had gradually become an enormous abuse, and no doubt led to much immorality. (Malachi ii. 14 — 16.) The remark made by our Lord's disciples shows the deplor- ably low state of public feeling on the subject. They said, " If the case of the man be so, it is not good to marry." They meant of course, " if a man may not put away his wife for a slight cause at any time, he had better not marry at all."' Such language from the mouths of apostles sounds strange indeed !
Our Lord brings forward a widely different standard for the guidance of His disciples. He first founds His judgment on the original institution of marriage. He quotes the words used in the beginning of Genesis, where the creation of man, and the union of Adam and Eve, are described, as a proof that no relation should be so highly regarded as that of husband and wife. The relation of parent and child may seem very close, but there is one closer still. — " A man shall leave father and mother, and cleave to His wife." He then backs up the quotation by His own solemn words, " What God hath joined to- gether, let not man put asunder." — And finally He brings in the grave charge of breaking the seventh com- mandment, against marriage contracted after a divorce for light and frivolous causes : " Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery."
It is clear, from the whole tenor of the passage, that the relation of marriage ought to be highly reverenced and honored among Christians. It is a relation which was instituted in Paradise, in the time of man's innocency, and is a chosen figure of the mystical union between
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Christ and His Churcli. It is a relation which nothing but death ought to terminate. It is a relation which is sure to have the greatest influence on those whom it brings together, for happiness, or for misery, for good, or for evil. Such a relation ought never to be taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, but soberly, dis- creetly, and with due consideration. It is only too true, that inconsiderate raaniages are one of the most fertile causes of unhappiness, and too often, it may be feared, of sin.
With respect to little children, we find our Lord in- structing US in these verses, both by word and deed, both by precept and example. "Little children were brought to him, that he should put his hands on them and ^^j'' They were evidently tender infants, too young to receive instruction, but not too young to receive benefit by prayer. The disciples seem to have thought them beneath their Master's notice, and rebuked those that brought them. But this drew forth a solemn declaration from the great Head of the Church, — "Jesus said. Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me ; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.''
There is something deeply interesting both in the lan- guage and action of our Lord on this occasion. We know the weakness and feebleness, both in mind and body, of a little infant. Of all creatures born into the world none is so helpless and dej)endent. We know who it was who here took such notice of infants, and found time, in His busy ministry among grown up men and women, to "put his hands on them and pray." It was the eternal Son of God, the great High Priest, the King of