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143 Fifth Precept Filial Duty.

East Windsor Feby. 12. 1792

Exodus 20. 12. Honor Thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

The First table of the law, begins with our duty to God, the second, with the duties that we owe to our natural parents. For next to God, they demand our reverence, love and obedience. They are in God's stead to children. As parents and children are mutually dependent on God, children are especially dependent on their parents.

Their command in the most important of those of the second table of the law and therefore placed the first for to him who fulfils all filial duty whose mind is habitually impressed with filial piety with reverence & love to his parents, the remain