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shall a man leave father and
mother, and shall cleave to his wife;
and they twain shall be one flesh?
What, therefore God hath joined
together let not man put asundes
asunder."

The ordinance of marriage
is thus from God, and for the race
of man, in all ages of the world.
It was instituted in Paradise;
honored among the patriarchy;
praised by the man of wisdom;
ratified by the Restorer of the world;
Commanded by his apostles;
and chosen as the fittest symbol
of the precious, pure, & holy union
subsisting between the Messiah &
the church of his redeemed.

This institution justly claims
Supreme authority; takes precedence
of all compacts, religious, co social, or
civil; is unchanged by the progress-
-ions of time & the mutations of things;