A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

The first is drawn from nature, which teacheth not only that the true God should be alone served and worshipped, but that according to the Stations God hath put men in, they should improve them with their gifts and parts for a higher end than their own behoof or advantage, to wit, His Glory: And that as they have a peculiar fellowship given them by Him as his gift, so He should have answerable and peculiar acknowledgement from them; and therefore seeing the appointment of Families is Gods Ordinance, and that it's he that giveth to some Children and Servants which are with-held from others, there ought in all reason a Tribute to be given to him resulting from that Society and fellowship: hence it was that before the Law the Patriarchs had their worship specially in their Families; yea Heathens, beside their public Idolatrous worship, and Idolatrous Temples, had their peculiar Penates or Household-Gods, on whom for their particular Families, delivery from Enemies and protection, they depended.

The first is drawn from nature, which teacheth not only that the true God should be alone served and worshipped, but that according to the Stations God hath put men in, they should improve them with their gifts and parts for a higher end than their own behooff or advantage, to wit, His Glory: And that as they have a peculiar fellowship given them by Him as his gift, so He should have answerable and peculiar acknowledgement from them; and therefore seeing the appointment of Families is Gods Ordinance, and that it's he that giveth to some Children and Servants which are with-held from others, there ought in all reason a Tribute to be given to him resulting from that Society and fellowship: hence it was that before the Law the Patriarchs had their worship specially in their Families; yea Heathens, beside their publick Idolatrous worship, and Idolatrous Temples, had their peculiar Penates or Houshold-Gods, on whom for their particular Families, delivery from Enemies and protection, they depended.

2. A second is drawn from the nature of Christian Communion amongst believers, which as it requireth the performing of Christian duties, according as we are in providence called to them, so it requireth the making use of that tie of Family interest or relation super added to the former for furtherance and entertaining of that Communion, because there is a special access ministered by such a Relation to the attaining of that end; Hence it is we conceive (as is said) that some Christian Families are called Churches, because so many Christians cast together, lived in a Christian discharge of all Family-Ordinances (so to speak)