Having given you two reasons from whence this unhappy sin arises. I shall proceed to inform mankind why God instituted marriage, and prove it the most solemn engagement on this side of the grave concluding with some useful reflections on my text. Providence’s delight, pleasure, and satisfaction, is, was, and ever will be to consult and provide every comfort for man void of sin, during his short and uncertain passage on earth, knowing very well when he created him, he could not live alone, and it was highly necessary the human race should be spread into different parts of the earth and of God’s large and spacious dominions in order that the whole earth might be inhabited and that a knowledge of a future state should be delivered down to posterity, that religion should flourish; that God should be worshipped in spirit and in truth, that man should have a due sense of his nature, how wonderful he was in all his works, that he made the heavens, and the earth, and the stars; and the sun to rule by day, and the moon by night, that learning should flourish, that an eager desire of improvement in every art and science should enter into the mind of man according to the abilities nature had endowed him with; some men should turn their thoughts to lofty and sublime contemplations, others to the various sorts of husbandry and agriculture, and that the earth should be tilled and at a proper season, man for his earnest endeavours of industry and integrity should be paid for his trouble, and expence in his respective employment, whether high or low; for God loveth the good in every situation: that he should look round about him and be thoroughly satisfied with these blessings, but all these things could not be accomplished and brought to perfection without man was to have a mate and partner in life; accordingly, that nothing should be deficient or wanting for man’s real happiness, God, instituted this holy and solemn ceremony that by living together in pureness and love the world should be peopled, this was the only means Providence in his great wisdom and mercy to a fallen generation condescended to prevent sin and secure to himself a peculiar people free from corruption and disobedience, shewing at the same time how manifestly, and how greatly he wished the salvation of his beloved children he ordained this commandment, thou shalt not commit adultery, for as Isaac and Rebecca lived together soberly and quietly and as Sarah obeyed Abraham in calling him Lord, so ought all ye as long as ye live together, in sickness and in health, in adversity as well as prosperity, till death either the one or the other takes away. Yet this sacred, this wonderful affection and love of our great and fond father, creator and redeemer is like the rest of his most valuable precepts and institutions in these our sinful days very frequently broken, therefore be cautious all ye who are about to approach, the sacred altar of God and come not irreverently, I mean