An Order for Government of Housholds, warranted by Gods Word, and commanded by the eternal GOD, and therefore ought not to be neglected nor impugned, of any that in truth and sincerity seek to serve the Lord, but with all care and diligence ought to be put in execution, of all those that seek the safety of the souls committed to them, and the discharge of their own Conscience.  
THe Word of the Lord teacheth us that it is not onely required of Masters, Parents, and householders, that they themselves have a care to live in the fear of God: but also they ought to see their whole Families to do the same. And that this charge is laid on them, note these places of Scripture.  

Exod. 13.8, 3. 
Thou shalt show thy son in that day.   
Deut. 4.9. 
Thou shalt rehearse my Will and Commandements to thy Children.   
Deut. 6.7. 
Thou shalt rehearse my Will and Commandements to thy Children.   
Deut. 11.9. 
Thou shalt rehearse my Will and Commandements to thy Children.    
For as we are Masters and Fathers on earth, and look to be served and obeied, so I aclowledge for mine own part, that I have a Father and Master in heaven: whose will I must obey in governing the people committed to my charge, according to his will: this did faithful Abraham called Father of the faithful,( Genes. 18.19. whose example by Gods assistance) I intend in some measure to follow, to show my dutiful obedience, that the Lord may show his mercy upon me and mine, as he promised and performed to Abraham, and therefore have taken this order for the government of my house as followeth.  

For the sabbath.  

1 FIrst, because our God hath sanctified one day to himself, that is, the sabbath; I ordain and command that all my people shall repair to the Church, accompanying me both forenoon and afternoon: there to stay, and abide during the exercise of the Word of God red and preached, prayers, and partaking of the Sacraments: and shall behave themselves there reverently, as those that come to appear before Gods majesty. None shall travel on the sabbath day without urgent necessity, nor otherwise absent themselves from the Church without just cause made known before to me.  
None shall use on that day any game, as Cards, Dice, Tables, bowls, Dancing, running to Revels, haunting of Alehouses, &c. but shall spend the time after the public exercise of the Word in such laudable and godly manner, as God teacheth in his Word: as reading of the Scriptures, singing of psalms: james 5.13. Talking of his Commandements, Deut. 6.7. and meditating of Gods creatures to his glory: Isay 58.13.  
again, seeing the sabbath is the Market day, or day of preparing food for our souls: every one shall, being demanded give an account of something that he hath learned, as well in the Church to the Minister, as also in my private house, when I myself, or some other by mine appointment shall examine him, that I may know how he hath spent the sabbath, and profited in knowledge.   

2 Secondly, I ordain and take order that every morning there be a general meeting of my servants before they go about their ordinary business, all excuses set apart, joining themselves together, and commending themselves to God by faithful and hearty prayer, craving his aid and blessing, without which, our watching and labour is all in vain, as David noteth, Psal. 127.1, 2. Also our rest and sleep being a gift of God, for the obtaining thereof I appoint in like manner, that there shall be every evening the like assembling of all my people, worldly excuses put apart, to bestow together some convenient time in prayer, singing of psalms, reading of the Scripture, or some other godly matter.   

3 Thirdly, seeing the Creatures of God are sanctified unto us by the Word of God and prayer, and that we ought not to receive them without giving thankes to God for then, as Paul teacheth, 1 Tim. 4.5. Therefore I command that some one in the behalf for the rest, both before and after meat whensoever they receive it, do with all reverence praise God for the same, the residue yielding consent by their reverend silence.   

4 Fourthly, concerning the common behaviour of my people every where, I straitly forbid to swear in vain by the reverend name of God, or otherwise to use it vainly and unreverently. I utterly forbid all jesting and scoffing at Gods sacred Word, his true Religion, the Preachers and Professors of the same, all cursing, lying, slandering, and filthy and unclean talking: I utterly forbid all maintenance of Popery and superstition, and what else soever may offend the majesty of God.    
If any offend against these, or any of these orders above mentioned, through weakness, and not of malice, he shall be once gently admonished, Matth. 18.17. if he offend the second time, to be more sharply reproved, 1 Tim. 5.1, 20. but if he offend the third time, he shall confess his fault before the whole household assembled together, showing himself sorrowful for his fault, craving pardon of God, and reconcile himself to the household whom he hath offended.  
But if there be any of my Family that do obstinately refuse to bear this the Lords yoke, and to be subject to his Ordinance, he shall not continue in my house, but I will learn of David, Psal. 101.6, 7, 8. a man chosen after Gods own heart, to drive such wickedness out of my house and sight, and seek for such as fear God, and will make such my servants, least entertaining and nourishing the wicked in my house, my negligence be punished, as was Elis, who being a householder, and a father, was said to have honoured his children more then God, because he entertained them without punishment, he was deprived of both his sons in one day, and himself broke his neck, &c. 1 Sam. 2.31. 1 Sam. 3.13. 1 Sam. 4.17, 18. And Solomon saith that the curse of God is in the house where the wicked are, but he poureth blessings upon the habitations of the righteous, Prov. 3, 33.  
Therefore I farther add, that such guests as repair to my house, refusing to be subject to the Ordinances of the Almighty, and will not ●… e with me and my people to serve the Lord, I refuse to be companion with such, or to receive him to be my guest, for such procure ●… s wrath, as afore is said. But I will say with David, Psal. 119.63. those shall be my companions that fear God and keep his Commandements, and those shall be my guests that be godly, just, and fear God, and as for the wicked and rebellious against the Ordinance of God, seeing they are darkness, with whom light hath no communion, and seeing they are as pitch, very likely to defile a man, I will say to such, as our Saviour said of the like: Away from me ye workers of iniquity, and with that godly housekeeper David, Away from me ye wicked, for I will keep the Commandements of my God, Psal, 119.115.  Joshua 24.15. 
I and my house will serve the Lord.  Hester 4.16. 
I and my maides will serve the Lord.  Acts 10.1. 
Cornelius with all his household feared God.  Proverb. 13.13. 
He that despiseth the Word, be shall be destroyed.  
But he that feareth the Commandement, he shall be rewarded.  Rev. 22.12. 
Behold, I come shortly, and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be.  
Henry Roll. M. I.   

London Printed for Mary Brusey, and are to be sold by John Wright junior, in the little old Bayly. 1641.