400 CiIRIsTIAN' MORALITY, VIZ. JUSTICE, ErC. [sEXM. X7LIV. are equally obliged to confer those benefits on persons of a lower character, which the law of God, and the light of nature require ; but some of the cases I have mentioned, will fall in naturally under the following particulars: II. Another instance of commutative justice, is the. particular kindness that is due to near relations. This is a very beautiful and a pleasant part of life, where it is well managed, this affectionate and delightful exchange of good turns one for another. Now that it is due to near relatives, according toThe appointment of God, will be made evident in this man- ner. God, the great Creator of all things, could have pro- duced all men immediately by his own power, and have made them arise up in several 'successions of time, with out such a propagation or dependance one upon another, if he had pleased ; and then' there would have been none of these tender and engaging relations of father, son, and brother. But thewise Creator bath ordained otherwise; he hath appointed such methods for the buildingof fami- lies, and continuing mankind in the world, as binds every soul of us by the ties of nature to one 'another. Acts xvii. 26. " Of one blood hath God made all the nations of the earth." And those that are nearer a-kin to one another, especially in the same family, as brethren and sisters, ought to look upon themselves under more peal- . liar and mutual obligations. to do kindnesses for each other in the first place, according to their capacity. The obligation lies on each party, because it lies upon the other. My brother is bound to love and help me, there- fore it is my dirty to help and love my brother: For a brother is bornfor adversity. ", Prov. xvii. 17. It is the sovereign will of Heaven, that there should be such near relations, who should be bound by the law of crea- tion and duty to protect, to support, and assist one ano- ther in a time of adversity : This is the design of God the Creator, in the course of his providence, its his subdivi- sion and propagation óf all the families of the earth. And as it is a piece ofjustice to confer this mutual help which is due to near relations, so there is something of justice too in our distinguishing acts of kindness and assistance according to difference of necessity, and ac- cording to difference of merit. I cannot believe I
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=