Page:Dissertation on family worship, or, A guide, to domestic happiness.pdf/22

 religion is the foundation of all family and relative duties. It would be speaking the deaf to persuade any to watch over souls of others, who have no concern their own. But wherever there is an impression of the importance of eternity ourselves, this will naturally and necessary set before us its importance with respect all that are dear to us. On the other hand for the same reason, family religion is of the best and surest evidences of the ality and the strength of personal religion It is sometimes observed, that some very pious persons are extremely defective in this particular; and take little care of the instruction and still less of the government of their children. If they are truly pious, it is a very great blemish upon their piety. However for any own part I confess, I do very much suspect the sincerity of religion in those who are remarkably negligent in this particular let them profess as much as they will. I know that pious persons, from the weakness of this own judgement, will be guilty of great prudence in the manner of family instruction