Thematic Bible: Advised
Thematic Bible
Marriage » Advised
for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another. As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do.
brethren, let every man conscientiously continue in the state he was in when he was converted. As to the case of celibacy, I have no positive instructions: yet my advice deserves to be regarded, as coming from one the divine favour has distinguished. I think therefore it is best, considering the present distress, I say, it is best, for a single person to continue so still. read more.
are you contracted to a wife? seek not to be disengag'd. are you disengag'd from your wife? don't look out for another; not that it is a sin for you to marry; nor is it so if a virgin marry; but they that do, will be troubled for their relations, and that I would prevent. This I say, brethren, because the time is coming, when they who have wives will be as those that have none; and they that weep, as those that are unconcern'd; and they that rejoice, as those that do not; and they that buy, as those that have no possessions; and they that possess this world, as those that can't make an ill use of it. for the scene of this world is continually shifting. I would have you free from anxiety. the unmarried is religiously concerned, how he may please the Lord: he that is married is worldly concern'd, how he may please his wife. there is the same difference between a married woman and a virgin: the last is religiously concern'd to be holy, both in body and mind: but she that is married is taken up with worldly cares to please her husband. And this I say for your particular advantage, not to lay any constraint upon you, but as that which is most suitable to a state of uninterrupted attendance upon religion. if any man thinks it would be a reflexion upon his manhood to be a stale batchelor, and so ought to marry; let him follow his bent, he is at liberty, let such marry. but he that has been steady in his purpose, and finds no necessity to alter it; if he is a master of his passion, and is heartily determin'd to keep his virginity, it is well. so that he who marries, does well; but he who lives single, may have less trouble. The wife is bound as long as her husband lives: but if her husbnd be dead, she is at liberty to be married, if she pleases; provided it be to a christian. but she will be happier, if she remain a widow, in my opinion: and I think the divine spirit suggests the same.
are you contracted to a wife? seek not to be disengag'd. are you disengag'd from your wife? don't look out for another; not that it is a sin for you to marry; nor is it so if a virgin marry; but they that do, will be troubled for their relations, and that I would prevent. This I say, brethren, because the time is coming, when they who have wives will be as those that have none; and they that weep, as those that are unconcern'd; and they that rejoice, as those that do not; and they that buy, as those that have no possessions; and they that possess this world, as those that can't make an ill use of it. for the scene of this world is continually shifting. I would have you free from anxiety. the unmarried is religiously concerned, how he may please the Lord: he that is married is worldly concern'd, how he may please his wife. there is the same difference between a married woman and a virgin: the last is religiously concern'd to be holy, both in body and mind: but she that is married is taken up with worldly cares to please her husband. And this I say for your particular advantage, not to lay any constraint upon you, but as that which is most suitable to a state of uninterrupted attendance upon religion. if any man thinks it would be a reflexion upon his manhood to be a stale batchelor, and so ought to marry; let him follow his bent, he is at liberty, let such marry. but he that has been steady in his purpose, and finds no necessity to alter it; if he is a master of his passion, and is heartily determin'd to keep his virginity, it is well. so that he who marries, does well; but he who lives single, may have less trouble. The wife is bound as long as her husband lives: but if her husbnd be dead, she is at liberty to be married, if she pleases; provided it be to a christian. but she will be happier, if she remain a widow, in my opinion: and I think the divine spirit suggests the same.