CHAPTER XXI.

THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.

THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.

T is both man's crime and misery that he often

IT

acquires a habit of thinking lightly of the most weighty and serious things. Such levity is not reconcilable with wisdom towards ourselves, or duty towards God. It generates recklessness and impetuosity of character. It banishes those solemn and salutary thoughts which are essential to sound discretion. It is still worse when we learn so to think and speak of matters of great moment as that the introduction of them is a temptation to impurity of thought. The consequence is, that we often find sadness where we looked for joy, and wretchedness where we supposed peace had her abode.

These remarks apply with great force to almost all topics belonging to the seventh commandment. Such is the state of the public mind that it is exceedingly difficult to write or speak on any of them without giving offence to some, or occasion of evil thoughts to others. Still here stands this great commandment. A right understanding of it is essential to the welfare of society. If any one shall be injured in his nicest

feelings by the discussion proposed, it shall be his own fault.

It is convenient to the plan of discussion proposed to begin with considering the subject of

MARRIAGE.

True, many smile and some lose sobriety of mind, whenever they think, or hear, or speak on this subject. But surely the matter is solemn, and deserves our gravest thoughts. It is not indeed a melancholy theme, a doleful matter; and so we may bring to the study of it all our vivaciousness, as well as great

earnestness.

I. The first thing which claims our attention is the nature of the institution...

Marriage is a solemn and perpetual covenant between one man and one woman to live together in the most affectionate and endearing state of social existence known upon earth. 1. It is a covenant. Such is the language used respecting it in nearly all the Christian forms of its solemnization, as well as in Holy Scripture, Prov. ii. 17. 2. It is a solemn covenant. With the exception of the engagements by which a man binds his soul to the service of God, there is no other covenant of more solemnity. 3. This covenant is of perpetual obligation, as long as the par ties live. Exceptions to this remark will be stated hereafter. Other covenants may be set aside, sometimes by mutual consent, sometimes by the payment of a specified penalty, and sometimes by casualties, rendering fulfilment impossible; but this cannot even be weakened, much less destroyed in this manner. Without a high crime, in one party subverting the

very design of marriage, death only can release the other party. Whoever lawfully and properly enters the state of marriage intends that it shall be for life. 4. This covenant is between one man and one woman. All good laws insist upon this. This was the form of the institution in Paradise. Jesus Christ has taught us that the law of Eden is still of binding force, Matt. xix. 3-9. The laws of the land wisely enforce the same principle. Bigamy and polygamy deserve to be severely punished, as high immoralities, tending to the rapid destruction of society and of the commonwealth. 5. This covenant binds the parties to live in the most affectionate and endearing state of social existence known upon earth. All other relationships give place to this. It takes precedence of the tie of parent and child. So that from the first, the infallible rule of marriage required a man to forsake father and mother, and to cleave unto his wife. By parity of reason, the woman is to forsake her parents and cleave to her husband. Both human and divine laws regard husband and wife as in an important sense one. Blackstone says, they "are one person in law, so that the very being and existence of the woman is suspended during the coverture, or entirely merged, or incorporated in that of the husband." Dr. Johnson says: "Marriage is the strictest tie of perpetual friendship, and there can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity; and he must expect to be wretched, who pays to beauty, riches, or politeness, that regard which only virtue and piety can claim." The divine lawgiver settles the question in a few words: "They shall be one flesh."

Some persons far removed from all sickly sensibility never witness the solemnization of a marriage without strong emotion. Behold that noble, generous young man, full of energy, courage and magnanimity. He has sincerely plighted his troth. He would not hesitate a moment to step in between his loved one and the stroke of death, and thus save her from all harm. By his side stands "a lovely female clothed in all the freshness of youth, and surpassing beauty. In the trusting, the heroic devotion, which impels her to leave country, parents, for a comparative stranger, she has launched her frail bark upon a wide and stormy sea. She has handed over her happiness and doom for this world, to another's keeping. But she has done it fearlessly, for love whispers to her, that her chosen guardian and protector bears a manly and a noble heart. Oh woe to him that forgets his oath and his manliness We have all read the story of the husband who in a moment of hasty wrath said to her who had but a few months before united her fate to his," If you are not satisfied with my conduct, go, return to your friends and your happiness.' "Can you give me back that which I brought to you?" asked the despairing wife. "Yes," he replied, “all your wealth shall go with you; I covet it not." "Alas," she answered, "I thought not of my wealth -I spoke of my devoted love; can you give that back to me?" "No!" said the man, as he flung himself at her feet. "No! I cannot restore that, but I will do more-I will keep it unsullied and untainted; -I will cherish it through my life, and in my death; and never again will I forget that I have sworn

to protect and cherish her, who gave up to me all she held most dear."

II. The marriage state is honourable. For ages the wise and good of all countries have bestowed upon it high commendations. Hooker says: "The bond of wedlock hath been always, more or less, esteemed of as a thing religious and sacred. The title, which the very heathen themselves do thereunto oftentimes give, is, holy." Dr. Johnson: "Marriage is the best state for man in general, and every man is a worse man, in proportion as he is unfit for the marriage state." Addison: "Two persons, who have chosen each other out of all the species, with design to be each other's mutual comfort and entertainment, have in that action bound themselves to be goodhumoured, affable, discreet, forgiving, patient and joyful with respect to each other's frailties and imperfections to the end of their lives." John Newton says: "Marriage has been, and is, to me, the best and dearest of temporal blessings. . . . Long experience and much observation have convinced me, that the marriage state, when properly formed and prudently conducted, affords the nearest approach to happiness, (of a merely temporal kind) that can be attained in this uncertain world, and which will best abide the test of sober reflection."

Our Creator has dignified this state by legislating upon it under every dispensation of his government over men. In Eden-before man was a sinner-in the Hebrew commonwealth as organized by Moses, and under the reign of Messiah, marriage has been regulated, guarded and honoured by solemn enactments, the whole tenor of which was to raise it high