interruptions you are exposed to in your dwellings*, from those
who ridicule and scoff at every appearance of religion. Retire from
them, and pray to him who seeth in secret; and praise him for the many
mercies you have received. Consider with yourself, how little you have
improved them. Humble yourselves before God, under a sense of your sins
and imperfections, and pray for pardon and repentance. Intreat him, to
enable you to watch over your hearts, words, and actions, throughout
the day, and that you may not be hindered or hurt by the snares and
temptations around you. Intreat God to assist your minister, and to
accompany what you may hear from him, with a blessing to your soul, and
to all who shall be present with you.

[*Footnote: Many complaints have been made to me on this head.]

If you have families, you should call them together, and pray with
them, and for them. There are many promises made to worshiping
families, and to those who, like Abraham, endeavour to teach
their children and household to know and serve the Lord.
[Gen. xviii. 19.; Prov. iii. 33.] And the neglect of this is one reason,
why many families live uncomfortably. They live without prayer, and
therefore without peace.

Having thus endeavoured to impress your minds with serious thoughts, in
secret or at home; attend constantly upon the public worship, and there
pay a close attention to every part of the service. Remember that the
eye of God is particularly upon you there. He has promised to be with
two or three that meet together to call upon his name [Matt. xviii. 20.;
John iv. 24]. He is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth; and whether
they assemble in a church, or in the open air, he can give them cause to
say with Jacob, This place is surely the house of God, and the gate of