It is strange that should be a pollution which
was instituted before corruption ; or that impurity:-
which was ordained in the state of innocency ; or
that they should make that to be a sin, which they
make to be a sacrament ; strange stupidity !
But ,a bastard may be laid at the door of chastity,
and a leaden crown set upon a golden head. Bel-
larmine (that mighty atlas of the Papal power)
blows his stinking breath upon it: * Better were
it for a priest to defile himself with many harlots,
than to be married to one wife.' —These children
of the purple whore prefer monasteries before mar-
riages, a concubine before a companion.— They use
too many women for their lusts, to choose any for
their love. — -Their tables are so largely spread that
they cannot feed upon one dish. As for their ex-
alting of a virgin state, it is like him that com-
manded fastings when he had filled his belly. Who
knows not that virginity is a pearl of a sparkling
lustre ? but the one cannot be set up, without the
other be thrown down : No oblation will pacify the
former, but the demolishing of the latter. Though
we find many enemies to the choice of marriage,
yet it is rare to find any enemies to the use of
marriage They would pick the lock that wants
the key, and pluck the fruit that do not plant the
tree. The Hebrews have a saying, that he is
not a man that hath not a wife," Though they
climb too high a bough, yet it is to be feared that
such flesh is full of imperfection, that is, not tending
tp propogation : though man alone may be good,
yet, It is not gpod that man should he alone.
PSALM 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:
for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Happy and gracious conclusion of every truly regenerate soul, convinced of an interest in CHRIST, and a personal union with him. The beloved of the LORD shall dwell safely. Isaiah 32:18. REFLECTIONS READER! let you and I never lose sight of the LORD JESUS while reading this Psalm. He is the LORD our righteousness. And, therefore, in all our approaches to the mercy-seat, let us go there in a language corresponding to this, which calls JESUS the GOD of our righteousness. And while men of the world from the world are seeking their chief good, let us desire his favor which infinitely transcends corn and wine, and all the good things which perish in using. Yes! LORD, thy favor is better than life itself. Thou causest them that love thee to inherit substance, and fittest all their treasure, yea thou thyself art their treasure. And oh! thou gracious GOD and FATHER, hast thou in such a wonderful manner set apart one in our nature for thyself? ...
Comments
Post a Comment