Englands spiritual languishing; with the causes and cureEnglands spirituall languishing; with the causes and cure

By the want of endeavours to propagate Religion, and to diffuse it amongst others, true godliness, where it is powerful, is of a diffusive and spreading nature, like leaven, till it hath pierced the whole lump, now what have we done in this? either Christians ⟨p. 22⟩among their neighbours? Magistrates in the Kingdom? or Masters in their Families? for private Christians, they spend the heat and strength of their spirits in lesser matters, and let the weightier go, through division and strife, forget edification, many renounce all care of them without, and whereas they might have strengthened the hands of their brethren, that have acted in a public Reformation, what have they done? have they joined as far as their private principles would give leave? endeavoured to bring the Kingdom onward to the way and will of Christ? And then for Magistrates, have they been so zealous as they should be to propagate a religious Ministry throughout the Kingdom, to enlighten dark corners? there is not a better work, nor more for your safety.^(g) Austin observed that the Christians tasted the violence of the Goths and Vandals, for that they were not careful to bring off the Heathens from their Idolatry: Such endeavours would be your defence, and in the business of Religion nothing concerneth you more then this, but my chief aim under this head is to speak of the neglect of Family duties, which is the great reason why Religion is decayed abroad, these are the springs and fountains of the Country, Churches were first in families, where the master of the house was the Priest, and the beauty and power of Religion is still preserved there, and therefore next to Churches they require a chief care; Oh how excellent is it, when Churches are like to heaven, the Assembly below like the great Congregation above, and families like Churches for their Religion,² order and comeliness! You read of a Church in Philemons house, Phil. 1. verse.^(h) Melanchthon said of George Prince of Anhalt, Cubiculum ejus templum, Academia, Curia: that his chamber was an University, a Court, and a Church, the latter because of the instructions, Prayer and Worship that was there: Religion first decayeth in Families before in Churches, therefore when the order of houses is subverted, duties neglected there, how soon doth godliness decay abroad?