_Abraham_, no doubt, was a man of as great business as such objectors may be; but yet he would find time to command his houshold to serve the LORD. Nay, _David_ was a king, and consequently had a great deal of business upon his hands; yet notwithstanding, he professes that he would walk in his house with a perfect heart. And, to instance but one more, holy _Joshua_ was a person certainly engaged very much in temporal affairs; and yet he solemnly declares before all _Israel_, that as for him and his houshold, they would serve the LORD. And did persons but redeem their time, as _Abraham_, _David_, or _Joshua_ did, they would no longer complain, that family duties kept them too long from the business of the world.
III. But my Third and Last general head, under which I was to offer some motives, in order to excite all governors, with their respective housholds, to serve the LORD in the manner before recommended, I hope, will serve instead of a thousand arguments, to prove the weakness and folly of any such objection.
1. And the first motive I shall mention is the duty of _gratitude_, which you that are governors of families owe to GOD. Your lot, every one must confess, is cast in a fair ground: providence hath given you a goodly heritage, above many of your fellow-creatures; and therefore, out of a principle of gratitude, you ought to endeavour, as much as in you lies, to make every person of your respective housholds to call upon him as long as they live: not to mention, that the authority, with which GOD has invested you as parents and governors of families, is a talent committed to your trust, and which you are bound to improve to your Master’s honour. In other things we find governors and parents can exercise lordship over their children and servants readily, and frequently enough can say to one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; to a third, Do this, and he doeth it. And shall this power be so often employed in your own affairs, and never exerted in the things of GOD? Be astonished, O heavens, at this!
Thus did not faithful _Abraham_; no, GOD says, that he knew _Abraham_ would command his servants and children after him. Thus did not _Joshua_: no, he was resolved not only to walk with GOD himself, but to improve his authority in making all about him do so too: “As for me and my houshold, we will serve the LORD.” Let us go and do likewise.
2. But _Secondly_, If gratitude to GOD will not, methinks love and pity to your children should move you, with your respective families, to serve the LORD.
Most people express a great fondness for their children: nay so great, that very often their own lives are wrapped up in those of their offspring. “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?” says GOD by his Prophet _Isaiah_. He speaks of it as a monstrous thing, and scarce credible; but the words immediately following, affirm it to be possible, “Yea, they may forget:” and experience also assures us they may. Father and mother may both forsake their children: for what greater degree of forgetfulness can they express towards them, than to neglect the improvement of their better part, and not bring them up in the knowledge and fear of GOD?
It is true indeed, parents seldom forget to provide for their childrens bodies, (though, it is to be feared, some men are so far sunk beneath the beasts that perish, as to neglect even that) but then how often do they forget, or rather, when do they remember, to secure the salvation of their immortal souls? But is this their way of expressing their fondness for the fruit of their bodies? Is this the best testimony they can give of their affection to the darling of their hearts? Then was _Dalilah_ fond of _Samson_, when she delivered him up into the hands of the _Philistines_: then were those ruffians well affected to _Daniel_, when they threw him into a den of lions.
3. But _Thirdly_, If neither gratitude to GOD, nor love and pity to your children, will prevail on you; yet let a principle of _common honesty_ and _justice_ move you to set up the holy resolution in the text.
This is a principle which all men would be thought to act upon. But certainly, if any may be truly censured for their injustice, none can be more liable to such censure, than those who think themselves injured if their servants withdraw themselves from their bodily work, and yet they in return take no care of their inestimable souls. For is it just that servants should spend their time and strength in their master’s service, and masters not at the same time give them what is just and equal for their service?