Conjugial Love (Rogers) n. 277

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277. (6) In marriages in which inward affections do not join the partners, outward affections may exist which simulate inward ones and keep the two together. By inward affections we mean mutual inclinations that exist in the mind of each from heaven, while by outward affections we mean inclinations that exist in the mind of each from the world. These latter affections or inclinations are indeed equally qualities of the mind, but they occupy its lower region, whereas inward affections occupy a higher one. Nevertheless, because both are accorded their seat in the mind, it may be believed that they are alike and congruent. Even if they are nevertheless not alike, still they can appear as though they were, although in some cases these appearances are adopted as expedients, and in some cases as gentle pretenses. [2] As a result of the initial marriage covenant, there is a certain community of life implanted in married partners, which still remains rooted in them even if they differ in disposition and character. They share, for example, a community of possessions, and in many cases a community of duties in the services they perform and in meeting the various demands of the home, leading in turn to a community of thoughts and certain shared secrets. They also have a community of life from sharing a bed and in the love they have for their offspring. Added to these are a number of other bonds which, being graven on the marriage covenant, are therefore also graven on their minds. These bonds give rise primarily to outward affections that resemble inward ones. Affections which only simulate inward ones, on the other hand, come partly from this origin and partly from another. However, these are each discussed in considerations that follow.


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