A PERSWASIVE TO FAMILY DEVOTION IT was an excellent resolution of Joshua As for me and my house we will serve the Lord a Josh 24. 15. which that great General solemnly declar'd to all the Tribes of Israel letting them know that whether they would as he had exhorted them serve the Lord or no and although all of them should forsake his Worship or bestow the honour due to him on false Gods yet for his part he had fully purpos'd that he would adhere to Jehovah the only true God and honour him with his religious service nor would he only do it himself but also take care that his own house or family and all belonging to it should do the same and it is a laudable instance of like piety in the good King David when he saith I will walk in my house with a perfect heart b Psa 101. 2. professing thereby his serious intention as a domestick Governour to discharge his duty to God with all sincerity and exactness in the discipline and good order of his Houshold in which it must be chiefly impli'd he would take great care that Religion might be there had in due regard and God be faithfully honour'd by himself and by all about him These examples of Domestick piety in two such eminent persons may well challenge the esteem and imitation of all who are Heads and Masters of Families and as many as are in that relation are to be put in mind that if they would be indeed religious if they will serve the Lord and do it with a perfect heart 't is not enough that it be done by themselves only but moreover they are to see to it that the Duties of Religion be perform'd by all under their charge There are indeed many offices of Christian Oeconomicks to which the Governours of Families are oblig'd as to make necessary provision for those of the Houshold to give them a good example of sobriety and all vertue and to discharge their particular obligations to their several Relatives as they are Husbands Fathers and Masters but the principal Duty and of greatest consequence is that they take care to have family Devotion exercis'd in their houses by daily prayer and reading the holy Scriptures this is that which God doth especially require of them and wherein the good and welfare both of themselves and those living with them is most of all concern'd and beside the general considerations moving hereunto taken from the adorable nature of God from our dependance on him and the great importance of piety in order to happiness There are some others which do more particularly respect domestick Governours and their Families As I. The honour and service of God for which we were all born ought carefully to be promoted by every good Christian for God made us for himself c Prov. 16. 4. and we are commanded in whatever we do to seek his glory d 1 Cor. 10. 31. it therefore behoveth us to improve all advantages for this great end and since the Governours of Families as such are in a capacity for setting up the worship of God and have power over those who live under their Roof for causing this holy exercise to be attended by them not to do it must needs be reckon'd a most hainous omission If a Christian Magistrate should make no provision for having the Duties of Religion publickly celebrated by his Subjects in all Parts of his Dominion 't would be judged a very scandalous neglect and it might justly be doubted whether he were really what he profess'd to be Now if the Prince be thus oblig'd to use his power for the service of God and Religion how can we judge otherwise of lesser Governours and how shall it be thought that Masters of Families have any true Principles towards God or any regard to his honour while they take no care to have his worship perform'd within their private jurisdiction If I be a Father saith God where is my honour If I be a Master where is my fear e Mal. 1. 6. It cannot be thought that men believe they have a Father in Heaven while they care not to give evidence of their dutiful observance and veneration of him and are not at all concern'd that reverential regard be paid him by others nor can we suppose they really own any severe Master above while they are not afraid to neglect his service and the promotion of his honour which is the work he hath impos'd on them and that for which they were sent into the World Wherefore domestick Governours as they would be thought to have understanding enough to know whence they are and for what they were made as they would avoid the most disgraceful and odious censure of being reckoned atheistical are highly concern'd both for attesting the reality of their Faith and Religion and for answering the great design of their being to employ the authority they have in their own houses for Gods glory in ordering the duties of Religion to be there piously observ'd by all belonging to them II. They may also consider it is most just and reasonable that some portions of that time which God hath given them should be allotted to himself and his service as well as all the rest to their own occasions and that he from whom they hold their Lives and Estates should daily be own'd and honour'd by their adoration and thanksgiving as they expect from their Servants that they execute their commands and labour in the work they set them about from the beginning of the day to the end thereof so they must not think it much if the great Master of us all who is in heaven f Eph. 6. 9. Col. 4. 1. have some share of their service each Morning and Evening God hath been pleas'd to take great care that the Governours of Families shall receive the duty and observance of all about them by giving strict charge that their Wives be subject g Col. 3. 18. 1 Pet. 3. 1. their Children obedient h Eph. 6. 1 2. Col. 3. 20. and that their Servants fulfill their commands with fear singleness of heart and good will i Eph. 6. 5 6 7. Col. 3. 22. 1 Pet. 2. 18. and therefore 't is but reason and ingenuity that they make like return to God by using their authority and best endeavour that the same members of their Families pay their just honour and service to him and this they cannot better do then by obliging them to the acts of his worship and the daily exercises of devotion But against those Christians in whose Families the worship of God is neglected the Heathen may one day rise up in judgment for their Religion such as it was they did not confine to their Temples abroad but paid moreover a devout regard at home to the Lares and Penates which were their Houshold Gods and therefore usually called dii familiares and by Tertullian dii domestici k Tertul.
remain safe without the supplications of good men he gave charge to those of his Clergy that they should intercede for him in their devotions p Euseb de vit Const lib. 4. cap. 14. likewise that his military forces might be still victorious he injoyn'd his Souldiers to be exercis'd in Prayer and prescrib'd a suitable Form wherein they were thus to invoke the Giver of all Victory We acknowledge thee the only God we confess thee to be the King we call upon thee as our helper by thee we have obtained Victories and have overcome our enemies we do acknowledge that from thee we have our present happiness and from thee we hope for that which is future we are therefore thy supplyants and do beg of thee that thou wouldest long preserve Constantine our Emperour in health and victory together with his religious off-spring q Ibid. cap. 20. 'T is related of the Athenians that having been worsted by the Lacedemonians in several Battles and much wondring at their repeated Misfortune especially for that they knew they exceeded all the other Grecians in the Veneration of their Temples and Images in the number of their Sacrifices and the many Pompous Solemnities of their Religion whereas the Lacedemonians did appear more sparing in the Sacrifices and in all the Ceremonies of their Worship they did therefore resolve to send and consult Jupiter Ammon what the cause might be and to their enquiry receiv'd this answer from the Oracle that the Prayers of the Lacedemonians were more pleasing to the Gods than the sacred Rites of all Greece beside r Plat. Alceb 2. Which doth serve to let us know that those of the Gentile Religion would have it believ'd that devout Prayer was of much greater success in procuring the favours of Heaven then any other part of Worship and surely to any that doth consult our own Oracles of holy Scripture it doth well appear that the People of God have affected far more and greater things by their Prayers then ever by Sacrifices or Oblations how many and sumptuous soever 5. Although of our selves we know not how to pray as we ought nor are we able to serve God in any acceptable manner yet we have this encouragement that he who requires the duty is ready to enable us for it for according to his ancient promise he doth pour out his spirit of prayer and supplication ſ Zech. 12. 10. to dispose the minds of his servants for praying to him as he will approve and accept and by him we have access unto the Father t Eph. 2. 18. This holy Spirit as he doth by his preventing influence excite men to pray begetting in them pious thoughts and devout affections so he doth also direct and assist them as to the matter of their Petitions For herein is the great difficulty of Prayer that men are so apt to err in the things they pray for as when their requests are in themselves displeasing to God such was the uncharitable one of James and John when they would have fire from Heaven to consume the Samaritans u Luc. 9. 54. and that other of so great ambition presented by the Mother of Zebedee's Children for her two Sons that one of them might sit on the right hand the other on the left of Christ in his Kingdom w Mat. 20 21. or when the things ask'd though they seem desireable yet are such as would prove really hurtful if granted as if a man should wish for such a Promotion or so great an Estate not thinking what mischief they may occasion to him this the Satyrist could understand Nos animi impulsu caecâque cupi dine ducti conjugium petimus partumque Vxoris at illis notum qui pueri qualisque futura sit Vxor A man in the heat of blind love prayes that he may obtain such a Woman to be his Wife but God only knows what a shrew she will be or else he begs to have Children but knows not how untoward they will prove We may also err while deprecating evils which yet have a tendency to our greater good as did St. Paul who be sought the Lord thrice that the Messenger of Satan by which he was buffetted might depart from him but was not granted because it was for preserving his humility after the abundance of Revelation y 2 Cor. 12. 7 8 9. That we pray aright 't is requisite that our Petitions be no other than what may have their due subordination to God's glory and our own Salvation to this there is need of great Holiness as well as Skill and it was the reason of that saying of St. Austine Verè novit rectè vivere qui rectè novit orare Whosoever knows how to pray as he ought doth know indeed how to live so z August in Psal 3. Now the Holy Ghost whereof all are partakers that really belong to Christ a Rom. 8. 9. doth guide the minds and affections of pious Christians and help them to avoid in great measure such errours in Prayer though very incident to the best of men of this the holy Apostle is very plain Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us b Rom. 8. 26. and in the next Verse He maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God his interceding according to the Will of God is in that he doth assist them in preferring such Petitions as are pleasing to him in this sense he is our Paraclete or Advocate and do plead our Cause within us while enabling us to do it as Christ is our Advocate without us by his Mediatory Intercession in Heaven And on this doth depend the good success of our Prayers for God cannot but be ready to grant such requests as himself hath suggested to us according to that of the Psalmist Thou wilt prepare their heart and cause thine ear to hear c Psal 10. 17. Praevenis eos ut petant quae tibi grata sunt precibus eorum aurem tuam facilem praebes so Vatablus doth explain the Text and hitherto doth belong that of St. John This is the confidence we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us d 1 Joh. 5. 14. Moreover this blessed Spirit is ready to assist us as to the manner of performance that it may be with humility faith fervency and that we beg not temporal good things with more earnestness than spiritual nor desire the benefits of Heaven for ill purposes as did those whom St. James doth thus rebuke Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your lusts e Jam. 4. 3. Likewise 't is through the same Spirit that we come to God as our loving Father for he beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God f Rom. 8.
Family and therefore as often as his Sons had been Feasting he suspecting that they might have transgress'd by excess did quickly after call them together to Sanctifie them and to offer burnt Offerings for them according to their number and thus did Job continually x Job 1. 5. and King David was so concern'd to have a sober and religious Court that he solemnly resolves to thrust out thence all wicked and immoral persons and to have such only to serve him as were Faithful in the Land such as walked in a perfect way y Psa 101. 6 7. 'T is also mention'd in Commendation of Cornelius while a Jewish Proselyte that being a pious man himself he had gotten a Family about him that were such too throughout a devout man saith the Text and one that feared God with all his house z Act. 10. 2. And we may observe how zealous the Masters of Families were in the first times of Christianity to bring those of their houses into the way of Salvation for no sooner were any of them brought over to the true Religion but they made it their business to draw their Families after them thus the same Cornelius when called by a Vision from Heaven to the Faith of Christ was careful to bring his Relations with him to the Preaching of Peter a Act. 10. 24. When God had opened the heart of Lydia it soon follows that her Houshold as well as she are baptized b Act. 16. 15. in like manner the Keeper of the Prison being himself converted all his were baptized together with him c Act. 16. 38. and after Crispus the Chief Ruler of the Synagogue had embrac'd the Faith his whole Houshold believed d Act. 18. 8. It was Gods command to the Jews that they should at home instruct their Families in the Law deliver'd by Moses particularly they were to do it every Morning and Evening and also to write it on the very door-Posts of their Houses and on their Gates e Deut. 6. 7 9. Now we cannot but think 't is of equal concern that those of our Religion should in like manner have the Precepts of it daily rehearsed to them nor can we suppose that Christian Governours of Families are less oblig'd then were the Jewish either to the Service of God and Religion or to set forward the Spiritual good of such as belong to them there is a general obligation on those professing the Gospel to endeavour the good and happiness of all men as they have opportunity f Gal. 6. 10. but it is more particular and binding in respect of them to whom they are more especially related for to such they owe greater love and as for Governours of Families they are not only bound in a special manner to consult the spiritual welfare of them who are of their Family some whereof are as their very selves but also on the account of their domestick Authority have a capacity and power lodged in them to inforce the pious means by which they may be set forward in the way of holiness not to regard the Salvation of the meanest Servant in their house is very uncharitable but while they omit the exercise of Religion they are extreamly unkind to the Souls of their Wives who are their own flesh g Eph. 5. 28 29. and of their Children who are pieces of themselves and in behalf of whom St. Paul hath given particular charge that they be piously educated h Eph. 6. 4. as his Disciple Timothy had the happiness to be of whom the same Apostle doth take notice that from a Child he had known the holy Scriptures i 1 Tim. 3. 15. and imbib'd the same Faith which had first been in his Grand-Mother Lais and his Mother Eunice k 1 Tim. 1. 5. but how can those Parents be thought to have any true love to their Children who mind not to have them bred up in the practice of Piety whereby they may be season'd with an early sense of God and Religion and without which they must needs be in danger of leading a dissolute life and consequently of being unhappy here and eternally miserable in the other World In the ancient times of Christianity Parents did esteem it their greatest charge and business to get their Children well instructed in Religion and that the seeds of Vertue and Piety might be sown in them betimes Thus the Father of Origen was careful that his Son might be taught in the holy Scriptures and well Principl'd in the true Religion before he would set him on any Books of humane literature He caus'd him to apply himself to some part of the Bible every day and commit it to memory so as to be able to repeat it to him and the Lad made such proficience that within a short time he would search beyond the Words into the Sense of Scripture and not content with the ordinary Readings did propound to his Father many difficult questions l Euseb Hist Eccle. lib. 6. c. 2. such were the forward indications of his great understanding and we find in the life of Constantine how concern'd he was that his Sons might be train'd up in all good Vertues which he earnestly endeavour'd as well by his own instructions as by setting such Tutors over them as were eminently religious and after they had been admited to be Partners in the Empire he did not cease exhorting them being absent by his Royal Letters to practice the wholesome precepts they had formerly receiv'd and that they would account the knowledge of God and his holy Religion of much greater value than Worldly riches and the Empire it self m Idem de vit const ilb 4 c. 5. Gregory Nazianzen in his Funeral Oration on his Brother Caesarius speaketh of his Mother the pious Nonna that as she had been Consecrated to God her self by her religious Parents so the Piety which as a Patrimony she receiv'd from them was transmitted from her to her own Children and she was instrumental in the Conversion of her Husband to the true Religion who was afterward advanc'd to the Episcopal Dignity and zealously discharg'd that Office for above forty years n Orat. 10. And 't is declar'd by the same Father how his Sister Gorgonia had follow'd the excellent Pattern of her Mother in that she was the means of instilling Piety into her Children Grand-Children and others of her Family likewise her Husband was by her won over to the strict practice of holiness o Orat. 11. Some modern Examples might here be added but I shall only mention one which may seem eminent enough to suffice instead of all I mean Sir Matthew Hale the late Lord Chief Justice a man never to be nam'd without a reverence to his memory he was certainly the honour of his Country and gave the greatest credit to the time in which he liv'd I need not tell the World how many and great his Excellencies were 't is
to the present purpose that beside his extraordinary learning especially in his own profession and his admirable care and integrity in the Administration of his great Office he was a most pious and devout Christian and particularly was eminently so in his domestick relation he used constantly to worship God in his Family and the Duties of Religion there were always perform'd by himself if there were no Clergy-man present p Dr. Burnet in the life of Sr. Mat. Hale he took great care and omitted no endeavours toward the forming of his Children to the love and practice of Religion following them with repeated instructions which he not only deliver'd to them by word of thy mouth but that they might abide with them and still occur to their thoughts he did use to leave them in Writing giving charge that they should take Copies of them Some of his Written directions to his Children have come abroad into the World in which he did excellently prescribe concerning their due observation of the Lords day and how they were to demean themselves in the publick Duties of the Church also he doth therein enjoin them the Devotion of Prayer and reading the Scriptures in private and we find him there putting them in mind how It had been his practice to give them Line upon Line and Precept upon Precept for enabling them to steer and order their course of life through an evil and dangerous World Now the example of this wise and good man whose transcendent worth is yet fresh in our memory and his reputation so great throughout the Nation may I hope have some good influence to engage others in the same relation to a pious imitation of him as being really convinc'd like as he was of how great concern it is in reference to the future welfare of those under their care and government But if notwithstanding all Obligations to the contrary any Governors of Families should be so stupid and uncharitable as to have little regard for the spiritual good and safety of others related to them yet the love they bear toward themselves cannot suffer them to live in neglect of the important Duty we have been urging upon them for they must also consider that the state and welfare of their own souls are herein most of all concern'd Beside that the omission of Prayer and Reading the Scriptures must needs be prejudicial and of ill consequence to themselves as well as to the rest in their houses nor can they think well of their own condition to God-ward while they so much disregard his Worship and Service I say beside all this they cannot but think that the whole Sin and Guilt of this domestick Irreligion will be justly chargeable on them and they must expect that the impiety of those who are of their Families will be laid to their account as the Persons who might and ought to have prevented the same and if through want of pious Discipline and the exercises of Devotion their Children or others belonging to their charge shall become profane and wicked how will they be able to answer for it at the great and terrible day That they are so bound to consult and endeavour their good in the things which concern their future state as to be accountable to God the Judge of all for the neglect hereof they may understand from the pious and earnest advice in a Tract which goeth under St. Austin's name Written to a Friend and let each Master of a Family suppose it spoken to himself I beseech my Brother I beseech thee that thou teach in thy house to all under thy Government from the greatest to the least the Love of Holiness the Delights of the Heavenly Kingdom the Bitterness and Terrour of Hell that thou be solicitous and very careful for their Salvation because of all who are Subject to thee in thy Family thou shalt render an account do thou Teach Command Charge Perswade them that they beware of Pride Back-biting Drunkenness Fornication of Luxury Anger Perjury and Covetousness which is the Root of all Evils q De Salutar Docum c. 20. And whoever are Faithful and Conscientious herein being Zealous for Religion and for keeping up the Duties of it in their Houses implying their vigilant care that all under their domestick Authority may serve God and live like Christians they do truly approve themselves as good Servants to their great Lord and Master to him of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named r Eph. 3 15. and they shall not fail of being well rewarded by him for his kind favour shall be toward them his blessing on their Persons their Families and Estates and after they have a while devoutly serv'd him in these their Earthly dwellings he will Translate them to his own glorious Habitation they shall be admitted to be of his own Royal Houshold that they may adore and praise him for ever together with the glorifi'd Saints and blessed Angels in Heaven Where it will be some addition to their Joy to meet their Wives their Children and others of their Families whom by their good Example and pious Government they had helped forward in the way to that happy Place DEVOTIONS FOR THE USE OF FAMILIES FAMILY DEVOTIONS FOR THE MORNING A short Prayer before Reading the Scripture Oeternal God who art Morning the Lord of Heaven and Earth infinite in Holiness and of terrible Majesty to be honoured and had in reverence by all them that draw near unto thee We pray thee to beget in us awful thoughts and a pious temper of mind suitable to that great and holy God with whom we have to do that so our religious performance this Morning may find acceptance with thee help us O Lord to understand thy Will revealed in the Scripture and to receive the same with ready subjection as thou doest cause the Light of the day to arise upon us without so let thine Holy Word shine into our Souls that it may be a Light to our Feet and the guide of all our Actions till we shall come to the end of our Race and to the blessed Reward of all our holy Duties in thy Kingdom of Glory through thy Mercy in Jesus Christ our blessed Lord and Saviour A Psalm and Prayer for the Morning THe Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy work Day unto Day uttereth Speech and Night unto Night sheweth Knowledge Their line is gone out thorow all the Earth and their words to the end of the World in them hath he set a Tabernacle for the Sun Which is as a Bridegroom coming out of his Chamber and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a Race His going forth is from the end of Heaven and his Circuit unto the end of it and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof I will sing O God of thy Power yea I will sing aloud of thy Mercy in the Morning for thou hast been my Defence and
thy private prayers which God may see in secret and reward thee for them openly c Basil in Asc Tom. 2 p. 181. Under this private Devotion in its full notion are comprized Prayer Meditation reading of the holy Scriptures and other pious Books and though we shall proceed with respect to the first of these especially yet we would not be thought to divide such good company but while recommending private Prayer to intend Meditation and Reading too they do indeed mutually assist each other and we cannot be without either of them Now to enforce this excellent Duty in which both the reality and comfort of a Christian do so very much consist we shall briefly propose some perswasive considerations which may easily prevail on all who are truly dispos'd to the Practice of Religion or the prosecution of their own interest I. It doth appear out of holy Scripture that we are not only to worship God and call upon him in company with others but that he expects moreover to be honour'd by the devout service of every man singly and apart and that each person in his own behalf should seek unto him for his benefits this is manifestly contain'd in those Texts where it is given in charge that every one address himself to God on his own particular occasions as to call upon him in the day of trouble c Psal 50. 15. and if any man be afflicted let him pray d Jam. 5. 13. In which places it cannot only be meant that the party afflicted is to crave the Prayers of the Congregation or of the Minister where he lives but chiefly at least that he is himself alone to call upon God and supplicate for his help and deliverance and this must be done in many sad cases which afford no opportunity of having the Prayers of others again when we are bid in every thing to make known our requests e Phil. 4. 6. it must needs intend that we are to do it in particular cases and matters of private concern though they fall not under the publick or ordinary Prayers And when 't is commanded that in all places we lift up holy hands f 1 Tim. 2. 8. it doth certainly include the places of our privacy and retirement and this Text Mr. Mede will have peculiarly understood of private Prayer g Conc. Lat. De Vener Sac. But the precept of our Saviour is very express Enter into thy Closet and when thou hast shut the door pray to thy Father which is in secret h Mat. 6. 6. the words are plain and to neglect the duty enjoin'd in them is to live in a known sin which we are highly concern'd to beware of as we tender the safety of our souls II. Let us set before us the examples of eminent and renowned persons by whose practice this Duty of private Devotion is recommended to us That it was in use with the holy Patriarks of old doth appear on sacred Record of Abraham Gen. 15. 2. and Chap. 17. 18. of Isaac Gen. 25. 21. and of Jacob Gen. 32. 9. Concerning Isaac that other Text Gen. 24. 63. might also be added where it is in our translation that he went out to meditate in the Eventide but the original word doth signifie submissa voce loqui labio tenùs murmurare to speak just moving the lips without any audible sound as is wont to be in private prayer more than in meditation and thus it was in the supplication of Hannah i 1 Sam. 1. 13. but that the Verb in that place may signifie to pray doth appear from hence that the Substantive coming from it is used for Prayer in other Texts of Scripture as Psal 5. 1. and 19. 14. and therefore both in the Caldee Paraphrase and the Arabick version it is And Isaac went out to pray likewise it is thus understood by Munster Vatablus and the same is approv'd by Grotius we are also told by the first of these that the Jews themselves have generally taken the Text in this sense but whether it be meant of Prayer or Meditation 't is much indifferent to the present purpose since the latter as well as the former is an act of Devotion 〈…〉 the resolv'd custom 〈…〉 devout Prince 〈…〉 â—â—â—self to God three times every day At Evening saith he and Morning and at Noon will I pray k Psal 55. 17. and the same was done by the Prophet Daniel nor could any danger affright him from it for notwithstanding a Royal decree to the contrary which made it Capital in his Chamber he kneeled on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks unto his God l Dan. 6. 10. That the Apostle St. Peter was wont to retire for his Devotion may be seen Act. 10. 9. where 't is said that about the sixth hour one of the usual times for that Duty he went up upon the house to pray chusing that place as most distant from all noise and disturbance likewise St. Paul as we often read had his private Prayers they were such in which he be sought the Lord thrice that the Thorn in the Flesh might depart from him m 2 Cor. 12. 8. and those wherein he did earnestly intercede for the Churches himself had planted whereof there is mention in his Epistle to them n Eph. 1. 16. 3. 14. Phil. 1. 9. Col. 1. 9. It is in Ecclesiastick History concerning James the brother of our Lord who for his eminent sanctity was sirnamed The Just that by frequency of praying his Knees became void of sense being harden'd like those of a Camel o Eus Hist Eccles l. 2. cap. 23. And the learned Origen as from his childhood he had been accustom'd to religious Duties under the education of his good Father So he was most strict in the Practice of his Devotion throughout his whole Life all his time almost both by day and night was divided between Prayer and Reading the Scriptures nor would he take the natural refreshments of the body without those others of the soul for whenever he sate down to meat somewhat of the Bible was still read and the same was done at his lying down to sleep p Hieron ad Marcel Epist 18. The Emperour Constantine thought it his greatest honour to have access to God in private Devotion for it is reported of him that notwithstanding all the affairs of his vast Empire Every day at stated hours shutting himself up he alone conversed with his God q Euseb de vit Const l. 4. c. 21. And we read of our King Alfred who wore the Crown of this Realm about nine hundred years ago that as he allotted the one half of his Revenue to pious uses so he devoted the like proportion of his time to the exercise of Religion they who speak least say that dividing the twenty four hours of each natural day into three parts one eight hours he allow'd himself for eating sleeping and recreation another
especially that of an eternal and glorious 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 life 〈…〉 Childhood know 〈…〉 Scriptures shall however neglect the worship of God it will be an impiety void of all excuse and for such it will be more intollerable at the last day than for rude Scythians and Americans It might in reason indeed be thought unnecessary that Persons bred up in the Church of Christ especially in such a part of it as ours where the Bible is vulgarly known and practical Religion so clearly taught should be call'd upon to pay their tribute of service to the Almighty But however we may unhappily observe how innate depravity and the immorality of mens lives do alienate them from God and his Worship there are too many every where who live by Sense more than by Faith or Reason And because God is not present to their outward sight as were the Idols of the Heathen he is also absent from their thoughts and they are not apprehensive 't is of any great concern to them that they attend upon him in the Duties of his Service But the more easie and common impiety in this kind is the neglect of those Devotions which should be in private Families and in the retirements of particular persons apart For securing the publick Worship of God the National Government hath been very Zealous there being penal Laws for bringing men to it and they find themselves oblig'd to frequent the Ordinances of our Religion not only by the fear of God but also by that of the Magistrate who beareth not the sword in vain And for the solemn service of God in Parochial Assemblies 't is abundantly provided in our Liturgy wherein are pious forms for all publick occasions compos'd at first by the renown'd Reformers of this Church and Kingdom Men who hazarded their lives and some of them lost them too for the Name of the Lord Jesus and in defence of his Truth and Gospel To these great Worthies the Souls of this Nation are more endebted under God than words can express and their Memories as well as their Reformation should be for ever precious to us But though the publick exercise of Religion be so well cared for yet there are not the like furtherances of private Devotion by the commands of God indeed and by all the reasons of Divine Worship Domestick Piety is no less requir'd than that of the Temple But yet it is not inforc'd by any humane Laws nor hath the Church thought fit to recommend any Forms of Devotion either for Closet or Family that the Prayers in our Liturgy are not prescribed with respect to private Houses so as to be obliging there is declar'd by Dr. Hammond and he doth not only approve of other Forms to be us'd in Families but also that it may be in Visitation of the sick though there be an Office in the book of Common Prayer for that occasion And it hath been thought by some having as high an esteem for the Liturgy as others that considering the general temper of men it would much abate their veneration of the publick service and make them more slack and regardless in their attendance at the Church if the Devotions there were no other than what they have every day in their own Houses But whether so 〈…〉 no doubt that 〈…〉 which injoyn religious Duties together with the Sanction of Penalties annex'd to them do only respect the publick places of Worship So that elsewhere men are left to the alone obligations of Religion and their own Conscience And 't is the less to be wonder'd that this so considerable a part of Christian Piety is no more practic'd The neglects of holy Duties in Families may be too well known and those others more private may be also presum'd without any breach of charity But 't is much to be lamented that any instructed in the Discipline of the Gospel should think it enough to Worship the glorious God their Creator one day in the Week and content themselves with so much only of Religion as the Laws of their Country do force from them Now if we enquire how this may come to pass beside the sinful corruption of men and their aversation thereupon from the exercises of Piety it may be thought generally to proceed either from this that they do not sufficiently know or at least are so stupid as not to consider their Obligation in Conscience to the Duties they thus omit and how much their own interest is concern'd in the due performance of them or else in some it may doubtless be from a want of assistance to their Devotion while destitute of suitable compos'd Prayers in which they should address themselves to God Both which probable causes of so great irreligion the Author was willing to remove The former of them by his following Perswasives and the atter by some composures for Domestick Devotion thereunto subjoin'd In the Perswasives he hath not undertaken any exact discourse concerning Devotion as to the nature of it it 's several parts and the manner of due performance much less to entertain the Reader with an elaborate flourish of words but his design is only to inforce the Practise of this great Duty by a Summary of Arguments which seem'd most material and to do it with such plainess as might render them more apt to convince and affect those of meanest capacity And the Prayers here offer'd by him to the use of well dispos'd Christians are but a few being only for ordinary occasions excepting those in case of Sickness In all of them he he hath chosen still to take in what he thought pertinent and necessary rather than boast his own invention in an affected variety Hoping his good intention herein will attone for any lesser failings that may occur to the Critical he doth send them abroad with this one short Prayer more that by the Divine blessing they may prove really useful to the furtherance and help of Christian Devotion and for promoting the service and honour of the Great God of whom and to whom are all things Amen ERRATA PAge 7. l. 16. read Subsisteret P. 11. Marg. r. Just Mart. P. 34. l. 27. put VI. for 6. P. 40. l. 9. r. by God P. 43. l. 25. r. effected P. 47. l. 3. r. doth P. 73. l. 26. r. there the. P. 85. l. 16. r. much the. P. 88. marg r Ascet P. 93. l. 7. r. do thou P. 94. l. 24. r. and hasty P. 104. l. 17. dele thy P. 107. l. 15. r. thee my P. 108. l. 6. r. imploying P. 133 l. 14. r. attone P. 139. l. 12. dele happy P. 136. l. 6. r. pity P. 198. l. 3. r. or any l. 23. r. adapt P. 169. l. 9. dele all l. 25 r. intention P. 205. l. 28 29. r. supposed P. 206. l. 26. dele not P. 208. l. 7. r. corners P. 229. l. 28. r hath P. 251. l. 10. r. in my A PERSUASIVE TO PRAYER A PERSUASIVE TO PRAYER PRayer is a Duty of
the Spirit t Eph. 6. 17. who doth make use of it in slaying the Lusts and Vices of men and subduing them to the Kingdom of Christ but the Divine Grace is never wanting to them who make a diligent use of this written Word which is the outward means by God appointed and he is ready to assist the same with his own concurrence and blessing Since therefore the goodness and condescention of Almighty God have been so great in vouchsafing the holy Scripture which is his kind Epistle from Heaven imparting his mind to us for our own good what a rude and ungrateful indignity will it be if we care not to read it Since he hath given this light shining in a dark place as 't is called by St. Peter u 1 Pet. 1. 19. that we might not stumble and perish how great is the madness if hiding it under a Bushel w Mat. 5. 15. or shutting our Eyes against it we love darkness more than light x Joh. 3. 19. It is our singular happiness above most other Nations of the Christian world that this Heavenly treasure doth lie open to us in a Language which the unlearned can understand 't is not Heresie with us if a Laick read the Bible nor a Capital crime if he keep one in his house that is in his own Vulgar tongue but the Guilt and Condemnation will be much greater if having this advantage any shall refuse to make use of it It may further recommend to Christian Families the constant use of Prayer and the sacred Scriptures as very necessary to an holy Conversation if we mention what St. Austine hath said to this purpose to whom a great regard is due not only for his Eminent knowledge of Divine things but also for his own great experience in the Practice of Piety by him it is declar'd that the best of men have need of Prayer every day as that by which they secure themselves against the assaults of Sin and Satan By Prayer saith he they strive with the more vigilance and stoutness against the Devil the Prince and King of all Vices that so his deadly suggestions may nothing prevail y Lib. De Continent cap. 8. and elsewhere The daily reading of the Scriptures doth purifie all things it strikes into us the fear of Hell and stirs up the heart of the Reader to the joys of Heaven Whoever would be always with God ought always to Pray and Read for when we pray we are speaking with God and when we read God is speaking with us z De Temp. Serm. 112. likewise hitherto belongs what Tertullian hath said in this very case of domestick Piety when upbraiding the Heathen with their unprofitable Devotion to the Lares excluding that of the true Religion which would be of real benefit to them Quae dei mentio quae Christi invocatio Vbi fomenta fidei ex Scripturarum interlectione a Tert. ad Vxor l. 2. â— 6. he taxeth their Folly as well as Impiety that while in their several Families they were very punctual and solemn in performing superstitious Rites to the Houshold Gods they took no notice of him who was God indeed wholly neglecting the Christian Devotion of Prayer and Reading the holy Scriptures which should nourish in them the saving Faith and Religion of the Gospel VIII It may be another inforcement of Family Devotion to mention how well it hath been practis'd by the Ancient Christians for it ought to have the Authority of an Argument and should demand our Imitation to have before us the good examples of those who were in the first and purer Ages of Christianity now of them it doth appear that they were exceeding careful and zealous in the daily performance of Religious Duties within their Houses in the Morning and Evening of each day all of the same Family did joyn in their Devotion as may be Collected from what we find to this purpose in the Fathers of those times b Clem. Alex paed l. 2. c. 9. Cypr. de Orat. dom Basil in Ascit Chrysost Hom. l. De precat They would not begin the day without desiring the blessing of God on themselves and their undertakings throughout the same nor did they lie down to rest without returning him thanks and imploring his watchful care over them After Supper ended saith Clemens Alexandrinus having render'd our Thanks and Praise to God for that he had supply'd us in the day with the good things necessary for our use and granted us to pass the same prosperously we betake our selves to our sleep c Ibid. Nor did they think it enough to worship God in their Families at the beginning and end of the day but so intent were they on this Duty as to break off their natural rest and leave their Beds in the night time that they might then exercise their Devotions for under the Heathen Emperours while the open practice of religious Duties was so much persecuted it was generally the Custom of Christians to arise from sleep about Midnight for worshiping God with Prayers and Singing of Psalms and the same continu'd in use even after the Pagan Persecutions were over Of these nocturnal Devotions we do often read as in the Father last nam'd when he speaks of Prayers to be put up not only before going to bed but also again in the time of night d Strom. 7. and afterward in the same place Wherefore we must also rise from our beds in the night and God is then to be praised for blessed are they that watch for him per noctem exurgebant oratum they arose by night to Pray e Tert. ad Vxor lib. 2. and again Ita Saturantur ut meminerint etiam per noctem orandum deum sibi esse They so feed at Supper as remembring they are to awake and worship God in the night f Apol. c. 39. thus doth Tertullian testifie of them and to this refers that exhortation of St. Cyprian let us think that we always walk in the light nor should darkness which we have escaped hinder us there should be no prejudice to our Prayers from the hours of night nor our Devotion suffer any dammage through sloth and laziness g De Orat. Domin Likewise these Prayers of the night are recommended by St. Chrysostom in one of his Sermons h In Act. Apost Homil 36. Beside the times of more solemn Devotion from day to day which we have already mention'd they did moreover invoke God as often as they receiv'd their natural food Before we eat saith Basil let Prayers be made suitable to the gifts of God both of the good things he doth bestow at present and also for those he hath provided for the future likewise let Prayers follow after meat and in them let our thankfulness be express'd i Epist 1 ad Gregor Theol. And St. Chrysostom doth prescribe as a necessary Duty that Christians begin and end their Meals with
prefer a solitary life and of Plato it is observ'd that avoiding the City he fixed his Academy at some distance in the Country But retirement hath been most of all approved as a good help to Piety and the duties of it by some Christian Writers much hath been spoken in the praise thereof on this account q Basil in Epist ad Chilonem Hieron ad Heliodor l. 2. cont Jovin August ad frat in Eremo especially by St. Basil and Hierom who were themselves addicted to that course of life in the constitutions of Justinian it is said A solitary life with the contemplation that doth accompany it is a sacred thing which of its own nature doth lead the soul to God nor is it only advantageous to those who practise it but is also of known benefit to others by reason of its holiness and devotion toward God r Novel Const 133. By Eusebius out of Philo's book de vitâ contemplativâ it is reported of certain Asceticks so have they been call'd who professed a more strict and sedulous exercise of Piety living in several parts of Aegypt that forsaking worldly employments and the ordinary places of habitation they abode solitary practising abstinence divine contemplation and devotion ſ Euseb Eccle. Hist l. 2. c. 17. these he would have to be Christians but is therein corrected by Scaliger who thinks they were of that Sect among the Jews called Essenes and for that he is himself reprov'd by Valesius who doth suppose them of the Jewish religion though some passages in the account given of them will not allow them to be Essenes But however it is sufficiently known that Christians too have us'd retirement to the same religious purpose in the times of Persecution under the Heathen Emperours great multitudes of them being forc'd to quit their Dwellings made the Desarts their refuge where they improv'd Necessity into a Vertue by employing their solitudes in Fasting Prayer Meditation and Reading the Scriptures so that in some time this way of living became a matter of choice and was advanc'd into an holy institution Paul of Thebais was the first example of note that recommended the same of whom 't is related that he lived solitary for near an hundred years likewise one Anthony an Aegyptian did set it up in his own Country and Hilarion did the like in Syria and Palestine It must be granted that this at length corrupted into Superstition Idleness and an empty name and we cannot think it any real service to religion to persuade men as some have done wholly to abandon humane Society since they cannot do it without laying aside many important duties both for the service of God and the good of Mankind yet for some time and on some special occasion of a mans life it may be of necessary use to retire from the World and the affairs of it it was so thought by a great and wise Prince in the last Age. I mean Charles the fifth who having taken up an apprehension of his own death approaching from the appearance of a Comet soon after resign'd his Empire and Kingdoms and retir'd into a small Village that he might without interruption attend the great business of Religion in order to another World t Hen. Spondan Anno 1556. But by some it is said that this serious temper of mind in the Emperour was occasion'd partly by the unfortunate turn and ill success of his affairs after so much of Victory and Glory formerly enjoy'd by him and partly by the prevalence and growth of the Protestant interest after all his endeavours to suppress it from the former he had a deep conviction concerning the vanity of sublunary things and therefore resolv'd to take off his affections and himself from the World and to provide for his lasting security elsewhere and the latter suggested to him that the Religion he had hitherto so much oppos'd was own'd and assisted from Heaven and therefore it was not safe to be any longer concern'd against it and it is suppos'd that in his latter days * See Dr. Burnet Hist Refor r. 21. part p. 214. of retirement when he had leasure throughly to consider and no worldly interest to be a wrong biass he fell into a good liking of the Reformation and dy'd a real Convert to it Now whatever there is in privacy by which it doth contribute to Piety and our better service of God may alwaies be found in the close retirement of secret devotion a man is then separate from the World from all company and business may freely converse with God and his own Soul may for his spiritual benefit contemplate the Word of God and all his wondrous Works the things that have been that are and which shall be hereafter and while thus taken up it may be truly said of him That he is never less alone then when alone 'T is almost peculiar to single devotion that it doth admit the useful Duty of holy Meditation which cannot so well be exercis'd when we join in publick and whatever the Duty be wherein we are privately engag'd we can more easily be serious and intent in it then amidst the usual occasions of diverting the mind which are in places where many assemble And as privacy is thus helpful to our being more heavenly and devout so in the single exercise of Piety there is this other advantage that whereas in publick devotion we are confin'd to such Prayers as are intended for general use and therefore cannot reach every particular case the Christian when praying alone can with freedom lay open his wants and desires he is not then bound up to words nor things but may chuse the matter of Prayer and speak for himself as his own heart shall suggest and his present condition require for though Forms of private devotion are very expedient and indeed necessary for the greatest part of Christians yet as a late reverend Divine of our Church hath said u Dr. Tully in Precat Domin Expos None is so oblig d to them but that if able to do it he may supplicate to God from his own present conceptions And before him the learned Hammond to the same purpose In the Closet saith he it is not suggested by our Church but that every one may ask his own wants in what form of words he shall think fit w Dr. Ham. Pract. Cat. and truly all who know how to express their minds to men may be suppos'd capable of doing the like in private to God too wherever there shall be need so as to be accepted by him for he doth not so much regard the Artifice of our words as the disposition of our hearts when we speak to him We have before observ'd that holy men in Scripture did use to pray pro re natâ according to their present occasion and to the instances already given we may add that of St. Paul 2 Cor. 12. 8. and also that of our Saviour himself
and all other perfections and thy Works have been wonderful and gracious towards the Sons of Men. But what is Man that thou art mindful of him and what am I vile Creature that I should be admitted to thy Throne of Grace O Lord I am but Dust and Ashes and therefore unworthy thou shouldst have any regard unto me I am a polluted Sinner and therefore unfit for thy presence or any testimony of thy favour the frame and disposition of my heart is to sin and folly and the practice of my life have been always disobedient and provoking to this very day I desire therefore with shame and hearty repentance to humble my self begging thy merciful pardon of all my sins past through the Merits of Christ and the assistance of thy special Grace for the future whereby I may be enabled to lead a sober righteous and godly life Since I am thy Creature who hast made all things for thy self and thine own glory let it be my chief care to serve thee and whether I eat or drink or whatever I do to do all in thy fear and to the honour of thy great Name as I have been bought with a price even the precious blood of thy dear Son so grant I may glorifie thee both in my body and soul which are thine and whatever power or opportunities thou dost vouchsafe unto me help me to employ the same in doing good and discharging my Duty both toward thee and toward men that I may not be barren or unfruitful but always abounding in the Work of the Lord and for the greater usefulness and comfort of my life be thou pleas'd to continue to me my understanding and senses together with health and soundness of body and let my Members and Faculties be always instruments of righteousness unto holiness O stablish my heart by thy Grace that I may be constant in thy Faith and Fear in sincere obedience to thy holy commands and so after a patient continuance in well-doing may receive the promis'd reward of eternal life O Lord I do thankfully acknowledge the continual Mercies of thy good Providence by which I have been preserv'd and cherish'd hitherto I bless thee for the protection and refreshment of the night past and that thou hast prolonged my life to another day be thou pleas'd to guide and defend me throughout the same bless and prosper my endeavours in every lawful undertaking and suffer me not to fall into any danger or unhappy accident Above all do thou preserve me from sin and the temptations to it and let neither the World the Flesh nor the Devil draw me aside from thee into any wicked practice but grant that I may still walk on in the way of righteousness without turning from it into those sinful paths that lead down to the Chambers of death Bless thy people throughout the World and send thy comfort and deliverance to all who are in any distress or affliction of body or mind Preserve this Church and Kingdom to which I belong and make us happy in Truth Righteousness and Peace do good to all my friends and if I have any Enemies forgive them and turn their hearts O Lord pardon the defects of this my devotion accept my person and hear my Prayer through the Righteousness and Intercession of thy blessed Son my alone Saviour In whose own Words I further call upon thee Our Father c. Thy Grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O heavenly Father thy Communion O blessed Spirit be with me this day and for evermore Amer. Another Prayer for the Morning CAuse me O Lord to hear thy loving kindness in the Morning for in thee do I trust Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk for I lift up my soul unto thee Order my steps in thy Word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me O Lord my God who art the Author of my being and the giver of all the good things which I have at any time receiv'd I do here offer up my bounden Duty of Worship and Praise and I do present my Soul and Body to be consecreated unto thee and thy Service despise not I pray thee the Work of thine own hands but though I am vile and unworthy by reason of Sin yet according to thy rich Mercy and for the worthiness of thy beloved Son be thou pleas'd to overlook whatever is amiss in me and to receive me graciously as one of thine adopted Children That I may be qualify'd for thy love and favour make me conformable to thy divine Image in righteousness and true holiness do thou govern my will and affections that I may chuse the good and refuse the evil that I may love what thou doest command and hate whatever thou hast forbidden O Lord who knowest my ignorance and folly instruct me how to demean my self in all the affairs and passages of my life thou who seest my weakness strengthen me by thy Grace that I may be able to resist all evil motions and temptations to Sin and to perform all the Duties of my Christian obedience suffer me not to err from thy Commandements but let the direction of thy Word and Spirit be as a voice behind me shewing the way wherein I should walk when I am turning to the right hand or to the left confirm my Soul in thy true Religion and the holy fear of thy great Name make me steadfast and immoveable in thy Service that being faithful unto the death I may at length receive that Crown of everlasting Life which thou hast promis'd Be thou pleas'd to bless me in my body with health and strength in my Soul with encrease of divine Knowledg of true Piety and all saving Vertues and give me such a measure of temporal good things as may best contribute to my real happiness I yield thee humble thanks that I have been preserv'd and refresh'd the Night past that I am kept alive to this Morning as thou hast brought me out of the shades of Night so help me to cast off the sinful works of darkness and to walk as becometh a Child of Light let thy presence be with me and thy blessing upon me in the day following give thine Angels charge to keep me in all my ways that I fall not into any disaster and let thy Grace be sufficient for me that I be not exercis'd in any evil work but grant me to abide in perfect safety and to be still holy and upright before thee to the end of this day and of my whole life through my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ in whose holy Name and Words I continue to pray unto thee Our Father c. Thy Grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O Heavenly Father thy Communion O blessed Spirit be with me this Day and for evermore Amen A Psalm and Prayer for the Morning on the Lords day I Laid me down and slept I awaked Sunday Morning for the Lord sustained me O God thou art my God early