A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

3. Mutual Fidelity, especially to the Marriage-bed, and also in each others secrets. And this is directed 1 Cor. 7.2. Let every man have his [Own] wife, and let every woman have her [Own] husband. By which Rule, the thoughts, desires and actions of each of them are confined to their^(d) own lawful yoke-fellow, as the dearest, sweetest, and best Object in the world, and this by virtue of the Covenant of their God. The least Aberration herein (if it be not speedily and sincerely mortified) will strangely get ground and fester in the Soul, and never rest till it come to plain Adultery. ^(e)And then the Comfort of their lives, the quiet of their consciences, and the credit of their families lye bleeding; and without true Repentance, their eternal happiness shipwrack't. Yea, this virtually dissolves the Bond of marriage, and ⟨p. 366⟩(if the^(f) Divine Law were executed) brings the offender to a severe Death. And though some greater Shame and other Inconveniences do follow the unfaithfulness of the Wife; yet man and wife being One flesh, and equal power granted to them over the bodies of each other, the guilt of this sin is equal: unless the wisdom and strength of the man do make his fault the greater.

3. Mutual Fidelity, especially to the Marriage-bed, and also in each others secrets. And this is directed 1 Cor. 7.2. Let every man have his [Own] wife, and let every woman have her [Own] husband. By which Rule, the thoughts, desires and actions of each of them are confin'd to their^(d) own lawful yoke-fellow, as the dearest, sweetest, and best Object in the world, and this by vertue of the Covenant of their God. The least Aberration herein (if it be not speedily and sincerely mortified) will strangely get ground and fester in the Soul, and never rest till it come to plain Adultery.