Page:A Treatise concerning the Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed.djvu/229

 of such, as the Scripture says in another Case, The last End of those Families is worse than the Beginning.

Inequalities then, and unsuitable Things from whence these Feuds take life, and are kindled up to a Flame, are far from Trifles; the Fire of houshold Strife burns to the lowest Hell; 'tis an unquenchable Flame, 'tis kindled in Trifles; that may be, and is often true. But those Trifles set the Fire, and nothing but a Wisdom, more than is generally to be found in human Nature, can extinguish it.

unsuitable Things then, ought with the utmost Precaution, to be guarded against, search'd for, shunned and avoided, in our first Thoughts about Matrimony; especially if we have any Views of Felicity in a married State. For here all future Unhappinesses of married Mortals begin.

it Matrimonially, take it as it is a Partnership, for Matrimony it self is but a Partnership; though 'tis not a Partnership in Trade, 'tis what is ten thousand times more solemn, 'tis a Partnership in Life, a Partnership of Souls, they are embarked in the same Ship, they go the same Voyage, and, give me leave to say, they swim, they sink, they are happy, they are miserable, they are poor, they are rich, just as they agree, or not agree; Love or Hate, are united or not united; they go on hand in hand, and have but one Fate, they rise and fall, are blest or curs'd, nay, I believe I might add, (with but few Exceptions) they are saved or damned together.

let this be censured for such an extravagant Expression as it may seem at first Sight, for if it be a necessary Consequence of Family