are put up unto him in the name of Christ, with upright hearts. To those that sincerely love God, and have wisdom to judge of things as they relate to eternity, the duty commended in this Treatise, will appear not only to be a necessary duty, but a precious privilege, and gracious vouchsafement. For there are two things which do especially render a Christian's continuance in the world desirable and comfortable to him; the one is, that he may acquaint himself with God, and enjoy some sweet communion with him, which is a beginning and foretaste of heaven whilst we are here on earth. They that are utter strangers to this, have no cause to think, that they are as yet made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. The other desirable end or business of a Christian's life is, that he may be serviceable to God, by promoting his glory and interest in the world, especially by furthering the spiritual good, and salvation of souls; both these do meet together in the conscientious practice of this duty.

First; Communion with God. When the head and master of a family, who is as prophet, priest, and ruler in his family, doth jointly with his children and servants, as a little church of God in his house, offer up daily sacrifice of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving unto God, the author of their beings, the God of their lives, and the giver of every good gift wherewith their lives are sweetened; and does also receive from him communications of grace and mercy; for our bountiful God will never be behindhand with those that seek him in truth, but giveth liberally to them that ask in faith.

Secondly; Serviceableness unto God, in training up his family in the fear of God; God himself bearing witness how greatly acceptable family righteousness is unto him, in that high commendation, which he hath recorded of Abraham: "I know him," saith God, "that he will command his children, and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord.". It is a duty that is both work and wages; a service, that carries its reward with it, (reward not of debt, but of grace) it brings a blessing upon a family, as the ark did on the house of Obed-Edom; when on the contrary dreadful wrath is impre cated to be "poured out upon the families that call not on the name of God," Jer. x. 25.

Reader, if thou be one that livest in the daily exercise, and due performance of this duty of family prayer, thy own experience of the spiritual benefits and advantages of it, will enable thee to set to thy seal to what the God of truth hath spoken in his word. "I never said to the seed of Jacob, (Israelites indeed, that know how to wrestle with God,) seek ye my face in vain." But if being a master of a family, thou be a stranger to this duty, either through slothfulness, multiplicity of business, or prejudice and disaffection to the duty; the Reverend Author hath said enough to convince thee, that it is thy duty; and if convinced hereof, thou wilt continue in the wilful neglect of thy known duty, thou dost in effect say with those in Jer. xliv. 16, "As for the word which thou hast spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee;" what an aggravation will this be of thy sin! "for to him that knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is sin," Jam. iv. 17, that is, exceeding sinful; and also of thy punishment! for "that servant which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes," Luke xii. 47. That the one and the other may be prevented, and thou mayest be prevailed with conscientiously to practise this duty, is the design of this Treatise, and the hearty desire of

Thine in the Lord,

JOHN STARKEY.
JOHN HOWE.

A

FAMILY ALTAR,

ERECTED TO

THE HONOUR OF THE ETERNAL GOD.

GENESIS XXxv. 1-3.

And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy

brother.

Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.

CHAP. I.

EXPLANATION OF THE TEXT.

THIS passage is copious, and may be called a family text, as comprehending the whole duty of householders and their inferiors: he that is not relatively religious, is not really religious: God hath to do with all men in every capacity: and men have to do with God in all their circumstances, relations, and actions. As we must give an account to God of our natural, civil, and

spiritual acts: God's word must regulate all we do, that we may act as Christians, according to God's will, and for his glory. The passage contains an excellent pattern for all families.

The whole of the context holds forth the following general considerations :

God's commission to Jacob, v. 1.—Jacob's charge to his family, v. 2, 3.-His family's cheerful compliance, v. 4.—The blessed issue, namely, success and safety, v. 5.—Let me briefly advert to these.

I. The words contain God's commission to Jacob; in which commission observe four things:

The privacy of it; God spake to Jacob when alone. -The order; "Arise, go to Bethel, dwell there."— The duty to be done; "make there an altar."-The reasons to enforce that duty. First, God's appearing to him; and secondly, his danger-fleeing from his brother. Doct. 1. That most of God's manifestations to his people are personal, or when they are alone.

Jacob was alone when he had the vision of the ladder, Gen. xxviii. 12. and when God bids him return to the land of his fathers, Gen. xxxi. 3. Jacob was left alone when he wrestled with the angel, Gen. xxxii. 24. Our Lord invites souls to solitary recesses, where he whispers them in the ear, speaks to their heart, there usually is a reciprocal expression of love:* It is good being alone with God.† Happy souls that can say with our dear Lord, John xvi. 32, "Ye shall leave me alone, and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."

From the order and appointment, "arise, go to Bethel," we may derive,

Doct. 2. God alone is the fittest to dispose of men's habitations.

Hos. ii. 14. Song vii. 11, 12.

+ Nunquam minus solus quàm cum solus.