The Bell Rung to Prayers.  
An Earnest PERSUASIVE TO THE Daily Worship of GOD IN Every FAMILY. Calling upon all Houses to be Houses of PRAYER.  
By BEN. JENKS, Rector of Harley, and Chaplain to the Right Honourable the Earl of Bradford.  Pour out thy Fury— upon the Families that Call not on thy Name, Jer. 10.25. 
LONDON: Printed for Will. Rogers at the Sun against St. Dunstan's Church: And Benj. took at the Middle-Temple-Gate in Fleetstreet. 1699.   

TO THE READER.  
I Thought I had done with the Press, and was concluding, that I should Trouble it no more. But I find yet another Cause to Plead, further than my Voice can be Herd. And in the Defence of that Cause, I send this Sound into the World, and would have these Papers to Speak, as well as they can, even when I am Dead.  
Besides the too Common Neglect of God's Worship, in so many Families, Observed and Bewailed by all, whose Eyes he has Opened, which might give sufficient Occasion for the present Exhortation: A very Pious Lady, for whose Excellent Person, and Exemplary Family, I have a just Esteem and high Regard, was pleased to desire this of me, That in the next Edition of my Prayer Book, I would add more than I had there said in the Preface, to put all Families upon their Prayers. That I might not only show such as needed the Help, How they should do it: But also (if possible) be Instrumental, so to Prevail with them, that they might not still leave it Undone.  
And some late Observations that I have made, give me cause to Enlarge the Complaint in that Preface, of the Dulness and Indifferency of Sinful Men, to that which is best for them, and which most highly Concerns them; That they are not apt to be Solicitous, (so as they use to show themselves in their Worldly Concerns) to Seek after the Provisions and Conveniencies for the Spiritual Life, unless these fall directly in their way, and are set just before them. For I find that some will not vouchsafe, but so much as to Use them, even when they have them Ready by them.  
Now, though the Impression of that Imperfect Piece is gone off; yet I am not Determined by those Solicitations, which would put me upon Another. Because my End being already gained; in seeing it Communicated, and all Hands filled, as far as I thought myself Obliged: I have no Motive now to be further concerned: Unless it were to make such Corrections, and to fill up such Defects, as might give myself (if not others) some better Satisfaction in that Performance.  
But what I have here to offer, would be too Large to be Inserted in a Preface: And the Time also might be too Long, to wait for that Opportunity. Therefore this Service to Souls, I now give out by itself And though, I know, it might be much better done by many others, if they would think fit so to Concern themselves; yet in the mean time, accept it in such manner, as can at present be done, by one that is full of Care and Desire to Promote it as far as lies in the Power of  
Thy B. J.   

THE CONTENTS.  

A Preparation to the Design; Capitulating with Masters of Houses, about the Pious Regulation of their Families. Page 1  
The Recommendation and Pressing of Family-Prayer; By Arguments and Motives. Page 9 

1. From the Obligation to it as a Needful Duty. Page 10  
2. From the Encouragement to it, as making 

1. For the Safety Page 18  
2. For the Profit Page 19  
3. For the Credit Page 23  
4. For the Comfort of the Family. Page 27      
Answers to the Objections made against this Family-Worship, to Excuse the Neglect of it; as 

1. For want of Command Page 33  
2. For want of Time Page 36  
3. For want of Ability Page 42  
4. For want of Company, for it. 

1. The Generality Abroad, to Appear in Favour of it. Page 46  
2. Fit Partners at Home, to Join and Assist in it. Page 50    
5. Want of Success this way. Page 52    
A Discovery of the Real Causes of its Neglect. As, 

1. Ignorance. Page 53  
2. Pride. Page 57  
3. Sloth. Page 59  
4. Worldliness. Page 62  
5. Enmity against God. Page 67  
6. The Love of Sin. Page 70    
A Proposal made, to Determine and Fix upon some Set and Stated Time, for Family-Prayer. Page 75  
Some Considerations offered to Promote and Secure, 

1. The Morning-Prayer. Page 77  
2. The Evening-Sacrifice. Page 81    
A Serious Invitation to Frequency in this Prayer. Considering, Page 84 

1. That now is the only Time for it. Page 86  
2. That the Oftener we thus come to God, we shall be the Welcomer. Page 88  
3. That our Prayers the more Frequent, are the more Excellent. Page 89    
Directions for the Management of these Prayers. 

1. A particular Advice to Masters, to afford their Presence, and Countenance, and good Example herein. Page 90 General Advice to them, and All,  
2. To look narrowly to their Aims and Ends, in the Worship. Page 92  
3. To Remember what a Presence they are in. Page 93  
4. To Read somewhat out of Holy Scripture, before Prayer. Page 95  
5. To show a profound Reverence in the Worship. Ibid.  
6. To Endeavour to make it Easy and Pleasant. Page 99 

1. By going to the Lord, as Our God. Page 99  
2. By Offering up all, in the Name of Jesus. Page 103  
3. By joining our Praises to our Prayers. Page 106    
7. To do all with Zeal and Fervency of Spirit. Page 110  
8. To take Care of Family-Reformation, as well as Family-Supplication. Page 114    
The Conclusion, containing a Renewed Persuasion to the Work. Page 117    

A PERSUASIVE TO Family-Prayer: OR, AN Earnest Exhortation to the Daily Worship of God in Every Family.  
MY present Undertaking may seem very Facile and ordinary: But I expect to find it exceeding Weighty, and attended with no small Difficulty. How I shall Acquit myself, and come off in the Accomplishment, I dare not be Confident to Presage: But that I could have no Rest in my Spirit, till I had Engaged in it, I am best able to make Report.  
'Tis no New Project that I am upon. For Abundance of God's Labourers are aforehand with me; and have here bestowed their Pains, over and over. The thing has been often done; And yet, Alas, it still needs to be done. And whether or no I shall say any thing, but what has been said; God grant I may say something, that shall take Effect. I can but use my weak Endeavours, and Wait and Beg for the Blessing, from Him that has the Power to Persuade throughly; where even St. Paul, the Chief Speaker, can do it but Almost.  
Christians▪ I address myself to you all. That as you are called the Lords, So you may Call upon the Lord: and Approve yourselves his true People, in being a Praying People; and make it appear you are the Children of God, by crying Abba Father. Yea may not only give yourselves to Prayer, and the humble Signification of your Desires to God still, for the obtaining of all that you would have, every one Apart by yourselves; (Which I know none that own the Christian Name, who do not pretend to:) But may Accustom yourselves to Pray also Conjunctly, and all together in your several Families. Which is that part of the Service of God, that my thoughts and Endeavours are now at work, to Engage all whom I can prevail with, to set upon it, and to show their Zeal and Fidelity in it. 'Tis not the Manner of doing, that I am now Prescribing; Nor the Set Time in particular, when you shall do it. But my chief Business is to Propose and Recommend the Thing itself: And so to Quicken your Care, and Win your Consent, that it may be Daily and Duly done.  
And my Application is First to the Masters, that have the Inspection and Conduct of Families. For the Houses have no Ears: And O that I may not find some of the Owners as Deaf, as if they had none! 'Tis You, Sirs, that must Set the Fashion to your People; and not only Tell them of their Duty, but go before them in it. 'Tis your Example that will go furthest, either to Deboch, or to Reform, your Houses. And you cannot do Well or Ill, but it will be like to Affect the Rest, as well as yourselves. And of the same Strain as the Master is, much thereafter use to be the Children and the Servants. For they will think themselves Concerned to Write after his Copy; if but to be the Easier under him, and the more Acceptable to him. So that you shall not only Answer for yourselves, but for all the Members of your Families; that were Hurt, or Bettered by you. According as you go in and out among them and lay the Pattern before them; It may be as much as their Souls are worth: And they may have cause to Bless you, or to Curse you, for ever. They now so much Depend upon you, and are so much Determined by you; That what you Are, and what you Do, goes for Law with them, and has the greatest Influence upon them, to make them Be and Do Alike. If you then that should be the Stays and Guides of your Domestics, are Swearers, Drunkards, Brawlers, or Muck-wo●ms; without any Savour of God's holy Religion; and no Lovers of Prayers; but Cold and Listless to set them Forward; even Loathing any thing, which Looks that Way; and Introducing somewhat in its Room, more to your Mind, but less to your Credit. O what Disorderly wretched Houses than are you like to have? And who can expect that thy Son and thy Daughter, thy Manservant, and thy Maid servant, should be much Better? When thou who shouldst go to Pray with them, and shut up the Day, with the Worship of him that gave it; Instead of doing them any Good, Liest only as a Log in their way, to Stumble and Hurt them: When there is nothing of God to be seen in thee, beyond thy Human Shape, Nothing of God to be Herd from thee, but in thy Oaths and Curses: O how Deadly then is thy Case? when thou art in thy Blood, and the Blood of all the Souls too, that are under thee, and so Abused by thee, will he upon thee! Such a Master, such a Father! Thy Servants, and thy Children may feel the Plague of thy Ungodliness upon them, to all Eternity. As a great Oak Falling, Crushes down all the Underwood before it, So thy Falls and Miscarriages are fatal Breaches upon thy whole Family. Thou art the Ignis Fatuus, that Leadest them out of the way ' and Teachest them to Transgress. Thou art the Jeroboam, that makest them to Sin. Thou hast the Charge of them; But so Betrayest the Trust, that instead of being the Better, they are all the Worse for thee, and will rise up in the Judgement against thee.  
The Lord give thee Eyes to see thy Case; and a Heart first to Judge thyself; and Grace to Repent and Amend the matter; before thou Fall, and thy House Fall upon thee; and sink thee into the deepest Damnation, never to get up again. O that thou mayst Remember thyself, and thy Accounts, and Turn to the Lord, and walk more Regularly and piously in thy House: To Repair some of the Mischief that thou hast done; and yet to Benefit the Souls that have been so much D●mnisi●d by thee. For thou art a Vain man, to stand Rallying at thy House; and complaining of Stubborn Children, or Treacherous Servants, when thou wilt not give thy Example, nor thy Prayers, to make them Better: Though by this means, (for aught thou knewest,) Thou mightst be the happy Instrument of their Conversion and Salvation.  
But Blessed Souls! That set a quite contrary Pattern! And instead of Leading others into Sin, are all for Helping them out of their Sins: And thus Serve the Lord, and Assist their Ministers, in Turning many to Righteousness; and by their Examples and their Interest, by their Speaking and their Doing, Guide their Neighbours in the Progress to Heaven; Quicken their Families to Seek the Lord; Trace them out a fair Path of his holy Worship; and Encourage and set them forward, in all the ways of Sobriety, Charity, Decency, Godliness, and Honesty. A Comfortable Account shall they have, and a Sentence full of Joy from the Lord. Their Families, their Neighbours, shall rise up and call them Blessed: Yea God, even their own God shall Bless them; and make them enjoy the Fruits of their Labours, and of his Grace and Bounty, in the Heavenly never-ending Glory.  
O that you would all so lay this to heart, as to think yourselves more Concerned in the Godly Regulation of your Families; and the narrow Circumspection of your own Conversation among them! For this is the main Indication and Discovery of what a man is, By his Conduct and Behaviour at Home; and the Rules and Orders that he keeps in his House. Because Men Abroad usually go upon their Guard, and are more Reserved and Demure in strange Company; So Concealing themselves, as to appear Other and Better than really they are. But where they may be Bold, among their own People, There they are wont to show themselves, in their proper Shapes and Colours. That you may then Judge according to Truth, Here take better Notice of yourselves: And that you may also rightly Instruct and Edify Others, Take better Heed to your own Ways. For they will Watch the Steps of your Feet, more than Mind the Words of your Advice; and there Venture to 'Slight the best of your Counsel, where they see you take the Liberty, to Run out another way.  
Nor yet think it all, to set some good Examples, for them to Fellow; (Letting them see, That you are not Hypocrites abroad, and Devils at Home:) But use all the Interest and Authority you have with them, to do them Good; and to make them such as God would have them. For so (you know,) The Lord commended that great Father of the Faithful; Gen. 18.19. I know him, that he will Command his Children, and his Household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord. You that are Over them, must Lay your Charge upon them: And here is the best way of showing your Authority: and that you are Resolved to be Masters in your own Houses: When you Declare, So I expect it, and so I will have it, from all the Members of my Family; Such and such Orders, at all times; and our Offices of Joint Prayer and Devotion, at such and such Appointed Times, and a Constant Serious Attendance upon them. And thus Resolve, not only for yourselves, but for all under your Roof: With that great Exemplar, as well as Commander; Josh. 24 15. As for me, and my House, we will Serve the Lord.  
And then are you sit indeed to be Masters of Houses; When you take not Care only of the Work, and the Diet, and outward Conveniencies of your People; but chief of their Religion, and their Souls: To bring them under the Yoke of Christ; and to Train them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. And though you cannot Undertake for them, to make them all what they should he: Yet must you Resolve, That it shall not stick upon you; as the Fault of your Conduct, if they be nor. For too commonly, their ill Manners fly in your Faces; and Upbraid your Mismanagement. How else could Children be so Rude, and Ripe for Hell, even before they knew any thing of God and Heaven; If you gave them better Education and Example? Durst Servants Swear and Curse, and Talk filthy, and Act as Scandalously, If their Masters were Pious, and showed no Countenance, but their Abhorrence, of such Wickedness; and gave Themselves Patterns of the Contrary? But how many do little or nothing Regard, What their Servants are towards God, if they Carry but any thing Fair towards them? And may be readier to Scoff a poor Servant, that Fears the Lord; Than to Check a Vile Wretch, that is as V●●n and Lose as themselves. They Drive their Servants even only as a Team of Brutes: And all they expect from them, is to do their Work: whatever becomes of the Work of God. They think it enough to Provide for their Bodies, Let their Souls Sink or Swim. And the greatest Teaching they give their Children, is to be Thrifty and Stirring, to make their Part good in the World. Or if they do Teach them any Catechism, or Heads of Religion; Alas, what Good is it like to do them; As long as they see the Parents so shamefully Contradict their own Instructions? They are Children indeed, that have not so much natural Logic, as to Argue with themselves,— If the Service of God were of such Necessity, as we are told, why then do our Parents so Neglect and throw it by? They are grown to Discretion; and in all Appearance, much Nearer to another World, than we: Therefore what makes them so Careless of Religion, and do nothing at it, but what mere Custom leads them to once a Week at Church? Do they think, it's only for Children to meddle with; and that Men have somewhat else to do, and are got above it? Children have the depraved Nature in them, that will make them Witty enough, to hit upon any such Evasions, to throw off their Duty. And their Parent's way and Practice, shall do more to make them Vicious; Than all their Injunctions, yea and their Corrections also, to make them Pious.  
And so Servants find it their Interest, to be Like their Masters. And if the Master be against all serious Godliness; The Servant than thinks he must not be so Impudent, to Appear for it: Nor offer to be Better than his Betters. No, He will show more Manners, and better Discretion. A Word from his Master, shall do more to Disgrace, Wound, and Stah Religion, and strike it Dead; Than many a ●●●mon from the Minister, to Recommend, Endear, and keep it Alive. And thus such Tutor's train up Pupils, fit to Serve and Strengthen the Kingdom of the Devil. Here the Seeds are Sown, and the Trees nursed and reared up, which (when Transplanted abroad) help to Poison all the Earth with their cursed Fruits. And here▪ that filthy Corruption, which Education should Tame and Vanquish, is made Rampant and Incurable.  
O that all of you who are concerned, would put to their helping Hands, to rectify this Error in the first Concoction! And cast their Salt into these Fountains, that serve all the Kingdom: And do that good Service to the Public, as to Serve God more faithfully, in th●●● Private Capacity! For the Reformation among us, which the King's most Excellent Majesty now Declares for, and which he Promises to Promote at Home, in the Persons who are Near his own Sacred Person; It does Depend upon the Reformation of particular Families: Those little Kingdoms, where every Master is as the Sovereign, to give Laws to all his House. And without you, (whom I am speaking to,) it will not be done. But by your Combined Assistance, The Particulars, (of which the Whole consists,) will be Reform: And so God's Anger will be Averted, and the Nation Saved. And where you cannot have All, to bear you Company, yet Strive, whatever you are able, to make a Majority. And by that Means, you will most oblige your Country; and be sure every one, to Provide for the Security, and the Felicity of his own Family.  
Now hitherto I have been dealing in Generals; To prepare the way to my Main Design: And that is, particularly and especially, to engage you all to the Serious Practice of Family Prayer. For as there will be no true Happiness, without sincere Holiness: So there can be no Holy, Sound Reformation, without humble and earnest Supplication. And it was a true Connexion; (tho' the Application seems too Severe, to be fastened upon so Good a Man) Job 15.4. Thou castest off Fear, and Restrainest Prayer before God. For they do not indeed Fear the Lord; that do not Call upon him. Not to Call upon the Lord! That is made the very Upshot of all the Baseness and Wickedness recited; Psal. 14. ver. 4. All other Goodness will do no Good, if this be wanting. And all other Care and Pains will signify Nothing; If thus the Lord be not Prevailed with, to add his Bless●ing. Except the Lord Build the House, they Labour i● Vam that Build it, Psal. 127.1. And except ye seek and beg this best Edification of all your Houses, at his Hands; you are as Vain, to Expect it. When as all hangs upon his Blessing: And even that Blessing he has Suspended upon your Praying? And so▪ (after a sort,) has put the matter into your own Hands: Whether you will have all the Good which you desire, in the way of Prayer: Or else Lose the Blessing, for want of Ask.  
Now that I may not seem to put upon you any Unreasonable Service; or to urge you to the thing, that is of no Necessary, or of no Importance: I will endeavour to show you the Reasons for it; and also to Answer the Objections against it. And after I have given a few Words of Advice for the Management of it; I will add some more of Persuasion, to Quicken you to it; and constantly to go on, and Persist in it.  
In the Reasons for it, I would let you see both your Obligation, and your Encouragement to it: And not only convince you, That it is your Duty; but Satisfy you, That it is also your Interest; and every way as Good as it is Needful for you.  
1. I Argue from the Obligation, That Family-Prayer is your Duty, and the Duty of all Families. God having signified his Pleasure, to bind you to it: Therefore you ought to make Conscience of it: And not to look upon it as a matter of Indifferency, left at your Choice; but of Necessity, to Oblige your Conscience. The Command and Injunction is so Clear and Frequent for Prayer itself, To Call upon the Lord, and Bless his Name; that I never heard any Dispute it: But even they who do nothing at it, will yet speak for it, and talk of Serving the Lord, and Praying to God; when yet they neither Mind nor Care, How or When it shall be done. And the Command is as Express, To Pray every where, 1 Tim. 2.8. and to Pray Always, Luke 18.1. And by this Praying Every Where, and Always, What can we understand Less, Than that we should do it, in all Places, and at all Times, that are Fit and Proper for it? Now in your Families, Have you not fair Conveniencies for it, and inviting Opportunities, to put you upon it? More and Better, (I think,) than any where else, unless the Church. For there sure, Two or Three, or more, may Meet together, in our Lord's Name; as well as upon any other Accounts. And there 〈◊〉 have the Advantage and Talents put into their Hands; which they are bound to Use and Improve, to the Honour of their Lord; and to the Promoting of their Mutual Salvation. And it is their wilful Fault, and their wicked Neglect; if they let Slip those Advantages, and Bury those Talents. Sure, if they do Regard the great End of their Living; They will think themselves infinitely Concerned, to Employ them to better purpose: And not count it more Material to attend their Backs and their Bellies; than to serve their God, and save their Souls.  
He that in his Providence, has so Ordered their Being, and the Circumstances of their Living, may well expect it from them, That they should Recognize and Adore him, in their Joint, as well as Single, Capacity: Not only as Individual Persons, but a little Body and Society, brought together, even for the purpose; To join their Forces in the Common Service of their great Founder, and continual Benefactor, and strive Together in Prayer. This seems to be given for the main End of their Conjunction in a Family: Acts 17. 26.-7. God that made the World, has determined the bounds of their Habitation, That they should Seek the Lord. Not that they should Forget and Disown the Supreme Head of the Family; and Cohabit, as if they had no Relation to him, nor Dependence upon him, Nor any Homage and Tribute to pay him.  
You Masters have a Power, which you ought to use for your great Master in Heaven; To Convene your People for his Worship. For they are not only Near in Place, but stand in Readiness at your Call. And you are so Joined in mutual Relations together; that it is to be supposed, You should be more h●●itily concerned for one another, and more forward to Contribute your Assistance in the Service, that tends so much to the greatest Good of all your Souls. Here then is the Obligation, not only of godly Zeal and Piety, but of Brotherly Love and Charity, lying upon you. And though you pretend to Pray every one Apart; yet you look like a kind of House-Schismaticks, if you cannot Agree, to do it in Conjunction, and such Joynt-Worship; which you should still Covet, as much as you can have it, To show that you are for Practising, as well as Believing, the Communion of Saints.  
You that have the Care of the Rest, How can you show your Care better, than in making, the best Provision you can for their Souls. That these also may have their daily Meals with you, as well as their Bodies. And if you must take Care that they Worship God: May not you be better satisfied, to see them Join with you; than to follow them every one to their Privacies? As to which, You may Exhort them; but there you must be ●● in to Leave, and Trust them. You are allowed Teachers in your own Families: You have there authority for it; yea and a Command to it, Deut. 6.7. And how can you better Teach them, than in Teaching them to Pray? That so they may be all Taught of God. And then what so Effectual Method of Teaching them to Pray, as to Exemplify it to them, in your Daily Practice▪ and to go before them in the way of Prayer?  
I hope you will readily acknowledge, That God the Lord of your Family is to be Honoured by you, in every Relation and Capacity: And that he should not have the less Honour, but the more, from Masters; Because he has Honoured you with that Authority, above the rest of the Family. And if you must Honour him in the most Solemn, and best manner, that you are able; I shall leave you to judge, Whether you do not Visibly pay him the Greater Honour, in Falling down to him, before your Family; and Obliging them all to Join and Assist you, in the Adoration, Than only to Steal into a Corner, and do it by yourselves. You give Glory to God, even in Confessing your Sins: And as you Sin together, so it looks like a Concern for his Honour, Humbly to Confess it all together: To show, That though you be all Frail Creatures, yet you do not Hold together against him, as a Cluster of Rebels: But throw yourselves upon your Submission, before him; and make all the Satisfaction, that you are able, to him.  
And let me mind you to Consider, yet further▪ Whether you have not Blessings to the Family, as such, which therefore you ought to Own all together? Even for this very Privilege, and such precious Opportunities as you have, to come into the Presence of God; and Pour out your Complaints and Desires before him; Sure you are bound to Bless and Praise him. And can you Live all still upon his Blessings; and yet Smother ●il the Kindness of Heaven in a base Disregard? Can you Live together, and make no Acknowledgements together, of your Joynt-Obligations to the Lord? When you are all so much Beholden to him, that you Live continually upon him?  
Yea, are you not all Christians, that is, Persons Devoted, as Holy to the Lord? And must not your Houses then and Societies, that are made up of such, be so Devoted too? as a Generation of them that Seek him, Psal. 24.6. You may read; Leu. 27.14. Of a man Sanctifying his House, to be Holy to the Lord And the Title of the 30th Psalm, is, A Song at the Dedication of David 's House. Now all the Houses of Christians should be so Consecrated; because the Inhabitants are. And every one of your Houses should be the House of God; A Bethel, or Temple, where be dwells. Thus you hear of the Church, in such or such a Man's House, Rom. 16.5. The Church in Aquila and Priscilla's House. Col. 4 15. The Church in Nymphas' House. Philem. 2. The Church in thy House. And where are but Three, though Laymen, (in the Judgement of Tertullian,) There's a Church. And what a Church is that, where they do not Pray and Praise together? In his Temple every one speaks of God's Honour, Psal. 29 9 Not only each by themselves; but all in a Body. If not, it's doubted they belong to another Lord, and that their Houses are yet Profane: and Unhallowed Chapels of Ease to the God of this World; and such Tents of Wickedness, where Satan's Throne is: and He the Lord Paramount, to employ them, about other sort of Business; and to Intercept their Homage to the Rightful Sovereign: whose Honour and Glory he Envies, and Hates, and Hinders, all that ever he is able. And will you be Ruled by such an Enemy, to withhold the Rights of Him, who Owns and Keeps you all? Will you be Children of Belial, that Despise their King, and bring him no Presents? 1 Sam. 10.27. When you hold All from him; will you pay no Suit and Service to him? Will you grudge him so much as the poor Acknowledgement of your Prayers? And think that little, Quitrent too much for him to have? You show then what you would do, if it were left all to your Ingenuity: when you can thus Embezzel from him, against so much of his Declared Pleasure. And does not Conscience here Arrest you for this Debt, due to the Crown of Heaven; and hold you in Durance, till you pay it? For can you say, in this case, That you want the Knowledge of his Will; if you had but the Will to do it? Does not he who Promises his Blessed Presence in the midst of Two or Three Met together in his Name, Matth. 18.20. So give you to Understand, How much he is Pleased with the Service? And is not his Blessing upon Praying-Families, in the Prosperity of their Souls, (if not of their other Affairs also) to make them, in all real Goodness, aforehand with the rest of their Neighbours; A Visible Proof, How well he likes and approves of their doing?  
But does that Menace, Jer. 10. 2●. of the Lord's Fury to to be Poured out upon the Famthes that Gall not on his Name; nothing Affect you? What if Families there denote Tribes, the Stock or Kindred? Yet the Lesser sure is included in the Bigger: and Parity of Reason will bring it down to Families properly so called. And though Calling on his Name, imports all the Worship of the true God: Yet that Chief Part is never to be lest out, which is so Eminent, that it gives Denomination to the whole. But I would not have you to Venture that Wrath, upon any Private Interpretation of that Text, (more to your Fancy, than your Safety;) Lest you should be convinced of your Error, by a dreadful Consequence. Indeed the Curse has already Entered and Seized, even in an Apparent manner, upon most Prayerless Famine's; that are so many sad and searful Monuments of Heaven's Indignation, and an Angry God Frowning upon them; in those worst of all his Judgements on this side Hell: that is, To be given up to the Reprobate Sense, and Vile Affections; To commit all Uncleanness even with Greediness; and fall from one Wickedness to another, without any Stop or Restraint. Yet such is the Supply, that uses to rush into those Families, where Prayers are thrust out. Which is enough to make you set up Prayers in all your Houses; If but to cry mightily to God, for this one thing; From such dreadful Signs and Discoveries of thy Everlasting Wrath, Good Lord deliver us.  
And if you do not think your House-Prayers a Necessary Duty; I can tell you of one that did, whose Extraordinary Wisdom makes his Judgement very Regardable. It is the great Daniel; Chap. 6.10. who Pra●ed in his House; and with his Household, (it is to be supposed;) Because the Informers came and found him at it. Ver. 7. And it was at such a Time; when those Prayers were Prohibited, even upon pain of Death. And yet he thought it more Needful to Persist in Calling upon the Name of his God; Than to shift for the Preservation of his Life. And if you would not Arrogate a Wisdom above his; and be thought to understand yourselves, and the Will of the Lord, better than he; that was so well acquainted with the Secrets of God: Look not then upon these Prayers, as a By-Business; which you may Perform, or you may Let alone, as you Please: But fall about the Work, and keep to it, as that which is Meet, Right, and your Bounden Duty to do.  
Should any now tell me, This is one Doctor's Opinion: and Many Men, Many Minds. I see, and Grieve, That among the Multitudes of Families, all Professing one and the same Faith, There is yet such different Conduct; That some of them Carry, as if they were quite of another Religion; and some, as if they were of none at all. Some much Given to Prayer: Some doing very little at it: and some clear off it, doing even just Nothing. As if their Houses were Privileged from the Service; Or they had found some Backway to Life, by themselves; without Striving to Enter any Straight Gate. Unhappy Libertines! That have got Rope enough, to do their own Business. O Cursed Privilege! To enjoy an Open Latitude, to Run upon the Damnation of Hell; and nothing to Hinder them. And dreadful Liberty! To keep off from the God of their Life; and not to Call upon the Lord, that they might be Saved. Therefore,  
2. I would make you Sensible, That it is not only Niedful, but Good for you, thus to Draw Nigh to God. That you may not think, I am going to offer a Trouble, but a Kindness to your Houses; and would not lay a Burden, but bring down a Blessing upon them. It is a Singular Privilege, and Favour, from the Lord, That you may go thus in a Body, (when you will,) to him; and find Welcome and kind Acceptance with him. Nothing makes more for your true Interest, and happy Advantage every way. And to Reason with you, as our Lord did with the Samaritan Woman, John 4.10. If you knew the Gist of God, and who it is that Calls you to him, and gives you not only Leave, but Encouragement, to speak your Mind Freely before him; You would not be so Slow to Seek; Nor Need to be Driven into his Presence; But Glad with all your Souls, to Open your Wants to him; and to Ask all that you Need from him. If you knew what made most for the Establishment and Prosperity of your Families, Instead of Disputing the matter, and making a Controversy of your Duty; You would Fly and Flock to your Prayers, as Eagles to their dearest Entertainment. When nothing in the World so much tends to Promote the Safety, the Profit, the Credit, and the Comfort of your several Houses.  
1. The Safety; To Preserve and Secure your Houses, from the worst of all Plagues, The Infection of Reigning Wickedness: and from the most dreadful of all Fires, the Burning Indignation of the Lord of Hosts. A man's House is counted his Castle; where he may sit Safe from Assaults and Dangers. I am sure, it will make your Houses more Impregnable, and much better Garrisons, for your Defence and Preservation; If by your Prayers and Devotions, you will Engage the great Almighty Keeper of Israel, to come to you, and Dwell among you, and be For you. For 'tis He only that makes you dwell in Safety, Psalm 3. last verse. And he that dwells in the Secret place of the most High shall abide under the Shadow of the Almighty, Psalm 91.1. Yea because thou hast made the Lord, who is my Refuge, even the most High, thy Habitation; There shall no Evil befall thee; Neither shall any Plague come nigh thy Dwelling, Verse 9, 10. O then Fortify yourselves in your Houses, with these strongest Batteries of your Prayers. As Daniel, upon the Plots and Cruelties of his combined, bitter Enemies; betook himself to his Knees, instead of his Arms; and would not stand to Struggle and Fight it out with them, But fell to Wrestle and Strive with his God▪ That he might Engage ●n Interest, to Countermine the Malice; and make a Friend on his side, that should be too hard for them all. And David took the same wise Course. Psal 109.4. For my Love they are my Adversaries; but I give myself to Prayer. And Psal. 55.16. After his Complaint of spiteful ●oes, and false Friends, As for me, (saith he,) I will Call upon God, and the Lord shall Save me. So when Pestered with Troublesome Neighbours about you; and Threatened with Enemies to Invade you; and especially when Endangered by the Roaring Lion, still upon his Circuit, Seeking to Devour you: O run to this Shelter, and here take Sancivary: So shall you be sure to Escape; and all the Peril shall fly beside you: Or as much as Lights upon you, shall never Undo you. When your Lintels and Side-Posts are so Sprinkled with the Blood of your Sacrifices; The Destroying Angel will pass over you. And though a Common Destruction seems to make no Distinction; yet in the very Destruction you shall find Salvation. For whosoever shall Call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom. 10.13. 'Tis not Stones and Timber can Secure you: For Diseases and Death even there can break in, and get at you. But Faith and Prayer builds your House upon the Rock, that will never Fail you. Where nothing shall Hurt you: and even Harms themselves shall do you no Harm.  
2. This Course of Family-Prayer is a most Thriving Course, to Enrich your Houses. Not only to keep all your People Faithful, in their several Offices; But to Prosper your Designs and Labours: To fetch down that Blessing of the Lord, which maketh Rich: And (if he see it Good for you,) to increase the World's Good upon you. For Godliness, which is called Profitable to all things; has the Promise even of the Life that now is, as well as of that to come. 1 Tim. 4 8. And he that teaches us to Ask our Daily Bread, does not bid us Seek his Face in vain. But all things are like to Succeed the better to you, when you take him along with you; who can so easy Blast the Greatest, and Bless the Smallest, Hopes, whenever he pleases. So that you may Speed better by a few Minutes hearty Prayer, than by a whole Day's tugging Labour. And this Begging Trade is the most Gainful Trade. For though you be still Beggars; you can never be Poor, as long as your Lord is Rich: Not only Rich in himself, but To all that Call upon him Rom. 10.12. And this Joint Begging looks still the more Hopeful for Speeding; Because it gets more Hands subscribed to the Petition; and many Strings Twisted together, to make the Cord, that is to draw down the Precious Goods, the Stronger.  
And however you Far for this World, Thus you shall be sure to get Rich towards God. Luk. 12.21. Rich in Faith, and Grace, and Good Works: Which is the true Treasure, and the Greatest Wealth. For our Blessed Saviour has taught us, That a Man may get the whole World, and be never the better, but Undone for ever. But he that Wins Christ, and has the Blessed God himself for his Portion, is set up for a truly Rich and Happy man; and may Scorn all the Rest, as Dross and Dung. Nor is this only an Estate of Fancy's Raising; and the Dreaming of Golden Mountains. The Worldlings Substance, indeed, is such a Shadow, a Cheat, a Nullity. Prov. 23.5. He sets his eyes upon that which is Not: That which he shall experience to be Nothing; Nothing to Help him; when he 〈◊〉 have the most Occasion for its Help.  
For that will be sound Real Gains, at the Foot of the Account; which will do a man Good at the Last, and Stick to him, and Stay by him, as Long as ever he can Need it. And what is that, but the Neverfailing Treasure in the Heavens; and and our Interest in it. Our Title to it, and what we have to show for it? Now Prayer is the Key to Unlock all these Treasures; For it is but Ask and Have. Surely, The most Compendious Art of Thriving; The quickest and Easiest way to be Rich: To get all, and Cost you nothing: Never a Penny; Nor any Turning and Winding; unless it be of your Prayers. And by this Means, how many have got a mighty Stock already? and have a great deal to show for it; in all the Graces and Good things of God's Spirit; more worth than Jewels. Rubies, Pearls, and Diamonds; Wherewith they Abound and Overslow, to Edify the Church, and every this poor Sinful World? What they have so Won with their Prayers, they Wear in their Lives.  
But as for such Exorbitant Spendthrifts, that Defeat the Discipline, and for all the Prayers, make Shift still to Continue in all their Sins: When this does no Good of them, I know not what will. And then if any that use Good Prayers, be ●ad Livers; The Fault lies all in the Persons; and not in the Prayers: Nor is it Imputable to the Thing; but to their Ill doing it; and making a mere Formality of it. And then they must Answer for the Abuse; and not the Prayers be charged with the Bad Success. Or if some of the Family-Members, that were Held in, and Haled to that, which they never Loved, do after Scandalously fly out, and take the Liberty to show what they were: They shame themselves, and not the Holy Offices; and only Convince us, That the Best Means are Lost upon some Ill men; Who from the Eminent Height, to which they were Advanced, can take the Advantage to Break their Necks: Or Murder themselves, in the very Ship, that is carrying them over to the Blessed Land. But our Lord's Family must not bear the Blame of the traitor's Villainy: For it was not because the Master kept Strict Orders: But because the Servant was a Wretch of Incorrigible Manners.  
This Way of Prayer, is God's own Appointed Means; abundantly to Benefit Souls. For this, there is an Aptitude in it: And all that are Conscientious in the use of it, shall find such a Blessing going along with it. As the Lord Blessed Obed-Edom, and all his Household; when the Ark, (that Symbol of his Presence,) was there: 2 Sam 6.11. So shall the Houses be Blessed, where Prayer Dwelling, Calls in, and Prevails with the Blessed God, to Dwell there too.  
And thus you may Increase in Riches; If you will not be Niggard's in the Expense of your Prayers. And as you all use to be at it, Labouring together to Improve your Estates; So all be at it, Praying together, to Augment your Spiritual Wealth. And never fear, that it will Hinder your Business, or Destroy your Gains; to Stay for Prayers: Nor be so Hasty to be Rich, that you will not Tarry to Pray. For what this Stops you one way, it will make you Amends, the Hundred-fold, another way. But never shall that Good be for your Good; that is not Sanctified to you, by the Word of God and Prayer. Though so you may Tear, and Snatch, and get it: Yet better you had been without it; When it shall Abide by you, only to be a Curse to you; and to Rise up in the Judgement against you.  
O see here how you may be best Provided, of all that shall be Good for you; and such Good as shall never be taken from you. Ye know, how men use to follow and Court the Great Ones, that can Advance them and their Interests; And how they will Despise those, that have no such Friends; and Censure the Folly of such as will not make Use of them; when they have 'em. O may you Learn this Wisdom of the World's Children, To Frequent his Gates, who, (before all Friends in the World,) is Able to do Exceeding abundantly for you, even Above all that you Ask or Think: That you may not Starve, in the midst of all the Fullness; Nor let it be said of you, Ye have not, Because ye Ask not.  
3. This Family-Prayer will be most for the Credit of you and your Houses. God will Provide for your Honour; when you take such Care of his. And you shall be Esteemed then, as a People Near and Dear to Him, and Great and Intimate with Him. Nor can it so much ●●y you open to the Exceptions and Lashes of some Profane Scoffers: But it will a great deal more Raise your Value, with all their Betters. Yea the Regularity and Piety of a Sober Religious Family, has a Beauty, that takes with many, who yet will not be at the Trouble, to Promote it in their own. In Former days, it was thought no Disparagement for a great Officer, to Give himself to Prayer: Nor was his Devotion counted Scandalous, but Glorious. For Cornelius the Centurion, a Devout man, and one that Feared God, with all his House, Acts 10.2. and that Prayed in his House; ver. 30. (Or in his Family; for so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used, Heb. 11.7.) and did there Officiate Himself: Is said to be a man of Good Report, among all the Nation of the Jews, ver. 22. And as Degenerate as ever the World is grown, Sure it sounds more Landable still, for a House to be called, An Orderly, Praying House; than a Wild Drinking House: And no lessening Character of any Master, To be more for God and for Prayer; than for the World, and for his own vain Pleasure.  
The Gallantry and Bravery, The Furniture and Hospitality, I know, are the main things Admired and Cried up by the Epicurean Tribe. But Wiser and Better Judges; do see the Nakedness of the House through all these: And that One thing still, and that the Main thing of all, is Wanting; Where the Care of the Soul is Forgotten; and the Lord of all has not so much Respect among them, as would be showed but to any Considerable Man, that comes to Visit them. He that has more to do there than they all, shall not be Regarded at all. But it may be written over the Door, God is not in this Place. His Religion here has no Room; Nor his Name, unless it be in the Swearers or Scorners mouth. And thus the Master Loses himself with all the best of his Friends: and more would drop their good Opinion of him, if they came better to know him.  
Though a Lose Family may call him a Good Master, who does not use to Call them to Prayers: Yet what is he Good for, that Provides no Better for them, than if he were an Infidel? When they shall every day be Concerned with one another in all Business else; But no more Correspond in any Joint Worship of God, Than if each of them were to the other a Heathen man or a Publican. If St. Paul calls him worse than an Infidel, that Provides not for his own House, on the Worldly Account; I know not what better to Esteem him, that will not Provide for them, on the Religious Account. When it looks Probable, (by the Lares and Penates, their Household-gods,) That the very Heathens did offer up somewhat like Divine Worship in their Families. How can we then Think without a Reflection of Infamy, upon any, who Name the Name of Christ; with whom their Lord stands even for Nothing; and they have other matters to mind, than ever to think of his Worship?  
O what a House is here kept! A Heathenish House, The Famed Author of the Whole Duty of Man, calls them. (Part 5. Sect. 11.) Are they a Family of Christians, where the Worship of God, by Daily Prayers, Morning and Evening is Neglected? The late Archbishop (whose Memory is so deservedly Honoured,) says, (Serm. of Fam. Rel.) He sees not how in Reason they can be so esteemed; Or indeed to have any Religion. Which they have not so much as the Face of. They are more like a Fortress of Rebels: Or a Nest of Serpents; Spitting Contempt and Defiance at their Maker and Preserver. And thy House then is no other● than the Seat of an Usurper: And thou there assumest the Glory of God to thyself; where thou must be so Uppermost; that even He shall not be Owned Above thee. And than who (dost thou think) must Honour thee, when thou canst treat the most High with such Contempt? Never do thou imagine to keep up thy Authority, by Denying his. For that Arrogance, which makes thee so Topping, to set up thyself above thy Sovereign's It does but Uncover thy Nakedness, instead of Clothing thee with Majesty and Honour: It makes thee the more Base and Despicable to all the Faithful Subjects of Heaven. And if thou dost not sooner take Shame to thyself; He that is Jealous of his Glory, will one day bring it upon thee, before all the World.  
Thou Consultest Shame to thy House; in keeping off that Serious Religion, which would be the Glory of thy Family. And till thou dost more wisely bethink thyself, and set up better Orders among thy Retinue; Thou art Vile and Scandalous thyself; and helpest to Spoil their Credit, together with thy Own. And you all then Live together, like a Lawless Rout; that Forget yourselves, and Mistake your Business in the World; and are going the way to be Cast out from God for ever in the next World; Because you so Live without him in this. And you have no way to Recover your Reputation here, and to Prevent your Everlasting Confusion hereafter; but by Humbling yourselves before him, from whom you have so Departed; and Returning to your Allegiance, and giving up yourselves to his Service, and setting about his Business; Even that Worship of the Great God, which is the Glorious Employment of Saints and Angels in Heaven; and which Honours the Highest Kings and Princes of the Earth, more than all their Crowns and Regalia, and the Plaudits and Cringing of their Subjects: Yea, which will Raise even the Poorest of you all, to the Dignity of an Equality with them in his Sight; and to be Favourites of Heaven, and the Beloved of the Lord. For so Daniel was called, Chap. 9.23. Greatly Beloved. Not so much for his Excellent Parts, or his Eminent Station; as for his singular Piety, and Flaming Devotion. How Proud are men of the Service, to attend upon their Prince; and not only to wait in his Presence, but to be happy in the Enjoyment of his Favour? And what Bigger Title has the Highest Prince in the World, than to be a Servant of the most High God? And yet to Serve his Christ, will make you such as the King of Heaven will think fit to Honour. So saith our Lord, Joh. 12.26. If any man Serve me, him will my Father Honour. Any man, even the Meanest man, is Capable of this Highest Preferment. And, for my part, as I cannot but Despise and Abhor the Habitations of the Prayerless, though never so Fine and Splendid, Pompous, and richly Furnished: For there they are Strangers to God, and Out with Heaven: And while their Bellies are filled with the Hid Treasure, Leanness is sent into their Souls: and amidst all the Plenty, still they are Beggarly, because they will not Beg. So I Reverence the Praying Families; though never so Poor and Low in the World: For God is with them; and the most High has a Gracious Respect unto them. And such Servants of His, you all may be, and aught to be. Yea thus you may be Royal Favourites; and Rise to be Great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Not by Carrying it High, like the Proud Pharaoh, that asked, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his Voice? No, But by Honouring him with the Profoundest Adoration yourselves; and also seeing that your Families all do the Like: Calling upon them, as his Renowned Servant has taught you; Psal. 34.3. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his Name together. And in thus Exalting Him, you will also Exalt yourselves. For you can never indeed so Exalt him, as to make him Higher than he is: All that you can do, is but to give him what is Due to him; and so to raise him in your own Souls, and in others apprehensions. Yet when you do but thus much, he will exalt you Really; and raise you even above yourselves, to an Equality with his Blessed Angels.  
4. This Family-Worship will make for the Comfort of your Houses: To render them Sweet and Peaceable Habitations; amiable as the Tabernacles of the Lord; lightsome as the Gates of Heaven; and filled with the voice of Joy and Salvation; as the Presence Chambers of the God of Consolation. There's no such House kept, as where God is pleased to Devil. And he Dwells in every House, where the Inhabitants set themselves to Seek his Face; and meet together to Call upon his Name. And then the very Heart of them may Rejoice, that Seek the Lord, Psal. 105.3. 'Tis not a Doleful Service therefore, but a Heavenly Entertainment. 'Tis not only pleasant and comely to Praise the Lord; to recount the Richest Favours, and to discharge your Debts in making grateful Acknowledgements: (For that is all the Pay Heaven expects from poor Creatures:) But even Confession eases the Heavy Heart; and Supplication gives the Mind full Vent, and pours out all the Grievances of the Soul; and than it Returns to its Rest.  
O do not then look upon Prayers as your Drudgery, but the sweetest Festivity: and go to God as to the Dearest Friend, and your Exceeding Joy. Though Prayer has its Sighs and Groans, yet these are but as the Bass to the Music: and still it is the Joyful Sound: Pleasing to the Lord, and no less so to all experienced Souls, that delight in approaching to their God. They are to serve him with Gladness, and come before his Presence with Singing, Psal. 100.2. And he promises to make them not only Welcome but Joyful, in his House of Prayer, Isa. 56.7. So does he use them; and so do they use to find it, above all that they are able to express it.  
And therefore suffer not the malicious Tempter ever to put you out of conceit with Prayer: To make that pass for your Task and Torment, which the Gracious God has provided as the poor Souls Song and Hearts-Ease in the House of its Pilgrimage; and for a reviving Cordial in every time of Trouble. And if your Sins and strangeness to God make it uneasy to any of your Souls; 'tis not because Prayer is harsh, and void of Comfort, but because your Souls are diseased and out of Tune. And then instead of taking Distaste at the Prayers, your business is to get those Souls in better Temper; and pray on, till you have conquered the Difficulty, and prayed down the Sins that destroy the Comforts. For be sure the Pleasure is to be Found, it is before you; and therefore press on still after it, till you reach into the Possession of it.  
And as they that have received Grace from the Lord, long to propagate the same to others; so whoever has tasted the Sweetness of Prayer in secret, will desire that all his Friends may partake with him in it; that the Harmony may increase with the Consort: And then 'tis, O come let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our Salvation, Psal. 95.1. And this is your sweet and comfortable living together, when you are for inviting one another to join in the Praises of your Maker and Redeemer; and to seek all your Happiness in his unmeasurable Fullness, who has enough to supply and pleasure you All; and will have never the less still in himself, how much soever he bestows upon you. O where can you ever be Better than with him? Where so Well? When to be in his Presence is to be where is Fullness of Joy.  
But separated from him, and out of this way of your Duty, O what shall you find but Vanity and Vexation, Fatigue and Disappointment? Now and then, (it may be) the Fair Face of Satisfaction; but still at the botrom, the bitter Root of Sorrow. You may be cheated with Expectation of Joy in a hundred Adventures and Expedients, while you are drawing one another from God: But in drawing nigh to him, you draw up to the Fountainhead of Joy complete, and Pleasure everlasting. As long as you live in the wilful Neglect of these Holy Duties, you are quite out of your Places, and may despair there ever to find Rest to your Souls. For Conscience (if alive at all) will never let you be easy, but Taunt and Harass you, and give you many a Twitch and Pang, to spoil the Sport of your sinful Pleasures; and make your Hearts sad, even in the midst of the Laughter. So that I shall never grudge unto lose Families, all the Joy of their wild Liberties; nor count them in better case, than those whose Confinement to the Pious Offices seems to Debar them of all the Sweets of a Merry Life. For I know that the Liberty of the one is only a Latitude to Mischief, and undo themselves. And the Confinement of the other, is only a Walling them up in a fair Walk of Decency and Duty, so to Conduct them to the Blessed End in all Felicity and Glory. O cursed Freedom! to Rove up and down the Broad Way after such a Leader, as has no Design in all the large Allowance by the way, but to throw them upon an intolerable Damnation at the End! And O happy Confinement, under an Easy Yoke, and Precious Burden! In waiting upon the Best of Masters, that sets you not on work to serve any Ends upon you; but only Employs you, that he may Glorify you, and keeps you under his Discipline, to Train you up for his Kingdom. His Service gives you Hearts-Ease on the Way, and Heaven at the End. It creates a Blessed Peace within you, and sets Eternal Glory before you.  
So full of Heavenly Satisfaction and Pleasure, is the Life that is led with God, in this holy Way. And the Religious House, which looks, in the Carnal Eye, so Melancholy, and even as a Gool; The Praying Family, upon which Profane Creatures look so Insulting and Scornfully: Such is the Sweet Retreat, the Happy Sanctuary; where Princes and Nobles have outrun the Glories of a Throne, and Stole away from the Pleasures of a Court; to Hid and Solace themselves: After they have come to Learn a Wisdom, better than the World can Teach; and to Taft that Pleasure Within, dropped down from Above; which makes them Pity the mean Souls, that are Smelling and Hunting for Pleasure only along the Ground.  
I know, some Masters and Families are for Forcing a Pleasure, quite another way, than what I am describing: And think to Ens●●e it, and to take their Fill of it; in Drinking and Ranting, Singing and Gaming, Jesting and Fooling, Feasting and Jolly doing. They will have it; Not only without God's Leave; But as it were, in Spite of his Word; quite against all that he has said. And then the Bible must lie Close in a Corner of the House; Lest, if Opened, it fly in their Faces; and Shame and Ruin the whole Scene of their Gaiety. And Prayers, indeed, have no Agreement with such Tempers: No, They Despise the poor Sneaks, and Melancholy Fools; that must needs be under God's Rules; and taken up so much in his Presence. They have no Joy, but in Forgetting him, and upon the Ramble from him. And therefore they seem so Comfortable, only because they are so Unconscionable; To Rob God of his Rights, and Regale themselves, with their Stolen Meats. Their Pleasantness is the rotten Fruit of their Forgetfulness: And all their Gladness of Heart, arises from the Hardness of their Hearts. And O how Mad is that Mirth, which is had with God's Wrath! How can you Laugh, when He Frowns? And while the Meat is in your Mouths, the Wrath of God is ready to Light on your Heads! Unless you could Die, as well as Live, like Brutes; The Dying and After-Reckoning, that will still Damp and Mortify all the Rejoicing. Small cause then to be so Jocund upon Earth; when you are got in such a Case, as to be even Ripe and Ready for Hell! And all the Frolicking, and Wantonness, and Pleasure of this kind of Life, seems but an ugly Preface to the Weeping, and Wailing, and Gnashing of Teeth.  
O Sirs! This is not the Way. 'Tis all but Froth, and nothing of Substance. It will never do, to give you Peace within; any more than to bring you Peace at the last; To make you Easy at the Bottom, and hearty Joyful. No, you shall never know true Comfort in your Life, Till you turn o'er a new Leaf; Till you Live to another End; and walk more Humbly with your God: Till you are upon better Terms with Him; and keep a fairer Correspondence above; and accustom yourselves to the Exercises, that look Hopeful, to fit you up for your highest Advancement. When your Families look like so many little Colonies and Nurseries, meet to be Transplanted into the Paradise of God: Then you may Rejoice indeed, that your Names are Written in Heaven. And when your Valleys are covered over with such blessed Fruits, they may Shout for Joy, and also Sing. So sweet is it to Live with God in this way of Duty: That will make you to look with Comfort even upon Death, and Desire to be Disselved. and to be with Christ. And then you may ●fford to go Rejoicing all the Days of your Life; and fear nothing to Destroy the Comforts that grow upon such a Root.  
Thus much I have to say for the Family-Prayer. And now let us hear, what any has to say against it. 'Tis wonder if it be not contradicted: Wonder if the great Ruler of the Darkness of this World has no Advocates in it, to Plead his Cause; which, by this means, seems in danger to be so much Damnified. Some Objections I have Herd. And some I do suspect, that I not expect to Hear. For there are Colourable Excuses for the neglect; that use to be alleged: And there are Real Causes of it, that lie Concealed: As not thought fit to be mentioned. I shall take Notice of both. And of the former sort are, The want of a Command, The want of Time, The want of Ability, The want of Company, for it: And the want of Success in it.  
1. Some except against this Family-Prayer, for want of a Command. They complain, That it is the making of Duties without any Commands: And cry out of the Imposing and Priest-Riding; To bring a Free People under Slavery; and Tie them up, where God has left them at Liberty. Now this is a heavy Charge; could it be made out. And I know from what Quarter this Wind uses to blow. But 'tis well, that if is but Wind; and that there is so little Reason for it. I am not upon a Disputation, but an Exhortation: And therefore shall not pretend to an ample Demonstration. But besides, That I have already prevented myself, for proving the proposed Duty, to be a needful Duty: I believe, that the Objectors Cavils are not Reasons that satisfy even themselves: But they go conscious that their neglect is more for want of Mind to it, than of a Command for it. When if there were no Express Charge in Particular; yet it is so evident, That the whole Drift of God's Holy Word, is to set us about our Heavenly Father's Business, and to engage us to follow it with all our Might, all our Days, in all our Stations and Relations. And to look upon all the little Time we have here, but as a preparing Time for the Place and State, where we must abide for ever. And still to carry ourselves in this Vale of Mortality, as the Candidates and Seekers of a better Country, in everlasting Glory.  
'Tis not only the Letter of Scripture, and what is expressly said in it, but also the Deductions of Scripture, and what may naturally be drawn from it, that we are to look upon as Scripture, and our Rule to go by. We must be determined by, Thus saith the Lord, though not said in Terminis, when it is by plain and easy Consequence. Else we might not only turn Baptism out of the Church, but the Lord's-Day out of the World, as well as Prayer out of the House.  
But besides the Command to Pray every where, that is fit for the purpose, as you must all own your: Houses to be, unless you will condemn yourselves as unfit to Lave in them; if you make them: unfit for it: And the Command to continue in Prayer, Col. 4 2, which was given particularly to Masters of Families: And the Duty which our Lord has taught us in his Prayer, to do the Will of God on Earth, as it is in Heaven; which, be sure, is with the joint, unanimous Adoration of all that Glorious Family: God has said enough in his Word, to Determine the Practice of all his Devout Servants, and Dear Lovers: Though not to satisfy the perverse and disafficted Ill-Willers, who use to show the Mettle that they should spend in the Service, to Argue themselves out of it, and to Condemn the whole Generation of his Children, in all Ages and Places of the World, for a Company of Mistaken Zealots; to accustom themselves still (as they have done) to this Family-Worship. When, indeed, the general constant Usage of these, may go for one of the most Authentic Comments upon God's Revealed Pleasure, in all such common Practical Cases. And the usual Opposers of this Service, are too well known to be none of the likeliest Persons, to be best Acquainted with the Will of God. Nor are they so Tender, to consult the Divine Pleasure, in any thing that makes for their own Pleasure. And what suits with their Humour, they do not call for a Text to prove it. No, they can often force their way through a Hundred Texts that Condemn it. But what they have no Kindness for, they are not willing to believe themselves Bound to. If it go against the Stomach, they are forward to Fancy it may as well be let alone. In that which is to be done for God, they Dispute the Obligation: And they'll put him to make a Distress upon them; to get his Rights of them. He must go to Law with them; but they shall find good Law in abundance against them; for that Ungodliness, which is the Grand Bar to their Prayers.  
Should an Earthly Prince but give them as much Intimation of his Mind, that they should be Welcome with him, coming as oft as they would for Riches and Honour: A Hint should serve the turn: And how soon would they Spell out the meaning? And not hang long in Suspense, whether they were bound to go or not? And if the King of Heaven has given sufficient Indication of his Mind, that the Morning and Evening Sacrifice of the Family, are such a Sacrifice wherewith he is well pleased. What if he would not speak out more particularly, that he might trust Love, and leave somewhat to the Conduct of that Spirit, which is to Led his People into all Truth? And to try the Choice of Heavenly Wisdom; whether we will not understand ourselves better, th●n to Wrangle away the Holy Work, which is so much out Blessed Privilege? You may rest ass●●ed then, that here you do well, and take the safest part: And that when your Lord comes, you shall never be Blamed, but Blessed, to be s●●nd so doing.  
2. Some plead want of Time, to Excuse them from the Work. They have (all of them) their Hands so full, so much lying upon them; such a Hurry of Business, such Multiplicity of Affairs, this and the other to be done; they know not which first. Between the Care of their Families, the Burdens of their Places, the Ailments of their Bodies, and the Crosses and Troubles of the World, that they cannot have time to Attend these Family-Prayers. They are too much called upon themselves, to lie Calling upon the Lord. They would do it, but they have no Room for it. And so they put off their Monitors, and seem to Content themselves, that they cannot Help it, and it's none of their Fault. And 'tis well in the mean time, if they be not more pleased than grieved with the Hindrance.  
Now, though it's true, some have much more, and better Leisure than others; and so more may be expected from them: And the heavier Reckoning remains for them, if they throw away those precious Opportunities upon their Impertinencies, or in the Devil's Service, which God gave them, wherein to Glorify him, and to work out their Salvation. And such as are Involved in more Business and Cumber, I shall leave to Examine themselves, Whether they do Groa● under the Burden of their Apostasy; that they must Eat. their Bread in the Sweat of their Faces? And do not rather Rejoice, that they have got an Evasion, to. Privilege them from being any more concerned in the immediate Attendance upon their God.  
Yet which of you all can pretend, You have no Time for doing that, which God gave you all your time in the World to do? Or do you think it will bring you off at the last, for neglecting the One thing needful, that you were so cumbered with many things else? When compared with that, Alas, What are your many things, but as so many Rattles, which the Children stand shaking; or the Dirt-pies that they make; or any such pitiful Trifles, wherewith they Amuse themselves? Unworthy ever to be Named as any Apology, why the Great Lord of all should not be duly Attended, and his Worship and Service constantly performed.  
Whatever Business else you have, be sure still, Your greatest Business of all is with Him: And all the rest will come to nothing without him: And you will be never the better for any thing that ever you do, if all your Works are not Begun, Continued, and Ended in Him. If you cannot find time to do the Work of God, you'll one day Curse the Business that took you off; and find, after all the Bustle, you had as good all your Day to have stood Idle, as so to fill it up, there was no Room left for Prayers. You say this must be done, and that must be done. But our Lord has taught you to say, I must work the Works of him that sent me; and that must not be left undone. If one or the other must needs be omitted, the Wise and Faithful Servant of God will quickly determine which shall Truckle and give Place: And rather borrow from his Meals, or his Pillow, than He shall have none of his Time, who gives it All; yea, and renounce that Calling, wherein he cannot Abide with God; and rather venture himself to be turned out of Doors; than grasp so much Business, as to Justle Prayers out of Doors.  
But Poverty and Troubles look very ill Excusés to shif● off Prayers; when indeed they are more in Season than ever. For, Is any afflicted, let him Pray. James 5.13. And Call upon me in thee Day of Trouble, Psal. 50.15. As than you have the most Need of Help; so than you have the Thorns in your Sides, to Prick you on the more to look after it. And in such Times and Cases, you are never the worse provided with Sufficiency for this Work, which requires not Bodily Strength, nor any Money to Raise this Stock. And you might be thought as Crasy in your Minds, as in your Bedies, if you should think fit to let alone your Prayers, till such time as you had nothing to Trouble you; and no less Idle, to put it off, till you had nothing else to do. For all would pretend some things, and some would Enumerate many things still to be done, and so there would be no Time at all left for Prayers.  
But some are busy Men, and they Love (moe than Need) to be so. They plunge in the Business, peradventure, to Save themselves from the Prayers. They are for hiding in these Thickets and Bushes, (like Guilty Adam and Eve) from the Presence of God. They will still find themselves somewhat else to do; who cannot Skill of this Work, nor Abide it. Though they can find Time for a hundred smaller matters; they have none for this. They have Time to pick up all the Stories of the Neighbourhood, and all the News of the Kingdom; and so they seem not to have Business enough of their own, but must have their Sickle in every one's Harvest; and tell what this Man should do, and Censure another for doing that: And their Tongues run Divisions upon every ones Concerns, as if they had nothing else to mind. And yet they want Leisure to go speak with God, about the most Important Business of their own Everlasting Salvation. They Want it, and they make themselves want it; they will want it. But Time should not fall them, if their Hearts did but serve them for the Work. The poorest Labourers will have Time to Eat, and Drink, and Sat, and Chat, and Sleep, and Rest. And sure those in Wealthier Circumstances have more Command of their Time. Or who is to be blamed, if they Impose harder Necessities upon themselves, and will not better Consider their own Souls. But I shall show them, ( I have done) that there is somewhat else, and worse yet, than the Business, lying in the way.  
David, and Daniel, and others, were as much busied as they, yet they gave themselves to Prayer, and would find time for that, whatever became of their other Concerns. David had all the Business of a Kingdom to look after; yet the Cumber did not so Distract him, nor the Pomp so Dazzle him, nor the Pleasure so Enguls him, as to tun him into forgetfulness of his God, and his Duty. No, he minded a greater Business than the greatest on Earth; and left all to go to the God of his Life. And so will every one, whose Heart is Right with God. All the World shall not keep them from it. Love and Zeal will make the Way, and break throw every Impediment; and Despise the Common Pretensions, as very Insignificant, that are counted the Just Bars, and Lawful Hindrances of Prayer, to make some Houses Exempted from the Service.  
And I must be bold to tell you, That it argues either your silly Improvidence, no better to Cast your Time, and not leave Space for that which concerns you Eternally: Or else your open Ungodliness, to Prefer your filthy Lucre; or your fleshly Pleasure, before the Blessed Communion with your Heavenly Father; and not to slight all the World, rather than the Supreme Eternal lord If you would be less Worldly, or more Orderly, you should find Time sufficient. And take heed that you do not make Diversions, as well as Necessities, to defraud the Blessed God of his Service, and to rob your Souls of 〈◊〉 greatest Advantage. Take heed you do not catch hold of any Business, to supersede and rid your Hands of somewhat else, that is against your Humour. For you know well enough, what Uses to be done, when your Will is to it, and your Heart is set upon it. You know how you can sit up, and Work, to Dispatch any Worldly Occasions that you are for Promoting. And what is your Beloved Work, that shall be even your Every-day's Work; nay, in the midst of your greatest Business, you'll steal out for a little sweet Correspondence with the Dear Friend that you Love above all, when you have him just in the House with you, or very near to you. And if God be the chief Beloved of your Souls, you will make such a Lose, from all Occasions in the World, to get to him, and even Force the Opportunity for it, rather than want it. And would you Adjourn every Business else, that his might be dispatched: Would you leave all to come to Him, when yet so much lies upon you: This, this would be indeed acceptable to Him, and the kindlier taken by Him.  
But amidst all the Business, beware that you have not Time for Forgery, and Coining false Counterfeit Reasons, which you know will never pass with Him; to whom you must give Account. Do not betray the wretched Hypocrisy of this Pretence, at your Idle Times and your Spare Hours, when it is Vacation with you, and you have even Nothing to do: And yet even then, no more shall be done for God, than when you were never so much taken up. Nay, when you can be so lavish even of God's Cons●rated Time, and commit Sacrilege upon the Hallowed Season; to make it serve for any thing, rather than his Holy Service. And then it seems you have too much Time, and yet it is all one, as when you had too little; that is, you find Occasion to Shift off the Work, even at all Times. And on the Lord's-Day, when you cannot have the Business of the World in your Hands, than you must have some Bauble in its stead; and to Divert yourselves, when the Sacred Time lies heavy upon you, ye are ready to tun after Butterflies; to catch hold of any Occasional thing to pluck you from Attendance upon the Lord; and glad of any Company or Accident, (though never so Trifling and Sportive) that will but Relieve you here, and help to deceive the Work of the Day.  
O see the old Deceiver in this, and be not so Fooled and Cheated out of those precious Hours, that you have, or might have if you would, to Serve your God, and to Secure the Salvation of your Souls. Consider, I beseech you, How little a while it is, till your Mouths will be Stopped, and the Days of Request will be over; the Times of Audience, and all these Opportunities of Address to the Majesty of Heaven, will be past and gone; and all the fair advantageous Seasons, of Calling upon the God of your Salvation, will be quite at an End. And you that now complain, you have no Time, shall ere long find Cause indeed for that Complaint; that you have none. No, all your Time is slipped away, and an unchangeable Eternity has swallowed you up. Yet a little while, and the Door will be Shut, and no Hearing; though you Cry never so hard, Lord, Lord, Open to us. Your Day of Grace will soon go out in an endless Night; and your Season of Mercy, the accepted Time is now, even to Day. But you know not what shall be on the Morrow You have no Assistance, but this Day shall be your Last. And then are not you infinitely concerned, as to Hear his Voice; so let him hear Yours to Day? According to his Call, Isaiah 55.6. Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found; Call upon him, while he is near. When our Lord says, He comes as a Thief, and his Day as a Snare; and you know not the Day nor the Hour. O do not stand complaining you want Time, when you have it, but use it while you have it; and be in Care to Live, as you would be Found. And take his own Warning and Charge, Luke 21.36. Watch ye therefore, and Pray always, that you may be counted worthy to escape all Evils that are coming upon the World; and to stand before the Son of Man. And while you wait for his Coming, wait much upon your Knees, in your Prayers. And then Blessed is the Servant, whom his Lord when he comes, shall find so doing.  
3. Some plead Insufficiency, and would be excused from Family-Prayers for want of Ability. They have not Heads and Memories, Invention and Elocution. Though they can make shift to say somewhat for themselves, yet they should make nothing of it before others; but to Pollute the Office, Confound themselves, and Offend the Company. Therefore as good and better never meddle with it, nor offer at it.  
To this I answer, If you have Sense and Reason, Good Judgement and Voluble Tongues, Skill and Readiness, to speak well enough of other matters, it is your Inexcusable Fault, that you are no better provided here. For some that have Parts and Boldness sufficient to speak to any Man; yet when they should pay the Duty they own to God, all their Wit and Courage fails them; and here they can say Nothing. If it were to speak for their Bodies, and the Concerns of the World, they could find their Tongues; and who more ready? But when it is for the Soul, and for Heaven, they are at a Stand and Loss; and here would have it pass for their good Manners, to be Silent. Now, if such be your Case, it speaks rather your Carelessness, than your Weakness; and that you do not so much want Skill, as Will, to the Work. And then you are to use your Endeavours, better to Fit and furnish yourselves for it; and beg of God to grant the Gift and the Spirit of Prayer, that you may Discharge it in an acceptable manner; and that you may not be readier to put forth yourselves in any Service else, than in his, who made you to Serve him, and who best deserves all your Best.  
And take head you forbear not to do it at all, because you think, you cannot do it with a Flourish, or as well as the Best. Aim not at Neathess and Finery, but Plainness and Sincerity. No matter how Plain, if it be but Pertinent. Do but Honestly and Devoutly as you can; and Task not yourselves above what you find your Strength to be. Yet use yourselves to it, and by Practice, you will still Learn to do it Better. A great Zeal for it, will be like Wings to early you through it. And if you give your Minds to it, you'll find yourselves (even beyond your Expectation) enabled to go on with it. Or though you are Infirm and Indisposed for it, and not so Fervent upon it, yet where there is no Keen Appetite, (in Sickness) there must be some Eating, or there can be no Living; and then even in the Use of your Food, you may find a better Stomach.  
When Dullness is the hindrance; a Serious Consideration may Warm and Rouse you into Zeal and Devotion. And you will carry the best Prayer-Book in your own Breast, when you well work upon your Hearts, the lively Sense and Apprehension of your Sins and Wants, your Maladies and Enemies, your Temptations and Dangers; the Corruption of your Nature, and the Deceitfulness of your Hearts; the Shortness of your Time here, and the Eternity of your Abode elsewhere; the Certainty of Death, and the Dreadfulness of Judgement; the Joys of Heaven, and the Pains of Hell; the Miseries of Others, and the Mercies of God to You and Yours; his Presence with you, and his Inspection of you; his Power over you, and his Justice to give you what belongs to you; the Necessity of a Saviour, and the Fullness of his Satisfaction; his All sufficiency and Inclination to do for you; and the Usefulness and Prevalency of Prayer, to help you to all that you can Need or Crave. These and the like Thoughts set Home, and duly pondered in your Minds, will raise such a Stock and Supply at hand, that you need not be to seek for the Materials of your Prayers.  
But where your own Experience tells you, That all this will not do. God be thanked, you have Variety of other helps in a readiness; and you may provide yourselves with Choice of such Books ' of Devotion, as you find most proper and agreeable to your Condition. And if you do not only Read, but Pray over those Forms, provided to your Hands, and Inform them with a Soul, and bring a Spirit to the Book, and put Life into the Dead Letter, your poor Offering then shall be nevertheless Acceptable and Effectual, for using the Words of Others, when the Devotion is your own: And you do it not in this manner to save your Labour, but because you think another has Expressed it better for you, than you can do for yourselves.  
But when such as these are all the Helps you have; and you think it enough to have them: And there let them lie by, Idle in your Houses; they may so little Befriend you, as to prove some of the Books opened in the Judgement, to bring in Evidence against you, for such Supine Oscitance, and Shameful Laziness, that you would not so much as be at the Pains to use them. And who will then regard your Complaints of the Cold, if you May, and Will not, go to the Fire? You are like to continue still Indisposed, if you will not endeavour to Read, and Meditate, and Pray yourselves into a better Temper.  
There is one Case yet, which this will not come down to; and that is, among such of the poorer Sort, as can neither Read themselves, nor have any in their little Families that can. Such may plead the Inability, for which you may think there is no Remedy. Yet have I heard a Man pray with Fervency and Propriety of Speech, that did not know a Letter of the Book. And he that ordains Strength out of the Mouths of Babes and Suckling's, can make the Illiterate herein to exceed the Scholars. But where he is not pleased to make up the Educator's Neglects with such Extraordinary Gifts; yet they that cannot Read, may notwithstanding (without Book) know their Sins, and Confess them; and for Christ's Sake beg Pardon of them, and Power against them: And for Grace, to be pleasing unto God; and by his Goodness, to be Provided for here, and Saved for ever. And when they do but this hearty, as to the Lord, they shall be heard without their Much-speaking.  
And further than this, they may Learn a Prayer by the help of others. And I scarce know how any that Frequent our Churches, can Escape the Learning and Remembering some of those Prayers, which they have heard so many hundred times over. And if they do but carry away the Confession, with which we begin at Church, and the Prayer of our Lord, and here and there a short Collect; they may make a Service of this at Home, as Good in the sight of Heaven, as that of their better Accomplished Neighbours, because it is the Best that they can offer. And now by these means, all may be so helped out, that none shall find any Excuse for his Impiety, from his Inability.  
4. Some would justify their Neglect of Family. Prayer, for want of Company. Either others Abroad, to Accompany them in it; or such Partners at Home, as are fit for it.  
1. They plead the want of Company Abroad. It is a thing so out of Use in Multitudes of Families, yea, and many that are of Good Reputation, and well Esteemed in the World; but here and there a Few that keep it up, and appear for it, and are constant in it. And would you have us then to Upbraid our honest Neighbours, with our Pretensions to be Wiser and Better than the rest? Would you persuade us to be so Unfashionable and Singular, as to Expose ourselves to Censure and Laughter?  
I hope the Omission is not so Common, nor the Practice such a Rarity, as the Objection intimates: And that it is not yet grown such a Scandalous thing for a Family of Christians, to Join daily together, to give the highest Honour they are able to their Lord. I am willing to think with more Charity of a Christian Country. And as much Truth as is in the contrary, is (I am sure) as much Reproach to us; and one of the worst things that could be said of us. But the Universality of Sober Men have another Sense of the Matter; and cannot but think the better of these Families, that show such Exemplary Piety, as all the rest ought to Imitate. And if any seem well to Pass without it, they would be much more Praiseworthy with it. Whatever else is commendable in them, their Casting out the Worship of God, casts a foul Blot upon them. For though here and there a Profane Wretch foams out his own Shame, in throwing Contempt and Derision on the Praying-Families, and making their Seriousness his Sport: Such Revilers of them, may too late wish, That themselves had been found among them, when the Lord shall come with Ten thousands of his Saints, to execute Judgement upon such Scoffers, for all their hard Speeches which they have spoken against Him; to Disgrace and Interrupt his Servants in the way, where he put them; and where it would better become those who profess the same Holy Religion to Fellow them, than to Object their Faithfulness against them, and turn their Piety to their Infamy.  
But if any, here wonder at your Singularity, you have much more Cause to wonder at their Impiety; and let them Wonder on, but for all that, do you Pray on: As you are taught by a very great Example, Psalm 71.7. I am as a Monster to many: But thou art my Strong Refuge. I care not how Prodigious they accout the Practice, as long as I find how Blessed is the Benefit. You may as much Despise their mighty Numbers, as they Despise your numerous Prayers; and still think but so much the better of them, because such as they are against them. To Season your Houses with Religion, and make it Familiar to your People; if this be to Break the Custom, it is such a Custom sure, as has great need to be Broken. What if Few do follow this way? Has not our Lord told us, That Few do find the Way to Life? And has he not intimated the Reason to be, because so few do Strive to Enter? And is not the Chief of all our Striving in our Praying? But is not all the Struggle in Prayerless-Fathilies quite of another Nature? Alas, all Careless Sinners are so far from striving to Enter in at the Straight Gate; that they scarce set their Faces this way, so much as to Seek after it. And these, I confess, are a vast Number. But yet such as are now for a Poll, and Glory in being of the bigger Number, will not find it for their Interest to stick to that way, and there be Found, when the great Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls shall come to Separate the Sheep from the Goats. For though they had far more than they have on their Side; the little Flock will then have the Infinite Advantage of them, when their Father shall give them the Kingdom; and at the s●me time Disown them that were Ashamed of him, and thought his Worship a Disparagement to their Houses; turning them over to the Master, whom they S●●●'d before Him; and who had more of their Devetion, than their Rightful Lord could ever get from them. And upon whomsoever the Scorn and Confusion is now cast, they shall then, to their Cost, find to whom it Belongs.  
One thing under this Head, (though I do but touch) I must not Slip. For I have heard it objected, That even some Ministers do not keep up these Prayers in their Families. And if they that have the Sacred Calling, which brings them so Nigh to God, to stand between him and the People, do not think themselves Obliged to it: What can you expect from the Laity, from Tradesmen and poor Labourers? If they that are the Mouth of the rest, be Dumb and Speechless this way; must the People usurp the Office of their Teachers, and take upon 'em to Teeth them? i. e. To Teach them better things than their Own Practice?  
I am willing to believe, That this is all Calumny: And that there is no Foundation for it, in matter of Fact, shall I say, or foul Neglect. But if there be any of my Brethren, that give no better Patterns: (As there were Pastors so Brutish, not to seek the Lord, Jer. 10.21. And our Lord himself had one of the Function, that was more for what he could get of the World, to Fill the Bag; than to Draw down Blessings from Heaven, and to be Filled with all the Fullness of God:) I will take the Boldness to drop a Word of Exhortation, even for Them, whose business it is to Exhort others.  
I Beseech you Brethren, by the Mercies of God, and by all that is Dear to you in the World; Do not throw such a Stumbling-Block before your People; nor so Block up your own Passage to the Throne of Grace. You know, that your Work is not only to Preach to them, but to, Pray for them, and to recommend their Case unto Him that is able to Help them; and to give you Success among them; and to Bless all your Labours bestowed upon them. And shall the House of the Man of God, be void and empty of the Worship of God? What Good then are you like to do them, by all that you say to them, at the House of God? They will be more Inquisitive after your Orders at Home, than Determined by your Rules at Church. And all your most Elaborate. Preaching will not Help them, so much as your Scandalous Neglect of Praying Hinders them: Tho you Extol Prayer (proform●) from the Pulpit, for a Flourish, to Set off yourselves; (and indeed unto such as are acquainted with your Domestic Practice, to Condemn yourselves;) Alas, Why should they Regard that, which they know you so to 'Slight? Let your Houses then, as well as your Sermons, show them what they have to do. And let not your own Walls, as well as your Neighbour's Mouths, cry out of you, for unfit to take Care of the Church of God; when you no better Rule your own House, 1 Tim. 4.5, 6. You have a Talon to Exercise, which the other Appointed Offices leave but little Room for at the Church. I mean, The Gift of Prayer. And where can you stir up and improve that Gift of God in you, so well as in your Family? O do not hang all upon the Common Charge then, to Live only upon the Public Stocks: Nor let that Privy Key which God has given you, to his Treasures, lie by and Rust, for want of Use. But Use it; and Love to Use it. And that not only to Stop the People's Mouths, but to bless and enrich (together with their Souls) your own Houses and your Hearts.  
This to a Few; I hope, to a very Few. But now again to All.  
If you do not look altogether upon Others, by them to determine your own Practice: If you will not Refuse to take the way for Heaven, till such time as you can have all the Country along with you. Yet  
2. Do you suspend the Family Prayer, because you have not Company at Home, sit to join with you in it? Why, what's the matter with them? Are they such Ignorant Creatures, they know not what belongs to Prayers? Or such Wicked Sinners, That God will not Hear them, but count their Prayer Abomination? Yes, you think, they are some of them so Dark and Stupid; and all of them Corrupt and Unconverted.  
But take heed that you do not involve yourselves in as bad a Gild, when by the Rash Judgement you pass your Sentence without certain Knowledge; and so may Condemn those whom God will not. Or put the Case to the worst, that it is as Bad as you Suspect with them: Yet how do you know but that God has Designs of Everlasting Love to them? And what can you tell, but in time by your very Prayers he will Call and Convert them? Would not you have them lie in the Way, and under the Use of his Prescribed Means? What would become of all our Prayers at Church, if the Presence of wicked men should spoil them? Tho it is then a mighty Encouragement and Advantage, to have Right Hearted Zealous Partners to strive with us in our Prayers; (and instead of throwing Water upon the Sparks, to bring their Bellows to Blow up Devotion into a Fl●me:) Yet you must not therefore forbear the Service, because you have not such as you could wish, to assist in it: But Pray the Harder with them, and for them; that they may be made such as you would have them. For even the Wicked shall not be Rejected, Returning. But how shall they get out of their Wickedness, without their Prayers? Their Praying is one great Expression of their Repenting, and the very Way of their Returning. And so the Calling them to Prayer, is a Calling them to Repent, and Turn to the Lord, i. e. To do the thing whereof they have the greatest Need of any thing in the World. 'Tis your kindest Charity▪ then to Put them upon it; and you could not be more Cruel, than to Excommunicate them from it.  
5. Some throw by the Family-Prayers for want of Success. They see them do no Good upon many that Use them: and they find themselves never the Better for them: and so they are Heartless to be Concerned with them.  
I confess men may here as well as elsewhere, bestow Labour in Vain, if they will. For the Prayers will not work like Potions or Plasters, by mere Application: and all that Use them will not of necessity be Healed by them. For it is not the Bare use, but the Right use, that will make them effectual. Many do give them the best Commendation, in the Good Fruits, that they make appear, Produced by them: and can put to their own Seal, for the Blessed Effects. And such as are still too Bad With them, might have been yet much Worse Without them. And you that Complain, for want of Experience in yourselves, of any thing done by your Prayers, whereof you can make your Boast; Peradventure may know the Fault, where it Sticks; that they are no more prosperous. And then your wisest Course is, Not to Fall out with the Prayers, but to Correct yourselves; and Remove that which Hinders, out of the way. That so you may order the matter to more advantage; and not still be Counting over the Treasure, and grow never the Richer: But so Pray to God, That you may find Cause to Bless God, for what you have got by the Trade. And for that Way of Management, I am to give some Advice, before I have done.  
But here let me Caution you, from making Hasty Conclusions, and Denying the Fruit of Prayer; only from your present Sense of the Matter. For you may have the Benefit, which you do not Observe; and the Prayers may do you Good many other Ways; though you Perceive not the Good, to your Mind, in some particular Manner, proposed or expected by yourselves. The Physic that makes Sick, is yet in order to Health. And you must not Look for the Harvest, assoon as the Seed is Sown. God will Avenge his own Elect, that cry day and night to him: Tho he bear long with them, Luke 18.7. Yea he will do it Speedily: That is, The very First Fit Opportunity: Tho not so Soon as they might make Account. And though you do not now Feel the Benefit, you must Wait till you do; and Believe, That you shall be the Better, for Following the Course, which He himself puts you upon; who has Pleasure in the Prosperity of his Servants; and does not bid the House of Jacob, nor any House of Yours, Seek his Face in vain.  
But after all these Complaints, of wanting a Command, and Time, and Ability, and Company, and Success: There are other Wants, that more need to be Complained of, for Hindering these Prayers. Tho they be Wants here less Observed. Even, The Want of Wisdom, Humility, Zeal, a Heavenly Mind, The Love of God, and a Holy Life. As I shall show next, in pointing out the Real Causes, That Family-Prayer is so much Neglected. And these Causes I take to be, Ignorance, Pride, Sloth, Worldliness, Enmity to God, and The Love of Sin.  
1. Ignorance is a Cause. For the Prayerless Families do not Know, or they will not See (which is the worst Ignorance of all, because a Wilful one,) the Needs of their Souls, which should Hasten them to their Prayers: Nor see the things of their Peace, which should make them Glad to be so Employed. Many pass for Knowing men, yea, Deep and Sharp, Shrewd and Politic; and they are really Wise in their Generation: Who more Cunning, to Serve their own Turns, and to bring about their Worldly Ends? But to do their Souls Good, and to render themselves for ever Happy, They have no Knowledge. To Ingratiate themselves with the Best of all Friends, and and to Compass the most Blessed of all Ends, in the matters of God's Holy Religion, and their own Eternal Salvation. Here all their Skill sails them. They act as Idiots and Novices; and show the extreme Folly, in turning away from the Supreme Felicity And though they cannot choose but get some Knowledge of God in his Creatures, yet they do not Know him in his Son; nor as Revealed in his Word; nor as showing his Power and his Glory in the Sanctuary. They do not Know how Great he is; or else they would more Fear him: Nor how Good he is to his Servants; or else they would be more with him, when they might Get so much by him. And though they make a Quarrel, upon the Charge of Ignorance; as did the Pharisees with our Saviour, J●h 9.40. Are we Blind? They take it heinously, that such Pretenders to know more than all the rest, should be brought in with their ●●●oramus. But he told them, (next ver.) That as much as they did see, only helped to Aggravate their Gild; and so they but Knew how to Increase their Condemnation; and were Witty, but to get themselves the more Stripes. How many are ready to Brag, with La●d●●ea, Rev. 3 17. That they are Rich, and increased with Goods, and have need of nothing: When God knows, They are Miserable and Wretched, and Poor and Blind and Naked? They do not Know what Case themselves are in. They are me●e Strangers at Home; and have no Good Acquaintance, with their own Souls. They would Face us down, That their He●●ts are Right, and very Good; when God's Word pronounces them Deceitful and Desperately Wicked: And they never show us, what they are Good for; in Pouring out of the Abundance of them before the Lord.  
David begged hard▪ of God, and made this his Argument to prevail and speed, For I am Poor and Needy, 〈◊〉 86.1. Tho he were a Wealthy Prince, that wanted for nothing of the World; yet he was so W●se a Man, as to know what Need he had of God. And it is this Spiritual Poverty, that furnisheth us with the best Sagacity: The Sense of Indigence at Home, that sets us upon Seeking Abroad. Thus the Poor in Spirit, though they may seem to be such as have less Need, than some of their Neighbours, yet they Pray more and oftener: And herein show themselves the Wiser; because they understand their own Occasions better.  
But the Prayerless Families do not know what's Good for themselves: How to Traffic with that Kingdom, where is all to be had; nor how to get the richest Stock; to raise a Fund and Estate Inexhaustible; and to make their Fortune and themselves for ever. If they well understood themselves indeed, they would take their Time, while a Price is put into their Hands; and not turn their Backs so upon the Blessed Giver of all Good, and lose All, because they would not come to his Gates, nor lie waiting every Day, to Receive of his Infinite Fullness. They'd be as forward as any to call Fools, where they saw Men thus slight and neglect all their fairest Advantages in this World. And what are they better, that will turn themselves out of all the Highest Good, World without end, because they would not set themselves to Ask, till the Time when it was too late to be found?  
And then they that thought with themselves, We will not be such Fools, to lie waiting thus, and spend our Time, and our Strength, in our Prayers; shall cry out of themselves, We Fools, would not take God's (Way), but made account to do better in our own: We mistook our Business, and our Interest both, in preferring our Humour and our Pleasure, before our Conscience and Obedience. And now we perceive how the God of this World infatuated our Minds, and blinded our Eyes; how the Old Serpent was too old for us, and his Subtlety out-witted us, and made worse than Babies of us; to fill our Hearts with deadly Prejudice against Christ's way of receiving the Kingdom of God, as little Children. And we have refused all the Offers of Eternal Glory: We would not Keep in with Him, in whose Hands was all our Life and Bliss. But we Rawbled from him, and took more care for an Inch of Time, than for the Never-ending Eternity. O, whither are we going? And what shall we do now for ever? Had we Witted, what would have been the Issue, we would have taken another Course; we would have cleaved to the Lord, and S●uck to our Prayers; instead of Adoring the World▪ and Serving our Lusts. But now the Time is past, and we are lost; and have lost All p●st Recovery, and must bear the Eternal Brand and Smart of our Folly. O, it is the end, that must make appear, Who were Wise, and Who the Fools. And when Launching hence into the World to come, Then that Wisdom of the World which is Foolishness with God, will show to be no better, even in the Worldlings own sight. Then the Prayerless-Families will open their Eyes, and see their Error, and find that they were quite out; and did but Trifle and play the Fool, when you threw by the Work of God, to find you somewhat else to do; and that it was your Ignorance which kept you from your Prayers.  
2. Another Cause of this Neglect is Pride. For 'tis the Proud Heart that makes Men so Sti●● in the Knees. The Wicked through the Pride of his Countenance will not Seek after God, Psalm 10.4. He that is so Full of Himself, sees no Need he has to lie Begging at the Throne of Grace. When so highly conceited of his own Dignity, he takes it for a reproachful Dimi●●tion of himself, for such a one as He, to be commonly seen in lowly Prostrations to the Majesty of Heaven. He counts himself too Good, to be God's Humble Servant: And Scorns it, as Below him, to own any in his House Above him; fearing it would Lessen and Lose him with his Family; if, before them, he should pay his Great Lord the daily Homage and Fealty: That it would be too great a Degrading and Disparagement for him, to Worship, and bow down, and Kn●●l (with them) before the Lord ●is Maker. O wretched Worm! (I cannot forbear) Thou pitiful Bit of stiff Dirt! How dost thou forget thyself, and utterly mistake the way to Honour? When thou makest account to keep up thy Port and Grandeur among thy People, with Huffing and Swaggering, Looking Big, and Talking Loud, and carrying so High, as if it were too great a Blemish to thy Quality, to be every Day upon thy Knees in thy Family. When, alas, in the Worship of God, all are Equal, and no Respect of Persons. But as the Hills on the Earth disappear, and bear no Proportion at all, but the Whole shows to Heaven as a smooth perfect Globe: So the Metaphorical Mountains are made Low, and the Valleys Raised before the Lord. And all, of what Degree soever, are on a Level in his Presence. Only that the most High has chiefest Respect unto the lowly. And the Lower any Stoops in the Humbling himself, the Higher does he Rise in the Blessed God's Acceptance. 'Tis then by Abasing thyself in the Dust of the Earth, that thou wilt get nearest to him who Dwells in the Heavens. Which is the Wonder, the Riddle, the Mystery of Humility; but the Word of the Lord has established it for an undoubted Verity; That he whoso Humbleth himself, shall be Exalted. But when thou art not more Pliable to Bend, and too Stubborn to be brought thus Down; take heed he do not bring thee down a worse way, and yet more against thy Heart; to make the Sturdy Enemy his Footstool, and dash thee in pieces as a Potter's Vessel.  
There are a sort of Independents, that Set up for themselves, and Live to themselves, and make themselves their only End; Atheists indeed, that Live without God in the World. As if he had nothing to do with Them, nor they with Him. And their Cry to him, is like that, Jer. 2.31. We are ●ords, We will tome no mere unto thee, q. d. We Scorn to Wait upon thee. Who is Lord over us? What is this Lord of Heaven and Earth, that we should Obey him? The Application may seem too Keen to any among us. But I shall leave all Prayerless Masters and Families to Examine themselves, whether they be not Ashamed of the Humble Worship of God, and for m●er Pride, will not be Seen in it. And at the same time to bethink themselves, what a silly, idle Attempt it is, for any to make account of setting up their own Reputation, upon the R●●ns of his Glory.  
And if any may think, it pinches too much upon the Privilege of a Gentleman, to throw himself down Promiscuously among his Inferiors, in the Worship of his Maker; that it is for poor Sneaks, and Abject Spirits so to C●eap and Grange, and Lick the Dust; and Beg and Supplicate, not only for their Lives, but even for their Daily-Bread: If with the Arrogant Lucifer, they would not suffer God to be the most High, but would be like him, and as High as Herald If they would have their Dependence upon him, and their Submission to him, kept as a mighty Sec●●t; not to be Divulged by such Humble Acknowledgement and Self-Abasements: If they count this the way to keep up their Pre-eminence, and to render themselves the mere Considerable. I shall leave 〈◊〉 their Wisdom, a little better to Advise upon this Point; Whether it would not be more for these Credit and Honour, to be less Houghty and S●lly? And whether Glittering Worms are ever the less Wo●ms and Vile, because they will so fo●●●● themselves, as to Aspire after an Equality with the Highest? And whether we must so Co●●● them our Betters, as to forget, that there is an infinitely better than they? In si●●, whether themselves would not be much Better to be Humbler; and by the Low Abasement of themselves in the Sight of God, get them a worthier Esteem among all Men, whose Judgement is worth the Regarding.  
3. Sloth is another Cause of this Neglect. And, O how many Families count the ●●ily Worship of God too Troublesome to be endured among them? Some, for Laziness, will not do the thing, which yet they seem to Approve of; and to wish it done, if Wishing would do it; but they will not be at the Trouble. They have catched the Spiritual Cold, which Benumbs them to all Holy things. And here they are so Listless and Flaggy, they will not lay out themselves, nor Exercise their Parts to Conceive a Prayer; no, nor Charge their Memories to bear one: Nor lower yet, but so much as go over the Forms prepared by others for their Assistance. But though they are Brisk, and Nimble, and Laborious in other Business; yet are Heavy and Dead to this Work; and cannot find their Hearts, nor their Hands, nor any Powers, to fall about it, or to go through with it. They are Alive to the World, and full of Mettle for their Bodily Concerns, and their Fleshly Pleasures: At any one's Call, for their Temporal Gain and Advantage. But when the Lord bids them Seek his Face, they are dull of Hearing: When his Service is to be Attended, their Strength is departed. No Delight, nor Readiness to do the Will of God. No Preparations to Meet him; no Caring and Contriving; no Labouring and Striving for the Blessed Fellowship with him; but all for Slipping the Yoke, and Hiding and Stealing from the Irksome Employment. So many Hours they are at it, even from Morning to Night, for the Back and Belly; but one Quarter of an Hour shall be grudged, as too much to wait upon the Lord in any Holy Duty. They have both Legs ready to run upon the World's Errands; but when called upon Service to their Master in Heaven, they are stark Lame, and cannot Stir. With what Vigorous Efforts will they bestir themselves, to gain their worldly Points? And though they meet sometimes with unfeisible things in the way, to Basso their Attempts: Yet, again and again, they are at it, to try what they can make of it. But when they should be taken up with God, yea, when it is to win Christ, and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, here the Men of Might are as Weak as Water, and nothing to be done, let who will take all, for them.  
And is this (do you think) a hopeful Preparation for Heaven? And like the Taking it, even by Force? Does it not indeed look more like a Concern and Endeavour, all they can, to Eat and Escape it? Is this the seeking Glory, Honour, and Immortality, by Patiented Continuance in well-doing, and the Fervency of Spirit in serving the Lord? Can such Truants and Triflers in the Worship of God, ever think this is the Way to come to him, and to Live for ever with him? Can they look to be regarded in the number of his Servants, that will not so much as put themselves upon his Service? And can they promise themselves all the Ease and Rest of his Kingdom, and all the Welcome and Pleasures of his House, that would never Labour in his Vineyard, nor be at any Pains to do their Heavenly Father's Business? Alas, What's all their Confidence worth, to Reckon of having All, when they will do even Nothing? To think sure of getting to the Blessed End, when they scarce tread a Step in the Way that leads thither? Do they applaud themselves in the Negative Goodness, and think it enough, that they are not mischievous Plagues to their Neighbours; and to say, They do no Hurt? Not to dispute the Truth of that Assertion, which they would be hard put to it, to make Good: Yet, Matth. 25.30. you may hear a dreadful Doom passed upon a Man, To be cast into outer Darkness, where shall be Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth. Not because he was a Stigmatised notorious Sinner, but a Slothful and Unprofitable Servant. It was no part of his Indictment there, That he had Murdered, or Robbed, or played any Villainous Pranks in the World; But that he went and hid his Lord's Talon in the Earth. He was Idle, and good for nothing, at any Holy Duties, to Glorify and Serve the Lord. And so his Sloth and Negligence was his Bane and Damnation. O Think of this, and sadly think of it again, all Prayerless-Families; that Bury your Parts and Endowments so in the Earth, that they are all lost to Heaven: And when the God that Gave them, should have the Use of them, they are out of the way, and no such thing to be heard of. If you do not do a little more and better, than you have done; it's doubt, you will hear of another Greeting from the Lord, than Well done, Good and Faithful Servant.  
4. Worldliness is the common Cause of this Neglect, and the utter Ruin of the Family-Religion. Where Mammon is the Mistress, God shall not be Owned and Attended, as the Master of the House. No, by that time She is served, his Part is gone. This is his great Rival, that stands in Competition with him, for our Hearts and Service. And how frequently is the Usurper aforehand with the Blessed Owner? And comes and gathers up all the Rents and Deuce? And then at his Demand nothing's to be had; all disposed of another way, and go●le, p●st the true Proprietor's Retrieving And then though he stretch forth his, Hand all day long; there's nothing but Rebelling and and gainsaying: Either downright denying, We will not have Him'●● Reign over us. Or a Fraudulent Put-off, When I have a convenient Season, I will send for thee. We are too Busy now, it cannot be. And to Morrow shall be as this Day, and so the next, and the next. And this Injurious Invader seldom let's go the Hold, but rather strengthens the Interest by long Possession. And no Wedging in Religion here, among a Family of Worldlings. They are still so Full, the Vessel will contain no more. They cannot hold their Hands, and throw by the Rumble, never so little. And if any Office of Divine Worship is ever stirring among them, they are Patients all the while, as under the Ghirurgions' Hands; they bear it as a heavy Interruption to their more beloved Concerns, and long to have it, as soon as possible, out of the way, that they may get into their Element again. And what is not quite turned out, yet shall be so Run up in the Nurrows, that it Dwindles all away into an Empty Formality. And no body Gares for it. No body gets any Good by it. And, alas, How can the Wings mount up, that are so loaded with thick Clay? And when is it like to be better with them?  
Though sometimes they may talk of Lessening the Business, to Retrench the Encroachment; yet how commonly is it but Talk? For the Love of Riches is still a Temptation, rather to Engulf and Overload themselves with more, to lay further Snares for their Souls, as if they were not Fast enough in already. And then they are Snappish and Cross, to be taken off. What, would you have us Beggars, or turn our Houses into Monastries? Indeed we would have you to be God's Beggars, and to think yourselves more concerned to lie waiting for his Favour, than to Court the Smiles of the World; and with such a wise and holy Care, to Divide and Order your Time, as to make Room still for God's Worship; even without your Hindrance for the World. Or where you must Pinch upon the one or the other: Let it not be on God's Part. But be sure to have him first served, and the World only used under Him, and never to steal away the Service from him.  
Nay, we would not have you render your Condition worse than it is, not to deprive yourselves of the Happy Benefits that you might have; nor thus to Dispute yourselves out of the highest Privilege in the World. As to cry you Serve God in your Ordinary Calling; and that may suffice for you. And let such Discharge the other Services, (here pleaded for) that have fit Opportunities for them. And you shall not Envy them the Preferment. I grant that you Serve God (as well as yourselves and the Public) one way, by serving your Generation, in faithfully and usefully Discharging your several Places. And let them be never so Mean and Servile, you shall be as acceptable to God in them, as if you were in the most Honourable Posts, and the Highest Stations. But yet sure you would not think, that th●se poor Hinds, which are Drudging and Moiling abroad, would argue very wisely for themselves, when their Lord should Send and Invite them to come to him in his Parlour at certain times, and there do some of the Better Offices, of Waiters upon him; yea, and Embolden them to Sat down and Talk, and Eat, and Drink, with him; if they should Decline and Refuse it, saying, They served him in the Field; and therefore he could not blame them for not doing him any Service. But as to the immediate Attendance and Favour offered, they had rather be Excused; and let who would take the Office. The Queen of Sheba had a better Opinion of such Service; when she so applauded the Advantage of Solomon's Attendants, 1 Kings 10.8. Happy are thy Men; happy are these thy Servants which stand continually before thee. And if the Least of you may be so Taken up with a Greater than Solomon, and are not only Permitted, but Invited to come so Near him, and to be so Free with him; and yet you Pray him to have you Excused, because you are Serving him in your Particular Callings: I think your Refusal will not commend your Piety, so to decline the Opportunities of drawing Nigh to your God; nor yet commend your Wisdom to care no more for that Honour and Favour, than which the Kings of the Earth, and the Angels in Heaven, cannot have a greater.  
Whatever be your several ways of Subsisting in the World; (which are all designed but for the Support of your Bodies, in the mean while, till you have secured the Salvation of your Souls) O remember, That there is one great Profession, which equally Concerns you and me, and every one, as the Common Trade of us all. And that is, to provide so well for our Eternal Subsistence, that we may live Blessedly for ever, in the World to come. And then be not so Intent upon it, to Rise and get up in this World, to throw yourselves down, and be utterly undone in the next. But take more Notice of your Danger, and be more with God in Prayer, to Preserve you from that common Slaughter.  
David prayed to be Delivered from Men of the World, that have their Portion in this Life, Psalm 17.14. O beg of God, That you may not be put off with that wretched Portion; that the Lord may not turn you over at last for your Reward, to the Mammon which you served, and say, Take that which you Chose. You would not come to me, that you might have L●se. You might have hall it, if you would have come for it. But you preferred the Pelf and Dung of the Earthy before all the Treasures and Pleasurds of Heaven. You made light of my Invitation, and went your ways, one to his E●rm●, another to his Merchandise; where you thought you could make better Marks. You had rath●r be the World's bored Slaves, than the Lord's Freemen, and Followers of God, as dear Children. And now all is gone; and that World, in which you Trust●● and Delighted has shaken you off. And, what will you do World without end? You thought nothing too much to do for the Friend, that in your Woe▪ Need, Will do Nothing, Can. do Nothing for you.  
O Sirs, did you look more out beyond this World; sure you would be more looking Up, and have your Eyes ever towards the Lord. Did you s●e the World passing away, as a Shedow, no more to be for ever 〈◊〉 Sure you would not Stick so unreasonably to it; not enduring but so much, as for Prayer while, to be parted from it. But when you find the World so Rude and Impertinent, to Rush in upon the Sacred Offices, and Mingle● with your Holy Things; either to put you beside them, or to Interrupt and Spoil you in them: Never abide the Intruder so to Damnify your poor Souls, and Defraud your Glorious Maker. Let it not here stick so hard with you, that Christ shall not have you. Like the Customer, Matth. 19.22. that went away in his Dumps, because he could not have the Saviour, but he must be Weaned from his Wealth. Shall the World fill your Heads and your Mouths; your Hands and your Hearts, as if you had nothing at all to do in it, but only to make your utmost Benefit of it? Will you be so wholly for Back and Be●●y, as to Forget and 'Slight God and Eternity? O Bethink yourselves Better, and then the Lord shall Hear of you Oftener. And then you'll make the World stand Aside, till he has his Attendance paid: And not Run yourselves out of Breath in Pursuit of Mammon; ●ill you have no Breath to lay out in Calling upon God; nor let that Pluck you from his Gates, which can never Save you from his Wrath; nor make you any amends for the Loss of your Souls. Let those Alarms still sound in your Ears, 1 John 2.15. Love not the World, nor the things of the World: If any man love the World, the Love of the Father is not in him. And Jam. 4.4. Ye Adulterers and Adulteresses, Know ye not, that the Friendship of the World is Enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be the Friend of the World, is the Enemy of God. If you cannot be so In with it, but you must be Out with Him; and you'll turn him, not only from you, but all against you: Take heed, lest in Reckoning to Get all) you Lose all. And instead of suffering the Prayers thus to be Cashiered and Routed; let them be set up as the Barriers and Fences, to keep off the Encroachment: That you be not seized by the Enemy, and carried away into an Unredeemable Captivity.  
5. There is the Enmity against God, which Hinders this Praying to him. The Wicked are all to pieces with Heaven; and then these Offices of Friendship are not to be expected from them. They are by Nature the Children of Wrath: They brought the Seeds of Enmity with them into the World; and the old Grudge and Core was never yet Healed. No, Still the Quarrel goes on; and the Breach grows but Wider. Still they are Enemies in their Minds, through Evil Works, Col. 1.21. And the Enemies in Mind are the Bitterest Enemies of all; That have the Masice there Rooted at the Bottom. And till they be Reconciled, and made better Friends, They will keep off, and have as Little as may be, to do with One, whom they take for their Enemy. God's Enemies would not have him to be the Head of the Family. No, They have not so much Honour for him. For though we cannot bear the Contempt and Affronts cast upon our Friends; yet we care not how much our Encmies are Vilified and Despised: We Grudge to pay them any Honour ourselves: and we are not well pleased, to have them Admired and Magnified by others. Yea further, We Delight in the Company and Conversation of our Dear Friends. We Love to go to them, and never think it Long to be with them. And if your Hearts be Joined to the Lord, you will not think the Daily Prayers come too Fast to bring you to the God of your Lives: On that they make you have too much to do with him, whom your Souls Love. But one that we do not Care for, we are Strange to him; and when he comes and Offers himself, we can have Twenty Excuses to get away, and Shift him off. And so is God Served by the Prayerless Families: He is not to their Mind; and they do not care for his Company. Even a Godly Man that does but bear his Image, is an Eyesore to them: They have no Kindness for him; and how then can such a Holy God be for their Turn? When it is Likeness that breeds the Love; and Love draws all to Union. But where there is no manner of Suitableness, there's like to be small Dearness. And then where the Friendship is Cold, the Visits are but very Rare and Short; and all but mere Formality, nothing Hearty. Now such is the Case between God and Wicked Men: Who are Estranged from the Womb; and not only Fallen from, but Fallen out with him that Made them: Full of Prejudice against him, and Retaining no Favourable Opinion of him. And so they are Shy towards him, and Listless to come near him. They think they have Better Friends; and can bestow themselves more to their Content another way. And therefore are quite off this Course: Yea so Far gone from God, and Combined in their Apostasy, That they scarce so much as make any Mention of the Family-Duty; unless it be in the way of Derision and Drollery, as a Name of Scorn and Infamy; To Ridicule the Tenderness of a Neighbour, whose Pious Practice Upbraids their own Shameful Neglect.  
Now is not this a Sad and Fearful Consideration, that may strike you down, and make you Tremble; To think that your Strangeness to God, arises from this Enmity; and that therefore you are Prayerless, because Enemies? At Odds with your Glorious Maker, and up in Rebellion against the King of Heaven? And then, O what do you mean to do? Will you stand it out, and Prepare for Battle; and go try Strength with the Lord Almighty? Are you for the Encounter? And dare you Resist, and Venture to Bear the Shock of his Indignation? O Sottish Creatures! How Unequal is the Combat? For a poor frail Arm of Flesh to Fight with Tempest, Lightning, and Thunderbolts? For Dry Stubble to Maintain its Own, before a Consuming Fire? This can never do your Business. No Standing in his Sight, when once he is Angry. No Escaping his Hand, when he comes to take Vengeance. The Proudest must Stoop to him; The Strongest will Sink under him.  
It must be another way, that you Prepare to Meet your God. And that is, To go and Cast yourselves at his Feet, and assuage his Wrath with your Prayers; and Beg Pardon and Peace, for his Son's Merits. For you will sinned Judgement without Mercy, if you do not make your Peace in this Time of Mercy. You will be Torn in pieces, when there shall be none to Deliver, if of the Offended Majesty himself you do not obtain Deliverance from this Cursed Enmity. Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at Peace: Thereby Good shall come unto thee, Job 22.21. Yea thou shalt make thy Prayer to him, and he shall hear thee, ver. 27. That's a Wonderful Indulgence; for Enemies, who lie all at his Mercy, to be admitted to Parley. That he will allow you to come, and Speak for yourselves. Yea, that he puts you upon this very Course: And the Gracious God, (wronged and offended,) seeks first, to have all Accommodated and Healed. And will you not then take the Time, and the Offer, while you may have it? Yea, and when we pray you in Christ's stead, to be Reconciled unto God? If ever you will show Wisdom, to do you any Good, show it here: and show it Quickly. Hasten to your Prayers; and hold not your Peace, till the Lord speak Peace. And Cry maghtily, that you may find a perfect Cure of the Antipathy. So that from Abhorring of God, you may come to Delight yourselves in the Lord.  
6. One other Cause, (near akin to this,) of withholding the Prayers, is The Love of Sin. When Wickedness is sweet in the Mouth, and (as u pleasant Morsel,) is Hid under the Tongue, Job 20.12. Then Prayer is Unsavoury and Bitter, and no acceptable Relish to be found in it. Tho the Pious Soul uses to fall to it, like an Epicure to his Feast: Yet as men grow Fo●d of their Sins. They fall out of Conceit with their Prayers. And if they do not Check themselves in the Wicked Course, They shall find a Obeck at the Throne of Grace. If you are Conscious of Iniquity Regarded in your Hearts, and Allowed in your Practice; Then going to the Lord in that Pickle, you can expect small Welcome, nor any Destrable Hearing. When you go on in your Trespasses, you'll be Heartless to carry on your Prayers. And where the Wickedness is become Delicious, there the Prayer will grow Fulsome. And how can you in earnest Pray against the things, which you Love above all things? That which makes thee Abashed before the Lord, will be apt to Keep thee out of his Presence. When thy doing is so Inconsistent with thy Praying; and thou knowest where is the Stop, and what is the Matter, That God Hides his Face from thee, and will have nothing to do with thee, till thou hast done with the provoking thing: Then thou hangest back from the Galling Office; and triest to Divert and Ease thyself another way. And what Heart hast thou to Seek the Face of the Lord, which his Word tells thee is Against them that do Evil, Psal. 34.16. Alas, the Ungodly Wretch has got other Haunts than to the Throne of Grace. And what should he do there, who has no Purity of Heart, nor any Holy Hands to Lift up? The way of Frayer is utterly Cross to the Course of his Life. And to Draw Nigh to the Holy Righteous Lord, does nothing but Upbraid and Torment him. He can have neither Boldness nor Comfort there: But finds himself Easier to Stay away. And so he withholds Prayer, as a Rub in his Passage; that he may go on the more Cl●ver and undisturbed in the pursuit of his Lusts.  
I cannot much wonder that a Wicked Family, should be a Prayerless Family. Where their Heads and their Tongues run upon Vanity and Foolery, Pomp and Pride, Fashions and Dresses, Dainties and Excesses, the Pot and the Game, Cursing and Swearing, Corrupt Communication, and Dissolute Conversation, Raking and Tearing for the World, or Brawling and Fight among themselves: Such a Life and Prayer, agree like Fire and Water, They are Rambling from God, and Flying out against him: And how then can they for Shame, see one another's Faces before him? Their Prayers would look but like a Jest; and not only a piece of Formality, but of Mockery.  
O Sinner! When thou turnest thyself lose, to walk in the Ways of thy Heart, and the Sight of thy Eyes: When thou kickest against the Pricks, and breakest throw all the Restraints of Conscience, to run out after thy Pleasures and Extravagancies, thy Idols and thy Harlots, a Whoring from the Lord: When thou livest Dishonestly or Idly; carriest on Base Designs; and scornest all Holy Rules: When thou liest weltering in Lust, swollen with Pride, fired with Malice, eaten up with Covetousness: And all thy Sins are in their Power upon thee: And nothing but what is Hateful to God, is Dear to thee: Does he not see thy Ways, and count all thy Steps? Dost thou not know he is ware of thee? And then with what Face, canst thou go into his Presence, and take on thee to do any thing at Prayer? In this Case, thou art liker to make a Scoff at it, thin to have any Serious Concern in it. And thy Companions that know thee, would but Laugh at thee, to hear of such a one as thee, ever offering so to Employ thyself. Thou couldst scarce have the Patience, but to Kneel so many Minutes at thy Prayers, as thou couldst sit Hours at the Cards or the Drink. And when thou so hardenest thyself against the Cries of the Poor; How canst thou expect to find any Mercy that wilt show none. When thou canst not Forgive, but goest full of Vengeance; thou'lt be afraid of Cursing thyself, to go over the Blessed Form, Forgive us our Trespasses, as we Forgive them, etc. When thou hast been stretching forth thy Hands to Iniquity, and Stealing or Cheating sticks to thy Fingers, what Hands are those to lift up in Prayer? And what a Tongue is that to Bless God, that so commonly breaks out to Blaspheme him? How canst thou pretend any Adoration to the God of Heaven, when thou knowest, that thy God is thy Belly? Yea, how canst thou expect to be ever the better for that Praying, which thou canst make the Subject of thy Mocking and Jeering? 'Tis no Employment for such a Profane Wretch. No, thy very Praying is even as much a Taking of God's Name in Vain as thy Swearing. There's that Abomination in thy Heart, which Cramps and Damps every Petition that comes out of thy Mouth. Thy Trade of Life, alas, it stops the Breath, and Kills the very Heart of thy Prayers.  
And this is the Reason, that many have so soon enough of their Prayers; as not finding the Exercise to agree with their Constitution; nor with the drift of their Conversation. They will not be at the Pains to Cleanse themselves; and then they know, as good not meddle with the Prayers. Nay, the Enemies of God, which they Reset in their Hearts, will never abide it. When it brings the Sins to Sight, and is a kind of Arraigning themselves at the Bar of Heaven; therefore they Abstain from it, or are so very Sparing in it; not only for Shame that the Holy things may not Confound them; but for dread also, lest they should Raise the Evil Spirit to Torment them.  
But will this serve the turn? And shall they who go on thus perversely in their ways, so Guard and Defend themselves in the Pessession of their Sins? O silly, idle Attempt of Desperate Creatures! For all must come out. And the Conscience, which they now so Strangle and Provoke, will one day Return, but with the greater Force and Fury upon them. 'Tis Vain then to Cover your Transgression, and think to hid Iniquity in your Bosom; or with a high Hand to get the Mastery of your Convictions, and make a League and Peace with your Sins, that shall hold Inviolable. For be sure they will find you out. And for all these things, God will bring you into Judgement. And there is no way for you to Escape the Danger of them, but roundly to Judge yourselves for them: And if you Seek the Lord, to let these go their way. And as ever you would see lin with Comfort; Cast out, the Cursed Things that set him against you. And down with those Walls of Separation, that keep you and your Prayers from him. And away with the Bosom Lusts, and Darling Sins, that spoil all the Dearness with Heaven; and that cut off your fair Correspondence Above. O see the desperate Straits into which you run yourselves, by continuing under the Love and Power of your Sins. For if so you Hold to Iniquity, it will certainly be your Ruin. And you cannot come out of it, without the Help of your Prayers. And yet, alas, what Hearty Prayers can you make against the Sins, which you love in your Hearts? And let even this, turn your Hearts for ever against those Sins, that they blast all the Joy and Comfort of your Lives, and turn you out of the best Refuge in the World, and make that mighty Help of poor Sinners, Insignificant and Helpless unto you, by keeping you from it, or destroying all the Advantage you might get by it, and making that Blessed God the Terror of your Souls, who should be the only Joy of your Hearts.  
These things considered, I hope you will not forsake your Prayers, to cleave to your Sins. But Fly from your Sins, to get such a worthy Peace in your Minds, that you may go sweetly on with your Prayers.  
And now before I offer any Advice, for the Management of this Duty, let me settle some Preliminaries, to make the Way for these Family-Prayers. And I will propose but these Two Things: The fixing of some Stated Times for Prayer: And also the Frequent Returns of your Prayers. That you may make Sure of them, and that you may be as Osten, as is needful in them.  
1. Make Sure of some Stated Times for Prayer: Though I tie up none to Canonical Hours, or to any other Certain Hours in particular yet I would have you to Fix upon some yourselves. After you have each consulted your several Conveniencies, for the fittest Seasons, which you find to be most Proper and Advantageous for the Purpose: Determine the Time with yourselves, and let your People know, that then you Expect their Attendance with you before the Lord. That so all may cast to be Ready, and to get all that Hinders (as much as they are able) out of the way. For the Corrupt Flesh will be apt to frame many Evasions, to carry you off your Bias, with other Matters; when you are under no such Rules, but only for Praying, when the Spirit moves. And if you do not fix upon your Times, Named and Appointed, the thing will be in Danger often to be Forgotten, and Thrust out, and to slip and drop to the Ground. Thus tie yourselves up then, (where you have not already) and keep as near as you can to the Set Times, that nothing (under such unavoidable Impediments, as you could not Prevent or Foresee) may put you beside them: And that none through their Fault, nor unless upon any Just and Needful Account, may be Wanting, but Ready at Call for the Service. Though I deny not, but Prayer may sometimes give Place to a less Work than itself, when it is a Fit and Necessary Work, and such that cannot be done another Time, as the Prayer may. Then you may step aside, somewhat out of your Way, to let the Carriage go by. But use not willingly, and upon Frivolous Occasions, to Break your settled Measures. And when you do, let it be so, That they who know you, may perceive, that the Interruption is none of your Pleasure, but rather Pain and Grief to you.  
But here I would take upon me so far, as to recommend to you the Morning and Evening 〈◊〉 the Beginning and the Close of the Day, as very Inviting Seasons for your Prayers. And such as all the Faithful Servants of God, generally every where throughout the World, have been used to make Choice of. And that not without very weighty Reasons. Some of which let me here Suggest, as Motives, encouraging you to be with so much Good Company.  
1. For the Morning Prayers. It may well be called the best Beginning, to Begin with him, who is the Best of all Being's. To have your First Business with God, is such a Tincturing of the Vessel, as may make it carry a Sweet Savour all the Day. After you have been so piously Taken up with the Lord; you'll be the more Meet for an Innocent and Useful Conversation with Men. When first you have been Seeking Directions from Above; you'll better know how to Carry yourselves in all your Concerns. First Fruits were, of old, God's Part. And still we are to Seek his Kingdom, and the Righteousness thereof, in the first place. And this is one way of Seeking the Lord Early; when you Resolve with that Great and Holy Man, Psal. 5.3. My Voice shalt thou Hear in the Morning, O Lord. In the Morning will I direct my Prayer to thee, and will look up. And before you break your Fast, or pour down your Morning's Draught, it is fit you should break open your Minds, and pour out you S●uls to God in your Prayers.  
And this you are to take the more heed of, that the World Rush not in, to be served before your God; and that Bodily Occasions do not get the Start of your Religion, so that it never Recover all the Day. Some Men are Early up; but is only the World, or their Fleshly Pleasure, that Rouzes them. They are in Hosta to be Bustling out and gone, before they have asked God's Leave, or taken Him along with them. Instead of Calling upon the Lord, and first of all Securing the Service of God: As soon as up, they are Calling upon their People, and Spurring them on to the Service of Mammon; to make Haste, and do this and that besure. But not a word of the thing that is most Needful of all to be done. O what Preposterous Doing is here? The Attendance on the Vile Body, to exclude all Care of the Precious Soul! Earth to be set above Heaven! And any paltry Trifles, and perishing Trash, to take Place of Immortal Glory, and the God Blessed for ever! To run away with all Speed in the Morning, without Him, that has brought you to it; as if you had no Dependence upon him, nor he any Title to you.  
Again, I would engage you to your Morning Devotions, even for the Decency of the thing. And to make some handsome grateful Returns to your Great Preserver, who has brought you out of your Sleep, as out of the Hands of Death; and raised you from your Beds, as from your Graves; and let you see a New Light, like a Resurrection to another Life: O can you choose but say, with his approved Servant, Psalm 139.18. When I awake, I am still with thee. As soon as I Open my Eyes, I cannot but Lift them up to the Lord, from whom comes all my Safety, and my continual Supply. For that I laid me down and Slept, and Awaked again; What was it, but because the Lord sustained me? Psalm 3.5. Who did keep you in your Sleep, when you were in no Capacity to Look to yourselves? Who secured you from Dangers, and Refreshed you with a comfortable Rest? And is it not worth your Notice and Acknowledgement? And will you give him no Thanks and Praise for it? O let even common Ingenuity extort from you the Morning Sacrifice. And lannch not forth into the Business of another Day, Before you have paid your humble Devotions, for the Protection, and the Repose of the last Night.  
Yet further, Let me urge the Necessity, as well as Decency of this Duty. If ever you would be safe, and Do Well, Do not Vonture out in the Morning without this Guard and Defence of your Prayers about you. For your Souls to go thus Undressed and Unblessed into the world, 'tis worse than for your Bodies to set out Naked in the Sharpest Season. You know not what you do. So to Expose yourselves. You know not what Temptations and Perils you shall meet with; nor what is near you, or just hanging over you: In such an Evil Dangerous World, wherein you Live, Beset with such a Mighty and Deadly Enemy; that is still watching and plotting for your Mischief and Ruin: And when you are so weak and Insufficient, to maintain either your Integrity or your Safety; and 'tis as much as you can do, with all your Prayers, to secure yourselves. O what will become of you then, if you get not under the Shelter of the Almighty? If you Engage not his Aid in your Defence? You are never out of Harms way, when out with God. However you may Fancy yourselves safe and well enough, even under the Devil's Power: (For so he will seek to Humour you, into your own Undoing:) All your Security and Prosperity then, Alas, it is but a Dream and Imagination; when you are out of God's Hands; and will not by Prayer, commit yourselves to his Tuition. That which looks for your Welfare then will prove but a Trap: And even the things in which you Applaud yourselves, as Best for you, will turn to your Downfall and Ruin.  
Once more,  
You have as much Need of your Morning-Prayers, as you have of the Blessing of God upon all your Designs and Labours of the Day. For how Vain is it, To Rise Early, and Sat up Late, and Eat the Bread of Carefulness and Sorrow, Psal. 127.2. If the Lord do not give Success, and make your Endeavours Prosperous? The best Contrivance, and the greatest Pains will never do, without his Favour and gracious Influence. All your Planting and Watering will signify nothing, If he do not give the Increase, 1 Cor. 3.7. You may Plough and Sow, and Reap the Wind; If the kindly Blessing of Heaven do not Rear up, and Ripen and Perfect the Fruits of the Earth. You may Reckon all Sure, and Fear nothing to hinder the Success; and yet somewhat be Latent, out of your reach to Discern; that shall Blast and Spoil all. So that you have not only need every Morning, To ask your Daily Bread; But a Daily Blessing upon that Bread, to make it Bread indeed, Fit to Nourish and do you Good. And if you are so Intent upon the Business, or in such Haste for your Journeys; that you cannot stay for Prayers; But count that much Time Lost, which is so Bestowed: You will make too much Haste for the Good Speed; and come to know at Last, That Prayer never Hindered any Good and sitting work; But is the Best Means in the world, to make it Prosperous. And whatever seeming Success you found; as good you had never had it, if by your Prayers you did not Seek or Sanctify it. O then Begin all your Works in God's Holy Name; and let your Prayers go before your Labours. And never think that all your other Striving will do greater matters, than this Striving with God for the Blessing. Nor think to Snatch it out of God's Hands, and work it out yourselves, whether He will or no: But before you Engage in the Work of the Day, Stay to Engage and Pray him into your Interests. And instead of fearing any Damage by this Course, Expect to Far the Better all Day Long, for your Morning Devotions.  
2. If you Plead, That such are your Occasions, your Family, uses to be scattered in the Morning: And one is Up and gone: Another Engaged this way, another taken up in that Business: So that you cannot have them together, to make any thing of the Morning Prayer. (Though I doubt not, but you might order your Affairs, for the common prevention of this; were you indeed Lovers of God; Zealous for the Service, and full of Concern to Promote it: Peradventure you might amend the matter, by going to it a little Sooner, or staying somewhat Later: Yet) in the Evening this Excuse is out of the way. For than you are usually all together. And as you Join in a Body to Sat and Converse, and Eat and Talk together: So why you should not Join together upon the Best and most Needful Account of all, I know nothing to Hinder, but your own False Hearts, and Earthly Minds, Contempt of God, and Disaffection to his Holy things. And if one Steals to Bed before Prayer-time, and this and the other Run out, and find themselves other Employment: It is thy Fault, as a Master, that thou dost not use thy Authority, to Oblige them to better Attendance: And see that ye take this fair Leave of one another, before you part; to call upon the Lord with one Consent, and Magnify his Name together. That you may not only in a Formality, say, Good Night; but have good Reason to Hope it: And be like indeed to find Souls-Rest in your God, as well as the Bodily Rest in your Beds: And not go away with Regret of Conscience, for making your Beds your Lurking Holes; where to Hid from the Lord and Outrun your Duty.  
Again, If you have Forgot yourselves, in the Hurry of the Day: At Night is the Time of Recollection, to call yourselves to Account, and go Humble yourselves to the Majesty Offended; And beg his merciful Pardon in Christ Jesus, for all that you have carelessly Omitted, or wickedly Committed, the Past Day. For who Can understand his Errors, Or know how oft he Offendeth. O! which of you can tell how Frequently you Fail and Break with God, in your Thoughts, Words and Deeds, every Day, every hour. And if you would Lie down in Peace, and find your Sleep truly Sweet; It concerns you first to Seek God's Peace, and earnestly to Sue for Pardon. That you may find him Reconciled, before you enter the Regions of the shadow of Death: And not go into your Beds with all the heavy Load of the Day's Sins upon your Souls; For ought you know, Ere next Morning, to sink you down, too Low for any more Rising.  
And that is yet a further Engagement to your Evening Prayers, That you may be Defended from all the Dangers and Terrors of the Night. Not only from Fire and Thiefs, but from the Wrath of God, and the Incursions of Devils. That the Blessed Keeper of Israel may watch over you; when you are not in a Condition to take Care of yourselves: And that you may be Preserved safe, under the shadow of his Wings. For O how many have gone to Bed well, and slept their Last? And from their Beds, been Carried to lie in the Dust; Never to Wake again, till the great Morning of the Last Day? And what Assurance has any of you, but when you go into your Chambers, you from thence immediately go down to the Chambers of Death? How do you know, but this Night your Souls may be required of you? How do you know but it shall be the Last Leave that ever you w●ll take of one another? And would not you Labour hard with God in your Prayers, If you were sure not to Rise and Live another Day? And had you not best then be in as good Earnest; Because you have no Certainty, but so it may prove? And let me tell you, ye are Foolhardy, and throw a desperate Cast for Eternity; To leap into your Beds, before you go to your Prayers. And as you should be greatly Ashamed, to be such Brutes, so you should be as much Afraid to run such Hazards. And before you commit your Bodies to the Brother of Death, Commend your Spirits to the God of your Life. And go to your Beds, even as to your Grave● And then before you lie Down, you will think it Good to Kneel Down: And never Omit to make this one of your Prayer Times.  
But whatever be your Hours of Prayer,  
2. Take care of the Frequent Returns of your Prayers. That you may be at them Daily, and apply yourselves to them, as oft as is Necessary. If you keep not just to such and such Times, nor to Solemn Prayers exactly so many Times: Yet get such an humble Sense of your Wants; and such an high Esteem of the Blessed Freedom with God; That you need not be Spurred, to catch all the fit Opportunities for it: Nor ever run into such common Neglects, and long Strangeness to God; Till you are Overgrown with your Sins; and give Satan even all the Advantage he could wish, against your Souls. Yea and showing that you have no Regard of that holy Religion, whereof you make Profession: For though some (no less Silly than Profane) are forward to call Hypocrite, when they see a man much Addicted to his Prayers; Yet amuch more Competent Judge, Job 27.10. makes the Rarity to be a Badge of Hypocrisy. Will the Hypocrite Delight himself in the Almighty? Will he Always Call upon God? No, But if he Begin with it, and Offer a little at it, and carry it on for some Small Time, upon some Unusual Account: Yet he'll soon have Enough of it: and Flag, and fall Back, and let it alone; As nothing Agreeable, either with the frame of his Spirit, or the Tenor of his Life. He is for another sort of Company and Conversation, Than to be Much with God, and serve him, like Anna, Luk. 2.37. with Prayers Night and Day.  
Some Families are for Prayers only on the Lord's-Day at Night; and then the Lord shall have no more of them for a Week. They'll not come near him, till that Day Sevennight again. But do not make such Fearful Chasms and Interruptions, I beseech you. For every Day is the Lord's-Day; and a Day of Audience, and a Prayer-Day; wherein your Heavenly Father Expects you: And wherein you (I am sure,) do full as much Need Him. And count it as Strange and Unusual with you, to Suspend your Prayers, as your Meals: Yea to have your Prayers at a Stand, as to have your Breath stopped: For Prayer is the very Breath of Religion; without which it is suffocated and stifled, and cannot be kept Alive, in the Family, or in the Soul.  
Nor let the Lord only Hear of you at the Pinch and Extremity; when nothing but mere Dread forces you upon it. Lest you find the sad Disappointment, of Beginning an Acquaintance then; and seek in Vain, because you would not seek Before. But let Prayer be moe in Fashion with you, and more Common among you. Be Ready to it, and Much in it: Till you have made you a Frequented Easy Path to the Throne of Grace. Let it be even as the Air, that you Breathe in; and as the Food that you Live on; and as the very Pulse of your Souls. Carried on even without Ceasing, 1 Thes. 5.17. i.e. Keep in a Constant Preparation for it; and be Ready, upon all Occasions, to fall into the Actual Exercise of it. That it may not be as a Predigious thing to you; but an Every Day's Business, and Familiar, even as your Eating and Drinking.  
Now to Quicken you to such Frequency of Prayer, Do but Consider with me Three Things; That this is the Only Time for it: That the Oftener you thus come to God, you shall be the Welcomer: And that your Prayer, the more Frequent, is the more Excellent.  
1. Consider, That this is the Only Time. The Time of Reaching out the Sceptre, to Invite the Petitioner. The Finding-While, to Obtain Mercy. When Mercy's Arms are Extended, to Receive the Humbled, Yielding Sinner. But it is but a While; and O how Short a While! Even as Nothing, to the Vast Infinite Duration, in which you must take up For ever and ever. Can you think much then of your Daily Prayers? Or think more than Once a Day too much, To Beg and Importune the God of Heaven, to have Mercy upon your poor sinful Departing Souls; to vouchsafe some Tokens of his Love unto you; and to bestow the Riches of his Saving Grace upon you; before you go hence, and be no more Seen, nor Herd among the Living? Does the Lord allow you now to Ask, Seek, and Knock? Does he by his Command, Oblige you to it? And by his Promise of the happy Success, Encourage you in it? And yet you are Careless and Listless, to make your Benefit of it, while Time serves you for it? O that you would Open your Eyes, and see the Gracious Day that yet shines upon you! And so well understand yourselves, as to perceive, That it is no hard Put upon you, but a Singular Favour offered unto you. When you are Solicited, to make your Frequent Addresses to the Father of Mercies: That you may find his Mercy to Eternal Life; Find it, in the Time of this Mortal Life. O could the Damned Pray themselves out of Hell, How Hard would they be at it? How Incessantly upon it? And if by thy Prayers, Thou may'st keep thyself from ever Coming there; O how well would all the Pains and Expense be laid out, though thou shouldst waste thy Lungs, and wear out thy Knees, in Crying Day and Night, to be Delivered from God's Wrath and Everlasting Damnation.  
O will you then Know the Time of your Visitation! And if you Know it, Use it, while you have it. And let this be as the Goad, to prick you forwards, ever and anon to Renew your Prayers: To be at them again and again; and still Persist in them, and never have done with them, till your Life is Run out, and all your Danger is over. O Use yourselves now to Cry in Time; that at Last you may not Cry in Vain. Now Fellow your Prayers, that then you may not Lose your Prayers. For if you do not Begin them, till just your Time is Ending; even as good you had never begun them. O how many that now might Pray, and Would not, may then find, that though they would Pray, they Cannot? Yea though (after a sort,) than they do Pray, there will be none to Regard their Prayers. According to that terrifying Denunciation, Prov. 1.28. Then shall they Call to me, but I will not Answer. They shall Seek me Early; but they shall not Find me. But now you may Prevent the Killing Frustration: And if you let the Lord often Hear of you, in Your Day; you are like to have a Comfortable Hearing with him, in His Day. And it is the Conscientious Course of your Constant Praying Every Day, that will give you good Hopes of Solid and Everlasting Consolation, in your Dying-Day. And therefore now Give yourselves to it, and be Often in it, that then you may Reap all the Sweet and Blessed Fruits of it.  
2. Let it Hearten you on to such Frequency of Communion with God, That the Oftener you so come to Him, the Welcomer you shall be with Him. For he is not Weary of Hearing, nor Impoverished with Granting; as Men use to be Sick of Bold Lavish Petitioners, and give them not only a Repulse, but a Rebuke: Upbraiding them with Want of Manners, as much as any other Wants they complain of. But the Opening of our Mouths Wide, has the Promise of God's Filling them. And the most Importunate Beggars are his biggest Favourites. He is (as our Church expresses it) always more Ready to Hear, than we to Pray. And best pleased with those, by whom his Gates are most Frequented: And though we have something to say to him, not only Daniel's Three times a Day, but David's Seven times a Day; yea though it should come up to the Seventy times Seven; He would never be Tired with the Repeated Cries; nor Frown upon the Endless ask▪ But would Delight in you, so Delighting yourselves in the Lord; and like the Better of you, for showing that Greatest of all Wisdom; in coming still to Draw out of his Infinite Fullness; with whom is not only the All-sufficient Ability, to do for you, whatever you can desire; but as great an Inclination and Pleasure to do it. And your Much-asking, is not to make him the more Willing to Give, but you the Fit to Receive. When you show the mighty Value which you have for his Favours, that you know how to Prise them, and think no Waiting and Begging too much, that you may Prevail and Speed at the last.  
3. Be not ashamed of coming so often, not fall into dislike of your Prayers, for being so Many. When here the Oftener the Better; and Prayer the more Frequent, the more Excellent. Though some speak of Common-Prayer, as a Name bearing a Sound of Contempt. Prayer indeed aught to be Common, even as our Needs are. And the Commonness is its Commendation. For the best and most needful things in Nature, are most common; as the Sun and Air, Fire and Water. And you must not think that your Prayers shall be more Esteemed, for being seldom Herd: As some Princes think to raise their Esteem, by being seldom Seen. The Offices will not grow more Rare and Worthy, because more Rare and Unusual. For here the Wealth lies in the vast numberless Sums, that make up the Treasure. And this speaks not only your Riches, but your Honour, that you● are got into the best of all Correspondence, Clad and Adorned with these costliest of all Suits, (the Suits of Prayers) even for your Every-day's Dress: So Habituated to your Prayers, and in Love with them: So used to the Presence of Majesty, even the highest: So Great and Intimate with Heaven, as there to have your main Traffic and Conversation, and to be even All together so Taken up.  
Now, after all this Excitation to the Family-Prayer. There should be some Direction for the Management of it▪ That is a New and Great Subject, which deserves Enlargement upon it by a better Hand. But as it is not my present Business, so my Shoulders Shrink at the Undertaking. Yet now my Hand is in, somewhat I must Adventure upon it, that all my Design may not be Lost. For to what purpose, to Ring the Company in, and tell them nothing what to do there? Though I set about the Work then with some Reluctance, as conscious of my own Insufficiency, here to Instruct the World; and shall be glad to be Assisted in this myself, by such as are able to help me out, and would Teach me and others, not only from the Notions of their Heads, but from the Experience of their Hearts. Yet in the mean time, I shall hope they will be favourable to my Intention, and forgive the Advice, which is Below their own Regard: Turning it over to others, that can pick any Benefit out of it.  
1. To begin with some whose Superiority minds me to wait upon them first. If thou art not thy own Chaplain in the House; but hast a Substitute, to Officiate for thee; do not so turn it over to him, as to turn thyself out of the Communion. Nor by turning thy own Back upon the Worship of God, make it Suspicious, that thou art Ashamed to be Seen in it; or thinkest thou canst Better bestow thyself elsewhere the while, than to come and meddle with it. That though, for certain Reasons, thou dost Suffer it; yet for the Thing itself, thou dost not Desire it. Though thou wilt vouchsafe it a Room in thy Family, it shall rather have thy Room than thy Company. And thus thou seemest to bring it into thy House; only that thou mayst have Occasion to Expose it to more Contempt, than if thou didst quite turn it out. For in so doing, thou wouldst give but one great Instance of thy Abhorrence; which by the customary Neglect, might grow to be less Observed. Whereas now even every Day, thou Renewest the visible Proofs of thy Scorn; when it is so Nigh thee, and yet thou wilt Abscond, and get out of the way to Save thyself from it▪ Leaving the Inferior Sort, as good enough, to go through that Drudgery. But to Invite thee in to thy own Prayers, (which is the Design of this Advice) that they may be indeed Thine, and not only the Prayers of thy Family: Whoever thou art, and how Great soever be thy Post and Quality in the World, let me make bold to tell thee, That the Prayers would much more Honour Thee, than ever thou canst Honour the Prayers. The Greatest Kings in the World (if any of the Best) have more Gloried in paying this Service to the King of Heaven, than in Receiving the best Service of all their Subjects on Earth. Nay, I must tell thee, Thou art more Obliged to the Attendance, than any of the Rest; that thou mayst not bring it down to be Base, with all the Rest; yea, and tempt some to slight it, even for the Pride, to be in the Fashion.  
O then let it have not only thy bare Allowance, but thy Presence, and thy Countenance, and thy Inspection and Care, to see that all be Present at it, and Decent in it. And as thou art the Head, so show thy Headship here: And be the First and Chief to Led up all the Company to the Throne of Grace, and Present them before the Lord. Yea, and take that for a much more Glorious Office, than any thou canst bear in the Court, or the Camp.  
Nor think it enough, there to show thyself among them, but fall down and Worship at the Footstool of thy Glorious Maker and Judge Eternal, even as one of them. Lay aside then all the Thoughts of thy Greatness and Pre-eminence above them: And take thyself there to be upon the same Terms as they, and no bigger than the least, before the Blessed God most High and Great above all. Yea, let thy Example shine so Bright before them, that looking upon Thee, they may see how to Worship God, and learn to be all Humility, and Reverence, and Devotion, and Fervency in the Work of the Lord. And then thou wilt think thyself equally concerned, as they or any, in the following Words of Remembrance and Advice.  
2. Look narrowly to your Aims and Designs in the Worship: For what Reasons, and to what Ends you set about it. That it be not only to Rock Conscience a little Asleep, and make you think well of yourselves in a wretched Damnable Case; or to Compound for your Sins, and bear you out in an Ill Course: That it be not only to pay a Due to Custom, and to escape the Common Odium: That it be not for Fear of this Man; Or to Recommend yourselves to another: Or to get you a Name, or a good Word: to be seen of Men, or to make a show in the World. Though (in a Cold Age, that so wants Flagrant Examples) you may be willing, That Men should know it, to be Edified by it: And when it is not to Glorify you, but your Father in Heaven. Yet take heed you do not make their Seeing, the ultimate End of your doing it. But let it be done in the Conscience of your Duty; and as the Means of your Felicity. Let your Intention be the Glory of God, and the everlasting Advantage of your Souls: To shape them into a nearer Resemblance of him, and to bring you into a better Acquaintance with him▪ And use your Prayers as the Steps of Ascension to raise you up to him; and as the Way wherein he has appointed you to wait for Grace from him. See that you go to Him, as your only Blessed End and Rest, because you Thirst after him, and cannot be satisfied without him: And therefore Seek him, that you may know more, and have more of him: That you may see his Power and his Glory, so as you have seen him in the Sanctuary: And may perceive still more of the Strengthening and Reviving, which you have found upon this way, till from such Glimpses, you reach at last, to the Fullness of this Heavenly Light.  
3. Remember what a Presence you are entering into, when going to your Prayers, and drawing nigh to God. Though you are never out of his Sight; yet then place yourselves as directly under his Eye, and surrounded with the Glory of the Lord. As Daniel worshipped Before his God. Chap. 6.10. So do it Hearty as to the Lord. Seek the Lord, and Seek his Face, Psalm 105.4. As if you were speaking to your Sovereign Face to Face. Pour not out Words, without minding the Majesty, with whom you have to do. Lest the Lord Capitulate with you, as he did with those, Zech. 7.5. Did ye at all do it to me? Even to me? You had some one else in your Eye; and other Matters in your Mind. And I that was in your Mouths, was least Regarded in your Hearts. O How Few indeed Draw Nigh to God, even when they Seem to do it? And how many Prayers are Lost by the way, that never Reach to him? Because, alas, They did not so much as Aim at him. And even in the midst of all their Prayers, God was not in all their Thoughts. O take heed that your Prayers be not such Mock-Prayers: Which have not God present with you, for the Glorious Object, to whom they are Presented. But Look upon Him, as just Before you, and on every Side, Round about you. That your Prayer may be the Ascending of your Hearts; and a Dealing and Conversing Immediately with him. That you may not take so much Notice of any thing that strikes upon your Sense, as of the Great God that Searches your Hearts; and overlook all the Company, to Lift up your Eyes to him that Dwelleth in the Heavens. And as the Eyes of Servants Look to the Hand of their Masters; and as the Eyes of a Maiden to the Hand of her Mistress; So let your Eyes Wait upon the Lord your God, till he have Mercy upon you, Psal. 123.1, 2. Yea, Lift up your Hearts, together with your Eyes, for his Blessing and Direction, his Assistance, and Acceptance, in that great Work you are upon. And if, in the Beginning of your Worship, you do not always make such an Address, with your Mouths, yet never Forget to do it within your Hearts. That you may find Him who is with you, Present, in such sweet and joyful Effects, as shall be like a Beginning of Heaven to you.  
4. Though I must not Impose it, yet I cannot choose but much Approve and Recommend it, That before your Solemn Prayers, you would Read and Consider some Portion of the Holy Scriptures. To Hear what God says unto you, Before you Speak unto God. For this is not only a Decent Preface, but an Excellent Preparative to Prayer: Thus to Gather in your Thoughts, and Compose your Minds, to Wait and Attend upon the Lord. And those Families that are much Concerned in the World, have the greater Need of this Means; To Excite and Engage them to the Worship of God; By Hearing of somewhat first from the Word of God. He that turneth away his Ear, from Hearing the Law, even his Prayer shall be Abomination, Prov. 28 9 Though I quote not that Text, to prove it a Duty, still to Use such Reading before our Praying: (when the Meaning is, that an ill Practice will spoil even the best Prayers.) Yet we seem then to stand the Fairer, for a desirable Hearing with the Lord: When we are first Inquisitive and Attentive to Hear what he says to our Souls. And you can hardly Read a Psalm, or a Chapter, with Deliberation, and Serious Pausing upon it, (as all Holy Scripture ought to be Read,) but it will Suggest some Thoughts and Reflections, that may prove of mighty Use, and Advantage, to Quicken and Promote your Prayers.  
5. I would not only advise, but earnestly exhort you to a Profound Riverence in the Worship of God: And such an Awful Carriage in his Presence; as may show you to Pray with Understanding; and to Know Where you are, and to Whom you Address. For it is another thing to Negotiate with the God of Heaven; than to go and speak to the Greatest Prince upon Earth. And if the Glorious Powers Above throw down their Crowns, and Shrink up themselves, before his Throne: O how can despicable Worms here ever Abase themselves Low enough at the Feet of such a Holy Incomprehensible Majesty? And they that will Dare to play with this Consuming Fire, may Dread to be made Dust and Ashes, in the Saddest Acceptation. His Name is not only Glorious, but Fearful. Deut. 28.58. This Glorious and Fearful Name, The Lord thy God. He makes not only the Earth, and the Devils, but even his holy Servants, and the Pillars of Heaven Tremble. So Great and Good a man as David, was not ashamed to Confess, Psal. 119.120. My Flesh Trembles for Fear of Thee; and I am Afraid of thy Judgements. O the Madness then of Desperate Sinners, that can make as Bold as their List, with such a King, of Unlimited Power and Glory! The Lord Open their Eyes; For they know not what they do. But let the Biggest in the World learn to be Wiser. As they are taught, Psal. 2.11. And Serve the Lord with Reverence and Godly Fear. And let me apply that for thy Admonition, proud Sinner! Psal. 114.7. Tremble thou Earth, at the presence of the Lord: At the presence of the God of Jacob. For Alas, What art thou, but a Piece of Weak, Vile Earth? And thou may'st exceedingly Fear and Quake, to think how Stiff and Stubborn thou hast been with the Almighty Majesty of Heaven.  
And because nothing so Low abases us, as the Sense of Sin; The more therefore to Heighten that Sense, Be more Free and Full in Confessing of your Sins, and Impleading yourselves. And forbear not to tell even all the Worst. For such Doleful Accents issue in Joyful Accounts. The plentiful Showers produce fruitful Crops, Psalm ●2. 5. I said I will Confess my Transgressions to the Lord: And thou forgavest the Iniquity of my Sin. And though he Mourned in his Complaint, and made a Noise, Psalm 55.2. Yet he Comforted himself, Psalm 6.8. The Lord has heard the Voice of my Weeping; q. d. He gave more regard to the Groans and Tears, than to the Words and Phrases. Be not sparing then to Confess, if you would have the Lord abundantly to Pardon. Yet here, not only your Prudence, but Necessity must set Bounds. For if you think you must Tell All, you will never have done. Do then what you can: And like poor Debtors, that use to pay some one Time, and some another. And then think you have done it to some purpose, when you have but confessed enough, to Pierce your Hearts, and to pull down your Souls.  
But because many may pretend to the Reverence within, which they do not make Appear, and de●y us to Judge of their Hearts: Therefore leaving to every one the Care of Humbling their Souls before the Lord: Let me call upon you all, to make the outward Signification of this inward Reverence, in your Family Worship. That the Quietness and Gravity of your Carriage, the Seriousness of your Countenance, the Lifting up of your Hands and Eyes, the Bending your Knees, the Working of your Sighs and Groans, and such Fit and Decent Expressions, may tell the Company, That you have a due Regard of what you are about. For there are Rude Creatures, whose Presence at the Worship is only a Nuisance to the rest. Bither Wriggling in a restless manner, to show how Uneasy they are in the Service; or Staring idly about them, to let us see that they mind nothing less than the Eye of Heaven; or using such wanton Trifling Actions, as seem to make but a Game of the most Solemn Business: And either Gaping and Yawning over it, or Blowing their Noses, or Raking their Throats, and throwing out their Spittle, as it were in Scorn and Defiance of the Prayers. One would think, a little Good Manners here, without any thing of a Religious Principle, might teach them to Correct such Disorders: And not to he seen in the Worship with such an Air of Contempt and Irreverence, as only to offer the foulest Indignity to it.  
Though I confess, That the Humbling of the Heart, and the Abasing of our Souls within us, is the main of our Subjection to the Father of Spirits: And he loathes the Hail-Master, where the Knee is bowed in Mockery: He Scorns the Lip-Labour, the Formal Cringing, and all the Bodily Exercise of Empty Fops, that have no Internal Spring of Devotion, no Broken Spirits; nor Souls that have gone under the Work of a Serious Humiliation. Yet that Lowliness and Reverence within, will usually be expressed Abroad: And the Humble Heart will also pull down, the Knees. And as long as you have Bodies to attend your Souls in the Service of God; 'tis fit you should make them know themselves, and observe their Distance. And remember some Difference between speaking to the Supreme Eternal God, and speaking to any Mortal Man upon Earth. And never think you can too much Abase yourselves, before the Omnipotent Maker of the World, the Tremendous Judge of Quick and Dead. That the Self-diminishing Postures may do you this Kindness, to mind you of the Infinite Disproportion between you, and the God whom you Worship; and to Preach to you that deep Humility, which is the sure and ready Way of rising to Honour and Glory. Yet,  
6. At the same time you remember your Distance, that you may not forget your Privilege; nor let your Reverence of God swallow up, and devour all your Delight in him, endeavour to make your Devotions Easy and Pleasant. Not a Harsh and Grievous Task, but a sweet Heavenly Entertainment, and a Labour only of Love. And this you may do, by going to the Lord, as your God; by Offering all your Worship in the Name of Jesus; and to your Prayers, joining your Thanks and Praises.  
1. Sweeten your Devotions, by having Recourse to the Lord, as your God. One to whom you bear a near Relation. And in whom you have an Especial Interest. And therefore may be bold to cry, Abba Father! and confident to find a kind Welcome. It was said of the Renowned Emperor Augustus, (in whom was such a Mixture of Majesty and Clemency) That they who durst Venture upon him; did not know his Greatness: And they who would not make bold with him, did not know his Sweetness. So is the Glory of God attempered with his Mercy, that the bright Resplendent Perfections, do not so much Check our Approaches to him, as Inaccessible: But the sweet Gracious Attributes do as much Embolden our Applications unto him, as the Best and Dearest of all our Friends. Here the most High Condescends to us, who else could never Aseend to Him. And this may make us in Love with our Prayers, that they bring us to our God, and our Father. For what a Pleasure do we take, to be near to our Great and Sure Friends? And to have Free and Familiar Intercourse and Conversation with him? And when it is, God my God Then it is, Early will I seek thee: My Soul thirsteth for thee: My Flesh longeth after thee, Psal. 63.1. Then will I go to the Altar of God, to God my Exceeding Joy: yea upon the Harp will I Praise thee, O God my God, Psal. 43.4. And though we are involved in Troubles, yet we Cheer up our dejected Souls, as it follows there, and bid them Hope in him: For we shall yet Praise him, who is the Health of our Countenance, and our God.  
If the Lord be thy God, this will make Amends for all that thou canst Lose or Suffer in the World. O, how large Expectation mayst thou have from him? And what mayst thou not A●k and Have at his Hand? who has given thee Himself? This puts Life and Heart into thy Prayers, and Raises and Engages thy Eternal Thanks: That the Lord is thy God, and thou hast free Access to him, and canst make Bold with him; and shall still be Cared for by him; and Receive a Child's Portion from him; and be for ever Blessed with him. No Cordial in the World so reviving as that, Isaiah 25.6. Lo, this is our God: We have waited for him, and he will Save us. And Chap. 61.10. My Soul shall be Joyful in my God: For he hath Clothed me with the Garments of Salvation.  
Poor Christian! Be thou never so Low in the World, Well it is with thee, and Happy shalt thou be: If so highly favoured with this Blessed Privilege, to have the Lord for thy God. Take Comfort in it; make thy Advantage of it; let thy Prayers be Endeared by it; and Raise thy Heart in Thankfulness for it. My House, my Lands, my Money, my Credit, my Friends, my Interest in the World! All these are Contemptible, and nothing to the Bliss of Adoption. My God my God is worth Infinitely more than them All. And it is as much as all your Prayers are worth, to have this Witness of the Spirit with your Spirits, that you are the Children of God. For then you shall be sure to be Herd and Answered, Pitied and Spared, Helped and Relieved by your Father. God, even your own God shall Bless you. And what cannot the Greatest of all Powers, and what will not the Best of all Fathers, do for you? Come what will; happen the worst that can: Our God is able to Deliver us: Our God will Stick to us. In Troubles and in Death, he will be with us. And whoever else Fails us, He will never Leave us, nor Forsake us. Still we may Speak to him; yea, though he Slay us, Trust in him. Still our Prayers shall come at him, and Prevail with him, to bring Good even out of the Evil; and to Bless to us, all that befalls us; that it shall be never the wrose, but Happy for us, it was so Bad with us.  
Thus Blessed, and Blessed again are the People who are in such a Case, to have the Lord for their God. No Question to be made, (you'll say) How Sweet and Glorious, beyond Expression, is the Privilege, to them that are thus Invested. But do you so Question your own Title to it, that this dashes all the Comfort of your saying, Our Father, which art in Heaven? If you doubt still, whether the Lord be your God, and that Deadens your Prayers, and Saddens your Lives: Let me then ask you, Does it so Trouble you indeed? And do you so Prise the Heavenly Gift, that you long not so much for any thing in the World? Why even that, I cannot but take for some hopeful Discovery, That either you have it, or stand in the fair Way for it. For such as have no Interest in it, do not use to show this Concern about it. I cannot here run out into the ways of Trial, or the means of Acquisition. Only this let me tell you in short, and to the present purpose, That your very Longing after God in your Prayers, you may Reckon as a Good Evidence, that he is your God. For the Spirit of Supplication, is for certain, the Spirit of Adoption. And what is yet Dubious and Wanting in the Case: By this Means you may come to Clear it off, and Fill it up. For his Promise is, To Give the Holy Spirit to them that Ask him. And it is by that Spirit, you are enabled to say, Abba Father! So that to go on with your Prayers, is the likeliest Course to get above all your Doubts, and to fetch down all the Comforts. And if you will but Persist in them, according to the Directions here given, I dare promise you, That ye shall attain to Answer your own Scruple in the most effectual Manner, and not fail at last, to find the sweet Satisfaction which yet you Want.  
2. Offer ●all your Worship to God, In the Name of his dear Son. For it is through Him, that we all have Access to the Father, Eph. 2.8. Yea, Boldness and Access with Confidence through the Faith of Him, Chap. 3.12. Himself is the Way, and the Door of our Admission. And there is no other way for Sinful Men to get in with a Holy God; but by Him, that has made the Attenement for their Sins. Our Saviour himself has told us, John 14 6. No Man comes to the Father, but by me. How much soever this Way is come now to be spoken against, even by some that Name the Name of Christ; (and are very Industrious to Destroy their own and others Comforts) I shall never Trust to all their Wit and Depth, to find us out a Bette●. But above all the rarest Inventions of any Men, I admire this Wisest Project, I Adore this kindest Design of the most Gracious God. And I am Amazed and Sorry, that any Reputed Christians should be so much their own Enemies, as to stand off from Submitting to this Righteousness of God. When the very Jews (that have since denied the Messiah) did of old look to God for Acceptance only through Him. For what else was the meaning of their Praying still with their Faces towards the Ark of the Covenant: But to Express their Faith in God that was to be manifested in the Flesh; of whom that Ark was the Type. And when Daniel (that directed his Face the same way, in his Worship, Chap. 6.10.) begged so hard of God to be Herd for the Lord's Sake, Chap. 9.17. What Lord could he mean, but the same whom David called his Lord; that is now Sitting at the Right Hand of God?  
You must look then by Faith unto Jesus, if you would have God to look with Favour upon your Souls. And thus also you may come to get a new Testimony of your Sonship, For to them that Believe on the Name of his Christ, he gives Power to become the Sons of God, John 1.12. Yea thus, for all the Infirmities of your Prayers, and the Failings of your Lives, yet still you may keep Hope and Comfort alive in your Souls. When the Raggedness of your own Righteousness, and even the Iniquities of your Holy things Recoil upon you; and let you see, that your very Prayers and Virtues need a Merciful Allowance, and some Worthy Advocate, to make them Authentic and Current, before the Tribunal of Heaven: Here you may see the Almighty Helper, of God's own providing, at hand to Help you out: And may Believe that you shall be Herd, though even your Prayers for Pardon be such, as need to be Pardoned. For when put into his Hands, they are accepted for his Sake, where they deserve but to be rejected for their Own. God has Respect to the Covenant, in which you are, more than to the Sacrifice, which you offer. And Christ is the Mediator of that Covenant, Heb. 9.15. All the Promises of God are made in Him, 2 Cor. 1.20. Yea the mighty Promise, which Comprizes all, even that of Eternal Life, 'twas made to him, Tit. 1.2. For to whom else could it be made, before the World began? It was to him, in behalf of all the Children, which God would give him. By him than you are to Offer your Sacrifices. Heb. 13.15. And as the men of Tyre and Sidon, Acts 12.20. made Blastus, the King's Chamberlain their Friend, in order to their Peace: So make a far greater Friend; Even the Son of the King Eternal your Friend in the Court of Heaven: And by the Mediation of that great Master of Requests, you shall Speed and Prevail; for Peace, and all that ever you would have.  
The Conscience of Sin, and the Experience of your own Inability to do any thing as you ought, will pull down your Courage, and Nip and Blast all your Comfortable Expectations at the Throne of Grace: If you have not one there, that Deserves Better, than you, to be Herd for you. But when the Hands are Faint and the Knees feeble, and the Burden Heavy: Yet there's a Support, yea the matter of Rejoicing, even under all the Load of Sin and Trouble; That there is the Holy One of God, and the Beloved of his Soul, Appearing Above on your behalf. And he maketh Intercession for the Transgressor's. And God will not only Glorify his Mercy, but his Son; In Granting Pardon, and all that is asked in his Name, (granting it) for his Sake. Do not therefore Despond, Because all is Imperfect that comes from you; and nothing done by you, but what needs Pity and Pardon: Nor grow Heartless to use your Prayers, Because you can make no Better Work of them; and still you find them such poor sorry Services: For even the Evil that you see in them m●y do you this Good; To make you Look beyond them; and send you away to the only Saviour, for that Rest, which is no where on this Side him, (No not in the best of your Duties) to be found. But in Him, you may Find it: And Coming to Him, He has Promised to Give it. Do as well as you can, then: And though it be very Short and Faulty still; Yet Cheer up, and Go on Sowing in Hope, Because you have One to undertake your Cause, and to set you Right. And it is not for the Worth of your Prayers, But for the Merits of your Saviour, that God Accepts you, in the Beloved of his Soul.  
3. That you may have more Comfort in the Holy Offices, Join to your Prayers; your Thanks and Praises. Be not all in Confessing, Begging, Complaining, and Crying out: But observe all the Matter that you have for Thanksgiving. And be as Ready to Acknowledge your Receipts, as to Crave Supply of your Wants. If you complain of Burdens and Sorrows, Do not make your Lives more Sad and Heavy than you Need; by Depriving yourselves of those Joys and Refrestments which your Heavenly Father not only Allows, but commands you, to take. Do not Sullenly Hang your Harps upon the Willows; when he bids you Take them down, and Recreate your weary Troubled Spirits, with this Heavenly Music. For Religion is not a Sour and Melancholy thing; If you do not make it so. But it is the way of Peace, and the well spring of Everlasting Consolation. You may Serve the Lord with Gladness; yea, and you ought to Rejoice in him evermore: Even when you find Tribulation in the world: And in every thing, to give thanks, 1 Thes. 5.18. Even in Losses and Crosses, which the World counts the Worst things. For it is Good to be Afflicted. And will not you then Thank him that does you Good? Though the Bystanders may take it to be nothing but Evil.: When the Gloomy Cloud drops Fatness, and the seeming Sharpness, is his Real Kindness; Not to let you Perish indeed, for want of that which he knows to be the Preservative, to keep you from it. And if this Grieves you, and that goes Cross with you, and the tother makes against you: Yet still you have a Hundred things, which call for Thankfulness from you: For all that ever has been Enjoyed by you, and all that yet Remains to you. When you are out of the Deserved Hell, and Receive at the Lord's Hands Still a great deal more Good than Evil, and even Nothing to the Wages of your Sins.  
O then let not every Disaster and Ailment Damp your Thanks and Praise, Nor be Querulous, and in the Dumps, out of Humour, and all on the Fret, when every thing is not to your Minds: Or when any Affliction is laid upon your Loins. As some will Whine and Clamour, yea Rant and Ruffle; as if they would fall out and Fight with Heaven: And so spoill and hinder their Praring, as well as their Thanksgiving: When any Calamity lights upon them, or any Damage and Injury is done them. Which is not only Perverse Unmannerly Carriage towards the great Lord of all; Who has the whole Authority, (as he pleases,) to Order us; And still deals much Better than we might expect by us: And such as have the Least Cause, do often show the most Impatience; and of all the Various things, for which they have to give Thanks, they can scarce find in their hearts, to be Thankful for any One: as if all were still Below their Worth, and Nothing Good enough for them: But this Ingrateful Grumbling Temper also Destroys all the sweet Peace and Comfort of their Lives, that harbour it: And makes them as Uneasy to themselves, as they are Rude and Troublesome to others: Even ever out of Tune, and Unacquainted with that Joyful and Pleasant thing to be Thankful, Psal. 147: 1. And herein are put quite to Confusion, by many poor Afflicted Creatures, that can yet be Decent and Cheerful, Even when they have almost nothing to be seen but Hardships, and Brushes▪ in the World.  
O you know not what Sweetness you Lose, For want of this Exercise, This Spiritual Recreation, To be Thankful to the Lord, and Bless his Name. When it is so Pleasant, Psal. 135.3. He said it, who knew it by a Joyful Experience. For who more Abounded in God's Praises than Himself, And more called upon others to come into the Comfort? As you may s●e throughout the Psalms. And many a Psalm, which he Gins with Complain●ing, He Ends with Thanksgiving. And when you have such frequent Occasions of Thankfulness, in the Mercies that Come so Thick upon all every day, That I dare not undertake to Enumerate all, which even the Poorest Receives: Yet can you find none but the Jarring Strings of Greivances, to Grate upon? Not so much as this Blessed Advantage●; of the sweet and happy Opportunities with God▪ that you may all have, even when you will: Shall it not be owned to his Praise and your Comfort? O will you not only Rob the Lord of his Glory, but your Souls also of the Pleasure, to Recount his Mercies and Bless him for them? To Chew upon the Delicious Morsels, and make you Relish the Favours of Heaven: And not only find the Refreshing Taste of Blessings Received, But Prepare you still for all further Blessings Desired? O Sprin●●e more of this Spice all over your Oblations, And be not Niggard's here, to your own Dear Souls: But let them have a larger Share in these Festival Entertainments of all the Blessed Inhabitants of Heaven. Here play the Epicures; And let your Soul's Delight themselves in Fatness. Yea let them be Satisfied, as with Marrow and Fatness, when your Mouths praise the Lord with Joyful Lips, Psal. 63.5.  
I am the more upon this, Because, I fear, there is more Discontent, than Thankfulness, in most Families. Though all (if they would see it,) have more Cause to give Thanks, than to make Complaints. And that I might also take off the Prejudice, that lies in so many Minds against a Serious Religion; for the Sadness, which they take to be in it; As if they must take leave of all Joy, when they turn over to this Way; Which indeed would bring them into the Possession of Better Joys, than ever they Tasted in their Lives. Do not think then, That I call you to a Doleful Business, in Calling you to your Prayers. When to all well-disposed Souls, they are so full of Sweetness even in themselves. And I also tell you, How to make them yet Sweeten; By Expatiaring moe in those Rich and Fragrant Fields of Thanksgiving, and all the Joyful praises of God; where you may Solace yourselves, even as often, and as much as you please▪ I would not holp to Sadden your Lives; but to make them indeed Easy●● and full of the Best Comforts. By Advising you to Pour out your Heavy Hearts; and Cast all your Burden upon the Lord; And then to Raise those Hearts up, in the Admiration of his Love, and the Celebration of his Praise. To make Melody in your Hearts: And sometimes also with your Mo●ths; In Psalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs; Singing, as well as Spraking the Praise of the Lord. And O that you would not here be Euemies to your own Joy and best Delight! But take the way to be out of Care, and out of Pain. The way, not only Prescribed by me, but by the Apostle, Phil. 4.6, 7. Be Careful for nothing; but in every thing, by Prayer and Supplication, with Thanksgiving, let your Requests be made known to God. And the Peace of God which passeth all Understanding, shall keep your Hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus.  
7. Let your Prayers be made with Zeal and Fervency of Spirit. And be in Earnest with them, that you may be indeed the Better for them. Do not think it enough to Say over so many Words; or to S●●y out such a Time. But put forth yourselves, in the Service, As the Greatest Work, wherein you can ever be Concerned. When there is the Carcase, without a Soul; The Form of Godliness, and nothing of the Power; only a Face of Religion, but the Life Departed; no Fire on the Altar; No Hear● in the Sacrifice; The very Devotion Indev●us; As Dull as Led, and as Cold as Ice: Such an Oblation is not only Vanity, but Abomination. Ah Lord! What a Present is this, for the Living God, The Searcher of Hearts, The great King, The Lord of Hosts, whose Name is Dreadful among the Heathen▪ Though Zeal does not lie all in Noisiness; A great Cry, and nothing else: A Forced Tone, and Unnatural Heat: Yet when the Words come Warm from the Heart: And a Sensible Heart Pours out its Abundance, in a Lively Voice; It is very Affecting both to Speaker and Hearers. And such Ardour sends up the Incense, and makes the Soul Ascend, as in a Fiery Chariot.  
But do not count it your Zeal, To Huddle over Words, as Fast as you can speak; And so Hasten to the End, as to let your Tongues Outrun your Attention; And Baffle the quickest Apprehension, for being able to keep Pace. It would be more Advisable, to have your Words Fewer; so that they were Considered better; and that you might have more Leisure to Feel, and Taste, and Digest your Prayers. For 'tis not to Devour a great deal; but to Feed upon as much as you are Capable of. I say, To Feed upon it, and make your utmost Benefit of it. And with that Proviso, Be as Hot upon it as you can.  
O Stir up yourselves to take hold of the Lord. And show that you really do Mind the Business that you are about; and do Hearty Engage in it. Set God, and Heaven, and Death, and Hell, before you: To Rouse up your Sluggish Hearts, and make you Struggle the harder in your Prayers. Nay, learn from the very Beggars at your Doors, to be as Earnest with God in your Houses. How hard will the poor Wietch beg, but for a Piece of Bread, or a Cup of Drink? And not give o'er, not be Quiet, till they have got it? And does it not much more Concern you to be Importunate for the Bread of Life, and the Cup of Salvation? That your poor Souls may not starve and perish for ever? But do you think that God will Regard you, when yourselves do not Regard what you say? When you Sleepily tell over an old Tale of so many Words, with not half so much Concern, as a Beggar will do for a Crust?  
And though you cannot be Intent upon every Word and Particular throughout the Prayers; yet see that you keep up a Zealous Concern, and a Devout Frame of Spirit, quite to the End. And let not the Shell and Husk of the Duty content you, but press on to the Inward Heavenly Benefit Everlasting. And when y●● are to Draw nigh to God, let not your Hearts be out of the way, but bear the Chiefest part of all in the Service.  
Do not throw the Prayers off so Late at Night, till the Hearts that should be lifted up to God, be pulled down with Sleep. And one is Nodding here; and another there quite gone; like so many dead Logs. And all Long to have the Hindrance out of the way, that they may be gone to their Beds. But let Him that gives All, have of the Best from you. And what you do to the Lord your God, do it with all your Heart, with all your Soul, and with all your Might.  
Whoever make a Jest of your Earnest, Scorn the Zeal, and call it More Ado than Needs, so to Abound in the Work of the Lord: And think you would be more Wise, if you did Less: Crying, What a Work is here with their Praying? Why cannot they put off God with a Compliment, as the Common Worshippers do? And only Riddle over a sew Words of Course, and call that Prayer Sufficient? Regard not so much, What they say against you, (who would show more Wisdom to be Employed with you): As you regard, What an All-deciding Judge you attend, and what an Important Business you have in Hand: 'Tis the Judge that must Doom you, and all the World for ever: And 'tis the Matter of Life and Death Eternal. And in such a Case, you may as much Scorn the Scorner, as David despised the Taunts of his good Partner. When Michal, the Wife that was Toked with him, Drew another Way from him: And what was his Meat, was her Poison: When she made a Game of his Transport, for Dancing with all his Might, before the Ark of God, and Jeered him, as you may find, 2 Sam. 6.20. How Glorious was the King of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the Eyes of the Handmaids, his Servants, as one of the Vain Fellows, shamefully Uncovers himself? q. d. 'Twas a fine Sight to see a King make such a Fool of himself. He told her, It was before the Lord; and so not his Vanity, but his P●ety. Therefore her Scoffs should not bring him to confess it a Fault, But if that were to be Vile, he would be more Vile than so. And thus still, with Epicures and Worldlings, the whole Generation of God's Children go for a Company of Impertinent Busy bodies: Yet at the same time, their better Practice condemns all the Tribe of Epicures and Worldlings, for a Company of Ungodly Truants, that stand Stating and Laughing at others Zeal and Devotion; when it infinitely Behoves them to show their Own. Go on then with Diligence about your Heavenly Father's Business, as those that are Playing, a Prise, for Eternity. And they that now deride your Simplicity, shall one day Wish, and Wish again, that they had born you Company.  
8. Look to your Conversation, as well as to your Supplication. See that your Houses be Regular in other Respects, as well as in the Periodical Returns of Prayer; that your Carriage may be of a Piece with the Worship. For when the House is Divided, and all in Uproars, Torn with Strife, and Fired with Wrath: When it Rings with Peals of Oaths and Cursing, Ranting or Scolding: When it is Stuffed with Covetousness, or Dissolved in Wantonness: Set up with Pride, or pulled down with profuse Consuming upon Lust: When the House is like a Hold of Rebels, where the Crew of God's Werst Enemies find the Best welcome: And from Morning till Night, nothing like Holy Religion, or so much as any Good Order to be seen among them: Good God What a Prepanation is here to Prayer? What Kin is such Wild doing to the Pious Worshipping●? And well may such Family-Members shark, away from the daily Prayers, and be ashamed to hold up their Heads before the Lord at Prayer Times; when they use him so basely at all other Times. I cannot wonder, that Men who lead such Disorderly Lives, (they can but seldom come Home Sober to their Houses, if they meet any Temptation by the way, that they) are so little Friends to Prayers; and can neither skill of, nor away with such kind of Exercises. And where all the S●rings are so much out of Tune, what Music are they like to make in the Consort! Nay, when those whom God hath Joined together, Divide● themselves asunder; and the Husband and Wife ●ly upon one another like Infernal Furies: Or can only sometimes Hit it off, as Lascivious Brutes: No wonder if by such Living allowed, the Prayers be Hindered, 1 Pet. 1.7. Yea, worse yet, when Whoredom takes away the Heart, and strange Fires, with their Sulphurous Stench, prevail over all the Love of God, and all the right worthy Affection to Men: Their Prayers then (if they do make any) carry so ill a Savour, Noisome to Heaven and Earth, that God Abhors them; and the World cries, Let them amend their Lives, or what signify their Prayers?  
And after all that I have said for the Family-Supplication, I must tell you, That this will be in Vain, without Family Reformation. Nor will it do you any good, to have some Prayers in your Houses Observed, when the very Walls of your Houses cry out against you, for the Wickedness there Harboured. But an Upright Heart, and a Godly Life, (next the Blood of Christ) has the most powerful Oratory, to prevail with Heaven, and will speak Better for you, than all the Words of Prayer, and all the Importunity, of Lord, Lord! For you may read of those, whom he said he would not Hear, though they made many Prayers, Isaiah 1.15. But you shall find such as never fail to speed in any Requests, 1 John 3.22. Whatever we Ask, we Receive of Him; because we keep his Commandments, and do those things that are Pleasing in his sight. This Care and Conscience to Please the Lord, will give you such a Recommendation with him, that you shall never find the Repulse from him. But indeed, it is much about one, whether you have Prayers or no Prayers, if you can Reconcile the daily Praying with Ungodly Living, and continue as Impenitent in your Sins, as Constant in your Prayers.  
O then Repent and Turn to the Lord, as well as Call upon his Name. And not only down upon your Knees, but down with your Sins. Cast the Cursed things out of your Houses, and your Hearts, that will not let the Lord Dwell with you, nor look with Favour upon you; but make his Holy things Pain and Grief to you, His Presence to Dash you, and his Worship to ●orment you. Though I do not, in this Life, expect any Conversion without Imperfection; or that you should so Turn to the Lord, as to Turn all Sin out of your Soul●. I do not look to find the Families, or the Christians without Faults. Yet I would have you to Bewall as much as you cannot Cure; and not to Beg the Grace, which you would not have; not Pray against the Sins which you do not mean to Leave. I would have your Lives free from open Scandals before the World; and your Hearts free from allowed Hypocrisy in the Sight of God. And so to Keep your Hearts, and Order your Lives, that you may not lose all the Labour of your Prayers. O Make not Prayers the Asylum, to Shelter any Wickedness, but the Battery, to maul and break it to pieces: That in the Name of the Lord, you may Destroy it, and by his Strength (called in with your Prayers) you may Surmount and get above it. And with such Simplicity and Godly Sincerity, carry towards the great Overseer of your Heart and Lives, that you may be Bold in your God, and Delight to come to him, and still find the sweet Welcome with him.  
And now having given you the Reasons for your Family Prayers, and put to Confusion (if not to Silence) the Exceptions against them: And produced those true Causes of the Neglect, which are not for the Credit of any Prayerless Families to be mentioned: And having showed both how it should be Timed, and also Managed▪ O that I could Persuade and Prevail with all that knew themselves Faulty, to Break the Ungodly Custom, and to get over the Barricado's, that so long have Stopped and Detained them: Before the Lord come and stop their Breath, and break in with his Fury upon them. And when all that any have to Object, is so frivolous; that I should scarce have answered, if I had not thought it more to Need, than to Deserve the Answer: O that you would fall from your Excuses to your Prayers, and not stand, alleging this and the tother, which you will not dare to mention, when your Judge comes to Call you to Account; or if you should, you shall not then be Herd. And should you suffer the deadly Enemy of Souls, and of Prayers, to Gag and Muzzle you now, you'll be struck Speechless then. For Conscience will tell you, what you should have done, and what you might have done. And being so Self condemned, it will be Vain then to Speak. But you'll departed from the Lord, and go away with the Curse upon you, for a most Silly, as well as Ungodly Company, that you would not come to Him, nor have the Mercy, because you would not so much as Ask it, in the Time when it was to be obtained. O prevent that Desperate Madness with which you will then fall Foul upon yourselves, if still you Refuse to make your Advantage of the Price put into your Hands. Prevent the dreadful Crying out too Late, by Crying mightily to God, while he gives you Leave and Opportunity for it; yea, when he gives you a Charge and Command to it. O think it a Happy Word, that God should say to every one of you, as Agrippa did to Paul, Acts 26.1. Thou art permitted to Speak for thyself. Then Reckon and Resolve with yourselves, we will not lose the Eternal Blessing for want of our Speaking. We will Use our Time, and take the Liberty; and with all our Souls, be Thankful to the Blessed Giver. Not flying for Shelter here, only in some Dark and Perilous Day, or under such grievous Pressures that Extort● it from us: But be Constant to it, ●s to all the things that we have most Need of in the World.  
Now, you do not think a Meal, or a Nap once in a Week, or once in two or three Days, enough for your Bodies: But you are at your Meals every Day, and at your Rest every Night; and apt to think it much, if you want but one Day's Food, or but one Night's Sleep. And I must tell you, ye are under a wicked Mistake, if you do not think your Prayers to be of greater Concern to you, than your Diet, or your Raiment, or your Natural Repose. For though Destitute of these, you may have God's Love, and be Happy for ever. But without your Prayers, you are without God in this World, and like to be Lost Creatures Eternally in the Next. Do you sinned the Need then of Daily Bread, and not of Daily Prayer? And what that is Good can you think of yourselves, when Hardened in this Neglect? Shall Jews have Morning and Evening Sacrifice every Day? And shall Christians, that are so much more Obliged to God, have L●ss? Nay shall Papists, Turks, and Ethnics, make their Daily Prayers? And shall any that call themselves Reform, and Profess so much a Better Religion, lead more Ungodly Lives, and make no Conscience of their Prayers? We may Protest against such Protestants, that are as the Scabs and Botches of our Church, and live in it only to disgrace it, and to plague it. And may you all better Remember yourselves, and Return to your Lord, and Cleave to Him, and Keep in with Him.  
O that you may be here Determined, and so Settled in this way of Duty, that all the World may not put you beside it! And so make it your Custom, that you may be Known by it, and let all Men know that you will not break it. Men use to be Fond and Tenacious of Customs, though they be none of the best, too often some of the Worst. O that you would make your Praye●s so much your Habit; that here you may Plead your Custom, and set up your Resolution; so I have Inur'd myself to do and so I will do▪ I am clearly for it, whatever I hear against it. Nothing shall Pull me from Jay God. In his Service, so long I have lived, and no Cause have I 〈◊〉 to Complain, but abundant Obligation to be Thankful. No Reason do I find to Desert, but the strongest Motives to Persist. For never can I Serve a Lord so Good, never wait on any that can do for me so Well. Therefore what I have Begun, I will Carry on. And what I have done in the Daily Worship of God aforetime, so I will continue to do as long as I have any Time.  
You may read how the Devout Daniel, Chap. 6.10. would still go on Praying to his God, even in the Face of Danger, and just before the Mouths of the Lions: Under that Bloody Interdict, which made his Duty like to cost him so Dear as his Life; yet he would not endure to have such an Embargo laid on 〈◊〉 Prayers, nor suffer the severest Menace to Terrify him out of the only Refuge for a distressed Soul; but would let all Men see, That he did not Serve the God whom he was Ashamed or Afraid to Own. Though, no doubt, but he was sufficiently Tongue-Lasht among the Profane Spectators of his Devotions, as a very Silly Ridiculous Precisian, that could not forbear his Accustomed Praying; at least, when such a Mulct and Capital Punishment was laid upon it. What does the Man mean so to throw away his Life? Or does he think to Court the Lions with his Prayers? Or to Blunt the Edge of their Teeth with this Breath of his Mouth? Yet all could not take him off, but still he proceeded in the wont way of his Worship.  
Now th●s he did in such a Perilious Time: And will not some of you be brought to pay your Lo●● this Homage in a Time of Safety and Liberty? When there is no Lion in the way, but of your own Fancy; when to do it, is not at your Peril; but instead of any to Deter you from it, you are Solicited and Called upon to do it? Yea, and told what a Shame, and Scandal, and Danger, it is for you to leave it undone? How you venture upon the Roaring Lion, because you will not Fly for Succour to the God of your Salvation. And what will you Answer to him, if thus you Persist, I say not, to Serve him, but to Neglect him, and to Despise and 'Slight his Service? When you will not Touch the Burden with one of your Fingers, which you may have the Honour and Praise, for taking up: And which others would go away with, though it was as much as their Estates and E●ves were worth, to bear it. And even at this day, How many do Smart and Suffer for the Exercise of that very Religion, which you are not only Tolerated, but Exhorted and Importuned to Exercise, yet more and more? And it is not the Devil now as a Roaring Lion, that Affrights you from it; No, but the Devil, as the Old Serpent, that would silly Argue and Cavil you out of it! They are such Devils, as I have told you of: The Devil of Sloth, the Devil of Pride, the Devil of Profaneness, that puts you out of Conceit with it; and makes you rat●er Wrangle at it, than set about it.  
And that you may not be carried away with the Stream of Custòm, down into the Dead Sea of this dangerous Neglect: O look not so much upon the Way of the World, as to the End of the World. For though now you may Account the Jolly Libertines that scorn Prayer, Brave and Happy; and of the Praying-Families, may Think and Speak as Base and Disdainfully; yet when you shall come to take your last Leave of this World, I know of which then you will like the Better, and whether of them you'll reckon the Happier. And when our Lord shall come to Judge the World, I know, with which Sort you would be glad to be Found. However you had rather Live with the One; I am sure, you would wish to Die with the O●her. O then do not Stifle your Convictions, nor lose your Opportunities, while they are before you. Do not put off the Work of Life, till you reach to the very Period and Conclusion of your Lives. To let nothing but the Stroke of Death just feizing your Souls, drive you to your Prayers; and then only to Breathe them out, when you shall be Breathing your Last; To Defer the Pious Orders of your House, till Death is coming to Break up the House. But learn Wisdom betimes, and Cry now while you may be Herd, lest you be forced to set up the hideous Outery, when there shall be no Hearing. O see at l●st, the foul pernicious Error. And let me beseech you, for your own dear Souls sakes, to amend this Matter. And let the Sinful Omission be made up by you, before the D●●m of the Slothful Servant be passed upon you. Let none of your Houses be a Day longer without Gad, and without his Holy Fear, and his Devout Worstip. But Resolve quickly, with the Heavenly, as well as Honourable, Herbert, I and Dear Prayer will together Dwell. Admit and Welcome this Guest into your Houses, as one of the Best that ever came there. And i● you look for Everlasting Rest with God; now better ●es●●r you for him. Humble your Souls before him for Loitering so long, and Trifling so much, as you have done. Confess it, and beg Pardon, for it. And Pray, and Resolve, and Strive, that it may be so no more: That you may follow better Examples, and yourselves come to set better Patterns. And make such Conscience, yea, and take such Delight, to keep up the Daily Worship of God in your several Houses: That your Children may Bless God, that ever they had such Parents: That your Servants may Bless God, that ever they had such Mastens: And that I may Bless God, that I have not lost my Labour, nor your Love, by this Work. And that yourselves, when Death comes to show you the Blessed End, whither the Way of Prayer leads, may Bless the Lord for Putting you upon it, and Keeping you in it▪ And for giving you the Encour age●●nt to make your Supplications to him, that so he might have the Occasion to make you Happy, with all the Unspeakable Gifts of his Everlasting Bounty.  
Thus I have used great Plainness of Speech, and spent all my Power of Persuasion. I cannot tell what will be the Success; but am Sensible, That I have been Rousing among many Families, where I am like to find small Welcome; but as many Complaints of my Over-Officiousness, as I have made of their Under-doing. From such I may expect to hear, Pragmatical, and a Busy-Body in other's Matters: As much as I call Slothful and Negligent in their Heavenly Father's Business▪ They may ask, Why cannot I let them alone? And I must Confess, I have as much Reason to let them alone, as they have to let alone His Work that Ma●e them. But some may Hear more of what they Call this Heavy Cry from me; till I Hear more of the Heavenly Cry from them. For where I see so many (and several of them my Friends) Possessed with such a Dumb Devil, I find it very hard to Forbear Speaking. Though it may look like the Troubling myself to make others Uneasy● I had rather do so, than they should be for ever Unhappy. The Sound of this Bell, though none of the Sweetest, (but such as will be thought Shrill and Harsh in many Ears) yet if it prove but Load enough to A woken such as I intent, I have my Design. And therefore I would have it Sound, not only throughout my Neighbourhood, but all over the Land. For I have Cried, and Cried again, to some, a great part of my Life: And if I can find no better▪ Audt●●●● than hitherto, I shall leave this Bell to Ring a Peal in their Ears: And this little Book, like a Spirit to Haunt their Housul after my Death. And such a Trouble-House. I am contented to be thought, if I can but Prevent their Everlasting Trouble. But you know, one that ask●●, Art thou he that Troubleth Israel? 1 Kings 18.17. 〈◊〉 was the greatest Troubler of it Himself. And let such as here Complain, but Examine themselves for the Cause●, and they may find a Troublesome Companion in their own Bosoms, that will never let them be at Qutet, though I should. I can hearty say, as our Lord Commands, Luke. 10.5. To whatever House I enter, Peace be to this He so, But if the Son of Peace be not there, (i. e. such as are Meet to Receive it) I cannot help it; And that they no better Know the Way of Peace, I am Sorry for it. And this is my Desite, to Point out that Way to them, if they will take it. And where I must Lose any of my Priends, may it be by this ●●eed●● and Faithfulness, with them, and for bestowing such a Labour of Love upon them. May no bigger Hurt come to any of your Houses. And may they all be as Happy, as I do wish them. And then I am sure it will be much better with them, than any that I here take the Boldness to Capitulate with, go the way to make them.  
They are Rueful Dwellings, where God is not among them; but all that Belongs to Him, is set at Naught by them. And some of the Houses whose Nakedness I have been Survering, they are Worse than Mes●ch and Kedar. 'Tis even as the Mouth of Hell, to Dwell in such Ten●s of Wickedness. The Lord▪ be Merciful to them, and turn out the great Master of Misrule: And take Possession of them for Himself: And so New-Model them that he may have some better Service from them, and come yet to take Pleasure in them.  
But all the Blessings of Heaven be the Portion of those Families, where God is daily and duly Called upon My Heart is with them; and all the best of my Wishes are for them. The Lord Increase them more and more, them and their Children. May they continue such Shining Lights in the World; till they come to Shine as the Brightness of the Firmament in the Kingdom of their Father. And may others, at these Torches, Light their own; yea, so may this Light be Communicated (as the common Light) to Propagate itself far and wide throughout the Earth. That such as See it, may fall in Love with it, and be Drawn in by it. And say to the Praying-Families, as the Gentiles to God's Israel, Zech. 8 23. We will go with you; for we have keard that God is with you.  
I have done. The Lord Prosper my poor Warning with his Heavenly Blessing; and Excite and Quicken you to Prayer; and Teach and Help you in it; and make you Ready and Mighty it it; yea, well pleased and much in Love with it. O that it may be the Joyful Sound in every one of your Houses! Daily heard among you, and Duly made by you. That so you may Pray down all your Sins under your Feet, and Pray down all his Blessings on your Heads. And never leave off to Ask, and Seek, and Knock, till you have Received, and Found, and got Heaven Opened; and an Entrance made into the Everlasting Kingdom of 〈◊〉 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Where you shall find your Time thus well bestowed, Expiring into the Blessed Eternity; in which to Enjoy all the Sweet, and precious Fruits of your Prayers, and your Redeemer's Purchase for ever. Amen.  
FINIS.   

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