A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the…

CHAP. III. The Use of Reproof of those Masters who make no Conscience of Family-duties.

CHAP. III. The Vse of Reproof of those Masters who make no Conscience of Family-duties.

Use 1. Seeing it is a Duty incumbent upon Parents, and Masters of Families, to be careful, that not only themselves, but also all under their charge, even their whole Family do faithfully serve the Lord; then they are greatly to be reproved who are neither careful to serve God themselves, neither take they any care of their Family: but as there is no fear of God in their hearts, so neither is there any fear of God in their Families. Yea instead of Gods service, there is all manner of wickedness and profaneness; so that their houses are as so many filthy cages of unclean birds, so many sties of all manner of abominations. Of whose houses we may say what Solomon said of the Harlots house, ¹'Tis the way to Hell, that is, the high and ready way unto eternal death and condemnation. These men howsoever they would be esteemed good Masters, and good Governors, yet are they far from such; in that they neglect the main duty belonging to good Governors, which is to take care of the souls of those under their charge, and willingly suffer all manner ⟨p. 228⟩of wickedness, and profaneness, to rule and bear sway in their Families, and that without any check or control.

Use 1. SEeing it is a Duty incumbent upon Parents, and Masters of Families, to be carefull, that not only themselves, but also all under their charge, even their whole Family do faithfully serve the Lord; then they are greatly to be reproved who are neither carefull to serve God themselves, neither take they any care of their Family: but as there is no fear of God in their hearts, so neither is there any fear of God in their Families. Yea instead of Gods service, there is all manner of wickedness and prophaneness; so that their houses are as so many filthy cages of unclean birds, so many styes of all manner of abominations. Of whose houses we may say what Solomon said of the Harlots house, ¹'Tis the way to Hell, that is, the high and ready way unto eternal death and condemnation. These men howsoever they would be esteemed good Masters, and good Governours, yet are they far from such; in that they neglect the main duty belonging to good Governours, which is to take care of the souls of those under their charge, and willingly suffer all manner ⟨p. 228⟩of wickedness, and prophaness, to rule and bear sway in their Families, and that without any check or controul.

1. 1Prov. 7.27.

I dare boldly say, it were much better for a man to put his Child into a P•sthouse, than into such a Family: in that wickedness is more infectious than the Plague, spreading infinitely, polluting every one it comes near.¹ And whereas the Plague and Pestilence can but kill the body, the contagion of sin is apt to destroy both body and soul. And therefore what is usually written upon the doors of such houses as are visited with the Plague (Lord have mercy upon us) may far better be written upon the doors of such houses, where through the neglect of Family-duties, sin and wickedness doth abound.

1. 1Peccatum adeo facile alios invadit, ut nulla pestis tantopere aërem inficere potest. Chem. Har.

Let such know, that it is their duty to provide not only for for perishing Carcasses, but also for the immortal souls of all theirs. And it is a vain, and foolish imagination for any to think, they have done their duty, when they have apparelled, nourished, and brought up their Children and Servants; considering they have a far greater account to make before God for their souls: of which if any should perish through their negligence, and unfaithfulness, how dreadful will their account be? oh what ⟨p. 229⟩answer will they be able to make, when the blood of their Children, and Servants souls shall be required of them?

Let such know, that it is their duty to provide not only for for perishing Carcasses, but also for the immortal souls of all theirs. And it is a vain, and foolish imagination for any to think, they have done their duty, when they have apparelled, nourished, and brought up their Children and Servants; considering they have a far greater account to make before God for their souls: of which if any should perish through their negligence, and unfaithfullness, how dreadfull will their account be? oh what ⟨p. 229⟩answer will they be able to make, when the blood of their Children, and Servants souls shall be required of them?

CHAP. IV. An Exhortation unto all Parents and Masters of Families to make Conscience of Family-duties.

Use 2. Let the second Use be an Use of Exhortation to stir up all Christian Parents, and Masters of Families, to be careful that their whole house do faithfully serve the Lord,¹ as well as themselves; that they take up Joshua's resolution, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. As you would not be guilty of the blood of your Children, and Servants souls; and as you would not have them cry out against you in everlasting fire, see that you bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Use 2. LEt the second Use be an Use of Exhortation to stir up all Christian Parents, and Masters of Families, to be carefull that their whole house do faithfully serve the Lord,¹ as well as themselves; that they take up Ioshuah's resolution, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. As you would not be guilty of the blood of your Children, and Servants souls; and as you would not have them cry out against you in everlasting fire, see that you bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

1. 1Officium pii patris familias est, liberos & familiam educare ad pietatem, &c. Piscat. in Gen. 18.19.

Every Governor should be that in the body politic of his own house, which the heart is in the natural body of man: as it communicateth life, and vital spirits to the rest of the members. So must the Master of the household endeavour to impart the spiritual life of grace, to all that are members of his body politic. And his house by a constant, conscionable performance of holy and religious duties there, should be a little Church. For the maintaining the Worship of God makes every house to become a sanctuary, an house of God. Hence divers pious Governors in the new Testament are said to have Churches in their houses,¹ as Philemo•, Aquila, and Priscilla, and Nimphas, whose houses were called Churches, ²as in respect of the Saints in their houses, so in respect of the worship of God among them.³ Oh what an honour will this be to us, ⟨p. 230⟩when upon this account, our habitations shall be called rather Churches than private houses! Temples of God, rather than the dwellings of men!

Every Governour should be that in the body politick of his own house, which the heart is in the natural body of man: as it communicateth life, and vital spirits to the rest of the members. So must the Master of the houshold endeavour to impart the spiritual life of grace, to all that are members of his body politick. And his house by a constant, conscionable performance of holy and religious duties there, should be a little Church. For the maintaining the Worship of God makes every house to become a sanctuary, an house of God. Hence divers pious Governours in the new Testament are said to have Churches in their houses,¹ as Philemo•, Aquila, and Priscilla, and Nimphas, whose houses were called Churches, ²as in respect of the Saints in their houses, so in respect of the worship of God among them.³ Oh what an honour will this be to us, ⟨p. 230⟩when upon this account, our habitations shall be called rather Churches than private houses! Temples of God, rather than the dwellings of men!

1. 1Philem. v. 6.
2. 21 Cor. 16.19.
3. 3Col. 4.15.

For the more profitable pressing of this Use, I shall show you, what be the duties and services which are especially required of Parents and Masters of Families in reference to those under their charge.

For the more profitable pressing of this Use, I shall shew you, what be the duties and services which are especially required of Parents and Masters of Families in reference to those under their charge.

CHAP. V. Of Family Prayer, with quickening Motives thereunto.

CHAP. V. Of Family Prayer, with quickning Motives thereunto.

I. Prayer, which is one principal part of the service of God in all Families, and therefore ought to be performed by the Governor thereof; who as he is a King to govern his Family, so a Priest to offer up a Morning and an Evening Sacrifice of Prayer and praise unto God in and with his Family. This we find commended to us in the practice of the Patriarchs, who when they removed to any place, they builded an Altar, where God was to be called upon by the whole Family. Thus did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. David though a King, yet prayed with his Household as their Governor:¹ for it is recorded of him, that having offered burnt-offerings, and peace-offerings before the Lord, he returned to bless his household, that is, say Expositors, to bless God with his Family, and to beg Gods blessing on them.

I. PRayer, which is one principal part of the service of God in all Families, and therefore ought to be performed by the Governour thereof; who as he is a King to govern his Family, so a Priest to offer up a Morning and an Evening Sacrifice of Prayer and praise unto God in and with his Family. This we find commended to us in the practice of the Patriarchs, who when they removed to any place, they builded an Altar, where God was to be called upon by the whole Family. Thus did Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob. David though a King, yet prayed with his Houshold as their Governour:¹ for it is recorded of him, that having offered burnt-offerings, and peace-offerings before the Lord, he returned to bless his houshold, that is, say Expositors, to bless God with his Family, and to beg Gods blessing on them.

1. 12 Sam. 6.18.

In the New Testament the Apostle writing to Masters of Families concerning their duties, adjoineth this, continue in Prayer, ¹implying it to be one special duty incumbent on them to be constant in Family-prayer. Of Cornelius it is said,² that he was one who feared God with all his house, which gave much Alms to the people, and prayed to God alway; which implieth, that he prayed ⟨p. 231⟩daily with his Family. These examples are recorded by the Holy-Ghost as Copies for us to write after.

In the New Testament the Apostle writing to Masters of Families concerning their duties, adjoyneth this, continue in Prayer, ¹implying it to be one special duty incumbent on them to be constant in Family-prayer. Of Cornelius it is said,² that he was one who feared God with all his house, which gave much Almes to the people, and prayed to God alway; which implyeth, that he prayed ⟨p. 231⟩daily with his Family. These examples are recorded by the Holy-Ghost as Copies for us to write after.

1. 1Col. 4.2.
2. 2Act. 10.2.

But for your more full conviction of that obligation that lies upon you for the performance of this duty, let the following arguments be duly weighed.

But for your more full conviction of that obligation that lyes upon you for the performance of this duty, let the following arguments be duly weighed.

Arg. 1. The first Argument shall be drawn from that trust that is committed unto governors of Families. Here observe,

Arg. 1. The first Argument shall be drawn from that trust that is committed unto governours of Families. Here observe,

1. That Governors of Families are entrusted with the souls, with the Religion of their Families: not that they may prescribe unto them, or impose upon them what way of Religion they please: or that inferiors may be excused by the errors or neglects of the Superiors: but it is committed to their care, and they have received a charge from the Lord, to look diligently to all that are under them; that they duly worship God, observe his ordinances, and keep ••s statutes.

1. That Governours of Families are intrusted with the souls, with the Religion of their Families: not that they may prescribe unto them, or impose upon them what way of Religion they please: or that inferiours may be excused by the errours or neglects of the Superiours: but it is committed to their care, and they have received a charge from the Lord, to look diligently to all that are under them; that they duly worship God, observe his ordinances, and keep ••s statutes.

That there is such a care incumbent on them is evident under the Law, the Master of the Family was by the appointment of God, to look to the circumcising of all the Males of his house,¹ both those that were born in his house, and those that were bought with his money. In the fourth commandment, the Master of the Family is charged, not only to keep the Sabbath in his own person,² but to look to his family also. Thou shalt do no work therein, that's not all, nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter, nor thy Man-servant, nor thy Maid-servant, &c. Suitable to this charge is the care and holy resolution of Joshua in the Text, I and my house will serve the Lord. Choose you whom you will serve, saith he, to the rest of the people, I have not so much to do with that, but as for me and my house, I must and will look to that, we will serve the Lord. Hence this first thing appears, that governors of Families are to take care of the Religion, and therefore of the souls of their Families. When a Child is brought forth, when a Servant is brought into thine house, God says to thee as the man in the Prophets Parable,³ Keep this man, look to this Child, look to this Servant, look to their souls, ⟨p. 232⟩if they miscarry, or be lost through thy neglect, Thy life shall go for their lives, thy soul for their souls, and so shall thy judgement be.

That there is such a care incumbent on them is evident under the Law, the Master of the Family was by the appointment of God, to look to the circumcising of all the Males of his house,¹ both those that were born in his house, and those that were bought with his money. In the fourth commandment, the Master of the Family is charged, not only to keep the Sabbath in his own person,² but to look to his family also. Thou shalt do no work therein, that's not all, nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter, nor thy Man-servant, nor thy Maid-servant, &c. Suitable to this charge is the care and holy resolution of Ioshua in the Text, I and my house will serve the Lord. Choose you whom you will serve, saith he, to the rest of the people, I have not so much to do with that, but as for me and my house, I must and will look to that, we will serve the Lord. Hence this first thing appears, that governours of Families are to take care of the Religion, and therrefore of the souls of their Families. When a Child is brought forth, when a Servant is brought into thine house, God sayes to thee as the man in the Prophets Parable,³ Keep this man, look to this Child, look to this Servant, look to their souls, ⟨p. 232⟩if they miscarry, or be lost through thy neglect, Thy life shall go for their lives, thy soul for their souls, and so shall thy judgement be.

1. 1Gen. 17. 10, &c.
2. 2Exod. 20.10.
3. 31 King 20.39.