ADVERTISEMENT.

THE reader of the following pages is earnestly entreated to suspend his judgment, until he has considered the series of argument which they contain, and of which it is the one purpose to establish the doctrine of the holiness and the indissolubility of marriage, on the basis of its divine institution. How far the Author has succeeded in the support of this doctrine, it is not his province to determine: he can ascertain and avouch no more than the honest persuasion of his own mind, and a perfect conviction, that not a thought is suggested, which can prejudice the interests of Christian righteousness. When however he has considered the high authorities which he has ventured to oppose, the extent to which he has carried his theory, and the nature of some of the arguments, and the obsolete expositions of Scripture, by which he has endeavoured to sustain it, he is free to confess, that he has at times distrusted his own judgment, and been apprehensive

that his mind may have been unduly biassed in favour of a particular system, conceived and matured in retirement, and with contracted means and opportunities of information and research. The argument nevertheless results in such an appearance of consistency, as induces a hope that it is constructed on a just principle, and that the views which have been taken by the Author may not be unworthy of the public attention. The first desire and delight of his heart is to investigate and defend the truth, to remove the occasions of offence, to ascertain the principles and enforce the practice of private virtue, and to assist in the promotion of social improvement: but the experience and observation of life have rendered him not sanguine or precipitate in the anticipation of religious union or moral renovation; and in the slow and guarded process of theological disquisition he has learned not to ask or to give assent to any proposition which does not rest on the arguments of manly reason, or the dictates of inspired authority.

It is not necessary to state the circumstances which engaged the Author's attention in the enquiry, in the prosecution of which he first collected and weighed the several texts of Scripture which speak of

the doctrine of Marriage, and proceeded to follow that doctrine through all the relics of the three first centuries, observing the diction as well as the opinions of the primitive writers, and taking advantage of the light of various learning which Selden and other authors have thrown upon the question. The law has been collected chiefly from the Commentaries of Blackstone, the Parliamentary Debates, and the Term Reports; and when other resources have failed, the public journals have not been neglected.

No man has more occasion than the Author to regret, that the doctrine which he has undertaken to treat has not found a more able and more competent advocate, nor can any man be more sensible of the imperfection of the present attempt. The vital importance of a doctrine too generally neglected is the best apology which he can offer for presuming to intrude his sentiments on the public, and for entreating that candid consideration of the argument which is due to the interest of the subject, and the censures of such liberal criticism as may correct the errors and supply the deficiencies of the execution.

F

SYNOPSIS OF VOLUME I.

INTRODUCTION.

Difficulty and importance of a right apprehension of the doctrine of marriage. Different doctrines of the Church and of the Law of England.

CHAPTER I.

THE DIVINE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE.

Page 1.

Proofs of divine

Argument from Ephes. v. 30, 31.

Doctrine of the divine institution collected from Gen. ii. 24. (Tobit viii. 10.) Malachi ii. 5. interposition in respect of marriage. Matt. xix. 4, 5, 6. and Mark x. 6-9. explained. Misapprehension of 1 Cor. vi. 16. removed. Traditions of the Church. The wise and beneficent intentions, and careful preservation of marriage, argue its divine institution. The doctrine not liable to the imputation of popery, and not involving a sacramental character in marriage. The doctrine of the merely civil contract restricted under the English law. Inaccurate statements of that doctrine. Practical inconveniences of admitting that doctrine. Advantages of maintaining the divine institution.

Page 19.

CHAPTER II.

THE RELIGIOUS RATIFICATION OF MARRIAGE.

SECTION I.

Expedience and Antiquity of the Religious Ratification.

Simplicity of the primary institution not infringed by the public celebration of marriage. Necessity of mutual