which he makes a penitential reflection, acknowledges his great fault, and makes solemn resolutions and vows never to be guilty of the like again. Let me likewise exhort you, to perform this duty with great seriousness. Be careful that it be never performed in a hurry; that it doth not degenerate into a mere form, and want a proper decorum. "God is greatly to be feared in all the assemblies of his saints, whether larger or smaller, and to be had in reverence by all that approach him." Take care that your own, and your families coming to it, behaviour at it, and going from it, be decent, grave, and solemn. And sharply reprove, and if that will not do, correct every indecency of your children and servants in the time of worship. Let it be introduced with a solemn pause; remembering to whom you are about to speak, let your minds be engaged in the great work, and do it heartily, as unto the Lord. You had better trifle any where than at prayer; better affront any one than the great. and holy God. "Cursed be the deceiver, that hath a male in his flock, and vows and sacrifices to the Lord his God a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen." I exhort those that maintain famly worship,

3. To consider how it is capable of being improved, and made more honourable and useful.

And here, I think it is a matter of very great importance, that, if possible, you keep to fixed, stated hours for the performance of this duty. You have such hours for your meals, and contrive your business accordingly; and why not for worship? Unless you engage yourselves to observe stated times, and inure your minds by practice, to the observance of them, you 'will be often tempted to neglect or defer it, and may be easily seduced from it. The sooner you perform your family worship in the morning the better. And here I must reprove the laziness of some heads of families, who are not careful to be up in proper time; but their family worship is deferred till late in the day, or almost noon in consequence of which, the children sre gone to school, the servants to their work; and many interruptions and disturbances happen in the performance of it, which might have been prevented by an earlier hour. I cannot say, in an evening, the later the better; though better late than never. The present custom of having

our hours of business and meals later than our fathers, especially late evening visits, whether to our friends or public places, are mischievous both to personal and family order and godliness. In this case, children are gone to bed, servants fatigued, and all fitter for sleep than prayer: not to mention the injury which such late people do, to the more regular families of their friends. If you are obliged, or

M

think it right, to spend the evening abroad, let family worship be performed before you go out. But a man's own house ought, in general, to be his place of entertainment in the evening; and especially that of men of business this is almost the only time when they can taste the sweets of domestic life, enjoy the company of their families, and teach them wisdom and piety: therefore their evenings should not be always, nor often, spent abroad. Let me exhort you likewise, to con... sider whether your worship is not capable of being improved, by reading the scriptures, and singing the praises of God.

His law requires that you "teach his words diligently to your children, and speak of them when you lie down and rise up." To read the scriptures in your families, is a becoming respect to the sacred oracles, the way to improve your own minds and theirs. Reading the Scriptures by the heads of families at their worship, makes them more instructive and affecting; tends to compose the mind and fit it for a solemn address to God. And where business does not necessarily hinder, some short useful commentary should be added. I would likewise inculcate upon all families, where it can be performed, the use of Psalmody; as it is an evident duty; a proper way of expressing our thankfulness to God; and as it tends to impress the minds of children and young people, perhaps more than prayer. Thus should the voice of rejoicing be heard

They

in the tabernacle of the righteous. do well, (says Mr. Philip Henry,) who pray in their families; they do better, that pray and read the scriptures; but they, who add singing, do best of all. And christians should earnestly desire, and labour, to do the very best." Let me advise those who use free prayer, to endeavour to adapt their prayers to the circumstances of their families, and not rest entirely in general petitions and thanksgivings. Let them carefully observe the providence of God, relating to their families; their mercies, afflictions, deliverances, wants and dangers, and express them before him. When they hear of calamities happening to other families, let them express their thankfulness for the goodness of God to their own; and particularly pray for their children and servants, which will have a great influence on their minds. So Job offered up sacrifices for his children, according to the number of them all. Thus only will your prayer be, properly, family prayer. When

you read the Scriptures before, endeavour that your prayers may correspond with what you have read, which will impress it more strongly on the hearts of your family and on your own. I would further advise, that you do not make your family worship long and tedious. Here prudence is to be exercised; and you are to consider what is most likely to serve the ends of religion. A quarter of an hour spent with life and spirit, is a great

deal better than hours together spent in a
tedious way, with many repetitions, which
makes religion a burden and a grievance, and
hath prejudiced many against social prayer.
I think (with the great Mr. Howe) that "that
is applicable to the purpose of religion, which
hath been applied to much meaner purposes;
namely, that it is good to come from a meal
with an appetite. It is good to come from
the exercises of religion, with such a lively
relish upon our spirits, as may make us wish
for the return of the season."
Let not your
service, then, be long, but lively and to the
purpose, the Lord's prayer, which is our
model, is not long. Nor let it be so short,
that it will be ended before your hearts are
warmed, and impressed with it. Finally,
constantly remember to pray as christians;
to go forth in the strength of the Lord Jesus;
maintaining continual regards to him, and a
humble and cheerful dependence upon him,
as your High Priest and mediator, for assist-
ance and acceptance in this, and every other
religious duty.

4. Endeavour that the great ends of Family worship be answered, and the good effects of it manifested in your whole conversation.

The design of it is to improve your spirits, and to make you sincerely and steadily holy. See that you do not rest in the outward form of religion, but (as the text expresseth it) behave yourselves wisely in a perfect way.