/Z. /3. oS, Srom fpe feifirari? of (J)rofc66or ^amuef (JUiffet in (gtemor)? of 3ubgc ^amiief (UttfPer QBrecfttnribge ^amuef (gtifPer QSrecftinribgc feong fo f^e £i6rar)? of (|)rincefon ^^eofogicaf ^eminarjj •* # kr #% DISCOURSES ON DOMESTIC DUTIES. BY SAMUEL STENNETT, D. D. 1 WILL WALK. WITHIN MY HOUSE WITH A PERFECT HEART. DAVID. EDINBURGH : PRINTED BY J. RITCHIE, 50R J. OGLE, PARLIAMENT-SQUARE J M. OGLE, GLASGOW ) AND R. OGLh., LONDON. 1800. CONTENTS. DISCOURSE I. The Duties of Benevolence conlidcred and enforced. Phil. ii. 4. look not every man on his own things, but every man alio on the things of others. P. 13 DISCOURSE II. Fannily Religion in general. Joshua xxiv. 15. —As for me and my houfe, we will ferve the Lord, p. 44 DISCOURSE III. Fanuly Worfliip. Rom. xvi. 5. Llkewife greet the church that is in their houfe, p. 76 DISCOURSE IV. Reciprocal Daties of Hufbands and Wives.. Eph. v. 2,3' o.-Let every one of you in particular, fo love his wifceven ashira= felf ; and the wife fee that fhe reverence her huiband. p. 113. DISCOURSE V. Duties of Parents to their Children. Prov. xxii. 6. Train up a child in the way he ftiould go : and when he is old, he will not depart from it. ^ P* ^4^ DISCOURSE VI. Duties of Children to their Parents. Epm. vi. I, 2, 3. Children, obey your parents in the Lord : for this is right- Ho- nour thy father and mother, (which is the firft commandment with promife) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayeft live long on the earth. p. 201 DISCOURSE VII. Duties of Servants to Matters. Eph- vi. 5, — 8. Servants, be obedient to them th?.t are your mafters according to the fiefli, with fear and trembling, ia finglenefs of youi heart. IV CONTENTS. as unto Chrift : not with eye-fervicp, as men pleafers, but a» the lervants of Chrift, doing the will of God from tl.e heart ; witli good will doin^ fervice, as to the Lord, and not to men : knowing that whatloever good thing any man doth, the fame fhalihe receive of the'Lord, whether he be bond or free. p. 242 DISCOURSE VIII. Duties of Mafters to Servants. Eph. vi. p. And ye mafters do the fame things unto them, forbearing threat- ening : knowing that your m after alfo is in heaven, neither is there refpedl of perfons with him. P- 293 DISCOURSE IX. Domeftic Friendfhip. Psalm cxxxiii. Behold, how good and how pleafant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, fhat went down to the fkirts of his garments. As the dew of Her- mcn, and as the dew that defcended upon the mountains of Zion , for there the Lord commanded the blelfing, even life for eveimoie. p. 316 DISCOURSE X. Hofpitality. I Pet. iv. 9. Ufe hofpitality one to another, without grudging. p. 377 DISCOURSE XI. Convivial Intercourfcr Job i. 4, 5. And his fons went and feafted in their houfes, every one his day ; and fent and called for their three fifters, to eat and to drink with them, And it was fo, when the days of their feafting were gone about, that Job fent and famftified them, and rofe up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job faid, It may be that my fons have finned, and curfed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. P» 4^3 DISCOURSE XII. Heaven confidered as a Family. John xiv. 2. In my Father's houfe are many manfions ; if it were not fo, I would l»Ye told y^ju : J go to prepare a place for you. p. 44<^ DISCOURSE I. INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE. THE DUTIES OF BENEVOLENCE CON- SIDERED AND ENFORCED. Phil. il. 4. Look not every man on hii own things, but every man alfo on the things of others. AS man was made for foclety, it is the duty and intereft of every one lo contribute what lies in his power to the general good. This is a plain dic- tate of nature, and is abundantly confirmed and en- forced by fcripture. Whoever coniiders the divine benevolence which breathes through the gofpel, and which (hone fo illuftriouily in the countenance of its great author, the Lord Jefus Chrift, muft clearly fee that it is impoflible for a man to be a genuine Chriilian, without feeling, in a degree at leaft, that generous warmth which a public fpirit infpires. When the Son of righteoufnefs firft arofe upon this mifera- bly cold and benighted world, the balmy influence of his grace diffufed itfelf through the breafts of thoufands. B Men i6 THE DUTIES OF BENEVOLENCE is evident from the reafon and nature of the thing, and from the apoftle's ufing the connetlivc particle alfo in the latter claufe of the text : *' Let not every man look on his own things," that is on his own things on- ly^ " but alfo on the things of others." Here then it will be of importance to enquire, how far, and un- der what reftridlions, we may be allowed to confult our own interelt. Oar interefts may be confidered as cither fpiritual or temporal. By o\it fpiritual interejis we mean the health, pro- fperity, and final falvation of our fouls. It is of infi- nite confequence to a guilty depraved creature, that he be rellored to the favour and llkenefs of his offend- ed Creator ; and fo efcape the wrath to come, ^and attain to the happiaefs of heaven. Wherefore, if dread of mifery, and defire of happinefs, are pafiions connatural to us, and if the evils and blefilngs juft mentioned are the greateft imaginable j doubtlefs it is not only allowable, but our incumbent duty, to take every pofTible meafure to avoid the former, and ob- tain the latter. To be indifferent about our falvation, is highly criminal j to. make it our firft and principal obje6l, highly commendable. Such is the language both of reafon and fcripture. And it were eafy to fliew, that the minding religion is not only infinitely beneficial to a man himfelf, but is the dire6l means to difpofe him to look after the interefts of others, and to enable him more effedlually to promote them. If however, under a notion of taking care of their fouls, and acquiring an extraordinary degree of exalted pie- ty, men retire from fociety into filence and iua^livity, they give too fad evidence that they are of a private felfilh fpirit : and it is much to be queftioncd, amid ft all CONSIDERED AND ENFORCED. I7 all their fplendid profelTions, whether they have any iurt idea of the nature of religion, or have ever enter- ed into the genuine fplrit of it. But the condudl we are cautioned agalnft in our text, hath refpecl chiefly to our temporal interelis. Now our tetnpcral inter efts may be all comprehend- ed under the Ideas of health, profperlty. and reputa- tion. And furely no one will affert that the'e are to be treated with perfetl indifference and contempt. Indeed enthufiafm, under the fpecious pretence of piety, has precipitated fome people Into aufteritles ilrongly expreiTive of this. But enthufiafm itfelf can never make men fall In love with poverty and mifery. The utmoft it can do is to reconcile them to thefe evils upon the idea of acquiring spplaufe, a kind of good which in their apprehenfion will more than ba- lance all their painful feelings. For this boafted mor- tification of theirs is only a bartering two forts of earthly good, namely eafe and wealth, for d third, fame, which they account more fplendid. But the truth Is, thefe enjoyments, in their proper place, have, each of them, their value. As to Healthy we not only may, but ought to take care of it. The fame apoflle who fpake the ivords of our text, bids us *' do ourfelves no harm *," and affures us '' that no man ever yet hated his own flefli, but nourlflieth and cherlflieth it f ." Nor is It mere- ly for the purpofe of enjoying life that we are to co- vet health, but for the further purpofe of ufefulnefs. For It is impofiible that a man oppreffed with pain and ficknefs (hould attend with vigour, however be- nevolent his heart may be, to the aftlve duties of fo- cial * Aas xvi. 2S. f Eph. V. 29. lO THE DUTIES OF BENEVOLENCE ciil life. If, therefore, we would ferve our genera- tion, we may, we ought, to take every meafure in our power, to preferve and eftabli(h our health. In like manner, we may aParm concerning Wealthy that it is a real good. It will procure us the necelTa- ries snd accomodations of life, and put It in our power to mftke multitudes of our iellow-creatures happy. There is, tlierefore, neither wifdoni nor virtue in treat- ing riches with an air of haughty contempt, as certain vifionaries have done. Indeed, as to thefe men, it is to be apprehended, without breach of charity, that a criminal paflion for eafe and floth is at the bottom of all this aifefted felf-denial of theirs. No. Induf- try is a virtue. " He that is diligent in bufmefs fliall *• iland before kings, and not before mean men*." And" he who provides not for his own, efpecially *' for thofe of his own houfe, has denied the faith, and *' is worfe than an infidel f." " Study to be quiet," lays our apoille, " and to do your own bufinefs if." And in another place, *' If a man will not work, nei- " ther fliould he eat ||." The ingenuity, flirewdnefs, and ftrength our Creator has endowed us with, are applied to their proper objcfts, when ufed, under the reflri6tions that will be hereafter mentioned, to the purpofes of improving our worldly circumftances, and fo augmenting our own happinefs and that of others. And if bodily health ?.nd worldly profperity may be lawfully defired and purfued, fo may reputation and honour likewiic. It is an argument of a bene- volent heart to wiili to pleafe, and of a generous mind to aim to excel. " A good name is better than pre- cious * Prov. xxii. 29. \ I Tim. v. 8. t I TheJ. iv. II. II 2 Theft: iii. lo. CONSmSRED AND ENFOr.CED. 1 9 cicus ointment*.'' No virtuous man can be indifTerent to his reputation. As he holds wifdora, integrity, and piety, in the higheft eileem, and aftually does in his meafure poffefs them, i'l it would be afFeded hu- mility, and putting an unnatural force upon hiaifelf, to decline all pilTion for that refpeiEl to v.liich he jtand"* entitled among his fellow creatures. You will fay then, what is the true charafter or that private or felSfn fpirit which the apoftle con- demns ? or when may a man be faid fo to look on his own things as to merit the cenfure implied in our text ? To this it is replied, — He is of a private fel- filli fpirit who confults his outward eafe, emolument, and honour, to the injury of his own bell Interefis, and to the prejudice of the real interefts of other men. Thefe oppofite interefts do often come into compe- tition, and fo give occalion for a conduft vvhich indeli- bly marks the characters of men as felfifli or benevo- lent. There is a criminal fenfe in which m.en may be faid, in regard oithcfnfehes^ and Vv-ithout any reference to others, to feek their own things. Man is a com- plex being. He confifts of foul and body j and the former is of far greater value than the latter. He therefore who pays fuch an attention to his bodily health, eafe, and pleafure, as to be thereby precluded from thofe reftraints on his animal appetites, and from thofe means of religion, which have a dire6l ten- dency to promote the welfare and happinefs of his foul j is chargeable with ftlflove, and is guilty of the great fin and folly of facrlficing his fuperior to his inferior intereft. He locks on his own things, pampers * Ecclel". vii. I. 20 THE DUTIES OF BENEVOLENCE pampers his body to tVie deftru6lion of his foul. The iarae may be faid of him who makes the profits, or the honours of the world his grand objeft, to the ne- l^letSl, if not contempt, of heavenly riches, and an in- tereft in the favour of that great Being who ihade him. But we are liere principally concerned with the purfuits of mankind in the afpedl they bear towards others. He certainly is of a private felfilh fpirit, who will not forgo his temporal emolumei]t for ihtfaha- tion of his neighhour''s fouL If God has given me talents for public inftru6lion, and I will not be at the pains to meditate, read, ftudy, preach, and exhort, but on the contrary fpend my time in Indolence and fclf-gratification, 1 feek my own things to the in- jary of others. So if God has given me wealth, and I will apply none of it to the purpofe of aflilHng others in their labours for the fpiritual good of mankind, but, on the contrary, avarilioufly hoard up my gains^ or fquander them away on my pleafures j I am guilty of the fame crime. 1'he like may be faid alio of that unmanly, not. to fay unchriftian, dread of the cenfure of a vain world, which holds too many back from efforts of the raoll generous kind for the falvatlon of their fellow creatures. In flioit, it is a bafe and fel- lifh temper to the laft degree to prefer any worldly advantage whatever to the refined pleafure of being the inflruinent of laving an immortal foul. Again, A felfilh fpirit is further to be confidered in its re- ference to the tcfj2porol inter ejls of others. The mod Ihocking exprcITion of it, is that of accumulating the enjoyments of this life to ourfclves, at the expence of the happincfs, yea even the lives of thofe around us. Innumerable wretched inflances of this fort difgrace the CONSIDERED AXD ENFORCED- 21 the faithful pages of hiflory, and daily a(ra6i the eye of humanity. What are the frauds praclifed in com- merce, the contentions that prevail in focieties, and the horrible ravages of war, but the effects of this mi- ferable temper ? JMany, however, there are who dare not proceed to thefe lengths *, yet their own interell they purfue to the negle6i: of that of others. Al- though, in their eager chace after riches, honours, and pleasures, they leap not over the mounds of ftrift right and equity j yet they allow themfelves little time to contemplate the raiferies of their fellow-creatures, and to ftretch forth the hand of benevolence to their af- iiftance. Nor dees the characler cenfured in our text belong to thefe only. They too are of a private fel- filli fpirlt, who will not, at lenil in fome inllances, give up their own rights, and forego fome advantages they might lawfully claim, in order to contribute to the happinefs of othc:s. If a man has no generofity in his tem-per, though he is not, ftriftly fpeaking, un- jufl: or inhuman, he fails in his duty as a man, and finks infinitely beneath the denomination of a Chri-- ilian, who glories in the charadler of being a man of a benevolent fpirit. — And this leads us, II. To explain and illufirate more particularly the duties of a Public Spirit. — Let every man look on the things of others. — Here two or three things are to be premifed before we proceed : as, Firft, That the interelt of the whole is to be pre- ferred to that of a part. When the good of certain individuals comes Into competition with that of the community at large, the former is no doubt to be facrificed to the latter. " It B 5 "is 22 THE DUTIES OK BENEVOLENCE *' is better that one man fliould die for the people, than *' th:it the n'hole nation perifh *." When the attain- ing an objecl of great importance to our country, to the church of God, or to our families, requires the omifiion of fonie ofiices of kindntfs to particular per- fons, whicli we would otherwife gladly render them ; fuch omiifion becomes a duty rather than a fin. In fnort, a man of a public fplrlt will wilh to do all the good he can j and fince he has neither opportifnity, or ability, equal to every fervlce that may be de- manded of him, it is his duty to exert himfelf in fuch ways as he judges upon the whole will beft promote the inter-efls of fociety. From whence it follows, that we fliould be cautious how we haftily cenfure others, as of a private and felndi fpirit, becaufe they do not take an acllve part -with us In every fcheme for the public good, to wliich our impetuofity "would urge them. They may be purlulng a line of condu6V, which Providence hath pointed out to them, and which may more eilentially contribute to the general ■welfare than that to which we would divert their at- tention. Secondly, The fpiritual IntereRs of others are to be preferred to their temporal. This appears from what has been already obferved, and mufl (trike every confiderate man as a mofl: im- portant truth. If there be a God, the duties we owe him ought to take the bad of thofe we owe our neigh- bour. If our fouls are of Infinite y greater value than our bodies, and the prefent is only an Introdu6lio - to a future eternal life, there can be no doubt that the moft important concerns of a worldly kind fliould yield * John xi. 5:. CONSIDERED ASD ENFORCED. 2^ 5'IelJ to thofe of religion, when they come into com- petition witii each other. The civil immunities of nations, fccietifs, and families, are objefts of great magnitude, but their moral and religious intereils, of much greater. And what further entitles the latter to the precedence of the former is, the direft and mighty influence which virtue and piety unquellion- ably hive upon mens temporal happinefs. Here per- mit me to obferve, that this reafoning ilamps a digni- ty upon the charadler of thofe, however m.ean and contemptible their external appearance and clrcura- ilances may be, whom divine Providence hath r^fed up and fcnt to preach the gofpel in the world. A- gain. Thirdly, The nearer the relation, the greater is the regard w^e owe to one another. Charity, we u(ually fay, begins at home. And it is a plain dictate of nature, that offices of benevolence fhould originate among our moil intimate connexions, and fo proceed, by gradual progreiTion, to thofe at the remotefi: diilance from us. Men eminent for a difin- terefted and public fpirit, have genert;liy given diflin- guiflied proofs of a humane and friendly difpclltion. Nor is much to be expe6led from thofe, however warm their profeinons of zeal foi the public good may be, who pay little or no attention to the important obligations of confanquinity, neighbourhood, and pri- vate friendfhip. -Thefe thir premifed, v>^e go on to fpeak of the duties of benevolence, under the fol- lowing heads, namely, thofe we owe — to mankind in general — our country — the church of Chrill — and in- dividuals. I. There 2 j. THE DUTIES OF BENEVOLENCE 1. There are duties we owe to men as men, and purely on the ground of their being of the fame fpe- cies with ourfelves. All our fellow-creatures, whatever may be their fi- tuations, characters, or circumftances, are entitled to our fympathy and benevolence. A good man will wilh well to every one of his brethren of mankind, finctirely pray for their happinefs, and heartily concur in meafures for extending the bleflings of civil and re- ligious liberty far and wide. The attention he pays to his family, friends, and neighbourhood, will not ex- clude thofe.fiom his regards, who are beyond the cir- cle wherein he moves. His prediledlion in favour of his native country will not excite animofity in his brcnll againrt the fubjecls of other ftates. Nor will the juft prejudices he has conceived againll the igno- rance, fuperrtition, and bigotry of Pagans, Mahome- tans, and Papifts, or againll thofe who have injured him, obliterate the compailionate feelings of humani- ty towards them. Detefting thofe wretched maxims of policy and felf-interert which tend to the dividing mankind, and alienating them from one another, he will confider himfclf obliged, upon the grand princi- ple, that God hath made men of one blood, and that his fun fhines upon the evil and the good, to contri- bute what in him lies to the welfare of all. In fliort, as religion confirms and improves that univcrfal phi- lanthropy which natU-ateaches, fo the Chrillian feels bimfelf difpofed not only to the duties of truth, fince- rity, and juflice, but to thofe of civility, fympathy, and love towards the whole race of mankind. 2. The duties we owe to our country come next to be enumerated, Thefe CONSIDERED AND ENFORCED. 2^ Thefe are of a more particular defcription than the former. They ate the refult of a regard due to others, not as men only, but as men inhabiting one country, caft into one civil fociety, and fubfifting under one form of government. This regard or attachment is what we call patriotifm, a kind of inftinft implanted in our breafts for wife and noble purpofes j and which, therefore, a good man will cherifh and cultivate to the utmoil of his power. And the duties of it are fuch as thefe : in general, the feeking the fafety, ho- nour, and profperity of our country. The confider- ing the enemies of it, whether foreign or domeilic, as our enemies. The uiing our endeavours to deteft e- very infidious, and to defeat every open attempt againft it. The contending earneftly for its civil and religi- ous rights and liberties. The paying all due allegi- ance, honour, and fubmiffion to its magiftrates, fu- preme and fubordinate. The rendering tribute to whom tribute is due. The leading peaceable lives in all godlinefs and honef^y. The endeavouring to pro- " mote harmony and goodwill, condefcenlion and fubor- dination, among all orders of men. And, in a word, the exerting ourfelves, as far as our abilities and Na- tions will admit, to check the progrefs of vice and profanenefs, and to promote virtue and religion. Which leads me, 3. To the duties we owe, as Chriflians, to the church of God. - Here our views are confined within a circle of a different defcription from the former. All good men, wherever fituated and however diftinguiflied from one another, compofe one large family, fociety, or king- dom, of which God is the Father, and Chrift is the Sorereign 20 THE DUTIES OF BENEVOLENCE Sovereign and King. And our duty, as belonging to this one catholic church or body, is, in general, to maintain lleadiiy the grand principles on which it is united, to contend earneilly for its rights nnd privile- ges, to endeavour, by all poflible means, to promote its profperity and incteafe, and to cherifli in our brealls a cordial and unreferved affe^llon to every in- dividual of which it is compofed. Eut as the various fituations and circuniftances oi Chriliians, and their dJiferent modes of tliinking re- fpe£llng matters which do not ailed the exiitence of the whole, make it neceiiary that they fliculd be form- ed into diftindl focieties, fo there are duties which the members of fuch foclttiesowe to one another. And it is an important expieffion cf a public fpirit to pay a faithful attention to thefe duties, as hereby not only the particular intcreHs of thefe feparate focieties are pro- moted, but the general welfare and glory of the whole. And here I might mention the various mutual offices required of minlflers and their people towards each other, in regard of public worQiip, the celebration of divine ordinances, and the maintenance of good order, fellowfhip, and love. He is a man of a public catho- lic fpirit, who in refped of thefe matters feeks not his own things, but the things of Chrift, and can fay with the apoftle, " For me to live is Chrift," it is my grand objeft to promote his kingdom and interell : who en- deavours with all his might to prcferve the Chriftian dodrine and inftitutions inviolable ; and to that end often foregoes his own eafe, emolument, and honour : and v/ho, abhorring from his very heart a narrow, un- candid, bigotted fpirit, feels a cordial aifedion for all other Chrillian focieties, who hold Chrift as the head, though CONSIDERED AND ENFORCED. 2^ though they difFer in many circumftantials of doftrine and dnty j and moft heartily concurs with them in every huidable fcheme for the general good. 4. and laftly, The duties of benevolence are to be further confidered in their reference to families and ihdividitals* And here I forbear to enumerate all the offices re- quired of us towards each other, in the various charac- ters of hufbands and wives, parents and children, bre- thren and liilers, mafters and fervants, buyers and fel- lers, relatives, friends, neighbours, and members of civil fociety. Thefe ofRces are almoft infinitely dl- verfified, yet they are all the objefts of his attention who looks not on his own things only, but alfo on the things of others. A bufy officious temper ought, however, to be par- ticularly guarded againft. Far was it from the apof- t?e's intention to give any countenance to fo little, mean, and bafe a paiTion, as that of looking or prying into other people's affairs. A paiTion that has done infinite mifchief in the world and in the church. He particularly inveighs againft it in his epiftles to the Theflalonians and to Timothy, where he defcribes per- fons of this chara£ler, as ** walking diforderly, work- " ing not at all, and being bufy-bodics *." And, as ** learning to be idle, wandering about from houfe to *' houfe, tatlers, and fpeaking things wh'ch they ought " not f ." A man of a public and benevolent fpirit is infinitely fuperior to every thing of this fort. He meddles not with the concerns of others. Yet glad would he be to make every individual with whom he is conne6^ed happy, and fincerely does he lament it that * 2 Theff. iii. II. f iTim.v, 13. 28 TKE DUTIES OF BENEVOLENCE that too often, through human frailty and criminal ne- gled, he fails in his duty. — This general view of the duties to which the apollle exhorts us in the text, and which are hereafter to be more particularly confider- ed, (hall at prefent fufhce — Our obligations to the re- gular and cheerful difcharge of the duties of a public I'pirit, remain now to be confidered. But this \vill be the fubje^l of our attention the next opportunity. PART II. We have particularly confidered the evil we are cautioned againft in the text, namely, a private or fel- jfifh fpirit — Look not every man on his own things,- And we have explained and illultrated the temper and condu6l oppofed to it, namely, a benevolent and public fpirit. — Let eve?'y man look alfo on the things cf others. And we now proceed, JSecondly, To enquire into our obligations to the regular and cheerful difcharge of the duties of bene- volence. I. We will begin with the obligation which refults from the relation we J} and in to each other , There are relations lubfifting among mankind, and thefe relations do of ncceflity beget reciprocal duties. As for inftance, the moment I contemplate the rela- tion between parents and their children, the obliga- tion of the former to love the latter, and of the lat- ter to reverence the former, forces itfelf upon my mind. There Is no feparating the ideas. And the fame may be faid of every other relation among rea- fonable beings. Let men be placed in what connec- tion they may with each other, that connexion will, it mufl: CONSIDERED AND ENFORCED. 2^ rnuft, produce feme confequent obligatiou. And that obligation, fuppofing the connexion to fubfift, is in the reafon and nature of the thing immutable. All the movements of a watch are adapted to one great end, and it is by the regular operation of the feveral parts, which bear an immediate relation to each other, that that end is attained. So it is in the moral world. The various orders of rational beings that exift, bear certain relations to each other j and were the feveral duties refulting from thefe relations rightly and uni- formly difcharged, the happinefs of every individual would be fecured, and fo the general good of the whole, which is the grand objed, would be attained. Now% they who look on their own things, and not en the things of others, do violate the obligations which refult from the relation they ftand in to their fellow-creatures. And how very abfurd and criminal is fuch a condufl ! Will they deny that any relation fublifls between them and mankind ? No, it cannot be denied. Will they deny that thefe relations oblige them to certain duties ? This would be to offer vio- lence to common fenfe, and to tear the whole fabric of this moral fyftem to pieces. Will they fay, they are no further obliged to confult the intcrefts of o- thers than the doing it will tend in their apprchenfion to promote their own interefls ? If they may be al- lowed to fay fo, others may too ; and then not only the welfare of the whole will be defeated, but of in- viduals, and in the long-run of thcrafelves likewife. On the contrary, it were eafy to flicw (and will be fnewn afterwards) that by feeking the things of others we feek our own things ; and that however in many inllances: our prefent worldly advantage may be affefl- ed \ 30 TUB DUTIES OF BENEVOLENCE ed by our attention to the general good, we fliall yet be.gainers upon the whole ; not to lay how the coni- mon feelnigs of humanity, upon a little recoUedion, are hurt by the wretched bafenefs of a felfiih fpii it. A man of this character is his own tcimentor : for fcinna- nefs begets envy, envy malevolence, and malevolence torment. Whence the philofcpher, feeing a f:/iteful fellow lopk fad, wittily (aid, he knew not v.hat to think was the caufe of his melancholy, whether fume cliHifter of his own, or fome good fortune of another. What are they then doing who, void of all generofity, (it may be added juflice and humanity too), obflinatejy refufe obedience to the admonition in our text ? They are in arms againll their whole fpecies ; hollile to all focial connections, domellic, civil, and religious ; and — ftrange infatuation I — enemies to themfelves. 2. To the duties of benevolence we are obliged by the exprefi command of God, That great Beinghath fignified his will to us two ways, namely, by the light of nature, and by the holy fcrip- tures. As to the former, if the reafoning under the laft head be juit, then that reafoning is the voice of God. He has ellablilhtd thefe relations among man- kind, and endowed us vvith capacities to perceive their fitnefs to the ends of their appointment, and the du- ties refulting from them. By fo doing, therefore, he has authoritatively required of us the fulfilment of thefe duties, and every failure therein Is not only an injury done to our fellow- creatures, but a diredl vio- lation of the command of our Creator, thus figni£ed to us by the didates of nature. But, as our reafon is enervated and depraved by the general apoflacy of mankind, and lO through weaknefs and CONSIDERED AND ENFORCED. 3 I and prejudice we err j lie has given us a fecond edi- tion of the law of nature in the Bible. Here we are commanded *' to love the Lord with all our heart, " and foul, and ftrength ; and to love our neighbour *' as ourfelves *.'' And here we have thefe relations particularly explained, and the obligations refulting from them urged upon us by a variety of motives the mofl; intereiling and important. If we fland at the foot o-f Mount Sinai, we hear the law^ pronounced by the bleffed God himfelf with a majefly and terror that cannot fail of exciting the profoundeli reverence and dread. If we go to the prophets for inftru6lion, vve have not only the podtive declarations of the di- vine will, but fuch feafonings thereon as are level to the plaineft underftanding, and addreiTed to all the feelings of the human heart. If, again, we ut at the feet of the divine Jefus to receive the lav/ at his lips, we have the whole i^ftem of moral obligation laid o- pen to our view, with a clearnefs and pathos that infi- nitely furpalTes what was to be met with In the fchooh of philofophers, or the colleges of Jewifh teachers. I'he apoftles too, under the immediate infpiratton of the holy Spirit, fail not to exhort us to the duties v/e owe one another, and to urge them upon us by thofe fublime motives peculiar to the gofpel, which they were commlflioned to publifti throughout the whole world. If then the fcriptures are the word of God, it is his command, fignified to us in the moll plain and authoritative manner, that " we look not every one on " his own things only, but every man alfo on the things " of others." And wilful difobfdience to fuch au- thority^ * Luke X. 27. 32 THE DUTIES OF ENEVOLENCE thority cannol fail to expofe men to the heavieft pu- ni(hment. 3. Oar obligations to the duties of benevolence receive the nobleil fupport from the gofptl of Jefus ChriJ}. Such Is the admhable coniliudllon of the gofpel, that it throws light upon the duties we owe one ano- ther, and enflames our breafts Tvith a holy emulation to excel all around us in the difcharge of them. The apolhe had no fooner given the admonition in our text, but he felt hlmfclf tranfported almoit into an ecflafy by this divine argument, which inftantly rofe to his view. *' Let this mind," fays he, " be in you, " which was alfo in Chrifl: Jefus j who, being in the ** form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal *' with God : but made himfelf of no reputation, " and took upon himfelf the form of a fervant, and " was made in the likenefs of men. And being found *' in faQiIon as a man, he humbled himfelf, and became " obedient unto death, even the death of the crofs." What divine philanthrophy was this ! We had broken, thelitwof our creation, had torn afunder the facred ob- ligations of fecial duty, were become felfiQi, malevo- lent, and diabolical, living in malice and envy, hate- .ful and hating one another. It was fit then thit the refentments of heaven fliould be expreffed againft fuch guilt, that the authority of the fuprerae Governor of the world (hould be publicly aflerted, and that the general good of his onlverfal empire fliould be main- tained. But it were earneftly to be wlflied, mercy would at the fame time fay, that fome at leaft of thefe miferable delinquents might efcape the tremendous confequences of their guilt, and be reflored to a capa- city CONSIDERED AND ENFORCED. ^^ city of again enjoying the exalted pleafures of fecial life In their higheft perfedion. But how are thefe obje6ts to be attained ? No human mind furely could devife an expedient ', or, if imagination could have fug- geftcd the grand expedient, which hath been adopted, it would yet have been incredible that there (hould ex- ift love in heaven of fuch magnitude as to carry it into effeft. But fuch love there was in the bofom of God. Hear, O hear the tidings with wonder and joy ! The Son of God arrays hirafelf in human flefh, and regardlefs of his honour, emolument, and eaf©, as a man, voluntarily offers his life, amidft unparalleled in- dignities and fufferings, a vi6lim to provoked juftice for our accumulated guilt. What an inftance of dif- interefted benevolence this ! the afloni(hment of an- gels and men ! He looked not on his own but our things. " He pleafed not himfelf, but fuffered the reproaches of them that reproached his Father to fall upon him *." So he has ftamped an authority upon the obligations refulting from fecial ccnneiSlions, which the infllclion of the moll: tren-.endoas punlfliment on the immediate violators of thefe oblifjatlons could ne- ver have done. And fo he has pcffeiTed us of an ar- gument to look every one on the things of others, which, methinks, it fhould be ImpoiTible for the hu- man heart not to feel. Behold, Chriftian, your Sa- viour bleeding on the crofs, to expiate the offences you have committed againfl the laws of humanity, compaf- fjon, and love j and fay whether you ought not to forgive thofe who have injured you, to draw a veil of chailty over the frailties and miftf.kes of your offend- ing brtchren, to commiferate the diffreffes of the af- fllded * Rom. XV. 3. 34 THE nUTIES OF BENEVOLENCE llicled, and to do the utmoft in your power to diffufc liappinefs among all around you. 4, The example of men eminent for their public fpirit, comes next to be corfidered, in order to animate us to our duty. Many Inftances of this fort we meet with in profane hiftory \ though, alas I it mufl be acknowledged, that the benevolence for w^hich the wifer heathens, moft of them, were fo renowned, was difgraced with not a lit- tle vanity, felf-applaufe, and regard for their own in- tereft. The fcriptures, however, furnifli us with truly illudrious examples of this dcfcriptlon, which demand our mod grateful recoUeclion, and our moll careful imitation. Mofes the man of God holds a high rank in the lift of thofe, who fought not their own things, but the things of others. *' Ke chofe rather to fuft'er afflic- tion with the people of God, than to enjoy the plea- fures of fui for a feafon * j" and cheerfully renounced all pretentions to the crown of Egypt, that he might become the deliverer of his opprefTed brethren the If- rcelites. And when the rebellion of that perveife people againil God, and their ungrateful murmurings r;galnfl him, had like to have brought down infant venerea nee upon their heads j fuch was his public fpirit that he inttrpcfed all his intiuence with Keaven on their behalf, and v/ith a generolity that fcarce ad- mits of a pavitUel, thus pafTionately expreffcs himfelf on the occafion, *' Now, O Lord, if thou wilt, for- " give their fin : and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out *' of thy book which thou haft written f ." The flat- tering profpe6l of the ere6lion of his own farjly into a * Heb. xi. 25. f Exod. xxxli. 32. CONSIDKRED AND ENFORCED. 35 a great nation, upon the ruins of this people, who fo juftly deferved to be devoted to deftruclion, could not fubdue the uncon<'[uerable attachment he felt to their interell *. And fo far was he from wilhing to accu- mulate all the honours, peculiar to the prophetic cha- ra6ler, to himfelf and a few others, that he moft fin- cerely wi{hed, that "all the Lord's people were pro- phets f." In (hort, his ftory exhibits to our view one continued feries of the moft difinterefted and painful exertions for the good of mankind. A great many other examples I might mention of men of a pubhc and benevolent fpirit, whofe charafters and a6lions (liine with diftinguiihed laftre in the' book of God, fuch as, JaJhiiOy Gideon, David, Jevtmiah, Daniel, Nehemiah, and others. The apoftles too were all of them famous for their unwehried. attention to the public good, and none a- mong them more fo than he w^ho fpoke the language cf the text. His life was a ftriking- comment on the palTage before us. So f.ir was he from looking on lis own things, that, nmidft his zeal for the glory of God and the falvation of men, he lofl: almofi: all idea of hrs o'.vn private and perfonal intereils. And it was with a view net to acquire applaufe, but to con- ciliate the regards of the Corinthians to his iruniftry, and thereby promote their welfare, that'he gives them fuch a recital of his fufFerings and" ailions, as Hiews him to have been of all men the moil dirmterefted and benevolent. — " In labours," fays he, *' I have *' been more abundant : in ftripcs tbove meafure : *' in prifons more frequent : in deatlis oft. Of the *' Jews five times received I forty ftripes fave one. Thrice * Exod. xxxii. lo. f Nun-.b. xi. 29. 36 THE DUTIES OF BENEVOLENCE " was I beaten with rods, once was I ftoned, thrice I " fuffered (hip wreck : a night and a day I have been " in the deep. In journeyings often, in perils of wa- *' ter, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own coun- *' trymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the ci- *' ty, in perils in the wildernefs, in perils in the fea, in " perils among falfe brethren, in wearinefs and pain- " fulnefs. In watchings often, in hunger and thirft, in *' fallings often, in cold and nakednefs. Befides thofe *' things that are without, that which cometh upon mc " daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, ** and I am not weak ? Who is offended, and I burn ** not * ?" Nor mull I forget to mention a paflionate cxpreffion that drops from his pen, when fpeaking concerning his countrymen the Jews, which breathes the nobleft patriotifm, and fhews him to have been caft into the fame mould with his great anceftor Mofes : " I " have great heavinefs," fays he, " and continual for- *' row in my heart. For- 1 could wi(h that my felf were *' accurfed from Chrift, for my brethren, my kinfmen ** according to the fiefli f ." But the temper and conduct of our Lord Jefus Chrift, when here on earth, exhibit the moft ftriking features of that charadler we mean to recommend, and wifli you to attain. Of the great object of his miflion, which was generoufly to oifer his life a facri- fice for fin, we have already fpoken. His a6tions, during the courfe of his public miniftry, are what we have now in view. Aiid thefe were the moft bene- volent that can be imagined. Did he fcek his own things, when at the age of twelve yeats he difputed with the dodors in the temple ? " Wifl ye not," fays he * i Cor. xi. ?3— 2p. f Rom. ix. 2, 3. CONSIDERED AND EKFORCED. 37 he to his parents, when they fought him forrowlng, " that I muft be about my Father's bufmefs * r" Did # he confult his own intereft, when, proof againft all the infidious attacks of Satan, and all the flattering prof- pe6ls of worldly wealth and grandeur, he devoted him- felf to the painful fervice of the miniftry ^ Did he court the applaufe of men, when he boldly fet himfelf to op- pofe the errors, prejudices, and vices of the times ? Were power and fplendour his obje^l, when he declin- ed the prefTing inftances of thoufands of people, who, having been miraculoufly fed by his bounty, would have fain taken him by force and made him a king ? Did he affed eafe and felf-gratification, when travell- ing on foot from village to village to preach the gof- pel, he denied himfelf often the common refrefliments of life ? Did he a'im to pleafe himfelf, when, though he' had it in his power to efcape them, he fubmitted to the vlleft indignities that could be caft on him ? On the contrary, what illuftrious proofs did he give of the generofity of his heart, in his unremitting exertions for the temporal and fpiritual good of mankind ! Now we fee him amidft a croud of poor, abje61:, wretched beings, the blind, the deaf, the halt, and the like, difpenfing with a gracious fmile, tht blefTmgs of health, eafe and hap- pinefs among t: em. Now railing the dead from their graves, and delivering them again into the embraces of their mourning relatives. Now entering the cottage of the helplefs widow, and mingling his tears with hers : and now taking little children into his arms, and blefling them. And then ..c ehold him in the temple, and in the flreets or Jcrufalem, in the towns of Galilee and Judea, and in the chief places of concourfe, in- C - ilruding * Luke ii' 49. 50 -THE DUTIES OF BENEVOLENCE ftru<5lmg the people with unwearied attention, pour- ing tears of anguiili over their fpiritual maladies, and befeeching them to accept life and falvation at his hands. In fliort, from the inflant he appeared on the flage of a6lion to the tragical moment he paffed off it, all concern for his ovvn temporal interefts was abforb- cd in that he nobly felt for others. Forgive me that 1 have enlarged fo particularly on this head of difcourfe. Example hath ufually great- er efficacy than precept. It teaches and perfuades at one and the fame time. And I cannot help flattering myfelf with the hope that, with thefe patterns before our eyes, we (hall feel ourfelves irrefiftibly impel- led to the duties of a public fpirit. It remains now to be obferved, 5. and lafily, That generoufly to confult the inter- efl of others, is in effe6l to confult our own interejL This is an argument ^ddreffed to a pafiTion which e- very one feels, a paiTion which cannot be eradicated from the human breaft, and which, when duly regulat- ed, will not fail to operate to tbe general good. — Here let us advert a moment to the refined and exalt- ed pleafure, which refults from the idea of being the inftruments of communicating happinefs to our fellow- creatures. What a gratificaci'jn iiiuft It be to a man of a generous fpirit, to refcue a family from poverty and wretchednefs, and to reftore chee.fulnefs and joy to the gloomy manfion of the widow and fatherlefs ! How exquiiitt muft be the fenfations of an alfeftion- ate parent, wlillll he real'zes,in all the future honour, happinefs, rod ufefulnefs of Vit rilnig offspring, the rich and laiiin^ fruits of hU. unwenried attention to their bell inverefls ! How -^rrat muit be the fatlsfadtion which that man feels, who, from the purell motives, rilks CONSIDERED AND ENFORCED. 39 rllks hiseafe, honour and life, in the defence of the civil and religious liberties of his cpuntry, and efpeci- ally if his prudent and fpirited efforts to that end prove happily fuccefsful ! And O, who can defcribe the joy that mull circulate around the heart of the faithful minifter of Chrift, who, amidfl all his painful labours in the caufe of truth and religion, has ground to believe that this and that immortal foul will, through his means, efcape the miferies of hell, and attain to the felicity and glory of heaven ! Whaterer be the felf-denial, pain, and afBi£lion, which men endure, whilft thus nobly forgetful of their own things, they look attentively on the things of others j it is all more than cgjnpenfated by thefe refined pleafures which accompany their purfuits, and w^ill be infinitely more fo by the* glorious rewards which (hall in the end be conferred on t'^cm. It was a faying which fre- quently dropped from the lips of our divine Mafler, in the days of his pilgrimage here on earth, " It is " more bleffed to give than to receive *." And this faying of his has been found to be true by the happy experience of thoufands. It is further to be obferved, that our feeking the interert of others is the laying them under an obliga- tion to feek ourinterell. It is not indeed every one that difcharges the obligation. Some have it not in their power, and too many, fo difingenuous is their nature, have it not in their difpofition. Horrid inftances there are in our world of bafe ingratitude ! Yet the man who is. habituated to afts of benevolence, and cheer- fully fpends his life in the fervice of his fellow-crea- tures, will meet with many returns of klndnefs. They who * Ads XX. 35. 40 THE DUTIES OF BENEVOLLNCE who have diared of his beneficence will, at leaH fomc of them, mingle their tears with his when he is in af- fliction, and flep forth to his afliftancc in the hours of danger and diilrefs. " The blefling of him that was *' ready to perifh," will come upon him ; and the pray- er of *' the widow, whofe heart he has caufed to fing ** for joy f ," will afcend to heaven on his behalf. How fair the inheritance which many of a public fpirit have enjoyed in the affe6lion of thoufands around them I What tears of genuine forrow have been poured over their remains, when committed to the Iilent grave ! And how fweetly have their chara61ers been embalm- ed in the grateful bofoms of numerous furviving friends and relatives ! But even admitting that gratitude were to take its final farewell of our world, and that the generouily looking on the things of ot-liers were a di- re6l means, through the miferable perverfenefs of man- kind, to entail upon us poverty, negleft, and aSufe ; yet fuch difintererted conduft will not fail to meet the divine approbation, and to be largely rewarded In 'an- other world. And here we are naturally led to fpeak of the evi- dence arifing from the charader we have been recom- mending to the uprightnefs of a maa's heart towards God. There is no genuine Chriftian who does not prefer the divine favour to every other enjoyment, and who does not wifh above all things to have the grand queftion, whether he is in friendfhip with hea- ven, decided to his fatisfadion. Now what better evidence can a man poffefs upon this important point, next to the wltnefling of the Holy Spirit, than what refults fron his particTpating the fame divlr»e temper, which aftuated the bleiTed Jefus in all he did and fuffered \ Job xxix. 13. CONSIDERED AND ENFORCED* 4! fufFered for our fakes ? " Let this mind be In you," fays the apoftle in the verfe following the text, " which •* was alfo in Chrlft Jefus." And what was this mind but that which we have been fo largely defcribing in this difcourfe ? God is love. His moral perLdrons are all of them fo many different modifications of love. The gofpel is afuperibufture which wifdom has eject- ed on this foundation, love. And love is the feature which prevailed in the countenance of our Saviour, and expreffed itfelf more ftrongly than any other ex- cellence in all his anions here on earth. And now, can a man have this fame mind in him which Chrift had ? Can he feel in his breaft a tender fympathy for the diftrcfTed ? Can he paflionately wifh the happinefs of all around him ? Can he make their welfare his obje6i:, even to his own injury ? Can he, in a word, be actuated in all thefe exertions for the public good, by the duty he owes to God, and the love he bears to his divine Maftcr, — And at the fame time not be a good man, a real Chriftfan, a believer in the fenfe of the New Teltament ? It is impofiible. Would we then enjoy the fweet fatisfa£lion refulting from a humble hope, that we are reconciled to God through Jefus Chrift, and are the heirs of futare happinefs and glo- ry ? O then let us be perfuaded, from the njblen mo- tives, to look not on our own things only, bat aifo on the things of others ! Thus hdve we held up to your view the duries of a public fpirit, and endeavoured to allure you to the pra£lice of them by every pofTible arguiTient — argu- ments drawn from the relation we J?nndjn to on/^ ano- ther — tbe€Xp?'efswi/iofGod\\gm^<^<\ to us in various ways — the frame and tenor of the gofpel — the mojl illu* flrious 42 THE DUTFES OF BENEVOLENCE ous examples — and our czvn truejl interejl. Two or three refledlons fliall clofe the whole. 1. What fad caufe have the bell of us for deep hu- miliation before God. Ah i my brethren, we have all failed in the duties we owe one another, and in the fervour of that difmterefted and generous temper which ought to have impelled us to them. Do we not look back with fhame, regret, and forrow upon the unprofitablenefs of our paft lives ? Are we not paiikcd at our very hearts with the thought, that we have lived fo much to ourfelves, and fo little to the good of others ? Does it not grieve us to recoiled the many fair opportunities we have milTed of ferving the interefts of our fellow-creatures ? And is it not afflict- ing to the lall degree to reflei*!^, that the flattering prof- pe61s of worldly eafe, honour, and emolument, have too often impeded, if not wholly obftrufted, our no- bler purfuits ^ How numerous have been our defedls snd failings in every character we fullain, and in eve- ry ftation of life we fill ? And how great are the ag- gravations of our guilt ? Let us humble ourfelves in the dull before God. And at the fame time, let us not he unduly difcouragcd j but rather; 2. Rejoice that God of his mercy is difpofed, for the fake of the generous interpofition of his Son in our favour, to pardon all thefe our offences, and to ac- cept and fave us. How free and unmerited is the love of God, and how unfpeakably great the condefcenfion and grace of our Lord Jefus Chrill ? To expiate the guilt of, all thofe omilTions w^e have been Imienting, lie wept, and bled, and died. The tendereft offices of kindnefs he has rendered us, though we have been io paifimonious in our fuvouii; to others. The veil of CONSIDERED AND ENFORCED. 43 oF charity he has thrown over our ingratitude, felfifli- nefs and bafenefs 5 and entitled us, who had no claim at all upon the bounty of Heaven, and little upon that of our fellow-creatures, to the nobleft fruits of divine benevolence. O may we then be perfuaded, 3. Henceforth to live not unto ourfelves, but unto him that died for us, and rofe again ? To look not on our own things, but every one of us on the things of others ? The lead return we can make to him for all his generofity to us, is to imitate the example he has fet us, and to contribute all that lies in our power ta the happinefs of our fellow- immortals. DIS. DISCOURSE 11. FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. Joshua xxlv. 15. ""—' As for me and my hot/fe, we willferve the Lord. A MORE ftrlking fcene can fcarcely be beheld, than that exhibited to our view in the hiftory before us — Jojhua^ the fervant of the Lord, and the fuccelTor of Mofes^ rtt the head of a rumerous houfe- hold, with a countenance which piety and age bad made ferene and venerable, publicly announcing his own perfonal regard to religion, and offering his ex- ample in the government of his family to the imita- tion of all the tribes of Ifrael. The affembly was large : it confifted of the people in general, withtheir elders, heads, governors, a:id of- ficers. They all felt the obligations they owed this great and good man, as their captain and lead- er, their ruler and judge j and were in a difpo- fition, as the event ftiewed, to receive the inftruc- tions he fliould give them. He puts them in mind, therefore, of what God had done for their forefathers and for them, the fignal miracles he had wrought in their FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. ^5 their favour, the glorious vi£lorIes which through his interpofition they had obtained, and the happy fruits they had reaped from them. And he then with great earneilnefsand affe£lion entreats them to fear the Lord, and ferve hirti in lincerity and truth, totally renoun- cing the idolatrous pradices of the heathens. So he adds, in the verfe of which our text is a part, " If it *' feem evil unto you to ferve the Lord, chufe you this *' day whom ye will ferve, whether the gods which ^* your fathers ferved on the other fide of the flood/ '* or the gods of the Amorites in whofe land ye *' dwell.'* The manner of his addrefs is at once authoritative and pcrfuafive. It is as if he had faid, " If, ffter " you have duly weighed the fa61:s which have been " laid before you, and thofe of which you have been *' yourfelves eye-witnelTes, it Hiould feem unreafona- " ble, or any w^ay prejudicial to yourintereft, to ferve " the Lord, Jehovah — the God that refcued you from *' the cruel yoke of Pharaoh, led you through the wil- " dernefs, and put you in poffeflion of this fair and ^* fruitful country j chafe you this day whom you wilt *' ferve. Confider under whofe proteflion ye will put *' yourfelves, and whom it is moft eligible to worihip, " whether the gods of your anceftors, Terah, Na- " hor, and others from whop your father Abraham " fprung, or the gods of the Amorites, in whofe land *■' ye dwell, and who were utterly unable to defend " their worlhippers, or themfelves, againfk the ven- " geance of Jehovah, the only living and true God." In fuch terms does he expofe the great fin and folly of their becoming again idolaters, and at the fame time teach them the infinite reafonablenefs and importance, C 5 not A^ FAMILY RELIGION IN GINJiRAL. not only of their profefling the true religion, but of their ading therein upon the grounds of the moft de- liberate confideration arid choice. He then adds in the text, But as for me and my houfe^ we will fcrve the Lord. As if he had faid, *' Whatever effe«5l thefe my reafonings and perfuafions ** may have upon your minds, whether ye adhere to *' the true religion or renounce it, I am come to a point *' with myfelf upon the matter : it is my free, deli- *' berate and firm refolution toferve the Lord, to avow *' Jehovah for my God, in the face of the whole *' world, to render him the woifliip he has required, -*' to aim at uuiverfal ohedience to his commands, and *' to endeavour, to the utmofl of my ability, to pro- *' mote his interells among mankind. This was the *' refolution I formed in early life 5 to this refolution I *' have hitherto' adliered ; and, by the grace of God, ** I am determined to abide by it to the end of my days. " Nor am 1 fmgular in this refolution: my family agree *' with me in it. They are all convinced it is both their '* duty and intereil to ferve the Lord. There is not ** a diffenting voice among them. And as to thofe of *' them who are not yet capable of difcerring good *' and evil, I will train them up in the fear of God. " By my authority I will rellrain them from vice and " fin, and oblige them to comply with the external *' forms of religion. By my counfels and inftrudiions *' I will endeavo.ir to fix falutary impreffions upon " their young and tender minds. By my example I *' will allure them to thepra£lice of virtue and piety. *' And my inceffant cries fliall afcend to heaven for the *' blefling of God on thefe my well-meant exertions ** for their good, j^s for me and my houfey we ivill ^' fcrve the Lord y ^Yhat FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. 47 What a noble refolution was this, and how happily exprcffed ! Never did Jojhua appear to the eyes of the pious Ifraelites in a more venerable point of light than upon this occafion. His attitude, voice, counte- nance, and manner of addrefs, we may be fure, all ftrongly marked his ardent zeal for the glory of God, and the tender feelings of his heart for their real good. Nor was the effeft inconfiderable, which this laft fer- mon of his produced on the minds of this large and folemn audience. The people anfwered and faid, *' God forbid, that we {hould forfake the Lord, to " ferve other gods. We will ferve the Lord, for he " is our God *." And now the objeft we have in view, is to per- fliade you, Sirs, and ourfelves, with great fincerity and cheerfulnefs, to adopt the language of the text. And (hould we fucceed, how glorious will be the con- fequence ! You will be happy and honourable in life, in death, and to all eternity. Yea, I will add, — a thought which cannot fail of infpiring every ingenuous mind with ardour, — you will be the inltruments of making multitudes around you happy alfo. Let us then confider more particularly, • First, The import of this refalution which every good man, who is mailer of a family, forms in regard of himfelf — As for me I willfer-ve the Lord. And, Secondly, The influence which this refolution, rightly formed, will and ought to have upon his tem- per and con du61: towards thofe under his care. "I *' will ufe my endeavours that my hoiife alfo t?iay ferve " the Lord:'' First, ♦ Ver. i5, i8. 48 FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. First, Let us confider the import of this refolution in regard of the mafter of a family hirafelf. What we here mean is, to give a clear and com- pendious account of Perfonai- religion j and the rather HS this is the true and proper ground of Family reli- gion. For if he who prendes over a houfe is himfelf an utter flranger to the fear of God, it is much to be apprehended that there will be little of it among thofe under his care. Our ideas we will clafs under two heads — What it is to fei^ve the Lord — and the princi- ples upon which every Chriftian man is difpoied fo to do. I. As toferving the Lord, it is a phrafe that com- prehends in it the whole of our duty j the main bran- ches of which are — the worfhip of God — the living a holy life — and the ufing our influence to promote the caufe of religion in the world. God is to be wor(hipped. This is the main idea meant to be conveyed in the text, as is evident from the occalion on which the words were fpoken, name- ly, the propenfity of the Ifraelites to idolatry. Jo- jhua wiihed therefx)re to diil'aade them from this great evil, and to engage them to the worfhip of the only living and true God. The modes of worftiip indeed under the prefent difpenfation are different from thofe of the former, not tedious and e^cpenfive, but plain and fimple. We are to offer prayer and praife to God, in his houfe, in our own houfes, and in our retire- ments. We are to profcfs our faith in Chrift, through ■whofe mediation we look for pardon and eternal life, by a fubmiffion to the two inftitutions of baptifm and the Lord's fupper. And-we are devoutly to attend the FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL, 49 the preaching of the word on the ftated feafons ap- 'pointed for that purpofe, and other opportunities that offer. This is ferving God, in the firft and dirc6l fenfe of the phrafe. — But we are ferving him alfo, when we are conforming to the dilates of reafon and confcience in the general courfe of our lives. Every a£l of juftice, humanity, and benevolence we perform, in obedience to the will of God, is a fervice rendered our Creator-, and he mercifully acknowledges it as fuch. And every endeavour to fubdue our irregular paflions, and to cultivate the oppolite virtues, comes under the fame denomination. So that, as the real Chriftian habitually aims to pleafe God, he is conti- nually ferving him. — In a word, we are on fome oc- calions more efpecially to ufe extraordinary efforts, for the noble purpofe of promoting the caufe of reli- gion in the world. Eminent fervice fome men have rendered their generation, by their faithful inftru6ti- ons, prudent counfels, vigorous defence of the truth, right application of their fubilance, and examplary" lives. By their fpirited exertions, with the blefling of God, the kingdom of Satan hath been fhaken to its very foundations,"^ and the church of Chrift acquired new fplendour and glory. Vice hath fled before their fliarp and unremitting rebukes into corners, and civil fociety itfelf received a large acceflion of honour, wealth, and happlnefs, through their fervices and fufferings.-^— This it is to ferve the Lord, But what, II. Are the priuciples upon which eyery real Chri- ftian fetves God. Here we are led into a view of all thofe reafonlngs and affedions of the heart, which coi"fl:itutc what we and 5-0 FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. call experimental religion. Deeply fenfible of Ins pall: fins, and the miferable depravity of his nature, and well perfuaded, upon the divine teitimony, of the abounding mercy and love of God through Chrirt, the Chriftian feels himfelf difpofed to all that fervice which has juit been defcribed. His reafonings on the great truths of religion are calm, fober, and delibe- rate : his approbation of the things that are excel- lent, free, cordial, and unreferved : and his refolution to adhere to God and his duty, in a dependence on fuperior affiftance, firm and ileady. Many a doubt has arifen in his mind upon the moll interelling points of religion ; many a ftruggle he has endured with pride,, paflion, and unbelief j many a" tear he has poured o- ver his own frailty and weaknefs j and many a fer- vent cry he has addreffed to heaven for the enlight- ening, renewing, and quickening influence of the blef- fed Spirit. And the refult of the v/hole is, As for me I willferve the Lord. Let us liften a moment to the pious elfufions of his heart upon the two grand principles which gave exiflence to this relolution in his breail. Duty and Interejl. *' It is my Duty^^'' fays he, *' to ferve God. He '* has an uncontrouled authority over me, and every " imaginable claim of gratitude upon me. Can I hefi- " tate a moment, whether he who made me, upholds me ** in life, and pours his providential bounty all around " me, has a title to my reverence, confidence, love, *' and obedience ? Can I view him pitying me amidll *' my aggravated guilt and mifery, and fending his own *' Son. by his bloody pafiron and death, to redeem and *' fave me ] Can 1 recolleft the meafures he has taken " to bring back a poor, loil, wandering flieep to his ** fold, FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL^ 5 1 '* fold, the loud calls of his providence to my fleepy ** confcience, the earncft ftrivings of his Spirit with my ** perverfe heart, the feafonable reftraints of his grace, ** and the foothing confolations of his love ? Can I tra- " verfe the paths through which he has led me, call ** up to view the dangers from which his hand has ref- " cued me, and realize the glorious hopes of his ne- " ver- failing promifes fet before me ? And not feel in ** my bofom the warmefl emotions of love, gratitude, " and obedience ? O no ! My God,- at an expenfe " which angels cannot compute, has ferved my inter- *' eft j the foulefi infamy therefore would fall on me, " could I be fo difingenuous as to decline his fervice." But it is tlie idea of Advantage, as well as duty, that determines the Chriftian to adopt the refolution in the text. Thefe two motives are here happily combined. No fervice has God required of us but it is our intereft to render him. We arc not obliged, therefore, in order to become Chriftians, to eradicate from our breafts a principle which is connatural to us. We may cheriih it, and, provided it is held under the diredion of a found judgment, it will add force to o- bedience. Through the depravity of their hearts men do, indeed, form a miftaken notion of their intereft* The pleafure they feel in the gratification of their in- ordinate defnes, and the pain which they muft con- fequently endure in the mortification of them, fix a deep prejudice in their bre'afts againft religion, as ini- mical to their happinefs. And this prejudice is con- firmed by the contempt in which religion is held by the generality of mankind, and the perfecution to which it often expofes thofe who profefs it. But when once men's minds are difabufed of' thefe preju- dices, 52 FAMILY RELIGION IM GENERAL. ces, Jind religion is held up to their view in all her native beauty and excellence, they clearly perceive where their true intereft lies, and that there is no i'mall profit in ferving the Lord. Under the influence of thefe reafonings, then, and feeling this firft principle of human nature in all its fall force, the Chrifiian cheerfully, as well as dutifully, refolves, ** Jls for nie^ I will ferme the Lord. 1 am ** fcnfible that the difcipline of the heart is not to be *' maintained without many painful fenfalions \ that the " right difcharge of duty wnil often require gfeat ex- '* ertions *, and that a fteady adherence to truth and " confclence will fometimes draw after it obloquy " and reproach. In this warfare i have many pow- *' erful enemies to ftruggle with. In this courfe I muft " put out all my ftrength. And through various cau- " fes I fhall frequently endure great dejedion of fpi- " rit. Yet to ferve God, be the difticulties I have " to contend with ever fo numerous, is to ferve my- '* felf. The ways of wifdom are ways of pleafantnefs " and all her paths are peace. *» In keeping his com- " mandments there is great reward f . And godlinefs " is profitable unto all things, having promife of the " life that now is, and of that which is to come %. " By avoiding temptation and fin, I (hall efcape much *' anguifh, which I mud otherwife fooner or latter fuf- ** fer. Every advantage gained over my evil pafiions,, " will create real pleafure in my bread. Communion " with God in the duties of religion will cheer and " enliven my fpirits. A perfuafion that he hath for- *' given my fins, and that I am intcrefted in his fa- " vour, will make me fublimely happy. And a fin- ** cere * Prov. iii. 1 7. I Pf;il. xix. 11. \\ Tim. iv. 8. FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. 53 " cere endeavour to advance his-glory, and to do good " to my fellow-creatnres, will be accompanied with " refined (atisfa^llon and delight. Whatever affliflion " I fuffer in the courfe of my duty, it will turn to my ** advantage : and whatever oppofition I meet with, *• it will heighten the glory of the viftory, Chrift is " my Mailer, and he will not fail to aflift, fucceed and " reward me. He is my Captain, and through him I " (hall come off more than conqueror. He is my " Judge, and having fini(Jied my courfe he will put the ** crown upon my head, and fay to me in the pre^ *' fence of angels and men. Well done, good and " faithful fervant, enter thou into the joy of thy ** Lord *. As for me^ therefore, / wi// ferve the ** Lordy — Such, in (hort, is the fpirit and language of real religion. Would to God we were all poffefTed of this inefti- mable blefling ! Let us examine ourfelves upon this matter. Are we the fervants of God, or of Satan ? the willing fubje^ls of divine grace, or the raiferablc vaffals of fin ? What is our grand objed — the enjoy- ment of the refined and exalted plcafures of re- ligion — or the gratification of our irregular pafllons and defires ? Have we devoted ourfelves to God, or do we live without God, without Chrift, and without hope in the world ^ If the latter is our chara(5ler, how tremendous is our ftate ? We (hallmifs of real happi- nefs in this life, and dying in our fms, fuffer the wrath of God in the w-orli to conne. Bat if the former is oar chara6ler, we have every imaginable reafon to re- joice. Religion is the nobleft cordi^l^f human life*, the bed fecurity againit the evils of it, and the only preparative * Matt. XXV, 21. 54 FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. preparative for a future happy flate. Oh ! let us be perfuaded ferioufly to confider tbefe things. And permit me more efpecially to prefs the confi- deration of thefe matters upon young people. You, my friends, are juft entering on life, juft launching out into the world. Your voyage may be tempeftuous : and in that cafe would you not wi{h to be prepared for the event ? Would you not be glad to poiTefs that which will calm your minds in advcrfity, elevate your hearts above the world, and enable you to out- ride the ftorm with magnanimity ? Or if the re- verfe (hould be the cafe, would you not wiQi to be fe- cured from the undue influence of the fafclnatlng gales of profperity ? Life is fhort, its joys and forrows are paffing fwiftly away. Is it not of infinite confequence that you fafely reach the haven of everlafting reft and happinefs ? And what can avail you to that end fhort of an intereft in the mediation of Chrift, and a prevailing fcnfe of religion in your hearts ? Would you be efteeraed by wife and good men ? Would you be ufe- ful in your generation ? Would you be compofed and cheerfulin your dying moments ? Would you, in fine, be happy to all eternity ? Oh ! join iffue with this man of God in our text. Adopt his refolution, and, hum- bly depending on divine grace, fay, with the fame fin* cerity and firmnefs he faid it. As for me I will ferve the Lord, But we have other motives wherewith to urge you to the coiifideration of thefe interefling mat- ters. You will foon, it is probable, have houfes of your own ; would you prefide in them with dignity und comfort to yourfelves, and with advantage to thofe whom Providence may entruft to your care ? Your doing as Jofiua did is necelTliry to that end. — And this FAMrLY RELIGI0I4 IN GENERAL. ^$ this leads us to the main obje6l of this difcourfe, which is, Secondly, To fliew the influence which a due fenfe of religion will, have upon the mafter of a fa- mily, to regulate his temper and conduft towards thofe under his care — He will ufe his endeavours that hzs houfe, as well as himfelf, ?nay ferve the Lord, A family is a little fociety, ufually confiiling of pa- rents, children and fervants. This focial conneclion is a plain didate of nature, and hath uniformly fubiift- ed in the world from the beginning of time, and all over the earth. It is the wife contrivance and ap- pointment of Providence, for the general good of man- kind. And in order rightly to underftand the duties and privileges of the feveral mjembers of this little community, we need only contemplate the relation they bear to each other. It fliall fuffice at prefent to fpeak of thofe which are peculiar to the mailer of a houfe. To him nature and the confent of all nations have delegated the care, protection, and government of the family, upon a prefumption that affedion will induce him to do the utmoft in his power to promote their honour and happinefs. The conjugal and paren- tal ties are moft intimate and endearing, and will there- fore ftimulate him to the nobleft exertions in their favour. And his own intereft, as well as confidera- tions of friendfhip and equity, will difpofe him to feek the good of thofe who voluntarily ferve him. And furely it is fit that in him the government of the fa- mily (hould be veiled, on whom the weight of its care and proteclion thus devolves. His fex, age, experi- ence and ability to provide for the welfare of the whole, entitle him to the fupreme authority. And the 56 FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL i the prudent ufe of that authority, mingled with good nature and parental fondnefs and love, uill be likely to fecure to him reverence and obedience. Now the utility of religion to affiil the mafter of a family in the difcharge of all the duties he owes to thofe under his care, will clearly appear Upon a little. refle(51:ion. It will have a confiderable influence in the management of his temporal concerm ^ in the fuccefs of which his family are deeply interefted. To him they look up for their maintenance and protedion, the ne- ceffaries and accommodations of life. And if prudence, integrity, frugality, and induftry, are virtues which contribute largely, with the blefling of Providence, to worldly profperity *, it is eafy to fee that religion, •which evidently teaches and inculcates them, muft be of no fraall ufe to the head of a family in his worldly purfuits. And hence Solomon defcribes Wifdom as having " length of days in her right hand : and in " her left riches and honour *." It will make a man honeft, difcreet, and diligent : or, if he at all fails in the two laft particulars, it will not be owing to any defe6l in religion itfelf, but to his own folly. And then, that affeflion for their offspring, which ftrongly impels parents to the moll vigorous exertions for the improvement of their worldly circumftances, receives additional ftrength and energy from a lively fenfe of religion. A good man feels the operation of this paf- fion in its full force and extent : and however feme worthlefs parents, by precipitating themfelves into fenfual Indulgences, may have loft fight of the interells of their families j his religian will cf- fefiually fecure him from thus *' denying tl ie *' faith ♦ Prov. ill. \6. FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. 57 *' fititli, and becoming worfe than an infidel *." Yea, there have been inftances of perfons naturally flothfal, who, upon their converiion to the knowledge and love of religion, have become remarkably indu- llrious ; and their families, though no friends to feri- ous godlinefs, have acknowledged the fecular advan- tages they have derived from this extraordinary revo- lution in their charafters. But let us now view the Chrlftian prefiditig in his family^ and fee how happily the fear of God aflifts him irt the exercife of that authority with which nature has invefted him. His object will be to make all under his care happy. But doraeftic happinefs is not to be enjoyed where the mafter is churlifh, morofe, and fe- vere. Set on the gratification of his peevi(h humours, and the making all about him fubmit obfequioufly to his contemptible idea of defpotic power, he maybe feared, but he cannot be loved. Thefe notions, and this kind of demeanour, which arc the refult of igno- rance, vanity, and ill-nature, religion will not fail to corre6l. A Chriftian will value his authority, as a pa- rent and a mafter, no further than as it Is a means to promote the welfare of thofe entruiled to his care-. And if on any occafion the refolute exertion of it be- comes neceilary, he will not forget to blend prudence, forbearance, and good nature with it. That meeknefs, ferenity, and joy, which the grace of God infpires, will, in proportion to their prevalence in his breaft, in- fufe mlldnefs, fweetnefs, and cheerfulnefs, into the whole of his deportment. And O ! how pleafing the fcene, to fee him, under the influence of his religion, frail- ing on all around him, aflifting with the foft language of conjugal * I Tim. V. S. 5' FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. conjugal aflfeftion the cares of the dear partner of his joys, embracing his young offspring in the arms of pa- ternal fondnefs, taking a part with them in their inno- cent amufements, and contriving how to render the of- fices of thofe who ferve him eafy and beneficial to themfclves ! Is religion unfriendly to domeftic hap- pinefs ? No, it is moil friendly to it. For the truth %t this we appeal to the reafon and nature of the thing itfelf, to the book of God, to hiftory, and to what I doubt not your eyes mufl have beheld in many^oufes confecrated to virtue and religion. How much is it to be lamented that any who profefs the name of Chrift, fhould,by a contrary demeanour, induce a doubt in the breafts of others that fuch is its tendency ! But the happinefs of a family depends not only up- on the good nature and benevolence of thofe who pre- fide, but on ihe religious charaBer of thofe w^ho com- pofe it. This therefore is the grand objedl with that mafter who himfelf fears God. And to this idea our enlargement in tliis difcourfe will be chiefly direded. Here then let us view him, under a deep imprelTion of the truth and importance of religion, exerting all his prudence, good-nature, and authority, to the purpofe of conciliating the alfedllons of every one ui der his roof to it. The duties which he will confider himfelf oblig- ed to praclife to this great end, may be comprifed under the following headis — the dUigenily ivatchirig the mo- rals of his family — the carefully itiJlruBing them in the principles of religion — the regular maintenance of fa- mily devotion — the ohligivg them to attend upon public worjhip — and the fetting before them a holy and pious example. But the confideratlon of thefe particulars muft be referred to another opportunity. PART FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. 59 PART II. We have taken a view of perfonal religion, and proceeded to ftievv, fecondly, the influence it will have upon the mailer of a family, to regulate his temper and conduft towards thofe under his care. " He will " ufe his endeavours to engage his houfe^ as well as ** himfelf, tofcrve the Lordy Here, having fpoken of the origin of families, and the wifdom and goodnefs of Providence, in the forming thefe important focial con- ne6tions ; we have confidered the utility of religion to afliil the mailer of a family in the management of his temporal concerns^ and in the exercife of that domejlic authority with which nature has entrufted him. And now, fmce the happinefsof a family principally depends upon their religious chara6ier, we proceed to* conlider the duties he will feel hirnfelf obliged to pradlife, in or- der to the promoting their bed interells. I. It is the duty of heads of houfes to look well af^ ter the morals of their families. ^ Men of reputable chara6lers, though they may not have entered into the fpirit of religion, feel the im- portance of this duty. Perfuaded that vice brings after it ihame, poverty, and wretchednefs, they will not harbour it under their roof. Who in his fenfes would permit a diilioneft fervant to enter his houfe, or fuffer his children, if he could prevent it, to waile his fubilance in riotous living ■' A regard, theretore, to their temporal interelt will induce mofc people to preferve fome kind of order in their families. But the reilraints held over childre.i and fervants, which proceed merely from motives of worldly interelt, are 60 FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL, are too often feeble and ineffe£lual. That domcftic government which ftands alone upon this principle, reaches not the true fourccs of thofe evils which are fo generally dreaded. It is religion that lays the ax at the root of vice, and enables a mailer, feeling the force of it in his own heart, to take fuch meafures as will efFe61ually prevent, with the blefling of God, the feeds of immorality from growing up in his houfe, and fpreading their noxious influence all around him. With a jealous eye he will watch the firft expreffions of pride, palTion, deceit, indolence, and other vices, in the countenances, language, and behaviour of his children and fervants. Thefe evils will not fail to meet his flern difapprobation and cenfure. Punifh- ments he will infli6l adequate to the nature and aggra- vation of the offence j at the fame time, labouring to fix upon the delinquent a deep fenfe of the greatnefs of the crime. " Chaften thy fon while there is hope," fays- Solomon, " and let not thy foulfpare for his cry- " ing*." Andif, notwithftandingallhisendeavours,the vicious temper is not to be rettrained, but breaks out in open and repeated a(5ls of iniquity, he will take fome prudent and refolutc meafure to feparate the infec- tious member from the re It of the fociety, and thereby prevent the fpread of the fatal dillemper. " He that ** worketh deceit," fays David, " fhall not dwell " within my houfe j he that telleth lies, (hall not " tarry in my fight f ."--And, on the other hand, the pious mailer of a family will ufe his utmoft endea- vours to cultivate the oppofite virtues in his children and fervants. He will often familiarly explain to them their nature and tendency, and pleafantly defcant upon * Prov.xlx. i8. t Pfal. ci. 7. FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. 6 I upon their excellence and utility. And tlie enrly ex- preflions of thefe amiable qualities he will not fail to mark and applaud, rewarding them with fmiles and carelTes^ and every token of approbation that pru- dence and good- nature can devife. Such meafures as thefe for the promoting good mo- rals in our families, every conliderate perfon muft needs approve. But alas ! what through parental in- dulgence, and what through (loth, they are miferably neglefted by multitudes among us. Who then dees not fee the great importance, as well as the direct ten- dency of a lively fenfe of religion in the mafter of a family, to ftimulate him to the right difcharge of this branch of his duty ? Can I, infplred with an utter de- teftation of vice, and an unconquerable attachment to virtue, forbear to exert all my powers to eradicate the feeds of the former from the bofoms of my dear offspring, and to cherilh thofe of the latter there r* Will not /my religious feelings extort tears of anguifh from my eyes, whilil I am adminiftering the bitter, but wholefome draught of correcrion to their perverfc- nefs ? And will not the fame feelings fpread a cheer- ful pleafure over my countenance, whilil I am applaud- ing their flexibility and filial obedience ? Having the command of the great God, and their temporal and everlalling interefts in full view^ before my eyes, thefe duties will not be negleded through falfe fondnefs, nor abufsd by undue feverity. 2. Another office we owe to our families Is, the carefully inJlruSling them in the principles of reli' gion. There is not a plainer diftate of nature than this j and yet how (hamefuUy this duty is neglected you D need 62 FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. need not be told. The caufe of this great evil is in general, the want of a due fenfe of religion in thofe of whom this fervice is required. And, as men are ne- ver at a lofs to find an excufe for omitting what they are not difpofed to do, fo in this cafe u-e (liall hear fome obje6l,that the catechiiing children is the waytopreju- dice them unduly in favour of particular opinions, and fo to difqualify them for future free inquiry. And o- thers we fliall hear — ftrange to think it I gravely infi- Tiuating, that the adopting this meafute with children, is taking God's work out of his hand, and is there- fore an affront to him, and nugatory in itfclf. The futility, and indeed impiety, of thefe objedlions may be eafily made appear. But as we fiiall have a more proper opportunity hereafter to difcufs thefe quef- tions *, it fliall fuffice at prefent, in a few words, to explain the duty, and fliew how forcibly a prevailing fenfe of religion will impel a Chridian man to it. The leading truths of natural and revealed religion, I mean fuch as are intimately connefled with experi- ence and pra6lice, every Chrilh'an underflands, and therefore ought to inculcate them upon thofe under . his care. His inflru6Hons fliould be adapted to their age and abilities. He fhould begin with firft princi- ples, and fo proceed to thofe that follow, taking the fciiptures for his guide, and calling into his aid (ach explanations of them as he judges raoft conformable to the truth. His meaning he ftioi'Id endeavour to convey by eafy and familiar language, and to illuiirate it by apt and natural fimilies. He fliould not only re- quire them to anfvver queftions put to them from their memory, but lake pains to fix the fenfe of both quef- tlons ♦ See Dlic. V FAMILY RELIGION IN GENI.RAL. 6^ tlons and anfwers upon their underiiandirgs. The grounds and reafons of each truth he fliould lay open to their view, reprefent their importance with all the earnellnefs of parental afFedUon, examine thtm fie- quently upon the progrefs they make, and add fervent prayer to his inftru£lions and counfels. There is a way of infmuating knowledge to the n^inds of young people, which hath often Iiad a wonderful efieft. Much depends, with the bleiTing of God, upon our conciliating their affections to us, convincing them that we mean their good, carefully avoiding the mak- ing religion a tafk, not over burdening their memo- ries, and properly rewarding their diligence and atten- tion. Thefe meafures furely every one's fober reafon and underftanding rauft approve. I'hey were fuch as ^- braham ufed with his family. *' 1 know him,"" fays God, *' that he will command his children and his " houfehold after him, and they rtiall keep the way " of the Lord, to do jufrice and judgment : that the " Lord may bring upon y^hraha?n t*iat which he hath " fpokcn of him*." And they were fuch as his grand- mother Lois, and his mother Eunice, ufed with Timo- thy, of whom the apoflle tells us, that "^frorn a child *' he had known the holy fcriptures f ." And what man, whofe heart burns with love to God, and whofe bowels yearn towards his children, but will feel him- felf obliged to copy after the example of thefe excel- lent people ? Can I believe there is a God, and that ray happinefs depends upon his favour, and not wiih to imprefs thefe fentiments upon my children, whom I confider as parts of myfelf ? Can I be deeply fenfible of » Gen. xviii. ip, f 2 Tim. i, 5. and iii. 15. ^4 FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. of the f^'ilt and depravity of Imman nature, and not endeavour to av»'aken a convi6lion thereof in their confciences ? Can I fee clearly my own need of lUch a Saviour- as Chrid, and not hold him up to their view, in every light that may attract their hearts and afFe(5lions to him ? Can I be perfuaded of the infinite pleafure which the experience and praftice of religion afford, and not from the bottom of my foul wi(h that they may largely participate of that divine pleafure ? Can I, in fine, believe there is fuch a place as heaven, and not long, and pray, and ufe my utmoll endeavours, to bring my children, friends, and fervants thither al- fo ? O ! no. Religion is not a mere fpeculation : it is an operative principle, and thefe fruits of it are a noble evidence of its exifience and prevalence in our hearts. 3. The regu/ar maintenance of family worfoip^ is the next duty to be confidered. We (liall not here enter particularly into our obli- gations to this duty — that will be attempted hereaf- ter * ; but only, following the line we have already purfued, defcribe it, and fliew the influence of reli- gion to qualify us for the right difcharge of it. — By Family Worjhip^ we mean the affembling our child- ren and fervants together, at convenient feafons, for the purpofe of reading the fcriptures, and offering prayer and praife to God. The rnafter of every fa- mily ought to be king and prieil in his own houfe. It is his province to determine the proper time for thefe folemn and pleafing exercifes, and the manner in which they (hould be conducted. The feveral members of this little community being gpthcred together, a por- tion * Dlfc. Ill, FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. 6^ tlon of fcrlpture faould be dIlHn(5lly read ; this fol- lowed, if the Utaation and clrcumiiances of the family will admit, with a fong of praife to God ^ and then the mailer, or fome other perfon properly qualified, Ihould devoutly prefent the fupplications of the whole houle to Heaven. Certain prudential rules it may not be improper here to lay down, fubmitting them to the judgment and piety of thofe who prefide in families. — The morning and the evening feem each afit feafon for this focial exercife. That time, however, (liould be chofen which may bell conduce to the right difcharge of the duty : not a late hour of the morning, for that will clafn with the hurries of bufinefs ; nor a late hour at night, for that will indiipofe peifons to ferious at- tention. — The fervice, for obvious reafons, (hould not be protrafted to an undue length: the v^ hole may perhaps be comprehended within about a quarter of an hour. — pvery one in the houfe (hculd confider it as his duty to attend. — The fcriptures (liould be read in regular order, that fo their connexion may be un- derftood, and the whole in a courfe of time gone through. — A particular attention (hould be paid to the circumftances of the family in the prayers addref- fed to God. — And as variety and brevity (hould be aimed at, to prevent tedioufnefs, {o formality (liould be carefully guarded againft, that being an evil which too ofttn attends the frequent returns of thefe perio- dical exercife s. Family worfiip, thus condu6led, with a due regard to the important ends of it, mull, I think,. (Irike eve- ry good man as a moil reafonable and pleafing fervice. The icriptures authorife it, and many intimations oc- 66 FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. cur there^ln to direft us in (ome of tlie circumflances that relate to It. Eut thefe 1 forbear to mention here, as alfo to combat the difcouragements fome pious minds labour under refpeding the right difcharge of this duty j it being our intention more particularly to confider thefe matters in the next difcourfe. How llrange, this duty lliould be negle^led ! Yet fo it is in too many families. And in mofl inftances, to what is the total neglecl of it owing but a want of religion ? Nor is it indeed to be wondeied, that they who have rio fenfe of their dependence on divine Providence, and no taile for the exalted pleafures of devotion, Ihould account a fervice returning fo frequently upoa them, tedious and unprofitable. Eut it is to thofe marters of families who have re- ligion at heart, that we mean here to add'-efs our- felvcs. You, Sirs, feel your obligations to him that made^you, preferves you, and faves you. It was his providence that led you into this focial connedlon, gave you the partner of your cares and joys, and blcf- fed you with the hopeful offspring, which, like olive plants, farround your table. He pitched your tent for you J he commanded you to ere6l an altar to him. And can you find it in your hearts to refufe obedi- ence to his command ? or to decline a fervice in which you have already found your account ? Think how great the pleafure the good man fjmetimes feels, whilft officiating at the head of his family in this lit- tle temple confecrated to Heaven ! Recolleftiiig tke many undeferved favours he has received, how grate--'' fully docs he acknowledge them ! Calling to mind his own and their fins, how penitently does he confefs them ! Fetling the muit anxious concera for their beft FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL, 67 bell inteiells, how earneflly does he requert not only temporal but fpiiitual bleflings ! Viewing the bleffed God in tlxi charader of an indulgent parent, how paf- fionately docs he commend them to his protedion and love ! And, amidil tiie various viciihtudes of life, truiling under the (hadow of his wings, with what exultation of heart does he fometimes cry out, " O ** God, how excellent is thy loving-kindnefs * I'' Can fuch a fcene as this be contemplated, and any heart among us, in which parental alfecllon and ge- nuine piety are united, remain indifpofed to this duty? Be perfuaded then, O I be perfuaded, Sirs, to fall in with the didates of confcience, and the command of the bleffed God. Say with Jojkua, yls for me and my houfe we will ferve the Lord. In this little con- gregation the great God will not difdain to dwell. *■ He loves the gates of Zion, and he loves the dwel- ** lings of Jacob too f ." Who know s but divine life may be communicated, as well as cherilhed and main- tained, within your confecrated walls ? Who knows but it may be faid of this and that child, of this and that fervant, and of this and that friend who fojourns with you — faid of him in the nobleft fcnfe of the ex- preflion — *' He was born there % •" 4. The next duty to be confidered, is the obliging our families to attend regularly on the public worfhip of God. By Public Worjhip wc mean the oiFering homage to God in a larger circle than that of our own fami- lies. Many families are to j.ffemble toj^ether, at tta- ted feafons. in one place, for this purpofe. This prac- tice, under various forms, hath obtained from the be- ginning * Pr. xxxvl. 7. f Pf. Ixxxvli. 2. X Ibid. ver. 6.. CS FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL^ ginning over aimoll all the earth. It is the diftate of nature, and the expiefs appointment of Ibripture. The fervice required under the Mosaic difpenfation confift- ed of numerous rites, which are now moft of them a- boliihed. Under the prefent, all that is expeded of us in this focial conne6\ion is, that we prefent our joint prayers and praifes to God j that fome one, duly qualified for the important office, explain and enforce the great truths and duties of religion to us j and that thofe who truly fear God profefs their faith in Chrift, and their love to him, by the celebration of the two inrtitutions of baptifm and the Lord's fupper. Now, as every pious man will feel himfelf obliged to pay a due regard to public worfliip, fo they who have families mail be fenfible it is their duty to ob- lige their children and fervants to attend regularly upon it. At an early hour the mailer of a houfe, at the head of thofe under his care, (hould appear in his proper place. The affairs of his family fhould be fo adjufted, as that not one member of It, except necef- fity require, beabfent. A paflion for novelty, which may induce any of them to wander about to various places of woriliip, fhould be checked. His eye fhould properly watch their demeanour during divine fervice, that it be ferious and attentive. At the clofe of the two Hated fervices, the whole family fhould retire to their own home. Vitits, except where offices of mer- cy are required, fnould be interdifted, and all' foclal intercourfcs for the pu.rpofe of mere amufement avoid- ed. Opportunity Ihould be given every one to re- colle61: feriouGy by himfelf what he has been about. And a fuitabk exercife in the evening, wherein the younger part of the family may have an opportunity of FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. 69 of giving an account of what they have heard, and fe- lious mipreiTions may be made on the minds of all, will happily and ufefully clofe the day. Religion, I am fenfible, flioald not be made a burden: and young minds efpecially, tliould not be held too long to one fubjecl. As therefore two public fervices ih the day will be fuxKcient, fo prudence will teach the mailer of a family to direcPc his difcourfe in the intervals of wor- ihip, and to diverilfy the evening excrcife in fuch a manner, as that, with the »gie«able reffefhments na- ture has provided, no one may have cauie to fay that this is the moft unpleafant day in the week. And now let me alk the mailers of families, whe- ther, if they were to purfue this line of couduft, they irlght not hope, with the blefiing of God, to fee vir- tue and rtllglon liourifh in their houfes ? Sure I am fuch mafters as are ChrliHans indeed, perfuaded that the public preaching of the gofpel Is the appointment of Heaven for the falvation of men, will not, cannot, be eafy v.hile any under their ihtiuence, deprive them- felves of the opportunity of hearing it. Befides, it is an aiFront to the good fenfe and authority of him vvho presides in a family, for any one of the m.embers of it to turn his bick contemptuoufly upon what /je be- lieves the great God hath required. As to the young, they will be eafily led to their duty by the gentle hand of parental aiieftion. And if any one jufl entering on life can, Vvithout the leaf! pretence of reafqn, perverfe- ly oppofe the will of a father in fo inter efliag a con- cern as this, his natural temper and his principles muft be horrid indeed. But' it is not to fuch depraved young people we are here addrefiing ourfelvcs : it is to you, Sirs, to vvhofe hands nature hath entrufled the D 5 power. 70 FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. power, and whofe hearts divine grace hath infpired with a difpofition, to contribute fomewhat at leall to the prefent and everlafting welfare of your childrea and fervants. And how can you better contribute to this great obje6^, than by ufmg every means in your po.ver, to make it agreeable to them to join you in the public worrtiip of that God, on whofe favour their, as well as your happinefs depends ? 'I'he prudent and Heady difcharge of your duty in this refpeft, is a dic- tate both of good fenfe and of piety. It will do you honour in t!;€ view of all wife and good men, it will be highly pleafing to God,, and ho doubt they, In the great day of account, having reaped the benefit of this proper exertion of your paternal authority, will, with infinite joy, call you blefled. — It novv remains to con- fider, 5. and lallly. The obligations which maflers are under to Jet before their families holy and pious exam- ples. Although the duties juft recommended were dif- charged, in regard of the external expreffions of them, with the greatefl pun6Vuality, yet their ends would in all probability be defeated, if the heads of families were wholly inattentive to their own tempers and conduft. What falutary effedl will the beft leffons o£ morality, enforced with the moft vigorous difcipllne, produce, if they who give them do not themfelves pradlife them ? Our children and fervants will keep a watchful eye on our manners j and if they can con- vicl us of pride, paflion, deceit, intemperance, and the like vices, they will inftantly conclude that the fevere hand we hold over them, does not proceed from any motive of good-will to them, but from a with to en- flave FAMILY RELIGION lH GENERAL. 7 I Have them to our humours. Zeal for certain princi- ples in religion, they will, in fuch cafe, fet down to the account of narrownefs, bigotry, and hypocrify. The religious order obferved in the family, they will coniider ss a mere form, the effe6l of education and. . cuftom. And the duties of public worfliip itfelf, which we oblige them to attend upon, they will treat with indifference, if not contempt. Eut fuch wretch- edly inconlif, '.nt characters as theTe, are, I hope, rare- ly to be met with. There is truth in religion. And if the account we have given of it in the forn;er part 0£ this difcourfe be ju0, as it will impel thofe mailers of families, who really poffefs it, to the obfervance of the duties we have been recommending, fo it will in- fallibly fecure them from thofe grofs evils, w^hich tend to defeat their effe6l. Here permit me to hold up to your view the tem- per and condudl of a Jo/hua, who, as he fpake the lan- guage of the text witla unfeigned fervour and finceri- ty, fo, we may he bold to affirm, walked within his houfe with a perfefl heart. The vices which were llernly forbidden in his children find fervants, were firft driven with deteflalion from his own breaft. And while, In familiar and expreffive language, he recom- mended to them the duties of truth, integrity, mode- fty, meeknefs, and benevolence j the native beauty of thefe virtues, w^as ftill more itrikingly exhibited to their view in his ow^i countenance and a61Ions. The truths of revealed religion which he taught them, were the genuine fentiraents of his own heart : and while his doClrlne dropped as the rain, and diftilled as the dew, he felt the influence of thofe divine hopes which the promife roade to the fathers of the Mcfllah was adapted . 72 FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. adapted to produce. Deeply ImprelTed himfelf with the greatnefs and goodiiefs of God, he daily offered the prayers and praifes of his family to Heaven, with a fervour and affection that could fcarce fail to excite and entlame their devotion. At the ftated feafons he led up his numerous houfehold to the tabernacle at Shiloh, and there, on the altar Mofes had ereded, 2n-efented the facrllices to Jehovah the God of ifrael, which he had required at his hands. His venerable appearance, and the unaffe£led fimplicity and ardour with which he affiaed at thefe exercifes, added folem- rity to them, and begat a reverence in the breads of all around him for thefe divine inftitutions. And wlien he withdrew from the houfe of God to his own habitation, the cheerfulnefs which appeared on his countenance, and the benevolence v/liich mingled it- felf with all his domeriic behaviour, attached every heart under his roof to him, an4 excited a noble emu- lation among them which fhculd belt imitate the ex- ample their mailer fet them. — And now, if fuch were our tempers and conduct in the families over which we prefide, there would be light in all our dwellings, and joy in every heart there : our houfes would be fchcols of virtue, temples of devotion, and nurferies for heaven. Thus have we feen in what manner that mafter of a family, who has himfelf on right principles refolved to lerv£ the Lord, ought to regulate his conduct to- wards thofc whom Providence hath entrufted to his care. It is his duty — diligently to watch the morals of his children and fervan's — carefully to inflruci them in the principles of religion — regularly to maintain fa- mily devotion — to oblige them to attend on public wor- FAMILY RELIGION IxN GENERAL. 73 J}jip — and to fet before them a holy and pious exatr^ple. — To/clofe what has been faid, I. We fee the true reafon why there is fo little fa- mily religion in the world. It is becaufe raafters of families do, in general, pay fo little attention to religion themfelves. Is it ima- ginable, th-it he who has entered into the genuine fpi- rit of Chriftianity, and under the influence of thofe di- vine principles daily aims to pleafe and ferve God, can be totally infenfible of his obligations to promote the beft interefts of thofe he dearly loves, and who look up to him for protection and fupport ? It cannot be. The miferable neglect therefore of the duties we have been recommending, in too many houfes among us, forces upon us the painful fufpicion of the want of peifonal religion in thofe who preiide over them. E- very effort, therefore, fliould be ufed by thofe who fear God, both minifters and people, to diffufe the knowledge and favour of religion among their friends, neighbours, and acquaintance. He who beft fucceeds in this attempt does the moft eflential fervice to the community. Let us then, Chriftians, animated by the love of our heavenly Father to us the children of his family, fet our hands and hearts to this great work. Let us, by our inllrudtions, influence, and example, preach the gofpel of our divine Mafter to ail around us, intreat and befeech men to become his difciples, and pour out our fervent cries at the throne of grace for an effectual blefling on our endeavours. Nor Ihould we forget here to prefs it earneftly upon thofe who are juft entering on life, to conflder well the (late of their own fouls cowards God, and to confecrate the houfes in which they mean to dwell to his fervice, on ■whofe ^4 FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. whofe favour their temporal and everlafting happinefs depends. Ere6l an altar, Sirs, to God under the tent he has pitched. Dare not adopt any worldly fchemes, or enter into any domeftic connexion, without £rll confulting him. Having him for your friend, all will be well : his arm will protedl you from every dan- ger, and his hand pour upon you every needful good thing. 2. How great is the condcfcenfion and goodnefs of the ever-bleffed God, in deigning to dwell under our humble roofs ! Will be indeed, whom the heaven of heavens can- not contain, take up his abode with men*' What heart among us but glows with gratitude and love at thcfe joyful tidings I Let us, my brethren, at the head of our feveral families, in a tranfport of devout affedion, welcome this kind and generous gueft into our houfes. " Lift up your heads, O ye gates, even lift them up, ** ye everlafting doors of the heart, and the King of ** Glory (liall come in*." Let us give him the enter- tainment he demands, even that of cordial love and unreferved obedience. Let us prefent him the facri- fices he requires, even thofe of daily prayer and praife j remembering what he himfelf hath gracioully faid, " Whofo ofFereth praife, glorifieth me : and to him ** that ordereth his converfation aright, will I (hew " the falvation of God f ." And let us tremble at the thought of fo demeaning ourfelves in the habita- tions he has thus honoured, as ever to provoke him to depart thence. 3. and lalUy, If the prefence of God with his peo- ple here renders their dwellings {o light, fecure, and happy > * Pfal. xxiv. 9. t PfaJ. 1. 23. FAMILY RELIGION IN GENERAL. 75 Tiappy 'y how glorious muft that houfe be which he has prepared for their reception above ! It has often been obferved that an habitation where- in virtue, friend(hip, and piety reign, is a lively em- blem of the heavenly ftate. But the latter infinitely excels the former. That houfe on earth which is mod devoted to God, has yet more or lefs of imper- feftion, forrow, and fin in it. But thefe evils are held at an eternal diftance from thofe bright manfions, in which our heavenly Father refides above. There, in due time, his whole family whom he hath redeem- ed with the blood of his Son, will be affembled toge- ther. The moft perfeft knowledge, purity, and love, fhall prevail among them. His prefence, without an intervening cloud , ihall gladden all their hearts. And, in the character of kings and priefts, they (hall be employed in adls of the moft exalted and rapturous devotion, to him that fits on the throne, and to the Lamb, for evermore. DIS. DISCOURSE III. FAMILY WORSHIP. Rom. xvI. 5. Likcwife greet the Church that is in their houft. WE have laid before you, in the former dlf- courfe, the duties of Family religion in gene- ral ; that of Family worjhlp merits a more particular difcuflion. To this purpofe we have chofen the words jull read, as the mode of language the apoiUe here ufes will very naturally lead us into a pleafing view of this fubjecl. Indeed it is not abfolutely certain that the little af- fembly here fpoken of, is to be underftood reftricl- ively of the family of Prifcilla and Aquila^ as pofTi- bly other perfons might occafionally meet with them in their houfe for religious worftiip. But that the v;hole ChriHian church at Rome are intended is un- likely : and it is the more fo, as a great number of perfons are mentioned in the following verfes who be- longed to other houfeholds. And it is remarkable, that in an eniftle written from Ephefus to Corinth^ the apoUle FAMILY WORSHIP. 77 apoftle, having addreffed the falutations of thefe fame perfons, (who happened at that time to be at Ephe- fits) and of the church in their houfe, he immediately adds, " All the brethren greet you *." From whence it {hould feem natural to conclude, that the family (or church in the houfe) of Jtquila and Prifciila, and the church of Ephefus, are clearly diftinguiftiable from each other f . But I do not mean to lay the ftrefs of the argument refpecling our obligations to family worfhip on the words of the text, or on paffages of a fimilar nature. Other evidence we have to adduce. Yet, as the text will admit of the fenfe we have given it, we may be allowed to accommodate it to the purpofe we have in view %. * I Cor. xvi. 19, 20. f That the firft epiftle to the Corinthians was written, not from Philippic (as is faid in the note added to the epiftle in our Bibles^ but ixovaEphefus, Dr Whitby has, I think, clearly fliewn in the preface to his commentary on that epiftie. % Wolfius , in his Cura philologicce, obferves on this paflage, " Sunt qui exiftimant, per Ecclefiam, quae ad doraum hujus vel illius effe dicitur, intelligi tantura familiam domefticani numero- fiorem. Theophylaclus : ara^ ^i^ ',:■:.. IV. 16. ft" P:ui2m. vcr. 2. FAMILY WORSHIP. 87 ly pra£li{fd in them. But there is one flriking in- llance we muft not forget to mention, and tbnt is of Cornelius, "Who as he feared God with ail bis ho-fe, *' and gave much alms to the people, fo prayed to *' God alway," that Is, at ail proper feafons : and was aflually " praying in his houfe,''' that i?, with his domeftics, (as the word often fignines) when an an- gel was fcnt to him from God *. — And ;.ow, fiom thefe examples v,e go on to rnenticn, 4. Certain admoni'ions which may v;ith good rea- fon be confidered as tv.joining this duty vpon us. Family- worfiiip confilh of prayer, praife, and z'.v- JlruBion. — As to the firlt of thefe, we are ccmmand- ed to " pray always, with all prayer and fupplica- *' tion f." And can it be doubted that family pray- er, a duty fo confonant with the dlftates of nature and reafon, is lucluded In this precept ' Vv^'hen the apoOle had been exhorting the feveral members which com- pofe Chriilian families, fuch as parents, children, and fervants, to the duties they owe each other, he im- mediately adds, " continue In prayer, and watch in *' the fame with thankfgiving 4." As if he Ivc^A faid, *' Pray earneflly to God from day to day in your fe- *' veral families, for grace to enable you to fulfil the *' duties reiultin^- from your relation to or.e brother. *' And be thankful to your Father v.ho is in heaven ** for ell the domsiiic happinefs you enjoy." — As to prove, he exhorts the ColoiTians, in the fame epiiile, to *• teach and admonhh one another In pfalms, and " hymns, and fplritual fongs ]j :" a mode of expref- fion which may as properly be underRood to refer to family *" A.7trAg kcci tt^^j o'jcf.tw; rcy^ i^c^icivc-jv Kxt iv iv^iTT^xyixig. Plato de legibus, lib, ic. f See Calcs's Court of the r4entiies, Fart. II. i3oo!; z. Qh, 6. t Pial. Iv. 17. Dan. vi. ic. o6 FAMILY WORSHIP. v,ill be in lefs danger of fuffering interruption from fecular affairs, than if it were poftponed to a further hour. And in the latter, it will in all likelihood be performed with much greater ferioufr.cfs before the ufual repafl of the evening, than after it, when forae, if not all prefent, are frequently overpowered with lleep. Were this cuftom generally adopted, it would have the good efleft, too, to prevent thofe late con- vivial meetings at night, which are as inimical to domeflic virtue and happinefs as to ferlous religion. But w^e muft not difmifs this head, without taking fome notice of the fpace of time to be employed in this fervice. The hurrying it over in a few minutes, and the protra6llng it to an unreafonable and tedious length, are each of them evils that ought to be care- fully avoided. In the general, a quarter of an hour, or twenty minutes, may be deemed a fafficient portion of time for all the purpofes of this interelting duty. But that term may be fliortened or lengthened as oc- cafion requires : and no doubt every prudent man will be governed in this matter by the circumtlances of his family, the frame of mind he is himfelf in, and the j^ge, health, and particular caft of thofe who make up this little aiTembly. He will take care how he gives difguft by dull prolixity, on the one hand j and how he defeats all the jj^reat ends of edification by trifling brevity, on the other. — Thus much may fuffice, in the firft place, for the Sea/on allotted for fmiily vvorfuip. Let us now proceed, II. To conlder what Chriflian prudence and piety dictate refpefting the Service Itfelf. It Is to confift of Prayer^ Prayer^ and InJiruElion : this we have already clearly proved. Our objed now is FAMILY WORSHIP. 9/ IS to ftiew how tllefe feveral parts of family worfhip may be moll profitably performed. I, As to the reading of the Scriptures, Much will depend, with the blefling of God, on the prudent management of this part of the fervice. The Bible {hould be read in regular order, efpecially the hiflorical books of it. . The portion allotted to be read (hould not be large, that the memory msy not be overburdened. Perhaps the devotional parts of fcrip- ture may beft fuit the morning, and the hiftoiical the evening. Whoever reads fhould fpeak audibly, dl- ilinfiiy, and flowly. In fome houfes, where there are children, it has been the pra6tice for the mafler to call upon each of them to repeat a verfe of the chapter that has been read, and in a few words to explain it to them. And in others, a feftion of a chapter has been read, and the comment of fome praftical expofitor upon it. This part of the fervice may be comprifed withni the compafs of about ten minutes. But we mean not to dictate on thefe matters. If edification is the grand objedt, and there is prudence to dire6t, no doubt fuch rciod.Q, of inftrudtion will be adopted, as bell fuits the circumftances of the family. 2. The offering Praife to God is certainly another important branch of family worihip, and may be inclu- ded in the general idea of prayer. But the (inking a few ftanzas of a pfalm or hymn, if it can be conveni- ently praftifed, will greatly enliven the fervice. " Let ** the word of Chrifl," fays the apoftle, " dwell in you *' richly in all wifdom, teaching and admonifhing one ** another in pfaims, and hyn^ns, and fpirituai fongs, ** fmging with grace in your hearts to the Lord *." The * Col. iii. 1 5. 9^ FAMILY WORSHIP, The fituatlon, Indeed, of fome houfcs, tV.e fmallnefs ot the family, and their total ignorance of pfalraody, are circumrtances unfavour.ible to this delightful pradice. But with a little attention and management, it might, I think, be more generally admitted, at leaft one part of the day, than it is. We fubmit it, however, to the judgment and dlfcretlon of tile heads of houfes. 3. Prayer comes next to "be confide red. This will lie upon the mailer of the family, or upon fome other perfon properly qualified who happens to be prefent. The objedlion which has been often ur- ged to this duty, arinng from the want of' proper ta- lents for the difcharging it acceptably and profitably, we (liall largely examine hereafter. What we have here in view is, to offer advice to thofe ferious people wlio have got over this difficulty, and do pra6llfe ex- tempore-prayer in their families. Your candid and clofe attention. Sirs, to the particulars we h;ive here to obferve, permit us earneilly to entreat. IMuch de- pends upon It. — When you go down on your knees, remember that you are in the prefence of Almighty God, that you are the reprefentative as it were of your whole family, and that the proper or improper difcharge of this duty will be likely to have an impor- tant etleil on their temper and condudl. Be^ there- fore, feilous, and felf- collected. — Do not hurry over the fervice in a thoughtlefs, negligent, cuftomary man- ner. If you do, you will not only offend God, but unhappily contribute to the habit^iating thofe around you to a carelefs tridiag mode of treatment of divine things.—Give full fcope to that genuine flame of de- votion which may on fome occafions efpecisily be ex- cited in your bieaft. . But take heed that you do not hunch FAMILY WORSHIP. gg launch out into fuch extravagancies of expreflion as will not fail, inftead of edifying, to difgult thofe who hear you. — Let your language be plain and -intelligi- ble, that the dullelt capacities In your houfe may not be at a lofs to comprehend your meaning. — Some ge- neral method obferved in the ordeii.ig your prayer, ^vill contribute not a little to edification.-— Confider the circumftances of your family, and fuit your peti- tions to their federal exigencies. — Avoid, as much as may be, a faraenefs of expreflion : variety will not on- ly pleafe, but have a great effedl to fecure the atten- tion. — And permit me to add, that tedioufnefs ought to be particularly guarded againft. Our Saviour, you know, earneftly cautions his difciples againft *' ufing *' vain repetitions, as the heathens did, who thought " they (hould be heard for their much fpeaking *." It is true, on particular occafions, fome indulgence in regard of the length of family prayer, may be very- proper ly allowed. The occafions I refer to are fuch as thefe, the evening of the day devoted to public worfhip ', feafons diftinguiflied by extraordinary pro- vidential occurrences ; and thofe pleafing moments in which he who takes the lead in family-duty, feels his heart more than ordinarily afFeded with the great things of God. A little tranfgrefTion in regard of length on thefe occafions will be eaiily forgiven, and indeed the fervour of devotion that then prevails, will, it may be hoped, fo difTufe itfelf through the family, as that few prefent will think the fervice tedious. But on ordinary occafions, to draw out a prayer to twenty- minutes, or half an hour, is, to fay the beft of it, ex- trcmclj. imprudent. How is it to be expelled that the * Mat. vi. 7. 100 FAMILY WORSHIP. the attention of children and fervants fhould be held with any p/eafure to fuch an exerciie, thus coniiantly returning morning and evening ? Indeed it mull be difficult for any to fupport with patience, under the weight of that unfufFerable tautology which too often difgraces fuch fervices. But I forbear — It Is time now, III. To confider the Behaviour required of the fa- mily in general on thefe occafions. Every one in the houfe, it is prefumed, will fee it his duty to attend \ and we may hope, if the fervice is properly conducted, will be dlfpofcd to do fo. But if any, through a total difaffeclion to religion, fiiould contemptuoufiy turn his back upon the worship of God, fuch a depraved member of the fociety or " church," as our text lliles it, well deferves to be excluded from it. But there is little danger of this in well regulated families, where good nature and au- thority are happily blended in the character and de- portment of thofe who prefide over them. Nor fliould any be permitted to abfent tlTemielves on thefe occa- fions. unlefs for very julHfiable reafons. With Corne-^ lius^ the mafler of the fimily Ihould have it in his power to fay, " We are all here prtlent before God, *' to hear all things that are commanded us of him *." Thus aiTembled, it (hould be the concern of every one to behave hinifelf with reverence and feiioufnefs. How difguiling to fee an air of indifference, if not le- vity, on the countenances of one and another, as is too often the cafe ! Such a demeanour is very indecent, and muft be highly offenfive to God. The attention (houid be wholly taken off from civil bufineffes and amufements, * Acls X. 33. FAMILY WORSHIP. 10 1 amufements, and fixed with all poffible fenoufnefs to VN'hat we are ar out. When the Romans facrificed, before the proceffion went a public crier, proclaiming aloud to the people, Hoc a^e, to give them notice that they fhould 'eariner?, wearincfs dilguft, and diigufl; negle£(:. O therefore, if we have religion at heait, let us endeavour to difTufe the fvveet and enlivening fpirit of it through thefe fliort exerci« fes I Let us read, and hear the fcriptures read, with all the attention and eagernefs of thofe who believe and know them to be the word of God. Let the fragrant incenfe of genuine gratitude and love perfume our praifes, deep contrition of heart accompany cur confeflions, and ardent defires afcend with our peti- tions. Thus family worfliip will not be a tafk, but a moll pleafing and cheerful fervlce. In fine, great care ought to be taken that our de- portment through the dz.y be agreeable to the folemn profeOions we thus make morning and evening. The dignity of our characSler as Chriftians ihould be ex- prePied by an upright, ferious, and m.anly behaviour j and the lovelinefs of it by our good nature, benevo-- lence FAMILY WORSHIP. IO5 lence and cKeerfulnefs. Having officiated at the al- tar of our God, we fiiouid prelerve a fuitable deco- rum of conduct both at home and- abroad j and not fuiier the holy veftments in which w« have facrificed to be polluted with fin. Like David, we ihould walk within o-ur houfe with a perfeft heart, and with a pleafant countenance ; and fo give proof to all that family worfhip is no way inimical, but mcft friendly to our real happinefs, — It remains that we now, Thirdly, Confider the objeftions that are ufually urged againft a regular attention to this duty, and endeavour to obviate them. After what has been faid, It is prefumed no one will be fo hardy as to maintain, that God has not re- quired this fervice at our hands. We have clearly proved that it is a diclate cf nature, that the Scrip* tures have enjoined it, and that it tends to promote both our temporal and fpirltual welfare. The ob- je61ions, therefore, we have to combat are-of a prac- tical kind. We (hall rank them under three heads, thofe which refult. firll, from a,total dlfajfeBion to re-' ligion ; fecondly, iiovo. a criminal indijprence to it; and, thirdly, from a very c erf ur able kind of timidity and weaknefs. I Men who have nofenfe of religion, and who yet have not thrown off the public profeflicn of it, do ma- ny of them obje£l:, that " the praftlce is now-a-days *' fo lingular, that it would expofe thern to the con^ *' teraptuous fneer of their neighbours and acquaia- " tance." An obje{?Lion this v/h:ch one v.ould think a man of fenfe and fpirit tkould be afhamed to make. What ! wiU 104 FAMILY WORSHIP. will you juftify your oraidion of a duty, wl^icli tlie light of nature and revelation teaches, by the general negleft of thofe -around you ? This iort of reafoning might be uiged in favour of all manner of wickednefs and villany. Muft we foilovv a multitude to do e- vil ? No furely. Neither (hould we then follow a multitude in the omifTion of what is good and praife- worthy. But this oi5Je6lion, proceeding from pufiia- nimity, is an imputation upon your refolution, as well as your anderftanding. What fliameful cowardice, to fuiFer yourfelves to be laughed out of your duty, by people who have not fenfe enough to difguife their contempt of religion with even the (hadow of a rea- fon ! Void of all manly courage, you are lefs deferv- ing ol the authority you hold in your houfe, than the meaneil fervant in it. But the impiety of the objec- tion is the main coafideration. The language of it is, that you had rather obey men than God, endure his frowns than theirs. And think you that this will not awaken the refentraents of heaven againft you ? Yes, the day, the awful day is coming, when it fhall be told in the hearing of angels and men, that the fneer of a contemptible infidel had more weight with you than the difapprobation of him who made you. 2. Others, more through a criminal indifference to religion than a dread of the cenfure of the world, ob- ject that '' their affairs are fo circumHanced that they " cannot conveniently worfliip God in their fami- »' lies." But, in how trifling a point of light miifl fuch per- fons view this duty ! Confider, 1 befeech you, what has been fitid of its nature, utility, and importance j and tell us whether you can feiioufly think, that eve- ry FAMILY WORSHIP. IO5 Tj Other bufine^'s ought to take the precedence of this. Do you from day to day go without your food and reft, and excufe the negled: by faying, that you have not convenient time for the one or the other ? If you were fenfible, as you ought to be, that your fuccefs in worldly bufinefs depends upon the favour of Provi- dence, and that what you get cannot be properly en- joyed without the divine blefling •, and efpecially if you were duly fenfible of the vaft importance of your beft interefts, and of thofe of your family, you would blufti at making fo frivolous an excufe. A firm per- fuaiion that there is a God, and that he requires this fervice at your hands, would bear down before it much greater obftrtftions than you have to complain of. Be the hurries of bu^inefs what they may, is there no time to, be redeemed from reft, and other fen ual gvatificat ons, tor t c worihip of him to whofe goddnefs you owe all your enjoyments ? It is no long tedious (ervice that is required of you. And your habitation muft be very Itrait and inconvenient in- deed, if it will no* admit of forne place to which you and your chil ren may retire, to offer a few petitions to heaven. Think v/ith yourfelves whether thefe excufcs will bear a leriojs refiedion. Can you lay you'- hand on your heart, and fay, Your confcience is fatlsned with them ' Ir not, will they avail you any- thing on t'Tit gieht occahon, when you will be called to a Uriel account for the'e negleds ? O realize that awful day ! It is quickly approaching. The warn- int'^ y>ii have received, the examples of praying fa- milies around you, tt^e evils your children and fer- vants fu.Ter t' rough thefe criminal omiftions of yours, and even the regard that pagans themfelvcs have in their IC6 FAMILY WORSHIP. their way paid to this duty, will all rife up in judg- ment Rgainft you. O be entreated then to ^ive no longer heed to thefe frivolous objections, but to fet about this bufinefs immediately, with all the attention and ferioufnefs which its importance demands I But there is one moie obje6lion, 3. And laftly, which as it proceeds not from a con- tempt of religion or indifference to it, but from //- 7nid bojl.ifulnefs and weaknefs, deferves to be treated with tendernefs and pity. It is this : *' I Avould *' gladly worftiip God in my family, but am not qua- " lified to conduct the fervice in a decent, agreeable, *' and edifying manner,'' If this objection arifes from an apprehenfion, that by engaging in this duty you will hazard your repu- tation for good fenfe and elocution, in the opinion of your children and feivants, it is a very cenfurable one. It is an argument of a weak mind. For what though vou do fail in eafe and propriety of exprefllon, the autliorlty you hold in your family ought iurely to nif>ke you fuperior to any apprchenfions of this fort frcm thofe who are fo much your inferiors. And it is an argument of fome defecSl too in your religious charafler. For a regard to the great God, who re- quires this duty of you, and in whofe prefence it is to be performed, ought to fubdue the fiifl rifings of pride in your breaft. But you infift, that *' you really liave not the gift " of prayer." Let me befeech you to confider whnt prayer is. It is tlje ciTering our defires to God. Words are of no account in regard of him : it is the fincerity, liumiltty, and fervency of our fpirit he looks at. In regard of ethers, however, words are ncccf- FAMILY WORSHIP. ' IO7 fary : but if they are plain and intelligible, that is e- noLiorh. Now, pOiTtlTed of fuitable dellres and affec- tions, and having overcome that timidity we juft fpoke of, you will not be at fo great a lofs for words as you are ready to imagine. You feel your wants both temporal and fpiritual, your own and thcfe of your fa- mily,: where then is the great difticuity of enume- rating them, either more generally or particularly, and of earneiily entreating God to fupply them ? You feel and enjoy thofe blefllngs you have received.; where then, I may add, is the great difficulty of reci- ting and aqknowledging them with expreffions of gra- titude and praife :' — Further, the* way to obtain a freedom of praying in your family, is to accufloin yourielf to free prayer in your retirements. He who regularly maintains intercourTe with God in his^clo- fet, will fc on find himfelf qua lined for it in his family. —But even admitting that you cannot, after all, fum- raou together refolution enough for the profitnble dif- cliarge of this duty, ycu are not juftified in the ne- glect of family worihip : for there are forms of pray- er which you may ule, and Avhich it is infinitely bet- ter to ufe, than wholly to negleft this important fer- vice, — And now^ this chjcclion removed, permit me to entreat you, as you tender the honour of God, the profperity of your f?.mily, and your ow^n ccmfort, to ere61 immediately an altar in ycur tent, and to oiTer thereon, vvith pure hands and fervent lips, daily fa- crifices of prayer and praife to r.eaven. Eefore we put a period to this difcourfe, you will allow me tc detain your attention a moment to two relig:oi;s exercife?, not yet mentioned, which come within the idea of FaiDiiy V/orlhip. The one is or- d'lnary^ 103 FAMILY WORSHIP. dinary\ and the other extraordinary. As to the for- mer, it is the ajkitig a bhjjlng^ and returning thanks at our meals. This is a very natural duty, and pretty generally pra^lifed among (bber people. How fit, when we fit down at our tables, to bejj of God to command his blefling on the food his providence has prepared for us I And when we rife, to make our grateful acknowledgments for the refreihinents we have received I Nor are we without fufficient autho- rity in Scripture for this praflice. The apolUe ex- horts us, in general, " Whether we eat or drink, or " whatfoever we do, to do all to the glory of God *." And in another place tells us, that " every creature *' of God is good, and nothing to be i;cfuled, if it be ** received with tiiaijkfgiving : foi It is fandified by *' the word of God and prayer f.'* Our Saviour's example too has added a pleafing and mort important fanclitn to this cuilora. W^nen he fed the multitude In the wildernefs, ** he took the loaves and the fillies, ** and gave thanks J." When he inftituted the holy fupper, in commemoration of his death, " he took ** bread and blcffed it •, and he took the cup alfo, " and gave thanks ||." And when ne fat at meat with the difciples at Emmaus, " he took brend and *' bleffed it § ." Nothing more need be faid, in ge- neral, to enforce this duty. But the cirelefs manner in which it is too often performed, deferves very severe reprehenfion. The faying grace, as it is ufually called, is in moll inliances a mere form, as may be too fad.y ^u p 6lcd from the negligent air on the count. nances ot m<>ft present. And « I Cor. X. 31. f I Tim. iv. 4, 5. t ^^at- xv. 36. [1 Mat. xjivi. i6, 27. § Luke xxiv. 30. FAMILY WORSHIP. ICp And, in fome inftanees, the words are fo liafiilj and irreverently fpoken, tliat the form itfelf borders very nearly on profanenefs. The ofi"ence which this has juftly given to feiious people, has driven force of them into an oppoUte extreme, which hath not failed to be fharply cerifured as favouring of phaiifaicifm. Pru- dence and piety, plainly dictate the medium between the two extremes. Let us be ferious and felfcol- lefted, whilft, in two or three fcntences, we are ad- drefling ourfelves to God. The importance of this is great. For it ftands to reafon, that a heedlefs deful- tory manner of performing tbJs duty rauft be very of- fcnfive to God, and not only defeat the falutary ends of the fervice, but tend to fix a habit of trifling with facred things. We (hall clofe the whole, with fubmiting to the confideration of mafters of families, a few thoughts oa a fervice of an extraordinrry kind, in which our pious anceftors, and fome I truft now living, have found their account ; I mean the fetting apart a day, on fpe- cial occafions, for folemn prayer and thankfgiving to God. The reafonabienefs and utility of fuch fervices, in regard of nations and churches, have been general- ly admitted : and i know not why they fhould not be admitted in regard of private families. It is tru?, fome families may be fo circumftanced as to render the obfervation of a day of falling and prayer abfolutely impradlicable ; or, however, it would be difficult for them to fix on a time in which the bufinefs of the houfe would allow all of them to attend. But this furely is not the cafe with every family. Nor is it to be doubted but mod good people might, in the ccurfe F of nd FAMILY WORSHIP. of a year or two, or at certain periods of their lives, £r\d a convenient feafon for this purpofc, if they were really fendble of the importar.ce of it. To fix upon your rainds, therefore, a fenfe of its importance, is iTiy objed J and then the time and mmncr of conducing the fervice, may very well be fabmlttedto diforetion. Events of a moraentuous kind do fometimes take place in families, fuch as births, deaths, change of ha- bitation, and otiier extraordinary providences, either adverfe or profperous. Now if on fuch cccaflons e- very family, to ufe the language of the prophet Ze- chariah, were to mourn and pray, and oiFer prayer a- part * 5 would not fuch fervice be acceptable to God, and highly beneficial to themfelves ? A giddy v,orld, I'vho pay little attention to the providence of God in their temporal concerns, and lefs to the leliolcas in- terefts of their families, may treat what we are rtcom- mending v.ith contempt. But will a wife, prudent, ferious man, who has the welfare of hishoufe at heart, fay that this Is an unmeaning unnecefTary ftrvice ? Fi- Sfure to yourfelf fuch a little aflemblv, on a fixed day, convened, without nolle or oilentatlon, in feme retired part of the houfc, there ferloafly rccolleding iheir paft fins and mercies, there earnefily pleading with God for a bklTujg, there cheerfully .acknowledge ing his gocdnefs, and there cordially devoting them- felves to his fervice •, figure to yourfelf, 1 fay, fach a little afiTerobly, coufifling of parents, children and fer- vants, all deeply Iir-pielTed with the folemnity cf this extraordinary ad of domeflic Vv'orftrip, and tell us whether It it not "a lovely light. Can any one find it in his heart to fneer at the idea of fjch a fervice r.s tiifllng., '^ Zech. >.ii. 14. FAMILY WORSHIP. Ill trifling, nugatory, and unprofitable ? Or wIU any one in his fober fenfes pronounce fuch a day, a loft day ? Be that as it is may, they who have enjoyed the com* fort of thefe folemnities, and felt the fubllantial bene- fit that refults from them, will think and t\&: other- wife. May the number of fuch afiemblies increafe in our land ! and may they joyfully accept the faluta- tion of an inspired apoftle I — *^ Greet the church that is in their houfe.'' D I S- DISCOURSE IV. RECIPROCAL DUTIES OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES. Eph. v. 33. •-'Let every one of you in particular ^fo love bis wife even as himfe/f ; and the wife fee that [he reve- rence her hufhand, AS all focieties, civil and religious, originate from families \ fo families derive from that firil and molt important of all focial connexions, the conjugal relation. Upon the right difcharge, therefore, of the duties of this relation, the welfare and happinefs of mankind in general very much depend. To explain and enforce thefe duties is the objefl of the prefent difcourfe. Previous to this, it will be neceflary to confider what it is that conftitutes the conjugal relation, or the true grounds and reafons of it. The conjugal or marriage relation is not the refult merely of a connexion of the fexes : for if that w*ere the cafe, there would be no fuch thing as fornication. It is the refult of a folemn contia6l between one man and one woman, to live together as hufhand and wife, till death fliall part them. This is what we call mar- riage, what we maintain was inftituted by God in the beginning, and what our Saviour refers to in the following DUTIES OF HUSBANlJS AND WIVES. 13^ following words, " Have ye not read, that he which ** made them at the beginning, made them male and ** female ? and faid, For this caufe (hall a man leave ** father and mother, and (liail cleave to his wife : «» and they twain fliall be one fleih. What therc- " fore God hath joined together, let no man put a- ** funder *. To the fame purpofe the apoftle fpeaks in the verfe but one before our text. Now upon thefe words, together with the farther light which fcripture, in concert with the law of na- ture, hath thrown upon them, thefe four important pofitions are founded — that the conjugal relation can lawfully fubfifi: between one man and one woman on- ly — that the parties muft be competent to the enter- ing into fuch contraft — that the contradl ought to be duly attefted — and that adultery and death only. can dilTolve it. The particular difcufTion of all thefe queflions^ would carry us to too great a length. We Ihall therefore infift chiefly on the firft of them j and friy little more even on this than is nccelTary to open the way for an explanation of the duties of the marriage ftate, which it is the objed of this difcoitrfe to recommend. We affirm then, that " the conjugal relation can *' lawfully fubfift between 6ne man and one woman *' only." It is generally admitted with refpeft to the woman, for reafons obvious at firfl view, that fhe can- not marry any other man during the life of her huf- band. But it has been doubted refpe£ting the man. We ftiall therefore prove that he can only lawfully marry one woman. And this we infift is the lan- guage of Nature and of Chrijl. I. * Math. xix,4, 5, 6. J '4 RECIPROCAL DUTIES OF J. As to tbe Lazu ofNature, God created man male and female, that is, one woman to a man. The conjugal relation, therefore, ia the primitive and perfect ilate of human nuture, did, and could only fubfift between two perfons. i:ince that, a nearly equal proportion of the fexes hath generally prevailed throughout the world. In- deed it hath been thought, that the number of male- children born exceeds that of females. But this faft, confidcrlng the more numerous accidents men are ex- pofed to than women, coriirms the notion, that it is ihe wife intention of Providence, that fuch an equality ihould prevail as naturally leads to the primitive idea of one man's having one wife, and no more. The ends of marriage, too, can only, in their full extent, be anfwered by its being confined to one man and one wo- man. Thefe ends are two, the confervation and increafe of the human fpecies, and the mutual comfort and afTift- ance of the parties united in this relation. As to the firll, it would in all probability be better attained by an honourable and permanent connection between t'.vo perfons, agreeable to the original di6late of nature, than by a multiplication of wives-. But as to the lat- ter, it is evident to a demonliration, that a departure from the primitive infiituticn, in that idea of it for which we are contending, hath, in innumerable in- stances, totally defeated it. Nothing can be more degrading to the female part of mankind, than to conUder them as created merely for the purpofe firft mentioned. He that can admit •the idea dilhonours hinii'clf as well as them. The powers with which nature hath liberally endowed them., i:ndcr them capable b(ith of enjoying, and of contri- buting' HUSBANDS AND wives; 1 2 5 buting very largely to the refined plesfurts of frieadlhip and fociety. Agreeably to this idea, if wc rosy be allowed to advert to fcripture when we are realoiiing from the law of nature, we hear the blefled God faying, when he had created vour firil progenitor, ** Jt is not good that the man (Iiould be alone : I v.'iU •* makehim anhelpmeetrorhim */* Asif hehadfald, **Itis fit that man, whom I have made for fociety, ftiould *' have one for his companion, 'vvith whom he may in- ** tixatcly convcrfe, and v«'ho may a(uu him in the du- " tics and be a (harer with him in the joys of life." Nothing tbereiorc can be clearer than that the woman \vas created, and given to man in marriage, not mere- ly for the purpofe of propagating the fpecles, but for that of profnoting his &nd her own felicity. And from hence it as clearly follows, that what tends to defeat this great end is contrary to the original law of na- ture. And who can doubt that considers human nature, ^ and the hiflory of domeftic fociety, that Pclygamy is fubveriivc of the real intetell and happlnefs of both parties ? The woman who is married ta a man, has as much right to his Icjve, confidence and fupport, as he has to hers. Their intere ft in each other is mutual, and fince God has made man male and female, why not equal ? But can it be imagined, that where others are admitted to a copartnerfhip with her in the mar- riage relation, (he can have that entire inrereft in his affeftions to which fhe poffeffes this natural claim f > Or * Gen.ii. i8. f " Polygamy is not only inconfident with our forms and the very letfr of the marriage-contradl, but v/ith the ejfence ol" marriage, which lies in fuch a union and love ascaa 07>Jy be hz* II 6 RECIPP.OCAL DUTIES OF \ Oi if that were polTible, the painful jealoufy, that ihe hath not fuch intereft ia bis affeclions, is an evil to which, upon the conamon grounds of equity, (he ought not to be fubjeded. Eut, were (he wholly free from thisjealoufy, and difpofed to acquiefce in the will of her hufband, there would even yet be many inconve- niencies and raifciles refulting from this mode of life to all parties, and niore efpecially in the end to the man himfelf, who has thus unjuftifiably departed from the original perfecllon of the marriage-ftate. That thefe reafonings refpeding the ill tendency of Polygamy are juft, might be largely proved by innu- iTitrable teftimonies taken from facred and profane hif- tory, and indeed inflances before our own eyes. But in order to confirm the idea that the law of nature is agalall it, it fhall fuffxe to obfervc, that the contrary p.ra6tice has obtained among mod civilized nations, who have beft underftood the rights of mankind, and the true interefts of fociety. — But to proceed, this praclce will be found upon enquiry to be conforma- ble, II. To ths Law of ChriJ. When the. Piiari fees put that enfnaring queftion to our Saviour, " Is it lawful for a man to put away his *' wife for every caufe r" he anfwers in the negative, It is tween t^^vo. Arifiotle doth not allow there can be even perfect frieadfhip between more than two ; much lefs, therefore, per- fi-a Sove. rioA^a;; t/vc4i HUSBANDS AND WIVES. 121 able J that is, where fuch and fuch relations fubiift, the duties refulting from them are univerlally ?nd per- petually the fame. But a change in the relation, or in the circuraftanccs of the relation, may and often will cccafion a change in the duty ; while it ftill remains true that the law of nature, or of God, is invariably the fame. Thus, marriage between brothers and lif- ters is now generally deemed contrary to the law of nature : but in the beginning the law of nature re- quired it 5 that is to fay, the circumftances of the re- lation are changed, and fo what was then fit and ne- ceffary is now unfit and improper. To apply this reafoning to the matter before us i the voice of nature in the beginning, and through moft ages and parts of the world down to the prefcnt time, hath been zgzm^ polygamy ; and yet things may have been fo circumftanced in fome ftates and kingdoms, at certain periods, as to juftify the tolerating it. The Athenians, having been miferably wafted by a plague, adopted this meafure ^^ which by their regular confti- tution was deemed impolitic^ for the purpofe of re- peopling their ftate *. And Julius Cefar, for the like purpofe of increafing the commonwealth, had it once in contemplation to introduce a law allowing every man to marry as many wives as he chofc f . And it is eafy to imagine, that in the early ages of the world there might be reafons of a fimilar kind, in one place and another, for this pra6lice, which, though they would * Diog, Laer. Socrat. Lib. II. § 25. f " Helvius Cinna tribunus plebis plerifque confcfTus eft, ha- •"•buifle fe fcriptam paratamque legem, quam Cefar ferre juffiflet *' quuna ipfe abeffet, uti uxoies liberorum quaerendorum caufa, ** quas, St quot ducere vellet liceret." Sucton. Jul. Ccf, cap. 52. 122 RfCIPROCAL DUTIES OF would not abfolutely autborife it, yet might co-nfider- ably Ic.-'l^n the evil of it. The practice having once obtained, the inordiivite pafTions of men would natu- rally enough precipitate them greedily into it. And as the patriarchs emigrated from among idolaters and polygamiits, it is not to be wondered that they brought away with them fame cf the evil cuftoms in which they had been educated. Much lefs is It to be won- dered at, all things confidered, that their dcfcendent?, the Ifraelites, Ihould copy after their progenitors in this particular. Such a havock had Pharaoh made amon^^ their male children, that although the pro- vidence of God prevented bis exterminating them^ it is probable their number, when they left Egypt, was coniiderably Icfs than that of the females. And this circumflance might in their appreheniion, render that highly expedient to which they felt them- felves Urongly prone. And the efieft of example, cuftom, and falhion, we all know to be great. To which it may be added, that the idea of the MeiTiah's originating among them, gave rife to an ardent and u* nivcrfal wifti in the heads of families to be the parents of a numerous offspring, each one hoping that this il- luftrious perfon might derive from his houfe. And a wifti that was confidered as pious, v^'ould naturally e- nough forward a practice to which men felt them- felves allured by paflion and example. How far all thefc circumltances may be fuppofed to extenuate the evil of that, which the law of nature In the beginning, and our Lord Jefus Chriit fince, have abfolutely forbidden, wc will not pretend to deter- mine. But certain it is, that though polygamy was permitted, it was not eitabliihed by the law of Mofcs. And therefore it caa in no fenfe b« faid that the law HUSBANDS AND "WIVES. iS^ «£ Mofes has contradidled the laiv of nsture; Provi- lion, indeed, Mofes exprefsly made againft fome o£ the evils which he clearly forefaw would be confe- s church. " Wives, fubmit yourfelves unto your own huftands, *' as unto the Lord. For the hufband is the head of " the wife, even as Chrift is the head of the church, ** and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as ** the church is. fubje£t unto Chrift, fo let the wives " be to their own hulhands in every thing. Hufbands, *' love your wives, even as Chrift alfo loved the church, ** and garc himfelf for it : that he might fan£lify and ** cleanfe it with the waftiing of water, by the word, ** that he might prefent it to himfelf a glorious church, ** not having fpot or wrinkle, or any fuch thing; but " that it ftiould be holy and without bleraifh. So " ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies ; " he that lovcth his wife, lovcth himfelf. For no maa " ever yet hated his own flclh 3 but nourifticth and G5 ♦^cheriftieth 142 RECIPROCAL DUTIES OF ** cherlfheth it, even asthe Lord the church : forweare " members of his body, of his flefli, and of his bones *." —Here allow me to defcant, a few momencs, on the love which Chrift bears to his church, and on the du- ty his church owes, and is fincerely difpofed to ren- der to him. I. As to Chrifl, how tranfcendently great is the love he bears to his church ! X"Ie, the Son of God, deigned to affume human na- ture, and, at an expence which angels cannot compute, to efpoufe the church to himfelf I — *' He gave him- " felf for it," Hear, O heavens ! and be aftoniHied, O earth ! Corruptible things, fuch as filver and gold^ could not redeem us. A ranfom, like that paid for the Ifraelitilh church, even the blood of the firft-bovn of Egypt, wi»s not of fufficient value. Nothing lefs would avail than his own moft precious blood — the blood of a Lamb without blemifh and without fpot. Such was the price juftice demanded, fuch the price love rendered. He was made fle(h and tabernacled nmong us. He bore our griefs an*d carried our for- rows •, and at length, on a crofs, without the gates of Jcrufaiem, he offered his life a facrifice for fin. Be- hold him, Chrittian, extended on the accurfed tree ! fee the vital blood flowing in purple torrents from his wounded heart ! — his heart, the feat -of love !— of love that paffeth knowledge ! — fo hath he u- nited the church to himfelf So is he become •* the head of the church, and the Saviour of the bo- " dy ; and we members of his body, of his flefh, and *' of his bones." We were unworthy of fuch an u- nion, and incapable in our depraved ilate of thofe ex- alted *Eph,v. 2a. — 30. HUSBANDS AND WIVES, I43 alted joys which refult from it. He has however pro- vided the neceffary means for ^' fandifying and clean- " (ing us, even the influences of his Spirit, and the *' iitltrudions of his word." And in due time, having, by a thoufand exprelTions of the moft endearing af- fection, *' nourilhed and cherifhed his church, he will " prefent it to himfelf, a glorious diurch, without ira- *' perfe6lion, fpot, or blemifh." Thus *' prepared as " a bride adorned for her huiband,'^ the marriage fhall be confummated . A voice (hall be heard out of hea.ven, faying, *' Behold the tabernacle of God is *' with men, and he will dwell with them, and they *' fliall be his people, and God himfelf fhall be with '* them, and be their God *." And now hath Chriil thus loved his church ?— loved it with a love fo free, generous, ardent, and conftant ? Ought not ye huihands, I mean you more efpccially who are the friends and difciples of Chrift, to imitate his example ? Impreffed witrh a deep fenfe cf this unparalleled inftance of friendfhip and benigni- ty, ought not your breafts to glow with an alie6lion towards your wives, referabling that which he bears to you ? It is an argument addrefled to the tenderelt feelings of your hearts, it is irreliliible. — On the other hand, 2. From the duty which Chriftians readily ac- knowledge they owe to to the divine Saviour, in re- turn for his love to them, there arifes a powerful ar- gument, if fuch be needful, to perfuade the v/ife to reverence her hulhand, in return for the love he bears towards her. Attention, * RcY. xxi. a, 3. 144 KECIPROCAL. DUTIES OF Attention, confidence, fubir.iluon, and obedience, are duties which no doubt Chiift may juftly challenge ofus, iince he hath loved us, and redeemed us unto God by his blood. Efpoufed as we are to him, wc are no more our own, but his. He is our head, he is our Saviour, and we are one with him. And what is his language to us ? It is this, " Hearken, *' O daughter^ and confidcr, and incline thine ear j " forget alfo thine own people, and thy father's houfe. " So fliall the king greatly defire thy beauty : for he " is thy Lord, and worfhip thou him *." The rcafon- ablenefs of all this every individual that compofes the church of Chrill readily admits *, and affeftion fweet- ly inclines them to that fubmifllon which duty and intereft demand of them. Ought not then the wife, remembering that (he holds the fame relation to her hufband which the church iUnds in to Chrift, to conduct herfelf towards him in a fimilar manner ? Since he is her friend, her guar- dian, her head, her felf ; fince he loves her with a ten- der, prevailing and conftant affetSlion j and is willing to endure any hardfhips and fufferings for her fake ^ ought (he not in return to love him, to repofe an en- lire confidence in him, to pay a refpeftful deference to his judgment and will in all things, and to fubmit herfelf unto him as unto the Lord ? She ought. And to this fentiment the heart, as well as the hand, of c- very virtuous and pious wife will cheerfully fubfcribe. To clofe the whole. It may be prefumed from vrhat has been faid, indeed it would be an unkind re- flexion to admit a doubt of it, that all who have drank, into the generous and noble fpirit of the gof- pel, *Pfal. xlv. lo, ir. HXJS3ANDS AND W1VI9, 1 45 pel, whatever may be the temper and demeanour of others, will readily fall in with the duties we have been recommending. In obedience to the mild and gentle authority of Jcfus Chrift their Saviour and king, as well as to the dictates of their own reafon, and the feelings of t^eir own breafts ; " every fuch hufband *' in particular will fo love his wife even as himfclf,. ** and every fuch wife will affedlonatcly reverence her « hufband." DIS. DISCOURSE V, DUTIES OF PARENTS TO THEIR- CHILDREN. Prov. xxii. 6^ Train up a child in the way he Jhould go : and when he is o/dy he will not depart from it, THE ferious attention of parents to the education of their children, is a matter of the greateft im- portance. The prefent and future happinefs of indi- viduals, the welfare of fociety in general, and the pro- grefs of virtue and religion in the world, do all. under God, veiy much depend upon it. This has ever been the opinion of wife and confiderate men, and is the plain dl£late of the Bible. Yet, through various caufcs, too numerous to be mentioned here, this buli- ncfs is wholly neglefted by (ome, and very ill ma- naged by moft. Nor can it be enough lamented, that too many, of whom neverthelefs we would in chari- ty hope that they fear God, are fadly defedivc in this point. , What we propofe therefore is, to explain this duty, and enforce it with fuitable arguments. To which purpofe we have chofen the words jutt read. Solomon was » wife man as well as a great king. He DUTIES OF PARENTS, &C» 147 He had enjoyed the benefit of a pious education, and the people over whom he reigned, reaped no fmall ad- vantage from the attention paid to him in his early years. To the inftrudions of his father, it is probable, he owed much of that wifdom with which this book abounds. And with the fame afliduity and tendernefs he had been himfelf taught, he teaches others, parti- cularly his children and the youth of the rifmg gcne» ration. To them forae of the firft chapters are more immediately direded. And thus, deeply impreffed fvith an aifedlionate concern for their beft interefts, he admonifhes all fucceeding parents in our text, to copy- after his example. Train up a child in the way he fhould go : and when he is o/d, he will not depart from it. The original words are very expreflive. Train up, inflruft, catechize, or initiate a child — in the way ha Jhouid go, or, in the beginning of his way, at the mouth of it, as foon as he is capable of inAru^lion ', or according to his way, that is according to his ca- pacity : or rather, as fome interpret the words, In- ftruft him in that courfe or manner of life which thou wouldft have him purfue — ^nd when he is old, he voill not depart from it ; that is, impreffions received in his tender years will remain j having been put in the way he fhouid go, he will not re- cede or turn afide from it. The meaning is, he will not ordinarily depart from it : for this, as well as all proverbial exprcflions, is to be underftood as ad- mitting of exceptions. Some, no doubt, break over the mounds of education, violently rend every pious and virtuous inflrudion from their breaft, and irapc- tuoufly precipitate themfelves into vice and ruin. But 14^ DUTIES OF PAREKT* But it is not fo ufually : the advantage of a good edu- cation is generally felt all through life to the lateft period of it. — In difcourfing of this fubje^t we Qiall, First, Make fome previous general obfervations re- fpefting education : Secondly, Point out the duties thcmfelves which parents owe to their children; and, Thirdly, Enforce thcfe duties with fuitablc argu-- ments. First, The previous obfervations I have to make rcfpedl — the riijhi of parents to educate their children — the ends of education — and the feveral Jiages through which it extends to the final term of it. As to the right of parents to educate their children. It has often been obfervcd with great truth that a- mong all the creatures that inhabit our world, none come into it in fo helplefs a Itate, and none require the afliAance and protedlion of others for fo long a term, as the human fpecies. This is a humiliating confideration. But we may be fare the all-^wife and good Creator would not permit it {q to be, without providing the neceffary means for their confervation and fupport. This he hath done, and in a way truly admirable. A certain inllin6l he hai fmplanted in the breads of parents towards their" offspring, which effectually operates to the purpofc of fecuring them all the affiftance neceffary to their helplefs ffate. In- Hitjft 1 call it, becaufe it is not the effeft of rcafon- ing, but connatural to us, and fcarce capable of being eradicated out of our nature. It is what the Greeks call o^yj), and for which we want a word in our Itnguagc. This iallind prevails in the breaft TO THEIR CHILDREN, 1 49 brcaft of the mother in a foft and tender manner, fuited to the kind of duty required of her towards her children, in the firft and early ftage of life. In the father it operates in a different, but like effe6lual manner. It impels him to the exertion of all his powers, in order to provide a fubfiftence for his fami^ ly J and to the beft ufe of that fuperior fenfe and judg- ment he poffcffes, in order to prepare and qualify them for the ft-ations of life they are to fill. Now fuch an inilindl being implanted in the breails of parents — a paffion for the welfare of their children, vhich renders them equal to all the anxieties, caics, and labours that attend the painful bufmefs of bringing them up into life j there can be no doubt that the right of education lies in them. This is the clear plain voice of nature. To this we have the confent of all mankind *. And it is abundantly confirmed by the lentence of fcripture. Any meafures taken, therefore, to deprive parents of this right is a cruel violation of the law of nature. Indeed there is in the general little or no temptation to this evil : for what {hould induce thofc who have no immediate interell in children, to bring Upon thcrafelvcs the expence and burden of their edu- catirni ? Things have been, however, fo circumftanccd in fomecouiitiies, where fuperftition and defpotifm have obtained, that parents whofe religion hath differed fiom that of the flate, have been deprived of the invaluable right * The Romans had fuch a fenfe of the right of parent* over their children, and fuch a perfuafion that natural affedlion would not fuffer them to abufc it, that they even entrufte d them with the power of life and death. This Jujlinian calls, propria WH Cwium Romanorum, The Japonefe now allow the fame an* Sbority to parcntSo IjO DUTIES OF PARENTS right of cducatinj2[their children in their own principles* The time was when bold efforts were ufed to this end in our country, and when the objc6l was very nearly compaiTed. But the acceflion of the prefent family to the throne of thefe kingdoms, through the favour of Providence, defeated the attempt. To enter particu- larly into the reafoning on this fubjeft would carrv us too far : it Ihall faffice, therefore, here to obferve, that if God has endued parents with an unconquera- ble affedion for their children j if this affedion ex- tends in the breafts of fome of them to their bell interetts j and if the religion which fuch parents pro- fefs, however really erroneous, is in their opinion true, to forbid them to inftni6l their children in their own religious principles, is abfurd and iniquitous, and cruel to the laft degree. The right of parents to educate their children, be- ing thus founded in their competence to this impor- tant bufinefs, it may be of ufe to enquire a moment whence it is fo many fail in the difcharge of this great duty. The true reafon is their want either of natural affeBion, or oi piety\ or of prudence. If we could fuppofe perfons deliitate of all pafTioi* for their offspring, they would no doubt be incapable of bringing them up into life, for they would want the grand motive to ftiraulate them to exertions indif- penfibly neceffary in this important bufinefs.- But of fuch monfters, it is to be hoped there are few in our world. *' Can a woman forget her fucking child, that ** llie (hould not have compaflion on the fon of her " womb * ?" We fee, however, the great ufe of chc- rilhlng * Ifa.xlix. \i.. TO THEIR CHILDREN. J^t iiiliingin our breafts that aflfe£lion towards our children which nature has implanted there. This will aid us in our duty, and make us fuperior to difficulties which would otherwite be infuperible. The want ot piety is anotlicr remora in the way of that duty which the text requires of parents. Whatever natuial afft6tIon men may poflefs, if they are themlelves ilr angers to religion, they will take lit- tle pains to imprels a fenie of it upon the minds of their children. And hence it is that this, the moft important part of education, is lo much neglecled. Would you then, parents, train up your children in the way they fhould go ? walk in that way your- felves. Let it be your concern to fear God, and keep his commandments, and you will quickly be dif- pofed, by your own experience of the fweetnefs and utility of religion, to ufe your utmoft endeavours^ in a dependence upon the grace of God, to bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eut there is another obflrudion to the right dif- charge of this duty, which (hould be particularly no- ticed J and that is the imprudence and falfe tendernefs of too many, otherwiie virtuous and good parents, Thefc fufFer their parental affedion to tranfport them into an extreme, totally fubverfive of the very end for which it was implanted in their breads. Love degenerates into weaknefs, and a miftaken fondnefs for their children deprives them of that authority over them, which, duly excrclfed, would fecure refpc6l to themfelves, and prove a barrier to them againft in- numerable evils. *' I know not any bufinefs," faid a nue heathen, *' in which a prudent man ought to (hew ** more 152 DUTIES or PARENTS ^* more caution and diligence, than in forming his Ton's " mind to goodnefs and virtue." To qualify them, therefore, for the right difcharge of their duty, fuch parents fhouid call in the aid of reafon and reli- gion, to enable them to controul the irregular efforts of natural affedion, and to mingle prudent feverity, at proper fealons, with foft indulgence. — Having thus fcen where the right of education lies, let us enquire, II. What is the proper cbjeB or end of it. — It is na doubt the real welfare of our children. Now their welfare is to t)e confidered in its reference to this life, and to that which is to come. I. As to the prejevj life* Mankind differ in their opinions refpefting worldly happinefs. But whatever opinion men adopt on this head, it will have no fmall influence on the education they give their children. If, for inftance, wealth \s a parent's main objeiSl", to that objefl he will affidu- ouHy direft the attention of his children. He will carefully enure them to habits of courage, application, and perfeverance. He will diligently inflruft then* in the pn'nciples and arts of trade and commerce. And he will not fail to lead them into connexions that may fubfcrve his lucrative views. But then, alas ! amidft all thefe pains to form them for the ac- quifition of wealth and power, leffons of infinitely greater importance to their real romfort, honour, and ufefulnefs in lite, will be overlooked and neglesSod. A wile and good parent, however, will not adl aftes: this manner. He will indeed, as well as the other, endeavour to iiJpire his children with fentiments of prudence, rcfolution and indultry : but then, con- (Iderlug that a man's happinefs confifls not in tlie a- bundanc3 TO TKEfR CHILDREN. ' IJ^ bundance Vie hath, but depends on the manncl: in which it is acquired and the ufe to which it is applied, it will be his main object to imprefs tneir minds with fentiments of juillce, truth, contentment, temperance, and benevolence. He will carefully guard tbcna a- gzlnil falfe maxirriS of worldly policy. He will pru- dently check the wild efi'orts of lawlefs ambition. He will refolutely bridle their eager love of pleafurc. He will ferioufly forewarn them of the difappoint- ments they may be likely to meet with. And he will take the utmoil; ^^ins to initiate them in the true fe- rret of worldly felicity, which lies in the fuitablenefs of a man's (ituation to his natural c^ft, in the mode- rate ufe of temporal enjoyments, in doing good, and in the fubfervience of his outward circurafcances to the more important intercfts of his foul. In a word, it will be his concern to lead them into fuch conrcc- tions, and fuch only, as will be favourable to thefc truly juil; and noble views. And thus, ftudioufly di- recting their feet into the path providence has mark- ed out, he will feek real happinefs for them, and not the fplendid appearance of it; Aid now, if this realbning, and this mode of educa- tion be right, it is ot the lall confequence that the minds of parents are ivell made up upon the great quelHon of the true nature of vvorldly happinefs. Nor will any thing more efft dually contribute to this than a thorough acquaintance with religion. Which leads me to fpeak of rducHUon in its reference, 2. I'o a future life, ' We believe that there is a world to come, in which the righteous will be happy, and tlic v\ickcd mifera- l^le. Now this idea reflects great importar.ce upon the .154- CUTIES OF PARENTS the prefent life, and confequcntly upon the duty we are difcourfing of. For if men will be dealt witli at death according to their proper characters, and if c- ducation hath an influence in forming their charafters, certainly much depends on it. But this I mention here, not as an argument to perfuade parents to their duty, (for in this view we Ihall urge it hereafter), but as a rule to guide them ia the conducting this impor- tant bufmefs. And its ufe to this end is very great. If 1 am firmly perfuided ot the truths juft mention- ed, and have my childrens intereft at heart j it will be my firft and grand objtCt to inftil principles of vir- tue into them, to perfuade them of the certainty of a future ftate, and to inftiuft tKem in what I take to be the true and only way of obtaining forgivenefs and acceptance with God. Having this great bufinels of their cverlafting falvation in full view, I (hall fo con- troul my pafTions, and fo regulate ray conduCl towards them in regard of their worldly afF^iirs, as to fecure them from much real evil, and procure for them much real good. 1 fhall not feek great things for them, or be eagerly defirous of their filling llations of fplen- dour and c^ignity, well knowing that fliould they at- tain thelc objects, they would be expofed to immi- nent temptation and danger. 1 fiiall be watchful of their connections, not fuffering any worldly profpeCls to draw them into an acquaintance with the defpifers of religion j but, on the contrary, ufing my iitmoit en- deavour?, to allure them into habits of ftiend(hip with thofc who fear God. My inltiuCtlons, counfels, re- proofs, and encouranement?, receiving their diredfion from rMs great point, will be all likely to have the moll laiutary effcd. But TO THEIR CHrLDREN. I55 But if we fuppofe a man an infidel, or at Icaft indif- feient about the final fiaic of his children in another world, is it imMginable that he will fulfil the duties of a parent ^ No, he will fail not only in the moil ef- fential matters, but in thofe too which relate to their temporal welfare. As to inftiudions of a religious kind, they will be wlioUy neglefted. And more than this, morality itfelf will be no further regarded than as it may be fub^ervient to their worldly irtereils. And even here, fince wealth and fplendour are his on- ly objetts, and thefe are too often acquired by indired: means, he will not be over rigorous in inculcating the duties of truth, jutHce, and temperance. And thus children led up into life, without any regard to their flate in a future world, will be left to the mercy of their depraved paffions — paflions which have acquir- ed lirength from the connivance if not indulgence of fuchamiferably defc6liv« education. Whocan forbear bewailing the ilate of fuch children, and detelling the conduct of fuch parents ? And here 1 cannot pafs on without obfervlng, what a ftrong prefumptive ai^ument atifes from the light in which we have placed this matter, in favour of the truth of religion. It is agi-eed on ali hands, that morality is of the lad importance to the well-being of fociety. It is likewife acknov\ledgcd, that edaca- tion is of the greateft ufe to form the morals of youth, and prepare them for the part they are to a£l on the ftage of life. And it further appears from what has b^en faid, that religion, by clearly teaching us wherein our trueit intereft as to this world con- fiRs, 'ind by holding. up to our view our moft eifenti- al interelts in that which is to come, furnifhes parents with 156 DUTIES OF PARENTS with the moft powerful motives to excite them t9 their duty, and with the beft rules to guide them in this important concern. Does it not follow then, that there is the higheft prefumptivc reafon from hence to conclude, that religion is not the fruit of idle fuperllition, but of truth ? Annihilate religion, for z moment, in your imagination, and fuppofc all man- kind come to a point upon the qucftion, that there is no future ftatc j what would be the elTcft ? The main fences and barriers of fociety would be deftroy- cd, and the ftrongeil if not the only incitements to the painful duties of well-educating our children, would ceafe to exill. Education' would become a trifling concern. Yea, worfe than this, the whole bufinefs of it would be, what we fee it too often is where religon is held in contempt, a mode of dlfci- pline to initiate youth into all the fecret myfteries of fedu£lion, fraud, and deceit, and to qualify them for sU the open villanies of injuftlce, violence, and cruel- ty. Nothing can bear an afpe61 more favourable to the civil intereft of fociety than religion does : it may therefore very naturally be prefumed by him who has not entered into the pofitive evidence of it, that its origin is divine. — But to proceed.— Our next obfervations refpe^l, III. The term of Education. This matter deferves our attention a few moments, as it coniiderably aife(^s tiie queftlon before u«.— The minority of children is generally underftood to extend to twenty- one years. This term may proper- ly enough be divided into three periods, in each of which they are to be confidered in a different li^ht, and to be treated after a different manner. During thefe TO THEIR CHILDREN. 15/ tliefc (lagcs the more immediate care and tuition of them, under the guidance of their parents, v ill devolve on various forts of perfons. Theory? Jtvcn years, their tender ftate, in regard both of body and mind, naturally throws them into the hands of the mother, and fuch nurfes and fervants as fhe thinks fit to appoint. And though their educa^ tion during this period, may on forae accounts be deem- ed lefs important than afterwards, yet on others it is more fo. The like exertions, it is true, in point cf underflanding, prudence, and refolution, on the part cf parents, are not fo requiiite in this early ftage as when they advance towards maturity. Yet their after-health, improvement in knowledge and moral chara6lcr, de- pend more upon the treatment they receive from thefe their firfl guardians, inftruftors, and managers, than is commonly imagined. As to their external frame, nature hath endowed the female fex with fuch tendcrnefs of difpolition and warmth of affeftion, as admirably qualifies them for ill the painful, but to them pleafing duties of nurturing p.nd rearing their young. And no other caution is ne- ccffary here, than that they take care they do not carry their indulgence too far, but enure them by degrees to fuch hardinefs as will contribute not a little to the prefervation of their health.— With refpeft to the mind, as the powers of reafon gradually open and ex- pmd, the prudent attention of the mother will won- derfully aid the firft efforts of infant imagination. One little Icffon of inftru£lion refpe^ling the orjedis of fenfe, will fucceed to another j till at length the nature, connexion, and ufe of moft things about them, will come to be pretty tolerably underflood. The next H care IjS DUTIES OF PARENTS care of a pious as well as prudent parent will be, to In- finuate to their young minds ferae idea of the greatnefs and goodnefs of God, and their obligations to love, o- bey, and ferve hira. So (lie will proceed to inculcate other moral truths and duties on them, which flic will do in the fofteft manner, and by the aid of little llorics, and other familiar modes of inftru6lion, which her fprightly maternal imagination will fuggeft. And all this will be accompanied with fuch fad, but juft com- plaints of the perverfenefs and corruption of human na- ture, fuch expreffions of lively joy on account of the mercy of God in Jefus Chrift, and fuch fhort and fer- vent prayers with them, as will be apt, with the blef- fingof God, to touch their tender hearts, and draw tears from their little eyes. This method of inflrudion, at- tended with feafortuble checks for what is amifs, and en- couragements to what is good, is furely well adapted to the firft feven years of life, and will in all probability be followed with the happieft confecjuences *. But 1 forbear; we mean only general obfervations here. The * There is a ftriking, and no lefs pleading pafl?.** in Plato's tenth book de legibus, which cxaflly falls in with oar idea of the manner in which children fliould be treated by their mothers and nurfes in their earlieft years. Speaking of perfons being trained to pray, he fays, " They were induced to become reh'gious by the ftories which they heard whilfl at the very bread from theirnur- fes and mothers; and by what was to'd them, as it \yere in little fopffs, funietinries {le-afantly, and furactiajes lacre ftrioully : as al- fj by the iufinnSions thc:y received from tilie prayers of their pa- rents, ai d whioh'inRrucPcions were heid up to their very eyes in the facriiicts rhcy offered, both which thp little ones faw *nd heard performed with the greatell pJc-afure-, their parents: facri- fitins with the utiEofl: attention both fcr theuifclvss and tl'jir oflsprin:^, and addrrffing the g-.xls by iraycrs anJ fuppUcaiicns as tht gvcatelt of aJl bti.i j. ."' TO THEIR. CHILDREN. ' I ^^ The next/even years ^ children fall Under the more immediate iufpeftion and government of the father. His authority, knowledge, and experience, qualify him for a kind of exertion which the other fex arc not e- qual to. And their age, capacities, and tempers are fo far in advance as to require a more ftrjfl, though not unteader treatment. It will be his bufinefs, as a wife and good parent, to raife the fuperftruclure or the foundation the mother has laid \ to bring forward the fruit to perfedllon, the early buds of which fhe hath tenderly cheriflied. His attention vvill be direfted to all thofe particulars of which we (hall difccurfe more largely hereafter, fuch as their diet, drefs, amufcments, chaflifements, rewards, religious exercifes, learning, and the tutors under whom it may be proper to place them. As to the lajl /even years ^ great prudence and confi- deration will be requifite on the part of parents to ena- ble them to determine how to dilpofe of their chrldren, fo as to bell qualify them for the Nations of life' they are to fill. Their capacities, inclinations, and views will be confulted. Sober and religious maflers will be fought for them, if they arc intended for trade and com- merce-, and able and pious inftrudors, if they are defign- ed for other and more public profefiions. A liricl re- gard will be had to their morals. Every pcffible method will be taken to fecure them from the great- eft of all evils, bad company \ and to alTociate them with wife, virtuous, and good people. They will be treated, as they advance towards maturity, with a fa- miliarity and confidence fuited to their age. Such appointments they will have as their parents ciicum- ftanccs will admit of, and the mode of that fupport will l60 DUTIES OF PARENTS will be fo adjafled as, on the one hand, to elude all temptation to youthful diflipation j and on the other, to give that generous pleafure to their hearts which may flimulate them to the cheerful difcharge of their duty. Bat the grand object of all will be, to lead them, during this period, upon right principles, into a ferious and cordial profeflion of religion. Having inlifted thus generally on — the right of pa^ rents to educate their children — the proper ends of edu- cation — and the term to which it is to extend i our way Is now open to a more particular confideration of the duties themfelves which parents owe to their chil- dren. But this muft be referred to another opportu- iiity. PART II. We have (hev/n at large, that the f'ijht of educa- tion is in parents^that the grand end of it is their childrens welfare in this life and in that which is to come — and that regard is to be had to the feveral JIages through which they pafs, till they attain to ma- jority. In the difcuflion of thefc previous obferva- tions we may have fomewhat anticipated ourfubjedt : let us proceed, however, as was propofcd, Secondly, To point out more particularly, the du- ties themfelves which parents owe to their children. Thefe duties we ftiall range under the following heads — the confulting their capacities — injlillin^ vir- tuous principles into them — catechi'zing them — oblig- ing them to attend the worjljip of God — giving them proper learning — and fettling them in life, I. It TO THEIR CHILDREN". l6l I. It is the duty of parents io ccnfuh attentively the CQpacii es of their children. This point is of great importance : for if it be not duly regarded, it is much if we do not err in every fiep of our condu(fl towards them. Now in this gene- ral term of capacity I mean to include — their bodily frame — their mental powers — and their natural temm pers, I. As to their external frame. Some children are of a robufl, and others of a deli- cate make. In the former cafe, plain food fo it be wholefome, vigorous exertions fo they do not exceed, and chaftifements a little more rigorous than in the latter inllance, may be proper. But indulgences, with refpcd to each of thefe particulars, Iliould be allow- ed children of a tender conllitution. If a ftout hale child is pampered with the delicacies of life, purely for the fake of gratifying his appetite, excufed of this or that cxercife left it ihould give him pain, and for the fame reafon allowed to eicape punifhment when he has richly deferved it, both his health and his mo- rals will fuffer. How many children have been ruin- ed through the imprudent management of indulgent mothers ! On the other hand, to treat children of weak rpirits* and a fickly habit with roughnefs, not at all confulting their eafe, inclinations, and wilhes, is e- qually hurtful and unnatural. Afperity towards fuch little creatures, who ought rather to be foftered in the arms of pity and indulgence, has in fome cafes borne down their feeble frames, or however fo broke their fpirits that they have not been able to lift up their heads ever after. Their conftitutions therefore Hjould 3^2 DUTIES OF PARENTS (hould be coiifulted, and our condu£l regulated there- by- Attention too (hould be paid to their external form. It fomeUmcs fo happens, that the plainnefs and defor- mity of one child (hall expofe it to (lights and neglefts, %vhile the beauty and comelinefs of another (hall fe- cure to it excelTive fondnefs and partiality. An evil this of no fmall account, (ince it tends to baulk and difcourage the former, and to cheri(h the feeds of v.ihity and infolence in the latter. Againft this per- nicious conduft a prudent parent will be on. his guard, and rather balance the account between children thus differently clicumftanced by the oppofite treatment of them. But the. ill effect which a too early idea of their own external acccmplifliments is apt to produce in young people, demands the particular regard of thofe to whom their education is entrufted. It may rot be po(iibie wholly to conceal from their know- iidge thofc advantages with which nature may have endowed them above ethers : but .Certainly a jealous eye (liould be kept;upon them, and every prudent mea- fare taken to check a kind of vanity, which will in a thoufand ways prejudice both their civil and religious ihtercits. 2. As to their intelleBual capacities. In this particular there is perhaps a much greater diveiTity among children than in the former. And the wa)it of difcetnment in purents upon this head, has ofcen proved the occafion of many unhappy fjle- cifms in the bufincfs of education. A child of flow undcrftimdiug and weak abilities, (liall be deilined to a fuperior profeiTion of life, for which he has no tafte, -nd ia which it is impoITible for him to excel 5 and TO THEIR C:nLDR:E>»- 1 63 in Ilis "Way to it, contrary to all fenfe and reafcn, he (liall be condemned to a long courfe of cilcipHne, ^ the ntoft fevere and humiliating: while another, pof- fcffed of ihining talents and an unconquerable thirft for literature, iKall have his views crofied, his pur- fuits checked, and at length ht thruit into a ftation cf life, wherein his whole obJc6t is to be the getting a maintenance, or at moft the gaining a little fordid wealth. How prepofterous this ! To avoid fiich miftakes we ihould conHdcr well pur childrcns natural abilities, and call in the afllftauce of others, if needful to that end. The powers of nature, like the plants in our gardens, gradually open, and by diligently watching their progrefs, an employment not a little pleafing to a fond parent, we (hall quickly dif- cern what kind of culture is the filteft for them, and give a good gueis to what ule they may be beft applied when they arrive at maturity. By various ways we may come to an idea of the particular talent or en- dowment which maiks their mental chara6ler, whe- ther it be imagination or judgment, ingenuity or faga- city, memory or invention, ftudy or aftion 5 and to the prevailing c^ft of their minds we fliould accommo- date our inftruftions and modes of education. This will greatly facilitate both our bufinefs and theirs. * Thus genily leading them forward in the path nature hatii pointed out for them, we fnall, with the blefling of God. fuccefsfuily ccndud: them to the obje(5l of our wi(h — that itation of life which providence has defign- ed them for. A-ain, 3. We ihould well ftudy their tempers. This is 6f th^ lall confequence lo the forming the morals of children, of which we are to fpeak more par- ticularly 1^4 DUTIES CF PARENTS ticulaily under the next head. In the mean while it K>uft be obfervedjthat haman nature is in the general a- like in all, and that the propenlitics and paHicns of man- kind are each of them vitiated and depraved. But ihea it is as ceitain, that one pafiion ufutlly predomi- nates ; and it is this that marks the charafters of men, and Jiftingui(hes them from one another in the public walk of life. Hence we fay of one that he is proud^ and of another that he is humble, that is, they are comparatively fo, humility in the former inilance, and pride in the latter, not being the predominant pallion. In like manner we fay of one that he is hct and paffionate, and of another that he is meek and gen- tl-e : of one that he is obllinate and tenacious, and of jinother that he is foft and flexible : of one that he is referved'and gloomy, and of another that he is frank and open. In fine, of this perfon, that he is covetous and felfifli, and of that that he is liberal and benevolent. Now, as the feeds of all thefe paffions are in chil- dren, and as it is true of them, as well as of grown perfons, that one prevails more than the reft, and fo forms a diverfity of chara6ler among llicm : as this, I fay, Is the cafe, it is the duty of parents to ufe their en- deavours to find out what is the predominant paffion. And indeed this may be done, in moil cafes, without much difficulty. But a few years vvlil pafs over their heads, before we fliall difcover what vice they are mofl prone to. Now to that vicious temper our attention, reproofs, counfels, and reftraints ftiould be chiefly dl- reeled. With this obje^l In our eye, we (hall be bet- ter enabled to guide the whole tenor of our condudl towards them. This will meet our fevere reprehen- fion, when perhaps we (hall judge it prudent to over- look fome other inadvertencies, ^or falUcs of ill-tem- per : TO THEIR CI1ILDR.EN. 165 per : and every appearance of refiiUnce on their part to this predominant pafTion, will meet our warm ap- probation and praife. In (hort, this clear difccrnment of their particular difpofition, will have a material and happy euedl upon a prodigious variety of particu- lars in our treatment of them, too numerous to be here recited. Study then well, parents, your chil- drens natural tempers. — This leads us to the fecond head of advice, II. It (hould be the care cf parents to injlll virtu- Qus principles into their children. By virtuous principles I mean fuch pra6lic?.l no- tions or maxims of condtdl, refpefting truth, juflice, temperance, modefty, benevolence, and the like, as are acknowledged on all hands to be o^the greateft im- portance to the well being of fociety. Now the quef- tion to be difcuffed here is, how thefe notions or max- ims are to be inftilled into children ? In general the meafures we take with them to this end, (hould be adapted to their age, capacities, and particular turn of mind. We (hould begin with their perceptions, not too haflily reafoning with them be- fore they are capable of laying proportions together, and inferring from them. Plain fimple ideas ihould in the firft inftance be held up to their view, fo they will quickly come to know what we mean by ill-hu- mour and good-nature, falfehood and truth, pride and humility, cowardice and courage, impudence and mo- deily, and the like : and our opinion refpeiling thefe they will quickly perceive, by our countenance and manner, as well as language. When rcafon begins to ex- pand, the true grounds of thefe virtues and oppofite vices ihould be explained to them, the real excellence and H 5 ufe i66 DOTIES OF PARENTS ii'e of tije former, and the wretched deformity and evil of the litter j the notice God takes of thefe mat- ters, and his difpleafure at the one, and approbation cf the other. And there are a thoufand ways of im- prefTing thefe ideas on their minds, fuch as by occa- fional hints, iiories contrived to amufe their fancy and flrike their paflions, the harmony of poetic numbers, and particularly the hirtorical relations of the Bible *. Here give me leave to recommend two leffons of great importance to be inculcated on young people, XiimQ\y,feif command ^T\di punBuallty to engagements, - liut inilru6lions will be of little ufe unlefs reduced to pradlice. A ibidt attention therefore is to be piid to their words and a6lions. Every conformity, and every aim to conform to what is right, (hould be re- warded. And every departure froni what is right, if v.'ilfal and obilinate, ihould be punifhcd. Great pru- dence, however, is neceffary to regulate this bufinefs of rewards and punifliments, in regard of the kinds, de- grees, and feafons of them. An oper, ingenuous, man- ly temper (hould be cherifhed as much "as pofiTible, and rewards and punifliments accommodated to it. Corporal penalties and indulgences may on fome par- ticulm occafions be nectlTary, but if they exceed, are ill-timed, * Xenophon tells us *' the Terfian children went to fchoo!, ' ' and fpr'nt their time in learning the lirinriples of jufticc, as, •' cliildrcn in other countries do to gain the know! edjfe of letters. ** Their governors devoted the grealfft part of the day to the " deciding caufes among them, refpeftinj theft, violence, and *' deceit ; punilhing thole whom thev found p.uilty in-any •/ thefe " matters, or who were convicfled of unjuft accufations Ingra- " titute too they punifhed ; a crime, which, though the principal *' occafion of animcfity, is httle t.iken notice of among men.*' Xenoi^h. Cyro-J^xd, lib., i. TO THEIR. CHILDRSN. 1 67 ill-tiracd, and too often repeated, they v/Ill produce a contrary effedl to what is intended j they will har- den, not meliorate. *' Ye fathers," fays the apoftle to the Ephefians, " provoke not your children to " wrath*." * Ee not fevere, over-beaiing,. and ty- rannical in your behaviour towards your children, left you roufe their angry paflions, and excite in them fucli refentments againli you as may occalion indecent cxpreffions, and prejudice them againlt the religion you profefs. But^ on the contrary, be mild and gen- tle in your treatment of them, and never have recourfe to rigorous meafjres, until the neceClty of the cafe require it. And even then, let your paflions firft fub- fide, before you proceed to the painful bunnefs of chaf» tifing them,' - Great care alfo ftiould be taken as to the company they keep, and the mailers and tutors to whom their education is intrulled. To forbid their forming ccn- _Beftions with perfons of their own age, would be un- natural. Eut as bad habits are infenfibly contrafled by an intimacy with ill-bred and diforderly children, and the reverfe is the cafe by frequent intercourfes with thdfe of good principles and manners y the for- mer (hould be 'fludiouily avoided, and the latter in- duftriouHy fought. The good character too of fer- vants, with whom children muft of necefilty frequent- }y converfe, is cf great importance to their moralso David's refolution, notto^fuiTer a liar or a deceitful per- fon to dwellunder his roof, was as prudent as it was pious. Bit tiiis objecb, in regard of mafters and tutors, is of effential conftqueuce. Their profeOional qualifica- tionSj be they ever fo confiderable, will by no means balance •^ 2?h.Yi.4.. j68 DUTIES OF PARENTS balance the account againft any defed here. How caa that parent be fuppofej to have his childrens intereit at heart, who, with his eyes open, commits them to the care of thofe who are void of all principle and decency ? , The kind of books, likev^ife, which children are permitted to read for their amufement, is a fubjed de- serving our notice. The wretched tra(h of plays, no- vels, and romances with which the world is overrun, hath done infinite mifchief to the morals of young peo- ple. It hath corrupted the principles, enflamed the imaCTiaation, and vitiated the tafte of thoufands. With books of this fort a prudent parent will not fuffer the rlofets of his children to be difgraced. Nor yet, un- ticr the pretence of taking care of their morals, will lie interdid the innocent pleafures of imagination, la the well-fcle6led writings of poets, hiitorians, and na- tural philofophers, he will find a fund of entertainment for their leifure hours : and to the acquaintance of thcfe friends of talle and cheerfulnefs, as well as of inteileclual and moral improvement, he will gladly in- trcduce them. I have oi ly one thing more to recommend to pa- rcn'^s under this head, and that is, the exhibiting t»3 their children, in their own temper and conduct, a fair and blight portrait of thofe virtues to which by their inftruftions they endeavour to attra£l: their at- tention. I'he duties cf morcility, when beheld by the youthful eye through the pleafingmirrour of their example, whom natural affedion hath taught them to revere and love, will be apt to make a deep impref- fion on the heart. And thole muft be very depraved children indeed, who whiUt they carry their parents image in their countenances, can take pains to per- _ fuadc TO THilR CHILDREN. I69 fuade the world, that they bear no affinity to them in their nobler part. III. The djuty of cat£chi%ing our children comes next to be confidered. Under the former head, our attention was wholly confined to thofe inllru£lid!is which refpeft their mo- ral condufl. But our views certainly ought to extend further — to religion. There is, indeed, ai) intimate connexion between religion and morality : he who poiTeiTes the former 'cannot be deftitute of the latter, for what is religion without morals ? But it is pcfli- ble a man may in the general be Ibber, honeft, good- natured, and yet be a ftranger to real piety. A vari- ety of motives may operate to give a decent and re- fpedable caft to a perfon's external deportment, who yet pays not an ingenuous, cordial regard to the au- thority ot God. Now religion is the moft important concern in the ■whole world : it effentially affefts our prefert com- fort and ufefulnefs, and our future and everlafling happinefs. But religion is founded in knowledge ^ for as God is the grand object of it, there muH be fome idea of him and his will, previous to the exercife of fuitable affedions towards him. This knowledge is communicated by the two medium.s of his works and word. To thefc, therefore, the eye of the mind mufl be directed, in order to the heart's being imprcfled and influenced thereby. It is true iiideed, there may be a fpeculalive knowledge of God without any falutary efff 61 refulting from it : yet it is qs true, that thofc affe6lions which cor.liitute a religious chf.rader, can- not exifl where there is no fpcculative knowledge of God. Since theiefore there can be no religion with- out 373 DUTIES or PARENTS oat knowledge,. and llncc we have the means of know- ledge, it is our iijqaeitionable duty to ufc thofc means ourfeives, and to recommend the ule of them to o- theis. And upon this ground ttands the obligation of parents to catechize their children. But here it will be faid, *' There are other fup- *' poled revelations of the will of God befides the *' Bible, and they too who receive the Bible, are di- " vided in their opinions concerning the fenfe of it, ** Is It then the duty of Mahometans, Jews, Rcraan- *' ifts, and the various denominations of reformed ** Chriftians, to chatechize their children, agreeably " to their own fymbols or creeds ^" Mofl certainly. How is it- poffible for me to pofifefs a book, which I believe to be of divine authority, to affix what 1 ap- prehend to be the true idea to the contents of it, and to be perfuaded that the knowledge thereof is of ef- fential moment to my happinefs here and hereafter j and not feel myfelf obliged to inftruft my children, whom 1 love a« my life, in thefe important matters ? If it be faid, " Then the moft erroneous religions ** may be propagated in the world :*^ all the reply I have to make is, "Great is the truth, and it will pre- " vail," Let it ftand on its own proper ground, %vith- out the unnatural and foreign aid cf worldly penal- ties on th'5 one hand, or worldly emoluments on the c- tber ; and he who is attached to it upon right princi- ples, will not be in pain about the event. But there are three objections yet in the way of catechizing children, w-hich mufl. be removed, or the duty will be (till- neglect ed. They arife from three quarters, and thofe too of very different defcriptlons. Some object, "It prejudic'cs fiee enquiry,"— Others, ii It TO THEIR CHILDREN. I7I ** It is taking God's work out of his hand into our *' own." — And the reit, " It hath been fo long ne- ** glebed we know not how to fet about it." It is acknowledj^ed -that the prejudices of education arc very flror g, and that fentiments imbibed from^ their parents in early life, children are too apt to take for granred. without thoroughly enquiring into them. But if this proves any thing to the purpofe of the obje£lor, it proves too much. It proves that they aire to be taught nothing about which mankind are divided, and fo are to be held in total ignorance cf the firft principles of all fcience, and of morality too, as well as religion. Some points indeed, in reli- gion, men are more divided about than others. But if a parent has made up his mind upon thefe points, and believes them to be of the lalt importance to his own happinefs here and hereafter j hovr is it poflTible for him, as I faid before, to feel the aiFc6tion of a pa- rent, and to conceal the knowledge of thefe matters from his children ' It is a diftate of nature, that he fliould be explicit and earneft with them. Common fenfc, indeed, ;vill teach him to begin with truths that are lelf evident, and fo to p^Qceed by degrees to thofe which require further invelligation. according as their capacities will admit. And it will be his unqueition- able duty, to lay before them the grounds and reafons of every point in religion he holds up to their view, and to perfuade them to attend diligently to the evi- dence, infilling that implicii faifb will be of little avail, that their receiving this or that truth merely on his authority will have only a partial if not ill efFecl apd that to believe rightly is to believe on evidence—, evidence that (hail clearly appear im thcmfclvcs to be of 172 DDTIES OF PARENTS of divine authority. And if children, thus inflrucled, will lufftr prejudices in favour of their parent's reli- gion to (hut up every avenue to enquiry, and to pre- clude ail further information and convi6lion, the fault is their own. But there are others who tell us, that '*thc catechizing ** children is a fruitlefs buiinefs, if not a bold invalion ** on the province of the Holy Spirit.'* It is his office, fay they, to enlighten the underilanding, and renew the heart j and the work ought not to be taken out of his hand. But it is true of this objection, as well as of the former, that if it proves any thing it proves too much. For, by a parity of reafon, that inlluer.ce which pervades through the creation, and without which the labours of the hufbandman would be fruit- lefs, might be urged as an argument to juftify a total ceffation from plowing and fo wing, and all the bufinefs of agriculture and gardening. The gr^ce of God, it is true, is necelfary to renew the heart. But this grace is exerted in a manner perfectly agreeable with our frame and conftrudlion as reafonable creature?. We have the means of divine knowledge, the fcriptures, and v;c arc required to read,Conflder, and fearch them j and in fuch ufe of our Bibles we may hope to receive divine illumination. But, becaufc without fuch illu- mination our fludy of them will be vain and fruitlefs, are we juilified in wholly neglecting the ufe of them ? Upon this principle, preaching, and every other mode of inlbuflion, miv^ht be interdided. But it is aJaS: which the experience of many ages has taught, that a fciious attention on the part of parents to the duty we are rccoin mending, has otcen been accompanied with the moll falutary advantage to their children. The Xfraelites TO THEIR, CHILDREN. IJ^ Ifraelites received a particular charge from Mofes re- fpe^ling this matter *, and Timothy had reafon to blefs God as long as he lived for the pious inflru£lions of his grand-mother Lois, and his mother EurJcef. And it is alfo to be obferved of thofe children of re- ligious parents who, having forfook the path of virtue in their youth, arc yet afterwards reclaimed and con- verted J that their former fpeculative acquaintance with the truths of Chriftianity is of no fmfU ufe to them: whilil others who have not enjoyed the advan- tage of early inftru£tion, when they become ferious, ftand in need of being inllruftcd in the firft principles of the oraWes of God. As to the laft objcflion, " We know not how to " fet about it," I need fay no more to it than it is to be f^a cd whatever mens pretences may be, it rcfults fro'n the want of a firm perfuafion of the truth of that religion they profefs. Believe your religion, Sirs, feel it, enter into the fpirit of it, and tnen withhold the knowledge of it from your children if you can. Once difpofed to your duty, you will not be long at a lof» how to perform it. And now, from what has been fald in vindication of this duty, the naturcof It may in general be collected. We iliall, ho'vscver, add three or four important re- raaik$ concernin;^ it, without enlarging on them.— The memories of children fliould not be overburden- ed, left this fcrvice, which ou^ht to be rendered s- greeable to them, become tedious and irkfome. — What they are taught fhould be as fully and clearly explained to them as poflible. — The divine authority fliould be brought home to every article of inftrudion. —And * Deu% xL xS.^-iu f a Tim. i. 5. — Ch. ill. i^-V 174 DUTIES OF PARENTS —And their various degrees of importance fliould he particularly pointed cut to them. From all which it appears that great difcretion, as well as zeal and at- tention, is neceffary to qualify parents fot the right difcharge of this cuty. — ^We proceed now to the next duty to be urged on parents j and that is, IV. The alluring children to a cheerful attendance en divine worjhip. We have dwelt fo long upon the former head, and fo many particulars have been thrown out on this in a preceding difcourfe, that a few words will fuffice here, — In the phrafe of divine v/orfhip I include the du- ties of private, family, and public devotion. The ob- ligations of men in general to thefe duties, mufl at prefent be taken for granted. The queftion here is, How children are to be initiated into them ? As to private prayer, morning and evening, they fhould be early taught the reafonablenefs and impor- tance of It. In their younger days it may be proper to alTill them with- plain, (liort, expreflive forms, fuit- cd to their ages and capacities, of which we have fome very admirable ones in our language. Eut the main thing is to make th^m fenfible of their w^ants^ and of their dependence upon the providence and grace of God for the fupply of them. Thefe fenti- ments deeply imprelTed upon their hearts will have a mighty cffe£l to impel them to their duty. '1 he t'ead- ing the word of God too ihouid be earnellly inculcat- ed. And their other exercifes and amufements (liould be fo arranged, as that they may have opportunity for retirement at the propofed feafcns : while at ihe fame time tl^ey are inftruftcjd, that that worftvip which is acceptable to God, muft be free and cordial, not the TO THEIR CHILDREN. I75 the fruit of compulfion j humble and modefl, not the lefult of fhew and oRentation. As to family and public worfhip, we have dif- courfed largely of thefe duties on a former occafion : we ihall here therefore only add, that children ihould, be required to attend regularly and feriouily upon them, and that thefe fervlccs (hould be lb conduced as to render them as little tedious as poffible. But I rouft not omit mentioning again in this place the vail importance of praying frequently and earncltly with them, for the bleffing of God on all our inllrudions and counfels 5 and of fctting them examples, by our - daily tempers and condu6V, of genuine virtue and of cheerful and unaffeded piety. V. It is the duty of parents to give thdr children learning. By learning here I mean fuch Inftrudion in the arts and faiences as is fulted to the capacity and genius of a child, and to the ftation of life he is to fill. This is a fubjefl which well deferves particular dircuflion. But as the confidcration of it would carry us too far, and may likewife be deemed improper in a difcourfc which hath religionfor its grand objedt, we will con- tent ourfelves with referring parents to thofc authors who have written the mod ably on this point*. It now then only remains, VI. And lallly, that we oiTer fome obfervations on the duty of parents refpeding the fettlement of their children in life. The period to which we have condudied children, ciUU. * Milton's Traftate en Education. Locke on Education. Watt's iTTiproYement of the Mind. The Preceptor, printed, for Dodfley, &c. 1/6 DUTIES OF PARENTS and in which we are now to view them, is the moil critical and important in all their lives. They are juft pafTing from minority to majority. Puerility yields to judgment, and fancy to confideration 5 yet with the underitanding which youth polTefs, there is uluaily, through inexperience, a mixture of vanity and conceit, which is however often balanced with great frankness and gencrofity of temper. The pafTiors now acquire their full ihength. A thoufand obje6ls addrcfs their fcnres,and various pleafiing and enchant- ing profpefts open to their view. And fuch being their charader they are expofed to many dangers, and a falfe ftep at this period may be followed with the moft fatal confequences. In fhort, every thing, under God, depends upon the turn they now take, and upon the courfe they now purfue. This is the time, therefore, of all others in which parents (hould fura- mon together their utmoU prudence, good nature, re- folution, and piety, in order to the guiding them into that path which they will probably purfue to the end of their lives. Now, three things arc particularly deferving the attention of parents at this feafoo, the conciliating to themfelves their childrens cordial af- fe6tions, the afferting properly their authority over thera, and the endeavouring to moderate their own lucrative and their childrens ambitious views. Inge- nuous children may be fuppofed, when thus rifing in- to life, to feel a grnteful fenfe of the obligations they owe to their parents for a thoufand cxprefiions of ten- dcrnefs and love towards them during their mino- rity, which will fcarce fail to fecure to them the rhoft kind and gentle treatment in return. But it fome- tiiDCS fo happens that the jealous eye which parents keep TO THEIR CHILDREN. 1^7 keep on tlieir own r.uthority, now their children arc juft becoming their oWn mafters 5 the painful appre- henfions they feel for their fafety, now they are juil launching into the world j and perhaps fome degree of acrimony in their temper 5 all unite to create fuch 9. diftance and referve in their behaviour, as tends to diminifli their childrens reverence and alfedlion. But this (hould be carefully guarded againft *. It is an c V il that will be more poignantly felt now than formerly. We cannot take too much pains, therefore, to con- vince them that we moil tenderly love them, and that their honour and happinefs both in this world and ano- ther lie very near our hearts. Nor can we carry our- fe^es towards them with too much familiarity, indul- gence, and confidence, provided we do not fuffer our- lelves to fink into contempt in their eye. Thus, tak- ing every poiTible meafure to render ourfclvcs agree- able to them, they will feel themfelvcs v;armly at- tached to us, v;ill never be fo happy as when in our company, and will not a6l vMthout our advice and con- fent in any important matter. But, however the mode of governing them may litd ought to change with their age, parents fhould yet preferve thtir authority over them ; and that not for their own fakes only but theirs alfo. If indeed this has not been alTcrted in their minority, it will be a vain attempt to affumc it now. In fuch cafe parents will not have courage to claim their own right, and children will be too violent and head-ftrong to yield it, and of confequence both will be the fuffer- ers, ^> errat longe, mea quidem fententia, Q^ul imperiutn credat eflc gravius aiit ftabilius Vi quod fit, quam iliud quod amicitia adjimgitur. Ter.Adclph. Ad I. Sc. I. 178 DUTIES OF PARENTS crs, and in all probability fufFerersto a very g^eat de- gree. To this point, therefore, great attention (hould be paid. Nor will prudent parents, who have well conduced the bufincfs of education hitherto, be at a lofs here. Pro vidcncne having put the means of authority into their hands, they will let their children know that they poffcfs them, and that they know how to apply them to the purpbfes for which they are entrufted with thera. The other matter wc mentioned is alfo of great con- fcquence, I me«n, the ufmg our utmoft endeavours, at this important period particularly, to moderate our own and our chilarens paQion for^ the world. The .paflions indeed of elder and younger people, in regard of the world, exprefs themfelves diflPerently : wealth is too often the objcdt of the former, and pleafure and honour of the latter. But if parents will dilcharge their duty properly to their children at this time, they muft take pains to bring their own views as to the acquifition of wealth within moderate bounds, and to check the eager and ambitious dcfires of their chil- dren. The feeking grecTt things has, in foa.e inllan- ces>, proved the occafion of iofing every thing. It is unpardonable in parents to tempt their children with profpedls, to which Providence hnth r.ot directed their views ; and it is a great lin and lully in children not to liftea attentively to thofe leffons of moderation which their parents teach them. And now, deeply imprefled with thcfe fentiraents, there are thiec obje£!s whicri Ihould particularly en- grofs the attention of parents refpefting their children, company^ — hufmcfs^ — ard aUiance.\ in marriage. As to the firli, the leadi:?g thera int > a Itridl intimacy with wife, virtuous, and good young people, and gi- I'ire TO THETR CHILDREN. 1^9 ving fuch perfons, at their invitation, a hearty wel- come to our houfes, will have a very great efFed. It will keep them out oFthe waj of temptation, and con- tribute at once both to their improvement and happi- nefs. As to buiinefs, their particular occupations or profefiions in life have been already chofen, and the matter nov/ is to find out fit fituations for their car- rying on the one, or their exerciiing the other. In the choice of thefe, the objeft. (hould be, not only their worldly fuccefs, but the fecuring theni from fnares of various kinds, . too numerous to be men- tioned here. Our diligent watch, counfel, snd aiTill- ance they will daily need, and thefe, parental anxiety and affe»St,Icn will net fail to afford. And then, as to alliai.ces xhey may contrail in marrisge, upon which one ciicuraftance their future profpecls of hap pint fs and Lifcfuinefs will chiefly depend, it will be our duty to exeit all our prudence, inlluence, and abilities on their behalf. But on this fubjecl I forbear to enlarge here, as It hath been particularly difci fied rn a former difcouife ■•-. To clofe the whole. In the'dlfcharge of all thefe duties, pernr.it rre once more to remind you, parents, that YO'ir chiidreas everlafiini^ welfare (hould be your grand objtd, and^fbould overrule every otl^er confi- deration w^vatevef. And thus endenvouring faithful' ly to fulfil your duty towards them, and cr-imeiHy comn^endiijg them to the proteftion and favour of a good God, your Father and their Father, you may liope youifelves to lee thera happy and ufcfnl in life j z:.'l having had your dying eyts clofed with tiieir du- tiful * Lii". IVc Part u. l80 DUTIES OF PARENTS ' tiful and tender hands, to meet them anotlier day in heaven, amidft the tranfporting joys and triumphs of that blisful ftate. PART III. The duties which parents owe to their children ha- ving been ftated and explained, we proceed now, Thirdly, To offer fome fuitable arguments to per- fuade parents to the faithful difcharge of thcfe duties. There is, indeed, fomething very humiliating in the idea of parents being perfuaded to take care of their children. What ! — Can it be neceffary to perfuadc men to that which it ihould be impoflible for almoft any force to reftrain them from doing ? Yes, it is ne- ceffary. The fhamefal neglefts, in regard of the edu- cation of children, too vifible in this country, and among fome who claim the chara£ler of virtuous and religious people, juftify the affertion. It is a national evil. The baneful effeds of it are already felt, and will be in a Hill greater degree if a reformation does not fpeedily take place. Every exertion, therefore, is needful on our parts to roufe men from their {lum- ber, and to excite them to a duty, which the 'welfare tf their children^ — the interejls of civil fociety, — and the progrcfs of religion in the world, demand at their hands. Thefe ' are the topics on which we mean to enlarge : and may God command his blefRng on the attempt ! I. The welfare of our children calls loudly upon us to take all the care we can of their education. This is an argument addreffed to natural affeftion, under TO THEIR. CHILDREN. iSi undet the guidance of rcafon and religion : and pa- rents of this defcriptlon cannot avoid feeling the force of it. If a man is dellitute of all affeilion to his oit- fpring, he is a monfter j and though in a huniaa fliape, to be beheld with abhorrenct'PI If he hath af- fedion for his children, but the exprefiions of that affe£tlon are wholly confined to their animal nature, ke is not indeed a monfter, but he mufl not be called a reafonable being: his proper denomination is that of a brute. If his aStcliou extends further than mere- ly to their animal nature, and his obje£t is their ad- vancement in civil fociety, he is above a brute, and may be Hyled a man of fenfe : but their moft impor- tant intcrefls having no (hare in his concern, he can- not be deemed a man of religion. Now it is w Ith pa- rents, as men of humanity^ good fenfe, and piety, wc are here reafoning. To your view, Sirs, conlidered in each of thcfe lights, we would hold up the great obje61 of your childrens welfare. To ycur humanity, in the urll place, wc v.ould com- mend the care of your childrens perfcns, I mean their animal nature. Here v/e have no cccafion to per- fuade. Natural afFtdion h, irllin, therefore, let me now lead your attention, in tn iaftance diredly oppofed to that we have dcfcribed. The parents of him whofe ftory we have to relate, wf^re plu!^; fenfibic and good people j in a fituation beneath envy and above contempt. Their child they dearly loved, and they had no fooner received this pledgeof their mutual affection at the hands of Provi- dence, than they began to grow jealous of themfelves, left their tendeinefs for him (hould prove an obftruc- tion to the right difcharge of their duty to him. With tears, therefore, of unfeigned piety they befought God to enable them to bring him up in the nurture and ad- monition of the Lord. His engaging temper quickly won upon their hearts, but at the fame time they clearly perceived he was not deftitute of thofe de- praved paiTicns they felt in themfelves, and daily la- mented oefore God. The reftraining and conquering them was the firft orji-fl of their attention, wbile they endeavoured, by the moft foft and infinuating addref?, to imprefs upon his imagination and heart fentiments favourable to virtue and religion. They fternly frowned on every effort of pride, ftubbornnefs, and malevolence ♦, and as tenderly cherifticd every exprei- fion of modeity, gentlenefs, and good-nature. They eliiiblillicd tlicir authority over him by firmly infilling, uadcr- TO THEIR CHILDREN, l8f under pain of tlieir fevereil difpleafure, on r.n unre- ferved obedience to their commands : and his afTec- tions they attached to themfelves by every poffible mark of parental fondnefs and familiaiity. To the love of knowledge, and a defire of excelling in every branch of learning to which he applied, they allured him by the moft generous and well-timed rewards ; ani to habits of indtiHry, fobriety, and {"elf-denial they enured him, by a courfe of difcipline, as conducive to the health of his body as that of his mind. Study and recreation, application and amuferaent, they blended together in their proper proportion. The truths of religion they inculcated upon him with the mofl aOiduous attention, endeavouring to ex- plain them to his underftanding, and to fix the evi- dence of them upon his confcience. I'hey prefented him with his own pifture, as an apoftate creature, in the faithful mirror of the Bible, 3rd held up Chrift to his view in all the charms of his tranfcendent love. They taght him that religion was an irreconcilable foe to iin, and a hearty friend to plesfijre. They prayed fervently with him and for him, and often urged him earneftly and with tears to pray for himfclf. And to all their :nftru6lIons, counfeis, and intreaties, they add- ed the powerful allurements of their own fweet, cheer- ful, and pious example. T'hus they led him up, by a prudent, fleady, and indulgent hand, through the fe- ve!fil ftages of education, fiom childhood to majority. And God commanded his blefling upon their endea- vours, giving their fon, whom they tenderly loved, a heart to obey and ferve him. And now, imprcficd with the obligations he o^\td to heaven, and to parents whom he equally revered I 5 and 1^& DUTFES OF PA.^ENtS i\ni loved, he entered on life, amid ft the cordial wiiTi- es and fervent prayers of the wife and ^ood, whom he had been ufcd to confider as his beft friends, and hid made his only companions. In the ftationhe fiU- ed« and for which he was well qualified, he drew to him the attention and regards of all around him. Pro- vidence Gnilea on his honert labours, and fucc ceded them beyond his expedations. An agreeable alli- ance he formed in marriage, and in a few years a hope- ful offspring, like olive phmts, furrounded his table. In the world he was refpeiled, gmong his friends belov- ed, and by the church of God levered. And ha- ving richly paid back into the bcfoms of his fond parents, with filial gratitude jind attention the returns due to their ardent love to him, he at length placidly fell afieep in the arms of his own children, who ho- noured his memory with the fame unfeigned affedlion he had done that of his parents before him. And •U'hat tongue can defcribe the joys which fuch parents and fuch a Ion muft now feel in each others embraces abu ve : With this tranfporting fcene before our eyes, v.'hich of us, whofe brealt glows with all the warmth of na- tural afifefticn, accompanied with a found underftand- ing and genuine piety, but mull cordially iall in uith the divine admonition in out text : Train up a child in the vjay he fiould go : and when he is old. he will not depart from it. — The welfare of their children, then, is the nrft and mairi argument we would urge on piirents to perfuade them to look well ^f'-er their edu- cation. But our attention ought furely to extend fur- the', 1 mean, II. To the inter ejls of civil fociety. Providence f THEIR CH1LDREJ«. I'pl Providence Iiath (o difpofed things in the prefent life, as that men lliould mutualh depend upon each o- ether for their lupport, prote6lion, and happinefs. They are poffefled therefore of pHtlions which irreliili- bly impel them to focial connexions. But fociety cannot fubfiit, to the important and fahitary purpofes of its appointment, without good government. And government cannot hav^ its due effetl, unlefs sien are in general perfuaded of the fitnefs and propriety of fubmlffion to it. For though the laws are juil and good, and thofe who govern are entruflied \Tith the ne- ceffnry powers for carrying them into execution, yet, if protligacy and want of principle univerfally prevail, the wheels of government will be clogged, and in a courfe of time every thing will fall back, into its ori- ginal ftate of anarchy and confufion. Now education is the natural and moft t ifedual mean to prevent thofe evils, which are fo inimical to good government, and of confequence to the interefts of fociety. Senfiblc of this, all wife lawgivers have taken care, in the founding civil ftates, to give every pofTible en- couragement to the education of children. Penal laws have not indeed been deemed necelTary to impel parents to their duty, as they have every imaginable induce- jnent to it. But then parental authority has received the FuUeft fjpport from government, and the difobe- die nee of children has been judged a crime defer ving of public reprehension and punifljment *. Counte- Iiance has been given in various ways to the interefls of learning, and liberal foundations have been efta- bliibed for the inftruft'ng children and youth : and' thus the Hate, and all the other departments of civil 'fociety * See Deut. zxi. 15— 21. i6l DUTIES OF PARENTS focicty, have been fupplied with a fuccefTion of able, iifeful and \rortby perfons. Whoever confults the laws of Mofcs will find particular regard vi^as paid by him to this matter. The SpartanSy a people famous for their national virtue and intrepidity, laid the great- eft ftrefs upon education. To this the profperity and grandeur of the ancient Romans were chiefly to be attributed. And moft kingdoms, in proportion to the attention paid to this objed, have i!ouri(hed or declin- ed. No'.v Tvhat good man is there who does not \vi(h to fee his country profper, trade and commerce flourifh, tlie arts and fciences held in reputation, health and plenty abound, and peace, harmony and good- will pre- vail among all ranks of men ? Thefe are very defirea- ble bieflings : every individual, as well as the commu- Tjity in general, is aifeded by them. But how can thefe biefiings be expelled, if no pains are taken to form the morals of youth, to iniHl the principles of virtue into their minds, and to fit them for the part they are to a6l in focicty * ? On the contrary, thefe great duties neglecled, what is to be apprehended but the mofi fatal confequences ? Let any one fit down and fjflTure to himfelf the calamities which have befal- ien kingdoms, once famed for their wealth and fplen- tiour, but now fank into oblivion j let him confider by ivhat means they arofe to that pitch cf greatnefs which drew the attention of the whole world to them, and by what * Cratum eft, quod patriae civem, pcpiileqne dedifli, Si facis, ut patriiB fit idoneus, utilis agri?, Ucilis et'belloruui, et pacis rebus agendig. Fkirimum enlm .ntercrit, qaibus artibus, et qiiibui hunc tu Woribus in^litua?.— -.— jw- Sat. li^. v. jo. TO THEIR eHlLDRSxV. 1^3 Trhat means again they were precipitated into deftruc- tion ; let him reflecl on the flrangc combination of circurailances which operated to their profperlty and their ruin, and mark particularly the influence of e- ducation thereon. And then let him fay, whether the importance of education to the well being, to the ve- ry exillence of focicty, can be eftimated too high. The inhabitants of thofe ftates juil referred to, trained up from their youth to habits of integrity, tem- perance, activity, and honour, were united to one ano- ther by the firmed bands, became capable of the no- bleft exertiors, patient of fatigue and difappointment^ and fupcrior to bafenefs, treachery, and cruelty. So they acquired wealth and greatnefs. But alas .' in a courfe of time, enjoying the luxuries of life in the greateft profulion, and with them every fpecies of gratification, the national charafler for which they had been fo famed took a turn. Their ancient hardinefs and fimplicity degenerated into floth and effeminacy. Their faculties were enervated and their morals cor- rupted. Honour and good faith yielded to avarice and cunning, Amidft the greedy purfuits of fclf-in- terert, the general good was overlooked, the wel- fare of pofterity difregarded, and the education of their children, an attention to which laid the founda- tion of their greatnefs, was wholly negleded. And what ivas the tremendous confequence ? No other than might naturally be expelled. Civil feuds and aniraolities were excited, the laws, trampled under foot, public authority treated with contempt, the nerves of government relaxed, the national counfels infatuated, mutual confidence broken, and the horrors of inhumanity, opprefifion, and violence, fprcad far and wide. ^54 DUTIES OP PARENT* wide. Neighbouring powers availed themfelves of thele internal divifions. Their country was invaued, their wealth captured, their towns dcioiated, tiieiiT wives and children carried into wretched captivity, chemfclves llain by the {word, and their name, as a people m:irked in t!:e faithful page of hiitory with as great reproach and infamy, as that of their ancciiors had been with rcfpeft and honour. And now, if this account of the matter be true, hovt can he be a patriot, a real friend oT his country, who is rcmifs in the difcharge of the duties he owes to his children •* If, indeed, men have lotl all natural affec- tion, and are become downright brutes, I am fenfible this argument will have no effti^. But it is to be hoped this is not yet the cafe with us. If then wfc have any concern for the welfare of poflerity, any de- fire that our country may exifl: to a late period of time, any p?.ffion for its future reputation and honour, any anxiety about the prefeut ilate of affairs, any with thiit ■we may emerge out of the calamities in which we are involved, refuaie our former luftre, and enjoy again the great national bleffings of peace, unanimity, and profpcrity *, let us acquit ouifeives as good members of the community, and be perfuaded, from the love Vre owe to our country, as v/eli as to our children, to give them every advantage of a virtuous edu- cation within our power — But there is one motive further to be urged, and that is, III. The concern we fee), as Chriftians. for the pro- grefs of religion in the world. ' 1 am here addrefling myfelf to thofe parents who know what religion is. who firmly believe its facred truths, have felt their power, and tafted their fweet- ncfs. TO rntlf. CBILCREW, J^^ nefs. You agree with Solomon in giving it the cha- rafter of Wildora, and account thefe happy who find it. *^ For the rnerchandizc of it is better than the inerchan* *' dize of filver, and the gain thereof than fine jjold. *' bheismore precious than rubies 5 and all the things ** thou catjft dcfire are not to be compared unto her. ** Length of diYs is in her li^ht hand ; and in her left ** hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of ** pleafantnefs, and all her paths are peace *.'' While you contemplate the tranfcendent beauties of her coun- tenance, liften to tiiefweet inflruftions ot her lips, and feel yourfelves enriched v/ith the noble ^ifts the be- llows, you wonder that this heavenly ftrangcr meets with a no more hearty welcome in our world. Perfuad- ed that (he is capable of making men wife unto falva- tion, of giving a nev/ bias to their depraved inclina- tions, of regul iting their difordered paffions, of iooth- jng their afflided brealis, and anim:iting them to the moft generous a6lions, you would gladly introduce her to the acquaintance of a'l around you. AiTured that her prefcnce, er?ergy, and influence, will turn a bar- ren wildeinefs into a fruitful garden, conveit lions in- to lambs, reftore beauty, order, and happinels to fo- ciety, and refleft a new lurtre ai d glory upon the whole face of nature, it is your wifli, it is your endea- vour, to promote her interelts to the utmoft of your power among msnkind. Now the training u-p your children in the way they fliould go, is one mean among m^ny others to fpread the empire of religion in the world. No doubt God has ways of accomplilhing his wife and benevolent purpofe, * Prov. iii. ij..— 17. 196 DUTIES OF PARENT* purpofe, nlthoLit the inteivention of human mcnn, Kis golpel has hiihevto Hood its ground amidii the molt hivcteiate oppontion i;om vice and infidelity, and the lliametul ne;jle6ls loo of thole who have pioffclied the warmeft regards to ir. Prodigious multitudes, involted in the thickeit fhades of ignorance and bar- barifm, and deliitucc of ?!l advantages of education, have been converted to the truth. And in fuch en- lightened countries as ours, there aie inftances uot a few of thofs who have grown up into life utter llrangers to religion, and yet afterwards have become feriouf- ly acquainted with it. And it muil be ackaovvledgcd, tiiat the utmort exertions on the part of parents to biing up their children in the fear of God, will fiiil, without the concurrence of a fuperior energy. The feeds of vice and lin are fo deeply fo-.vn in the human hcait, that the grace of God is c.bfolutely neceffary to eriidicate them. This is the doilrine of the Bible, and the incfhcacy, in fome fad inllanccs, of the beft education well agrees with wh:^t the fcriptures teach. But this militates not againft our duty. What God has commanded ought to be done. Wherefore the fitnefs of the mean to the end propofcd, the exprcfi authority of holy writ, and the conlUnt example of the wifcft and beft of men, mAy be urged £$ motives to ex- cite Cbiiltian parents to this arduous and impoitant fervice. W'^ill you fay, Sirs, that there is not a fitnefs in the means to the end ? Hath not the explaining to chil- dren the real difference between good and evil, the reprcfenting to thcni a plain truth, that vice brings af- ter it mifcry. the dating to them a clear fa£l, that hu- man nature is Oiiferably dcnraTcd, the 'putting them in TO THEIR CHILDREN. l^f in mind of death and a future judgmcLt, the holding up to their view the great Saviour of fmncrs, the painting before their eyes the pleaftres of religion in the prefcntjife, and the joys and triumphs of it in another world j I fay> have not thefe raeafures, acompanled with feafon-ible reftralnts and encouragements, a dlie6l ten- dency, with the blefling of God, to generate fenti- ments of virtue and piety in their minds ? Have they not, In innumerable inftances, produced this effefl? Jofefib^ Samuel^ Obadiah, Timothy^ and many others, might be mentioned In proof of this affertion. And have not fuch children, inheriting the piety of their anceftors, become thcmfelves, and their defcendcnts after them, the honoured inftrumcnts of propagating religion in the world ? This great duty, too, has the exprefs authority of God's word. " I know Abraham,, fays the Lord, that *' he will command his children after him,*" that is diligently inftru£l them, and folemnly enjoin it upon them, " to keep the v/ay of the Lord, and to do juPice " and judgment *." Mofes again and again enforces it with great earneftnefs in the book of Deuterono- my f : and gives a commandment that " if a vc>rn has *' a ftubborn and rebellious fon. who will not obey the ** voice of his father or his mother, and who, when they *' have chaftened him, will not hearken unto tlicm ; '* but Is a glutton, and a drunkard: he (hnll be ftonsd " to death J '* Very tremendous judgments src ''de- nounced on the houfe of Ell for the impieties or his children, and for his not having exerted his parental authority over them, as the law of nature and of God had e^ Cn. sviii. 18,19. f Deut. vi. €, 7. Ch. xi. iS. 19. \ Dcut. ixL i3,..-ai:. 1^8 DUTIES OF PARENTS had required. " I will judge his houfe for ever, fays ** the Lord, for the iniquity which he knoweth : be- ** caufe his fons made themielves vile, and he jelirain- " ed them not, or frowned not upon them *.'' Da^ ind inftrudled Solomon in his duty, and with great af- fection befought him " to keep the way of the Lord *' his God, and to take heed to fulfil the llatutes and " judgments which the Lord had charged Mofes with, ** concerning Ifrael f." The fevcral pafiages which occur in the book of Proverbs refpedling the edu- cation of children might here be mentioned :|:. And to come down to the New Fcltameat, the duty of parents is ijmplied in the admonitions there given chil- dren to obe)^ and honour them || j and it is more fUongly expreiTcd in the exhortations to parents theni- felves " to bring up their children in the niii'ture and ** admonition of the Lord ^ •," and ** to rule their own *' houfes well, having their children in fubjection *' with all gravity,^." But the text, w^erc that the only palTage in the book of God to our purpofc, would fufnciently recognize the plain dictate of na- ture on this matter — 'I rain ;.•/> a child in the way he Jhould go ; and when he is old, he will not depart from i£. But there is one more coniideraiion to enforce the idea of the divine authority in this matter, which mull not be omitted, and that is the tender compalnon which the bieiTcd God has every where in fcripturc exprfcffed for young children. Paffages of this fort are too numerous to be cited, iiut, methinks, the language * I Sam. iii, II,— 13. f t Chron. xxil. 12, I3. I Fror.xix.i8 chap, xxiii. 13, 14. chap. xxix. 15, 17. !{ Col. iii. io, oic. § Tph. vi. 4. ^ I Tim. iii. 4. i z TO THEIR CHILDREN. Ipp language of them all is much the fame, ss hath often been obferved, with that of Pharaoh's daughter to the mother of Mofes, *' Take this" child, and nurfe it for *' me *." ' Let there be the like teiidernefs in your brcafts towards your offspring that there is in mine towards them and you. Do your duty, and you (hall not fail to have your wages.' And fuch, furely, was the fentiment our Saviour meant to convey, when he ** took up little children in his arms, put his hands ** on them, and blcffed thcmf." And I muft add, that the condefcenfion of the great God, in ftyling himfelf our Father, and the meafurcs which, as fuch, he takes to prepare us for the inheritance we are to enjoy in heaven, when arrived at m.io's eftate j furniih at once the moft powerful argument to ex- cite us to our duty, and the plaincft direclions to guide us therein. And now, can we find it in our hearts to refill the united force of all thefe motives, pouring in upon us from every quarter, and addreiTing themfelvesto eve- ry paflion of the human breail •' Can we annihilate all copxern for the interefts of our children, the welfare of our country, the glory of God, and our own comfort and honour here and hereafter ? Can we fee ourfelve> furrounded with thofe dear cb- je6ls of our love, to whom under God we ^ave exill- cnce, befeechiug us with tears to become their guard- ians, patrons, and friends ? Can we hear the cries of our country, amidlt the wounds (lie has received from infidelity and irreligiori, entreating us to have comp&f- fion, for her fake, on ouroffsp-ing ? Can we liear the authoiitative voice of God himfelf, commanding us, at the * Exoi, ii. 5. f Mark I. r(T, 200 DUTIES OF PARENTS, &C. the peril of ail the infanoy and angul(l\ which brutal nc- ^Uti will fooner or latter bring on us, to train up our children in tbe\ way they Jhould go ; — and yet remain totally unaffcded r God forbid ! Thefe motivess fure- ly will have their effeft. You do feel them, parents. Set about your duty then in earneft. Be obedient to the voice of heaven. Convince all around you, that you have not loft fight of the interefts of your coun- try. Gratify that unconquerable paffion you feel for the happinels of your children. Realize the benefitg which, through the divine favour, will refult to them from your piudent care and tender love in this tvorld and another. And follow your unwearied endeavours for their welfare, with ardent prayers to God for the defired fuccefs. — So, may ten thoufand bleffings be pouied into your bofoms by the Father of mercies ! So, may your dying pillows be made eafy by the tendercft offices of filial affeclion I And fo, may you ench have ihc tranfporting pleafurc, on the' great day of account, of thus addrefling your Jndge, *' Behold ** here am 1, O Lord, and the children thou haft gra- " ciouily given me !" It might now very naturally be expe61ed, that we fliould clofe this difcourfc with an addrtfs to children, cfpccially to thofe who owe to their parents the inef. limable advantegts of a prudent, virtuous, and religi- ous education : but wc forbear at prcfent, as this will be the fubje<^ of the next difcourfe. DI3- DISCOURSE VI. DUTIES OF CHILDREN TO TKEIR PARENTS. EpH. VI. J, 2, 3. Childrefiy ohey your parents in the Lord : for this is rirht. Honour thy father and mother^ (^'ivhich is the jirjl command-mnt with promlft^ that it may he well with thee^ and thou muyeji live long on the earth, ^Y^ HE artlefs firapllcity and commanding authori- J- ty witii which the moral precepts of the Bible arc enjoined upon us, muft, I think, ftrike the mind of every attentive reader with pleafure. Nothing could be more natural than for the apofile, after he had held up to the view of the Ephefians the exceeding riches of the grace of God in Chrifi, to peifuade them to the datiis 01 benevolence. A gofpel that ori^I- lules in fupreme love, cannot f-arely be believed, felt, and er joyed, without Impelling men to every offiCC of kindnefs which the I'^ght of nature teaches and en- joins. Upon thcfe ;;i'ounds he had recommended, net only the more general and public duties of focial life, but thofe particularly cf liufbands and wives, which we 202 DUTIES OF CHILDREN wc have confidcred at large in a former difcourfe. And as families aiifc out of the conjugal relation, "which give exillence to another fpecies of duties ciTen- tially important to the welfare of focicty, thcfe duties too he explains and enforces. Parents he exhorts to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord J and children, in our text, to behave thcmrelves with all becoming reverence and duty to- wards their parents. The bufinefs of education, than which there is not any duty of greater confequencc to the world and the church, we have largely treat- ed in the preceding difcourfe. And we now go on to lay open the various ofEces of filial piety, and our obligations to them. It is to children the admojiitlon in the text is addrefied. In which denomination are included both males and females, of every rank and condition of life ; fons and danghters in law j adopted children j and even illegitimate children too, for there is a du- ty owing from them to iheir parents, however unwor- thy and diilionourable a part fiich parents may have a£ted *, And by parenls are meait both father and mother, as it is particularly expreffed in the com- mandment which the apolUe quotes. *' Honour thy '"'father and thy mother y Which fliews that paren- tal authority is not confined to the father only. Be the paternal rights what they may, there are maternal rights alfo : and thefc draw after them duties and rcfpects from children to the mother, as v/eil as the former to the father. And it is further to be obfcrv- ed, * Indeed by the law of Solon, children bafcly born were not obliged to maintain their parents In fuch high reputation did civilized pagans hold the oiarriagc-rciation. TO THEIR parents; 203 ed, that obedience and reverence arc due, not to ina- mcdiate parents only, but to their parents alfo, that is, grand-fathers and grand-mothers, and indeed to all in the afcending line, that is, uncles and aunts. Now the duties enjoined on children in our text to their parents, are all comprehended in the two ideas of obedience and reverence. Firrt, Obedience. " Children obey your parents." That is, liilen to their inftruftion, and be obedient to their commands. In the early parL of life, when children are totally incapable of governing themfelves, abfolute and unlimited obedience is required. When reaion opens, and they can difccin good and evil, they are ftill to be obedient in all things, fo far 'as is con- fident v/ith a good confcience. And ever after, on the liberal grounds of friendlhip, they are to accommo- date themfelves to the wiihes and views of their pa- rents, provided thefe do not clalh with the duty they owe to tuperior authority. This limitation feme think is exprelTed in the words immediately fub- joir.ed — " Obey your pr^rents in the LoT'd;'*'' that is, fo far as is confiftent with the regard you ov/e to the authority of God. Or perhaps the f'poftle''s intention may be, to point out the piety which fV.ou Id mingle itfelf with their duty. "Obey them in obedience to *' the divine command : have regard to Chrift in your *' obedience, and to them as his ciifciples and fervants." And To all the pleafing qualifications of afFe£lion, cor- diality, arid cheerfulnefs, are included in the admoni- tion. Secondly, Reiierence. ** Honour thy father and mother." That is, cheridi in your brenfls the moll aficflionate efceem for their perfons and charafiers 5 behave 104 DUTIES OF CHILDREN behave yourfelves towards tliem in the moft refpedl ful and dutiful manner j and fpeak of them with all pofTible honour and reverence. But fome think by honouring our patents is meant providing for their comfortable fupport, when adviinced in life, and in- capable of fubfilling themfelves : this, however, is moll certainly included in the phrafe. *' Make the *' latter part of their days as eafy and happy to thsm •* as you can.'' The duties thus enjoined on children to thtir pa- rents the apollle enforces by various confiiderations. The 111 ft he mentions is their^/«^. '* Obey your ** parents in the Lord : for this is right.'''* It isjujQ^ QtKsticy), it is fit and reafonable in itfelf, what the light of nature teaches, and ail nations and ages have acknowledged to be expedient. It is moft decent and becoming to obey and reverence thofe, to whom under God we are indebted for our exiflence. It is on the grounds of equity and gratitude moil naturally to be cxpeftcd, that we (liould make every return in our power to thofe who have fhewn us all imaginable csre and kindnefs. And a due regard to their in- ftruclions and authority, v/iil in its confequenccs be greatly beneficial to us j as they are far better able on many accounts to dirciTc and govern us, efpecially in our minority, than we are ourTelves; Xhe next argument is tiiken from the exprefs ivill of God^ fignilied in the fifth commandment. This is one of thofe precepts of the moral law which the great God fo folemnly pronounced on Mount Sinai, and which he writ with his own finger on the tables of ft one. With an audible voice he faid, Honour thy fa- ther and thy mother^ ard it is his pkafure that that 70 THEIR PARENTS. ^^3 voice fliould be heard through all the world, and 1;^ the end of time. Wherefore, children are to cbey thelr parents in the Lordy that is, in obedience to the authority of the great God. Here the apoftle, as he paffes on, obferves, that this is thejlrjl commandment^ luith promife. From hence the church of Rome would infinuate, that the fecond commandment, which is fo direclly oppofed to their dodrine and praflice of worlhipping images, is not obligatory under the gofpel. " For, fay they, that commandment hath a prpmife annexed to it j but the apoftle tells us, this is the firft with prom.ife : where- fore he hereby plainly annihlhtes that." But the re- ply is extremely natural. The proraife added to the fecond commandment, (which indeed is rather an af- fertion than a promife) is no other than a general de- claration of God's merciful dlfpoution to all w.ho love him and keep his commandments, and evidently re- lates to the whole law. Whereas the precept of which the apoftle is Lere fpcaking, is the firit and on- ly one that hath a promife annexed to it, peculiar to itfelf. — It ihould here alfo be obferved, that the lan- guage of the text eiiablirties the authority of the de- calogue or moral law, with relpecl to us Chrlllians qs well as the jews, teaching us r.ot only that we fliould make it the rule of our lives, but that we may and ought to be influenced in our obedience, by a reo-ard to the bleilings it promifes. And in refneft to the precept before us, the apoftle evidently meant by ftvl- ing it, the firjl commandment ivith promife ^ to draw an argument from thence, to perfuadc children to a dutiful behaviour towards their parents. This, as if he had faij, is a duty of the greateft confequence. tl e K [,rcund v'.cik 206 DUTIES OF CHILDREN ground-work of all other focial duties, and therefore diflinguilhed from the reft by a particular mark, of the divine favour. And what is the promife, thus held up to the view of children ^ It is this — " Honour thy father and mo- *' ther, that it may be well with thee^ and thou mayejl *' Hue lo7ig on the earth.'''' In Exodus it is expreffed fomewhat differently, " that thy days may be long " upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth " thee *." And in Deuteronomy thus, *' that thy *' days may be prolonged, and that it may go well ** with thee, in the land whichthe Lord thy God gi- " reih thee f .'" The fenfe, however, is fully convey- ed in the text, excepting the promifed land's not be- ing particularly mentioned. This omiflion, fome fup- pofe. was owing to a wilh, to preclude all occafion of countenancing a vain confidence, which at that time prevailed much among the Jews, that they (liould not be dirpoiTeiTed of their country f. But as this epillle was v/rltten to the Ephefian church, which confifted of Gentile as well ns Jewifti converts, it fiiould rather feem the omiflion, which docs not affed the fplrit of the promife, was with a view to accommodate It to ChriDIans In general. Now the plain import of it is this, that thofe who, in obedience to the divine autho- rity, pay due refpe^l to their parents, will be lik-jly to enjoy worldly profperity and long life. 1 fay, likely^ becaufe the promliC is fo worded as to convey an idea of the direft tendency of dutlfulnefs in children, to promote their temporal wel.'i^re, which we (hall large- ly Ihew hereafter is the cafe. But, confideied as a pofitive promife, it was remarkably fulfilled in reg?id of * Exod. xs. 1 1. \ Dcut. V. 1 6. TO THEIR. PARENTS. 207 of the Jews. And, however temporal rewards and puniihments are not now difpenfed in the manner they ■were among that people, who fabfifted under a pecu- liar form of government, yet there are not a few in- ftances of dutiful children, who have been diftinguifli- ed by the fmiles of Providence ; and it is true of them all, in regard of their beft interells, that ading thus in the fear of God, it is well with them in this life, and (hall be well with them for ever in the life to come. — Thus the apoftle enforces this great duty by the law of nature, the exprefs command of God, and the many advantages that attend the right difcharge of it. — The text thus explained, we proceed more parti- cularly to confider, First, The various ofHces required of children to- wards their parents, and. Secondly, Their obligations to thefe duties. First, As to the duties which children owe to their parents. Thefe we fnall clafs under the three heads of O/?^- dlence — Reverence — and Support. Obedience I men- tion firft, becaufe the main exprefTions of it, efpecially ia the abfolute and unlimited fenfe of the vrord, are requiied of children in the early part of life : Reve- rence next, becaufe that ripens and improves with rea- fon : and Support laft of all, becaufe the tender offices meant by this term, are to be rendered parents in the decline of life, and are, with good reafon, underHood to be included, as was obferved juft now, in the word honour. I. Obedience. The duties comprehended in this idea, we (hall confider in reference to matters — civil — aod 2C3 DUTIES OF CHILD.-IEN — and religious, keeping in our eye, as we pafs on, the different ages, capacities, and circumRances of children. I. As to rrj/7 matters. In this defcription, we include what relates to food, drefs, company, amuieraerts, deportment, learning, dirciplinc, and every thing elfe which the morals of children are converfant about. The will of the pa- rent, in refjard of all thefe matters, under the rellric- tions w'hich will be hereafter mentioned, (liould be dutifully complied with. In the earlieft 11 age of life, obedience is the refult of inftinfl not reafoning. Caft, as infants are, in this helplefs fiate upon the care of others, they arc under a necefllty of fubmitting. But when they begin to •cicnulre firength, and to become capable of refilling, they fnould, upon the general idea of filial duty, obey. For though they may not be able, clearly to compre- hend the fitnefs of what is required of them, they may yet have fenfe enough to perceive, that the £ge, au- thority, and aifedion of their parents, give them a right to demand fubmifTion and obedience. And for children polTctTing this idea, to difpute the point with them, in any mitter innilec^ on, is to offend againft the deci'ion of their own venfon. Their reafon teachin'j^ them fabmifllon, their language ho doubt fhould be, ** My father knows better than I, what is right to be done in this cafe, and therefore I ought to comply j I will comply." Hence, if we may be p.llowed to digrefs a moment, appears the importance of taking pains with children, at this early age, to imprefs their minds with the ge- neral obligations of fiiiil obedience. Parents fliOuld no \S TO THEIR. PARENTS. 20^ -^•nv fteadily aiTeit their authority, and infift that they .-.ill at dl evcr.ts be obeyed, letting theii chlldjeu know, by their words and a6lions, that they have power over them, that God has given, theru that power, a?jd that they hold it by the confent of all man- kind. But, at tlie iame time, tliey Ihould be alike af- llJaoas to fecure their cot dial aiTedion, by convincing them that they cannot pollibly mean to do them any liarm, but, on the contrary, all the good in their power. So children will be perfaaded, that it is their intereil, as well as'their duty, to obey, even though what is required does not iall in with their inclina- tions. But if a child at this early age is froward, ob- ftinate, and unyielding, and a parent, through falfe tendernefs, fuffers him wantonly to violate his com- mands, the latter is as much, yea more to blame than the former : and if luch perverfenefs is not f-ibdued, the confeque ce will, in all probability, be fatal to them both. — But to return. When reafon further opens, and children become capable of clearly perceiving, not only the authority their parents have over them, but the difference be- tween good and evif, between juPiice and injuUice, truth and falfchood, humility and piidc, meeknels and paifion, gratitude and ill nature, and the like •, then their obligations to obedience increafe j for their pa- rents requiring them to do what thtir own judgment teaches them ought to be done, authority and con- Icience unite to enforce fubniilTion. And, of confe- quence, every ad: of difobedience, in fuch cai'c, is more criminal than before 5 for they are now guilty both of acling contrary to a convidion of what is in itfelf right, and of treating too the authority of their pureots with contempt. Furthsi-j 210 DUTIES ©F CHILDREN Further, when children arrive at mature age, though they are fo-be juflified in difobeying fuch commands as are dire6\Iy oppofed to the clear di<5lates of their O'vvn reafon- and judgment, yet they ought to lillen refpedfullly to the counfels of their parents, and in cafes of a doubtful nature, on which age and experi- ence are better capable of deciding, it is both their wifdom and duty id yield to their opinion. " My " fon, hear the inllruftion of thy father, fays Solomon, *' and forfrike not the law of thy mother. For they ** (hall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and '* chains about thy neck *.'' And mofl certainly it ftiould be their afliduous concern, to pleafe their pa- rents, even to the latefi: period of their lives, by con- forming to their will, not only in matters of impor- tance that are juft and right, but in matters perfedly indiiTerent, and which do not alTecl the rights of con- ic iencc. In fine, it is an argument of good fenfe and filial duty in children to take pains to imprefs this impor- ' tant fentiment on their minds, during their minority efpecially, that their parents confider their interefls as their own, and are much better capable of judging in moli cafes, what isi expedient for them than they are themfelves. Under this perfuafion every a6l of obe- dience will be eafy and pleafant, and draw after it the happieft confequenccs to both parties : while, on the contrary, ill- humour, difcontent, and refradorinefs will not fail at once to alHld the injured parent, and to make the undutiful child himfelf miferable. — Let us now proceed, ^ 2. To matters oi Relii^ion, Hitherto * Prov. i. 8, p. TO THEIR parents: 211 Hitherto we have beenfpeakingof moral duties on- ly, I mean fuch as are difcoverable by the light of na- ture, and which we owe to our fellow-creatures. Our view is now extended further — to difcoveries which God is fuppofed to have made of himfeif, and the man- nei he will be worfhipped by a pofitive revelation. The opinions of mankind differ here, and a great va- riety of religiens obtain in the world. Wherefore the queilion before us is, How far the religion of parents is binding upon their children ^ Or, What influence the opinion, profePuon, and authority pf parents, are to have upon filial obedience ? Here we are to proceed by lleps, as we did under the former particular. When children are in the ear- lieft Itage of life, and Incapable of judging of thefe matters, it is no doubt their indifpenfible duty to treat the religion of their parents with all decent refpe6f, and to conform regularly to the externals of divine •worflup. They arc not as vox fui juris : aiid if pa- rents, conceiving of this or that mode of religion as o£ divine authority, are obliged in confcience not only themfelves to conform to it, but to enjoin conformity on them j it follows that they ought to comply, there being no dictate of reafon or confcience on their part to jultify a refufal. It is therefore a violation of the law of nature for the children of a Mahometan, a Pa- p'ift, or any other religious profeflion, to treat the o- pinion or worlhip of their parents with difrefpeft and contempt. Nature revolts at the idea. A ChrilHan cannot be^r to fee his creed or his devotion laughed at by any, much ^efs by his cbildren. And why lliould we fuppofe thofc who differ from us have not the fame feelings on this head with ourfelves ? When Mofes 212 DUTIES OF CHILDREN Pvlofes fays, " Thou Hiall not revile the gods */' he perhaps means to forbid an indecent and opprobrious treatment of the religibn of ths country where \vc happen to be, however contrary in may be to our own views. And if fo, tliis precept of his does in efFeft llill more (Irongly forbid a fimilar behaviour in chil- dren towards the religion of their parents. But that abfolate obedience in matters of religion ^vliich parents have a right to exact of their children daring their minority, becomes more and more limit- cll or conditional as they approach to years of difcrc- tion. As foon as ever they are at all cap ible of per- ceiving the grounds on which the rcligien of their pa- rents Hands, it is their unqueftionable duty to enquire into thofe grounds. Enquiry is what parents ought to enjoin, and it is one part of filial obedience to com- ply with fuch injunctions. And while reafon teaches that they Ihould not take their religion abfolutcly on truft, it teaches alio that they arc under the itrongelt oblig-^tions to liiten ferioufly to what is offered in fa- vour of it. A child ought to fuppofe, unlcfs he has glaring proof to the contrary, that his father is fincere and in earneft, in preiTing thefe m"^tters upon him. And if this perfualion does not awaken his attention, and put him upon the mo'l diligent er.quiry, he is chargeable with manifeit undutlFulnefs and difaffeflion. ISo far parental authority (hould influence children. And its ufe thus far, be their parents religion true or fdfe, is very confiderable. If it is falfe, filial at- tachment, by thus exciting them to enquiry, is an ad- vantage, as it becomes an occafion of their detefling the miilaken grounds of fuch religion, and fo of dif- fenting for jull recifons from it. And if it is true, the fame *■ E.xod, xsii. zS. TO rillLlK PARENTS. 21 ^ ilime filial attachment is of ufe, as it thus becomes the occafion of their poiTeirmg a fatisfaclory cyiderxe of the truth of what they before only prefumed to be true. And more than this, that filial affeclion which thus niagnities in .their eye the father's fmcerity and zc£l, and gives the mod pleafing afped to his pious and holy example j by fo doing, poiTeffes them of a farther collateral and confirming evidence of the triith of the religion they have thu« examined and approv- ed. But when filial attachment precludes enquiry, f.nd has no other cflxci than to beget a^mere implicit faith, the obedience v.'hich lefilts from fuch faith is leprehenfibie and criminal. Conformity to the reli- gion of our parents, on this ground, i* difobedience to the voice of reafon ar.d of God. The amount of the v;hole is in fliort this j filial du- ty demands, on the part of chldre n when become capa- ble of reafoning, the mofi: fober and diligent attention to the inftruclion of their parents in matters of reli- gion : but it does not require implicit affent and o- bedience. On the contrary, fuch alTent and obe- dience yielded to parental authority, without enquiry, and more efpecially in contradiclion to the fenfe and didate of confciencc, is a violation of the allegiance due to God only When the woman of Samaria had liliened to our Saviour's difcourfe, and was perPaaded on the fullelt convidlon of his being the Meffiah ) ftie immediate- ly informed her relations, neighbours^ and acquain- tance, of what had happened, and entreated them to come and fee the man who had told her all (lie ever did, and judge for themfelves whether he was not the Chrirt. The condud of the Samaritans on this occa- fion, is precifely fuch as filial duty requires of children K 5 towards 214" DUTIES OF CHILDREN towards tlieir parents in matters of religion, when they are capable of judging of them. The Samaritans did not abfolutely refufe their affent to the woman's re- port. That would have been both unreafonable and indecent. It might or it might not be true. She was evidently in earneft — their good (he confulted — the flory upon the face of it carried the air of proba- bility and importance — and to have tre-^ted it with contempt would have been highly unbecoming. The proper ufe, therefore, of his influence arid authority was to excite their attention and enquiry. This ef- fe<5l it had. They went out of the city to Chrift, heard him themfelves, and then declared that they be- lieved, not merely becaufe of her faying, (that was only the cccalion of their coming at the de fired evi- dence) but becaufe, having heard him, they wereper- fuaded, upon the fame grounds which had convinced her, that he was indeed the Chrii^, the Saviour of the world *. It is here further to be obferved, that however chil- dren may fee reafon, upon calm and ferlous enquiry, to diiTcnt from the religion of their parents 5 they are neverihelefs obliged to treat both them and their pro- feirion with all decent refpe61:. Inileaci of contume- lioufiy affionting the one or the other, it is rather their duty decently io thiow a veil over them, as Shem and Japheth did over their father's nakednefs. II. Reverence is the next branch of filial duty to be conlidercd. Little need be faid here by way of explanation. Both the perfons .^nd charaSlers of parents Ihould be held in the higiieil eitecm and veneration. As to the former, # John iv. ap, 30. 41,42, TO THEIR PARENTS. 215 >ormer, the language and deportnaent of children {hould be decent and refpeftiul. The fannillarities in- deed of early life, and of hours of recreation and plea- fantry, are very properly to be allowed. " A haughty, diilant, morofe carriage on the part of parents, tends to break the fpirits of children, and to beget a difguffc in their breafts, which, however it may affume the ap- pearance of reverence, will in the end weaken, if not totally deitroy, the fprings of ingenuous and aneclion- ate obedience. Yet a too great freedom in difccurfe and behaviour iliould be checked, not pnly as it is a breach of good manners, but as it will be apt in a courfe of time to degenerate into a contempt of paren- tal authority.' A meek, fubmilTive, refpeftful demea- nour in children towards their parents, is lovely in the eyes of all, and is ever deemed by prudent people an argument of good fenfe as well ?.s filial piety. The behaviour of Jofeph to his father Jacob, and of Solo- mon to his mother Bathfheba, fails not to give plea- fure to every reader. The former .we fee, though next. in authority to Pharaoh, " prefenting himfelf to *' his father, and bowing before him with his face to *' the earth * :" and the latter, though a mighty prince, '* riling up from his throne to meet liis mother, bow- ** ing himfelf to her, and caufing a feat to be fet for *' her at his right hand f ." The ancient laws of the Romans carried the matter fo far, as to oblige chil- dren to ftyle their parents gods. But fuch a deportment in children will not be natural and eafy, uniefs they cherifn in their brealls a partiality in favour of their parents charatfler for good fenfc, inte- grity, and piety. Where tbefe qualities do really refide, ' they * Gen. xlvi. 2f). chap, xlviii. 12. f 1 Kings ii. 19. 2l6 DL'TIES OF CHILDREN ' they demand a greater degree of refpe^l from children, in whofe eyes they may be fuppofed to magnify, than from others. Where they really are not, natural af- fecilon fliould at leail create a doubt on the matter, if not vvholK veil the contrary imperfections from their view. And where they are found in a degree only, it is the tender oliice of filial imagination to heighten and exai(gerate them. Credulity here is an argument of good fenfe, and p^tiality a virtue rather than a vice. What fon, unlefs he is a brute, can wil- lingly admit the idea of his parents that they arc fools, or that they are void of all principle and piety ? On the contrary, what ingenuous dutiful child is there, but feels himfeif difpofed to believe that they polTefs every natural and moral excellence in a greater per- feflion than others f This perfuafion, I fay, Qiould be cultivated as far as it can any way confift with truth. The e?^i'£i will be highly beneficial in many inftan- ces. It will be fo to children themselves, to conci- liate their regards to the counfels and precepts of their ]xirents ; for that obedience which is the refult of a flrong prejudice in favour of the wlfdora, experi- ence, and good-will of thofe who govern, is always n-.ore eafy and pleafant than that which is extorted by a mere dread of authority. This partiality, too, will be highly pleafing to parents, and add greatly tO their happln'ef*^ j and as it will cement the union between both parties, fo will contribute not a little to domef- tic felicity. Befides, this reverence for their patents will int^reft children in the defence of their charac- ters on all occafions, which is a very important branch of filial duty. Some of the nobleft actions recorded in profrtue and facred hitlory, are thofe which have fprung TO THEIP. PARENTS. 2lJ rprung from tlic warm and undi('<;uiicd zeal of perfons of dillinguiflicd virtue for the jiut reputation of their ancefcors. — Once more, III. Support is another office due from children to their parents. In this idea is included every kind of affiftance that can be afforded them, to render their lalt days eafy and comfortable *. It is fad indeed to fee old age, which ftiould have nothing but its own infirmities to flruggle with, fmking under the preffures of penury and want ; and efpecisily when this is the ^7i^^ of the imprudent arrangement of their affairs, in favour of unnatural children. For furely nothing can be more foolilh, than for parents, whom Providence has blefled with an affluence of the things of this life, to throw themfelves into a Hate of abfolutc dependence on their children. 1 f this is at any time done, through an excefs of fondnefs on the one part, and in compli- ance with avaricious views on the other j very flender returns of filial reverence and affcflion are to be ex- pefted. Such unhappy parents have in too many in- itances, lived to fee their imprudent confidence abuf- cd, and their incautious generofity rewarded with ne- gleft, if not contempt. The idea, however, of fecur- ing the homage and oocdience of children, by parfi- moniouily withholding from them the neceiTary means of improving their fortunes in life, is as miitaken a condu(5l on the other hand. A competency is sU a prudent and good parent would wiili to referve to himfclf, when eafe and letirement are his only objeds By one of the If.vvs of S^'on, he is accounted urtf^^, infa- mous, who beats liii parents, or does nui provide Icrthem. 2l8 DUTIES OF CHILDrs.E>7 as to this world, except it be tlie gratification of a be- nevolent dilpofition, in the little circle of declining life. " i would not, lays a fprightly writer, in the evening of my days itrip myfelf tot my very (hirt j a warm nightgown 1 may be allowed to provide my- felf/' But poffeffed of fuch an uncontrouled competency, there are yet many offices of kindnefs requilite on the part of children, to render the clofing fcene of life comfortable, Attention, reverence, fympathy, and an alTiduous wiili to pleafe, are the proper cor- dials to be adminil^ered to old age, by the tender hands of filial aflfedion *. And thefe are cordials which du- tiful children will account it their highefk honour and happinefs to adminiiler to the latefl: period. To that moment they wilUook forward with painful anxiety, its approach they will dread, and ufe every means in their power to protaft it totheutmoft length. And when it does arrive, they will meet it with tears of genuine for row and regret. And how pleafing the fight to fee dutiful and affectionate children, afcer having cheer- fully devoted the vigour of youth to the fervice of their parents, furrounding their dying beds with un- feigned grief, following their dear remains to the grave with the moft pafiionate lamentations, and recording in their faithful memory the debt of gratitude they owe to parental care and love ! Affefting examples of this kind I might hexe cite, but they iliall be re- ferred * Me let the tender ofHce long engage To rock the cradle of repofing age ; "Ulth lenient arts extend a mother's breath, Make languor fmile, and fmooth the bed of death ; Explore the thought, explain the afking eye, And keep a while oirc parent from the iky \ Pops, TO THEIR. PARENTS, 210 lerred to tlie following fermon ; in which we mean to hold up lo the view of children the various confider- ations which humanity and religion fuggell, to move the fprings of filial duty and affedion. PART II. We have laid before children, in the preceding fer-^ mon, the duties they owe their parents ; all which are comprehended in the ideas of Obedience — Reverence —and Support. And we now proceed, Secondly, To perfuade them by fuitable motives to the cheerful difchargje of thefe duties. Our argu- ments we (hall clafs under three heads, — the /aw of t:ature — the exprefs command of God — and the exam- pies of perfcns emirent for their virtue and piety. And how happy will it be, if thefe reafonings, ac- companied *ith a divine energy, produce the defired effea ! I The la w of Nature. This law operates two ways, by LtJ/inSI, and by Rea^ /on. InftinB is a llrong bias to adions, which pro- duces its eife£l without any previous reafoning or con- fideration. It is common to men and brutes, and can- not be counteraded without a violenr force put on na- ture. • Of this kind, as we have obferved before, is that exceJTive fondnefs which parents, particularly mothers, feel for their offspiing. And of this kind too, is that regard which children feel for their pa- rents, efpecialiy in the earlier part of life. Durino- that period, it fuppiies the place ol reafon. and urges them to that reveience and obedience, which they af- terwards 220 . DUTIES OF CHILDREN tei ivirds come clearly to perceive is their duty. And hoiii this principle, the force of which all children feel, we may be allowed to argue with them, as they are advancing to years of difcretion. Cait your eyes back, children, to the earlieil moment ycu can recol- le(5l j call to mind the eagernefs and attention with which you looked up to your parents for fupport and protevflion, and the reverence, fubmiflion and obedi- ence which this attachment to them drew after it : and fay whether you can avoid inferring from thence, now you are capable of reafoning, your obligation to the duties wc have been recommending. It is the voice of nature j and will you, can you eradicate from your breads a propenfity that is coeval with your cx- iltence ? If you could, what would be the efFc6l but to link you beneath the level of the brute creation ?— • Horrid degradation ! But it is Rea/ori that enables us to perceive what are the true grounds upon wnich the law of nature Hands, And if we can clearly make it appear, that Equity, Gratitude, and Interejl require a cheerful com- pliance with the duties we have been recommending, it will follow, that whoever withholds fuch compli- ance, ftands chargeable with complicated guilt and fliameful abfurdity. I The law of equity, in the firf^ plsce, demands fi- lial obedience. It is a truth acknowledged on all hands, that refpefl and fubmilTion are due from infeiiors to their fuperiors. The authority which the latter acquire over the for- mer is founded in age, wiidom, experience, property, benefits conferred, and the confent of the communi- ty : and thefe obligations, faving the jaft rights of ccnfciencc, TO THEIR PARENTS. 221 eonfcicnce, arc not to be difputed without manifcil iujuftice. Now upon this ground how equitable are the claims of parents upon their children ! They have the advantage of age, experience, and property j to which mull be added the conlideration of their having done more for their children than any others could poQ'ibiy do for them, yea, that of their being under God the inftrumeuts of their exiiience. Should it be objected, " You have done no more for me than na- tural affeciion obliged you to do." It is replied, That is not in evety indance true : and if it were, it does not in juftice vacate their claim of obedience. But the bell reply to fuch unnatural difin;^enuity is, " Let your children, when you have them,obje6t this to you, and then tell us how you likefuch treatment*.'* Indeed, the common fenfe and feelinj^s of mankind re~ probate fuch language. All wife and good men are agreed in the reafonablenefs of filial obedience, and nothing but the mod horrid depravity can extort from the human bread an obje^lion to it. Here I cannot help taking notice of the unexam- pled abfurdity and profligacy of the leaders among the Jews, in our Saviour's time, who,- under a fpecicus pretence of regard to pofitive, fapped the foundation of moral duties. In no inftance was ij; mere flagrant, than in their decilion on a quellion rehtive to what is now before us. A man wifnes to be free from his obligation to this great command, " Honour thy fa- " ther and mother." He comes to thefe men for ad- vice upon the matter. And what fay they ? * Oh I bring a gift to the altar, do fome work of fupereroga- tioii, * " Do you acl towirds your parents in fuch a manner, as you ■ would wifli your own children to adl towards yourfeif." Ificr* 222 DUTIES OF CHILDREN tion, and you (hall be free.' Thus did thefe hypo- crites make the commandment of God of none efFe6l by their tradition *. What fobcr man but fliudders at fuch impiety as this ! Arid how does this mondrou'S perverfion of the grounds of morality, tend dire£lly to the diffoiution of all the bands of civil fociety, and the introdu£lion of every kind of iniquity ! " Obey ** your parents then, children, for this is right," it is jull. But to the demands of juftice we will add thofe, 2. Oi gratitude. And here, if there be any the leaft ingenuous fenti- ment in the human breall, we have an opportunity of addrefling it by motives that are irrefiftible. Ye chil- dren that are juil rifing into life, caft your eyes back- ward to the firft moment of your exiftence, and re- alize the innumerable expreflions of parental aftedion, with which you have been followed to the prefent time. What pangs did not your tender mother endure when (he brought you into life I With how fond a heart did (lie clafp you in her arms, lay you to her bread, and pour her very foul upon you ! With what painful anxiety did (lie anticipate your wants ! With what unwearied attention did (he provide for them ! And from how qjany evils did (lie hourly protefl you, gathering you as a hen gathereth her chickens ! What a variety of comforts have your parents, each of them, denied therafelves, and what a variety of labours have they inceffantly undergone, in order to procure for you a thoufand enjoyments ! Your happinefs, your ufefulnefs, your honour, your final falvation, were their grand objefts through the term, the long and tedious * Mattii. XV. 3.— (>. TO THEIR PARENTS. 223 tedious term, as it feemed to you, of non-age. How often, fliook with alternate hopes and fears, have they flood trembling by your cradle and your bed, watch- ing the event of threatening diforders ! With what folicitude have they led you on every ftep, through the devious paths of childhood and youth, holding you back from this and that infidious fnare, and fhielding you agalnlT: this and that violent alTiiult of temptation ! What various reafonings, appreheniions, and cares have agitated their minds, refpedting your education, the manner in which they {hould conda6l themfelves towards you, and the hands to whofe guidance they fliould cntruft you ' How often have their hearts bled within them, when regard to your real interefts. obliged them to facriiice fond indulgence to the demands of rigorous correction ! How have they reftrained your impetuous paffions, borne with your childiih prejudices, gratified your innocent wirties, pleaded with you on your beft interefts. and poured out their cries and tears to heaven on your behalf ! And with w^hat painful anxiety, mingled with eager hope, have they looked forward to the event oi all thofe meafures they have taken with you, to pre- pare you for the ftation of life you are perhaps now jull entering upon ! And now are there no returns due to all thefe ex- preflions of parental kindnefs ? Shall inattention and neglect on your part, draw tears of fadnefs from thofc eyes, which have fo often looked on you with tender pity ? Shall harfli and difrefpe6lful language grate on thofe ears, which have been ever open to your cries ^ Shall unnatural difobedience pierce the bofom that has fo paflionately loved you ? Shall fullen ingra- titude -^4 DUTIIS OF CniLDREN titude cruHi the heart that has doted upon you ? Shall folly and un, in a word, bring down thofe grey- hairs with forrow to the grave, which aftedlion foV you, 35 well as old age, hath rendered truly venera- ble ^ — God forbid 1 On the contrary, does not every ingenuous fentiinent, and every pious feeling of ihe heart, call loudly on you to exert your utmoil efforts towards difcharging a debt, which, after all, it willnc- ver be in your power to repay ? Ought you not to re- vere their peifons, and hold their charadlers ftcred ? Ought you not to approach them with refpeft, and to kindle into a Hame at every infult offered them ? Ought nor their commands to be a law with you, and every deviation from them a force put upon vour na- ture ^ Ought you not reljgioufly to regard their ad- monitions, and patiently fubmit to their cenfures ? Ought you not to confult their happinefs in every ilep you take, and accommodate yourfelves even to their humours ' Onght you not, v.hen they are in the de- cline of life, to afford them all the atfiflance in your pawer ? — to watch their looks with aiTiduity and at- tention — to bear their pains with them — to footh their ruIHed paflions — fupport their feeble fleps — make their b)ed in their licknefs — and, if you cannot hold back death from them, yet by your fympathy and prayers difarm him at lead or fome of his terrors > Gratitude for a thoufand kind offices you have receiv- ed, demands all this at your hands. Once more, 3. Interejl holds the fame languacje. To refill inHinfl, tooppofe rcafon, to deny the claims of juHice, and to Itifle the intreaties of grati- tude, one fhould fuppofe mull be a painful buli- nefs. Yet the momentary plcafure refulting from the TO THEIR PARENTS. , 11^ the gratlacatlon of depraved paflions, does in fome in- ftances get the better of ail t.^efe confideratlons : Ihame however and remorfe milt be the confequencc. On the contrary, a ready compliance with the diS,i^ It Is farther to be remarked, that as the New Tef- tament aiTerts the rights of fuperlors, fo it is alike at- tentive to the claims of Inferiors. It does not court the regards of the rich and mighty, to the injury or negleCl of the poor and helplefs. It teaches that men, as men, are equal j that they are all fubjeft to the fame laws, and are all alike amenable at the tri- bunal of the great God, who Is no refpefler of per- fons. And it not only warns thofe In exalted ftations againft afts of Injuftice and oppreffion, but earneftly perfuades them to thofe of condefcenfion, humanity, and benevolence. This Is the general tenor of the Bible : and it is enough to refer you to the text, wherein we have the caufe of the fervant pleaded with the fame impartial regards as that of the mafter. From this view, then, of the morality of the fcrlp- tures we derive a prefuraptive proof of their truth. And that proof is confiderably augmented, when we refiecl that the duties of morality are not only here happily explained and ilri<5lly enjoined, but that tliey have here a further and nobler fupport than the law of nature can afford them. What I mean is, that the gofpel Is fo conftrufled as at once to throw light upon our duty, and to poffefs us of new and extraor- dinary motives to perfuade us to a compliance with it. To apply this idea to the matter before us. The reciprocal duties of mailers and fervants muft be ac- knowledged, when examined only by the light of na- ture, to be right, fit, and mutually beneficial. But the Chriftlan fcheme, when properly underftood, ena- bles us more clearly to apprehend than we otherwife could the fubftantial difference between right and ■wrong J and by the noble temper it Infpires power- fully ^^6 DUTIES OF SERVANTS fully animates us to the duties of fidelity, fubmifTion, and obedience, on the one hand, and of condefcenfion, gentlenefs, and love on the other. And fo it is of infinite ufe in explaining and enforcing the mutual obligations of mafters and fervants. This is an obfer- vation weinay have an opportunity more fully to con- fider and illuftrate hereafter. And, if it be found to be true, it will have not fmall weight, In concurrence ivith the external evidence of the gofpel, tof rove the Chrillian inlHtution divine. P A R T ir. "We have confidered the true grounds of this im- portant relation between mafters and fervants, and now go on to explain the admonition in our text, which is founded on the principles laid down in the lail fer- inon. So we rtiall proceed more particubiy to ftate the duties of fervants, and to point out their obliga- tions to them J and then, in tht fucceeding difcourfe, to explain the duties of mafters, and with proper argu- ments to enforce them. St^rvanUy be obedient to them that are your mafiers according to thefiejh^ with fear and tremblings in Jin- gienefs of your hearty as unto Chrift : not with eye- fervice,as men-pleafers^ hut as the fervants of Chrift ^ doing the will of God from the heart ; with good- will doing fervice, as to the Lord^ and not to men ; knowing that whatfoever good thing any man doth, the fame Jhall he receive of the Lord, whether he he bond or free. In TO MASTERS. 2^7 In order to the right underftanding of the words, we will call the feveral particulars contained in them under the three following general heads — Firft, the perfons addiefTed : — Secondly, the duties enjoined, and the qualifications of them ; — And thirdly; the mo- tives to enforce them. Firji^ the perfons addrelTed -xtt fervants. Thefe are defcribcd as bond or free. By bond- fervants are meant flives, who became fuch by being taken in war, or by being born in captivity, or by having for certain confiderations fold their freedom. And \iy free are meant hired fervants, who were of much the fams defcription with fervants in this and other free countries. Of the former there were many among the Romans, and their ilate was confidered as very abjeft and wretched, though they fometlmes met with mafters who treated them with great humanity. But it (hould here be obferved, that it does not follow from the apoRle's admonifliing bond- fervants or fldves how to behave themfelves in this humiliating fituation, that he meant to countenance the tyranny commonly exercifed over them. The truth is, the gof- pel where it came did not interfere with the civil go- vernment, or by any forcible exertions make a change in mens external condition. Yet it by no means au- thorizes the unjuit inv^fion of mens natural rights. The apoftle, v;ho thus indifcrimiiiately addrelfes all fervants, himfeli knew the value of freedom, and with no fmail fpirit on more occafions than one aiTerted it *. And in his epiitle to the Corinthians he exhorts thofe fervants *^ who may be made free," to take the pro- per meafures to that end f . — The admonition then in * Acls xvi. 37. Chap. xxii. 25. 2S. f i Ccr. vii. 21, ijS DUTIES OF SERVANTS in our text is addrelTed to all fervants, whether bond or free. Secondly, We are next to confider the duties en- joined, and the qualifications of them, 1. The duties enjoined are comprehended in the terms obedience — -fervice — and doing good. "• Servants, be obedient to your maflers." Or, as it is elfewhere exprelTed, " Obey them in all things*." Comply with their will in all things that are within the compafs of your ability, and do not afre6t your confcience towards God, efpecially in thofe matters ti-jat belong toyour prirticular province, and which by, your original contraclyou bound yourfelves to attend to. — Service is another term ufed to exprefs what is re- quiredof them. They are"to dotheray£'r^;/rf,"to wait on them, to miniiler to them, to aiTift and defend th^m. There are ofEces peculiar to certain departments ; ^ thefe ihould be more efpecially regarded : and not on- ly thefe but every other office that occafion may re- quire, and that is within their poM'er. — Ag»in, they are " to do\.\itm good.'''* A comprehenfive term this ! Servants are to be the benefadlors to their makers, to make their welfare their objed, and to contrive eve- ry poITible way to promote their interefl. 2. The qualifications of thefe duties, or the tem- per in wlilch they are to be difcbarged, are particular- ly defcribed. IMiRers are to be obeyed with fear and trembling. Tnis may intend the caution that fliould be on the minds of fervants, lell th'ey fail in the obedience they owe their mailers ', and the reverence in wliich they ihould hold their perfonsand commands, and which is to refemble * Col. iii. z%, ' TO MASTERS. 2^^ refemble that caution which accompanies obedience to Chrift : and thus all that forTvardnefs and indecent familiarity is forbidden, which .breeds contempt, and by bringing both parties on a level, defeats the end of this moil important relation. So the apoille Peter fays, " Servants, be fubje^l to your raafters with all '* fear *." Or perhaps thlsjfar and trembling may mean the concern they fliould feel, left by any negli- gence or unfaithfulnefs in the management of their maimers aifiirs, they (hould bring a reproach upon their ChriiHan profeffion. For there may be a reference to an after-claufe, thus, •*' Be obedient to ** them with fear and trembling, as unto Chrifty'*'* as becometh Chriftians, thofe who have the highe.ft re- verence for that facred name. So the apoftlgj in ano- ther place, exhorts fervants to *' Hiew all good fideli- *' ty, that they may adorn the do6\rine of God our ** Saviour in all things f :" and to " count their own " mafters worthy of all honour, that the name of God, *' and his do£lrine, be not blafphemed :{:." SingleJiefs of heart is next mentioned. By which is meant fimplicity, fincerity and uprfghtnefs j in op- pofition to guile, duplicity and cunning. And obedi- ence, in thefe regards of it likevvife, is to be rendered as unto Chrift ; it is to be lincere, artlefs, and uniform, like that which he demands, and fuch as is moft agree- able to the genuine fpirit and tendency of his doc- trine. Not with eye-fervice, as men-plcafers ||. Too ma- ny * Pet.ji. iS. f Tit. ii. lo. t i Tim. vi. i. i( It has been oblerved here by /ome enseal expofitors, that as the original words the apoille ufes, oipSocXtio^aXeiotv and otv- ^g« cc^is-Koi, are cooipound words, fo our tranflators have hap=> pily imitated the originai by the ufe of compound words alfo. 26o DUTIES OF SERVANTS ny fervants attend lo their bufinefs only while tlieir niaflers eye is upon them, thinkine; to fecure their regards by an ai)pearance of indulhy, tliough they :ire in fa^t carelei's and indolent. This therefore is forbidden. On the coirtiary, they arc required to acquit therofelves as the fervants of Chrft^ with all that fidelity which be hath pofitively enjoined, and witl) which he expefls to be fcrved himftlf: doing the vji.'i of God from the hearty aiming fincerely to approve theraftlves to hiai, whofe eye is condantly upon ihera, and who cannot be deceived, though lijcir n;riflers may. 'Jo v^i.ich is added the furlher idea of fcrving them c.heerrully as well as faitlifully, with good-will doing frvice, taking delight in their duty, and accounting ihenifelves happy in pronioting their raafter's inter- c Ds : doin;T fervlce to them as to the Lordy and not to men J that is, wiih a cordiality like that which enters i.ito the eileuce of fuch fervice as is acceptable ta God. — I'hus admirably does the apoftle defcribe the temper in which fervants are to discharge the du- ties of their llotion. And in language fimilar to this he addreffes tlieni in his cpiille to the CololTinns, *' Servants, obey, in all things your malUrs according *' to the fledi : not with eye-fervice, as men pleafers, *' but in fmglenefs of heart, fcaritg God : and what- *' foever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and. *' not unto men *." Ihirdiw We have next the motives to enforce thefe duties. The firfl is taken from the authority of the bltlTed God. * Col. iir. 2 2. -2^. TO Masters. l6t dod. It is his ivill that fervants fliould obey tbeir mailers in the nianner tliey are here admonished. The duty enjoined approves itfelf to every one's fo- ber rcafon, and the voice of reafon is the voice of God. But more than this, it has, coming from the inlpired pen of an apoflle, the fanftion of a dire6l poiitive command — *' Servants, obey your mailers, *' doing the will of God,^'' or as it is in the parallel place, ''^fearing God.'''' "i he next motive is taken from the obligations they owe to Chrlil : fuch ferv.mts as are Cbriilians are the fervants of i.hrij}^ and in their obedience they are to have regard to L'hrift — to the Lord. And by thus expreffing himfelf, the apoiUe no doubt meant to re- mind them of the obedience v;hich Chrift, as a man, had faithfully rendered to God \ and of the elfential fervices he had hereby moll cordially rendered to them. Though ** he was in tlie form of God, and *' thought it not robbery to be equal with God, *' yet he made himfelf of no reputation, and took up- ** on him the form of a fervant *," that he might re- deem and fave them. They were therefore bound, by every imaginable tie,of love and gratitude, to comply u'ith his will. They are too by profefllon the fervants of Chrilt : to him as their mafter, they have volunta- rily fubmitred themlelves, and are therefore obliged by their own engagements to conform to his precepts, of which this of obedience to their mailers according to tlic flelh is one. The third and lafi: motive is taken from confidera- tions of intereft. Ee obedient to your mailers, hiowing that whatfoever good thing any man aoih^ the M 3 fame * Phil. ii. 5, 7. 262 DUTIES OF SERVANTS finie fijall he receive of the Lord, whether he he bond ■)T free. The offices required of fervants are all of thera good, fit and ri'^ht In themfelves, and truly commei.dabie and prahe- worthy. But It is poffible they may not in fome inftances, receive thofe returns from men which they deferve. Be that however as it may, they are alTared that Chrlfl:, of his great mer- cy, will, not fail to reward them. So all the comforts of religion in this life, and all the joys confequent upon it in another, are held up to their view as argu- ments to perfuade them to the faithful difcharge of their duty. To the fame purpofe the apoftle expref- fas hiHifeif in that other palTage before referred to, *• Kno .ving, that of the Lord ye (hall receive the re- " ward of the inheritance \ for ye ferve the Lord " Chria *."• Thus have we explained the admonition in our text, and now proceed to confider more particularly the duties incumbent on fervants, and to enforce them with fuitable arguments. The duties of fervants, In regard both of the Mat-^ tev and the Manner of them, are all comprehended in the general Idea of Obedience, We propofe there- fore to confider, ' First, The Service ifelft\\2X is demanded of them and their Obligations to it : and, SscoNDLY, The Alanner in which it is to be ren- dered, and their Obligations to comply with the feve- lal rules which will here be laid down. First, Let us confider the Duty itfelf x\\'dX is re- quired of fervants, 2iX\^\)cit\i Obligations in general to obedience. The * Col. iii. 24. TO MASTERS. 26^ The mmtferva/ii by which they are defci Ibed, is ex- preffive of the help or affiftance they are to render their mafters. They are to wait upon them, to miniiler to them, to fapport and defend them. But the kinds of fervice required of them are fo deverfified that we can- rot, nor indeed is it to our purpofe particalarly to enu- merate them. In large families there are various de- partments of fervice, and in fmalicr the whole burinefs of the houfe falls upon two or three or one only. It is however here to be obfcrved, that whatever rank the fervant holds in the family, the general intereit of the mafter is to be his object. Now the fervice due from pcrfons In this relation, is of a diiferent denomination from that which men who are in the fame line of life owe to one another. It is to be confidered as the refult of that authority which their marters have over them, and is therefore properly defcribed by the term Obei^ience. It is the mailer's province to command, the fervants to obey. And the obedience is to be univerfal, ** Servants," fays the apoftle, *' obey your mafters in all things *." Eut this requilition is to be underllood with certain limitations. Thefe therefore we (liall mention, and all thofe commands which do not fall within thefe re- i^riclions, are to be pundlually aed unrefervedly com*; plied wich. There are three cafes wherein a fervant may be juilified in refufing obedience to his mailer's commands. I. When the mader's commands are contrary to the commands of God. The authority of the great God is infinitely fupe- rior to that of any man on earth. He is our mafter in a more abfolute fenfe than any one elfe caa poiTibly be, * Col. iii. 22, ^1^4 DUTIES OF SERVANTS be. When tlierefore the will of any fuperior clafi^i- es vvith his will, it is on no account to be complied with. Suppofmg, for inftance, a miller commands a fervant to fpeak an untruth, to be an accomplice with him in a fraudulent bargain, to break the Sab- bath, or to profane divine inflitutions, he is peremp- t jriiy to refufe. For obedience in any fuch cafes would bring guilt on his confcience, and fubje£t him to inSnitely greater evils than he^could poffibly fuf- fer from the refentments of an earthly mafler, how- ever povv'erful he may be. And as fervants are rea- fanable creatures, and accountable- to God for their coudu6^, fo they are to judge for themfelves of the livvfulnefs or unlawfulnefs of any command they re- ceive from their faperiors. But then they are to look well to it, that they do not under pretence of con- fcience, but really from motives of floth and felf-gra- tifjcation, withhold obedience to their matter's juft comnrandji. For in fuch cafe they contract double ^uilt, that of violating their duty to man, and to God alfo. 2. They are juftified in dlfobeying their mafler's commands, when they are requited to do what is not within their power. Such unreafonable maRers as the^e there have be«n: fuch was Pharaoh, who demanded brirks of the I/ra- elitei, while he withheld from them the neceffary materlds for making them. But in thefe cafes there cm be nothing criminal in difobedience, be- caufe the contrary is impoflible. Nor is there any criminality in mens not attempting what they are not comoetent to. Bjt then it too ofi:cn fo happens ^hat ferv. y ^, through a flathful difpolition, do not exert themfelves TO MASTER*, ^^T' tliemfelvcs as tliey might j and fo pretend incapacity when the fault is not in their ability but their will. This is a very j^rcat evil, and the complaints of fuch fervants, as if their mailer's commands were rigorous and therefore ought to be difobeyed, are groundkfs. Mafters, however, (hould be cautious that they do not impofe unreafonable burdens on their fervants ; always bearing in mind the golden rule, * to do unto others as we would have others do unto us.' — There is one more inftance which will juflify the not com- plying with a mailer's commands j and that is, 3. When fuch fervice is demanded as falls not within the compafs of the fervant's agreement. There are various departments of fervice, as we have obferved, in fome families : and when fervants engage to do the bufinefs of one of them, exclufively of all other bufinefs, and receive wages for fuch duty only, it is unreafonable, and a breach of covenant, to foice them beyond that line. Wherefore, non-com- pliance on their part is not to be conlUued into difo- bedience. But then that general good will which fervants owe to their makers, and to oiiC another, fhould difpofe them on particular occafions to go be- yond their own proper province in a family, in order to be helpful to the whole. And as in moft cifes fuch occaiional afllftance is luppofed to come within the compafs of their original agreement, anobilinate re- fuf il is an argument of want of temper, if it m -y not be deemed downright difobediencc. It cannot, however, be doubted that a difrefpeclful manner of treiting fuch commands, though the fervice itfelf be not i'rift- ly due, is a breach of duty. And here fervants iliould be cautioned; as under the former particulars, againit 266 DUTIES OF SERVANTS againft the great evil of making frivolou'? pretences an occafion of indulging (loth and ill nature : and heads of families too (hould be careful that they do not pulli their requilitlons beyond the bounds of rea- fon and prudence- And now thele three inftances of non-compliance with a mailer's commands being admitted as lawful, all his other commands are no doubt to be pundually obeyed. " Servants, obey your mailers in ail things y The Centurion, of whom we read in the gofpel, was not a hard mailer, as may be concluded from the ho- nounble charader our Saviour himfelf gives hira. . And what is the language he holds ? It is in perfect unifon with the palTage jull mentioned. "I am a ** man fet under authority, having under me foldiers, *' and 1 fay unto one. Go, and he goeth : and to ano- ** ther, Come, and he cometh : and to my fervant, ^' Do this, and he doeth it *." A inaller's com- mands are to be obeyed in every inftance, whether they refpe6l matters ol moment, or thofe only of an indiiierent and trilling nature. Diiobedience, indeed, in the former cafe may be more eflentially injurious to his interells than in the latter, and the guilt of the fervant be thereby aggravated. But a failure of du- ty in the fmalleft inftance, when it proceeds from contempt of his authority, is alike criminal. Nor is difference of opinion, whether right or wrong, or dif- inclination to the butinefs, let it proceed from what caufe it will, to overrule the decifive commands of a mafter, provided, as we have obferved before, they are lawful commands. A fervant may very properly fpeak his mind upon any matter, fo he does it refpe6l- fully ; * Luke vii. 8. TO MASTERS. 26j fully : but he Is to remember that his mafter's judg- ment is to determine, though it be contrary to his own, and there be no reafon afligned for it. And however a defire of eafe may foraetimes put him on excufing himfelf of a ferviee that is painful and labo- rious, yet, when pofitively required, a fenfe of duty Chould get the better of iloth and felf-indulgence. And thus the%ill of the marter is to be the govern- ing rule of the fervant's conduft, in every inltance that does not come within the reltri^rions we juft ROW mentioned. We proceed now to confider the Obligations which fervants are under to fuch univerfal obedience. I. It \^ Jit and right that fervants fhould obey their mailers in all things. The relation between mailers and fervants is found- ed on princrples of equity and mutual convenience, as we have (hewn at large in the preceding fermon. The reafoning is in fhort this. Men, as men, arc equal : but their condition in lite is various and une- qual. Not being able to fubfilt of themfelves, they need one anothers affiftance. But effedlual afliftance cannot be rendered by inferiors to their fuperiors, if the latter have not a right to command, ;tnd the former are not obliged to obey : for how can a per- fon be ferved to his fatij>fa6lion, if he may not direft in what manner he will b^ ferved ^ And hew can he be fure of receiving any ferviee at all. if he has not authority to require it r* Wherefore the fervant agrees, for a valuable confideration, to fubmit himfelf to the will of the mifter. And t'-,us the relation clearly appears to be founded on principles cf equity and mutual convenience. Now, when the fervant refufes obedience 268 DUTIES OF SEIIVANTS obedience to the raaiter, the end propofed by the charader he fuftains is defeated, his own politive en- gat^ements are violated, and the relation itfelf is dif- I'olved. Wherefore it is fit and right that fervants ft}ould obey their mailers. And the reafoning ex- tends to unherjal obedience. For if a fervant is at liberty to determine for himfelf, juft as his own fancy or humour may dire6l, in what inftanc#s he will and in what he he will not obey, how can the mailer be afTured that he (liail be obeyed at all ? If his autho- rity does not reach every cafe within the limitations jui^ raentioLcd, it is no authority at all. The pre- cept therefore is moft fit and right. " Servants, obey *' your mailers in all things,'^'' that is, ii> all things ■which God your fuperior mafter ! as not forbidden, which are within your power, and which arc includ- ed m your covenant with them when you became their fervants. 2. This, too, is the exprefs command of God. Indeed, whatever is fit and right in itfelf is unquef- tionably the will of God. Wherefore as the duly before us has been proved to be fit and right in itfelf, it cannot be doubted tl^at it is the will of God. But the fcriptures exprefsly declare that it is his Vv'ill : and, as the divine authority will always have a command- ing influence on every ferious mind, it will be of ufe to take a general view of what the Bible fays upon this matter Here it is to be remarked, that the ooli- gation of .ervanls to obey their mailers is often fpoken of in fcrlptuve as a generally acknowledged principle : a mode this of holding up our duty to our view the flrongefl, perhans, and moft natural thut could Be ufed. In fuch manner the pialmiit refers to it, when, fpeaking TO MA-STERS, 26^ fpeaking of the earneft attention which good m^n pay to the bleffed God, he fays, *' As the eyes of fervants *' look unto the hand of their mafters, and as the eyes ** of a maiden unto liie hand of her miftrefs ; fo our ** eyes wait upon the Lord our God *." x\nd the apoftle, ** Know ye not, that to whom ye yield your- ** felves fervants to obey, his fervants ye are to W'hom ** ye obey f ?" So Job, taking this as a principle grant- ed, fpeaks of the difobedience of his fervants as one of the many grievous calamities he fuffered : " I called " ray fervant and he gave me no anfwer i I entreated ** him with my mouth ^1." As if he had faid, ^ that duty which all men agree is fit and reafonablc, is un. naturally and cruelly denied to me.' So our hoid fpeaks of it as a truth of unqueftionable authority^ that *' that fervant who knows his Lord's will, and " does not conform to it, is deferving of punifti- **^ raent ||." And in another place, having defcribed the fervant as making ready his mafter's fupper for him, and girding hinifelf, and ferving him, he puts this queRion as what no one would be at a iofs to re- ply to, *' Doth he thank that fervant becaufe he did " the things that were commanded him ? I trow "net J." Further, the obligation lying upon fer- vants to obey their mailers, is the principle fuppofed when that chara6ler is applied to men in regard of God. Pvlofes was the fervant of God, and the apof- tles the fervants of Chrill. Who can view them in this character, without initantly affixing the idea of a difpofition to conform in all things to the will of their divine mafter ? But * Pfitl n cxxiii. a. f Rom. vi i 6. X Job xix. i6, (] Luke xli. 47. § Luke xvii. 9, 2*J0 DUTIES O* SERVANTS But 'this duty is dire(5lly and pofitively enjoined upon fervants. Not to fpeak. of particular inftances, fuch as Hap^ar's being commanded *^ to fubmit herfeif '* to her miftrefs Sarah *," and many of the like na- ture •, we ail know how frequently obedience is urg- ed by Mofes on the Ifraelitifli, and by the apcflles on Chrirtian fervants. Particular attention is paid to this matter in the epilHes to the Ephefians f, ColofTians J, Timothy ||, and Titus §, and in the general epiftle of Peter ^. It is then the exprefs command of God to you, fervants, to obey your mafters in all things. And as you cannot doubt that he is your mailer, and has an Tjncontrolled authority over you, fo you are to remember, that the refufing obedience to them is an a61: of manifell difobedience to him. — But, 3. Your duty in this matter is your interejl. The happinefs of families, and the welfare of the community at large, depend much upon the proper demeanour of fervants, Wherefpre thofe of them who have liberality enough to be concerned for the general good,: mull furely feel a pleafure in contributing to it, by acquitting themfelves aright in this important ftation. And if they have an aiTedion, as they certain- ly ought to have, for the families they ferve, the idea of being the inftruments of making them happy muft afford them no fmall fatisfaftion. But an unieferved obedience to the will of their mafters has a direct in- fluence on their happinefs. Service thus rendered will be more eafy to themfelves, than that which is clogged with a miftaken and perverfe notion, that their opinion and will are fometimes to overiule thofe of their fuperiors. Where llich an unnatural competition ^* Gen. xvi. 9. f The text. \ Chap, iii 22 — 25. ■I I Ep. \i. I, 2. § Chap. ii. 9, 10. ^ i Ep.iii 18. TO MASTERS. lyi competition arifes, tiits bufinefs muft go on heavily j and the event will quickly be, what indeed it ought to be, a diffolution of the connexion. On the con- trary, a fenle of duty, in that univerfal idea of it we have been -recommending, will foon ripen into an ear- neft wi{h to pleafe ; this will facilitate labours other- xvife irkfome, and an obedience thus yielded will not fail to fecure the afieftionate regards of ingenuous mad&rs, and to draw after them in a courfe of time other advantages befides thofe ftipulated in the origi- nal agreement. How happily have fome fervants liv- ed, whofe conduft has been uniformly regulated by this principle I and how comfortably have they been provided for in the clofe of their days ! They merit the denomination of wife fervants, and Solomon tells us, *' A wife fervant {hall have rule over a fon that *' caufeth (hame : and fhall hare part of the inheri- *' tance among the brethren *." It is their intereft then in regard of temporal matters; to obey their maimers in all things. BiTt their fu/iertor inter ejis more loudly demand fuch a condud at their hands. Would they efcape the painful refledlions which a confeioufnefs of their having wilfully neglefled their duty occafions ? And would they enjoy the heart-felt pleafure of having not only aimed to pleafe their mafters on earth, but their great Mafter in heaven •' let them readily fall in with the admonition in the text. It is a polTible thing that they may not, in fome inftances, receive fuch a compenfation for their obedience from men as they de- ferve. But God will not be unmindful of them. The 9.poille particularly affures them of this. Having o» beyed. * Frov. xvii. 2. 272 DUTIES OF SERVANTS beyed their inafter in all thingj,^ and upon rigtt prin- ciples regarded the will of God therein, he promifes them, '* that of the Lord they fliall receive the re- " ward of the inlieritance *.'' He will by and by raife them from the rank of fervants on earth to that of raafters, yea of princes, in heaven. — To which mufl be added one further motive to fuch obedience j and that is, 4. The credit of our holy religion. This is an argument addrelTed to the ingenuous feel- ings of fervants, as the difciples of Chrift. And a powerful argument it is ! His admonitions to fervants the apoftle ftyles " wholefome Vvords, even the words " of our Lord Jcfus Chrift, and agreeable to the doc- *' trine which is according to godllnefs : and thofe *' who confent not to them" he reprefents as " proud, *' ignorant, and fooli(h f." If Chriftian fervants fail in their duty to their mafters, he reminds them that here- by " the name of God and his doftrlne would be *^ blafphcmed :|;." And on the contrary he declares^ that by difcharging their duty properly they would ** adorn the doctrine of God our baviour ||." No- thing can be clearer from hence, than that an attempt to deftroy all civil diilin£lion in fociety, and to bring fuperiors and inferiors on a level, is a dire£t violation of the commands of God's word And nothing can be more evident fromthcfe paiTages, than that the ge- nius of the Chriftian daclrine and inftitution is favour- able to that obedience which we are inculcating upoa ftrvmts. Here then the example which Chrift has fet us in all that humble obedience which as a man he yielded unto * Col. ui. 24. t I Tim. vi, 3, 4, \ Ver. 1. ![ Tit- ii. 10, TO MASTERS. ^73 unto God J the great and efFedual fervices he render- ed us by his humiliation and death j and the authori- ty he juftly claims over us as our mailer : ftll thefe confiderations, I fay might be held up to the view of ferrants to conciliate their minds to that ftation Pro- vidence has allotted them, and to animate them to that obedience to their mafters which has been (hewn to be in itfelf fit and reafonable. Are you indebted to the painful labours and agonizing fufferings of Chrift, whobecamethefervant of Godand man for your fakes ; are you, I fay, indebted to them for all the fubftantial comforts you enjoy here, and the noble profpeds you have hereafter ^ Do your breafts burn with love and gratitude to him, your divine benefaftor ? And have you folemnly vowed obedience to him as your mafter ? How then can you wilfully fail in the duty he autho- ritatively requires of you in the text ! and efpeciaily as fuch a failure nnay prove an occafion of " the name *' of God and oi his do61rine's being blafphemed I" Be perfuaded lltn to obey your mafters according to the tieih in all things ; and fo to " adorn the dodrine *' of God your Saviour." We iliould now proceed to confider the manner in which this obedience is to be rendered, and to en- force the tempers we mean to recommend with fuita- ble motives But this we muft refer to the next fer- PART 174 DUTIES OF SERVANTS PART III. We have confidered at large the obedience hfelf re- quired of fervants, and their obligations to it. And it remains that we now, Secondly, Confider the manner in which this obe- dience is to be rendered, and enforce the tempers we wifh to inculcate with proper motives. Thefe are quellions that deferve our particular atten- tion : for the acceptablenefs and utility of the obedi- ence required of fervants very much depend on the manner in which it is rendeied. What we have here to offer will fall under the following particulars — Hu^ miiity — Tide lit y — Diligen ce — a n d Cheerfuln efs . 1. Humility. To be humble, according to the apollle's account of this amiable temper, is " to think fobcrly of our- " felves as we ought to think * :" that is, to conceive of our characters, abilities, and rank in life, agreeably to whiit they really are, and to condu6l ourfelves ac- cordingly. Now, .^'.^hough fervants are upon an equa- lity with their mailers in regard of nature, and may be fuperior to them in refpect of ability for the bufi- nefs they undertake, yet their condition in life is vaft- ly inferior. The mafter hath property, the fervant little or none : the farmer Is in a fituation of power and honour, the latter in that of feivice and dependence : the one has authority to dem.and obedience, the other is obliged by his own voluntary engagements to ren- der it. It is contrary therefore to all idea of truth, equity, * Rom. xii. ^. TO MASTERS. 275 equity, and decency, for a fervant to conceive of his marter as his equal, and to treat him as fuch. For perfons in this inferior flation to afiedl authority and ' dominion, is an evil " for which," the wife man tells us, '* the earth is difquieted, and which it cannot ■** bear *." And this inverfion of all order he de- fcribes by a kind of caricatura that cannot fail of ex- citing difguft, if not ridicule ; " 1 have feen fervants " upon horfes, and princes walking as fervants upon ** the earth f ." It is providence that has made the difference between the one and the other. The fer- vant ought therefore to give honour to whom honour is due, to cherifti in his bttart an unfeigned eifeem for his mafter as his fuperior, to addrefs him on all oc- cafions moll refpediuUy, to carry himfelf in his pre- fence with all humility and reverence, to liflen in ii- lence to his commands, to comply fubmiflively with his will, and on no account to difpute bis juft authori- ty over him. This is in itfelf right. Diiference of character and llation requires fuch deportment : nor can the ends of the relation between mafter and fervant be properly attained without it. Suppofe a feivant to fancy him- felf in all refpe^ts wif.r. and better than his mailer, and totally to overlook the diltinclion which provi- dence has cieuled beivveen them j is it imaginable tliat he would difcharge his duty as he ought, either to his own comloiL ; r his mafter'^s fatisfaclion ? What he did he would do grudgingly ; and not doing it confor- mably to his pleasure who hath a right to dircdi:, he would fcarce render him any fervice at all. The voice of decency, cultom, and common fenfe,- therefore * Prov. XXX. 31, "2. t Ecclcf. x. 7. 2'j6 DUTIES OF SERVANTS therefore, fpeak loudly- in favour of a modeft, fubmlf- five, refpe^lful dcpoitment in fervants. 'I he reverfe of it never fails to difgult. What fcrvant that is con- ceited, felf-willed, forward, and confident, but injures bimfelf, and eflentially too, in the opinion not only of thole he fervei, but of thofe who frequent the fami- ly he belongs to ? Senfible people will ever confider fuch fervants as deficient inpoint of fenfe and manners as well as good nature and religion. How much man- kind are agreed on this fubjedl, is evident from thefi- mllarity of behaviour required of perfons in this fta- tions in rnoft countries and ages ; fuch as Handing in the prcfence of their fuperiors, waiting upon them, lillening in filcnce to their commands, not anfwering again, yielding refpeftfuUy to their opinion, and afTi- duoufly endeavouring to pleafe. Indeed fo congenial is the idea of humility to the charafter of a fervant, that when we adopt this latter term in our epirto- lary correfpondence with one another, w'e ufually add the epithet of humhle to it. Infcripture, /5'«/;z///ij zxid^Jeriyice are almoft always ufed as convertible terms j or, however, we fcarce meet with the word fcrvant but this idea rifes to our view. So the patriarchs, prophets and apoftles, when they fpeak of themlelves as the fervants of God, mean thereby to expiefs their abfolute fubmiflion to his will, and their humble obedience to his commands. To this, as a quality that ought never to be feparated from the chara6ler of a fervant^ the blefled God refers when he fliys, •' If I be a mafter where is my fear * '*' And when the apoftle reminds the Ephefians how fee had acquitted himfelf among them as the fcrvant of Chrittjhe tells them that '•' he had ferved the Lord with »' all * Mai i. 6. TO MASTERS. 2*]"] " all humility of mind *." And when the fame apo. ftlc would excite the Philippians to *' that lowlinefs " of mind," which induces men to " efteem others bet- " ter than themfelves," he inftantly holds up Chrift to their view in the charafler of a fervant : *' He made ** himfelf, fays he, of no reputation, and took on him " the^form of a fervant, and humbled hirafelf, and be- '* came obedient to death f ." Here we might ihew at large, would the time ad- mit, that the genius of the gofpel, fo firikingly ex- prelTed in that great aft of condefcenfion juft referred to J that the meeknefs, fubmiffion, and readinefs to ferve one another which are every where recommend- ed in the New Teftament j and that the many parti- cular examples of this kind the Bible fets before us, all unite to enforce the duty we arc here inculcating upon fervant-s. But there is one very iingular fa6t re- lated of our Saviour, which mull not pafs unnoticed, and that is, his condefcending behaviour to his difci^ pies juft before his lail fuiFeriugs. Though he was their mafter, yet affamlng the charafler of a fervant, *^ he laid afide his garment, took a towel and girded *' himfelf, poured water into a bafon, and having waih- *' ed their feet, wiped them with the towel wbere- *' with he was girded :'' and then fays, *' If I your Lord "' and mafter have waftied your feet, yc alfo ought to *'•' wa(h one anothers feet J'* Can we, any of us Ckri- Itlans think of this, and not be difpofed to acls of hu- mility ? Can ChriRIan fervants more efpeclally think of this, and not feel the propriety of rendering hum^ ble obedience to their mafiers ? *' Count them wor- N «' thy * A!1 crjr.m^Ie fcC them by their fuperiors. But the main confideratlo:. we have to offer, as a motive to fidelity, Is the b-nefit that refuhs from thence to feryants themfelve"?. The pleafures of a peaceful confcience infinitely outweigh all the gratifications, which the lawlefs abufe of a mailer's fubitance or time can poflibly procure. How happy to be able to fay in an hour of cool refleftion, " 1 have not only been *' anxious not to injure thofe I have ferved, but it " hath been my aim to promote their interells to the utmoil 2§2 DUTIES OF SERVANTS *' utmoR of my power !" Such a chamber too can- not fail to fecuve the affedlionate regards of ingenuoua maflers. It will balance the account with many o- ther failings. And if one lituation a faithful fcrvant may be in, does not prove in every refpe6t agreeable, it will be a certain introdu6lion to another. This is a matter of fuch confequence, that it is the firfl: thing enquired after, and every other good quality may be ilifpehfed with rather than this. In fliort, he who confults his intereft both as to this life and another, will refolve to be honeft, and not only to be fo in the general idea of that term, but to make his mailer's in- tereit bis own, St dking examples might here be adduced to illullrate what we have been recommending. But, among the many that occur in fcripture, ^^e muil content our- I'elves with little more than the bare mention of a few only, intreating fervants to dwell more particularly on thein in their meditations. How faithfully did Abraham'' s fervant execute his mafter^s commands re- fpe^ing Ifaac,In the matter of his niarriage. andfo ful- fil the oath he had taken to him * ! Jofiph''s fidelity in the lio'ufe oF Potiphar cannot be enough applauded : and however this ex\raordinary inftance of domeftic virtue was for a while ^cl'pfed by the thick and low- ering clouds of adverfity, yl'w it quickly fhone out a- midlt the fplendours of unexatxipled profperity and glory f . Mofes was the fervant of God, and had the honourable atteftation of his divine Mailer to his character, that *' he was faithful in all his houfs as a *' fervant +.■" This honour too the prophets and a- poUIes repeatedly enjoyed. And if fuch examples may * Gen. xxlv, | Gen. xxxix. 40, &c. \ Heb. iii. 5^ TO MASTERS. 283 may receive any illuftration from their oppofites, I might mention that of Gehazi, the fervant of Elilha, who -for his wretched infidelity and avarice entailed upon hirafelf and his family, that very difeafe of which Na- man was cured, and in whofe opinion by his unfalthful- nefs he had cruelly abufed the charafter of his inno- cent mafter *. To vvhfch I might add the deplorable inftance of Judas, who for his treachery to the belt of mafters drew down the mo ft tremendous vengeance on his guilty head f . But thefe gloomy ideas we would expel from the minds of thofe we mean affec- tionately to allure to their duty, by holding up to their view the illuftrious character of Jefus of Nazareth, of whom it was prophecied that as *' he (liould be the *' fervant of God to raife up the tribes of Jacob, fo " lighteoufnefs fhould be the girdle of his loins, and ** faithfulnefs the girdle of his reins J." And thofa fervants wlio have believed his dodrine, and entered into the fpirit of it, though previous to this they were void of all principle, have become iincercj honeft, and faithful. Onefimus before his converfion was unpro- fitable to his matter Philemon j but afterwards, was profitable both to him, and to the apoftle Paul, by whom he was begotten in his bonds at Rome |j.— But it is time we now haften to the third particular, • 3. D iigence. By diligence we mean applying in earned to the work we undei take, fetting about it with all our might, lofing no time in the profecution of it, and labouring at it wuth pacience and perfeverancc till we have ac- compliflied it. The great importance of this in eve- ry * 2 Kings V. 20 — ult. f Mat. xxvii. 3, 4, 5. I Ij'aiah xlis. 6. Chap ix, 5. Ij Philem. vtr. 10. ir. 284 rUTIES OF SERVANTS ry affair of life is acknowledged by all prudent fen* fible people. For however acute and ingenious a per- fon may be, he will make no progrefs in any art or fcieiice if he does not apply. Knowledge ii not to be acquired without hard ftudy, nor wealth ordinarily without induftty. And how unfavourable floth is to religion, every one muft be fenfible who has any ac- quaintance with it. But we are here fpeaking of the duty of fervants : and, next to fidelity, diligence furely is the principal excellence in their charader. Both their tnafterU and their own interefi are concerned therein. It is for their fervicc they are hired and rewarded : and as they (hould underflard the bufinefs they covenant to do, fo they fhould do it well. But it cannot be done well, if it is not nninded. To this end therefore their affairs (hould be arranged in an orderly manner, and every office regularly fucceed e^ch other. A reafon- able time being allowed for food, flecp, recreation, and the duties of religion, not a moment of the remainder fhould be loft. All trifling, faunteiing, and loitering fhould be avoided, and efpecially idle company, which is the bane of domeflic happi- nefs and fidelity. When once fervants become floth- lul, it is much if th?y do not become artful and intri- guing. However, having no other obje6l than their eafe and pleafure, their mafter's commands wiilbedif- obeyed, or at moft the fervice they render him will be what the text calls eye-fervice, the order of the houfe will be negle£led, its fubftance wafted, its af- fairs run ifito confufion, and in the end the family ruined. On the contrary, where each fervant minds his proper bufinefs, applies himfelf diligently to it> TO MASTERS* 2»5 and goes on regularly and perfevering'y in It j peace, order, plenty, and cheerfulnefs will reign throughout the houfe. But iheir 9wn intereft is concerned in this matter, as well as that of their mailers and the reft of the fa- mily. Induftry contributes not a little to health j and that is one of the principal bleffings of life. Ex- erting themfelves with attention, vigour, and activity in their ftations, they will have a reli(h for food and fleep, and thofe other comforts to which they will be entitled, and which all good mailers will wifh them to enjoy. Enured to a regular expeditious man- ner of doing their work, their work will become lefs painful and fatiguing to them. And their agility and fprightiinefs will not fail to recommend them to thofe they ferve, and fecure them many advantages which fiothful fervants, who at bell do their duty grudging- ly, can have no reafon to expefl. In (hort, their cha- r^dler, honour, and profperity, are deeply interefted i,a their attention to this branch of their duty. Diligence, in regard of every kind of bufinefs we undertake, is frequently and earncftly inculcated in fcripture ; and its oppolite, indolence, is marked witli epithets of difgrace and reproach. Solomon fpeaks of the former in terms of the higheft refpect, telling us that '* the hand of the diligent maketh rich * j" that ** his thoughts tend to plenty f j" and that-** a •* man of this chara£ler (hall ftand before kings, and ** not before mean men % •" and he fpeaks of the ilug- gard as the moft worthleTs and contemptible of ail be- ings ||. Diligence is urged upon us in the New fef- N 5 tament * Prov. S.4. -j- Ch. xxi.5. X Ch. xxii, 29. {j Ch. xxiv, 30 — ult, 286 'duties of servants triraent with the like warmth as in the Old. In the very fame breath that we are commanded to ierve the Lord, we are cautioned againit being flothful in bufinefs : *' Not flothful in bufinefs, but ftrvcnt in fpi- *' rit, ferving the Lord*." The rheffalonians are exhorted to " (ludy to be quiet, and to do their pro- *' per bufinefs, working with their own hands f ." And " they who learn to be idle, and fo become tat- *' lers and bufy bodies," are very fevercly reprehend- ed X' i he admonitions of this fort which occur in the Bible are too numerous to be recited. To this objecSl more tiian one parable of our iSaviour's is di- refled, wherein he holds up to our view the charac- ter of the diligent fervant on the one hand, as attain- ing to great honour and wealth ; and that of the floth- ful, on the other, as coming to difgrace, poverty, and wretchednefs ||. And fcripture-examples there are many which well deferve the regard of fervants. Such was the atten- tion of A-braham's fervant to his maker's affairs, that when he arrived at the houfe of Bethuel, the father of Rebekah, however fatigued he might be with his journey, he would not eat till he had delivered his mef- fage § . Jacob ferved his uncle Laban dili,i^ently, *' with all his power," as he himfelf expreffes it j and God rewarded him ^. So did Jo/e/yb his mafter Potiphar, and afterwards Pharaoh : and lo what dig- rity and power he arofe we have already obferved **. The diligence of the prophets and apoftles^ in the fer- vicc of their divine mailer, is often m.eiitioned in fcrip- ture * Rom. xii. IT. f iThef. iv. ii. \ i Tim. v. 13. il Matt. x.\iv. XXV. § Gen. xxiv. 33. ^f Ccn. xxxi. 6. ** Gen. xxxix. xi. xli. TO MASTERS. 287 tiire to their honour j and having ceafed from their la- bours, they are now'entered.into the reit of heaven 5 and at the great day of account their piinful and con- liant exertions for the glory of God and good of man- kind, win be applauded in the prefence of angels and men. How worthy thefe examples of our ipriitation in the fcrvice of God ! And how worthy too of their's whom we are here exhorting to diligence in the fervice of their earthly mailers ! But the example of Lhriji, the fervant of God, and of all fervants the moil dili- gent as well as faithful, demands their particular at- tention. He loll no time, fpared no pains, failed in no one duty required of him. *' Wilt ye not," laid he to his parents on a certain occafion, " that 1 muft *' be about ray Father's bufinefs * '" And on ano- ther, " My meat is to do the will of him who fent " mef." And when he came to die, he could fay what no one betides himfelf could, that ^^ he had fi- niftied, fully perfeded, the work given him to do j;." Be diligent therefore, ferv I S. DISCOURSE vm. DUTIES OF MASTERS TO SERVANTS. Eph. VI. 9. And ye majlers do the fame things unto them, for" bearing threatening : knowing i hat your mafter afo is in heaven^ neither is there rrfpeEl of perfons with him. THE duties oi fervants to their maflers having been at large ex.plained and enforced, we arc now to confi^er thofe of mafters to their fervants. This is a fubjed of as great importance as the farmer, for the obligations and interefts of both parties are mutual ; and indeed, after all the pains that have been taken with fervants, the fuccefs of our endeavours de- pends not a little upon the prudent, refolute, and good- natured behaviour of mailers towards them. In explaining the text we are to confider, Firfl, The perfons addrelTed : Secondly, The duties enjoin- ed : and 7'birdly, The arguments with which they are enforced. Firil:, The perfons addreffed are maftgrs. Mafters ^94 DUTIES OF MASTERS Mafters here are to be confidered, agreeably to what was obferved ia the former difcourfe refpeding fervants, either as claiming property in their lervants, or as having an authority over them that was the re- fult of mutual corapaft. I'hefe are called mafters ac- cording to thejlej}?, to remind both them and their fer- vants of the great God, who is afterwards faidtobctheir Mafter in heaven. So fervants are taug^:t to have re- gard to the divine authority yi the obedience they render to their mafters : and mafters, on the other hand, are taught to exercife humanity and condefcen- fion to their fervants. Although they.^are their fupe- riors in regard of condition, they are upon an equality with them in regard of nature. And whatever autho- rity they claim over their bodies, that authority can- not extend to their nobler part, the foul. They are and can be only maliers according to thejlejh. Secondly, We are next to confider the duties en- "joined on mafters. Thefe are all included In the general idea of doing the fame things unto them^ that is, aftin^j; upon the fame principles of equity nd o;:;ne vo lence, as thofe on which fervants are required to a6t in tleir obedience to them. If it is their duty to be faithful, honeft, and iuft, it is the duty of mafters to be fo too.. If the lat- ter are not to be injured in their perfons, chara6lers,. or property, fo neither are the former. " Mafters,'* fays the apoitle elfewhere, ^' give unto vour fervants *' that which is juft and equal*." Let them have fuch food, wa^res, protection, and commendation as their fervices merit, and as by pofuive agreement you ftaiid engaged to render them. But *Col,iv. r. TO SERVANTS* 2^^ But it is not the rule of juftice only but that of be- nevolence alfo, which is to govern the conduct of maf- ters towards their fervants. ' They are to treat them with all humanity, moderation and gentlenefs,yorZ'(P^r- 2/ig threatening. Some explain the word here ufed *, of remitting oft the evils threatened, which, if it were the fenfe, would feem to allow of threatening. But farely the apoftle could not mean to countenance a praftice fo improper in itfeif, and fo oppofite to the mildnefs and generofity of the gofpel, which is not on- ly averfe to a vindiftive temper, but to>jill that vio- lence and paffion, which is ufualiy exprelTed in loud and menafiing language. And it is probable he had in his eye the treatment which bond- fervants or flaves commonly met with, who were conlidered as their mafter's abiolute property, and to be dlfpofed of ac- cording to their pleafure'j which treatment therefore he reprobates. Thirdly, We have the next argument with which thefe duties are enforced. They are in general infinuated in the manner the duties themfelves are defcribed,*that is to fay, it is right and fit that men Qiould do unto others as they would have others do to them 5 and therefore maf- ters {hould on this ground eonfider themfelves oblig- ed to the duties recommended. And then, mafters by being addrelied as C!?riftians, are reminded of the equity, humanity and benevolence of the Chriftian feheme, and fo by thefe truly nOble and exalted mo- tives, urged to their duty. But the confideration more diredly held up to their view, is that of their hnoxvin? that their mafter a/fo is in heaven , neither is there refpeB of perfons vjith him^ ' ' All 2^6 DUTIES OF MASTERS All ranks of men are alike fervants of the great God, and amenable to him j and it is moft certain that he is ftridly juft, and will not fiiew a partial regard to any on account of the luperior ftations they hold in life.- This they ftiould remember. But perhaps the apoftle has Chrift here more immediately in his eye, and by fpeaking of him as being in heaven would re- mind them that he has a greater and more abfolute au- thority over them, than they can by any laws what- ever be fuppofed to have over their fervants. And as he is their mailer, and will by and by call them to an account, fo they (hould charge it upon themfelves frequently to realize! the folemnities of the laft judg- ment, which will be conduced according to the ilridl rules of truth and juftice. The text thus explained, we proceed to a more full difcuflion of the fubje6t before us. But, previous to a particular enumeration of the duties required of maf- ters, let us Ipend a few moments in (hewing the great importance of their taking every proper meafure to fecure to themfelves the reverence and affeSiion of their fervants. Thefe two points, once gained, will have a confiderablc efFedl to facilitate the feveral du- ties to be hereafter recommended. I. It (hould be the care of mafters to eftablifli in the breads of their fervants a due reverence for their authority. Without this it will be Impo(rible that the one fliould govern, or the other ferve ariglit. No autho- rity can avail that is held in contempt : its exertions will be feeble, and its effe6l nugatory. A mafter hai a right to command, and a fervant fliould knoxv it, and know too that he is refolved to aHertit. Proper- ty TO SERVANTS. 297 ty, rank and confent give power. But of what ufe is power, if not applied to the purpofe for which it was given ? If, through pufillanimity, ill-breeding, or want of fenfe, mafters fuffer all idea of their fuperiority to be obliterated from the minds of their fervants, is it to be wondered that fuch fervants grow familiar with them, that this familiarity breeds pertnefs and confi- dence, that thcfe are followed with obftinacy and difobedience, and fo all the ends of their office as fervants are defeated ^ It can fcarce be otherwife, Pofieffing this power, therefore, mafiers fliould have fpirit to claim it, particulaily when fervants enter their families. This will fix fuch imprefiions of humility, fear, and reverence, upon their minds, as will have the moll important effed to guard them againft inde- cency, idlenefs, and neglefl. They will not dare to treat their mafters orders with indifference, or by a confident behaviour to put them to the blulli before Grangers. But by what kind of deportment are mafters to fe- cure to themfclves fuch refpecl from their fervants ? Not by affuming a power they have no right to. Not by arrogating the authority of a haughty defpot. Not by acculioming themfelves to a proud, fupercilious, diftant carriage. We mean nothing of this kind. Such a behaviour is carrying the matter to an extreme as pernicious as the contrary. No j what I mean is a pro- priety and dignity of condu6t refultin^ from a jufl fenfe of their fuperiority. How do fome heads of fa- milies let themfelves down in the opinion of their fer- vants, by allowing them the like familiarity they do their children or their particular friends I Can this be right ? Have mailers reafon to expeil their domef- tics 298 DUTIES OF MASTERS tics will revere them, if no attention is paid to the na- tural and proper forms, which the common fenfe and cuftom of all nations have adopted i* If, for inftance, they allow them to be talkative, to anfwer again, to take place by their lide, or to be covered in their pre- fence j can they wonder that their fervants quickly for- get their chara61er and ftation, and fo become indif- pofed to their duty ? " Is the fervant above his ** Lord *.'* To juftify fuch imprudences on the ground of humility and condefcenfion, is weak to the laft, degree, if not abfolutely criminal. Our Lord himfelf condemns it, when he fays in one of his dif- courfes, *^ Which of you having a fervant plowing or *' feeding cattle, will fay unto him by and by, when " he is come from the field, Go and fit down to meat ; " and will not rather fay unto him, Make ready *^ wherewith I may fup, and gird thyfelf, and ferve *' me, till I have eaten and drunken : and afterwards *' thou (halt eat and drink ? Doth he thank that fer- " vant becaufe he did the things that were command- *' ed him ? I trow not f ." — On the other hand, 2. Matters (hould be alike anxious to fecure to them- felves the cordial affeBion of their fervants. As to God, love is of as much confequence to in- fluence and regulate our obedience to him as reve- rence. No one that does not affedionately efteem that great Being, will render him acceptable and effeftual fervice. Such is the cafe with refpedt to fervants. If they have no cordial attachment to their matters, but poifefs only the abject awe and reverence of (laves, hov.t^ver they may do what they are bid, they will not do it well \ and their matters will find their bufineCs in * Mat. X. 24, f Luke xvii. 7, 8, 9. TO SERVANTS. 2^f in governing them to be a very arduous one indeed. They muft, in fuch cafe, have their eye perpetually upon them, muft iffue their orders on eveiy matter with a fevere and peremptory tone, and muft frequent- ly endure the painful jealoufy of undutifulnefs and in- fidelity. On the contrary, if our fervants love as well as reverence us, they will not only obey our com- mands, but obey them cheerfully. They will make our interefts their own, and by aiming with all their might to pleafe, will relieve us of many anxieties and exertions which would otherwife be unavoidtfble. This, therefore, fhould be an objeft with the heads of families. The fccuring this point, as well as the former, fhould engage their ftcady attention, efpecial- ly when fervants firft enter their houfes. But how is this to be done ? Not by indecent fa- miliarity or mean fubmiflion, much lefs infinceie pre- tences j but by a humane, candid, generous, friendly behaviour towards them. Satisfied of the char!i(!^ers of their fervants when they hire them, and feeling therafelvf s well affe£led towards them as honeft, in- duftrious, and good-natured, and efpecially as reli- gious perfons, if fuch they are 5 mafters ihould endea- vour to convince them that they are their friends, and mean to do them all the good that lies in their power. And in the full perfuafion of this kind difpofition to- wards them, they fhould take pains, by all proper means, to confirm them, fuch as condef^cnfion, affa- bility, good-natured language, pleafant countenances, and other more fubftanlial tokens of approbation. This no doubt is their, duty and intereft, and one would wonder that people are not more generally fen- iible of it. — And now, having laid the foundation of domefiic 30» DUTIES OF MASTERS domeflic government, in the fecure poffefTion of the reverence and afFedlion of our fervants, we (hall be enabled pretty ealily to rear the fuperftrudure. We proceed therefore to confider the duty of mailers, in reference to — the Civil Affairs of their fervants— their Moral ConduB — and their Religious Interefts,. First, As to the Civil Concerns of the family. This is a fubje^l that cannot with propriety be fo fully difcuffed in a fermon, as in fome other kind of difcoiirfe. We will, hoivever, venture fome general obfervations on it, and the rather as the duty of ma- ilers, which hath indeed a principal reference to thefe matters, cannot be underllood without it. I fay their duty hath a principal reference to thefe matters, be- caufe, though the moral and religious interefts of our fervants ought ever to be confidered by us as objeds of the higheft moment, yet it is for the immediate purpofe of affuling us in our temporal concerns, that ^^'t take them into our houfes. I. Permit us then, in the firft place, to advife the regular arrangement of the feveral bufineffes required of fervants. Method and punctuality are of importance to the right conducting and expediting all civil affairs. So here. Every one in the houfc (hould have his proper office affigned him, A fit time ihoald be allotted for each duty. The day for work, the night for reft. The early hours of the morning ftiould not be wafted in floth. Bufinefs ftiould be forwarded, and that not put off to a late feafon which ought to be done imedi- ately. Each fervice ftiould fucceed the other in re- gular order, and the department of this fervant not clafti with the duty of that. Matters thus adjufted iii TO SERVANTS. '3 01 in a family, all will go on with eafe, iiarraony, and fuccefs. Confufion will be avoided. Waile will be prevented. Much will be done in a little time. A good underftanding will be preferved through the houfe. And chcerfulnefs will be feen in every coun- tenance. Now the difpofing matters In fuch man- ner, is a duty lying upon the heads of families. They fhould therefore fummon together all the pru- dence, good-nature, and refclutlon they are mafters of, in order to the compaffing thefe objedls. More depends upon this than fome may at firfl view ima- gine. Inattention to domeftic afFairs, either through floth or affeftation of fuperiority to thefe low concerns, as fome may flyle them, has proved the ruin of many fa- milies. Indeed this is an evil, w^hich, in the prefent age of dilTipation, calls loudly for a reform. Can any thing be more abfurd than for the miftrefs of a houfe to confider what is her proper buHnefs as beneath her ? By fuch a condud (he difgraces her underilanding, r^s well as injures her family. Would to God we could perfuade fuch idle giddy people to oppofe to their own character that of the virtuous woman in the Proverbs I Methinks the contrail: would put them out of humour with themfelves, and quickly recover them to their fenfes. Let them alio recoliecl: the character ol Dorcas ^ whofe fame will not be forgotten fo long as the fcrip- tures remain in our hands. So attentive was fhe to her domeftic concerns, and the providing for her fami- ly and poor neighbours, that at her death '* all the wi- *' dows ftood by Peter weeping, and fiiewing the *' coats and garments (he made, while Hie was with O " them." 302 DUTIES OF MASTERS " thena * " — But to return. As the general outlines of their duty are to be pointed out to them, fo, 2. Servants are to have particular inflrudions what is to be done and how it is to be done. This is necefTary to our own fatisfndion, and to their improvement. How can we expefl to be pleafed, if we do not give them proper direflions to that end ? " I fay to my fervant, Do this, and he doeth it f :" * I make him underftand what I would have done, and it is immediately done.* And indeed, if the heads of families in both departments, do not look narrowly af- ter their fcrvants work, they may depend upon it their fervants will get a contemptible idea of their un- derflandings, and fo will be under a temptation to flight their bufinefs, if not wholly negle£l it. And it will not be a fufficlent excufe to a ftranger, if things are ill done, and the houfe is all in diforder, that you have bad fervants. It will be naturally e- nough fufpeded, either that through your imprudence you have not a proper command over them, or that you do not underftand your own affairs. Befides, com- mon juftice to fervants requires that they ihould be properly taught, in order to their becoming expert and * Afts ix. 39. Perrons in the higheft ftatioris, and who have been famed for their good fenfe as well as their fixpc-rior rank, have not deemed it beneath rhe.ii to attend to the affairs of their families, and to exercife their ingenuity and charity iu the manner Dorcas did. Auj^uftu prided hiniiclfin wearing the garments fpun byLiTia. Ho.ner deicrioes Helen emplo-cd at tlie loom in the palace o: her f;»tb?r Pr'rni. Her in H»? palace, at her loom fhe founc' ; Tht goMt;n web ^er own f^'.l (lory crown'd. The Trojan wars slic weav'd foje. iJ^vA-t .U.S. TO SERVANTS. 3O3 and notable. If you will not direfl and guide them, how are they to improve ? This is more efpecially the duty of mailers to fuch fervants as are entrufted to their care, to be bred up to particular occupations and profeffions in life. Ne- glect in thefe inftances is not only imprudent, but highly criminal. The idea of inflruftion, as well as authority, is implied in the character of a mailer. In matters of religion, as fervants, we are to pray to God to teach us his will, to fay to him, '* Lord, v/hat " wouldll thou have me to do * ?" " Speak, for thy ** fervant he.reth f ." *' Let thy work appear unto '* thy fervants ±." And God, as our divine Maiier, hath promifed us all needful help and inflru6tion. Ghrifl failed not to in(lru6l his fervants, the apoftles, and fo he does all good men by his holy Spirit. This therefore is a duty incumbent on mailers. 3. Care is to be taken that no more is required of fervants than they are equal to. and that we are gentle in our deportment towards them. To lay burdens on them which they have not flrength to bear, is cruel. To demand fervices of them they are notcompetentto, and for which they were not hired, is unjuft. Yea, to expe6l abfolute perfeclion of them in the particular department they undertfike, is unreafonable. Their underftandings, abilities, and natural tempers fhould be confulted, and all proper allowances made for little failures and overfights. We ihould put ourfelves in their place, and do unto them as we would have them, if they were our maf- ters, do unto us. Humanity and good-nature are in- diipenlible qualities in thofe who would govern their families * Adls ix. 5. t I Sam. iii. p, | Pfal. xc. 16. 304 DUTIES OF MASTBRS families well. The want of thefe will beget difguft in fervants, and their tempers being foured they wiJl iiegle(^ their bufinefs, or however not do it as it (liould be done. Every thing will go on ill, and noife and clamour will dirturb the repofe of the whole houfe. All this therefore is to be avoided^ and a certain fweetnefs and affability to accompany our inflrudions, admonitions and commands. This is an' art which Ibme have acquired in a very high degree, and the ef- fect is fo confiderable that all about them are happy, and their friends who vifit them (harcrs in their felici- ty. As the feveral parts in muHc confpife to produce a plealing efFedl on the ear, fo the eafe and fprightli- nefs of good nature, properly blended with the grave tone of authoritVj feldom fails to produce the agreea- ble effecl of cheerful obedience, and to create perfe6l harmony throughout the family. i)uch deportment in the heads of families hath the lanclion not only of good lenfe and prudence, but of the Bible. By the law of Mofes, mailers are exprefs- ly forbid " to rule their fervants with rigour *." The language of the text is, ^' Ye mafcers, do the *' fame things unto them :" that is, as they ferve you, fo do you govern them with good will ; remembering that fo doing ye do the will of God. And now we mention that great Being, how can we avoid expatiat- ing a moment on the mildnefs and gentlenefs of his condufl:, as a mafter, towards us ! Oh ! how docs he bear not only with our inadvertencies and failings, but vith our undutifulnefs, perverfenefs, and rebellion I Had he treated us with the rigour fome mailers treat their fervants, we had long fince been difmified his fer- vice, * Lev. \::v. 53. TO SERVANTS. 3O5 vice, denied a cliaiafter, obliged to beg our bread, yea, redaced to the utmoll poverty and wretchednefs. On the contrary, he is patient and long fuffering, he pities us and pardons us, he takes every lenient mea- fure to (often our rugged tempers, and to conciliate our afieftions to his fervice. Let us then be ambiti- ous of imitating him, and convmce our fervants that ■vve are indeed his fervants. But if examples of an inferior kind, by coming near- er our own ilaiidard, will have a more direcl effcdt:, we have enough of them in fcripture. X^'hat an ex- cellent maRer was Abraham ! When he has occafion to fend the eldeft fervant of his houfe upon a bufinefs of importance, we hear him faying, not with the haughtinefs of an eaflern defpot, * See thou do this,* but with all the foftnefs that religion, as well as good fenfe, infpires, *' I pray tliee do fo and fo *. What a fenfible, courteous, good-natured miflrefs was Abigail! how eafy of accefs to her fervants I And how readily did they obey her commands ! Such was her charac- ter. And if Ihades will enliven a picture, the churlifh- nefs of her hufuand Nabal will throw a lullrc upon the prudttice and gentienefs for which (lie was fo re- markable. Like a Vv'retch as he was, he treats the fervants of David, who came to him in a peaceable and refpec^iiul manner, wiili the moll abufive lan- guage \ " Who is David ;* And who is the Ion of Jef- *' fe ? There be miiny fervants now-a days that break *' awav every man from his mafter ?" And his own do- me ;tics, who had no doubt luflered enough from his rude behaviour, arc obhged to con:plain to their mif» trefs of this ill-timed inhoipitality and brutilh ill-man- uedineffc * Gen. xxiv. 2. 30^ DUTIES OF MASTERS nerllnefs of tlieir maner*. Other Inftances might be mentioned, but thefe fhall fuffice. Let mafters then be gentle in their deportment towards their fer- vants. — It is however fit and neceffary, 4. That they (hould reprove them when they do wrong. Some faults fhould be wholly overlooked : fome, though fmall, fhould be noticed that they may be a- mended : , and others of greater magnitude, and that proceed trom habitual carelelTnefs, ov which is worfe from ill will, (liould be cenfured with fome degree of afperity. But then we lliould fee to it that there be jail: ground for the cenfure, and that it be denounced in a manner that does not favour of malevolence. *' Ee augry,'" the apoille fomewhere fays, ** and fin :' not.'* We may be difpleafed, and fhew our dif- pleafure with fome warmth, and yet not be vindidlive or refentful. Every approach towards this worft of tempers fhould be carefully avoided. To which end we fhould endeavour to entertain a good opinion, of our fervants, to guard againft peevifhnefs, or a difpo- fition to find fault, and, if our paffions are fuddenly roufed, to do our utmofl to prevent the effccl:. Dif- like of what is amifsis fometinies much better announ- ced by looks than words. Or if we are in danger of expreffing ourlelves before we are aware too ftrougly, it will be our prudence to turn away, and defer our rebukes and remonftrances to a more calm moment. Haflv. pnQionate. violent l^ngua^se, efpecially when ufed to fervauts, who are our infeiiors, is an offence ag'ciinll decency and good manners. It is an argument of ilUbreeding and want of fenfe, and feldom products any * X Sara. XXV, TO SERVANTS. 3^7 any good efFe^l. Ingenuous minds are hurt by fuch treatment, the Itupid are hardened, and feivants, who are of the fame violent temper, aie tempted to make reprifais in a way that is fure to ilTue in the dlfgrace if not the defeat of their fuperiors. Having faid this, we fcarce need caution mailers a- gainft proceeding to further extremities. Chailife- ments of a corporal nature are rarely to be inflitl- cd, even on young perfons who are not arrived to the full ufe of their reafon. But fuch treatment of grown perfons, or a behaviour that at al?borders on it, is il- liberal to the laft degree. The text forbids it, at lead by confequence : ** forbear threatening," that is, ufe not loud, fevere, menacing language to your fer- vants, much leis any violence to their perfons. And hpw contrary ever/ thing of this foit is to the geoius of the Chriilian religion, as well as to decency and good fenfe, I need not take pains to fnew. The gof- pel at once infpires men with a mild and gentle, and with a noble a magnanimous fpirit : and the latter is as inimical to a naughty, fierce, tyran'sic^i behaviour towards fervants as the former. The luan therefore of this complexion, if he calls himfelf a Chriftian, gives a lie to his profelTion j but at the lame tine relcues it from dlfgrace, by telling all around him that he is only a pretender to the chara61er he afiumes. But how are fervants to be reproved when they do amifs ? With gentlenefs, and moderation, if they are of a foft and ingenuous temper, and the fault is of no great confequence : with firranefs and afpeiity, if they are obiUnate and unyielding, and the fault is con liderable. Reproof Ihould be well timed : never given wnen we are in a paffion, and fo incapable of addrefling them with -s DUTIES OF MASTERS with caliTuiefs and dignity ; and ahvays, If poffible, when they are in a difpofition to liRen to our reproofs, and to profit by them. It fhould not be too frequent- ly, repeated, for, if it is, it will lofe Its effecl:. The objecl: iliould be conviction and amendment, not the gratlHcation of refentment. And a reproof well taken ihould iniiantly and totally annihilate the fault. '* As ■' an ear-ring of gold," fays Solomon, " and an orna- '■ ment of fine gold, fo Is a wife reprover upon an o- •* bedient ear *." In fliort, if people have but a ge- neral knowledge of human nature, and a common (hare of prudence, and if all their view is to make them- felves and their fervants happy, they need not be at any great lofs how to condu6l this bufmefs ; efpecial- ly if they fear God and are rightly Inftrufted in the religion of Jefus. But it is the duty of mailers, 5. To commend their fervants when they do right, as well as reprove them when they do amifs, A wilh to pleafe is an amiable difpofition in all ranks of men, particularly fervants. And if from ingtnu- oufnefs of temper, and a cordial affeflion for their maf- ters, they make it their buiihefs to conform to their will, and are never (o happy as u-hen they give them pleafure, it is but right thty (honld receive a recom- pence in this way. A cheerful fmile, and an applaud- ing word, will give them fpirits and enliven them in tlieir work. On the contrary, if the heads of families carry themfelves always with an air of ploomir.efs and referve towards their fervants, and think it is enough, when things aae done to their mind, that they do not find fault •, is it to be wondered that their fervants tem- pers are foured, that they relax in their obedience, and * Prov. XXV. 12. TO SERVAI^TS, 3O5I and that their work goes on heavily ? Would we wilh them tiien to ferve us cheeifully, we fxiould on proper occaiions, let them know that we accept luch fervices with plealure at their hands. On proper oc- cahons, 1 fay j for commendHtious, ill- limed, and too frequently repeated (as we obierved before of le- proofs^ will lofe their tffcd. Indeed, feme feivants arc lo perverfe, that they are in as much dant^er of fLifferino by prai'e as by cenfure : the former becomes an occnfion of excitinu' conceit and pertnefs, the lat- ter of prejudice and ill-wili. To fuch fervants, there- fore, th-it applaufe ihould be dealt out paifin^cniouily, which may be beltovved on others with fome degree of profulion : fo that prudence and good i ature are to be equally confulted in the diilriuution of this be- nefit. But indeed It is happy when the tempers of fer- vants and m^flers will allow of a mutu .1 exchange of cheerful fervices and cheerful acknowIed'?men!s, with- out any i'ljury to fubordination on the one hand, or authority on the other. Where this is the cafe, we fee no biacknels or ic ferve lowering upon the counte- nances of either fuperiors or inferiors ; our ears are dirmed with no loud commands or clamorous replies, no ih trp reproofs or confident aniwers. But on the contriry, pleafure fits fmlling on every brow, and peace, harmony, and joy prevail through the whole houfe. The malfer fays, Do tiiis, and the fervant does it : his commands are executed with almull the fame eafe that they are i^iven, an 1 the commendation in return is, Well done good and faithful fervant I — This leads us to fpeak, 6. A:id filfly, of the r€compence to be made them fcr their 'Vrvices, — But this, with what follows, we much refer lo the next frrmon. Oi PART 3'- ' DUTIES OF MASTER? PART II. In the preceding fermon, previous to a particular enumeration o^' the duties required of mafters we have fhewn trie great importance ot their taking every pro- per meafure to fecure the reverence and affeSion of thfir fervants. So we have proceeded to confider the duty of malters, in reference to the civil affairs of their fervants, their moral conduB. and tiieir religious inlerefts. We have bet^un with the civil affairs of the faniily. And here we have advifed the reyjular arrangement of the feveral bnfineffes of the houfe 5 the particularly inftiu6ling fervants what is to be done, and kow it is to be done ; the not requiring more of them than they are equal to j the reproving them when they do wrong j and the commending them when they do right. To all which we have now to add, 6. And lalily, The making them an adequate re- compence for their fervices. — An this idea 1 include proteSliGTi^ maintenance^ wages, and chara£ier. Ttiey who lerve us have no douD^ ? r phtto our^rt?- teEiion. When they enter our houfe they intruft their perfons, their reputation, and, in a fen^e, all their in- terells, to our care. Their interefts, therefore, we iliould confider as our own. Lveiy injury done ihem, elpccialiy when incurred t.^y the faithful dif- charge of their duty, we fliould look upon as offered to ourfelve-i. Their grievances we Ihould redrefs, itfid to the utmoll of our power viefend them againft all the evils to which they aie Tab e " If 1 did def- '* pife, fays Job, the caufe of ray man-fervant, or of my *' maid- TO SERVANTS. 311 *^ maid-fervant, when they contended with me : what " (hall I do when God rifeth up ? and when he viiit- *' eth, what (ball I anfwer him* ?" They who can be inattentive to tne lafety, repofe, and happinefs of their fervants, are void of j ittice and humanity, ahd not a little defective in pohcy. Equity demands, that thofe who defend, afTiit, and ferve us, (hould enjoy the be- nefit of our patronage : and common fenfe teaches, that indifference on our parts tov;ards them, will be likely to beget indifference on theirs towards us. Mailers are admoniflied in our text, '' to do the fame things" unto their fervants, that their fervantt. are required to do unto them. Would we have them then defend our perfons, our charadlers, our habitations, and our property, we (hould, with the like zeal, defend theirs ; and the rather, as their inferior flation renders them in a manner helpiefs, and therefore the fitter obje£ls of the attention and regard of thofe who have it in their power to help them. Maintenance too they have an unqueilionable right to. Kow can they do their duty, if they have not heaith, ftrength and Tpirits to enable them to do it? And how are thefe to be acquired, if a feafonabie fupply of food, raiment, and reft, is denied them ? Thefe we agree to give ihem, or to put it in their power to procure, when they enter our iervice : :-:nd to withhold them is equally unjuft and foolilli. What torrid inhumanity to grudge the neceffaries of life to thofe who prepare for us the conveniencies of it 1 What vvretched avarice to colled wealth trom the fcanty tables of our domeiiics I A kind of pariimony this that wants a name for it. A man of fpirit would rather * Job xxxi, 13, 14. 3? i DUTIES <)P MASTERS rather fucFer any reproach than be upbraided with the meagre countenances of his fervants ; rather periih in obfcurity, than fee famine flalking about his houfe, ivhile he poffefles the means of driving the fpedlre fhence. It is not, however, luxury we mean to re- commend : that is an extreme as dangerous the other way. No confiderate fervants will expeft to have their tables fprsad with delicacies : but plain and wholefome food they ought to have, and a plenty of it too, with a hearty welcome. Wages alfo they (hould receive adequate to their feivices, in a propoition which general confent has eftablKhed, and rather exceeding the ilrift desnands of jullice than otherwifc. ** Mailers," fays the apof- t;le, '* give unto your fervanti that which is jurt and *' equal, knowing that ye alfo have a mailer in hea- "' vcn *." Jacob ferved Lab.in faithfully, and with A\ bis might, as he exprelTes it : yet Laban dealt de- ceitiully with him, and changed his wages tea times. God, however, fufFercd not Liban to hurt him: but on the contrary, by an extraordinary interpofition, look a-.v-!y his wealth fiom him, and gave it to Ja- eob •, fo at once rewarding the fervant's integrity, and punilhing the mader's infideliry f . The law of Mo- fes was pvirticularly attentive to this matter. *' Ihou ** fiialt not opprefs an hired fervant that is poor and *' needy, v.'hether he be of thy biethren, or of thy " llrangers that are in thy hind within thy gates. At *' his day thou fl:» dt give Isim his hire, neuher fhall *' the *i^n go down u 'On it, for he is poor, and fetteth ** his heart upon it : lell he cry ag:iiiill thee unto the " LorJj and it be lin unto thee 1." A woe is de- nounced * Col. iv. I. I Gen. xxxi. 6, 7, 15, i5. f Deuc. xxiv, )45 r5. TO «RVAnTS. 313 nounccd by tlic prophet Jeremiah on him " that ufeth *' his neighboar's fervice wiihout wages, and giveth *' him not for his work *." And the apoflle James Cxpofes in the ttrongeil Term> the avarice and brutali- ty of thofe wretched matters, who ** kept back by " fraud the hire of the labourers who reaped down ** their fields ;" telling them that " the cries of the ** oppieffed had entered into the ears of the Loid cf " Sabaoth f ." There is alfo one more claim which fervqnts have npon trieir milters, and th;>t is ^ piope; attefiotion to their charatter^^ when ihey quit their kivice. This is a duty which car.not lie di;iic?d them, uuhout ma- nifert injuilice. If ir is a ueiji we « we to all our acquaintance to bear witnefs, when c^UItrd upon, to their good behaviour \ fe: vants furtlv, ui ofe liveli- hood, whole all depends upon their chuKcler, have a inoft unquf llinnable right to demand this recompence of us. Nor CrJtj there be rVe leall difhcalty in ren- dering them this office, with reference to their moral condu6>,if they have acquitied tliemle vej. honeftl) and faithfully in our iervice. If the leveiTe is the cafe, no tenderi.efj for them will juTify the affirming an u:itrutb concerning tliem, and the lather as othtrs' lP?y ue fclTenti liy injured by fuch miliakcn lenity to- waiJs thtm. Truth indeed is to be obferved in re- gard of every other matter refpecting them, upon which information is demanded. And it a ftridl at- tention were more generally paid to it, manv evils in fa. ..Ties wnich oiigin:ite from the ill beh,-vi jur oi' ler- vants would he orevented, and gre?.ter pains woiilci be taken by tnis chfs of people :o merit that chiir-c- ter, ♦ Jer. xsii. 13 f James v. 1.-4. 3^4 DUTIES OF MASTERJ^ ter, which the humai.e and i^^ood natured ever wilh to h4ve it in their power to give. But thei), on the other nand, it is but juit to ooferve in favour of ler- vants, that the littieidilgull we may have felt at their quitting our lervice, ihouid ov no means dilpofe us to give a too high colouring to their faults, or unnectffa- ril) to obtrude on others any unfavourable idea of the-m. Tile ditt ues oi chaiity are to be regarded »s well as juiiice, and no halty piejufiice (liuuio induce us either to ex .ggerate their fault?, or conceal their virtues. Thus iiave we pointed out to the heads oi families, in various particulars, the line of conduct to be oblerv- eJ by tiiem towards tueir fervanti in the management of their domeilic concerns We proceed now, Secondly, To conlider the care they are to take of their feivants marals. To this iuDJed iome attention has been paid alrea- dy : for fuch an inriuence have good morals on the ci- vil concerns of life, that it is fcarce poflible to give perfons prudential (iire(5fions about the latter, without cither direftly or implicitly urging upon them the former. When mailers are difcharging the duties re- commended ' nder the former head, they are in efFedi teaching t^eir feivants many excellent Icffons of mo- rality, fuch as integrity, modelly, diligence, frugality, and the like. But it is poffible that they may be acute, fenfibie and a6live in the management of worldly bu- finefs, and on thefe accounts merit the c larafter of good fervants, and yet be deficient in their morals. This therefore is a matter that deferves to be treated, as we h;^ve propofed, under a feparate head. By good norals 1 mean a due regard to juftice, truth, fo- brieiy, benevolence, aad othei fecial virtues. Now, 1. It TO SERVANTS. 315 I. It is tlie wifdora ol malters to look well to the chara^lers of thtir lervants betore they i ire them. This is a matter of luch impoi tance that people are pretty generally agreed in it. W ha mail in his fen- fes would entruit the guidance of his affairs to one void of all pnn.iple ^ would like to be Icrved by a perioa whofe woid is not to be relied on ? or lufter iiib ijoufe to become an afylum for drunkards and debauchees ? The greatefl evils are to be apprehended from i. atten- tion to tueie mditers. Your fuuiiance may oe plunder- ed, your houfe confumed, your children ruined, and yourfelves murdered. Ihe character therefo e of fer- vanti ftiouid be weil looked into, and it ihey ire even fufpicious. It is a iurficient reafon why we ihould not admit them under our roof. This Ihews of what confrquence it is to people of this clafs, to be careful that tiiey do not by ny wiilul mifcondu6l forfeit tueir good name, or by any imprudence put it out ot the power of thofe they lerve to fpeak lUadily to this point. riieir chara<5ter, as we oblerved juft now, is their livelihood ; they (hould therefore on no account trifle with it. And ior the f.mereafor.. maHtisaiein charity bou.id to oe extremely cautious how tiiey ^dlTlit a doubt oi their integiity, and to oe abcai.riid as they pollibly can in the account they give of them to others. But it is pciTibie that iervanis may be in the general honeit and fober, and yet in fome points of duty defective ; indeed there are none without their faults it is theretoie, 2. rue duty ot rai iters to inflru61 them in the prin- ciples, and coiihuj them in the haoits of virtue. Servants Ihoui^ be lau^i t the difference between good and evil> their obligations to do to others as they 3l6 DUTIES OF MASTERS they would have others do to them j the beauty of virtue, and the deformity of vice j the advan- tages which the former draws after ic, and the mife- ries confequent upon the latter. But how are t!)efe truths to be conveyed to their minds ? in various ways. It will fometimes be right to addrefs our dif- courfe immediately to tliem on thefe matters. And when we do fo, we Ihould confult their capacities and tempers, endeavouring to make our in(lru61ions eafy to their underftandlngs, and the motives with which ■we enforce tlitm interelling to their pafiions. 1 he fit opportunity 'liould be feized, and every aid that cir- cumltances afford improved. Sometimes, and indeed frequently, knowledge of this kind may be infinuated to their minds by familiar difcourfe at our table, r:nd on other occalions, when they are waiting on us. A trifling incident, a little ftory, a fudden remark, a paf- fing obfervation, often conveys admonition to the heart for which it did not feem intended. This ob- lique way of teaclung our fervants is a very happy, and may prove a very effedual one. Books too upon moral fabje6ls (hould be put into their hands: I do not mean plays, novels, and romances ; but fuch plain, fl^ort. well writ treatifcs as are adapted to llrike the mind with honor at the idea of vice, and to allure the heart to the practice of virtue. But above ali, the reading of the IjIdIc Ihould be urged upon them : that facred book which diffcmuiites tlie nature and obligatiot)S of mo- rality, in a manner infinitely more artlefsand command- ing than auv other book whatever. And it is an ar- gument of prudence as well as benevoler.ee in m illcrs, to open the avenues to fuch in(lru61ion, by ena- bling thofc to read, who come totally rude and uninllruded ) TO SERVANTS. 3 17 unlnflrnded into their fcrviee. To all which Hiould be added a ferlous and regular attention to the duties of family and public vvorftilp. The next thing we have to recommend, is, 3. The watching over the morals of our fervants. ln{lru61ion will avail nothincr, if not reduced to praflice : and the beft means to attain this end is to convince them, by our llri^t attention to their behavi- our, that as we have confecrated our habitation to vir- tue, To we are determined at all events it ihail have no fellowKhip with the unfruitful works of darknefs. As to grofs immoralities, few cafes of this fort arife, that will admit of fuch extenuation as to juftify the continuing the delinquent in our fervlce. Yet if fatis- fadion could be obtained of the genuinenefs of his repentance, and that the crime would not be repeat- ed, a good mafter w^ould be happy in giving him an opportunity of recovering his character. Philemon, at the inftanceof the apoftle Paul, overlooked the of- fences of Onefimus, and cheerfully received him a- gain into his fervice. In moll cafes, however, the experiment is dangerous. But it is not with uiofs immor.ilitifs we are here concerned : the obj-6l is to j^ard ai^ainrt a diftant approach towRids tiiofe evils. The indignatioR of a malter (hould kindle at the very fiift expreflionof fHlfehorid, inju(iice. lewdnf fs, detrnCtion, obftinary, Inhum'^nity, ai d the like vices. Severe ^nd pointed reproof (hould be uiven, and thefe failino, expulfion Ih )uld follow ; and fo the fpread of the m''e6lion be prevented. '' A froward heart," favs David, *' (hall deput from me : I will not know a " wicked perfon. Whofo privily fl ndereth his neigh- ** hour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high " look, and a proud heart, will not I fuffer. Mine " cycft 318^ DUTIES OF MASTERS " eyes fhall -be upon the faithful of the land, that *' they may dwell with me : he that walkethin a per- *' fe6l way, he Ihali ferve me. He that worketh de- *' ceit, (hall not dwell within my houfe : he that tel- *' leth lies, ihall not tarry in my fight *." On the contrary, virtuous difpofitions in fervants fhould be cheriihed, afTiiled, and rewarded. It will fometimes fo happen, that circuraiiances of a pe- tuiiar kind will arife to try their fincerity, honour, and gratitude. And having nobly acquitted them- felves on thefe occasions, they fhou'd not fail to re- ceive fach fabllantial tokens of refpeft, as may con- vince them that thefe fine feelings and exalted fenti- ments are common to their mafters with them. Faults frankly acknowledged, without the little fub- terfuges of mean prevarication, fliould be as frankly forgiven. The utmoft care (hould be taken to draw a line between the errors of a miftaken judgment, and thofe of a depraved will. And we (hould be in- finitely more lavilli in our commendations of one (ira- ple undifguifed expre(rion of an honeft heart, than of the molt ftriking'eifed of wit and genius — But there is another matter we have to recommend to the heads of families, which is of as great confequcnce as any we have yet mentioned, and that is, 4 Tije fettin^ their iervants good examples. Could we fuppofe a matter ever fo attentive to the mo'als of his erv.tnts, ever fo fevere in reprehending vice, and ever fo profuie in his praife of virtue ; if he were hirafelf a bad man, it would have little effect. Inferiors are generally more difpofed to copy after the pattern, than to pay attention to the inilrudtions, * Plalm ci. 4. — 7 . TO SERVANTS. $1^ of tlielr fuperiors. And indeed, when the former of thefe contradids the latter, it is not to be wondered that it lofes all its authority. How is it imaginable that a fervant fliould profit by the wholefome admo- nitions of a mailer, in whofe countenance, language, and deportment, vice is every day held up to his view in its moll hideous forms '^ Is it to be expe6led that leffons of meeknefs, pronounced by lips accuftomed to wrath and violence, (liould perfuade •■ Is it to be ex- pedled that cenfures on guile and dlfhoneily, (hould come wirh energy from abafe and unprincipled heart? Is it to be expe6led that men (hould be de'ierred from intemperance and lewdnefs, by the remonilrances of thofe who live in a courfe of diflipation and criminal indulgence? "Virtue it is true, is no lefs amiable for its being reproached by their condu6t, who would be underftood to be its friends. But then fuch mailers mull not wonder, that their fervants regard their ac- tions rather than their words, and by copying after thefe repay them in their own coin for the affronts they thus offer to decency and common fenfe. On the contrary, where virtuous inftrufllons and virtuous chvirafters are in perfeft unifon, they will fcarce fail to produce the defired effe^l on the minds of fervants. Awed by the authoviry of the former, and allured by the fiveetnefs of the latter, they will find it difncult to leliU the d^flntes of truth, honour and decency. Reproofs will llrike their confciences with double force, and counfels infinua'-e themlelves to their hearts with peculiar pleafure. They will be proud to imitate the virtues of their fuperiors, and dread the idea of drawing on tiiemfelves the cenfures of thofsj who are equally venerable and lovely iii their eye>. 320 DUTIES OF MASTERS eyes. And licnce It commonly happens, though not always, that good mailers have good fervants j and people are generally difpofed to form their opinion of the heads of families, by the behaviour of thofe who ferve them. — It now remains, Thirdly, To coniider the attention which it is in- cumbent on maimers to pay to the religious interejis of their fervants. Religion is a due regard to the authority of God : and thofe cannot be called good morals which do not proceed from that principle. It is however pofTible, that men who have no proper regard to the divine au* thority, may yet be induced, by the fear of man and a concern for their worldly interefts, to behave them- felves in the general with integrity, fobriety, and de- cency. But it is religion^ and that only, which will infallibly fecure the good morals of fervants : they who fear God cannot allow themfelves to do a bad a6lion. And this is a good reafou why the heads of families (hould ufe their utmoil endeavours to pro- mote religion among their dom.ellics. If you would be ferved with inte^iity, attention and cheerfulnefs, look well to this point. I'l'is obje6^ gained, what- ever little indiicretions youi Servants maybe guilty cf, you may be (ure vour lubftance will not be purloin- ed, your affairs ntgleded, or ycur authority affront- ed. But relii^ion is a concern that affe6ls the perfonal intereit of fervants in the higheft dej^ree — their hap- pinels both here and hereafter. A pious malier there- fore, feparate from the confiderj.tion of the benefit that will accrue to his domeftic corctrns from their fearing God, will earncftly wiib to promote thefe taeir TO SERVANTS. 321 tKeir bed interefts. And how is this to be done ? I anfwer, by feafonable counfels and admonitions j by a regular attention to family duty •, and by requiring their conftant and r<;rious attendance on public vvor- (liip. Subjects thefe on which we have largely infift- ed in a former dircouife, and therefore (hall only here fubjoin a hw general remarks, fnbmitting them to the Chriftian prudence and benevolence of mailers. If then we would allure our fervants to the love and practice of religion, we (hould, in the firft place, do our utraoft to conciliate their affeflion to us. Having gained their elleem and good-will, we fnall have the more eafy accefs to their hearts. Perfua- ded that we fincerely wiQi them well, they will the more readily attend to what we fay. Whilft we are endeavouring to convince them of the truth, and to make them fenfible of the importance of religion, we fhould take particular care that they have full proof Yrom the general courfe of our behaviour, not only that we are ourfelves perfuaded of its truth, but that we do indeed confider it as by far the moil impoitant concern in the whole world. The fervour of our de- votion, accompanied with the firiclnefs of our morals, will have an effeft to awaken their attention, at cer- tain feafons, to thefe great matters. But at the fame time we ftiould guaid againfl a prejudice, which of- ten nips the firft ferious thoughts in the bud, and cre- ates a difgufl that no reafoning can fubdue j I mean a notion that religion is a fevere, four, ill-natured tiling. Servants will narrowly watch their mafters, and if they obferve a continual gloom on their counte- nances, and a forbidding aufterity and refetve in their manners^ they will conclude that this bufinefs of reli- 322 DUTIES OF MASTERS I gion which they talk fo much of, can be no very agreeable thing. We Ihould therefore fludioufly avoid this great evil, and endeavour by an open, frank, cheerful, good-natured deportment (^all which I am fure religion teaches) to convince them, that It is as friendly to their prefent comfort, as to their everlafting happinefs. — Events of a providential kind that are awakening, fuch as narrow efcapes from dan- ger, ficknefs, and particularly death when it enters our houfes, (hould be carefully improved. At fuch times they will be more fufceptible of religious im- preffions than at others, and affedlionate counfels ad- dreffed to their hearts on thefe occafions, will be like- ly, with the bleffing of God, to produce very import- ant effedts. — Sufficient time we fhould allow them for recolledlion and prayer, and to this end guard againft an evil which in too many families is the bane of religion, I mean freqaent and late entertainments in the evening. How is it poflible that fervan s, dif- tra6led with the hurries of domeflic concerns to very near midnight, fliould either before they go to reft, or at an early hour they are obliged to rife, have pro- per calmnefs or leifure for ferving God in their re- tirements r — Serious books, particularly the Bible, we fhould put into their hands, earnefily wilhing them to read them and lay them to heart. — In fine, thefe and all other meafures we tnke to promote the great objeft of their frJvation, fliould be crowned with our fervent prpyers to God, remembering ourfelves, and taking pains to fix that fentimeni on their minds, that the grace of God is absolutely necefiary to renew the heart, and prepare men for another Oate. And now need any arguments be uled to urge raaf- TO SERVANTS 323 ters, who fear God, to their duty in all thefe parti- culars ? Have you no tendernefs for your fervants— no compaflion for their precious and iramortal fouls ? Have you no wi(h that they may efcape the wrath to come, and be happy with God for ever ? Do you not confider their fpiritual as well as temporal inter- efts, in a fenfe entrufted to your care ? Perhaps Pro- vidence fent them into your families for purpofes of the mod falutary nature. Perhaps, under the direc- tion of heaven, they left another houfe and came to yours, as Oneiimus did to Paul, that you might *' re- ceive them for ever." How great will be your joy, if, in the nobleft fenfe, they fliould be born under your roof ! if in their dying moments they fhould have it to tell you, that their admiffion to your fami- ly was the moil; favourrtble event of their life ! And how unutterable will be the pleafure you will feel on the great day of account, to hear it reported by the lips of the bleffed Jefus, your Mafter and Judge, that you had been the inftrument of faving this and that fjul from the raiferies of hell, and forming them for the happinefs and glory of heaven. Thus have we eonfidered at large the reciprocal //i^- iies of mafters and fervants. And we will now clofe the vhole with reminding one another of the charac- ter iiud condadl of the bleffed God, as our mafter towards us *, and of ours, as fervants towards him. As to God, my brethren, his charader as a mafter is perfect ir; the bigheft degree. He hath an uncon- trouled authority over us, to which he is entitled by every imagi.r.bk con'l'lcratio-^ : ^.nd that authority is exerted iti concurrence with infinite wifdom, jui-ice, and goodnefs. He itqulres obedience to his w'll in all 324 DUTIES OF MASTERS all things, and in doing ib he confults our good^ a^ vvel; as his own honour. And like a good mafter as he is, he fails not to inilru<5t his willing fervants in their duty, to aflift them in the difcharge of it, and to reward them infinitely beyond their deferts. Their numerous failings he overlooks and forgives j and as on the one hand he gently reproves them when they do amifs, fo on the other their humble and cordial endeavours to conform to his pleafure he gracioufly approves and commends. Indeed his condu6t towards them is in every circumftance of it truly admirable. But ah ! how difmgenuous has been our charader, and how bafe our conduct, towards him ! Have w'e obeyed him in all things ? No. We have failed in ten thoufand inrtances. Inftead of ferving him humbly, faithfully, diligently and cheerfully, as we expe6l our fervants fhould ferve us ; pride, infidelity, floth, and reluc- tance, have too often difgraced our fervices. What caufehave we for the deepefl humiliation and contri- tion in his prefence ) Let us acknowledge before him that we are unpro- fitable fervants. Let us fraite on our breaft*, and pe- nitently fay, " God be merciful to us finners.'" Let us expefl pardon and acceptance alone through the mediation of his Son, who took on him the form of a fcrvant, and became obedient to death, that he might reconcile us to our offended mafter. Let this his a- mazing condefcenfion, benignity, and love infpire our breails with the nobleft fentiments of gratitude and obedience. Let us feel the effect of this divine mo- tive to engage us as mafter s^ to exercife all due tcn- derjiefs, compafTion and klndnefs towards our fervants, and to difpofe thofe of us who are fervtints, to render faithful TO SERVANTS. 325 faithful and cheerful obedience to our mafters. And may we all of as Chriflians, whether mafters or feV" vantSj be honoured with the approbation of our di- vine Mafter in the great day of account I — " Well " done/good and faithful fervant, enter thou into the ** joy of thy Lord." DI S* DISCOURSE IX. DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP. Psalm cxxxiii. Behold how good and how plea f ant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the heard, even Aaron's heard, that went down to the Jkirts of his garments. As the dew of Her - mon, and as the dew that defended upon the mountains ofZionjfor there the Lord command- ed the hlef/ingy e-ven life for evermore, OUR great Creator hath wifely and benevolent- ly implanted in our brealls a llrong propeulity to focial connexions. Feeling that we cannot fubfill of ourfelves, we look to our fellow-cieatures for fiip- port, affiftance, and prote6^ion ; we covet one ano- thei's company, and are happy in contributing to each other^'s felicity. It is evidem. therefore, that we are formed for the pleafures of frienddiip and fociety, and that thefe, next to the favour of God, are our chief enjoyments. Now, DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP, 327 Now, family connexions are the firfl uliich take place among mankind, and thofe from which all other fecial connexions originate. Marriage, which is a voluntary and permanent union of one man and one woman, was inftituted by God, not only for the in- creafe of the fpccies, but for the purpofe of promot- ing their mutual happinefs, and that of their offspring, A family then is a little fociety, confining of man and wife, their children, their fervants, and fuch other relations of friends as may either dwell or occafional- ly fojourn with them. Now it may naturally be ex- peeled from the general idea of man as a focial crea- ture, and from that of a family as the firft focial con- nexion, that friendihip ftiould prevail here in the highell degree it is capable of being enjoyed in the prefent ftate. And it muft ftrike every one too on refleclion, that the cherifhing it in this connexion is of no fmall importance to the welfare of the public as well as individuals : for the intercourfes and friendihips which prevail in larger circles, take their rife and denomination from thofe of a domeftic kind. To difieminate therefore the true grounds and rcpjTons of this frienddiip, to hold up to view all the natural and plcafing exprtflions of it, and to aiford every affiftance in our power towards the cultivation and improvement of it, are the objeXs of this difcourfe. To thcfe objeXs our text naturally leads us. It contains a moft cheerful and animated defcription of donielHc unity. And however it is probable, from the occafion on which the pfalm was written, that the idea was meant to extend to a larger fociety than that of a family, yet it is evident that this is the primary fcntimcnt 328 DOMESriC FUtKNDSHl?. fcntiment in tlie text. The pfalm is generally iintler- flood to have been compofed on the final iffue of the civil war, which fo long prevailed between the two houfes of Saul and Daiiid. A happy and memorable event this, upon which the king of Ifrael with no Imall pleafure congratulates his countrynicn, williing them in the charader of brethren henceforth to enjoy thefweets of internal peace and profperity I And hap- py it is indeed to fee neighbouring dates, efpecially the fubjeds of one kingdom, at peace among, them- felves. Happy it is like wife to fee all other public bodies of men, particularly religious focieties or churches, in friend(hip and harmony. But families are the little focieties \Ve have in our eye, and to that idea we (hall reilrain the language in our text. There are three things obfervablc in the words, v.'hich we (liall brieriy explain before we proceed to the main argument to be difcuffed — the manner in which a family is defcribed — the particular domedic virtue recommended— and the pfalmifl's commenda- tion of it. F/r//, A family is defcribed as a fociety made up of brethren that dvcell together. Mankind in general are brethren, as they derive from the fame flock, are of the fame fpecies, poffefs one common nature, and fubfiit after the lame manner. ** God hath made of one blood all n?.tions of men, " to dwell on all the face ot the earth*." But this character with peculiar propriety belongs to thofe who compofe one family, as they are united to each other by the .molt intimate and endearing bancs of nature, and, if plots, of religion too. . The heads of it, DOMESTIC-FRIENDSHIP. ^Ip it, hu^and and wife, are in a fenfe one«^ their children are parts of themfelves j their relations and friends Kving with them are more nearly allied to them than others abroad j and their fervants, for obvious reafons, are particularly intereflcd in their regards. Thefc are all defcribed too as dwelling together^ and on this account, as we (hall more largely (hew here- after, they ought to confider one another as brethren and friends. Sccondl'Vy The virtue recommended is Unity^ that is, living together not merely in peace and upon ge- neral terms of good will, but in the mofl pcifeft a- mity, friend(hip, and affedlion. It is unity that ftands •ppofed not only to prejudice, malevolence, and hof* tility ; but to neutrality, indifference, and referve. As enmity, with all its wretched attendants of anger, clamour, and ftrife, fhould be for ever held at a dif- tance from the houfe j fo coldnefs which is very near- ly as inimical to domeiiic cheerfulnefs and happinefs, {hould never be permitted to enter into it. All the members of the f;imily, united in nature and inteiefl:, (liould moft cordially cltecm and love one another, and be ready on all occzfions to contribute the ut- moil in thtir power to each others felicity. Now, Thirdly^ In the commendation of this virtue the pfalroift is very profufe. ** Behold, ho\v ood and plea fan t it is for brethren ** to d-A-ell together in unity." Oomctiic friendd^ip is molt tit and right in itfelf, and highly conducive to the comfort of individuals and the happinels of the whole. There is fornething truly bea itiful and lovely in it. Who can behold a family united by the Taoed hands 33^ DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP. bands of harmony and love, without envying them of this felicity ? Such a fociety is a little heaven upon c^rth, and makes the neareil approach to perfection of any civil connexion whatever. Too much cannot be iaid in praifc of it. Now all this the pfalmift iiluf- Uates by two very pleafing comparifons. . The fiiil is taken from the ointment poured on the head of the High Prieft. // is like the precious oint- ment upon the head that ran down upon the heard^ even yJaron''s beard ^ that luent down to the fkirts of his garment, Aaron v^as by divine appointment the High Prieft of the Ifraelitilli church. His duty it vas, arr tyed in the facerdotal garments, to offer facri- ficCy i;itercede, and blefs. At the proper feafons he approached the altar of God and the mercy-feat as their reprefentative, and procured for them many great r.ational bkfiings. And in this chara6ler he was an eminent type of Chrift, who is the great High Prieft of our profeflion, and through vvhofe mediation we obtain peace with God, and all the bleflings of grace and glory. To his ofRce, fo beneficial to the whole Jewifli commonwealth or family, Aaron was initiated by the ceremony here referred to. An ointment of cxqnifite riches and fragrance was prepared, and pour- ed by Mofes upon his head at the door of the taber- nacle *. From his head *' it ran down upon his beard, *' even to the Ikirts," or fl^irt of his garment (for the \^"ord is in th£ lingular number) : not to the lower fklrt of the facerdotal robe, (for it is not probable, nor was it convenient, that the facred oil (hould be poured upon bim with fach unnecefftry profufion) but to the up- ttr jVirt of it, the mouth or collar of it, as the word fignifics. * See Evod xxx. 22.— ult. Lev* viii, 12. d<5mestic friendship. 331 fignlfies. The fragrance of Ihis rich perfume inftant- ly communicated itfelf to all who attended this moft folemn and pleafing ceremony. They enjoyed the grateful fmell, and were the more delighted with it, as it was a furc omen of thofe peaceful and harmonious pleafures with which they were to be bleffed through his mediation. Now unity amo'ig brethren, the pfalmiil tells us, U like the ointment thus poured upon the head of Aaron. There is a fweetnefs andgratefulnefs in it, efpecially when fan6lified by genuine piety, that fails not to make all the members of the family happy, and to refrcfh and entertain thofe who occafionally aflbciate with iV. Oh ! how the aromatic favour of this rich cordial difFufes itfelf through the houfe, juft as did the precious odours with which. Mary anoint- ed the feet of the Prince of peace, at the entertain- ment made for him at Bethany * ! The next figure by which the pfalmift illuflrates what he commends, is taken from the dew. " It " is," fays he, ** as the dew of Hermon, ard as the " dew that defcended upon the mountains cf Zion, *' for there the Lord commandeth the blefiing, even *' life for evermore." Dezv IS a fmaM thick kind of mift or rain, which fometimes falls in a gentle, imperceptible, and plenti- ful manner on the earth j and contributes not a little to the beauty and fragrance of tlie garden, and the ver- dure and fruitfulnefs of the field. It defcends in great abundance in fome countries, at particular feafons of the y-ear, and is juiliy confidered as a very gieat blffiing. Mount Her.non, fituated on the norrlern border of the promiled land, without Jordan, was tamou& foi it. On ■* John xii. 3= 38Jr D0M£5TIC-FRIEND5«JP. On. wliich account the pfalraift clfewhcrc poetically dei'cribes " Tabor and Hermon as rejoicing in God *." The dtw is alfo faid /« defcendon the mountains oJ'Sion, that J«, * the dew of Hermon delcended on thofe mountains/ for {o the words (hould be ftriftly render- ed. And if it be enquired how this could be, the anfwcr is, that the clouds which lay on Hermon, be- ing brought by the north winds to Jerufalem, might caufe the dews to fall plentifully on that place. But fomc have thought that rot Jerufalem, but the lower parts of mount Hermon, are here iatended. For it is remarkable that Hermon is a6>ually called Sion in th« book of Deuteronomy 4^. And fo they conclude that the fumniit of that moui. tain had the particular name of Hermon, and the lower part of it that of Sion. And this being the cafe, they underftand the pfalmift as making a further comparifon, between the precious ointment upon the head of Aaron that ran down unto his beard, and fo to the fkirts of his garment j and the dew of Hermon that delcended from the fummit of that hili to the parts below X- But * Pfalm ksxi J. 1 1. r.Ir Waundrell, in his journey from A.le*ppo to Jerufalem, fptik- \'>g cf the tv.'o mounts Tabor and Hermon, fay?, ** We were fufH- »' cicnrly in'lr.ivi^^d by experience what the holy pfalmift mean? •• l;y the drw of Hrrmcn, our tents being as wet with it a& it it " had ruaied all night-*' See p 57. 3d edit. I Deut. iv. 48. t This interpretation of the paffage Dr Pocock gi^tcs us in his obiervations on PaiaeltiDC. *^ If atiy one," fays he, *' confiderr •* thss beautiful piece of eloquence of the pfalmift, and that Her- " m^:i li elfewlieco adually called Sion, -he will doubtlefs be fa- *^S6fied> that the moft liatuval In tern rotation of the pfalmifl " wouli. DaaiESJ'iC.FR.IENDSa.P'/ ^^3 ,"Bat I fhpuld rather fuppofe the fnoun tains of Zion, - properly fo called, are here intended : ior to thefe ^vhat 15 immediately, added bell and only agrees, — tl^ere the Lord commanded the b/ejfing^ even lije far £i>ermoTe. On thcfe mountains Jehovah the God of Ifrael was pleafed to ered: his palace, therein he re- iided, there he from time to time met his favourite people, accepted their facrifices, antwcied their pray- ers, and poured both temporal and fpirjtual bleffings upon them. And if we confider Z/o« as a type of the Chrijiian Church in its prefent and efpecially its future glorious ftate, there is a further more iiriking and figuiiicant emphafis in the phrafe of his command- in J there the hUJjmg^ even life for evermore : for the belt and noblefl bleffin^s God has beitowed en his church which he hath redeemed by the blood of his Son. Now the dew of Hermon might, as we obferv- cd before, literally fpcaking, fail upon mount Zion. Or if that is not the fenfe of the words, the dew o£ Hermon might be a fig^^re of thofe refrefhing and en- livening joys which (o plentifully defGcnded on the tribes of Ifrael and Judah, harmoniouHy Silembied from time to time in the temple at Jemfaiem-. and it "^would be to fappofe, though tli-e whole ralglit ;be -.called; both *' Hermon and Sion, yet that the riigheft fiimmit of this moun=. • •' tain was in particular called Hericon, und that a Io\ver part of • ** it had the name of Sion; on wiiich fuppofition, the dewfjiHag ** from the top of it down to the lower parts, might 'well be com^ *' pared in everyjeipecl: to. ' the precious oint-nent .upcui ths " head that ran down unto the beard, even upto Aaron's bea,r4, " and went down to the fkirts of iiis cloathing ; and; that both of . ** them in this fenfe are very proper emblems of the bleffings of ■ •' unity and friend(hip, which diffafe themfelves throughout thi? *' whole fociey.' Vol. ii. Parti. Eooki. Ch. xviii," 334 DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP, was natural enough for tlie pfalmilt to make a tranfi- tion from one to the other. And thefe bleirmgs poured on the Jewilh church, may be julily confidcred as fur- ther figurative of the fuperior bleliings the Chriilian church now enj'jys, and will hereafter poffefs in all their perfedion. And fo we are naturally led to run- the parallel between the pleafures of domtjiic friend- jhit> and thofe peculiar to ChrijHan focieties. 1 he former, efpecially if families are religious, very much referable the latter. What fweet peace, harmony, and love, prevail in focieties formed on the pian Chrift and Ids apoftles have laid down, and conliiting of indivi- duals afluated by the genuine fpirit of the gofpel ! Like brethren in the nobleft fenfe of the expreflion, they dwell together in unity, bearing with one ano- ther, fympathizing with one another, and labouring to promote one another's real welfare. And fuch is that domcfiic friendjhip we mean to recommend. The fa- milies where it is enjoyed may be compared to the iriountalns of Zion, to churches ellablillied in this and that place, yea I will add to the general aflembly and church of the firli born whole names are written in I}-eaven. God coimnands the hleffing upon fuch fami- lies, coen life for evermore. And to them our faluta- lions Qiould be direfted as were the apolUe's to that of Prifciila and Aquila, •" Greet the church that is in *' their houfe *." The words thus explained, we proceed to a more particular confideration ol the nature and bleffediiefs of (iomejfic friendjhip. By this virtue v;e mean that good will, harmony, union, and afFt;(5lion. which ought to pf-eviil among the feveral members that compofc a £imi':y. Ju dlfcoiirung on this fubject, we (hall, FlRST;, * Rom. xvi. 5. D9IMESTIC FRIENDSHrP. 335 First, Lay down the true and proper grounds of ^ornejiic f- iendjhip. Secondly, Enumerate fome of the natural and plea- fing expitflions of it *, and, , Thirdly, Give fundry dire61ions for the cheriftiing and promoting it. First, We begin with laying down the true and proper grounds of domejiic friendjhip . Now theie are — Relation — CharaCier — Vicinity — and Interefl* I. Relation. Between beings that bear little or no relation to each other, there can be little or no fricndftiip. On the contrary, relation begets friendlliip, and the more intimate the relation is, the flronger is the in- ducement ta it. Now mankind do all pofi'efs one common nature, and this is a reafon why they (hould all cultivate friendly difpofitions towards one another. But family-relation is the moll intimate in nature, and therefore aground of friendihip that demands par- ticular attention. W^e have already enumerated the feveral members of which families ufually confiil : but v,'e mull here take a more particular view of them,. in order to lliew how favourable the relation that fub- fifts between them Is to the idea of friendiliip. The union between man and wife is, or however ought to be, the refult of previous efteem and aiFec<^ tlon ; and it is fo very intimate, fo mutually benefi- cial, and fo permanent, that one would think it could not fubfiil without the moft endearing and improving fdendiliip. It is affirmed, I think, of fome a.^c'cnt law-givers that, in order the more intimately to con- neft 3^ CCMESTIC Fr.l'ESDSRir*'" '" red tlic idea of friendlhip wkh marriage, they forbad •Ai gifts between man and wife •, thereby tignifying t:i2.t, as they were in effetl one, all (liould belong to each of thcra, and that they had nothing to divide or give. And indeed the very term* marrittge and frivJidjVif) may very properly be confidered as fynoni- mous *, and mo ft certainly would be fo in every in- flance, ifthc original diftates of nature were not per- Terted in a moft ftiameful manner. What woife thary brutes muft they be who", tbus connefted, have no teidernefs, good-will, and efteem for each other I In- Itincl and reafon unite to form this friendly connection, to coiifirm and improve it, and to carry k to its high* efl peiff£lion. The relation too between parents and children is moi\ favourable to fnendihip. Equality indeed is vranting here, but there is every other imaginable connderation to balance t';e account. Both parties Bre the fame fleih and blood \ and confangulnity fure- ly is a natural ground of friendlliip. The inltmttive kind of affe£l Ion implanted in their breafts towards each other is fo flrong, that it is ahnoft impoflible for th ni, were they ever fo willing, to er^^dicate it from their breafts. With v>hat fondnefs do parents clafp their young ofi'>pring in their arms I and with vhat e?ig£rnefs do children eling about their parents, as fheii beft and never-failing benefa£lor8 ! And the in- r.umei able tender offices which refult from this in- Itinilive afiedion in early life lay a foundation for the nobleft and moft durable friendHiip, when the un- derfianding of children fully opens, and they advance towards mnturity. How ftran^e tVen would it be, if parents and children were not friends I The DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP. 237 Tlic fame may be faki, with feme little variation, of the relation between brothers and ftjlers. Thcfe derive from one ftock, and are of one blood. And if this connexion has not fo much of iniUn£t in it as the former, it has neverthekfs very ftrong affedlion in it. And then the circumftance of equality gives it the advantage in regard of friendOvip above that of parents^ and children. In (hort, it is generally confidercd as a relation that almoit neceffarily begets friendlhip \ and therefore ivhen peace and good- will are faid to prevail between particular perfons, they are often de- fcribedby the figurative language ol brethren. Ind&ed /ervaniJ on {bme accounts may not feem within the line of friendship, but on others they are. Inferiority of character and condition requires forae degree of diilance and referve on the one part, and humility and reverence on the other. But all this may very well couiift with friendfhip, for equality of ftation and circumftanpes is not neceflary, though it may be favourable to it. As to nature, which is the main thing, there is an equality here. And between the condition ot fervants and children,, there is no grtat diuance. For ** the heir as long as he is a child, ** fays the apoftle, differeth nothing from a fervant^ ** though he be Lord of all *.*' But if we coniider the purpofe for which a fervant is introduced into a family, namely, !hat of affifting it and making it hap- py, 'nd add to that the other circumlVances of con- tinuance, intercourfe, and mutual intereft, which we Ihall enlarge more upon heieafter, this relation will be found to lay a good ground for friendlhip. And m- llances there have been not a few of fervants, who af- ♦ Gal. iv. I. 33^ DOMESTIC FUEENDSH'F. ter a time have become almoll as natural to a family as the children of it. Service then, undertaken and rcndtred in a pioper manner and with right views, is a good opening to friendibip. And then as to perloris, whether related or not, who arc inmates o\ fojourncrs in a family, tlicii fitua- lion furcly is f jvouraulc to what wc arc recommend- ing. It throws them into a connexion that fails not to draw out to view what will either attach people to. or prejudice them againii, one another. Nor will this relation, the rcfult of voluntary agreement, long continue, if averfion prevails. And as to thofe who occifionally viiit the family, they are ufually either acquuntance, or relations and friends. Relation ther> is a natural and proper ground of friendfhip. So is, II. CharaBtr In which 1 include the ideas b£ features, temper, fentiment, munpers, circumfiance^,. and religion, A fimilarity in thefe particulars natu- rally begets friendihip. And fuch fimilarity is more likely to be met Vvith in families than ellewhere. Betvveen parer.ts and their clilldrcn- there is often alikfuefs in per/on ^v^d features^ and this is a circum- Aance which hath rather a tendency to excite com- placency than averfion. The very notion of another's refembling ourfelves fiiall infenfibly beget a piediltc- tion in our breads in their favour. But temper has an immediate and powerful inOu- ence on all friendly attachments, whether moral or xeligious. Now among relations there is frequently, if not always, a refemblance in natural difpoiition. For temper depends a good deal on the conftru6tion of the body, and the temperament of the animal fpi- rits i and thefe in children, who derive from the fame parents, DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP. ^39 parents, are generally very fimilir. Hence we often find good nature, fprightlinefs, and vivacity running through a whole family, and diltinguithing them from others in the fame manner as do the features of their countenance. And furely this is no inconiiderable in- ducement to friendlhip. How can it poiribly be otherwife, than that a good natured family ftiou^d Icve one another ! And indeed, be the prevailing temper that marks their characters what it may, it will be likely to beg*^ attachment. Similarity of fentuittnt too has a gTeat influence in producing and eftabliftiing fiiendfhip. Two people who think alike on moli fubjefts, on communicating their ideas, will inllantiy conceive an efteem and af- fe(5tion for each other. Their kindred fouls, cafl as it were in one mould, will unite, and with paffionate fondnefs embrace : a remarkable inilance of which v/e have in David and Jonathan. Now-, though in families there is fometimes a diverEty of fentiment, yet it is more generally otherwife. 'And though the neareft relatives do not always poffefs the like natural abilities, nor are always alike pious, yet, be the caufe "what i* may, whether education, intercourfe, or pre- poffeflion in each other's favour, it moil commonly fo' happens, that there is a uniformiiy of fcntiment, in families, refpedting matters civii, moral, and religious. And how much this contributes to domeflic fricnd- ftiip I need not fay. Similarity alio oi manner i mufl not pals unnoticed. By manners here I mean external befiaviour. And this every o^ne knows, by his own leelii'gs, has a kind of mechar>ical effc£l to create att.ch nent or aver'ion. The countenance, language, attitude, and addrefs of one 34f ».9MESTIC FWENDSHIf. onc,,fpan,5 (hall sklmoft inilantly produce a pleafing, or painful fenlation, in another that oblerves him. And theii^.^are as various as mens modes of thinking, their education^ and the kind of company they keep. But the g^nflral oi^tlincs of them, which may be claffed upder the ideas of urbanity or gentlcucfs, and ruliicity or plainnefs, are very nearly fimilar in the levcral members of a family. The like calJ of behaviour runs through the whole houfe. And this tends to be- get union, and fo to promote the interells of domedic friendfhip. Were families ulually to confill of per- forms whu£e manners are totally diilimjlar, the cffe6t would be diilance, referve, and difguft : but the con- trary being the cafe, this no doubt is a circumftancc favourable to friendihip. As is alfo a fimilarity in their condition^ or mode of fubfiftence. Friendlliips ate feldom contra6tcd between perfons in exalied and in low fiations of life* : People fo circumftanced, are at too remore a dillance. to converfe with that freeuum, confidence, znd plea- fure, which the cordiality of friendihip demands. Eut in families there are no obftru^lons of this fort to the union we are recommending. Their mode of life is very nearly the fame. Or, if there is a differ- ence, as there no doubt is and ought to be, between the condition of parents and children, and that of ma- flers and fervants j it is by no means fo confideiablc as. to cieate prejudices at all inimical to friendfliip. On the contrary, being all embarked, as it were, on board ihe fam« velfel, living upon the fame general plan, and faring much after the fame manner j there is little or no caufe for difcoRttnt and envy, thofc mi- feiabh DOMESrrC FRIENDSMIF. 34t ferable pafHons which too often tear afunder the moft agreeable conne but every individual will be more or lefs hurt by it. And no profperous circumdance can make any one of them happy withouttheir all being benefited by it. Em- barked on board one bottom, if a ftorm arifes, they are all expofed to the like danger. Poffeffed of one common ftock, it is the intereft of every one to im- prove it. If difcord prevails, not only the perfonal comfort of each member IS affcfted, but the happincfs and the very exiftence of the whole arc threatened. The idea therefore of famlly-interefl forbids all fetids and animofities. And intereft as ft rongly pleads for the moft cordi il friendftiip. For nothing ftiort of fuch friendftiip will effedually fecure the civil and religi- ous welfare of thefe little communities. Suppofe per- fect neutrality to take place in a family, and each one to be wholly employed in looking after his own con- cerns ; the confequence in that cafe will be, not only the want of thofe pleafures which fpring from friend- ly intercourfe and mutual offices of kindnefs, but in a courfe of time irregularity, contention, poverty, and wretchednefs. Whereas, on the contrary, fincere af- feftion fubiifling between the feveral branches of a lioufe, the general good will be confulted ; the duties of forbearance, condefceniion, fympathy, and benevo- lence will be regarded ; and fo the peace, order and profperity of the whole be promoted. The intereft of individuals is here mare intimately combined than in any other focial conne^lion whatever. Intereji therefore is a true and proper ground of domeftic 5-i5nd(hlp. AncT DOMESTIC j-miNDSHnp. 545 And now, if we lay all thcfe ideas together— i?W.ff- tion — CharaBer — Vicinity — and Inter ej, we fliall fee that family connexion aifords every imagfnable mean and inducement to that unity which our text reconi* mends, and which we fliall more particularly defciibc and enforce in the following fermon. PART II. In dircourfing of domejlic friendjhip^ we have pro- pofed — to conlider the true and proper grounds of it — to enumerate fome of the natural and pleafing cxpreflTions of it — and to give fundry dire(3ions for the cherifliing and promoting it. The firft of thefe has been attempted, and we have (hewn that Relation, Cha» ra6ier. Vicinity and Inter eft are the grounds provir dence has laid for the raifmg this noble fuperftru«^ujre» We go on now. Secondly, To enumerate fome of the natural and pleafing ex/>reJJions of domejlic friendjbip^ I. The firil I (hall mention is Forbearance. Whatever fimllarity of fentiment, temper, and man- ners there may be in the general among the fever^i members of a family, a thoufand trivial circumftancc*, will daily arife, and fome perhaps^of a fcricus kind^ about which they will be diiferently minded. And we know difference of opinion, among mankind at large, too often creates dillike, fometimes pafijon, yea, more than this, difguft, and in fome inftances down- right malevolence. But a cordial eftablifiied prevail- ing friendQiip will cither wholly prevent, or in a great meafure corre6l, thefe evils. Love will put out the eye 54^ DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP. eye of prejudice, annihilate feme faults, or at lead draw a veil over them. In a good natured family, a thoufand little miltakes that are every day commit- ted will pafs unnoticed •, and with good reafon, as they are of trifling confequence, and none of them the cfieft of ill-will. Here is no eagle-eyed cenfor flalking about the houfe, with a gloomy and referved counte- nance, watching every a6lion in order to fix crimina- lity upon it. Or if this or that perfon is guilty of a fault which cannot efcape notice, the candour of do- meftic friendfhip will quickly find an excufe for it, and it will be as quickly forgot. The indulgent tempers of parents will connive at thofe follies of children that fcarce need corredlion, and the prudence of good natured mafters and mif- treites will leniently tolerate the unmeaning errors of their fervants. Or if the miftake be of a kind that unavoidably excites fuddcn pafiion and difpleafure, love will reilrain thefe hafty fallits of anger, reprefs the heat, andalmoft inftantly Hill the temped into a calm. At all events, however, we may be fure the effedl will not be difguft and hatred.. The fun will never go down upon the wrath of the father, nor will the ten- der boiom of the mother harbour refentment. The children, fenfible of their fi-ults, will rot be eafy till they are reconciled : duty and love will ftream from their eyes, and ingenuous forrow confirm the friend- fliip that was only (hook, not broken. Such will be the cafe too, between all the other branches of the fa- mily. Ill-will and revenge will rankle in none of their breads, and if at any time a difference has arifen, each party will be unhappy till it is made up. What pleafing expreflions are thefe of domedic unity ! All DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP. $47 All difpofed to yield to one another's opinions in in- different matters rather than fall out. All difpofed to put the moll candid confiructions on each other's words and adlions. All difpofed as fpeedily to quench the flame of contention as it hath fuddenly broke out, — '* the younger fubmitting themfelves to the elder ; *' yea, all of them fubjeft one to another *." And indeed what is domeftic friendihip good for, if it does not produce thefe effe£ls ? Although we could fuppofe fome general regard to fubfift among the members of a family towards each other, yet if that regard bad little or no influence to corre£l peevifti- nefs, to meliorate obftinacy, to reflrain pafliion, and to prevent prejudice and difguf^, how could they be happy ? Sullea referve would fpread a gloom through the whole manfion, or noify con- tention dillurb the repofe of it. If harmony has in it a fragrance like the ointment poured on the head of Aaron, fufpicion and jealoufy have in them the bit- ternefs of gall, and the rancour of poifon. And if unity hath in it all the fwcetnefs of the falling dews on mount Hermon, the reverfe of it, flrife, may be compared to thunder, tempeft and li>;ht- ning, which fpread horror and deriru(5Hon wherever they come. Happy family, where all drink of the picafant cup of friendinip, without a drop of ill-na- ture in it ! where all bafli under the fmiling beams of the fun of peace, undiliurbed with the rolling horrors of thundering contention ! 2. Sympathy, This is another very natural and important expref- flon * I Pet. V. ;, 34^ DOMESTIC PMENOSHlf. (ion of domeftic friendfliip. By fympathy, I here mean feeling one another's troubles j for of our joys we (hall fpeak hereafter. Now this is a temper we owe to all our fellow-creatures, but more efpeciaily our friends. Friendfhip, united with humanity, im- pels us by a kind of inftinft to fympathy. We do not ftay to reafon upon the matter, but inftantly upon feeing our friend in diftrefs, wc are afFefted juft as he is. The pungency of our feelings is the refult of a combination of caufes, fuch as tendernefs of animal nature, a lively perception of the evil we commiferatc, ardent love to the fuflferer, and an apprehension of our own liablenefs to the fame miferies. And the effect is important to the perfon who is the objeft of our pity, even though we have it not in our power to af- ford him a6lual relief. The tears of fympathy are very confoling to the afBi6led, for by poffefling him of the idea that others are fenfible of what he feels,, and are difpofed to aifiil him, they excite a pleafiag fenfation in his brcaft, footh his ruffled paffions, and compofe his mind to his iituation. Now domeftic fociety, if real friendfliip prevails in it, will exhibit to our view the moil artlefe, and af- fecting expreflions of the virtue wc have been delcri- birg. To realize fome of thefe tender fcenes will both edify and pleafe. There is not a family on earth exempt from affii£lion. Pain and diftrefs, in fome form or other, have accefs to every habitation, to the manfions of the great, as well as the cottage of the peafant : and it rarely fo happens, that there is not one or more in a houfe that has not fome com- plaint to make him unhappy. So that occafions for fympathy frequently arife. Is is tlie hulband laid on a bed 6f (icknefs ? TRe fcri^ der wife will be bis nuirfe, (he will make his bed* for him, fhe will adminifler his medicines to him, Hie will watch his diforder, pour her tears over'him, and bear his pains with him. Whatever are his cares and anxieties, unbolbming his foul to her, he will have the comfort of her tender fympathy, and foothing counfeis. And flie, again, in the like circumftance?, will not fail of receiving the like regards from him. Oh the fweet pleafures refulting from fuch mutual of- fices of teoderne^s and love ! The one party driving to alleviate the other's burden, by bearing it with htm- ^nJ to give a riiore eafy flow to the other's for- rows, by turning his own into the fame channel I The Wants attendant on infancy and childhood are fure to excite lAaternal fympathy. And what a gra- tification to a humane and friendly heart, to obferve the exprelTions of this pafTion, as it prevails in the bt6aft tff the fond mother ! See her fitting by the cradle, or the bed of her young fickly offspring. Her countenance llrongly marks the pangi of her heart. She pours out her foul at her eyes, liilens vj'ith inceffant folicitude to every groan, and feels, with greater anguilh than her dear infant, every pain it fuffers. Her eafe, her food, her health, (lie for- gets, amid ft the cares of her tender breall for its wel- fare. In like manner, the feelings of the father for the diftreffes of his children, though not exprelTed in the fame foft an3 delicate manner, are yet no lefs pungent and affe6ling. Are they in danger ? how anxious is he for their fafety ! Are they abroad, at a diftance ? how impatiently does he wifh their re- Q^ turn! 55<5 DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP. turn*! Are they miferable : how does he bear a part with them, whatever may have been the caufe, in their wretchednefs ! This paffion our Saviour ini- mitably defcribes in the parable of the prodigal fon, where we fee it burftin;; like a torrent over even the fences, which the folly and ingratitude of a profligate youth might be fuppofed to raife about it f. And where domeRic friendfiiip prevails in all its vigour, the children will richly pay back into the bofomsof their afRifled parents the tribute of fympathy, they fo largely received from them in their early days. Did the mother, as we have feen, foller them in the arms of tender pity, make all the wants and feelings of their infant ftate her cvvi>^ and deprive childhood of almoft every anxiety by taking the burden on her- felf ? They, when grown up, will cherifli the fame tender fentiments in their breafts towards her. The difquietudes, pains, and languors of declining age they will attenuate by commiferation, and watch her dy- ing pillow with the fame attention that fiie rocked their cradle. The fympathy alfo of the father will not fail to receive fimilar returns of filial afredion, when affliftion d-mands fuch returns at their hands. Brothers and filters too, in tlje family where love dwells, will be the partakers of each ather's griefs. A figh will not pafs unnoticed, nor a tear fall unpitied. If a Lazarus is fick, his fillers, overwhelmed with for- row, will addrefs their paffionate cries to the hell phyfician, * Decrevi Nee mihi fas effe ulla me volnptate hie frui, Nili ubi ille iiuc falvus rediciit mens particcps. Ter. Heauton. Adl. I. Sc. I. •[ Luke XV. DOiMESTIC yRIENDSHI?,. 5 j L pliyfician, faying, *^ Lord, haften to our help, for he whom thou loveft is fick *." And he again will br. touched in the rame manner with the feeling of all their infirmities. — Nor will the fervants of the family- endure any trouble without the feafonable aid ox friendly commiferation. The troubles of the mind are more diftreffing than any other: '"^ A wounded fpirit," fays Solomon, " who ** can bear f ^" But if religion prevails in a family, fuch afflidion, when it is known, will not fail to meet ■with the tendereft fympathy. When it is known, 1 fay -y for it is the character of religious melancholy to retire into a corner, and conceal itfelf in modell re- ferve. The pious and affedionate brother will, in fuch a cafe, mingle his tears with his filter'Sj and alle- viate her grief by making it his own. * I have felt, he will kindly tell her, what you feel, I have had my hours of deje£lion as well as you. The fame fears Tvhich opprefs your breaft, refpeding the difpleafure of God have affiifled mine. Be not unduly dlfcourap-- ed. Yield not to the fuggeflions of unreafonable un- belief. God is merciful. The blefied Jtfus has a heart to pity you. It will be all well by and by. *' The vifion is for a time : though it tarry wait for *•' it J." " He will appoint you the oil of joy for ** mourning, the garments of praife for the fpirit of *' heavinefs ||." Trouble is lelTened by being divided, and fvmpathv is a cordial to the affli6led when all other medicines fail. How happy the houfe where this cordial is al- ways at hand ! — the houfe in which " there is no ** fchlfm, no divifion j but the members have the fame '' care * John xi. 3. f Prov. xviiJ. 14. I Hab. ii. 3. (] Ifaiah Ixi. 3. SS^ DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP. *' care for one another : fo that if one member fufftf ** all the members fufter with it * !'* Nor are we to fuppofe that any family is fo circumftanced, as that oc- cafion for the exercife of this virtue rarely offers. Be- fides the great outlines of human evils, fuch as ficknefs, poverty, worldly perplexities, and fpiritual troubles, of which we have fpoken j there are a thoufand leffer cares, pains and forrows, which daily call for the lenient aidof fympathy. This exprefTion therefore of domeflic friendrtiip will fcarce ever be quiefcent in the families we are defcribing. Jf care fits on the brow of one, it will communicate itfelf to another, till the occafion is explored, and the caufe removed. If one feels a pain, though but flight and tranfient, the reft will feel the fame fenfation. If the mother's breaft heaves with a fudden pang of grief, the tears will quickly trickle down the cheeks of the daughter. If the father is penfive and fad, the fon will look grave and inelancholy. If any one in the houfe is unhappy, the happlnefs of all will be afFe6led by it. In fhoit, the mechanifm of domeflic frlend(hip refembles that of the human body *, if but a nerve is touched, the fenfation is inftantly communicated to the remotell: part : or like a muiical inftrument, if one chord receives ajar, the melody of the whole will be difturbed. — This leads me to fpeak, 3. Oi ^Jjljlance. A friendfliip that docs not influence men's a(5lions, however warmly profelTed, is of little account. If I love another, I fliall aim and endeavour to do him good : ir.deed, benevolent actions will become fo habitual to me, that I fliall be ferving him even when I * I Cor. xli. 2?, 2^. DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP. 353 I ean fcarcely be faid to be thinking of lilni. In fuch manner the feveral menibers of a good natured family will render each other thofe offices of d:)meftic friendlLip which f^ll under the idea of ^Jfijlance. The whole bufinefs of the houfe from day to day, and from morning to night, will be a perpetual exchange of beneficial fervices. The m.after will be employed in his particular oc- cupation, trade, or profefllon. to procure the neceffary means for the fubfiftence of the family. His ardent friendfhip for them will induce him to exert all hi» fagacity, influence, and ability, in order to improve his circumftances j that, like a good houfeholder, *' he " may give them their portion of meat in due fea- ** fon *.'* His authority as a ruler within his houle will be prudently and mildly exercifed, for the pur- pofe of promoting peace, good order, and mutual be- nevolence. Nor will he be unmindful, if a man of religion, of their beft intereils : thefe will be the ob- jefts of his zealous attention and ardent prayers. To hold them back from fin, to ciierifn in their breads the early feeds of piety, and to aid them in their path to heaven, v.'Ill be the delight and joy of his heart. The miflrers, like the virtuous woman in the Pro- verbs, will prefide over the affairs of the houfe with attention and difcretlon. By her oeconomy and in- duflry file will hold poverty at a diftancc, and make fmiling plenty abound. She will fo arrange the bufineffes of all under her care, as that every one may be fubfervient to the other's fupport and happi- nefs. ^' She will open her mouth with wifdom, and in *' her tongue will be the law of kindnefs. She w^ill '' look * Luke xii 42. ]S^ rxOMESTlC FMENDSHJP, " look well to the ways of her houfehold, and not *• eat the bread of idlenefs. Her children will arife *' up, and call her bklTed ; Ler huiband alfo he will ** praife her *." The younger branches of the houfe of both fexes,, will be employed about fuch works of art, or fuch "literary purfuits, as are fuited to their age, and will render them ferviceable to the family, as- well as qualify them to be ufeful members of fociety. — The fillers, we (hall fee, under the guidance of the prudent and careful mother, either " giving meat to the •' houfehold, and a portion to the maidens, or laying *' their hands to the fpindle and the diflafi, or ftrttch- *' ing tliem forth to the poor and needy, or making ^' coverings of tapellry, and clothing of filk and " purple f ." The brothers, by their improvements in knowledge, and their other a£live exertions, will add to the general Hock of doraeftic fupport and hap- pinefs.— The fervants too in their different depart- ments will, agreeable to their proper character, be aiTiiling to the whole. So that the various wants of all the houfe will be regularly and constantly ferved by reciprocal olFices of duty and love. What a happy family this, to which idlenefs, ill na- ture, and gloominefs, have no adrcifiion, and in which every one contributes his utmort to the general good ! To fuch a little fociety what our Saviour fays of that more numerous and hnppy one over which he pre- fides may be accommodated : *' One is your mailer, *' and all ye are brethren. He that Is greateft among '' you (hall be your fervant 5 and he that humbleth hirafelf *■ Pnv.x.txl, :5, 27,:jS, | Prov. xxxi. 15, 19, 20, 2:. DOMESTIC FRIENDSHIP. 3-55 "' himfelf among you (liall be exalted *." And if the utility and iovellnefs of thefe expTeilions of fa- mily duty may be illuftrated by their oppo-ite^, let us attend a moment to the fad lamentation which the pangs of domertic adveriity extorted from the lips of the patriarch Job. " He hath put," fays he, '' my " biethren faf from me, and mine scquaintance are ve- *' rlly eftranged from me. My kinsfolk have failed, " and my familiar friends have forgotten me. They " that dwell in my houfe, and ray maids, count me *' for a ftranger : I am an alien in their light. I cal- ** led my fervant, and he gave me no anfwer : I *' entreated him v»'ith my mouth. My breath is ** flrange to my wife, though I entreated for the ** childrens fake of mine owii body. Yea, young '^ children defpifed me ^ I arofe, and they fpake *' againft me. All my inward friends abhorred me i '•^ and they whom I loved are turned againfl: me. ** Have pity upon me, b^vc pity upon me, O ye my f* friends, for the hand of God hath touched me f .'^ That it is the voice of nature, that the feveral members of a family fh-U'ld mutually affill and fupport each other, is not to be doubted. If, hov, ever, there is occafion yet further to illuftratc and enforce this duty, there are creatures of a much lower rank than ourfelves which will give us ufeful leflbns on the fub- je^L. The bee hive, vifited with attention* will ex- hibic fuch a fcene of domeftic government, induftryy ?.nd regard to the general good, as will at once in^ lUuft, aiicnilh, and entertain. And if the ilothful and feliiih in a family would " go to the ant and con- fider * Matt. xxiM. S.ir, 12. f Job xix. ly-ix. 35^ CCMESTIC FRIENDSHIP, •'iid?r her ways," explore with a curious and careful eye her habitation, the manner in which (he collcfls and lays in her provifions, and the affilLince llie affords to her fellow infecis in their labours ; they would learn not only to be induftrious but friendly *. Thefe iirJe animals, impelled by an inftinft which nature Las implanted, do that which reafon teaches every member of a family, it is his duty and intereft to dcf. 4. IntercQurfe * Prov. vi. 6, 7, 8. Ch-ip. xxx. 25. * Mr Atidilon has given us, in the GHardian, two papers on the natural hiltory of pifmiresor ants, which abundantly confirm what SoJocnon has obferved concerning them, and what is juft hinte'i at above. His account is taken froaa a letter upon this curious fubjeat referring particularly to charaders of this fort, juch as Abigail, Dorcas, and the like ; it ihall fuffict to reGommend the diligent fludy of the charafter of the virtuous woma:n in the Proverbs, in order to in- i^jire mlftreffes of families with oeconomy, and to teach them its importance to the objed before us. Of all thofe who have ability this duty is required^ But there are perfons of certain chara6\ers and Na- tions in life who are more efpecially obliged to it : ai particularly magiihates and others in civil offices, tvho would fcrfeit the efteem of the public, and great- It HosFiTALirr, 365 !y Injure their ufefulnefs, were they not to obferve the rites of hofpitality. But thcfe tvhom the apof- tle feems to have chieiiy in his eye are miniilers, and fuch private Chriftians as are qualified, by their par- ticular offices in the church; and their affluent circum- ftaiices, to be eiriineatly ufelul in this way. As to the former, it is a qualification exprcfsly required of a Chriftian bifhop, that he be " given to hofpitality *." Ne man ought to take upon him this office who is not of this difpofition : for with what an ill grace would he enjoin that upon others to which he is himfelf to- tally averfe ! And occalions for the exercife of this fpecies of liberality are not infrequent^ as their houfes are often on many accounts vifited by perfons of eve- ry rank among their flock. What pity but they were ail in a capacity to gratify fo humane and bene- volent a temper ! Their " being given to hofpitality" evidently fuppofes them to poffefs at leall a competen- cy of the things of this life. And fince the duties of their office do not allow them the fame opportunities with others of improving their circumilances, it is highly incumbent on their people to put it in their power to comply with the apoiiGlic admonition. In- deed, he who tells bifucps that they fbould be " gi- ven to hofpitality," does in effefl charge it upon thofe they lerve, to enable them to be hofpitable. What Chriilian of a generous mind but muft feel pain to fee the table of his minilter, through the narrownefs of his circumlianccs, fo parfimonioufiy fpread as not to admit a ftranger to it I They, too, who are called to offices in the church, which imply affluence in thofe whci hold them, ought to * I Tim.iii. 2, 5S6 HOSPITAL TTY. to excel in hofpitallly. Deacons are " to ferve tables *"--the table of Chrifl, of the miniller, and of the poor. And thus employed about the tables of others, it is but fit that they (hould have a table of their own. Indeed this is the duty of all whom Pro- vidence has profpered, and who have zeal for religion, efpecially thofe whofe fituation is peculiarly favoura- ble for the reception of pious fb'angers, who cannot otherwife be provided for. A great deal of this hof- pitality there was in the primitive times, when a mul- titude of itinerant preachers were fent out by the churches to propagate the gofpel through the Roman provinces. And in the epiftles not a few venerable names are recorded of perfons who, like Gaius, " re- " ceived the brethren and ftrangers into their hou'es " and brought them forward on their journey after a ** godly fort f." Secondly, Our next enquiry is, To whom this duty is to be pra6lifed ' The word Hofpitality fignifies, as we have obferved already, the (lie wing kindnefs tojlrangers. Now the term Strangers hath two acceptations. It is to be underftood of travellers, or perfons who come from a diftance, and with whom we have little or no acquain- tance, and more generally, of all who are not of our ho\^^e— grangers as oppofed to domefiics. With refpeO: to the firll of thefe. In early times mankind lived after a dificrent manner from what tliey do now. Some indeed d^elt in cities, cultivated the arts, and foon lofing fight of hofpitality degenerated into all the mcannefs of ceremony, and the effemina- cy of luxury. Eat the patriarchs, following the oc- cupation * Kz\& vi. %, t 3 John. 5— S. HOSPITALITY. ^Of pation of (heplierds, and by the command of God wan- dering about from place to place, without poiTefTing any territory they could call their own j were, by thefe local circumftances, as well as their own pious difpo- fitions, accuftomed to fiievv very particular regard to- Grangers. It could not but be an agreeable thing to people who thus led a folitary, rural life, to receive a traveller into their tents, and make him happy in eve- ry way they were able. So the apoitle fpeaks of the . patriarchs as being ufed ** to entertain ftrangers, and ^' thereby fometimes entertaining angels unawares *," And thus it is in raoft countries. Thci more diftant^ ly families are fituated from places of public concourfe, the more are they difpofed to be hofpitable to thofe whom they never faw before , conlldering the plea- fure they receive from fuch temporary vifits, as an e- quivalent for all the kindnefs they (liew their gucfts. As therefore families thus fituated are particularly o- bllged to this duty, fo all ftrangers, from the peculi- arity of their circumftances, have a right to expecl of fuch families more or lefs regards in this way. But in a populous country, where the accommodations of life are every where to be met with, we are by no means required indifcrimlnately to receive all ilrangers into our houles. Attention (hould be paid to the charader, recommendation, and neceflities of thofe who wifn to be entertained. Through a negleft of this, the good nature of fome pidus worthy people has been fiiamefuUy impofed upon, and their neighbours too injured by their credulity. And hence we find, in the early age of the Chriftian church, perfons who were fent abroad carried with them letters of cre- dence, which procured admiflion for them into the houfcs * Hcb. xiii. 2. 388 HOSPITALITY,, houfes of the brethren whom they had never fecn be- fore *. But the term Jlrariger here is to be underilood more generally as oppoied to domeftics. We are to ufe holpitality to thofc who are not of our own houfe. And the apoftle by making the duty mutual (for he- fays, " Ufe hofpitality one to another ^''"'^ evidently means to include among the guefts we receive thcfe who can entertain ys again, as well as thofe who have it not in their power to make any return. Let us be- gin with thofe of the latter defcription. 1. Hofpitality is a duty to be pra6lifed to the poor. They who have no houfes of their own, or howe- ver few of the conveniences of life, fliould occalional- ly be invited to our houfes, and refreftied at our tables. " When thou makeft a feaft," fays our Lord,/' call the " poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind : and thou " Ihalt be bleffed ; for they cannot recompenfe thee : ** for thou (halt be recompenfed at the refurredion of *' the juft f ." I fcarce need obferve here, that few people are fo circumftanced, as to be able to entertain all the poor of their neighbourhood at their fables. Be that however as it may, the idle diflblute poor have no right to expedl fuch favour of us. And of thofe we do think fit to invite, particular regard (hould be paid to their chara61:ers and neceflities. And with refpeft to thefe, at leail fome of them, more eifeflu- al fervice may be done them, and with greater con- tent both to them apd ourfelves, by putting it in their power to furnifli their own tables, or by fending them a portion from ours. The particular circumftances of families are no doubt to direft in thefe matters. Some, * Rom. xvi. I. 2 Cor. iii. i— 6cc. f Luke xiv. 13, 14. MOfPITALITT. 3 89 Some, however, may be fo fituated as that conveni- ence will admit of their having now and then a com- pany of virtuous poor people about them j and their own natural call may be fuch as to render thefc little feftivities highly agreeable and improving. But I fuppofc there are no truly pious people who do not take a pleafure in entertaining, at certain fcafons, fome of their poor fellow-Chriftians who are particularly dear to them. All cannot be invited, luch therefore will be fele£led as have a principal claim on their re- gards : and the affociating with them in a free, cheer- ful, and familiar manner, will have a happy effefl to unite their hearts to us, and to add force to the coun- fels and admonitions we give them. It has beerffup- pofed by fome that the primitive Chriftians, imprelTed with this idea, were ufed to have what they called feajls of chanty'* in the public meetings of the church 5 but thefe feafts being abufed, the apoftle Paulabolifh- ed them f . However this was, there can be no doubt that we are to pity the poor, to counfel them, and af- fift them 5 and this mode of doing it, \ mean the enter- taining them at our own houfes, if it can be adopted v,'ith convenience, may anfwer very ufeful purpofes to them and to ourfelves. But if any judge it more pru- dent to help them in anotber way, they fnould not fuffer the difagreeable imputation of paying no atten- tion to the rites of hofpitality. 2. Hofpitality is to be pradifed, not to the poor only, but to perfons of a different defcribtlon. Ufc hdfpitality, fays our text, one to another. Here give me leave to fpeak of thofe guefts we are obliged in duty occafionally to entertain, and of thofe whom pru,. dencc « Jads \z. I Sec i Cor. rX. :r,.22, 34. 59^ HOSPITALITY. dence and piety teach us to fele6l fiom among our acquaintance, as more frequent and Itated vilitors. Every man has no doubt a right to invite whom he pleafes to his houfe. But Chriftian people owe par- ticular obligations to thofe who are of the fame cha- ra^ler, and efpecialiy of the fame religious fociety with therafelves. It would be llrange, for inftance, it their minifters were to be held at a dirtance from their houfes, or never to be admitted there without coldnefs and referve. Indeed the refpevSl which pru- dent minifters owe to their own charafter, will fecure them from the indecent abufe of that hofpitality to which they are peculiarly entitled. As they have neither leifure nor inclination td be perpetually feaft- ing at the houfes of their people, fo they wdll be cau- tious of giving the moll diitant occalion to an imputa- tion of fondnefs for fuch convivial intercourfes. But it is impofTible we ihould feel that attachment to them, which is the natural refult of our being profited by their labours, and not give them a hearty welcome to our habitations. The members, too, of the fame com- munity, v^^hen occafion requires, may naturally expefl a ihare in our hofpitality, in preference to others. The cultivating a friendly correfpondence with them, will have a good effect to promote the intereft of religion among us. But it may be proper more particularly to defcribe the characters of thofe, whom we (liould receive and entertain as our intimate friends and companions. Our honour and happineis depend much upon the prudent choice we make. As to rela,tions, our doors no doubt jjiould be open to them, as alfo to people with whom we are conneded in bufincfs. But with refpe6t to the latter^ HOSPITALITY. 39? latter, it fiiould be obferved, that the idea of extend- ing their trade has proved a temptation to many, ef- pecialiy young people, to make more free '^vith their time and their fubftance in this way than is convenient, A decent refpe6l fliould be paid to all we are con- cerned with \ but the people we receive into our bo- Toms, and with whom vilits are frequently exchanged, fhould have higher and nobler claims on our regard than thofe of worldly intereft. Their good fenfe, knowledge, virtue, and above all geiiuine piety, iliould be the principal allurements to an intimacy with them. A few fele6l friends of this defcription, with whom we may be perfedly free, and who prefer plain- ness, plenty, and cordiality, to all the fplendour and luxury cf the great 5 arc the peifons who (hould par- take chiefly of our hofpitality. To them our houfes (hould be their home, and their houfes in return will be our home. Intimacies thus formed, and not car- ried beyond the bounds our circuml^ances will admit of, will contribute largely to our reputation, improve- ment, and happinefs. But a contrary conduft, under the notion of extriordinary generofity, has proved the ruin of many families j and ought to be particularly guarded againft, in this age of m.iferable diiTipation and folly. We ihould now proceed to the main thing, which is to coniider the rites of hofpitality, or the kind of entertainment we are to give thofe whom we invite to our houfes. But this, together with our obliga- tions to thefe duties, we muft refer to the next fer- mon •, and clofe what has noAv been faid with a few words of advice, to thofe who are required in our tea 392 HOSPirALITY. text to ufc hofpitality, and thofe vAiO enjoy the fruits of it. As to the former. Be thankful, my friends, to God who hath given you ability and hearts to be hof- pitable. I'o him you owe your fubftance, houfes, fa- milies, fervants, leifure, and all your opportunities of fhewing kindnefs to others in this pleafing way. He is your raafter, and to him you are accountable as ftewards for the bounty with which he has entrufled you. Be prudent in the management of your concerns. Remember the charadler the Pfalmiit gives of a good man : " he is gracious, and full of compaflion, and *' righteous : he (heweth favoui and lendeth : he will *' guide his affairs with difcretion *.'* Take heed that generofity does not precipitate you into extrava- gance. Do not affeft fplendour, and be cautious how you afpire to an equality with thofe whom Providence has placed in a fuperior rank to yourfelves. This is a vanity to which mankind are very prone, and, if it be indulged, will not only difpleaie God, but lelTen you in the opinion of all wife and dlfcerning people. Ee courteous in your manner of conferring favours, and be particularly caieful you give not thofe you enter- tain, the pain of fuppoang you mean to lay them un- der obligations to you. Let their pleafantly accept- ing the kindnefs, be in your apprehenfion a di'charge of the obligation. Spend not too much time in re- ceiving and returning vifits : remember, bufintfs and pleafure, exertion and relaxation, are conflantly to fucceed each other. Let your hofpitality be feafoncd with piety, gratitude to your great Benefa61or, and a care not to abufe the fruits of his bounty. And, in a word, * Pralm'cxii. 4, 5. HOSPITALITT. 393 word, let your hours of entertainment receive addi- tional pleafurc from their being confecrated to know- ledge, virtue, and religion. And you who are entertained at the houfes of your friends, fufFer a word of exhortation. If your circum- ilances will not admit of your making an adequate re- turn, be not aihamed to acknowledge the obligation: *' To crouch to another for a morfel of bread *," is a meannefs to which no man of fplrit can fubmit : but the fame greatnefs of mind which (liews itlelf in an eafy delicate manner of bellowing a favour, v.'ill ihew itfelf alfo in a pleafant grateful manner of accepting it. A haughty, ftubborn, fuUen kind of infenfibillty, argues w^ant of undcrftanding, a:s well as of good na- ture and piety. Beware of pride and ingratitude. Indulge not the fond notion that your merit fully en- titles you to every token of refpe^l and kindnefs you receive. Watch againft an encroaching impbfing tem- per. And if poverty deprives you of the means of hofpitality, let it not however deprive you of the no- ble generous fplrit whence it flows — But, if you have it in your power to requite obligations of this fort, need I exhort you rather to excefs than parfimony ? That temper which will allow a man to obtrude him- felf on the hofpitality of his friends, but creates cold- r^tCs and referve at the idea of his returning the favour, is defpicable beyond expreflion. And indeed the no- tion of being precifely on even terms with others, is unworthy of an ingenuous mind. But we will not an- ticipate our fubjeft. l^Q^ hofbitality one to another^ vjltbout grudging » PART * I Sam. ii. 2,^, 394 vKOSPJTALITf. PART II. Having (hown cf whom the duties of hofpitallty arc rcquiied, andi^ ivhom they are to be pradifed, we proceed, THiaDLV, To confider the various offices of hofplta- lity, and the manner in which they fhould be render- ed. It is not my budnefs to enumerate particularly the favours which a generous holl will confer on his gueils. It is enough to obferve that he will make them as happy as he can during their fl?y under his roof. Three things, however, are to be remarked concern- ing thefc entertainments, namely, that they (hould be plentiful—frugal — and cordial j regard being always had to our own rank and circumllances, and to their quality and condition in life whom we entertain. I. Plenty. This is an idea intimately connefted with hof- plulity. Whomfocver we invite to our tables, whether the poor, our equals, or our fuperiors, there fliould be a fufnciency, yea more than a fuffici- ciency. Better not inviie our friends at all than fuffer them to go away hungry, or out of humour with their entertainment. Hafpltable people will deny themfelves this and that gratification rather than their gueRs. They will be content to Ht down to many a fpaie repail uhen alone, rather than fuffer parfimony to difgrace their table, when their friends do tliem the honour to furrour.d It. A fufplcion that any ore feels himfclf unlisppy will give them painful anxiety, and utterly deprive them of that plcafure vrhich is the proper HOSPITALITY. 395 proper reward of hofpitality. Let plenty then cover our tables on tliefe occafions. Let the food be wholc- ibine, if not delicate j let it be ferved up with ncat- nefs, though without fplendor j and if there is not va- riety, let there however be no complaint of fcarcity. When thiee llrangers vifit the tent of Abraham, Sa- lah makes cakes of three meifures of fine meal, and the fcrvant fetches a calf tender and good, and drelTes it *. A large bill of fare is given us of the provifions, with which the table of that public fpiiited governor of Jerufalem, Nehemiah, was daily fpiead, at his own private expence f. *' In my father''s houie," fays the prodi;^al, recolledling the fmiling plenty that abounded in that hofpitablemanfion, ** there is bread enough and *' to fpare J." And our Lord having generoufly en- tertained thoufands of people in the wildernefs, when tliey had all eaten and were filled, we are told, there remained twelve baH^ets of fragments §. i. i'rugaiity fliould however be obfeivcd in all our J eiitcrtainments. I'heingtaulty with which it has pleaftd Gcd to en- dow tiie female fex, hatli et.abled lome of them to ac- quire great honour by their prudent manageiTient in thefc matters. Their natural good fenfe, alTilled by the advantage of a happy domeflic education, has taught thern how to treat their friends rtrpefliully, atd cordially too, at a moderate expence. Frugality iy not inconfjitent with plenty. There may be enough and to fpare, without fuch an unreafonable abundance as rather difgufls than pleafcs. Nor is aconomy un- friendly to that ueatntfs and decorum, which are al- ways * Gen. xviii. CJ, 7, S. f Neh. v. iS. % Luke XV. 17, § LuLt ix. it.' 39^ HOSPITALITY. ways conlidered as qualities that add grace to an en= tertalnmcnt. Aukwardnefs, as well as extravagance, ufually accompanies fuperfluity j and what in fucli cafe is meant as a kindnefs, becomes an occafion not only of wafte but of confufion. A proper medium, therefore, obferved between luxury and parfimony, contributes as much to the fatisfadlion of the gueft as the emolument of the holt. And however the refpedb due to the perfons we invite to our table*, may on fome occafions require an extraordinary attention to variety and elegance, yet oeconomy in thefe cafes is not to be overlooked, A kind of fplendour that is beyond our circumilances, will give pain to our fupe- riors inftead of pleafure, and will not fail to be fet down to the account of vanity rather than refpeei. With prudent management there may be variety and elegance too without extravagance, and matters may be fo arranged that a fenfiblc obferver may fee our motive is, not a with to gratify our ambition, but to do him honour. Some people, indeed, betray a littlenefs of mind, on occafions when peculiar regard fliould be (hewn a friend, that rellefls great difgrace upon their characters. Of this caft were they who found fault with that exube- rance of love which one of the Maries exprelTcd for our Saviour, when at an entertainment " ftie took a '* pound of ointment of fpikenard, very coflly, and *' anointed his feet *.'*' Nor was their affcClation of oeconomy and regard to the poor, capable of difguifing that worfe than littlenefs of mind, that cruel avarice, which drew from them fuch illiberal treatment of this pious woman. The veil was too thin not to be feea *■ Joiin xii. 3. HOSPITALITY. 397 feen through, efpecially by an all-feeing eye. " Let " her alone," fays our Lord 5 " the poor ye have al- " ways with you, but me ye have not always *." We mean not, therefore, by recommending frugality to check the natural and w^ell direfted efforts of pure be- nevolence and love. Yet furely, whilft we hold ava- rice in fovereign contempt, and on fome extraordina- ry occafions may be juftified in going to the utmoft length our ability will allow ; we muft admit oecono- my is a virtue, and a virtue too that claims kindred with charity. Our Saviour was beneficent in the. highefl degree : yet having entertained five thoufand people in the moft plentiful manner, he does not think it beneath him to give particular charge to his difci- ples to gather up the fragments, that there might be no wafte. But, 3. Cordiality is the main thing. At whatever expence we receive and entertain our guefls, if we do not give them a hearty welcome, we come not within the defcrlption of the text 5 " Ufe " hofpitality without gT'udi^ing.'*'' The doing any duty merely from fecular motives, or at moft to fatisfy the prelTing diftates of confclence, is not aHing up to the charafter of genuine Chriftians. Our religion teaches and enjoins fincerity and cheerfulnefs in the whok of our obedience. A kindnefs to a fellow- creature extorted from us by neceflity, csn neither be grateful to him nor acceptable to God. Be they who they will we invite to our houfes, whether poor or rich, if they conceive a notion that we do not h'ke their company, either through prejudice agairft their perfons, or connderations of avarice, they mull needs S be * John sii. 7, S. ^9^ HO^TALITY. be unhappy j and to make our viCitors happy is effen- tial to the idea of hofpitality. Befides, the want of freedom and cordiality, muft produce as painful an ef- fe6l in our own nainds as in theirs. It is true, indeed, we cannot be fuppofed to have the like afFedionate regard for all we entertain ; fome may, ftriAly fpeak- ing, be ftrangers, or only on the footing of general ac- quaintance. But, for the mod part, the people we alk to our tables will be fuch as we eflcem and love ', and to them furely we (liall give a hearty welcome. Nor will it fcarce confift with (irxerity and good na- ture, to treat thofe of the former defcription, with coldnefs and referve. *' Ufe hofpitality then ivithout grudging^ Hav- ing made up your mind to your duty, that is, being of a generous difpofition, and having well fettled it with yourfclf whom you will entertain, and what en- tertainment your circumftances will allow you to make •, invite your fi lends in the moft cordial rran- rer, give them a hearty welcome at their entrance, and let your table, your countenance, your dlfcourfe, 2nd your whole behaviour lliew, that their ccnipany affords you fatisfa6^ion and joy. I'he rites of hofpi- tality thus performed, all the ends pvopofed thereby will be^anfwered to both paities \ your gueRs will go ?.way delighted with the reception they have met v.ith, and you poiTeffed of a pleafure which is the na- tural and adequate reivard of domefiic generofity. It is more e.ify to imagine than defcribe the cordiality with which Lazirus and his two fifters were ufed to receive their fiiends at Bethany, cfpeclally our Lord JefusChrift; and tl-ere can be no doubt tliat their generofity met with its reward. But HOSPITALITY. 399 But tli.ere are other matters we have to recommend to hofpitable people, ia order to their making their company and themfelves happy. The improvement of the mind, as well as the latisfying the appetites of nature, lliould be our obje6l : and it is with good rea- fon expe6led, that he who entertains fliould guide the difcourfe as well as do the honours of the table. To fubjedls that may both pleafe and profit we (liould aim to direct the attention of our friends, and lead on the talk with an eafe and familiarity that may induce all prefent to take a part in the converfation. Good fenfe and piety properly mingled are of admirable ufe on thefe occafions. Adapting ourfelves to the cha- racters and-tafte of our company, and taking advantage cf little circumftances that arife, how happy may v/e make them 1 — provide food for their immortal minds while we are refrediing their animal fpiiits I Our Saviour has happily taught us, by his own exam- ple, how to make the familiar Intercourfes of the ta- ble turn to a valuable account. But of this we may have occafion to fpeak hereafter. — I (hall only add, that the acknowledging the bounty of heaven, in the prefence of our guefis, w-ith all becoming ferioufnefs and gratitude, is a duty intimately conneded with the rites of hofpitality. The negledl of this is not only ?.n affront to God, our great benefador, but an iniu- ly to our friends and ourfelves. We ihall not how- ever enlarge here, as this fubjeci has been fully dif- cufifed elfewhere *. Let us goon now, Fourthly, And kllly, To conGder our ohligation^ to this duty of hofpitality And here we fhall be- gin* I, With \\\tftnefi and reafonahlenefs of the du*y. Man * Difcourfe 11^. 400 HOSPITALITF, Man was made for fociety, Domeftic coDneclIons are the iirft to which nature directs us. But as in- dividuals cannot fubfilt of themfelves, fo neither can families. The members of which different houfes are compofed, will have frequent occafion to meet toge- ther in places common to them ail \ fuch as at mar- ket, in courts of jultice, and in houfes devottd to the worfhip of God. But thefe affociations are not fuf- ficient to anfwer all the purpofes of fociety. Their mutual protection, atTiftancc, and comfort, make it ne- ceffary for particular families at certain fealons to meet together at one another's houfes. Many, if not the principal offices of humanity, friendfliip, and reli- gion, muft be foregone, if the doors of e?cc4i feparatc habitation are to be opened to none but thof'e who re- fide in it. As therefore intercourfe betv;een families is necelTary, hofpitality to ftrangers, that is, to thofe who are not of our own houfe, is upon the general grounds of convenience and benevolence moft iit and reafonable. If bufinefs brings a perfon to my houfe ivith whom I have no particular friendfiiip or acquain- tance, he certainly ought to be treated civilly and kindly : common decency teaches this. If dillrefs brings flrangers to my houfe, and it be more neceffary for them, and more convenient for me to admit thtm under my roof, than to dlfmifs them with alms j the reception I give them (hould furely be humane and hofpitable. And the thing plainly fpeaks for itfelf, that where kindred and friendfl:iip have united fami- lies, the hcufes of fuch families fiiould be open to each other, and their mutu.il entertamments fue, cordial, and generous. 2. Hofpi- HOSPITALETY. 4OI 2. Hofpitality brings with it its own reward. Oar Saviour tells us, *' It is more bleiTed to give *' than to receive * :" and 1 appeal to the feelings of every humane and generous breaft whether it is not fo. Jf providence has put it in our power to do good, a ready compliance with the will of providence is the dire6l means to procure happinefs to ourfelves. While we are giving plealure to others, we are adding to our own rtock of pleafure. There is indeed a kind of hofpitality, falfely fo called, which is not the effeft ot pure love and benevolence, but of a paflion for fplen- dour and oftentation : and it muft be owaed, the pleafure, refulting from fuch hofpitality is at beft mean, trifling, and precarious. But true hofpitality, which is the fruit of genuine humanity and friendftiip, can- not fail of exciting moil agreeable fenfations in his breaft who is accnftomed to it. How happy muft I feel myfelf, while relieving the anxieties, and mitigat- ing the forrows of thofe to whom I bear a cordial good-will ! And how happy, too, while cheerfully fliaring the comforts of life with thofe whom I highly efteem, and dearly love ! This joy, as it is rational and rannly. fo is far greater and more enlivening than that of the wretch who eats his morfel alone, pleaiing himfelf with the miferable idea that the wealth he pof- feffeshas accunulated from parlimony, and that he hath grown rich on the fpoils of humanity. Would you then fink into contempt, among all around yo'.i,aiveexillence to a thoufand occafions of anxiety and diilrefs, and fuf- fer your miferable manfion to be baunted with the moft horrid fpedres imagination can create r — Then drive the widow, the fatherltfs, and the ilranger from your * Ads XX. 35. 4C2 HOSPITALlir. ;yo'.ir gat'Cf, fliut your door agalnit every relation and acquaintance you have, bid dtfiai.ce to frlendlhip, fa- critlce at the iiirine of mammon all the feelings of hu- manity, and beneath your tieafures bury your wretch- ed ftlf. On the contrary, would you fccure to your- felf the eileem of good men, the prayers of the poor, and tiie ailtrdions of your relations and acquaintance ? Would you gratify the nobleft pafTion of the human bieall, diifufe cheer fulnefs through your dwelling, draA' down the bleding of God upon you, and lay up treafure for yourfelf in heaven > — then u/e bojjbiia/ity one to another without grudging. 3. This duty is expiefsiy cominandcd by God. . Numerous are the paffages both in the Old and New Teflament, wherein hofpitality is ftridly enjoin- ed upon us, and enforced by a gieat variety of mo- tives. We cannot recite them all here. Mofes, s- gfdn and again, with great earneRnefs admonifnes the Ifraelites to be benevolent to the poor, the widow, the fjtherlels, the f^ranger, and the Levite j to re- ceive them into their houfts, to eat and drink with them, and to rejoice in all the good that God had bellowed on them. He exhorts them to be free, cheerful, and cordial in the difcharge of this duty j befeeching them to bewaie leli an avarltlous, grudg- ing, hard hearted thouglit Uiould at any time arife ia their breaft. He reminds them to this end of the de- plorable condition they were themfelves once in, when ilrangers and bond-ilaves In £gypt j and makes the Levites having no inheritance among them a reafon why they (liould be particularly hofpitablc to them. He inliRs that this duty was peremptorily required of them by God, that aa attention to it, would be high- HOSPITALITY. 4:^5 ly pleafing to him, and that fo doing they might be affured the Lord their God would blefs them In all thf; works of their hand *. The prophets too irv numberlefs inftances urge this duty upon the Jews, and for their failure therein denounce the judgments of God upon them. In the New Teftament, befides the many paffages wherein benevolence is enjoined, which includes iii it hofpitality, there are not a few direftly to our purpofe. Our Saviour frequently inculcates it in his parables, as particularly in that of Dives and Lazarus^ and th-it of the good Samaritan f . '* When thou " makeft a feaft," fays^e In another place, " call the ** poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind : and thoa ** (halt be bleffed ; for they cannot recompenfe thee j ** for thou (halt be recompenfed at the refurredion of ** the juft X''''' When he fends his apodles to preach the gofpel, unprovided with money for their journey, he alTures them there would be thofe who would hof- pltably receive them into their houfes j and on fuch lioufes he pronounces a bleffing, faying, '* He that re- " celveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, iliall " receive a prophet's reward 5 and he that receiv- ** eth a righteous man in the nam.e of a righteous *' man, (hall receive a righteous man's reward. And ** whofoever (hall give to drink utito one of thefe little *' ones, a cup of cold water only, in the name of a dif- *' ciple, verily 1 fay unto you, he fliiU in no wife lofe his *' reward ]]." And in his ftrlking defcription of the lall judgment, the hofpitality of the righteous to Grangers is * See Levit. xxv. 35 -38. Deut. xiv. a()— 29. Chap. X'>v 7— II, Sec. &c. f Luke xvi, 19. ult. chap, x, 30-.-37. t Luke xiv, 13, 14. || Mat. x. 7---15. Ibid. v. 41, 42. 404 HOSPITALITY. is particularly mentioned to their honour; while the wic ked are upbraided with the contrary condu<^ to th«ir eternal confulion *. Exhortations to this duty frequent- ly occur in the epillles. To the Romans the apoftlc fays, *' Diftribute to the neceflities of the faints, and *' be given to hofpitality j- " To the Hebrews, ** Let brotherly love continue, and be not forgetful *' to entertain Grangers :J:." This he mentions as a qualification of a Chriliian bifliop, telling us that he ihould •' be given to hofpitdlity ||," and *' a lover of ** hofpitality and of good men ^." And the widows whom he would have particularly honoured and re- garded by the church, he defcribes as '* having lodg- ** ed ibangers, wa(hed the faints feet, relieved the af- *' flifted, and diligently followed every good work ^,4." In fine, the will of God in this matter could not be "moYQ fully and ilrongly exprelTed than in our text, U/e hrifpitQlity one to another without ^rudging.---YiQ\Xi thtie commands of God let us proceed, 4. To eonfider fome ftriking examples of hofpitali- ty on divine record.. This virtue, fo friendly to fociety, -prevailed much in the patriarchal age. Nor could a more perfc(fl: and pleating idea be given us of the plain, hearty, unfuf- picious benevolence of thofe days than that we meet with in the ftories of Abraliam, Lot, Job, and ethers. To thofc men cf God the apoftle refers, when he tells us, that *' feme by entertaining Grangers, have enter- *' rained angels unawares 'I-." Abrahnm, feeing three perfons at a dirtance whom he took to be men, rsn to mtet them 3 and according to his ufual manner, moil re- * Matth. XXV. 35. 43. f Rom. xii. 13. \ Heb. xiii. i, 2. j[ I Tim. iii. ^, % Tit.,i. 8. ^. i Tim. v. ic 4 Heb. xiii. ^. _ HOSPITALITY. 4OJ re^eflfuUy faluted them, and with the greateft cor- diality befought them to accept fome reficdiment at his tent as they p ailed on their way. ' I pray you, fays he, not to go on your journey without making me happy by a vilit. Let a little water be fetched, and waih your feet, and reil yourfelves under the tree.' So he haftens into the tent to Sarah, and de- iires her to get ready the beft cakes (lie could make j while he ran to the herd and got a calf tender and good, which he delivered to the fervants to drefs it. The dinner, ferved up with butter and milk, he fets before his guefts j and giving them a moil: hearty welcome, ftands by them under the tree while they ale *. Such was the manner of thofe days of fimpli- city and good nature. And what ample reward the genei-ous old patriarch met with for his hofpitality, you need not be told. The like entertainment two angels received from his kinfman Lot, who were fent to refcue him from the tremendous judgments, which the biutftlity of his ince'iuious neighbours drew down upon their guilty heads f. What pleafure the patriarch Job alfo took in rendering fuch offices of kindnefs, not only to his friends and relatives, but to the poor and helplefs, may be eafily imagined from the appeal he makes to God upon this matter in the time of his adverfity. *' If I have eaten, fays he, my morfelmy- *^ felf alone, and the fatherkfs hath not eaten thereof: ** if 1 have feen any perilh for want of clothing, or ** any poor without covering : if his loins have not *' bleifed me, and if he were not warmed with the *' fleece of my Iheep : if I have lift up my hand a- ** gainft the fatherlels, when I favv my help in the S 5 *' gate i * Gen, xviii. i—S. f Gen, xix. 1—3. 4C6 ^ HOSPlTALlTr. ** gate : Then let my arm fall from my ilioulder-blade, •" unci mine arm be broken from the bone *." And however his faith was tried, by being deprived for a time of the means of gratifying this his hofpltable dif- poutian, he was quickly reftorcd to a flate of afflu- .<55 o -fiv uvB^ps^ttsu-i. Ux-vlug yxp ^iXacrziVj oau) iTTt oiKia vtacJV. lA. Z. Next Teiithras' fon diflainM the fands with blood, AVylus, hoipitabte, lich, and good: In fair Arifba's walls (his native place) He held his feat ; a friend to human race. Faft by the road, his ever open door Oblig'd the wealthy, and rcdiev'd the poor. Po^e. IIOJPITALITf. 407 were the Inhabitants of that place, that they weie obliged to fit them down in a iireet of the city, no man inviting them to his houfe. At length, however, a good old man c )mes from his work in the field, and feeing thefe (irangers in the fireet, after alking them whence rhey came and whither they were going j in- vites tl em to his houfe, poor sshe was, faying, " Peace " be with you, let all your wanls lia upon me." So j he gives provender to their aifes^ and wailies their feet, and with a hearty good- will makes them eat and drink*. Who can read this little ftory without wifii-ng this poor man had poireiled an eilate in Gibeah, large e- nough to excufe him from manual labour, and enable him to gratify his benevolent difpoHtion to the utmoft: ; extent of It ? The ffory likewife of the Shunamlte mufl not bs ppilTed over in (ilence. She was indeed in a fuperlor itcition to that of the good man juft mentioned, but (he- had a heart as benevolent as his. When Elifna the pro- phet came that way fne was ufed to invite him with great earnednefs to her houfe, '* to conftrain him," as- it is expreffed, '* to eat bread." And in the fulnefs of her heart we hear her faying to her huibaud, '• Let *' us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall, ** and let u« fet for him there a bed, and a table, and *' a rtool, and a candleftick : and it (hall be, when " he Cometh to us, that he (hall turn in thither f ." This was genuine hofpitality, the fruit of benevolence and not of oftentatlon : for when the prophet on a time, feafible of his obligations to her for the care (lie had taken of him and his fervant, aik^ her whether he fhould fpeak to the king or the captain of the hoil on her * Judgesxix. 16 — 21. f 2 Kingsiv. S.-ro 4oS liospiTALiTr. lier beiialf •, Hie roplies uiih all the iweet tranquillity cf unambitious contentment, a virtue nearly allied to that we are difcourfing of;, *' I dwell among mine own ** pt:ople *." As to perfons in a fuperior ftation of life, who were eminent both for their piety and their hofpitality. ma- T.y indances occur in the Old Teftament ; but it (hall fuffice to remind you of David, Obadiah, and Nehe- miah. The firil of thefe it is true was a mighty prince 5 his generofity however on occalion of his bringing up the ark. to the tabernacle he had pitched for it, ex- ceeded what might be expe61ed even from royal mu- nificence. '* He dealt among all the people," it is laid, " even among the whole multitude of lirael, as ** well women as men, to every one a cake of bread, *' and a good piece of flefh, and a fiagon of winef." Obadiah was ruler over the hcufe of king Ahab, and by favouring the reformaiion Vvhich took place tVirough the means of Elijah, h-izarded every thing j yet fuch was his piety and hofpitaJity that ** he took an *' hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and *' fed them with bread and water ."{:.'* Neheminh was governor of the Jews on their return from the capti- viiv tW'elve years ; and during that time-, fo great w?.s 1 is benevolence, that at his own private expence he kept open table for an hundred and fifty of the Jew^s and ruldrs, befides thofe tliat vifited him from among th e heathers § To come now to the New Te lament. What a good-natured and hofpitable family was that of Lnza- rus at Bethany I And though Martha was perhaps too ai^xious * 2 Kings iv. 13. f 2 Sai.'. v". 19. ^ I Kingsxviii.4. § Neheni. v. 17, 18, HOSPITALITY. 4C9 anxious aboather domeltic atFairs, yet who can forbear applauding the benevolent regards (he expreiTed for our Saviour and his friends * ? The generous love of one of the Maries, v\ho at a great expence procured an alabarterbox of very precious ointment, and 'hook it over our Lord's head as he fat at meat ; v^as fo "late- fui to him that he declared, what (he had done lliould be told for a memorial of her wherever the golpel ihould be preached in the whole world f . The pri- mitive Chriftians were much given to hofpitaHty. In the beginning they had all things in common : " they *' fold their poffeiTions and goods, and parted them to *' all men, as every man had need; and daily breaking *' bread from houfe to houfe, they ate their meat with *' ghdnefs and finolenefs of heart ^."' Wherever the gofpel was received a liberal fpirit was diffufed among the people, and the houfes as well as hearts of men in all places were open to entertain ftrangeis who came properly recommended to them. In fine, the names, of Prifcilla and 4qui-la, of Lydia, of Gaius, and many others, will be conveyed down to the latcft pofterlty with marks of divine approbation for their benevolence and hofpitality. — But the mod powerful argument to perfuade us to the duty we are recommending, is that which refults, 5. And laftly, from divine Hofpitality, The bleffed God is the father of a numerous fa- mily, the great Houfeholder of the univerfe j and words are wanting to exprefs the benevolence of hiy heart and the bounty of his hands. '' He is good to ** all, and his tender mercies are over all his works, *' All * Luke X. 38— ult. f Mat. xxvi. ^—13, I Ads ii. 45,4^, 4'^ KOSPiTALrry. *' All his works praifehim,and hi.^ faints blefs him. Hi's " creatures, every one of them, wait upDn him, and he *' gives them their meat ii/due feafon. He openeth his " hand, and fati.sfies the defire of every living thin^ *.' His fun (liines and iris rain falls on the evil as well as the good. His very enemies {hare of his bounty. Ke gives liberally to all men, and upbraids not. From him we receive ability to be hofpitable, and hearts to be fo too. The tables to which we invite our friends he fpreads, and the cup we put into their hands he fills. Oh the munificence of the great God ! How large, how conftant, how inexhauftible is his bounty ! Ought we not then to be followers^of God as dear children ? To be hofpitable is to be like God : and to refembls his Maker is the glory of an intelligent creature. But when we have furveyed the bounties of Provi- dence in their largeft extent, the idea we collefl from thence, of the generofity of the blelTed God, falls pro-^ digioufly iliort of that which the gofpel infpires. Here, to ufe the language of an apoille, '*^he hath fliewn the *' exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindnefs tov/ards *' us, through Chrift Jefus f." A feaft he has prepa^- red for myriads of guilty, wretched, helplcfs beings at an expence which angels are at a lofs to compute. The facrifice is his own Son ! How exquifitely grand muft the feaft on fuch a facrifice be ! Let eaftern mo- narchs, in all the pride of wealth and power, affemble their princes, nobles, and people, to partake of a ban- quet the moft expenfive and magnificent they can fur- niHi. Let them on thefe occafions, like Ahafuerus, exhibit to the view of their fubjefts, " the riches of " their glorious kingdoms, and the honour of tleir ex- " cellent * Pfalm cxlv. _9, re, 15, 1 5. f Eph. ii. 7. HOSPITALITV. 411 " cellent ra?.jefty *." It Is all idle Qie^v, a mere fplen- did nothing, when compared with this the nohleft of alt entertainments. Nor Is the reception which the Mafter of this feaft gives his numerous guefls, lefs kind and gracious, tha-i the fcaft itfelf is fumptuous and delectable. With infinite condefcenfion and good- nefs, he fends his fervants to invite men of all defcrip- tions to it 5 with a cordiality not to be imagined, he welcomes them to it ; and with unexampled hofpita- lity, pours upon them a profuHon of joys the moft re- fined, fabftantial, and unutterable. Happy day, when all the gueils (hall be affembled, and this glorious feftl- val (lidll be celebrated in the palace of the great King above ! Let us now lay all thefe ideas together— /'^i?yf/;?t/f of this duty — the reward it brings with it — the fair examples of thofe who have moft diftinguifhed them- fjlvcs by their generofity in this way — and, above all, the hofpitality of the b/ejfed God, on whofe favour our happinefs depends ; let us lay all thefe confiderations together, and then alk ourfelves, whether we can find it in our hearts to be fclfifh, parfimonlous, and inhofpi- table ^ A man of this chara^3;er is a wretch, a dlfgrace to his fpecies, and deferving of the contempt and de- teftation of every rational and fociable being. Such monfters there may be in our world : but fuch, furely, are not to be found" among the difciples of the kind, the benevolent, the hofpitable Jefus. It is ImnofTible that they who have (liared of his bounty, and have drank, into his Spirit, (liould thruft the honeft poor from their doors, fliut up their bowels of compaflion from the widow, the fatherlefs, and the ftranger, and have ^ Either i. 4. 412 HOSPITAL[TY, have no tafte for the generous plcafures of friendfliip and foclety. We fpeak. therefore, Chriilians, a lan- guage harmonious in your ears, and congenial to ycjur he.irrs, v.'hen we lay with the apoiile, Vfs hofpitaiitj 9ne iO another, wiihoiit grudging. DIS- DISCOURSE XL CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. Job 1. 4, 5. And his Jons zuent andfeofted in their houfes, eve- ry one his day, and fent and called Jar their three JtJierSy to eat and to drink with them. And it was fo, when the days of their feajiing were gone ahout, that Job fent and fanSiified them, and rofe up early in the morning, and offered lurnt offerings according to the number of them all : for yob faid, It may he that my fons have fi.ncd, and curfed God in their hearts, ^hus^ did fob continually, FESTIVALS in families, on occaiion of marriages, Ijirths, and other profperous events, have been ufual in moli ages and countries. And it is not to be doubted, that the praftice is innocent and connir.enda- ble. It is capable of being improved to ends the ixioil ialutavy and innnortant j and, on the contrary, of beinjr abufed to purpofes very criminal and pernicious. To offtr fuch advice, therefore, as may prevent the evils apprehended, 4^4 CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. apprehended, and contribute to the cheerfulnefs and utility of thel'e domeftic friendly aflociations, is the objecl of this dircourfe. The ftory jult read naturally leads us to our defign : the particulars of it therefore we (hall confider and explain. It has been queftioned by feme, whether the floiy of Job is to be confidertd in any other light than a fa.- ble or allegory, after the manner of the eafterns, and agreeable to fome other parts of fcripture. But the:e does not appear to me ground fulhcient to fupport this opinion. The ftoiy, exclufive of the difcourfe between the feveral parties, is (liort, told with a great air of ilitiplicity, and an exadlnefs of circuraftances and names, fcarce to be expeded in mere apologue.. But befides the internal marks of its being a true hiilory, there are external ones which feem to me unanfwera- ble : I mean EzekiePs mentioning Job in company with Noah and Daniel *, which it is hardly imaginable he would hcive done, if Job had not really exifled rs well as they •, and the apoftle James, referring to his hiftory at the fame time he does to that of Chrift ; ** Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have feen •* the end of the Lord f ." As to the author, it is not certain who he was, whe- ther Job himfelf, Liihu, or Mofes. 1 he latter feeras moll likely, as the name of Jehovah (by wl-ich God began to be known, or however^ chiefly known, in tl^e time of Mofes) is frequently ufed in the hiftorical part of the book j whereas it is fcarcely, if at all mention- ed in the difcourfes which make up the chief part of the book, and which are fuppofed to have been fpo- ken, and indeed the whole matter to have happened*, be fort * EzeJ:. xiv. 14. f James v. ir. CONViVtAL INTERCOUa«.£. 415 before the time of the author. Eut whoever the au- thor was, the enquiry of the greateft confequence to the bufinefs before us, is at what time Job lived. Now it is plain it mufl have been before Mofes' time, be- caufe the age of man was then reduced to what it is now, feventy or eighty, whereas Job, we find, lived one hundred and forty years. It was before facrifices were confined to one altar, before the general apoftacy of the nations, and when there was as yet no other idolatry, but the worfhip of the fun and moon, and that was punlfhed by the judges *. It was while God was known more by the name of God Almighty than Jehovah, as was hinted before j and when divine knowledge was conveyed not by writing but by tra- dition, as feems probable from fome palTages in the courfe of the book f . In fine, it was evidently be- fore the time of Mofes, becaufe no mention is made of the deliverance of the Ifraelites out of Egypt, and no reference is had to any of the cuftoms of that dif- penfation. I ftiould fuppofe Job therefore to have lived in the patriarchal age, perhaps about the time of ifaac or Jacob, and very probably he was of the po- flerity of Nahor, Abraham's brother, whofe firft-born was Uz X- — It was then in an age of great fimpllcity of manners, but in which however idolatry beg^n to prevail, and vice to fpread itfelf among the nations, that the fcene of this hillory is to be placed. Now the text tells us, That the Jons of Job went and feajled in their houfes^ e^^ery one his day\ and fent and called for their three fjiers, to eat and to drink "jcith them. And it was fo, when the days of their feajiing * Judg. xxxi. 16. 2S. f J'ldg. viii. S. zi, 2^. X Gen. xxii. 20, z\^ 4l6 CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. feajllng were gone about, that Jobfent and fan8if.»d thctTiy and rofe up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings, according to the number of them all ; for 'job f aid. It may be that my Jons havejtnned, and curfed God in their hearts* Thus did Job continu- Ully. Several things are here deferving our notice, forae of which require a little explanation. As, 1. Thxsfejiival which was obferved in the family of Job. Our accounts of thefe early times are very fhort j fo that we can frame but a very imperfect idea of matters of this fort. Kuman nature however being the fame in every age, we may eaiily fuppofe that fuch cuitoms in the general as now prevail in mofl coun- tries, prevailed then 5 though with lefs art and more limpliclty , Events that were memorable, interelling, and important, would be apt to bring people toge- ther 5 and good nature, an inclination to mirth, and a fondnefs for (hew, would be likely to put them on making entertainments for each other, expreffive of their mutual joy and good- will. As to this feftival, it does not feem to have been oa a religious account j or of a very general and public kind. Only one fa- mily is mentioned, though it is true families were then very lirge. and others might be invited to the feaft. The occafion it is probable, was ivithin them- felves, either the birth or the marriage of fome one of the houfe, or fome profp^rous event that had happen- ed to them. But however that might be, it locks as if thefe feafts were periodical, or at Hated feafons : and ii is certain they were circular, for it is faid they feajied in their houfes, every one his day. Now CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE, 4^7 • Now all this was innocent enough, yea, on fome accounts very commendable. They might lawfully -enjoy the comforts of life in a friendly, fociable, and cheerful manner. The remembrance of benefits re- ceived might juilly excite joy, provided gratitude to God accompanied it. And it fhewed an amiable dif- pofition, and anfwered very valuable purpofes, for a family branched out as this was to meet thus together at certain feafons, and exprefs their mutual love and concord. Here were feven fons, their children it is probable, and the fifters of the family alfo. What kind of entertainments they made we cannot fay. But it is likely they were as fplendid as the firapiicity of thofe times would allow ; for their •weaitb was very great, and it is faid, they feajled^ and ** they drank wine ** It is further obfervable, that thefe banquets were repeated, they went about from houfe to houfe^a day at a houfe; and thefe days, it is pro- bable, immediately fucceeded each other j for that was much the cuftom of the eafterns in after times. Perhaps they began at the houfe of the youngeft, for it is remarkable they were at the eldelt brother's when the laft fad catailrophc befel them. And it is not improbable they were ambitious of outdoing each other on thefe occifions. So that upon the whole we may reafonably conclude, thefe feafls were very ex- penfive, and their mirth and jollity very great. — Now though thefe tamily affociations might, as I faid, if properly managed, have been innocent, ufeful and commendable ; yet, II. They unhappily became the occafions of fin. Many circumftances concurred to render this the cafe, * Ver. 13. 4l8 CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. cafe. The company was large, feven fons, and three daughters, and their feveral children. And where companies are fo numerous (though proper enough on fuch occafions), tliey are apt to get into parties, or elfe to grow too violent in tlieir amufcments. — 1 hey were alio young, as may be gathered from the nun.e- rcHis family Job had after this firft race was gone. They were in the bloom of age and the heat of blood: and at this time of life mirth and gaiety are peculiar- ly &afnaiing. — They were very rich, and fo had all the means that can be well imagined of dilTipation and pleafuie : and were under no abfolute necelTity of cut- ing (hort their time of relaxation, and returning fpeedi- ly to their labour. — Their father alfo was not with them. So grave and pious a man as he, had he been prefent, would no doubt have interpcfed his authori- ty to rellrain their exceffes j while, at the fame time, his prudence and good nature would have led him to make his company as agreeable to them as pofl'ible. They however reasoned otherwife, chofe he fiiould be abfent, as apprehending they would be more at li- berty to gratify their lawlefs inclinations. — Eut the moil unfavourable circumftance of all was, Satan's be- ing among them. For it i« quickly after faid, when the Lord aiked Satan, *' Whence comeft thou •" that he anfwered, '^ From going to and fro in the •' earth, and from walking up and down in it." He diiigeni ly watched his opportunity. And no filter fea- fon than this could have offered, for his ufing all the ?.rt and infiUence he was mailer of to betray them into fin. — And accordingly, what through his addrefs and their deprived appetites and paflions, Jll. Ihey a&ually were betrayed Into fin. So CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. 4x9 So I conclude both from Job's jealoufies, and from the event. He /aid ^ It may be my funs have Jinncd. This jealoify of his might be groundlefs. Bat indul- gent patents are not apt to fufpeft bad things of their children till they are forced to it. He knew their complexion, and the power of temptation ; knew per- haps fome difagreeable* things of them in time paft, and had probably fome hints given him of their beha- viour, and fo dreaded the confequence. Wherefore from his apprehenfions, as he expreffes them, I fhould fuppofe they really were guilty of fome evil pradices. And then the calamity that bcfel them" confirms the idea. For though this providence was defigned as a irial of Job's patience, yet it may be reafonably e- no'jgh conlidered as a puniOimcnt of their fins, and not their fins in general only, but their exceffes on this occafion. What Job therefore fays of them in a way of fufpicion, ^ve miy, I think, without the charge of uncharitablenefs, confider as real. They Jinned — ate and drank to excefs, gre\vviolerjt and oatr igeoas in their mirth, and at length proceed- ed fo far as to curfe God in their hearts. They were *' full and denied God, and faid, Who is the Lord * ?'* From ftep to ftep they advanced, till tney plunged themftlves into the dtpths of iniquity. — They are cheerful — Quickly they begin to think this their cheerfulnefs real enjoyment ; they want no better hea- ven — So they fecretly dtfpife religion in their hearts — They drink — The wine goes merrily round — The fumes arife — They grow nolfy and cl-imorous — What they thought before in their hearts, they now fpeak ITOV. xsx. Q. ^20 CONVrVfAL INTERCOURSE. fpeak with their lips — The religion of the old man they make a joke of — And, loft to all fenfe of paren- tal duty and etteem, no wonder, while they ridicule their father they curfe his God : no wonder they are ready for every abomination they have it in their power to commit. Charity would indeed lead one to hope the beft concerning them. Yet if this was their temper and condud, (and there feems too fad ground to ap- prehend it) furely the providence of God is abundant- ly jultified in the fentence executed upon them. — But let us now turn our attention a while, IV. To their father's condu<^. ** When the days of their feaiiing were gone about, Job fent and fanditied them, and rofe up early in the mor.iing, and offered burnt offerings, according to the number of them all : for Job faid, It may be that my for.s have finned and curfed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually." From this account one would be' apt to fufpe6V Job of having been guilty of fome negleft. He does well, now he underftands there had been fomething amifs, to inttrpofe between God. and them. But ought he not to have prevented the evil r Was there no deleft in tbeir education, either in regard of fcverity or in- dulgence ? Some good men treat tbeir children in ear- ly life with too great rigour, and fo provoke them, when they become their own mafters, to run into exceffes they perhaps would not otherwife be guilty of. But in this cafe, if there was a mifiake, it was probably on the fide of indulgence j for there Is a foftnefs in his manner of fpeaking, that looks much like the undue fondnefs of a parent — *' It may be my *' foris have finned :" juft Jike good old Eli, " My CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. 421 *^ fons, why do ye fo * ?" Or if there was no error in their education, and their ill condufl was entirely the effeft of their own natural depravity and perverfenefs ; yet was not Job to blame for not affetting his autho- rity, and taking cire to prcfide at thefe fearts, which he had leafon to apprehend would prove occalions of mifchief i* His preffence might have checked thefe ex- ceffes. — But perhaps he was not alked j or if be was, he had room to fear they would p.?y little regard to his rebukes. However this might be, whether his former beha- viour towards them was, or was not cenfurable, he certainly did right in thus pioufly exprefling his con- cern for what h?.d happened. Job was a good man j " he feared God and efchewed evil :" he could not therefore apprehend them to have affronted that great Being, and to have committed fuch daring outrages, v.'ithout feeling inward anguilh, and awfully dreading the confequence. The utmoft he could now do was to ufe his intereft with Heaven on their behalf. And this he does wit.\ all the fervour and piety of a man of God, and vvith all the tendernefs and affeftion of an afflicled parent — He ftitit and fanBlfied them. Sent perhaps a meffige to them, expreiTing his concern for what had paffed, and w^iQiing them to attend this fea- ibnable and necelTiiry adl of devotion \ or at leaft in- forming them what he was about. — And fanSiified ihem \ that is, prepared them, as far as lay in his powTgr, for the approaching folemnity, both by direfl- iiig them to the forms ufual on thefe occafions, and by doing his utmoft, as was juft obferved, to perfuade them to a compliance with them. It is not indeed T faid * I Sam. ii. 2-^. 422 CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. faid they came. Perhaps they r emained llubborn and incorrigible, adding to their former fins this fur- ther inftance of contempt of the divine appointments. He however proceeds in what he had thus pioully re- folved on. He rifes early in the morning. Little fleep we may prefume he had the night before, opprciled with an- xious cares, and it may be foreboding fears. — His fa- crifices he prepares, one for each of the family ; and offers them with great devotion, penitently confefling their fins and his own, and earneflly imploring the di- vine favour and forgivenefs. What an affeding fo- lemnity was this ! — A venerable patriarch;, the head of a numerous offspring, and, by divine appointment, king and prieft in his own houfe, facrificing to the Lord I — facrificing upon an occafion the moft intereft- ing and important ! — pouring the blood of his {lain beaits on the altar I ard mingling with them his impor- tunate cries and tears I — What tender emotions mull - his pious and compaiTionate heart have felt ! — Zeal for the glory of God, and the moft pungent grief for the follies and fins of his children, united to infpire his breall with all the fervour of real devotion. His faith, we have good reafon to conclude, was direded to the Mefliah, of whofe facrifice thefe he now offered were figures : and bleflings he doubtlefs obtained for hira- fcil", however his petitions might not be heard on be- half of his family. — And thus Jo^ did continually : in this pia6\ice he perfevered. — Let us now turn our eyes from the afflid:ed parent .to his unhappy children, and fee, V. And laftiy. What was the fad event of their continued difobedience and rebeii.on. They CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. 42J They went on rioting after their ufaal manner, un- moved by their father's rebukes, facrifices, and prayers j till at length, being on a certain day in their eldejl bro- ther'' s houfe, eating and drinking wine^ there came a great wind from the vjildernefs^ and/mote thefuur cor- ners of the houfe, and it fell upon them, and they died *. Providence had borne with them a long while j but now the day of recompence is come. They are ia the midil of their jollity, perfe<5lly fecure, and making religion, as formerly, a part of their fport j when on a fudden the melTenger of divine vengeance approaches, .executes the jull wrath of God upon them, and turns this fcene of mirth, diffipatlon, and profanenefs, into a fcene of confufion, mifery,.and death. What a dread- ful catallrophe this I They have not time given them fo much as to apprehend their danger 5 no, not the warning that Bellliazzar had of the hand writing a- gainft the wall f . They hear the wind — they fee the houfe falling upon them — they feel the dreadful ftroke — they are buried in the ruins. What becomes now of all their mufic and dancing, their mirth and laugh- ter, their intemperance and profanenefs ? While the wine goes brifkly round, death Hands at their elbow unperceived, with a cup full of the wrath of God, He whom they had one minute curfed In their hearts, the next requires their fouls at their handi. How awful the tranlition from thefe manfions of fancied blifs, to the abodes of darknefs ! from all the madnefs and fecurity of atheifm, to a full conviction that there is a God, and that under circumftances of the utmoft horror and amazement I — Verily there is a God that judge th in the earth |. Thus * Ver. 1 8, 19. t Oan. v. 5, 5, \ Pfal. iviii. ir. 424- CONVIVIAL rNFERCOUI'vSE. Thus have we run over tiils (hort but ftrlklng and inftrudive ftory. And fo our way is open to ofter fome advice refpefling the management of (Jomejlic fej'.ivals. And how happy (hall ue be, it our advice may contribute to promote the innoctnt and ufeful purpofes oi thefe convivial meetings, and to prevent the evils of which they fometimes prove the uiihappy occjfion ! But this we mull refer to the next fermon, and clofc w^i.at has been faid with two or three gene- ral refie^lions. I. From this flory it appears, that the beft of men have foraetimes very undutiful and diffolu'e children. There can be no doubt but Job was a man of real •and ex?.lted pitty : and it will fcarcely admit of a que- I'bion, all things confidered, that his children were of the oppofite charader, vain, frivolous young people, void of the fear of God, and all concern about their bell intcreils. Nor is this t")e only inllance on divii.e record. Aaron, Eli, and David, v.ere miferably dif- appointed in the fiir.guine hopes they had formed of {\i\xie,^ if not of all their children. Let not, thcrtfore, parents fo circumfianced be unduly difcouraged. Your afliidlon ia very great. Permit us to mingle our tears with yours, and to adminiller to you all the comfoit in our power. It may be difficult to- alTuage )cur grief: yet allow us, in the foftei^ language we can ufe, to remind you of the exctlknt men jaft referred to, and of their patience under thefe trying alBidlions. Nor would we forget to caution you againft a miflake, V7hich hath fometimes greatly aggravated t!je diflrtfs of perfoas in your fltuation : 1 mean that of drawing an unfavourable conclulion from aftlidioLS of this fort, lefpeiling their own lUte tov;ards God. Ihe inftance CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE, ^2'^ in our text, and thofe juil mentioned, are dire6\ly in point to the purpofe of refuting this gloomy and to- tally groundlefs apprehenfion. No, my friends j it is an indifputable fa^l, that fome of the bed of men have had the word of children. And as God cannot do wrong, fo he means by thefe ditpenfarions to try your faith and patience, and to convince you in the end, as he did Job, that *' he is very pitiful, and of lender *' mercy "*." But, in juilice to the fubjecl before us, we cannot forbear, 2. Retlecling a moment on fome circuinflances that contribute not a little to the mifbchaviour of fuch children. The feeds of depravity are deeply fov,rn in our na- ture, and this, no doubt, is the grand Iburce from whence all the extravagancies of young people origi- nate. But then there art other more immediate cau- fes and occafions of their degeneracy, which all ope- rate under this firlt great caufe. Too many pious parents are guilty of fatal miftakes in their manner of educating their children. They are either unreafonably^/^^y^r^, or foolilhly indulgent* In the former cafe, by treating them with rigour, they add llrength to thofe prejudices r.gainft ferious religion, which are too prevalent in every unrenewed mind. And in the latter, by giving them their way in every thing, they fuffer their depraved pafTions and vicious inclinations to become too turbulent to admit of any rellraint. And what is the confequence ? No other than might naturally be expelled. Such un- happy children, growing up into life amidft wealth and fplendour, and having their youthful imagination ftruck * Tames v, lo, i j. 4-^ CONVIVIAL INrERCCKJRSE. flruck with a thoufand enfnaring objefls around tliem, are fuddenly precipitated into temptation, and pro- ceeding from one failure in conduft to another, are at length totally and irrecoverably ruined. Such fad in- ftances as thefe of parental imprudence, and filial pro- fligacy, cannot be enough lamented. Would to God that men of religion, who have families, would guard againit thefe fatal evils of feverity and indulgence^ which have proved the occafions of the ruin of thou- f.uids of children I — But then, however parents may ■fail in their duty, let not, 3. Young people excufe themfclves of their follies^ by throwing the blame on them. Are there any of this charafter prefent ? Suffer me to expoitulate with you, Sirs, one moment. You are confcious to yourfelves of great guilt. You have not liftened, as you fliould have done, to the remonftran- ces of reafon and confcience. You have foothed and cherilhed your own depraved inclinations, thrown yourfelves in the way of temptation, eagerly catched at every ihadow of obje61:ion to the truth of religion, and with the full confent of your hearts, complied with the . felicitations of fin. And all the evil that hath followed, you muft acknowledge you have righteoufly defcrved. Ihink not to fcreen yourfelves behind r he- imprudence, or even the criminal neglcfls of your pa- rents. Godisjuft. And at his tribunal you mull fooner or Uter plead guilty. — Let us therefore, 4. With all pofTible eanieftnefs and affciRion entreat young people to take warning from tlie deplorable in- llance before us, and to be on their guard againft the dangers to which convivial indulgences will expofe them. What CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. 42J7 What if the like tremendous calamities {houlJ be- fal you, that bef^l the family of Job ! What if in the midll: of your mirth and jollity you fhould be told, as EeKhazzar was by the hand writing on the %vall of his pdace, that " the boafted reign of lawlefs vice and *' intemperance is at an end, and that having been ** weighed by God in the balance of juftice, you are *' found wanting I" How will your countenance, like his, " be changed, your thoughts trouble you, the ** joints of your loins be loofed, and your knees fmlte *' one againfV another* I" Or if that fliould not be the cafe, depend upon it you will-fuffer eiTentially by thefe exceffes in your temporal, fpiritual, and ever- lafting interefts. Your health w-ill be impaired, your fubltance diminilhed, your chara6ler difgraced, and what is infinitely worfe, if mercy does not interpofb in a way you have little reafon to expeft, your foul will be loft for ever. — To what has been faid, we have only to add, 5. And laftly. One word, to excite parents to the prudent and faithful difcharge of their duty. Let me afk you, my friends, whether the interefts of your children do not lie near your hearts ? Would you not wifli them to be refpeftable and ufeful in this world, and for ever happy in that to come ^ Look well then after their morals. Keep them out of the way of vice and fin. And do your utmoft, in a de- pendence upon the divine grace, to conciliate their re- gards to reli^fon, that beft and nobleilof all blefimgs. But your own perfonal happmefs alfo is very nearly coMcerned. Should you fail in the line of conducl: you purfue refpe^ling your children, the like anguifti you * Dan. V. 6. ■|2'5 CONVIVIAL INTERC0U3.se. ;. ou will tcei that Job felt on this fad occaficn. May voLi efcape a forrow fo pungent, and not need be told, to relieve you of defpondency, that God can overrule even this afEi£lion for great good to you in the end, OS. he did to the pious pi-itriarch, of whofe unhappy children we have been difcourQnu 1 PART If.- The (ad ftory In our text we hive conHdercd. Job vvi)S a man of wealth and piety. He had a numerous family, no lefs than feven fans and three daughters. Thefe young people, poffeffing the means of diffipation, and having perhaps been treated by their parents with too much indulgence, were hurried by their violent paffions into a courfe of vicious pradiccs. They were ufed to affemble together at each others boufes^^ and in the midft of their criminal excelTes, to treat the religion of their father, whofe company they cared not to enjoy on thefe occafions, with contempt. He, good manl at home, felt nc fmall pain on their ac- count, fearing that their irreligious and riotous behs- viour would draw down the refenrments of heaven up- on them. With all the tendernefs, therefore, of a pa- rent, and all the pious fervour ct a patriarch, he in- terpofed by prayers and facrifices on their behalf. But it was too late. Being on a certain day at their eld- eft brother's houfe, eating, and di inking wine j in the midll of their mirth and jollity, and probably whillt they were curfing God with their lips as well as in their hearts, there came a great wind, which inftant- ly dfcftroyed the houfe where they were thus riotouf- ly affembled, and buried them beneath the ruins of it. CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE, 429 We have made fome general reflefliohs en this fad flory, and proceed now to the main thing propofed ; which is, First, To give fome account of the nature, origin, and ufe of felHvalg, ^nd more efpecially of domellic or family entertainments j and then, Secondly, To direct to fuch a prudent arrange- ment of circuraftances in thefe circular vifits, as may prevent the irregularities they are fometimes the oc- cafions of, and fecure all the falutary advantages pro- pofed by them. First, Feflivals, of which we are here to give fome general account, may be confidered in three views, as religious^ — civil — ai.d domejlic. Religious fejlivals have obtained time immemorial in all countries, among Pagans, Mahometans, JevvS, and Chrirtians. DifmitTing however thofe of the two o former proFefTions, the rites and grounds of which are all -i* human invention, and which it is not to our pur- pofe here to examine j it (liall fuffice to obferve, that thofe only of the two latter owe their authority to di- vine appointment. The feftivals er.joined by Mofes were founded in reafon, and adapted, circumftanced as the ifraelilifh nation was, to anfuer very important political and religious purpofes. But thefe feftivils are now at an end, the pofitive laws refpefling them bein^ exprefsly repealed by the fame authority that enacted them. And undei the Chrirtian difpenfation, no rite of this fort that I know oT is in force, bat that of the Lord ''s /upper. This was inltituted by Chrifl, who hath comniHnded that it fliouki be cbferved to the end of time 5 und is with good reafon fpoken of in the New Teftament as zfeajl *. T5 As * I Cor. Y. 8, 43^ CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. As to the numerous feftivals of the Romifh church , and thofe Hill retained in the eitablilhed church of this country, there appears to me to be no foundation for them in the word of God. On the oontrary, we are rather cautioned againft fuch ceremonial obfervan- CLS, as tending to enflave the minds of men, and to beget a kind of ruperftition very injurious to reli- gion *. To which it may be added, that the fcrip- tures feem to have purpofely left us in the dark about the exacl time when thofe gieat events happened, the commemoration of which on certain days is neverthe- lefs enjoined by human authority — an authority which, with ail becoming deference, we are obliged to pro- teft againft as not competent to fuch injun6lions. But it is not our bulinefs here to enter particularly into this argument. We muft, hoM'ever, maintain that it is lawful for any number of Chriftians, with mutual confent, to fet apart days of thankfgiving for bleiVmgs they have received, and days of humiliation under ca- lamities they fuffer y nor is it only allowable to do fo, it is their incumbent duty. And indeed it ftrikes me, tliat it is an expreflion of very unreafonable and crimi- nal perverfenefs in any people who diffent from the eftabliihed religion of their country, to refufe, at the iuilance of the civil power, to acknowledge national benefits and to deprecrite national judgments.— And then, as \o piihiic tefiivals that are purely r/w//, and to- tally unconneded with religious matters, there furely can be no harm in paying a decent regard to them, provided they are held under due regulations. They have their ufe in fociety, to promote benevolence and a good underRanding among mankind. But * Gal. iv. <>, ic, II. CONVI'VIAL INT2RC0URSE. 43 I But our view at prefent is to feiiivals of a private or domejlic kind, obferved by families periodically, or on occafion of profperous events, fuch as mairiages, births, removals to new habitations, and the like. Li moil ages and countries it has been ufual for relations and friends to entertain one another, on fuch occa- fions, at their houfes. The pradice has ever been held lawful and commendable. Abraham made a feaft at the weaning of his fon Ifaac *. Thefe circu- lar feafts in the family of Job, however abufed, were conformable to the cuilom of the times. Samfon made a feaft at his marriage, which lafted feven days f . And we read of ^' a yearly facriBce, or feaft, there was at *' Bethlehem, for all the family of JclTe, the father *' of David ;]:."" Indeed, it were endlefs to enume- rate the many inftancfts of this fort which occur in the Old Teftament. And in the N^w, we frequently read of our Saviour's being entertained at the houfes of his friends, and once of his being prefent at a mar- riage feaft in Cana of Galilee j[. A praflice, there- fore, in which mankind have fo univerfally agreed, is no doubt natural and lawful. And as it is innocent, fo it is capable, if properly condu£led, of anAvering very ufeful purpofes. The harmony of families is hereby preferved, and fiiendftiip among individuals promoted. Ind-eed tlie nobleft ends, civil, moral, and religious, may hereby be attained. But then it mult be admitted, on the other hand, that thefe feftivities are capable of being abufed to the moft pernicious purpofes- They have fometimes proved the unhap- py occaftons of intemperance, animofity, and ilander^ or at leaft of indecent levity and dilTipation. We will go on therefore, Secondly, ^Gen.xsi, 8. f Judg. xiv. lo, 17. |iSam. xx. 5 [j John ii. ij :;, ^ ; v; CONVIVIAL INT Er>.{iOUR.SE. Slcondly, To offer fome advice refpefting the ma- napjement of thefe circular vifits, in order to prevent the irregularities juil mentioned, and to fecure the fa- lutary advantages propofed. Here It muO: be obferved before wc proceed, that t!ie company on thefe oceafions Is fuppofed to coniift of Various forts of peifons, fome elder, and others younger •, fome feilous and others gay; but ail of hem relations and friends, and of decent reputable haraflers. And their obje*^, we take it for granted, is relaxation, and the enjoyment of a cheerful after- noon and evening together. Thus circumftanced, per- mit me, oiis, to exhort you, r. To beware oi Intemperance. You are now under a temptation to this great evil. For though good manners may fecure you from brutal excefs, yet fitting down at a table covered with deli- cacies, your appetite kten, your hoft generous, and your aifociates all of them brilk and gay 5 you are In danger of going beyond the drift bounds of fobrrety. Bo therefore on your guard. Pwemember Intempe- rr-nce is an odious v:"ce, difpleafing to God, degrading to human nature, and produftive of the moft pernici- ous confequences. Befides the injury it does the ccn- fiitution, it deprives perfons of many rational and man- !v pleifures they might expeft to enjoy on thefe oc- caiions, makes them difagreeable to.each other, ex-- cites anisrofity, and Jf carried to the utmoft length, biings deilruftion ^fcer it. The manner in which the feai\s fi^oken of in our text were conduced, and the cvtnt of them, very well juibTy the fufpicion, that intemperance reigned in the family of Job. His fons and daughters, as we have feen, and thtir CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. 433 their companions, met together to make merry. They ate and drank, without regard either to health or decency. They grew noily and quarrelfome. From one excefs they proceeded to another. Till at length, having curfed God in their hearts, th«y^urfed him with their lips. Horrid impiety ! And what was the confequence ? Juftice revenged the infult offered to Henven, and thefe daring finners w'ere inilantly buried beneath the ruins of this wretched temple, confecrat- cd to vice and debauchery. To enjoy the bleflings of providence, and to be more than ordinarily pleafant on thefe occafions, is by no means criminal. You may eat, and drink, and be cheerful, without offending either God or man. But if you exceed, depend upon it you will pay dear- ly for it ; you will fuffer in your health, your charafler, and your peace. Let the mailer of the family, therefore, take heed that he does not tempt his guefts to intemperance, by prefenting them with too great a variety and abundance, or with delicacies unfuitable to their rank and to his circura- flances. Let there be plenty without luxury t and let the rule obferved at Ahafhuerus's feaft be ftridly regarded, * to compel no one to eat or drink Deyond his inclination *."• And let the gueds, amidft all the eafe and freedom that (hould prevail on thefe occa- fions, fee to it they do not tranfgrefs the bounds of moderation. It is related of the Egyptians, by Herodotus and others, that in order to prevent irregularities at their entertainments, and to give fome check to excefTive mirth j they were ufed to bringinto the room after fup- per, when they began their wine, a coffin with the image * £ilber i. 8. 454 CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE, image of a dead man ca;ve in wood, Cprobably tlie embalmed remains ot fome anceflor of the lamily.) This fpeftacle was prefented to eacn of the company by a peifon, whofe ofHce it was to pronounce diliin^l- ly the following words, " Look upon this and be *' merry : for fuch as this, when dead, flialt thou •* be *." A ftrange ceremony this I It (liews, however, in what abhorrence this vtry extraordinary people held thofe extravagancies, w jch too often difgrace public and domeftic feftivities. Solomon was a wile and gojd man. He knew what danger young people are expofed to, efpecially on tlieie occa;ions , Not can we do them a kinder offii e than to whifpcr in their ears thofe memorable words of his, when they are thus tempted to excefs — *' Rejoice, O youHg man, in *' thy youth, and let thy h ;art cheer thee in the days ** of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, ard ** in the fight of thy eyes . but know thou, that for all ** thefe things God will bring thee into judgment f ," 2. Let good order be obferved. Cheerfulnefs is an idea always conne6led with felli- vity ; nor can there be cheerfulnefs where there is not fre.dom and cale j and to impofe difagreeable re- flraints upon our gueiis, would be deemed illiberal and ill-mannerly. But as the company is often on thefe Gccafions large, and made up of perfons of different denominations, ages, and tempers j and as young peo- ple, amidfl all the gaiety of a feiiival, are in danger of failing before they are aware into irregularities , fome kind of controuiing influence, fo delicately managed as fcarccly to be perceived, Ihould pervade through the affembly. And where ftiould this influence be lodged, * Herod, lib. ii. c. 45. \ Ecd. xi, p. CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. 4^$ lodged, or by whom can it be fo properly exerted, as the aeid of the family ? The prefence of a venerable paient or grandfire, will of itlelf have an effeft to pre- vent indecent levities j an4 fliould any improper be- haviour take place, no one will objed to the interpc- fitlon of fuch authority. Had Job prefided, or at leall been prefent at his eldell fon's houfe, when the fealts of which our text fpeaks were celebrated j the evil that happened there would in ail probability have been prevented. I know it will be faid, that old folks are not fit company for young people j and tiat upon thefe occa- iions, wheait is expeded all flioulti be fprightly and gay. it may be as well for the grave and gloomy to be abfent. And indeed 1 (Lould think fo too, if age and feverity, religion and gloominefs, were fynonymous terms, or qualities totally infeparable. But furely this is not the cafe. Why may not elderly people be good natured. and cheerful ' And who will venture to- affirm that religion makes men four, though fome who protels it may be fo ? Be that however as it will,^ good fenfe would teach the heads of families fo to con- ducl: themfelves on thefe occafions as to render their company agreeable, and their authority at the fame time refpe6lable. Why cannot parents, for a few hours, accommodate themfelves to their children ? Why not make all proper allowances for them,, re- membering that they too were once children, and had the f.ime pafiions thefe young folks have ? W^hy not ; endeavour to infinuate themfelves into their affedions, by all t'li? good-natured arts which parental ondnefs and prudence taj^geH ? Can any one be fo mcrofe as to find fault with this ? Is there a man fo deflitute of thfr ^^6 CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. the feelings of humanity, as not to be pleafed with tile iijjht of a fond father, encircled by a numerous offspring, fmiiing upon then:i, partaking with theni in their a- mufemcnts, diverting them with pleafant ilories, and doing all in his power to make them happy ? No. It is a lovely fight. And this affectionate affability of parents, or thofe who prefide on thefe occafions, is the rather to be recommended, as it will enable them to convey Inftru61ion to the minds of their young guelts ia the fofteft manner, and fecure to themfelves an au- thority over them which will eflfeftually rgflrain them from all irregularities. By fuch means then iliould good order be preferved on thefe occafions. — But it is further neceffary to this end, 3. That every one (hould take care to keep a due command of his temper. The kind of company we are fpeaking of refembles ' that of the community at large. It confiils, as that does, of perfons of various ages, charafteis, pafTions, and conditions. Wherefore the general rules adopt- ed by all wife and good men for regulating their cor- du6t in the public walk of life, ftiould be obferved here. And none of them perhaps is of more confe- quence than that we have jufl mentioned. Among ten or a dozen met together in a family way, fome in all likelihood will have their peculiarities of temper and manners. And in an unguarded moment, fpright- ly young people may, for the fake of a little innocent mirth, carry 'tlieir raillery to too great a length : fo an individual may be difguifed, and in the end the good humour of the whole compatiy interrupted. This evil therefore fliouid be avoided, and c'pccially every thing that looks like ill-natuied invedive, or malevo- lent CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. 43 ^ lent iarcafm. What pity to bear hard on any one perfon ! It is ungenerous and unmanly. And, on the contrary, none (hould be difpofed to put an ill conftrudlon on what another haftily fays. Or if the language is pointed, the edge of it fliould be blunted by the -good nature of him to whom it is di- reded ; at leaft prudence (liould teach him to conceal the pain be may be fuppofed to feel rather than undu- ly refent it. And it is happy when thofe w^ho are by know how to throw in a word, which like oil may fmooth the ruffled paflTions before they burft into a fiorm. Such a command of people's tempers will pre- vent animofity and confufion, contribute mightily to eafe and harmony, and open the way to all the inno- cent pleafures of convivial intercourfe. In fhort, it (hould be the wilh of every one to make the reft hap- py j and not only ill- humour, but wit itfelf, fhould be facrificed to that obje^l. — Which leads us, 4. To point out the amufements proper to be adopt- ed on thefe cheerful occafions. In mixed companies, fuch as thefe are fuppofed to be, it will require fome ingenuity to adjutt matters fo as that all may be entertained and improved : and yet upon retiedion we fliall find this to be no very diffi- cult bufinefs. With refpeft to the younger part oi the company there are devices enough to be contriv- ed to pleafe their imagination, and exercife their wits ; nor will it be unamuling to the elder, who cannot for- get that they too were one day children, to be fpe6la- tors of thefe diverfions, if not aftors in them. Hu- man nature is the fame in every age, and an infpired prophet, in order to exprefs the futu'^e profperity of the Jews in a ftriking manner is allowed to hold up to thcit 438 CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. their view the lively and pleafing idea of *' Jerufalera ** being full of boys and girls playing in the ftreets *' thereof*." Eut, entertaining as it mult be to the inoit ferifible people to fnare a while in the innocent paf- times of children, friendly difcourfe fhould no doubt be the main employnnent of grown people during thefe hoLirs of relaxation. To fay how fuch dilcourfe (liould be ir.ariageci will require fome attention. This how- ever we fliall attempt. In the mean time give me leave to proteft againft all amufements that are enfnaring^ pernicious, and of ill-report. Perhaps it may be deemed an argument of too great precifenefs and inflexibility to the cuftom of the times, to rank among thefe the prevailing a- mafement of cards. And indeed he muft have little knowledge of the world, who (hould expe6l, that the confiderations which may be mentioned, will have any effect upon the generality of people to diffuade them from it ; yet they may have their ufe with fome fober people, who have hitherto confi- dered the epithets juft now adopted as fevere and in- defenfible in this application of them. *' Enfnaring ! you w^ill fay, — So are many other amu'ements that are yet acknowledged to be innocent and lawful.*' But is not thij., I alk, peculiarly fo ? Has it not made encroachmjents upon the hearts and time, to fay no worfie of it, of thoufands ? Suppof- ing therefore, it were ever fo innocent in itfelf, would it not be prudent in perions who are anxious about their belt interefts, to forego a pra6tice, the infinuat- ing bewitching influence of which they cannot be fuic they (hall have relolution enough to prevent ? Is no Tflfd^'nial required of a Chriftian ? And in queftions of * Zech. viii. 5. CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. 4^() of a doubtful kind, is it not an argument of wifdora to take that fide which is upon the whole the fafeft ? But to go a ftep further. Will any one deny that this pra6lice has been followed with the moft perni- cious confequcnces to an infinite number of people ? Has not an eager defire of gain, with all the reillefs and tuibulent paiTions which accompany it, been there- by excited ? Yes it hath, and to a degree, in forae in- ftances, which will not allow us to doubt that if Satan were aiked (as he was in the courfe of the flory we have been relating), " Whence comeft thou ^" his an- fwer would be, *' From going to and fro in the houfes ** where gaming is piadifed." *' But, fay you, the moment I find this eager defire of gain excited, or feel myfeif difturbed with peeviilinefs, ill-humour, or an- ger, I will throw afide my cards." That is right. But can you be furc you will have Co much command over yourfelf ? Be advifed then. It is better not to play at all, than to hazard the dccifion of this qucilion. So you will be fafe. Ob/Ia principiis. — '* Well, but if there is fo much danger of your paffions being un- duly engaged, you will prevent the evil by refolving henceforth that you will rifk nothing, or at leafl no- thing that fiiall be an ol)je£l with you." Very well i But to venture nothing, or what is no objedl, is to de- piive the game of its princip.il allurement, to make it dull and infipid, and to degrade it to a rank with the molt trilling amufements. And now, the queltion brought to this point, what can you fay more in favour of this pradlice, but that it is with you an afi^air of indifference j for fo th.1t muft be coniidered whkh does not at all interell the piJTions. And if it ftands thus in your mind, may you not as well have nothing at all to do with it ? But 44^ CONVIVIAL INTERCOTTRSK. But to give the fcale a turn, and determine you to a negative, let me collet what has been faid in a fevv words, and add fome other reafons of a collateral kind, which, I think, a man of prudence and ferious piety muft acknowledge, have at leaft fome weight in them. — It is admitted, that it is an enfnaring divcrfion ^ that multitudes have been elTentially hurt by it, in fo much, that in fome cafes it is laid under a legal rc- ilraint j that many who do not reprobate it as ;:bfo- lutely criminal, yet think it wrong to countehajice what hath been upon the whole the occafion of much evil j that nmong a great number of ferious people it is coafidered as of ill repute ; that felf denial even in indifferent matters, and a caution not to give offence to our Chriftian brethren, are llrongly recommended ill fcripture j and laftly, that he who upon thefe con- fiderations abftains is by no means chargeable with guilt \ but on the contrary, efcapes entanglements, fe- cures to himfelf ieifure for profitable and manly amufe- ments, and is fure of having the pleafant retledion, that if he has erred, it has been on the fide that is leall hazardous. All this, I prefurae, will be adniitted. x\nd if fo, I alk. Is there no weight in thefe confidera- tions, to induce a prudent and good man to decline this pradlice which fo generally prevails <* Should it be faid, as indeed it often is, that it is better to be thus employed than in flandering our neighbours, or fuffering our children to go into the indecent and noify levities too common on the convi- vial occalions we are difcouriing of ; all I have to re- ply is, that if the alternative is unavoidable, no doubt the leall evil of the two t!iould be chofen. But this is not the only alternative, as we are now to fliew, by giving CONVIVIAL INTERCOURSE. 44T giving fome dire6lions refpedling the management of convivial difcourfe *. Cheerfuhiefs is the main thing on thefe occafions, but no one, methinks, can obje6l to the mingling pro- fit with pleafure. Converfation refembles commerce, and a little party collected around a winter's fire may- be confidered as a company trading upon one joint flock of knowledge, wit, and virtue. Mutual free- e told you : I go to prepare a place for you, AMONG the many figures ufed in fcripture, to reprefent the bleffednefs of heaven, none is more iiiftru6live and pleafmg than that of a Family. Do- nieftic conneclions are the firft in iiature, and if the duties refulting from them were rightly difcharged, they would be produftive of the noblefi enjoyments. With the aiiillance, therefore, of this hgare, we pro- pofe now to lead you into a contempl ition on the joys of heaven j and from thence' to derive an argument in favour of thofe tempers and duties which liave beer. fo largely explained and recommended -in the prece- ding difcourfes. Now it will be necelTiry, at oar cntrnnce on this delightful fubjefi, to prefent you with the picture of a family tliat approaches as near to perfeftion as poffible. Such a pidlure we (hall draw. ExcuTe me if the colouring is too high. We mean it Tnould HEAVEN CONSIDERED, SCC. 447 il^ould glow on the bofom of the beholder, and kindle there all the paffions of admiration, delight, and rap- ture. The family we have in our eye, (and I flatter rcij- felf more than one fuch family has exifted in our world) were in affluent circumftanc-es. Their habita- tion was neat, convenient, and elegant ; it did honour to the Ikill of the archite6l, without offending the fim- plicity of nature. The father was a wife, affedlion- ate, good man ; a fmcere dilciple of the meek ar,d lowly Jefas, whofe doclrine he profeiTed, and whoi'e example he followed. A rich treafure of knowledge he had acquired, and with it the happy art of com- municating that knowledge to others, in a plain, eafy, and pleafant manner. The welfare of thofe entrufted to his care, lay near his heart, and the fchemes he daily planned for promoting it, which originated in prudence and benevolence, fucceeded to his wiilj. His-fervent piety, like the piecious ointment that ran down from the head of Aaron, to the fkirts of his garment, dlffufed its facred fnagrance through all the boufe. The counfels of divine wifdom, which flow- ed like a River ftream from his lips, were fweetly rningled with the moil plealing exprelTions of paten a! tendernefs and love ; and his was the felicity to per- iuade with greater energy by his example than his •words. The partner of his life, inexprefTibly dear to him. had all the charm.s which virtue and religion could fldd to a form that commanded admiration and love. She was modefi, prudent, and kind. Her happinefs confifted m attachirig th^ affedVions of her family to herfelf, and fo difpofing the affairs of it, as that har- ^ niony 44^ HEAVEN CONSrDERED -nionyandcheerfulnefs fhould prevail through the houfej and the meafures (lie took to this end were followed with the fame fuccefs that crowned the generous offi- ces of her huihand. Nor was (lie lefs attentive than he to the duties (he owed to God : her devotion was as fincere, though perhaps more rapturous than his. Such being the chara6ler of thefe amiable people, it is not to be wondered that they reigned fecurely in the affedlions of their domeftics, and polfclTed an autho- rity over them, on all occafions cordially acknow- ledged, without their feeming to affert it. Their children (for they had a numerous family) inherited the virtues of their parents, as well as a llri- king refemblance of their perfons. While young they fondly hung on the bofom of the mother, amply re- warding maternal attention and care, with the playful aud endearing fmiles of infant limplicity. Beauty bloomed in their countenances \ and as the powers of reafon expanded, the feeds of religion, which had been carefully fown in their breads, fprung up under a divine influence, and promifed a fair and joyful har- vest. They knew, they felt, they acknowledged their ignorance, guilt, and depravity, ar.d looked for pardon and eternal lire through the mediation and grace of the Lord Jefus "Jhriit. Each fiep they advanced to- wards manhood, fuiniflred ibme pleanng proof of their picgrefs in knowledge, purity, and benevolence. Fi- lial obedience was their delignt, and when a tempta- tion to undutifuinels at any time found accefs to their imaginauon, it was quickly oppofed by the warm re^ fentments of unconquerable attachment. The locial commerce daily carried on between their parents and them, in the luoit iolt and eafy manner, was a conti- " inial AS A FAMILY. 449 Kual fource of growing pleafure to tbem both ; as was alfo the commerce that fubiilled among themfelves. Friendlhip, that balm of human life, was here enjoyed with little or no interruption. A mutual exchange of fentiments and pafiions, accompanied with a thou- facd offices of generous love, confirmed the union na- ture had created. And fo they were happy, in a de- gree, beyond what is ufual in the prefent life. They tenderly bore each other's griefs, and lincerely ihared ia each other^s joys. " How good, how pleafant mull *' it have been, to behold brethren thus dwelling to- ** gether in unity !" The chara6lers, too, and deportment of the fervants were fuch at entitled them, not only to the good-will, but the affeclion of the family. They were modeil:, faithful^ diligent, and cheerful ; contented and happy in their ftations, and ever difpofed to do their duty from motives of love as well as intereft. The golden rule '* of doing to others as we would have them do " unto us," was deeply imprinted on their breads ; and it was their aim, not only to efcape the reproach- es of a felf-accufing confciencc. but to enjoy the com- mendations of thofc they Jerved, and more efpecially the approbation of the great God. In a houfe compofed of fuch members, it may be eafily imajjined peace and pleafure mufi have abound- ed. The welfare of the whole was the object of e- very individual, and each one partook liberally of the^ general flock of happinefs which their mutual labours produced. Serenity and joy appeared in every coun- tenance. One office of kindnefs fucceeded another. Buiinefs and relaxation had their proper hours affigii- ed them. Now they were in adion, then at reft y now 4.V^ HEAVEN CONSIDERED now eropiGyed in their feveral departments, and trien enjoying the pleafures of focial intercourfe. Their table was richly fpread with the bounties of provi- dcLce, and their cup ran over. Alike ilrangers ta hck^ning inteaiperance and guilty miith, they ate their food with relldi, and drank their wine with cheerfuliiefs. The friends of virtue and religion nict a hearty welcome at their board, and indigence was liberally relieved by their hofpitality. Their eyes pitied the diftrelTed, and their hands clcthed the na- ked ; the widow, the f^^therltfs, and ftranger bleffed them. The ftated feafons of devotion they confider- ed as the moft uleful and improving portions of time. With pleafure they alTembled, with attention they lif- tened to tbe dodrines and precepts of God's word, and, animated by one Spirit, they addreffed their prayers and praifes to the great Author of all their enjoyments. Thus happily they paffed their day?, diflributed in prudent proportions between action, ftudy, recreation,, and devotion. Following the fimple dictates of na- ture, they acquired and preferved health ; living on good tenus with their, neighbours, they fe cured to thenifelves peace 5 cultivating domeflic alTcdions, they enjoyed a flow of innocent and enlivening plea- fure *, improving their opportunities for contempli-^ tion and difcourfe, they grew in wifdom and virtue ; and converfing daily with heaven in the duties of re- ligion, they were gradually prepared for the fublime fervices and joys of that better world. Such w-as the family we meant to defcribe, antt whofe flory, in many interefting particulars of it, it "'ould have been both edifying and plealing to relate. But AS A FAMILY. 4Si Bat we forbear. — Enough, methlnk*!, hris been fald to* kindle in our breafts an ardent deiire to copy after their amiable example, and to partake of the rich pleafures they enjoyed. Would to God there were many fuch families as thefe ! But we have-another obje6l in view by holding up this piclure to our imagination : it is to alfiii us in our attempts to frame fome conception ot the bleflcdnefs of the future flate. This figure, you: fee, our Saviour adopts in the text, and upon this fi- gure we mean to ground the prefent difcourfe. The apoilles, to whom the words were more imme- diately addreffed, may be confideredas compofing one- family. Over this family our Saviour, in the charac- ter of an indulgent parent, preluded. With them he from day to day aflbciated, in all the habits of the mod tender and familiar friend(hip j defending their perfons, fupplying their wants, aflirting their labour?, and by his inftruftive and animating difcourfe, at once enlightening their underftandings, and diffuling hea- venly joy thrcu'gh their hearts. Sut he was now at the' eve of his final departure from them. The tid- ings of this fad event with which he had juft acquaint- ed them, filled their breads with the deepeft anxiety and forrow. With ail the tcndernefs, therefore, of a dying parent, he adminifters feafonable confola- tion to them. *' Let not," f^iys he, *' your heart ** be troubled : ye believe in God, believe alfo in " me." 80 he leads their views forward to tlie world whither he is going, alTuring them that they fhould by and by follow him to that blifsful Hate, and there enjoy in the higheft perfe61ion thofe domeftic pleafures of which they had here had fome tafte. In my father's houfe are many mari/zons j if it were not fo^ I 45^ HEAVEN CONSIDERED 'ivou/tJ have told you : I go to prepare a place for you, — Words which I need take no pains to prove to you may with truth be confidered as addreffed to all his faithful dif<;iples in every age and country, as well as the apolHes. Heaven he compares to a houfe^ to convey an idea cf its beauty, convenience, and liability. The houfe he tells them was his Father''s, th&t great Being to whom he Aood related after a manner infinitely more glorious than any other, as he was his own, his only be gotten, and well beloved Son. A houfe built by his Father, in which he conflantly rcfides, and where lie difplays his glories in the moll perfe6l manner. In this houfe there arc manftons^ abiding places *, apart- rcents for every one of the family, fuited to their fe- veril capacities and conditions. Of thefe manfions. he tells them there are many^ to intimate that the members of this family arc numerous, and that pro- vifion is made for them ?\\. At\d to prepare thu hap- py place for them, and for all who itood related to, him, was his obje6l in going thither, as well as to re- ceive hlmfejf the juft reward of his fufferings. To all which he kiadly adds, that if it were not fo he would have told them. Thty had ere this heard of heaven, framed fome idea of it, and been firmly per- fuaded of its reality. And they might reft afTured, fuch was his affedion for them, and fuch the convin- cing proofs he had given them of it, that if they h«d been impofed upon in this matter, he would not have faiicd to umieceive them. Now, upon till thefe expreOive circuraftances in our Saviour's figurative defcription of heaven. afTifted by a variety of other pallages of fcripture ', we might ground Momi, AS A fa:mily.- 4'53- ground many pofitions refpeding the nature, perfec- tion, extent, and continuance of the heavenly blelTed- nefs. And from thence we might proceed to a par- ticular examination of the evidence of a future iiate of happinefs, to which that peculiar mode of language our Lord ufes naturally leads us — a mode of language admirably exprcfliv^e of his native fimplicity and inge- nuoufnefs, and of the affectionate regards he tore to thofe with whom he was thus familiarly difccurfing. On thefe things we might, I fay, with great piofit and pleafure infiit. But, waving the particular and accu- rate inveftigation of thefe important points, we will content ourfelves with a general illuftration of the me- taphor before us, and the rather as this treatment of our text befl comports with our intention in the choice of it. And fo we will proceed to improve the fub- jea. Let u? then connder the ftate of the bleiTcd under the, idea of z family . To this figure there is an allulion in other paffages of fcripture befides our text. The people of God, you need not be told, are often defcribed as his chil- dren and fervants ; and " of him, the father of our *' Lord Jefus Chriil, the yi\io\i: family in heaven and *' in earth is named *." Now the ideas which this pleafing emblem fuggell?, we (hall clafs under the fol- lowing particulars — the hoiife In which this family dwells — the members of which it is compofed — their employment and pleafure s — and the continuation of their exigence and happinefs. I. Heaven Is " the hoife in which this, family re- ides. U 5 Beauty ♦/ph.iii. 14,15. 454 HEAVEN CONSIDERED Eeautyj convenience, 2nd flability, as v/e intimat- ed before, are the ideas which firlt ftiike our minds when we fpeak of a houfe. And when we attentive- ly confidcr the fair manfions of the great, while we aie pleafed and delighted with the proportion, ele- gance, and grandeur of thefe noble ftru6tures, we fail not to admire the Ikili of the architeft. The effe6l leads us back to the caufe, and we piefume that a builder who had fo hapipily fucceeded, were he to ex- ert his powers on a larger fcale, a plan of ftill wider extent, he would give further proofs of his ability. So palaces the moil fuperb, like thofe of which wc read in ancient hiilory, rife to our view, and we are Ilruck with wonder and veneration. In fuch manner we may proceed in our attempts to frame fome idea of that auguit edifice, which the great Parent of the univerfe has ere6led, at an infinite ex pence, for the entertainment of his family above. A fample he has given of his power and ikill in the creation of this world, the manfion he has built for the refidence of mankind during their abode on earth. What a pleafiiig ernployment to a contemplative mind to furvey the wronderful building in all its parts, and the feveral parts "in the relation they bear to the wl ole ! When we go down to the foundations of this houfe, cotifider the fuperllruiSlure raifed thereon, ex- f.mine the materials of which it Is framed, and the man- ner they aie arranged, enter into its feveral apart- ments, menfure its prodigious extent, dwell on the in- numeriible beauties with which it is ador..ed, and then grtzc oil the magnificent covering call over it : when we thus coiitemplale, I fay, this houfe built for the rtfidtnce of man, howare our minds overwhelmed with. AS A FAMILY. 4SS the moll llupendous ideas of the power and fklil of ths great Archited: ! Hence then we may conclude with ur-quelticnable truth, that the houfe he has eredied for the everlafting reception and entertainment of his own proper family — the fimily he mod: tenderly loves — the family he has redeemed with the blood of his own Son ', mufl be commodious, beautiful and fplendid beyond imagi- nation. It \?, the houfe of God — the greatefl: of all be- ings 1 It is the hoiife of our father — the bed of all be- ings I When infinite greatnefs and goodnefs unite to prepare a manfion for the refidence of favourites, that manljon can want nothing to make it glorious in ths higheft degree. — Let us now enquire, II. Who are the members that comfofe this fami- The head of the family is the ever-blelTcd God, the fountain, centre and efience of excellence, perfec- tion and happinefs. What tongue can dcfcribe, what mind conceive, his peerleis glories ? the moil exalted feiaph cannot comprehend them. When our imagi- nation has wandered through the univerfe, collefled every pofTible excellence, and attributed them to cne iminenfe, omnipotent, and eternal Being 5 we fliall even then have acquired but a faint idea of God. Such, however, is the charader of him who deigns to be the mafter of this auguft houfe, the Father of this il- luftrious family ! To a mortal eye he is invifible, but not fo to the happy fpirits who compofe his houfe- hold above.. Their intelleflual fight is fo refined, ftrengthened, and enlarged, as not to be hurt or daz- zled by the full bl?ze of glories poured upon it from the Sun of righteoulnefs. They fee God ; they knov; hiiDv 45^ HEAVZN CONSIDERED him, tbey convsrfe with him after a manner the raoil pleadng, deh'ghtlul, and rapturous. As Mnjer of this great family he prefides over their ad'airs with connjmmate vvifdom and prudence, takes cftei^ual care of their interefts, prepares their table for them, and caufe^ their cup to run over : afiigns to e- very one his proper fervice, accepts their offices of duty and love, and rewards their obedience with in- finite liberality and goodnefs. And as a Father, he is ever among them in all the habits of the moR endear- ing famflitirity, unboforas bis foul to them, affurcs them of his favour, enriches them with his bounty, and makes them happy beyond expreffion and imagination. The moll perfed: picture that can be drawn ol an earthly parent, exhibits but a Ihadowy refemblance of hi", paternal vvifdom, faithfulnefs and love. Thcfe qualities, in whatever degree they may be fuppofed to exilt among any of his intelligent creatures, originate from him : when he, therefore, in the charafter of a father, afTembles his children about him, they will no doubt be dlfplayed in &11 their tranfcendent perfec- tion. Chrid is " the Son of the living God *, his own, " his only begotten Son f , the bvifihtnefs of the Fa- *' ther's glory, aud the exprcfs image of his perfon %.'''' But it is in the relation he bears to the children of thijf family as their elder brother, that we here con- iider him. Such v;as his corapaffion for them, fuch his love to them, that lie voluntarily became a man, and wept and bled and died, to reftore them to their o/iginal innoc^^rce, and entitle them to the joys of heaven. ** As the children were partakers of flefh *' and * Matth xvi. i6. \ Rom, viii. 32. John i. 14. % Heb. i. 2- AS A FAMILY. 457 ** and blood, he alfo himfelf took part of the fame *." Although, " being in the form oi God, he thought it *' not 'robbery to be equal with God, yet he took up- *' on him the form of a fervant was made in the likc- " nefs of men, and being found in fafliion as a man, ** humbled himfeif, and became obedient unto death, *' even the death of the crofs. Wherefore God hath ** highly exalted him, and given him a name above " e^'ery name 4!-" He rofe from the dead, afcended in that very nature he had affumed up into heaven,. and there difplays his mediatorial glories to the view of " ten thoufand times ten thoufand, and thoufands of " thoufandsy wi'hom he has redeemed by his blood," and who all join in afcribing '* blefling, honour, glo- ** ry, and power, unto him that fitteth upon the throne,.. ** and unto the Lamb for ever and ever X^ What unutterable joy muft this happy company feel, while thcif wondering eyes are thus entertained with the lively memorials of their elder-brother's unexampled, Gompaffion and love ! There too the Holy Spirit the Comforter, who pro- ceeds from the Father and the Son §, dwells. — That divine Spirit who defcended upon the Saviour at his baptifm **'in a bodily (hape like a dove [j," and who poured fuch a rich variety of gifts and graces upon the apoflles quickly sfter their mailer's triumphant afcent Up into heaven ^. There, I fay, he dwells, irradi- ating the minds of the bleffed, uniting their hearts to God and each other, and diffufling the fragrant odours of his grace through all the houfe. Under his aufpi- cious influence, defcending like the precious ointment on * Heb. ii. 14. f Phil. ii. 6 — 9. | Rev. v. p. 11. 13. f John XY. 25. {I Luke iii. a^j, ^ Acts ii. i.— 20. 458 HEAVEN CONSIDERED on the head of Aaron, or like the dew on the mourr-* tllLY. 469 ynany manjions : I go to prepare a place for you. And lie who faid this " is the faithful witnefs *,'' he is *' the truth f " itfclf. The apoftles had conceived a hope of this ftate before he thus expreiTed himfelf: and fuch was his integrity and benevolence that we may be fure, to ufe his own language, bad there been no fuch Jl ate., he would have told thern. It will fcarce be expeded, that I fhould here enter particularly into the evidence of this moll cheerful and animating truth, or I might ftiew you, that the adnilt- ting it, involves in it no abfurdity or impoiribility— that whoever coniiders the powers of the human foul, the hiftory of Providence, the prefent ftate of the world, and many characters that a61ually eKift on our earth \ mult allow that it is highly probable — and that the politive evidence of ChriHianity, beaming upon us like the fun in all its meridian glory, to poffiibility and probability adds certainty. But on thefe topics of ar- gument we will not now infift. All I mean is to de- rive a prefumptive or collateral proof of what we can- not but wi(h to be true, fiom the figure which has aiTiHed us in our conceptions of it. A family, a pioiis •family, efpecially a family that anfwers to the defcrip- tion in the beginning of this difcourfe, is methinks a ihadow, of which heaven is the fubftance. Vilit the pleafant manfiion wherein the God of grace deigns to dwell, and fay whether you are not ftrack at your ve- ry entrance with this prophetic infcription written in fair charafters upon it — This is the gate of hea- ven. Man is an intelligent beings As fuch he is made for fociety. Families are the firll focial connedions that * Rev. i. 5. f John xiv. (5. 47^ HEAVEN CONSIDERED that take place among men. Thefe are fo conftru6l- ed by the wife appointment of Heaven, as to create a union the mod permanent and endearing. And this union, were the duties of it pradlifed, would be a con- tinual fource of truly noble and rational pleafure. But alas ! fin has fliaken the very foundations of thefe little focietles, defaced their beauty, and fpoiled their joys. They however ftill exift, and, amidft all the difgrace and injury they have fuffered, flill exhibit proofs of the wi''dom and goodnefs of the Creator, and full remind us of the happinefs we were originally formed to enjoy. If therefore inftances can be pro- (?uced of any of thefe communities emerging out of the general wreck of human apoftacy, recovering fomewhafof their ancient beauty and glory, and be- coming in a degree at lead wife, holy,. and happy j one would be apt from thence to derive a probable ar- gument, in favour of fome further benevolent inention of the great Author of all good. Who knows, one cannot forbear faying, but thefe domeftic pleafuies, forlaglng from the pure fource of genuine religion, may be prefages of more noble pleafurcs to be enjoyed hereafter ? Perhaps the peace, order, friendfhip, and love reftored to this and that dwelling, are the early dawn of future and everlafting blifs. This and that houfe is become a temple of the living God: the ho- ly Spirit has condefcended to take up his abode there ; there to (hed abroad the fAcet perfumes of his grace, and to conciliate fome if not all the memb<;rs of it to ihedominlon of divine love. And would the blefftd God thus dwell with men on eaith, If he were not dif- pofed to admit them by and by to dwell with him In Keaveji I Surely this happy Loufe is a figure, a type, a model AS A FAMILY. 4^ model of that infinitely more noble manfion my Bible telli me, he has prepared for the whole family of the redeemed above. Religion would not agiin have flourilhed on earth, if the glorious profpeds which bring it Into exiilence were all to expire in death.-— But the next qucftion is, 2. May I hope, when called away from my habita- tion here below, to be admitted into this bleffed fami- ly above ? An interefting queftlon it is ! It demands our mofl: ferious attention. Ah ! my friends, to little purpofe have we held up to your view the domertic employ- ments and pleafures of heaven, if you fliould by and by be denied a fliare in them ; If when you knock at the gate of that houfe, the Mafter (hould fay, * I know you not.' As therefore w^e regard our prefent com- fort and our everlaftlng happinef?:, let us well conlider the grounds on which we are to exped admifTion into this family, and w^hat is ncccffary to prepare us for aC- fociating with fuch company. If heaven is our lot, we mud acknowledge our- felves indebted to the free grace of God for it. " The ** gift of God is eternal life, through Jefus Chrift our " Lord *." We muft receive it with all that humili- ty which a fenfe of our demerit infplrcs ; and with all that gratitude which the value of the gift itfeif, and the Immenfe expence at which it is procared, demand. Who that confiders his guilt, and the puniftiment It merits, on the one hand j and the infinitely glorious charader of the Saviour, and his deep humiliation and fufferings, on the other j but feels himfelf difpofed nioft cheerfully to acknowledge with the apof^le^ that * Rom. vi. 2-1. 4/2 niAVEN CONSIDERED that *' by grace he is faved, throuo;h faith, and that *-*■ not of himfelf, for it is the gift o: God *." But a xi-.eetnefs for heaven is as neccS'ary as a right to it» And lince they wlio are to compofe the familv above •are gradually prepared for it here, by the falutary in- fiaence of the holy Spirit, let us examine ourfelves CAreiuUy on this great queflion, whether any of the genuine fruits- of his operations appear in our tempers and lives. To thofe fruits we will confine ourfelves i:t prefent which are proper to our doraeftic charac- Ut ; jv faraily of religion being, as we have (hewn, an emblem of heaven, and the nurferv^or fchool wherein men are trained up for the employments and plea- fuies of that iiate. A family deilitute of all order, decency, and love, and devoted to piide, feiifu>ility, and contention j we rr.ny be fure can have no connexion with the general afferaWy above. That houfe too bears bat little ^ffi- Tilty to it, whatever charaOer it may have for fobrie» ty and good manners, which hath no altar erc61ed in it to God, and is a total llranoer to all afls of piety and devotion. There may be indeed one here and there in thcfe families, who is a candidate for heaven 5 a lone- ly plant that flied.*; Its fweet fragrance aiaidil the thorns and briars of thefe wretched wilderncffes. And on the contrary, in families truly venerable for their regards to religion, there may be here and there a root of bitterricfs fpriaging up which (liall by and by be rejected. But the members that (liall compofe ihc family above, are chiefly to be looked for in the man- ilons where religion hath fet up her lovely banner, u:vi dilFufes her fweet and balmy influence. Now what * Eph. ii. S. AS A FAMILY, 475 what is our domeftic character ? * Let us enquire how we i.ave hitherto been ufed to conduft ourfelves to- wards God, our parents, brethren, wives, children, preceptors, attendants, friends, afiociates and fervants : whether we have treated them unbecomingly either in de^d or word *.' Ye Mailers, have ye dedicated your houfe to God ? Have ye vowtd to heaven that vice (hall not enter your dwellings r Have ye nobly refolved to exert the authority of kings and prielts in thefe little common- wei?lths over which you preiide Do you Iternly frown upon fin ' Do you tenderly cherifh every appearance of virtue and religion ? Do you devoutly cfFiciate from day to day at the altars you have fet up in your tents ? And is it your aim to enforce your iniirudions by your example ? Be afiured when ye lay down your office as kings and prieds on earth, ye iliall inftantly rcfume thcfe characters, but with infiriitely greater dig- nity and fplendour in the world above. Ye Miitreffes, do ye concur with the partner of your cares and joys ia ail his aftive and generous con- cern for the welfare of your families ? Does the hap- pinefs of your offspring and your fervants, in this world, and in that to come, lie near your hearts r Do yoa bring up your^ children in the nurture and admonition of tKe Lord ? Do you endeavour to fow the early feeds of ['ic:ty in their brealh ? Do you ccunfel, en- courage, and reprove them ? Do you weep over them, and pray for them ? Is it your wiih to in:ngle iimpii- city with prudence, gentlenefs with authority, and cheerfuJnefs with ferioufnefs, in all your deportment r Ee a£ured ye fliall by and by reft from your isbours, aad- * M. Anton, lib. 5. 474 HEAVEN CONSrOERED and your works (hall follow you. There are manfions preparing for you above, and therein (hall you be e- veiialtingly happy. Ye Children, do you obey your parents in the Lord? Do you dwell together in unity ! Do you meekly bear with one another, tenderly fympathize with one ano- ther, and cordially afTilt one another ? Is it your wl(h to make fontie recompence to thofe whofe anxious care haS led you up into life, by copying after the holy ex- amples they have fet you ? And is this your filial pie- ty cherithed and improved by a prevailing fenfe in your breads of the duty you owe to your Father ia heaven ^ Be affured, ye (hall at death be received a- gain to your parents' ennbraces, and with them enjoy domef^ic pleafures in their highefl perfedion. Ye Servants, whom Providence hath direfted to thcfe pious houfes that you might receive a new and divine life : have you from the nobleil motives minif- tered to them who have miniltered to you ! Have hu. mility, faithfulnefs, diligence, and cheerfulnefs marked your condu6l j refleded credit on your ChrilHan pro- fefTion ) and entitled you to the friendfliip of thofe you have ferved ? Be affured that '* of the Lord ye (hall ** receive the reward of the inheritance : for ye ferve *' the Lord Chrift*.'- The public walk of life affords innumerable occa- iions of felf-examination and trial. But would men bring their tempers and condudl to the teffs which domeftic intercourfes furni(h, thefe would, methink«?, fuffice to throw a light upon their real charaders. Is all that fweet peace, that fmiling content, that tender fympathy, that generous friendihip which. prevails in a *Col.iii. 24, AS A FAMILY. 475 a vhtuous family congenial to your foul ? Do you pre- fer the inftru6tive and entertaining difcourfe that per- f'jmes the tabernacles of the righteous, above all the boaited joys that abound in the tents of fin ? With cor- dial pleafure do you unite with the excellent of the earth in their returning exercifes of devotion ? Inline, is a name and a place in fuch a houfe as this more en- vied by you than the moft (hining ftations in the courts of princes r No doabt then, you are related to the happy family abov^, manfions are preparing theie for your reception, and angels are waiting to condud you to vour long wifhed for home. — To clofe the whole, 3. And laftly. Let us exprefs our gratitude to the great Author of all thefe our glorious hopes, in eve- ry pofTible way that duty and love didate. How vail, how immenfe, how inconceivable is the love of God! He made us reafonable beings. He formed us for the duties and pleafures of focial life. He eilablithed domeftic connections. He bound cs to himfelf and one another by bands the mod firm and endearing. Bnt ah ! pride and rebellion tore thefe bands afunder. The Author of our hap- pinefs abandoned the manfion he had built. Sin with all her deformed and wretched train entered. And in the dwelling where the oppofite graces had fweetly reigned, ilrife, envy, difcontent, malevolence, andmiferydilplayed their horrors. — But Ohl am.azing grace ! the Father of mercies pitied us. He fent his Son to vindicate the rights of jullice, to extirpate Sa- tan from the feat he had ufurped, and to refiore har- mony and love to the habitations his Spirit had de- ferted. The Prince of peace arrayed him 'elf in mor- tal tlefh J and wept, and bled, and died, to compafs thefe 4;6 HEAVEN CONSIDER SD, &.C. thefe great ends. His obje(^ he has attained. Fa- milies emerge from the ruins of human apoftacy, re- cover in a degree even here their original iimpllcity, beauty, and glory, and by and by acquire their utraoll height of Iplendour and perfedlion in the world above. What amazing grace is this ! Rejoice, O heavens, and be aftonillicd, O earth ! let every bofom that receives thefe tidings, exult with joy ! But amidrt the joy we feel, let us not lofe fight of thofe returns of duty vvhiih this unexampled grace demands. There are many ways of exprefiing our gratitude, acd this of a cheerful perfevering attention to domeitic duties i^ not the leaft. Have we thrown open the doors of our hearts, and hailed the King of glory to his refidence there ? Let us confecrate our boules alfo to his fervice. Let the fragrant incerife of prayer and praife daily afcend to heaven. Let all our aclions, intercourfes and pleafures be regulated by his will. And to his honour let our knowledge, lub- ftance, influence, example, and all, be devoted. So fliall we have the refined, extatic, god- like pleafure of forwarding the great and good defign the Fiither of mercies has adopted, even that of refcuing our chil- dren, fervants, and conne^lions from impending ruin 57, forming them for the fcveral ftations they are to fill in life j and introducing them. at length to the unut- terable joys of hei^ven. THE END. Trinicd by J. RiTCHir, Blackfriars Wynd»