LET me speake vnto you Coherence of the text with that which went before . ( O yee house of Israel ) our fathers haue receiued mercy diuers wayes , wee their children haue experience of the goodnes of our God ; we haue sound proofe of his assured promise , vs hath he deliuered , our enemies confounded , & hath giuen vs possession ouer Canaan , as appeareth this day . Now my aduise and will is , that you would therefore feare the Lord , & serue him in vprightnesse and truth , and serue him alone , abandoning all idolatry , and not follow your own corrupt wayes , nor errors of Forefathers , in so great an euill . If it seeme good vnto you , so to doe , I shall reioyce , it is that I wish heartily for your good : but if you will not , bee it knowen vnto you all this day , and take notice of my full determination herein , that I and my house will serue the Lord .

God forbid , God forbid , that wee should ( O most noble Prince ) be of any other mind , then so also with thee , to seeke the honour of our God , and to serue him .

Surely you well perswade mee of Gods continuing mercy to vs hereby , for if we seeke him , he will be found of vs , if we 2. Chr. 15. 2 1. Sam. 2. honour him , he will honour vs , but if wee forsake him , he will forsake vs . It is also my hearts ioy that we do conioine as one herein : but neuertheles this know , that though company doe encourage men to serue the Doct. First Lord , yet if a man be alone , and all do forsake him , that is no barre that a resolued Christian should desist in his holy purpose .

Godly men tie not their religion Proofe . vpon other mens sleeues , they resolue with Peter to follow Christ , if all els doe forsake him : thy words ( Iosuah ) declare herein thy iudgement , and thy promise , what wee all ought to practise .

Therefore , as I purpose , so ought Vse . ye to walke with God alone , if none will else ioyne with you .

Vrge , I beseech thee , this point vpon the people with reasons , that they may see how they may perswade themselues herein to a resolution .

The Lord in giuing his law doth Reasons . speak singularly in the second person , as to one man , Thou shalt haue no other Gods before me , Thou shalt make no grauen Image , and so in the rest , as if he had said ; Though other will not serue me , though some will haue other Gods , though all other will commit idolatrie , yet see thou doe not so , I charg al as one , & one as al , that euery man may be obedient to single himselfe forth alone to serue me the Lord his God .

Againe , we all do couenant one by one at our baptisme , and some doe promise as much for this & that Infant , that in particular God shall by them be worshipped : now God will require the performance of the couenant , which bindeth vs vpon the holy Sacrament , and by that signe of the sprinkling of Christs blood vpon vs , that so we do serue the Lord , albeit other do not .

Indeed it is an honest mans part to Simil. keepe his word with men , as we see when two are bound in a bond , one , he that respects his credit , will performe the condition , though the other be careles : how much more ought we to regard to keep our word with God , the promise being made so voluntarily , before so many witnesses , and sealed with the blood of Christ ? This reason were sufficient to perswade , but if you haue any more , I beseech you proceed , for we need much spurring to run on the race to eternall life .

Our Sauiour tels vs , that we are to forsake father and mother , Luke 14 wife and children , yea to hate them for his sake and the Gospel , els can we not be his Disciples : by which he teacheth this instruction , that we are to depend on none in our religion to God , be held backe by none , from our walking with God : that all earthly affection must be laid aside , and we must embrace Christ and the Gospel alone , if none neither father nor mother , sister nor brother , will goe with vs .

Indeed men in matters of this life , will , for wealth , honor , pleasure : single themselues from other , they would be in honor alone , they would dwell alone , that the poore cannot tell where to haue rest for them , they can be singular in vanity , be pointed out for a new fashion , be loathed for beastly liues , be hated for oppression , be talked of for pride , be abhorred for vnchast conuersation , blasphemy , & prophanenes , and yet men are loath to be any whit more religious towards God , than other be . Thus alas , we see , men hold it no shame to be notorious in and for the world , in & for their pleasures , in & for honor ; Sathan can make them grow more vaine , more wicked , then other , without shame , without daunt of spirit , without feare of man , either to be noted , or pointed at : but the Lord cannot perswade vs by his word to become more holy then other ; that is forsooth singularity , and men feare now a dayes more to be noted for any strict course of life , from a common road , then for crying sinnes .

This sheweth the power of Sathan in the one , & the litle loue or zeale of God in the other , the wicked herein shall condemne these , though they shall not so saue themselues : but to proceed ; If we consider that we are made alone , brought out alone , that we die in our appointed time alone , & that though wee shall all appeare before God in the last day , yet must euery one giue om. 14. 13. Cor. 5. 10. an account for himselfe vnto God , we should walke and liue , if so we needs must with God alone .

I know if a man haue a long iourney simil . to goe , & that vpon a hard penalty , he would desire honest company , but if he can get none , the feare of punishment maketh him set forward alone . We all are in our iourney to heauen by our profession , and we must be so by our practise , vpon paine of damnation ; if we can get any to goe in a good life with vs , it is well , but if not , must we therefore herein stay our course ?

Be it farre from vs ; the example of holy men , who are as marks set vp for passengers to look vpon , shew vs the contrary . Noah would serue God alone , when all the Gen 6. old world was drowned in wickednes . Lot Gen. 19. was in his singular way from al the Inhabitants , 1. King 19. 2. Chro. 18. Ruth . 1. in the midst of Sodom . Eliah was alone , Michaiah auouched the truth alone : & to conclude , Ruth would go alone with Naomi , when Orpha her sister left her . We must be of Ruths mind towards religion , as shew was in her loue to Naomi . If anything would withdraw vs , if any person would disswade vs from a godly & deuout course , let vs say to Ruth . 1. 16. 17. them with Ruths speech , Intreat me not to leaue religion , nor to depart from it , for whither it goeth , I will go ; and where it dwelleth I will dwell : the true professours of it , shall be my Thy people , my people . companions , God , the Author thereof , shall be my God , where it resteth , will I rest , and there will I die : the Lord doe so to me , and more also , if ought but death depart it and me .

Without doubt these examples are very pregnant , and doe giue liuely encouragement to serue God , if we be alone . But ( my Lord ) is it not grieuous to be alone ? Obiection . did not Eliah sorrow , and vexe his spiritat this , that he was left alone , yea and desired therefore to die ?

True it is , that Salomon saith , woe to Answer to the obiection . him that is alone , but alone without helpe from the Lord : but this his children want neuer finally , the Lord is with them , and if he be their familiar friend , they may with Dauid say , We care not what man can doe vnto vs , for the Lord is on our side . By him more is with vs then against vs ; this Elisha being alone saw , and prayed that his seruant Gehezi might see : & albeit Eliah seemed to himselfe to be alone , yet was he not alone , God was with him , and 7000. not seene , who bowed not their knee vnto Baal : and whereas he wished to die for bodily presence of men , it was his weakenes , in which the Lord did shew mercy , and afforded him comfort afterward ; the like mercy may we expect , as holy martyrs haue experienced .

Doth it not derogate ( Renowned Duke ) from your greatnesse , to professe singularity from all nations in religion , and Preuention of an obiection . from all Israel , though they doe follow their forefathers , which were beyond the flood , and in Egypt seruing strange Gods ?

Albeit God hath exalted me here doctrine . The second vpon earth , to rule ouer his people Israel , and though I succeede their vnmatchable Moses , that man of God , yet iudge I true religion to be my chiefe honour , and to differ from all men differing from their way wherein they should walke towards God , to be my glory : therefore is it that I say , But I and my house will serue the Lord , euen I Iosua , though Duke , though Prince in Israel , and a guide to Gods people , I will with my family serue him , who hath shewed me this great mercy .

You haue great cause to blesse God , that you in such glory , haue so great humility , in so great prosperity such zeale . It is rare for men of note to entertaine religion , but most rare for such therein to become singular .

Such as truely seeke God in heart Proofe . without hypocrisie , whatsoeuer their estate be , they hold it a speciall duty to do seruice vnto God , & that they can be in no estate , be it neuer so glorious with men , but that religion and the grace of sanctification maketh the same more glorious . By deuotion in true religion , we become Saints on earth , we haue the fruit of the spirit , the earnest and assurance of our adoption . By sensible life are we better then things without life , and are but equall with beasts : by reason we are better then these , but no better then Heathen : by religion , though false , are we worshippers of a diuine power , and therin more then Sauages ; but by true religion are we Christians , and by sincerity therin with religious practise , are we more then common Christians , euen true and liuely members of Christ , in whom we are Gods adopted children , righteous before him : we haue inward peace of conscience , and outward grace by the approbation of the godly , Angels are giuen to attend vpon vs , who are the children of the great King : Heauen is our inheritance , we haue seats prepared , and shall with Christ iudge the whole earth , and with him enioy the eternall happinesse for euer , when the damned wicked shall be tormented world without end .

The weight of these reasons may force any man to hold religion and sincere walking with God , to be a grace vnto him , be he neuer so mightie in this world . He hath here honour , and men attend him , but by a holy conuersation he hath honor with God Alsufficient , & Angels wait vpon him . Here a man hath wealth , but by religious holines , he hath an euerlasting tresurie , and a supplie of all wants by grace . Here hath he , as a man , his pleasures and delights , but by deuout seruing of God , he hath peace which passeth all vnderstanding , that which the eie hath not seene , nor eare heard , nor the heart of a naturall man able to comprehend . Therefore ought we Vse . in what glory so euer we be before men , to adde religion to our state , and iudge it our crowne and glory .

Els may we rightly be iudged with Reasons . out it , no better then Heathen , rich Barbarians , honourable Atheists , & if men haue delights without pietie , they be but prophane Epicures , which things indure not : and without Gods good mercy , men without grace quaile by that very same thing whereby among men they be of highest estimation . Achitophels policie ouerthrew him : Absoloms beauty brought him to destruction : Hamans honor was his ruine . Religious feare of God is mans stay in euery earthly estate ; els the higher he is aduanced , & the more he possesseth without religion , the worse he is , farthest from God , and nigher to confusion . I therefore and my house will serue the Lord .

Mee thinke ( Sir ) by adding these And my house . The ground of the doctrine following . words , my house , in your speech , you insinuate your care to haue other religious , as well as your selfe .

True it is you say , I now desire as did my Master Moses , Would to God all the people could prophecie . Indeede rather then God be vnserued , a man ought alone to serue the Lord , this is his feruencie & zeale to God ; but true grace rests not in the bosome Doctrine . of a true beleeuer , as gold in a nigards chest , but sprouteth forth to the benefit of other , for he desireth to make other like himselfe , this is his compassion and loue .

I am able to avouch this from my Proofe . owne feeling , blessed be God , and I find it true in that worthy Apostle who saith , My Rom. 10. 1. hearts desire and prayer to God is for Israel that they may be saued : who after his conuersion did labour in the Lords vineyard with vndurable paines to bring men vnto God .

Vse . So ought all of vs to doe in our places : Reasons . the Lord commandes it , Returne & cause other to returne ; & our Sauiour said to Peter , When thou art conuerted strengthen thy Ezec. 18. 33 Luk. 22. 32. brethren . The hatred of sinne should mooue vs where we may , to roote it out , the griefe which we ought to take , when we see men to sinne , should cause vs as far forth as wee be able to reclaime them , and not suffer sin Leu. 19. to rest vpon them . That we ought to grieue for sinne in our selues , so for the same in other , Psal. 119. 136. wee see by Dauid , whose eyes gushed out riuers of water , at the sight of other men breaking Gods law . Our Sauiour wept Luk. 19. 41. Ier. 13. ouer Ierusalem , Ieremies soule mourned in secret , S , Paul writ with teares ; shall we haue a passion for sinne committed , and not vse meanes to haue it amended ?

He that is truely touched with the sight of sinne , cannot possibly neglect the meanes to winne men from sinne . It is the nature of griefe to manifest it selfe , and workes in man an endeauour , to vse means to haue the cause of grief taken away . Therfore if wee truely grieue that men offend God , wee will not suffer them to goe on in sinne , if we may amend it .

And as griefe may mooue vs , so the consideration of the sinners misery , may enduce vs to care for their saluation . The sinner is Sathans slaue , subiect to wrath , the heire of confusion , who may daily looke for damnation and vengeance ; oh , who can but pitty a man in so great misery ? is he not mercilesse and cruell that seeth one in a deadly danger , and may releeue him , and yet will not ? Can wee see a man hanging himselfe , stand by , and not cutte the cord ? Can we beholde one running into a pit to drowne himselfe , and if we may , not holde him backe ? These be mercilesse cruelties , if so we should neglect our brothers bodily life : and it is no lesse hardnesse of heart to suffer men by sinne , if it lie in vs to reclaime them , to runne headlong to hell , where they shall hang in torments , and be drowned in the gulfe of perdition .

Condemnation mercilesse belongeth Iam. 2. to such as will shew no mercy , it is true touching soule and body . No doubt holy men iudged rightly of this , and therfore did discharge their duty herein . Abraham our Forefather taught his housholde ; Dauid the King was so minded , who professed to teach Gods waies vnto the wicked , Psal. 51. 23. that sinners might be conuerted vnto the Lord . Philip we see sought out Nathaniel , & brought him to Christ ; and the woman of Samaria did runne hastily for her neighbors to behold the Messias ; all which are written for our learning , that wee by their examples should doe the like .

A man would thinke that enough were said to stirre vp one to care for anothers saluation , but for that men herein are too remisse , and indeed professe a carelesnes of this with cruell Cain ; What , am I my Gen. 4. 9. brothers keeper ? I will the longer stay vpon this point , as a matter of absolute necessity , the neglect wherof is the cause of so great encrease of wickednesse at home and abroad . It is the fruit of loue in the communion and holy fellowship of Saints : One article of our Creed is to beleeue this communion , but we by no mutuall care shew any such spirituall coniunction . The members of the body in the bodily communion doe teach vs this , where euery member careth for the welfare of each other , and if any one be out of ioynt , all with one consent seeke to bring it in againe . The bodily fellowship worketh this mutual compassion , which keepeth the body in welfare ; so ought our spiritual ioyning together work the like commiseration towards euery erring member , to keepe the Church in peace .

You haue here from a naturall worke , plainely set out our duty in a spirituall action : nature forceth the one , and therefore grace I hope will set vs forward to the other .

If this suffice not , let this mooue vs , that our not seeking to saue them , in our place , is to make our selues guilty of their sin , he that is silent consenteth , & he that consents is worthie of death , Rom. 1. 31. He is accessarie to treason who knoweth it , and reuealeth it not : sinne is rebellion against God , we must attach the partie , at least by a brotherly rebuke , lest we let him escape , as Achab let goe Benadad , and his sinne be made our transgression , and so procure vnto our selues death . Againe , let the enlarging Christs kingdome incite vs to this duty , yea the great reward and glorie which belongeth to him that saueth a soule , he shall couer the multitude of sinnes , he Iam. 5. Dan. 12. 3. shal shine as the starres for euer and euer . The care of sauing a soule , and the goodnesse of Ioh. 3. 16. the worke mooued God the Father to giue his onely Sonne to die , and Christ himselfe was willing to suffer great and vnspeakeable torments to bring a poore sinner vnto safetie .

If neither the commandement of God , the griefe of heart for sinne , the sinners A briefe repetition of all the reasons . misery , holy mens examples , the bond of fellowship & mutuall communion , our own danger in the neglect hereof , the care to enlarge Christs kingdom , the reward of happines , nor the loue of god , nor Christs sufferings , can mooue vs to doe our best to saue a poore sinner ; let the deuill teach vs to look vnto it , who with his members studiously endeauonr to draw men from God , to themselues , & to bring them to destruction : If he & his be so forward to ill , the reward whereof is death , why should not we do more to oppose him & his instruments for mans life and saluation ? especially ministers in feeding their flocke , who are charged to do it vpon their loue to Christ , Ioh. 21. 15. 16. 17. 2. Tim. 4. 1. 2 Ezec. 33. 8. Gouernours of families shold tea●h their houshold . vpon their alleageance to their soueraigne , to avoid blood guiltines , and to preuent eternall vengeance : And nothing lesse are gouernours of families tied thereunto , they see & blame , and not vnworthily , ministers that neglect their flocke : but they find not the same fault in themselues for carelesse omitting the instruction of their family , which they be in their own persons Reasons . as much bound to discharge , as a minister is to feed his flock ; the Congregation is the ministers cure , so the family is the masters charge , wherein the chiefe of the house , the Deut. 5. 7. Eph. 6. 4. 1. Cor. 14. 35 Gen. 18. 19. 2. Tim. 1. 5. with 3. 15. father , the mother , the master and Gouernour is to teach their children and houshold in the waies of God . So are they commanded , so examples teach them to doe .

Thou hast truly spoken ( Honourable Caleb ) for we that haue charge of families are commanded to informe them ; euen necessitie to keepe a holy vnity among vs , should hereto perswade vs , how else can there be peace , if the Lambe and the Lyon dwell together , a Cain and an Abel , a mocking Ismael , and faithfull Isaac , a scorning Michol , & a zealous Dauid ? How can ministers reforme whole Assemblies , if we do not our endeauour to help them in our families ? This want of priuate helpe maketh the publike ministery so vnprofitable , as commonly it is . The whole burthen of care for soules is laid vpon the Ministers shoulders , when a priuate watch is imposed vpon euery man , & houshold instruction vpon euery faithful & religious Gouernour of a family . Therefore families haue bin called the Churches of God , wherein God was , & euer ought to be worshipped with holy exercises . And how can a master be a domesticall head , and let his members perish ? The diuell so much opposing it , mans nature so much distasting it , all so vsually neglecting it , doe declare it sufficiently to be a most holy and worthy worke to be carefully vndertaken , and with all good conscience performed .

Vndoubtedly , if the benefit which hence would arise , first to our selues , to our children and houshold , then to the help of the publike ministery , were well weighed , there be none that haue either care of themselues , wish well to their children , desire faithfulnesse in their seruants , and couet to see Ierusalem in prosperity , but they would betake them speedily to this so great , so necessary and godly a worke . How come children often to destruction , but by parents negligence in their religious education ? If we bring them vp well , wee may by Gods mercie preuent their ill ende : if wee vse meanes , and they perish , yet our soules receiue comfort , that we are no way guilty : whereas otherwise the childe may say : Wo is me , and wo to you my parents , who haue neglected my education : and parents may answer , Wo to vs our sonne therefore , seeing thee now so miserable , and our selues hereby so vncomfortable .

I therfore and my house , by Gods help , will serue the Lord , as God hath giuen mes grace to see and know the euill , I will endeauour to preuent it in me and mine .

Your speech in the order thereof teacheth mee , as I take it , not onely your care herein to do what you ought , but your wisdome in an orderly proceeding therein .

It is well noted of you : I set my selfe Doctrine . before my houshold , because the head leadeth first the body , before the body can mooue by the members to performe any office . So it is in the naturall constitution of a body , so in the politicall gouernment of the common wealth , let Princes leade , the people will follow , for from the head Vse . commeth life & motion to the body . And the same order is to bee obserued in well guiding of a family . There is litle hope to finde a godly family , where the master is either carelesse , or prophane . He must set on and go before , if he intend to haue the rest good . His life is of authority , his example draweth other to him , his words are of force , and in doing his duty may he expect a blessing .

I doe perswade my selfe , that some haue good desires hereunto , & more perhappes by this may bee set forward to settle their housholds in order : but euery one that gladly would doe well , know not how to doe so ; therefore let me obtaine ( most Noble Lord ) the knowledge of 3. things at your hands , both for mine owne , and the peoples instruction herein . I. How a family Three questions . may bee at the first religiously planted ? II. How a family irreligious may be reformed ? III. How it may be so kept , and preserued ?

Three necessary questions propounded and worthy to be answered . To satisfie you in the first . To plant a family in religious Answer to the first . How a family may be religiously planted . feare of God . I. Parents must bring vp such children well , with which they will build vp a house , acquaint them with the Lords will , with duties of a husband and wife , of a father and mother , and so marry in iudgement , before they marry , and not in carnall lust . Without knowledge of the former christian duties , mens mariages are but Turkish , and to marry in the latter only , is sensual & brutish . II. Parents must see that the parties to be maried be fitted , that their be no dislike in affection , nor iarre in religion , but that the marriage be made in loue , and setled in Gods feare ; both beleeuers , both imbracing one & the same truth , as neere as may be . Abraham doth fetch a Rebecca for Isaac , from his fathers house , & there is religion ; when Iehosaphat taking an Athalia for his sonne , bringeth into his house idolatry and superstition . To plant religion , wee must bring in religion into a family , by education , and by a holy coniunction of them togither in the feare of God . III. and lastly , Parents must care that the religious persons , religiously married , bee religiously serued . And therfore , that such as become seruants to them , bee of the same holy profession with them , and of like conuersation . And thus may a family be planted religiously .

What direction giue you for the second , viz. to reforme a disordered family ?

The gouernour must do , as in making Answer to the second question . How a family may be reformed . a new house , where an olde stood ; hee must remooue the old wholly as far forth as it is vnprofitable , and make the rest all new . The man and the wife must be sound , they bee the two side posts ; so their children , who are as the beames laid ouerthwart , if they be rotten , though all the rest be new , at the length the worke will fall .

How must they be made sound , if they be rotten ?

By repenting of all former sin , and negligence past , and by vndertaking this work sincerely with a constant durablenes .

What timber is so rotten , as wil neuer serue to be put in the new building ?

Euery one that persists in euill , and will not be reformed .

But what if there be some such , whom the master of the family cannot cast out ?

Let such so be in the house , as they beare no rule in it , neither any sound part depend or stay vpon them ; so shall there be neither breach nor ruine thereby .

What other meanes is there to reforme by ?

Secondly , the gouernour must bring all his houshold in subiection to Gods word , to heare and attend vnto the publike ministerie thereof , as the ordinarie meanes to reclame men . It is the power of Rom. 1. 18. Heb 4. 12. Psal 1●9 9. Pro. 2. 11. 12. 16. The benefit of religious exercises in houses . God to saluation , it is mighty in operation , it cleanseth our waies , and keepeth vs from all euill . Thirdly , he must set vp within his house religious exercises ; these make publike meanes more profitable , more highly to be esteemed , and the iudgement better to be setled ; euill hereby is preuented , yea thrust out from the family , bad persons hereby are tried and found out , the well disposed made more religious , and God not a litle glorified .

What are the holy exercises which you here speake of ?

Reading of the holy Scriptures , the voice of God , Catechising , telling some short storie of some notable example in the word , making vse thereof , singing of psalmes , and when the publike sermon hath bin heard , to repeate therof as much as is remembred .

This , say some , will make seruants wearie , and none will come to them .

It were better to be without seruants then haue such as hate goodnesse , but this same which is obiected , and so much feared , may be answered easily , and the feare taken away . The master to hold vp such good exercises , and not to wearie his houshold , must I. be towards all his seruants mercifull , in giuing them a time to rest , not to dogge them day and night to their labour , as beasts . II. He must performe al things seasnably , not late in the night after toylsome labour , & when wearines & time it selfe doe inforce the body to sleepe . III. He must not haue the same exercises held long , at one time , but auoid tedious prayers , least one be speaking , whilst the rest be sleeping ; as it falleth out sometime by the weaknesse of one , & the zealous indiscretion of an other . IV. He must regard much a religious seruant , reward him well , and pray to God for such , & he shall not want godly seruants , and be well rid of the lewd and prophane .

If seruants be encouraged , godly discretion be vsed , honest libertie graunted , competent wages allowed , tollerable labour onely vrged , difference made , and the best answerably rewarded , there is no doubt either of getting or retaining seruants : but how may a family reformed so be preserued ?

I. The chiefe must themselues keep good orders established ; their neglect Answer to the third question . How to keepe in order a family reformed . breeds in other carelesnes , their omission occasioneth in other transgression . II. They must make knowne their ful resolution to all , in matters of religion , that they will walke vprightly in the midst of the house , that they will allow no order to be broken . III. They must see to offences Psal. 101. against God and religion more narrowly , then iniuries done to themselues , and rebuke and correct the one more , then the other , so doe they shew greater regard of God , then respect of themselues . IV. They must shew fauour to th● towardly , pardon easily the first or second offence , but not be remisse in punishing duly , where and when the fault and partie offending iustly deserues correction ; this is so to be courteous in loue and compassion , as an awefull hand may be kept ouer the family with godly discretion . V. They must cast out the vile persons , wilfull and Psal. 101. obstinate , mocking Ismaels may not remaine with Isaacs : a little leauen leaueneth 1. Cor. 5. the whole lumpe , one lewde person may doe much hurt . VI. They may not receiue in any knowne wicked person for feare of infection . VII . They must will one to exhort another to a mutual emulation of grace , louingly to admonish one an other , and to pray one for another . VIII . They must keepe all from idlenes , the nurse , or rather mother of all wickednesse , as of pride in apparell , wastfull expences , vaine pastimes , and other sinnes of the flesh to be abhorred among Christians . IX . They must performe mutuall duties one to another , masters to seruants , and these to their masters , but chiefly the husband and wife must loue each other : if wrongs bee betweene them , let themselues between themselues , or with the good liking of a faithfull secret friend to both , be ended . They must beware that the houshold become not partners in the matter ; for seruants by slander , flattery , and whisperings will kindle the contention , and make a prey of them . The contending of man and wife must neuer want loue , but if any smite either by the tongue , both must ioine in one against the smiter . But to preuent this , let none faile to performe what is due to be done . Complaints arise first vpon neglect of duty , the performance whereof is the touchstone of profession : where the husband is louing , the wife learnes obedience ; where the wife is obedient , the husband is mooued to bee kinde , by their well liuing the house is preserued in peace , and where they two do as they ought to themselues & their family , the children & seruants learn to walk in subiection , and do in an awefull loue discharge their duties , and hereby do they prouoke one another vnto piety , continue loue and vnity in the spirit , and keep vp holy exercises with prayer . Lastly , they must vpholde the publike ministery and preaching of the word , without which , by reason of the loosenesse of al other neighbours , who do not voluntarily take a godly course priuately , they can neuer continue long in good order .

It remaines only now to giue some reasons , why the seuerall sorts in a family , and so that all therein should be religious , as first why the father , master & husband , which are all one person in the house , should be religious ? Why the husband should be religious . Deut. 6. Exod. 20. Ephes. 6. 4.