frivolous, if I am a lover of God and they “lovers of pleasure.” Give my household grace to live soberly and strictly, that the ministry be not blamed, and that mine may be a household fearing Thee. Make my wife, children, servants, all under me or given to my charge, self-denying and devout, that they may thus help me in the ministry, and so help the salvation of this flock. May we live as a house, that has renounced the world. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Teach us to serve Thee more and more, and to deny ourselves, and to walk by faith, and to love the things of the Spirit, and to cast out hence the spirit of the world. Make this, through the in-dwelling of the Holy Ghost, a house of peace, and prayer, and love. Knit us together in most holy love, love most spiritual, love like unto Thine own, not worldly affection, but that which is eternal.
O God most merciful, I pray Thee fill this mine own household with Thy Spirit. Be present with us, assist us, guide us into Thine own ways, teach us Thy will, save us from sin, succour us in all time of temptation, comfort us in all time of need, so unite us together upon earth, that we may be raised up to the perfect joy of the kingdom of heaven, through Thine own most precious blood.
