3. It is necessary also to this purpose, that the Master of the Family instruct each member of his house in the principles of Religion, that they may be able to understand the matter of the Prayers that are put up to God. For if the Governor have knowledge how to ask, and those that kneel down with him, know not the meaning of his words (though commonly used, and plain to them that have been instructed) how shall they concur in such requests or confessions, or say Amen to what they do not understand? Or what spiritual profit can they get? When you lament Original Sin, which you and they were guilty of, and defiled with, if they know not what this means, nor how they are corrupted even from their birth, how shall they in Prayer be humbled for it? If you pray that you may be justified, sanctified, or have the Image of God engraven on your hearts, that you may have Faith in Christ, repentance for sin, be converted, &c. how shall they join with you, if they have no knowledge of these things? when they are ignorant what is meant by the Image of God, by faith, repentance, conversion, &c. and what benefit can they have by such Prayers, as to their own concurrence with you, to make these things their own desire? when yet they are the things you must daily beg of God. That Prayer then might be performed to their spiritual edification, lay first the foundation, be knowing your selves, and make them so too; and Prayer will be more advantageously done to you and them.1
3. It is necessary also to this purpose, that the Master of the Family instruct each member of his house in the principles of Religion, that they may be able to understand the matter of the Prayers that are put up to God. For if the Governour have knowledg how to ask, and those that kneel down with him, know not the meaning of his words (though commonly used, and plain to them that have been instructed) how shall they concur in such requests or confessions, or say Amen to what they do not understand? Or what spiritual profit can they get? When you lament Original Sin, which you and they were guilty of, and defiled with, if they know not what this means, nor how they are corrupted even from their birth, how shall they in Prayer be humbled for it? If you pray that you may be justified, sanctified, or have the Image of God engraven on your hearts, that you may have Faith in Christ, repentance for sin, be converted, &c. how shall they joyn with you, if they have no knowledg of these things? when they are ignorant what is meant by the Image of God, by faith, repentance, conversion, &c. and what benefit can they have by such Prayers, as to their own concurrence with you, to make these things their own desire? when yet they are the things you must daily beg of God. That Prayer then might be performed to their spiritual edification, lay first the foundation, be knowing your selves, and make them so too; and Prayer will be more advantageously done to you and them.1
- 1Nisi priùs in nob•s ejusm•di• affectus exsuscitamus, quos altorum animis impressos volumus, frustrà erit quicquld conamur. Bowl. past. Evang.
