not without difficulty to themselves, in order to their
living comfortable here and for ever this must surely
be owned to be much the greater and more valuable
kindness ; and consequently reason will sink the sail
on this side, how heavy soever affection may hang on
the other.
"Now on both these accounts you know what you owe to one of the best of mothers. Perhaps you may have read of one of the Ptolemies who chose the name of Philometer as a more glorious title than if he had assumed that of his predecessor Alexander. And it would be an honest and virtuous ambition in you to attempt to imitate him, for which you have so much reason ; and often reflect on the tender and peculiar love your dear mother has always expressed towards you, the deep affliction both of body and mind which she underwent for you both before and after your birth ; the particular care she took of your education when she struggled with so many pains and infirmities ; and, above all, the wholesome and sweet motherly advice and counsel which she has often given you to fear God, to take care of your soul, as well as of your learning, to shun all vicious practices and bad examples (the doing which will equally tend to your reputation and your happiness) as well as those valuable letters she wrote you on the same subjects. You will, I verily believe, remember that these obligations of gratitude, love, and obedience, and the expressions of them, are not confined to your tender years, but must last to the very close of life, and even after that render her memory most dear and precious to you.
"You will not forget to evidence this by supporting and comforting her in her age, if it please God that she should ever attain to it (though I doubt she
