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HOSEA XIV. 6, 7.] THE RETURNING BACKSLIDER. 355
soon as it is sown. So that grace at length which hath seemed to lie dead, after many years may sprout out. Monica, St Austin's mother, was a gra- cious woman whilst he was an untoward young man, as appeareth by his own Confessions, yet his mother having prayed much for him, he was con- verted after her death, and became a glorious father and instrument of the church's good (I). It is ordinary amongst us. Many, when they have gone astray, reflect home upon themselves, consider under what means they have been, calling to mind the gracious instructions they have had, and so, by God's assistance, are new men. Therefore let none despair in regard of time or place, because God may have further aims than we can reach to. But unless God give a special blessing after such watering, it is for the increase of condemnation not to profit under such abounding means, but still to be like Pharaoh's lean kine, full fed and lean still, Gen. xh. 17, seq. For the promise is, ' Those that are under his shadow shall return.'
There is here a fit occasion offered to spend much time in pressing care upon those that are governors, that even out of love unto those that are under them, they would labour to be gracious; because if they be gi'acious, God will give them those that are in their family. The whole family was baptized when the master was baptized ; and when any man was called, the whole family came within the covenant. When Shechem and Hamor were cii-cumcised, all the city was circumcised also, Gen. xxxiv. 24. It is true especially of governors. There is no man hath grace for himself alone. God gives special graces to special persons, to be a means to draw on many others. "Wheresoever gi-ace is, it is of a spreading nature. It is said here of such, ' theii- branches shall spread.' It is coromunicative, and of a piercing nature, a Uttle whereof will work strangely. As we know, a Uttle short speech of a poor maid to Naaman the Assyrian,* how it wrought, and was the occasion of his conversion, 2 Kings v. 3. So a little savomy speech will often minister occasion. of many heavenly thoughts. God so assists it with his Spmt, that it often doth a gi*eat deal of good.
Quest. But why are all in the family the better for the governor that is good ?
Ans. Because God gives them grace and wisdom to walk holy before them, and to shine as lights, expressing and shewing forth the virtues of God which they have felt ; as we see David professeth, Ps. ci. 2, to walk singularly and exactly in all things in the j^erfect way, that so he might please God and men, shining out before them in an holy, glorious conversa- tion in the midst of his family. And as by their example, so by their authoritj-, they use to bring all under them to outward obedience at the least, which bringeth a blessing to the family. Because, when grace is once kindled in the master, he will see all at least come to outward conformity. They cannot work grace in them ; but as the prophet speaks, they may compel them to use the means, or else not to suft'er a wicked and unto- ward person to dwell under their shadow. We know why God said that he would not conceal his secrets from Abraham, because he knew he would instruct and teach his family in the fear of God, Gen. ,xviii. 19. So this may be said of eveiy one that is an Abraham, a governor of a family. They labour to tell them all things that have done good to themselves. Therefore they are the better for lining under their shadow. Nay, fm-ther, not only the governor of the family, but if there be any graciously good in the family, they do much good. Laban's family was the better for Jacob,
* Syrian. — Ed.
356 THE RETURNING BACKSLIDER. [SeRMON VIII.
Gen. XXX. 27 ; and Potiphar, he and the jailor both, prospered the better for Joseph's sake, Gen. xxxix. 5, 23; so Naaman, that great captam, fared the better for his poor maid, 2 Kings v. 3, seq. It is a true position. God stablisheth grace in none who are gracious for themselves merely, but foi the good of others also that converse with them. Whether it be governor or servants, no man liveth to himself, and for himself only, but for the good of all within their reach.
Use 1. For use therefore, first, this shall be for encouragement to all governors of families, to be good, if not for themselves, yet in love to those that are theirs. It may be, some have no care of their own souls or good. But hast thou no care of thy childi-en, of thy wife that lieth in thy bosom, or of thy servants ? If thou hast not a heart of stone or marble, surely thou wouklst desire that for them, that thou dost not for thyself. Think of this, at least thou wouldst have thy children good and prosper. Labour then, if we would have all prosper who come under our roof, that our families may be little churches of God, that all who come under our shadow may revive and return. Therefore, out of love to those that belong to us, let us labour to be good. Is it not a pitiful thing, that some who are go- vernors of others, they look to them as to beasts, and use their service as a man would use the service of his beast ? They feed their bodies, and think they have no charge of their souls. Now this is one reason why all that come under the shadow of a good governor are the better ; because they take care for their instruction and best good ; that they live in obedi- ence to God's ordinances, and not like wild creatures, ruffians, vagabonds, Cains, and the like. What a strange thing is this, to have a care of the body, the worser part, and neglect the more excellent part, their souls !