And therefore God almighty when he would express
his gentle dealing with the Israelites, he tells them, that
though he chastened them, he chastened them as a man chastens
his son, Deut. viii. 5. i.e. with tenderness and affection,
and kept them under no severer discipline than what was
absolutely best for them, and had been less kindness to have
slackened. This is that power to which children are commanded
obedience, that the pains and care of their parents may not be
increased, or ill rewarded.
Sec. 68. On the other side, honour and support, all
that which gratitude requires to return for the benefits received
by and from them, is the indispensable duty of the child, and the
proper privilege of the parents. This is intended for the
parents advantage, as the other is for the child's; though
education, the parents duty, seems to have most power, because
the ignorance and infirmities of childhood stand in need of
restraint and correction; which is a visible exercise of rule,
and a kind of dominion. And that duty which is comprehended in
the word honour, requires less obedience, though the obligation
be stronger on grown, than younger children: for who can think
the command, Children obey your parents, requires in a man,
that has children of his own, the same submission to his father,
as it does in his yet young children to him; and that by this
precept he were bound to obey all his father's commands, if, out
of a conceit of authority, he should have the indiscretion to
treat him still as a boy?
Sec.
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