thus our every will and desire will be so in unison with The DIVINE Order and Arrangement, that we shall seem to cease to have any of our own, that is not in entire accordance with the Dictates of The HOLY SPIRIT; and in effect no longer be our own, but His, and only happy in that inseparable Union.------With A Price indeed we have been Bought! But What A Price! Eternity may Reveal, but Eternity only can to the Human Mind, the Vastness of That Sacrifice Made for the Redemption of a lost World. But Vast, inconceivably so as It was, It was Paid by The Very and Only SON of GOD! Deep and lasting should be the impression upon every heart; for Inestimable is the Benefit Procured by our SAVIOUR's Intercession, the Present Influence of The HOLY SPIRIT to Elevate the Soul from the trammels of Worldly affection to the pure love of religious Contemplation, and the aspirations of a Hope, that is full of a Glorious Immortality. And with such sensitiveness of the Value of the Sacrifice of The SON of GOD, how can the heart but be charged with lively and operating gratitude to GOD for This His Unspeakable Gift, and the Reserve of Heavenly Associations which is Made for them, that have faith in The DIVINE Word; a faith that manifests its gratitude by a stedfast observance of The DIVINE Will; thus most effectually glorifying GOD in our Bodies and in our Spirits, which, as they ever should be dedicated to Him, are thus truly constituted His, through the Adoption Obtained for us by The Holy and Merciful and Soul-Loving JESUS. The Resurrection to Life and Glory Everlasting, which awaits the Faithful in CHRIST JESUS, we owe to His Victory, as our CHAMPION over Sin and Death and Hell; for, as the Apostle elsewhere says, If we have been Planted together in the Likeness of CHRIST's Death, we shall be also in the Likeness of His Resurrection-Rom. vi. 5, 8.- -Our unity with CHRIST, The Incarnate SON of GOD, if indeed we be His by a conformity to His Will, and an entire dependance on His Merits and Effectual Mediation on our behalf, is again thus more intimately asserted by Paul, where he says, We are Members of CHRIST's Body, of His Flesh, and of His Bones-Eph. v. 30.-The Gracious MESSIAH, though at the Head of All the Host of Heaven and the Saints in Light Eternal, with whom there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage, Himself Gave Countenance to the Sacredness of the bond of Wedlock, by Attending the Wedding feast when on Earth, Renewing, by Repeating. That Monition, Which Issued from The DIVINE Oracle at the Creation of Man; For this cause a Man shall leave his Father and Mother, and shall cleave to his Wife; and they Twain shall be one Flesh; wherefore (said He) they are no more Twain, but one Flesh, Superadding this Injunction, What therefore GOD hath Joined together, let not Man put asunder!-Matt. xix. 5, 6.- -On another Occasion Our SAVIOUR Said, O FATHER! I have Manifested Thy Name unto the Men, which Thou Gavest Me out of the World: Thine they were; and Thou Gavest them Me. I pray for them, which Thou hast Given Me; for they are Thine; and all Mine are Thine; and Thine are Mine; and I am Glorified in them. HOLY FATHER! Keep through Thine Own Name those, whom Thou hast Given Me; that they may be One, as We are. As Thou hast Sent Me into the World, even so have I also Sent them into the World; and for their sakes I Sanctify Myself, that they also might be Sanctified through the Truth. Neither Pray I for these alone, but for them also, which shall believe on Me, through their word: that they also may be One; as Thou, FATHER, art in Me, and I in Thee; that they also may be One in Us: and the Glory, Which Thou Gavest Me, I have Given them; that they may be One, even as We are ONE; I in them, and Thou in Me; that they may be Made Perfect in One; and that the World may know that Thou hast Sent Me; and hast Loved them, as Thou hast Loved Me. FATHER! I Will that they also, whom Thou hast Given Me, be

with Me, where I am: that they may behold My Glory, Which Thou hast Given Me; for Thou Lovedst Me before the Foundation of the World. 0 Righteous FATHER! the World hath not known Thee; but I have Known Thee; and These have known that Thou hast Sent Me: and I have Declared unto them Thy Name; and will Declare It, that the Love, Wherewith Thou hast Loved Me, may be in them, and I in them-John xvii. 1, 5, 6, 10, 18 to 26. Thus is Spiritual Union Perfected; and hence is the Soul's Surest Prospect and Promise of Exquisite and Exhaustless Delight, when the Heavens shall Open on the Glorified Nature of Man, and The TRINITY in UNITY shall be Revealed in Beatific Vision; The GODHEAD Entering on an Endless Communing in Love towards All, that are Sanctified by DIVINE Grace, having been Redeemed by the Sacrifice of The SON of GOD. Let us therefore endeavour to keep in our mind's eye, and in our heart's endearment, this Unity of The SPIRIT; remem bering that we are Called Thereto in one hope-Eph. iv. 3, 4.Solomon, though himself but too much the Slave of his passions, and thence compromising his dignity, and fearfully putting in jeopardy his final Salvation, did in the days of his wiser course throw out these appropriate admonitions; Keep from the evil Woman; from the flattery of the tongue of a strange Woman; lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eye-lids! for by means of a whorish Woman a Man is brought to a piece of bread: and the Adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Whoso committeth adultery with a Woman lacketh understanding; he, that doeth it, destroyeth his own Soul-Prov. vi. 24, 25, 26, 32; see Prov. vii.- -In another of his Letters to the Corinthian Converts the Apostle renews his assertion to them (as a Portion of the Faithful in CHRIST JESUS) saying, Ye are the Temple of The Living GOD. Then quoting the High Authority for the position, as GOD hath Said-Exod. xxix. 46; Zecha. viii. 8; Levit. xxvi. 12; Jerem. xxxi. 33; Ezek. xi. 19, 20; and other passages of Holy Scripture, I will Dwell in them and Walk in them; and I will be their GOD, and they shall be My People-2nd Cor. vi. 16. In truth and in righteousness will all such People be found; and Truth and Righteousness can alone be found in the Christian faith.. --Indeed we are not our own, but as the Creatures of The LORD and surrounded with the Blessings of His Providence and Grace, so should we be the Servants of The LORD; using on all occasions thankfully and faithfully That Imparted Grace, Which alone Enables us to fulfil His Will, and insure His Favour, in Which are Life and Blessedness Eternal; that as the Apostle elsewhere says, Whether we live or die, we should be The LORD's-Rom. xiv. 8.In this Apostle's address to the Ephesians personally, as recorded by St. Luke in the Acts, he said (what we should equally ever bear in mind as a most important admonition to observe,) Take heed unto yourselves as Members of that Flock over which The HOLY GHOST hath Appointed Overseers, to feed that Church of GOD, Which He hath Purchased with His Own BloodActs xx. 28. And St. Peter in effect urges us to acknowledge, that we are Redeemed from vain conversation and love of the deceiving pleasures and attractions of this World with the Precious Blood of CHRIST, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot; Who verily was (thereto) Foreordained before the foundation of the World, but has been in the Appointed Time Made Manifest unto Such as by Him, believe in GOD, That Raised Him up from the Dead, and Gave Him Glory, that our faith and hope might (thence) be in GOD-1st Peter i. 18 to 21. And the Song in the New Heavens, as Revealed to St. John points to the Same Great and Leading Truth of Christianity, as celebrating That Merciful though Mysterious Intercession by Incarnate DEITY in The SON of GOD; thus addressing Him in His Glorified Humanity, THOU art Worthy, and Thou Alone, to Take the Book, and to Open the Seals Thereof, (even the Book

of Life ;) for Thou wast Slain, and hast Redeemed us to GOD by Thy Blood out of every Kindred, and Tongue, and People, and Nation-Rev. v. 9.-As therefore CHRIST is indeed most Precious to All, that believe in Him, we should shew forth the Praises of Him (in our life and conversation,) since He hath Called us out of Spiritual darkness unto His Marvellous Light-1 Pet, ii. 7, 9.

CHAPTER VII.

VERSES 1 TO 6-Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me; It is good for a Man not to touch a Woman; nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every Man have his own Wife, and let every Woman have her own Husband! Let the Husband render unto the Wife due benevolence; and likewise also the Wife unto the Husband! The Wife hath not power of her own body, but the Husband; and likewise also the Husband hath not power of his own body, but the Wife. Defraud ye not One the Other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency! But I speak this by permission, and not of Commandment.

The Apostle, in the situation he was peculiarly placed, prophetically viewing the dangers to which he and every truly professing Christian would be exposed, through the persecution of the unconverted Jews, and the violence of Heathen Authorities in those ages particularly, felt and felt fully the prudence of abstaining from matrimonial union even, as likely to spread around them increasing suffering and embarrassment amidst the tenderest of ties, of which Human Nature is susceptible-the Consort and the Parent. And if forbearance from such an hallowed union seemed wise in those days, it must be at all times proper and essentially becoming the professedly pure character of the Christian, to forbear from a Sexual intercourse, that HEAVEN could not otherwise than Discountenance and Mark with Its Displeasure. But universal abstinence even from legitimate connexion between the Sexes would leave the World after the existing Generation unpeopled; and therefore the Apostle's suggestion, which he evidently felt some scruple in recording, as aware he had it not by Express Revelation, must be received with qualification. Even marriage from sensual impulse alone, is not consistent with the true spirit of Christianity, though it may Mercifully be eventually overruled to the production of an Offspring zealous in their SAVIOUR's Cause, and occasionally to the restraining that wandering desire, which is destructive of Others' innocence and purity. By the constitution of her nature Woman's desire is towards Man, and for a legitimate union with him; and how largely does she repay, by affection and attention and a generous confidence, a Husband's manly and devoted regards! No situation under Heaven is so replete with solid and enduring happiness as that of wedlock entered into on both sides upon truly Christian principles, and sustained in such unto the end; and the sure prospect of renewing the Spiritual union in the World to come forms the best and most consoling relief amidst the trials and perplexities of the Life that is. The injunction of the Apostle to each Member of such an union is a proof of the estimation in which he held an union so formed; and though himself unpracticed in the secrets of bosom intercourse peculiar to the married state, he judged wisely as to the best means of preserving it in its truest and most endearing influence, by an interchange of kind and considerate offices. This union, as elsewhere remarked, is or should be as the union of the same Flesh. A perfect sympathy should exist-a oneness of feeling and of interest-all made subordinate to the love in reverence of GOD, and the Glory of The REDEEMER. Even in the married state a check should be put on unreasonable passion; and reciprocal forbearance should occasionally be exercised; but in the whole progress of such union, mutual caution should be used, lest by any means Satan obtain an

influence over the One or Other Member of it, and render it an occasion of sin. -St. Peter's admonition to Husbands (he himself being a married Man) is to dwell with their Wives according to knowledge, giving honour unto the Wife; as being Heirs together of the Grace of Life!-1 Pet. iii. 7-adding, that your prayers be not hindered. And the Prophet Joel, pointing to a season of calamity (which may overtake us all) calls upon both Bridegroom and Bride to go forth, and unite in general worship and supplication to The GOD of the Universe; with Whom it is to Set up or Pull down, and to Order Events amongst Nations, as well as Individuals-Joel ii. 16. For All should watch unto prayer, lest by any means the Tempter should gain an ascendancy over our hearts, and CHRIST have Lived and Died for us in vain.-See 1 Thess. iii. 5.

AVERSES 7 to 11.-For I would that all Men were even as I myself. But every Man hath his proper Gift of GOD; One after this manner, and Another after that. I say therefore to the Unmarried and Widows, It is good for them, if they abide, even as 1; but if they cannot contain, let them marry; for it is better to marry, than to burn. And unto the Married I command, yet not I, but The LORD; Let not the Wife depart from her Husband: but, and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her Husband; and let not the Husband put away his Wife!

The Apostle's Soul was so bent towards the Realities and Purities of the State of Immortal Spirits in the Regions of Heaven, that, as he felt, so he wished every Human Soul to feel likewise, soaring above the attractions to this World, where they were not, as it were, antepasts of a Heavenly state of Being. Still he virtually acknowledges, that sentiments and dispositions and desires, so peculiar to him, were of DIVINE Appointment, and the Fruit doubtless of the very Special Revelation, That had been Made to him; and as the Gifts of The HOLY SPIRIT individually he knew to be Various, so did he thus admit that a difference of inclination, in degree at least, might be the Result thereof; and this doubtless for Wise Purposes in the Overruling Appointments of An All-Wise PROVIDENCE. The Suggestion to the Unmarried, as here offered by the Apostle, should be considered in reference to the peculiar hazard of the Christian profession in that period. Where even then the impulse towards conjugal alliance was strong, he would not oppose it; for by deferred desire towards so legitimate an object the heart is made sick, and in a weak and ill-regulated mind passion will get the mastery, and rush upon the commission of evil, reckless of consequences, though fatal to true and lasting peace and happiness both here and Hereafter. In the modesty of his own judgment, the Apostle here qualifies his advice as to marrying at all in those times of the infant Churches' trials and troubles. But as to the conduct of the Parties, bound by the solemn and social tie of wedlock, he confidently quotes from The DIVINE Will, that they should so regulate their intercourse and mutual bearing towards each other, as to live together in the spirit of a perfect union and attachment, in inseparable devotedness, avoiding the unjustly claimed privilege of the Jewish Authority, to part from each other on any slight disagreement, or disgust; the Apostle, pressing the duty of reconciliation and restoration to union on any temporary dislike or dissatisfaction having occurred to separate them, short of that total rupture of the wedded bond, which adultery occasions.- -The Jews, who canvassed the subject of divorce with our SAVIOUR, putting the question to Him, Why did Moses command (Deut. xxiv. 1,) to give a writing of divorcement, and to put a Wife away? were thus Answered by Him, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your Wives, but from the Beginning it was not so; and I Say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his Wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry Another, committeth adultery; and Whoso marrieth her, which is put away, doth commit adultery. His Disciples say unto Him, If the case of the Man be

so with his Wife, it is not good to marry. But He Said unto them, All Men cannot receive this Saying, save they, to whom it is Given-Matt. xix. 7 to 11. When the sexual passion arises, the Spirit of prayer should arise with it, that it may be restrained within Christian bounds; and then, as Graciously Appointed, it becomes an occasion not of sin, or of falling from Grace.In his instructive admonitions to his beloved Timotheus Paul writes, with his sanction for marriage, when Women are young, that they may be Mothers of Children, regulate domestic economy, and so give none occasion to the Adversary of Souls or the Christian faith to speak reproachfully of them. But Such as are Widows indeed and desolate, he thus characterizes-they trust in GOD, and continue in supplications and prayers night and day-1 Tim. v. 14, 5.--According to the Prophet Malachi, the Object of JEHOVAH in the Ordinance of marriage, Allotting but one Woman to the One Created Man, was to Render that Union so complete, as that they should seem but one Flesh; and that thence a goodly Seed should flow from it, the Woman being the Companion of the Husband, and the Wife of his covenant. And the Prophet thus asks, Did not The LORD Make One? and wherefore One? And thus he gives the answer before referred to, that He might Seek a goodly Seed.-Mal. ii. 14, 15.

VERSES 12 to 16.-But to the Rest speak I, not The LORD, If any Brother hath a Wife, that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away! And the Woman, which hath an Husband, that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him: for the unbelieving Husband is Sanctified by the Wife; and the unbelieving Wife is Sanctified by the Husband: else were your Children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the Unbelieving depart, let him depart! A Brother or a Sister is not under bondage in such cases. But GOD hath Called us to Peace. For what knowest thou, O Wife, whether thou shalt save thy Husband? or how knowest thou, O Man, whether thou shalt save thy Wife?

The influence of conjugal affection is strong, and the influence of Truth is strong also; the conviction therefore in the mind of One of the Parties to that union, that the Christian Dispensation is of DIVINE Origin and AUTHORSHIP, inducing to a government of the whole life and conversation by the purity of Its Discipline and the Excellence of Its Doctrine, may best contribute to the working conversion in the mind of the Other of the Parties; as exemplifying that considerateness and tenderness of attention to temporal as well as Spiritual interests, which so peculiarly shine forth in the Christian character. But how, it will be asked, is the Unbeliever Sanctified by the believing Consort? So sanctioned in such alliance, that the Offspring thereof may be consecrated to GOD through CHRIST JESUS, Who with Extended Arms, when on Earth, Injoined that little Children might be suffered to come unto Him, Adding, Forbid them not! for of Such is the Kingdom of HEAVEN; and through His Righteousness, if presented to Him, they are every whit Made clean from original sin, and its contaminating influence. These admonitions of the Apostle were peculiarly applicable to that Period of Early Diffusion of Christianity, when conversion was gradual; and the principle may be as seasonably extended in Missionary exhortation in Heathen Countries, where marriages have taken place before the Light of Gospel Truth has Beamed upon Individuals already associated in the band of matrimony. But it behoves Christians, who have yet to form that connection, to seek it in an union of faith and practice, in reference to the best prospect of earthly happiness, as well as to that of Heavenly Communion. If an unbelieving Husband or Wife forsake the Partner in the conjugal vow, by reason of that change in religious opinion, which the Flood of Christian Light has occasioned in the Latter; then even such a separation from the conjugal tie