nnot say, "It is better to do this;" His perfections
demand something absolute: "Thou shalt _do_ this; thou shalt _not_ do
this." Whensoever therefore, we come to advice there is introduced
the human element rather than the divine. In all such cases therefore,
as are dependent upon circumstances the apostle speaks not as
inspired, but as uninspired; as one whose judgment we have no right to
find fault with or to cavil at, who lays down what is a matter of
Christian prudence, and not a bounden and universal duty. The matter
of the present discourse will take in various verses in this
chapter--from the tenth to the twenty-fourth verse--leaving part of
the commencement and the conclusion for our consideration, if God
permit, next Sunday.

There are three main questions on which the apostle here gives his
inspired decision. The first decision is concerning the sanctity of
the marriage-bond between two Christians. His verdict is given in the
tenth verse: "Unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let
not the wife depart from her husband." He lays down this principle,
that the union is an indissoluble one.

Upon such a subject, Christian brethren, before a mixed congregation,
it is manifestly evident that we can only speak in general terms. It
will be sufficient to say that marriage is of all earthly unions
almost the only one permitting of no change but that of death. It is
that engagement in which man exerts his most awful and solemn
power,--the power of responsibility which belongs to him as one that
shall give account,--the power of abnegating the right to change,--the
power of parting with his freedom,--the power of doing _that_ which in
this world can never be reversed. And yet it is perhaps that
relationship which is spoken of most frivolously, and entered into
most carelessly and most wantonly. It is not an union merely between
two creatures, it is an union between two spirits; and the intention
of that bond is to perfect the nature of both, by supplementing their
deficiencies with the force of contrast, giving to each sex those
excellencies in which it is naturally deficient; to the one strength
of character and firmness of moral will, to the other sympathy,
meekness, tenderness. And just so solemn, and just so glorious as
these ends are for which the union was contemplated and intended, just
so terrible are the consequences if it be perverted and abused. For
there is