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brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have wash ed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan. If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

MAT. 19: 3. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning, made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away, doth commit adultery. His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb; and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs

of men ; and there be eunuchs, which

have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

T 1 COR. 7: 25. Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress; I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned: and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless, such shall have trouble in the flesh; but I spare you. But this I say, brethren, The time is short. It remaineth, that both they that have wives, be as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it. For the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried, careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married, careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy, both in body and in spirit: but she that is married, careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not let them marry. Nevertheless, he that standeth steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth

well; but he that giveth her not in | marriage doeth better. The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth, but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will, only in | the Lord. But she is happier if she so abide after my judgment, and I think also, that I have the Spirit of the Lord.

ROM. 7: 2. The woman, which hath a husband, is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth: but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

Duties resulting from it.

1 COR. 7: 3. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence, and likewise also, the wife unto the husband.

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ray, but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding, she shall be saved in child-bearing, if they continue in faith, and charity, and holiness, with sobriety.

1 PETER 3: 1. Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives, while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands, even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

EPH. 5:21. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 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 Savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in | every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. 28. So ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself, for no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself: and the wife see that she reverence her husband. COL. 3: 18. Wives, submit your-love their children; to be discreet, selves unto your own husbands, as chaste, keepers at home, good, obeit is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love dient to their own husbands, that your wives, and be not bitter against the word of God, be not blasthem. phemed.

1 TIM. 2: 9. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered

1 TIM. 5: 14. I will that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

TITUS 2: 4. That the aged women teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to

Duties in Regard to Unbelievers.

1 Cor. 7: 10. Unto the married

hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly ar- I command, yet not I, but the Lord,

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let not the wife depart from her husband; but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband. And let not the husband put away his wife.

If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman that hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or sister is not bound in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt not save thy husbsnd? and how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife? 39. The wife is bound by the law, as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will, only in the Lord.

DEUT. 7: 3. Neither shalt thou make marriages with them [the heathen] thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son; nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods.

(See the Transgression of Solomon. 1 Kings 11: 1. Of Israel. Ezra 9: 2-12. Neh. 13: 23.)

Fornication.

lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life; to keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue af a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart, neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman, a man is brought to a piece of bread; and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt? So he that goeth in to his neighbor's wife; whoso toucheth her shall not be innocent.

7: 4. Say unto wisdom, thou art my sister, and call understanding thy kinswoman, that they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. For at the window of my house, I looked through my casement, and beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, passing through the street, near her corner; and he went the way to her house; in the twilight, in the dark and black night. And behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and subtle of heart. So she caught him and kissed him and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows; therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.-21. With much fair speech she caused him to yield; with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her

slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not, that it is for his life.-26. She hath cast down many wounded; yea many strong men have been slain by her: her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

PROV. 5: 3. For the lips of a strange woman drop as a honey-straightway, as an ox goeth to the comb, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest find the path of life, her ways are movable; thou canst not know them.-8. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house; lest thou give thy honor unto others and thy years unto the cruel.... And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, and say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof!

6: 23. The commandment is a

9: 13. A foolish woman is clamorous; she is simple and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places in the city, to call passengers, who go right on their way, whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; and as for him that wanteth understand

ing, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant! But he knoweth not that the dead are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

2: 18. Her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

1 COR. 6: 13. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. Know ye not, that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid. What! know ye not that he which is joined to a harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth, is without the body; but he that committeth fornication, sinneth against his own body.

PROV. 22: 14. The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein.

ECCL. 7: 26. I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets.

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the full, then they committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses: shall I not visit for these things, saith the LORD, and shall I not be avenged on such a nation as this?

9: 2. They be all adulterers. 23: 10. The land is full of adulterers. The land mourneth.

EZEK. 22: 11. One hath committed adultery with his neighbor's wife; another hath defiled his daughter-in-law; and another hath humbled his sister.-14. Can thy heart endure, or thy hands be made strong, in the day that I shall deal with thee?

JOHN 8: 7. He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.... And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience went out, one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last.

GAL. 5: 19. The works of the flesh are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness.... They that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

EPH. 5: 5. No whoremonger nor unclean person hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Because of these things cometh the wrath of God on the children of disobedience.

HEB. 13: 4, Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

II. Parental Relation.

GEN. 18: 19. I know him, (Abraham,) that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment, that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

DEUT. 6:6. These words,... shall be in thy heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.

11: 19. Ye shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way; when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

EPH. 6: 1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise,) that it may be well with thee,

and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

COL. 3:20. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is wellpleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

1 TIM. 5: 1. Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters: with all purity.

PROV. 23: 22. Hearken unto thy father that begat_thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 24. The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice; and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. My father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

15: 20. A wise son maketh a glad father, but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

22: 6. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

T ISA. 38: 19. The fathers to the children shall make known thy truth.

JOEL 1: 8. Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.

PROV. 13: 24. He that spareth the rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

14:8. Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

22: 15. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

23: 13. Withhold not correction from the child; thou shalt beat him with a rod; and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

29: 15. The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. — 17. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

2 COR. 12: 14. The parents ought to lay up for their children.

1 TIM. 5: 8. If a man provide not for his own, specially for those of

his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Fruits of the faithful performance of Parental Duties.

GEN. 13: 14. The LORD said unto Abraham, I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed be numbered. (15:5—17:1—5: 6.)

Ps. 127: 3. Children are an heritage of the LORD.

37: 25. I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, or his seed begging bread.

102: 28. The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

ISA. 44: 3. I will pour my blessing upon thine offspring.

MAT. 19: 14. Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Consequences of neglecting these Duties.

Ex. 20: 5. I am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, to the third and fourth generation.

1 SAM. 2:30. Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said, indeed, that thy house and the house of thy father should remain before me forever; but now, the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me, I will honor; and they that despise me, shall be lightly esteemed.

3: 11. Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform upon Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end; for I have told him that I will judge his house, for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not.

PROV. 28: 24. Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, the same is a companion of a destroyer.

30: 17. The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pluck it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

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