I. The danger of ungodly connexions —
To caution us against contracting an intimacy with the ungodly, we are told, that " evil communications corrupt good manners;" and that "the companion of fools shall be destroyed." But in the marriage union such a connexion is peculiarly dangerous, because its influence is incessant, and operative to the latest hour of our lives.
1. It is injurious to the person himself —
[It is from a hope of drawing over their partner to the same views and sentiments with themselves, that multitudes enter into engagements, which prove fatal to their happiness through life. Whatever were the views of this Israeli tish woman, she seemed to have succeeded beyond all reasonable expectation in the alliance she had formed: for, instead of being detained in Egypt by her husband, she brought him out with her. But as it was an in- jury, rather than a benefit, to the Church, that a mixed multi- tude were united to ita, so the society of a heathen could never render an Israelite happy. Supposing that the woman had any regard for God, how could she endure to see her husband pouring contempt upon him, and bowing down to idols of wood
and stone? It is precisely thus when a believer amongst
ourselves becomes united to an unbeliever. However suitable in other respects the union may be, it cannot possibly be pro- ductive of happiness ; for, in all those things which are most important, their views, their feelings, and their conduct must be dissimilar, or rather at variance with each other. The un- converted party can have no sympathy with the converted in the various exercises of mind peculiar to the Christian state ; he cannot understand them ; the hopes and fears, and joys and sorrows experienced by the believer, appear foolishness in the eyes of an unbeliever ; and consequently, there can be no communion between them on those subjects which are most
nearly connected with their eternal welfare Hence that
solemn injunction to form no such alliance b, but to marry " only in the Lordc" ]
2. It is injurious to their offspring —
[Doubtless a true Christian will endeavour to give a right bias to the minds of his children. But the silent and unstudied influence of the ungodly person will operate far more forcibly than the most laboured exertions of the godly. The natural bent of our affections is towards sin : and we are far more ready
a Exod. xii. 38. with Numb. xi. 4. b 2 Cor. vi. 14, 15.
« 1 Cor. vii. 39.