7 Church can no more profit by their labours. Yet being fully persuaded that they who remain are upright and intrepid in the service of their divine Master, and will also cordially receive, in the same spirit of meekness and love, what is here offered; I have been encouraged thus publicly to vindicate the truth. That it may please the Lord to preserve his Church inviolate, protect the morals of the Nation, and render all "who are on the Lord's side" zealous defenders of his law, and faithful witnesses for their God, is the fervent prayer of JOHN H. LIVINGSTON. A DISSERTATION, &c. SECTION I. MARRIAGE. MARRIAGE is a divine institution constituting an union between one man and one woman. It was ordained for obtaining a legitimate increase of the human family; for providing mutual help and comfort; and for preventing uncleanness. To the adorable Creator it necessarily and exclusively appertained to determine in what way, or by what means, he would introduce mankind into existence. An immediate act of omnipotence, might have produced every individual, without any direct relation or natural subordination to any other. But it pleased him, that all should spring from one source, and thus be all of one blood. To accom plish this mysterious purpose, it became indispensably requisite to ascertain the manner in which a legitimate generation should proceed; and establish that rule for its attainment, which would redound most to his glory, and be productive of the greatest happiness and dignity of the human race. high and interesting ends have been attained by the institution of MARRIAGE. These An ordinance replete with such benefits, could never have been investigated by man, or rendered efficient by human authority. None but the blessed Maker and Governor of the world, was competent to devise an adequate expedient for forming new and endearing relations; to impress a prevailing bias in its favour; or enforce universal submission. Marriage is a benevolent institution; benign in its principles, beneficial in its consequences, and the source of blessings and comforts, when rightly improved, which cannot, by any other means, be possibly realised. It insures a pure offspring and raises families; it alleviates cares and protects from temptations; it produces an affectionate commun ion and affords contentment and happiness, without the collision of separate interests. It is an acceptable institution and universally adopted. The sacred ordinance has forever remain. ed in force, and been received with veneration and gratitude. In every age and in all nations it has prevailed, and will continue to the end of the world. Both sexes have cheerfully submitted to it; they always have and always will be "marrying and giving in marriage." It is as honourable as it is benevolent and acceptable. The propagation of mankind, and the first principles of society are hereby established upon a respectable and virtuous basis; and human nature is dignified by the prohibition of promiscuous and unlawful cohabitation. GOD honours marriage. "The Lord God said it is not good that the man should be alone, I will make him a help meet for him-and the rib which the Lord had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man-so God created man in his own image, male and female created |