16
descends by gradations from the union of love and wisdom in the Divine mind. From that eternal union in the Most High, results the union of Divinity and Humanity in his own glorious person; from this is derived the marriage of the Lord and the Church; from this proceeds the marriage of love and wisdom in the mind of angels and men; and from this descends the marriage of husband and wife. Thus marriage in its true state is eminently spiritual, holy, and pure. True marriage then, while it has its first and highest origin in the union of love and wisdom in the Lord, has its immediate origin in the conjunction of love and wisdom in the minds of the parties themselves, who enter into the marriage covenant; and no real, because no spiritual union, can exist between two, unless each is a subject of this heavenly marriage. A pair may be said to be united in true marriage, when they love the image of God in each other, and the image of each other in themselves. Of such only can it be said, that God has joined them together; for those only can be said to derive their union from God, whose love for each other is grounded in love to him. Such are united in soul and in mind, as well as in body. It is important and consolatory to be assured, that, however rare in these days, marriages of this description are provided of the Lord for those who from an early age have loved, have wished, and have asked of Him a legitimate and lovely connection with one of the sex, shunning and abominating wandering lust.
