212 Loving Chriji above all, SE R M. fhine in it, religion is not intended tò root IX. it out, or in any degree to weaken the bonds of humanity. On the contrary, it ferves rather greatly to confirm and ftrengthen them. God has exprefsly eftablifhed the obligation of relative duties by his own po- fitive law, and annexed the promífe of a great reward to the fincere and careful per- formance of them. In fcripture, to be without natural affeetion is reprefented as one of the worft characters. To fet light by father and mother is a molt heinous wickednefs, highly difpleafing to God. And for a man to neglect caring and providing for his own, eJpecially thofè of his own houfe, is to deny the faith, and be worfe than an infidel*. But, the immediate ends of thefe natural relations are not the higheft ends of our being. We are capable of nobler purfuits and higher enjoyments, than the eafe and conveniencies of our prefent condition. And in order to thefe, our minds are endued with affe tioiís of a fuperior nature ; the love of what Solomon calls wifdom, with its excellent and right things, and the love of the fupreme Being, the fountain of all good - nefs and happinefs, in whom all moral per- Tim. v. 8. feftions
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