be persuaded, that the disuse of family religion is as much chargeable upon every individual governor of a family as it is upon the generality; because every governor that omits it, contributes to make it so much the more gegeral, therefore has no reason to charge it upon his neighbours.

A man cannot be justified in his neglect of this duty, because he fears to be singular. Had Noah feared to be singular when God commanded him to build an ark for the preservation of his family, they must have perished in the deluge. Joshua did not fear to be singular, when he spoke the words in the text. If, saith he, it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, chuse you this day whom you will serve, whether the Gods which your fathers served, that were on the other side of the flood, or the Gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And this resciution of his had that good effect upon the people, that they likewise unanimously agreed to serve the Lord. And were a few governors of families to follow the example of Joshua, they might also excite more to do so.

I am aware but of one more objection, and that is, that it interferes with our worldly business. "Men who are obliged to earn their bread with the sweat of their brows, must attend early to business, therefore cannot find time to pray with their families."

To this it may be answered, that though it may, so happen that a man cannot attend his family of a morning, yet he may depute some

one in his house to perform this duty in his absence; and, in the evening, he can always be present himself when his work is done, which is never so late as to exclude family worship: and he will find more satisfaction in this than in spending his time at a public house, as is generally the case.

As to such as are not obliged to bodily labour, and gentlemen of fortune, our nobility, and such like great families, they are utterly inexcusable, and can by no means acquit themselves to their own consciences, or in the sight of God. Give me leave now, in the

Last place, To apply what has been said to your serious consideration.

Are you not all desirous of making a suitable provision for your children? Do not men, in general, strive to accumulate wealth, to give their children a good education, and set them up in the world? And should you not much. more be careful to instruct them in the principles of religion? to give them an early sense of piety, and a just reverence of God? How monstrously inconsistent then is it to be continually anxious about their temporal prosperity, and, at the same time, neglect, their better part, their precious and immortal souls? But when men do so, it shews that they have no true notion of religion themselves; for if they had, if the love of God were shed abroad in their own hearts, it would naturally lead them to do their utmost to provide, for the spiritual welfare of others, and especially those of their own house.

We are apt to complain when our servants are unjust to us; and yet, who can be more unjust than those who, in return for their servants labours, take no care to provide for their inestimable souls?

The time will come when they shall know they ought to have given them some spiritual as well as temporal wages; and that if any of them are lost through the governor's neglect, he will most assuredly be called to an account for it.

The blessing of God upon our families; the good success of our honest endeavours in procuring a comfortable subsistence; and, above all, a peaceful conscience, and a glorious pros, pect of futurity, depend, in a great measure, upon family religion.

But if neither the favour of God, our temporal prosperity, nor the good of our children and servants, will have any effect upon us, perhaps the consideration of a future judgment at the bar of heaven, before which all must appear, may have some influence upon us. We must all, says the Apostle, appear before the judgment seat of Christ; there to answer for the deeds done in the body, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. If this be the case, (and no one can disprove it) how then will that servant, who was made ruler over his lord's household, and neglected to give them meat in due season, excuse himself beford his lord, when he comes? He may, perhaps, with the utmost horror and despair, behold the wife of his bosom, his children, who were his crown and

delight, and his servants, attributing their condemnation to his neglect and bad example: and then, what can he expect but to be cut in sunder, and his portion appointed him with the hypocrites.

Let these, and every other important consideration, have a due effect upon your minds : you will then, I am persuaded, be ready to say, in the words immediately following the text, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord. And again, Nay, but we will, with our several households, serve the Lord.

Now, unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy; to the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.