Inspiration has pronounced to be "honourable in all.” He believes in the wisdom and veracity of God, who has said, "It is not good for man to be alone:" and instead of reflecting upon his parents, and undervaluing and injuring the most amiable part of society, where too they are not even allowed to complain; he forms no leading permanent plan of life, in which marriage is not considered as the foundation. And having entered the condition, he will be anxious to fulfil its duties. He will love his wife, even as himself. He will train up his children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." He will behave

towards his servants, as one who knows that he has

a Master in heaven," and that there is no respect of persons with God. He will say, with David, "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. when wilt thou come unto me?

Oh!

I will walk within

my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes. I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not come nigh me!"

"Then David returned to bless his household." Then-for the period and the occasion are previously marked. The day had been a very pleasing one to David; but it had proved a very active and busy one too. For many hours he had been engaged in bringing up the Ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of Jerusalem. He had not only attended to witness all the indications of piety and joy, but had contributed himself in the sacred performances. And when the symbol of the Divine presence was set in the tabernacle prepared to receive it, he offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before the Lord; and dismissed the multitude with presents, after blessing them in the name of the Lord.

But the monarch does not make him forget the master; nor does publick service hinder domestick. "Then David returned to bless his household.”—Let us pass from this instance of excellency, to consider at large,

I. THE WAY IN WHICH THE HEAD OF A FAMILY MAY BLESS HIS HOUSEHOLD.

II. To show THE REASONS WHICH SHOULD ENGAGE HIM TO ATTEMPT IT.

III. TO ANSWER SOME OBJECTIONS TO THE DUTY.

And,

IV. TO CONCLUDE WITH SOME ANIMADVERSIONS AND ADMONITIONS RESPECTING IT.

I. If it be asked, How the head of a family may BLESS HIS HOUSEHOLD? We would answer, by Ex-. ample-by Government-by Discipline-by Instruction-by Attendance on the Means of Grace-by the Performance of Domestick Devotion.

Some of these particulars, we are aware, in a degree imply and include each other; yet they are distinct enough for the utility of separate remark. Thus we distinguish countries and provinces; though in some places they approximate, and where they unite, the air, and the soil, and the produce will display resemblance and even sameness.

First, He may "bless his household" by Example. I begin with this, because nothing can supply the want of personal religion. He who despises his own soul, will feel little disposition to attend to the souls of others. Destitute of principle, he will be determined only by circumstances; and his exertions, if he makes any, will be partial and rare. Having

nothing to animate him from experience, his endeavours will be dull and cold. Where all is merely formal and official, a man will not go far even in the use of means; but what probability is there of his success, when he does use them? Who loves to take his meat from a leprous hand? A drunkard will make a poor preacher of sobriety to servants. A proud and passionate father is a wretched recommender of humility and meekness to his children. What those who are under his care see, will more than counteract what they hear; and all his efforts will be rejected with the question, "Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery ?" To what is it owing, that the offspring of many professors are worse than those of other men? Inconsistency. Inconsistency is more injurious than neglect. The one may be resolved into a forgetfulness of principle; the other shows a contempt of it. You little imagine how early and how effectively children remark things. They notice them when they seem incapable of any distinct observation; and while you would suppose no impression could be left on such soft materials, a fixed turn is given to many a part of the future character. You must therefore reverence them; and be circumspect even in your most free and relaxing moments. You must do, as well as teach; and while you are humble before God, you must be able to say to them, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."

It is commonly observed, that example does more than precept. But the young are peculiarly alive to example; and when example has the advantage of

nearness, and constant exhibition, and unites both authority and endearment, it must prove the most powerful and insensible transformer; and requires in those who furnish it, and who will necessarily be imitated, that they "abstain from all appearance of evil." We only add here, that they who constitute your moral charge, are not so much affected and swayed by any direct and positive urgings, as by the presence, and exemplification, and sight of "whatsoever things are lovely and of good report." The force of the hot-house is not to be compared with the genial influence of the spring, by which, without violence, and without noise, every thing is drawn into bud and bloom.

Secondly, He may "bless his household" by Government. Order is heaven's first law. God himself is the example of it; and by nothing does he bless his creatures more, than by the steadiness of the order of nature, and the regularity of the seasons. What uncertainty is there in the ebbing and flowing of the tides? What deviations in the changes of the moon? The sun knoweth his going down, and his rising up. Even the comet is not eccentrick; in traversing the boundlessness of space, he performs his revolutions of fifty or a hundred years, to a moment. And in all the works of God, what seems disorder, is only arrangement beyond our reach: for " in wisdom he has made them all.'

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Hear the Apostle. "Let every thing be done decently, and in order." The welfare of your household requires that you should observe times. Every thing should have its season-your businesses; your meals; your devotional exercises; your rising, and your rest.

The periods for these will vary with the

condition of families; but labour to be as punctual as circumstances will allow. It is of importance to peace, and temper, and diligence, and economy. Confusion is friendly to every evil work. Disorder also multiplies disorder. For no one thinks of being exact with those who set at nought all punctuality. The same principle requires that you should keep every thing in its place. Subordination is the essence of all order and rule. Never suffer the distinctions of life to be broken down. All violations of this kind injure those who are below the gradation, as well as those above it. The relinquishment of authority may be as wrong as its excesses. He that is responsible for the duties of any relation, should claim its prerogatives and powers-how else is he to discharge them? Be kind and affable to servants; but let nothing divest you of the mistress. Be the tenderest of fathers; but be the father and no sensible woman will, I am sure, be offended if I addBe the most devoted of husbands, but be the husband.

Thirdly, By Discipline. This regards the treatment of offences: "For it must needs be that offences will come: and what is to be done with them? Here two extremes are to be avoided. The one is severity. You are not to magnify trifles into serious evils; and instead of a cheerful countenance, to wear a gloom; and instead of commending, to be always finding fault; and instead of enlivening every thing around you like the weather in spring, to be a continual dropping in a rainy, winter-day. Instead of making home repulsive, let it possess every attraction, and abound with every indulgence and allowance the exclusions of Scripture do not forbid. Instead of making a child tremble and retreat, gain his