The great Duty of Family-Religion.
JOSHUA xxiv. 15.
_As for me and my House, we will serve the_ LORD.
THESE words contain the holy resolution of pious _Joshua_, who having
in a most moving, affectionate discourse recounted to the _Israelites_
what great things GOD had done for them, in the verse immediately
preceding the text, comes to draw a proper inference from what he had
been delivering; and acquaints them, in the most pressing terms, that
since GOD had been so exceeding gracious unto them, they could do no
less, than out of gratitude for such uncommon favours and mercies,
dedicate both themselves and families to his service. “Now therefore,
fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and truth, and put away
the Gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood.”
And by the same engaging motive does the prophet _Samuel_ afterwards
enforce their obedience to the commandments of GOD, 1 _Samuel_ xii. 24.
“Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth, with all your heart; for
consider how great things he hath done for you.” But then, that they
might not excuse themselves (as too many might be apt to do) by his
giving them a bad example, or think he was laying heavy burdens upon
them, whilst he himself touched them not with one of his fingers, he
tells them in the text, that whatever regard they might pay to the
doctrine he had been preaching, yet he (as all ministers ought to
do) was resolved to live up to and practise it himself: “Chuse you
therefore, whom you will serve, whether the Gods which your fathers
served, or the Gods of the _Amorites_, in whose land ye dwell: but as
for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
A resolution this, worthy of _Joshua_, and no less becoming, no less
necessary for every true son of _Joshua_, that is intrusted with
the care and government of a family in our day: and, if it was ever
seasonable for ministers to preach up, or people to put in practice
_family-religion_, it was never more so than in the present age; since
it is greatly to be feared, that out of those many housholds that
call themselves christians, there are but few that serve GOD in their
respective families as they ought.
It is true indeed, visit our churches, and you may perhaps see
something of the _form of godliness_ still subsisting amongst us; but
even that is scarcely to be met with in private houses. So that were
the blessed angels to come, as in the patriarchal age, and observe
our spiritual oeconomy at home, would they not be tempted to say as
_Abraham_ to _Abimilech_, “Surely, the fear of GOD is not in this
place?” _Genesis_ xx. 11.
How such a general neglect of family-religion first began to overspread
the christian world, is difficult to determine. As for the primitive
christians, I am positive it was not so with them: No, they had not
so learned CHRIST, as falsely to imagine religion was to be confined
solely to their assemblies for public worship; but, on the contrary,
behaved with such piety and exemplary holiness in their private
families, that St. _Paul_ often styles their house a church: “Salute
such a one, says he, and the church which is in his house.” And, I
believe, we must for ever despair of seeing a primitive spirit of
piety revived in the world, till we are so happy as to see a revival of
primitive family religion; and persons unanimously resolving with good
old _Joshua_, in the words of the text, “As for me and my house, we
will serve the LORD.”
From which words, I shall beg leave to insist on these three things.
I. _First_, That it is the duty of every governor of a family to
take care, that not only he himself, but also that those
committed to his charge, “_serve the_ LORD.”
II. _Secondly_, I shall endeavour to shew after what manner
a governor and his houshold ought to serve the LORD. And,
III. _Thirdly_, I shall offer some motives, in order to excite
all governors, with their respective housholds, to serve the
LORD in the manner that shall be recommended.
And _First_, I am to shew that it is the duty of every governor of
a family to take care, that not only he himself, but also that those
committed to his charge, should serve the LORD.
And this will appear, if we consider that every governor of a family
ought to look upon himself as obliged to act in three capacities: as a
prophet, to instruct; as a priest, to pray for and with; as a king, to
govern, direct, and provide for them. It is true indeed, the latter of
these, their kingly office, they are not so frequently deficient in,
(nay in this they are generally too solicitous;) but as for the two
former, their priestly and prophetic office, like _Gallio_, they care
for no such things. But however indifferent some governors may be
about it, they may be assured, that GOD will require a due discharge of
these offices at their hands. For if, as the apostle argues, “He that
does not provide for his own house,” in temporal things, “has denied
the faith, and is worse than an infidel;” to what greater degree of
apostasy must he have arrived, who takes no thought to provide for the
spiritual welfare of his family!
But farther, persons are generally very liberal of their invectives
against the clergy, and think they justly blame the conduct of that
minister who does not take heed to and watch over the flock, of which
the Holy Ghost has made him overseer: but may not every governor of a
family, be in a lower degree liable to the same censure, who takes no
thought for those souls that are committed to his charge? For every
house is as it were a little parish, every governor (as was before
observed) a priest, every family a flock: and if any of them perish
through the governor’s neglect, their blood will GOD require at their
hands.
Was a minister to disregard teaching his people publicly, and from
house to house, and to excuse himself by saying, that he had enough
to do to work out his own salvation with fear and trembling, without
concerning himself with that of others; would you not be apt to think
such a minister, to be like the unjust judge, “One that neither feared
GOD, nor regarded man?” And yet, odious as such a character would be,
it is no worse than that governor of a family deserves, who thinks
himself obliged only to save his own soul, without paying any regard
to the souls of his houshold. For (as was above hinted) every house is
as it were a parish, and every master is concerned to secure, as much
as in him lies, the spiritual prosperity of every one under his roof,
as any minister whatever is obliged to look to the spiritual welfare of
every individual person under his charge.
What precedents men who neglect their duty in this particular, can
plead for such omission, I cannot tell. Doubtless not the example
of holy _Job_, who was so far from imagining that he had no concern,
as governor of a family, with any one’s soul but his own, that the
scripture acquaints us, “When the days of his childrens feasting
were gone about, that _Job_ sent and sanctified them, and offered
burnt-offerings, according to the number of them all; for _Job_ said,
It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed GOD in their hearts:
thus did _Job_ continually.” Nor can they plead the practice of good
old _Joshua_, whom, in the text, we find as much concerned for his
houshold’s welfare, as his own. Nor lastly, that of _Cornelius_,
who feared GOD, not only himself, but with all his house: and were
christians but of the same spirit of _Job_, _Joshua_, and the _Gentile_
centurion, they would act as _Job_, _Joshua_, and _Cornelius_ did.
But alas! if this be the case, and all governors of families ought
not only to serve the LORD themselves, but likewise to see that their
respective housholds do so too; what will then become of those who not
only neglect serving GOD themselves, but also make it their business
to ridicule and scoff at any of their house that do? Who are not
content with “not entering into the kingdom of heaven themselves; but
those also that are willing to enter in, they hinder.” Surely such men
are factors for the devil indeed. Surely their damnation slumbereth
not: for although GOD, in his good providence, may suffer such
stumbling-blocks to be put in his childrens way, and suffer their
greatest enemies to be those of their own housholds, for a trial of
their sincerity, and improvement of their faith; yet we cannot but
pronounce a woe against those masters by whom such offences come. For
if those that only take care of their own souls, can scarcely be saved,
where will such monstrous profane and wicked governors appear?
But hoping there are but few of this unhappy stamp, proceed we now to
the
Second thing proposed; To shew after what manner a governor and his
houshold ought to serve the LORD.
1. And the first thing I shall mention, is, _reading the word of_
GOD. This is a duty incumbent on every private person. “Search the
scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life,” is a precept
given by our blessed LORD indifferently to all: but much more so, ought
every governor of a family to think it in a peculiar manner spoken to
himself, because (as hath been already proved) he ought to look upon
himself as a prophet, and therefore, agreeably to such a character,
bound to instruct those under his charge in the knowledge of the word
of GOD.
This we find was the order GOD gave to his peculiar people _Israel_:
for thus speaks his representative _Moses_, _Deuteronomy_ vi. 6, 7.
“These words,” that is, the scripture words, “which I command thee this
day, shall be in thy heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto
thy children,” that is, as it is generally explained, servants, as well
as children, “and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house.”
From whence we may infer, that the only reason, why so many neglect to
read the words of scripture diligently to their children is, because
the words of scripture are not in their hearts: for if they were, out
of the abundance of the heart their mouth would speak.
Besides, servants as well as children, are, for the generality, very
ignorant, and mere novices in the laws of GOD: and how shall they
know, unless some one teach them? And what more proper to teach them
by, than the lively oracles of GOD, “which are able to make them wise
unto salvation?” And who more proper to instruct them by these lively
oracles, than parents and masters, who (as hath been more than once
observed) are as much concerned to feed them with spiritual, as with
bodily bread, day by day.
But if these things be so, what a miserable condition are those unhappy
governors in, who are so far from feeding those committed to their care
with the sincere milk of the word, to the intent they may grow thereby,
that they neither search the scriptures themselves, nor are careful
to explain them to others? Such families must be in a happy way indeed
to do their Master’s will, who take such prodigious pains to know it!
Would not one imagine that they had turned converts to the Church of
_Rome_; that they thought ignorance to be the mother of devotion; and
that those were to be condemned as heretics who read their Bibles? And
yet how few families are there amongst us, who do not act after this
unseemly manner! But shall I praise them in this? I praise them not:
Brethren, this thing ought not so to be.
2. Pass we on now to the second means whereby every governor and his
houshold ought to serve the LORD, _family-prayer_.
This is a duty, though as much neglected, yet as absolutely necessary
as the former. Reading is a good preparative for prayer, as prayer
is an excellent means to render reading effectual. And the reason why
every governor of a family should join both these exercises together,
is plain, because a governor of a family cannot perform his priestly
office (which we before observed he is in some degree invested with)
without performing this duty of family prayer.
We find it therefore remarked, when mention is made of _Cain_ and
_Abel_’s offering sacrifices, that they brought them. But to whom did
they bring them? Why, in all probability, to their father _Adam_, who,
as priest of the family, was to offer sacrifice in their names. And
so ought every spiritual son of the second _Adam_, who is entrusted
with the care of an houshold, to offer up the spiritual sacrifices of
supplications and thanksgivings, acceptable to GOD through JESUS CHRIST,
in the presence and name of all who wait upon, or eat meat at his table.
Thus we read our blessed LORD behaved, when he tabernacled amongst us:
for it is said often, that he prayed with his twelve disciples, which
was then his little family. And he himself has promised a particular
blessing to joint supplications: “Wheresoever two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” And again, “If
two or three are agreed touching any thing they shall ask, it shall be
given them.” Add to this, that we are commanded by the Apostle to “pray
always, with all manner of supplication,” which doubtless includes
family prayer. And holy _Joshua_, when he set up the good resolution
in the text, that he and his houshold would serve the LORD, certainly
resolved to pray with his family, which is one of the best testimonies
they could give of their serving him.
Besides, there are no families but what have some common blessings,
of which they have been all partakers, to give thanks for; some common
crosses and afflictions, which they are to pray against; some common
sins, which they are all to lament and bewail: but how this can be done,
without joining together in one common act of humiliation, supplication,
and thanksgiving, is difficult to devise.
From all which considerations put together, it is evident, that family
prayer is a great and necessary duty; and consequently, those governors
that neglect it, are certainly without excuse. And it is much to be
feared, if they live without family prayer, they live without GOD in
the world.
And yet, such an hateful character as this is, it is to be feared,
that was GOD to send out an angel to destroy us, as he did once to
destroy the _Egyptian_ first-born, and withal give him a commission,
as then, to spare no houses but where they saw the blood of the
lintel, sprinkled on the door-post, so now, to let no families escape,
but those that called upon him in morning and evening prayer; few
would remain unhurt by his avenging sword. Shall I term such families
christians or heathens? Doubtless they deserve not the name of
christians; and heathens will rise up in judgment against such profane
families of this generation: for they had always their houshold gods,
whom they worshipped, and whose assistance they frequently invoked. And
a pretty pass those families surely are arrived at, who must be sent
to school to pagans. But will not the LORD be avenged on such profane
housholds as these? Will he not pour out his fury upon those that call
not upon his name?
3. But it is time for me to hasten to the third and last means I shall
recommend, whereby every governor ought with his houshold to serve the
LORD, _catechizing_ and _instructing_ their children and servants, and
bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD.
That this, as well as the two former, is a duty incumbent on every
governor of an house, appears from that famous encomium or commendation
GOD gives of _Abraham_: “I know that he will command his children and
his houshold after him, to keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and
judgment.” And indeed scarce any thing is more frequently pressed upon
us in holy writ, than this duty of catechising. Thus, says GOD in a
passage before cited, “Thou shalt teach these words diligently unto
thy children.” And parents are commanded in the New Testament, to
“breed up their children in the nurture and admonition of the LORD.”
The holy Psalmist acquaints us, that one great end why GOD did such
great wonders for his people, was, “to the intent that when they
grew up, they should shew their children, or servants, the same.” And
in _Deuteronomy_ vi. at the 20th and following verses, GOD strictly
commands his people to instruct their children in the true nature
of the ceremonial worship, when they should enquire about it, as he
supposed they would do, in time to come. And if servants and children
were to be instructed in the nature of _Jewish_ rites, much more
ought they now to be initiated and grounded in the doctrines and
first principles of the gospel of CHRIST: not only, because it is a
revelation, which has brought life and immortality to a fuller and
clearer light, but also, because many seducers are gone abroad into
the world, who do their utmost endeavour to destroy not only the
superstructure, but likewise to sap the very foundation of our most
holy religion.
Would then the present generation have their posterity be true lovers
and honourers of GOD; masters and parents must take _Solomon_’s good
advice, and train up and catechise their respective housholds in the
way wherein they should go.
I am aware but of one objection, that can, with any shew of reason, be
urged against what has been advanced; which is, that such a procedure
as this will take up too much time, and hinder families too long
from their worldly business. But it is much to be questioned, whether
persons that start such an objection, are not of the same hypocritical
spirit as the traitor _Judas_, who had indignation against devout
_Mary_, for being so profuse of her ointment, in anointing our blessed
LORD, and asked why it might not be sold for two hundred pence, and
given to the poor. For has GOD given us so much time to work for
ourselves, and shall we not allow some small pittance of it, morning
and evening, to be devoted to his more immediate worship and service?
Have not people read, that it is GOD who gives men power to get wealth,
and therefore that the best way to prosper in the world, is to secure
his favour? And has not our blessed LORD himself promised, that if
we seek first the kingdom of GOD and his righteousness, all outward
necessaries shall be added unto us?
_Abraham_, no doubt, was a man of as great business as such objectors
may be; but yet he would find time to command his houshold to serve
the LORD. Nay, _David_ was a king, and consequently had a great deal
of business upon his hands; yet notwithstanding, he professes that
he would walk in his house with a perfect heart. And, to instance but
one more, holy _Joshua_ was a person certainly engaged very much in
temporal affairs; and yet he solemnly declares before all _Israel_,
that as for him and his houshold, they would serve the LORD. And did
persons but redeem their time, as _Abraham_, _David_, or _Joshua_ did,
they would no longer complain, that family duties kept them too long
from the business of the world.
III. But my Third and Last general head, under which I was to offer
some motives, in order to excite all governors, with their respective
housholds, to serve the LORD in the manner before recommended, I hope,
will serve instead of a thousand arguments, to prove the weakness and
folly of any such objection.
1. And the first motive I shall mention is the duty of _gratitude_,
which you that are governors of families owe to GOD. Your lot, every
one must confess, is cast in a fair ground: providence hath given you
a goodly heritage, above many of your fellow-creatures; and therefore,
out of a principle of gratitude, you ought to endeavour, as much as
in you lies, to make every person of your respective housholds to call
upon him as long as they live: not to mention, that the authority, with
which GOD has invested you as parents and governors of families, is a
talent committed to your trust, and which you are bound to improve to
your Master’s honour. In other things we find governors and parents
can exercise lordship over their children and servants readily, and
frequently enough can say to one, Go, and he goeth; and to another,
Come, and he cometh; to a third, Do this, and he doeth it. And shall
this power be so often employed in your own affairs, and never exerted
in the things of GOD? Be astonished, O heavens, at this!
Thus did not faithful _Abraham_; no, GOD says, that he knew _Abraham_
would command his servants and children after him. Thus did not
_Joshua_: no, he was resolved not only to walk with GOD himself, but
to improve his authority in making all about him do so too: “As for me
and my houshold, we will serve the LORD.” Let us go and do likewise.
2. But _Secondly_, If gratitude to GOD will not, methinks love and pity
to your children should move you, with your respective families, to
serve the LORD.
Most people express a great fondness for their children: nay so great,
that very often their own lives are wrapped up in those of their
offspring. “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should
not have compassion on the son of her womb?” says GOD by his Prophet
_Isaiah_. He speaks of it as a monstrous thing, and scarce credible;
but the words immediately following, affirm it to be possible, “Yea,
they may forget:” and experience also assures us they may. Father
and mother may both forsake their children: for what greater degree
of forgetfulness can they express towards them, than to neglect
the improvement of their better part, and not bring them up in the
knowledge and fear of GOD?
It is true indeed, parents seldom forget to provide for their childrens
bodies, (though, it is to be feared, some men are so far sunk beneath
the beasts that perish, as to neglect even that) but then how often do
they forget, or rather, when do they remember, to secure the salvation
of their immortal souls? But is this their way of expressing their
fondness for the fruit of their bodies? Is this the best testimony they
can give of their affection to the darling of their hearts? Then was
_Dalilah_ fond of _Samson_, when she delivered him up into the hands of
the _Philistines_: then were those ruffians well affected to _Daniel_,
when they threw him into a den of lions.
3. But _Thirdly_, If neither gratitude to GOD, nor love and pity to
your children, will prevail on you; yet let a principle of _common
honesty_ and _justice_ move you to set up the holy resolution in the
text.
This is a principle which all men would be thought to act upon. But
certainly, if any may be truly censured for their injustice, none can
be more liable to such censure, than those who think themselves injured
if their servants withdraw themselves from their bodily work, and yet
they in return take no care of their inestimable souls. For is it just
that servants should spend their time and strength in their master’s
service, and masters not at the same time give them what is just and
equal for their service?
It is true, some men may think they have done enough when they give
unto their servants food and raiment, and say, “Did not I bargain with
thee for so much a year?” But if they give them no other reward than
this, what do they less for their very beasts? But are not servants
better than they? Doubtless they are: and however masters may put off
their convictions for the present, they will find a time will come,
when they shall know they ought to have given them some spiritual as
well as temporal wages; and the cry of those that have mowed down their
fields, will enter into the ears of ♦the LORD of Sabaoth.
♦ duplicate word “the” removed
4. But _Fourthly_, If neither gratitude to GOD, pity to children, nor
a principle of common justice to servants, are sufficient to balance
all objections; yet let that darling, that prevailing motive of
_self-interest_ turn the scale, and engage you with your respective
housholds to serve the LORD.
This weighs greatly with you in other matters: be then persuaded to let
it have a due and full influence on you in this: and if it has, if you
have but faith as a grain of mustard-seed, how can you avoid believing,
that promoting family-religion, will be the best means to promote
your own temporal, as well as eternal welfare? For “Godliness has the
promise of the life that now is, as well as that which is to come.”
Besides, you all, doubtless, wish for honest servants, and pious
children: and to have them prove otherwise, would be as great a grief
to you, as it was to _Elisha_ to have a treacherous _Gehazi_, or
_David_ to be troubled with a rebellious _Absalom_. But how can it be
expected they should learn their duty, except those set over them, take
care to teach it to them? Is it not as reasonable to expect you should
reap where you had not sown, or gather where you had not strawed?
Did christianity, indeed, give any countenance to children and
servants to disregard their parents and masters according to the flesh,
or represent their duty to them, as inconsistent with their entire
obedience to their father and master who is in heaven, there might then
be some pretence to neglect instructing them in the principles of such
a religion. But since the precepts of this pure and undefiled religion,
are all of them holy, just, and good; and the more they are taught
their duty to GOD, the better they will perform their duties to you;
methinks, to neglect the improvement of their souls, out of a dread of
spending too much time in religious duties, is acting quite contrary to
your own interest as well as duty.
5. _Fifthly_ and _Lastly_, If neither gratitude to GOD, love to
your children, common justice to your servants, nor even that most
prevailing motive self-interest, will excite; yet let a consideration
of the _terrors of the_ LORD persuade you to put in practice the pious
resolution in the text. Remember, the time will come, and that perhaps
very shortly, when we must all appear before the judgment-seat of
CHRIST; where we must give a solemn and strict account how we have had
our conversation, in our respective families in this world. How will
you endure to see your children and servants (who ought to be your joy
and crown of rejoicing in the day of our LORD JESUS CHRIST) coming out
as so many swift witnesses against you; cursing the father that begot
them, the womb that bare them, the paps which they have sucked, and the
day they ever entered into your houses? Think you not, the damnation
which men must endure for their own sins, will be sufficient, that they
need load themselves with the additional guilt of being accessary to
the damnation of others also? O consider this, all ye that forget to
serve the LORD with your respective housholds, “lest he pluck you away,
and there be none to deliver you!”
But GOD forbid, brethren, that any such evil should befal you: no,
rather will I hope, that you have been in some measure convinced by
what has been said of the great importance of _family-religion_; and
therefore are ready to cry out in the words immediately following the
text, “GOD forbid that we should forsake the LORD;” and again, verse 21,
“Nay, but we will (with our several housholds) serve the LORD.”
And that there may be always such a heart in you, let me exhort all
governors of families, in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, often to
reflect on the inestimable worth of their own souls, and the infinite
ransom, even the precious blood of JESUS CHRIST, which has been paid
down for them. Remember, I beseech you to remember, that you are fallen
creatures; that you are by nature lost and estranged from GOD; and
that you can never be restored to your primitive happiness, till by
being born again of the Holy Ghost, you arrive at your primitive state
of purity, have the image of GOD restamped upon your souls, and are
thereby made meet to be partakers of the inheritance with the saints
in light. Do, I say, but seriously and frequently reflect on, and act
as persons that believe such important truths, and you will no more
neglect your family’s spiritual welfare than your own. No, the love of
GOD, which will then be shed abroad in your hearts, will constrain you
to do your utmost to preserve them; and the deep sense of GOD’s free
grace in CHRIST JESUS, (which you will then have) in calling you, will
excite you to do your utmost to save others, especially those of your
own houshold. And though, after all your pious endeavours, some may
continue unreformed; yet you will have this comfortable reflection
to make, that you did what you could to make your families religious:
and therefore may rest assured of sitting down in the kingdom of
heaven, with _Abraham_, _Joshua_, and _Cornelius_, and all the godly
housholders, who in their several generations shone forth as so many
lights in their respective housholds upon earth. _Amen._