That which is natural is in all by the very instinct of nature: and it was at first created, and still is by Gods providence preserved in our nature, and that for the preservation of nature. Were there not such a natural love of himself in every one, man would be as careless of himself, as of others, and as loth to take pains for himself, as for others. Wherefore that every one might have care at least of one, even of himself, and so the world be better preserved, God hath reserved in man this natural affection, notwithstanding his corruption by sin. Yea further because every one is not able to look to himself, at least when he is young, sick, old, or any other way impotent, God by his wise providence hath extended this natural affection towards other also as they are nearly linked unto us by the bonds of nature. The next to a mans self are (by blood and bond of nature) children. Admirably much is that which parents do for their children, which they would never do, if there were not a natural affection in them to their children. From children again this affection ariseth towards their parents, that when parents grow old, impotent, or any way unable to help themselves, they might have succour from their children. And because parents and children are not always together, or not able to help one another, or unnatural, God hath yet further extended this natural affection to brethren, cousins, and other kindred. And for a further extent thereof hath instituted marriage betwixt such as are not of the same blood, and by virtue of that bond raised a natural affection not only in husband and wife one to another, but also in all the alliance that is made thereby. Moreover this affection is wrought in neighbours, friends, fellows, and other by like bonds knit together, that the bow of Gods providence might have many strings, and if one break, another might hold. In all these kinds, the nearer a man cometh to himself, the more doth this affection show it self, according to the proverb, Near is my coat, but nearer is my skin. God having wrought this natural affection in the several ⟨p. 82⟩kinds thereof, and there being good ends and uses thereof, it is not to be condemned.
That which is naturall is in all by the very instinct of nature: and it was at first created, and still is by Gods prouidence preserued in our nature, and that for the preseruation of nature. Were there not such a naturall loue of himselfe in euery one, man would be as carelesse of himselfe, as of others, and as loth to take paines for himselfe, as for others. Wherefore that euery one might haue care at least of one, euen of himselfe, and so the world be better preserued, God hath reserued in man this naturall affection, notwithstanding his corruption by sin. Yea further because euery one is not able to looke to himselfe, at least when he is young, sicke, old, or any other way impotent, God by his wise prouidence hath extended this naturall affection towards otheralso as they are neerely linked vnto vs by the bonds of nature. The next to a mans selfe are (by bloud and bond of nature) children. Admirably much is that which parents doe for their children, which they would neuer doe, if there were not a naturall affection in them to their children. From children againe this affection ariseth towards their parents, that when parents grow old, impotent, or any way vnable to helpe themselues, they might haue succour from their children. And because parents and children are not alwaies together, or not able to helpe one another, or vnnaturall, God hath yet further extended this naturall affection to brethren, cousins, and other kindred. And for a further extent thereof hath instituted mariage betwixt such as are not of the same bloud, and by vertue of that bond raised a naturall affection not only in husband and wife one to another, but also in all the alliance that is made therby. Moreouer this affection is wrought in neighbours, friends, fellowes, and other by like bonds knit together, that the bow of Gods prouidence might haue many strings, and if one breake, another might hold. In all these kinds, the neerer a man commeth to himselfe, the more doth this affection shew it selfe, according to the prouerbe, Neare is my coat, but nearer is my skin. God hauing wrought this naturall affection in the seuerall ⟨p. 82⟩kindes thereof, and there being good ends and vses thereof, it is not to be condemned.
