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I can't figure to myſelf a more afflictive Circumſtance in human Life, than to be entirely deprived of my Child, by the Unkindneſs of my Huſband! When the tendereſt, deareſt and beſt founded Affections of the Heart, are baffled, diſappointed, and over-ruled, by all-controuling Power, what forreign Acceſſions of Pleaſures or Honours can aſſwage the Anguiſh of ſuch a wounded Spirit? Nothing but the moſt ſeraphick Love of God, can fill up that vaſt Vacancy! that moſt forlorn Void! which an Affectionate well inclined Heart finds in itſelf, when the tendereſt Object of its Love, is raviſhed from it. 'Tis true, theſe are rare Inſtances, but the Law is nevertheleſs hard, which gives every Huſband the Power of exerciſing such Cruelties.
But in Anſwer to Remonſtrances of this Kind, we are told that the Law ſuppoſes the Father the beſt Judge, whether the Mother is capable of educating their Children.
And alſo, that it is a Security to the Children, in Caſe the Mother ſhould marry again, and put herſelf and Children in the Power of another Maſter.
If we are naturally unqualified to educate our Children, or to choſe proper Perſons to aſſiſt us in it, then has Nature impreſt maternal Affliction in vain, at leaſt it ought
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