3. Direct.

Another Duty Incumbent upon thy Soul, is to store thy heart with knowledge, and understanding; without the which the mind cannot be good, Prov. 19.2. and this is done in Private, as well as Publick; partly by Reading and Conference: Reading the Scriptures and other good Books, this will notably encrease knowledge and understand∣ing; but this I have already given Directions in, and desire thee to make use of them. Me∣ditation also is a fruitful Duty; even that which is occasional: whereby thou mayst gather Observations, and learn many Lessons Page  336 for thy Souls good, from every Creature thou hast to deal with; but this I have already treated of: but this is not all, but if thou art Converted, strengthen thy Brethren: we were not Born for our selves. If thou hast a Family, studdy and endeavour their Conversi∣on also; teacheh them in the way they should walk: for to that purpose God hath given thee Authority over them; thou art a King, a Priest, and a Prophet, in thine own House: Rule then in thy Family, as a King, Instruct as a Prophet, and Pray amongst them as a Priest; God will be served in thy Family, as well as in thy Closet, or in the Publick: therefore, somtimes, Particular Houses are called Churches; because in them God is Worshiped: To this End prepare then what thou canst, for the Publick Ordinance, by In∣struction, Admonition, and Encouragement; remove what rubs thou canst out of their way, to believing, and obeying; shew them the necessity of Faith in Christ, and obedience to Christ; and if thou canst help it, let none serve thee, that will not serve God; this was Davids resolution, Psal. 101.2. &c. Require an Account at their hands, what they learn, and what benefit they receive: press these things more upon their Spirits, and fasten it upon their Mind, that it may not be let slip, by repeating the Sermons, or so much of it as shall be necessary, for their good; and press home, and drive at what the Minister drives at in his Sermon: Reading the Scrip∣ture, Page  337 also is an useful means to encrease know∣ledge, in thy self and Family; and should be done in Private in thy Family, and in Secret by thy self; redeem time to this End, and if possible, make them understand what they Read, drive the Nail to the Head; this is the way to expell Ignorance, and to get Know∣ledge: this cannot but work some Knowledge in the hearts of them that hear it. In this Word is contained the Wfll of God, concern∣ing Mans Obedience: and here is a Legacy left us by our Fathers Will, the Promises which are our Evidences for Heaven; and all we have to shew for Glory: and shall this be neglected by us, or meanly esteemed. Some may Object they have long tryed this means, and see little profit by it; but do thy Duty, and leave the success to God. Paul may Plant, and Apollos Water; but God gives the encrease: yet there must be Plant∣ing, and Watering, or good Fruit cannot be expected; God serves his Providence, by the use of means: The Bereans were commended for searching the Scriptures: and Christ him∣self commends this Lesson to the Pharisees: this Book of the Law should not depart out of thy Mouth, but thou shouldest Meditate therein for ever, Josh. 18. Psal. 12. This Word of God should dwell plentiously in you, Col 3.16. It was Abraham's Practice to teach his Chil∣dren, and Servants the fear of the Lord, Gen. 18.19. This also is Pauls Counsell, Eph. 6.4. Yea, and God's own Command, Deut. 6.6,7. Page  338 The Words that I Command thee this day, shall be in thy Heart, and thou shalt Teach them di∣ligently unto thy Children; thou shalt talk of them when thou fittest in thy House, and when thou walkest by the way; when thou lyest down, and when thou risest up, &c. First, get them in thy Heart, and all the rest will be easie; and there is great Reason for it: Thy Chil∣dren have Received a Poysonful Nature from thee, and thou hast Dedicated them to God's Service in their Baptism; and all the Reason in the World thou shouldst do thine Endea∣vour to bring them out of this miserable Con∣dition, and do what thou canst to make them the Faithful Servants of God: Their Souls are precious pieces, too good to be the De∣vils Drudges; and thou that canst not endure to see a silly Lamb, in the Mouth of a devour∣ing Lyon, rending, and tearing it in pieces at his pleasure, how canst thou endure to see thy own Children in the Devils Hand, likely to Torment them for ever, and not be troub∣led? Set thy Hands therefore to the Work, and by Catechising, Instructions, Exhortati∣on, and Admonition, to work knowledge in them, and bring them to Consider their ways, for Consideration is the first step to Reforma∣tion: Assure thy self God requires this Private Duty at thy Hands.