West Port Experiment

X. Sess. 13 et ult., April 27, 1708.—Act and Recommendation concerning Ministerial Visitation of Families.

“. . . Seeing, for the faithful discharge of ministers’ work, they ought, besides what is incumbent to them in the public congregation, to take special care and inspection of the particular persons and families under their oversight and charge, in order to which, it hath been the laudable custom of this Church, at least once a year, if the largeness of the parish, bodily inability in the minister, or other such like causes, do not hinder, for ministers to visit all the families in their parish, and oftener, if the parish be small, and they be able to set about it.

“For the more uniform and successful management of which work, although in regard of the different circumstances of some parishes, families, and persons, much of this work, and the management thereof, must be left to the discretion and prudence of ministers in their respective oversights, yet these following advices are offered and overtured as helps in the management thereof, that it may not be done in a slight and overly manner.

“1. First of all, it seems needful that ere a minister set out to this work he should labour to have his own heart in a suitable frame for it, by exciting in himself the love of God, and the desire of the salvation of his people’s souls, and the sense of the weight of the charge given him, to watch for souls as one who must give an account, and of the difficulty of this part of his work in particular; for perhaps it may be found no less difficult to apply to particular families, and persons therein, teaching and warning every one, than it is to dispense the word in common in the public congregation.

“2. That such a time in the year be chosen for such ministerial visitation, as the families whom he visits may be best at leisure to meet with him, when they may be expected at home, and least incumbered with affairs; and it were fit, that when a minister designs to visit any part of his parish, intimation thereof should be made either in public from the pulpit, or some other way, that they may order their affairs so that he may have opportunity to meet with them at home.

“3. It is fit when a minister designs to visit any part of the parish, that he be accompanied with the elder of the bounds, and that before they go forth to the work they may confer together concerning the state and condition of the persons and families of these bounds, that the minister may be able to speak the more suitably to their condition, and as may be most for edification.

“4. When they enter a house or family, after a short account of the design of the visit, and expression of their wishes and desires for the blessing of God upon the family, and that, above all, their souls may prosper, it were fit to take an account of the names of the family, parents, children, and servants, and to inquire for certificates from them who are lately come to the parish, and to mark them in their book or roll for catechising; and to take notice who can read, and of the age of children when capable to be catechised.

“5. After the minister has got an account of the persons dwelling in the family, he may speak to them all in general of the necessity of regeneration, and the advantages of serious religion and godliness, of piety towards God, and justice and charity towards man.

“6. And next, more particularly, to the servants, of their duty to fear and serve God, and to be dutiful, faithful, and obedient servants, and of the promises made to such, commending to them the reading of the Scriptures as they can, and prayer in secret, and love and concord among themselves; and, in particular, a holy care of sanctifying the Lord’s Day.

“7. The minister may apply his discourse to the children as they are capable, with affectionate seriousness, showing them the advantage of knowing, loving, seeking, and serving God, and remembering their Creator and Redeemer in the days of their youth, and honouring their parents; and to remind them how they were dedicated to God in baptism; and when of age, and fit, and after due instruction of the nature of the covenant of grace and the seals thereof, to excite them to engage themselves personally to the Lord, and to desire and prepare for, and take the first opportunity they can of partaking of the Lord’s Supper; to be especially careful how they communicate at first, much depending thereon, (and such of the servants as are young are to be exhorted hereto in like manner,) exciting them also to daily reading of the Scriptures, and to secret prayer, and sanctifying the Lord’s Day.

“8. After the minister has spoken to servants and children, he should speak privately to the master and mistress of the family about their personal duty toward God, and the care of their own souls’ salvation, and their obligation to promote religion and the worship of God in their family, and to restrain and punish vice, and encourage piety, and to be careful that they and their house serve the Lord, and sanctify the Lord’s Day; and after this, it may be fit to exhort masters to take care that God be worshipped daily in the family, by prayer and praise, and reading the Scriptures. Secundo, Concerning the behaviour and conversation of the servants, and their duty towards God and man, and how they attend the worship of God in their family; how they attend the public worship on the Lord’s Day, and how they behave after sermons; if any of them be piously inclined; if they make conscience of secret prayer and reading the Scripture. Tertio, If there be catechising and instructing the ignorant and weak; if due care be taken in educating the children; and, particularly, if they be put timeously to school, and how they profit thereat; and how the Lord’s Day is spent after sermons in the family, and in secret; in all which the minister may mix in suitable directions, encouragements, and admonitions, as he shall see cause, and most for edification.

“9. It may be useful to inquire who have Bibles, and to encourage them who are able to get a Bible of their own, and to make diligent and religious use thereof; and to commend to parents and masters of families to have the Confession of Faith, Catechisms, and other good books, for instruction in faith and manners.

“10. If any be tainted with errors or given to vice, they should be particularly dealt with and spoken to, either privately or before others, as may be most for edification; and all are to be exhorted that are in the family to watch and edify one another, and to carry toward any that walk disorderly according to the rule, Matthew xviii. 15.

“11. As the minister is to exhort all in the family to peace and love among themselves and their neighbours, so, if there be any difference and division, either in the family or with the neighbours, the minister should endeavour to remove the same, and to make peace, and excite to follow it with all men as far as possible.

“12. It may be also inquired at those who received tokens to communicate the last season for it whether they have made use of them or not; and those who have communicated may be inquired privately how they have profited thereby, and excited to remember and pay their vows to the Lord.

“13. If there be any in the parish who keep not church communion with us, whatever their motives be, ministers ought to deal with God for them, and with themselves, in such a way as may be most proper to gain them, and exoner our own consciences before God and his people, waiting if God peradventure will prevail with them; who can tell but our making them sensible of our tender love and affection to their persons, especially to their souls, giving them all due respect, and doing them all the good we can, yet still discountenancing their sin, may in the end be blessed of God for their good. Jude 22, 23; 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25.

“Seeing there is need for all this of much prudence, zeal for God, and love to souls, and affectionate seriousness, all this should be carried on with dependence on God, and fervent prayer to Him, both before a minister set forth for such work, and with the visited, as there shall be access to, and opportunity for it.”