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. 2.

BUt to settle this upon you, your consci∣ences will enquire after two things.

• 1. What Gods building in a Family is?
• 2. How you may procure it?

1. Gods building is a well ordered Family by the Word of God. Here is the matter and form of it; and the Rule and square by which it is wrought. The matter and form of it is a well ordered Family, that is, an or∣derly head, and orderly members having mutuall and fit relations either to others. An orderly head is the house governour, who can with good conscience say, I will walk in the uprightness of my heart in the middest of my house. There are many comely heads, but they are painted ones in respect of this, or like that in the Carvers shop which had nei∣ther wit nor brains. Orderly members are those that depend upon the head, whether wife, children, or servants, that can say with a good conscience as Ruth to Naomi, whether thou goest I will go, where thou lodgest I will lodge, thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God.

The Rule and square of this Family is The Word of God. Thorough wisedome is an house builded, and with understanding it is established, and with knowledge shall the chambers be filled with riches. [Quest.] What is this wisedome? [Answ.] Not that of the world, for that is foolishness: but

that of the Word; for that issues from the wisedome of the Father; who is made wise∣dome unto us. And wonder not at this; be∣cause in the Word is contained necessary and absolute direction for all in a Family; in which respect we may say, I adore the ful∣ness of the Scripture. Yea, the word directs not onely, but moulds and shapes every per∣son for his imployment. We are like crook∣ed and knotty trees by nature: but then comes the Word and smoothes us for hous∣work. Therefore we are very fools when we forsake this Word, which is so helpfull. In matters of private worship men are squared by theit minds, and customes of forefathers: In matters of Conversation, by examples of men, and practise of most: In Apparel, by fashion, be they never so disguised: In meat and drink, by appetite: In Recreation, by company: In Traffique, by profit; In gathe∣ring Riches, by the hors-leaches of desires: In their whole government by carnal and worldly policy.

Notes

• Psal. 101. 2.
• Ruth 1. 16.
• Prov. 24. 3, 4.
• 1 Cor. 1. 30.
• Plenitudi∣nem scrip∣turae adoro.