During the Reformation, when idolatry and superstition pervaded the church of Rome, the Reformers gave a clarion call to the church, to return to the sufficiency of Scripture and the efficacy of the God-appointed means of grace. In this endeavor, they fought to purify the worship of God from human inventions and manmade traditions, by restoring biblical order to the church. However, they also had to restore the biblical doctrine of the family, in a day when men had grown complacent, celibacy had become prized, and monastic life had come to be seen as more ‘spiritual’ than family life.

The Reformers and their theological heirs recognized that the natural order of the family was not only good, but also essential for the advancement of the Kingdom of God, alongside the institution of the church. God had appointed for elders to preach the Word in the church, and for fathers to gather this spiritual manna for their homes, by teaching the Word to their families daily.

This was likewise understood by the framers of the Westminster Confession, who declared that, “God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and in truth…in private families daily, and…more solemnly in the public assemblies” (WCF 21:6, SLBCF 22:6). Familial piety could not be sidestepped in the pursuit of revival in the church, for as Richard Baxter said, “You cannot expect a general reformation till you procure family reformation.” For if religion “is not promoted by these societies [families], it doth not prosper, nor promise much for future increase” (The Practical Works of Richard Baxter, Vol. 4, 385). The prefatory letter to the Second London Baptist Confession similarly notes that the "spring and cause of the decay of religion in our day...is the neglect of the worship of God in families by those to whom the charge and conduct of them is committed."

Recognizing the necessity of family religion for the propagation of the Gospel, the Puritans diligently expounded the doctrine of the family and the duties enjoined to heads of households. One such treatise was the classic Of Domestical Duties, by the Westminster divine, William Gouge. In it, he beautifully relates the necessity, utility, and efficacy of the family for the building of God’s Kingdom. Below is a short excerpt from his work, which can be found through Chapel Library:

The family is a seminary of the Church and Commonwealth. It is as a beehive, in which is the stock, and out of which are sent many swarms of bees: for in families are all sorts of people bred and brought up: and out of families are they lent into the Church and Commonwealth. The first beginning of mankind, and of his increase, was out of a family. For first did God join in marriage Adam and Eve, made them husband and wife, and then gave them children: so as husband and wife, parent and child, [which are parts of a family] were before Magistrate and subject, Minister and people, which are the parts of a Commonwealth, and a Church. When by the general deluge all public societies were destroyed, a family, even the family of Noah, was preferred, and out of it kingdoms and nations again raised. That great people of the Jews which could not be numbered for multitude, was raised out of the family of Abraham. Yea even to this day have all sorts of people come from families, and so shall to the end of the world. Whence it followeth, that a conscionable performance of domestical and household duties, tend to the good ordering of Church and Commonwealth, as being means to fit and prepare men thereunto.

Besides, a family is a little Church, and a little Commonwealth, at least a lively representation thereof, whereby trial may be made of such as are fit for any place of authority, or of subjection in Church or Commonwealth. Or rather it is as a school wherein the first principles and grounds of government and subjection are learned: whereby men are fitted to greater matters in Church or Commonwealth. Whereupon the Apostle declareth (1 Tim 3:5), that a Bishop that cannot rule his own house, is not fit to govern the Church…

This is to be noted for satisfaction of certain weak consciences, who think that if they have no public calling, they have no calling at all; and thereupon gather that all their time is spent without a calling. Which consequence if it were good and sound, what comfort in spending their time should most women have, who are not admitted to any public function in Church or Commonwealth? Or servants, children, and others who are wholly employed in private affairs of the family? But the forenamed doctrine showeth the unsoundness of that consequence. Besides, who knoweth not that the preservation of families tendeth to the good of Church and Commonwealth? So as a conscionable performance of household duties, in regard of the end and fruit thereof, may be accounted a public work. Yea, if domestical duties be well and thoroughly performed, they will be even enough to take up a man's whole time. If a master of a family be also an husband of a wife, and a father of children, he shall find work enough; as by those particular duties, which we shall afterwards show to belong unto masters, husbands and parents, may easily be proved. So a wife likewise, if she also be a mother and a mistress, and faithfully endeavour to do what by virtue of those callings she is bound to do, shall find enough to do. As for children under the government of their parents, and servants in a family, their whole calling is to be obedient to their parents and masters, and to do what they command them in the Lord. Wherefore if they who have no public calling, be so much the more diligent in the functions of their private callings, they shall be as well accepted of the Lord, as if they had public offices (Of Domestical Duties, Treatise 1, Ch. 8).

We would do well to heed to Gouge’s words, as we live in a day when the fires of family piety have grown cold due to our turning away from the Gospel. The glory of the Gospel is that it promotes in its recipients an ordinary piety. Gospel holiness does not consist of the rash taking of monastic vows or the forsaking of one’s earthly duties – but rather, it involves the invasion of Christ into every detail of our ordinary lives. The quiet and unnoticed duties fulfilled by the faithful keeper of the home, the industrious father, and the obedient child, are precious in the sight of the Lord – and as Gouge says are truly “public callings”.

May we resolve to return to these pleasant paths of God and embrace His perfectly wise rule for family life – for the spread of the Gospel, the strengthening of His church, and the glory of His Son.

Aashik Rao is a member of Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Long Island, NY. He has a passion for reformation and for bringing the gospel to bear on family, church, and society. Aashik is also studying to receive a B.A. in financial economics and to work as a financial professional. You can contact him at [email protected].