The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

Plutarch saith of the neighbour Villages about Rome in Numa's time, That sucking in the air of that City, ¹they breathed righteousness. Thy Family ought to be a wholesome air for others to breathe in. It is reported of Andronicus the elder, that he was Mr. of such a Family as was the shop of Virtue; ²and therefore it was called [Greek or Hebrew], The Sun of the Earth. Tremellius, who for a time sojourned in Bishop Cranmers Family, telleth us, ⟨p. 519⟩that it was Schola vel Palaestra Pietatis & Literarum; The School or Nursery of Piety and Learning. The houses of the primitive Christians were little Churches, in regard of the Worship and Service of God: To the Church that is in thine house, Philem. v. 2. Rom. 16.5. 1 Cor. 16.9. Colos. 4.15. Though many a mans house is so far from being Gods Church and Temple, that its the Devils sty and kennel, that God may say to the Master of the Family, as in Rev. 2.13. I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan's Throne is: Nay, though they are civil abroad, then they will have some rags to cover their naughtiness, they are sordid at home, and discover there all their nakedness and nastiness. David on the contrary, whatever steps he might take awry, and whatsoever slips he might meet with in his public walking, would be sure to look to his feet in his private dwelling: I will walk in the midst of my house with a perfect heart, until thou come unto me, Psal. 101.2. David was no Hypocrite, he did not put on his best clothes when he went out, and put them off when he came in; but Purity was his livery, as abroad, so at home.

Plutarch saith of the neighbour Villages about Rome in Numa's time, That sucking in the ayr of that City,