A demonstration of family-duties: or Certaine propositions and reasons of them taken [ou]t of the holy Scriptures, tending to shew the necessity, nature, and manner of performance of such religious duties, as Christian families ought to spare some time unto from common affaires every day. By T.P.

XXI. PROPOSITION. The most seasonable and fitting ••ime of every day, ought to be ••llotted and taken for the daily ••orship and service, which God ••equireth his people to performe unto him.

PROOF. The Lord himselfe giveth this direction unto his people of Israel. See Numb. 28.1, 2. And the Lord spake unto Mo∣ses, saying; Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices, made by fire for a svveet savour unto me, shall yee observe to offer unto me, in their

due season. Levit. 23.4. These are the feas•••••• the Lord, even holy convocations, vvhich yee•••••• proclaime in their seasons.

I. REAS. Because Time being a nece••••∣ry and unseparable adjunct of every actio•••• be done, therefore the most seasonable•• convenient time ought to be discerned•• laid hold on thereunto. Eccles. 3.1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 every thing there is a season, and a time to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 purpose under the heaven, &c.

II. REAS. Because seasonable perform••••∣ces of any businesses takē in hand, doe m•••• beautify and adorne the same. Eccles. 3.1. God hath made every thing beautifull in his ti•••• Prov. 15.23. A word spoken in due season 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good is it?

OBSERV. When in Scripture the peo•••••• of God are required to doe any duety 〈◊〉〈◊〉 waies, or continually; viz. 1 Thess. 5.•• 17. Rejoyce evermore. Pray without ceasing, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The meaning seemeth to be that thank••••••∣ving and prayer, and other religious duti•••••• and exercises, ought to be performed at s••••∣sonable and fitting times for performa•••••• thereof. Otherwise the duties of their p••••∣ticular callings would be wholly interrup•• and neglected, which yet are allowed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enjoyned to be done. 2 Thess. 3.10. Alb•••• these are not to be left undone. Math. 2••▪ 23. Allus. For as Mephibosheth his ea••••••

••read continually at Davids table, 2 Sam. 9.7. ••mported that he did eate every day at Da∣••ids table, at usuall meale-times, or at the ••ccustomed times of eating: so it is in this ••ase also of time for religious duties, viz. in ••he seasons thereof.