A Christian family builded by God, directing all governours of families how to act. 1. Gods timber and framing. 2. Gods foundation and upper building. 3. Gods finishing. 4. Gods furnishing. The sum whereof is shewed after the epistle. By Robert Abbott, Pastour of the Church of God at Austines, near Pauls gate in Watling-street in London.

SECT. 1:

[Doctrine.] HEre then is the Doctrine which (if God please) I shall open and apply unto you, that If we would have blessed Fami∣lies, we must get them builded by God. Husband, wife, children, servants, must not be like rotten posts, and as straw, hay, stubble upon a good foundation; but must be builded by God: and the whole state, and house must be finished, and furnished by God. Nabal was the head of a Family, but a drunken Epi∣cure; and so not builded by God. Jezabel was a main rib of the Family; but a painted and persecuting harlot; and so not builded by God. Cain, Esau, Adoniah, Absolon, were Couplings in the Family, but a murtherer, pro∣fane, rebellious; and so not builded by God: Zihah was a tyle or rafter in the Family of Mephibosheth, but a faithlesse cheating ser∣vant; and so, not builded by God. Dives his house was furnished with great store of wealth, but if he might go gay, and fare daintily, he regarded not the afflictions of Laza∣rus; and so not builded by God.

[Ʋse.] Therefore be you (good Christians) per∣swaded to make God the Surveyour, Framer, Joyner; sole workman in your Families, or else no comforting blessing comes. The speech of Christ reacheth to every thing, without me ye can do nothing; Experience teach∣eth thus much concerning Families. Abraham

was built by God, and mark what God, saith, I know that my servant Abraham will teach his Family. Joshuah was built by God, and mark what he saith, I and my house will serve the Lord. Naomi was built by God, and mark her faithfull care of Ruth. Hester was built by God, and mark her speech, I and my maids will fast likewise. Eleazar was built by God, and mark his godly care in his masters ser∣vice.

And if a whole Family be thus built; what a joint serving of God is there? Husbands, and wives are faithfull; servants are carefull; children are obedient; goods are blessed; and then we may say, as Paul, Greet the Church that is in thy house. Most complain (and they have too just cause) that husbands are drunk∣ards and tyrants, wives are stubborn, chil∣dren are disorderly, servants are unfaithfull. More complain that there is little charity, much contention, many brawles, flouds of drunkenness, vollies of oathes. The reason of all is, because they are not built by God. What shall I say then? suffer your selves to be builded by God. He will pull down the old ruinous building of sinne. He will hew you with his own axe, his Word. He will lay you upon that good foundation, Christ. He will make you grow up into an ho∣ly building in the Lord, and then, the Lord builds the house, and your labour will not be in vain.

Notes

• John 15. 5.
• Gen. 18. 19.
• Josh. 24. 15.
• Ruth 1. 16. & 3. 1. Hest. 4. 16. Gen. 24.
• Rom. 16. 5.