The law unsealed

If it be further asked, Why all Superiors, yea all Neighbours, are spoken of as Fathers and Mothers? Answ. These reasons are obvious from the scope: I• is 1. to show that the duties of this Command are mutual amongst all relations▪ it giveth Superiors their due, yet so as that it teacheth them also how to carry toward their Inferiors, that is, to be Fathers to them; and that the relation necessarily implieth a mutual tie; therefore this Command doth not only direct inferiors in their duty towards Superiors, but also Superiors in their duty to their Inferiors. 2. They get this name to make their subjection to each other, and their mutual relations and duties the more sweet and kindly, when the subjection is to be given as by a Son to a Father, and when it is exacted and expected as by a Father from a Son; which consideration should be a kindly motive to all mutual duties, and also an inducement to hide infirmities; and to construct tenderly of failings. And thus the denomination of the natural relation seems to be borrowed, to establish and strengthen the positive Relation, which of its self is no• so binding of the Conscience by Nature's light. So much for the Object of thus Duty.

If it be further asked, Why all Superiours, yea all Neighbours, are spoken of as Fathers and Mothers? Answ. These reasons are obvious from the scope: I• is 1. to shew that the duties of this Command are mutual amongst all relations▪ it giveth Superiours their due, yet so as that it teacheth them also how to carry toward their Inferiours, that is, to be Fathers to them; and that the relation necessarily implyeth a mutual tye; therefore this Command doth not only direct inferiours in their duty towards Superiours, but also Superiours in their duty to their Inferiours. 2. They get this name to make their subjection to each other, and their mutual relations and duties the more sweet and kindly, when the subjection is to be given as by a Son to a Father, and when it is exacted and expected as by a Father from a Son; which consideration should be a kindly motive to all mutual duties, and also an inducement to hide infirmities; and to construct tenderly of failings. And thus the denomination of the natural relation seems to be borrowed, to establish and strengthen the positive Relation, which of its self is no• so binding of the Conscience by Nature's light. So much for the Object of thus Duty.