCE, all Nations, who were ſo juſt as to acknowledge a GOD and a Providence, have conſpired in the Practiſe hereof. The Heathen under the Conduct of the Light of Nature Erected their Family-Altars, and Offered Daily Sacrifices in their Houſes.

AND if the Foundation of Divine Worſhip in General be conſidered, it will ſtrongly Enforce the Practiſe of Family-Devotion. The Fundamental Reaſons of Divine Worſhip flow from the Nature of GOD, and that ſtate of abſolute Dependance, and neceſſary Subjection that Man ſtands in to ſuch a Glorious Being. The Relation that reaſonable Creatures ſtand in to the Bleſſed GOD, a Being of Infinite Excellency and Perfection, as He is their p. viCreator, Preſerver and Benefactor, their Owner, Lord and Lawgiver; does Infer an immutable Obligation to pay this Divine Homage and Worſhip. Now will not our Obligations, for the ſame Reaſons, be as ſtrong to pay GOD the Tribute of Family-Worſhip? Sure we are, That GOD is the Founder, Father, Benefactor, and Owner of Families: By His Care and Providence our Houſes are Built, our Families Subſiſt, Grow and Flouriſh. What then more juſt and reaſonable than to Worſhip Him as the GOD of our Families, and the Fountain of all their Bleſſings? And by Solemn Joynt-Prayer in our Houſes religiouſly to acknowledge His Propriety in, and Dominion over us and our Houſes; and our Dependance on and Subjection to Him. This certainly is one way to give GOD the Honour due to His Name. Family Prayer is on this account GOD's Right; and to with-hold it will be found Groſs Injuſtice, and Black Ingratitude.

p. viiIT is acknowledged by all, that the more Publick the Honour we pay to GOD, the greater it is: Now Family-Worſhip is more Honourable to GOD on this account, than Solitary: And ſince we are bound to Worſhip GOD in the beſt manner we can, we muſt conclude our Family-Sacrifices muſt not be withheld.

AGAIN, The Neceſſity and Reaſonableneſs of Family-Prayer will be Evident if we Conſider, That this Religious Practiſe has a neceſſary and direct Tendency to promote all other Holy, and Religious Intentions in a Family. Hereby Heads of Families themſelves are awed to a greater Circumſpection and Care in their walk before their Houſes: And it has a bleſſed Tendency to beget and cheriſh an awful Senſe of GOD in the Hearts of the whole Family; and to Awaken them to a juſt concern for their Souls: This tends to give Life and Force to all the Solemn Counſels, Inſtructions p. viiiand Admonitions given by Parents and Maſters in the Name of GOD to thoſe under their Charge. And in theſe reſpects Family-Worſhip muſt be accounted what is Good, and what the Lord requires of us.

IN a Word, I can't ſee what juſt claim a Family, as ſuch a Society, has to the Character of a Chriſtian or Religious Family, if Family-Prayer and Worſhip be wholly neglected.

IF after all, any will indulge themſelves in the neglect of this Duty; and pleaſe themſelves that they are not under Obligation hereto: I would take Liberty to Leave Two or Three Enquiries with them to be reſolved.

DO you really believe GOD is as well pleaſed with, and as much honoured by your Omiſſion of Family-Prayer, as He would be by a Religious Performance of it?

DO you apprehend that you have done all in your power for the Good of the Souls of your Family; while you neglect to Pray with them?

p. ixDARE you adviſe your Children, when they come to ſettle in Houſes of their own, to follow your Example, and live in the Neglect of Prayer in their Families?

IN a Word, Are you willing that Death ſhould overtake you, while you live in the Omiſſion of this part of Worſhip? Can you ſay, upon mature Deliberation, that you expect as much Peace and Comfort in a Dying Hour, from a Reflection on the Neglect, as on the Conſcientious Diſcharge hereof? Let Conſcience Anſwer: and be Obſequious to it's Voice. And then I doubt not this Neglected Duty would be Revived; and Family-Sacrifices daily offer'd to GOD, i. e. Morning and Evening: Thus was the daily Sacrifice under the Law offer'd Morning and Evening. And if daily Perſonal Wants and Mercies do Challenge daily Supplications and Thankſgivings from particular Perſons: by a Parity of Reaſon, The Wants and Mercies of a p. xFamily, which are daily and continual, do require daily Addreſſes from them in Conſort. And nothing can be more Comely and Beautiful, nor more agreeable to the Ends of ſuch a Duty, than for all the Members of a Family to Unite with one Mouth and Heart to ſhew forth the Loving Kindneſs of the LORD in the Morning: however that he, we Evening.

AND nothing can be more Worthy the Thought and Care of CHRIST's Miniſters, who are called to Watch for Souls, and muſt give an Account of them, than with great Frequency, and all poſſible Importunity, to Inculcate this great Duty upon their Charge.

NOW this Principal part of Family-Religion, together with all other Acts and Inſtances thereof, is recommended to us in the following Solid, and Judicious Diſcourſes: which are every way adapted to Revive the Power of Godlineſs in our Houſes.

p. xiI deſign not an Encomium on the Reverend Author, or his Performances: His Modeſty will not allow me to do him Juſtice. However I can't but ſay, that as the Subject of theſe Sermons are moſt Important and Weighty, ſo it is Treated with Perſpicuity, Gravity, and due Solemnity, with that juſtneſs of Thought and Language; and the whole quickned with that holy Warmth and Spirit of Piety, that can't fail of an high Reliſh with every Serious and Judicious Reader.

AND, as I do heartily bleſs GOD, who directed the Thoughts of His Servant to this Subject, and aſſiſted him in his Meditations hereon; ſo cannot but joyn with him in Recommending the Serious Peruſal of them to all Heads of Families; but more eſpecially to thoſe under our Joynt Paſtoral Care: And do hope, by the Preſence and Bleſſing of CHRIST with theſe Labours of my Reverend Brother, more of the Beauty of Holineſs may p. xiibe ſeen, and more of the Gracious Preſence of GOD enjoy'd in our Houſes.

LET us therefore in Fidelity to the Truſt GOD has committed to us; and which ere-long we muſt give an Account of before the Bar of CHRIST; and in Compaſſion to the Souls of our Children and Servants, which we have undertaken the Charge of, Let us, I ſay, Entertain and Practiſe the Counſels of Wiſdom here given us: Let us uſe our utmoſt Endeavours that we and our Houſes may Serve the LORD with a perfect Heart and a willing Mind. In this way we may hope to be found of our Judge in Peace, and have our part in the Glories and Satisfactions of the Reſurrection-World. For which holy Purpoſes the following Sermons are with Fervency Recommended to the Influences of the Spirit of Grace.

E. PEMBERTON. Boſton, April 23. 1716.

p. 1DESIRES That Joſhua's Reſolution May be Revived.

JOSHUA XXIV. 15.

And if it ſeem Evil unto you to Serve the LORD, chooſe you this day whom you will Serve; whether the gods which your Fathers Served, that were on the other ſide of the Floud, or the god of the Amorites, in whoſe Land ye …well: But as for Me and My Houſe, we will Serve the LORD.

THIS Book containeth in Hiſtory of the Seventeen Years of the Rule of Joſhua.††Dr. Lighfoot Vol. 1 P. 39.

It's uncertain who was the Penman of this Part of Sacred Writ: Some Conjecture that Joſhua Wrote it himſelf: however that be, we p. 2know it was Written of him, and is a very notable and entertaining Hiſtory of the wonderful Providences of GOD towards His People, and their Enemies, under his Adminiſtration. It acquaints us how GOD brought the Children of Iſrael into the Land of Canaan with an high hand, and an outſtretched arm, dividing the Waters of Jordan, delivering into their hands the Kings of the Canaanites, their Lands, and Cities.

JOSHUA was an eminent Type of CHRIST both in Name and Office. His Name beſpeaks, him to be a Saviour, and is the ſame with Jeſus only Joſhua retains the Hebrew; Jeſus the Greek termination. Agreeably He is call'd Jeſus by the Seventy; and alſo in the New-Teſtament. And indeed JESUS is the True JOSHUA, the Saviour of GOD's Iſrael; He is the Captain of our Salvation, and was given to be a Leader and Commander to the People, to Lead them to thoſe glorious Manſions prepared for them in the Heavenly Canaan. Moſes did not lead Iſrael into Canaan; for the Law made nothing Perfect; but Joſhua did, and therein he was a Type of Chriſt, who hath His Name Jeſus, becauſe He Saves His People from their Sins; Subdues their Enemies for them, and conducts them to their Everlaſting Reſt.

BUT to return, In this Chapter wherein is our Text, we have an account of ſome of the Excellent Things which Joſhua did juſt before his Death. Great were the Pains which he took to Eſtabliſh GOD's Ancient People in His true Faith and Worſhip.

FOR this End, (1) Joſhua aſſembled all the Tribes at Sichem. (2) He put them in mind of p. 3the wonderful Favours which GOD had ſhown to their Fathers, and themſelves. (3) He improv'd the Narrative which he had given of GOD's Wonderful and Miraculous Appearances for them, in a Word of Exhortation, and a ſolemn Charge, to Fear and Serve the LORD. (4) He call'd upon them to determine, and chooſe whom they would Serve; and makes a ſolemn Proteſtation for himſelf, and Family, that they would Serve the LORD. (5) He renew'd the Covenant of the LORD with the People, Wrote theſe Words in the Book of the Law, and ſet up a great Stone as a Memorial of this Covenant-Tranſaction, and as a Witneſs of their Engagements to be the LORD's.

THE Words of our Text contain the Call which Joſua gives the People of Iſrael, to chooſe and determine whom they would Serve, and the reſolute Proteſtation which He makes for Himſelf, and Houſhold, that they would Serve the LORD.

BEFORE I Name the DOCTRINE intended Principally to be inſiſted on, I ſhall mention ſeveral Doctrinal Obſervations from theſe Words, and as they ſtand related to the Context.

Obſer. I. THEY that would Serve the LORD; muſt Renounce Obedience to Satan, the World, and their Luſts; and must Reſolve to be for GOD, and for no other.

Obſer. II. IF we would Engage in the Service of GOD; We muſt do it Deliberately, and of Choice.

Obſer. III. THEY that would Fear, and Serve the LORD; they must do it in Sincerity, and in Truth.

p. 4Obſer. IV. ALTHOUGH the Genernlity of a Profeſſing People ſhould forſake the LORD, and Serve other gods: Yet we ſhould reſolutely Adhere to Him, and continue Stedfaſt in His Service.

Obſer. I. THEY that would Serve the LORD; they muſt Renounce Obedience to Satan, the World, and their Luſts: and muſt Reſolve to be for GOD, and for no other.

OUR Saviour hath Aſſur'd us, that No man can Serve Two Maſters: for either he will hate the One, and love the Other; or elſe he will hold to the One, and deſpiſe the Other, Ye cannot Serve GOD and Mammon, Mat. 6.24. We cannot Serve GOD and our Luſts; GOD, and this Sinful World: for they are Contrary, as Light and Darkneſs. The Truth of this doctrinal Propoſition will appear, as Written with a Sun-beam, if we conſider,

WE Wave but ONE Supream LORD, the Eternal GOD. Indeed, it is inconſiſtent with the Nature of the Thing, and implys the greateſt Contradiction, that there ſhould be Two Supream Infinite Beings eſſentially diſtinct. GOD is One: Deut. 6.4. Hear, O Iſrael, The LORD our God is One LORD. He who is Omniſcient tells us, that He knows not any beſides Himſelf, Iſai. 44.8. There are Three Perſons in the Godhead, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghoſt: But then theſe Three are Eſſentially One; One in the ſame Undivided Eſſence, and all the Eſſential Glories of it. Accordingly, the bleſſed GOD can brook no Rival; He muſt be Lov'd with all the Heart; and nothing elſe muſt be lov'd at all, but in ſubordination p. 5to Him. He muſt be Obey'd without Limitation, and Served with all our Powers. And therefore if we would Serve the LORD; we muſt deny Obedience to Satan, the World, and our Luſts; and by the Grace of God, bring every proud Thought and Imagination, into Subjection to His Will. If GOD Rule in our hearts, and be enthroned there; the government of Satan, and Luſt, and the World, muſt be pulled down.

THE Laws whereby the bleſſed GOD Governs His People, are directly contrary to the law of Sin, and the corrupt rules and maxims of a Sinful World. For the Law of GOD is holy; and the Commandment holy, and juſt, and good, Rom. 7.12. And therefore while the Mind is under the government, and influence of Sin, and Satan, who rules in the hearts of the Children of Diſobedience; it's Enmity againſt GOD, is not ſubject to His Law, nor indeed can be. For it's impoſſible to live in Obedience to the Law of GOD, and the law of Sin, at the ſame time: for their Commands are Contrary; ſo that if we Obey One, in that very article we diſobey the Other. Certainly then, if we would Serve the LORD; we muſt forſake Sin, and the World, and ſay with them: Iſai. 2….13. O LORD our God, other lords beſides Thee have had dominion over us: bus by Thee Only will we make mention of thy Name. We muſt Acknowledge GOD alone for out Supream Lord; and make His Law the Rule of our Lives: we muſt not live in Sin, nor be conformed to this evil World; but be transformed … out Minds. Our Luſts muſt be Mortify'd by the Grace of GOD; or His Kingdom, which is Righteouſneſs as well as Peace, and Joy, can't be ſet up, and flouriſh in our Souls. p. 6If we would joyn our ſelves to the LORD, we muſt be ſeparated from our Luſts.

USE, I. LEARN what great Folly they are chargable with, who imagine that they can Serve GOD, and their Lusts too. This is a moſt abſurd thing; and they that flatter themſelves, as if they could Serve Two ſuch Maſters, are egregiouſly miſtaken; and may well be call'd Unreaſonable men. It's a moſt vain and monſtrous attempt to go about to Reconcile the Service of the holy GOD, which is glorious Liberty and Freedom; with the Bondage of impure Luſts, and vile Affections. What can be more abſurd than to ſuppoſe that Men may live in the gratification of their Luſts; and at the ſame time, Walk Worthy of the LORD, unto all Well-pleaſing! You may a… well Unite Truth, and Fallhood; Heaven, and Hell, and make them One; as Serve GOD acceptably, and yet continue your Service and Slavery to Sin, and the World. If any man love the World, the love of the Father is not in him, 1 John, 2.15. And yet 'tis to be fear'd, there are not a few who are guilty of this Folly. They can't bear to be divorced from their beloved Luſts; but hold faſt their Iniquities, and refuſe to let them go. There are not a few that ſet up an idol of Jealouſly in their hearts; prefer the Pleaſures, or Profits, or Honours of this World before the bleſſed GOD; and yet preſume that they are the Servants of the LORD, and upon good Terms with Him: now this is moſt Unreaſonable and Contradictory. Such may cry Lord, Lord; but they will be rejected, and puniſh'd as Rebels againſt GOD, His Crown and Dignity.

p. 7USE, II. LET us be Exhorted to Renounce Obedience to our Lusts; and to give up our ſelves to the LORD, to be for Him, and Him Only. He is our Rightful Lord and Soveraign. As for other lords that have had dominion over us; they are but Uſurpers. O let us then forſake them, and return unto the Lord our GOD; let us no longer bow down to Idols which cannot Save us; let us no longer contince in the Drudgery of Sin and Satan. But let us now go to GOD, fall down at His Feet, and Cry to Him to pull down the ſtrong Holds of Satan; and to ſet up His Kingdom in our hearts. Let us be earneſt with Him to deliver us from the Cruel Tyranny of our Luſts, which ſeek the Ruine of our Immortal Souls; and that He would Vindicate us into the Liberty of the Sons of GOD, and make us the LORD's Freemen. If we Serve the LORD and have our Fruit unto Holineſs, our End will be Life Everlaſting.

Obſer. II. IF we would Engage in the Service of GOD; we muſt do it Deliberately, and of Choice.

WE muſt give our ſelves to the LORD, and chooſe Him for our LORD and Maſter. Chooſe … this day whom ye will Serve. Now this doth not ſuppoſe that it was a matter of Indifferency whether they would Serve the Living GOD, or their Idols. The meaning is not, that they were … Liberty, and might lawfully either chuſe, or …ſe the Service of GOD. Nor doth it ſuppoſe … it is a matter about which we might heſitate; … we might delay, and put off, under a pre… of taking Time to conſider of it. No! …. p. 8As ſoon as ever CHRIST called James and John, They preſeutly left the Ship and their Father, and followed Him, Mat. 4.21, 22. But it may intend that we muſt make Religion our Serious, intelligent and Deliberate Choice; that we muſt Freely Reſign up our ſelves to the LORD, and yield a full Couſent to the Terms of the Covenant. This muſt be our own Voluntary act and deed. GOD accepts of none in His Service, but Volunteers. Indeed He exerciſes a Soveraign Dominion over His Enemies, and makes them Serve His Deſigns, whether they will, or no. But He Accepts of the Service of none, but ſuch as are His Willing People. If we would have GOD for Our GOD, and be acknowledged by Him, as His People; We muſt, by His Grace, Open the door of our Wills unto Him, that this King of Glory may Come in; We must yield our ſelves unto GOD, as thoſe that are alive from the dead, Rom. 6.13. We muſt by a deliberate, and free Conſent make Over our ſelves unto the LORD, and bind our ſelves unto Him in an Everlaſting Covenant never to be broken; To be for Him, and for no other; To Love, Obey, and Serve Him for ever. It's true, GOD's Right, and Title to us; and our Obligation to Obey and Serve Him; do not depend upon any act of our Wills. For His Government over us is Natural, and Neceſſary; and we are indiſpenſibly oblig'd to Obey His Commands, by the Law of our Creation. He Will be our Rightful LORD, whether we will, or no. However, if we would Serve the LORD in an Active Way, ſo as to be Own'd and rewarded as good and faithful Servants, through infinite rich Grace in CHRIST: We muſt from our own Judgment, make Choice of the LORD JEHOVAH for Our GOD, with a ſtrong Inclination, and ſteady bent of our Will towards p. 9Him. And this implies an Aſſent to the Terms of the Covenant; and an holy Reſolution and unfeigned Willingneſs to perform thoſe Duties which GOD requires of us. We muſt Chooſe the LORD for our Soveraign, and yield up our ſelves to Him, to be Governed by His Laws. We muſt Chooſe Him alſo for our Portion and Inheritance; and ſay, Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? We muſt Chooſe the LORD for our Maſter, and freely bow our Necks to the Yoke of CHRIST. GOD will have none that are forcibly drag'd into His Service. The LORD JESUS CHRIST as Head of the Church Governs a Willing People. Pſal. 110.3. Thy people ſhall be Willing in the day of thy Power.

USE, I. LEARN that ſuch as are driven to ſome external Performances of Duty, meerly by the laſhes of their Conſciences, and a ſlaviſh Fear of Wrath; are not true Servants of GOD. I don't ſay, but that there is an holy Fear, which is of excellent uſe to quicken GOD's People in His Service. And legal Te…ours are made uſe of by GOD, to drive Men to CHRIST, to prepare the way for their Reception of Him. However, when Men are forcibly Driven to ſerve GOD, meerly from a ſlaviſh Dread of Wrath, and not Drawn by a new and ſaving Inclination, by an inward Bent of Will: then Services are not genuine.

USE, II. LET us be earneſt with GOD, powerfully to incline our W… to make Choiſe of H…, and to Serve Him. The Act is formally ours; we muſt chooſe the LORD for our GOD, and cenſen… to become His Servants: But the Strength and Power whereby we are enabled to do this is only from GOD. For it is He who w…eth in us, both to … p. 10and to do, Phil. 2.13. Our Minds are naturally Darkened; our practical Judgment miſguided, having a wrong Biaſs upon it; our Will is Depraved and Corrupted by Sin; ſo that there is an utter Impotency to will that which is Spiritually Good in a right manner; unleſs GOD do by His Spirit change our Hearts, and of Unwilling make us Willing. Let us then cry to GOD that for CHRIST's ſake, He would ſavingly Enlighten our Underſtandings, Reform and Rectify our Judgments, and Conquer the Obſtinacy and Perverſeneſs of our Wills, and enable us to yield our ſelves to Him; O that we had, each of us, Grace to give up our ſelves to the LORD, and fully to conſent to become His Servants, according to the Tenour of the New Covenant! GOD doth now graciouſly Invite us to come unto Him, and offers to become Ours upon Goſpel Terms. Let us then preſent our ſelves unto GOD, and yield up our ſelves unto Him. O that we could ſay that we are heartily Willing to be the LORD's; O that this might be the Day of GOD's Power to our Souls for this end! Then it would be a joyful, and an happy Day indeed. But if we do now reject GOD and CHRIST, and refuſe to make Choiſe of the LORD for our GOD: we can't tell whether we ſhall ever have ſuch another Offer. GOD doth this Day ſet before us Life, and Death; Bleſſing, and Curſing: Let us then chooſe Life, that we may live. I conclude with thoſe Words, Deut. 30.19, 20. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have ſet before you life and death, bleſſing and curſing: therefore chooſe life, that both thou and thy ſeed may live: That thou mayſt love the LORD thy GOD, and that thou mayſt obey his voice, and that thou mayſt cleave unto him; for he is thy life, and the length of thy days.

p. 11Obſer. III. THEY th… would fear and ſerve GOD acceptably, they muſt do it in Sincerity and Truth.

V. 14. Now therefore, fear the Lord, and ſerve him in Sincerity, and in Truth — We muſt ſerve GOD with a true and a perfect Heart, and ſee that we be Upright before Him. (1.) They that would Serve the LORD, muſt yield True and Unfeigned Obedience to Him. Pſal. 51.6. Behold, thou deſirest Truth in the inward parts. GOD expects that we be Really and Truly that which we profeſs to be. We muſt not be faiſe and deceitful in our Pretences to Religion. We muſt ſee to it, that the Inward temper and frame of our Spirit don't contradict and give the lie to our Outward deportment and behaviour. For Hypocriſy is an abomination to the LORD. (2.) We muſt Serve GOD with our Whole heart, in Integrity. If we would Serve the LORD, we muſt give up our Selves to Him Wholly and without Reſerve, and Obey His Commands impartially. Unleſs we give up our Selves entirely to the LORD, to Serve Him with all our Powers; Unleſs we have reſpect unto all His Commandments; We are not Sincere. And GOD will not own us for His faithful Servants. John, 4.24. GOD is a Spiri…, and they that Worſhip Him, muſt worſhip in Spirit and in truth.

FOR GOD is Omniſcient, and knows whether we be True and Sincere, yea or no. We can only look upon the Outward Man, and by it muſt make a Judgment of the Heart. But GOD Seeth the Heart, the Inward Man. Jer. 17.9, 1… The heart is deceitful above all things, and de… … wicked, who … I the Lord ſearch the … p. 12I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. We may Compliment Men, and pretend to be much in their Intereſts, when indeed we are not; we may make ſuch fair pretences to Love and Eſteem, as to deceive them. But the All ſeeing GOD cannot be thus impos'd upon. So that if we would Serve Him to any good Purpoſe, we muſt be Hearty and in Earneſt, and not think to deceive GOD with a ſhew of Piety, and an External Form of Godlineſs. No, no, GOD will not be thus mocked. Eph. 6.5, 6. — in ſingleneſs of your heart, as unto Chriſt: Not with eye ſervice as men-pleaſers, but as the ſervants of Chriſt, doing the will of GOD from the heart.

GOD is the True GOD; and all the precious Promiſes which He makes unto His People, are in Truth and Sincerity. Jer. 10.10. The LORD is the True GOD. Idols are lying vanities. The Creature many times promiſeth more than it can perform, and ſo deceiveth our Expectation: But the Strength of Iſrael will not lie, 1 Sam. 15.29. All the Offers of Grace which He makes us, are True. Heb. 10.23. He is Faithful that promiſed. His Word is Truth, and ſooner may Heaven and Earth paſs away, than one jot or tittle of it fail. His Promiſes are Yea and Amen in CHRIST, who is the Truth. GOD will be ſo far from deceiving the Expectations of His People, that He will do for them exceeding abundantly above all that they ask or think, Eph. 3.20. Now, if we ſerve ſuch a True and Faithful Maſter; certainly, it becomes us to be true and ſincere in His Service. It is a baſe and vile thing to go about to deceive an honeſt Man, who is true and punctual to his Word: How much p. 13more vile and abominable is it to deal treacherouſly with that GOD, who is the Eſſential and Eternal Truth? GOD is a Lover of Truth; and He hates Deceit and Falſhood: we ſhould therefore ſerve the LORD in Righteouſneſs and true Holineſs.

GOD gives Himſelf to his People Wholly, i. e. for all thoſe intents and purpoſes which are neceſſary to make them Compleatly happy. And therefore they ſhould ſerve the LORD in Sincerity, and with a perfect heart. God gives Himſelf to his People as their Shield, and exceeding great Reward. All His Attributes are engaged in promoting their Welfare. His Wiſdom is employ'd to counſel, guide and lead them; His Power, to protect and defend them; His Grace and Mercy, to pity, pardon and ſave them. Certainly then, they are under the ſtrongeſt Obligations to ſerve GOD Sincerely and in Integrity, with their whole heart, and all their Powers.

USE. LET us Pray to GOD to make us True and Sincere, to give us Truth in the inward parts. We ſhould be earneſt with GOD to ſearch us, and try us, and ſee whether there be any wicked way in us, and to lead us in the way everlasting, Pſal. 139.23, 24. Let us look to it that we be Iſraelites indeed, in whom there is no Guile; no prevailing iniquity, no governing Fraud and deceit. Let us Pray to GOD to Renew us in the ſpirit of our Mind, and to help us to put on the New Man. Let us take care that we be True, true to GOD, true to our Neighbour, true to our Profeſſion.

p. 14Obſer. IV. THE Children of GOD muſt Reſolve to Adhere to Him, and to Continue ſtedfaſt in His Service; although the generality of a Profeſſing People ſhould forſake Him.

THUS Joſhua, If it ſeem evil to you to Serve the LORD, chooſe ye — But as for Me and My Houſe, we will Serve the LORD. We muſt not run with a Multitude to do evil; but muſt endeavour to ſtem the Tide, and ſwim againſt the Stream. The Apoſtle ſtood firm in the Cauſe of GOD, when no man ſtood with him, but all forſook him, 2 Tim. 4.16. It will be no ſufficient Plea to ſay that the Cauſe of CHRIST was deſerted by Many. No, there is more need for us to be Reſolute, and Active, and Vigorous in His Service. When Iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxeth Cold; We muſt ſtrive that our Zeal for GOD, and the fervour of our Spirit, be thereby invigorated and increaſed as by an holy Antiperiſtaſis. The Conſideration of this ſhould inflame us with ardent deſires to do much for GOD, and to abound in every good Work. This ſhould the rather make us Reſolve, that tho' Multitudes forſake CHRIST, yet will not we; and this not with carnal Confidence; but with humble Truſt and Dependence on GOD. We muſt remember that there is no Authority in the Voice of the Many or the Mighty to legitimat Vice. Tho' hand join in hand the Sinner ſhall not go Unpuniſhed. We muſt ſtick cloſe to GOD and our Duty, tho' the whole World ſhould riſe up againſt us, and Perſecute us for it. In a time of general Apoſtaſie, GOD looks to ſee who will eſpouſe His Cauſe and ſtand up for it.

p. 15THIS is the way to teſtify our Fidelity to GOD, and to obtain diſtinguiſhing Marks of His favour. A Friend is tryed in a Day of Adverſity; and ſo is a Man's Fidelity to GOD, in an hour of ſuch Temptation. In this way we ſhall give a Seaſonable Teſtimony for GOD, and ſet to our Seal to confirm the Truth of Religion. This alſo is the way to obtain the peculiar Marks of GOD's Favour: Ezek. 9.4, 5. The Lord ſaid unto him, go through the midſt of the City, through the midſt of Jeruſalem, and ſet a mark upon the Fore-heads of the men that ſigh, and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midſt thereof. And to the others he ſaid in mine hearing, go ye after him through the City, and ſmite, — They that diſtinguiſh themſelves by their Fidelity in GOD's Service in times of abounding iniquity, will have encouraging grounds of hope that GOD will remember them in Mercy when He brings Evil upon a degenerate People, and take them into the ſecret Chambers of His Protection until the Indignation be over-paſt. Moreover, a few thus Spirited may be Inſtrumental to Reform a backſliding People, and to Save them from Ruine. Such will ſtand in the Gap, and may by the Grace of GOD, be employed to make up the breach, and to keep off impending Judgment from a People. Had there been Ten Righteous Perſons found in Sodom, GOD would have ſpared the Place for their ſake.

The Doctrine principally to be inſiſted on, is this,

DOCT. IT is our indiſpenſible Duty to Reſolve, in the ſtrength of GOD's Grace, That we will Serve the LORD; And the Heads of Families ſhould not only Serve GOD themſelves, but alſo take care that their Houſes joyn with them in Serving the LORD.

p. 16PROP. I. IT is our indiſpenſible Duty to Reſolve, in the ſtrength of GOD's Grace, that we will Serve the LORD.

PROP. II. THE Heads of Families ſhould Serve the LORD themſelves, and take can that their Houſes joyn with them in Serving the LORD.

PROP. I. IT is our indiſpenſible Duty to Reſolve, in the ſtrength of GOD's Grace, that we will Serve the LORD.

THIS is fairly implyed in our Text. For here we have Joſhua's Reſolution reſpecting himſelf, But as for me — It nearly concerns every One of us to ſay, I will Serve the LORD. We have not all of us the Charge of a Family committed to us; but we are all of us obliged to take up this holy Reſolution for our Selves, that we will Serve the LORD. And unleſs we give up our Selves to the LORD, there will be little Probability that we ſhall labour to engage Others in His Service. Here then in the firſt Place, we may Conſider this great Duty as incumbent upon each, and every One of us Perſonality.

Firſt, WE are to Enquire, What's imply'd in Serving the LORD?

Secondly, WHAT Obligations we…ly under to the Performance of this Duty? The Firſt of theſe is very Large and Comprehenſive, and includes all that Duty and Obedience which we owe to GOD. To Serve GOD implies that we Own and Acknowledge Him for our Supream LORD and Maſter, that we yield Obedience to Him in all things. We muſt ſubject our Underſtanding, Will, and p. 17Affections, and all our Powers unto GOD; to be Guided and Governed by Him. If we would be the Servants of GOD, we muſt no longer walk in the way of our own Heart, and ſight of our own Eyes; but muſt conform to the Will of GOD reveal'd in His Holy Word, making the Law of GOD the Rule of our Lives and Actions. Rom. 6.16. His Servants you are to whom you Obey. In this manner we muſt Honour and Reverence GOD. Mal. 1.6. A Son honoureth his Father, and a Servant his Master, by Obedience. Serving the LORD intends, that we look to Him for Direction in our Work. Act. 9.6. LORD, what wilt thou have me to do! And then, it intends, that we do all with an Eye to GOD's Glory. Servants are Oblig'd to ſeek their Maſters Profit in what they do. And if we would approve our ſelves the Faithful Servants of GOD, we muſt not ſeek our own Glory, but the Glory of GOD. Rom. 14.7, 8. For none of us liveth to himſelf, and no Man dreth to himſelf — We muſt Study how we may ſpend our Time, and lay out our ſelves ſo as ſhall be moſt for GOD's Honour, and for the Advancement of the Intereſt of His Kingdom. We muſt take cure to Engage with all our Heart and Strength in the more immediate Service of GOD; and ſee that we keep our Secular Affairs in a due Subordination. It might have been ſaid, that our Obedience to GOD muſt be Free and Unconſtrained, Sincere and Univerſal, Conſtant and Uniform. But I have prevented my ſelf in what has been already ſpoken under the foregoing Obſervations, and therefore ſhall proceed,

p. 18TO Conſider the Obligations we…ly under to Serve the Lord, and to ſhew what great Reaſon we have to Reſolve ſo to do.

(1.) GOD hath made us, and not we our ſelves; and hath laid us under the Strongeſt Obligations to Serve Him, in that He hath made us capable of a Reaſonable, and a Religious Service.

THE Great GOD is the Author of our Being; He formed Man at firſt out of the Duſt of the Earth, and breath'd into his Noſtrils the Breath of Life. Rev. 4.11. Thou art worthy, O LORD, to receive Glory & Honour & Power: for Thou haſt created all things, and for thy pleaſure they are, and were created. Now, as our Creator, GOD is our Lord Proprietor, and juſtly Challengeth an Abſolute Right and Title to our Perſons, and all our Services. Rom. 11.36. Of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. And certainly, ſeeing we are of the LORD as the Primary Efficient of our Being; we are under the ſtrongeſt Bonds to Serve Him. There's no need of our Signing Indentures, in order to GOD's Claiming a Right to us, and our Services: for the Law of our Creation binds us in indiſſoluble Bonds to be the LORD's Servants. Pſal. 95.6, 7. O come, let us worſhip & how down; let us kneel before the LORD our MAKER. For He is Our GOD, and we are the People of His Paſture, and the Sheep of His Hand. GOD's Hand hath formed and faſhion'd us; given us Life and Being: and therefore we muſt devote our ſelves unto Him. It is He that hath made us, and that hath made us Creatures capable of Knowing, Obeying, and Submitting to His Will. p. 19As for the Inferiour Creatures, they are carried to their reſpective Ends by certain Inſtincts and Impreſſions made on their Natures, without their underſtanding the Principles they act from, and without deſigning the Ends thoſe Inſtincts lead to. But GOD teacheth us more than the beaſts of the Earth, and maketh us wiſer than the fowls of Heaven, Job 35.11. Men are Cauſes by Counſel, Free, Rational Agents, capable of underſtanding the Rule and Law according to which they are to act; of knowing that GOD who hath given them their Being, and of propoſing to themſelves an End in what they do. It is their Privilege and Honour that they are indued with ſuch noble and exalted Powers as to be capable of an Intelligent and Rational Service, of …iſing GOD in an Active way, and of being employ'd in His more immediate Service. And this doth loudly Proclaim our Indiſpenſible Duty to Serve the LORD with all our Powers, to do His Will and fulfil His Pleaſure with Alacrity and Delight. If we tranſgreſs the Rule and Law GOD hath given us to act by, to us it is Sin; we are guilty of Rebelling againſt our Sovereign LORD. Here then we ſee that we are oblig'd to Serve the LORD, inaſmuch as. He is our Creator, and ſo our Owner, Act. 27.23. — Whoſe I am, and whom I ſerve. And alſo in that GOD hath made us thus capable of engaging in His more immediate Service.

(2.) GOD doth continually Suſtain us, and Uphold us in Life; and therefore we are obliged to Serve Him. Thou hast granted me life and …, and thy Viſitation hath Preſerved my Spirit, Job. 10.12. His Suſtentation is, …as it were, a continued Creation. We have our Lives Renewed to us every Moment. p. 20O then what Obligations are we under to Live to Him, and to Serve Him conſtantly, who is the GOD of o… …ife, and the Length of our Days! Should we not Serve … GOD to whom we are beholden for every Breath we draw? Moſt certainly we ſhould. It is impiouſly ungrateful, as well as very dangerous, to contemn the Authority, and diſobey the Commands of that GOD in whoſe Hand our Breath is, and whoſe are all our ways, Dan. 5. …. O let us not ſpend the Life, which GOD continueth to us, in the Service of Satan and Luſt, His avowed Enemies! Let us not Live to our ſelves, but to GOD, ſeeing He is the LORD of our Life, the Suſtainer and Diſpoſer of it! It is Juſt and Reaſonable, that while His Everlaſting Arms are underneath, to ſupport us, and keep us from dropping into Nothing; that us Hands, and all the Powers of our Souls and Bodies, ſhould be vigorouſly employ'd in His Service. We live upon GOD's Bounty, and are maintained at His Coſt and Charge; O then let us Serve Him.

(3.) GOD gives us all the Talents which we have, capable of Improvement; and that for this End that they may be employ'd in His Service. Our Health and Strength; our Liberty, Eſtate, and all our Capacities, are the free Gift of GOD, and beſtowed upon us for this End, that we may be capable of Serving GOD, and our Generation according to His Will. We are but Stewards of our Eſtates and all the Accommodations and Advantages which we enjoy. Now it is Required in Stewards, that every one be found Faithful; and take care to improve the Things they are intruſted with, in the Service of their LORD, upon His Account, and for the Advancement of His Intereſt. Here then p. 21we ſee what ſtrong Bonds we are under to …ve the LORD with all the Talents which are committed to us. We have all of us ſome Talents deliver'd us by our LORD capable of being improv'd in His Service. Indeed there is a great Variety in GOD's Dealing with Men upon this Account. He is Debtor to no Man; and accordingly He manifeſts His Sovereignty in this matter. by giving to one Five Talents; to another, Two, and to another, One, as it pleaſeth Him. But all are given to Men to profit withal, by being improved in the Service of their LORD and Maſter. Agreeably, we read in the Parable of the Talents, As a Man travelling into a far Country, who called his own Servants, and delivered unto them his goods: and unto one he gave Five Talents, to another Two, — to every man according to his ſeveral ability, — Then he that had received the Five Talents, went and Traded with them, — Mat. 25.14. — It is therefore Sacrilegious Injuſtice to convert theſe to contrary uſes, and t… ſerve our Luſts with the….

(4) GOD is our Saviour. And therefore we are oblig'd to Serve Him. GOD is the Saviour of All Men, eſpecially of thoſe that believe, 1 Tim. 4.10. GOD affords unto all, Temporal Preſervations and Salvations, delivers them from many Troubles, and ſaves them from many Deaths. He offers Life, and Eternal Salvation to all that Live under the Goſpel. And He is the Author of Eternal Salvation to His Choſen People GOD ſaves His People from Sin and Death, and redeems their Souls out of all Adverſity. The LORD JESUS CHRIST tho' He was in the Form of GOD, and though it not Robbery to be equal with GOD; yet H… took upon Him the form of a Servant and became p. 22Obedient to Death, even the Death of the Croſs, that ſo He might redeem His People from the Curſe, and Purchaſe Grace, and Glory, and every Good Thing for them. O what Potent Obligations are they then under to Serve the LORD, who tho' the Heir and Lord of all, yet became a Servant, that He might Save them? He hath Bought them with His own Precious Blood, delivered them from the Slavery of Sin and Satan. O let theſe Ranſomed of the LORD being delivered out of the hands of their Enemies, Serve their Glorious Redeemer and Saviour. For this End GOD rais'd up a Horn of Salvation in the Houſe of His Servant David, that we being delivered from the hands of our Enemies, might Serve Him without fear, in Holineſs and Righteouſneſs before Him, all the days of our Life, Luk. 2.69, — 74, 75. And hath bought us when we had forfeited our Lives into the Hands of revenging Juſtice. And therefore we are His, and under the ſtrongeſt Obligations to Live to Him, and Serve Him with all our Powers. 1 Cor. 6.20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify GOD in your Body, and in your Spirit, which are GOD's.

(5.) BECAUSE it is Pleaſant, and Honourable to Serve the LORD. The Slavery of Sin is moſt baſe and ignominious; but it is our Honour and Glory to Serve the LORD. It gives to the Head an Ornament of Grace, a Crown of Glory. It is accounted a great Honour to ſtand before Princes, and to be taken into their Service: How much greater Honour is it to Serve that GOD, who is KING of Kings, and LORD of Lords? The Angels are GOD's Miniſtring Spirits, and look upon it as their higheſt Honour to bow before p. 23His Throne, and fulfil His Pleaſure. CHRIST aſſures us, Joh. 12.26 — If any man ſerve Me, him will my Father honour. Again, The ſervice of Sin is a cruel Bondage; the yoke of Satan is an Iron yoke. He makes His Vaſſals to ſerve with Rigour. But the Yoke of CHRIST is Eaſy, and His Commands are not Grievous. A peaceful Serenity of Mind is to be enjoy'd in the Service of GOD. The ways of Wiſdom are ways of Pleaſantneſs, and all her paths are Peace, Prov. 3.17.

(6.) THE Service of GOD is always attended with a Glorious Recompence of Reward. They that Serve the LORD Faithfully, ſhall receive a Crown of Life and Glory, which fadeth not away; when they reſt from their Labours, they ſhall enter into their Maſters Joy, and be for ever with the LORD, in whoſe Preſence is fulneſs of Joy, at whoſe Right Hand are Pleaſures for Evermore. Joh. 12.26. If any man ſerve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there ſhall alſo my Servant be. Moreover it is a great Encouragement to us to Serve the LORD, in that He is both able and willing to afford us all needful Aſſiſtance. He's always preſent with us to direct and ſtrengthen as, and help us to hold out to the End; ſo that our labour is not in vain in the LORD.

USE, I. HENCE we I carn, that the Service of GOD is a moſt Reaſonable Service. Thus it is called, Rom. 12.1. — Which is your Reaſonable Service. It is thus, not only becauſe it muſt be perform'd Intelligently, in the Exerciſe of our Rational Powers: But alſo becauſe there is the higheſt Reaſon for our Engaging in this Service. To Preſent our ſelves to GOD, to Conſecrate and p. 24Dedicate all our Powers to Him; is the moſt Reaſonable Thing in the World. It is the higheſt Prudence, a good Underſtanding have they that Serve the LORD. Such act like Men that underſtand themſelves, the Relation they ſtand in to GOD, and their own trueſt Intereſt. This is moſt juſt and …quitable. To alienate our ſelves from GOD our Rightful LORD and Owner; is moſt unequal, unreaſonable, and monſtrous. They that do thus, break the Rules of right Reaſon, and Violate the moſt Sacred Bonds: They are more vile than the Beaſts that periſh; more Brutiſh than the Ox and Aſs. Remember this, and ſhew your ſelves Men, Iſai. 46.8.

USE, II. LET what hath been ſaid prevail with us to Reſolve that we will Serve the LORD. Let One and All of us ſay, As for us we will Serve the LORD. And O that this Holy and Happy Reſolution were fixed and confirmed in each one of us! O that we might now be perſwaded, to give up our ſelves to the LORD thro' CHRIST by the SPIRIT! We can't Serve a better Maſter, a more Gracious and Bountiful LORD. Why then are we ſo backward to Bind our ſelves? Why ſo unwilling to give GOD His own? What! Are we unwilling? Have we the Face to ſay, that we will not be the LORD's? That we will not Serve the LORD our Maker, the LORD who is able to Deſtroy both Body and Soul in Hell, the LORD who alone can make us Happy? Be aſtoniſhed O ye Heavens, and be horribly afraid at ſuch Impiety, ſuch Stupidity! GOD doth now invite you to Liſt in His Service, and beſeecheth you to Preſent your ſelves unto Him. Do not then reject ſo Reaſonable a Requeſt, p. 25which is back'd with the Divine Authority; but now, without delay, joyn your ſelves to the LORD. We had need be ſpeedy in this Work; for we can't tell how ſoon our Day of Grace may be at an end. Let us then go to GOD this very Day, and be Earneſt with Him to take Poſſeſſion of us by His Spirit: Let us cry to Him to Sanctify us, that we may become Veſſels of honour meet for our Maſters uſe. Fall down before GOD, and Pray to Him, that for CHRIST's ſake He would receive you into His Family and Service, and keep you Faithful to Him even to the Death. If we do thus devote our ſelves to GOD, and Reſolve to be for Him and for no other; then will He advance us to the Dignity and Privilege of Children, and we ſhall become Heirs; Heirs of GOD, and Joynt-Heirs with CHRIST. I Conclude with thoſe Words, Mal. 3.16, 17. Then they that feared the LORD, ſpake often one to another, and the LORD bearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His Name. And they ſhall be Mine, ſaith the LORD of Hoſts, in that day when I make up my Jewels, and I will ſpare them as a man ſpareth his own ſon that ſerveth him.

PROP. II. THE Heads of Families ſhould Serve the LORD themſelves, and take care that their Houſes joyn with them in Serving the LORD.

UNDER this Propoſition we may Conſider Firſt, What is to be done by the Heads of Families that their Houſes may joyn with them in Serving the LORD. Secondly, Show the Obligations They are under thus to take care that p. 26their Houſes joyn with them in Serving the LORD.

Firſt. WHAT is to be done by the Heads of Families that …ir Houſes may joyn with them in Serving the LORD?

WHAT are the Duties incumbent on ſuch as have the Charge of Families? How ſhould they uſe their Indeavours, that Religion and the Power of Godlineſs may be kept alive, maintained and encreaſed in their Houſes? For Anſwer,

THE Heads of Families ſhould take care to Inſtruct their Houſes, and to Teach them the good Knowtege of the LORD, His Mind & Will. They ſhould look to it that their Children and Servants be taught to know the LORD, and what it is He requires of them, that ſo they may Serve Him. Without Knowlege the Heart can't be good. Men are naturally alienated from the Life of Godlineſs, by reaſon of the ignorance and blindneſs of their Hearts. If Maſters of Families would Serve the LORD themſelves, and have their Houſes joyn with them in this Excellent Service, they muſt diligently uſe the means of getting Knowlege themſelves, and ſee to it that ſuch as are committed to their Charge, be inſtructed in the Principles and Myſteries of Religion. They ſhould do what they can to teach them GOD's Statutes, and His Judgments, and take care that all needful and proper helps be procured for this End. Adult Perſons can't be the Diſciples of CHRIST, and Serve GOD acceptably, unleſs they underſtand their Duty, and what the Service of the LORD is. For it is, as we have already heard, a Reaſonable Service. More particularly,

p. 27(1) THE Heads of Families ſhould take care that their Children and Servants be taught to Read. The Sight is one of the Senſes of Learning and Diſcipline. We obtain a great part of our Knowledge, and Acquaintance with things, by the help of our Eyes. And therefore if they have not opportunity and leiſure themſelves to teach them to Read, they ſhould ſend them to School to be taught. It's a ſhame for Heads of Families to begrutch the Coſt and Expence which they may be at in this Matter. We ſhould take Pains with our Children and Servants, even the Meaneſt of them, and ſhould be willing to Reward the Endeavours of others for their Inſtruction. And when they have Learned to Read, we ſhould be ready to furniſh them with Bibles, and Catechiſms, and other good Books, according to their ſeveral Capacities, that they may ſee with their own Eyes the Great and Important Truths of Religion, and by Reading acquaint themſelves with them.

(2.) THEY ſhould take care to Catechiſe their Children and Servants. This is a Great and Excellent Means of Inſtruction, eſpecially for Younger Perſons, and it would be both Honourable and Profitable for Perſons of Riper Years to be Exerciſed and Improved in it. Certainly then Maſters of Families muſt take care that their Children and Servants Learn ſome good Catechiſm; they ſhould ſee that they commit it to Memory, and alſo endeavour to make them underſtand it, that they may know the Meaning of what they Learn, and not Anſwer meerly by Rote, and like Parrots; but with Knowlege and Underſtanding. Now for this End we ſhould ſtudiouſly endeavour to ſuit p. 28and accommodate our ſelves to their Capacities. There muſt be Milk for Babes, who are unſkilful in the Word of Righteouſneſs; and Meat for thoſe that are of Riper Years, and who by reaſon of uſe have their Senſes more exerciſed to diſcern both good and evil. If we would feed Children with Knowlege and Underſtanding, there muſt be Line upon Line, and Precept upon Precept, here a little, and there a little. We ſhould endeavour that the tender Minds of our Young Ones may be ſeaſon'd with the Knowlege of GOD, and Religion; with matter for Good and Pious Thoughts; that by the Bleſſing of GOD the Imaginations of the thoughts of their Hearts may not be Evil. The Minds of Children are in a great meaſure Tabula raſa, as clean white Paper. And we ſhould uſe our Endeavours that the Laws of GOD may be written on their Hearts, and that the Truths of the Goſpel may be impreſs'd on their Minds in their Early Years. Childhood and Youth are vanity. Their Corrupt Nature makes them very prone to receive hurtful Impreſſions from the Evil Examples which they ſee ſet before them, and the Wicked Prophane Speeches they hear. O be you careful to do what you can to infuſe good Principles, the Saving and Purifying Truths of the Pure and Holy Law of GOD, as an Antidote againſt this Infection! Inſtruct them in the Great Duties of Remembring their Creator in the Days of their Youth, of Hallowing His Dreadful Name, of keeping the Sabbath Holy, of Honouring and Obeying their Parents, of Speaking the Truth, &c. We are oblig'd to do this, that if they are Tempted to the Vices which are contrary to theſe Duties, they may be able to ſay, they have been better Taught. GOD's Ancient People were expreſsly Commanded p. 29to teach their Children His Commandments: Deut. 6.6, 7. And theſe words which I command thee this day ſhall be in thine heart. And thou ſhalt teach them diligently unto thy Children, and ſhalt talk of them when thou ſitteſt in thine houſe, and when thou walkeſt by the way, and when thou lieſt down, and when thou riſeſt up. Now certainly the Miſtreſſes of Families might be very Serviceable in this matter. You are very converſant with your Children, O endeavour to be frequently inſtilling into them ſome Divine Truth; to teach them their Duty, and to preſs upon them the performance of it! I might have ſaid that as Parents ſhould be careful to Inſtruct and Catechiſe their Children and Servants; ſo they ſhould alſo take Care that they attend the more Publick Opportunities of being Catechiz'd.

(3.) THEY ſhould back and enforce their Inſtructions with ſolemn Warnings and Exhortations. We ſhould labour to make a cloſe application of the Truths we teach them, unto their Conſciences; that by the Grace of GOD, they may ſink deep into their Hearts, and govern their Lives. As we ſhould acquaint them with the Obligations they lye under to be the LORD's; ſo we ſhould call upon them, earneſtly to chooſe the LORD JEHOVAH for their GOD. As we ſhould Explain to them the Terms of the Covenant of Grace; ſo we ſhould Exhort them to give up themſelves unto the LORD in that Covenant. As we muſt inform them of their Original Sin and Corruption; That they are by Nature Dead in treſpaſſes and ſins, and Children of Wrath; So we muſt Warn them to fly the Wrath to come, and to make haſte to lay hold of that Hope which is ſet before them. As we muſt Endeavour to Inſtruct them in the Knowlege of p. 30our LORD JESUS CHRIST, His Perſon, and Offices: So we ſhould call upon them to receive CHRIST as offer'd to them in the Goſpel. Thus we ſhould Inſtruct, Exhort, and Warn thoſe under our Care. And here let us remember, and ſeriouſly Conſider, That thoſe Servants who are in the loweſt degree of Servitude, muſt not be neglected; They have Immortal Souls to Save or Loſe, as well as others; They have the ſame Spiritual Wants and Diſeaſes, which others naturally labour of. And they are capable of being made Kings and Prieſts unto GOD, as well as others; and of becoming the adopted Children of GOD by Faith in CHRIST. Of a truth GOD is no Reſpecter of Perſons; but in every Nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteouſneſs is accepted with Him, Act. 10.34, 35. And thus we have Conſider'd the firſt Particular, That the Heads of Families muſt take care to Teach their Houſes the Knowledge of GOD, His Mind and Will. It's true, it's not in our power to give them Grace, GOD alone is able to ſhine into their hearts with the light of the glorious Goſpel in the face of JESUS CHRIST, ſo as to turn them from darkneſs unto light; and from the power of Satan unto GOD. However, we are oblig'd to wait upon GOD in the uſe of theſe Means, if we would Serve GOD with our Houſes.

THE Heads of Families muſt take care that the Worſhip of GOD be kept up, and maintain'd in them. This they muſt do, if they would Serve the LORD in conjunction with their Houſes. In this way they muſt uſe their Endeavours that their Houſes may be Bethels, Houſes of GOD, Houſes devoted to His more immediate Service; That they be Temples Conſecrated to the Worſhip of p. 31GOD. Every Family is a diſtinct Society, and as ſuch, they ought to Worſhip GOD together, and the Heads of Families ſhould lead herein.

(1.) IT is their Duty to Pray with their Families. They ſhould offer up the Sacrifice of Prayer to GOD in their Families Morning and Evening. Their Prayer ſhould be Set before the LORD as Incenſe, and the lifting up of their hands as the Evening Sacrifice, agreeable to that, Pſal. 141.2. Our Houſes muſt be Houſes of Prayer, or we can't Serve GOD acceptably in them. This is one thing implyed in Joſhua's Reſolution, that he would Worſhip GOD in his Family by Prayer, and that they ſhould offer up their united Requeſts and Petitions at the Throne of Grace. The Scripture ſpeaks of David's bleſſing his Houſhold, 2 Sam. 6.20. It is ſaid, v. 18. He bleſſed the People in the Name of the Lord of Hoſts. And, v. 20. Then David returned to bleſs his Houſhold. Men bleſs others, by Praying for GOD's Bleſſing upon them. And thus, it is probable, David bleſſed his Family, by Praying with, and for them. In the Morning and Infancy of the Church, Families were Churches; ſuch was Adam's, ſuch Noah's. There are Family-Wants; and therefore Maſters of Families ſhould together with their Houſes, make known their Requeſts to GOD, for the Supply of them: There are Family-Duties to be performed; and therefore they ſhould join together with their Houſes in Praying to GOD for Strength and Grace to do them Acceptably, to Diſcharge them to His Glory, and their own Comfort. They receive many Family-Mercies, and therefore it becomes them to join together in Bleſſing and Praiſing that GOD who is the Author of all our Mercies, the Father of Lights, p. 32from whom cometh down every good and perfect giving. Furthermore, there are many Family-Sins, which ſhould be Confeſs'd and Bewail'd; certainly then, it is the Duty of the Heads of Families to make known their Requeſts unto GOD, by Prayer and Supplication, with Thankſgiving. They muſt attend upon this Duty Daily, engage in it with great Seriouſneſs. They muſt look to it, that thoſe who are under their Care and Inſpection, give due Attendance at the Times for Prayer; and chooſe the moſt Convenient Seaſons for the Diſcharge of this Duty. They ſhould ſtudy ſo to order their Secular Affairs, that they may not interfere with, or crowd out this neceſſary Duty, but that they may have due and ſuitable Time for the Diſcharge of it. Fervent Prayer is an Excellent Mean to keep true Piety Alive and Flouriſhing; and it is a conſiderable and eſſential Part of that Homage which we owe to the Bleſſed GOD. And therefore, if this Duty be neglected, we do not Serve the LORD with our Houſes as we are bound to do.

(2.) THEY ſhould Read the Scriptures with their Families. As we muſt Speak to GOD and humbly call upon Him by Prayer, ſo we ſhould attentively Hear what GOD the LORD hath to ſay unto us. It's therefore very Proper to join with Prayer the Reading a Portion of the Word of GOD in the Family. This is a Part of Divine Worſhip, and it ought to be a Part of our Daily Worſhip in our Houſes. We read, 2 Tim. 3.16. All Scripture is given by inſpiration of GOD, and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Inſtruction in Righteouſneſs. We have in theſe Oracles of GOD the Rules laid down according to which we muſt Walk, if we would p. 33have our Ways pleaſe the LORD, and Serve Him Acceptably. Here we are Taught what our Duty is, and to whom we muſt go for Strength to Perform it. I might here ſay, that if ſome Practical Expoſition were made uſe of, it would be of good Advantage.

TO theſe Particulars it might be added, That the Singing of Pſalms is a Pleaſant and Profitable Exerciſe, which ſhould be attended, where there's Ability to Perform it.

I ſhall here take occaſion to ſay that the Heads of Families ſhould Worſhip GOD in Secret; and they muſt call upon all under their Care to do ſo too, and allow them convenient time for Secret Duties. Each Member of the Family come to years of Diſcretion, muſt Worſhip GOD apart, as well as in conjunction with the Family. Our Saviour commands, Mat. 6.6. But thou when thou prayeſt, enter into thy cloſet, and when thou haſt ſhut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in ſecret, — It ſhould be their care that ſuch as are well-diſpoſed in their Families, may not have juſt reaſon to complain that they are not allow'd time to Pray, and Read the Word of GOD in Secret. Our Servants are not ſo ours, but they are the LORD's ſtill, and GOD expects that part of their time be daily devoted to His more immediate Service; ſo that if we refuſe to grant convenient time for ſuch Duties, we rob GOD of His due.

HEADS of Families ſhould take care that their Families do Sanctify the LORD's-Day, and keep it Holy. If they would have their Families Serve the LORD, they muſt do ſo. In the Fourth Commandment p. 34it is expreſly ſaid, Exod. 20.10. Thou ſhalt not do any work, thou, nor thy ſon, nor thy daughter, thy man-ſervant, nor thy maid-ſervant, nor thy cattel, nor thy ſtranger that is within thy gates. Maſters of Families ſhould ſee to it, that their Children and Servants Reſt from their Worldly buſineſs, and Employment, on the LORD's-Day, and ſpend that Time in the Publick and Private Exerciſes of GOD's Worſhip; except ſo much as is to be taken up in the works of Neceſſity, and Mercy. They ſhould ſee to it that their Houſes be ſet in Order, and that their Secular and Worldly Buſineſs be Seaſonably laid aſide; that ſo they and their Houſes may keep the Sabbath as a Day of Holy Reſt unto the LORD. Thus they muſt Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it Holy. Very Solemn are the Precepts and Exhortations recorded, Jer. 17.20, 21, 22. Hear ye the word of the LORD, — Thus ſaith the LORD, Take heed to your ſelves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath-Day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jeruſalem. Neither carry forth a burden out of your houſes on the Sabbath-Day, neither do ye any work; but hallow ye the Sabbath-Day. They muſt ſee that they do not Command or Allow their Servants to Work on the LORD's-Day. And it is their Duty alſo to uſe their Authority to Reſtrain them from Play and vanity; yea, from ſuch Recreations as may be Lawful on other days. The governours of Families ſhould take care that they with their Houſes attend upon the Publick Worſhip of GOD on the LORD's-Day. As they ſhould take care that they attend the Duties of Private Worſhip in the Family: ſo they ſhould provide that none under their Roof do needleſly abſent themſelves from the Houſe of GOD, and forfake the Aſſembling of themſelves together to Worſhip p. 35GOD with the Congregation of His People. If Heads of Families allow their Children or Servants to tarry at home, when they ought to go to the Publick Aſſembly; they do not do what in them lyes to make their Houſholds Serve the LORD. It is Scandalous for Children or Servants to be ſuffered to abſent themſelves from the Publick Worſhip of GOD, when Neceſſity doth not require it. And if ſuch as have the Charge of Families would take up Joſhua's Reſolution, they muſt exert their Authority to oblige them to wait upon GOD in His Houſe, and ſee that their behaviour there be decent and reverent; and not profane and ludicrous.

USE. THOSE of us that are Maſters of Families have cauſe to be Humbled for our Defects and Shortcomings in this great Duty; that we have been no more careful to engage our Houſholds in Serving the LORD. Who of us can ſay that we have not been wanting in this Matter? In many things all of us have offended, and fallen ſhort of our Duty. We have not been ſo careful to walk in our Houſes with a perfect Heart as we ought to have been; to dwell with our Families as Men of Knowlege. Our Lips have not preſerved Knowledge, and communicated it ſo much as they ought to have done. We have not been ſo fervent and frequent in our Exhortations and Warnings as we ought to have been. And muſt we not confeſs that we have been remiſs in maintaining Family-Worſhip, in the Life and Power of it. Alas, have we not been Formal and Indifferent in Praying in our Families, and Reading the Word of GOD to them? Have we not been negligent in our Obſervation of the LORD's-Day? Have not the Cares, and p. 36Pleaſures and Buſineſs of this World, in a great meaſure, ſhu… out Family-Religion? Certainly, the beſt of us have reaſon to be humbled before the LORD upon this Account, and to ſay as, Pſal. 130.3. If thou LORD ſhouldſt mark iniquities; O LORD, who ſhall ſtand? Let us then lye down in the Duſt, and abaſe our ſelves before the LORD for our Family-Sins. Let us Cry to Him to Sprinkle our Houſes with the Blood of the True Paſcal Lamb, which taketh away the Sin of the World.

AND let us now be Exhorted to be active and diligent in Reforming what has been amiſs; and to be more zealous in promoting the Exerciſe of Family-Religion for the future. Let us now Renew and Strengthen this holy Reſolution, As for us, and our houſes, We will Serve the LORD. Let us reſolve with David in that Pſalm, which as one obſerves, may be called the Houſholder's Pſalm, 101.2. I will behave my ſelf wiſely in a perfect way; O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my houſe with a perfect heart. Let us endeavour to grow and abound more and more in Family-Religion. Let us now be more ſtudious to get acquainted with GOD, His Mind and Will. And alſo be ready to take pains to inſtruct and teach our Families, our Children, and Servants. O let it be our Care that they may be Fed, not only with Bread, but alſo with Spiritual Knowledge and Underſtanding. It is Written, Man ſhall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of GOD. O let us not neglect the Souls, the Precious, the Immortal Souls of our Children, and Servants, and other Relatives; while we are careful to provide for their Bodies! O let p. 37us not be ſo Solicitous to lay up Eſtates for our Children, and to provide pleaſant Accommodations for our Families; as to obtain the Everlaſting Mercies of the New Covenant, which in all things is well ordered and ſure. Let us take care to offer up fervent Prayers for, and with our Families. Let our houſes be more than ever Houſes of Prayer. Then we may hope, that GOD who is the high and lofty One, that dwells in the high and holy Place; That GOD, whoſe eſpecial Preſence is the Glory and Bleſſedneſs of Heaven it ſelf: I ſay that GOD will come down and dwell with us, and fill our houſes with the Glory of His Spiritual Preſence. O when will GOD thus come unto us! Then we might hope that GOD would create upon the dwelling Places in our Zion a Cloud and Smoke by day; and the Shining of a flaming Fire by Night; and that we and our houſes ſhould be the Saved and Bleſſed of the LORD.

THE Heads of Families ſhould take care to uſe that power and authority which GOD hath given them, to encourage true Piety; and to Suppreſs Vice in their Houſes. Its Obſerved that Maſters of Families, in the Infancy of the World, before Families Combined and Aſſociated into larger Societies, were both Prieſts and Kings in their Houſes. Such its ſuppoſed was Noah, ſuch Abraham. Now though the Authority of Heads of Families is not in our Day in all reſpects Equal to what it was ſuppoſed to have been then; and Maſters of Fa…lies muſt beware of wreſting the Sword of Ju…ce out of the Hand of the Magiſtrate, who bears it by Divine Appointment, and ſee that they do not Uſurp more Authority than is allowed p. 38them. Yet I ſay, It's moſt certain that GOD doth inveſt them with power and authority over their Families by an immutable, and unchangable Law: The Fifth Commandment expreſsly ſayes, Thou ſhalt honour thy Father and thy Mother. Children are Commanded to Obey their Parents; Servants, their Maſters: Eph. 6.1, & 5. Children Obey your Parents in the Lord; for this is right. 5. v. Servants, be obedient to them that are your Maſters according to the fleſh, with fear and trembling, in ſingleneſs of your heart, as unto Chriſt. The light and law of Nature taught the Heathen, that every Man ſhould hear Rule in his own Houſe. Now ſeeing GOD hath clothed Heads of Families with Power, they ought to improve their Power for the countenancing, and encouraging Religion and the Fear of GOD in their Houſes. For as they derive their Authority from GOD; ſo they ſhould employ it to His Honour and Glory. They ſhould in their Families, be a Terror to evil doers, and a Praiſe to them that do well. Thus they ought to back and enforce their Inſtructions and Exhortations, by their Authority; and ſee that they maintain Family-Diſcipline in their Houſes. GOD gives that Honourable Character and Encomium of Abraham: Gen. 18.19. For I know him, that he will command his Children and his Houſhold after him, and they ſhall keep the way of the LORD, to do Justice and Judgement; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath ſpoken of him.

THEY ſhould not only Teach and Inſtruct; but alſo Command their Houſhold to Serve the LORD, as being Perſons in Authority. Maſters of Families ſhould Charge thoſe under their Care, their Children and Servants to keep the Commandments. p. 39To hallow GOD's Name, and to abſtain from profane Curſing; To beware of calling wicked Names, and of ſpeaking obſcene and filthy Words. To abſtain from Play, and Idleneſs on the Lords Day. To Keep good Orders in the Family, by duely attending on Family-Worſhip. They ſhould alſo Command them to avoid Vicious and Profane Company, and to keep themſelves from ſuch Places where there is danger of their being corrupted in their Manners. We ſhould as there is need of it, Command them to beware of every thing that hath a Tendency to Debauch them. Maſters of Families ſhould uſe their endeavours, that Evil Cuſtoms may not get Footing, and prevail among us. If inſtead of this, they Allow and Indulge their Children and Servants, or any under their Authority, in any thing wherein they ſerve the Devil and their L…s; if inſtead of Prohibiting them, they give them Leave to be cut at Unſeaſonable Hours, and that in Places of great Temptation, where they are in Danger of having their Luſts irritated and inflamed; if they do thus, they are egregiouſly defective in their Duty; for it is our Duty as much as may be to prevent Sin. And therefore Maſters of Families when they ſee their Children or Servants Tempted to Sin, and in Danger of running into any Exceſs; They ſhould lay their Commands upon them to keep themſelves from the accurſed thing, which GOD's Soul hateth, and their Souls ſhould abhor. When they ſee them in Danger, they ſhould Authoritatively declare to them, that ſuch and ſuch things as are contrary to the Mind and Will of GOD, are alſo diſpleaſing to them; and that if they do them, it muſt be upon their Peril.

p. 40AGAIN, Heads of Families ſhould uſe their Authority to Reprove their Children and Servants for their Sins and Follies, and to Correct them, if need be. As they ought to Command them to abſtain from Sin; ſo alſo to Reprove and Correct them for their Sins, as need requires. They have power to affix a Penalty as a Sanction to their Commands, and to put it in Execution, in caſe of Diſobedience. In this way they ought to bear their Teſtimony againſt the iniquities of their Children and Servants, as the matter may require. Eli is articled againſt in the Word of GOD, and threatned for his negligence herein, 1 Sam. 3.13. For I have told him, that I will judge his Houſe for ever, for the iniquity which he knoweth: becauſe his ſons made themſelves vile, and he restrained them not. Heads of Families don't do what in them lies to reſtrain and ſuppreſs Vice in their Houſes, if they are not careful to Chaſtiſe and Puniſh their Children and Servants when found guilty. Its their Duty in this way to improve their Power for that GOD who hath given it them; and ſo to put away iniquity far from their Tabernacles. They muſt have no Fellowſhip with any unfruitful work of Darkneſs, which they ſee any in their Families chargeable with: but ſhould Diſcountenance it, Reprove it, Frown upon it; that ſo if they have any that will not be ſubject to the Laws of GOD for Conſcience ſake, and a holy Fear of His Wrath; that yet they may by the Bleſſing of GOD, be reſtrained from the Open Violation of His Laws, for fear of preſent Puniſhment: Prov. 13.24. He that ſpareth his rod, hateth his ſon: but he that loveth him, chaſtneth him betimes. It's true, Heads of Families ſhould beware of abuſing their power; they ſhould take heed to themſelves that p. 41they be not haſty, and paſſionate; and that they be not unſeaſonable, and immoderately Severe in their Reproofs and Corrections. They muſt not, by undue, Severities, Provoke, their Children to Wrath. They muſt forbear threatning their Servants after a Cruel Manner; and ſee that they be not Unmerciful in puniſhing them. They ſhould Study ſo to manage themſelves in this Matter, as to give con…cing Evidence that it is the Glory of GOD, and the benefit of the offender that they aim at in their Reproofs and Corrections, and not the gratifying any exorbitant Paſſion.

AGAIN, They ſhould uſe their Authority to compe… ſuch to leave their Houſes, as are irreclaimably wicked, and refuſe to ſubject themſelves to Family-Government. Such as are Openly Vicious and Diſorderly, that are Sons of Belial, who ſhake off the Yoke from off their Necks; that obſtinately refuſe to hear the Counſels and Warnings which are given them; and go on in their iniquity, in ſpite of Correction: They ought not to be ſuffered to dwell in our Houſes, leſt others be infected and poyſoned with their evil Examples. David comes to that Reſolution, in Iſal. 101. which ſeems to treat chiefly of his Management of himſelf in his Family: Verſe 4. A froward heart ſhall depart from me: I will not know a wicked perſon, Verſe 7. He that worketh deceit, ſhall not dwell within my houſe: he that telleth lies ſhall not tarry in my ſight. It becomes Heads of Families to uſe their Endeavours to get and employ ſuch Servants as ſhall be ready and willing to joyn with them in Serving the LORD. Mine eyes ſhall be upon the faithful that they may dwell with me: He that walketh in a perfect way, he ſhall Serve me. And if their p. 42Servants, or others that ſojourn with them, are open enemies to GOD and Religion, they ſhould Purge their Houſes of them. It is their Duty in this way to ſhow their Hatred of Vice, when other means prove ineffectual.

AND then, as it is the Duty of Heads of Families to uſe their Power to diſcountenance Vice; ſo alſo to encourage Virtue and true Piety in their Families. They muſt be a Praiſe and Incouragement to them that do well; as well as a Terror to evil doers. Such as are Heads of Families ſhould improve their Influence and Authority to countenance their Children and Servants, and all under their Roof in that which is Pious and Honeſt, and of good Report. GOD's Countenance beholds the Upright with delight and complacency; And they muſt be imitators of GOD herein; they ſhould give ſuch as fear the LORD, ſome peculiar marks and teſtimonies of their Favour: and ſhew them, that they are well pleaſed to ſee them take care to Serve GOD, and to walk worthy of the LORD. As they ſhould endeavour to help ſuch forward in the Service of GOD, by their Inſtructions; ſo alſo to uſe their Authority to protect and ſtrengthen them in the Service of our common LORD; and not ſuffer any to harm them, to reproach or ſcoff at them, becauſe they are followers of that which is good. Thus if Heads of Families would Serve the LORD with their Houſes, they muſt uſe the Authority GOD hath given them, to incourage true Piety; and to ſuppreſs Vice; That ſo by the bleſſing of GOD, their Houſes may be the Habitations of Righteouſneſs; and that wickedneſs may not dwell with them.

p. 43HEADS of Families muſt take care that the Buſineſs which their Families are employed in, be Lawful; and ſhould uſe their endeavours, that Holineſs to the LORD, be written on their Houſhold Affairs. If we would maintain the Fear and Service of GOD in our Houſes; We muſt be careful that the Affairs and Worldly Buſineſs which our Families, Children and Servants are employed in, be lawfull and uſeful: Such, as in the diligent Attendance upon it, they may Serve their Generation according to the Will of GOD, and be bleſſings to the Communities and Societies they belong to.

ITS the Duty of Heads of Families to look to it that all under their care be employed in ſome Buſineſs; and that they be not ſuffered to ſpend their time in Idleneſs and Vanity. We muſt not let them be all the Day Idle: For Idleneſs is in it ſelf a great Sin, and is the cauſe of many other iniquities. When Perſons are Idle, Satan will find work for them to do. Certainly then, If we would Serve the LORD with our Houſes, we muſt ſee that ours be employ'd in ſome Buſineſs, according to their ſeveral Capacities.

AND then we ſhould ſee that their Buſineſs be Honeſt and Lawful. We muſt beware that we do not ſeek a Maintenance for our Selves, and Families by unjuſt Practices. And we muſt not by our Influence, draw our Servants to joyn with us in any Unlawful way of dealing. If we do, our Houſes will deſerve rather to be called the Tabernacles of Robbers, than the Dwellings of Righteouſneſs.

AND the Heads of Families muſt endeavour that p. 44their Secular Affairs be attended in a right Manner. As they ſhould every Day Pray for a bleſſing on their lawful Buſineſs; ſo they ſhould take care that it be Attended in ſuch a Manner that they may reaſonably look for a bleſſing upon it. Th…ſe Callings which are in themſelves lawful, may be greatly abuſed to the diſhonour of GOD, and the differvice of Religion. Maſters of Families ſhould therefore Watch againſt the Temptations which they, or their Servants may be expoſed to in their Particular Callings. They ſhould take care to be juſt and honeſt in their dealing themſelves: And as much as may be, look to it that their Servants be ſo too. In a word, they muſt Study to keep their Employments under ſuch a Regulation, as that they may be Subſervient to the Glory and Honour of GOD. Thus they ſhould endeavour that Holineſs be written on their Houſhold Affairs, if they would Serve the LORD with their Houſes.

MASTERS of Families ſhould uſe their endeavours that their Children and Servants who are come to Years of Diſcretion, may be brought to give up themſelves to the LORD in his Covenant, and Publickly to profeſs their Subjection to Him. Maſters ought to yield up themſelves to the LORD, confeſs His Name, and openly profeſs their Subjection to Him. And they muſt endeavour to prepare thoſe that are under their care for this Duty alſo. They ſhould employ their care and diligence, that their Servants may become the Diſciples of the LORD JESUS CHRIST; and that they may come regularly, to partake in the Privileges of the New Covenant. Maſters of Families ſhould be earneſt with GOD for His Spirit and Grace to be poured out upon themſelves; and wait upon Him in the diligent uſe p. 45of means, that they may obtain that Character which is given of Zacharias and Elizabeth, Luk. 1.6. And they were both Righteous before GOD, walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the LORD blameleſs. They ſhould likewiſe take care that their Children be ſeaſonably offer'd to GOD in Baptiſm, the initiating Seal of the Covenant. And then, as they grow up to Years of Diſcretion, they ſhould inſtruct them in the Nature, and Deſign of this Ordinance; and preſs upon them the Obligations which their being made partakers of this Privilege laies them under to be the LORD's. Thus they ſhould bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the LORD. But we have already heard ſomething concerning Family Inſtruction. They ſhould call upon them to Renew their Covenant with GOD in a Solemn Manner, and by their own Publick conſent to the Terms of the Covenant of Grace, joyn themſelves to the LORD, and to His Church and People; that ſo Dedicating themſelves to the LORD, they may be admitted Members in full Communion, as we commonly ſpeak. And thus if they have any in their, Families under their care, that are Adult Perſons, and have not enjoyed the Privilege of Baptiſm in their Infancy; they ſhould give diligence in the uſe of all proper Means, to prepare them for this Ordinance, looking to GOD for His Bleſſing on their Endeavours. In this manner they ſhould Endeavour that they and their Houſes may be the LORD's, truly Devoted and Dedicated to His Service, and viſibly in Covenant with Him; that they may openly acknowlege the LORD JEHOVAH, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST, for their GOD.

p. 46HEADS of Families muſt take care to ſet a good Example; and to walk in their Houſes in the diligent and conſcientious Attendance upon the Duties, which the LORD their GOD requires of them; whether Perſonal, or Relative. As they muſt Inſtruct their Families, and Charge them to keep the Commandments of the LORD; ſo they ſhould go before them, and Lead in the way of Rightecuſneſs and Holineſs; That they may be able to call upon their Children and Servants to follow them, as they follow CHRIST. Maſters ſhould be Watchful over themſelves, and take care to Walk in their Houſes with a perfect heart, as David reſolves he would do, Pſal. 101.2. Among the Methods of Inſtruction, the way of Teaching by good Example, is juſtly eſteemed very Excellent. And no doubt, hath been often found very ſucceſsful. Indeed verbal Inſtructions and Admonitions without this, will not be likely to avail. For how can we expect that GOD's Bleſſing ſhould accomnany our Endeavours to Teach our Children and Servants to Know and Serve the LORD: if we our ſelves neglect to Serve Him, and yield Obedience to His Commands? How can we hope that our Calls, and Exhortations, and Warnings, ſhould have any prevailing force upon the minds of our Relatives, if they ſee that we diſregard GOD's Commands our ſelves, and in our Practice declare that we reject them? Actions ſpeak louder than Words. And therefore if we allow our ſelves in Wicked Courſes; our Evil Exa…es will be likely to do more to Corrupt our …milies, than our Inſtructions and Exhortations will do to Reform them. Suppoſe Heads of Families ſhould Inſtruct their Children and Servants, and call upon p. 47them to Fear and Serve the LORD, and tell them the Obligations which they are under ſo to do. Suppoſe they ſhould call upon them to Secure an Intereſt in CHRIST, and acquaint them with the abſolute Neceſſity they ſtand in of the Favour of GOD, and a Title to the Bleſſings of the New Covenant; yet if they were not at all concern'd themſelves for an Intereſt in CHRIST and the Bleſſings of the Covenant; their Children and Servants would be ready to deſpiſe ſuch Calls as coming from them. Suppoſe they ſhould Pray, and Read the Scriptures in their Families; yet if their Lives give the Lie to their Requeſts, and Acknowledgments, manifeſted in their Prayers; if their Practice be a contradiction to the Rules of the Goſpel, and oppoſite to them; this would be a great damp and diſcouragement to Family Religion; while they deny the Power of it, at the ſame time when they make ſome Eſſays to keep up the Form. Suppoſe they ſhould Command their Children and Servants to keep good Hours, and to abſtain from ſuch Places and Company, as have a Tendency to Infect and Defile them; yet if they themſelves ſtay out late at Taverns, or other Places of Temptation; this would breed great Diſorder and Confuſion in their Families, and be a dreadful Hinderance to the Buſineſs of Family Religion. Suppoſe they ſhould Command their Children and Servants not to Swear and Curſe; not to Prophane the LORD's-Day; not to Steal, and the like: yet if they allow themſelves in theſe Abominations; what can be expected, but that their Houſes ſhould be the Dwelling-Places of Iniquity, and that even the External Form of Religion ſhould in a little time be wholly laid aſide Certainly then, Maſters of p. 48Families muſt take care to ſet a Good and …ious Example; if they would Serve the LORD in and with their Families. They muſt be careful that the Rules and Laws of the Word of GOD be Copied out in their Converſation; and that their Inſtructions be exemplified in their Life and Practice.

TO Conclude, Let us Pray to GOD to pour out His Spirit from on High, to revive Family-Religion which ſeems to be under viſible Decays and Languiſhments. Let us be Earneſt with GOD to pour out His Spirit on our Seed, and His Bleſſing on our Offspring. Let us Sanctify our Houſes by ſearching for the Old Leaven, and caſting it out. If we Serve the LORD in our Families with Integrity and Uprightneſs of Heart; if we Worſhip Him with Reverence and godly Fear; then GOD will chooſe our Houſes for His Habitation, and Say; This is My Reſt, here will I Dwell, for I have deſired it.

Secondly, THE Second thing under this Propoſition is, to Shew the Obligations which Maſters of Families are under to take care that their Houſes joyn with them in Serving the LORD.

NOW it will appear that Heads of Families are under very ſtrong Obligations to uſe their beſt Endeavours that Religion may grow and flouriſh in their Families, in that their Houſes may be Devoted to the Fear and Service of GOD, If we Conſider,

THE Charge of Families is in a pec…s manner committed to the Hends of them, by GOD. The p. 49Great GOD doth in a peculiar manner betruſt Maſters with the Care and Management of their Houſes. He cloatheth them with their Authority; gives them the diſtinguiſhing advantages which they enjoy, to promote Religion; and accordingly He doth moſt juſtly Command them to look to it that their Houſes Serve the LORD. Its the Will of GOD, That Maſters of Families ſhould diligently Inſtruct thoſe that are under their Care, in the Good Knowlege of the LORD. That they ſhould teach them to fear the LORD, and command them to keep His Statutes and His Judgments. And that they ſhould be careful to maintain the Worſhip of GOD in their Houſes. Indeed its the duty of all and every one in their ſeveral Places, and according to their ſeveral Capacities, to ſeek the advancement of true Piety in the Houſes where they dwell. But then its peculiarly incumbent on Heads of Families. GOD hath ſet them over their Families for this end. GOD hath made them Overſeers to inſpect their Houſes, and they muſt watch over them as they that muſt give account. GOD hath put you into this Relation, and it is with a Charge to improve it to His Glory, and Honour, and the Advancement of the Intereſts of His Kingdom. When GOD cauſeth your Houſes to grow, and graclouſly giveth you Children, the Voice of His Providence to you is, Take theſe Children, and Educate them for Me; Teach them the Reverence and Obedience they owe to Me their Heavenly Father; That they may be Dutiful Children. When you have Servants, The Voice of GOD's Providence to you is, Take theſe Servants, and endeavour to teach them the Service which the LORD their GOD requires of them, the Myſtery of their General, as well as p. 50of their Particular Calling. Show them the Bonds and Obligations which they are under to Serve the LORD; and endeavour that they may be delivered from the Slavery of Satan, the Bondage of their Luſts; and become the LORD's Freemen, the Faithful and Obedient Servants of our Common LORD and Maſter. This is the Voice of GOD's Providence, as well as of His Word. The Relation they ſtand in to their Families, as it commands reſpect and Obedience from thoſe under their Government: ſo it alſo lays them under peculiar Obligations to Honour GOD, by taking care that their Houſes Serve Him. They are in a peculiar manner yours, and therefore you are under the greater Obligations to take care that they become the LORD's.

IF Maſters take no care that their Houſes may Serve the LORD; then the Iniquity of their Houſes will be laid to their Charge; and they Themſelves with their Families will be expoſed to the Wrath and Curſe of a Jealous GOD. We are guilty before GOD, and become Partakers with others in their Sins, when we do not according to the Relation we ſuſtain, and the Power and Influence we have, ſeek to keep them from Iniquity, and do not bear a due Teſtimony againſt their Sins. If our Children or Servants make themſelves vile, and we reſtrain them not; if we ſuffer them to go on in their evil ways, without Warning, Reproof and needful Correction; we become guilty before GOD; the gui… and defilement of their, abominations will cleave unto us. And we ſhall have reaſon to fear that Wrath will come down upon us, and our Houſes. As it did upon Eli's Houſe, 1. Sam. 3.11 to 14. And the LORD ſaid to Samuel, p. 51Behold, I will do a thing in Iſrael, at which both the Ears of every one that heareth it ſhall tingle. In that day, I will perform againſt Eli, all things which I have ſpoken concerning his Houſe: when I begin I will alſo make an end. For I have told him, that I will judge his Houſe for ever, for the iniquity which he knoweth: becauſe his Sons made themſelves vile, and he reſtrained them not. And therefore I have Sworn unto the Houſe of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's Houſe ſhall not be purged with Sacrifice nor Offering for ever. If Maſters do not take care to keep up the Worſhip of GOD in their Houſes; to command their Children and Servants to keep GOD's Statutes; they may expect that the Curſe of GOD will enter into their Houſes, and ſooner or later, conſume them and their Families. We read of a Flying Roll, Zech. 5.1. And then its ſaid, This is the Curſe that goeth forth over the face of the whole Earth, ver. 3, 4. I will bring it forth, ſaith the LORD of Hoſts, and it ſhall enter into the Houſe of the Thief, and into the Houſe of him that Sweareth falſely by my Name: and it ſhall remain in the midſt of his Houſe, and ſhall conſume it, with the Timber thereof, and the Stones thereof. Now we rob GOD of His due all the while we take no care to Serve the LORD our ſelves, and to uſe our endeavours that our Houſes may joyn with us in Serving the LORD. If we neglect to maintain the Worſhip of GOD in our Houſes, we rob Him of the Offerings of Prayer and Praiſe, which are His due. We rob Him of His Glory while we indulge abominable Iniquities in our Houſes. Now this is the way to have the Curſe of GOD ſpoken of in this Text, lie upon us, and upon ours. Such as live like Heathen in their Houſes, have reaſon to fear that p. 52Curſe ſhould fall upon them, Pſal. 79.6. Pour out thy wrath upon the Heathen that have not know thee, and upon the Kingdoms that have not called upon thy Name. Sometimes the Houſes of the wicked are ſafe from fear, neither is the rod of GOD upon them, Job 21.9. They are carnally ſecure, and proſper upon Temporal Accounts. But then this is one of the moſt dreadful Judgments, to be ſuffered to go on in Sin without the Checks and Reſtraints of GOD's Providence. Spiritual Plagues are the worſt of Plagues. Certainly then the Maſters of Families are oblig'd to uſe their endeavours that their Houſes may Serve the LORD, as they would hope to preſerve them from the blaſting Curſe of a Jealous GOD. And then if Maſters are negligent in their Duty, and do not bear Teſtimony againſt Sin in their Families; they will pull down an heavy load of Guilt on themſelves, and day themſelves open to the Righteous Diſpleaſure and Fiery Indignation of GOD. If our Children or Servants periſh through our Criminal negligence; if we take no care for their Inſtruction in Righteouſneſs; their Blood will be required at our Hands. And if we die without Repentance they will riſe up in Judgment againſt us, in the Great and Terrible Day of the LORD, when we and they muſt ſtand before the Judgment Seat of CHRIST to give an account of the things done in the body, and to receive our final Sentence. And O how terrible will it be to have our Children accuſe us then, and ſay, You were cruel to our Immortal Souls, and never had any true regard to our Spiritual Welfare: You were more careful to teach us the vain Faſhions, and evil Cuſtoms of the World; Than to inſtruct us in the Principles of Religion, and to uſe your endeavours that we p. 53might be brought to the Saving knowledge of GOD in CHRIST: You were more Solicitous to have us adorned with thoſe accompliſhments which might recommend us to the eſteem of the World; Than to have us adorned with the Graces of the Spirit, and with the Beauties and Glories of the inward Man; you allowed us to Serve divers Luſts and Pleaſures; but never call'd upon us Seriouſly, to Serve the LORD our Maker. You were more concern'd to get Eſtates for us, and that we ſhould make a figure in the World; Than to obtain the Bleſſings of the New Covenant for us. O how ſhall we be able to lift up our heads at the Great Day, If our Children ſhould accuſe us after this manner! Alas! We ſhall not be able to ſtand in the Judgment, but ſhall call to the Rocks and Mountains to fall on us, and hide us from the wrath of GOD and the Lamb. Certainly then, it neceſſarily concerns Heads of Families to give diligence that their Children and Servants, and all under their Care may be brought to Acknowlege GOD as their GOD, and to Serve Him. We muſt endeavour by the Grace of GOD, to do our duty in this Matter, as we would hope to give up our account with joy, and not with grief.

THIS is the way to obtain the gracious Preſence of GOD with us in our Houſes, and to have His Bleſſing upon us. If we take Care to Serve GOD in our Houſes, then He will come down and be in the midſt of us, to bleſs us. If we in this way open the doors of our Houſes, and give the bleſſed GOD admittance? He will come in, and make His Abode with us. Lift up your heads O ye Gates, and be ye lift up ye everlaſting doors, and the King of Glory ſhall come in. CHRIST doth as it were knock p. 54at our doors, and ſay, Open to Me! And ſhall we not bid Him welcome? Should not Heads of Families make all needful Preparation for His Entertainment, by Purging their Houſes from Sin, and by maintaining the Worſhip of GOD in them. The Preſence of the Glorious GOD will be an abundant Recompence for all the care and pains we can take to receive and entertain Him. We read, Rev. 22.12. And behold, I come quckly; and my Reward is with me. — This is true with reſpect to CHRIST's approaches to His People in this Life, when He manifeſts His Gracious Preſence with them, and paſſeth before them in acts of eſpecial Kindneſs and Favour. When He comes into our Hearts, or into our Houſes to dwell with us: He will not come empty-handed; No, But He will bring Spiritual and Heavenly Bleſſings with Him; The Bleſſings of the Upper and the Nether Springs. If we and our Houſes Serve the LORD, then will GOD Bleſs us, Delight in us, and Rejoyce over us to do us good. Prov. 3.33. The Curſe of the LORD is in the houſe of the wicked: but he bleſſeth the habitation of the juſt. Now its the Bleſſing of GOD that Buildeth the Houſe, that Eſtabliſheth it, that Enricheth it. O how pleaſantly, how joyfully might we live, had we more of the Preſence of GOD with us, and more of the Divine Bleſſing upon us? They will have light in their Dwellings, who have the Father of Lights, dwelling with them. They ſhall ſee the want of no good thing, of nothing which Infinite. Wiſdom ſhall ſee needful and proper for them, who receive GOD into their Hearts and Houſes; That GOD, from whom cometh down every good and perfect giving. O how comfortable, how deſirable is it, to have that GOD keep Houſe with us, p. 55who is the GOD of Peace, the GOD of Order, the GOD of Love? This would ſweeten the Troubles we meet with in the Fleſh; leſſen and lighten the Burthens and Difficulties of our weariſome Pilgrimage. GOD will protect and defend ſuch Houſes; and the ſecret of His Preſence ſhall be as a Pavilion to them. Pſal. 91.10. There ſhall no Evil befal thee, neither ſhall any Plague come nigh thy Dwelling. Nothing but what GOD will Over-rule for good; they ſhall have Health in their Habitations, if GOD ſeeth it beſt. However He will viſit ſuch as Serve Him, when in Sickneſs, and make their Beds for them in the time of their Languiſhing. He will Crown them with His Favour, and Command a Bleſſing on their Outward Enjoyments. 2 Sam. 6.11, 12. And the Ark of the Lord continued in the Houſe of Obed…edom the Gittite, three Mouths: and the Lord bleſſed Obed…edom, and all his houſhold. And it was told King David, ſaying, The Lord hath bleſſed the houſe of Obed…edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, becauſe of the Ark of God. So David went and brought up the Ark of God from the Houſe of Obed…edom, into the City of David with gladneſs. He will Bleſs ſuch Houſes; and thoſe whom GOD Bleſſeth, ſhall be Bleſſed indeed. O how much doth it concern Heads of Families then to devote themſelves and Families to the Service of the Bleſſed GOD! How much is it their Intereſt to promote true Religion in their Houſes!

IT will appear, that Heads of Families are under ſtrong Obligations to Serve the Lord with their Houſes, if we conſider the many Mercies which they and their Houſes daily receive from GOD. GOD daily loads us with His Benefits. We are Indebted to Him for many p. 56Perſonal, and for many Family-Mercies; And ſhall we not Praiſe Him with our Families? Shall we not endeavour, that our Houſes may be Devoted to the Honour of that GOD, who is our Benefactor? Are we and our Families Preſerved in the Night-Watches by that GOD who is the Watchman of Iſrael, that never ſlumbreth nor ſleepeth? Have we taken Re…t in Sleep, and not been Diſtreſſed with the Terrors of the Night? Certainly then, when we ſee the Faces of each other in Peace, it becomes us to join together in Praiſing the Name of the Lord for the Mercies of the Night. Doth GOD preſerve our going out, and coming in, in the Day Time, when Man goeth forth to his Labour? Doth He make our Buſineſs to Proſper? Undoubtedly then, we are obliged to offer up the Evening Sacrifice of Praiſe, and to Bleſs the Lord … the Mercies and Preſervations of the Day. Doth GOD Spread a Table for us Daily? Certainly then, it's our Duty, as to ask His Bleſſing upon the Food He gives us; ſo alſo to return Thanks to Him, and Praiſe His Name when we have Eaten and are full. And though it be not required that we ſhould be very long in Craving a Bleſſing, or Returning Thanks; yet certainly it becomes us to do it with Reverence and with hearts devoutly affected with the Mercies of GOD; and not with a trifling Air, as if we were Praying to, or Bleſſing … Idol. Furthermore, Doth GOD from time to time preſerve our Houſes from Fire, and other Deſolating Judgments; doth our Great Land-Lord who's is the Earth and the Fulneſs thereof, give us pleaſant comfortable Dwellings, and not turn us out of Doors; Certainly this is a ſtrong Obligation to engage us to Serve Him in, and with our Houſes. Doth p. 57GOD fill our Houſes with good things, give us many Conveniencies and Deſirable Accommodations; And ſhall we forget and deſpiſe this GOD? O baſe Ingratitude! Doth GOD give us Health and Peace, in our Habitations; are our Houſes in a good meaſure, ſafe from fear: O then we ſhould Serve the LORD with joy, alacrity and delight. The Mercies of GOD beſtowed on our Families, are an …dearing, and a very ſtrong Obligation upon us, to maintain the Worſhip of GOD, and to Serve the LORD in our Houſes with diligence and conſtancy.

THIS is the beſt way you can take to keep up and maintain your Authority in your Families. Thus to Honour GOD by Serving Him in your Families, is the beſt way to ſecure to your ſelves Reſpect and Obedience. If your Children and Servants ſee that you improve your Power for GOD; this will probably beget in them reverence and eſteem. If Maſters of Families are careful to Command their Houſhold to fear the LORD, and keep His Commandments; This will give Force and Authority to thoſe Commands which more immediately reſpect themſelves: For the Law of GOD doth require Children to obey their Parents; Servants, their Maſters. The Word of GOD ſtrongly enforceth Relative Duties as a Vital and Eſſential Part of pure Religion. And therefore the more we promote true Religion in our Houſes; the more this flouriſheth and grows: By ſo much the more will Heads of Families he likely to Maintain their Authority, and to receive thoſe acknowledgements, that Duty & Obedience in their Houſes, which is owing to them. Their Piety will give them an Ornament of Grace, a Crown of Glory. There's a Majeſty in p. 58true Piety which commands Reſpect. But if Maſters and Miſtreſſes are Vicious and Profane themſelves, and take no care to promote the Service of GOD in their Families; they may expect to be lightly eſteemed. If they do thus diſhonour GOD, He may be provok'd to pour Contempt upon them, and to lay their honour in the duſt. 1 Sam. 2.30 — Them that honour Me, I will honour; and they that deſpiſe Me ſhall be lightly eſteemed. How often hath the Authority and Government of Heads of Families been forfeited and loſt by not being improv'd for the Glory and Honour of GOD? And that Threatning hath been fulfilled. Iſai. 24.2. And it ſhall be — as with the Servant, ſo with his Maſter; as with the Maid, ſo with her Mistreſs.

TO promote Religion and the Service of GOD in our Families, will be most Comfortable and Advantagious for Us and Ours. Heads of Families can't take a better courſe to promote the trueſt welfare of their Houſes, than by taking Care to Serve the LORD in them. This will be both pleaſant and profitable: For the more there is of Religion in the Family, the more comfort we ſhall be likely to have in our ſeveral Relations. The Word of GOD teacheth us how to diſcharge the Duties of our ſeveral Relations; and that's neceſſary in order to our Enjoying true Comfort in them.

THE more there is of true Religion in a Family, The more there will be of true Comfort and delight in the Conjugal Relation. If Husbands and Wives walk in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Law blameleſs, there will be a Mutual love and endearment between them; and the Commands of GOD reſpecting their Mutual Duties will not be grievous; but eaſy, pleaſant, and delightful, as far as the Grace of GOD governs them. The more p. 59they dwell as heirs together of the Grace of Life; the more true Satisfaction will they enjoy: This will ſweeten to them the Troubles they meet with, and make their burthens lighter, while each one doth his part, and bears his part, forbearing one another in love, in Obedience to GOD's Commandments.

AGAIN, The more careful Heads of Families are to Serve the LORD with their Houſes, The more Comfort they will be likely to have in their Children. If we teach our Children the good knowledge of the LORD, and uſe our utmoſt endeavours that they may be made Wiſe to Salvation; then we may hope to have joy in them in this Life, and that which is to come. A wiſe Son maketh a glad Father, Prov. 15.20. The Love of Parents to their Children is a very Conſtant, and a very ſtrong Paſſion. How greatly then muſt they rejoyce (if they underſtand their own intereſt, and the intereſt of their Children) To ſee their Children walking in the Truth. What a Satisfaction muſt it be to them to behold the Image of GOD ſhining in their Children! And how great Bleſſings and Comforts will ſuch Children be to their Parents! The more they fear GOD, and keep His Commandments; the more dutiful, the more helpful will they be; the more will they be the Staff and Solace of their Age. On the other hand, A fooliſh Son (and wickedneſs is the worſt Folly) is a grief to his Father, and bitterneſs to her that bare him, Prov. 17 25. The more your Children love GOD, the more they obey His Commands; the more will they love one another, the cloſer will their Union be, which is their ſtrength and glory. How pleaſant is it both for Parents and Children, when they dwell together in Unity: Pſal. 133.1, 2. Behold, how good and how pleaſant it is, for p. 60Brethren to dwell together in Unity. It's like the precious oyntment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aarons beard, that went down to the ſkirts of his garments. Like a ſweet perfume, it will afford delight, and chear the Spirits. Great Eſtates and. Poſſeſſions will not make your Children happy; No, No, If they have not the ſaving knowledge of GOD in CHRIST; If they do not chooſe GOD for their Portion: their Worldly enjoyments will be fuel for their Luſts; They will prove Snares and Temptations to them, eſtrange them from GOD, and ſo ſet them at a greater diſtance from true Bleſſedneſs; and plunge them into the deeper abyſs of Miſery.

AGAIN, The more Careful they are in this kind, the more likely will Maſters of Families be to enjoy Comfort in their Servants. If our Servants become the Faithful Servants of GOD; they will then be Faithful and Diligent in Serving us. If Servants Fear the LORD, they will be Obedient to their Maſters; Not with Eye-ſervice as Men-pleaſers, but as the Servants of Chriſt, doing the will of GOD from the Heart. Were Maſters more careful to Teach their Servants to know the LORD, as well as to underſtand their Particular Trade; they would probably, not have ſo much reaſon to complain of Unfaithful diſobedient Servants, as now they have. The Apoſtle Paul writing to Philemon concerning his Servant Oneſimus, whom he had begotten in his bonds, ſays, Philemon 10, 11. verſes. I beſeech thee for my Son Oneſimus whom I have begotten in my bonds: which in time paſt was to thee unprofitable; but now profitable to thee, and to me.

AND as Religion will be comfortable and beneficial to the Heads of Families, and their Houſes, In that it obligeth every One to the Duty of their p. 61reſpective Relations, and ſo tends to keep Peace in the Family, and to make the Members of it mutual Bleſſings each to other while they live together: So alſo it wou'd afford ſtrong conſolation to Maſters when the Relation between them and their Families, or any parts of them, ſhall be diſſolved. We are Children of Change, and many are the Changes which paſs over us in this paſſing World. And in a little time Death will break the Bands whereby we are united, and Diſſolve the Relations between Husbands and their Wives; Parents and their Children; Maſters and their Servants. Now in hours of ſuch Changes, it will be very Comfortable, if we can look back, and ſay, While we Lived together we took care to Serve the LORD together. This will be Comfortable to us, when our Children or Servants do remove from us, and become the Heads of diſtinct Families: This will be Comfortable to us, when our Children or Servants ſhall be taken from us by Death. It is no new and uncommon thing for Parents that live to Old Age, to ſurvive their Children. And they have the Sorrow many times of Burying Children that are grown up. Now it will afford them Light and Comfort in ſuch a dark Hour, if they can ſay that they Devoted ſuch Children unto GOD; That they Pray'd for them, and Pray'd with them; that they Educated them for GOD. This will be a Comfort to them when GOD calls for His Children which were given, or rather lent unto them. This will alſo be Comfortable to us when our own time to Die ſhall Approach; when the Hour ſhall draw nigh, in which we muſt be carried out of our Houſes, to the ſilent Grave. O how Comfortable will it be, if, when the Voice of GOD's Providence ſays to us, as p. 622 King. 20.1. Set thine houſe in order, for thou ſhalt die, and not live. I ſay, If then we can Appeal to GOD as Hezekiah, v. 3. I beſeech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy ſight. This will ſtrengthen our Hearts when we come to bid an Eternal Farewel to our Houſes; and the Places which now know us, ſhall know us no more. If we Serve GOD with our Houſes in Sincerity, then we may in a Dying Hour Bleſs them in the Name of the LORD, with a well grounded hope that the Eternal JEHOVAH will continue to Dwell in our Families, and delight to Bleſs them, when we are gathered to our Fathers. Then we may commit our near Relations unto GOD with an humble Confidence that He who is the EVERLASTING FATHER, will be the Father of our Fatherleſs Children; the Husband of our Widows. Then we may leave our Children with GOD, hoping in Him that He will take them up, and take a Fatherly Care of them, when we are Dead and gone. If we can ſay, While we were with them in the World, we us'd our endeavours to keep them in the Fear and Service of GOD: we may then Pray in Faith that GOD would preſerve them from the Evils, when we are not. In a Word, Thus to Serve GOD with our Houſes, will be very Comfortable to us at the Great Day, when our Judge ſhall Demand of us, What have you done with, What have you done for your Children and Servants which I gave you? O what Divine Pleaſure and Satisfaction will it be, if we ſo Serve GOD here with our Houſes, that we may come to Rejoyce together in the Day of CHRIST's Appearing. What a joyous Crown of p. 63Glory will our Children be to us, if we ſhall be able in that Day to ſay, Lo here we are, and the Children Thou haſt given us! But whatever the Event be; yet if we by the Grace of GOD, do our Duty in Sincerity, we ſhall give up our Account with Joy.

TO Conclude, Let us conſider the many Obligations we are under, to Serve the LORD with our Houſes; how much it is both our Intereſt and Duty ſo to do. And then, reſolve by the Help of GOD, That as for us and our Houſes, we will Serve the Lord. Let us conſider Seriouſly, that the Care and Charge of Families, is in a peculiar manner committed to the Heads of them. O let us not then dare to Betray this Truſt! Wo to us if we do. Let us awfully conſider, that if we take no Care to Serve the LORD with our Houſes, the Iniquity of our Houſes will be laid to our Charge (as we have heard) and we, together with them, ſhall be expos'd to the Wrath and Curſe of GOD. O that this Conſideration might awaken us to Serve the Lord with Reverence and Godly Fear, in our Houſes. O that we might be effectually perſwaded by the Terrors of the LORD, to Serve GOD our ſelves, and to call upon our Children and Servants to join with us in this Excellent Service; to Warn and to Reprove them for their Sins, and uſe our Endeavours to Reclaim them, that ſo their Blood may not be required at our Hands, in the Great Day of Account. Let us Remember, that this is the way to engage the Preſence of GOD with us, and to obtain His Bleſſing. And let Love to our ſelves, and our Children, quicken us in this way to ſeek after the Preſence and Bleſſing of GOD, without p. 64which our outward Enjoyments will be turned into Curſes. Have we any regular Self-Love? Have we any true Affection to our Families? Have we any Bowels of Compaſſion Yearning towards our Children, which are our ſelves multiplied? O then, let us ſhow and manifeſt our Love, by uſing our utmoſt Endeavours to ſecure the Preſence and Bleſſing of God, with our ſelves; with our Wives, who are our ſelves; with our Children; with our Servants. This will be the beſt and moſt evident Teſtimony of our hearty Love to them.

AGAIN, Let us conſider how Comfortable and Profitable it will be for us, and our Houſes to Serve the LORD. And let us now ſeek after Comfort in our ſeveral Relations in this way. It may be we have been Extravagant in our Expectations, too ready to promiſe our ſelves great Pleaſure and Satisfaction other ways, and upon other Accounts; but have been Diſappointed (as Men generally are, when their Expectations from the Creature are Carnal and Senſual) and have found little elſe but Vanity, and Vexation of Spirit. Let us then Reflect on our Folly, and Repent of it. And now let us ſeek for Comfort, by Serving GOD our ſelves, and by taking care to Engage our Relations to join with us in Serving the LORD. In this we ſhall find ſolid Pleaſure, durable Satisfaction. If we join together Heartily in Serving the LORD; we ſhall then have real Joy in our Relations, ſuch Joy as Death it ſelf ſhall not be able to Bereave us of. And now, O that we were Wiſe, and underſtood this; that we could conſider where our true Intereſt lies, and the Intereſt of our Families; that it might be well with us and ours for Ever.

p. 65HEADS of Families …e under Obligations to take Care, that they and their Houſes Serve the LORD; Becauſe this is the way to advance the Intereſt of Religion, in the Places where they dwell; and to make the Church of GOD in the Land, grow and flouriſh. Civil Societies conſiſt of particular Families combin'd and aſſociated. And therefore if Maſters would Reform their own Houſes, this would be a good ſtep towards a general Reformation. Now every Man is under ſtrong Obligations to ſeek the Proſperity and Welfare of the Community which he belongs to. GOD Commanded His People of Old to Seek the Peace of the City whither He had cauſed them to be carried away Captives, and to Pray unto the LORD for it, Jer. 29.7. Certainly then it becomes us to ſeek the Peace of Jeruſalem, of our Iſrael. No Man is born for himſelf alone, but alſo for his Country. And it ſhould be every Ones ambition to be a Bleſſing to the Publick; and in nothing can we more truly promote the Publick W…l than by Endeavouring that tru… Piety may flouriſh; That the Kingdom of CHRIST which is Righteouſneſs, Peace, and Joy, may be ſet up and eſtabliſhed. True Religion is the Glory, the Safety, the Happineſs of a People. Now though we are not all of us in Places of Publick Truſt▪ Yet we may do excellent Service, and forward this good Work, by uſing the influence and authority we have in our Houſes, for the honour of GOD, and the advancement of Religion. … Did Heads of Families take care to give their Children and Servants In…uſtion, and to keep them under… good government…, this would …, encreaſe and ſtrengthen the In…e… of Religion in the Land. This would p. 66be an excellent Medium to Propagate the true Religion, and hand it down …o Poſterity. Certainly then Heads of Families are ſtrongly oblig'd to teach their Children and Servants GOD's Statutes and His Judgments, and to Call upon them earneſtly to Serve the LORD. This is the way to have our Children made the Bleſſings and Ornaments of the Places where they dwell; and have them ſtand up for GOD, and maintain His Worſhip when we are dead and laid in our Graves. Whereas if Family-Inſtruction be neglected, if Family-Diſcipline be not kept up, and that with a peculiar regard to the advancement of true Piety, and for the diſcountenancing of Vice: We ſhall have dreadful reaſon to fear that there will ariſe a Generation not knowing the LORD, and refuſing to Obey His Commandments. Undoubtedly then, Heads of Families are under Indiſpenſible Obligations to Inſtruct their Children, and Command them to Serve the LORD. For in this way they will do excellent Service to the Publick, and lend a helping hand towards the building of GOD's Temple among us. If we would hope to have our Churches grow and encreaſe with the Increaſings of GOD; we muſt keep up Family Religion, that ſo our Houſes may be Nurſeries of true Piety, wherein our Young Ones may grow up, thrive and flouriſh; and as they grow in Stature, increaſe in true Wiſdom and Knowledge; that they may when grown up to Maturity; be as Trees of Righteouſneſs Planted in the Courts of our GOD, that bring forth their fruit in due Seaſon. And indeed, Heads of Families are in a peculiar manner oblig'd to this Duty from the Privileges which they and their Children are admitted to in the Churches of CHRIST. Our Children are p. 67generally Baptiſed. Now when Parents do enter into Covenant with GOD, and when they offer their Children to GOD in Baptiſm, they bring themſelves under engagements to bring up their Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the LORD; to Educate them for that GOD whoſe Name is call'd upon them, and to whom they are devoted when they receive this initiating Seal of the Covenant. When therefore we neglect this Duty, we are guilty of lying to the LORD, and are Perjured in His Covenant. O that we were awaken'd to conſider the Vows of the LORD which are upon us, more Seriouſly, more Solemnly! It is to be feared, It is much to be feared, that many who ſeek this Privilege for their Children, looking upon it as an honorary Badge, which it is diſgraceful to want: I ſay that many forget the peculiar bonds and obligations they are under to Serve the LORD themſelves, and to take care that their Children be conſecrated to His Service. And then, unleſs Heads of Families take care that ſuch as are under their Government be Inſtructed; the Publick Diſpenſations of the Word and Ordinances will be likely to be loſt upon them. If they are not taught the Principles and firſt Rudiments of the Chriſtian Religion, nor acquainted with the Important Truths and Myſteries of it, it can't be expected that the Word Preached ſhould profit them. For want of this, ſays One, When we ſpeak never ſo plainly of the things pertaining to the kingdom of GOD, to the moſt we do but ſpeak Parables. Unleſs our Children and …ervants be Catechiſed at Home, the plaineſt Truths almoſt delivered from the Pulpit, will be dark ſayings to them. Now it can't be ſuppoſed that theſe Truths, how weighty ſoever, ſhould ſink p. 68deep into their Hearts, if they have not a place in their Underſtandings. We ſee then that the Growth and Proſperity of the Churches of CHRIST do very ſtrongly oblige Heads of Families to teach ſuch as are under their Care, to Fear and Serve the LORD. And if Heads of Families would ſeriouſly ſet about this good Work of Family-Reformation, this would have an happy Tendency, by the Bleſſing of GOD, to b…ing on a General Reformation, and to promote true Godlineſs in the Power of it.