Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

and fidelity on the other. The husband should provide for his wife without
encouraging profuseness; watch over her conduct without giving her
vexation; keep her in subjection without making her a slave; love her
without jealousy; oblige her without flattery; honour her without making
her proud; and be hers entirely, without becoming either her footman or
her slave. In short, they have equal rights and equal claims; but superior
strength gives the man dominion; affection and subjection entitle the
woman to love and protection. Without the woman, man is but half a
human being; in union with the man, the woman finds her safety and
perfection.
How few wives feel it their duty to pray to God to give them grace to
behave as wives! How few husbands pray for the grace suited to their
situation that they may be able to fulfil its duties! The like may be said of
children, parents, servants, and masters. As every situation in life has its
peculiar duties, trims, &c., so to every situation there is peculiar grace
appointed. No man can fulfil the duties of any station without the grace
suited to that station. The grace suited to him, as a member of society in
general, will not be sufficient for him as a husband, father, or master.
Many proper marriages become unhappy in the end, because the parties
have not earnestly besought God for the grace necessary for them as
husbands and wives. This is the origin of family broils in general; and a
proper attention to the apostle's advice would prevent them all.
Those who imagine they can encounter the cares of life with just the
same measure of grace which was sufficient for them in a single state,
will find themselves greatly mistaken. For to every situation in life
peculiar and suitable grace is requisite. Most new-married people, even
among those who are religious, think nothing of this. Hence it is often
found that the new-married pair soon decline in the divine life; and,
instead of getting forward, either go halting in the heavenly road, or turn
back to the world.
I am perfectly of Solomon's opinion, that "he who findeth a wife
findeth a good thing." Even in any circumstances, matrimony is better