A94156:1072
The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…
The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature and necessity of it is discovered. : As also the Christian directed how he may perform it in [brace] religious duties, natural actions, his particular vocation, his family directions, and his own recreations. / By George Swinnock ...
London: printed for T.P., 1662
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The ordinary duties in Families are prayer, reading the Word, with instructing Children and Servants out of it, and singing.
1. 1Prayer must be in families; Its said of Bishop Usher, that he had Family prayer four times a day. At six in the morning, & eight at night, and before dinner and Supper in his Chapel, David returned to bless his house, 2 Sam. 6.21. that is, say Expositors, to bless God with his Family, and to beg ⟨p. 531⟩Gods blessing on his family. He ster prayed and fasted with her Maidens, Hest. 4.16. The holy Ghost enjoineth Husband and wife, to dwell together as fellow-heirs of the grace of life, that their prayers be not hindered, 1 Pet. 3.7. Our blessed Saviour is to be our pattern, now he prayed with his family of Disciples; And it came to pass as he was alone praying, his Disciples were with him, Luk. 9.18. He was alone, not secretly, to exclude all society, but privately, to include only his own family. Our Houses are Gods Houses, and in Gods House there must every day be morning and evening Sacrifice; I will that men pray every where, surely then in private as well as in secret, and in public, 1 Tim. 2.8. Families need direction in the day, and protection in the night, and truly either of them is worth a prayer. Thy family sins must be pardoned, thy family wants must be supplied, and if they do not deserve a prayer they deserve nothing. Horses kneel before they lye down at night, and when they rise up in the morning; and shall thy house be worse then a stable of beasts!