It may be asked, Why is this Discourse published?

The Author has never been afraid to preach on moral subjects. He despises the charge of Legality, and exceedingly dislikes the exclusive application of the term Evangelical, to doctrinal preaching.

He has also been accustomed to seize events, and circumstances, as they arise, to enliven attention, and diversify public instruction. His much esteemed Friend, whose name he has been compelled to suppress in the title-page, having engaged to worship in his congregation, on the Sabbath previous to his espousals with an amiable young Female who had resided some months in the Author's family-he resolved to select a portion of scripture suitable to the occasion. The occasion was particular, but the subject was general; he therefore enlarged, and delivered the following Discourse. The same day he received a pressing solicitation from his friend to publish; soon after arrived a request, signed by a number of his people, in the name of the rest. The Author respects their judgment, and owes much to their kindness and esteem. The peculiar delicacy and elegance with which these applications are drawn up, would induce him to expose them at length, did not their flattering relation to himself forbid.

It is hoped the Discourse will appear impartial; it was delivered without fear, and without flattery. Long as the Discourse will be found, it was all spoken; the Preacher desiring the audience to exercise a little more patience than usual. He chose to address both at the same time, rather than reserve the duties of either husband or wife to another opportunity. As the Author always preaches without notes, and had written only a general sketch of the subject, some few words and phrases may differ from those delivered in the pulpit; but the sense is completely, and the language nearly the same. Had the Discourse been designed for publication, or studied free from some peculiar interruptions and engagements, it might have been less unworthy of perusal.

Bath, August 24, 1801.

DISCOURSE.

1 Peter iii. 1-7,

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 honour unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

THE Governor of the universe is perpetually varying and determining our duties, by the dispensations of his providence, the conditions in which he fixes us, and the connexions he leads us to form. Thus the whole scripture is examined in succession, and every truth of the gospel obtains an application appropriate and impressive.

Marriage is an institution of peculiar importance. It is of divine ordination, and almost coeval with the existence of the human race. It is the origin of families; the source of the continuance and welfare of nations.

It

It distinguishes man from the brute creation, excludes the disorders of licentiousness, and cherishes the sweetest affections of the heart. There is no union, the quality of which is so intimate, the obligation of which is so binding, the consequences of which are so momentous. even surpasses natural relation; and for this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh; what therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.'

Hence the opinion of those who would either banish or degrade marriage, has always been held by the wise and the virtuous, as a sentiment the most vile and injurious, equally destructive of morals and of social happiness. Hence many of the philosophers and legislators, even in the heathen world, were peculiarly solicitous to establish, to sanction, to encourage,

and to regulate this institution. But in this, as well as in every other instance favourable to the welfare of mankind, the 'gospel of our salvation' has the pre-eminence. It classes the prohibition of the ordinance with the doctrine of devils;' assures us 'marriage is honourable in all;' leads us back to its commencement in Paradise; renders the bond indissoluble; places it under the jurisdiction of Heaven; takes from it an image to prefigure the union of Christ and his people, and often makes it the subject of particular instruction. It has given us advice, it has given us law; and where is this law so beautifully and largely expressed as in the passage I hold up to view this morning?

I. In the delineation of the duties resulting from marriage, our divine Instructer begins with WIVES- -and to animate their attention to the rules he prescribes, he reminds them of the probability of their usefulness to their husbands in a case of all others the most interesting: 'If any obey not the word, they may, without the word, be won.'

Religion is not always universal, even in small, detached portions of society.. In the same house, there may be an heir of glory, and a son of perdition, natural alliance and spiritual disunion, persons living together in this world between whom, in eternity, there will be a great gulf fixed.

The instance of infidelity and ungodliness is taken from the man; and the apostle marks the piety of the wife, rather than of the husband. Is this mentioned without design? Do not history, experience, and observation favour the probability? Have not women in all denominations, in all ages, in all countries, in all ranks, been more disposed to religion, than men? From how many vices are females restrained by considerations which bear, much less forcibly, on the minds of men? Who depends so much on opinion and esteem, or feels so many motives to preserve reputation unblemished? Denied so often the liberty of divulging their emotions, who so ready to seize the privilege of prayer, and to 'pour out the heart before God? Who so susceptible of lively impressions? Who feels so powerfully