proper fear-and if left to themselves, may fall into sins of sensuality. Much may be done for Christians of this description, and much ought to be done to preserve them in that course which shall be safe to themselves and honorable to religion.

But it is time for me to close this important subject. Let us remember the double duty of our text, and comfort and edify one another, by a wise and discreet, by an affectionate and faithful conversation. And let us give a deep and affecting interest to our religious conversation, by a frequent reference to the rich grace of God, "who has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ;" and to the death of our compassionate Redeemer, which he willingly endured for us, with all the horrors of the cross, that he might bring many sons and daughters to glory. And let us animate one another to zeal and persevering fidelity in our holy course, by the certain expectation of the Saviour, at the last day, to judge the quick and the dead, and to carry them back with him to heavenly glory. God grant that we may be of the number, his sincere and faithful disciples.

Even so come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Amen.

蛋汁

SERMON IX.

FAMILY RELIGION.

JOSHUA Xxiv. 15.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

He

This was the pious resolution of Joshua, announced to the tribes of Israel, assembled before him. gives a very concise account of God's goodness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to the twelve tribes, who descended from them; of their deliverance from Egypt, their passage of the Red sea, their wars with the Amorites, and Moabites, and their victories, and finally of their passage over Jordan, and their entrance into possession of the land of promise. In the view of God's signal goodness to them, he solemnly exhorts them to fear the Lord, and to serve him in sincerity and truth;" at the same time he regards them with jealousy, and manifests anxiety, lest they should fail of a due return for benefits received. Joshua had too

lively and painful a remembrance of the fickle disposition of that people in the wilderness, not to fear how they would conduct themselves, now settled and prosperous in Canaan; but he most solemnly exhorted them to fidelity to Jehovah. "If it seem evil to you,

said he, to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve,"-but, propounding his own faithful example, he added "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." The effect, at least for the time, of this appeal, was what he intended it should be; for the people answered as with one voice, "God forbid, that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods. We will serve the Lord, for he is our God." Without enlarging on the historical view of the text, let me say, that it is most solemnly incumbent on every head of a family to adopt the pious resolution of Joshua, and to live up to it."As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

The temptation, which most easily beset the Israelites, was idolatry, with the licentious indulgences which always followed in its train. The temptations, to which men are now liable, are forgetfulness of God, neglect of his worship and ordinances, an eagerness after the world and its pleasures, the fear of man, and of being singular, even if it be to be singularly good. I am anxious, if God may succeed my feeble efforts, to aid you in making and keeping the resolution of the valiant and pious Joshua ; the resolution to maintain family religion. In doing this, I shall endeavour,

I. To show a few important things implied in family religion.

II. Consider arguments and encouragements which should decide parents to maintain it. I am,

I. To show a few things implied in family religion. Under this head I shall confine myself chiefly to two important things; family prayer and family instruction. 1. Family prayer.

This can scarcely be touched too often, so many are the benefits resulting from it, and so many the evils which inevitably flow from its neglect. Family prayer is, perhaps, the very first thought which starts up to the mind from the words of Joshua; and few would think that resolution kept in a family, where worship was wholly neglected. It seems the very principle and beginning of every thing which is religious in a family. It is a direct acknowledgment of God, and of the duty and obedience which we owe to him. And something of this nature has been kept up by pious men from the beginning of the world. Before the flood, "men began to call on the name of the Lord." Noah in the midst of his family erected an altar, and offered up his devotions to God in the form, then most striking and edifying. And Abraham and the Patriarchs followed his example; David also and Solomon were devout men in the presence of their assembled people, and the former returned from public worship to bless his household; and how much pains he took to fan the sacred flame in his own bosom, and in the hearts of his family, we may see in the book of Psalms, some of which

were evidently intended for domestic use. Indeed, the prophet seemed to regard domestic prayer as the distinctive mark of a pious man; and such Jews as neglected it, he subjects to the same condemnation as the impious heathen-" Pour out,-or thou wilt, pour out thy fury upon the heathen, and upon the families that call not upon thy name." It seems as if our blessed Lord was anxious in this important respect, to exhibit his own persuasive example. For although he had no home, not even "where to lay his head," yet adopting the twelve as his family, he prayed with them, and took special pains to instruct them in the genuine spirit of devotion. That family prayer should come thus strongly recommended, by scriptural example, is not strange, when we consider the excellent tendencies of it. It solemnizes a family, and tends to make religious impressions on their minds; inspires reverence for the head, and a deeper degree of affection to him, when he is seen interceding with God in their behalf. It strengthens his authority and influence in the family, so that order and obedience are more easily preserved. And it affords excellent opportunities of imparting instruction, counsel, reproof, and comfort, as they may be needed in a family, whether by a word spoken in season, or by a portion read from the word of God, or other edifying books. Such, and so important is family prayer. I feel a deep solicitude, that it may be general, universal in the families of my beloved people. O what a different face would it immediately put upon religion among us! If the breath of prayer might as