the Charac`ler of his true Dilciples. 2I I intereífs. The meaning of the text is, by S E R M. no means, that chriftians fhould not love IX. their relations, father and mother, brethren "--v."--J and filters ; nor is that the meaning of the yet ftronger expreflion, before mentioned, that they fhould " hate father and mother, " brethren and fillers, wife and children, yea and their own lives." Such affeions have deep and firm foundation in nature and reafon. The wife and good parent of man- kind, intending the fafety and happinefs of them all, has planted an inftina in every human heart, whereby it is inclined not on- ly to care for, and do good to itfelf, but to the whole kind. And confidering the cir- cumftances of our condition in this world, the indigences of an infant fiate, the infir- mities of old age, and the opportunities of mutual help, which are afforded by coha- bitation in families ; it is for the common advantage of the fpecies, that there fhould be nearer attachments, and that fuch rela- tions as thole of parents and children, brethren and fillers, fhould be endeared, and the benefit which may arife from them, fecured by a peculiarly tender of è lion. As this may be juftly attributed to God as its author, and his wifdom and goodnefs P 2 thine
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