Marriage duties briefly couched together out of Colossians, 3. 18, 19. By Thomas Gataker…Marriage duties briefely couched togither out of Colossians, 3. 18, 19. By Thomas Gataker…

The married man therefore is to take heed not only ⁿof embracing the bosom of a stranger, but of admitting or giving way now to any ranging affections. He must know that that which was lawful for him before, is now no more lawful. Not that any sinful act or desire was ever lawful: but that such desire was not sinful in thee then: as is sinful in thee now, because it is by God now determined and restrained to an object.

The married man therefore is to take heede not onely ⁿof imbracing the bosome of a stranger, but of admitting or giuing way now to any raunging affections. He must know that that which was lawfull for him before, is now no more lawfull. Not that any sinfull act or desire was euer lawfull: but that such desire was not sinfull in thee then: as is sinfull in thee now, because it is by God now determined and restrained to an obiect.

1. nProv. 5.••.

Fourthly, let the husband take heed of being faulty in this duty of love in this inward and entire affection toward his wife, which the Apostle of Christ and by him the Spirit of God in so special manner requireth and exacteth of him. Some duties there are though generally required of all, yet in more special sort of some: and so this duty of love of all in general, but of married persons more specially: who are therefore more faulty, if therein they fail. Yea such therefore must take heed not only of ceasing simply to love, but of ^oleaving their first love: of suffering thei• Love ^p