A Body of Practical Divinity

1. It is a Solemn Command of God, Honour thy Father, &c. As God's Word is the Rule, so his Will must be the Reason of our Obedience.¹

1. 1Reason.

2. They deserve Honour, in respect of that great Love and Affection which they bear to their Children, and that Love is evidenced both by their Care and Cost. (1.) Their Care in bringing up their Children. A Sign their Hearts are full of Love, because their Heads are so full of Care. Parents oft take more Care for their Children than for themselves. They take Care of them when they are tender, least like Wall-Fruit they should be nipped in the Bud. And as Children grow older, so the Care of Parents grows greater. They are afraid of their Children's falling when young, and of worse Faults when they are older. (2.) Their Love is evidenced by their Cost. 1 Cor. 12.14. They lay up, and lay out for their Children. They are not like the Raven or Ostrich, Job. 39.14. which are cruel to their Young. Parents sometimes do impoverish themselves to enrich their Children. All this calls for Honour from the Children. Children can never parallel or equal Parents Love. Parents are the Instruments of Life to their Children, Children cannot be so to their Parents.

2. They deserve Honour, in respect of that great Love and Affection which they bear to their Children, and that Love is evidenced both by their Care and Cost. (1.) Their Care in bringing up their Children. A Sign their Hearts are full of Love, because their Heads are so full of Care. Parents oft take more Care for their Children than for themselves. They take Care of them when they are tender, least like Wall-Fruit they should be nip'd in the Bud. And as Children grow older, so the Care of Parents grows greater. They are afraid of their Childrens falling when young, and of worse Faults when they are older. (2.) Their Love is evidenced by their Cost.