How to do good to many, or, The public good is the Christians life…How to do good to many, or, The publick good is the Christians life…

Religion is never like to prosper if it be not made a Family work. If it be there made the chief business of the house, and done with reverent seriousness, and constancy, if Magistracy and Ministry should fail, yet families would propagate and preserve it. Begin with a reverent begging the help and blessing of God: then read his word and call upon his name: Speak serious words of Counsel to inferiors; spend the Lords day as much as may be in public worship, and the rest in reading Godly books, and in singing Gods praise and calling on his Name: Put suitable books into the hands of Servants and Children to read when they have leisure: Encourage them in it with Love and rewards; and keep them out of the way of temptation: And then Gods blessing will dwell in your Families, and they will be as Churches of God. If any complain of negligent Ministers, or persecuting Magistrates, and will not do their own Family duties, which none forbids, they condemn themselves.

Religion is never like to prosper if it be not made a Family work. If it be there made the chief business of the house, and done with reverent seriousness, and constancy, if Magistracy and Ministry should fail, yet families would propagate and preserve it. Begin with a reverent beging the help and blessing of God: then read his word and call upon his name: Speak serious words of Counsel to inferiours; spend the Lords day as much as may be in publick worship, and the rest in reading Godly books, and in singing Gods praise and calling on his Name: Put suitable books into the hands of Servants and Children to read when they have leisure: Encourage them in it with Love and rewards; and keep them out of the way of temptation: And then Gods blessing will dwell in your Families, and they will be as Churches of God. If any complain of negligent Ministers, or persecuting Magistrates, and will not do their own Family duties, which none forbids, they condemn themselves.

IV. If you would be public blessings, and do good to many, do your best to procure a skilful, faithful Ministry in the Church. 1. Send no Son to the University, who doth not first show these three qualifications, a capable natural wit and utterance, a love to serious practical Religion, a great desire to serve God in the Ministry, tho it should be in suffering from men. If they want any one of these, design them to some other Calling; devote not an undisposed Lad to the Ministry, in hope that God will make him better, but stay till he is better.