which depend upon the particular case:  from which word the term “casuistry” is derived.  On these points the apostle speaks not by commandment, but by permission; not as speaking by God’s command, but as having the Spirit of God.  A distinction has sometimes been drawn with reference to this chapter between that which the apostle speaks by inspiration, and what he speaks as a man uninspired.  The distinction, however, is an altogether false one, and beside the question.  For the real distinction is not between inspired and uninspired, but between a decision in matters of Christian duty, and advice in matters of Christian prudence.  It is abundantly evident that God cannot give advice; He can only issue a command.  God cannot say, “It is better to do this;” His perfections demand something absolute:  “Thou shalt do this; thou shalt not do this.”  Whensoever therefore, we come to advice there is introduced the human element rather than the divine.  In all such cases therefore, as are dependent upon circumstances the apostle speaks not as inspired, but as uninspired; as one whose judgment we have no right to find fault with or to cavil at, who lays down what is a matter of Christian prudence, and not a bounden and universal duty.  The matter of the present discourse will take in various verses in this chapter—­from the tenth to the twenty-fourth verse—­leaving part of the commencement and the conclusion for our consideration, if God permit, next Sunday.

There are three main questions on which the apostle here gives his inspired decision.  The first decision is concerning the sanctity of the marriage-bond between two Christians.  His verdict is given in the tenth verse:  “Unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband.”  He lays down this principle, that the union is an indissoluble one.

Upon such a subject, Christian brethren, before a mixed congregation, it is manifestly evident that we can only speak in general terms.  It will be sufficient to say that marriage is of all earthly unions almost the only one permitting of no change but that of death.  It is that engagement in which man exerts his most awful and solemn power,—­the power of responsibility which belongs to him as one that shall give account,—­the power of abnegating the right to change,—­the power of parting with his freedom,—­the power of doing that which in this world can never be reversed.  And yet it is perhaps that relationship which is spoken of most frivolously, and entered into most carelessly and most wantonly.  It is not an union merely between two creatures, it is an union between two spirits; and the intention of that bond is to perfect the nature of both, by supplementing their deficiencies with the force of contrast, giving to each sex those excellencies in which it is naturally deficient; to the one strength of character and firmness