In the natural world almost all are capable of being joined together as to external, but not as to internal affections, if these disagree and are apparent, n. 272.  In the spiritual world all are conjoined according to internal, but not according to external affections, unless these act in unity with the internal, n. 273.  It is the external affections, according to which matrimony is generally contracted in the world, n. 274.  But in case they are not influenced by internal affections which conjoin minds, the bonds of matrimony are loosed in the house, n. 275.  Nevertheless those bonds must continue in the world till the decease of one of the parties, n. 276.  In cases of matrimony, in which the internal affections do not conjoin, there are external affections, which assume a semblance of the internal, and tend to consociate, n. 277.  Thence come apparent love, friendship, and favor between married partners, n. 278.  These appearances are assumed conjugial semblances, and they are commendable, because useful and necessary, n. 279.  These assumed conjugial semblances, in the case of a spiritual man conjoined to a natural, are founded in justice and judgement, n. 280.  For various reasons, these assumed conjugial semblances with natural men are founded in prudence, n. 281.  They are for the sake of amendment and accommodation, n. 282.  They are for the sake of preserving order in domestic affairs, and for the sake of mutual aid, n. 283.  They are for the sake of unanimity in the care of infants and the education of children, n. 284.  They are for the sake of peace in the house, n. 285.  They are for the sake of reputation out of the house, n. 286.  They are for the sake of various favors expected from the married partner, or from his or her relations, and thus from the fear of losing such favors, n. 287.  They are for the sake of having blemishes excused, and thereby of avoiding disgrace, n. 288.  They are for the sake of reconciliations, n. 289.  In case favor does not cease with the wife, when faculty ceases with the man, there may exist a friendship resembling conjugial friendship when the parties grow old, n. 290.  There are various species of apparent love and friendship between married partners, one of whom is brought under the yoke, and therefore is subject to the other, n. 291.  In the world there are infernal marriages between persons who interiorly are the most inveterate enemies, and exteriorly are as the closest friends, n. 292.

ON BETROTHINGS AND NUPTIALS, n. 295-314.

The right of choice belongs to the man, and not to the woman, n. 296.  The man ought to court and intreat the woman respecting marriage with him, and not the woman the man, n. 297.  The woman ought to consult her parents, or those who are in the place of parents, and then deliberate with herself before she consents, n. 298, 299.  After a declaration of consent, pledges are to be given, n. 300.  Consent is to be secured and established by solemn