_Subjection_, is another duty, that is enjoined married women, in the word of GOD. They are to “be subject to their own husbands in every thing,” every lawful thing: “For, the husband is the head of the wife, even as CHRIST is the head of the church.” And knowing how unapt some base minds would be to submit to the husband’s authority, he takes care to enforce this duty of subjection by many cogent and powerful arguments. “For _Adam_ was first made, and not _Eve_. Neither was the man made for the woman, but the woman for the man.” And again, “The man was not first in the transgression, but the woman.” Upon which accounts, subjection was imposed on her as part of her punishment. “Thy desire (says GOD) shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule (though not tyrannize) over thee.” So that, to use the words of pious Mr. _Henry_, those who attempt to usurp authority over their husbands, not only contradict a divine command, but thwart a divine curse. And if women are to be subject to their own husbands in every thing, how much more ought believers, whether men or women, to be subject to JESUS CHRIST: for he is the head of the church. He has bought her by his blood. Believers therefore are not their own, but are under the highest obligations to glorify and obey JESUS CHRIST, in their bodies and their souls, which are his. Add to this, that his service, as it is admirably expressed in one of our collects, is perfect freedom. His commandments holy, just, and good. And therefore it is your highest privilege, O believers, to submit to, and obey them. Earthly husbands may be so mean as to impose some things upon their wives, merely to shew their authority; but it is not so with JESUS CHRIST. He can and does impose nothing, but what immediately conduces to our present, as well as future good. In doing, nay, in suffering for JESUS CHRIST, there is a present unspeakable reward. And therefore I may say to believers, as the blessed Virgin said to the servants at the marriage in _Cana_, “Whatsoever he says unto you, do it.” “For his yoke is easy, and his burden is light.” And I believe it might easily be proved in a few minutes, that all the disorders which are now in the world, whether in church or state, are owing to a want of being universally, unanimously, chearfully, and perseveringly conformed to the laws and example of our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST.
Again, _Faithfulness_ in the marriage state, is strictly enjoined in the scriptures of truth. “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. But whoremongers and adulterers GOD will judge.” Nay, adultery is an iniquity to be punished by the earthly judges; it dissolves the marriage relation. “For the man has not power over his own body, but the woman; neither has the woman power over her own body, but the man.” The heathens themselves have been taught this by the light of nature; and adultery, among some of them, is punished with immediate death. And ought married persons to be thus careful to keep the marriage-bed undefiled, how carefully then ought believers to keep their souls chaste, pure, and undefiled, now they are espoused to JESUS CHRIST? For there is such a thing as spiritual adultery; “O ye adulterers and adulteresses,” saith St. _James_. And GOD frequently complains of his people’s playing the harlot. Hence it is, that St. _John_, in the most endearing manner, exhorts believers to “keep themselves from idols.” For the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and pride of life, are always ready to steal away our hearts from JESUS CHRIST. And every time we place our affections upon any thing more than CHRIST, we do undoubtedly commit spiritual adultery. For we admit a creature to rival the Creator, who is GOD over all, blessed for evermore. “Little children, therefore, keep yourselves from idols.”