cret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant." 7. Consider, God will reward openly. This argument Christ uses (Matt. vi. 6.) to enforce secret prayer: 66 Thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." As all secret wickedness shall at last be detected and punished, so all secret piety and godliness shall be made manifest before the whole world at the judgment day, and the reward will be exceeding great and everlasting.

So much, then, concerning prayer in the closet.

II. Prayer in the family is to be insisted on. And that family prayer is a duty, may be evidently proved by these argu

ments.

1. The apostle in the text enjoins all prayer, and family prayer is one kind that holy men have used. Joshua resolves, that he and his house would serve the Lord; and prayer is so principal a part of divine service, that in Scripture it is sometimes put for the whole. "Then

began men to call upon the name of the Lord;" that is, in a more public manner to worship him. So of Cornelius it is said, "that he feared God with all his

house, and prayed unto the Lord always," Acts x. 2.

2. Parents are called to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, to teach them in the way wherein they ought to go, and to be a pattern to them of the discharge of every Christian duty. But how can they more effectually furnish them with such an example, than by bowing their knees along with them before the throne of grace, and imploring in their presence the best of blessings upon them? Few things are more calculated to impress the minds of children and of servants, than hearing these prayers of the head of the family; and where they are seconded by a consistent example, a signal blessing has often accompanied them.

3. The family stands in need of blessings, which they are to beg for together, and to deprecate family evils. And for encouragement Christ has promised that where "two or three are gathered together in his narne, he will be in the midst of them." Now, in family duties two or three are gathered together in Christ's name, and his presence may, without presumption, be expected.

4. Wrath is threatened upon prayerless families. "Pour out thy fury upon the families that call not upon thy name," Jer. x. 25. I grant indeed that the word families is of such a latitude, that it extends unto countries and kingdoms; but if there be an obligation upon counties and kingdoms to join in calling upon God, surely then families more strictly taken, are in nowise exempted.

Having proved family prayer a duty, I shall lay down some directions as to the performance of it.

1. Be sensible that prayer is a business of greater concernment than any worldly business whatsoever. You are indeed to be diligent to your callings that are particular; but your general callings are of greatest weight. The general calling is that which all are called to: and what are all called to? They are called to serve and glorify God, and to work out their own salvation. Prayer is a part of your homage to the King of heaven. Much spiritual and eternal benefit is to be ob tained by it, therefore do it not as a byebusiness, neither let every small matter cause the omission of it.

2. Believe that success in your callings depends upon the Lord's blessing. "The blessing of the Lord maketh rich," says Solomon, " and he addeth no sorrow with it," Prov. x. 22. With this it is in vain to rise up early, and to sit up late, and eat the bread of carefulness. Now prayer for this blessing is the way to fetch it. I grant indeed that many thrive in the world without prayer; but then wealth is a curse and a snare to them; it is a weight that hinders them from ascending into the hill of the Lord, and helps to sink them into destruction and perdition.

3. Let prayer be ordinarily twice a-day, as under the old law there was a morning and evening sacrifice; and let the whole family join in it if it be possible, since there are none but need prayer, and may receive advantage by it.

4. Let the Word of God be read when prayer is made, that not only you, but your households after you, may be acquainted with the mysteries of the gospel, and with the will of God. Abraham communicated what he had learned from the Lord unto his family; he used his authority," and commanded his children,

and his household after him, to keep the way of the Lord," Gen. xviii. 19.

5. Take heed of customariness, and formality in family worship; engage always with a serious spirit, and in every duty stir up yourselves to take hold on God.

I conclude with the motives to per suade you to family prayer.

1. You that are governors have a charge of the souls that dwell under your roof, and must answer for them. Therefore you are to pray with them, to pray for them; else you will incur the guilt of the blood of souls, and that will lie heavy. You provide food for your households, for you are unwilling it should be said, you are so much worse than infidels, as to suffer any to starve that dwell with you. Oh what unmercifulness is) it patiently to suffer those of your household to go on in the way that leads to damnation; and not to call upon the Lord, in their hearing, that they may be saved!

2. Families are the seminaries both of church and state; and therefore as you desire the church may be pure, and the state righteous, look. well unto your fam