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THE RELATIVE DUTIES OF MANKIND. [Part III.

degree of magnitude. Some of them are great duties, — sogreat, indeed, that the comfort, the happiness, nay, the salvationof the parties, may depend on their being suitably performed.Some of them are so delicate as to require the best-disciplinedtemper and passions, the most just taste, the most mature judg-ment, and the most cultivated understanding, for their suitableappreciation and performance. Many of them are too minuteand evanescent to be reached by any description short of in-spiration itself. And accordingly it is in the Scriptures, that wefind this relation and its duties described with a fulness, pertinen-cy, and strength of illustration, which we attempt in vain to findelsewhere. Every image and every expression by which intima-cy, delicacy, and tenderness can be conveyed, is exhausted bythe sacred writers. The state itself is commended by St. Paulto be honorable in all men.* Christianity recalled marriage tothe original standard appointed by the Creator, the union of oneman with one woman.f This union cannot rightfully be dis-solved, but from a single cause.j:

The equality in number, too, of men and women born in allages and countries, proves polygamy to be as inconsistent withthe law of nature as it is with the ordinance of God. This ar-gument is used by the prophet Malachi, who well says, if it hadbeen the intention of the Almighty to permit a man to have morethan one wife, he would have created a greater number of womenthan of men.§ Thus, as St. Paul says, every man is to havehis own wife, and every woman her own husband. || The hus-band is to render unto the wife due benevolence, and likewise,also, the wife unto the husband. IT Husbands are to dwell withtheir wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife,as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of thegrace of life, that their prayers be not hindered.* § ** The husbandis declared to be the head of the wife, even as Christ is the headof the church. Husbands are to love their wives, even as Christalso loved the church and gave himself for it.ff He that lovethhis wife loveth himself ; and it is declared to be as inconsistent for

* Hebrews xiii. 4. i Gen. ii. 22 - 24 ; Matt. xix. 3 - 8. + Matt. xix. 9.

§ Malachi ii. 14 -16. || 1 Cor. vii. 2. II 1 Cor. vii. 3.

** 1 Peter iii. 7. tt Eph. v. 23, 25.