It is the duty of people on thefe days to rejoice with holy gladness of heart; but let trembling be fo joined with our mirth, that no excess or unbecoming levity be indulged.

CHA P. XV.

The Directory for Secret and Family Worship.

Sect. I.

BES

ESIDES the public worship in congregations, it is the indifpenfible duty of each perfon, alone, in fecret ; and of every family, by itself, in private, to pray to, and worship God.

Sect. II. Secret worship is most plainly enjoined by our Lord. In this duty every one, apart by himself, is to fpcnd fome time in prayer, reading the scriptures, holy meditation, and ferious felf-examination. The many advantages arifing from a confcientious discharge of these duties, are best known to those who are found in the faithful discharge of them.

Sect. III. Family worship, which ought to be performed by every family, ordinarily morning and evening, confifts in prayer, reading the fcriptures, and finging praises.

Sect. IV. The head of the family, who is to lead in this fervice, ought to be careful that all the members of his household duly attend; and

Sf

that none withdraw themselves unneceffarily from any part of family worship; and that all refrain from their common bufinefs while the fcriptures are read, and gravely attend to the fame, no lefs than when prayer or praise is offered up.

Sect. V. Let the heads of families be careful to instruct their children and fervants in the principles of religion-Every proper opportunity ought to be embraced for such inftruction. But we are of opinion that the fabbath evenings, after public worship, fhould be facredly preferved for this purpose. Therefore we highly difapprove of paying unneceffary private vifits on the Lord't day; admitting strangers into the families, exceps when neceffity or charity requires it; or any other practices, whatever plaufible pretences may be offered in their favour, if they interfere with the above important and neceffary duty.

FINIS.