the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication." And if, to discharge these relative duties, we must pray always, and watch against hindrances, and for fit opportunities, then surely we are not to overlook the singular advantages for devotion which are to be found in families. Thus also, in Colossians, having given a summary of the same relative duties between all the members of a family, the exhortation immediately follows, (Col. iv. 2.) "continue in prayer;" evidently implying that there must be a continued course of family prayer between these several relatives, if they hoped to discharge their duties. Thus also when Peter had treated on the same subject, he enforces all by this consideration, (1 Pet. iii. 12.) "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers." That is, act according to these directions, if you expect that those prayers shall be answered which rise from your families.

Instead of mentioning many other similar passages, let me merely quote to you a few texts which relate to the same subject. The promise which our Saviour made to his afflicted disciples, and through them to us before his departure from earth, though with propriety extended to public devotion, yet seems more immediately applicable to social and family prayer: "I say to you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." What an encouragement do these words contain, and what an obligation do they impose on us. Can we with such a promise fail to assemble with our household, without despising the offered presence and favour of our

apos

Lord? Remember too those terrible words in Jercmiah, (x. 25.) "Pour out thy fury upon the heathen, and upon the families that call not upon thy name." In this alarming passage, are not prayerless families plainly ranked with the heathen, and pointed out as being like them, the objects of divine indignation? I will close my quotations by that passage of the tle, "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." This is the Christian duty and the Christian character. Where then is the neglecter of this practice, who dare appeal to the searcher of hearts and say, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I abstain from family prayer in order to promote thy glory? Brethren, there is not one of you who would not shudder to make such an appeal.

Let us pass from considering the injunctions of the scripture, to an examination of the lives of the saints, whose history is there recorded: their examples show the nature and the requisitions of our religion. Look at the sacred volume, and you will find that Noah, and Abraham, and Job, and Joshua, and David, and Daniel, and all the greatest ancient worthies, who are held up for our imation, are noted for their attention to domestic religion. Our Saviour had no household, but the apostles were his family with them he prayed, "leaving us a pattern that we should follow his steps." And since his ascension to heaven, all those noted for the fervour of their piety, of whatever age, or whatever denomination, have esteemed it not only a sacred duty, but also an inestimable privilege. Follow the steps of these holy men, if desire to dwell with them. Like them resolve that whatever others do, as for you and your house, youwill serve

the Lord."

you

I present you with a

3d. Motive: By a faithful and regular performance of this duty, you will secure to yourselves the richest pleasures and most invaluable benefits.

The richest pleasures. How joyous, to leave the closet, and assembling with our family, to change the solitary, My Father and my God, into the social, Our Father and our God. What satisfaction, to acknowledge together with those we love the divine blessings, and thus see the the mercies of God multiplied in each dear object of our affections! What happiness, to see ourselves instrumental in implanting the seeds of piety and virtue in the youthful minds of the children who join with us! What felicity, to add a communion in devotional feelings to our communion in situation and interests! What a serene pleasure will be felt during the day, from considering that we have committed our families into the hands of a merciful God, and secured in their behalf the guardianship of Providence, to save them from unnecessary dangers and trials! With what composure can we lie down at night, when we remember that we have afresh had access to the blood of sprinkling for the pardon of the sins we may have committed during the day; and have implored the protection of the Shepherd of Israel during the night-watches! How will it smooth the bed of death, to remember how often in our family we had fellowship with God; to recollect that we have sincerely and perseveringly, though feebly, performed this important duty. Oh! my brethren, could you feel the sweetness of these pleasures, you surely would not voluntarily reject them.

Besides, a variety of important benefits will result to you from the practice: blessings for the body and

the soul for time and

Lord maketh rich."

eternity. "The blessing of the And if you daily and devoutly seek it, you have a right to expect this blessing, so far as shall be consistent with your greatest good, upon your secular affairs. Your parental authority will be strengthened by presiding in these solemnities, and religion will afford its aid in increasing the respect and veneration of your family for you: the affection of your children and domestics will be highly excited towards you, when they observe the interest which you take in their happiness, and the warmth with which you spread their necessities before God: family dissentions will be prevented or healed. How can they be bitter or malignant towards each other, who, morning and evening, unite in their prayers to a common God, and supplicate for common blessings? The ties of conjugal affection will more firmly be knit together. "This affection can never have so lasting a basis as when it is founded on religion. In numberless instances, when the charms and novelty of beauty have lost their power to please; when the clouds of adversity have thickened around, this principle has discovered its energy in strengthening the mutual attachment of those in this relation, and in reconciling their minds to their condition; joint prayer has inconceivably increased their attachment, has alleviated their cares, and given double relish to their enjoyments.* Besides, the presence of your family, while you are employed in these solemn exercises, will tend to increase your own fervour, to warm your heart, and to engage you more earnestly in the performance of duty and in opposition to sin. Have you no need of these incentives? Are you already so zealous towards God, that you may neglect these means of growth in grace?

* Hunter in Sc. Pr.

Let your own happiness, your own interest then, urge you to attend to this duty.

Consider as a

4th Motive, the happy effects which this practice may have on all the members of your family.

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My dear brethren, do not consider this merely as an awful duty; it is an inestimable privilege. To be convinced of this, make for a moment the fearful supposition that God should forbid you to pray your family; imagine a particular interdict upon your house; that by some special and immediate signification of the mind of God from heaven, it were declared, "From all the other houses in the place, from every other habitation in the street where you reside, I will permit prayer to rise to me; I will hear and accept the family supplication: but from your house, I will accept no domestic sacrifice; I will hear no prayer." Were a voice from the throne of the Eternal to declare this to you; were the finger of God miraculously to inscribe over your door, "Here shall be no prayer; no kneeling by the family before the most High God;" say, my brethren, would you regard this prohibition as a privilege, or as a dark, an awful, and terrible doom? Would not your hearts almost break, while looking at the poor forlorn members of your family, you exclaimed with those ancient Jews, (Amos vi. 10.) "We may not make mention of the name of the Lord ?”

Blessed be God, this is not the case with any of you! the mercy-seat is open to your families; you may pray; and your wives, if pious, may by this exercise be cheered and animated; or if unholy, may through the blessing of God, be converted. It is not unusual for God in this way, "by the believing husband to sanctify the unbelieving wife." Your children, in