A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

2. We ought to bewail the Sins of our near and dear Relations, §. 6 in a greater measure than those of mere Strangers. Natural Affection sanctified is the strongest. As Nature puts forth it self to nearest Relations in strong affection, so Grace engageth to a proportionable degree of spiritualizing that Affection. How earnest and desirous was holy Paul for his Kinsmen in the flesh, that they should be saved! ¹Never did a godly man in the World, never durst he neglect the Duty of bewailing the Sins of his Children. Job offered Sacrifices,² and Prayers, and Tears too (no doubt) for very fear his Children might offend God. There is in the Saints a spiritual Storge, a natural affection Spiritualized: No Godly man knows how to spare any one Child of his for the Devil: it must needs trouble him to fear that they who are so near in this, should be so distant in the next Life. His Soul desires especially Soul-mercies for his Children. To see them poor in the World, will not so much afflict him as to fear they will never be rich to God. Besides the Sins of those that are nearly related, are most frequently presented to our eyes and ears; ⟨p. 110⟩they cry nearest us, and therefore they should cry loudest to us: They are most committed to our care, and therefore their miscarriages should be the greatest objects of our Fear. Near Relations may also probably more endanger the residue of those that belong to our Family. Sin in one or two, though in a large Family, may endanger and infect the whole. We most strive to quench those Flames that destroy houses near us, we are more fearful of them, than of those at a greater distance: A Snake in ones Bed is more formidable, and a Toad there more odious and ugly, than in my Field or Garden.

2. We ought to bewail the Sins of our near and dear Relations, §. 6 in a greater measure than those of meer Strangers. Natural Affection sanctified is the strongest. As Nature puts forth it self to nearest Relations in strong affection, so Grace engageth to a proportionable degree of spiritualizing that Affection. How earnest and desirous was holy Paul for his Kinsmen in the flesh, that they should be saved! ¹