Blog : A Spouse's Soul

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9/15/2007 12:59 am

A Spouse's Soul

CONTINUED from Richard Baxter's
"The Duties of Husbands and Wives"

Direct. I. Before you can help to save each other's souls you must be sure of your own. You must have a deep and living understanding of the great eternal matters of which you are required to speak to others about. If you have no compassion for your own soul and will sell it for a moment of ease and pleasure, surely then you have no compassion for your spouse's soul. ( 29 )

Direct. II. Take every opportunity which your nearness provides to be speaking seriously to each other about the matters of God, and your salvation. ( 30 ) Discussing those things of this world no more than required. And then talk together of the state and duty of your souls towards God, and of your hopes of heaven, as those that take these for their greatest business. And don't speak lightly, or unreverently, or in a rude and disputing manner; but with gravity and sobriety, as those that are discussing the most important things in the whole world. Mark 8v36

Direct. III. When either husband or wife is speaking seriously about holy things, let the other be careful to cherish, and not to extinguish the conversation. ( 31 )

Direct IV. Watch over the hearts and lives of one another, judging the condition of each other's souls, and the strength or weakness of each others sins and graces, and the failings of each others lives, so that you may be able to apply to one another the most suitable help. ( 32 )

Direct. V. Do not flatter one another from a foolish love. ( 33 ) Neither meanly critise one another. Do all in true, Godly love. Some are so blinded to the faults of husband, wife or that they do not see the sin and wickedness in them. They are deluded concerning their eternal souls. This is the same as it is with self loving sinners and their own souls, willfully deceiving themselves to their damnation. This flattering of yourselves or others, is but the devil's charm to keep you from effectual repentance and salvation. On the other hand, some cannot speak to one another of their faults, without such bitterness, or contempt, which will cause them to refuse the medicine that could save them. If the everyday warnings you make to strangers must all be offered in love, much more between the husband and wife.

Direct. VI. Keep up your love to one another, do not grow distant. For if you do, you will despise each other's counsels and reproofs.

Direct. VII. Do not discourage your spouse from instructing you by refusing to receive and learn from their corrections. ( 34 )

Direct. VIII. Help each other by reading together the most convicting, cutting, lifegiving books. The ones most spiritual. Do not waste your time on light, weak, milktoast ministries and books. Make friendships together with the holiest persons. This is not neglecting your duty to one another, but that all the helps working together may be the more effectual. ( 35 )

Direct. IX. Don't Conceal the state of your souls, nor hide your faults from one another. You are as one flesh, and should have one heart: and as it is dangerous for a man to be ignorant of his own soul so it is very hurtful to husband or wife to be ignorant of one another, in those areas where they have need of help. ( 36 )

Direct X. Avoid as much as possible different opinions in religion.

References:

29. Col 3v16; Heb 3v13; Heb 10v24

30. Pro 27v6; Pro 15v12; Pro 15v31; Pro 15v32

31. Heb 10v24

32. Eph 4v15; Eph 4v2 6v5-9

33. Pro 29v1

34. Eph 4v16

35. Jam 5v16; Eph 5v27-32

36. 1Cor 7:1314

CONTINUED in......A Spouse's Soul Cont.d

Vincit Veritas~Truth Conquers