A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

Position 4.

All these things being suggested by the Light of Nature, let me add, that Reason tells you that for you to pray with them in your Family, rendeth to their good, and the neglect there if to their detriment and damage. Let reason be heard, and it will dictate to you, that conjunct Prayer with them is a likely means for the good of their souls. Will it not tell thee that to pray to God for them, and to bring them to pray with thee, may be for their benefit to escape the misery of another world, and obtain happiness in the life to come? Enter into thine own heart, and debate this with thy self, and judg impartially, as thou wouldst do if thou wast a dying man; and then tell me, if the ⟨p. 309⟩light that is within thee doth not prompt thee to all this? Prayer is a part of natural worship, which is due to God from all, and would it not tend to the profit of their Souls to give God his due? And shouldst not thou that art a Parent or a Master, whom nature hath set over them and committed them to thy trust, and requireth thy help to the utmost power for their good, assist them herein, and see that they do it? and use thy gifts and parts and knowledge in praying with them, that they also by thy example might be induced to this duty, and by hearing thee pray in their company, may learn to pray also? Light of Nature did dictate to the heathen Mariners (Jon. 1.) that prayer to God was a means to save them in the storm; therefore the Master of the Ship, the Head of that Society, called Jonah from sleep to Prayers, and this they did not only severally, but conjunctly, v. 14. they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, O Lord, We beseech thee, &c. and shall the Heathen Master of the Ship do more in that Society whereof he was chief, than a Christian Master of a Family in that Household Society whereof he is head?

All these things being suggested by the Light of Nature, let me add, that Reason tells you that for you to pray with them in your Family, rendeth to their good, and the neglect there if to their detriment and damage. Let reason be heard, and it will dictate to you, that conjunct Prayer with them is a likely means for the good of their souls. Will it not tell thee that to pray to God for them, and to bring them to pray with thee, may be for their benefit to escape the misery of another world, and obtain happiness in the life to come? Enter into thine own heart, and debate this with thy self, and judg impartially, as thou wouldst do if thou wast a dying man; and then tell me, if the