date

1818 Feb 3 Not Paul III. Doctrine
1818 Feb 3

Not Paul

III. Doctrine

Ch. Motives to Conversion

Asceticism II. Bed

I. Ordinary

3. Conduct of a widow in respect of remarriage.

On the occasion of the recommendation v. 6. to abstain from marriage, as applied to

the situation of those /persons/ in a state of celibacy, he had already included widows. In v. 39. 40. he returns to the subject /his widows/,

and if notwithstanding the above good advice nothing will serve them but they must

remarry puts in a little proviso: a proviso for the benefit of ‘the Lord’: i.e. for

the interest in respect of influence and dominion, of the Lord’s self-constituted

Apostle. ‘The wife is bound’ (says he) ‘by the law so long as her husband liveth: but

if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; onely in the Lord.’ i.e. only to a disciple of this giver of

good advice.

40. ‘But she is happier (concludes he) if she so abide, after my judgment: and I

think also that I have the spirit of God.’
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  • Title: [1818 Feb 2 Not Paul III. Doctrine]
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    III. Doctrine

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    1. Celibacy

    But let us see the whole passage.

    I. Cor. vii. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 32. But I would

    have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong

    to the Lord, how he may please the Lord.

    33. But he that is married careth for the things that are of this world, how he may

    please his wife.

    34. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth

    for y e things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and

    spirit: but she that is married careth for y e things of the

    world, how she may please her husband.

    35. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but

    for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

    36. But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely towards his virgin, if

    she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he

    sinneth not: let them marry.

    37. Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but

    hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his

    virgin, doeth well.

    38. So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in

    marriage doeth better.
  • Title: [1818 Feb y 2 Not Paul III.]
    Description: 1818 Feb y 2

    Not Paul

    III. Doctrine

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    I. Pleasures of the bed in the ordinary shape.

    Situation /Conduct/ of a person with reference to his or her own marriage—situation

    /conduct/ of a parent with reference to the marriage of his child—situation /conduct/

    of a widow with reference to remarriage—situation /conduct/ of persons engaged in

    marriage.

    1. Conduct of a person /man/ with reference to his /or her/ own marriage the conduct

    of a man /person/ with reference to his /or her/ own marriage. I. Cor. vii. 1. Now (says he) concerning the things whereof ye wrote

    to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

    Cor. vii. 1.

    And again v. 8. ‘I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if

    they abide even as I.’ As his own example as held up to view in this and the last

    preceding verse, of this something will be to be said presently.

     Add here or /[...?] of his [...? ...? ...]/ further on what he says of his former

    debaucheries and search whether there be not other interdictions of marriage in his

    Epistles.

    v. 9. But (continues he) ‘if they can not contain, let them marry: for it is better

    to marry than to burn.’

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  • Title: [1818 Feb y 3 Not Paul III.]
    Description: 1818 Feb y 3

    Not Paul

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    5. Next /Lastly/ as to separation. n case of unbelief on the one part conjoined to

    belief on the other, to have extorted or even encouraged the believing spouse to have

    separated herself from the unbelieving one without his or her consent would have been

    too much: by such doctrine enmity and enemies would have been raised up against the

    whole. But if without opposition from the other it be the pleasure of either to

    depart, ‘let them (says he) depart. As says the modern song and without profaneness

    ‘let her—let her go—let her go—never mind her—[...?] where you are fairly rid.’ So

    says the song; and though a modern not a profane one.

    So long as they continue to live together on sexual terms a prospect will generally

    speaking remain a prospect /hope/ that by the believer the unbeliever may be

    converted with [...?]: but should that hope cease, then it is that in the convenience

    of freeing himself or herself from an unpleasant yoke /a galling yoke/, any one who

    either is or by the view of the accommodation thus afforded may be engaged /rendered

    desirous/ to be a disciple of this Saint, may see proffered to him or her in the

    character of a bonus, the comfort of a divorce.

    I. Cor. vii. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

    10. And to the married I command, {yet} not I, but the Lord,

    Let not the Wife depart from her husband:

    11. But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband:

    and let not the husband put away his Wife.

    12. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a Wife that believeth

    not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.