that duty to Parents that even infidels think themselves
obliged to do". And in his note he adds, "To provide here does not
signify laying up by way of careful, thoughtful providence
beforehand, but only taking care of for the present, as we are able,
relieving, maintaining, giving to them that want."--Whitby in his
annotation on the same verse says, "Some here are guilty of a great
mistake, scraping together great fortunes, and hoarding them up for
their children, with a scandalous neglect of that charity to their
Christian brethren which alone can sanctify those enjoyments to them,
and enable them to lay up a good foundation against the time to come;
pleading these words to excuse their sordid parsimony and want of
charity; that 'he that provident not for his own household, hath
denied the faiths and is worse than an infidel'; whereas these words
plainly respect the provision which children should make for their
parents, and not that which parents should make for their children."
See also Doddridge, Scott, and Pole's Synopsis, in loco.--The meaning
of the text then is simply this:--he who ministers not to the
necessities of his aged relatives, having the means so to do, is to
be esteemed worse than an infidel; for even the heathen acknowledged
this to be a duty. The precept, therefore, is to give and not to lay
up, and consequently is in perfect accordance with the commando "Lay
not up for yourselves treasures upon earth."

For the meaning of the passage--"Provide things honest in the sight
of all men" (Romans 12. 17) (which some for want of more efficient
support, are anxious to press into their service) see the above
authorities; where it will be seen to have reference only to the
beauty of character becoming and attractive in a Christian. See, as a
Scripture comment, Phil. 4. 8. 2; Ch. 8 and 21. [There appears a
mistake in the reference here.]

I shall now make a few remarks on the passage contained in II Cor.
12. 14, that I may bring under one point of view all the evidence the
New Testament seems to me to afford, either in fact or by possible
construction, against the view taken in this Essay. And this passage
we more particularly notice, as it really appears to present some
difficulty. "Behold," says the Apostle, "the third time I am ready to
come to you; and I will not be burthensome to you; for the children
ought not to lay up for the Parents, but the Parents for the
children." Now the difficulty alluded to