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are very striking in Prov. iii. 3. The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

What an unsafe and dangerous condition must they be in who live as it were without God in the world: who do not seek for his aid and protection in this life, or shew any regard for their future and eternal welfare? Who have not in their houses so much as the form and appearance of Religion; where children and servants, instead of being called to daily Prayers in the family, have hardly an Example set them of retiring for private devotion? The state of such Heathenish families must be truly deplorable; I know not how they can enjoy any peace or comfort, or hope to thrive in any of their undertakings: surely they have little thought how they should be able to answer for such notorious impiety at the last day, when they shall stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, there to give an account how they have performed the commands of that Gospel which teacheth us, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint, Luke, xviii. 1. to pray without

ceasing, and in every thing to give thunks, 1 Thess. v. 17, 18.

On the other hand they that daily worship God with sincerity of heart in their families, and in their closets, will find great comfort from such a practice even here, besides those unspeakable rewards which they will receive hereafter. God will bless and give his Angels charge over them; so that no evil shall befal them, neither shall any plague come nigh their dwelling. He will grant them the continual comforts and assistance of his Holy Spirit, to direct them in the way wherein they should go, and to bring them to everlasting life and glory at the end of their journey. Therefore “ thou "art inexcusable, O man, whosoever “ Thou art," that neglectest to serve thy God to the best of thy power and knowledge.

Let none pretend they have not time to pray to God every day in private, or with their families.---For, does not God give us all the time we have? Is it not His hand that keeps us in health, and upholds our souls in life? Does not the man of business, and the pcor labourer,

depend on God for strength to go through their daily round of labour? Therefore interest as well as gratitude calls upon all men, in every state, to acknowledge the bounty of their heavenly Father, and continual dependence on His power and goodness.

Abraham had abundance of cattle, and a great deal of ground to look after, but yet he made his children and his whole houshold serve the Lord, Gen. xviii. 19.

Joshua was ruler over all Israel, and had always a multiplicity of business upon his hands, and yet he declared this pious resolution, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord, Josh. xxiv. 15.

Holy David, though he had the cares of a crown upon his head, yet constantly prayed to God, morning, evening, and at noon day, Psal. lv. 17. And in another place he tells us, he was resolved to walk in his house with a perfect heart, that none should be his servants but such as would be godly and religious, Psal. ci. 3, 6.

And Cornelius, though a Soldier, was yet a devout man, and found time to pray to God always with all his house, Acts, x, 2 We may be assured of this, that it is

not time lost which we spend in God's service; for He will repay and make it up to us; and we shall, sooner or later, find to our comfort, that if we have been stedfast and abounding in the work of the Lord, our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.

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But were we sure to lose some worldly advantage, or to incur any danger on account of doing our duty to God; yet un der such circumstances, we must adhere to, and resolutely persist in it. The history of Daniel to this purpose is worthy our serious attention, ch. vi. when he was threatened with the loss of his life, if he offered any petition for thirty days, yet he would not be deterred from performing his duty to his great Creator and Preserver, but continued, according to his Custom, to pray to God three times a day. Fer this he was cast into the den of lions; but how wonderfully did God preserve his faithful servant, by shutting up the lions' mouths, so that they did him not the least hurt; He who was with Daniel will be with all those who conscientiously wait upon Him; that they shall in the end suffer no loss or harm. And as Daniel,

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instead of losing his life, was by this means promoted to higher honour, so those who make a conscience of serving God as they ought, are high in God's favour, and shall certainly reap some great benefit and advantage by it.

It has been observed by many good men, that to begin the Lord's day well, and to spend it in a religious manner, is the surest way to prosper in the following week; and that things can never go well with those who profane and mis-spend this holy day; and it is equally true, that they who begin and end every day with serious prayer, may hope for God's blessing to prosper them day and night, and to order all things so to go with them, as shall be best and most for their good; but if any neglect this duty, and either go to work in the morning, or to rest in the evening, without having prayed to God, such may justly expect to fall into some sin, or to have some unfortunate accident happen to them or their families; for we are never safe either from sin or danger, without the Care of God's Providence; and Prayer is the only way to engage the Almighty to take care of, and preserve

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