The house-holders helpe, for domesticall discipline: or A familiar conference of household instruction and correction fit for the godly gouernment of Christian families. Dedicated to all religious house-holders by R.R. minister of Gods Word.

To all Religious house-holders , their Children and seruants : the sauing knowledge of Gods holy Word , most heartily wished .

IN the first Chapter of the Prouerbs of Salomon , it is written thus in the eight and ninth verses : My son , heare the instruction of thy father , and forget not the lawe of thy mother : for they shall be an ornament of grace vnto thy head , and chaines about thy necke . From which words may be drawne a double doctrine : First , that all godly Parents should teach and instruct their children in the Lawe of the LORD : Secondly , that their children should learne & obey their wholsome instruction . For the first , wee haue both practice and precept therof in the sacred Scriptures : the practice in Dauid ; who 1 The practise of godly Parents in teaching their children . taught Salomon his sonne , saying , And thou , Salomon my sonne , know thou the God of thy father , and serue him with a perfect heart , and with a willing minde , 1. Chron. 28. 9. Salomon also sayth , that his father Dauid taught him and sayd vnto him , Keepe my commandements and liue : Get wisedome , get vnderstanding , &c. Prou. 4. 4. This was the practice , alwaies , not onely of godly fathers , but also of godly mothers : So did King Lemuels mother , she taught her sonne lessons of chastitie , of temperance , of defending the afflicted , of choosing , vsing , and commending a vertuous wife ; as appeareth throughout the 31. Chapter of the Prouerbes : and in this first Chapter thereof , in the eight and ninth verses , Salomon presupposeth that al godly mothers will bee helpers to their husbands , in the religious and godly instruction 2 Precepts of this dutie requiring it of Parents . of their children .

Secondly , wee haue in the Scriptures plentifull store of precepts , requiring this duty of all godly Parents : As Deut. 4. 10. Deut. 6. 6. 7. Deut. 11. 19. Psalm. 78. 5. 6. Prou. 22. 6. In which place last mentioned , Salomon sayth : Teach a child in the way that he should goe , and when hee is old , he will not depart from it . And Ephes. 6. 4. Fathers , prouoke not your children vnto wrath , but bring them vp in nurture and information of the Lord .

Thirdly , there are many reasons and 3 Reasons to perswade Parents to performe the foresayd duty . motiues in the sacred Scriptures , to perswade all godly Parents to the performance of this dutie : which I will hereafter in another place more largely relate ; meane time remember ( O Christian Parents ) and looke backe to Salomons motiue 1 By the practice thereof , they shall make them vertuous and gracious , adorn them and dignifie them ; yea , inrich them , and aduance them . in this text , Prou. 1. 8. 9. to wit , that Parents shall ( by the blessing of God ) vpon their good instruction , make their children religious and vertuous , as God promiseth , Prou. 22. 6. Yea , they shall thereby adorne them and dignifie them , inrich them , and make them honourable and gracious , both with God and men ; which Salomon also meaneth , when hee sayth : that Their instructions shall bee an ornament of grace about their head , and chaines about their necke .

Contrariwise , dost thou neglect this 2 By neglect of it , they make them most miserable , poore , naked , loathsome and odious , both to God and men . dutie of instructing them : then dost thou make them most miserable , poore , filthie , naked and deformed : yea , most lothsome and odious both to God and men : as were the Laodiceans , by their blindnesse , Reuel. 3. 17. & 18. and Elye his sonnes by their profanenesse , 1. Sam. 2. 12. & 17.

Yea , assuredly , it may bee sayd of thee , that through thy negligence , thou makest thy Children , as Aaron did the people ; ( Euen naked vnto their shame : ) Exod. 32. 25. yea , and vnto thine owne shame and ruine for euer without repentance . Remember Elyes downfall , and his sonnes , though Ely were an elect ; because hee did not continually admonish them , and duely correct them : he admonished them earnestly for a fit , 1. Sam. 2. 23. but not constantly , say some ; neither did he correct and chastise them accordingly , 1. Sam. 3. 13. But hereof wee haue neerer examples , euen at home ; for if wee cast our eyes vpon the World , wee may by dayly experience see , that such Children as are left vnto themselues without Discipline , they shame themselues and their Parents , and liue in all outragious euils , in Swearing , Besselling , Whoring , Mocking , Lying , Murmuring , Sabbath-breaking , stealing ; &c. till at length they come to fearefull ends : accusing then their Parents neglect of discipline ; who drew them to destruction , as the Dragon drew downe the Stars with his tayle , Reuel. 12. 4.

Remember ( O Parents ) that your 3 The necessity and equity of this duty , to bee performed by Parents . Children haue receiued corruption from you by naturall birth , and by conception : hauing therefore polluted them , you should be carefull to purge them : they are conceiued , you know , in sinne , and shapen in iniquitie , Psal. 51. 5. They are by naturall birth , as all others are , The Children of wrath and condemnation , Ephe. 2. 3. O therefore , let Christian equity and pittie mooue you to vse all good meanes , that they may bee gotten againe by the seede of regeneration , 1. Pet. 1. 23. To which purpose , prepare them for the spirituall seede , by catechizing them , and when it is sown in them , endeuour by dayly admonition , and good instruction , to harrow it and to roote it into their hearts : in so doing , 4 A farther inlarging of the vtility and benefit of good instruction ; by specifiing some particulars of it . whereas they are by naturall birth onely carnall , Ioh. 3. 6. and fleshly , hauing not the Spirit , Iude 5. 19. and so doe resemble Sathan , and are his Image , you shall cause them to become spirituall , and so to resemble God himselfe , Iohn 4. 24. and to become the Image of God , Colos. 3. 8. 9. Ephe. 4. 23. 24.

That seede of Regeneration sowne in their soules , wil keepe and preserue them from the dominion and power of sinne , so that they shall not sinne as do others , 1. Thes. 5. 6. and Cant. 5. 2. nor as Sathan and his sonnes doe sinne in a constant course , nor to condemnation , Rom. 8. 1. because Gods seede remaineth in them , and because they are borne of GOD , 1. Iohn 3. 8. 9.

Lastly , by that seede of Regeneration once receiued , they are made Immortall , as the seede it selfe is ; which is therefore called Immortall seede , 1. Pet. 1. 23. 24. 25. because it makes them Immortall , and to liue for euer which doe receiue it , Iohn 5. 24.

Marcus Aurelius , speaking sometimes to such as were to teach his sonne , sayd , that hee himselfe being a Mortall man , had made his sonne Mortall by generation ; but yet he hoped that his teachers by good instruction , would make him Immortall . So may wee say of our sonnes and daughters ; that by generation wee haue made them Mortall , euen subiect to a double death : yet may wee comfort our selues in this , that by Christian instruction wee may make them to become Immortall .

See then by this , and consider ( O 5 A Corolary conclusion from all the former reasons . Christian Parents , ) what speciall priuiledges and dignities you may procure for your Children by Christian instruction ; thereby you may inrich them and adorne them with all generall sauing graces , and with outward wealth and honour ; in particular , you may make them of carnall , to become spirituall ; of being Sathans Image , to become Gods owne Image ; and of Mortall to become Immortall , and to liue for euer .

But what course must I take ( wil some 6 Questions and Obiections answered . 1. Question Answere . say ) with my Children , when they are well instructed in the principles of Religion ? I answere , that after they haue beene fed with milke , they must be nourished and fed with meate : when they haue attained knowledge and vnderstanding , then their affections must bee much moued and wrought vpon , by the word of admonition , reprehensions , consolations , &c. otherwise they will bee hardened by the custome and deceitfulnesse of sinne , Heb. 3. 13. you should therfore dayly admonish them , as Iob did his sons , Iob 1. 5. without which course taken with them , the word preached will not worke vpon them so effectually , as otherwise by that meanes it might .

I know no cause , nor need , say some , Obiect . 1 to admonish my children for any grosse sinne . No more , may I say , did Iob : yet Answere . in a godly ielousie did he oft-times admonish his sonnes , thinking , it may bee they haue sinned ; ( though not in outward behauiour , yet in their hearts ) by blaspheming GOD in their hearts , Ib. Iob. 1. 5. For as Iob alwaies feared euen his best works ; which who so doth not , cannot be be blessed , Pro. 28. 14. so he considered that mans heart is a sinke and sea of all iniquitie , Gen. 6. 5. Mat. 15. 19. and therefore hee saith , that man Is abominable and filthie , and drinketh iniquitie like water , Iob 15. 16.

You say , you see in them the true Obiect . 2 works of regeneration : they are spiritual , they cannot therfore sinne , incessantly . True ; yet they cannot but sinne by Answere . infirmitie , and euen haply sometimes presumptuously , as Dauid did : yea , if they be not oft-times admonished , they cannot discerne the greatnes and dangerousnes of their grossest sinnes : for as the custome and deceitfulnesse of sin hardeneth , so it also blindfoldeth , as in Dauids example you may perceiue , who , till hee was reproued by Nathan , did not effectually repent , because hee considered not , nor saw not the greatnesse and dangerousnes of his sinne , but by meanes of admonition , 2. Sam. 12. 13. Hence is it , that th' Apostle willeth vs to rebuke the works of darkenesse : so calling them , because they darken our vnderstanding , and compareth the light of reproofe and admonition , to the light of a Candle , because it discouereth our sinnes that were hid vnto vs without it , as the light of a Candle doth the things which wee cannot without it espie and see , Ephesi. 5. 13.

They are , you say , Gods image , endued with true righteousnes and holinesse : yea they are vndefiled , Can. 5. 2. without spot , vnblemished , not to be blamed , Ephes. 5. 27. I answere , that Christians are perfectly pure , by the puritie of iustification , by Christs righteousnesse imputed ; but not by the puritie of sanctification , or by righteousnes renued : in respect of the latter puritie , wee are commanded continually to purge our selues from all filthinesse of flesh and Spirit , 2. Cor. 7. They are Gods Image also , by true righteousnesse renued , Ephes. 4. 23. Cap. 553 Imago Dei , sicut est abolita corruptione vitiorum , sic est obscurata fumo peccatorum . 24. Take heede therefore , that Gods Image be kept vndefiled , and as much as in you lyeth , vnspotted of the world , Iames 1. 27. The Image of God in vs , is much defiled by vs : it is daily obscured by the fume and smoke of our offences ; ( sayth Augustine in his Manuel : ) Wherefore , you should often set before you & yours , the looking-glasse of Gods Law , that thereby beholding , both inward and outward blemishes , daily receiued by the deceitfulnesse of sinne ; you and they may bee moued and directed , how to wash them away by repentance . Who would endure his owne , or his friends Image or picture to be polluted , or his owne apparell , or his face or hands , to bee stained ; and would not often haue them purified , and preserued from pollution ? And shall wee carelesly suffer the polluting and defiling of so great and worthy a Iewell as Gods Image is ? See the danger of it , consider it : If any man defile the same , him shall God destroy , Gen. 38. 10. 1. Cor. 10. 10. Num. 25. 9. But now Quest. 2 to grow to an end : a question heere againe may be moued ; namely , whether Masters are as carefully to teach and instruct their seruants , as their sons ? wherto Answere . I answere , that they are : for a house-holder Why seruants should bee catechized as well as sons and children . should haue a fatherly care of his seruants , as if they were his sonnes or Children , and is not to vse them as they vse their beasts , respecting onely their labour , and the feeding of their bodies , as many Masters doe : Abraham , whose family consisteth as well of seruants as of sonnes , circumcised his whole Familie , Gen. 17. 13. and charged his whole houshold to doe Iustice and Iudgement , Gen. 18. 19. If such as prouide not for their Family bodily foode , as well for seruants as others , bee worse then Infidels , as th' Apostle saith they are , 1. Tim. 5. 8. then they must needs be much more worse then Infidels , which prouide not spirituall foode for them . But what , are not thy seruants thy brethren in the Lord ? And haue they not Soules to bee fed and saued , as well as others ? did not GOD ordaine the Sabbath , as well for instruction of seruants as sonnes ? Exod. 20. 10. If by good instruction and admonition thou purge not their spirituall pollutions , thou neglectest Gods Image in them , and they must needs infect thy Familie , and other Families : they will serue thee with eye seruice , vnlesse thou make them , as much as in thee lyeth , to serue the Lord Christ : Then in seruing Christ truely , they will serue thee faithfully , doing , as he saith ; The will of God from the heart , with good will doing seruice vnto thee , as to the Lord , Ephesi . 6. 6. 7. 8.

These motiues therefore , let them be 7 A finall conclusion from the end and vse of all the former Arguments . well meditated and pondered , that Parents may be stirred vp thereby to catechize and instruct their Children , in regard of their welfare and their owne : Secondly , let Children bee willing for their owne credit and profit to heare and obey their Parents instructions : Thirdly , let Masters for the like respect of Gods Commandement , and their owne commoditie , in making them to serue themselues in the LORD ; be diligent to catechize , instruct , and admonish them , accordingly .

THE House-holders Helpe , FOR Domesticall Discipline : OR A familiar conference concerning Christian instruction , and correction , fit for Godly Families .

The first conference betwixt a gracious Gentleman , and his eldest sonne and heyre , concerning house-hold instruction omitted . FATHER .

SOnne , I haue sent for you , as Iob sent for his sonnes : who , though his sonnes dwelt apart from him , and had houses , and Families of their owne : yet hee sent and called them home to his house , to giue them needfull a a Fathers are to admonish their children , thogh they dwell apart from them , and haue Families of their owne . admonition . Iob. 1. 4. & 5. Verses .

SONNE .

GOod Father , I thanke GOD for that your Christian care of me , and according to my dutie , I will be willing and glad to receiue any good instruction from you .

FATHER .

I Desire to haue some religious conference with you , and to admonish you , concerning b b The subiect or matter of the whole conference , concerneth domesticall Discipline . domesticall Discipline ; For I haue heard that your Familie is not c c The occasion of this first conference . catechized , admonished , nor corrected , according as formerly it was wont to be , by your wife , when you are from home ; and which more is , I heare that your selfe doe oft-times fayle in the foresayd duties , when you are at home ; Is it so , my Sonne , is it so ?

SONNE .

GOod Father , with shame , and sorrow for it , I doe confesse it , to bee so : wee are much subiect to Spirituall idlenesse , and to Worldly carefulnesse ; I pray God giue vs pardon of , and power against these sinnes .

FATHER .

I Am sorte , my Sonne , I am very sorry for d d Parents should bee greeued at their childrens vngodlinesse , and pray for their reformation . you ; I pray God forgiue you , and amend these euill manners in you : I perceiue , by your teares , and speeches , that you are humble-minded ; and you do well to confesse your sinnes , and to craue pardon of them , and power against them ; e e Wee should prayas earnestly for power against sin , as for pardon of sin . as Dauid did , Psal. 19. 13. And as Christ directs vs all to doe , Mat. 6. 12. 13. Consider also , my sonne , that vnlesse you do as well forsake your sinnes , as confesse your sinnes ; you haue no promise of the pardon of them , Pro. 28. 13. 14. Esay 55. 7. nay , pardon is denied to them that go on in their sinnes , f f Pardon of sin is denied to them which continue in sinne : and their destruction is denounced . Deut. 29. 20. Psal. 68. 21. in which places , you may also see , that vnauoidable destruction shall seize vpon all such .

SONNE .

O My Father , my hearts desire is , not to loue sinne , nor to liue in sinne , but to loath and to leaue all sinne ; shew mee , ( I beseech you ) by what meanes I may subdue and ouermaster these my predominant sinnes ; these so strong and mighty gyants .

FATHER .

IF you desire to ouercome these strong corruptions , these mighty Champions : g g The meanes to ouercome our strongest corruptions , and our predominant sins . you must be strong in the Lord , and in the power of his might , wrestle stoutly , and constantly encounter with them , Ephe. 6. 10. you haue hitherto let the spirituall sword too much rust in the sheath : if you had often drawne that spirituall sword , and skilfully with courage and constancy resisted Sathan with it , as you are willed , Ephe. 6. 10. &c. & verse 16. 17. 18. Sathan would haue fled , as God hath promised , Iames 4. 8. Ephe. 6. 16. and as Christ for our consolation and direction hath shewed , Mathew 4. 11.

Now therefore you must bee better armed with more courage and constancy against the next encounter ; meane time you must iudge your selfe , that you may h h The meanes to preuent future iudgements , is to iudge our selues before they come . preuent future iudgments , 1. Cor. 11. 31.

SONNE .

WHat ( I pray you ) is it , and how are we to endeuour it , to iudge our selues aright ?

FATHER .

AS a temporall Iudge doth first examine the malefactors , and their euils done , what , how many , how great , &c. and then proceeds to punish ; so must wee in iudging our selues ; i i The degrees of iudging aright . first examining our selues , what , how many , and how great euils wee haue committed : next , wee must proceede to a spirituall iudgment , censure , & punishment , by arraigning our Soules and Spirits , with indignation inditing them of high treason and rebellion against GOD , at the Tribunall seate of God : Thirdly , wee must put vp supplication with strong cries , in the name of Christ , for pardon of sinne past , and power against sinne to come . Fourthly , wee must curbe and correct our selues , euen corporally , and externally ; taking reuenge of our selues for our former faults , 2. Cor. 7. 12. by watchings , fastings , and by restraining our selues from many lawfull delights , Ioel 2. 16. Fiftly , wee must crosse our corrupt courses by contrary courses opposite to our former vices , Dan. 4. 24. for as the rule is : Contraria contrarijs curantur . Contraries are cured by their contraries . And lastly , if afterwards all these meanes being vsed , you be againe and againe ouercome with these corruptions : yet cease not to encounter ; bid battell alway vnto them , and with greater force afresh resist them ; considering that true Christians haue alwaies crucified the flesh , Gal. 5. 24. and doe dayly mortifie their earthly members , in regard of that glorious life that they looke for , Col. Bernard , Si labor teterret , merces inuitet . 3. 4. 5. Iob. 31. 2.

SONNE .

DEare Father , this your counsell and comfort is as sweetnesse to my Soule , and as healing to the bones that are broken , Pro. 16. 24.

FATHER .

GIue eare then againe , and I will yet go on in this argument , of iudging , punishing , and correcting your selfe ; vpon often relapse and falles into one and the same offence , ( which if you doe ) you shall preuent both temporall and eternall iudgements of sinne , and in time ouercome the sinne it selfe ; of what sort , or how great soeuer , the sinne bee , with which you are l l The vtility of iudging our selues . in war .

SONNE .

O But yet , some sinnes are much more stronger then that I can ( weake wretch that I am ) euer bee able to ouercome them : of which sort are those , ( I feare me ) aforementioned .

FATHER .

O Nay , say not so , my Sonne ; haue you euer aforetime ouercome lesser sinnes ? yea , I doe know you haue ; you say you haue ouercome rash anger , swearing , &c. why then , marke what comfort from thence you may conceiue vnto your Soule : m m Comforts to encounter with our strongest corruptions . hee that can ouer-uercome rash anger , wrath , pride , lust , or any other like , Is stronger then hee that ouercomes a Citie , Pro. 16. 23. Saint Iames doth affirme that the toung is an vnruly member , and no man can tame it , Iames 3. 8. It is the onely grace and gift of God to tame it , which whoso hath , not sinning as before in word , hee is a perfect man , and able also to bridle all the bodie , Iames 3. 2.

SONNE .

SIr , I remember wel that auncient rule in religion ; n n An ancient rule in Religion , ( viz. ) that the weakning , wounding , and death of any one sin , is the death in time of euery other sin . that the weakening , wounding , & death of any one sin , is the weakning , wounding , & death in time of euery other sin : and S. Iohn sayth , that All that is borne of God , ouercommeth the world , and that this great victory is attained by faith , 1. Ioh. 5. 4. 5. Lord therefore , I pray thee , confirme and increase my faith , Luke 17. 5. O my good God , giue vnto me the shield of faith , wherwithall I may quench all the fiery darts of the diuell . Eph. 6. 16

FATHER .

YOu say well , concerning that rule ; and it doth me good at my heart , that you collect the same in sense from scripture , and conclude thereupon so well with earnest prayer : I will therefore in conclusion of this counsell , encourage you by some examples of such as by chastising and correcting themselues , haue ouercome most strong corruptions : o o Examples of such , as by chastising and iudgeing themselues , haue by denying themselues ouercome themselues that is , the strongest corruptions of their flesh : or their strongest naturall , & occasional corruptions . Hemingius on the 15. Psalm sheweth ; that he being at Witenberge , there came thither to hostage , a man exiled and banished for the profession of the Gospell : this man , when he did oft times sweare , through an euill custome , and did at length consider with himselfe , how hée might amend this euil custome ; he came to D. Luther , and requested his counsel , how hee might by some meanes correct that custome and abuse of swearing . To whom , D. p p Luthers counsell . Luther giues counsell , saying : Command ( sayth he ) thy wife , thy children , and the rest of thy family , vnder a great penalty , to admonish thée of thy fault , as oft as they heare thee sweare , and that straiteway thereupon , they require of thee a great forfeiture of excellent gold . The honest Guest obserueth and followeth Luthers counsell : he sware , as before he was wont , hee is thereupon admonished , and payeth for euery oath he sweareth , much , and very good gold : but after a while , vpon much payment , hee happily , at length left this custome of swearing ; so that afterwards he was neuer heard to sweare at all .

Other such like examples Heminge in Latine sheweth vpon the foresayd Psalme . q q Chrysostomes counsell . Chrysostome also giueth counsell in like case , to appoint a penalty of refrayning some dinner , or some supper .

And another learned Authour counselleth such Householders as know their owne pronenesse , to fall oft in the same offence , whatsoeuer open sin it be , to determine with themselues ; yea , to resolue and vowe , that as oft as they fal againe into the same offence , to make open confession to the family of the first offence , if the fault be knowne to the family : for the second fault to vse abstinence , and to eate but onely bread , and to drinke water onely for one or two meales : For the third fault , to refraine all ordinary food for one or two meales , and to giue it to the needy and hungrie : For the fourth fault , to forfeit and to giue away much money to many poore and r r The counsell of ancient , and of very excellent authors . needy men .

Such examples are seldome shewed , nor found in families : s s Three examples , experienced by the Authour of this Dialogue ; yet such examples are very seldome to be seene : howbeit without this care of correcting & iudgeing our selues , wee cannot preuent temporall iudgements , 1. Cor. 11. 31. Neither is our repentance renued effectually . Herehence it is , that many of Gods deare Children , not vsing conscionably and diligently , as well these as other ordinances of God , are so often ouercome by some grieuous corruptions , as were the Disciples and the Corinthians , Matthew 18. 1 &c. Luke 22. 23. & 1. Cor. 3. 1. &c. Howbeit I haue seene onely three such examples , which I will prescribe for patternes . The first was a verie religious man , who in the hearing of all his family confessed his fault , saying : I haue forgotten one maine and most principle doctrine , this Sabboth day deliuered , which I intended to haue repeated , confirmed and applied to mine owne vse and all yours : and therefore I am verily greeued at my owne forgetfulnesse : I will assuredly thus , and thus , chastise , iudge and correct my owne fault .

Againe , I haue seene a second example hereof shewed by an honest hearted householder , who vpon some open shewe of discord betwixt his wife and him , before the family , was presently humbled for it , confessed it , &c. And compared himselfe & his wife , to the couple peeces of the house , which if they fall asunder , they cause other timber of the house to shrinke and to go out of order : so we , sayth he , hauing fallen at variance , and openly reproued one another , ( which reproofe should haue beene in priuate ) haue caused all the family to go out of order , and to imitate ( as they are apt to do ) our euil example : and thereupon will the lesse reuerence our counsels , our persons or reproofes hereafter : we will therefore ( say they ) confesse our faults , & chastise our selues &c. that thereby we may remoue these stumbling blocks from our familie , and learne to wax wiser hereafter .

A third example , an other time I saw , t t Third example seene . when the Heads and Rulers of a Religious family had heard a Sermon on the Sabboth , and had receiued a good monition from the Minister their Preacher : namely , that Masters and Mistresses must not bée like Nabal , froward , and angrie ; for anger resteth in the bosome of fooles , Ecclesiastes 7. 11. and great frowardnesse is a note of great wickednesse and foolishnes , as Nabals example sheweth , 1. Sam. 25. 17. Afterwards they repeated the principall doctrines , which before were taught them in the Church , the which being applyed to the humbling of their owne hearts , before in hearing , and then more particularly in repeating : they confessed themselues before al the family to haue beene in time past very foolish ; for by frowardnes and continuall correcting , chiding & threatning , which the Apostle wils Masters to put away , Ephes. 6. 9. they saw they had exasperated and hardned the hearts of their sons and seruants , made them more froward , and prouoked them to wrath , Ephes. 6. 4. and caused seruants to counterfait that , which they should not , Titus 2. 9. for as they had heard from the Preachers mouth , that day , such as are alwaies chiding , threatning , or correcting , are as little feared as the thunder would bee feared , if it did dayly thunder . u u The fruit of this last example . This their foresayd confession wrought in them such a change , & a renued conuersion , that they vowed as they were taught & directed to do : To winke at and passe by many faults ; either not Zach. 7. 12. Psal. 130. 4 Mal. 3. 17. Pro. 19. 11. reprouing but seldome , or else not so sharpely , but more mildly reprouing , and correcting with lesse seuerity . Thus afterwards they became Lambs , which before were Lyons , through the power of Preaching , as the Prophet prophesied it should be perfourmed , Esay 11. 6. 7. 8. 9. This caused their Children and seruants , ( they seeing them to rebuke and correct themselues , and to reforme their manners , ) to beare all rebukes and corrections with more humilitie , yea , both to be ready without gainsaying to yeeld , confesse , and acknowledge a fault committed , with méekenesse and amendment euer afterwards . * * The generall end and vse of these examples . By all this that you haue heard , you may euidently sée the dignitie and commoditie of this domesticall Discipline , which should first be imposed by Householders vpon their owne shoulders , before it be layd vpon their seruants .

SONNE .

I Pray you ( good Father ) goe on yet a little farther , and as you haue shewed good generall remedies , so I humbly desire you to apply to my sores some more speciall salues , and corasiues to mine x x A good hearted hearer of Gods word is glad of sharpe reproofes , 1. Cor. 14. 25. and desireth to be smitten as Dauid did , knowing that to bee the onely way to bring solide comfort and health to soule and body : But on the contrarywise health is far from the vngodly , because they regard not Gods statutes , sayth the Psalmographe , and they hate to be reproued , Psal. 50. 17. Pro. 1. 22. 1. Thessa . 4. 8. vlcers .

FATHER .

SIth I sée you so willing to haue your sores throughly searched into , and throughly healed ; in particular therefore , for spirituall idlenesse and sluggishnesse , to salue that sore , consider how Gods owne hand doth discouer the foresayd sore , and first , how hée bids vs to beware of so great a harme and hurt to our soules , Gal. 6. 9. 2. Thes. 3. 13. Heb. 6. 12. Rom. 6. 11. 2. Peter 1. 8. Prou. 6. 9. Math. 20. 6.

Secondly , consider more specially the euill effects thereof , spirituall idlenesse is checked and blamed , mocked and shamed .

1. y y Arguments or motiues against spiritual idlenesse . Checked by Christ , Mat. 20. 6.

2. Disgraced by Salomon , Prou. 6. 6. Pro. 19. 24.

3. It bringeth beggery , and spirituall pouertie spéedily , which we can neither , resist nor easily afterwards ouercome , Prou. 6. 11. Reuel. 3. 17.

4. An idle person shall haue Gods liuery and his badge pulled off from his backe , sent out of Gods house and seruice with shame : hee shall bée without spéedie repentance afterwards at last , perpetually imprisoned , Luke 8. 18. Mat. 25. 28.

Lastly , consider z z A special comfort applied to the repentant . that they which by idlenesse are brought to such extreame pouertie , that they are vtterly vnapparelled , and vnmonyed , as were the Laodiceans , Reuel. 3. 17. 18. yet they are called and counselled to come to Christ , who if they come humbly and faithfully vnto him , will adorne them with royall robes , and enrich them with all spirituall treasures , Reuel. 3. 17. 18. as in the foresayd place he promiseth .

Now next I come to cure the second sore : * * The curing of couetousnes , a sore very hardly healed , yet a common contagion , a very dangerous , & deadly disease . which is worldlinesse and couetousnesse , in which consider . First , that by couetousnes we are made slaues and seruants vnto riches , Luke 16. 13. Secondly , by couetousnesse wee commit spirituall whoredome against God , making the world our god . Ephes. 5. 5. Col. 3. 5. Thirdly , by worldlinesse , wee choke the growth of the Word of God , Luke 8. 14. Fourthly , by couetousnesse al euils are occasioned : for , it is the root of all euill , 1. Tim. 6. 10. Fiftly , meditate oft , and consider the end wherfore God giues vs much goods , and riches : They are ( sayth one ) Gods wages wherwith Note . he binds vs to obey & do his work . When God giues vs wages to serue him , shall wée serue the world , Gods enemy ? We cannot serue God & Mammon , Luke 16. 13. Now , that riches are Gods wages , to occasion vs to feare to offend GOD our master the giuer of them , it may bée plainely proued from Satans owne confession , Iob 1. 9. 10. And from Deut. 28. 47. From which last place , wée also learne , that when Note and mark this well . Gods worke is lessened by vs , Gods wages shall bée lessened to vs : yea , if for plenty , wee serue him not with alacrity and chéerefulnesse , wée shall haue worldly want , in place of worldly welth . And so much ( I hope ) shal suffice , for the saluing and healing of that other sore , of worldlinesse .

SONNE .

HEale my soule , O Lord , for I haue sinned against thee : Heale mee A Prayer . soundly with these thy salues applyed to mee . Amen , Amen .

The second Conference , concerning Household instruction to bee renued . FATHER .

OVr last conference was , concerning Household instruction omitted : a a The subiect or matter of this second conference . our next shall be now , how the same should be renued . And because you haue no publike catechizing , wée will first consult what order & manner of catechising is fittest for your family , on the Wéek daies , and then what instruction is most meet for them on the Sabbaoth dayes .

SONNE .

WEe haue indeede no publike Catechizing in our Church to be followed and exercised in our houses : otherwise , I suppose you would wish vs to vse the same in our Families

FATHER .

YEs , so I would doe , in that case : but it being not so , I would haue you to vse a certaine Catechisme , commonly printed : called , b b I doe not extoll this Catechisme , to impaire the credit of any other , but only commend it for the breuity and addition of some needfull things , which larger Catechismes haue not , howbeit Master Nowels , Perkins , and Pagets Catechismes are very excellent in many things : Yet no one man hath all things . Mr. Attersoles Catechisme , which hath many things needful , which other haue not : as first , the difference of originall and actuall sins : also , rules for the true vnderstanding of the Commandements , and the Sacraments , which no other briefe Catechisme hath hitherto prescribed : it is a very pithie and an excellent Catechisme . Now , to prescribe an order & manner of vsing it : After your Sonnes and seruants haue learned by the booke the meaning of the Commandements , then teach them the sense , by vse and experience : for all arts and tongues are better taught ( you know ) and learned by vse and experience , then by rule and precept onely : and so are also the grounds of Religion .

SONNE .

EXplane your meaning ( I pray you ) by some example .

FATHER .

I Would wish , I say , after the meaning of the Commandements learned by the booke , that you would teach the vnderstanding of each Commandement , by vse and experience : c c Marke this and continue this course this order and manner of Catechising . As namely , by daily occasion thus : When any in your family shal deceiue , lye , sweare , murmure , curse , mocke , raile , &c. then presently thereupon examine , and shew them by the book , what Commandement they breake : and when any duty to God or men is omitted , examine , and shew them by the book , what precept they offend against , teaching them to expresse the sense in other words , that you may know they vnderstand the meaning ; and teaching them not onely by the booke , but also by liuely voyce and spéech . Thus to teach them , ( I say ) vpon occasion , the vse and experience of that they haue learned , will , as I haue by tryall perceiued , both helpe their capacitie , confirme their memorie , and worke vpon their affections , the more effectually .

SONNE .

AFter this course of catechizing , continued daily in the Weeke dayes , what other order of instruction would you wish chiefely to be continued vpon the Sabbath day ?

FATHER .

I Would wish you alwaies vpon the Lords day d d Conference concerning Sabbath dayes instruction , to be vsed them in each reformed family . to examine all your Family in those things which are euery day taught them on the Sabbath by your Minister , who is a godly , learned , and a zealous Preacher : and examine them so , that you may know how euery one doth marke and remember , what things were taught , and how they were confirmed and applied . e e The carelesnes of common Christians , of luke-warm Laodiceans , and Protestants at large , which abound in this our age , and are euen glutted with heauenly Manna . Many men are exceeding carelesse herein , for where almost is one among many , that questioneth with his seruants , about Religion at all ? It may be , sometimes ( saith one ) that they will send them to the Church : but when they returne , what doe they aske them of their learning or profiting there ? vnlesse perhaps once at the hundreds end , hée vouchsafe to know the Chapter , and the Verse of the Text , ( which betwixt the Church doore & home , ) euen a Parrot would be taught to pronounce . Let such send any of their people vpon some worldly businesse , and they will be sure to aske his seruant how hee sped , and nothing will he leaue vnasked to vnderstand the effect of the arrand hee sent him about : but for Gods businesse , and Soule matters , be they performed negligently , or not done at all , it mattereth not .

And almost all men doe now content Note this . themselues with a flight examination ; hence is it , that their sonnes and seruants can neither shew the summe and diuision of the Text , nor what doctrines were drawne from it , much lesse how they were confimed and in the vse applied , but onely they bring certaine words , and sentences , or similitudes , not vnderstanding the purpose whereto any thing was spoken by the Preacher . I Note this . would wish you therefore , I say , to examine your Children and seruants with such diligent care , that you may know how euery one doth marke and remember , what things were taught , and how euery doctrine was confirmed and applied , and where any one faileth , let the next that standeth in order by him , shew and teach him : & when all haue brought out their store , and shewed their best endeuour to make repetition , then you your selfe are also to helpe them therein , by a diligent repetition , confirming and applying to your whole Familie ( and to your owne heart and affections ) Note this . all the doctrines that were deliuered : which I would wish you to doe with all Godly zeale and feruencie , forthwith and immediatly after your comming from Church , before you receiue your bodily foode .

SONNE .

WHere that course is continued , Obiect . men are commonly accounted Puritans , and we that haue vsed it , haue beene much derided , scorned , and mocked for it , and many men ( you know ) in the Countrey , doe call it and terme it a priuate Preaching , and do not cease to say , that therein wee shew our selues to bee more precise then wise : what say you of such scorners ?

FATHER .

FIrst I say , that though such estéeme Answere . wisedome it selfe to bee but foolishnesse and folly : yet are they themselues the onely fooles by Gods account ; Who scorneth the scorner , Pro. 3. 34. and saith , that fooles despise wisedome and instruction , Pro. 1. 7.

Secondly , I say therefore , that such as would bee wise , must not sit in the seate of scorners , nor be daunted with such scorning , though it bee a persecuting , Gal. 4. 24. Heb. 11. 36.

Thirdly , because such men account this course to be a nouelty , and seeme to yeeld much vnto Antiquitie , I would wish them to consider well Saint Austens censure , who saith ; That euery Paterfamilias concionator est in domo sua , iuxta Augustini sententiam dicentis ; quod concioator est in suggestu , hoc quilibet paterfamilias in domo sua . Householder should bee the same in his owne house , as the Preacher is in the Pulpit , or in Gods house : That is , that hée should diligently teach and instruct his houshold , as Abraham did , who commanded his houshold to doe iustice and iudgement , Gen. 18. 19. And as the Mother of Lemuel did , Pro. 31 2. 3. who by their sedulitie and earnestnesse in teaching , did set as it were , an edge vpon their doctrine , in applying it to the affections of their hearers , that it might moue much their minds , & pierce deepe into their hard and stonie hearts . Now the same that they did , you and euery Householder is commanded to do , Deut. 6. 6. 7. where the Hebrew reading is ; Thou shalt whet these words on thy Children : and agreeable thereto is that , Heb. 10. 24. 25. Let vs whet one another , as it is in the Greeke : pointing at , and noting , by that metaphor of Whetting , our spirituall dulnesse , which like blunt tooles , haue need to be whetted by dayly teaching and admonishing , Heb. 3. 13.

SONNE .

I Perceiue by the former places , that such as are Parents and gouernors of Families , should not be like Luke-warme Laodiceans , whom the Lord Iesus willeth to repent , Reuel . 3. 14. & 19. For none indeed doe truely repent till they be feruent , ( saith one ) for feruencie or zeale is an effect of true repentance , 2. Cor. 7. 11. I perceiue also by the former places , that not onely minsters , but also all Christians should be zealous , according to that general precept : Be feruent in Spirit , seruing the LORD , Rom. 12. 11. And that therefore they should set an edge vpon their admonitions and instructions , is not that your meaning , sir ?

FATHER .

YEs assuredly , for it is the very life of good doctrine , to moue affection much , beeing well applyed , without which , it is but like a plaster kept in a pocket , and not applied to the place infected . A Similitude .

SONNE .

SIth then , in teaching , it is so needfull to moue affection , shew me ( I pray you ) some helpes and meanes , to make my houshold admonitions and instructions powerfull , to worke vpon the affections of my Family .

FATHER .

TWo things are needfull in teaching , to mooue affection much : First feruency ; Secondly , constancy : Teach therfore and instruct your Family with feeling and with feruency ; in particular , in reprouing such as are audacious and presumptuous , do it not as some do , with a smiling countenance : but as our Sauiour did with an angrie countenance , mourning also , as he did , for the hardnesse of their hearts . Marke 3. 5.

Secondly , in admonishing the vnruly , Charge & command them to deale religiously , iustly and truly , as Abraham did .

Thirdly , in comforting the féeble-minded , and when any matter of comfort is to bee applied , speake then with chéereful spéech and countenance , if you can : for God requireth mercy to bee shewed with chéerefulnesse , Rom. 12. 8. and he loueth a chéerefull giuer , ( chiefly in giuing spirituall gifts : ) be not therefore in comforting , drowsie , heauy-hearted , and leaden like : but shewe your selfe in comforting , comfortable , and to be comforted . Thus much concerning feruency .

Againe , to make your instruction powerfull , you must teach and admonish constantly and diligently : for as the drops of raine cannot weare thorow an hard stone , without often dropping , how sharpe soeuer the water , or the dropping be : so the Word applyed not often , but seldome earnestly , will not pierce thorow the stony heart of man ; though doctrine well applied bee as the dropping of the raine vpon the stone , or earth , Deut. 32. 2. which must haue , to Deut. 32. 2 make it fruitfull , both the early and the latter raine .

The heart of man is more hard then the Adamant stone , and yet by often beating vpon it , by the hammer of Gods Lawe , it may bee bruised and humbled , Ier. 23. 29. The powerfull applying of Ier. 23. 29. doctrine is as the nailes , which vnlesse they bee with many blowes hammered and beaten vp throughly vnto the head , will not holde a strong and thicke shipboord , Ecclesiastes 12. 11. Eccles. 12. 11.

Lastly , the effectuall applying of doctrine , is like vnto the grindstone or whetstone , which will not without much grinding & often whetting make edge-tooles ( beeing much and often dulled ) fit to worke withall , or kéene to cut : So our hearts and affections being hardened , blunted , and dulled by the deceitfulnesse of sinne , had need to be much whetted , that they may bée made fit for Gods worke , by daily and earnest admonition and exhortation , Heb. 10. 24. 25. Heb. 3. 13.

Therfore Moses in the foresayd place sheweth , Deut. 6. 6. 7. That wee must Deut. 6. 6. 7. make our admonitions powerfull to pierce : first , by hauing and feeling the power thereof abiding and working in our owne harts , and then next in whetting the same vpon our children and others , by continuall talking and conferring of the sacred Scriptures : when we walke in the way , when we lye downe , and when we rise vp . Lastly , if you doe desire to teach and instruct your family so , that you may moue much & throughly worke vpon the hearts of your hearers , euen all good and holy affections : Consider then also of other needefull helpes thereunto belonging : namely , that in your family you must walk wisely , Adiuncts to the former means prayse orderly , reward worthily , and correct accordingly .

THE THIRD CONFErence , concerning the foure last mentioned helps and meanes to make Household instruction powerfull , to worke good and holy affections in the HEARERS . SONNE .

Question . EXplaine and confirme , I pray you , in particular , these former directions .

FATHER .

Answere . FIrst , as God commandeth , you must walke wisely , Colos. 4. 5. Ephe. 5. 15. shunne therefore all grosse and open vices , otherwise that which you build with the one hand , you pull downe with the other , and are in Gods account a murtherer , 1. Cor. 8. 11. 12. Rom. 14. 15.

Secondly , walke wisely , in all good waies , that so doing , you may adorne the doctrine of our Sauiour in all things , Titus 2. 10. In particular , pray heartily Tit. 2. 10 and dayly for ( and with ) your Family ; and in speciall , for euery one , vpon all occasions as Iob did , Iob. 1. 4. 5.

Next , looke and prye vpon euery Weeke day , into their carriage ; and on the Lords day , sée that euery one from Sabbath to Sabbath , do diligently frequent the publike ministerie , and how they profit in knowledge , and grow in Grace , 1. Pet. 2. 2.

Secondly , you should praise and commend your Child , your son , your daughter , your Seruant , when they doe any thing well , laudably , or praise-worthy ; for praise is a spur to quicken , & incourage them in all good courses , 1. Cor. 1 ▪ 5. 6. Reuel. 2. 3. 6. 13. 19. Reuel. 3. 8.

Thirdly , reward them when they do well ; for a Reward is as a precious stone , saith Salomon , it prospereth whithersoeuer it turneth , Pro. 17. 8. That is , as one expounds it , a gift or reward hath great force to gaine the hearts of them to whomsoeuer it is giuen .

Fourthly , correct them also , when they doe euill : correction must bee vsed when any will not be amended by admonition ; if after due and many admonitions , you giue not meete correction ; then doe you honour your sonnes aboue the Lord , as Elye did , 1. Sam. 2. 19. yea though for a fit you do earnestly reproue them with Elye , 1. Sam. 2. 23. 24. 25. His cockering of his Children , brought destruction vpon him and his , and generall calamitie ( as you know ) to the Church of God , 1. Sam. 4. 10. 11. &c.

Yet h h Carelesnes of correcting . many carelesse Christians , like luke-warme Laodiceans , neuer correct their vnreformed Familie , for dishonouring God by swearing , Sabbath-breaking , or for other faults against the first Table , but onely in such cases as concerne their owne persons , their own credit , profit , pleasure , &c. But , let all such know , that not correcting such foule offences , they draw on themselues and others all common calamities , as Elye did , 1. Sam. 4. 10. 11. 18. 19. 20. Correct therefore your vnreformed Family , if you desire to free your selfe & others from feareful & grieuous iudgments : The order & manner of correcting children & seruants . And correct them , in this order & manner :

First , after due monition , conuincing , if possibly it may be , their consciences ; otherwise they will waxe worse , and become more obdurate , stubborn & subtill .

Secondly , correct after anger , not in anger , and in passion ; for anger oft-times can kéepe no measure . Anger , said a Philosopher , is a short madnesse : and therefore when Tarentinus was to correct his seruant , hee sayd : I would beat thee , but that I am angry with thee .

Thirdly , correct also chiefly & principally , for the breach of the first foure Commandements .

Fourthly , correct not with too much lenitie ; for too much lenity causeth ( as one saith ) securitie : so too much security prouoketh to wrath and to desperate iniquity : seuerity should be shunned therefore . Ephes. 6. 4. And therefore , sayth one , Correct not , nor beate not thy seruants with staues , as if they were dogges , nor with too many stripes , as if they were bondslaues : but kéepe alway an euen hand betwixt these two extremes : and when thou correctest , be thou humbled to God ; considering in them , thine owne natural Gal. 6. 1. or occasionall corruption , Gal. 6. 1.

Fiftly , delay not correction too long , left they grow sturdy and incorrigible , Ecclesiastic. 30. 8. 12. Prouerbs 13. 24. Prouerbs 23. 13. 14. Prouerbs . 19. 18. & lest any roote of bitternes spring vp , and therby many be defiled , Heb. 12. 15.

Sixt and lastly : if priuate correction in the Family reforme them not ; bring them ( if their vices be openly nocious and scandalous to many , ) before the Magistrate ; or Church-gouernors , to be openly corrected , Deut. 20. 21. Mat. Deut. 21. 21 Mat. 18. 17 1. Cor. 5. 5. 18. 17. 1. Cor. 5. 5. And if neither priuate nor publike correction worke vpon them , to their reformation ; expell them , and rid thy house and Familie of them , as Dauids example should direct thee to doe , vpon that occasion , Psalme 101. 7. Psal. 101. 7

FINIS .