§  4.  The  matter  of  a  family,  though  of  the  befl  quali- ^c^^ii^g^^

fications,  is  not  to  take  on  him  to  interpret  the  fcriptures ;  the  fcnptures

J.,  ,        ,  ,  ,r         ^  1       ,      '  to  be  impro-

yet  It  IS  commendible,  that,    by  way  ot  conrerence,  they  yo^  \^  family

make  fbme  good  life  of  what  hath  been  read  and  heard,  conference.
As  for  example,  if  any  fin  be  reproved  in  the  v.'ord  read,
life  may  be  made  thereof,  to  make  all  the  family  circum-
i\>&di  and  watchful  againO:  the  fame  ;  or,  if  any  judgement
be  threatened,  or  mentioned  to  have  been  inflifted  in  that
portion  of  fcripture  which  is  read,  life  may  be  made,  to
make  all  the  family  fear,  leaft  the  fame  or  a  worfe  judge-
ment befal  them,  uniefs  they  beware  of  the  fin^  that  pro-
cured it.  And  finally,  if  any  duty  be  required,  or  com-
fort held  forth  in  a  promife,  ufe  may  be  made  to  (iir  up
themfelves  to  implore  Chrifl  for  ftrength  to  enable  them
for  doing  commanded  duty,  and  to  apply  the  oifered  com-
fort.
5jB  Government    of    the  Book  II.
fort.     In  all  which  the  maftcr  of  the  family  is  to  have  the
chief  hand,  and  any  member  of  the  family  may  propounci
a  qucftion  or  doubt  for  rcfoliuion.
