To His Wife
by Tertullian
Two affectionate letters to his wife about what he hopes she will do if he dies first.
1. Design of the Treatise. Disavowal of Personal Motives in Writing It.2. Marriage Lawful, But Not Polygamy.3. Marriage Good: Celibacy Preferable.4. Of the Infirmity of the Flesh, and Similar Pleas.5. Of the Love of Offspring as a Plea for Marriage.6. Examples of Heathens Urged as Commendatory of Widowhood and Celibacy.7. The Death of a Husband is God's Call to the Widow to Continence. Further Evidences from Scripture and from Heathenism.Conclusion.9. Reasons Which Led to the Writing of This Second Book.10. Of the Apostle's Meaning in 1 Cor. VII. 12-14.11. Remarks on Some of the “Dangers and Wounds” Referred to in the Preceding Chapter.12. Of the Hindrances Which an Unbelieving Husband Puts in His Wife's Way.13. Of Sin and Danger Incurred Even with a “Tolerant” Husband.14. Danger of Having to Take Part in Heathenish Rites, and Revels.15. The Case of a Heathen Whose Wife is Converted After Marriage with Him Very Different, and Much More Hopeful.16. Arguments Drawn Even from Heathenish Laws to Discountenance Marriage with Unbelievers. The Happiness of Union Between Partners in the Faith Enlarged on in Conclusion.