Deuteronomy 33:9

Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.

Ver. 9. Who said unto his father.] In that heroical fact, Exodus 32:26 ; Exo 32:29 in that terrible crisis about the golden calf. Not to be wryed or biassed by respect to carnal friends, is a high and hard point of self-denial. Mark was Barnabas's sister's son; hence he stood so stiff for him against Paul, his faithful fellow traveller. Act 15:37 Col 4:10 Moses, to please Zipporah, displeased God, and it went hard with him. Exo 4:24 Eli was too indulgent to his wicked sons; and so perhaps was Samuel too. 1 Samuel 8:1 ; 1Sa 8:3 How many of the holy martyrs denied themselves utterly in their dearest wives and children, either at the stake, or going thither! It is well observed, that the married martyrs, parents of many children, as Rogers, Watts, Guest, Rawlins, suffered with most alacrity.