be done without bitterneffe or reviling. Let there be more strength of reafon in their words to convince them of their fins, and to make them fee their danger, and to know bow to amend; than heat of anger to utter their own displeasure Let the fault be made manifeft to the perfon offending, that his own Confcience may condemn him. Bitternelle does oftner harden the heart, than re form the life.

And if Governours of Families would according to thefe Directions, labour to do their duties faithfully, they might be exceeding inftrumental of the falvation of thofe under their Govern ment. Oh how much good may the prayers, precepts, example, prudent admonitions, and conftant vigilancy of fuch pious Governours do? They may more promote the bufineffe of Religion in their Families, than any Minifter can. 'Tis me rally impoffible a Minifter fhould bring a Town or Congregation to good order, except affifted by Governours of Families. The long defired reforma tion both of Church and State sticks here. To reform all, let us begin at home: 'Tis a vain thing to expect the reformation of a Congregation while private Families remain unreformed, and are pestered with ignorance, errour, or prophane nesse.

A Governour of a Familie fhould look upo hin felf as Chrifts deputy in his own houfe, and d (as it were) invested with his three offices,

Prophe

Prophet, Priest, and King. He should be, 1. A Prophet,to teach,inftruct,catechize his hou fhold, Deu.6.7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and sbalt talk of them when thou fitteft in thine houfe, and when thou walkeft by the way and when thou lieft down, and when thou riSeft up. An uncatechized head, and an unfanctified heart do too frequently go together." Lewis the "ninth of France, was found inftructing a poor "Kitchin bov, and being asked why he would

do fo, anfwered, the meanest hath a foul as "precious as my own, and bought with the "fame blood of Chrift. Our Saviour inftructed his Difciples, praied with them, taught them to pray, fung an Hymn with them; And can you follow a better example? Timothy was train'd up by his parents, and that from a child in the holy Scriptures, 2 Tim.3.15. Want of instruction at home, is one main reafon of the unprofitablenesse of preaching.

2. A Priest, to offer up the spiritual facrifices of prayer and praife for them and with them.

3. A King, to rule, command, and govern for Christ in his own house, Gen.18.19. I know Abraham, that he will command his children, and his boufhold after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, Sec. A Mafter of a Family has a greater command and authority over thofe in his own houfe, than any Minifter has. He is more. with them, and has his eie more upon them: He Dd 2

fhou'd

fhould therefore improve his power for God; and be like the good Bishop defcribed, 1 Tim. 3.4. ruling well. i. e. Religiously his own house, having his children in fubjection with all gravi

tir.

So much of the fecond particular, the directions how Governours of Families fhould discharge their duties towards thofe under their Govern

ment.

I come now to the third and last; to fhen whence the neglect of this fo great and neceffary a duty proceeds: There are feveral causes of it.

1. Ignorance: Some are fo ignorant themfelves, they know not how to inftruct others. They know not how to pray with their Families. Oh let all fuch presently apply themselves (with all care and ferioufneffe) to learn the things that concern their falvation, that they may dif charge their duties towards their relations. And let them know, it is their duty to labour for ability to pray, and for that gift whereby (upon al occafions) they may in an humble and fitting manner) expreß the defires of their heart's unto the Lor. In the mean time (till by feeking t God for his Spirit to enable them, and by a faithf endeavour they have attain'd to fome measure this gift) they may use lome good prescribed form Only let them be exceeding watchful over the hearts, for fear of that formality and meer li fervice, which in fuck cafes we are more especia ly in danger of

2. CATE

2. Carelefneß. Some are of Gallio's temper, Acts 18.17. They care for none of these things. They think this more ado than needs. They will provide portions for their children, look that their fervants do their work; but for Religion, (the one thing abfolutely neceffary) they do not much trouble themselves.

3. Worldly-mindedneffe. Some are fo worldly, they cannot afford time for Gods Worship and Service. Not afwine about the house, but shall be ferved morning and evening; but God is not regarded.

4. Propbaneneffe. Some are fo far from having any religious care of their Families, to pray with them, to inftruct them, &c, that they deride thefe duties, and fcoffe at those that make confcience to perform them. They (through the pride of their hearts) think it a difparagement to them, to fet up the practife of these things in their houses. Wretched worms! Is God become a shame to his creatures? Who are they, or what is their Fathers houfe, that they are too good to be the fervants of the most High? Let them make their peace with that Scripture, Mark 8. ult. Whofoever therefore fhall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and finful generation, of him alfo fhall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the Glory of his Father, with the holy Angels.

5. Loofe Opinions, under pretence of new D43 Light,

Light, letting people at liberty from the obfervation and practife of thofe duties, whereby the life and power of Religion is most maintained and preferved.

Let Governours of Families therefore beware of all these things, and whatever else may hinder them from a Confcionable discharge of their Dr

ties.

Gen.18.19. For I knew him, that he will command his Children and his houshold after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to de Fuftice and Fudgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham, that which he hath spoken of him.

Joh.24.15.-But as for me and my house we wil ferve the Lord.

1 Śam.1.21. And the man Elkanah, and all his boufe went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly Sacrifice, and his vow.

Acts 10. 2. Cornelius a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gav much Almes to the people, and prayed to Go alway.

CHAM