The following is an excerpt from Jonathan Edwards’ ( 1703-1758 ) “Farewell Sermon” given at his church upon his dismissal from that congregation after 25 years of pastoral ministry (The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. I, p. ccvi.).

On the Family and Grace

by Dr. Jonathan Edwards

‘We have had great disputes how the church ought to be regulated; and indeed the subject of these disputes was of great importance: but the due regulation of your families is of no less, and, in some respects, of much greater importance. Every Christian family ought to be as it were a little church, consecrated to Christ, and wholly influenced and governed by his rules. And family education and order are some of the chief means of grace. If these fail, all other means are likely to prove in effectual. If these are duly maintained, all the means of grace will be likely to prosper and be successful.

Let me now therefore, once more, before I finally cease to speak to this congregation, repeat, and earnestly press the counsel which I have often urged on the heads of families, while I was their pastor, to great painfulness in teaching, warning, and directing their children; bringing them up in the training and admonition of the Lord; beginning early, where there is yet opportunity, and maintaining constant diligence in labors of this kind.

Remember that, as you would not have all your instructions and counsels ineffectual, there must be government as well as instructions, which must be maintained with an even hand, and steady resolution, as a guard to the religion and morals of your family, and the support of its good order. Take heed that it not be with any of you as it was with Eli of old, who reproved his children, but restrained them not; and that, by this means, you do not bring the like curse on your families as he did on his.’

The disputes at Northampton were more centered on the administration of the Lord’s Supper.  How significant is it that in his final message he once again preaches the necessity of the home to be gospel-centered and for heads of households to take up that mantle and rightly administer it?!