The Peculiarity and Importance of the Marriage Relation; the Possibility of Knowing the Will of God in This Affair; the Law Laid Down
How wonderful is it, that two persons, who perhaps never met before, should by a train of circumstances be brought together, obtain a peculiar propriety in each other, and form one absolute communion of wishes, joys and sorrows!
If we compare this relation with other connexions, we shall find it surpasses them all. Are other unions They may be limited in their continuance, or terminated at pleasure. But this is permanent, and indissoluble. You cannot marry for a given period. It is for life. Are other unions natural’ Intimate indeed is the relation between brother and sister: tender is the relation between parents and children, especially between the mother and ’ the son of her womb.” But for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be on.e flesh. What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.’
The marriage connexion therefore is the most singular, and the most important. Hence it can never be viewed with indifference. It cannot be carelessly contemplated by legislators, by politicians, by moralists, by divines. And can it be slightingly regarded by the individuals themselves? The effects extend to families and communities; but how much more powerfully must the consequences affect the parties immediately concerned? Can the scripture, always alive to the welfare of man, Can the scripture pass by such a relation? Impossible. It shows us its divine institution and benediction in Paradise. It shows us our
Saviour gracing with his presence the celebration- of a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and displaying ’ his glory’ by working a miracle to preserve the new-married couple from embarrassment and mortification. It shows us in this condition, characters the most eminent and distinguished for piety and usefulness; witness Enoch, and Peter, and James, and John. It brands with infamy the doctrine that ’ forbids to marry.’ It often employs the connexion as the image of the union subsisting between Christ and the church. It assures us that ‘Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.’
It is obvious therefore that the scripture is far from discouraging marriage. But what it does not condemn, it is careful to regulate. Let us then, my Christian friends, look after the will of God in this momentous and interesting subject.
If ever we err, it is not from any defect in the scripture, but because there is some * occasion of stumbling in us:’ some inattention that hinders examination, or some prejudice that perverts it. His word is ’ a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our paths.’ There is a sufficiency in it for all the useful purposes of Mife and godhness.’ Can a man ask at these ’ lively oracles,’ how he is to conduct himself in prosperity or adversity; can he inquire how he is to govern his family, and train up his children; and be at a loss for an answer?” He may run that readeth.’ So it is in the case before us. If Christians are really desirous of knowing with whom, in marriage alliance, they are to unite themselves, we make no scruple to say, the revealed will of God is decisive and clear: It restricts
THEIR CHOICE TO RELIGIOUS CHARACTER
ONLY.