them are required to watch over each other, to tend each other in sickness, to alleviate one another's cares and sorrows, to pray for and with one another, and to avoid whatever may hinder those prayers. Above all things, each of them must remember, to be most attentive to their several duties when the other is most deficient: for if only one party at once indulge a wrong temper, or fall into misconduct, few serious interruptions of domestic harmony will follow.

To these general hints, a few more may be added of a special nature. Sometimes it is discovered after marriage, that a mistake hath been fallen into, as to the religious character of the person with whom the union has been formed. In this trying case, great care must be taken that the mind be not alienated, or amicable intercourse interrupted, on that account; that no disgust be excited by reproach, or any expression importing repentance of the union. On the other hand, wisdom and grace should be immediately and earnestly sought, to enable the party to bear the cross cheerfully; to win upon the other by kindness and attention; to induce concurrence in family worship, and attendance on the means of grace; and to use a prudent caution that the circumstance may only be a cross, and not a snare to the soul.-By whatever means a pious person is thus united with an unbeliever, the same cautions are in a measure needful; and others may be added. The Apostle hath expressly directed that believers should not on any such account withdraw from their partners, but should abide with them in hopes of being instrumental to their salvation, (1 Cor. vii. 12—17.) In this case the wife, whose husband" obeys not the word," should endeavour “to win him without the word;" not so much by frequent and earnest discourse on religious subjects, (which ought to be introduced very cautiously, modestly, and affectionately,) as by a "chaste conversation coupled with fear," or an union of circumspect fidelity and respectful submission; and to render herself agreeable to him, not by the vain decorations of elegant and costly attire, but "by the ornament of a

meek and quiet spirit," and the exercise of all those holy tempers, the seat of which is in the heart, and which are "in the sight of God of great value." In such circumstances, it may be advise able to bear unkind usage or neglect with patience, or to wait for opportunities of mild expostulation, in humble prayer and persevering submission. Thus the cross may be lightened, which a contrary conduct commonly increases; and the best method taken of " adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour," and of giving an unbeliever an affecting proof, that the truths he rejects, are most excellent in their nature and tendency. Many of the

same rules may properly be adopted by the pious husband, whose wife dislikes his religion; but in the superior relation there is a propriety in more explicitly and frequently introducing religious conversation, and in urging attendance on the means of grace, and concurrence in family wor ship. In both cases, such compliances, as cannot be conscientiously made, should be firmly but mildly refused; and in proportion to the degree in which a decided conduct is adopted, where the will of God is concerned, an obliging and yielding disposition should be manifested where personal inclination only is at stake, or where the matter is rather expedient than obligatory.

But there is a case of still greater difficulty, viz. when a believer has married an ungodly person, after having been competently acquainted with the truth and will of God in this respect. In general, such persons flatter themselves with the hope of being the instrument of good to the object of their choice, though the reverse is by far the more common effect. Yet this hope should not afterwards be abandoned; but deep humiliation, with earnest prayers to a merciful God, to pardon and over-rule for the best what cannot now be disannulled, should be considered as above all things needful. To this the observance of the foregoing rules should be added; and the consideration of the sin, by which the cross hath been incurred, should constitute an additional motive to persevering patience,” meekness, and kindness, even in return for harsh treatment;

and in one way or other, the Lord will support, comfort, and rescue such humble penitents, and make all to work together for good to their souls.

These hints indeed, are very inadequate to the full discussion of so copious and important a subject; but they may throw some light upon the path of those who read them with prayer, and compare them with the sacred Scrip

tures.

II. We proceed to consider the reciprocal duties of parents and children. This subject, indeed, has been already in great measure discussed, (Essay iv.) but a few hints must here be subjoined, beginning with the duty of children to their parents. The Apostle exhorts "children to obey their parents in the Lord," in obedience to his will, for the honour of the gospel, from grateful love to the name, and in imitation of the example of the Lord Jesus; this being also right in itself, and required by the holy law of God. The general grounds and nature of this duty have been stated; it remains for us to consider it, as practised by a believer from evangelical motives. If such a young disciple have the blessing of pious parents; in honouring and obeying them, he will commonly honour and obey the Lord; and gratitude for the spiritual benefits derived to him, by means of their instructions, example, and prayers, will be an additional incitement to a respectful, submissive, and obliging deportment; to a steady concern for their comfort, ease, interest, and reputation, and to a self-denying, frugal, and diligent endeavour to ward off want and distress from their old age; as pious Joseph maintained his father and family, just as many years in his old age, as his father had maintained him in his youth. In this case it will be peculiarly proper, to bear with their infirmities, and conceal them from others; to submit to inconveniences and restraints in compliance with their wishes, and to soothe their sorrows; to consult them in every undertaking as long as they live; to pay a deference to their opinion, even when it is in a measure unreasonable, if it do not interfere with other duties; and never to grieve them by a

contrary behaviour, without a very satisfactory reason, and with the most evident reluctance.

On the other hand, it' sometimes happens, that pious children have parents, whom they cannot but consider as strangers to the power of godliness. In this case it must be a leading desire of their hearts to win them over to the doctrine and grace of the Lord Jesus; but in order to accomplish this purpose, it is peculiarly needful to watch against a hasty zeal, and a violent spirit. They would expect to be opposed in their religious pursuits; to be assailed by arguments and authority, and perhaps by reproaches and menaces; to be restrained by various methods from attending divine ordinances, and to be allured into such companies and diversions as are inconsistent with their profession. They ought, therefore, to beg of God to give them the meekness of wisdom, as well as a steadfast mind; that they may not refuse obedience in frivolous or doubtful matters, or in a harsh and disobliging manner, but where evident duty requires it, and with calm and mild declarations of the grounds on which they proceed. Thus it will appear that a Scriptural conscientiousness, (and not caprice, self-will, or self-conceit,) compels them to act in this manner; and in proportion as this is done, redoubled diligence and self-denial should be used, to oblige their parents in all other things. In general, children are not required to preach to their parents; at least every word should be spoken in modesty, tenderness, and unassuming gentleness; and they should rather aim to induce them to hear sermons, to read books, or to converse with pious and prudent Christians, than themselves to give instructions, or engage in arguments with them, except in very particular circumstances. For parents will seldom become docile scholars to their own children, especially if they teach in magisterial and reproving language. The most conclusive argument they can use, consists in an uniform conscientious conduct, an obliging attention, silent submission to undeserved rebukes, diligence in business, fidelity to every trust reposed in them, and a disinterested regard to the

temporal advantage of the whole family. When a young person uniformly acts in this manner, he will have opportunities of speaking or writing a few words with weight and propriety; which being joined with persevering prayer, may at length be crowned with the desired success; whilst a contrary conduct will close a parent's ear against the choicest arguments and most zealous discourse. But however that may be, in this way he will adorn the gospel, and will be sure of meeting with the gracious acceptance and blessing of his heavenly Father.

ESSAY XXI.

The Subject Continued.

HAVING given some brief hints on the conduct to which

the principles of the gospel will influence the true believer in the filial relation; we must subjoin a few observations on the reciprocal duties of parents, whom reason and revelation unite in appointing to be the guardians of their offspring, in respect of their present and future welfare. Their attention, therefore, must not only commence from the time when they actually become parents; but many things should previously be arranged, with reference to the probability of this important event ;-important, because every human being, that is brought into existence, must be completely happy or miserable to all eternity! From the very first, wise and conscientious parents will do nothing, for the sake of ease, indulgence, or any other selfish purpose, which may endanger the life, limbs, senses, constitution, understanding, or morals of their children they will personally attend to every thing relating to them as far as they can; and will be very careful not to entrust them with such persons, as are merely influenced by worldly interest in what they do for them. They will perceive the importance of inuring them early