Remains of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…Remaines of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…

Fourthly. Have I digested the Sermon I heard last? Have I prayed it over, and Repeated it over? Brethren, would you know why we are such Dwarfs in Christianity, why we grow so little? Here is one grand Reason, we take in much and digest but little; it may be thou art greedy of taking opportunities, there cannot be a Sermon but thou must be at it, or else it is not well; but dost thou Pray it over, and Repeat it over again? The want of this is the reason that we grow no better, therefore content not thy self that thou hast heard such a Sermon; it is never well till God hear of it, in Confession, Prayer, and praise for such mercies as were discovered to thee. This is the way to thrive, and you will never Thrive till you come to this. The Reason why there have been so much sowing and so little fruit, is because the seed hath not been covered by Meditation, and watered by prayer, the Devil or evil thoughts come and steal away the seed.

Fifthly, Was there not more of custom and Fashion in my Family-Duties, than of Conscience? Brethren, if my observation fail not, Christians are more apt to be formal in these Duties than in others. Now this should be a ⟨p. 10⟩cause of shame to us, this is a very great evil, we are very formal in such duties as do come ordinarily, especially if we are not the Speaker, but do join with others: whereas, if thou didst but make this use of it, thankfully to prize, and gladly improve such opportunities, thou wouldest thrive more abundantly. Say with thy self, now I have an opportunity to worship God in the Family. You that are Heads of Families it is a great mercy that you have, that you can lead your Families into the presence of God: and you that are members of the Family, have a great mercy that you live in a Family where you can come twice a day, at least, to God beyond many others, and do you labour to improve it.

Fifthly, Was there not more of custome and Fashion in my Family-Duties, than of Conscience? Brethren, if my observation fail not, Christians are more apt to be formal in these Duties than in others. Now this should be a ⟨p. 10⟩