with in this life. We fhould therefore at all times take care that we do not difappoint this his gracious purpose and intention towards us, and make thofe faculties which he formed as fo many qualifications for happiness and rewards, to be the inftruments of pain and punishment.

Bishop BEVERIDGE's Refolution in chufing a Wifes

66

I am refolv'd, by the Grace of GOD, to to be as conftant in Loving of my "Wife, as cautious in Chufing her.

T

Hough it be not neceffary for me to refolve upon marrying, yet it may not be improper, to refolve, in cafe I fhou'd, to follow these rules of duty; first, in the choice of a wife; and, fecondly, in the affection that I ought to bear towards her.

As for the first, I fhall always endeavour to make choice of fuch a woman for my fpoufe, who hath firft made choice of CHRIST as a fpoufe for her felf; that none may be made one flesh with me, who is not made one fpirit with CHRIST my Saviour. For, I look upon the image of CHRIST, as the best mark of beauty I can behold in her; and the grace of GOD, as the best I 2 portion

portion I can receive with her. Thefe are excellencies, which, tho' not vifible to our carnal eyes, are nevertheless agreeable to a fpiritual heart; and fuch as all wife and good men cannot chufe but be enamour'd with. For my own part, they feem to me fuch neceffary qualifications, that my heart trembles at the thoughts of ever having a wife without them. What? fhall I marry one that is wedded already to her fins? or have poffeffion of her body only, when the devil has poffeffion of her foul? fhall fuch a one be united to me here, who fhall be feparated from me for ever hereafter, and condemn'd to fcorch in everlafting burn ings? No; if ever it be my lot to enter into that ftate, I beg of GOD, that he would direct me in the choice of fuch a wife only, to lie in my bofom here, as may afterwards be admitted to reft in Abraham's bofom to all eternity; fuch a one, as will fo live, and pray, and converse with me upon earth, that we may be both entitled to fing, to rejoice, and be bleffed together for ever in heaven.

That this, therefore, may be my portion and felicity, I firmly refolve, never to fet upon fuch a defign, before I have first follicited the throne of grace, and begg'd of my heavenly Father to honour me with the partnership

partnership of one of his beloved children; and fhall afterwards be as careful and cautious as I can, never to fix my affections upon any woman for a wife, 'till I am throughly perfuaded of the grounds I have to love her, as a true Chriftian.

If I could be thus happy, as to meet with a wife of these qualities and endowments, it would be impoffible for me not to be hearty and fincere in my affection towards her, even tho' I had the greatest temptations to place them upon another: For, how could I chufe but love her, who has God for her father, the church for her mother, and heaven for her portion; who loves GOD, and is belov'd of him? efpecially, when I confider, that thus to love her, will not only be my duty, but my happiness

too.

As to the duty, it is frequently inculcated in fcripture, that husband's fhould love their wives, and that not with a common love, but as CHRIST loved his church, Eph. v. 25. yea, as their own body, ver. 28. or, as themfelves, ver. 33. and they are fo to love them, as not to be bitter against them, Col. iii. 19. not to be paffionate or angry with them upon every light matter, nor fuffer their refentments to rife to that height, upon any occafion whatfoever, as to abate the

leaft

leaft fpark of conjugal affection towards them, but to nourish and cherish them, even as the Lord the church. In a word, to do all the kind offices they can for them, in their civil capacities, and to help and forward them, by all means poffible, in the way that leads to heaven; that as they are united in the flesh, fo they may likewife be united in the fpirit, and rais'd and rewarded together, at the general refurrection.

And, as love is the great duty, fo is it, likewife, the chief happiness of a marry'd ftate. I do not mean that love whereby fhe loves me, but that wherewith I love her; for, if I myself have not a cordial efteem and affection for her, what happiness will it be to me, to be belov'd by her? or rather, what a mifery wou'd it be to be forced to live with one I know I cannot love? As ever, therefore, I defire to be happy, I must. perform my duty in this particular, and never aim at any other end in the choice of a wife, or expect any other happiness in the enjoyment of her, but what is founded in the principle of pure and inviolable love. If I fhould court and marry a woman for riches, then, whenever they fail, or take their flight, my love and my happiness muft drop and vanifh together with them. If I chufe her for beauty only, I fhall love

her