ir first faith to God; to whom if
they will use proper means to obtain it, God will never refuse the gift
of continency. Some translators have corrupted this text, by rendering
it, if they cannot contain.

7:10. But to them that are married, not I, but the Lord, commandeth that
the wife depart not from her husband.

7:11. And if she depart, that she remain unmarried or be reconciled to
her husband. And let not the husband put away his wife.

7:12. For to the rest I speak, not the Lord. If any brother hath a wife
that believeth not and she consent to dwell with him: let him not put
her away.

I speak, not the Lord... Viz., by any express commandment, or ordinance.

7:13. And if any woman hath a husband that believeth not and he consent
to dwell with her: let her not put away her husband.

7:14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believing wife:
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the believing husband.
Otherwise your children should be unclean: but now they are holy.

Is sanctified... The meaning is not, that the faith of the husband or
the wife is of itself sufficient to put the unbelieving party, or their
children, in the state of grace and salvation; but that it is very often
an occasion of their sanctification, by bringing them to the true faith.

7:15. But if the unbeliever depart, let him depart. For a brother or
sister is not under servitude in such cases. But God hath called us in
peace.

7:16. For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband?
Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

7:17. But as the Lord hath distributed to every one, as God hath called
every one: so let him walk. And so in all churches I teach.

7:18. Is any man called, being circumcised? Let him not procure
uncircumcision. Is any man called in uncircumcision? Let him not be
circumcised.

7:19. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing: but the
observance of the commandments of God.

7:20. Let every man abide in the same calling in which he was called.

7:21. Wast thou called, being a bondman? Care not for it: but if thou
mayest be made free, use it rather.

7:22. For he that is called in the Lord, being a bondman, is the freeman
of the Lord. Likewise he that is called, being free, is the bondman of
Christ.

7:23. You are bought with a price: be not made the bondslaves of men.

7:24. Brethren, let every man, wherein he was called, therein abide with
God.