THE DOTT OF THOSE THAT HAVE THE CHARGE OF A FAMILY TO SET UP THE WORSHIP OF GOD IN IT.
The second kind of composed prayer is that which is performed in joint communion with others ; and this is double, either private or public. First, famil}- prayer.
By a family, I mean a society of certain persons, in mutual relation to each other, natural or civil, who live together luider the domestic government of husband, master, or parent. Wherever such a family is, it is the duty of the governor of it to set up the worship of God, and this part of worship in particular, prayer in his family. The Jews had their family-sacrifice, Exod. xii. 21, which the master of the house performed at home. There still remains a spiritual sacrifice of prayer and thanksgiving, which every master of a family is with his household to offer up to God. The private house is the Christian's chapel of ease, to worship God in daily with his company. The church began in a family, and it is upheld still by the piety of private families : if the nursery be not preserved, the orchard must needs in time decay. But the question will be, how. can it be proved that family prayer is a duty? I hope none will require an express place of Scripture commanding this ifi term'inis, or else not believe it a duty incumbent upon them. This were the way not only to lose this part of God's worship, but other duties also. It will trouble us to find an express word, commanding us in plain terms to keep the Christian sabbath, or to baptize our infant children ; yet God forbid we should, with some, shake off these ordinances upon this account. That which by necessary consequence can be deduced from Scripture, is Scripture, as well as that which is laid down in express terms. And if this will content you, which I am siu'e should, I hope to give you satisfaction.
Section I. — That general command for prayer, will bring this of family prayer within the compass of our duty ; 1 Tim. ii. 8, ' I will therefore that men pray everywhere;' if everywhere, then surely in our families, where God hath set us in so near relation to one another. Paul salutes the church in Aquila and Priscilla's house, Rom. xvi. 5. And were they not a strange church who lived together without praying together ? Had they deserved so high and honourable a name, if they had thus shut God out of doors ? This were to call them a church, as a grove is called lucus a non lucendo. The Jews, when they built them a new house to dwell in, were to dedicate it, Deut. xx. 5 : and the manner of dedicating their new-built houses was with prayer, as you may see by the title of the thirtieth psalm, penned on this occasion, 'A psalm and song at the dedication of the house of David.' This they did, first to express their thankfulness to God, who had given them an habitation. Indeed, it is no small mercy to have a settled place for our abode, a convenient house for ourselves and relations peaceably to dwell in ; it is more than those precious saints had, Heb. xi. 38, ' who wandered in dens and caves of the earth :' yea, more than our Saviour himself had : ' The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head,' Matt. viii. 20. Secondly, by this they were admonished to acknowledge themselves tenants to God, and that they" held their houses of him their great Landlord, upon condition of doing him homage, by making their houses as so many sanctu- aries for his worship.
Section II. — The trust which governors of families are charged with will evince it is their duty to set up prayer in their families. Every master of a family hath the" care of souls upon him ; he is prophet, king, and priest in his own house, and from these will appear his duty. First, he is a prophet, to teach and instruct his family. Wives are bid to learn at home of their husbands, 1 Cor. xiv. 35 ; then surely they are to teach them at home. Parents are commanded to instruct their children ; ' Ye shall teach them when thou sittest in thine house,' Deut. xi. 19. ' Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,' Eph. vi. 4. Now there is a teaching and admonition by prayer to God, and praising of God, as well as in catechizing of them ; Col. iii. in, ' Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns.'
ggg WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.