THE

DUTIES,

Advantages,

PLEASURES, AND SORROWS

OF THE

MARRIAGE STATE.

BY JOHN OVINGTON.

"Marriage is honourable in all." Heb. XIII. 4.

Whatever is delightful in human life, is to be enjoyed in
greater perfection in the married state than in a single con-
dition for the highest degree of happiness arises from the
friendship of married persons. Nothing can be more entire
and without reserve;-nothing more zealous, affectionate,
and sincere, than such a friendship ;-nothing more content
and constant than such a couple :-nor no greater temporal
felicity than to be one of them'.

Printed for the Author, and sold at his house, adjoining the
Meeting House, Clapham Common, Surry. Sold also, by
W. Button and Son, Paternoster Row, London.

Entered at Stationer's Hall,

THEODORE PAGE, PRINTER, BLACK FRIARS ROAD, LONDON.

It is with considerable pleasure that the Author embraces this opportunity, to express his gratitude to those Friends, whose generous exertions, in procuring Subscribers, have enabled him to bring this little work before the Public. Sincerely praying that it may be attended with a divine blessing, and be made instrumental in contributing to the comfort and edification of Married Persons, he most gratefully subscribes himself, their much obliged Friend and Servant,

Clapham Common,

Oct. 26, 1813.

JOHN OVINGTON.

Letter IX. The Sorrows of the Marriage State.... 109

Letter X. The same

128

79

90

INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

Clapham Common, June 19, 1812.

MY DEAR SIR,

YOUR obliging letter furnishes me with some pleasing information respecting yourself. I do most cordially congratulate you on the occasion of your having entered into the marriage state: a state evidently best for the human species; and in all respects adapted to double our enjoyments. Many who refrain from marrying do, I fear, manifest a want of dependance upon the Divine Providence, and in so doing, refuse to fulfil a duty which they owe to God, to society, and to themselves.

I remember to have heard an anecdote of a good man, who was about to marry; but whose mind was distressed with painful apprehensions, lest the charge of a family should involve him in difficulties.