Marriage.
Content
MARRIAGE. BY REV. W. B. COLLYER, D. D. F. A. S.
Such an union, arises out of the necessity of human nature, and is essential to its happiness. It originated in the appointment of God — it received the sanction of his law — it has been honoured and exalted in the ew Testament — and it is sealed alike by religion, nature, and reason. It is an institution which gives two parties a common interest, and thus cements an union closer than any worldly friendship, while it builds it upon a basis not to be shaken or destroyed. The sorrows of life are lightened by becoming divided ; and its pleasures are multiplied by participation. It gives an impulse to a combination of talents, of zeal, of exertion — and modifies and tempers the asperities of human life. It gives to duty the irresistible force of affection, and the present recom-
BEAUTIES OF COLLYER. 95 pense of enjoyment. Where it is sanctified by the influence of religion, solitary devotion becomes social ; united prayers and praises ascend to tho throne of mercy; and they are mutual helpers of each other's faith and holiness. This institution received the sanction of the presence of Jesus, as a seal to its obligations. This fact points out tho only way in which we have a right to expect happiness and prosperity in the connection — to make God a party in the rite, and to invite Jesus as a guest, not merely in the nuptial rejoicings, but also in all the domestic arrangements, and through all the scenes of human life. It was reserved to the profligacy and immorality of these last days, to pour contempt upon an institution divinely appointed, so repeatedly honoured under every religious dispensation, and so highly distinguished. It is one of the eflTects of that scepticism, or rather let me call it infidelity, which strikes at all order, and aims to destroy the very existence of society,
by trampling upon the laws of Cliristianity, and by renouncing its authority. The results of such principles have been too fatally developed, especially of late, in the higher classes of society, by the infringement of the rights of this wise and holy institution ; by a violation of its duties; by outrage upon its feelings; by an invasion of its sanctity, and by a wanton destruction of its domestic happiness. Our public journals are stained and polluted with narratives, but too frequent, of the dishonour endured on the one side, and the indig-
96 BEAUTIES OF COLLYER. nity offered on the other, of the respective'parties, and the sweet tranquilhty of social order is abolished to make way for the indulgence of the most criminal passions. Families are divided and scattered ; divorces succeed debauchery ; children are early initiated into the mysteries of vicious refinement ; and the morals of a generation to come are already tainted and debilitated, if not totally ruined. It arises from the diffusion of the pernicious principles of scepticism, and not from the pure code of revelation, which has imparted unfading glory to this institution. Out of modern philosophy, (as it has dared to call itself,) has arisen this hardness of the human heart, this contempt of social feeling, this irregularity and impurity of conduct. " Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning, made them male and female ; and said, 'for this cause shall a man leave father and motlier, and shall cleave unto his wife ; and they twain shall be one flesh ? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What, therefore, God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.'"
1. 68 FREE BOOKS http://www.scribd.com/doc/21800308/Free-Christian-Books
2. ALL WRITI GS http://www.scribd.com/glennpease/documents?page=970
Such an union, arises out of the necessity of human nature, and is essential to its happiness. It originated in the appointment of God — it received the sanction of his law — it has been honoured and exalted in the ew Testament — and it is sealed alike by religion, nature, and reason. It is an institution which gives two parties a common interest, and thus cements an union closer than any worldly friendship, while it builds it upon a basis not to be shaken or destroyed. The sorrows of life are lightened by becoming divided ; and its pleasures are multiplied by participation. It gives an impulse to a combination of talents, of zeal, of exertion — and modifies and tempers the asperities of human life. It gives to duty the irresistible force of affection, and the present recom-
BEAUTIES OF COLLYER. 95 pense of enjoyment. Where it is sanctified by the influence of religion, solitary devotion becomes social ; united prayers and praises ascend to tho throne of mercy; and they are mutual helpers of each other's faith and holiness. This institution received the sanction of the presence of Jesus, as a seal to its obligations. This fact points out tho only way in which we have a right to expect happiness and prosperity in the connection — to make God a party in the rite, and to invite Jesus as a guest, not merely in the nuptial rejoicings, but also in all the domestic arrangements, and through all the scenes of human life. It was reserved to the profligacy and immorality of these last days, to pour contempt upon an institution divinely appointed, so repeatedly honoured under every religious dispensation, and so highly distinguished. It is one of the eflTects of that scepticism, or rather let me call it infidelity, which strikes at all order, and aims to destroy the very existence of society,
by trampling upon the laws of Cliristianity, and by renouncing its authority. The results of such principles have been too fatally developed, especially of late, in the higher classes of society, by the infringement of the rights of this wise and holy institution ; by a violation of its duties; by outrage upon its feelings; by an invasion of its sanctity, and by a wanton destruction of its domestic happiness. Our public journals are stained and polluted with narratives, but too frequent, of the dishonour endured on the one side, and the indig-
96 BEAUTIES OF COLLYER. nity offered on the other, of the respective'parties, and the sweet tranquilhty of social order is abolished to make way for the indulgence of the most criminal passions. Families are divided and scattered ; divorces succeed debauchery ; children are early initiated into the mysteries of vicious refinement ; and the morals of a generation to come are already tainted and debilitated, if not totally ruined. It arises from the diffusion of the pernicious principles of scepticism, and not from the pure code of revelation, which has imparted unfading glory to this institution. Out of modern philosophy, (as it has dared to call itself,) has arisen this hardness of the human heart, this contempt of social feeling, this irregularity and impurity of conduct. " Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning, made them male and female ; and said, 'for this cause shall a man leave father and motlier, and shall cleave unto his wife ; and they twain shall be one flesh ? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What, therefore, God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.'"
1. 68 FREE BOOKS http://www.scribd.com/doc/21800308/Free-Christian-Books
2. ALL WRITI GS http://www.scribd.com/glennpease/documents?page=970
