a shift to serve God as others do, at church, for vainglory, or ostentation, and pretend secret prayer merely for an evasion; but family-prayer will try whether they worship God sincerely or not: men see the former, but know not the latter. Object. 10. None of my neighbours use it, if I pray in my family I shall be singular. Answ. (1.) Wouldst thou choose rather to follow a multitude in evil to hell, than travel with a few to heaven?* Our Lord sah, "What do you more than others?" Or what singular thing do you? Are you content to fare as the most fare? Will you rush with the herd into the deep, and perish for company's sake? Is that good-fellowship which ends in the sad reckoning another day? Christ's flock is a little flock. But read Matt. vii. 13, 14, and consider whether you will choose. (2.) If you have not the greater, you have the better company to travel with. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, ministers, confessors, Christians, have all travelled in this road: "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee." Methinks you should rather choose to be companions of the excellent, whom God will own when he makes up his jewels;|| than those atheists that say, it is in vain to serve God. Object. 11. But I know some strict professors that use not to pray in their families, nay, that plead against it. Ans. (1.) That is no part or evidence of their goodness. I deny not but some godly persons may for a season live in the omission of some duties, either through want of information, or their own sloth, or * Exod. xxiii. 2. + Matt. v. 47. || Psal. xvi. 3. Mal. iii. 14, 17. through false teachers, and the power of delusion; this is a temptation, but free grace will recover them, and the new nature within them will incline them to their duty, when they are convinced of it, and when they come to themselves. (2.) Some professors, however, seem good that are not so; they may have a name to live, and yet be dead;* all is not gold that glitters; men may have the face, but not the frame or heart of Christians. How many make a fair show in the flesh, and account themselves the only saints, and are so esteemed by others, but are not owned by the Lord?† the complexion of a saint is one thing, but the constitution of a child of God is another. Some notionists spread their sails, and think themselves wronged if they be not called the godly party; but herein they are proved rotten, by casting off some precious truths and necessary duties; imitate such at your peril; a sincere saint hath respect to all God's commandments. ‡ Object. 12. We have scoffers in our families, that will withdraw, and not join, but mock; it may be a son, or wife will be doing something else at that time, and this will breed confusion, and do hurt. Ans. (1.) But who is master, thou or they? If thou hast lost thy governing power, be ashamed of it, and resume thy authority. Whose cause dost thou manage, God's, or the devil's? If the cause be God's, in the name and strength of God own it, and he will stand by thee; fear not man in the way of duty. It was thy carelessness to join thyself to an untamed heifer, or to admit an unruly servant into thy family; add not rebellion to that sin; be humbled, and reform. (2.) Had never any of God's children profane individuals in their family? Abraham had a persecuting Ishmael; + Gal. vi. 12. • Rev. iii. 1. Psalm exix. 6. 66 Isaac a profane Esau; David a scoffing Michal; what did they? did they give over praying? no, they prayed more fervently; "O that Ishmael may live in thy sight!" David was so far from ceasing his devotion, that Michal's scorn was as oil to inflame his zeal ;* "I will yet," saith he, "be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight;" if they account it sordid baseness, I account it my chief honour to humble myself before the Lord. And which, think you, is more likely to win and work upon your carnal, scornful relations? a total omission, or a vigorous performance of family duty? I am sure a laborious charity is better than contemptuous withdrawing, and is usually blessed with success; however it is a means to proceed in order. Object. 13. I am bashful, modest, and of weak gifts, and cannot venture to pray before others; I shall but betray my ignorance. Ans. (1.) Canst thou act a master's part in other cases, and not in this? who commands thy servants to work? or who instructs them in their calling, or chides them when they displease thee? they shall hear from thee if they do wrong; and canst thou not speak to God before them? Cursed is that modesty that is ashamed of duty. Hast thou not reason to fear Christ will be ashamed of thee?† is not this for God's cause? deny him at your peril, he will deny you.‡ (2.) Are not all in your family, underlings or subordinate to you? have not you authority over them, to enjoin them silence and reverence? if you have lost your authority by your ignorance and childishness, thank yourselves. "Those that honour God, he will honour;" but departing out of God's ways, renders Gen. xvii. 18. 2 Sam. vi. 20-22. + Matt. x. 33. It is grace and holiness But I know the reason because you think you men contemptible and base.* that must recover your credit. why you will not pray: it is cannot do so well as others, or to get applause; this is your pride. But if you would shame yourselves, and do your best, God would provide for your credit ; gifts would increase. Object. 14. But I am poor and there is an unfeeling world, we work hard and cannot spare time; I have a great family and charge to maintain. Ans. (1.) Dost not thou and thy family spend as much time in idle talk, sports, needless visits, sitting by the fire, as this would come to? None so hard set in their callings, but they might redeem half an hour in the morning, and more at night;† even though it were from sleep, for God's service, if they had a heart for God. Conscience will tell thee, thou spendest more time, that might be better employed; but a heart is wanting. (2.) It is a usual saying, Meat and matins hinder no work; there is great truth in it. Prayer expedites business, for it obtains a blessing from God. Eliezer, Abraham's servant prayed, and God prospered his journey. You are atheists if you think work stands during prayer time; no, no, it makes whatsoever you take in hand to prosper. The poor man cried to Mr. Carter, Sir, I work hard and fare ill, and thrive not; he answered, Work hard, and pray hard, and see what that will do. Object. 15. But saith the man who is rich and thriving in the world, my hands are so full of business, and chapmen or customers come so fast, or I have to go abroad in my calling, that I cannot get time for prayer. * 1 Sam. ii. 30. Mal. ii. 8, 9. + Eph. v. 16. Psal. i. 3. Ans. (1.) I shall to this give the same answer that Mr. Ignatius Jurdan gave to a shopkeeper in London, accounted religious, being very busy in his shop early in the morning, Mr. Jurdan taking him aside, said, "Sir, I perceive you are very busy; do you keep up the trade of religion in all this throng;" he answered, "I hope I do;" Aye, but saith he, " do you visit God in your closet and family, morning and evening?" he replied, "In the evening, I pray constantly with my family, but in the morning, sometimes customers come and hinder us;" Mr. Jurdan said, "I tell you, I would throw these goods into the channel, or set fire to them, rather than they should hinder me in my course of devotion, or in the way to heaven." So say I; sirs, do you prize gain above godliness? then you are none of God's servants, but the world's slaves. Say not, it is for a time, one neglect brings on another, and thy heart will be more hardened; and by missing one season of communion with God, you lose more than all your estates are worth. Are you content, that the world be your portion? O make not gain your godliness! (2.) How can you expect your gains and riches should be blessed to you, when you take not God's way to obtain a blessing? If you begin not with God, the end will be dreadful; God's curse is in the house of such wicked persons. However, such treasures of wickedness profit nothing;† and since you will be rich you fall into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful lusts which will drown you in destruction and perdition. Do not you know that worldly riches Consider, the more you get of the world, the more difficult is your journey to heaven, cannot satisfy? and the greater your account. * Prov. iii. 33. + Prov. x. 2. 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10. |