Christian Marriage Indissoluble: A Plain Sermon Preached at Archbishop Tenison's chapel, on the fifth Sunday after Trinity, 1857

In this mid‑nineteenth‑century sermon, a devoted minister confronts a heated national debate over the sanctity of marriage. Drawing on the biblical creation narrative and the gospel’s teaching on "one flesh," he warns listeners that a proposed parliamentary bill threatening to dissolve Christian unions runs counter to divine law. The preacher’s language is direct yet compassionate, urging clergy and laity alike to awaken from complacency and examine Scripture before the legislation takes hold.

The address moves from scriptural exposition to a call for collective action, encouraging the congregation to study the Word, pray for wisdom, and become vocal defenders of the covenant. By grounding his argument in both theological tradition and practical morality, he frames marriage not merely as a social contract but as a sacred bond ordained by God. Listeners are invited to reflect on the enduring tension between civil authority and religious conviction, making the sermon a compelling snapshot of Victorian moral discourse.