Recently in our series on the Sermon on the Mount we looked at "Jesus and Marriage." In the course of this sermon I mentioned some paragraphs by John Brown in his three volume work, "Discourses and Sayings of Our Lord." (These quotations are from volume 1, pages 199-200, and appear to be mostly a quotation from Dr. Brewster.) May the Lord bless these Scriptural thoughts to the strengthening of Christian marriages.

Speaking of the marriage of one man to one woman he says:

Let all who stand in this relation to each other, seriously consider the nature of their relation, and the importance of their duties. Let them reflect, that since they form as it were one body, they ought also to have one mind and heart. Let them reflect, that as they are so intimately connected, they ought to cherish each other with the same attention and affection, as they do their own bodies. Let them strive to have the same inclinations, as they have the same intrests, and guard against all disputes and disagreements. Let them beware of all irritating language or disrespectful treatment, and always show each other other every becoming token of civility and kindness. Let them bear with each other's infirmities; study each other's tempers; endeavour to correct each other's faults. Let them always conduct themselves with gentleness, and perform their respective duties faithfully, though they may not receive the return they have a right to expect. Let them suppress every dislike which might produce in their mind even a wish to be separated, or which might render them more remiss in their duties which they owe to each other. Let them forbear, and forgive, and conciliate, and comfort, and cheer one another.

Let them consider themselves as bound to promote to the utmost of their power not only the present prosperity, but the future felicity of each other. Let them often together draw near to the throne of their common Father, and pray for one another, mutually exhorting, instructing, and comforting one another. Let them, in fine, live together as heirs of the grace of life, as those who know death, the only lawful cause of separation, will ere long cut the oherwise indissoluable bond; and let them seek to be bound together by a tie which even death itself cannot dissolve,-- even the faith of the same truth, the love of the same Saviour, the hope of the same salvation. Thus will they spend a happy lifetime together on earth: thus they will spend a happy eternity togeher in heaven.

These exhortations from John Brown to us that are married can be deduced from such passages as Matthew 19:3-6; 1 Corinthians 7 & 13; Ephesians 5:22-33; and 1 Peter 3:1-11; and we should meditate on them for our profit and our spouse's profit.

If any of us find ourselves in marriage difficulties let us go at once to Jesus Christ to see our sin and receive forgiveness and power to change into his image. And seek out a true under-shepherd or other godly person to help pray for and advise you.

For the glory of God and the good of his people,