Annesley - Houston-Packer Collection BX9327 .M6 1664

Serm.8. Carnal Relations. 159 out his Brother Simon to bring him to the Alef iah. Philip.after the like manifef +ation, looks out for Nathaniel, and in a great exta(ie of John t.4 5. fpirit, cries out L ;v nta, ¡ we have found him of whom Motes and the Prophets did write. There are many inftances of this nature both in the Old and New Tefiamenr. Abraham and 70(hua were fa- mous in their Generations for this work; they counted ittheir principal bufinefs, they made it their great care to infiruc`t their Families in the fear and fervice of the great (god. David alfo ingages to walk ín his Plal.tot.2, . hoaufe with a perfv61 heart, that by his exemplary pattern he might gain over his Family to the Lord. Matthew the Publican ( we read ) Luke 5.19. did invite all the Tribute - gatherers that were of his own Fraternity and Profeftìon, to a great Feat+, that they might fit down with Chrii+, and feed uponhis heavenly Doctrine. Thegreat man in the City of John 4.53. Capernaum brings in his whole Family to the belief of the Truth. Cor- nell:ea theRamanCenturion, who waa quartered at C' efarea, calls his Aas 10'24° Relations together, to hear the Doirine of Faith and Repentance. Thewoman in theGofpel having found the loft groat, after great pains and diligence, calls inher friends and neighbours to rejoyce with her. Luke 15..9. Crimes and the ]aylor, and Lydia, and Stephanaó, are eminent Ex- amples of this duty ; by whofeconfcientious care and procurement, it may be fuppofed, that their whole houfholds came under the roof of Chrift ; becaufe prefently after that we have heard of their own per- fonal Baptifm, we find their Families alto wafhed in that facred Laver. I (hall not infif+ upon Arguments, to prove the incumbent neceffiry of this duty, or Motives to allure you to the practice of it I might deduce it as an inference confequ.:nt from the Law of N iture, to ufe our greater{ indeavours that our Relations might obtain an union to the bei and higheft good. I might draw it from the Divine Injunction. I might excite your diligence from theconsideration of the dreadful P1ala78 . danger following its negleec ; from the comfort that will flow into thy bofome upon the exercife of ir, lince it is a notable evidence of the (incerity of Grace in thine own he irr. Nonebut fuch as have feen and rafted, can cry out to others with an holy affectionate vehemen- Pfl cy. O come tgfle andfee that the Lord isgood! The Wine of the King- a. 34 dom having once warmed the hearts of Saints, fends up vivacious fpirirs, and fills their mouths with a holy loquacity. I might further provoke thee to this excellent work, by the richbenefit in gaining fuch to love thee, whole affections will exceed all natural love whatever, and by the great reward that ¡hall enfae in the life to come. For they

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