The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

4. In the course of duties to God and man, how rare is that person that doth not quite omit, or slubber over some duty as if it were nothing, while he doth with much earnestness prosecute another? One that is much in receiving duties for themselves (as hearing, reading, meditating, praying) can live all the week with quietness of conscience, without almost any improving duties, or doing any good to others: as if they were made for themselves alone. And some Ministers lay out themselves in Preaching, as if they were all for the good of others; but pray as little, and do as little about their own heart, as if they cared not for themselves at all; or else were good enough already.

Some are constant in Church-duties, perhaps with some superstitious strictness; but in family duties how neglective are they? They are for very strict discipline in the Church, and cannot communicate with any that wear not the same badge of sanctity which they affect: But in their families, what profaneness, carelessness and confusion is there? They can have family communion with the most ungodly servants, that will but be profitable to them. Dumb Ministers are their scorn; but to be dumb Parents and Masters to their children and servants, they can easily bear. Formal preaching and praying in the Church they exclaim against; but how formally do they pray at home, and catechize and instruct their family? If a Magistrate should forbid them to pray, or catechize, or instruct their families, they would account him an impious, odious persecutor▪ but they can neglect it ordinarily when none forbiddeth them, and never lay any such accusation on themselves.

Some are constant in Church-duties, perhaps with some superstitious strictness; but in family duties how neglective are they? They are for very strict discipline in the Church, and cannot communicate with any that wear not the same badge of sanctity which they affect: But in their families, what prophaneness, carelesness and confusion is there? They can have family communion with the most ungodly servants, that will but be profitable to them. Dumb Ministers are their scorn; but to be dumb Parents and Masters to their children and servants, they can easily bear. Formal preaching and praying in the Church they exclaim against; but how formally do they pray at home, and catechize and instruct their family? If a Magistrate should forbid them to pray, or catechize, or instruct their families, they would account him an impious, odious persecutor but they can neglect it ordinarily when none forbiddeth them, and never lay any such accusation on themselves.