Metadata
Title
Gilbert Tennent sermons 70, "De officiis mariti et uxoris" (On the duties of husband and wife), 1745
Date
1745/1756
Digital Identifier
PHS.TennentSermons070
Description
Gilbert Tennent (1703-1764) was an Irish-American Presbyterian clergyman, and one of the leaders of the Great Awakening.
Tennent begins this sermon on the Christian duties of husbands and wives with reference to Colossians 3:18-19, "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them." He offers practical advice and pastoral counseling, and reviews the duties of each marriage partner; then explains these duties through examples from the Old and New Testaments. His advice is, in some ways, fair-minded and down-to earth, in other ways idealistic and reflecting the standards of the time, with the husband as the head of the family with the major responsibilities for earning and for guiding and instructing his wife and any children, allowing her the running of the household if she's competent, and otherwise granting her those few responsibilities "below his authority," such as managing the kitchen and servants.
From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote this sermon in 1745, then delivered it again in 1748, 1751, and 1756.
Tennent begins this sermon on the Christian duties of husbands and wives with reference to Colossians 3:18-19, "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them." He offers practical advice and pastoral counseling, and reviews the duties of each marriage partner; then explains these duties through examples from the Old and New Testaments. His advice is, in some ways, fair-minded and down-to earth, in other ways idealistic and reflecting the standards of the time, with the husband as the head of the family with the major responsibilities for earning and for guiding and instructing his wife and any children, allowing her the running of the household if she's competent, and otherwise granting her those few responsibilities "below his authority," such as managing the kitchen and servants.
From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote this sermon in 1745, then delivered it again in 1748, 1751, and 1756.
Subject
Place
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Congregation
Second Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA
Holding Institution
Presbyterian Historical Society
Extent
21 pages
Format (Digital)
tiff
Rights
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
Language
eng
Type
Text
Abstract
De officiis mariti et uxoris (On the duties of husband and wife) After having preached on the 5th Commandment, that children should honor their parents, Rev. Tennent goes on to discuss married couples and their duties both mutual and particular.
They should bear in mind they they make vows before God, which must be upheld until one of them dies, but if they each and together strive, their love and commitment will build and they will often find that each is best suited to the other. Choice of a spouse should be based on long acquaintance, not infatuation, and bring on the kind of sustained, supportive love that can survive troubles and fend off disillusionment.
Hearers are advised to appreciate more of the good in each other and not to obsess over imperfections. Offer fidelity, reliable companionship, praise, and ability to keep each other's secrets, this unless some larger obligation obliges disclosure. Enjoy each another's company. Help each other and share the burdens. Pray together and grow in religious knowledge and faith towards a peaceful, respectful household on earth and for each other in eternity. Try to avoid being both angry at the same time. Love in a rational, solid way, emulating the love of Christ for his church, "hearty without dissimulation" ... "steady without variation."
They should bear in mind they they make vows before God, which must be upheld until one of them dies, but if they each and together strive, their love and commitment will build and they will often find that each is best suited to the other. Choice of a spouse should be based on long acquaintance, not infatuation, and bring on the kind of sustained, supportive love that can survive troubles and fend off disillusionment.
Hearers are advised to appreciate more of the good in each other and not to obsess over imperfections. Offer fidelity, reliable companionship, praise, and ability to keep each other's secrets, this unless some larger obligation obliges disclosure. Enjoy each another's company. Help each other and share the burdens. Pray together and grow in religious knowledge and faith towards a peaceful, respectful household on earth and for each other in eternity. Try to avoid being both angry at the same time. Love in a rational, solid way, emulating the love of Christ for his church, "hearty without dissimulation" ... "steady without variation."
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IIIF Manifest
https://www.philageohistory.org/rdic-images/iiif.cfm/PHS.TennentSermons070/manifest
