ace Himself, grant his afflicted People, tossed with
tempests and not comforted, a safe and wel-grounded Peace, bring light out
of the present darknesse, and order out of all these confusions, give unto
all who are waiting for the consolation of Israel _good hope through
grace, comfort their hearts, stablish them in every good word and work_,
make his Cause to triumph at last over all opposition, and the enemies
foot to slide in due time, and so put a new Song of praise in the mouths
of his people. Amen.

_24. August 1647. Antemeridiem._ Sess. 19.

_Act for observing the Directions of the Generall Assembly for Secret and
Private Worship, and mutuall edification, and censuring such as neglect
Familie Worship._

The General Assembly, after mature deliberation, doth approve the
following Rules and Directions, for cherishing Piety and preventing
Division and Schisme, and doth appoint Ministers and Ruling Elders in each
Congregation to take speciall care that these directions be observed and
followed; As likewise that Presbyteries and Provincial Synods enquire and
make tryall whether the saids Directions bee duely observed in their
bounds, and to reprove or censure (according to the quality of the
offence) such as shall bee found to be reproveable or censurable therein.
And to the end that these Directions may not be rendred ineffectuall and
unprofitable among some through the usuall neglect of the very substance
of the duty of Family Worship, The Assembly doth further require and
appoint Ministers and Ruling Elders, to make diligent search and enquiry
in the Congregations committed to their charge respectively, whether there
bee among them any Family or Families which use to neglect this necessary
duty; And if any such Family be found, the head of that Family is to be
first admonished privately to amend this fault; And in case of his
continuing therein, he is to be gravely and sadly reproved by the Session.
After which reproof, if he be found still to neglect Familie Worship, Let
him be for his obstinacy, in such an offence, suspended and debarred from
the Lords Supper, as being justly esteemed unworthy to communicate therein
till he amend.

_The Directions of the Generall Assembly, for Secret and Private Worship &
mutuall edification, for cherishing Piety, for maintaining Unitie, and
avoiding Schisme and Division._

Besides the publike Worship in Congregations, mercifully established in
this Land, in