virtue. But we are not accountable for our inability to read the heart. This is the prerogative of God only. By their fruits we are to know them.' If the profession be fair, and the life blameless, there is no objection upon this ground to hinder choice.

1

Thirdly. There is another case which perhaps to some will not carry the same force of conviction. Yet we do not express ourselves without due deliberation and counsel. It is this. Two individuals, both, at the time of promise, destitute of religion, may solemnly pledge themselves to each other, and before the actual accomplishment of the covenant engagement, one of them may become pious. We will suppose it to be the man. In this case, we affirm that he would not be at liberty to violate his promise, under the pretence of looking out for a character congenial with his present views. If some contend that marriage be nothing more than a civil contract, all must allow that it is nothing less: and not to observe the coercion of the case

not to observe

that the law could enforce the claim; the insufficiency of justifying a civil offence by a

religious reason; and the ridiculousness of the attempt-what a dishonour would be done to the cause of the gospel by such prevaricating morality? For such it must appear to the world. Whereas we are to have our conversation honest among the Gentiles:' we are not to suffer our good' to be 'evil spoken of:' we are to avoid the very appearance of evil.' Such is the holy delicacy of the gospel!

This seems to be one of those cases in which a good man 'sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not.' And trying as the scene may be, if by the consent of the other party he be not honourably disengaged, we should advise him to a plain, straight-forward policy; and to expect that in a combination of circumstances so peculiarly providential, all will be overruled for good, either by way of usefulness or trial.

And if even this solemn consideration be not sufficient to discharge a man honourably from one to whom he has contracted himself, will any thing else? Can any thing else? What is he to trifle with a sacred engagement, and to wound the affections, the respect

ability, the health, the peace of a female! because another object comes in view subsequently, in his opinion, more eligible for person, for fortune, for address?!! If a man wished to sink the honour of religion, and to disgrace the value of the Christian-how much more should it ever be the ministerial character! he could not take a step that would more effectually accomplish his purpose.

CHAPTER VII.

THE DISREGARD OF THIS PRINCIPLE LAMENTED.... BUT PIETY THOUGH ESSENTIAL TO CHOICE, NOT SUFFICIENT ALONE TO JUSTIFY IT....MINISTERS UNDER PECULIAR OBLIGATION TO MARRY DISCREETLY......PRUDENCE NEEDFUL AND RECOM

MENDED.

HAPPY those who have formed a union, founded in true godliness, the bonds of which are faith and love in Christ Jesus! They are pleasant in life, and in death not divided. But

how deplorable is it, that this Christian rule of marriage is so frequently trampled upon. The violation is, in the degree of it at least, peculiar to our own age. Our pious ancestors, especially among the non-conformists, would have been shocked at the practice, as appears from their invaluable writings. And I am persuaded that it is very much owing to the prevalence of these indiscriminate and unhallowed connexions, that we have fallen so far short of those men of God who are gone before us, in our seclusion from the world, in the simplicity of our manners, in the uniformity of our profession, in the discharge of family worship, and the training up of our households in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. How could it have been otherwise? Is there not a connexion between causes and effects? Do we sow one kind of grain, and reap another? Can men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?'

Guard therefore my Christian friends against every pretence that would draw you into this forbidden path! Establish the unlawfulness and perniciousness of such alliances as 'a principle' in your minds, that when the evil

day of temptation comes, it may find you ready to resist, steadfast in the faith. You should not have your weapons to seek when you want them to use. O woman, do not accept a man, who has all the wisdom of the world,' if a stranger to the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.' Do not, it is the rough image of an old divine, do not choose a swine because he has a golden trough. Whatever a man possesses, remember he has nothing, if he has not 'the one thing needful.' O man, be not reconciled to a weak or ugly mind, because it wears a handsome body. 'Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her own works praise her in the gate.'

But a marriage that is not sinful, may be improper. The apostle himself distinguishes between what is lawful,' and what is expedient.' Religion is indeed indispensable, but does not alone constitute the propriety of the action. Religion is indeed essential, but is not, abstracted from all other considerations, sufficient to justify choice. To exemplify this a little.