ed in queftion. Had we no other evidence, than the reproof, which our Saviour addreffed to the pharifees, we could have no reasonable doubts on this head. They found fault with his difciples for eating bread before they had washed. Jefus told them, that they were guilty of a much higher offence, and pointed out the particular inftance. The law commanded, faying, "Honour thy father, and mother, and he that curfeth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye fay, whofoever fhall fay to his father or mother, it is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me, and honour not his father and mother, he shall be free." Thus, adds our Saviour, "have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your traditions."

To un

derstand this paffage, you will remember, that to honour, in fcripture language, means to fupport a parent; and this was exprefsly commanded by the Jewish lawgiver. But thefe pharifees, by a mere fiction, had contrived to fet afide this law. If a child would come forward and fay, that he had devoted to a facred ufe, that which his parents might lawfully claim,.. he might then leave them to perish, How many took the advantage of this fic

tion, it is impoffible to afcertain; for the honour of human nature, we would hope that Judea afforded few inftances of fuch depravity. But whether it did, or did not, it is plain, from the indignation of our Saviour, that he esteemed the duty to provide for parents of eternal obligation.

The apostle Paul has likewife expreffed his fentiments on this fubject. "But if any provide not for his own, efpecially for thofe of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” Thefe words do by no means convey the fenfe of the original. The apostle is here fpeaking of the duty of children to maintain their aged parents, fhould they be in want; but, from an expreffion in the text, it seems, that in order to derive this benefit, the latter ought to live within the fame walls with the former. But why should any ftrefs be laid on this circumftance? Whether a parent be of the child's household or not, he ought to have a comfortable fupport. The truth is, the words are not accurately rendered ;they should run thus:" But if any man provide not for his own (parents) and ef pecially when they are of the household (i. e. of faith) he hath denied the faith, and is worfe than an infidel." According

to

to this tranflation, the reafoning of the apostle will be conclufive. Every chrif tian is obliged to provide for his indigent parents; even if they are heathens, he cannot excufe himself from this duty. How indifpenfable then his obligation to affift them, when they unite the chriftian to the parental character. To defert them in this cafe, is to deny the faith, and behave worse than the infidel.

I have now infifted on the feveral du-ties incumbent on children; and I would hope that all, who ftand in this relation, will pay a proper attention to the fubject. My young friends of this fociety I would earneftly exhort to show piety at home; and to endeavour to requite those whom they must view as their best friends. This is decent, this is honourable, and it is good and acceptable before God. The Supreme Being is highly pleased with every inftance of filial piety; and he is juftly offended with those who are deficient in this refpect..

Be careful, then, not to incur the divine displeasure by acting a rude, ingrateful, or rebellious part towards thofe, whom he hath commanded you to hon-our. Remember your many obligations, and let it be your study to make a proper F 2

return.

return. Cultivate the moft fincere affection, and let your actions teftify the gratitude of your hearts. Let the commands

of

your parents be received with cheerfulnefs, and executed with pleasure. Confult them on all important occafions, and reverence their advice. Their failings and infirmities you must cover with the mantle of charity. And fhould they ever stand in need of your affiftance, you must let it appear that your duty is your delight. Put yourselves in their place, confider what you fhould expect, then go and do likewife. Some are, at the fame time, both parents and children, and they can easily make the application to themfelves.

On fo plain a duty it is unnecessary to enlarge. To children, therefore, I would only fay, fhow piety at home, and requite your parents. Promoting their happiness, you will promote your own. The world will applaud your amiable and dutiful behaviour; and fhould you be parents yourselves, you may hope, that the meafure which you mete will be measured to you again.

Semmon IV.

BENEFITS OF PARENTAL RELIGION.

2 TIMOTHY, 1. 5.

WHEN I CALL TO REMEMBRANCE THE UNFEIGNED FAITH THAT IS IN THEE, WHICH DWELT FIRST IN THY GRANDMOTHER, LOIS, AND THY MOTHER, EUNICE, AND I AM PERSUADED THAT 1S IN THEE ALSO.

IT was the privilege of Timothy to have defcended from perfons, whofe characters reflected the fplendour of religion; and whofe lives were an illuftration of its moft facred duties. His grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice, were eminent for their piety. Early in life, they had inftilled the principles of religion into his tender mind; nor were their inftructions and example loft upon their young charge. The evangelift had eyes to behold the charms of their virtue, and a heart not merely to receive, but to