Man ashiv le-Yahoweh, or, A serious enquiry for a suitable return for continued life, in and after a time of great mortality, by a wasting plague (anno 1665) answered in XIII directions / by Tho. Doolitel.

SECT. XIV.

[ II] * 1.1THe Reasons why there should be such love and mutual Affection betwixt those in a Conjugal Relation are such as these:

1. Because God commands it; and with gra∣cious persons a command of God is instead of a thousand Reasons. Before this Relation be entred into, persons may lawfullie look after attractives and motives of love, but when once they are so rel••ted, this is sufficient reason (though there are others) why they should love, Eph. 5.25. Tit. 2.4.

2. Because they are one flesh; He that loveth his Wife loveth himself, and she that loves her Husband loveth her self, Eph, 5.28, 29. It is un∣natural in any to h••te their own flesh.

3. Because the comfort of their life, and the sweetness of this Relation much depends upon their mutual affection.

4. Because the Gospel will be much hindered by the want of this love in those that make professi∣on of it: The Gospel much suffers when wicked persons observe that Professors fill not up their relative duties, Tit. 2.4. Teach the young women to be sober, to love their Husbands, to love their Children. Ver. 5. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own Husbands,

that the Word of God be not blasphemed.

5. Because else they will be more unfit for spiri∣tual duties, either together, or apart. When there are differences betwixt Husband and Wife, it is an hinderance to them in their praying one with another, in their praying one for another; want of this Conjugal affection, and breaches in this relation, hath often straitened the heart of the party offending at the throne of grace, and this professing Husbands and Wives should be careful of, 1 Pet. 3.5, 6, 7. The Apostle had exhorted persons in a Conjugal relation to discharge their mutual duties, after the Example of Abraham and Sarah, and the reason he alledgeth is, That your Prayers be not hindred.

6. Because else they cannot comfortably dye. Breaches in the duties of this Relation, will make great breaches in our peace of conscience when we come to dye. When you are to part at death, conscience will be lashing of you: God hath set thee (saith Conscience) in such a relation, but thou hast not had the love of that Relation. God gave thee such a yoak-fellow, but thou di••st not live with that affection as he did require, and now thy relation must be broken. Oh the••, saith the offendor, if God would continue me a little longer in this relation, how would I walk more sutably in performing the duties thereof better than hitherto I have done; but do it now before death doth part you.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Rea∣sons of their love