John Flavel:
“Marriage is a divine institution established by God for the happiness and welfare of mankind. It is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, entered into before God and witnessed by His divine presence. In marriage, husband and wife are called to love, honor, and cherish one another, seeking each other’s spiritual and emotional well-being above their own desires. They are to live together in harmony and unity, bearing with one another’s weaknesses and faults, and supporting each other in times of joy and sorrow. Marriage is a picture of Christ’s relationship with His church, demonstrating the love, grace, and forgiveness that should characterize the union between husband and wife.” (From “The Mystery of Providence”)