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the endearing attachment between husband and wife, parent and child, than frequent union in addreffes at a throne of grace. Servants too muft feel much fatisfaction from the condefcenfion of their mafters, in explaining to them the principles of religion, and in joining with them in religious addreffes which relate to every member of the family. The reflection, parents, on the regular performance of this duty, will chear your minds in the time of fickness, and at the approach of death, when all fublunary enjoyments are unfatif factory.

SER

SERMON II.

The Subject continued.

Jos. xxiv. 15.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

HAVING, in the former discourse, fhewn

the powerful inducements to familyworship, I fhall now proceed to the fecond head, To examine the apologies for the neglect of this duty.

Some fecretly imagine, though probably they will not have the confidence to avow it, that these religious exercifes are unfuitable to their rank and dignity. But why should you act upon an idea fo abfurd and unworthy, which you are ashamed even to exprefs? Can any rank exempt men from their duty to the Supreme Being? Hath not he appointed our different stations? is not the highest monarch dependent upon him? is not he the King of kings, and Lord of lords? It can be no degradation, therefore, of the noblest prince who sways a fceptre, to be his own chaplain, to lead the devotions of his family, and to of fer up his tribute of humble homage to him who "bringeth princes to nothing, and counteth the judges of the earth as vanity." External

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External diftinctions fhould, in a great meafure, evanish, when creatures fift themselves before their great Creator and Lord. The confciousness of any favourable circumstances in their lot, fhould lead them to a more grateful acknowledgement of him "who maketh "them to differ." Should our Gracious Sovereign invite or admit any family in this affembly to his prefence-chamber, and to a full audience, would any difdain the privilege, or think it below their acceptance? And can you then imagine, that any dignity, or affluence of fortune, can intitle you to defpife or decline approaching, in a family-capacity, to Him by whom kings reign, and princes decree juftice? Proud, unreafonable man, be afhamed of thy folly!

Again: There are fome female heads of families, who plead their fex as an apology for not maintaining the worship of God in their houfes. Now, though it be more proper in moft cafes, that a man fhould be the mouth of a family to God; yet when there is no man in the family, or when he, from age or other circumftances, is unfit for or difinclined to the duty, it appears perfectly confiftent with female modefty, and propriety, for a mother to join with her children and domestics in recommending them to the divine favour and protection, and in bleffing the Almighty for his innumerable benefits bestowed on them from day to day. Should delicacy restrain women in the prefence of their male fervants,

they

they may at least affemble the female part of their household. Queen Efther, you know, fafted with her maidens. Tho' women are not permitted to speak in church, there is no fcriptural prohibition to prevent them from speaking on divine things at home. Many of them poffefs that strength of devotion, and fluency of expreffion, which qualify them for prefiding in the religious exercises of the family. What fpectacle can be more comely, and pleafing to a ferious mind, than a venerable matron, with her defcendents around her, employed in prayer, and hymns of praise, to him who is the guide of youth and the staff of age, the widow's husband and the orphan's stay!

Mothers, I need not ask you if you love your children, and defire to promote their welfare: "Can a mother forget her fucking "child, that fhe fhould not have compaffion "on the fon of her womb?" Natural affection prompts you to do every thing which can preferve the health, or advance the worldly intereft, of your offspring. But do not you believe that they have fouls alfo, which fhall furvive the diffolution of their bodies, and be happy or miferable through eternity? And can you be unconcerned about their infinitely more valuable part Your children are more in your company than in their father's at that early period of life when the mind is moft fufceptible of impreffions. I intreat you to improve this precious opportunity, by com municating religious inftruction, and by pray

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ing much with your family. Some of you perhaps have loft worthy husbands, who have left you with a numerous and young charge. Accuftom them to prayer. If you train them in the way in which they fhould go, they will prove comforts to you, and bleflings to fociety. That family is moft likely to profper, where God is daily acknowledged. Others of you are connected with prayerlefs hufbands, who bestow no attention upon the religious interefts of their children. Be not partakers with them in this criminal negligence, but watch over the fpiritual welfare of your family with a conftant and tender anxiety. Suffer not their dear fouls to perifh; ufe your beft endeavours to counteract and defeat the effects of the negligence and bad example of their fathers; direct their attention to divine things; teach them to pray, and join with them frequently in this duty;. let the danger to which they are expofed excite you to double your diligence and activity. Whatever the character of your husbands may be, your piety and attention to the eternal concerns of your children will endear you to them; and your labour fhall not be in vain in he Lord.

Again: There are others who urge as an excufe for their neglect, bafhfulness, and inability to prefide in the religious exercises of the family. They exprefs their approbation of the duty itfelf, and regret that they have not courage to perform it.. But this, my

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