Genesis 2:21-22 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs… I. GOD CAN CHANGE ANYTHING INTO WHAT FORM HE PLEASETH. II. GOD IS EXACT AND PERFECT IN ALL THE WORKS THAT HE UNDERTAKES. III. WOMEN, AS WELL AS MEN ARE GOD'S OWN WORKMANSHIP. IV. GOD HATH ALLOWED BUT ONE WIFE TO ONE MAN. V. THOUGH ALL THINGS BE MADE FOR MAN, YET HE CAN HAVE NO INTEREST IN ANYTHING UNTIL GOD HIMSELF BESTOW IT ON HIM. Yea, when God hath put men's estates into their hands, yet our Saviour directs us to beg our allowance out of them from God, for the portion of every day. 1. Because all that we have or use is God's, who only sends them to us for our use, reserving the propriety of all to Himself. 2. That we may use all according to His direction, and not according to our own lusts. 3. That we may upon the better grounds expect His blessing upon that which we use, without which it cannot profit us. VI. EVERY CHILD OF GOD MUST DESIRE TO RECEIVE HIS WIFE FROM GOD'S HAND. 1. By making choice of such a person, as is of His family, with whom He may converse as an heir with him of the grace of life. 2. Labouring to gain her by warrantable ways, prayer, advice, and mediation of godly friends, holy conferences, and godly propositions, not by carnal allurements, deceitfulness, enticements, or violent importunities. 3. And aiming at a right end therein, rather our increase in piety, and the propagation of an holy seed, than the advancing ourselves in our outward estates: remembering — 1. That God only (who looks not as man on the outward appearance, bit seeth the heart) is able to direct us in our choice. 2. That it lays upon us a strong engagement to make an holy use of marriage, when we thus lay the foundation of it in His fear. 3. That it sweetens all the crosses which we may meet with in a married life; being assured, that if they fall upon us by His hand, they shall by Him be so sanctified unto us, that they as all things else, shall work together to our good. (J. White, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; |
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