4. Conclusion of this Chapter.
For a summarie conclusion of this Chapter, let vs obserue, that as Saint Paul calleth the family of Philemon, The Church, and that also of Priscilla and Aquila: so all fathers and mothers, are bound in such manner to gouerne their children and seruants, that their * 1.1 houses may be as little Churches: From whence (according to Dauids protestation) all vices and all manner of corruptions should be banished, and driuen away, that their dwel∣ling may be holy, and God therein praised, serued, worshipped, and called vpon, morning, and euening, and at meale times, and euery houre in the day. For families so gouerned, shall finde and feele the truth of the promises of God, and that he will be in the middle of them, as in his Temple, to blesse them with the graces which hee vncessantly powreth downe vpon his elect, and all the faithfull. And it belongeth vnto children (as Ecclesia∣stes saith) to heare their fathers iudgements, that they may be safe: for the Lord will haue the father honoured of the children, and hath confirmed the authoritie of the mother o∣uer the children. Hee that feareth God, honoureth his parents, and doth honour to his parents, * 1.2 as to his Lords, that hee may haue Gods blessing, and that his blessing may abide with him for euer. For the blessing of the father, establisheth the house of the children: and the mothers curse rooteth out the foundation. And if a Pagan did acknowledge, that there is no prayer which God more willingly heareth, then that of a Father made vnto him for his children; by great * 1.3 reason, those that are Christians, ought to feare the curse of their fathers and mothers, for their offences, and to seeke the meanes (by honouring them) rather to be blessed by their praiers: For without doubt such blessings shall be ratified in heauen, as those which Isaac gaue to his sonne Iacob euidently declare. * 1.4