The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

7. Keep up a constant and vigorous practice of holy duties in thy family.¹ As for me, says Joshua, I and my house will serve the Lord. Moses commanded the Israelites to go over the Laws and Precepts which he had given them from God, in their own Families in private among their children. The Instructions and Exhortations of Gods Ministers in public, should be repeated at home, and whetted to and again upon the little ones. Samuel had a feast upon the Sacrifice in his own house.² Job and others had Sacrifices in their own Families. The Passover-Lamb was to be eaten in every particular house.³ God says, he will pour out his fury upon the families that call not upon his name. ⁴There are times that every family must be apart, as well as every wife and person apart. All the Males of Abraham's family were appointed to pass under the Ordinance of Circumcision. The keeping up of family-duties makes every little house become a Sanctuary, a Bethel, a house of God. And here I would advise that Christians be not over-tedious in their duties of private worship. I have heard from a near relation of that holy man Mr. Dod, that he gave this counsel, that the constant family-prayers should not ordinarily exceed above a quarter of an hour, if so much. The morning and evening Sacrifices at the Temple, and the Passover offerings (which were for every family) consisted but of one Lamb. Take heed of making the ways of God irksome, and unpleasant. If God draw forth thy heart sometimes, do not reject and repress divine breathings; but usually labour for succinctness and brevity; such as may stand with holy reverence to God, so as not to huddle over excellent and weighty duties, and yet such as may render Religious Worship desirable in the eyes of those whom thou wouldest have to look towards Canaan. The Spirit is willing many times, when the flesh is weak; and a person may better for a little time keep his thoughts from wandering and discomposure, when as the large expense of expressions gives occasion for too much diversion.⁵ God is in Heaven, and thou upon Earth, therefore let thy words be few. When our Lord gave his Disciples a form of prayer, which was for quotidian and daily use, as appears by that petition; Give us this day our daily bread; you know how short and compendious it is.