bestow upon him; and having thus prepared him for its reception, God, by an act, which (whether literally, or, as some think, figuratively, described) marks the intimate connection between the two sexes, and their entire dependence upon each other, finished the scheme of temporal happiness which He had designed for man, by the formation of a companion every way suitable to him; and instituted, at the same moment, for the increase of the human race, and for the promotion of the best satisfactions of man's temporal state, a relationship, which, next to that in which he stands to his Maker, is the most dear and sacred in which he can be placedthe HOLY ESTATE OF MATRIMONY.

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Away, then, with that hideous corruption of the Christian faith, repugnant alike to the claims of nature and the will of God, which forbids to marry;" and condemns those, who were intended to be "useful in their generation," to cheerless singleness; to waste the charms, and graces, and virtues, of active early life, in gloomy abstraction from the world and all its social duties! Away with that cold, heartless, calculating policy, so popular in modern times, which would displace the Creator from the superintendence and manage.

ment of the population of the world; and, to promote its own groveling, narrow, and mistaken views of political good, would weaken, if not abrogate, the obligation of that great general law, given to all animated Nature, when it came fresh and fair from the hand of the Almighty,-INCREASE

AND MULTIPLY.

The ordinance of marriage having thus been proved to "be of God," and its influence on man's temporal happiness shown to be highly important; it will be desirable, in the next place, to speak of the duties. arising out of this form of social relationship.

"Therefore shall a man leave his father " and his mother, and shall cleave unto his "wife, and they shall be one flesh."

This language requires no explanation; "he that runneth may read," and understand. The injunction is the command of God, (in the words of an inspired writer,) delivered on the original appointment of the state of wedlock; and clearly indicates the sacredness of the connection, the intimate nature of the union, and the obligation of those who are parties in it to fulfil their reciprocal engagements.

It is true, indeed, and the fact is deeply to be lamented, that the professors of the christian faith do not in general regard the

matrimonial state in this serious, solemn point of view. The world makes a code of morals for itself; and regulates most of its practices by any other principles than those of religion. Fashion and custom usurp the authority of the Bible; and, in the place of its direct and positive, its pure and holy, laws, substitute maxims of their own, accommodated to the passions or interests, the caprices or vices, of their votaries; and encourage, by example as well as precept, the unblamed violation of every moral and religious obligation. They "forsake God, the fountain of living waters, and

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hew them out cisterns, broken cisterns, "that can hold no water." Hence it is that the marriage vow is but lightly esteemed by multitudes of the believing world; and if we were called upon to point out the most obnoxious feature in our existing national manners, we might, perhaps, be justified in saying,it is the levity with which the contract is formed, the frequency with which it is violated, and the facility with which it is legally made void.

The perverseness of man, however, cannot alter the stable and eternal holiness of God, nor make darkness light, nor light darkness. His moral law, like himself, is unchangeable; "the same yesterday, to

"day, and for ever." What He has blessed, it shall be blessed; and what He has cursed, upon it shall his curse remain. In opposition to the licentious principles of a corrupt world, God, by the mouth of his Apostle, has said, "marriage is honourable in all, and "the bed undefiled:" sanctifying in the New Testament the state which He had ordained in the Old one; and has added, "but whoremongers and adulterers God "will judge;" denouncing a penalty, not to be avoided, upon the infringement of its obligations.

It cannot be doubted, therefore, that foremost on the list of conjugal duties stands the fidelity of the respective parties to each other. It was implied before the contract; it was pledged at the altar; it is commanded in "the tables of the cove"nant," "Thou shalt not commit adul "tery;" and it is repeatedly recognized and enjoined in the more extended law of Jesus Christ. Nothing, consequently, can be more sacred or binding than the marriage vow of personal fidelity. The authority of the divine command to maintain it unbroken is seconded by the sanctions of human laws; and deliberately to violate it, in defiance of the prohibition of God, and the precepts of Christ; in opposition to

every dictate of gratitude, every claim of affection, and every sentiment of virtue and true honour; is such a great offence," such a "presumptuous sin," as seems well to merit that "greater damnation" which the Almighty has reserved for the punishment of the most atrocious guilt. The ADULTERER and ADULTERESS stand convicted and condemned by the law and the gospel. The sentence of both is pronounced against them; and its execution can be averted only by consummate shame, bitter remorse, and sincere contrition; by heartfelt anguish for their past guilt, and unconquerable resolutions to "go and sin no more."

Another important duty included in the marriage vow is the performance of the implied pledge made at the altar, of unreserved confidence between the parties concerned in it.

The interests of a married couple are so intimately and inseparably connected, that it is difficult to conceive any circumstance or situation affecting the one, which would be, or at least which ought to be, altoge ther indifferent to the other. They have, in the presence of God and his church, joined their hands for better and for 66 worse," to share together all "the

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changes and chances of this mortal life,"