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to relieve his disciples from all anxiety respecting the things of this world: be taught them to be content with a little, and to be thankful for that little. His whole system (if I may so call it) was calculated to relieve the mind, and to give it a serenity and cheerfulness, above that of any other religion in the world.

It should, however, be considered, that previous to the perfect operation of religion · on the mind, and, perhaps, even when the work is nearly completed there will be many close conflicts and secret exercises, as well as outward trials, which will unavoidably, at times, depress the heart, and affect the countenance. We should also consider, that the minds and countenances of some persons are so formed by nature, as to deprive them of that cheerful appearance which others possess: these circumstances should excite much caution in judging one another in this respect. It must, however, be admitted by those who consider the duties and prospects which Christianity present, and particularly our blessed Lord's sermon on the mount, that gloominess and moroseness, as well as censoriousness and ostentation, form no part of the religion of Jesus Christ.

CLASS II.

PARTICULAR DUTIES

CHAPTER I.

Of Husbands and Wives.

HAVING treated on the most important of those General Duties, which we owe to ourselves and one to another, it will be proper to proceed to the consideration of those Particular Duties, which our different relations in life require. We shall first take those which arise from the married state.

MARRIAGE is a divine institution of the greatest antiquity. It is the means which our all-wise Creator has ordained, to continue the existence of the human species; and the mutual attachment which it requires in those who are united by it, produces many duties necessary for the comfortable enjoyment of each other's society. Those who are joined in marriage are said to “become one flesh." Their objects and their interests are, or ought to be, the same. Their duties to each other differ very little,

Nature and religion having united in giving a degree of superiority to the man, a correspondent subjection, or obedience, becomes the duty of the woman. This law is necessary for the preservation of order; and it is observable, that through all the relative duties, Christianity settles the subordination in such a manner, as would, if it were attended to, remove many of those feuds, which destroy the peace of families, and of Governments. However, in the relation of man and wife, this subordination takes place in a smaller degree, than in any of the other relations. When we consider the near affinity described by Adam on Eve's being brought to him; "This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my fresh," it is evident that love, mutual love, is the first duty of the married state. He who made themat the beginning, made them male and female and said, for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to 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 no man put asunder.”

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The principal duties which arise from the relation of husband and wife, are enforced in the following scriptures. I shall first take those which relate to the men: "Rejoice with the wife of thy youth. The Lord

hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, agai st whom thou hast dealt. treacherously; yet she is thy companion, and the wife of thy youth. Therefore take heed to your spirit, that none-deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. Husbands love your wives, and be not bitter against them. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth -. his wite, loveth himself. Ye husband- dwelf with your wives according to knowledge; giving bonong to the wife, as unto the weaker vessel; and as being hers together of the grace of life."

To the women we have these exhortations: "Wives submit yourselves unto your own busbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in....... every thing. Ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that if any obey not the word, they also may, without the word, be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation, coupled with fear; whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, and of putting, on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man. of the heart, in that which is not corruptis

ble; even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is. in, the sight of God,. of great price; for after this manner, in the old time, the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves; being in subjection to their own husbands."

I shall conclude this subject with part of the description which Solomon gives of a good wife: Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies? The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.".

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