FAMILY-GOVERNORS Persuaded to Family-Godliness: OR, The MASTERS Charge OPENED, And humbly offered, To all Governors of FAMILIES; Particularly within the ancient Borough OF BRIDGEWATER, And adjacent Villages thereunto.  
By JOHN NORMAN Minister of the Gospel.  
LONDON: Printed by A. Maxey, for Samuel Gellibrand, at the golden Ball in Paul's Churchyard. 1657.   

FAMILY-GOVERNORS Persuaded to Family-Godliness: OR, The Masters Charge opened, and humbly offered, etc.  
MY dearly beloved and longed for, That I may present yours perfect in Christ, and persuade you to be not only almost, but altogether Christians among them, is the only design of this Paper.  
Being made of God a Watchman to you, necessity is laid upon me, yea, woe is to me, if I do not give, and woe is to you, if you will not receive the warning at his mouth, [Ezek. 3.17, ●d 21. 1 Cor. 9.16.] I beseech you therefore, Brethren, suffer the Word of Exhortation: And 〈◊〉 there be any sense of sin, any zeal for your Saviour, any fellowship of the Spirit, any fellow-feeling with the Saints, Let the glory of the great God, the Gospel of his Grace, the good of Immortal Souls, both their and yours, awaken your uttermost Cares, Kindnesses, and Compassions, and whatsoever is of God in your hearts, to the advancement of godliness in your houses; That the Tabernacle of God may be with you, and we may yet see Jerusalem a quiet habitation.  
With how many clear Commands is this your duty enforced? [Read Deut. 4.9, 10. Ch. 6.7, 8 9 Ch. 11.19.20. Psal. 78.5, 6.] And with how great a Cloud of Witnesses are you encompassed? [See the ] What shall I say? This Paper would fail me to tell you of Gideon, and Jacob, and Joseph, of Elkanah, Job also, and Samuel, and of the Prophets, [Judg. 6.26, 27. Gen. 35 2. Ch. 43.23. with v. 16. 1 Sam. 1.21. Job. 1.5. 1 Sam. 7.17. 2 Kings 5.25, 26.] If Examples before, under, or since the Law, and in the Gospel; if of great Kings, General Commanders, holy Patriarches or noble Peers; if of Civil Officers of Military Officers, or of Church-Officers; if of Magistrates, or of meaner Men and Women; if any, or all of these may persuade any thing: Lo 〈…〉 you have all these to induce and encourage you [Psal. 101.2, etc. Josh. 24.15. Gen. 18.19. Ch. 35.2, etc. Joh. 4.53. Luke 19.9. Acts 10.2. 1 Tim. 3.4, 12 Acts 18.8. Ch. 16.15, 34.]  
Beloved, may I expostulate it a little with you, for and before the Lord?  
Are you Christians? You have all a form of Christ, and Christ is verily form in many of you. O you that have received Christ the King into your hearts, can you refuse the Kingdom of Christ, in and for your Households? What! Converted yourselves, and have Christ to dwell in you, and yet careless of having Christ to dwell in yours! How can this be? [Luke 19.5 6. Ch. 22.32.] What Christian Master can you instance in, of the Household of Faith, who continued negligent of making his Household faithful? [See Luke 19.9. Joh. 4.53. Acts 10.2. & 12.12. & 16 15, 34. & 18.8. Rom. 16.5 1 Cor. 1.11. & 16 16, 19 Col. 4.15. Philem. v. 2.]  
Are you Christians? What! and is your care no further extended, than to the backs and bellies of yours, or bettering them in their Trades, & c? Do not even the Gentiles the same? Are you no better than they? [Matth. 6.8, 32.] Nay, they will teach theirs the worship of their false gods, which are no gods. Own not you, Christians, much more to the living God, than Heathens can to their dead Idols? Need I mention the debt you own to the house of Christ, and to the house of the Kingdom? Are we serious, and in earnest for a Reformation in Church and Commonwealth? Let us throw Salt into the Fountain, set upon the Reformation of our several Families. Private Houses are the Hives and Seminaries of all that are set, or swarm abroad into any Public whether Civil or Church-Employments.  
Are you Christians? Oh! let the Example and Activity of the Jews under the Old Testament, provoke you. [See the forecited Scriputures, Judg. 9.6, etc. and Psal. 101, etc.] We●● they so abundant in labours herein, before th● manifestation of Christ in the flesh? and ca● you abide slothful under higher Motives, greate● Means, and a better Ministration? Who hav● more Promises to encourage, and pourings ou● of the Spirit to enable? What! and dar● such of you yet profess, That Christ is yours and that you are his? Beloved, is Christ no● become less active in his? Christianity mor● abhorrent from him? or may the care and conscience of Christians be more abandoned, bot● as for him and their own? Is grace indeed now less diffusive? Are the gracious to be less diligent? or are the heavenly glories of less dignity, and the happiness and good of yours to be less desired?  
Oh Christians! Do even the Sea-Monster draw out the breast? they give suck to their young ones; and shall Saints by Calling and Covenant, become cruel to the better part of theirs, like the Ostriches in the Wilderness? Oh! where are the yearnings of your bowels! Hear you not the Souls of your Servants, and of the seed of your loins (in effect) crying after you, Have pity upon us! have pity upon us! The whole Head is sick, the whole Heart is faint: Where! O where are your healing Medicines! Will you do no more for us, than for your Horse, your Dog, your Swine? You look after the Bodies of these.  
Beloved, for your own happiness sake, for your Households' sake, I beseech you be up and doing.  
First, for your own happiness sake. Earthly happiness shall I mention? Verily, there is no such way of having yours dutiful to, and observant of you, as for you to teach them their duty to, and the service of God. [Gen. 24.33, ad 50. Prov. 15.20. Gen. 27.11, 12.] For if they obey not him the Lord, how will they obey you his Stewards? [Mat. 10.24. Ezek. 3.7.] Let them be but once pious toward God, and they will soon be profitable to you: and how may God prosper you for them? [See Philem. ver. 11. Gen. 30.27.30. & 39.2, 3.] Besides, what know you, O men, whether you shall save your wives? You Houshold-governors, those under your Houshold-government? [1 Cor. 7.16.] Oh! how happy! thrice happy would your Families be, if you Husbands and Wives shall be betrothed to the same God 〈◊〉 you Parents and Children begotten of the same Gospel! you Masters and Servants born Heirs to the same Glory! Oh! what little Churches; nay, what lower heavens are such Households! But if your houses be not thus with God, Let it not seem a light thing to you, if you have detained them but from one sin, or but delivered your own Souls. Verily, you are a sweet savour, though yours should perish. God doth not reward according to the success of your work, but the sincerity of a willing mind: [2 Cor. 2.15, 16. Isa. 49.5. 2 Cor. 8.12. & 1.12.]  
Secondly, for your Households' sake. He that provides not for his own, specially for those of his own house, hath he not denied the Faith, and is worse than an infidel? [1 Tim. 5.8.] Is this true in Temporals and not much more in Spirituals? Must you provide food, clothing, and cure for their Mortal Bodies; [See Gen. 30.30. Prov. 27.27. & 31.15. Matth. 8.6.] and be at no pains for their immortal Souls? Must you give those Bread and Fish, and these only Stones and Serpents? either no provision, or which is worse, poison? Doth Faith teach such care for the Trunk and Cabinet, and meanwhile to cast by this Jewel, which a whole world cannot equal, much less exceed? Are Souls so little worth, and States so much? [Remember Matth. 16.26. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19 Luke 16.19. ad 29.] Can earth show you, or secure them such a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, as heaven can and doth? If you are in good earnest, when you talk of their happiness, of Heaven, Hell, the Glories with Christ, and the gaudy Vanities of the creatures; why do not you study to lay up for them the best Treasures? a good Foundation against time to come, that they may inherit Eternal Life? Do we indeed believe that Scripture, Mat. 6.33? Ah! my Brethren, consider:  
1. Do not your Families want it? In the first Family, was there not a Cain? in the best, a Judas? and when there was but one only Family in the world, was there not, even in that, a Cham? Think over the provoking Sins, Standals, and Sinks of Defilements and Discord that were in Abraham's, Isaac's, and Jacob's Families, of whom yet as concerning the flesh Christ came: and if ever you did see sin sinful, or were sensible of God's dishonour, judge this, ●●sk then needless, if you can. [Genes 16.4, 5. & 21.9. & 26.35. & 27.31. & ck. 30. ch. 34. ch. 35. ch. 37.]  
2. Will not your Families else wreck it? How often have Families rued their Father's remissness upon Earth? and how many are now Roaring in Hell, because they restrained them not, who knoweth? [See Exod. 20.5. Psal. 109.9, ad 16. Isa. 14.21, 22, 23. & 31.2. 1 Sam. 3.13, 14.] And is this of your iniquities a small matter? even the blood of the Souls of poor Innocents'? To make your Children and Servants twice more the children of wrath, and drudges of Satan, by your counsel, conversation, or carelessness?  
3. Doth not your Family-weal depend upon it? Is not godliness the great gain? Hath no● this the Promise? What but Family-Piety, hath the Entail of Family-Prosperity? [See Job 22.24, to the end. Psa. 118.15. & 128. throughout: Psal. 37.25. Prov. 12.7. & 15.6. & 24.3, 4.] Why is Abraham called out to be such a signal Monument of God's special Mercy? but in that Abraham will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the ways of the lord [Read Genes. 18.17, 18, 19] Oh! Christians! if ye would not consult shame to your houses, keep out sin from, and keep up the service of God in your houses. Would you perpetuate a Family on earth? acquaint them with him, of whom the whole Family both in Heaven and Earth is named. Ah Friends! there is set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that you and your seed may live for ever. [See Prov. 3.33. Psal. 55.15. Job 18.15. to the end: and 11.14, ad 20.] If you will keep up their dignity, or keep off these dangers, be conscientious, I beseech you, of these your Duties.  

Direction I.  
You must know how to rule your houses. [1 Tim. 3.5.] Wisdom is the principal thing, as for heart, so for house-work too. [Pro. 4.7. Psal. 101.2.] You Householders should be treasuries of Instruction. [Mat. 13.52.] You are to teach others, and do you not teach yourselves? [Rom. 2.21. Heb. 5.12.] You should be to your Wives, Sons and Servants, as is the Sun to the Moon and Stars; and the Master of the Ship to the other Mariners. They should all shine from your light, and is this darkness? You are to be eyes to the blind, and feet to the same; Souls in your Families: and is the eye evil? Verily, the whole body will be full of darkness. [Mat. 6.23.]   

Direction II.  
'Tis not enough to know how to rule your houses, but you must keep up the Rule which God would have you know. [1 Tim. 3.4, 5.] Wots you what Authority you are vested with over them; and what awe they should stand in of you? [Consult Exod. 20.12. Levit. 19 3. Deut. 27.16. Ephes. 6.5. Col. 3.22.] I● you would rule with God's approbation, you must not remit this Authority: Are you not his Deputies, Col. 41? Let pious counsels be backed with powerful commands: [See Genes▪ 18.19 Deut. 32.46, 47. Luke 7.8, 9] Never think you shall behave yourselves unblamably, unless you do bear up this Authority given you▪ 1 Thess. 2, 10, 11.  
Saith any, An● but how shall I? This is my difficulty. I answer: 1. Bring thy house as much as thou canst under the authority o● God, and bear up God's authority over thy own heart, before thy household. Exalt this in thy house, and it will exalt thee unto honour. Thou hast a double assurance: the fear of godliness upon them, and the faithfulness of God to thee. [Gen. 27.12. Prov. 29.15, 17. 1 Sam. 2.30. with 29. Joh. 12.26.] 'Tis worthy of thy enquiry: Hath not God let down my authority, because I let fall, or did not lift up ●is among mine? hath he not raised up evil against me, out of my house, because of the reproach his Name hath sustained by my evil, in and before my household? See Sam. ibid. and 2 Sam. 12.11. Isa. 1.5. Lam. 1.8.] Let Noah and Lot, but in one particular, intermit their Faith in God, and fear of sin; theirs will soon arrive to both shamelesness of sin, and fearlesness of them. [See Gen. 9.21, 22. & 19 31, to 37.]  
2. Bear a more even sail and rain of authority over them. Not too remiss; how shall they then give you reverence? [Heb. 12.9. Prov. 29.15.] Remember David's foundlings, who all either sought his death, or found their own [See 1 Kings 1.5, 6, etc.] Nor ●ay it be too rigid and restrained. How often doth the string break, by screwing it ●o high? In every capacity, as Husband, father, Master, there are some Cautions given ●hee for allay. [Col. 3.19. 1 Pet. 3.7. Eph. 6.4, 9 Col. 4.1.   

Direction III.  
Keep out Seducers and Soul-deceivers. Receive them not into your houses, neither bi● them God speed. [Consider 2 John 10. 1● 1 Tim 65. Rom 16.17.] Oh! how ready are such to creep in uncalled for! and how ofte● subvert they whole houses! if you cannot sto● their mouths, yet may you shut your doors [2 Tim. 3.6. Tit. 1.10, 11.] The Thief come not, but to steal, or worse: And are not th● Souls of yours your best Substance? If you are good men, watch, Luke 12.39. Will yo● not keep the Plague out of your houses? wha● are deceivers, and men of debauched Principle or practices less, whose words will eat as doth a Canker? [2 Tim. 2.17.] Ah! who shoul● not say touching his household, as David within his? I hate the work of them that turn aside it shall not cleave to me, Psal. 101. compare 〈◊〉 & 3 verses.   

Direction IU.  
Cast out sinful defilements, lest they cast out you, and cause the curse to come in upon your dwellings. [See Jer. 6.11, 12, 13. & 9.15, 16, 19, 20, 21. Psal. 49.11, 12.] So dwell in your houses, as God may dwell with you. [2 Cor. 6.16, 17, 18. Psal. 101.2.] Oh! learn from Jacob, to cleanse first your own hearts, than your households. [Gen. 35.2, etc.] Cast out sinful matters, the reproach and ruin of any people, [Job 11.14. Prov. 14.34.] and sinful, ●f separable, Members, that being often reproved harden their necks. Out with such Ishmaels', as ●coff at godliness. Did Sarah only suggest it, Gen. 21.9, 10? Nay, the Scripture hath said it, [See Gal. 4 30.] Consult no longer in it with flesh and blood: but, come, read and resolve with David, Psal. 101.3 ad 8.   

Direction V.  
Cause them to sanctify the Sabbaths of God. Is not the fourth Commandment for you? even for you? And are not you charged with your sons, your daughters, your man-servants, and your maidservants in it? Yea, and upon how many cogent reasons? Exod. 20.10, 11. [Read Levit. 23.3.] Hath not God given you their six day's labour; and will you gradge him their seventh day's rest? So you have their service six days, matters it not whether God or the World, Sin and Satan have the seventh? How unnatural and, unthankful would you thus be? Oh! command them to cleanse themselves, and keep the Sabbath as did good Nehemiah, both them and the Levites. [Nehem. 13.19, 21] If yours shall now follow their labours, or find their pleasures on this holy Day, must i● not be said unto you. What evil thing is this that Y●E do, and profane the Sabbath day? [Ver. 15, 16, 17.] Will you yet bring more wrath upon England, by profaning the Sabbath? [Ver 18. Jer. 17.27.]   

Direction VI.  
Carry them abroad with you to the solemn Worship of God. Should not your households arise, and go up to Bethel with you, to offer to the Lord? that they may learn to hear, and fear the Lord our God, and observe to do all the words of his Law: Verily, yes; if either Scripture-Patterns or Precepts may determine it. [Consult Gen 35.2, 3. 1 Sam. 1.21. Exod. 10.9. Deut. 31.12. Josh. 8.35. Deut. 29.10, 11, 12, 13] Would you not fain have them to heaven with you? why then not to hear, etc. with ●ou? Can they believe in him of whom they ●●ve not heard? or go to heaven without be●●ing? [Rom. 10.13, 14.] Henceforth then, 〈◊〉 with a multitude to the House of God. ●his will be your Crown and Comfort, when ●●u can tell the Minister of God, concerning ●●th yourselves and households, We are ALL 〈◊〉 present before God, to hear all things that 〈◊〉 commanded thee of God. [Psal. 42.4. Acts ●. 33. with 2.]   

Direction VII.  
Be careful to instruct them at home in the ●od Word and Works of God. Think you it is the duty only of Ministers to their ●ocks? Nay, but of Masters likewise to their ●milies. You are under as express Obliga●●ns, and have more eminent Opportunities, ●o are with them at all seasons. [See Ephes. ●4. Deut. 4.9, 10. & 32.46. Psal. 78.5, 6. 〈◊〉 38.18, 19] Yea, not only you Fathers ●●d Masters, but you Mothers and Mistresses, ●ould instruct yours in the ways of Righte●sness. [Prov. 18. & 4.3, 4. & 31.1, 26. Acts ●. 26.] Oh Christians!  
1. Be careful that the holy Scriptures be ●en read to, and by them. Hath not God commanded it both to you and them? [Tu● to Deut. 11.19. & 6.7. Isa 34.16 Joh. 5.39▪ Are they not able to make you wise unto Salvation? and are profitable to every thing [2 Tim. 3.15, 16, 17.] Oh! that this wo● might dwell henceforth richly in you, an● among them! which is so much sweeter tha● honey, and more to be desired than much fir● gold for them. [Col. 3.16. Psal. 19.10. & 119▪ 72, 127. Prov. 8.19.]  
2. Be not careless to repeat Scripture Truths, and Sermons among them. Wha● God had spoken to Israel by his Minister a● Horeb, each Master in Israel must speak it ●ver again, talk of it in, and teach it diligently to his house: and there are no small Premises annexed to this thing. [Read Deut. 〈◊〉 6, 7, 9 & 4.9, 10. & 11.18, 19, 20.] Do n● yourselves need line upon line, who ha●● more quickness to receive, and capacious Memories to retain? And can it be a needle work then among yours? Ah Brethren 〈◊〉 Listen not any longer to sinful, or sullen Exceptions or Excuses. Oh! Let not this see● grievous to you, which is so good for them [Phil. 3.1.]  
3. Catechise them in the Principles of Religion: That your Children and Servants may ●e like abraham's [Eth-Chanican] Catechi●ed Servants. [Gen. 14.14] Should you not ●het or sharpen the Word of God upon them, as you sit in your houses? [Deut. 6.7. Margin] scil. by fetching the same Fundamental Truths of God forth and back, over ●nd over, by Catechistical Questions and Answers? Oh! Catechise them betimes, in the ●ay they should go, and when they are old ●●ey will not departed from it. [Prov. 22.6. ●ee the Marginal Reading.] Think not ei●●er your pains herein too much, or the pro●● hereof to be but small.  
4. Keep them close to the Practice of religion likewise. Must you to the Solemn ●bbath-duties? and why not to Secret du●●s also? [Exod. 20.10. See 1 Chron. 28.9. ●●cts 21.5.] Why shouldst thou think, that 〈◊〉 learn any from a child the holy Scri●●res, Psalms, Prayers, etc. is but to lead ●●th into Hypocrisy? Doth Paul so harsh●● censure? or commends he not rather the ●●e pious care in Timothy's Mother and grandmother? [Compare 2 Tim. 1.5. with ●hap. 3.14, 15.] Let the Scribes swell with ●dignation, at the little children's singing ●sannah, a part of the 118th Psalm; (which it seems their Parents had taught them) bu● let Saints, as did our Saviour, justify them [Matth. 21.15, 16.] 'Tis Pharaoh only tha● will abridge the little ones from keeping 〈◊〉 Feast to the Lord: Moses will not accept l● bertie from him for themselves, unless he ma● have the young ones, as well as the old wit● him. [Exod. 10 8, 9, 10] Oh Beloved I No● are the choice days; [Eccles. 12.1. Hebr ● Now, if ever, to initiate and inure them 〈◊〉 the remembrance of their Creator, and exercises of Religion, while their hearts are y● tender, and not hardened against spiritual impressions. [See Prov. 4.3, 4. Isai. 28.9. Can you forget young Samuel? Young O● badiah, & c.? Is there no present efficacy● yet may their profitings be eminent hereby afterwards, [Compare Joh. 2.22. with 19 John 12.15. with 16.] Do you not conve● in any good? yet shall you hereby keep o● much bad, [2 Chron. 24.2. chap. 25.2. ● If you will not learn them to bless, they w● learn to curse God. Why should they 〈◊〉 be taught to cry Hosannah, who without teaching this, may perhaps otherwise cr● Go up thou bala-head? [See 2 Kings 〈◊〉 23, 24.  
5. Call them frequently to account, how they profit in religion, and by reading, hearing, etc. Owe you not as much to God's truths, us to their, or your own Trades? [Prov. 23.23] Would you be so negligent, in ask after what they do in your Shops, or among your Sheep, etc. as how they do in their Souls? Oh! That we might learn of Christ to look better to our families! See what a pattern he hath left us of enquiring into their spiritual estates, whether and what they understand, etc. Matth. 13.51. Chap. 16.11, 13, 15.  
6. Commune familiarly ever and anon with them, about both the principles and practice of Religion. Deny them not liberty to ask, ●or disdain to answer such questions, as may minister godly edifying. What but either horrid pride, or stupid ignorance, should hinder 〈◊〉, who have such close engagements to it, [See 1 Cor. 14.35. Exod. 12.26. Josh. 4.6.] and the unquestionable example of Christ for it? [Peruse Matth. 13.10, 36. Mark 4.10. Luke 2.46.] Are any of our households more beneath ●s, than were Christ's Disciples below him, who was King of Kings and Lord of Lords?   

Direction VIII.  
Call and keep them together frequently, for the Spiritual Worship of God. Let J●shuah's purpose be each of yours; Let it seem evil to others: choose they what and whom they list— but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord [Josh. 24.15.] Do not only offer Praises and Prayers to God for them, but with them also; to which adjoin Fasting, as is occasion. [Job 1.5. Esther 4.16.]  

§. 1.  
Sing with grace in your hearts the Psalms of God in your houses. [Ephes. 5.19. Col. 3.16.] Judge it not a matter arbitrary, but a manifest duty. [See Psal. 135.19, 20 Psal. 30. Title of the Psalm.] Are you righteous? and shall not the voice of Rejoicing and Salvation be in the Tabernacles of the righteous? [Psal. 118.15.] Be ye followers of Christ; [Matth. 11.29 1 Cor. 11.1.] whom in this likewise ye have for an example, of singing an Hymn with his Family; sc. his Disciples, [Matth. 26.30.]   

§. 2.  
Cease not to pray with them. Turn disputing into doing. Was it not better with you, than now, when you prayed among them more, and puzzled yourselves and others less? I beseech you, Brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, strive together in Prayer for and with them. Consider, Christians:  
1. Are you not eminently concerned in it? Are not all things sanctified by Prayer? [1 Tim. 4.5.] Doth not the success of all depend upon Prayer? [Read Ezek. 36.37. Jer. 29.11, 12. 2 Sam. 7.29.] Is there not a singular efficacy, and surpassing excellency in Prayer, especially joint Prayer? Josh. 10.12, 13. Jam. 5 14, ad 19 Acts 12.5, ad 12.] And are not all Societies, that have an hand in common Sins, Sufferings and Salvations, to have hearts concurring to common Humiliations, Supplications, and Thanksgivings? [See 2 Cor. 1.11. 2 Chron. 20.4. Jon. 2.8. 1 Chron. 29.20. Acts 1.14, 24. & 4.23, 24. & 21.5.] Ah beloved! may, yea must Cities, Churches, and Commonweals join? and yet may not Families? whose Opportunities are far more, and Obligations never a whit less? What! are you Governors of Christian Familles, and shall they carry the badge and cognizance of heathens that know not God: Families that call not on his Name? [Read and tremble at Jer. 10.25.]  
2. Is it not by example commended to you? Need I tell you of jacob's worshipping with his household at Bethel? [Gen. 35.2, 3] Can he, think you, present Sacrifices, and yet pass by prayers, so prime a part of worship, which even Nature suggests, and by which the rest is sanctified? Or can you have so little charity for Saints, or Piety for our blessed Saviour, as when you read of so many households Christian, that were Churches of Christ, to retain still your ungrounded prejudices; that there were no joint-prayers, no not in any of all those? Have you so forgotten how the primitive Churches continued steadfastly together in prayers? [Acts 2.42. chap. 12.7.] Besides, what did Joshua, Daniel or Cornel us less than this, in and with their households? [Josh 24.15. Dan. 6.10. Acts 10.30. with ver. 2. compared] Sure I am, that Jesus, our great Master did as much and more with his family, who not only when he was alone with his Disciples prayed with them, Luke 9.18. [compare Mark 4.10.] but taught them also, how and what to pray for, as John also did his Disciples, [Luck 11.1, 2.]  
3. Is it not in effect commanded you too? You are bound to pray always, with all prayer and supplication, Ephes. 6.18. By whom? by what? or where are you more exempted from praying in your private families, then in the public Congregation, or personally a●one in your Closets? Read and remember 1 Tim. 2.8. Besides, Are you not to watch occasions and improve opportunities unto prayer? And that as may be best pleasing to and most prevalent with God? [Ephes. 6 18. 1 Pet. 4 7. Col. 1.10] And do not you see the preheminenty of, and promise to united prayers? [Mat. 18.19, 20] or durst you say, you have no Family occasions, and opportunities for prayer? Oh! ●ow practically and pathetically shall both these be owned, and penitently observed by family's apart, at the conversion of the Jews? [Consider Zech. 12.12, 13, 14] Come then, what meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, Call upon thy God. In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, together with your households; [Phil. 4.6.] and that dai●y, as you renew iniquities, need and re●eive mercies, and therefore should return unto God in Petitions and Praises, daily. [See Job 1.5. Mat. 6.11. Dan 6.10.] Oh beloved how good a thing it is to show forth the lovingkindness of God every morning, and his faithfulness every night! [Psal. 92.1, 2.] Was there not to be morning and evening Sacrifice under the Law? [Exod. 30.7, 8. yea, and therewith, morning and evening Prayer? [Luke 1.9, 10.] An Friends! the Gospel, which is more Spiritual, is it not withal as strict? Is our freedom from Worship? from Prayer? or not rather to it? [See Rom. 6.18, 22. Luke 1.74, 75. Heb. 4.14, 16. & 10.19, 20, 21, 22.] Oh! therefore let your Prayers be set forth before God as Incense, and the lifting up of your hands as the evening Sacrifice. [Psal. 141.2.] How can you begin or end the day, and the duties thereof better, than by beginning and ending both, in and with him, from whom you, yours, and all other things, both begin and end.    

Direction IX.  
Keep up a strict Discipline in and over your Households for God. Forget not this Battlement for your Roofs, lest you bring blood upon your houses. Farewell Duties, if ye let fall Discipline. What but sin against God, shame to you, and sadness to your, will come in at that door, whereat this goeth out? [Peruse Prov. 29.15. & 10.1. & 17.21, 25.] Witness Eli's house. I beseech you therefore,  
1. Set up Family-order, else, never look for Family-obedience: [Matth. 8.9.] Let not yours be like Elis, Sons of Belial, i.e. without a yoke, [1 Sam. 2.12.] Let every Star know his Orb, each Member his Office. Here is the Beauty and how often doth God command his Blessing on such a Family! [Mat. 24.45. 1 Kings 10.5, 8. Gen. 43.33. Psal. 128.3.4.]  
2. See there be Family-oversight. Must you be diligent to know the state of your Flocks, and not of your Families? to look well to your Herds, and not to their eternal Happiness? [Prov. 27.23.] Doth God take care for Oxen? [1 Cor. 9.9.] Shall Herod's Swine be more to him, than his Son? What less than this, is employed of Job, or was the endeavour of Jacob? [Job 1.5. Gen. 35 2, 3, 4.]  
3 Let there be family correption or reproof. Not only should ye watch over them, but warn those that are unruly among them, and rebuke them with all authority. [1 Thess. 5.14. Prov. 27.5.] Would ye not bear sin for them? Do you not hate their souls? then in any wise rebuke them, who may otherwise curse you if ye connive at them [See Leu. 19.17. Text and margin, Prov. 24.24, 25.]  
4. Let there be Family-correction too, as is occasion. The rod and reproof give wisdom. [Prov. 29.15. Compare, 1 Sam. 2.23, 24, 25. with chap. 3.13.] Is there not a servant that will not be corrected by words? [Prov. 29.19.] If such will not hear you counselling, they should feel you correcting, [See Luk. 12.47, 48. Prov. 19.29.] Yea & in this, your child differeth nothing from a servant, though he be heir to all. Ah Christians! How many exceeding great and precious Promises have you to, and Precepts for chastizing them with the rod? And how hath God prevented our fond objections? [See Pro. 13.24. & 19.18. & 22, 15. & 23.13. & 29.17] Durst you render all this in vain? Only remember, when I press the rod, I persuade you not to rage's. Do not you call cruelty correction. [Read Ephes. 6.4, 9 Col. 3.21. & 4.1. Exod 21 20, 21, 26, 27.]   

Direction X.  
Commend and Crown the practice of all these directions with an Humble, Holy, Courteous, and Convincing Conversation. Your carriage is like either to make or mar all your counsels. One good work or gracious action, will go further, than a hundred good words or the greatest Argumentations. Oh! how much readier are ours to believe what they see us do, than what they hear us discourse of? Shall it be said, my beloved, to yours, and of you, [Read Matth. 23.3.] as Christ said to the multitude, of the Scribes and Pharisees? No, so say, and so do. Let your actions Comment on, and Commend your Advises. One sullen passion, or scandalous passage, may prejudice all your other Pains and Prayers. You Masters, and we Ministers, can never sinne at the common, or at as a cheap a rate as others. [See Rom. 2.17. ad 25. ●.] Oh therefore take heed to yourselves first, and most! who have souls to be saved, sins to be subdued, a God to honour an heaven to win or lose, a devil to tempt you, and a deceitful heart to turn you aside, as well as have any of yours. Are you not men with them of like passions? Let every man therefore resolve with Joshua, first for himself, then for his. [Jos. 24.15.] If you would have them indeed serve God; so do, as they may second you. Be and do that for God which you bear them in hand they must do, or they ●an never be saved. No exhortations will be so enforcing as your own examples. See how it entails a form of good or evil from generation to generation, 2 Kings 14.3. chap. 15.3. with ver. 34.2 King. 15.9. chap. 17.41. Jer. 17.1, 2. Prov. 29.12. Oh Beloved, if ever ye would have your houses walk with God, you must walk before God with a perfect heart, in and before your houses.  
And now, my dearest Brethren, what is our hope, or joy or crown of rejoicing? Shall not even ye be in the presence of the Lord at his coming, if ye shall fulfil with him? Yea, we live if ye stand fast in the Lord, who can have no greater joy, then to see yourselves and families fellow-Citizens with the Saints, and of the household of God. Beloved your work is before you. Oh! let not your houses be Beth-avens, houses of iniquity and vanity; but Bethels, houses of God, and godly duties. Let it not be written of, or on any of them, Such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God. But let all that pass by them be able to see, and say of them, The Lord is in this place, this is no other but the house of God, yea in a sort this is the gate of heaven, [Job 18.21. Gen. 28.16, 17.] So prayeth,   
From my Study, April 6. 1657. A Remembrancer of your best welfare from and unto God, JOHN NORMAN.  
FINIS.