kind, but that it has actually done so; that its beneficial effects are in a greater or a less degree visible throughout the Christian world; and that, considered in all the various points of view in which it presents itself to our observation, and in all its different bearings on the several conditions and relations of human life, it appears evidently to be the greatest and most substantial blessing, even in the present state, that Heaven in its bounty ever conferred upon the sons of men.

In order to establish the truth of these assertions, I must beg the reader's attention to the following plain statement of facts, which the most determined and most ingenious adversary of the Gospel will not, I apprehend, find it very easy to controvert*.

*It was not till after this essay was finished, that I had the good fortune to meet with Dr. Valpy's two discourses on this subject; and it is a great satisfaction to me to find that we not only concur in our general sentiments upon it, but in several of the authorities which we cite from ancient authors, in support of our argument. This circumstance affords me an opportunity, which I gladly embrace, of recommending to the notice of my readers those two excellent discourses, which are replete with learning, ingenuity and judicious remarks, on a variety of interesting and important subjects.

I. It is on all hands admitted, that from our domestic relations flows a very large proportion of the misery or the comfort of human life. Among these, the first in order, and from which the others take their rise, is the state of MARRIAGE. And here Christianity first displays its beneficent spirit.

The two great banes of connubial happiness among the ancient Pagans were polygamy and divorce. The first of these, it is well known, prevailed, and does at this hour prevail, through almost every region of the eastern world. The other was allowed for the most trivial causes, and exercised with the most wanton cruelty, in the later ages of Rome, not only by the worthless and the profligate, but by some of the most distinguished characters in the republic*: and both of them evidently tended to destroy that mutual confidence, harmony and affection, that constant union of interests and of sentiments, which constitute the supreme felicity of the matrimonial state. Besides this, the treatment of married women in general, among the ancients, was harsh, ungenerous and unjust.

* See Appendix, note (a).

And

And at this day (for the spirit of paganism is at all times, and in all places, the same) the savages of North America, as well as those of the new discovered islands in the South Seas, consider their wives as little better than slaves and beasts of burthen, and use them accordingly.

To all these cruelties Christianity (whereever it is received and professed with any degree of purity) has put an effectual stop. It has entirely cut off that grand source of do mestic wretchedness, polygamy; and has confined the dangerous liberty of divorce to one only cause, (the only cause that can justify the dissolution of so strict and sacred a bond,) viz. an absolute violation of the first and fundamental condition of the marriage contract, fidelity to the marriage bed*. It has provided no less for the security and comfort of the weaker

The Historian of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, has been pleased to observe, (vol. iv. p. 380.) that "the ambiguous word which contains the precept "of Christ respecting divorce is flexible to any interpre"tation that the wisdom of a legislator can demand, and "that the proper meaning of the original word opvela, "cannot be strictly applied to matrimonial sin." But if that author would have given himself the trouble to look at 1 Cor. v. 1. he would have perceived that the word Topvela not only may be applied to matrimonial sin, but

πορνεία,

weaker part than for the sovereignty of the stronger. It has established just so much command on one side, and just so much subjection on the other, as is necessary to prevent those everlasting contests which perfect equal ity must unavoidably produce. It lays, at the same time, a foundation for increasing harmony and tenderness by mutual obligations, and reciprocal concessions; and gives to each more frequent opportunities of displaying their affection, by ruling with mildness and submitting with cheerfulness.

There cannot, indeed, be a finer proof of the benevolence of our Religion than this regard and consideration for that part of the species which most wants, and yet in this instance before the promulgation of the Gospel, did least enjoy the privileges of humanity.

In

is actually so applied sometimes by the sacred writers; and in the place just cited can scarcely admit of any other sense. In this sense it is also used by our Saviour, Matt. v. 32. xix. 9. And this being incontrovertible, it is, I confess, past my understanding to comprehend, how this precept of Christ can be flexible to any other meaning than that plain and obvious one which it bears upon the very face of it, and in which it has been hitherto constantly understood; namely, that the only legitimate ground of divorce is adultery.

In effect, the condition of this sex, at least in the conjugal state, is so infinitely superior to the parts assigned them by the heathens of old, and the Mahometans and Pagans of this day, that they seem to be a different rank and order of beings. Instead of being considered merely as necessary parts of the family, of being confined to the loom and the distaff, and excluded from many of the most essential comforts of life (which was their case in the most civilized nations of antiquity); instead of being entirely cut off from all commerce with the world, imprisoned for life within the walls of a seraglio, and looked upon in no other light than as instruments of pleasure, as having neither rational minds nor immortal souls; as born only to minister to the happiness of others at the expense of their own, to be the slaves of sensuality, caprice and revenge (which is still their condition in eastern countries); instead of this, I say, they are now, by the gradual prevalence of Christian principles and manners, admitted to an equal share in the advantages and the blessings of society. Their understandings are cultivated, their minds improved, their senti

ments