. . . describing in his book The Puritan Family (HT to Virginia Huguenot for the great bibliography!) the Puritan attitude toward marriage; this could obviously be applied to any other relationship, however.

Love could be a difficult business, demanding all the attention and care a man could give it . . . Human corruption sowed many seeds of irritation, seeds which would grow and split every bond of love if they were not rooted out with the greatest patience. The Puritan's consciousness of these dangers helped him to avoid them. By recognizing that conjugal love was "very difficult because of your many infirmities, it became easier to exercise "Patience and meekness forbearing forgiving and forgeting Provocations." "If offenses be," said Thomas Thatcher, "you must not dwell upon them nor repeate them but Cross scores every night under pain of giving place to the divell, to remember Past offences will separate dearest freinds it is enough to bear our owne burthens of the day in the day, god forgives us dayly so must wee." (The Puritan Family [Boston: 1944], 17)

(Note one large sic for the Thatcher quotes---I'm copying it as is. )

__________________
Laura
attending Old Peachtree PCA, GA

"...Christ comes to meet the despairing with new aid, who not only regenerates us by his Spirit that we may obey God, but makes also that our endeavor, such as it is, should obtain the praise of perfect righteousness." - Calvin

That's a good one, and it complements this thread nicely.

__________________
Andrew Myers
Husband of Jessica, Father of Jackson, Katie and Samuel
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia
Warrenton, VA USA
Editor, The Matthew Poole Project

"Let your Morning Thoughts, and your last Evening Thoughts, be what shall become of you to all Eternity." -- Matthew Poole

The Fall made that which we are commanded to be as spouses completely foreign to our flesh.

__________________
Rich
Northern VA
OPC

WebsiteMaven - Web Hosting Reviews, Guides, and Advice to build and promote your web site.
SoliDeoGloria.com - A Community for Reformed Thought and Discussion

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?