Chap. l.J

THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS

147

2. The other particular deemed worthy of special illustra-tion, respects the precedence assigned in the Scriptures to thehusband, and the corresponding obedience which the wife is en-joined to render to his wishes and commands. This particularis intimately connected with the preceding, inasmuch as differ-ences of opinion and inclination must sometimes inevitably ex-ist between persons in married life ; and it ought to be settledand understood beforehand, which party shall, in the last resort,give way. On this particular, St. Chrysostom says, “Equalitybreeds contention, and one of the two must be superior, or elseboth would strive perpetually for the dominion. Wherefore,”continues he, “ the laws of God and the wisdom of all nationshave given the superiority to the husband.” *

Reason and Scripture then concur in claiming precedence forthe husband in this respect ; and, moreover, this claim rests onthe substantial grounds of greater experience and knowledge ofthe world, a superior education in most instances, and muchgreater responsibility in providing for the wants and meeting theexpectations of a family. But, in using this precedence withwhich the husband is invested, let him remember, as Bp. JeremyTaylor well says, that “ A husband’s power over his wife is pa-ternal and friendly, not magisterial and despotic. The wife isunder perpetual guardianship {in perpetua tutela), under conductand counsel; for the power a man hath is founded in the under-standing, not in the will or force ; it is not a power of coercion,but a power of advice, and that government that wise men haveover those who are fit to be conducted by them.” Again hesays, “ The husband and wife in the family are as the sun andmoon in the firmament of heaven ; he rules by day, and she bynight, that is, in the lesser and more proper circles of her af-fairs, in the conduct of domestic provisions and necessary offices,and shines only by his light and rules by his authority ; and asthe moon in opposition to the sun shines brightest, that is, thenwhen she is in her own circles and separate regions, so is theauthority of the wife then most conspicuous, when she is separ-ate and in her proper sphere.’’’’

* Quoted in Bishop Brownell’s Commentary on the Book of Common Prayer,p. 379.