has a husband that spares no expense to gratify her, is in all her finery to be considered as a gaudy victim, ever bleeding under the hands of domestic cruelty. She is as little to be envied as the devoted animal which stood at the altar ornamented with a wreath of flowers.

All that the warmest advocate for women can enforce on husbands, being, as the passages above quoted show, expressly required by God himself; the next thing to be considered is, the example which the inspired writer has selected, for the model of a husband's behaviour towards his wedded partner. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself, a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing."*

Here is at once example and motive. What more could even an inspired man say, in order to form the husband to every thing affectionate, disinterested, sympathizing, and attentive to his wife, than this: "Love her, as Christ loved the church ?" He who understands Christianity, finds a volume in such a sentence. His mind instantly recurs to that astonishing instance of benevolence which his Redeemer exhibited, in giving himself up to sufferings and death for our salvation; to that which he showed, in sending forth ministers to "preach the

* Eph. v. 33, &c.

gospel to every creature ;" to the tender attention which he pays, now he is in heaven, to all who receive this gospel; taking care that every thing be provided which is necessary to increase their faith, purify their hearts, administer to their consolation, support them in their conflicts, and cherish the hope which he has formed in them of participating in the fulfilment of those gracious purposes towards his church, which are to be consummated in heaven, and enjoyed to all eternity. This, says he, is my pattern. Such a friend as Christ was to his church, am I to be to my spouse. Am I a part of that body, of which he is such a Saviour? Then he gave himself for me. Let me imitate that affection, of the fruits of which, I humbly hope, I am a partaker. I here find myself required to love my wife, though she is not without fault; to interpose between her and danger; to supply, as far as is in my power, every thing which can contribute to her comfort; to seek not only her present, but everlasting happiness; for thus did Christ love his church.

To the wife the word of God speaks thus: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands, in every thing." "Let the wife see to it that she reverence her husband."t

Here we should particularly notice that virtue on which the admonition principally turns: namely, submission. A virtue so prominently commended ought certainly to be considered as meriting particular attention.

It need not, surely, be necessary to observe that the superiority which the Scriptures give to the man over the woman is not that of a master over a slave. The precepts enforced on the husband are of such a kind, as to show that the superiority with which he is invested, is founded in reason, and maintained by love. God has not required from the woman the submission of a slave; but a reasonable and advantageous submission: such as a man of good sense knows it becomes him to receive, and an affectionate wife will yield with pleasure. Some women, however, consider every thing of this kind as the relinquishing of all selfdefence. Mistaken creatures! It is their best security, as well as one of their loveliest ornaments like polished armour, it is both beauty and defence.

Considering the importance given to the virtue now under consideration in the words of the apostle above quoted, we see at a glance how far from that character which the holy Scriptures commend to women, are those who deny to a husband any rule in his house, unless he choose to purchase it at the expense of peace. Such a conduct is against not only the spirit, but the very letter of Christianity:

"Let the wives be subject to their own husbands in every thing.”*

The apostle, as if to prevent the possibility of a misunderstanding, enforces his point by a most striking illustration: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands, in every thing."t

The church is subject to Christ to this extent. She is always to be known by these circumstances, that as her legislator, she receives laws from Christ; as her Lord, she receives commands from him; as her guide, she follows him. The religious society, therefore, which renounces the authority of Christ, pursues an interest separate from his, and sets up for its own directress in matters of faith and morals, is not the church. Nor is any individual, who may be thus characterized, to be considered as "which is the a part of the church of Christ; blessed company of all faithful people."

This model of subjection, unreserved subordination, and reverential deference, is a woman in the ties of wedlock to make her exemplar ; if she would be found in that relation such as God approves. Let her be frugal, industrious, cleanly, and chaste: she is to have the praise of all these good qualities; but let her remem+ Ib. v. 22-24. * Eph. v. 24.

ber, that if withal she is self-willed and refractory, she is destitute of that virtue in which the Holy Scriptures seem to have concentrated all the good qualities of a wife. Much as she may triumph in the contemplation of her superiority over the idle and extravagant, with · whom she compares herself, she resists the order of God; and her resemblance is not the church, but the world. She acts as if she was determined to go as far as possible from the pattern which God has set before her, and had chosen one that is the very reverse of the church. Such is the world; in all points, an affecting contrast to the spouse of Christ: rebelling against the government to which his spouse most gladly yields herself; despising that authority which she loves to honour; and with equal ingratitude and folly, rising up against the power which both her obligations and her interest require her to obey.

Let the husband and the wife contemplate the two examples which an inspired apostle has chosen for their respective imitation; and they will find, that all which has been said in the former part of this address, and which has been enforced apparently from a regard to prudence only, is bound on them from more authoritative considerations; God himself requires it of them.

Make a point of sitting down to reflect on those passages in the sacred writings, in which the duties of husband and wife are set forth.