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in the bufineffe of marriage: For of al 4-
difobedience that of marrying against the co
of Parents, is one of the highest. For(as a len
thor well obferves) Children are fo much they
& poßeßions of their Parents,that they cann
out a kind of theft) giveaway themselves wishe
allowance of thofe that have fuch a right is
And therefore we fee under the Law, the
that had made any vow, was not suffered to
it without the confent of her Parent, Numb
The right of the Parent was thought of
nough to cancell and make void che oflye
ven of a vow; and therefore furely it o
fo much confidered by Children, as to
from making any Contract whereby
infringed.

III. Gratitude and Thankfulnesst, ***
they must expreffe,

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1. In a hearty affectionate acknowledga their love and care over them. Certaish Children that duly weigh, how their s have been the Inftruments under God, t of bringing them into the world, but off and fupporting them after, and do further der the cares and fears that go to the brings of a Child, will judge, that thankfulnesse 15* moderate return for fo great benefits.

2. In miniftring to their neceffities of wher foever, whether weakness or sickness of body cayedneffe of understanding, poverty and

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of eftate: In all these cafes the Child is bound according to his ability, to relieve and help his Pa rents; and thereby (as much as in him lies) to recompence their care, love, and kindness towards him. As his Parent bare with him when a child, fo he must bear with his Parent, though froward, and twice a Child; and though God should raise him in dignity above him, yet that must not cancel bis Duty towards him, nor make him (with fome bafe difpofition'd and wicked Children) ashamed to own him. In Gen.4713. we find that wealthy Jofeph nourished his Father and Brethren in want; and the fame duty the Apostle enjoyns, 1 Tim.5.4. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to fhew Piety at home, and to requite their Parents; for that is good and acceptable before God. And our Saviour himself when he left this world, commended his Mother to the care of his Beloved Difciple, Foh. #19.26,27.)

There is one thing more, (which I may couch under this Head) wherein fuch children as are really good and truly religious themselves, may of expreffe a high degree of Gratitude, if the cafe to te fury as it fometimes happens) that their Parents are as yet unacquainted with, or negligent of the Treat concernments of their fouls. Now in fuch a afe as this, What a high office of filial Duty is it, For a child in a wife and humble manner to infinu te into his Parent fuch things as may (with Gg 3

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the bleffing of God) tend to his everlating, fare; and fo be an inftrument of his new who (under God) gave him his first biri: being in this world? This is a Duty where Children fhould take themselves more comin than ufually they do.

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3. In praying for them. The debt Chic pwe to their Parents is fo great, that the Co not able to fatis fie it themselves, they ougY neftly to beg of the Lord, that he would pe recompence it) by multiplying his Graces and his bleffings both spiritual and tempor them, and to requite their care and low fand fold into their bofoms.

4. In covering their infirmities. 'n ty, and will be the endeavour of good and children, to cover and conceal the inf their Parents (with Shem and Faphet) = with curfed Cham to publish and difchk¦ Gen.9.23. How deteftable is it for Chr deride and fcoffe at the infirmities of

rents?

5. And lastly, By imitating their go's ple. Whatever was good, vertuous, 20 mendable in their Parents, let Children in But their vices and miscarriages let them and not entail them on their pofterity. Let's remember what a difmal found is in those w Feroboam the fon of Nebat who made Ifraclu 2 King. 3.3:

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ere are two great Motives to preffe Chila careful obfervance of these things. 'Tis right and juft, and that which should ph 6.1. And 'tis well pleafing to the Lord,

3.20.11.

It has a promife of reward, Eph.6.2,3. Hothy Father and Mother (which is the first mandment with promife) that it may be well thee, and that thou maist live long on the The words in Exod.20.12. may be renHonour thy Father and thy Mother, that (viz. By their prayers) may prolong thy • Parents prayers are great bleffings to chil And further confider what Solomon faith, 10. 27. The fear of the Lord prolongeth And Godlineffe hath the promise of this and that which is to come, Tim. 4.8. If I take away some good and dutiful children bes out of this life, they are no lofers by it. God is better to them than his promife: In A of a long leafe in this life, he gives them ent poffeffion of a free bold of much better vain the Kingdom above.

1.3.20. Children obey your Parents in all things for this is well pleafing unto the Lord.

h.6.1. Children obey your Parents in the Lord, for this is right.

2. Honour thy Father and thy Mother (which Gg 4

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is the first Commandment with promife.. V.3. That it may be well with thee, and tbok maist live long on the earth.

Prov.23.22. Hearken unto thy Father that begat thee. and defpife not thy Mother when she is ・oid...

Prov. 1.8. My Son hear the Inftruction of thy Fa ther, and forfake not the Law of thy Mother. V 9. For they shall be an Ornament of Grace unto shine Head, and chains about thy neck. Luke 2.51. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was fubject unto them. Heb. 12.7. If ye endure chastning, God dealeth with you as with Sons, for what fon is be, whom the Father chastenethnot?

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9. Furthermore we have bad Fathers of our 1 flesh, which corrected us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much more be in fubjection unto the Father of Spirits, and live. Mal.1.6. A Son honoureth his Father, and a ferwant his Master: If I then be a Father, where is mine honour ? and if I be a Master, where is my fear? faith the Lord of Hofts, &c. 1 King.2.19. Bathsheba therefore went unto King Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah, and the Ring rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her

Gen.27.34. And when Efau heard the words of bis Father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and faid unto his Father, blesse me,

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