AN EARNEST CALL TO Family-Catechising, AND REFORMATION. By a Reverend Divine.  The Father to the Children shall make known thy truth, Isai. 38. 19 Children obey your Parents in the Lord, for this is right.— And ye fathers bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6. 1, 4. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! [England.] will't thou not be made clean? when shall it once be? Jer. 13. 27. 
LONDON, Printed by J. W. for John Dunton, at the Raven in the Poultry. 1693.   

THE PREFACE.  
WHoever thou art, that wilt condescend to read this little Piece, I think fit to acquaint thee with whatever relates thereunto, from its first conception, to its coming thus into the World. How the poor Thing will thrive now, and what Service this Stripling (of which I must say, Is it not a little One?) is born for, God alone knows, to whose Guardianship, and Disposal I entirely submit it.  
If thou art inquisitive of its Parentage, know, it proceeds from a Stock, Spiritually very mean; and, in that respect, springs as a Root out of dry Ground: Yet he that made Aaron's dry Rod to bud and blossom, and bring forth Fruit, can do so by this.  
The Author remembers somewhat of those former Times, when the Reins of Government were not so slack in Families, professing Christanity, and when there was a more strict, and conscientious Education of Children, than in these licentious Days, in which many Parents outdo the Ostrich in Cruelty, and are Spiritually hardened against their young Ones, as though they were not theirs, Job 39 16.  
When the Foundation of the Second Temple was laid, the young Men shouted for Joy; but the ancient Men wept, because the Foundations of the New Temple, came so much short of the former, which they had known in its Glory, Ezra 3. 12, 13. Methinks I find a mixture of both these Affections in my own Soul, with respect to the private Families of Christians, which should be little Churches. I hearty rejoice to see, or hear, even that little Measure of good Order and Government, that is in any of them; and verily, unless the Lord of Hosts had left among us a very small remnant, we had been as Sodom, and as Gomorrha, Isa. 1. 9 But I see, abundantly, more cause of Mourning, in that the present Glory on Christian Families, comes so much short of the Glory of the former.  
How deplorable is the personal Ruin of Multitudes, who should be Governors, and governed in Families! For, by reason of these Neglects, Satan hath made a great Harvest of Souls, and Hell hath enlarged itself, beyond Measure. But, besides personal Considerations, how great Disadvantages have hereby redounded to the Public. There are little visible Accessions to the Church, from Christian Families. God's Orchard of Pomgranats, is meanly Stocked from these Nurseries: And whence should the Churches Increases be primarily expected, but from those on whom God hath laid such special Obligations, and to whom he has given so great Advantages? Moreover, much from the same Cause it is, that the present Age is so generally, and fearfully Debauched, that we may truly say, The whole World lieth in Wickedness; and, all Flesh have corrupted their ways: and take up the Prophet Isaiah's upbraiding Complaint over Judah, Ah sinful nation! a people laden with iniquity! a seed of evil doers! children that are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord! they have provoked the holy one of Israel to anger! they are gone away backward! The whole head is sick! the whole heart saint! from the sole of the foot, even unto the head; there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises, and putrifying sores! Isa. 1. 4, 5, 6. So that both Church and State are sick at Heart, and utter dying Groans under this deadly Malady, the Neglects of Family-Government.  
It has been oft; and much upon my Thoughts, that as the present decays of Religion, and increases of Wickedness, have, in a great measure, come in upon us, at this breach, the neglect of Family-Order, and particularly, as to Catechising; so it is some effectual revival of that Ordinance, that must lead the way to a thorough Reformation. But I have withal experienced, That there is a sort of Catechising, which is next to nothing, that is, to teach a Catechism merely by rote, without a familiar Explication, and home Application of it.  
We have Instances left us upon Record in History, of the Churches exemplary Care of her Catechumen, in former Ages. And blessed be God, who hath raised up many worthy Ministers, who have, in this our degenerate Age, born a great Testimony unto this Ordinance, tho' they did not live to see it grow so as they desired. That Man of an Apostolic Spirit, that underwent such Labours, and had such Success in carrying the Gospel among the American Indians, 
Mr. John Eliot, of New-England; see his Printed Life.  and was Instrumental of those Stones, to raise up so many Children unto Abraham; has this remorable Notion on those Words of our lord Feed my Lambs; feed my Sheep; feed my Sheep, Joh. 21. 15, 16, 17. That the Care of the Lambs, is one Third Part of the Charge over the Church of God. A worthy and most intimate Friend, who did both expend a good Income, and spend himself in the Works of the Lord, and is now taken unto his Reward; I have heard declare, That if he could not Preach and 
Mr. Tho. Brand.  Catechise too, he would rather omit the former, than the latter: Such a Sense he had, both of the need, and benefit of Catechising: Yea, and in his linger Sickness, he continued Catechising after he had laid down preaching. A great Master-Builder in his most excellent Sermon on this 
Mr. Lie, Sermon 2 l. in the Supplement to the Morning-Lectures at Cripplegate.  Subject, (which I remember not that I ever read till some considerable time after I had finished the following Tract) gives in this great Testimony. Those Catechisms that were composed by the late Reverend Assembly of Divines at Westminster, I have made use of both in my Congregation and Family, now near Thirty years, and I desire to speak it with all humility, and thankfulness, if ever the Lord smiled on my poor Labours, it hath been while I have been busied in this great, useful, necessary work of Catechising, and that out of these Catechisms.  
As God hath in our time raised up many worthy Men, who have laid to heart this Duty, and born their Testimony unto it: so they have likewise laboured abundantly for the promoting of it, and some have left their worthy Labours in Print, as a Legacy behind them: insomuch that perhaps there never was an Age that had so many great and advantageous Helps for Catechising, as this of ours. And tho' neither the Practice, nor Success has yet been answerable; yet sure it is not for nothing, that God has put it into the Hearts of his Servants to prepare such stores of rich Materials. I hope it is a good Omen, that this Work, and the Success of it, shall yet revive among us. David prepared Materials, but Solomon built the Lord's House. Herein may that Saying be true, One soweth, and another reapeth.  
It has been noted that there are of one kind or other, about five hundred Catechisms extant. The Reason why I more particularly recommend those of our late Assembly, is not that I disrespect, or would oppose any good Catechism; but these are extraordinarily fitted for this purpose, have had the Esteem of Foreign Churches, as well as a general Reception here at home. Beside our Dissenters, many Members, yea, Ministers of the Church of England, have approved of, and used these, as agreeable to the genuine Doctrine of that Church. My Reverend Friend, whose Pen has given us some touches 
See the printed Life of Mr. Brand, written by Dr. Annesly.  on the Life of the greatly useful Master Brand, mentioning the Assemblies Catechism, saith, The Lord Primate of Armagh said, It was the best extant. And what tho' this Catechism was among other good Books, not long since, ignominiously burned, even in one of our Universities; yet we need only consider when, and by whom it was done. This Villainy was perpetrated at a time when all our Foundations Civil, and Religious, were out of Course; and by some wicked Incendiaries, who served that but as they did the Lord's Prayer, Commandments, and the Creed; which are not only incorporated with, but also printed at the end of the Catechism: And so, no doubt, they would have served our Lord himself, had it been in their power. These are not genuine Sons, but Monsters, that hang on the Breast of our Nurseries of Learning. I likewise the rather pitch upon these Catechisms; because so many worthy Men have written Explications of them, (as I hint elsewhere,) which may be subservint to our Use of them.  
I have, of late Years, wherever I have had Opportunities, set up public Catechising, and have constantly observed it to produce evident Tokens of Good, both on Young and Old. And Elder People have thus expressed themselves to me: We answer to ourselves the Questions you ask the Younger. The Method I use in public Catechising, is this, and I would be glad to learn a better. I first ask the Catechumen the Questions that I particularly insist upon in the Catechism, to prove their being perfect in the Answers. I then put further Questions to them, (such as are in Mr. lies and Mr. Allein's Explications of the Catechism,) to prove their understanding the sense of the Answers: And finally, I sum up all with a more entire Exposition; in which I endeavour to be Practical, as well as Doctrinal. But this I must say, it is the Questionary part, I mean, putting particular Questions plainly and pathetically upon the Particulars contained in, or some way relating to the Answers. It is this, I say, that I have observed to do the main Execution. I have also laid to heart, the great Necessity and Benefit of Family, as well as Public Catechising. And withal considering, that some might omit this, or not perform it to good purpose; merely from inability to manage it effectually, and for want of Direction how they might profitably proceed with it: Hereupon I cast it in my Thoughts, how a profitable Method might be proposed, which might be most plain and easy, both to them that Catechise, and to those that are Catechised in Families. Now the result of these Thoughts, is in that following little Treatise, which thou art here presented with.  
When I had first drawn it up, I privately communicated it to some few of that loving and kind People where then I was, and for whose sake I writ it. I afterward summoned the Heads of Families together, with their young Ones, and caused it to be read in their Audience, exhorting them to proceed in their Families according to the Method which you have recommended under the Fourth Head of the Third Chapter. And since naked Rules are not so effectual for Instruction, as those that are backed with practical Examples; I appointed several Meetings, for that purpose; and did, before them, Catechise their Young Ones, not according to the freedom I use in my public Exercises of that Nature, but expressly according to that prescribed Method. That is; First, I began with Prayer. Then I asked the young People Three Questions out of the Assemblies Catechism. Next I interrogated them more particularly on the Answers out of Mr. lies Explanation of the Catechism, (and the same, as I have intimated, may be done by Mr. Allein's.) Then was read, out of Mr. Thomas Vincent's Explicatory Catechism, what related to the Three Answers insisted on. After which, I briefly prayed. We sung some part of a Psalm, and so I dismissed them with a Solemn Blessing. Herein we experimentally found a Presence of God with us; as I doubt not but thou wilt do, Reader, if thou wilt, with thy Family, make Experiment. And I pray thee be not only a Reader, but Practitioner.  
After this, several that were my Hearers requested Copies of my Papers; which I could not deny them. Some, both Ministers and private Christians, who have perused them, moved for their Publication: Which I have now condescended to, though, at first, I only intended them for Private Use. In Transcribing, I have now divided it into Chapters, for distinctness sake, which I had not done at first; and somewhat of Additions and Alterations I have made. The last Head of all, with the Conclusion, had some particular Aspect toward that People for whom it was first penned; to whom God wonderfully continued their Sanctuary-Enjoyments throughout a very dark and cloudy Day. You have it without the Alteration of what related to that Circumstance. But I may here add now, That the more general Deliverance that God has since that time so wonderfully wrought for these Nations, and which ourselves and Families are Sharers in, should much more be an effectual Motive to this Duty toward God, ourselves and Families.  
And now, whoever thou art, that takest this little Book in hand, thou art the Person with whom its business is: Read, Consider and Practise.  
If any who are honoured with the High Calling of the Ministry, shall vouchsafe to cast an Eye on a thing so very mean. Let even these Fathers harken to one Request, from the very lest of all the Sons of the Prophets: In a time when too many are like dumb Dogs, that cannot bark; do you, I beseech you, like faithful Shepherds, rouse up yourselves and your Flocks unto this Duty, that they be not destroyed for lack of Knowledge. Possibly you may advise to a much better Method than I have proposed; which I shall not be offended at, but rejoice in. As to that by me recommended, I only desire, that all such would use it, as have wholly neglected this Duty, or are acquainted with no better way of performing it.  
You that are Parents of Children, and Governors of Families, consider the Souls committed to your Charge are precious, and should be so to you. As the Talon is, so the Account will be great. It is worth while to perform Duty, though without Success: Yet who knows what blessed Success may attend sincere, though weak Endeavours. You may thus, early, prevent those youthful Extravagances, which, like Errors of the first Concoction in the Body Natural, once admitted, are seldom cured. If any belonging to your Families are in a course of Sin, who knows, but a little Advice, faithfully given, may be to them like the Remora, a little Fish, which (they say) if it stick to the greatest Ship, will put her to a stop, when under full sail? Admitting some be Angling for the World, thy heavenly Counsel may be like the Torpedo, which (it is said) in a secret way transfuseth its Virtue to the Rod, and so to the Hand of the Angler, and makes him let it fall. Who knows, but by this means, those of thy Family may be made knowing, methodical, well grounded, steady, practical Christians here upon Earth, and at last become glorious Saints in Heaven. What a Blessing had that good Man, who could comfortably say, I have had Six Children, and I bless God for his 
Mr. Eliot, of New-England.  free Grace; they are all either with Christ, or in Christ, and my Mind is now at rest concerning them.  
I can yet condescend to offer Arguments of an inferior Nature, if by any means I may gain some. The Books recommended for your Assistance in Catechising, are very good, yet very cheap; very full, yet very brief; very deep, yet very plain. These Catechetical Exercises will tend to sweeten the very Humours of the Family; they will mend the Discourses of the Family, at other times. They will improve your Child's Understanding, advance Parts, and accidentally fit for Employments, in worldly business and converse. This will tend to make them better Husbands, and to keep, use, and improve their Estates the better. It will be a means of increasing Family-Love, and promoting Obedience. Your Children that are in danger to become Rods, yea Scorpions to you, may by this means become a Staff in your Hand. It is said, That eminent Family in Rome, received the Name Scipio, from one of their Ancestors, who was Scipionis vice, as a Staff to his Parents. Such may yours be. The Regulation of Christian Families, will give a Set-off to Religion, and commend it even to a carnal World. When the Queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers also, and their apparel, and his ascent by which he went up into the House of the Lord: there was no more spirit in her, 1 Kings 10. 4, 5. In a word, by this means, may be raised up more accomplished Instruments in Church and State, and both dearly need such. You that are Children, and the governed Part of Families, harken to that Counsel, that out of mere good Will, is given you by one that wisheth your Welfare here, and hereafter. It has been observed by my intimate good Friend, who is now with God, How 
Mr. Joseph Whiston of Lewes, in Suffex.  the Privileges of the Infant Seed of Believers, has been asserted and pleaded for by himself, and some others, who had no Children. So here you have the good of Children, and Families, sought and endeavoured by one that hath neither Child nor Family. Do not hearken to the destroyer of Souls, and turn a deaf Ear to such as desire your Salvation. Read with fear and trembling, Prov. 1. 20. to the end, Prov. 5. 11, 12, 13, 14. with other the like Scriptures. Many bewail these neglects, and the sad consequences of them, on the Rack of Conscience on a Deathbed, and some in Chains, and at the Gibbet: Yea Hell, in all the Caverns of it, is filled with horrid Echoes of the doleful Yell of those, who, in vain, torment themselves with severest Reflections on their Youthful Miscarriages. If you will rant away your time and opportunities here, you also shall roar it out there to all Eternity. God's Prison will hold you, if nothing will restrain you short of it.  
Grinaeus rejoiced, when he saw any young Persons improving, and was wont 
Melch. Adam vit Thed.  to say, That more worshipped the rising than the setting Sun.  
O what great things may you do for God, your own Souls, and the succeeding Age: Others must quickly sleep with their Fathers. The Children of this Age, must be the Men and Women of the next: 'Tis in, and with you, that Religion must live or die. There is a Promise, Instead of the fathers, shall be the children, whom thou mayst make princes in all the earth. Psal. 45. 16.  
I have been bespeaking no less of you, than to endeavour, after a truly sanctified saving Knowledge: but if I must not prevail in that, yet let me desire you to get, at least, a notional Knowledge, and it may be, Grace may come afterward. And here I shall take leave to recover from Oblivion, a Passage that I do not know, is preserved by any public Print. I have heard of one, who being Servant in a Family of good Order, did, while there, submit to Family-Catechising, and thereby obtained a form, tho' only a form of Knowledge. After his removal thence, he fell into ill Company, and Courses, and at last committed some Fact, punishable with Death: Being apprehended, and committed to Prison, the Poor Creature at once saw Death and Hell before him, and began to bethink himself how, tho' he must lose his Life, he might save his Soul. His time was short, he was shut off from all Advantages abroad, and shut up with Company, more like to harden, than soften his Heart. In the Multitude of his hurrying Thoughts within him, he begun at last to reflect upon that good Family, he once lived in, and he seriously recollected the good Things he then obtained some Notion of, and it pleased God, that his Knowledge issued in Conversion. And when he came to die by the Hand of Justice, this was part of the good Advice he gave to those who were Spectators, That they would get Knowledge, tho' they did no more, for that the Truths, stored up in their Heads, might afterwards fall down on their Hearts. This, he said, was his case, or else he could not with such comfort, go thus out of the World.  
Let me in the close importunately beseech Magistrates, Ministers, the Masters, and Mistresses of Schools, all Heads and Members of Families, effectually to set upon promoting this, and other parts of Reformation, as they would escape those most fearful Judgements, which will else, as certainly befall one, and all of them, as there is a Righteous God in Heaven, and wicked Sinners on Earth. God will pour forth his fury upon the heathen that know him not, and on all the families that call not on his Name, Jer. 10. 25. It is said, of a people of no understanding, that he that made them, will have no mercy on them; and he that form them, will show them no favour, Isa. 27. 11. And let not the lucid interval of our present seeming deliverance, flatter any. The Prosperity of fools destroys them. The Sun shone on Sodom in the Morning, and yet God reigned Hell out of Heaven upon it,  Noon. God will not deliver us to do all our Abominations. Except we repent, we shall perish. It must be Repentance and Reformation, or Ruin and Destruction. In vain we flatter ourselves with Peace, if God be our Enemy, and proclaim War against us. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked, Isa. 57 21. But if we timely Repent and Reform, It may be we may be hid in (or from) the day of the Lords anger, Zeph. 2. 7. Saith the Lord, Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of Salvation, Isa. 33. 6. And, The Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her Assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night, for upon all the glory shall be a defence. As one great Step toward Reformation and Safety, God himself turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest he come, and smite the earth with a curse, Mal. 4. 6.  
Now may these Words be as Goads and as Nails: Goads to put us on to this duty; Nails to fix and fasten us therein, Eccles. 12. 11.  
If any, when they have read this, with the following Tract, shall think meanly of it, or carp at the Author, as one that hath taken upon him a mean Employment, thus to Write and Print a Book, chief to induce and direct Families, to make use of Books written by other Men; I only Answer, That so many able Pens have been already so variously employed in writing Explications on those Excellent Catechisms of the Assembly, that these would give a Supersedeas to my Writing, were I ever so well qualified for it. I may, in this case, allude to that, For what can the man do, that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. Eccles. 2. 12. Or as it is in the Marginal reading, In those things which have been already done. But, beside, some are fit to serve under others, than be Master Workmen. It may be enough for me, if I can follow the Reapers, and bind up what more able Labourers have laid ready to my Hand. I have what I aim at, if I can, by the Addition of this one little Wheel, give Motion to those greater Ones, that have been wrought by abler Hands.  
The God of Heaven himself bless this to every Family, and Person, to whom it shall come.  
Consider what I have said, and the Lord give you Understanding in all Things. Amen.   

AN EARNEST CALL TO Family-Catechising, AND REFORMATION, etc.  

CHAP. I. The Introduction. The general Method proposed.  
AMong the many deadly Symptoms of the Decays of Religion, and near Approach of Judgements, one of the greatest is the so visible Declensions of Piety, and Increases of Sin and Vanity not only in the open World, but in those that would be counted Christian Families It is a great Mercy to be built up in Families, and no small Honour to be the Head of one of those little Commonwealths; but withal, the present Trust, and future Account is great. Every Person in the Family, is a Soul committed to the Care of such as do, or should govern. The Church, in her First Infancy, for above Two thousand Years, was nursed in the Families of the Patriarches, and then God's whole Worship was usually there celebrated: and tho' afterward, God enlarged the Borders of his Church, and then appointed some Solemn parts of his Worship, to be more publicly Administered; yet it is manifest unto Reason, backed with undeniable Instances, That God never designed his People should turn all Religion out of their Doors. In general, they are in their Families, to offer-up the Sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, to read the Holy Scriptures, sing 
Eph. 6. 18. 2 Sam. 6. 20. Isaiah 59 21. Joh. 5. 39 Psalm 118. 15. Psalm 30. Title. Psalm 101.  Psalms, and instruct their Households in the Things of God, and walk before them in his Fear: And more particularly, they are to deal with respective Persons, under their Charge, by way of Examination, Instruction, Encouragement, Reproof, Correction, as the Matter requires; and if, after all, they remain Sons of Belial, will not be reform themselves, but endanger the corrupting of others; having duly sought God for them, and with all long-suffering, waited to see, if God peradventure will give them Repentance, they are at last to exclude them the Family, whether they be Children, or Servants, which is a little Excommunication: tho' upon their Repentance, and Reformation, they may be received again. But how sad is it, that in most of the Families that call themselves Christian, there is little, yea nothing of this Holy Order; but, on the contrary, precious time spent on Cards and Dice; their Discourses, not only vain and frothy, but stuffed with fulsome and abominable Oaths, and Execrations; a height of Vanity in their Attire, immoderate Expense in Furniture, monstrous Excess in Eating and Drinking, with a full pursuit of Ease and Pleasure, or Worldly Profit; and all this cloaked over, at the most, with an empty Form of Godliness, as vain as the rest: And if there be any one in the Family of a more serious Spirit and Deportment, and that cannot run with the rest to the same Excess of Riot, he or she is but the May-game of the other: As if, to be truly Religious were the only Vice, to be Vicious the only Virtue; as if it were meritorious to be Vile, and the only way to escape Censure, were to deserve it. What a happy Thing it were, if one could do any Thing toward the putting some stop to that mighty Torrent of Sin, and Wrath, that at once threaten us, now Deep calleth unto Deep, by an effectual promoting of Family-Reformation!  
But tho' I wish Families universally regulated, yet there is one special Duty I shall more particularly insist upon, namely, Family-Catechising, which is such a Duty, as being well managed, would influence us to many other.  
I shall briefly open the Nature of Catechising, and prove it to be a duty; direct Parents, and Governors of Families, as to the Performance of it; offer some Motives, for their so doing; give some Advice to the governed Part of Families; lay down some Inducements to them, to submit to those Directions; and in the Close, Answer those Objections, that either the governing, or governed Part of Families, may make against what I am proposing. Of each in a distinct Chapter.   

CHAP. II. What Catechising is. Public Catechising by the Minister, and private Catechising by the Heads and Governors of Families, proved a Duty by Scripture. A Catechism ought to contain a Form of sound Words. The Catechisms of the late Assembly recommended.  
CAtechising in general, is any Instruction by Word of Mouth; more particularly it is a plain and familiar instructing of Persons 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, sono, est viuâ voce instituere. To instruct by Word of Mouth.  in the Rudiments of any Doctrine: but yet most strictly of all it is taken for teaching the Principles of Christian Religion; and we have both the Word and Thing itself in Scripture. This Catechising is either public, and as such performed by a Minister of the Gospel. Saith the Apostle, let him that is Taught or Catechised, in the Word, communicate unto him that Teacheth or Catechiseth in all good things, Gal. 6. 6. where we read both of the Catechist or him that Catechiseth, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  and the Catechumen, or the Person Catechised. In another place the same Apostle mentions Instructors of Children, as the Greek Word in its 
1 Cor. 4. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  strictness signifies. And there were in the Primitive Church's Catechists, that is, Teachers, whose particular Work it was to Catechise, and they had their Catechumen, those that were instructed by them; and it might be to very good purpose, if we had such now.  
But to descend from Public to Private, or Family-Catechising, and Instruction, which we have both Scripture-Precept and Precedent for. We have, among other, these Scripture-Precepts and Commands for it: These words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy House, etc. Deut. 6. 6, 7, 8, 9 So in another place, But teach them thy sons, and thy sons sons, etc. Deut. 4. 9, 10. Saith the Psalmist, Ps. 78. 5, 6, 7. He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their Children, etc. Saith Solomon, train up, or Catechise, a Child in the 
Prov. 22. 6. in the Margin.  way he should go, etc. Add to the rest that of the Apostle, Fathers, provoke not your Children to Wrath, but bring them up in the Nurture & Admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6. 4 I will now pass from Scripture-Precepts to Scripture-Precedents and Examples, whereby this Duty of Family-Catechising is further confirmed. Solomon writ his book of Proverbs, To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion, Prov. 1. 1, 4. And he calls upon his own Son, thus, My Son, hear the instructions of a father, and forsake not the law of thy Mother, ver. 8. He saith afterwards, A wise son heareth his father's instruction, Prov. 13. 1. etc. Which implieth, that a wise Father will give instruction to his Son. He concludes that book of wise Say with the words of King Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him, Prov: 31. 1. etc. Which contains indeed most excellent Catechetical Instructions. Joshua resolved, that he and his house would serve the Lord, Jos. 24. 15. having likewise, no doubt, so instructed them, and intending to continue so doing. Who can doubt but Timothy had been thus Catechised by his good Mother 
2. Tim. 1. 5.  and Grandmother, whose faith he inherited? But a great and standing Instance, is that of Abraham the Father of the Faithful, and, no doubt, to be imitated by all his Spiritual Children. Now of him God himself testifieth: I know him that he will command his children, and his household after him; and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do Justice and Judgement, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him, Gen. 18. 19 Thus you see we have both Scripture-Precepts and Precedents for the Warrant of this Duty of Family-Catechising and Instruction: And what is there recorded, is for our admonition.  
Instruction ought indeed to be given occasionally, yea, and all occasions taken for it. But public and Family-Catechising cannot be methodically, and throughly managed, unless the chief heads of Christian Doctrine be first digested in a Form of Sound Words according to the Scriptures. Now besides many other excellent Catechisms ready provided to our hands, we have those of that Reverend Assembly, which I recommend to you as being a little, but withal great Body of Divinity: and likewise because divers holy and good Men have written very worthily thereon, whose books may assist your proceeding herein with more ease and profit both to yourselves and Families.   

CHAP. III. Directing Parents and Governors of Families, for the Catechising of their Families.  
I Now proceed to direct such as are Parents of Children, and Governors of Families, as to a method of procedure. Wherein I include those of the Female Sex, who have the greatest Advantage of Forming Children in their younger Years; and whose Business engageth them to be more constantly at home. If Queen Esther observe a private fast, her maidens shall fast also, Esther 4. 16. And no doubt, she engaged them in more ordinary, as well as these extraordinary Duties of Religion. Mother's should be Mothers in Israel. How the Royal Bathsheba did document her Solomon; and honest and religious Lois and Eunice did instruct their Timothy in Scripture-knowledge, I have already instanced. Good Monica's Soul underwent stronger Travail-Pangs for the new Birth of her Austin, than her Body did for his first 
Aug. Confession.  Birth. Can you bear the Thoughts of it, That those whom you have born from the Womb, that have hung on your Breast, and been dandled on your Knees, should be Firebrands in Hell to all Eternity; and not rather desire and endeavour they may be Heirs of Eternal Glory?  
Now to One and All of you, I say in this Case, as Jotham in another to the men of Shechem, Harken unto me, that God may hearken unto you, Judg. 9 7.  
1. I desire Parents of Children and Governors of Families to consider with themselves, what a great, necessary, and beneficial Duty, this of Catechising is. Humble yourselves in secret before the Lord, for your so great, and long neglects of it. Beg of God, Courage for, and Conduct and Success in it. Resolve, before the Lord, that you will break through all Temptations and Oppositions, and set upon this Duty, and study to do it to the best advantage.  
2. Having thus solemnly prepared yourselves for this Work: In the next place, prepare your Families: Acquaint them, you are convinced, it is your Duty, to be concerned for the Souls committed to you; and that you look upon Catechising, as a proper Means for their Instruction and confirmation in those great Truths, which they ought to believe, and Duties they ought to practise. Let them know, you expect their Compliance in a Matter wherein God may be so much glorified, and they benefited. Put them upon solemn Preparations for it; and if you have observed sinful Miscarriages in any, give them particular Admonitions. As Jacob said to his household and all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be ye clean; and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make there an altar unto God, etc. Gen. 35. 2, 3. So do you say unto your Family, when you are making your House a Bethel, a House of God.  
3. See that your Family get the Answers of the Assembly's Catechism by memory, so as to be able to repeat them perfectly, and distinctly, without Book; which when they have done, so far as is necessary for your beginning, than set apart some convenient time, at least once a Week; and, if any extraordinary Occasion necessarily diverts you at that Season, be sure you take some other. And when you actually engage in this Holy Exercise, let not the Family be scattered here and there; nor some engage in the Service of the World, or be idly chatting, while others are engaged in the Service of God: but summon the whole Family together, and let them solemnly present themselves, as before the Lord.  
4. As to the Actual Performance of the Duty itself, I would direct you to a Method so easy, that those of the meanest Capacities may comply with it. And (1.) Begin with Prayer to God for his Assistance and Blessing in this Work; for it is he must teach to profit, Isa. 48. 17. and none teacheth like him, Job 36. 22. Pray that God would make it a Means of Enlightening your Minds, Confirming and Establishing your Judgements, Convincing your Consciences, Moving your Affections, Engaging your Hearts, of Converting you to God, and Building you up in Faith and Holiness, and so of bringing you to eternal Happiness and Salvation. Having thus prayed to God, (2.) Apply yourselves to your Family, ask them some Questions in the Assembly's Catechism; to which let them return the Answers without Book, audibly, distinctly, and seriously. Two or Three Answers, I conceive, are as many as you can well insist on at one time. And since learning these, and repeating them only by rote, is of little Signification, I do further advise you, (3.) To ask them By-Questions for the Proving, and Improving their Understandings in those Truths; and for your own, and their Ease, in this Part of the Work, I do recommend to you Mr. lies Explanation of the Assembly's Catechism, or that written by Mr. Joseph Allein The former is more full, Mr. Lie writing his last of that nature, after the other; and having also a peculiar Talon for promoting this excellent Work. Toward the close of which Book, there is a most Useful Alphabetical Table, explaining the difficult Words and Terms throughout the Catechism: But the Latter some have chosen to use, as more familiar. In both these, you have Questions fitted to your Hand; so that you need only to read them distinctly and intelligibly, and the Matter is reduced to such a Method, (especially in Mr. lies) that the Learner may return his Answers with a single Yes, or No. (4.) When you have finished this Part of your Work, I would have you, if time will permit (else at some other time) read Mr. Thomas Vincent's Explicatory Catechism, so far as concerns the Answers you have been upon. (5.) When you have done Catechising, sing the whole, or some part of a Psalm, suited, so near as you can, to that subject you have been upon: And upon Acquaintance with the Psalms, it will hardly be possible for you to insist upon any Two or Three Answers, but you may find some Psalm very suitable thereto. This being devoutly performed, will yield unspeakable, both Delight and Profit. Then, (6.) Conclude all with Prayer to God, for a Blessing on his own Ordinance. And if the time you pitch upon, be the Evening, you may in that concluding Prayer, commit yourselves and Families to God, for that Night, and remember to join Praises with your Prayers. All this, I conceive, may be performed in one Hours time, or within it, unless reading Mr. Vincent's Explicatory Catechism, should cause you to exceed. To prevent which, you may, as you see Occasion, omit some part, or the whole of that, till some other Evening of the Week. (7.) You may also do well to signify, That if any of them have Doubts and Objections, they should, at convenient times, move them to you, which will put you upon further Study and Consideration; and so in teaching them, you will learn yourselves. If their Questions or Objections puzzle you, so that you cannot resolve them with due Satisfaction, apply yourselves to your Minister, which will put him upon studying the Case, and be a Mutual Advantage both to him and you. Yea, he will hereby, in some measure, know the Spiritual State, both of the Sheep and Lambs of his Flock. (8.) When you have throughly versed yourselves, and Families in the shorter, you may proceed to the Larger Catechism of the Assembly. And having first gone through the Catechisms, without the Proofs, you may then put your Family upon learning those, and particularly examine them, what Part of the Answer the Proof is brought to confirm, and what Part of the Proof confirms that Part of the Answer. This will not a little promote your knowledge of, and confirmation in the Truths of God. I have been more large on this Fourth Particular, because it is directive to the Actual Performance of this Duty. Beside the Books beforementioned, Mr. Doelittle's Scheme of the Assembly's Catechism, Printed in a single Sheet, is worth every Families having. (5.) Labour to be well grounded yourselves, and confirm those under your Charge, in the great Articles of Christian Faith; as the Being of God, the Oneness of his Essence; the Trinity of Persons, or Subsistences; the Lord Jesus Christ, his Person, his Natures, Divine and Humane; his Offices, Kingly, Priestly, Prophetic; his Sufferings, Resurrection, Ascension, Intercession, sitting at God's Right Hand; his future Judging the World, with all other his Glorious Performances; the absolute Necessity of Faith in him, and entire reliance on his Merits, as the only Matter of our Righteousness, for Justification; that true Justifying Faith works by Love, and without Works, Faith is Dead. The total Impotence of corrupt Nature, as to all Spiritual Operations, and the Absolute Necessity of the Energy of the Spirit of God; yet that it is our Duty to be conversant with the Means; That the Holy Scriptures are a sufficient Rule for Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Conversation. Let these, and the like Principles, be engraven on your Hearts, that you may be nourished up in the words of faith and of good Doctrine, whereunto you have attained, 1 Tim. 4. 6.  
6. Take great care, that God's Sabbaths be strictly observed, and industriously employed by yourselves and Families. As the Misimproving of this day is one great in let to all profaneness, so the Spiritual Improvement of it, will much advance all true Piety. The Sabbath should have its Double of Offerings. You will thrive in Spirituals all the Week, according to your Spiritual Industry that day. The Fourth Command is primarily directed to Parents and Governors of Families, who are responsible for themselves, and those under them.  
7. See to it, that as you profess yourselves a Christian Family, so you maintain Universal Holiness of Conversation. Let no duty be omitted, or Sin committed with thy connivance. Look strictly to it, that all relative Duty be duly discharged; in which much of your Religion consists, and on which the Credit of Religion and our own Comfort, very much depends. Make a compassionate, but faithful use of that Authority which God has committed to thee; and withal, see to it, that thou behave thyself wisely in a perfect way, and walk within thy house with a perfect heart, setting no wicked thing before thee, Psal. 101. 2, 3. Else thy Endeavours for the Good of others, are like to be both heartless, and fruitless.  
8. This one thing I would add, which I would have by no means forgotten, That you do not confine yourselves only to those of your own Family, but invite, and encourage any other Families (that have not, or cannot have those Advantages) to come in among you, which will be a great piece of Soul-charity. This I now mention, is not invading the Minister's Office or Work, any more than it is to admit the Members of some poor, prayerless Family to partake of your Family-Devotions. Yea, this being well regulated may be made greatly subservient to more public Catechising performed by the Minister, and I have experimentally found it so.  
9 Let me superadd this. If at any time you slip into Neglects of, or Remissness in your Family-Duties (and our deceitful Hearts, a subtle Devil, & an ensnaring world will be apt to give us too many Avocations) see that you carefully reassume your Duty again, and endeavour to recover your Zeal and Warmth therein. And in case there be any extraordinary cause, either from Omissions of Duty, or Commissions of Sin, solemnly humble yourselves as a family with fasting and prayer, Zech. 12. 12, 13, 14. To implore God's Pardon and Favour; and let this be followed with as solemn Reformation.  
Thus I have, according to the measure of my Ability, given you Directions for the profitable managing this great Duty of Family-Catechising, and Reformation. Now the Lord himself direct you, both to, and in the Performance hereof.   

CHAP. IU. Some Motives offered to Family-Governours, in behalf of Family-Catechising.  
IF it can be needful, to add Motives for the further enforcing that Advice I have given, I would offer such as these; which I shall, for brevity sake, deliver more promiscuously, and not stand to draw out under particular Heads. Catechising is a Duty, yea an advantageous Duty; and, being well managed, may meet with those, who reap little or no benefit by Sermons, or continued Discourses: For this is more suited to the Capacities of youth; it doth more necessitate their Attention, and put them upon the Exercise both of Memory, and Judgement. It is a proper Means of begetting, and increasing Knowledge, and that not only in regard of its familiar Condescension; but also, as in a little compass, it takes in the whole Body, and System of Divinity: and Divine knowledge is of all most excellent. It further tends to settle and confirm the Judgement in the great Truths to be believed, and Duties to be practised. Many let go Truth, because they never had fast hold of it. Catechising is a great means of Prevention of Apostasy; and had we retained more of the former, we had seen less of the latter. It may also be a happy means of preventing many, yea and great Sins, or speedy convincing the Conscience where Sin hath prevailed. How many from mere Ignorance of the Extent of God's Commands, have not only fallen into great Sins, but continued in them without repentance, to whom good Instruction might have been a Means of Prevention, or Recovery. This may be a Means of working and promoting Faith, and Holiness of Heart, and Conversation; yea all Good here and hereafter. By Catechising those under your charge, you may mend your own Head and Heart. Family-Catechising will be mainly subservient to that great Duty of Public Catechising: And who knows, but that between the one and the other, the Enemy, Sin, may be be-set before and behind, and fall in battle. These two may be like the former and latter rain promoting all Spiritual fruitfulness. Sure, if as children are solemnly dedicated to God in Baptism; so parents did conscientiously endeavour to bring them up for God, and care were further taken by public Catechising and Instructions to fit them for, and transmit them to a complete state of Church-Communion: Churches would (by the blessing of God) be more plentifully stocked from Christian Families, beside the children of the Stranger that might be joined to the Lord.  
By working on the Young Ones of the present Age, an Earnest may be laid for the good of succeeding Generations: Yea a Seed of your own may be raised up to praise the Lord, and bear up his Name in the World. Thus may your own Gardens flourish, the tender grapes appear, and your Pomgranats bud forth, Song 7. 12. Your Sons (thus manured) may be as plants growing up in their youth, and your daughters (thus squared) may be as corner-stones polished after the Similitude of a palace, Psal. 144. 12. And you may, at the last day, give up your account with joy; and say, Here am I, Lord, and the children that thou hast given me, and then shall you and they be for ever together with the Lord: be pillars in the heavenly Temple, and never be removed thence. Thus have I finished what I intent for the Governing part of Families: I shall now address myself to the Governed.   

CHAP. V Advice to the Governed part of Families.  
THE former part more-especially relates unto Parents of Children, and Governors of Families. It may, I conceive, be needful to subjoin some particular Advice to Children and Servants; or any other, who may be the governed part of Families. For if Means of Reformation be used by Family-Governours; yet if it have not a due influence upon the Family under their Charge, it doth not reach its End, but is like Water spilt upon the Ground. And I am the rather induced to apply myself particularly unto you, because the Governed is usually the most numerous part of the Family: And tho' you are at present, in regard of some external Circumstances, the inferior part of it; yet you have as precious Souls as your Parent, and Governors. God is equally concerned for you, and has commanded Ministers to feed his Lambs, as well as Sheep, Joh. 21. 15, 16, 17. And we do profess ourselves the Servants of all; yea, and yourselves have as much reason to be concerned for your own Souls, as your Parents and Governors have for theirs. In this sense, our Salvation is common Salvation, Judas, v. 3. and there is no distinction of bond or free, Gal. 3. 28. Yea, if God lengthen out your Days, (and Obedience is the way to long Life,) you that are now Children and Servants, may become Parents of Children, and have Servants under you, being built up in Families of your own. Now the better you are at present in your private Station, the better you may be when advanced to a more public Capacity: For to Obey well, is the way to Govern well. So that setting of you right for the present, may be a Means of regulating your Families for the future; and those who shall receive holy Instructions from you, may afterward convey the same to their Families: And who knows, but as there shall ever be a holy Seed, raised up to praise and serve the Lord; so there may be a Succession of Religion in those that descend from you, till the coming of Christ to Judgement. It is observable, That though God calls home to himself some who were far off; and he will yet more eminently do so, when all the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him, Psal. 22. 27. Yet, Religion hath been much propagated through the Loins of the Faithful. And it hath been observed, That when Grace gets into a Family, ordinarily it doth not soon take its leave of it: But though there may be some sad Interruptions, yet it appears many times again in grandchildren, or Great-grand-childrens; and if not in the direct Line, yet Collaterally; as the Rivers of Water run through the Valleys, though not in a direct Course, but with many Wind and Turn, and various Branching; so that we are many times ready to be at a loss in following them. Of this the Scripture doth, and our own Observation may, furnish us with Instances.  
Now may I not begin my Address to you, as St. Austin one of his Sermons, 
Ad vos, Juvenes, mibi sermo; flos aetatis periculum mentis. Aug. de Temp.  O, Young Ones, my Speech is to you who are in the flower of your Age, but peril and danger of Mind. Or with very little Variation, as St. John, that bosom Disciple of our Lord, I have written unto you, fathers, that you may know him that is from the beginning. I now write unto you, little children, that you may know the father. I writ unto you, young men, that you may be strong, and overcome the wicked one, and that the word of God may abide in you, 1 Joh. 2. 12, 13, 14. Therefore, Come ye children, harken unto me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord, Psal. 34. 11. I shall give you the sum of my Advice, in the following Particulars.  
(1.) Consider seriously, what kind of Creatures God hath made you, and learn to set a due value upon your own beings. The very Frame of thy Body, which is wonderfully and fearfully made, and curiously wrought, Psal. 139. 14, 15. speaks something extraordinary. But then thy Soul is Heavenborn, a Spiritual and Immortal Being, capable of the Knowledge and Enjoyment of God himself; and by what Bonds and Ties this Material Body and Immaterial Soul are united and linked together, thou dost not know. So that thine own Being is above thy Conception. St. Austin 
Aug. Confess.  wonders that Men admire other things, and leave themselves unadmired. Consider, thou art not a lifeless Rock or Stone, a senseless Plant or Tree, an irrational brute Beast; but a Creature endowed with a rational and immortal Soul, capable of knowing and enjoying God here and hereafter: Yea, thy mortal Body shall, at the last day, be raised to an Immortal State. Remember, thou art a Creature made for Eternity.  
(2.) Seriously lay to heart your State of Sin and Misery: How you are tainted with Adam's first Transgression. The Scriptures of Truth acquaint us, That in him all sinned, and therefore death came upon all men, Rom. 5. 12. And in Adam all died. 1 Cor. 15. 22. Consider further how your whole Nature, Soul and Body, every Faculty of the one, and Member of the other is vitiated, and defiled with the Leprosy of Sin. Thou hast within, and upon thee a complete Body of Sin and Death, 
Rom. 7. 24.  with all its Members. Even the youngest Children have old Adam in them. Infants themselves are not innocent. Thou hast that Corruption within thee, which is sufficient to betray thee to the greatest Sins, and expose thee to the greatest Sufferings. Yea, thou art guilty of manifold actual Sins of Omission, and Commission, and these clothed with various Aggravations. O! Consider how thy excellent Being is debased by Sin, and how thou hast plunged thyself into unspeakable, yea unconceivable Misery.  
(3) See that thou be regenerate and born again, without which, thou shalt never enter into the Kingdom of God. Thou art by Nature a child of Wrath, and Heir of Hell. Thy Nature must be changed by renewing 
Joh. 3. 3. 5.  Grace, before thou canst be a Child of God, and Heir of Heaven. And this know, and remember, that the New Birth is of the whole Man, as the Natural is, if it be a living Birth. Remember your solemn Dedication to God in Baptism obligeth you to secure your Regeneration, improve it therefore accordingly. If taken out of the World by Death, before thou art taken out of the World by Grace; it had been good for thee thou hadst never been born; for thou art undone to Eternity. Woe to thee, if thou diest before thou art alive to God: for on such the second Death shall have Dominion, and they shall be killed with Death.  
(4.) Have, and maintain an inward Value and Esteem of your Parents, Masters, and Governors: Yea, tho' they be not so great, or rich, or wise, or obliging, as some others. Esteem them as those set over you in the Lord, and as obeying the Lord in so doing. I have heard of a Wife who said she could be Obedient to her Husband, but he was such a one as did not deserve it. It was replied, But the Command of God is worthy to be obeyed, and show your Obedience unto that. So in this Case, The Yoke will gall if it be not lined with Love: but Love will cover a multitude of Faults. Beside the Sin of Undutifulness, we profit little by those whom we do not much affect.  
(5.) Study the Duties of your particular Places, 
1 Thes 4. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  and Relations, and conscientiously practise them. Many study other Duties, and neglect their own. They spy a Mote in another's eye, and cannot see a beam in their own. Do you especially study and perform your own Duties. Let your words, looks, gestures, actions, be such towards Parents and Superiors as they ought to be. Let their Cautions restrain you from all Vanities, their Counsels set you upon the Practice of what is Duty. Yea, though Parents and Masters do not perform their Duty to thee, yet thou must perform thine both to God, and them. You must be subject with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward, 1 Pet. 2. 18. their Sin can be no Dispensation or Absolution to thee.  
6. In every Employment aim principally at the Glory of God. If thou learnest, learn for God: if thou workest, work for God. In the choice of a Calling, be for that in which thou mayest most Glorify God. Yea, let thy very Recreations be such and so timed, as may subserve this great end. If thou unbendest the Bow, and oylest the Wheels, let it be, to fit for Service.  
7. Let thy whole self be found in all those religious Duties which God requires. You are to read, meditate, and pray in Secret. Saith our Saviour, Thou when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy father which is in secret, Mat. 6. 6. Now remember to bow thy Heart, as well as Knees. Who is this that engageth his heart to approach unto me, saith the Lord? Jer. 30. 21. Offer not the Sacrifice of fools without an Heart. God will not accept of an heartless Sacrifice, He is a Spirit, and will be worshipped in Spirit, as well as in truth, Joh. 4. 24. And for Family-Worship, while the Word of God is reading, or Prayer made, let not thine Ear be listening, or Eye wand'ring after other things, nor thy Heart be with the fools in the farthest parts of the Earth. Let not the Lord be nigh in thy Mouth, and far from thy Reins, but set and keep thy heart to the duty. When Psalms are singing, make not thyself a Mute, since God hath not made thee so. Let not a dumb Devil possess thee, but tune thy Heart and thy Voice unto God's praises. So when present at God's Public Worship, let not thy better part be absent.  
8. Submit willingly and conscientiously to Family-Catechising and Instruction. When Parents and Governors of Families have overcome their own inward Discouragments, let them not meet with new Conflicts and Discouragements from thee. Be ready to learn, submit to Examination, study the Sense and Meaning of what you learn, ask questions, for your farther Instruction, of these Elders, or more expert than yourselves: Inquire of your Parents or Governors, or Ministers, or any other able to instruct you. It is observed, That those who are much in moving pertinent Questions, make the best Scholars.  
9 Carefully avoid all Sin, and especially watch against those Sins that you may be most in danger of. Saith the Apostle, Flee youthful lusts, 2 Tim. 2. 22. Among these let me caution you, 1. Against Lying. Dare not to use it, either to cover a Fault, or gain a seeming Advantage. The Liar is not true to himself: his Heart and his Tongue are distorted one from the other. He deceives his Neighbour, directly opposeth the glorious Attribute of God's Truth, makes a deep Wound upon his own Conscience, and, without repentance, will meet with his Reward in Hell. 2. Dread Swearing, Cursing, taking the Name of God in vain, and all evil speaking: Remember your Tongues are not your own, but God is Lord over you and them. Let that Scripture be engraven on your Heart, But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of Judgement: for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned, Mat. 12. 36, 37. 3. Avoid all Pride in Heart, Life and Attire. Be clothed with Humility. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble, 1 Pet. 5. 5. 4. Eat idleness How canst thou have nothing to do, who hast a God to serve, and a Soul to save? When idle, thou temptest the very Tempter; and if thou findest nothing to do, he will find Employment for thee. 5. Keep thyself free from Injustice and Defrauding. It is a great sin; will make a great clamour, when Conscience is awakened; and to make restitution, though a necessary, is a very hard Duty; and therefore avoid the occasion. The unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6. 9 Let no sin of this nature seem little to thee. St. Austin was brought to Confession, for robbing his neighbour's Pear-Tree; 
Aug. Confession.  Which sin he greatly aggravates, as also his Cozenage in youthful Sports and Recreations. Take heed thou indulgest not thyself in those Tricks of Youth, which will afterward prove Sins of Youth, either here in the Day of Conscience; or hereafter, at the Bar of God. 6. Take heed of the Sin of wantonness, even to a lascivious Look; yea, Thought; and be not by Speech, Garb, or Gesture, an Occasion of Temptation to any. We must not only avoid the Snare ourselves, but be careful we do not spread Nets for others. 7. Be careful thou dost not drown thy soul in a Life of Pleasure, Voluptuousness and Excess. Be not of those who are Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. 2. Tim. 3. 4. 8. Take heed of Worldliness. It is a sin prodigious in Youth, increaseth with Age, and will at last drown the Soul in perdition, 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. 9 Beware of a Spirit of Obstinacy, and Incorrigibleness. This remember; If thy Spirit get above the reach of Parents, and Superiors; yet thou art not out of God's reach, who will take the work into his own hand, and will certainly meet with thee to thy greater trouble here, or eternal sorrow hereafter. In many places of the World, at this very day, God is fattening the ground with the Blood and Carcases of children of Disobedience. The Lord has said, That the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands; but the man that shall touch them must be fenced with Iron, and the staff of a spear, and they shall be utterly burnt with Fire in the same place, 2. Sam. 23. 6, 7. 10. As you would avoid all other Sins, avoid evil Company. He that walketh with the wise, shall be more wise; but a companion of fools, shall be destroyed, Prov. 13. 20.  
10. Finally from an inward Principle of Religious Fear of God, practise universally, as becometh such an one as is a Christian indeed. Let Religion run thro' your whole Conversation. Be that in your Bed, in your Closet, in the Family; in the World, that your Holy Profession obligeth you to be. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Col. 3. 17. Walk always, as under the Eye of God, and with serious Thoughtfulness of Death, Judgement, and Eternity.  
Thus I have finished my Advice to you who are the Governed Part of Families.   

CHAP. VI Some Motives to the Governed Part of Families, to submit to the Directions prescribed.  
I Will subjoin a few Motives to induce the governed Part of Families to receive, and practise the Instructions I have given you, and particularly as to submitting to Family-Catechising and Instruction.  
(1.) Consider how ignorant and destitute you are by Nature of all true spiritual Good; how prone and inclined unto all Evil: Vain man would be wise, but he is born like the wild Ass Colt. Job 11. 12. Now the Ass is a dull blockish Creature the wild Ass an untractable Creature; and such is Man by Nature.  
(2.) Consider it will be your great Honour and true Comfort, to hearken to Good Counsel and receive good Instructions, and that betimes: saith the Lord, Since thou hast been precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, Isa. 43. 4. This made Jabez more honourable than his brethren, 1 Chron. 4. 9, 10. Wisdoms ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace, Prov. 3. 17. All that ever walked in them, have found them so. They are Enemies and Strangers to them that suggest the contrary.  
(3.) Consider how much Evil both of Sin and Punishment, thou mayest prevent, by a speedy attending to wholesome Counsel and Instruction. Look upon thy whole Life, as a time of Temptation; yea, and the further thou engagest in the World, the more thou shalt find the Temptations of it. Even Infancy hath its Temptations, but Childhood more than Infancy; Youth more than Childhood. There are such filthy Lusts of the Flesh, as make even a Child of God cry out, O wretched man that I am! Rom. 7. 24. And such would be glad of Deliverance, even by Death. Yea, it is a great Testimony of the truth of Grace, when we can desirously submit to Death, which even pure Nature is averse unto, rather than be infested with Temptations unto those Sins which corrupt Nature is most pleased with. And it is a further Testimony of the Grace of God in us, when yet we sit patiented and submissive, though uneasy, under this greatest of Burdens, till God shall, in his own time and way, give us a fair discharge from our service. But if these Temptations should prevail, and you should be induced to make provision for the flesh, to satisfy the lusts thereof, Rom. 13. 14. what Wounds do you give to your own Souls? Great also are our Temptations, when we come to Man's Estate; for then ordinarily we engage more deeply in the World, a most dangerous Enemy. It was smartly, and as truly said by one, The Devil of Business hurries more Souls to Hell, than all the Devils in Hell besides. At this age it is, that Persons usually enter on the Conjugal Relation, which so much influenceth the residue of our Lives; yea, and Posterity after us: And if you should arrive at Old Age, which few do; yet that, of all, is most unteachcable. As to Evil of Punishment, it is consequent to that of Sin: Yea, God sometimes, even where he forgives the Sin, and exempts from Hell, yet will not remit or abate the rigour of Chastisement here. Saith the Psalmist, Thou answered'st them, O God Thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance upon their inventions, Psal. 99 8. God may visit our transgressions with the rod, and our iniquities with stripes, though he do not utterly take his lovingkindness away, Psal. 89. 32, 33. At least, Sin will cost us a dear-bought Repentance. Now, how much of this Evil of Sin and Suffering may be happily prevented, by early attending to good Counsel and Instruction?  
(4.) Consider the Shortness, and withal, Uncertainty of Time; and the vast Extent (if I may so speak) and Concernment of Eternity. Thy Time will soon be at an end, how soon thou knowest not, and thou must take that amazing step into an Eternity which has no end.  
(5.) Consider, None ever complained they were brought to Acquaintance with God too early, but many have repent it was so late. Said Austin, I have loved thee late, 
Sero te amavi, veritas, tam antiqua & tam nova. Ang.  O thou Truth! so Ancient, and yet so New. By which, I suppose, he meant, so Ancient in itself, as being Eternal; and yet so New, that is, newly discovered unto him. Who was ever brought so early to God, but he wished it were yet earlier, if earlier it could be. I am sure, in this, of the concurrent Testimony of all the Saints that are, or have been, or ever will be upon Earth: though, in this case, late is better than never; yet early is better than late.  
(6.) Consider, As the Lord will be very gracious and indulgent toward you, if you hear Instructions that you may live; so he will be equally severe, if you reject his Counsel, and choose Death. God was highly pleased with his Sacrifice of Lambs, and his Offerings of First-fruits: When the Ears were yet green, his Soul desires the first ripe Fruits. When any do early attend the Calls of God, He remembers the kindness of their youth, the love of their espousals, Jer. 2. 2. The Shepherd of Israel, even the great Shepherd of the sheep, gathers his lambs in his arms, and lays them in his bosom, Isa. 40. 11. But if you cast his fear behind your backs, and walk contrary unto him, he will walk contrary unto you, Leu. 26. 23, 24. The Lamb of God is likewise the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and will rend and tear, and none shall deliver out of his Hand, Psal. 50. 22. He hath his Iron Rod, as well as his Golden Sceptre; therefore, Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, Psal. 2. 12.  
Thus I have been suggesting Motives, the Lord himself move you by them.   

CHAP. VII. Objections Answered. The Conclusion.  
I Shall now apply myself to Answer those Objections, that either the Governors or Governed in Families, or both of them, may be apt to raise against the necessary and important Duty I have been urging. Yet thus much I must first premise in general, That there can, in this case, no Objections be made, but such as savour very strongly of Weakness, Sloth, Earthliness, Impiety and Obstinacy. But such as they are, I shall give them a Hearing, and endeavour to Answer them, that this Iniquity may for ever stop its mouth.  
Object. 1.  
Some weak Persons may object against Catechising, as a Dead, Flat, Formal Thing, not suiting the Spirituality of the Gospel.  
I Answer, (1.) Solemn Catechising, or Instructing Persons in the chief Heads of Christian Doctrine, is a Duty of that nature as necessarily requires a methodical Collection of those fundamental Truths that lie scattered throughout the Scriptures. The Apostle mentions a Form of Doctrine delivered, Rom. 6. 17. And we are presented with some of the fundamental Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, Heb. 6. 1. under certain Heads, methodically and regularly disposed. And Timothy is commanded, to hold fast the form of sound words, which he had received of Paul, in faith and love that is in Christ Jesus, 2 Tim. 1. 13.  
(2.) Whether, or how far Forms of Prayer are lawful, is nothing to my present purpose to inquire: But this let me say, There is a manifest difference between Forms of Prayer, and those imposed; and Forms for Catechising, either composed or chosen, as adapted and fitted to that Occasion which necessarily requires such a Form.  
(3.) I plead, as much as you, against Formality in this, or any other Christian Duty: yea, I exhort you to be Spiritual herein. We may be in danger of Formality, without the Use of Forms; and we may, in some cases, make use of Forms, and yet not be formal.  
(4.) Many Christians that have experienced high Communion with God, have been very Spiritual in these Exercises, and found their Spirituality promoted thereby.  
(5.) The great decay of Spirituality, has been more evident in the Christian World, since the neglect of Catechising, than it was when this Ordinance has been more frequented. For the evincing of this, I desire you to compare the good old Puritan days with ours.  
Object. 2.  
May some say, We scruple at this way of teaching, by Question and Answer: Where have we any Precept or Precedent for this, in the Word of God?  
I Answer, (1.) God, in his Word, commanding the Catechising and Instruction of Youth, we must perform it in that method that may best conduce to the attaining the End.  
(2.) The Method of Question and Answer is a natural way of familiar, instructive Discourse; and the very Light of Nature has directed the Heathen themselves to the Use of it as Plato, and Others.  
(3.) We have plentiful Scripture-Instances of God's discoursing with Men, and Men one with another by way of Question and Answer, in order to Information and Instruction. The book of Job furnisheth us with abundant examples, beside many other in the New, as well as Old Testament: even our Lord Christ taught both Privately and Publicly, by way of Question and Answer.  
(4.) Though I recommend this as a most proper, yet I do not assert it the only Method for Familiar-Instruction, and my Reader has his liberty to use any other which he finds really conducing to this great End, as well as this.  
Object. 3.  
Some Parent or Governor of a Family may object, You put us upon a Task extreme difficult, and next to impossible: We are not Ministers, nor can we Catechise.  
I answer, (1.) I have proved it to be your Duty; and therefore you must not plead Difficulty. You are not to stand and dispute, but go and obey.  
(2.) Being Duty, if it were a thousand times more difficult than it is, God can, and, if the fault be not thy own, he will enable thee to perform it so, as shall be acceptable to him, and profitable to thyself and others. Therefore Pray the more, but Practice never the less.  
(3.) According to the Method I have proposed, the thing is not only possible, but may very easily be done. I advise you to begin and end with Prayer: and I hope you are come so far already, as to pray in your Families; Else you and they are under that fearful imprecatione, Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name, Jer. 10. 25. For the Questions and Answers, you have them in the Assembly's Catechism; Mr. Allein's, or Mr. lies Book is sufficient for the further Questionary part; and Mr. Vincent's, for the further Exposition. One that can but read, may do all this. And then canst thou not read a Psalm, fitted to be Sung, and some one in the Family set a tune to it? Set but thy heart toward the Work, and it will be easily done: be Spiritual in it, and it will be well done. But alas many Families plead themselves off from the Duty of Singing Psalms, because there is not one among them can set a Psalm-Tune, and but few that can follow it. To this I will only say, Can you not hear your neighbour's children or servants sing Ballads? Yea, do not some in your own Families (I speak it to your shame) Sing vain and idle Songs? why cannot you as well learn Psalm-Tunes, and Sing the Songs of Zion? Sure either you can sing, or may learn. You have accomplished as difficult Tasks in other kinds. Charge this on yourselves as a Duty, and see what may be done. Look upon this as the highest Use and Employment your Tongues are given you for.  
Object. 4.  
Some may object, Alas, we would be willing, yea, glad to be Catechised, but we are sure the Heads of the Family that we are in will never be brought to perform this Duty, and so we are excused.  
I answer, (1.) The Governors of your Family ought to do it. Our Lord Christ has left no particular exception for them, and they must answer it to him if they do not perform it.  
(2.) Judge not uncharitably, before you have made trial. Dare you bear False-witness against, yea and judge your Superior without hearing? Use all Endeavours to persuade him. Let the Wife of his Bosom, the Children of his Body, beg at him to take pity on his own, and their Souls. Let Friends, Sojourners and Servants, in all becoming ways, try to move him. One of our Lords Disciples came to him to teach them to pray as John taught his disciples, and our Lord immediately taught them. Luke 11. 1. So if you, with humility, say, Sir, other Masters instruct their Families, we beg you would likewise instruct us: it may be hoped he will do it. Nay may it not be said, as was to Moses concerning Aaron, Behold he cometh forth to meet thee, and when he seethe thee, he will be glad in his heart, Exod. 4. 14.  
(3) If the Master of the Family will by no means be prevailed with, (which I am hardly willing to suppose,) yet obtain, at least, that another may do it for him. As the Wife, who is to be a help meet for him; or some Servant, or some one of the elder Children, The Jabez of the family that is more honourable than his brethren, 1 Chron. 4. 9, 10. Or call in the help of some charitable neighbour.  
(4) If you can by no means enjoy this beneficial Ordinance in your own Family, put in and join with some other. Beg this Bread abroad, rather than Starve at home.  
Object. 5.  
Some may object, We are a busy hurrying Family, and cannot spare time for it.  
I answer, (1.) Your time is God's, and you ought not to rob him of his due.  
(2.) This great business, according to the Method I have proposed, will take up very little time: it may be one hour in a week, which is but one hour of One Hundred Sixty Eight.  
(3.) This will be no Loss, but Gain of Time. God's Blessing will more than make it up. This Whetstone will be no Lett.  
(4.) For Shame, count not that Loss of Time, which may be Gain for Eternity. Did ever any on a Deathbed, and when entering on Eternity, call that lost Time which they spent in the Service of God and their Souls? Many then have called that time they have spent on the World so.  
(5.) Is not as much time actually misspent by the Master of the Family at the Coffeehouse, and otherwise, and by the Family at home, as aught and might be employed in performing this, and other Family-Duties; Yea, of all the most seasonable time for these things, the Evening. Do you thus squander time away, and yet object the want of it?  
Object. 6.  
Some Governor (or that should be Governor) of a Family, may say, Do you put me upon Catechising? Alas, my Family will never bear it, nor endure me, if I should attempt it. My Children are children of Belial. My Servants as ungovernable and untractable, as the boisterous Leviathan, of whom it is said, in Job 41. 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, etc. Canst thou draw out Leviathan with an hook, or his tongue with a cord, which thou lettest down? canst thou put an hook into his nose, or bore his jaw through with a thorn? will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee? will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a Servant for ever? None is so fierce that dare stir him up.  
I Answer, (1.) If this be truly the State of any Family; Good God to what a pass has the neglect of Family-Government brought us? Let the Perverseness of thy Family cause thee to reflect on thine own sinful Neglects. Thou shouldest have buckled sooner to this Business thyself, and have bend these Twigs when greener. Be humbled for thy great Failings and Neglects in this Particular, and be sensible, that the State of thy Family speaks the greater need of what I have been urging.  
(2.) Make a prudent and compassionate, but withal effectual use of your Authority; yea, if need be, call in the Minister's help. These obstinate Persons must at least be roundly talked with. And it may be after all, thou may'st find the Event better than thou imaginest. Yea, this Ordinance will be a means of engaging your Affections one to another. I speak it from some measure of Experience.  
(3). Begin with those few you can engage, and it may be others may afterward comply; if from no better Principle, yet for very Shame.  
(4.) If any remain obstinate, after all compassionate Endeavours and Forbearance, remove them, and get better in their room. Say, as David, Depart from me, ye evil-doers, for I will keep the commandments of my God, Psal. 119. 115. A froward heart shall departed from me; I will not know a wicked Person. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me, Psal. 101. 4, 6. Resolve, as good Joshua, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  
Object. 7.  
Some, peradventure, may object, We have not observed Catechising to do any good; and therefore it is as well there be none at all, as to no purpose.  
I Answer, (1.) I have already proved Catechising an Ordinance of God, and have mentioned some of the many Benefits of it; and now I caution thee to take heed, that thou art not found guilty of bearing false-witness against so necessary and beneficial an Ordinance. Thou art not to bear false-witness against thy Neighbour, Exod. 20. 16. much less against thy GOD.  
(2.) If the Abuse of Ordinances by some, yea, the generality, were a good Plea against the lawful Use of them, we might, for the same reason, cast off all the Ordinances of the Gospel, as the Word, in the private reading and public ministry of it; Prayer, Sacraments, etc. Nay, if we may use nothing that others abuse, we must abandon Meat, Drink, Clothing; yea, and Life itself: For too many make an ill Use of all these.  
(3.) It may be, where thou observest so little fruit, there has been some great fault in the Performance of this Duty. It has not been set upon so solemnly and seriously, so understandingly and judiciously. It may be, it hath not been preceded with Preparation, accompanied with Prayer, nor followed with future Watchfulness. Can we expect God should regard our Duties, when we ourselves do not duly regard them?  
(4.) Thou art not, thou canst not be certain, that no good has been done hereby. There may be good, yea, much and great Good done by this Ordinance, tho' it come not under thy Cognizance. Some one or other may have been brought hereby to know God, to bow the Knee in secret to him, and lay hold of his Covenant. These things may be, though thou hast no particular knowledge of them: yea, if this Ordinance has but promoted one good Thought among all those that have been under it, this alone were enough to confute this Objection.  
(5.) The Time employed in Catechising, might have been worse spent, and more Sin then, and at other times committed against God. Now it is a great thing to prevent, though it were but one Sin, one Act of Dishonour against the Great God; and it cannot reasonably be thought, but that Catechising hath prevented many.  
(6.) Duty is Duty, and must be done; and whatever effect it has upon others, yet the Performance of it will tend to our Comfort and profit, both here and hereafter. If we have, with the Disciples, been fishing long, and caught nothing, Luke 5. 5, 6. yet at the Command of our Lord, we must continue to let down the Net, and may, at last, have a plentiful draught. But however, if God commands, we must water, tho' it be a dry Stick, all our days: And as he comforted himself, though Israel be not gathered, yet shall we be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and our reward shall be with him, Isa. 46. 4, 5.  
(7.) It is certain, much good has been done by Catechising: Many Ministers and People, Parents and Children, Masters and Servants, have set their Seal to it: And I wish, That as any receive Benefit by this Ordinance, they would give their Testimony, for the further Confutation of this Objection.  
(8.) If any have abused this, (as what Ordinance is there that some have not abused?) their Judgement will be the greater, but the Duty is no whit the less: Yea, let me add, Thy Judgement and Condemnation will be the greater, if after this Admonition, thou either neglectest or triflest with this Ordinance.  
Object. 8.  
Some, peradventure, may yet object, Here is more ado about this Matter, than need: Many have gone to Heaven, who never set up Catechising in their Families, nor were Catechised there.  
I Answer, (1.) If thou only carest to obtain Heaven, but not to obey God, thou art never like to come there. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Author of eternal salvation to them that obey him, Heb. 5. 9  
(2.) Many that have committed great Sins, as well as omitted great Duties, have at last, tho' with great Difficulty, got to Heaven; but this should no more encourage us to omit the one, than commit the other; and we may pay dear for either.  
(3.) The whole Christian World, at this day, groans under the sad Consequences of the past, and present Neglects of this Duty. What a Flood of Atheism, Irreligion, Unbelief, Hypocrisy, Formality, Error, Heresy, Schism, Profaneness, and Debaucheries of all kinds, has broken in at this Gap, The Neglect of Family Government, and Instruction? This has made that part of the Christian World that calls itself Reform; a kind of Hell. Tho' God has yet reserved to himself a little Remnant.  
(4.) Family-Reformation and Order is one of the special Works and Duties of this Day, and God will least bear with the Neglects of that. It is hoped that those Times are even at the Door, when according as the Lord hath both promised, and sworn, the whole Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea. Numb. 14. 21. Isai. 11. 9 when not only the House of Jacob, but all the Families of the Nations shall be brought to know and acknowledge the Lord. And surely if Family-Reformation were more promoted, it would have a Tendency toward; yea, look like the beginning of that great Work. Now we should be like those Men of Issachar, who were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 1 Chron. 12. 32.  
(5.) God now expects this from you, more especially, who has done more for you than for others. You have been (like Gideon's Fleece) wet with the Dew of Heaven, when all the Ground about you has been dry. You have been in a lightsome Goshen, others in Egyptian Darkness; Darkness that may be felt. You have been watered like Mount Zion, others have been like the barren Mountains of Gilboa, upon whom no Rain nor Dew descends; and therefore can yield no Fields of Offerings. Yea, you have the Servants of God to direct, assist, and encourage you, not only in the Temple-Work of Public Worship, but also in making your Private Dwelling-Places Habitations for the God of Jacob. Therefore hush all Objections, and Disputes; up and be Doing, and the Lord will be with you.  
Thus I have, as a Spiritual Shepherd, been feeding both the Sheep and Lambs of the Flock. I have urged upon Parents and Governors of Families their Duty, both with respect to themselves, and the Souls under their Charge. I have also admonished Children, Servants, and the Governed Part of Families, what they ought to do: I have suggested Motives unto each, and endeavoured to remove the Objections of all. If any resolve yet to remain obstinate and ungovernable, God himself will, sooner or later, speak to them at another rate than I can do. The Lord hath said, of him who cometh to inquire of his Prophets, but setteth up his Idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, that he will answer him by himself, Ezek. 14. 7. And to the froward, he will show himself froward, Psal. 18. 26. But if you will, on all hands, perform your Duty, as you have been directed, God will be glorified, your Ministers will be comforted over you, and Yourselves may reap the benefit of it, here and hereafter.  
I shall, finally, leave with you two places of Scripture, and conclude.  
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.— Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, Deut. 4. 39, 40.  
And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, yet shall know that there hath been a Prophet among them, Ezek. 2. 5.   
FINIS.