Thursday, July 10, 2014

Marriage, the All-Natural Aid to Maintain Purity

You must know also that [marriage] is not only an honorable, but also a necessary state.  In general and in all conditions it is solemnly commanded by God that men and women, who were created for it, shall be found in this estate.  Yet there are some exceptions (although few) whom God has especially set apart, as not fit for the married estate, or whom He has released by a high, supernatural gift that they can maintain chastity without this estate.  For where nature has its course, as it is implanted by God, it is not possible to remain chaste without marriage.  For flesh and blood remain flesh and blood, and the natural inclination and excitement have their course without delay or hindrance, as everybody sees and feels.  In order, therefore, that it may be the more easy in some degree to avoid inchastity, God has commanded the estate of matrimony, that every one may have his proper portion and be satisfied with it.  Yet God's grace is also required in order that the heart may be pure.

Martin Luther, Large Catechism: Ten Commandments 211-212

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