The Great and Important Duty of Family Worship, Text – Appendix

The Great and Important Duty of Family Worship · Text – Appendix

An ARGUMENT for AND PERSUASIVE unto the great and important DUTY OF Family Worſhip: WITH Rules and Directions for the due Performance of it.

By Benjamin Colman Paſtor of a Church in Boſton.

2 Sam. vi. 20.

Then David returned to bleſs his Houſhold.

BOSTON, N. E. Printed by Gamaliel Rogers, for THOMAS HANCOCK at the Bible and Three Crowns near the To… Dock. 1728.

p. 1An Argument for AND Perſuaſive unto the great and important Duty OF FAMILY WORSHIP.

IT having been no ſmall part of the Honour and Glory of my Country, from the beginning of it, that it has been famous for the practice of FAMILY WORSHIP, to which under the Grace and Bleſſing of GOD the Virtue, Religion and Proſperity of it muſt be (if I judge right) very much attributed; I am therefore moved and inclined to look over the Arguments & Motives unto, and the Reaſons for this great and important Duty, and leave them (as they have occurr'd to me) with the Children of my People, that this GLORY may ſtill dwell in our Land.

The Method, in which I ſhall diſpoſe my Tho'ts on this Argument, ſhall be this:

1. To ſay what I mean by FAMILY WORSHIP:

2. To prove it to be a Duty, and ſhow our Obligations to obſerve it.

3. To p. 2lay down Rules for the due Performance of it. And

4. To urge the Duty with ſome proper Motives.

I. By FAMILY WORSHIP I mean, That ſtanding religious Order, and Uſage in a Houſhold, wherein the Head of the Houſe doth ordinarily every Day, at ſtated and appointed Times, call the Family together for the performance of ſuch holy Exerciſes, as are proper to them in their worſhipping GOD together.

This is a diſtinct kind of Worſhip from ſolitary and ſecret, which is a Perſons retiring by himſelf alone (into his Cloſet, Matth. vi. 6.) to meditate, read, pray to and praiſe GOD. It is alſo a diſtinct thing from public Worſhip, in Church Aſſemblies and Congregations, for the Adminiſtration of Inſtituted Ordinances. So likewiſe it is diverſe from the private Meetings of religious People at one anothers Houſes, occaſionally to pray together and hear the Word.

There are parts of Inſtituted Worſhip, that do by no means belong to Family Worſhip. GOD never meant the Sacraments of the New Teſtament to be adminiſtred by Maſters of Families in their houſes. Theſe belong to the public Miniſtry of Religion in the Churches of CHRIST. And excepting Caſes of neceſſity, or in times of perſecution, there can be no pretence for the Adminiſtration of Baptiſm or the Lords Supper, in private Houſes. And then the Adminiſtration ſhould be by a Miniſter of CHRIST, and to more than a private houſhold. Wherefore Sacramental Adminiſtrations are no part of Family Worſhip. — Nor is there any Argument from the Sacraments of the Old Teſtament to thoſe of the New. Circumciſion and the Paſſover were in their Inſtitution a kind of Family Ordinances; but ſo were not the Baptiſm of CHRIST and his Supper.

Only the Exerciſes and Duties of natural Worſhip are proper to Families, as ſuch. Natural Worſhip is p. 3that which the Conſideration of the Being and Perfections of GOD dictate to the Reaſon and Conſcience of Man. This alſo belongs both to public and ſecret Worſhip.

Prayer and Praiſe; Adoration and Thankſgiving; Confeſſion, Supplications and Interceſſion; are proper and neceſſary parts of Family Worſhip. So is reading the Word of GOD to our Houſholds‖‖Deut. vi. 6, 7. 1 Tim. iv. 5.Deut 6:6Deut 6:71 Tim 4:5. Alſo the ſinging of Pſalms ††Epheſ. v. …9. Col. iii. 10.Eph 5:9Col 3:10: Catechiſing the Children; and a religious asking GODS Bleſſing on our daily Food, with hearty Thankſgiving for it**1 Tim. iv. 4, 5.1 Tim 4:41 Tim 4:5. Theſe are the principal religious Exerciſes, that do properly belong to the Worſhip of GOD in our Houſes.

II. Now to ſhew our Obligation thus to worſhip GOD with our Houſholds, I ſhall argue

1. from the light of Reaſon, and natural Conſcience,

2. from Scripture Revelations.

1. As to the light of Reaſon, and natural Conſcience, it is indeed very hard, for us who enjoy the Goſpel to ſay, What the bare light of Nature and Reaſon, in this our fallen ſtate would teach us. We are ſo alienated from the Life of God thro' the Ignorance that is in us, by reaſon of the Blindneſs of our hearts, that probably no one of us would have had a tho't of worſhiping GOD with our Families, had we been born and bred Pagans and Salvages. But yet I am confident, that Reaſon duely exerciſed, and natural Conſcience hearkned to thereupon, would ſoon lead and bring Men to worſhip GOD both in ſecret and with their Families. At leaſt our Reaſon under the common Illuminations of Scripture, is fruitful of Arguments for ſo plain a Duty.

p. 4The light of Nature teaches us that there is a GOD, and that he ought to be worſhip'd by us, and if ſingly and apart by our ſelves, why not ſocially and together? And if ſocially, why not in Families, which are diſtinct Societies? And why not firſtly in Families, which are the firſt Societies that Mankind came and comes into? For Families are the Original of all Societies, and conſequently the firſt ſocial Worſhip was of neceſſity in a Family. This is plain and eaſy Reaſoning, level to the Capacity of every Child: But how ſtrongly and irreſiſtibly doth it conclude for the Worſhip of GOD in Families?

To let in a gleam of Revelation here: Who but GOD is the Inſtitutor and Founder of Families? He made at firſt but one Pair; He put them together and bleſſed them. He could have made many Families at once, plac'd them together, and ordain'd the firſt Act of Worſhip to have been from an Aſſembly of men. But it pleaſed the GOD of the Spirits of all Fleſh to make at firſt one only Family out of which all the Families of the Earth have ſprang. And why did He this? ſeeing He had the reſidue of the Spirit, and could as eaſily have made a million Families at once? Why may I not be allow'd to ſay — That He might ſeek a godly Family, a religious Houſhold! that this might be his Firſt-fruits from the Earth, among men! that Families might be ſanctified unto Him for ever, by the rendring of the firſt ſocial Worſhip in them; and that this ſacred Dignity might be put and entail'd upon Houſholds, that for the firſt Ages of the World the whole Worſhip of GOD was in them. And ſhould not his ſolemn Worſhip continue in them to the End of the World?

All the Nations of the Earth own that Families are diſtinct Societies, and that they have a Government of their own; Laws and Rules proper and peculiar to themſelves, for their own weal and good Order. p. 5Witneſs the famous LAW of King Ahaſuerus, directed to every People after their Language, both to great and ſmall, That every Man ſhall bear Rule in his own Houſe. Eſther i. ult. Say then, ſhall he not rule for GOD? and acknowledge HIM in his Houſe with conſtant daily Devotions? Shall theſe primary, neceſſary, univerſal, perpetual Societies of Men be without the Adoration, Confeſſion and Praiſes of GOD in them? Has the great GOD nothing to do with theſe Societies, nor they with Him? No? tho' He be the Author, Preſerver, Feeder and daily Benefactor of the Family? the Health of it, and its GOD? Is not the Family what it is by his Providence? can it ſubſiſt a day without Him? And yet no Worſhip of GOD in it from day to day! no Prayer? as if it had no Dependance on Him! Does it indeed want no Benefit or Bleſſing from Him? nor expect any? that it craves none! And does it receive none from day to day? that there are no daily Offerings of Praiſe in the Houſe! Or does GOD indeed keep and feed the Family from year to year; and has He no Altar, no Sacrifices in it? but the doors of the Houſe are ſhut againſt Him! He ſhut out of it! This profaneſs, this Atheiſm is implied in the want of Family Worſhip; in defiance to Reaſon and Conſcience.

At the ſame time, Can a Society be more adapted and engaged to worſhip together daily, than a Family is? Is any other Society framed and formed like this for daily worſhip? living together under one Roof, and united in mutual and near Relations to each other! and tied together by thoſe bonds of Love and Endearment, which ſhould bind them to GOD, whoſe all Souls are, the Souls of Parents and Children, Maſters and Servants! — O with what a ſacred Pleaſure ſhould a Man call the Family of his Love together, to worſhip GOD? Can he own a GOD, and love his Family, and not love to pray with them and for them? p. 6Doth not even Nature teach this? — Methinks he muſt be willingly ignorant, who queſtions it, not liking to retain GOD in his knowledge; his Diſaffection to his MAKER (horrible to ſpeak) overthrowing even his natural Affection to his Family!

Again, Let Nature and Reaſon judge of the ſpecial Need and Occaſion of Worſhip in our Families. Are there no Family Mercies daily wanted, which GOD only can give? nor any received from Him every Morning and Evening, for which Thankſgiving ought openly to be render'd? And are there not ſometimes Family Sins, for which the Houſhold have reaſon to humble themſelves together before GOD? And are there not at times Family Afflictions, the Rod of GOD upon our Houſe, which call the Houſhold to mourn together, under the mighty Hand of GOD? — Surely there is the ſame Reaſon why Families ſhould pray and give Thanks together, in the caſe of Family Mercies needed and received; as there is why ſingle Perſons ſhould do ſo in the caſe of perſonal Needs and Receipts. And there is the like Reaſon for Family Humiliation and Supplication in caſe of Family Sins and Corrections, as why a Perſon or People ſhould humble themſelves and pray under perſonal and public Sins and Judgments.

I will cloſe this Argument from the light of Reaſon, by remembring You of the Houſhold Gods, and Family Religion (if I may ſo call it) of the Heathen; however brutiſh and abominable it ſometimes was. The Learned know well that they had their Penates, which were plac'd (we are told**See the Hiſtory of the Heathen Gods.) in penetralibus Domi, in the innermoſt places of the Houſe, as the Guardians and Protectors of it, and its ſacred Treaſure. They had alſo their Lares ‖‖Lar is in our Dictionaries D… familiaris. & Lararium was the private Chapel for the Houſhold Deity Labans Teraphim ſeem to have been Images for a religious Uſe, and conſulted as Oracles, another kind of p. 7Domeſtic Gods, on which they beſtow'd the figure of a dog, to expreſs Watchfulneſs and care of the Houſe.

Now however they proſtituted their Reaſon, and debas'd Religion, vilely acting like fools and beaſts in theſe Idolatries; yet we may piouſly and juſtly reaſon thus with our ſelves therefrom; That the Remains of natural light, and Tradition, taught theſe miſerable Families of Men, that there ought to be religious Worſhip in their Houſholds. For tho' they chang'd the Truth of GOD into a lye, yet their Conſciences bare a Witneſs to the Truth before us, and ſhew'd the Work of the Law written in their Hearts. How vain ſoever theſe their Imaginations were, and how groſsly ſoever their fooliſh heart was darkned; yet their Houſhold Idolatries may riſe up in Judgment againſt the more profane Chriſtians and condemn them.

2. But I come to argue from Scripture and reveal'd Religion. Only let me premiſe, 'That there are ſome things, and thoſe ſome of the moſt important in Religion, both of Doctrine and of Practice, which are ſo plain from the light of Nature, and ſuch evident Deductions from the firſt and more general Principles of Religion; that the Scripture rather ſuppoſes them and takes 'em for granted, than particularly teaches or requires them. And ſuch a Doctrine and Duty I take this of FAMILY WORSHIP to be.

Revelation would not ſuppoſe Mankind ſo ignorant or profane, as to need a direct and poſitive Law for Family Worſhip. A GOD, a Family, and Law for Worſhip, muſt imply and infer Family Worſhip. — And bear this in mind, That right Deductions and true Conſequences from the Scripture, are juſt and proper Scripture proofs. Witneſs our SAVIOURS Argument for the Reſurrection of the Body. Luke xx. 47.

p. 8This being promis'd, I ſhall now gather up ſome of the Notices and Intimations of the Mind of GOD from his Word about Family Worſhip; amounting to a plain Revelation of his Will in the matter; and then go over ſome Scripture Examples for the Duty: In both of which I ſhall keep to the Order of Scripture.

The firſt Family was ſanctified to GOD in the day wherein it was form'd and conſtituted. When the LORD GOD bro't Eve to Adam he bleſſed them together, and thereby ſet them apart for Himſelf to be a holy Pair, a religious devoted Family. And the firſt thing we read of in Adam's Family is his Sons worſhiping the LORD in his appointed Way. And tho' it be true, that this was their open worſhiping apart, yet it leads us into the certain knowledge of Adam's worſhiping with them, and of his inſtituting them as well by Example as by Inſtruction and Precept in the appointed Worſhip of GOD.

When Noah and his Sons came out of the Ark the preſerved Family made their ſolemn Thank-Offering of every kind. This was indeed as much an Act of public Worſhip as could then be render'd to GOD, yet it is as true that it was, and could be, no other than a Family Worſhip.

Afterward the pure Worſhip of GOD was preſerved in the Houſhold and Family of Abraham, who as he journeyed from place to place built Altars unto the LORD, and called on his Name **Gen. xii. 7, 8.Gen 12:7Gen 12:8. His praiſe and honour in the ſight of GOD was the religious Order of his Houſhold ‖‖xviii. 19.. I know him that he will command his Children and his Houſhold after him, and they ſhall keep the Way of the LORD. GOD gave him the Covenant of Circumciſion, which was a Family Ordinance, for the Conſecration of the Houſhold to GOD; and indeed of all the Heads of all the Families that ſhould p. 9deſcend from him. Doubtleſs expreſs and ſolemn Worſhip accompanied the Act of Circumciſion, that Seal of the Righteouſneſs of Faith. Every Family therefore from the loyns of Abraham were hereby put in the way of Family Worſhip. For were the Children holy? And muſt not the Parent ſee the mark and ſign of GOD'S Covenant put upon them? And yet afterward might he bring up the devoted Seed without praying with them?

But to paſs to the Law of Moſes: The Paſſover was the other Seal of GOD'S Covenant from his time, and it was a Family Ordinance. The Maſter of the Houſe had this Care laid upon him. Exod. xii. 3. There was a Lamb for a Houſe: They eat it as holy Societies, in religious manner; it was a Feaſt to the LORD thro'out their Generations. The Family renew'd their Covenant with GOD, and were anew ſanctified to him, in their celebrating this Ordinance of Worſhip.

Or let us look into the Law of the Holy Sabbath, and it ſeems to caſt a ſpecial eye on the Religion and Worſhip of the Houſhold, laying the Head of the Family under the Charge of GOD in that matter; Thou, thy Son and thy Daughter, thy Man-ſervant and thy Maid-ſervant. — Look alſo into the Laws for the Feaſt of Weeks and of Tabernacles, and they are given in like manner; Deut. xvi. 10, 14. Thou ſhalt rejoice before the LORD thy GOD, thou and thy Son and thy Daughter, &c. Or look into the Rule for ſolemn Mourning, as on the day of Faſting and Supplication, and it runs thus, Zech. xii. 10. Every Family apart, and Perſon apart. Truly it is the Will of GOD that on the Sabbath-day, and upon all days of public Faſting or Thankſgiving, there be ſpecial Exerciſes of Religion performed with our Families, as well as in our Cloſets or in public Aſſemblies.

p. 10Paſs we now to the Scriptures of the New Teſtament, and we find there many Precepts and Directions of GOD our SAVIOUR, which do more plainly imply and infer the Duty of Family Worſhip. Such are thoſe Words of the Apoſtle, Epheſ. vi. 18. Praying ALWAYS with ALL Prayer, and watching thereunto with all perſeverance. "All Prayer muſt mean all kinds of Prayer; public, private, ſecret; ſolitary and ſocial. But Family prayer is one kind of Prayer, and therefore to be attended always, and watch'd unto with all perſeverance.

Another Text that ſeems to look to Family Prayer is that, Philip. iv. 6. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by Prayer and Supplication let your Requeſts be made known to GOD. Men are in a ſpecial manner apt to be careful and anxious how to provide for their Houſholds, how to feed and clothe their Families; But let Family Prayer and ſecret Prayer be the Antidote and ſovereign Remedy againſt this ſickly and painful diſorder of our Minds. Carry the care of your Families to GOD in daily Prayers. But ſhall this be only in Secret? Why not alſo in Prayers with them?

Another place that has a fair Aſpect on Family Worſhip is Col. iii. 17. And whatſoever ye do in word or deed do all in the Name of the LORD JESUS, giving Thanks unto GOD and the FATHER by Him. In the verſe before the Exhortation is, Let the Word of CHRIST dwell in you richly, teaching and admoniſhing one another in Pſalms &c. And in the verſe after Wives are exhorted to ſubmit themſelves unto their own Husbands as is fit in the LORD. Whatſoever therefore is done in the Houſhold, in word or deed, is directed to be done in the Name of CHRIST, with continual Thankſgiving to GOD. — And then in the beginning of the next Chapter, Maſters of Families are required to continue in prayer, and to watch in the p. 11ſame with Thankſgiving. Theſe Precepts are directed to Houſholders by name, to continue in daily Prayers and Praiſes with their Families. This ſeems the moſt fair and eaſy, natural and genuine ſenſe of the Precept in this place.

Again we are taught and commanded, I. Theſſ. v. 17, 18. to pray without ceaſing, and in every thing to give Thanks. If in every thing, then ſurely in our Families, for all Family Mercies. — A like Precept we have I. Tim. ii. 8. I will that Men pray every where, lifting up holy Hands without Wrath. If every where, then ſurely in our Houſes, and with our Houſholds. This is one of the firſt places that occur to us. And the Caution of holy Hands, without Wrath, is peculiarly proper to Houſholds, where Angers and Wraths do eſpecially unfit for holy Prayers. — It follows, Let the Women adorn themſelves with Sobriety and good Works, and let the Woman learn in Silence with all Subjection; for Adam was firſt formed and then Eve. Which ſeems to determine the Apoſtle's meaning in foregoing Diſcourſe to Family Prayer.

Moreover, That our Houſes ſhould be places for Prayer, and that there ſhould be occaſional Prayers with the Houſhold, is plain from the Commandment and Direction of the Apoſtle James, v. 14, 15. Is any ſick among you? let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him —. But is this the only Occaſion that there is for ſocial Prayer in Families? Should there be Prayer on this Occaſion with the Houſhold, and on no other? Or if the Elders of the Church muſt be called on this, or the like Occaſion, is not the Maſter of the Family to pray and give Thanks with it on many other Occaſions? And are not ſuch Occaſions frequently and daily returning on us? And if on greater Occaſions there ſhould be more ſolemn and formal Supplications in the Houſe and for it, ſhould there be no prayers in it and for p. 12it on leſſer and more ordinary Occaſions, returning every day? Or if one of the Family be taken dangerouſly Sick once in the year, or in ſeveral years, and this be a loud Call for the Prayers of the Houſhold; Is not the continued Health of all the Family from day to day, and it may be from year to year, as loud a Call for the united daily Thankſgivings of the Houſhold?

But to look into the Epiſtles of Peter and cloſe with him. How applicable to Families and Family Worſhip are his Words, I. Epiſt. ii. 5. A ſpiritual Houſe, an holy Prieſthood, to offer up ſpiritual Sacrifices, acceptable to GOD, thro' JESUS CHRIST. The Church of GOD is a ſpiritual Houſe, and ſo ſhould our Families be alſo. Believers in CHRIST are a holy Prieſthood, but in a ſpecial manner to their Houſholds; to offer up with them (as well as by themſelves in ſecret) the ſpiritual Sacrifices of Praiſe and Prayer. — See alſo I. Peter iii. 7. Let the Husbands dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour to the Wife as to the weaker Veſſel, and as being Heirs together of the Grace of Life, that your PRAYERS be not hindred. The ſeveral Relatives in a Family ſhould live together as Heirs of the Grace of Life; therefore they ſhould pray, both together and apart, for one another: But eſpecially the Care about the Prayers of the Houſhold lies on the Head of the Family. It is ſuppoſed that there be Prayers in the Family; that the Husband pray for and with the Wife; and why not the latter as well as the former? And the Husband is wiſely directed to treat the Wife with Tenderneſs, to bear with her Infirmities, and by governing himſelf well toward her to keep up love and peace in the Family; That ſo their Prayers, and thoſe of the Houſhold, whether together or apart, be not hindred.

Theſe are ſome of the Notices and Intimations of the Mind of GOD in his Word about Family Worſhip; p. 13amounting (as I judge) to a plain Revelation of his Will in the matter, and ſo to a Precept and Injunction concerning it.

I conclude this Head with the Words of the venerable Mr. Baxter on this Argument; "Let me tell you (ſays he) that it is Ignorance to call for particular and expreſs Scriptures that require praying in Families, as if we tho't the general Commands were not ſufficient, and did not comprehend this particular.

I come now to conſider the Scripture Examples for Family Worſhip: By which I mean what we find related and recorded concerning one Perſon and another, bearing a favourable Aſpect on this Practice.

I might name Adam, Noah and Abraham, but forbear, having hinted at them before. Iacob was a like godly Worſhiper with his Houſhold, having learn'd it of his pious Anceſtors, and inheriting the Spirit with the Bleſſing of Abraham. He died, as he liv'd, worſhiping with his Sons around him, pouring out Prayers for them, and bleſſing them, one by one, in the Name of the LORD.

Job was a like devout Worſhiper of GOD with his Family. GOD gave him ſeven Sons and three Daughters, and as in their Childhood he had daily worſhip'd with them, ſo when they were adult, and ſetled in Houſes of their own, he frequently call'd them together to worſhip with him: He ſent for them and ſanctified them, offering Burnt-Offerings, according to the number of them all: Thus did Job continually. Theſe were his Family Sacrifices, and he was very conſtant and ſolemn in them.

Joſhua gave his ſenſe of Family Religion, the Devotion and Worſhip of the Houſhold, in that famous and noble Reſolve, Joſh. xxiv. 15. As for me and my Houſe, we will ſerve the LORD. He reſolv'd for himſelf and his Houſhold, thoſe that were his immediate p. 14Charge and Care, living under his roof. Himſelf and his houſe he joyns in the Worſhip, for they daily joyn'd in it. "I and my Domeſtics, I with them and they with me; I and they together and apart. He ſpake as the Maſter and Head of a Family.

Jeſſe, the Father of David, was a religious Houſholder and worſhip'd GOD with his Family. David ſpeaks of occaſional Sacrifices in his Fathers houſe. 1. Sam. xx. 6. They had their annual or monthly Sacrifices, and why not the daily?

David had learn'd of his pious Father, and was taught of GOD to bleſs his Houſhold; i. e. to pray and give thanks with them, to GOD, for his Bleſſing on them. This became ſo great a King, and ſo illuſtrious a Saint, the Man after GOD's own Heart. Who would wiſh for a better Pattern or Teacher? Would to GOD that all Kings would learn of him, all Rulers imitate him, in the Devotions of their Houſholds. To be ſure all Saints will gladly follow his more than royal Example. The leaſt and loweſt among us may have a Houſhold to rule and bleſs, and has this Authority in his own Houſe, as much as the Prince hath in his. II. Sam. vi. 20. Then David returned to bleſs his Houſhold. From an extraordinary Act of ſolemn public Devotion, from bleſſing the Congregation of Iſrael, both as a Prophet and their Prince, he came home and bleſs'd his Family in the Name of the LORD. He bleſs'd and prais'd GOD with them that day, and implor'd his Bleſſing on them. Every Man is a King and a Prieſt in his own Houſe, to rule for GOD and to lead in his Worſhip. He returned to bleſs his Houſe: It ſeems to ſpeak his Cuſtom and Uſe to bleſs it. Was this the only time? or the firſt or laſt time that David returned from GOD's Houſe to bleſs his own? No, it ſeems to have been no new thing to Him or them. He was wont to do ſo on Sabbaths and other Feſtivals. His Houſhold p. 15no doubt expected Him; and were in waiting to receive his Bleſſing. Michal alone was out of frame, but not ſo the Maids of Honour attending her.

I will name but one more Example from the Old Teſtament: It is Daniel. Three times a day he worſhip'd GOD openly and ſolemnly in his Houſe. How elſe ſhould his Enemies have known his Practice, or been able to have convicted him as they did? Had it been the Worſhip of his Cloſet, the Rule ever was and is to ſhut the window and the door, and pray to Him that ſees in Secret. But Daniel's daily Prayers were open in the ſight and hearing of his Enemies. Doubtleſs it was the Worſhip in his Chapel, or of his Houſhold together.. Dan. vi. 10, 11. Now when Daniel knew that the Writing was ſigned, he went into his Houſe, and his windows being open in his Chamber toward Jeruſalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave Thanks before his GOD, as he did aforetime: Then theſe Men aſſembled, and found Daniel praying and making Supplication before his GOD. Judge if this be not meant of Daniel's Worſhip with his Houſhold, rather than his retired Devotions by himſelf. Neither Morning nor Evening prayer were wanting in Daniel's houſe. They that pleas'd might make themſelves Witneſſes of the Worſhip of his Houſe, nor would he change the Order of it for the Kings Decree. The door of his Chapel ſtood open for his Brethren of the Diſperſion and others. He choſe to die rather than ceaſe his Family Worſhip for thirty days.

From the Scriptures of the New Teſtament I ſhall only name our LORD Himſelf, and Cornelius the firſt-fruit of the Gentiles.

JESUS is the great Pattern to his Church; the pattern of Prayer and Devotion, alone by Himſelf and with his Diſciples. The Families of the Earth are p. 16bleſſed in Him, with reſpect to his Example in this point. He has taught them to pray both together and apart. JESUS had a Family. He choſe and ordained the Twelve to be with him. Mark iii. 14. They attended him wherever He went, as his proper Domeſtics. Tho' He had not where to lay his Head, yet there was a Family Relation between Him and the Twelve, of Maſter and Servants, Teacher and Scholars. They left all and followed Him. He called them his Houſhold, and Himſelf the Maſter of the Houſe. Matth. x. 25. And as ſuch he fed them from day to day, and eat the Paſſover with them. Mark xiv. 14. He often taught them in private, and pray'd with them in private, as his Domeſtics. Luke ix. 18. As he was alone praying, his Diſciples were with him i. e. He was praying with them, by themſelves only. He was not alone by Himſelf, for the Diſciples were with him. It was a Family Prayer. It was neither public nor ſecret Prayer, but private with his Houſhold. And ſuch we may call his wondrous Prayer juſt before his Paſſion, John. xvii. What a famous and glorious Inſtance was this of Family Worſhip, on an extraordinary Occaſion? wherein therefore our LORD was the more inlarged and affectionate. Thus JESUS is the Pattern for Family Worſhip to all Worſhipers.

And whom ſhall we name after Him? Which of the Houſhold? Peter, or James, or John? Neither of the Twelve, tho' doubtleſs they followed the Example of JESUS in this Duty; But let CORNELIUS (a Gentile Worſhiper, a Centurion of the Italian Band) have this Honour; as a good Soldier of JESUS CHRIST. We have his excellent Character, Acts x. 2. A devout Man, and one that feared GOD with all his Houſe, and prayed to GOD always. As he was praying in his Houſe, he had a Viſion of an Angel of GOD; behold a Man ſtood before him in bright clothing. The beſt p. 17Expoſitors take it for a pregnant Inſtance of Houſhold Worſhip. And if ſo, it was a good Beginning, a good and leading Example, among the Gentile Converts. He prayed always, with all his Houſe. It was at the ninth Hour, the time of the Evening Sacrifice. If it was a Family Prayer, GOD put a double honour on it; By one Viſion he directed Cornelius to ſend for Peter, and by another he prepar'd Peter to go. But above all, He pour'd out the HOLY GHOST upon theſe Gentile Worſhipers, while Peter preach'd to to them. Thus did the HOLY ONE own and honour the Prayers of Cornelius and his Houſhold. Let it encourage and confirm all believing Houſholders in the practice of Family-prayer.

Methinks the elect Lady and her Children were ſuch a Family of Devotion; and Lydia and her Houſe; and ſo Priſcilla and Aquila, Nymphas and Philemon, with the Church in their Houſe. Probably their Chriſtian Neighbours might meet for Worſhip at theſe Houſes on Lord's days and at other times. But doubtleſs the Families were as little Churches, and worthy to be ſo called becauſe of the good Order and daily Worſhip of GOD in them. "It is fit (ſays Calvin) that all the Families of the Faithful ſhould be ſo order'd as to deſerve this Honour. "It reſts upon every Head of a Family (ſays Bp. Davenant) ſo to exerciſe his Houſhold in the true Religion, that it may d…rvedly obtain the Name of a Church". A reli… Family is a holy Community; like the Houſe of …aham and Jacob; or as the Houſe of Obed-edom, wh… the Ark reſted in it. "Religion in the pow… of it, reigning in a Family, turns a Houſe into … …hurch". — Such a Family had an Epiſtle directed to them; namely that to Philemon: To Philemon, our dearly beloved and Fellow-labourer, and to the Church in thy Houſe. Other Epiſtles were written to the Churches in ſuch a City or Province; but this to p. 18a godly Perſon and his religious Houſhold: Like one of the Epiſtles of John, to the elect Lady and her Children. "It was the Aggravation of the Fault of Oneſimus (as One obſerves) that he left ſuch a Family, and ran away from ſuch a Maſter, where he had been well taught both by Word and Example. All Families ſhould be Nurſeries of Religion, as Philemons was; i. e. Societies in which GOD is daily call'd upon, where he is daily praiſed, where his Word is daily read, and the Sabbaths of GOD are reſted on, and kept religiouſly in the private and public Duties of them: Where GOD's Law is in the Heart of Parents, Maſters and Miſtreſſes, and is diligently taught unto the Children. Such Families are Nurſeries for the Church and Table of CHRIST, to fill them with worthy Communicants. Oneſimus upon his Repentance was reſtored in this Family, as a ſinning Member is in the Churches of CHRIST, above a Servant, a Brother beloved.

And thus I have gather'd up the Voice and Senſe of Scripture, as truly and briefly as I could, on this important point of Family Worſhip; and have kept very much to the Order of Scripture in doing it. From hence have the Godly in all Places and Ages of the Church, gone into the practice of this Duty. And all that uprightly practice it have the pleaſure, comfort and profit of it. None ever repented of it, or are like to repent of it. Theſe are the footſteps of the Flocks, and thus the Sheep feed, and their Lambs with them, beſides the Shepherds Tents.

III. I come now to give Rules and Directions about the Duty of Family Worſhip.

1. We muſt be frequent and conſtant in the Duty. Let no day paſs without ſecret and family Prayer, reading GOD'S Word, and ſolemn Thankſgiving to Him for perſonal and relative Mercies. Let GOD p. 19have his Dues in thy Houſe, his morning and evening Sacrifices. Pſalm xcii. 1 It is a good thing to give Thanks unto the LORD, and to ſing Praiſes to thy Name, O MOST HIGH! to ſhew forth thy Loving kindneſs in the Morning, and thy Faithfulneſs every Night. Pſalm v. 2. My voice ſhalt thou hear in the Morning, O LORD! in the Morning will I direct my Prayer unto Thee, and will look up. Pſalm cxli. 2. Let my Prayer be ſet forth before Thee as Incenſe, and the lifting up of my hands as the Evening Sacrifice. Theſe ſtated Exerciſes ſhould never be omitted, without a plain Neceſſity conſtrain to it; but in extraordinary Caſes, as thoſe of great Affliction and Sorrow, the Family may need to be pray'd with three and four times a day: And Days of Prayer may be call'd for in them.

It was Mr. Baxter's declared Judgment, That the Maſter of a Family ought rather to omit ſecret Prayer in his Cloſet, than private Prayer with his Houſhold. Family Prayer (ſays he) is of greateſt Neceſſity, becauſe each Perſon is concerned in it. You muſt rather take up with Family prayer alone, than with ſecret alone. — Let us not on any little pretence, or ſmall occaſion, omit this Duty. Let us walk before GOD in our houſes in this daily Courſe. Let us be conſtant and ſteddy in it, like the Sun in its Circuit, as Day and Night in their return. As the Sun ariſeth let us get up to worſhip and ſerve GOD, the Father of Light; And as it knows its going down, ſo let us know and keep our Hour of Evening Prayer.

2. Let us be ſeaſonable in Family Worſhip. It is doubly beautiful, pleaſant and profitable in its Seaſon. Out of ſeaſon it very much loſes its beauty, pleaſure and profit. Yet the Occaſions of Families may cauſe ſome Variety here. One and the ſame Time will not ſure all Families, nor always the ſame Family. The Rule in general is, When the Houſhold can be beſt p. 20and moſt together. Another is Not too late in the Morning, nor in the Evening.

The firſt looks too ſlothful, and often comes by drowſing too long in Bed. But let GOD and our Souls have the firſt and freſh Tho'ts of the Morning. Let us not ſtay to do a good part of the Mornings Work before we wait upon GOD. Freſh and faſting may be a good Rule; healthful to the Soul and honorary to GOD. Firſt let us ſerve GOD with our Houſhold, and then ſerve our ſelves of them. So let all the Work of the Day be ſanctified early, by the Word and Prayer. Let GOD'S Work be done before our own. Pſalm cviii. Awake up my Glory, awake early. The Letter here agrees to a Morning Song, from an early Riſer. Such have a great Advantage both for ſecret and private Worſhip.

But more eſpecially let not the Evening Prayers be late and drowſie, dream'd over half aſleep. It is beſt for Families to be early in bed, and much more to be early in the Evening Worſhip. Late Viſits neceſſarily cauſe late Prayers in our own and others Families. Staying late at the Tavern is yet a worſe Diſorder, where the Heads of Families too often keep one another till the Seaſon is paſt for the Evening Worſhip, and they are unfit for either private or ſecret Prayer. But if we loiter and trifle away the Evening in our own Houſes, till it grow late and the Houſhold are half aſleep, it comes near to the ſame thing. — It is therefore a ſpecial Rule in the Caſe before us, that we keep Time and Seaſon in praying with … Families. And truly it might have been even better ſometimes to have omitted the holy Service, than to have attended it in the diſorders of Sleepineſs and Yauning. The Oblation is vain, and the Incenſe becomes an Abomination. Both GOD and Man is weary to bear them.

p. 213. We ſhould neither be too long, nor too ſhort, in Family worſhip. An Error on either hand is hurtful. Prolixity ſhould be carefully avoided; much leſs ſhould it be affected. It makes the Duty tedious, and is the way to b…ak in upon the commanded Labours of the Day, or neceſſary Reſt of the Night. — On the other hand, T… be curſory and ſlighty in Family Worſhip is to make nothing of it, or worſe than nothing. Let us not grudge to GOD the Time and Pains of a ſutable Supplication and Thankſgiving.

Family prayer ſhould be rather ſhort than long. But let it be long eno' to anſwer the Intention and deſign of it. It is neither to be crouded into a ſingle Petition or two, nor ſhould it be drawn out into a great length. In all ſocial Prayer the Rule and Caution to us is that, Mat. vi. 7. Uſe not vain Repetitions, nor think to be heard for your much ſpeaking. Yet at ſome times we are called by Providence, and directed by the SPIRIT of Grace, to be longer than other. Wiſdom is profitable to obſerve and direct. At times again we may and ſhould ſhorten our Prayers. But ſee (ſays Mr. Baxter) that formal Affectation be not the lengthener of your Prayers at any Time, nor carnal Wearineſs the ſhortner of them.

There are times of Family trials and afflictions, eſpecially when Sickneſs and Death come into our Houſes, which call us to inlarge our Supplications, with Confeſſions to GOD, and Humiliations before Him: Again there are times of Family mercies, which call us to abound in Praiſes and Thankſgivings to GOD: Let Providence lead us, and a Spirit of ſincere Devotion act us, and let the Glory of GOD and the Edification of our Houſhold direct and govern us.

4. Let us be ſure that we be ſerious and ſincere, and alſo reverend ſolemn and fervent in the Exerciſes of Family worſhip. Let us take heed that we be not p. 22formal and cuſtomary, cold and careleſs, dull and lifeleſs in the Duty. Let it not be a meer Form and round of Worſhip. This can't be too earneſtly warn'd or watch'd againſt. GOD looks to the Heart and Spirit in all our Worſhip. The ſame Exerciſe of Grace he requires from us, in the Cloſet, in the Family, or in the Church. We have to do with the ſame GOD in all places and at all times, and unto Him we muſt lift up our Souls, and call upon him in Truth. The Precept and Rule to us is, Heb. xii. 28. Let us have Grace whereby we may ſerve GOD acceptably, with Reverence and godly Fear. He is greatly to be feared in a Family of Worſhipers, as well as in the Aſſembly and Congregation.

And as we muſt ſanctify the LORD in our Hearts, ſo we ſhould be grave, reverend and ſolemn in our Voice, Geſture, Deportment and Behaviour, while we worſhip GOD in our Families. Indeed we ſhould beware of being noiſie and oſtentatious in it, not affecting Show or the Obſervation of Men; but yet neither let us be afraid of being obſerved, ſeen or heard by others, but deſire to have our Light ſhine before them; if they may be excited hereby to glorify our FATHER which is in Heaven. Aim at the pleaſing and honouring GOD, and the Salvation of thy Self and Family; and by thy reverend Example conſtrain the Reverence of thy Houſhold; and by thy Earneſtneſs and Affection endeavour to move their Affections, and make them in earneſt: And by thy Authority command all in thy Houſe to ſhow Seriouſneſs and Reverence. Humility and godly Fear, Faith Love and earneſt Deſire, with holy Pleaſure and Satisfaction, is the Life and Soul of Worſhip; all in all in it; whether it be in ſecret, in private or in public.

5. Tye not your Self to a Form, nor yet indulge too much Liberty of Speech, in Family Worſhip. A p. 23good Form may be uſeful and needful for ſome, but it is not to be adviſed or choſen without Neceſſity. The modeſty and baſhfulneſs of ſome underſtanding Chriſtians is not Reaſon eno' for ſuch an Indulgence. It were rather fit for ſome more bold and conceited Perſons. A ſmall Gift may ſuffice for ſutable & pertinent Family Prayer. Let us covet the beſt Gift in it, and do our beſt; and then the leaſt will be accepted of GOD. But if any uſe a Form, let him not be formal in it, but ſtill pray with the Spirit and with Underſtanding. To ſuch I would recommend the Forms prepared by the Rev. Mr. Henry in his Book called, A Method of Prayer.

Some by taking too great Freedom in Family prayer, have but ſpoilt the Devotion of the Houſhold, and expos'd the Duty to contempt. It had been much better if ſuch had uſed ſome good Form of ſound Words. The wiſe Houſholder muſt think ſoberly, what will moſt honour GOD and edify the Family.

Both Miniſters in public, and Houſholders in private, ſhould take heed what Liberties they allow themſelves in Prayer. And yet, both Families and Congregations muſt make Allowances, at Times more eſpecially, for Infirmity and Weakneſſes in thoſe that lead in Prayer. Solomon's warning and caution is needful to be kept in mind, Eccleſs. v. 2. Be not raſh with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be haſty, to utter any thing before GOD: For GOD is in Heaven and thou upon Earth; therefore let thy Words be few: "well conſidered and digeſted. That wiſe Proverb of Solomon is of great Uſe, as well in the religious as common Uſe of Speech; In the multitude of Words there wanteth not Sin, but he that refraineth his lips is wiſe. "It is not eno' (ſays Mr. Henry) that what we ſpeak comes from the Heart, but it muſt come from a compoſed Heart. As the Mouth muſt not be p. 24raſh, ſo the Heart muſt not be haſty. We muſt think twice before we ſpeak, either from GOD in Preaching, or to GOD in Prayer.

Let us be careful and reverend in our coming boldly to the Throne of Grace. Let us take with us Abraham's Words and Frame, Behold I have taken upon me to ſpeak unto the LORD, who am but duſt and aſhes!

6. On the LORD'S-day we ſhould ordinarily be more inlarged in Duties of Worſhip, both in the Cloſet and in the Family. The Day is holy for this End and Uſe, that we ſhould ſpend it in the "public and private Exerciſes of GOD'S Worſhip. As we muſt needs attend the public Aſſemblies, on the LORD'S-day, for it is a holy Convocation; So it is the Sabbath of the LORD in our Dwellings. This is no Judaizing, but as it was from the Beginning, is and ever ſhall be. So we call the Sabbath our Delight in the beſt manner, and find not our own Pleaſure on it; think not our own Tho'ts, nor ſpeak our own Words. As the Sacrifices under the Law were doubled on the Sabbath-day, ſo it is fitting under the Goſpel that our Family Sacrifices of Praiſe and Prayer be inlarg'd and doubled on the LORD'S-day. If on other days the Word of GOD ſhould be read in our Houſes, on this more. If Prayer and Praiſe be requiſite every day, ſurely they are more on the holy Sabbath. Then eſpecially we ſhould remember the LORD our Sancitifier, and be found in all the Means of our Sanctification, whether more private or public. And what is the fruit of the neglect of Family worſhip on the LORD'S-days, but ſports and paſtimes on them, and open profaneſs and debauchery. Hence comes the loſs of all ſerious Religion, and the growth of all manner of Irreligion. Let us therefore be the more abundant and ſolemn in Family Worſhip on the LORD'S day. Secret and private Worſhip thereon p. 25prepares for the public, and that again ſhould inlarge us for the other: As David returned from the moſt ſolemn Exerciſes of public Devotion, to bleſs his own Houſhold. Theſe had not tir'd and unfitted him, but the more prepar'd him for his Family Thankſgiving in the Evening.

7. In our Family prayers let it be a Rule with us, that there be much of Thankſgiving and Praiſe in the Duty. Indeed GOD ſometimes puts our Families into Mourning, and calls them to ſolemn Humiliations, Confeſſions and Supplications; as hath been ſaid before. Nor ought Confeſſion of Sin, with Supplications for Grace and Mercy, to be ever miſſing in Family prayers. But we are too apt to be wanting in the part of Thankſgiving and Praiſe, in our daily Devotions, by our Selves or with Others; which is a very ill and ungrateful thing

Our perſonal and Family Mercies are many and great from day to day, and they call for a religious notice every day. In the days of our Afflictions and Mournings, the darkeſt days that paſs over our Houſes, our Mercies are new every morning and evening, & ought never to be forgotten or overlook'd. How much leſs in the Months that GOD preſerves us, and while his Candle is ſhining on our Tabernacles: Then ſhould the Voice of Rejoicing and Thankſgiving be loud in them, every Morning and Night. — This likewiſe makes the daily Service pleaſant to the Houſhold, and tends to raiſe and fix the hearts of the Family in the holy Duty; Praiſe being comely for the Upright, and the joyful Work of Heaven & Eternity. We ſhould never be weary in it now, as we hope never to ceaſe from it hereafter. Pſalm civ. ult. I will ſing unto the LORD as long as I live, I will ſing Praiſes to my GOD while I have my Being. My Meditation of Him ſhall be ſweet, I will be glad in the LORD.

p. 26The firſt Petition in the LORD'S-prayer is, Thy Name be hallowed, and Doxology cloſes it, For thine is the Kingdom, Power and Glory: So let us be evermore awaking up our Glory, to give Praiſes and not be Silent.

Let no Family afflictions unfit us and put us out of Tune for this; no Bereavement or Death in our Houſes: But in this Caſe let us learn of the excellent Example of Job, who when his Family and Eſtate were deſtroy'd together, fell down in his Houſe and worſhip'd, ſaying, The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken; bleſſed be the Name of the LORD! Shall we receive Good at the Hand of the LORD, and ſhall we not receive Evil?

8. Let no leven of Wickedneſs be found in our Dwellings. This is a neceſſary and ſpecial Direction for the effectual and fervent Worſhip of GOD in our Families. For if we regard Iniquity in our hearts, the LORD will not hear our Prayers, Pſalm lxvi. 18. Sin ſpoils all our Worſhip, of every ſort; mental or oral, ſolitary or ſocial. The Sacrifice of the wicked is Abomination. Moſt wiſe and neceſſary is Zophar's Admonition to us, Job xi. 13, 14, 15. If thou prepare thy Heart, and ſtretch out thy Hands to GOD; if iniquity be in thy hand put it away, and let not Wickedneſs dwell in thy Tabernacle; for then ſhalt thou lift up thy face without ſpot. It is the Rule and Law in all Prayer, and at all Times, James iv. 8. Cleanſe your hands ye ſinners, and purify your hearts ye double-minded! draw nigh to GOD and he will draw nigh to you. The Man that had been blind from his birth knew this, that GOD heareth not Sinners; but if any Man be a Worſhiper of GOD and doth his Will, him He heareth. Spoken like a Child of Light. As therefore the Jews were to ſearch their Houſes and purge them from Leven, in their Preparation for the Solemnity of the Paſſover; ſo we muſt waſh our Hearts from wickedneſs when we go to pray to our FATHER in p. 27ſecret, and cleanſe our Houſes from it, when we go to bleſs them in the Name of the LORD; who will not elſe bleſs them at our Prayer. Prov. iii. 33. The Curſe of the LORD is in the Houſe of the wicked, but he bleſſeth the Habitation of the Juſt.

9. In a particular manner watch againſt Anger, Strife & Wrath in thy Family, that the Worſhip of GOD in it be not hindred. This old Leven ſpoils the Prayers of Houſholds, and makes them become Sin. There is no greater hindrance either of ſecret or family Prayer. It takes away the heart and face for the Duty. The Law to us is, I. Tim. ii. 8. I will that Men pray every where, lifting up holy Hands, without Wrath. A wrathful Mind can't lift up a holy Hand to GOD. The diſorder of the Heart pollutes the Prayer. The GOD of Peace and Love can never endure the Prayers of a Houſe where there is Anger and Strife, Confuſion and every evil Work. The hearts of ſuch a Houſhold cannot joyn in Prayer, and how ſhould GOD accept it? The Rule is, Live in Love, and the GOD of Love and Peace ſhall be with you. Only ſuch Relatives can pray as Heirs together of the Grace of Life, I. Pet. iii. 7. GOD would not hear Job and his Friends pray together, or for one another, after their angry and quarrelling Diſputes, till they were reconciled: Job xlii. 8. Take with you ſeven Bullocks and ſeven Rams, and go to my Servant Job; he ſhall pray for you: And the LORD turned away the Captivity of Job, when he prayed for his Friends. Near Relations are moſt of all bound to love and pray for one another; but if they fall in the Love, they will alſo in the Prayers which they owe to one another. Families ſhould be of one Heart and Soul, as they are of one Blood; and then there is Harmony and Power in their Prayers when they make one Voice to GOD. If two of you agree on Earth (ſaid our LORD) it ſhall be done for you of my FATHER p. 28which is in Heaven. When we ſtand praying we are requir'd to forgive our very Enemies, and to bleſs them that curſe us. How then can Families, which are Societies more eſpecially under the Law and Bonds of mutual Love, unite in Prayers, if Love be wanting in them? This is my Commandment (ſaid our LORD JESUS) that ye love one another: How then can two or three be together in his Name, if it be not in the Spirit of Love? There is neither Church Communion, nor Family Communion, without the Law of Kindneſs and Love ruling in the Hearts of the Members. I. John iv. 7. Beloved, Let us love one another; for Love is of. GOD, and every one that loveth is born of GOD, and knoweth GOD: He that loveth not knoweth not GOD, for GOD is Love.

10. "Watch your worldly Buſineſs, that it do not eat out the Life and Seriouſneſs of daily Worſhip". This is one of Mr. Baxter's Rules and a very good one. For as the Friendſhip of the World is Enmity to GOD, ſo nothing is more Inimical to vital Piety, to ſecret or family Religion, than the Spirit of this World; the Cares of it and the Deceitfulneſs of Riches. Theſe choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful; and theſe choke and drive away the Spirit of Prayer.

— Some are ſo taken up with their worldly Cares and Buſineſſes, that they can find no Time or Leiſure for Family Prayer. They riſe early, ſit up late, and eat the Bread of Carefulneſs; but neither ſeek to GOD for it, nor thank him for it, as they ought in their Families, while he daily feeds 'em. One goes to his Farm, and another to his Merchandize, but they deſire to be excuſed from the Prayers of the Cloſet and the Family, day by day. They are cumber'd with many things, and neglect the One thing needful; which is to ſit at JESUS feet, and hear his Word, and come in his Name to the Throne of Grace. — Family prayer is not of the World, even as CHRIST is not p. 29of the World. It is of the FATHER, and ſpiritual, and the World hates it. — Let the Object and Manner of Worſhip be wrong and falſe, and the World goes after the Beaſt: Let it be an Idol that is worſhip'd, in a corrupt and carnal manner, only with bodily Adoration, and every Family ſhall have its Houſhold-God, of Wood or of Gold; but go to ſet up the ſpiritual and pure Worſhip of GOD in a Family, and the Spirit of this World riſes againſt it, and can't endure it, can't admit of it; but finds a thouſand Objections againſt it and Excuſes from it: Then Time can't be found for it, or Inability for it ſhall be pleaded, or the Neceſſity of the thing ſhall be queſtioned; whereas all the while it is only the Spirit of Demas poſſeſſing the Perſon, even the Love of the preſent World. So neceſſary is the Apoſtle's Prohibition and Dehortation, I. John ii. 16. Love not the World, nor the things of the World; if any Man love the World the Love of the FATHER is not in him. A ſpiritual Mind, abſtracted from this World and the things of it, is abſolutely neceſſary to a Life of daily ſpiritual Worſhip. This is the Victory that overcometh the World, even our Faith. It is true, that Diligence in our worldly Callings muſt accompany our daily Prayers in our Families; elſe we tempt GOD and put our ſelves out of the way of his Bleſſing. That gives us our daily Bread, and we muſt ask it of GOD. And the Rule to us is that, Philip. iv. 5, 6. Let your Moderation be known unto all men, for the LORD is at hand; Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by Prayer and Supplication, with Thankſgiving let your Requeſts be made known unto GOD.

11. In the choice of your worldly Callings, in putting out your Children, and in making Marriages for your Selves and Them; have a due Reſpect unto this Duty and Priviledge of Family Worſhip. Chuſe not to ſettle in ſuch a Way as will not well conſiſt p. 30with this Duty. Prefer that Buſineſs, and way of Living, which will beſt agree with the Religion of the Cloſet and of the Houſhold. For this Advantage think it worth while to abate ſomething of worldly Gains. Chuſe not to put your Children into ſuch Families where the Worſhip of GOD is not upheld; and much leſs be willing to marry them to ſuch Perſons who are like to be diſinclin'd thereunto. So let us endeavour to preſerve and propagate Family Religion from Generation to Generation.

12. And laſtly, Let all our Family Sacrifices be preſented to GOD in the Name of JESUS, in Whom all the Families of the Earth are bleſſed. Carry thy Houſhold daily, and all thy Family Worſhip, to the Blood of the great Sacrifice, CHRIST our Paſſover. Get all the Souls of thy Houſe, and all thy Prayers for them, ſprinkled with the blood of the LAMB. That ſhall ſecure thy Houſe from deſerved Wrath, and procure for it all the Bleſſings it needs. By Faith in a ſacrificed Saviour, the Lamb ſlain, we may plead, and wreſtle, and prevail for our Selves and Ours, as Iacob did. He wreſtled with the Angel of the Covenant for his Houſhold, and was named Iſrael. Go thou, in the Name and Strength of CHRIST and do likewiſe. He is a merciful and faithful High-Prieſt, to pray for thee, to breathe in thee, and to bear away the Iniquity of thy holy Things. If He waſh not Us, our Offſpring, and our Offerings, how ſhall we be accepted by the Holy GOD? If he put the Incenſe of his Merits to thy Prayers, they ſhall come up before GOD a ſweet Odour.

And thus I have given Rules and Directions about the Duty of Family Worſhip.

IV. An Exhortation, with Motives to the Duty, do yet remain. Let us be exhorted to the Practice of this Duty, in that wiſe and religious Manner which p. 31has been directed to. Let ſuch as are in this holy Practice in their Houſes, be exhorted to continue therein, in the Fear of GOD. And let thoſe that are Strangers to the Practice be admoniſhed and warned in the Fear of GOD to come into it. And to move both the one and the other, let me plead with them, for GOD'S ſake, for the ſake of their Families, for their own ſake, and for the ſake of the Public, both in Church and State. — Theſe are plain Motives and powerful Arguments, and ſhould ſink down into our Hearts; both to convince thoſe that do not daily read the Word of GOD to their Houſhold, and pray with them, of their Sin in this Omiſſion and Neglect; and to encourage and confirm Others to perſevere in this Duty by the Grace of GOD.

Firſt then, For GOD'S ſake, for the Glory of his Name; from Love to Him and from Fear of Him; to pleaſe Him, to obtain his Favour, and to avoid his Wrath; let us all come into and continue in this religious Practice of Family Worſhip. The Honour of GOD ſhould be ever uppermoſt in our Hearts, and ly with weight there; it being the chief End of Man: And all our Endowments, with all the Advantages which GOD puts into our. hands, ſhould be made to ſubſerve thereunto. In like manner, Nothing ſhould come with more force and power on us, to deter us from living in the Allowance of any Evil, or in the Neglect of any commanded Duty, than the Diſhonour we bring thereby to the Name of GOD.

Now what doth the Glory of GOD call for from us in our Families? Let us put it to our own Conſciences, and let our Reaſon and Underſtanding impartially anſwer. Is it not for the Honour of GOD, and for our glorifying Him together, that we daily and devoutly worſhip Him with our Houſhold? And is it no Diſhonour to the Great GOD if he is not ſo worſhip'd, day by day? tho' He be the Founder of p. 32the Family, its Preſerver and dully Benefactor! tho' It is HE has formed the Head and every Member of the Family; has brought them together and built them up into a Houſhold? His Secret has been on the Tabernacle; his Candle ſhining on it, his Eyes watching over it, his Hands ſupplying it plentifully; tho' it is HE that has girt it with ſtrength, bleſs'd the ſmall Beginning of it, and increaſed the latter End of it. Or if it be afflicted, its Afflictions come not out of the Duſt, nor does its Troubles ſpring out of the Ground; but it is the Rod of GOD upon it, which he only can remove; or ſanctify, which is far the better. How then can GOD be glorified in the Houſe, if in every Caſe he be not religiouſly regarded in all his Ways toward it; and that by all the Houſhold together, as well as every Member apart? — As our Father Jacob in all his Family Mercies, and in all his Family Afflictions, gave the ſame Glory to GOD; in all his Fears concerning them, and in all his Joys in them. When he look'd upon his Subſtance, his Word was, The LORD has given me theſe Flocks: When he look'd upon his Houſhold, he ſaid, I paſs'd this Jordan with my Staff, and GOD has made me two Bands: When he fear'd for his Family he carried them to GOD and wreſtled in Prayer for them; O GOD of my Father! deliver me I pray thee from the hand of my Brother; for I fear him, leſt he come and ſinite the Mother with the Children.

This is to give Glory unto GOD as the GOD of our Families. And thus we teach our Children and Servants to glorify GOD with us; to know Him, to love him, and to fear him, to pray unto and praiſe Him by themſelves alone. This is better done by Example and Practice before them every day, than any other way we can think of. Not that other ways ſhould be omitted, but this to be ſure obſerved. So Eleazar, the Servant of Abraham, learn'd to acknowledge p. 33the LORD GOD of his Maſter in all his ways; to depend on Him, to ſeek him and give him Glory, in every Affair and Concern of the Family; and more eſpecially in the greater and more important ones: When therefore he ſtood by the Well he pray'd, Gen. xxiv. 12. O LORD GOD of my Maſter Abraham! I pray thee ſend me good ſpeed this day, and ſhow kindneſs to my Maſter Abraham: Behold I ſtand by the Well &c. And when GOD had given him the Token of his Favour which he had pray'd for, the Man wondring at the Thing bowed down his Head and worſhiped, and ſaid, Bleſſed be the LORD GOD of my Maſter Abraham, who has not left my Maſter deſtitute of his Mercy and Truth; I being in the Way, the LORD hath led me to the Houſe of my Maſters Brethren.

Thus Children and Servants learn to honour and reverence GOD by living in Worſhiping Families. And ſo GOD has Glory not only from the Head of the Houſe, but from many a Branch of it; the higher & lower Members of it. So it ſeems to have been in the happy Houſe of Cornelius, who feared GOD with all his Houſe, and prayed unto GOD always. — In a word, By Family Worſhip we train up our Families for the Worſhip both of the Cloſet and of the Temple; and teach our Houſholds to pray both in ſecret and in public. And ſo the Glory given by Ours unto GOD in both, may be very much owing to the Worſhip in the Family.

For GOD'S ſake therefore, and for the Glory of his Name, let us be found in the holy Practice of Family Worſhip: which is the firſt Motive.

Secondly, For our Family and Houſhold's ſake, for our Children and Servants ſake, let us not live without Family Worſhip; but in the daily and devout practice of it. Let me plead with ſuch as neglect this Duty, for the precious Souls committed to their Care by GOD the Father of Spirits; which ought to p. 34dear to them and for whom they muſt give Account to GOD. Be prevailed on by the natural, ſtrong and tender Love which you bear to your Offſpring; and by that Care and Concern which you are bound to have for the Servants in your Houſe, to keep up the Worſhip of GOD therein.

The Apoſtle tells us, That if any man provide not for thoſe of his own Houſe (meaning their Bodies) he hath denied the Faith, and is worſe than an Infidel. I. Tim. v. 8. What an infidel Houſe then is that, wherein the Souls of the Houſhold are utterly neglected; and the Children and Servants are train'd up in Ignorance of GOD, in Irreligion and Profaneſs; without reading GOD'S Word to them, and without Prayer to Him for them, from day to day? How ſhould ſuch Children learn the Fear of the LORD, without which they periſh? O deſtroy not thoſe Souls for which CHRIST died; and which ſhould be to thee as thy own Bowels, and more than ſo. While you are far from hating their Fleſh, why ſhould you not tenderly care for their better and immortal Part, their living Spirits? Can you pretend that you love your Family, without a religious and godly Care for their Souls?

How did Abraham's Love work toward his Houſhold? GOD tells us how he lov'd his GOD and his Family; Gen xviii. 19. For I know Abraham, that he will command his Children and his Houſhold after him to keep the Way of the LORD. So Job's Love to his Sons and Daughters wro't by his fearing for them, leſt they ſhould ſin againſt GOD, and by his calling them to his ſolemn Sacrifices, which he offered for them. So David's Love wro't, to his Houſhold; even in his bleſſing them from time to time in the Name of the LORD; and alſo in teaching and charging them, I. Chron. xxviii. 9. And thou S…mon, my Son, Know thou the GOD of thy Father, and ſerve him p. 35with a perfect Heart &c. Every religious Parent feels within himſelf the moving Words of the great Apoſtle to the Elect Lady concerning her Children; I have no greater Joy than to hear of thy Children walking in the Truth.

In a word, How can Maſters be juſt to their Servants, as knowing that they have a MASTER in Heaven? or how can Parents train up their Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the LORD; if they do not lead them into the Fear and Worſhip of GOD from day to day? But indeed they wickedly neglect the private Means of their ſaving Illumination and effectual Calling, Converſion and ſpiritual Edification. For ſurely, Parents and Heads of Families are the Miniſters of GOD for this within their own Walls, and are to attend continually on this very thing.

But does this ſeem to be ſo much as aim'd at, while Worſhip, the Means of Grace, is neglected in thy Houſe? How knoweſt thou, O Man, but that thou may'ſt ſave thy Houſhold, by the reverend Worſhip of GOD among them? Have you never heard of any that have dated their Converſion from ſuch a Prayer in a Family? The excellent Lady ASHURST (of whoſe Piety and great Devotion I was once a Witneſs for many Weeks together) was an Inſtance of this Mercy‖‖See the Fryday Evening Lectures in Eaſtcheap on the Duty of PRAYER. p. 303.. And thouſands there are and thouſands, both living and deceaſed, who are bleſſing GOD, and will bleſs Him for ever, that his Providence diſpoſed of them into ſuch Families of Religion. — On the other Hand, How knoweſt thou, O Man, but the want of Family Worſhip in thy Houſe may turn to the loſs and eternal perdition of thy Soul, and of the Souls of thy Houſhold! And then, How will they and thy own inraged Conſcience riſe againſt thee in p. 36the Day of Judgment, and condemn thee? Which leads me to the third Motive,

Thirdly, For thy own ſake, for the ſake of thy own Soul; for thy Comfort and Peace in Life and Death, and for thy Safety in the Day of Judgment; maintain the Worſhip of GOD in thy Family. On thy doing thy Duty to GOD, and to thy Family, depends thy own eternal Salvation. If thou doſt not conſult the glorifying GOD in thy. Houſe, and the Saving thy Houſhold, thou deſtroyeſt thy own Soul.

You muſt watch for the Souls of your Family, as one that muſt give an Account for them to GOD: But what Account can you give of the Neglect of Family Worſhip, and therein of the Neglect of the Souls committed to thy Care? Will not GOD require them of thee another Day? And ſay to thee as in I. Kings xxvi. 39. Thy Soul ſhall go for theſe Souls if they periſh: Or as it is in Ezek xvi. 20. Thou haſt taken my Sons and my Daughters, and haſt ſacrificed them to Satan, to the World and thy Luſts. And thus you and yours may periſh together.

Not that Family Worſhip will ſave a Man or his Houſe; but it is a Means of Salvation that is by no means to be neglected. Nor that all muſt neceſſarily periſh, who are ſo unhappy as to live in prayerleſs Families; but the loſs of eternal Salvation is endanger'd hereby. And if a prayerleſs Houſholder, and ſome of his Houſhold, periſh hereby, his Condemnation will be the greater, becauſe of his profane Ingratitude to GOD, and his unnatural Neglect of his Family. He ſhall be judged as a profane Wretch toward GOD, and an unnatural Father to his immortal Offſpring, and a deſpiſer of his own Soul and Ways. His Offſpring and Servants will riſe up in Judgment againſt him, and accuſe him, that he never inſtructed them by Word and Example in the Worſhip and Fear of GOD, nor in the Care of their p. 37own Souls. And how will he ever look them in the face? and much leſs GOD who put them under his Care? His Guilt will fly in his face, and his own Heart riſe and condemn him. The blood of Souls, even of his Wife and Children, may cry againſt him from the Earth before he die, as the blood of Abel's body did againſt wretched Cain. This puniſhment will be greater than he will be able to bear, nor will he be able to ſay, Was I their Keeper? Abel's Soul was not deſtroyed with his Life; but verily a murder'd Soul (whether thy own or anothers) will be found a more horrid and hideous Guilt, than any meer murder of the Body, and to deſerve eternal Death.

And if the Guilt of prayerleſs Houſholders may be found ſuch in the Day of Judgment, what Pain and Terror may their Sin give them in the day of ſore Affliction, or in the day of Death? Suppoſe this Man upon his Death-bed, and his Houſhold gathering about him in that dark hour; how will he take leave of them whom he has never pray'd with? How will he do then to bleſs them, or they him? How ſhall his dying lips pray for them, as Jacob pour'd out Bleſſings on his Sons, ſitting up in his Bed? O it muſt be a melancholly parting, from a Family that you have never pray'd with! Pray conſider it, and let not another Evening or Morning paſs without a Family Prayer For they or you may die before to Morrow: This Night may their or your Soul be required or called away: And can you think of dying and going into Eternity, without having pray'd together as a Family? How do you think to meet in Heaven, and live praiſing and bleſſing GOD together for ever and ever? Or how can you think of being caſt together into Hell, & for never bleſſing GOD together in this Life, come to blaſpheme him for ever, and curſe one another eternally, in the World to come?

p. 38But before Death comes, how miſerable are ſuch Families, ſuch Relatives, in all their Afflictions? What Comfort can they find from one another under them, who have never been us'd to worſhip and pray together? What miſerable Comforters are ſuch like to be to each other? How can they pray for one another or ſpeak of the Conſolations of GOD to one another, in the days of their Trouble & Diſtreſs?

On every Account therefore, preſent or future, for the ſake of thy own Soul pray with thy Houſhold daily; for thy happy and holy Living here, and for the eternal Well-being and Happineſs (if it pleaſe GOD) both of thy Self and Family.

Fourthly and laſtly, The laſt Motive may be taken from our Duty to the Public, both in the State and in the Church. No Man is born for Himſelf alone, nor yet for his own Houſe. We have our Nei'bours Good, the good of our Nei'bourhood, of the Place wherein we dwell, of the Country we belong to, and of the World wherein we ſojourn, to act for. The Good of all theſe we may promote or hurt, by having or not having the Worſhip of GOD upheld in our Families. Yea the Good is unknown, and ſo the Evil, that comes to the Public, by Peoples doing or not doing their Duty in their private Relations. Family Worſhip and Government make Places happy, and the want of it makes them miſerable.

1. The Good is unknown that the Public receives; unknown is the Benefit to a People both in Church and State, by the ſerious Worſhip of GOD in Families. There we may ordinarily ſuppoſe the beſt Family Watch and Government. The Houſholder that reſolves by GOD'S Grace to ſing of Mercy and Judgment in his Houſe, is moſt like to proceed and (like David, Pſalm ci.) walk within his Houſe with a perfect Heart, ſetting no evil Work before his Eyes, nor ſuffering Pride or Frowardneſs to dwell with him, nor him p. 39that telleth lies to tarry in his Sight. And it is from Families ſo taught and rul'd that the State, and Church is moſt like to be ſupplied with worthy Perſons, from one Generation to another. Religious Families are the Nurſeries for the Churches of CHRIST, to ſupply them with worthy Members and Communicants. Theſe may be moſt look'd for from praying Houſes. And it is happy for a People when the State alſo is ſupplied with Judges and Counſellors from ſuch Houſholds; who will be like to be Patrons of Religion and Examples of it in their Generation. Without THESE the Earth and all its Inhabitants diſſolve, but theſe bear up the Pillars of it. Religion and Virtue, Piety and Devotion, Temperance and Honeſty, Frugality and Diligence, Juſtice and Righteouſneſs, Humility and Charity, and every thing of good Report, are like to be propagated from ſuch Families. And the Bleſſing of GOD, which makes a People proſperous, is like to attend a Place for the ſake of ſuch Houſholds. We may bleſs them in the Name of the LORD and ſay, The LORD bleſs thee, O Habitation of Righteouſneſs! As Godlineſs has the Promiſe of the Life that now is, ſo the Remains of it in a wicked World are very much owing to the Religion and Government and good Order of Families. There is the Rice and Foundation of Rule and Subjection in the State, and ſo of the public Peace and Tranquility.

2. Unknown is the Miſchief and Woe to the World, to Church and State, from the Want of Family Worſhip and Government. The profaneſs and corruption that fills the Earth is very much owing to the Neglect and ill Education of Children. It would be very much more than it is, if there were not many religious Houſholds, here and there. Family Worſhip is a mighty Reſtraint upon the Luſts of many, and prevents abundance of Sin. But where Family Religion p. 40ceaſes, the fountains of the great Deep break open, and Wickedneſs comes on as a Flood. Surely the fear of GOD is not in that Place, and they live as without GOD and CHRIST in the World. Salvation, in the Means of it, is far from thoſe Houſes, and they count themſelves unworthy of CHRIST'S coming under their Roof. They ſay to the Almighty, depart from us; and Wo unto them if He depart from them.

Irreligion is propagated from ſuch Houſes, and their Poſterity (that come of them) are like to be prayerleſs and graceleſs like their Anceſtors. So they become a Curſe to the World, and bring down the Wrath of GOD upon the Places where they live. As it is written, Pour out thy Fury upon the Heathen that know thee not, and upon the Families that call not upon thy Name. Wo to the World for this Offence againſt GOD, which if it were univerſal would ſoon bring on the Violence that filled the Earth before the Flood, and the Corruption of Sodom after it; and ſo the Wrath and Vengeance of GOD to the uttermoſt; as it was in both thoſe Caſes.

If therefore we have any Regard to GOD, to our own Souls, to the Souls of our Houſholds, and to the Good of the Places where we live; to the Weal of Mankind and to the Welfare of the Church of CHRIST; let us earneſtly come into and be ſtedfaſt, immoveable and abounding in this great and important Duty of Family Worſhip.

Conſider how much you owe it to GOD, to your Selves, to your Families, and to the World. Let the Love of GOD, and of your Nei'bour, of your Houſholds, and of your own Souls, conſtrain you to this neceſſary and reaſonable Service: Wherein the Honour of GOD, the temporal and ſpiritual Advantage of thoſe that are your own Bowels, and your good Account in the Day of CHRIST, as well as the Good of your Country & Poſterity, are all ſo nearly intereſted.

p. 41How can you ſay that you love, honour or fear GOD if you do not worſhip Him in your Houſholds? Or how can you ſay that you love your Families, while you neglect this? At leaſt, How can you ſay that you love and care for their precious & immortal Souls, which ſhould have your firſt Love & chief Care?

But let thoſe that are found in this religious Courſe and Practice be greatly encouraged and confirmed in it, by what has been ſaid. The LORD increaſe You more and more, You and your Children. This is the Generation of them that ſeek Him; that ſeek thy Face, O GOD of Jacob! This godly Seed the LORD ſeeks; He ſeeks, and forms and finds them in this Way. The LORD loves theſe Dwellings of Jacob, loves to dwell in them. Theſe are his Bethels, Houſes of Prayer. As the Ark in the houſe of Obed-edom bro't down the Bleſſing of GOD on it, ſo let the Worſhip of GOD in thy Houſe do on thee and thine. The LORD bleſs thee and keep thee, make thee fruitful and multiply thee. GOD has given you the Heritage of thoſe that fear his Name; the LORD is your Inheritance. Your Houſes ſhall be called his Houſes of Prayer, among all People. The Churches of CHRIST and his Miniſters ſalute you much in the LORD. The LORD, the Keeper of Iſrael watch over your ſprinkled Houſes; for the bunch of Hyſſop with the atoning Blood on it hangs at your door: May he ever cleanſe and water you with the heavenly Influences of his SPIRIT and Grace! And may the Voice of Rejoicing and Salvation be ever with you, as in the Tabernacles of the Righteous..

We thank GOD that there are ſo many praying Families in the Town, and thro' the Land; and ſo many Families of Diſtinction among us that are Exemplary for this Duty. We are ſorry that there are any, ſo many Houſes, in the Town, or in any part of the Land, where GOD is not daily worſhip'd. If p. 42there were not a prayerleſs Houſhold known among us, this would be our Glory and Safety.

Yet to Thoſe that keep up the ſolemn Worſhip of GOD in their Houſes, let me ſay, — Reſt not in ſuch a Courſe of holy Duty as your Righteouſneſs; that be far from you. Neither look on the Perſon or Family of thy prayerleſs Nei'bour with any Eye of ſpiritual Pride, as if thou wert holier than he or his; but walk humbly with GOD and lowly before Men. Live every day agreeably to thy Family Devotions, and daily perform thy Vows. Be thou in the Fear of the LORD all the day long; that thy Prayers may not become Sin, and be caſt back as dung in thy Face. — Walk daily with GOD in Secret: It may be ſome pray with their Families, who do not pray in their Cloſets: But GOD has ſtrictly requir'd ſecret and retir'd Prayer, by our ſelves alone. — Neither content thy Self with ſecret and family Worſhip, but walk thou and thy Houſe in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the LORD blameleſs, in all his Inſtituted public Worſhip. For the LORD loveth the Gates of Zion more than … the Dwellings of Jacob. He loves the Worſhip of the Houſhold well, but that of his Temple more. — … an eſpecial manner let the Sabbaths of the LORD be ſanctified in thy Dwelling, by the Word of God and Prayer. — And finally, To Worſhip add Family Inſtruction and Government. When you have pray'd with your Houſhold, then watch over them in the LORD. So be unto CHRIST a King, as well as a Prieſt, in thy Houſe: to rule for Him, as well as to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices.

p. 43APPENDIX. From the Whole Duty of Man: CHAP. V. SECT. xii.

A Second ſort of public Prayer is that in a Family, where all that are Members of it joyn in their common Supplications: And this ought to be very carefully attended to, firſt by the Maſter of the Family, who is to look that there be ſuch Prayers; it being as much his part to provide for the Souls of his Children and Servants, as to provide food for their Bodies. Therefore there is none, even the meaneſt Houſholder, but ought to take this care. — What choice ſoever they make of Prayers let them be ſure to have ſome; and let no Man that profeſſeth himſelf to be a Chriſtian keep ſo heatheniſh a Family, as not to ſee GOD be daily worſhiped in it. But when the Maſter of the Family hath done his Duty in this providing, it is the duty of … Member of it to make uſe of that Proviſion, by … conſtant and diligent at thoſe FAMILY PRAYERS.

FINIS.

End of the text · Benjamin Colman, The Great and Important Duty of Family Worship (1728)