'Tis this can toil, and grief, and pain assuage, Two are better than one, in numberless respects. But among the rest it would be unpardonable to omit, the peculiar advantages which the marriage state af fords for religious improvement. When a married couple (like you and your dear partner,) are of one mind respecting the one thing needful, being heirs together of the grace of life, they have the greatest of all possible advantages, to be helpers of each other's faith and joy; and especially in provoking one another to love and to good works. They have opportunities of knowing each other so entirely, that the effect of the principles of christianity in each, must be conspicuous to the other. And if either should become lukewarm, the other cannot but observe it and by mutually watching over each other in love, they may quicken one another to run with diligence the race set before them. For as good John Bunyan has expressed it : Saints' fellowship, if it be manag'd weil, F It is indispensible that you be watchful, that your prayers be not hindered. If you cannot keep one another in the mind constantly to pray together, there is reason to fear that much of your comfort will be diminished. Let me, therefore, recommend to you both, as ye are desirous of enjoying all the advantages your union is capable of producing; that each of you be careful to watch against every thing that would prevent your holding communion with God, in the performance of social religious duties; reading, conversation, and prayer. The more frequently you are engaged in these exercises, the more pleasure you will enjoy in each other's company and you will be better prepared to endure the sorrows inseparably connected with the marriage state. Milton has given us a pattern in the original parents of mankind. My dear associate, to me beyond Compare above all living creatures dear, Well hast thou motion'd, well thy thoughts employ'd, Labour, as to debar us when we need What more rational or delightful, than occasional conversations on the ground of our hope? How pleasant! how interesting! to enjoy the assurance, that when this short frail life shall terminate, we shall be elevated to the rank of the spirits of the just made perfect; and enjoy for ever that state of felicity and honour, which Jesus Christ has promised to all that believe in him. To encourage one another in the exercise of a well grounded hope of future happiness, is to fortify our minds against all the afflictions of life, and to prepare ourselves for that stroke which will separate us from all mortal things, and from each other, till we meet together in that state of blessedness, where the days of our mourning will be ended. Come, turn thine eyes aside From Bethle'm, and climb up the doleful steep Of bloody Calvary, where naked skulls Pave the sad road, and fright the traveller. Can Hard burthen'd? can thy heart attend his cross? The fair disciple heard; her passions move Brought down to men; scal'd by the Sacred Three. And spite of earth and hell, in season due His name. 66 On bankrupt mortals, who believe and love Life, death, the world below, and worlds on high, 'Tis for our health and sweet refreshment (while Thus angels mix their flames, and more divinely glow.' Let it be your study, my dear friends, to animate and encourage each other to pursue the path of wisdom, and live a life of obedience to all the will of God. |