But it is time for me to draw towards the close of this head. _Fruitfulness_ was a blessing promised by GOD to the first happy pair; “Increase and multiply, and replenish the earth.” “Lo, children, and the fruit of the womb, (says the Psalmist) are a gift and heritage, which cometh of the LORD.” And so, if we are married to JESUS CHRIST, we must be fruitful. In what? In every good word and work: for thus speaks the Apostle, in his epistle to the _Romans_: “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law, by the body of CHRIST, that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead.” What follows? “That we should bring forth fruit unto GOD.” Glorious words, and proper to be considered in a peculiar manner, by such who would explode the doctrine of free justification, as an _Antinomian_ doctrine, and as though it destroyed good works. No; it establishes, and lays a solid foundation, whereon to build the superstructure of good works. _Titus_ is therefore commanded to “exhort believers to be careful to maintain good works.” And “herein (says our LORD) is my Father glorified, that ye bring forth much fruit. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven:” with a multitude of passages to the same purpose.
Moreover, it is required of wives, that they not only love and reverence their husbands, but that they also love and respect their _husband’s friends_. And if we are married to JESUS CHRIST, we shall not only reverence the bridegroom, but we shall also love and honour the bridegroom’s friends. “By this, shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another.” “By this we know, (says the beloved disciple) that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.” Observe, _the brethren_, indefinitely, of whatever denomination. And this love must be “without dissimulation, and with a pure heart fervently.” This was the case of the primitive christians. They were all of one heart, and of one mind. It was said of them (O that it could be said of us!) “See how these christians love one another!” They were of the same spirit as a good woman of _Scotland_ was, who, when she saw a great multitude, as is customary in that country, coming from various parts to receive the blessed sacrament, saluted them with a “Come in, ye blessed of the LORD, I have an house that will hold an hundred of you, and a heart that will hold ten thousand.” Let us go and do likewise.
Once more. Persons that are married, take one another _for better_ or _for worse_, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish each other in sickness and in health. And if we are married to JESUS CHRIST, we shall be willing to bear his _cross_, as well as to wear his _crown_. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Neither will they be compelled to do this, as _Simon_ of _Cyrene_ was, but they will be volunteers in his service; they will cry out, Crown him, crown him, when others are crying out, “Crucify him, crucify him.” They will never leave or forsake him, but willingly follow the Captain of their salvation, though it be through a sea of blood.