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-10-
The
Marriage Ring
Chapter 3
Mutual Duties of Husband and Wife
See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. —1 Peter 1:22
Marriage the foundation of the domestic constitution—love the ground-work of all—mutual regard—avoid offences—little things—mine and thine—mutual respect—attachment to each other's society—evenings at home—public duties—mutual forbearance—faults—mutual assistance—personal religion—benevolence—mutual sympathy in sickness and affliction
MARRIAGE IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE DOMESTIC CONSTITUTION; this, says the apostle, "is honorable in all;" and he has condemned, as "a doctrine of devils," the opinions of those by whom it is forbidden. It is an institute of God, was established in Eden, was honored by the personal attendance of Christ, and furnished an occasion for the first of that splendid series of miracles, by which He proved Himself to be the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world. But there is another mark of distinction put upon it by the Holy Ghost, where it is said, "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:32).
Many consider the term mystery as having no allusion to the nuptial tie, but as applying exclusively to the union of Christ and the Church. If this be the case, it seems difficult to account for the introduction of this union at all, or to explain what bearing it has upon the subject in hand. Besides, the two-fold reference to the mediatorial undertaking of Christ, which is made by the apostle, when he enforces the duties of husband and wife, seems to confirm the opinion that He represents the conjugal union as a type or symbol of the close and endearing relation in which the Church stands to its Divine Redeemer. Nothing can throw a higher sanctity over this connection, nor invest it with greater honor, than such a view of it.
Distinguishing, as it does, man from brutes; providing not only for the continuance, but for the comfort of our species; containing, at once, the source of human happiness, and of all those virtuous emotions and generous sensibilities, which refine and adorn the character of man, it can never, as a general subject, be guarded with too much solicitous vigilance, nor be contracted, in particular instances, with too much prudence and care.
In proportion to the importance of the connection itself, must be a right view and a due performance of the obligations arising out of it.
The first, and the ground of all the rest, is love. Let this be wanting, and marriage is degraded at once into a brutal or a sordid compact.
Love is a plant of holier birth
Than any that takes root on earth;
A flower from Heaven, which 'tis a crime
To number with the things of time.