them, Luke xix.; and then, he will never come near them unless to their ruin.

2dly. You must set up an altar for him, and it must be a smoking altar. I mean this: if you would have God to dwell with you, you must set up and keep up, the daily worship of God in your families. He expects and requires a lamb in the morning, and a lamb in the evening. You know what was Joshua's resolution; As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Let it be your's. Pray with your families. Read the Scriptures to them, and sing Psalms. These are the three great family duties; and see that none of them be neglected. Which of them is not very profitable, and very comfortable? Take some time also to catechize your children and servants. Teach them the

good knowledge of the Lord. God has committed them to your charge, and expects from you an account of them.

Remember also to make a business, and to make a conscience of family worship. Be diligent and serious in it. Consider what a God you have to deal with, and carry it accordingly in all your performances. Be careful to time duty aright. 'Tis usually the earlier the better, both morning and evening. Let not worldly affairs crowd family worship into a corner, or lead you

to omit any part of it, or to huddle it over slightly.

Especially be careful to sanctify the Sabbath in your houses as well as in church. The fourth commandment seems to be directed, especially to masters of families. The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gate. If thou be careful and conscientious in this matter, go on and prosper; and be assured that the Lord is with you.

5thly. If you would have God to dwell in your families, you must be very careful in the performance of the duties of your family relations; as superiors, inferiors, and equals, always remembering, that we are really what we are relatively. Study the law of the fifth commandment, and be obedient to it. There is great duty in the conjugal relation. The husband's duty is, to love his wife even as himself. The wife's duty is, to be obedient to her husband in the Lord. The duty of both is, to do all they can to help one another to heaven. To pray together, and be concerned for the welfare of one another's souls. Parents' duty is, to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition

M

of the Lord. Masters' duty is, to give their servants that which is just and equal. Children are to obey their parents, and servants their masters, in the Lord. These duties are often mentioned in the Epistles, to shew what stress God lays upon them. The great family duty is mutual love and unity. See Psalm cxxxiii,

To conclude. Now you see what you must do that you may have the presence of God with you in your houses. And, I think, in shewing you what kind of presence that is, I have said enough to persuade you to it. Now will you be persuaded? If not, take what follows the curse of God.

If you will, be assured that God will certainly come to you, and take up his abode with you, be your house never so mean in this world; and you shall shortly go to him and take up your abode with him in a better world. which words comfort yourselves and one another,

With

No. III,-PAGES 22 & 46.

ACCOUNT OF THE DEATH OF THE REV. MATTHEW HENRY, FROM Mrs. Savage'S DIARY.

1714. TUESDAY, June 22. This day brings an affliction. We went, yesterday morning, to

Nantwich, to meet dear brother Henry in his return from Chester. When we came to Nantwich he had met with a fall, but no seeming hurt; said he was well, and hastened to chapel, which was filled with hearers, where he preached on Jeremiah xxxi. 18. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus: Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke; turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. (His farewell sermon as it proved.) He did not preach with that vigour he used to have; was something short, and afterwards, exceedingly heavy and sleepy. He was bled, but towards morning grew convulsed, and, about seven or eight o'clock, the immortal spirit took flight to the land of everlasting peace and rest, with very little extremity. He could spend and be spent, and now he has sealed it with his blood. Lord, what is man? If a hair falls not, sure a head, such a head, cannot fall without particular direction or disposal of our heavenly Father. What is this that God has done unto us?-Well may it be said, We are this day weak, our hands are feeble.

Wednesday, June 23d.—I went to the place to take leave of the dear earthen vessel, in which was lodged such a treasure, and shall always

remember there was nothing of death to be seen in his face, but rather something of a smile. How is the gold become dim, and the fine gold changed!-That head, that hand so fitted for service, now cold and moveless. Lord, what is man, the greatest, the best? When God bids Moses go up and die on Mount Nebo, it is observable, he adds-As Aaron thy brother was gathered to his people. Sure this should mind me of my own dissolution, as sprung from the same good olive, and spending our childhood together, in much comfort and pleasure, under that dear and benign shadow. I have reason to think he loved me the best of all his sisters, and it is with satisfaction I think of the love I had for him, and the great unity that was amongst us then, so that I do not remember one angry or unkind word betwixt us. O how happy a thing it is thus to dwell, and not to have the sting of any unkindness in the reflection. Though I well remember that I have thought my dear mother had most tenderness and love for my brother, yet I was so far from envying for his sake, that I complied with her, and loved him with a pure heart fervently. I remember the many cares and fears I had for him when he was ill of a fever at London, at Mr. Doolittle's,* * Life of Matthew Henry, ut supra, p. 9, &c.