ral administration of it, yet the decisive power in all critical affairs that demand an immediate determination, must be lodged in one; and the condition of the other is not so properly that of a subject, but of a second in authority.

From whence it is plain, that husbands transgress the rules of their duty, without sense of shame or regard to decency, when they are imperious and domineering; and behave as tyrants to slaves, rather than with that respect and honour, which are most surely owing to persons who have a natural right to govern though in a state of subordination,-when they insolently boast of their power, and are forward to exert it in trifles, when they dictate, without attempting to persuade,-when they will hearken to no advice, nor bear an opposition, however mild and gentle, to their schemes. This must have a direct tendency to alienate the affections of the wife, from so stubborn and morose a temper; to sow the seeds of eternal family dissensions; and, of consequence, utterly to defeat the end of that wise and sacred institution, which was intended by the great Parent of both sexes, to be the source of their tenderest endearments to each other, and of their most choice and delicate pleasures.

And now, I would fain persuade myself upon

strain.

the whole, that no wise or virtuous woman can think that I have stated this case rigorously; but rather with unexceptionable moderation. Because the Scriptures of the New Testament, which they generally profess to believe, have spoken of it in a much stronger and higher The language of them is "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord: for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church. Therefore, as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands, in everything. Let the wife see, that she reverence her husband:"* "Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well."t

• Eph. v. 22-24, 33.

† 1 Pet. iii. 6.

CHAPTER II.

LOVE.

HAVING thus, as I apprehend, laid the true foundation upon the law of nature, and the concurrent testimony of the Christian religion, in which the supreme authority of the husband is expressly declared and supported as a right indisputable, I now proceed to explain his duty to his wife more distinctly. And all the chief branches of it, at least, may be reduced to the following heads: viz., "love, fidelity; convenient and proper accommodation, according to his rank and circumstances in life; respect; defence against injuries; the improvement of her mind, as far as there are opportunities for it, in religion and virtue, and the knowledge which is best suited to her character; and inviolate union."

To which, perhaps, may be added, though it be needless for me to specify them distinctly, as they are so immediately and universally obvious; and must arise from present circumstances, to which summary rules cannot be so easily accommodated-to which I say, may perhaps be added a few discretionary rules, to prevent discord and

variance in the marriage state, and preserve conjugal affection undiminished; that what was designed to soften cares, and to be a scene of most refined friendship and delight, may not be changed by an utter abuse and perversion of its nature, into the most grievous infelicity and burden of human life. And these rules of caution and prudence, though both parties are in truth equally concerned in them, are with peculiar reason annexed to the duty of husbands, and addressed to them chiefly: because they are generally apt to arrogate to themselves, as a kind of prerogative belonging to their sex, greater compass of understanding and strength of mind; and therefore if this claim be just, and not aggravated a little by pride and self-flattery, it is natural to expect that they will maintain a stricter guard; and the harmony of the married state, and the regularity and good order of families, must then be supposed to be principally entrusted to their care. Their indiscretions will be more inexcusable, if their superior abilities are presumed and allowed; as well as much more mischievous, on account of their greater influence, and the more prevalent force of their example. Let me now say somewhat briefly on each of the above-mentioned heads.

The first branch of the husband's duty to be

considered and explained, is love. What St. Paul has affirmed, concerning the whole duty which we owe our neighbour, holds equally true in the present case, it is summarily comprehended in love.* This is the source from whence it springs, the spirit that animates the whole, the principle into which it may be ultimately resolved. It is as the root to the branches, and as the soul to the body. This Apostle, therefore, has directed thus: "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them." Which is as if he had said, You will entirely and faithfully discharge your duty as husbands, by the exercise of a sincere affection, in all its natural and just consequences; and by avoiding all the contrarieties to love; all such injurious and harsh conduct which will gradually root out of your own breasts this generous social principle, and create coldness, dislike, and aversion, in the person to whom you stand most nearly related—that is as disagreeable and distasteful to the mind, and especially to ingenuous spirits, which have a quicker sense of ill-usage, as bitter things generally are to the palate.

The same divine writer has recommended this first and chief ingredient in all conjugal duties, in several other passages, and enforced it by a Rom. xiii. 9. † Coloss. iii. 19.