A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

The next duty of piety after our private prayer, is prayer with the rest of the family; which is to be performed ordinarily by the master and governor, who is to be the mouth of the rest to commend them and their suits unto God. For, according to the example of the Patriarchs and holy men in times past, he ought to be not only a governor to rule them, and a Prophet to teach and instruct them, but also a Priest to offer the sacrifice of prayer and thanksgiving, not only for himself, but also for all those that are committed to his charge: neither ought any man to think that he may be exempted from this duty, or that in respect of his honour and greatness, he may be privileged from this holy service unto God, and as an inferior duty, delegate it to his deputy, if he himself be able to perform it; but rather with the holy Patriarchs to esteem it an honourable prerogative, which he will no more put off from himself to another, then he will the regiment and government of his house and family. Much less must we think it sufficient, that we have prayed alone, or content our selves with our private devotions, if we have others under our government, and committed to our charge: seeing we are to take no less care of their souls then of their bodies; nor that they serve us in the duties of their callings, then that they serve God in the duties of piety and Christianity, without which we can expect no blessing upon their labours. For if Joshua, though a great Captain and Commander, and so greatly employed both in wars and government, would not hereby excuse himself, but undertaketh for all in his family, that he and his household would serve ¹the Lord: if David, though a King, would not content himself with his