-- Tit. 3. Special Directions for Family Prayer
reward from his father than the disobedient: as the ancient fathers commonly used the word merit.
Quest. XXXIII. 'How must that person and prayer be qualified that shall be accepted of God?'
Answ. There are several degrees of God's acceptance. I. That which is but from common grace, may be accepted as better than none at all.
II. That which hath a promise of some success, especially as to pardon and salvation must be, 1. From a penitent, believing, holy person. 2. It must proceed from true desire, and be sincere; and have renewed faith and repentance in some measure. 3. It must be put up in confidence on the merit and intercession of Christ. 4. It must be only for things lawful. 5. And to a lawful end. III. That which is extraordinarily accepted and successful, must be extraordinary in all these respects; in the person's holiness, and in renewed faith and fervent importunity, and holy love.
Tit. 3. Special Directions for Family Prayer Direct. I. 'Let it be done rather by the master of the family himself than any other, if he be competently able, though others be more able; but if he be utterly unfit, let it rather be done by another than not at all.' And by such an one as is most acceptable to the rest, and like to do most good.
Direct. II. 'Let prayer be suited to the case of those that join in it, and to the condition of the family:' and not a few general words spoken by rote, that serve all times and persons alike.
Direct. III. 'Let it neither be so short as to end before their hearts can be warm and their wants expressed (as if you had an unwilling task