Ans. This Praying alway implieth frequency in that duty. Family Prayer should be attended daily. In that sense the Phrase is sometimes used in the Scripture. As when it is said, that Mephibosheth did eat (continually, or as the Hebrew word Tamid signifieth) alway at the Kings Table; the meaning is, that it was his daily custom so to do. Thus Cornelius with his house prayed alway; Family prayer was daily observed in that house. Families need daily supplies of mercy. And there are Family occasions to be attended every day, which Masters in Families are concerned to look up to God, that his blessing may be thereon: And there are daily mercies which they ought to bless God for. Yea, it is good to practise this duty more than once every day, h. e. in the morning and in the evening […]. It is a good thing to praise the Lord, and show forth his loving kindness in the morning, and every evening, Psal. 92. 1, 2. The continual offering under the Law was that whereby prayer was typified: and that was to be both at morning and at the even, Exod. 29.38. Num. 28.3,4. So should it be as to Family Prayer. ⟨p. 63⟩And therefore is is very observable, that the Apostle speaking to Masters in Families, useth that expression, continue in prayer, Col.4.2. In which words he doth evidently allude unto the continual offering under the Law, which was to be attended daily, both at morning and at even; you (saith he) that are Masters of Families, forget not the continual offering of Prayer, which you ought to present before the Lord. It is as if he had said, pray constantly morning and evening in your Families. Therefore,
Ans. This Praying alway implieth frequency in that duty. Family Prayer should be attended daily. In that sense the Phrase is sometimes used in the Scripture. As when it is said, that Mephibosheth did eat (continually, or as the Hebrew word Tamid signifieth) alway at the Kings Table; the meaning is, that it was his daily custome so to do. Thus Cornelius with his house prayed alway; Family prayer was daily observed in that house. Families need daily supplies of mercy. And there are Family occasions to be attended every day, which Masters in Families are concerned to look up to God, that his blessing may be thereon: And there are daily mercies which they ought to bless God for. Yea, it is good to practise this duty more than once every day, h. e. in the morning and in the evening 〈…〉. It is a good thing to praise the Lord, and shew forth his loving kindness in the morning, and every evening, Psal. 92. 1, 2. The continual offering under the Law was that whereby prayer was typified: and that was to be both at morning and at the even, Exod. 29.38. Num. 28.3,4. So should it be as to Family Prayer. ⟨p. 63⟩And therefore is is very observable, that the Apostle speaking to Masters in Families, useth that expression, continue in prayer, Col.4.2. In which words he doth evidently allude unto the continual offering under the Law, which was to be attended daily, both at morning and at even; you (saith he) that are Masters of Families, forget not the continual offering of Prayer, which you ought to present before the Lord. It is as if he had said, pray constantly morning and evening in your Families. Therefore,
