From all which considerations put together, it is evident, that family prayer is a great and necessary duty; and consequently, those governors that neglect it, are certainly without excuse. And it is much to be feared, if they live without family prayer, they live without GOD in the world.
And yet, such an hateful character as this is, it is to be feared, that was GOD to send out an angel to destroy us, as he did once to destroy the _Egyptian_ first-born, and withal give him a commission, as then, to spare no houses but where they saw the blood of the lintel, sprinkled on the door-post, so now, to let no families escape, but those that called upon him in morning and evening prayer; few would remain unhurt by his avenging sword. Shall I term such families christians or heathens? Doubtless they deserve not the name of christians; and heathens will rise up in judgment against such profane families of this generation: for they had always their houshold gods, whom they worshipped, and whose assistance they frequently invoked. And a pretty pass those families surely are arrived at, who must be sent to school to pagans. But will not the LORD be avenged on such profane housholds as these? Will he not pour out his fury upon those that call not upon his name?
3. But it is time for me to hasten to the third and last means I shall recommend, whereby every governor ought with his houshold to serve the LORD, _catechizing_ and _instructing_ their children and servants, and bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD.
That this, as well as the two former, is a duty incumbent on every governor of an house, appears from that famous encomium or commendation GOD gives of _Abraham_: “I know that he will command his children and his houshold after him, to keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment.” And indeed scarce any thing is more frequently pressed upon us in holy writ, than this duty of catechising. Thus, says GOD in a passage before cited, “Thou shalt teach these words diligently unto thy children.” And parents are commanded in the New Testament, to “breed up their children in the nurture and admonition of the LORD.” The holy Psalmist acquaints us, that one great end why GOD did such great wonders for his people, was, “to the intent that when they grew up, they should shew their children, or servants, the same.” And in _Deuteronomy_ vi. at the 20th and following verses, GOD strictly commands his people to instruct their children in the true nature of the ceremonial worship, when they should enquire about it, as he supposed they would do, in time to come. And if servants and children were to be instructed in the nature of _Jewish_ rites, much more ought they now to be initiated and grounded in the doctrines and first principles of the gospel of CHRIST: not only, because it is a revelation, which has brought life and immortality to a fuller and clearer light, but also, because many seducers are gone abroad into the world, who do their utmost endeavour to destroy not only the superstructure, but likewise to sap the very foundation of our most holy religion.
Would then the present generation have their posterity be true lovers and honourers of GOD; masters and parents must take _Solomon_’s good advice, and train up and catechise their respective housholds in the way wherein they should go.
I am aware but of one objection, that can, with any shew of reason, be urged against what has been advanced; which is, that such a procedure as this will take up too much time, and hinder families too long from their worldly business. But it is much to be questioned, whether persons that start such an objection, are not of the same hypocritical spirit as the traitor _Judas_, who had indignation against devout _Mary_, for being so profuse of her ointment, in anointing our blessed LORD, and asked why it might not be sold for two hundred pence, and given to the poor. For has GOD given us so much time to work for ourselves, and shall we not allow some small pittance of it, morning and evening, to be devoted to his more immediate worship and service? Have not people read, that it is GOD who gives men power to get wealth, and therefore that the best way to prosper in the world, is to secure his favour? And has not our blessed LORD himself promised, that if we seek first the kingdom of GOD and his righteousness, all outward necessaries shall be added unto us?