that the understandings of the fimpler may be the better en abled to profit under the public ordinances, and they made more capable to understand the Scriptures, when they are read: together with godly conferences tending to the edification of all the members in the moft holy faith: As alfo, Admonition and rebuke, upon just reasons, from those who have authority in the family.

III. As the charge and office of interpreting the holy Scriptures, is a part of the minifterial calling, which none (however otherwife qualified) fhould take upon him in any place, but he that is duly called thereunto by God and his kirk; fo in every family, where there is any that can read, the holy Scriptures fhould be read ordinarily to the family; and it is commendable, that thereafter they confer, and by way of conference make fome good ufe of what hath been read and heard: As for example, if any fin be reproved in the word read, ufe may be made thereof to make all the family circumfpect and watchful against the fame : Or ifany judgment be threatned, or mentioned to have been inflicted in that portion of Scripture which is read, ufe may be made to make all the family fear, left the fame or a worfe judgment befal them, unless they beware of the fin that procured it. And finally, If any duty be required, or comfort held forth in a promife, ufe may be made to ftir up themselves to employ Christ for strength to enable them for doing the com manded duty, and to apply the offered comfort. In all which, the mafter of the family is to have the chief hand; and any member of the family may propone a question or doubt for refolution.

IV. The head of the family is to take care that none of the family withdraw himself from any part of family-worships And, feeing the ordinary performance of the parts of familyworship belongeth properly to the head of the family, the minister is to stir up fuch as are lazy, and train up fuch as are weak, to a fitnefs for thefe exercifes; it being always free to perfons of quality, to entertain one approved by the prefbytery for performing family-exercife. And in other families where the head of the family is unfit, that another conftantly refiding in the family, approved by the minifter and feffion, may be employed in that fervice Wherein the minifter and feffion are to be countable to the prefby

prefbytery. And if a minifter by divine providence be brought to any family, it is requifite,, that at no time he con veen a part of the family for worship, fecluding the reft, except in fingular cafes, efpecially concerning thefe parties, which (in chriftian prudence) need not, or ought not, to be imparted to others.

V. Let no idler who hath no particular calling, or vagrant perfon under pretence of a calling, be fuffered to perform worship in families, to, or for the fame; feeing perfons tainted with errors, or aiming at a divifion, may be ready (after that manner) to creep into houses, and lead captive filly and unftable fouls.

VI. At family-worfhip, a fpecial care is to be had, that each family keep by themselves: neither requiring, inviting, nor admitting perfons from diverfe families; unless it be those who are lodged with them, or at meal or otherwife with them upon fome lawful occafion.

VII. Whatsoever have been the effects and fruits of meetings of perfons of diverfe families, in the times of cor ruption or trouble (in which cafes many things are com mendable, which otherwise are not tolerable) yet, when God hath bleffed us with peace and purity of the gospel, fuch meetings of perfons of divers families (except in cafes mentioned in thefe directions) are to be difapproved, as tending to the hindrance of the religious exercife of each family by itself, to the prejudice of the public ministry, to the renting of the families of particular congregations, and (in progrefs of time) of the whole kirk: Befides many offences which may come thereby, to the hardning of the hearts of carnal men, and grief of the godly.

VIII. On the Lord's day, after every one of the familly apart, and the whole family together, have fought the Lord (in whofe hands the preparation of mens hearts are). to fit them for the public worship, and to blefs to them the public ordinances; the mafter of the family ought to take care, that all within his charge repair to the public worship, that he and they may join with the reft of the congregation: and the public worship being finished, after prayer, he fhould take an account what they have heard and thereafter, to fpend the reft of the time, which they may spare, in catechifing, and in fpiritual conferences

upon

upon the word of God: or elfe (going apart) they ought to apply themselves to reading, meditation, and fecret prayer, that they may confirm and increafe their communion with God, that fo the prophet which they found in the public ordinances may be cherished and promoved, and they more edified unto eternal life.

IX. So many as can conceive prayer, ought to make use of that gift of God; albeit those who are rude and weaker may begin at a fet form of prayer, but fo as they be not fluggish in ftirring up in themselves (according to their daily neceffities) the fpirit of prayer, which is given to all the children of God in fome measure: To which effect, they ought to be more fervent and frequent in fecret prayer to God, for enabling of their hearts to conceive, and their tongues to exprefs, convenient defires to God for their family. And in the mean time, for their greater encouragement, let thefe materials of prayer be meditated upon, and made ufe of, as followeth,

Let them confefs to God how unworthy they are to come in his prefence, and how unfit to worship his majesty; and therefore earnestly afk of God the fpirit of prayer.

They are to confefs their fins, and the fins of the family accufing, judging and condemning themselves for them,till they bring their fouls to fome measure of true humiliati

on.

They are to pour out their fouls to God, in the name of Chrift, by the fpirit, for forgivenefs of Sins; for grace to repent, to believe, and to live foberly, righteously, and godly; and that they may serve God with joy and delight,walk+ ́ ing before him.

6

They are to give thanks to God for his many mercies to his people and to themselves, and efpecially for his love in Chrift, and for the light of the gospel.

They are to pray for fuch particular benefits, fpiritual and temporal, as they ftand in need of for the time (whe⚫ther it be morning, or evening) as anent health or sickness, profperity or adverfity.

They ought to pray for the kirk of Chrift in general, for all the reformed kirks, and for this kirk in particular, and for all that fuffer for the name of Chrift; for all our fuperiors, the king's majesty, the queen, and their chil

dren

dren; for the magistrates, minifters and whole body of the congregation whereof they are members, as well for · their neighbours abfent in their lawful affairs, as for thofe 'that are at home.

The prayer may be clofed with an earneft defire that God may be glorified in the coming of the kingdom of his fon, and in doing of his will, and with affurance that themselves are accepted, and what they have afked accor'ding to his will shall be done.'

X. These exercises ought to be performed in great finceri ty, without delay, laying afide all exercises of worldly bu finefs, or hinderances, notwithstanding the mockings of atheists and profane men; in relpect of the great mercies of God to this land, and of his fevere corrections wherewith lately he hath exercised us. And, to this effect, per'ons of eminency (and all elders of the kirk) not only ought to stir up themselves and families to diligence herein; but allo to concur effectually, that in all other families, where they have power and charge, the faid exercifes be confcionably performed.

XI. Besides the ordinary duties in families, which are a bove mentioned, extraordinary duties, both of humiliation and thanksgiving, are to be carefully performed in families, when the Lord by extraordinary occafions (private or public) calleth for them.

XII, Seeing the word God requiteth, that we fhould confider one another to provoke unto love and good works; therefore, at all times, and specially in this time, wherein profanity abounds, and mockers, walking after their own lufts, think it strange that others run not with them to the fame excess of riot; every member of this kirk ought to ftir up themselves, and one another, to the duties of mutual edification, by inftruction, admonition, rebuke; exhorting one another to manifeft the grace of God, in denying ungodliness, and worldly lufts, and in living godly, foberly, and righteoufly in this prefent world; by comforting the fee ble-minded, and praying with or for one another: which duties refpectively are to be performed upon fpecial occafions offered by divine providence, as namely, when under any calamity, cross, or great difficulty, couníel or comfort is fought, or when an offender is to be reclaimed by private admonition, M m

and

and, if that be not effectual, by joining one or two more in the admonition, according to the rule of Chrift: that in the mouth of two or three witneffes every word may be established.

XIII. And, because it is not given to every one to speak a word in feafon to a wearied or diftreffed confcience it is expedient, that a perlon (in that cafe finding no ease) after the ufe of all ordinary means, private and public, have their addrefs to their own paftor, or fome experienced chri Aian: but if the perfon, troubled in confcience, be of that condition, or of that fex, that difcretion, modefty, or fear of fcandal requireth a godly, grave and fecret friend to be prefent with them in their faid addrefs, it is expedient that fuch a friend be present.

XIV. When perfons of diverse families are brought toge ther by divine providence, being abroad upon their particu lar vocations, or any neceffary occafions; as they would have the Lord their God with them whitherfoever they go, they ought to walk with God, and not neglect the duties of prayer and thanksgiving, but take care that the fame be performed by fuch as the company fhall judge fitteft. And that they likewife take heed that no corrupt communication proceed out of their mouths, but that which is good, to the use of edifying, that it may minifter grace to the hearers.

The drift and fcope of all thefe directions is no other, but that upon the one part, the power and practice of godliness amongft all the minifters and members of this kirk, accor ding to their feveral places and vocations, may be cherished and advanced, and all impiety and mocking of religious exercifes fuppreffed: and, upon the other part, that, under the name and pretext of religious exercifes, no fuch meetings or practices be allowed, as are apt to breed error, fcandal, fchifm, contempt, or mifregard of the public ordinances and minifters, or neglect of the duties of particular callings, or fuch other evils as are the works not of the spirit, but of the flesh, and are contrary to truth and peace:

A. KER

FINI S.