The golde[n] boke of christen matrimonye moost necessary [and] profitable for all the[m], that entend to liue quietly and godlye in the Christen state of holy wedlock newly set forthe in English by Theodore Basille.

The christen state

¶ The begynnynge & fyrste originall of holy wedlocke , whan , wher , how , and by whome it was ordined and instituted . ¶ The fyrst Chapter .

Whan our Lord Iesus Christ in the r●…r . of Mathewe , was spoken to in ●…ertayne poyntes concernynge wedlocke , he hadde a respecte behynde hym in to the olde Testament , & gaue answere oute of Moses , that he sayd , howe that wedlocke at the beginynge was ordyned of God himselfe . For as muche therfore as I nowe also am myn ded to speake of the begynnynge and fyrst originall of holy wedlocke , I ●…owe no better , than in lyke manner to stablysh the same out of the ryght excellent Prophet of God Moses , who writeth & testifieth in the second Chapter of his fyrst boke , that God made the man Adam altogyther perfect , set h●… in the Paradise or garden of pleasure , and after ward sayd immediately : It is not good that man should be alone . I wyll make hym a fellowe helper to stand nexte by hym . For whan the Lorde The p●…ate Gen. ii . Playnelye ●…ed had shapen man oute of the earth , he brought vnto hym all maner of beastes , that he myght giue euery one his right name , howe it should be called , & that he might looke vpon them . But among them al found he none apte to be ioyned vnto him selfe , none that he could set his harte vpon , none lyke hym selfe , none that he myghte dwell by as by an helper and conforter . And vpon this sayd God : It is not good , that man should be alone . And therfore determined he withe hym selfe , to make an helpe and conforte vnto man . In the whiche processe we perceaue alreadye , where holy Wed locke was instituted of God 〈◊〉 ●…aradyse . wedlocke was instituted , namely in the Paradise and garden of pleasure : yea and whan it was ordined , euen in the begynnyng of the world before the fall of man in all prosperite . Of whom also it was instituted euen of no Aungel or man but of God hymselfe , doubtles to mannes great conforte and healpe . For in as much as god him selfe sayth : It is not good for man to be alone : It followeth , that it is good for man to haue his owne lawfull mate . As for that cu●…l which some tyme is sene and sound among maried parsons , it commeth not chefely of holy wedlocke , but of the misusyng therof , and because men do not as God commaundeth and as they shulde do .

Nowe wyll we farther consyther , howe God dyd institute holy wedlocke , & he hymselfe made a companion for man , and brought him a wife . It followe the thus in Moses : Then the Lorde God cast a slomber on Adam , and he slepte . And The creaci●… of the wom●… he toke out one of his rybbes , and in stede therof hefylle●… vp the place wyth flesh : And thus oydde God make the woman , out of the rybbe that he had taken from Adam . Of this maner dyd god make for man a companion , lyke vnto hymselfe , and mete for hym . Here nowe ought we to consi der the occasion , why GOD made the woman out of the slepynge man , and not whyle he was awake . Of the rybbe , & not as well of the earthe , as he had made the man to fore . For all this serueth to the declaracion of our purpose .

Fyrst in the slepe of Adam , dyd he set forthe the death of Christ , out of the which ( vnto the same Lorde Christ ) there is prepared a pure and holy spouse in the Fountayne of water thorowe the worde , as Paule sayth to the Ephesians the fyfte Chapter Of suche health and grace of GOD should marryed folkes also haue vnderstandynge and knowledge . Moreouer his mynde is to signifye vnto vs that in takyng holy wedlocke in hand , all tentacions should slepe . The ordinaunce regard , and feare of God , ought to ioyne them togither , that are disposed to marry . The woman was taken from and out of the syde of man and not from the earthe , least ony man shoulde thyncke that he had gotten his wyfe oute of the myer : but to considre , that the wife is the husbondes flesh and bone , and therfore to loue her . yet was she not made of the head . For the husbond is the head and master of the wyfe . Nether was she made of the feete ( as thoughe thou mighteste spurne her away from the , & nothyng regard her ) but euen out of thy syde , as one that is set next vnto man , to be his helpe & companion . And as the bone of the flesh is strong , so ought the husband to be the strengthe , healpe & conforte of the wyfe . Therfore was she also taken and created oute of the ryb or bone , and not out of the fleshe .

But in the circumstaunce that followeth , shal euery thing be more playne afterward . For now it followeth howe God gaue the woman vnto man , and how that he receaued and toke her .

God brought the woman vnto Adam , and as it is euident in the fyrst Chapter ) he blyssed them and sayde vnto them , growe and multiplye , and Adam & Eu●… were maried togither . fyll the earth . Out of the which wordes we may perceaue clerely , that God was the fyrst causer of wedlocke , and fyrst dyd knyt them togyther , & blyssed them . Nowe as soone as the woman was brought vnto Adam , & gyuen vnto him , he sayd immediately : this is once bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh . Afore dyd Adam beholde & considre all beastes and lyuynge creatures here vpon earth , and gaue euery one his peculiare name ac cordyng to his kynde , but among all thynges lyuynge he found none , to whome he myght beare an harte and mynde , namely to dwell by it , to loue it , and of it to procreate one lyke vnto him selfe . And therfore is it reason , that wythe fyre they be punyshed vnto death , which agaynst all kynde and nature of man , haue to do with beastes , and not only with women .

As soone now as the woman was set before Adam , he knowledged immmediatly , that she was Occasion of loue and con sent into mariage . for his purpose , that he lyked her well , & that he could fynde in his harte to loue her , as one that was of his owne kynde , of his owne bloud , flesh of his fleshe , and bone of his bone . For thoughe he slepte , and the woman was created out of his rybbe , yet sawe he well that she was lyke hym & suche one as he hytherto had not found amonge all other lyuynge creatures . God also had planted them the kynde , the loue , the harte , the inclinacion & naturall affeccion that it besemeth the one to haue towarde the other . Lyke as Adam nowe had ●…yuen all other beastes theyr names according to the fyrst originall & operacion of theyr kynd , so gyueth he nowe a name also vnto the wyfe , & calleth her Ischa , that is to say , of man , because she was taken out of the man .

Then foloweth it farther in Moses . For this cause shall a man leaue his father and mother , & cleaue vnto his wyfe , & they two shal be into one flesh . These wordes doth Adam ( or t●…s Moses ) The knotte & couenaunt of mariage . speake yet out of the mouth of God , & therby declarethe the dewty knot and couenaunt of maried folkes , namely that the hyghest loue , bonde and vnite among them , should be this , that no man separate them asunder , but only deathe . This declareth he with two speciall poyntes . Fyrst , the●… is no man ( nexte vnto God ) derer vnto vs by all reason , them is our father and mother . But whan they wyll make discorde betwene maried folkes , God commaundeth a man in that behalfe to forsake father & mother , & to kepe hym to his wyfe . The loue therfore in mariage ought to be nexte vnto God ) aboue all loues . The seconde : They two , saythe he , shall be into one fleshe , that is to saye , one body . Nowe lyke as the greatest loue , the moost excellent and vnpayneful seruyce , diligence and earnest labour , is in the partes of a mans body , one doyng for another , one louynge , defendyng , helpyng & forbearynge another , sufferynge , also lyke ioye & lyke payne one with another . Euen so ought it to be betwene man & wo man in wedlocke . And lyke as the partes of a mans body seperate not them selues one from another afore death , euen so must wedlocke be a knot vnlooseable . And lyke as the partes of a mans body , whan they are sundred one from another conceaue an exceadynge great anguysh , dolour and payne , euen so ought it to he an exceadynge grefe for marryed folkes to be seperated .

And thus Moses , ouer & besydes that he declareth the fyrst originall of holy wedlocke , layeth also the foundacion of lawes matrimonyal , out of the which all other statutes are taken . After the fall of Adam & Eue , there was nothyng added further vnto wedlocke , neyther altered in those thynges that were ordyned , sauyng that , by reason of the faull and synne , there was sorow and payne layd vpon them both , and vpon vs all . For vnto man it was sayd : In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread . &c. And vnto the woman sayde God : I wyll surelye encreace thy sorowe whan thou art with chylde , & wythe payne shal●… thou be delyuered , and to the husbande shalt thou haue respecte , and vpon his pleasure depende . Neuertheles thorowe thy vnfayned fayth in Iesus Chryst , all these & other grefes are minished in them that beleue , and therby vnperfectenesse is helped , in so muche that they come to a verye prosperous olde age many tymes .

Thus much thought I to shew out of Moses that excellent seruaunte of God , whan , where , how , of whom , & partly for what intent , holy wedlock was instituted namely , how that God himselfe in Paradyse , at the begynnyng of the world ( euen in the tyme of mans innocency & prosperite ) ordeyned thus for the welth of man , that one man & one woman ioyned togither shulde be one bodye , one to loue the other aboue al thinges next vnto god the one to be coupled to the other without separacion , one to helpe & socour that other , and in the f●…are of God to bring vp theyr children , And this is in a maner the whole summe of the one parte of this boke .

The seconde Chapter .

What wedlocke is .

FOr vpon the sayde foundacyon will I laye 〈◊〉 set forth all my worke folowynge . And fyrst wyll I shewe what wedlocke is . Than whan I haue descrybed the same , I shall open & declare the articles therof particularly .

That we call wedlock , is in the Germaynes Wedlock●… tonge called Ee , which as it is a very old word , so is it somtyme taken for a law or statute , som tyme for a bonde or couenaunte . Thus is the old testamente called the law or the olde couenaunt , the new Testament , the newe law or the newe couenaunt : because that ther in consisteth not one lye the lawe that god gaue to the olde and newe people , but also the couenaunte whiche he made with them bothe . The latinistes cal it Coniugi urn , a ioyninge or yokinge together , like as whan two oren are coupled vnder one yoke , they beare or drawe together like burthen and wayghte .

Therfore is wedlocke a couenaunte , a couplinge Ayo kyng together . or yokynge together . Nowe yf wedlocke be not the couplynge or yokynge together of one thing , them must it be excepted , from other knyttinges , and we must geue vnto it the owne nature & propertie pertayninge to it selfe . Namclye that it is a ryghte knotte vnto god acceptable ayokinge together of one manne and one woman withe the good consente of them bothe . Here vnto also must we adde , why & wherfore they shoulde and must be yoked together . Euen to the intent that they maye lyue honestlye and frendlye the one with the other , that they maye auoyde vnclennesse , that they maye brynge vp children in the feare of god , that the one maye helpe and conforte the tother .

Out of thys maye we comprehende a shorte What wed lacke is . descryption of wedlocke , and saye . Wedlocke is a lawefull knotte and vnto God an acceptable yokynge together of one man and one woman with the good consent of them both , to the intente that they two maye dwell together in frendeshyppe & honestye , one helping and confortynge the tother , eschuynge vnclennesse , & bryngynge vp chyldren in the feare of god Or els set it after this maner folowyng : Wedlocke is the yokynge together of one man & one woman , whome god hath coupled accordynge to his worde , with the consente of them both , from thence forthe to dwell together , and to spend theyre lyfe in the equall pertakynge of all suche thinges as god sendeth , to the intent that they maye bring forth children in the feare of hym , that they maye auoyde whor dome , and that ( accordynge to Gods good pleasure ( the one maye helpe and conforte the other ,

¶ The thyrd Chapter .

¶ The declaracion of wedloke thus described .

NOwe wyll we playnely open euery parcel of the sayd descripcion from article to article , & ( with testimony of the scriptures ) proue and establysh the same , where nede is .

Fyrst that wedlocke is the couplyng togithe●… Oneman an●… one woman . of one man and one woman , not of one man & m●… women , or of one woman and mo men , the Lorde himselfe affyrmeth it Math. xix . and so is it wtytten also in the seconde of Genesis . Nowe where as some of the holy fathers had more wyues than one , those were but the Actes of certen priuate men , and not such general examples , as are thorowly to be followed .

Agayne , the priuate dede of some , or of many men , make no common lawe . The Lorde in the fore rehearsed place of Mathewe , dyd alleadge & renew the olde law of mariage agayne . Therfore he that nowe wyll bryng in the multitude of wiues , shall follow more the rule of Mahumet , th●… of Christ .

Moreouer by yokynge , ioynyng , or couplyng do I vnderstande not only an outwarde dwellynge togyther , but also an vniforme agremen●… of mynd , & a comon participacion of bodye and goodes , for asmuch as the Lord sayth playnely : And they two , shall be into one flesh , that is , one body . But of this we shall speake further afterward , whan we come to treat of the consentyng .

Furthermore , wedlocke must not onely be a couplyng togyther , but it must also be such a couplynge togither as commeth of God , and is not contrary to hys worde and wyll . For where as certayne men do alleadge out of the holy gospell ( what God hath cowpled togyther , let not man separate ) & conclude theron , that whan two parsonnes come once togyther , & the one hath taken the other , it must nedes be fast , & no man maye breake the band . Such men haue not so good respect to the wordes of the Lorde , as they shoulde . For the Lord sayd not ▪ what so euer is coupled togyther , ought not or maye not be separated . But thus he sayd : What God hath coupled togither Let not man separate that God hathe coupled togi ther. let not man separate . Therfore must it be considered not only whether two parsons come togyther , but muche rather whether it be done with God or no. That thyng is wyth God , which is not done agaynst his commaundement & worde .

There be many whome God coupled not to gyther , but carnal lust , mony , good , flattery , dron kennes , a fleshely arme and frendeshyppe , where God is not thought vpon , & therfore synne they the more agaynst hym . It is wrytten in the syxte Chapter of Genesis : The sonnes of God sawe the doughters of men , that they were fayre , and toke vnto them wyues such as lyked them . Wherby euery man maye perceaue , that ther was loue & lust , a consent & couplyng togyther , but therfore plesed it not God . The same maner of dothe the Lorde recyte also in the. xxiiii . of Mathew , and sayth : As they were in the dayes afore the floude , they dyd eate , they dyd dryncke , they marryed & were maryed , euen vntyl the day that Nohe entered into the Arke , & they regarded it not , tyll the floud came and toke them all awaye . Thus also shall the commyng of the sonne of man be .

There is no man nowe so dull , as to thyncke that it is synne to marry . Therfore was not that reprehended as thoughe it were a synfull & vnright thyng to marry , but because they came 〈◊〉 togyther after the worde of the Lorde , yea rather they followed theyr owne tentacions as I sayde afore . Wherfore Esdras dyd separate diuers mariages , yea euen of those that bore a good affeccion y● one to the other , & were coupled togyther . Diuor●… For it was not God , but theyr owne tentacions that ioyned them . Esdras the .x. chap. The yo kyng than of maryed folkes togyther must be framed ryght accordyng to the word & wyll of god .

¶ The fourth Chapter .

The ryght couplyng togyther of Christen folkes in mariage .

CErtayne poyntes now shall I set forth , to the whiche those faythefull Christen men must haue respecte , that entende to take holy wedlocke vpon them , accordyng to the wyll & plesure of god . Fyrst though mariage also concerne the soule and inwarde man , yet pertayneth it lykewyse to the outwarde thynges , that are subdued Statutes & lawes matrimoniall made by rulers . to the hygher powers . For where as faythful rulers haue ordeyned , good apte , and conuenient statutes and ciuile lawes , suche ought no reasonable Christen man to resist , but muche rather is he bounde to obey them , lyke as the holy Apostle Peter hath wrytten and taught . i. Petre. ii . Be ye subiecte ( ●…ayth he ) to all ciuile ordinaunces of men for the Lordes sake . The hygher powers haue authorite to make Ciuile lawes in out warde thynges . And who so withstondeth such , bothe wythstonde the ordinaunce of God , and therfore shall God ponysh hym , as Paule testifyeth . Roma . xiii .

Secondely , the Lorde saythe . Deutero. vii . Religion and faythe must be considred youre doughters shall ye not gyue to theyr sonnes ( meanyng the vnfaythfull & Infidelles ) and theyr doughters shall ye not take for youre sonnes . Therfore in goynge about mariage , a christen man must fyrst looke that in handfastynge hymselfe to a woman he make no diuorce of the true fayth , or brynge it into parell . For it followeth in the lawe . For they shall make your sonnes to fall away from me , and to serue strating Goddes . And then shall the indignacion of the Lorde waxe whotte ouer you , and destroye you shortely . Neuerthelesse yf there be no daunger of faulyng awaye from Goddes trueth , or of hurtyng the same , then ( concernyng mariage ) it maketh no matter though the partie dwell amonge Infidelles , or come of vnfaythefull fathers and mothers , For Booz , whiche was grandefather to Iesse Dauids father , married a Cananite of Ierico euen ●…uth , whom the Euangelist recyteth in the Genelogy of Christ Iesu mat . i. For she was right faythfull , & abhorred al ydolatry .

Elles yf there be parell presente , that the one shal be caryed away vnto errour , then hath not onely the lawe in the olde Testamente spoken there agaynst , but Paule also commaundeth in the second to the Corinthians the sixte chapter , sayeng : Beare not a straung yoke with infidels . For what felowshyp hathe righteousnes wythe vnryghteousnes ? What company hathe lyghte with darkenesse ? What concorde hathe Christe wyth Belial ? Or what parte hathe the beleuer with an Infidell ? How agreeth the Temple of God wyth Idolles : Ye are the Temple of the lyuyng God . &c.

Mariage is a common participacion of mynde body , & goodes . Now sayth Paule : What vnyte can a faythfull beleuer haue wyth and infydeler . The vnbeleuer cleueth to vnrighteousnesse , to darkenesse , to ypocrysye , to erroure , euen vnto the deuell and to ydolatry . Agayne : the faithfull beleuer despyseth , abhorreth & condemnethe all such thinges , loueth righteousnes , the trueth of the Gospel , the lyght , euen the Lord , and hath God lyuyng in hym . How wyll these two now drawe one yoke , whiche are of suche a contrary mynde ? To drawe one yoke , is a maner of spekyng and is as muche to say , as to haue fellow shyp , and to yoke them selues togither in wedlock To beare a strasig yoke , is it to take an vnfaith What it is to beare a 〈◊〉 yoke ful mate , or one to gyue ouer himselfe vnto such thynges , as maye alienate hys mynde from God & his trueth . And verely what woman so euer taketh an vnbeleuyng man , must drawe after hym in vnbeleue , yea & do , se , & heare that whiche is cleane contrary vnto fayth , and hurteful to her soule . The chyldren also shal be brought vp in in fidelite . And thoughe it come not to passe whyle the parentes be alyue , yet happeneth it after the death of the faythfull ? Whyle such yoked folkes also are alyue , there is no tranquilite : & finally the beleuer must be in continuall discorde wyth the vnbeleuer , or els must he graunt vnto her & so do agaynst God , agaynst his own soule , and agaynst his conscience . Therfore must we take good aduisement afore hand , leest we yoke oure selues , our frendes or our chyldren with vnfayth ful people , to the great hurt of our selues & ours

Thou wylt say : For asmuch now as I haue An obiection an infidell to my mate . I perceaue that ther can be no mariage betwene hym and me , therfore wyll I departe from hym . To this doth Paul The solucion aunswere the. i. Cor. vii . yf a brother ( that is to saye a Christen man ) haue an vnbeleuyng wyfe & she be content to dwell wyth hym , let hym not departe from her . And yf an woman haue an vnbeleuyng husbonde , & he consent to dwell wythe her , let her not departe from hym . For the vnbe leuyng husbonde is sanctifyed by the wyfe , and the vnbeleuynge wyfe is sanctifyed by the husband . Els were your chyldren vnclene , but now are they holy . But and yf the beleuyng departe , lette hym departe . A brother or a sister is not in subieccion to suche . But in peace hath God cal led vs . &c. We must therfore put a difference betwene it that is done already , and it that is yet to do . A wedlocke is it ( no doubte ) that after the common custome and law is openly and iustely celebrated , of euery man estemed for wedlock . But yf in the same there be any erroure or blemysh , that errour should not be defended or brought into other mariages . Neyther oughte men therfore immediately to conclude & saye : Myne vnsemely mariage is therfore no mariage at al.

Wherfore , whyle the matter is not yet past , euery man ought to beware , that he nether hys be snared in daunger . We can note well the blemyshes of the body , much more ought we to con sidre the blemyshes of the soule . We should take ensample by Salomon , seyng it is manifest , vnto what poynte the vnbeleuing women brought hym , although he was the wysest amonge men vpon earth . But whan the matter is done alredy , let euery mans mynd be to kepe that thyng that God hath called hym vnto , and do that mooste conuenient is , makynge faythfull prayer vnto God , and followynge the counsayle of the holye Apostle Peter , whiche ( i. Pet. iii. ) he gaue to the women that haue vnbeleuyng husbondes , sayeng : Let the wyues be in subieccion to theyr husbondes , that euen they which beleue not the worde , maye without the worde be wonne by the good conuersacion of the wyues , whan they se youre chaste lyuyng in the feare of God .

It plesed not Paul , that in wedlocke al hope should be sodenly cast of for vnbeleues sake , and vyolence ministred to seperacion . For in the fore recyted place to the Corinthians he sayth after this manner . For what knowest thou woman , whyther thou shalte saue the man or no ? Or thou manne , whether thou shalte wynne the woman or no ?

Wherfore he that is snared in such a case , let him call vpon God , and lyue in his fear , in fayth fulnes , in pacience , in long sufferynge , in discrecion soberly and in vnfayned loue . Yet let euery Christen man take hede , that for his wyues sake ●…e consent to none ydolatry , neyther defyle him selfe withe the workes of vnbelefe . Lette euery man remember the wordes of the Lorde : Who so loueth father or mother , wyfe or children , sister or brother , londe or substaunce , more then me , is not worthy of me . But let hym alway cry vpon God for succoure , counsayle , conforte and helpe . So shall he faythefully not onely shewe hys louynge kyndenes , but also fynde remedy , and declare hys healpe .

¶ The fyfth Chapter .

To a ryght mariage , must chyldren also haue the consent of theyr parentes .

MOreouer lyke as God & faythe shoulde not be denyed or forsaken wythe the mariage , euen so they whiche are nexte to god ( as father & mother ought not to be neglected & Marke wel . despysed . For though God sayd : A man shall forsake father & mother , & kepe him to his wyfe , yet those his wordes in the same place , are concerninge mariage that is made alredy ( what duty they the are maried owe the one to the other ) & are not touching the contractyng of wedlocke , that chyldren may mary , without the respecte , knowledge or consent of theyr parentes , vnder whose authorite & iurisdiccion they be . And I wonder what the papisti call bokes & learned men dyd meane , whan they taught that the consent only of both the parties doth fasten the matter , & coupleth them togither in mariage : The consent of the parentes also , say they is good with all , but whan they two haue consented , and one hath taken the other , the knot can not be vnknyt , neyther maye the parentes seperate them from a sunder Wher as lawes both natural ( diuine specially ) and ciuile , require the parentes consent to the chyldrens mariage : In so much that they iudge the promyse to be of no value , which is made without the knowledge of the parentes yea & that also in those chyldren , which as yet are not come to theyr yeares , & are yet vnder the tuicion of theyr elders . Forin as much as the chyldren are not yet come to perfecte discrecion they can not contracte mariage which requireth , yea they can nether counsayle nor helpe them selues . So that in this behalfe the consent of theyr parentes is not only necessary but also good & profitable for them , As for preuy contractes which are not made according to the lawes , they haue euer bene reiected , neyther were they acceptable to any Preuy contractes . man , saue vnto suche as were ignoraunt and wycked . For why : for the moost parte they are made of some fond affeccion , yea knauery , falshod & disceate is commonly the doer , to persuade , & by wordes to take yong folkes in the snare . Many priuy contractes are brought to passe with flattery , wyth dronckennes , wyth rewardes & promises , wherby young ignoraunt people are vtterly begyled & destroyed . To gyue liberte & licence vnto suche , is euen as muche as to gyue a mad man a swerd , & a knyfe to a yong chyld , yea a very slaun Note . dering is it & a dishonouryng of mariage . Diso bedience of chyldren also toward theyr parentes & tutours , hath euer bene reprehended among all nacions . God commasideth and sayth : Thou shalte honour thy father & thy mother . Nowe doth the E●…d . xx . Chyldrenne must honour theyr parentes . Isaac . obedience or disobedience of the chyldren at no time declare it selfe more than in contractynge of wedlocke . Greater honour canst thou not shew vnto thy parentes , than whan thou followest them herein : neyther greater dishonoure than whan thou herein resistest them . Esau displeased hys parentes very sore , in takyng his wyfe without their consent . Iacob followed theyr mynd & was commended . This commaundement also of honouryng our parentes , dyd our Lord Christright faythful ly , commit vnto vs . Math. xv . In the. vii . of Deu. doth God gyue this charge vnto his people sayenge : You shal not marry your sonnes & doughters to the vnbeleuers . By the whyche wordes we maye well vnderstande , that the authorite of marryeng yonge folkes , lyeth in the parentes & not in them selues , Wherfore Abraham before the lawe charged his seruaunt Elieser , that concernynge the contractynge of mariage betwene Isaac & Rebecca he shulde do his message wythe Bathuell and not specially wythe Rebecca her selfe . The seruaunt also dyd hys eacande to the parentes and not to the daughter , althoughe he founde her alone wythoute by the well syde ( and had tyme , place and occasion sufficient so to do . This lawe dyd Sampson obserue . Iudicum . xiiii . For though he had found & spyed a damsell that Sampson . pleased hym , yet he toke her not , but fyrst shewed hys parentes , brought them wyth hym vnto her & toke her wyth the knoweledge and consent of hys father and mother .

In the seconde boke of Moses , the. xxii . Chap Note thys precepte . ter doth God commaund thus . If a man begyle a mayd that is not detrouthed , and lye with her he shall endote her , and take her to hys wyfe . If her father refuse to gyue her vnto hym , he shall paye mony accordynge to the dowry of virgins . Here dothe GOD gyue the father authorite to take hys doughter from the man , to whome she is promysed els by the lawe . Therfore maye the parentes drawe the chyldren agayne to theyr iurisdiccion . For this is a singuler great thynge , that the father hathe authorite , to take his forced doughter from the man , and to wythdrawe her from hym , to whome she was promysed by the lawe . In the fourth boke of Moses the thyrty Chapter it is wrytten thus : If a damsel vow Chyldren may make no vowe nor promyse 〈◊〉 the parentes consent . a vowe vnto the Lorde , & bynde her selfe beynge in her fathers house and vnmaryed : yf her father heare her vowe and bond whiche she hathe made vpon her soule , and hold his peace therto , then all her vow and bond which she hath made vpon her soule , shall stand in effecte . But and yf her father forbyd her the same day that he it , than none of her vowes nor bondes whiche she hath made vpon her soule shal be of ●…alue . &c. Although nowe in these sayde wordes of God , there is no marryage but vowes expressed and named , yet is it an euident testimonye , that no chyld which is not y●…t come to hys yeares , and is yet vnder the tuicion of his parentes , hathe aucthorite to vowe , bynde , or alter it selfe wythout theyr consent , yea yf any suche vowe or alte racion do chaunce , that then the parentes haue a●…thorite by the lawe of GOD , to lette and hynder the same . For in as muche as . God permytteth to vnbynde it , and wyll not that it shal be of any effecte , whiche wythout consent of the parentes is promised to hym selfe , no doubte , he wyll not that it shall stande immutable whiche in disobedience is wylfully done without the patentes consent .

The holy Apostle Paule in the fyrste Chap , of the fyrst Epist. to Timo. amonge many other greuous synnes , rekenethe also the stealynge away Menstealers of men , whiche is a shamefull vyce , whan mens children , seruauntes or suche other folkes as belong vnto them , are caried awaye or entysed from them , Whan a wicked , sotel & shamelesse woman , entyceth an ygnoraunte yonge man from his father , which with great expenses trauayle & laboure hath brought him vp , whan she blyndeth him with loue , and at the laste gettethe him awaye vnder the title of mariage : Or whan a wanton and fayre tongued fellowe entycethe a damesell from hyr mother , and than ( vnder the tytle of mariage ) conueyeth her awaye , what is it els but menne stealyng :

Thus I trust it is manifest out of gods word and the lawe , that to the laweful mariage of the children , the consente of the parentes also is necessary , and that the chyldren oughte not to cast theyr parentes a syde : & yf they do , that then the parentes maye refuse and dysanull the chyldrens promyse .

The eyuyle and Imperyall lawe requyrethe also the consent of the parentes , as it is manyfeste The eiuile lawe . libro Pandeet . xxiii . Iustinian the Emperour Instit libro . i. tit . xi . wryteth after this maner , lawfullye & ordinatelye do they contract mariage one with another , whiche come together after the commaundementes : & lawes yonge men whan they are olde ynough to take wyues , and yonge wemen whan they are of conuentent age to take husbondes : but so that they haue the consent of theyr parentes , vnder whose auctorite they be . That this shal be so , wyllethe and chargethe the lawe eyuyle & naturale in so much that the fathers commaundement must go before : These be Iustinians wordes , which are so manifeste and euydent , that they nede no further declaracyon .

Upon this do some men thinke , that theyr mariage is no mariage , & that the one of them shulde nowe be separated from the other seyng it is so long sens they were contract agaynst the wyll of theyr parentes . But such personnes ought to considre that theyr parentes dyd not put the from a sunder & therfore is theyr wedlocke now a lawfull wed locke , inasmuch also as in processe of tyme theyr parentes were reconcyled . And thoughe it were not so , yet openly accordynge to the custome of the comen lawes were they permitted to mary , & were solemply receaued in to wedlock , lyuynge honestely together , haue had chyldren , exercysed all dewties of mariage . Therfore ought they by reason to continew styll in theyr matrymony & 〈◊〉 al poyntes to applye them selues to the feare of god

Some turne them selues another waye & sayes Thorowe such lawes are the poore snared , that they can neuer come to anye riche mariage , for the rytch wyll not geue theyr chyldren to the poore Wherby it may easely be perceaued , where the shoo wringethe them , that resiste thys aunciente good and reasonable lawe . Theyr harpynge is Note . vpon theyr halfepeny , theyr mynd is to be riche with mariage : neyther are the satisfyed to haue taken awaye the chylde agaynste the fathers and mothers will , but agaynst theyr myndes wolde they haue the good also . These take not the child because of mariage , but for the goodes sake .

Thus doth iniquite discloose it selfe , that a man maye well perceaue , what it is that some menne seake in mariage . A reasonable manne whether he be rytche or poore wyll allwaye haue respecte vnto the feare of god , to honestye , to faith fulnesse , to laboure and vertue , and not to the Themistocles bagge of moneye . Themistocles desyred rather to haue a wyfe , discrete and a prudent personne then one that was rytche . But who so hathe more respecte to worldly substaunce , than to honestye and knowlege , is a shamefull personne : lyke as he also that hyghly estemeth suche a mans Virtus post nu●…os . frendshyppe , and desyreth it for moneyes sake .

Nowe be as be maye : Who soeuer is greued with this lawe towchynge the consent of the parentes , let him laye awaye hys gredye desyre , hys bragging and his fond affeccyon , and lette hym haue respect vnto god and vnto equytye . Lette hym considre well the worde of the Lorde . What thou wylte not haue done vnto thy selfe , that do not thou to other . So shall the law be more light vnto hym , and the more easy to beare .

¶ The syxte Chapter .

The parentes ought not to constrayne theyr chyldren to matrimony , nether to marry them afore thyr tyme .

IN this poynte also ought not the parentes to take to much vpon them selues because of theyr authoritie , neyther to abuse it , or to compell theyr chylde , eyther because of fylthy aduauntage or lothesomnes in takyng payne ) to let him go , & haue no respecte vnto hym . For an vngodly and vnhappy thyng is it in the cause of mary age to compell a yonge man agenst his wyl , to take suche one as he hath no harte vnto . For in mari age ought to be the full consent of both parties , with the consent of theyr parentes . Lykewyse also A good admonicion . whan a son or doughter are come to theyr yeares & ful discresion , but are of theyr parentes in the me ane season not looked vnto , & so afterward with a good aduise & deliberacion do honestly mary to gyther . Then ought the father well to considre , that thorow hys owne wrongful & vnrighteous demeanour , he hath lost his authorite as towechyng hyndryng & breakyng of that mariage .

For seyng that the parentes do not looke to the chyldren , nor make such prouision for them as parentes & tutours ought to do ( & therfore are become nothyng lesse than the parentes ) why would they then require of chyldren such obedience , by the whiche the chyldren myght fall and peryshe in the daunger & snare of the dyuel : In suche causes ve rely is not a Christen man subiecte nor bonde , in as muche as all the lawes of God do extende & serue for the honeste , welfare , and preseruacion of man , and not for his destruccion . It hath oft tymes bene founde in dede , that suche mariages ●…ontracted euen agaynst the wylles of suche vnfaythfull and couetous parentes , haue ben prosperous , holy , and acceptable vnto God . Not withstandyng my purpose is , nother to commende the foolyshe affeccions , nether the wicked & wanton behauoure of certayne yonge wylfull personnes that feare not God . In summa , the measures ought here to be a lyke longe : euen thus , lyke as the chyldren must haue respecte to theyr parentes & not wylfully despyse them or cast them of : So shulde not the parentes wythout ony petie compell theyr chyldren to mariage afore theyr tyme neyther wyckedly neglecte them , nor leaue them vnprouided for in dewe season . Good lawes , iust rulers , the feare of God and discrecion , shall moderate this matter well ynough . Hereof also shall we treate more largely , in the Chapter of the consentynge .

Furthermore the age or yeares of the chyldren Mariage be fore the time must well be considered of the parentes . For an vnnaturall and vnhonest thynge is it , to mary younge folkes , whiche yet haue not attayned to theyr lawful and iust yeares . Many great sicke nesses do spring therof . Yonge mothers also haue no iust strength , nether to norysh nor to bryng forth frute . And sometyme hathe it chaunsed that they haue dyed of theyr impotent chylde . Lykewyse the chyldren whiche were borne of chyldren became sycke and feble : It shall also not be come ly for Christen menne , to haue lesse discresion herein , then the Hethen , whyche haue had great respecte to the age and yeares . For Plato , Aristotle and Heseodus appoynte the age of seuentene yeares to yonge women . Some there were that to yonge menne haue appoynted the age of nynetene or twentye yeares : for in those yeares be the powers somewhāt strengthened , and decreace not then thorowe maryage , as they do in weake folkes . But herein maye euery manne behaue hymselfe after the best & moost honest maner , accordyng as the kynde , complexion & cause requireth .

¶ The seuenth Chapter .

¶ Of the iust consent of both parties into mariage , and howe that maryage oughte to be free and vncompelled .

TO the sayd poyntes also must euery Christen man ( whan he contracteth mariage ) haue good respecte , namely that his wedlock be accordyng to the common lawes that it hyndre not the true beleue that it be done with the know ledge of his parentes , or of them vnder whose iurisdiccion he is , and that he marry not in the forbydden degrees of consangu inite or affinite . Be sydes all this , and specially is required the free harty consent of bothe the parties , as it is recited in the discripcion . Wedlocke must be coupled to gither with the good consent of both the parsonnes . Concernyng the same good consent , wyll I nowe gyue this shorte instruccion .

This consent , is that ouergyuyng & graunt The consent of thy harte , whan vnto thy chosen spouse thou promisest and gyuest thy selfe ouer in wedlocke and in the hyghest loue & felawshyp that maye be vnder God . In the loue and consentynge of harlots there is also an earnest fauoure of y● one loue towarde the other , but that is carnall and wycked , therfore doth the dyuell knyt that whorishe and vnthrifty knot . The consentyng into mariage spryngeth out of gods ordinaunce and leaneth vnto honeste . For an ordinate and pure loue is it that she beareth towarde her chosen , by hym her desyre to remayne withe mynde bodye and good ( accordynge to the worde of the Lorde ) to serue hym , to shewe her trouth plyghte vnto hym , to suffer well and woo wyth hy●… yke as it followeth also in the descripcion . That vnto theyr ende they dwell styll togyther , and spende theyr lyfe in the equall partakynge of all suche thynges as God sendethe . Therfore is it God hymselfe that knytteth the knotte of mariage . And whorysshe , carnall , and affe●…tionate wyll , spryngeth of vicious lust and vanite , & hath not respecte to the glory and ordinaunce of God , but vnto bewty or to other lyke transitory thynges . And as soone as the same faylethe , or yf he once myslyke her or se a fayrer , than fayleth the wyll and mariage also . But the wyll of lawfull mariage ( as I sayd afore ) consydreth the ordinaunce of God , regardeth honestye , and continuethe in loue , euen in aduersite as well as in prosperite . Herein also diffreth the consentyng in mariage from naturall inclinacion . A naturall thyng is it that two parsons which are of lyke kynd and complexion , of lyke nature and dispocision , of lyke maner and occupyenge , shoulde beare more wyll the one toward the other , than they do that haue no mutuall fellowshyp herein . Yet is not thys wyl comparable to consentyng into mariage .

Notwythstondyng suche proporcion in kynd helpeth muche ( no doubte ) to a more stedfast vnt te & consentyng togytherin holy wedlocke , & then fore it is very good for the same . And to be short a matrimoniall consent is the same herte , disposicion & loue , that Adam bore toward his Eua. He behelde all other creatures , and none lyked hi. But as soneas Eua was set before him , he sayd This same is once bone of my bones , and flesh of my flesh , that is , she hath my hart , my mynd and my bloud . &c. as it is sayd in the fyrst chapter . For her sake thought he that a man shoulde forsake father and mother and kepe hym onelye vnto her He knowledged that she was one body wyth hys , then must it follow also , that she had lyke mynd hart & wyll . For neuer one body hath The wil of mariage commeth of god . two contrary wylles , but one body hath one wyl . And of God hymselfe is the same wyll planted and mygtely conceaued in man , for it exerciseth it selfe strongly , & preaseth after his lyke . Therfore was it ryght spoken of them of the olde tyme howe that maryage is prepared of God for all men . Herof commeth it that many straunge mari Maryages are appoynted and prepared of god ages are brought to passe not inordinately thorow the workyng of god . But are taken in hand and do not prospere , for God hathe not so ordined it . In the. vii . Chapter of Toby doth the aungell saye , that Sara the doughter of Raguel should haue Tobias , bycause she was appoynted hym of GOD , and therfore dyed the seuen men to Sata . whome she was promised one after another . In the. xxiiii . of Genesis , Whan the father and mother of Rebecca perceauedde the wonderfull Rebecca . worke of God thorowe the message of Eliezer , they sayde : This commeth of the Lorde , therfore we can saye nothyng agaynst the , neyther euell nor , good : there is Rebecca before the , take her , & go thy waye wyth her . &c.

Whereoute it is easye to vnderstonde , that mariage ought to come of a free herte , and neyther to be constrayned and compelled of the parentes , nor of other menne . For in as much as wedlocke requireth both the parties good consent which no man can gyue , but only God , the parentes Note well . maye not compell the chylde , but haue respecte to gods ordinance , & to the ryght ordinate consente of the parties , and considre whether it be or no. Bathuel and Labin had respecte to the ordinaunce of God , and whan they saw the same power before theyr eyes , yet sent they for theyr doughter Rebecca , to knowe her wyll also . And whan she of her owne free mynde hadde sayde yea , than was she fyrst sente awaye vnto Isaac her spouse . Thus haue we before our eyes many ensamples , wherby we may learne what mi sery & wretchednes foloweth oute of an vnwyllynge and compelled mariage . And therfore it were a great deale better for rulers , to loke fyrst that no manne shoulde compell his chylde , then that they them selues afterward ( when the matter is almoost past remedy , & hurte foloweth vp on hurt , shuld haue ynough to do wyth lytle pro fyt , and yet wyth much disquietnes .

Here muste the chyldren looke also , that they The inordinate affeccion of yong follies . fall not immediately to discord for this matter , and violentlye despisynge theyr parentes ( make has●… to theyr owne great hurte , & persuade them selues to be endewed wyth a wyll from GOD , which of God is not planted in them , but commeth of theyr owne inordinate affeccion . For it happeneth oft tymes , that a chylde taketh suche a fashyon in hande as ought not to be , and displeaseth GOD , and namely he goeth about to haue suche a parson as is not for hys honestye . As whan a yonge woman wyll neades haue a ryottous , wylfull whorehunter and wayster , or suche one as is forsworne and hath begyled many other . Or as whan a yonge man wyll nedes haue a vayne , wanton , fylthy , &c. ( Herein to preuent the harme that myght come therof ) the parentes oughte to make obieccion , & to dispoynte them of theyr purpose . Yet should they not ther fore compell theyr chyldren into other mariages to the whiche they beare no harte nor wyll , but discretely enforme them , gyuynge them good in struccion , to gette that frowardnes from them but godlye to deale wythe them for theyr owne wealth and honeste .

It chauncethe sometyme that the parē●…es then The inordinate affeccion of parentes . selues deale not well , neyther seake honesty and equite , but only theyr owne inordinate affeccion and wyckednesse , where as sometyme the chyldren are more reasonable , and make obieccion to theyr parentes , comely and with good manner . It fortuneth also many tymes that the parentes stycke styll to theyr owne frowardenes , to theyr f●…lthy desyre of lucre and wyckednesse , and go about to delyuer theyr chyldren forth in the bargayne . The chyldren therfore sometyme ( for as Unreasonable parentes ought not to haue they●… wylles . much as they are come past theyr year●…s ) beyng constrayned by suche violence , do aduisedly and in honeste prouide for them selues . In suche a case verely ought not the hyer powers to suffer that such vnreasonable parentes as feare not God , should haue theyr wylles .

For lyke as the inordinate affeccion of the chyldren is not to be permitted , whan they wyll nedes haue suche parsonnes as be to theyr owne destruccion : So can no equite alowe you , O parentes , Marke wel . that for your couetous lucre sake , do set youre owne fleshe and bloud to morgage . youre opinion is ( happely ) to make sure prouision for them , but seyng youre enterprise commethe not of God , neyther leaneth vnto honeste , therfore do ye but sell them away . Let euery man therfore haue respecte to God , to honeste and to the right consent so shall God suffer no man to miscary .

¶ The eyght Chapter .

The occasions of wedlocke , why & wherfore it shulde be contracted .

ANd to the intent that the sayd consent maye yet the better be consydred , I wyll yet fur thermore ( by the worde of God ) declare , the occasions of maryage , why and wherfore it was ordined , & to what purpose it shulde be con tracted , that euery manne maye vnderstonde to what thynge he consenteth , whan he graunteth vnto mariage .

The causes of mariage are orderly sette and To brynge forth children expressed one aft●…●…other in the descripcion therof , in the secon●… Chapter : Fyrst of all , they that are faythefull , do marry , to the intent that they maye brynge forth and haue chyldren togy ther. This cause is expressed and grounded in the wordes of God followynge : And god made Gene. ii . man vnto hys owne ymage , in the ymage of god made he hym , man and woman created he them And God blyssed them , & sayd vnto them : Growe and multiply , and fyll the earth . They therfore that are beleuers , do marry to the intent that they maye haue chyldren . They knowe well also that to be frutefull or barren / cometh of God . Ther fore do they●… knoweledge that they haue not the chyldren of them selues , but of God . And this What a tresure it is to ●…aue frute . cause is no small nor lyght thynge . For to haue chyldren is the greatest treasure . For in the chyldren do the parentes lyue ( in a maner ) euen after theyr deathe . And yf they be well and luckely brought vp , god is honoured by them , the publique weale is auaunced , yea all men ( theyr parentes also fare the better for them . They are theyr parentes conforte nexte vnto God , theyr ioye staffe , and vpholdyng of theyr age .

The vnbeleuer regardeth not this cause , but The vngodly hate to be frutefull . feareth he shall haue to many chyldren , putteth not his trust in God , wyll not giue hymselfe to laboure , and therfore lacketh he the honour and good , the groweth out of thi●…te vnto the fayth full , whose harte & lust , is set with hys mariage to please God , and to plante & brynge forth profitable frute vnto men , yet happenethe it many tymes , that euen they whiche feare God , are dis apoynted of thys frute , and that verely because that they ( not without the ordinaunce of God ) shulde haue no chyldren togyther whiche thynge the faythfull also doth paciently take at the hande of God gyuynge hym thankes for that in troublouse tyme of famyn , battayle , persecucion & pestilence theyr crosse is so muche more thesyer to cary , aswell as he ( to whom God gyueth chyldren ) doth ernestly thanke hym for makyng hym frute full . Of all this haue we a notable ensample in the thre holy Patriarches , Abraham , Isaac & Iacob , whiche is more manifest vnto euery man , than that we nede to speke further therof . Ther fore thoughe thys cause fayle , so that God wyll gyue the no chyldren , yet is thy mariage righte in the syghte of God . For there be other causes also , for the whiche wedlocke was ordeyned , and for the whiche it is contracted .

And namely it is contracted lykewyse of the faythfull , to the entente that they maye auoyde To auoyde whoredome whoredome and all maner of vnclennes . Thys cause also doth Paule laye before the Corinthians in the fyrst Epistle the. vii Chapter & sayth It is a quiet and commodious state for a man , not to towche a woman . But to auoyd whoredome , let euery man haue a wyfe of hys owne , & euery woman her owne husband . He sayth it is a quiet state of lyuyng for a man not to touche or lye with a woman : yea if God haue graunted hym & gyuen him the gyfte , that he may wel and without burnyng , lyue chaste & vnmaryed . But if a man or woman maye not so do . God hathe gyuen them the medicine of maryage , & wyll not esteme the worcke therof , as synne , whoredome , vnchastite or vnclennesse . For he sayth playnely let euery man haue his owne wife , & euery woman her owne husbond . To be theyr propre owne or Note . peculiar maketh the mariage . As for harlottes & vnthriftes , they are not perculiar propre or own one to another , but borowed & lent for a tyme .

It foloweth yet more playnely in Paul , how The worke of matrimony is no syn . that he not onely vouch saueth the worke of wed locke to them that be maried , but commaundeth also ( yee and taketh away the priuate power of either of them both therin ) & sayeth clearly , that nether of them maye denye vnto the other the dewe worke of matrymonye . Let the husbande , ( sayth he ) geue vnto the wife dewe beneuolence . Likewise the wife vnto the husband . And this with comelye wordes expresseth he the actuall Marke wel . worke of mariage which certayne of the Corinthians , of a speciall chosen holynesse & falfe fayned clenlynesse , had vtterlye denyed vnto theyr maried spouses , thinkyng therby to be very holy clene and spirituall . But Paul commaundeth them to mary the one to geue dewe beniuolence vnto the other no doubt for the auoydyng of whordome & eschuing of vnclennesse . For it foloweth in Paul immediatly after : The wyfe hath not power of hir awne bodye , but the husbande : Lykewyse the husband hath not power of hys awne body , but the wife . Wherby he forbyddethe , that nether of them shall denye his body vnto the tother . For Math. ix . they two , sayth the Lorde also , are one bodye .

Hereof doubtlesse dyd the holy & godly lerned bysshoppe take the same whyche he spake in the great counsaile at Nicea , where as he sayde , that 〈◊〉 . it is dennesse also , a man to lye wyth his owne maried wife . For Paule in the same chapter speakyng of wydowes & wydowers saiethe that it is good yf they so remayne , but immediatelye addeth he therto , sayenge : Neuerthelesse , yf they can not absteine , let them mary . For better it is to marye than to burne . And within a litle after he sayth moreouer : But and yf thou take a wife thou synnest not . Beholde , what could be more clerely spoken : To mary ( sayth the Apostle ) is no synne , then must it folow also that the worckes of mariage are not synne , not of them selues but because of the mariage selfe & gods ordinaunce .

And that more is then all that we haue yet Uirginite is & holy & ex cellent thing . spoken of , it foloweth farther in Paul : And yf a virgyn mary he or she synneth not . For euery man knoweth well , howe holye and excellente a thing virginite is , & yet sayth Pauel , that a vir gyn sineth not yf he or she lose theyr virginite in mariage . Then must it folow , that god rekeneth not the worke of mariage for synne & vnclennes But synne and wicked vnclennesse is it to com mytte whoredome . Fylthye & abhominable is it Deflouryng of virgins . to force or begyle a virgin . For Paul sayth furthermore in the. xiii . to the Heb. Mariage is to be had in reuerence & honour amonge all men ) & the bed of them that are maried , is vndefyled . As for harlottes & aduoutrers , God will iudge them . How much more wil he iudge them that rauyssh virgyns ? Iob saieth in the. xxxi . Chapter I made a couenaunte with myne eyes , that I wolde not loke vpon a virgyn . For howe heuye is the punishement of god from aboue ? And what inheritaunce and rewarde geueth the almyghtye from an hy ? Destroyeth he not such vnchristes ? and casteth he not out them that medle withe such wickedn●…sse . &c.

The wise man Salomon sayeth Prouer. v. Beglad with thy maryed wife , whom thou hast taken in thy youth , & loue her as a deare chosen hynde . Let hyr brestes satisfye the at all tymes , and reioyse styll in her loue . For why shuldeste thou come nye an harlot ( my sonne ) and haunt the bosome of a straunge woman ? In the which wordes , Salomon like as Paule also commendeth and prayseth the loue and worke of mariage as clenlynesse , but draweth men from whoredom as from it that is nothing but fylthy . Therfore ( doutelesse ) mariage was instituted to auoyde whoredome and vnclennesse and the worcke of mariage is rekened of God for no synne . All which thinges I haue the more largelye spoken of , & proued and confirmed the same with holye scripture : And though I dyd not gladlye take in hand to wryte of this matter yet haue I done all this to helpe many suared consciences , whiche without occasiōthorow the ignoraunce of gods leaue and lawe do piteouslye trouble and vexe themselues here in . I hope therfore noman wyll mysconster me , seynge I haue spoken nothynge but that which Paul dyd wryte afore .

And in all this matter is it well to be considred M●…asure & shamefastnesse . that like as shamefastneste , comlynesse and tempe raūe is good in euery thynge , so is it good here also and exceadyng necessary . Wedlock is hono rable and holy , therfore must not we as shame lesse parsonnes cast awaye good maners , & become lyke vnresonable beastes God hath geuen and ordened mariage to be a remedy and medicyne vnto our feble and weake flesh , to swage the dis quietnesse therof , & to the intent that we should be cleane and vndefiled in spirite & in body . But yf we rage therwith , & be shameles in our wordes and dedes , then our misten peraunce & excesse maye make it euell whiche is good , and defyle it that is cleane . Paule also is content , that as concernyng the bed , maried folkes vpon a due occasion , may ly the one from the other . But so , that it i. Co●… . 〈◊〉 be with the good consent of them bothe , And that not alwaye or longe , but only for a tyme , leest the diuell be busy , & tempte them with whoredome or vnclennes , or deceaue them wyth aduoutry .

The thyrd cause is this : Euen to the entent that To auoyd●… solitarinesse , to helpe & con for t one ano ther. the one maye be an helpe & conforte to the other accordyng to the wyll of God , auoydyng solitarinesse . Whiche the Lorde expressed wythe these wordes . It is not good for manne to be alone , I wyll make hym an helper to be nexte vnto him . And wythin a whyle after , he saythe moreouer . They bothe shall be one fleshe , or one body . So that lyke as in the partes of a mans body there is a mutuall healpe or participacion of the one toward the other . Euen so ought it to be also amonge marryed folkes . The one ought to be an eye , eare , mouth , hand and foote to the other ▪ In trouble , the one must be the conforte of the other . In aduersite must the one be the oth●…rs refresshyng , yea & in all theyr lyfe must the one be the helpe & socour of the other . And these are the causes why wedlocke was ordeyned , and wherfore they that are faythefull beleuers do m●…rry , and the occasions whervpon the ronsent bothe leaue & rest .

The nynth Chapter .

The ende fruyte and commendacion of holy wedlocke . Howe blyssed , honourable & good a thyng it is .

BY this now is it easy to vnderstond what is the ende , vertue & frute of wedlocke , & how holy , profitable & good a thyng it is . This is the ende of mariage whervpon it leaneth . Not to be aloue , but to haue a companion in this lyfe , that wyll helpe to beare wealth & woo , euen such one as thou canst fynde in thyne harte to loue , and of whome thou arte loued agayne , that by the same thou mayst fynde a medicine and swagynge of the weakenes of thy vnquiet flesh , and so voyde whoredome and all fylthy lyuynge , to brynge vp chyldren vnto the prayse of God , and to the publique wealthe , profyt and conforte of thy selfe , and other thy neyghbours . &c.

Wherfore the vertue , operacion , effecte , and The operacion of wedlocke . frute now of mariage , is to confort , mayntayne helpe , counsayle , to clense , to further vnto good mann●…rs , honeste and shamefastnes , to expel vn●…lennes , to auaunce the honoure of God & the publique weale , and to sette vp many suche vertues moo .

Hereof commeth it that wedlocke is a great Wedlocke is holy and honourable . worke and holy ordinaunce of God , whiche defyleth or vnhaloweth no man , saue hym that taketh it vpon hym with an vncleane harte . Whome ( to saye trueth ( not the mariage , but his owne wickednes defyleth . For it is alwaye holy & right in it selfe , & all such as receaue it wyth true hertes , doth it allowe & bryng to honour . It hath euer also bene of an excellent estimacion & had a glorious name of all prudent people , in so muche that Paul durst boldely saye : Wedlocke is hono rable among all men , or in all the worthe .

For wedlocke dyd God institute by himselfe ▪ & not by his Angels or holy men , as he dyd other good statutes & ordinaunces , yea euen at the begynnynge toke he it in hande in Paradise that Marke w●… garden of pleasure , no doubte , for the commodite & not for the grefe of man . Wythoute Paradise were all other ordinaunces made , but euen in Paradise was wedlocke ordeyned . And yf all ordinaunces haue theyr propre commendacion & honour of theyr fyrste begynner of the antiquite , of the place where they were ma●…e , or of y● pro fytte that they bryng . Then verely is wedlocke moost worthy of prayse & honour , as a thyng in stituted of God hym selfe , euen in Paradyse , at the begynnyng of the worlde , for the wra●…th and commodite of man .

Therfore in mariage lyued the holyest , the moost vertuous , the wysest & moost noble men vpon erth : yee the holy ghost is not ashamed , euen in the fyrst boke of the byble , very playnely to ta●…ke & wryte nothyng els for the moost parte , then of mariages , chylbren , or byrthes , and suche other Genes●… The poyntes of housholdyng in wedlocke . Adam was a marryed man , so was Enoche , Nohe , Abraham , Lothe , Isaac , Iacob , Iosaphat , Iob , Moses , Aaron : And so were other Regentes , Iudges , Prestes and Kynges , Iosue , Gedeon , Phinees , Samuel , Dauid , Ezechias , Iostas , Os●…as , Isaias , and other Prophetes ●…o . Dauid commendeth the state of mariage as a singulare blyssynge of God , whiche he sendeth to them that loue him , & whom he loueth , & sayth . Psal. cxxvii . Blessed are they all that feare the Lorde , & that walke in his wayes : for thou shalte lyue wyth the thyng that thou hast gotten thorowthe labour of thyn owne handes . O how blyssed & happy arte thou ? Thy wyfe is as a frutefull vine that standeth by thy house syde : Thy chyldren round about thy table are euen lyke Olyue trees newly planted . Lo thus shall he be blissed that feareth the Lorde . &c. and this is the cause that the wiues of the olde testament , toke it for a great dishonour & plage , whan one of them was at any tyme barren or vnfrutefull .

In the new Testament it was the good plesure of our Lorde Iesus , to be borne in mariage , For Math. i. 〈◊〉 the virgyn Mary was marryed vnto Ioseph of the house of Dauid , yet conceaued she of the holye Luke . i. ghost , & brought forth her chylde beyng a virgyn her selfe , & remaynyng a virgin . The fyrst miracle that oure Lorde Christ dydde . The same wrought he at a weddynge , & namely suche a mi racle as is able to gyue consolacion in maryage , Ioan. ii . that euen in thynges pertaynyng to this temporall lyfe ) God wyll not leaue them vnprouided for , that mary in the feare of hym & in the fayth of his euerlasting worde : yee that he both can 〈◊〉 A great 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 maryed 〈◊〉 will turne the vnsauery water of all trouble , in to theswete wyne of gracious comforte . The holy apostles & preachers of Iesus Christ had wifes , as Paul the Apostle . Phil. iiii , reporteth of him selfe as Peter and the other Apostles . 〈◊〉 . Corin. ix . and as Luke . reporteth of holy . Philippe , Act. xxi . And Eusebius . Eccles. Histo Lib. iii. cap. ●…xx . Paul calleth theyr doctrine that inhthite & forbyd mariage , the doctryne of the deuell , and saieth . i. Tim iiii . Thesprete speaketh euidently , that in the later tymes some shall departe from the faith , and shall geue hede ●…o disceatfull spretes & to deuelish doctrines : thorow them that are lyers in ypocrisie , and haue theyr conscyences marcked with an whot yerne , forbidding to mary . &c. Therfore foloweth it that the doctryne which doth set forth and knowlege wedloke to be holy , honorable , profitable , necessary and good , is gods doctrine , euen true and good , holy , and vndefyled .

The. x. Capter .

¶ How shamefull , vycious and abhominable , the synne of whordome i●… .

ANd to the entent that the praise honour goodnesse & commendacion of holy wedlock may the more clearly appeare , I will now set whordome ryght ouer agaynste it on the other fyde , and declare how shamefull , vycious , & abhominable it is before god & all honestye : That youth may loue the honoure of god , and auoyde dishonesty : & that euery one may eschewe vycious whordome , and betake hym to holy wedlocke .

Paul the chosen man of god writeth thus to the Corinthians : Flye from whor●…ome . All the Whoredome defylethe the members of Christ which is thy owne body . synnes that a man doth , are without his bodye but who so committeth whordome , synnethe agaynst his owne body . And immediately afore the sayd wordes , he expressethe the vnderstonding of this sentence , & sayeth . Know ye not that your bodies are the membres of Christ ? Shall I than take Christes membres , & make them the membres of an harlot ? God forbyd . Paul then whan he spake those wordes ( All the synnes that a man dothe , et c. ) had repsecte vnto wedlocke . For lyke as wedlok maketh of two personnes or bodies , one personne and one bodye . Euen so lykewyse ☞ the spirituall mariage , namely the receauynge of gods grace , in that we are baptysed into christ and become Christen maketh one body betwene Christ and vs beleuers , so that we be called and are in dede Christes membres . Nowe lyke as he that is maried ( yf he take another besyde his wife dothe synne agaynste his owne body : Euen so lykewise doth that Christen man synne agaynste his owne body , yf he commytte whordome . For he dishonoureth the grace of Christ , & defylethe the holy couenaunt made betwene : Christ and him . For it foloweth in Paule : Knowe ye not , that he which ioyneth himself to an harlot , is be come oue body For they two sayth the lord shall be one flesh , or one bodye . But who so cleuethe vnto the lorde , is one spyrite . Neuertheles thorow whordome is the sprete banished and excluded . For thy sprete , herte and mynd that ought to ●…leue vnto the lord , is ioyned to the harlot , withe whom thou art one and incorporated Therfore they that commytte whordome , do synne agaynst the couenaunt and spirituall mariage , where with we must be ioyned vnto Christ .

Furthermore it foloweth in Paul : Or know Whroedome robbeth god of his owne . ye not , that your bodyes shuld be the temple of the holy goost , which is in you whom ye haue of god , & that ye are not in your awne power ? For ye are dearly bought . Wherof it foloweth constantly that they which commytte whordome , do dishonoure and waist away theyr owne bodyes . For they geue ouer theyr membres , yee theyr hert and mynd vnto whordome : And yet Christ for his i. Pet. i : honoure & our clenlynesse dyd bye the san●…e , and that not with mony , but with his owne bloud . It foloweth also , that they which are geuen vnto whordome , be vnder the great plage of god . For Paul saith here , that Christen mens bodies are the temple of god the holy goost . Thus saleth Whoredome ●…he ●…he 〈◊〉 of god he . i. Cori. iii. yf any man defyle the temple of god , him shall god destroye . Is it not an horryble defylynge of gods temple , to set that vycious harlo●… Wenus , euen in the place where god shuld reigne with his sprete , & to be ioyned & do seruice vnto her with body & soule ? Let them come forth now 〈◊〉 for●…●…s a ●…ous sin . that wyll alwaye excuse syngle fornicacion , as though it were not synne ( or at the leest not so greate syn ) one syngle person to abuse another . Paul the Apostle of Christ saieth , that whordome deuydeth vs from God , breaketh the couen●…unt which we haue wyth God , spoyleth and robbeth god of that which is his , mysordreth the m●…s of god , maket of christes membres the mem b●… of an haclotte , defyleth and vnhaloweth the temple of god , them therfore that wyll folow whordom●… , shal god destroye . Yf all this be to be estemed but a small thinge , then do I confesse , that whoredome and fornicacion is euen as lytle a synne , as vy●…ious vayne people do make it .

It is more then ones also , that Paul him selfe Whoredome shut men oute of heauen . shutteth whormongers out of heauen , who so beleueth not my wordes , let him reade . Rom. i. i. Co●… . v. and. vi , Gala. v. Ephe. v. i. Tess. iiii . To the Hebrues he saieth planely , that as for whoremongers & aduoutrers , God wyll iudge them . What can be more sayde ? Yf thou not wythstondyng all this , wylt yet say , that whordome or fornicacion is no synne , then cryeth the holy Prophet Esaye that horrible woo vpon the and sayth , Esaye . capit . Woo vnto you that call euel , good . Or do ye not knowe , that euen nowe in this tyme , God doth sore punysh whordome as a great vice : Paule sayth . i. Corin. x. Lette vs not committe whoredome , as some of them of olde dyd , & were destroyed in one daye a great nombre . It is euident what slaunder & dishonour , Samson brought vnto hym selfe , specially to the glory & name of God among Gods enemies & hys , & among all the children of Israel with his bolde and vicious whoredome , & howe shamefull an ende he made by the means of the same harlot .

In the fyfth of the Prouerbes of Salomon saye after this maner : The lyppes of an harlot Whoredome spoylethe a man of his ho neste body 〈◊〉 good . are as aswete droppynge hony combe , and her throte is softer then oyle : but her end is bitterer then death , & as sharpe as a two edged swearde . Her feete lead vnto deathe , & her pathe drawethe vnto hell . Therfore se that thou go not in vnto her , nether draw nygh to the dores of her house , lest straungers haue thy substaunce , and left the cruell gette thyne encreace . Wythe fewe wordes both Salomon describe the shorte and swete disceatfulnesse of whoredome , which yet leaueth behind it a perpetuall vytternes , and brefely he sheweth , howe that whoredome destroyeth in soule , in honoure , in body and in good . As for ensamples , we nede not to sette forthe any there are to many before oure eyes , the more pitie . The stories The French pockes , how it ●…yrst came do testify , that the Frenche pockes came of an harlot into the worlde thorowe whoredome . Howe many a man hath consumed all his substaunce & goodes wyth harlottes , and at the last hath ben hanged , drowned or headed ? &c.

Yet go the shamelesse harlots forth styll into Whorem●…ngers haue no rest . theyr owne perdicion , vice & abhominacion , yea & vnder take to blaspheme wedlocke , & somwhat to excuse theyr owne mischefe . Therfore talke they of muche trouble that is in wedlocke . And as for theyr whorysh lyfe , it is nothyng elles but open vyce & abhominacion before God and all honest people . Fylthy is fylthynes styll , althoughe the fylthy swyne delyte therin , They speke much of euyll wyues , which whan some men had taken , they coulde not be ryd of them wythe any fayre means . And yet can they not leaue theyr vayne crafty & vnfaythfull harlottes , of whom they them selues are mocked , and scorned to the vttermost yea & are fayne to suffer more of suche vicious & fylthy bodyes , than any man doth of his honest wyfe . They speake much lykewyse of bryngyng vp of chyldren which are borne in wedlocke . And yet they them selues in whoredome are fayne to brynge vp the bastardes that they haue gotten , lyke as afore tyme they were wont to bylde māmet houses & felde Chapelles , wythe collections and gatherynges of euery man .

They speake of muche trauayle and carefulnes , Whores are insa●…able 〈◊〉 haue neuer inough . howe the housholde must be brought vp and prouided for in wedlocke . And yet the dotynge fooles them selues are fayne to nomysshe those shamefull harlottes wythe muche greater care , and yet be afrayed , that whan they haue done theyr best , the gredy sacke wyll not be fylled , and that the fylthy strompette wyll yet brynge forth a greater rekenynge vpon thy trencher , and all to get the bagge of money into her owne handes . Moreouer among whores is waystyng and expenses The ende of whoredome is beggery . moost regarded , nether art thou welcome but thy money . No more money , no more loue . I must haue the money & purse , sayth the harlot take thou thy cloke and thy baggage . Lette another come that hathe more money , for he hathe bene in the bath , and is dispatched . Thus maye he byte hys lyppes and cratch his pate , and take that for his farewel that he getteth of hisharlot .

They complayne moreouer of the cryeng of the chyldren in the nyghtes , and how that maried folkes can not stepe , but must watche by the means therof . And yet the dotynge fooles them selues go all the nyght long vp and downe thorow the stretes , & kepe the dyuels watche , wythe paynefulnes , frost and vnrest . Let no reasonable manne therfore be snared styll in whordome by such harlottes , to the slaunder & dishonoure of holy wedlocke . Whoredome ( no doubte ) ha●…he muche more disquietnes , anguyshe and trouble , then hath the holy state of maryage . The payne also that is in marryage , is godly and honest . God gyuethe suche pacience , strength and good wyll vnto the faythfull , that they canne easely awaye wythe all manner of con●…gale cares . As for harlottes , they are the dyuelles martyrs , and haue alwaye dishonour and shame .

Where as certayne men saye : if whoredome Stewes . be so great a synne before God , & bryng so much vice and mischiefe wyth it , why do some hyghe rulers and prelates of the world then mayntayne open stewes : To that I answere : Many thynges are suffered , that ought not so to be , and yet for suffryng therof are the suffrers neuer the better . But let those prelates & regentes of the world make aunswere vnto God for theyr owne acte . God hathe commaunded the and vs all : Thou shalte not commit whoredome . Let euery Christen man followe him , what so euer other folkes suffer or do . The holy Apostle Paul sayth : Let neyther whoredome nor any vnclennesse be once named among you , as it becommeth Sayntes . Ephe. v. Chap. Now yf amonge Christen folke as an holy people that is clensed thorowe the bloud of Christ there may no whordome be named , much lesse no doubte ought vycious stewes to be set vp and openly mainteyned , for a playne shame is it and a manifest confusion . Let them therfore that maynteyne such shamefull houses , looke well to themselues , how and what answere they will geue vnto God for this their acte .

They that saye they are suffred for auoyding of greater inconvenience , let them considre whether , they meane to put awaye a worse thinge with an euell , be a meane that is comely and pleasing vnto god ? or whether God hath at any tyme commaunded or geuen lycence , to suffre and maynteyne open and shameles whordome , that virgins maye be the lesse forced & defloured or that yet worse thinges be not commytted of wilfull persones ? Paulsaieth . Thou ought stnot to do euil , that therof might come good except thou wilt be dampned iustely . Roma iii We fynde daylye by experience , that the same way helpeth not , & that there are whore houses and in the meane season the worse thinge , not eschued , And therfore euell with euell , and vyce with vyce do runne together , so that abominacion and myschefe preuayleth . Wherfore let euery reasonable Christen man ceasse now from vyce , braule who so list : yf thou wilt do that god commaundeth the , & the thing wherof thou mayst haur worshippe & welfare in the sight of God & honest people , then medle not with harlottes , ●…ether come at the stewes . Mayntayne them not and vse them not . But to auoyde whoredome , let euery man haue hys owne wyfe and euery woman hir owne husband .

Yee but it is not mete for euery man to mary Many poore mariages make many beggers . Obiection . Ther is no man compelled to mary , nether yet afore the tyme , nor whan thou hast not a conue nient cause therto . Onely yf it be not mete for the to be vertuous , it shall be no vyceous thinge to mary . Now yf thou thinkest it wyll not frame with the to mary , then leaue thine whordome Marke wel . also . And then we are agreed . For goddes sake man , kepe thy selfe honeste , sober , pure and cleane , vntyll the tyme that it be mete and expedient for the to mary . Thou wilt say : Halas we are but flesh and bloud . Iaunswere : were not our fore fathers flesh & bloud also ? dyd they therfore continue stil in childhode ? Or haunted they harlotrye in the meane time ? Beholde the example of Isaac , Iacob , Ioseph and other excellent men , which maried not tyll they were of a good & per fecte age , and yet neuertheles spent theyr youth vertuously in clenlynesse of lyfe . Therfore shulde oure youth feare God lyke wise as they dyd , haue Gods commaundement before theyr eyes , call vpon God for grace , auoyde ydlenesse & all that maye prouoke to an vnclenly lyuyng : but contrary wise , geue them selues ●…o labour , and resyst manfully in tentacion . But nowe we fynd it other wise , for oure youth hath lytle respecte vnto god & his commauudementes , calleth not vpon God , goeth vp and downe ydle , haunteth euell company & dronkennesse , Hereof commeth it now that they can not refrayne , & they thinke that they must nedes folowe harlottes still , or els haue wiues , & yet can they nether laboure ●…er get theyr lyuing . And thus came they to naught : therfore is it theyr owne vnthristynesse and not holy wedlok that destroyeth the●… ▪

Doth not the hauntyng of harlots make beggers also ? Whence come then suche swarmes of Mariage ( saye they ) ma●…eth m●…ny beggers . beggers & wretched pockye people : Euen of whor dome get they that mischefe for the most parte . And this doth no man esteme ner considre . But whan a good vertuous yong man which is come to his age , doth honestly mary , then is the walet brought before him , to feare him , or els to with holde other men from holy wedloke , and to make them contynue still in whordome . This ●…ā the sotil deuell ☜ do . The rych , faithful & almighty God dyd neuer fayle any man , that seketh him in trewe ve Whoredome leffe , that laboureth faith fully , and that is vertuous and honest , Let noman therfore besnared styl in synne . To be shorte , whordome with draweth & separateth the mynd from god , maketh vs to breake our couenaunte , dishonoureth the grace of God & membres of Christ , robbeth God of that which is his , vnhaloweth the temple of god , & plucketh vs vtterly with sprete & flesh into the myre & into all fylthynesse , maketh vs of men , beastes defyleth body and soule , taketh from vs all oure substaunce , honestie and good , shameth destroyeth and caryeth to bell wyth wrechidnesse , misery & sorow . Contrary wise : wedlok delyuereth Wanion coum sayle . vs ones from all suche inconuenience . And therfore is it a myserable thynge , that all thys wyll not be consydred , and that yet also there be olde men , whiche esteme whordome to be no synne , and talke so lightly and wantonlye ther of before yong people , that youth beynge prouoked for warde in their wicked purpose , are now the more hard harted and obstinate therin

Deare children , harken ye rather vnto Paul the electe seruaunt of god wiche speaketh out of Ephe. vi the holy goost these wordes : Be ye sure , that no whormonger or vncleane personne hath in heritaunce in the kyngdome of Christ and of god . Be not disceaued wyth vayne wordes . For because of such thynges commeth the wrath of god vpon the chyldren of vnbelefe . Marke this well , and remember it . God wyll not regarde the wanton and vile communicacion of such , so lyght as they make it . Wherfore yf ye wyl escape the wrath of God , then kepe your selues from whordome , and marry at your iust age .

¶ The. xi . Chapter .

How shamefull & wycked a thyng aduoutry is , and howe it hath of olde tyme bene punyshed hytherto .

ANd lyke as whordome hath euer ben taken for an abhominacion , among all honest people in the whole worlde , euen so haue they estemed aduoutry to be a thing much more shamefull & vtterly to be abhorred : in so much that all vertuous rulers , yea & that euen among the Hethen haue punyshed it wyth the payne of death . Ho we God plaged ad●…ontry before the law c●… wrytten .

Whan Abraham came wyth Sarai hys wyfe into Egypte , and the Egyptians thoughte that she had bene Abrahams sister , they toke her and brought her to the Courte vnto kyng Pharao . But the Lord punyshed Pharao & all his house wythe great plages , bycause of Sarai , and yet committed he no hurt with her , and that he dyd was done of ignoraunce . For whan he vnderstode that she was Abrahams wyfe , he sent for hym , and sayd ? Why hast thou dealt thus with me . Wherfore toldest thou not me , that she A goodly example . was thy wife ? Why saydest thou vnto me , that she was thy syster ? There hast thou thy wyfe , take her , & go thy waye . And seyng it is thus it maye well be considred , the God is much more dis pleased with than that wyllyngly commit aduoutry .

In the twentyest Chapter it is written that Marke this well : 〈◊〉 once be ashamed ye wyllfull whoremongers . at Gerar , Abimelech the kyng of the Philistines toke Abrahams wyfe , as Pharao had done before , and it appeared vnto the kyng in a dreame , and was sayde vnto hym : Beholde , thou arte but a dead man , because of the woman , whome thou haste taken , for she is another mans wyfe . And yet hadde Abimelech committed no actuall ded●… wythe her , no more than Pharao had done afore . Therfore sayde God also afterwarde : yf thou doest not delyuer her agayne vnto Abraham , be sure , that thou shalte dye the death , and so shall all that thyne is . Dyd not God wyth these wordes declare manifestly , what sentence and iudge ment he hath gyuen vpon aduouterers ? Wherfore Iosephe , whan he was prouoked of hys Lordes wyffe to accomplysh her wyll , sayd : My Lord hath committed all thynges vnto me , sauyng the only , for thou arte hys maryed wyfe . Howe shoulde I then do so great hurte , and synne agenst God ? Genesis . xxxix .

Iob saythe in the. xxxi . Chapter : yf my harte hathe lusted after my neyghbours wyfe , or yf I haue layed wayte at his dores , than let my wife be another mans harlotte , and let other men lye wyth her . Herewyth doth Iob knowledge it to be reason , that he be measured wyth suche measure as he hath gyuen vnto other men . If he had broken his wedlocke , whyche thyng yet he dyd not , syth the punyshment of aduoutry is a meate that euery man can not chewe , let euery man consydre by hym selfe , howe lothe another ma●… wolde be therof : & let him not touch another mans wyfe , so shall his also not be medled wyth all . It followeth in Iob : For this is a wyckednesse & synne that belongeth to the Iudge , yea a fyre it is that consumethe all togyther , and plucketh vppe all a mans substaunce by the rootes . With the whiche wordes Iob dothe knowledge , that aduoutrye is suche a vice and wickednesse , as partaynethe to the Iudge , that is to saye , oughte by ryght to be greuously punyshed of th●…m whiche be in authorite ( if they were not aduouterers them selues ) for it is a fyre that cōsinneth altogyther , both body honeste , and good : mynde , harte & welfare . And all this was exercysed & practised , afore the lawe was gyuen to the people of Israel by Moses .

And in the law doth God appoynt a certen pu The punysh mente of ●…duoutry in the law of God . nyshment for aduoutry among other transgressions ●…nd sayth . Leui. xx . Who so committeth aduoutry with any mans wyfe , shall dye the death both the manne and the woman , because he hathe broken wedlocke with his neyghbours wyfe . And Deut xxii . is the same lawe recited agen , & confirmed .

Nether was aduoutry so sore punished among How aduoutry was punished among the hethen . Lex Lepre ianorum . the people of Israel onely , but also the Heithen vsed mortall executious therof . Thys wyll I nowe declare oute of the histories & credible writers . Whan any of the Lepre●…ās were taken in ad uoutry , they were bounden , & caryed thre dayes thorowe the cite , & afterwarde ( as longe as they lyued ) were they despised , & with shame & confusion , reputed as parsonnes desolate of all honeste . Among the Lo●…rēsiaus dyd Zalēcius forbyd ad Lex Zalen ci . A good ensample for noble men . uoutry vnder a great punyshment . The transgressours caused he to haue both ther eies thrust oute . And whan his owne sonne was taken in aduoutrye , he badde them put oute hys one eye as Iudges & the tother dyd he hymselfe put oute as a father . In the dayes of our forefathers , the noble Germaynes ( afore they came to Christen Germani , faythe the punyshmente of a woman that brake wedlocke , stode in the power and aucthorite of her husband . And at the lest he myght strype her oute of her clothes , thrust h●…r out of his house , & beat her openly with roddes in the Citie or tow ne , euen before her frendes . &c. as Cornelius Tacitus makethe mencion , who also wrytethe these wordes : Among them ther was none that laughed at the mysdede : & to defyle or be defyled , was named among them to be asmuch , as not to do according to the course , maner & custome of the world .

Marke now well in how much better case they stode , then we , whiche laughe at all synne & vyce : yee all abhominacion , as fightinge , warrynge , whorehuntynge , wedlok breakinge , masking mōmyng , to much drynking , excesse ineatinge , & all vnclennesse do we excuse with these wordes . It is the maner & comen course so to do now in the world . Opilius Ma●…rinius the emperour Lex opil●… of Rome , vsed to punishe aduouterers with fyre For then whom he found in aduoutrye , caused he to be bownd and to be burnte together quycke . This doth Iulius Copitolinus wryte of him . And amonge the Romaynes was ther a Lex Iulia , comen law ( called lex Iulia ) , whiche wolde , that execucion shuld be done vpon aduoutrers , with the swerd the same law stod in strength in s. Hieroms tyme , who wryteth , that a certayne yongeman and a maried wyfe , were iudged and put to execucion with the swearde because of aduoutry . And the same law ( called lex Iulia , de stup 〈◊〉 adult , dyd the Christen Emperours receaue , & of Iustinyan it is appoynted , lib , iiii . Tit. xo●…i . de publicis iudiciis .

This allegacion concernyng the punishment of aduoutry I am sure wyll many menne maruayle Why aduou trye was so sore punished at , and esteme it sore & vntollerable . But yf they wolde considre the matter ryght , settyng affeccion and euell custome asyde , and wold ponder well what aduoutry were , and what followethe it , they shoulde not wonder so sore at ●…he punyshment . Aduoutry is a destruccion and hye what aduoutry is . dishonour of the ordinaunce of God , a wyckednesse growen out of the dyuell and ydlenesse of the fleshe , a shamefull vnfaythfulnes , a wylfull truce breaking and periury . And that this is so , maye euery man considre by the Chapters goynge afore . Wedlocke is the ordinaunce of god , Wedlocke . in the which both the parties ought so to be knyt the one vnto the other , that they be not deuided , Paule sayth also , that aduoutry is a worcke of the flesh . Notwythstandyng , manifest it is that maried parsonnes at theyr entraunce do make a perpetuall couenaunt , and there callynge vpon God , & takyng hym to recorde before the whole congregacion , they promyse trouth and sayth wyth Marke and take hede . mouth & hand the one to the other : &c. Nowe yf it be but a smale trespasse to dissemble , to breake to destroye & to tread vnder foote all this to for sweare trouth geuen before god & the church & no thynge to regarde honoste and fayth , them must I nedes confesse , that the punyshment of aduoutry was to rygorous in the olde tyme . But yf it be a ●…ust thing , ernestly to punishe vnfaythfull per ●…ury , the despysing and contemnyng of god and all honestie , then is also the punishment of adnoutrye right equall and not to sore .

Item , Yf the losse of a good thinge shoulde be valued after the estimacion of the owner , then ( as touching this life , ther is no greater dammage , then a man to lose his owne body . Now is it certaine , that both the parties maried , are but one body , and that ( as Paul saieth ) the husband hath no power of his owne body , but the wife , nether hath the wife power of hir awne body , but the husband . Wherfore who so committeth aduoutry , the same taketh awaye , stealeth and robbethe the other of hys awne body , euen hys pryncypall and best good . Or what honest personne had not rather fynd a thefe stealynge his treasure & rather to suffre the losse of the goodes them to fynd an aduouterer by his maried spouse , and to reape dishonoure in her .

Both these vyces therfore theft and aduoutrye , Aduoutry 〈◊〉 theft compared y● one toward that other by Salomon . doth Salomon in the si●…te of the Prouerbes laye vpon the balaunce the one agaynste the other , and sheweth how that aduoutrye is the sorer and more tedyous , sayenge : A thefe is not vtterly despysed , that whan he is hongrye , stealeth to fede himselfe , for whan he is taken , he must restore seuen tymes asmuche , or els all his substaunce . But he that is so farre out of reason as to breake wedloke with another mans wife , both eyther destroye him selfe , or els getteth him selfe strypes and shame , which shame maye neuer be wyped out . For the wrath of gelousye and of the husband ( yf he haue tyme to reuenge ) wyll not be intreated : he wyll not be persuaded with prayer , yee though thou geuest him rewardes he wyll not receaue them . This comparison doth euery man vnderstond . For though a mans good be stolen , yet yf it be restored him agayne without hurt , he wil be intreated , for as much as it was done ( happelye ( thorow pouerte . But yf a man take his wife in aduoutry , he will not be pacified . For it is a very beestly and wicked thing .

More ouer , yf a man take a thefe with the de mayner yet hath he no power to auenge him sel fe & to slaye the thefe : But yf a man fynde an aduoutrer at the dede doyng , he maye be auenged . And though he do wound , slea or kyll the aduoutrer & the aduoutresse : yet shal he not be punished for the death of them . Out of all whiche wordes euery man may planely vnderstond what vyce is most greuous before god & before all indifferent iudges . Before these wordes also , saieth Salomon : Maye a man take fyre in his bosome , and his clothes not be brent ? Or can one go vpon whotecoles , and his fete not be hurte ▪ euen so , who so euer goeth into hys neyghbours wyfe , and toucheth her , can not remayne vndefi led . Wherby he declareth furthermore the daunger and greatnesse of this vice , threatenyng them that thyncke ( lyke fooles ) to kepe theyr aduoutry Whoredome shall come to lyght . secrete , and that they shal neuer be taken and punysshed .

It seruethe to our purpose , that thorowe aduoutry , Alteracions and aliena●…i ons of heretages . great enheritaunces are altered , and the ryght heyres disher●…ted For oft tymes it fortuneth , that an aduoutresse hath children by an aduoutrer , & then must the sayd chyldren enherite all the substaunce of theyr pretenced father , as lawfull chyldren , which yet are vnlawfull , wher by the father leseth his honour , hys kynred , hys body & goodes . His wyfe , which is hys owne body , hath the aduouterer defyled , & the vnlawfull children take the goodes awaye . If this be not great wrong and wyckednes , then wote not I what a man maye affirme to be vicious inough : therfore Aduoutry in womenne is moost to be abhorred . though aduoutry be horrible both in men & women , yet in women it is moost hurtfull & detestable . For besydes that the aduoutresse alter●…th the inheritaunce ( as I sayd before ) and with false pro mises & shamefull disceate , withdraweth & stealeth it from the ryght heyres , she ladeth fyrst her honest poore husbande wyth great shame , great trauayle , laboure , sorowe and payne , in that he ●…is fayne to bryng vp those aduouterous chyldren which are not his awne .

Moreouer , she dishonoureth her father , her mother & kynred : Her chyldren ( euen those that are lawefull must be ashamed of her , & be doubted of in the worlde , whether they be lawefully begotten or no. Th●…rfore whan they speake of theyr mother , or heare her named , they are abasshed and ashamed . Aduoutresses also make theyr husbandes to be despised and of no reputacion , although they be vertuous & honest men . They are the occasion , that folkes come ofte togyther , whyche are nye of kynred . These & suche lyke in What a sea of euylles ensue out of ad uoutry . , numerable confusions , shame , hurte , dishonoure & fylthynesse , folowe out of abhominable aduoutry . I passe ouer nowe the murthers , poysonynges , 〈◊〉 , manslaughters , battayls , & warres , that haue ensewed after aduoutrye , & destroyed both countreyes & people . This dyd the auncient & noble men of olde , pondre and considre , & therfore ryghteously & of iust occasions appoynted they the punyshment of deathe for aduouterers .

Yet wyll we heare howe aduouterers excuse The defence which adulterers vse . theyr owne vice , & pondre howe reasonably they go to worke . They saye : Though God haue for bydden aduoutry vnder the payne of deathe , yet is the same punyshment not executed , perfourmed or practised . For in no place appearethe it , that aduoutrers were put to death . For Dauid was an aduoutrer , & yet receaued he no punyshment therfore , yea the Lord Christ hymselfe dyd abrogate & dissolue the punyshment of aduoutry , for asmuche as he commaunded not the woman ( taken in aduoutry ) to be put to deathe , but b●…d her go her waye . For whan no man had condemned her , he also let her go . Ioan. viii .

To that I aunswere : God in hys lawe hath once expressed , howe he estemeth aduoutry , and how he wyl haue it punyshed . Nowe yf men haue not done Gods commaundement & accordinge to the same , then is it neuer the better : yet endureth the lawe of God vnmoueable and sure . Neuerthelesse Death was the punyshement of aduoutry . they of the olde tyme dyd punysh aduoutry wyth the payne of death , as it is sufficiently proued afore oute of the stories . The obiection therfore that aduouterers make , is but vayne . Nowe thoughe all sentences & iudgementes the haue bene executed and practised because of aduoutry stonde not in holye scripture , it is no maruayle . For the Byble is not a register of vnthriftes & of suche , as for theyr wyck●…dnes haue bene putte to execu●…ion . Or is it not euident ynough vnto you , howe it was lyke to haue gone wythe Susanna ? The aduoutry of dauid Dauid committed aduoutrye once in his lyfe , which drewe hym also and brought him into great murther , so that he caused not onely his faythfull seruaunt Uria , but other noble men lykewyse to be slayne . Beholde what occasion aduoutry gyueth ? What cometh of it ? Trueth it is , he was not stonned to deathe . But what chaunsed vnto hym ? Euen as he had dishonoured another mannes chylde , so sawe he shame vpon hys owne chyldren whyle he lyued & that with great wretchednesse . For Amnon defloured Thamar hys owne naturall syster . And they both were Dauids chyldren . Yea Absolom dyd miserably slaye Amnon his brother , for committyng that wyckednesse wyth his syster Tha mar . Not longe after , dyd the same Absalon driue his owne naturall father Dauid out of his Realme , & shamefully laye with his fathers wifes . Wherevpon there followethe an horrible great slaughter , in the whyche Absalom was slayne , wyth many thousandes moo of the comon people Nowe lette euery man ponder w●…ll by hymselfe , whether it be not a lesse thyng , once to meddle , and so to haue execucion & dye : then to abyde the death of so many , and that so longe , wythe suche misery and sorowe . Therfore was Dauid sorer punyshed , than if he had bene but once stoned vnto deathe . And lette euery man learne hereby , that no man can escape the hand of God , althoughe the worlde laye no hande vpon hym , God punysheth neuerthelesse , yea & that muche sorer , whan he doth not here , but differreth it into another worlde .

Wher as they make Christ the Lorde a maynt●…yned of aduouterers , it is playne and euident The aduoutresse broght before christ shame . Christ neuer gauelibertye vnto synne . For he sayth : I am not come to breake the lawe but to fulfyl it . Paule also sayth : To the righteous is ther no law giuen , but vnto the vnrighteous and disobedient , to whoremongers , to periure●… personnes , to lyers and blasphemers . And to the Galathians he saythe : Walke ye in the spirite , so are ye not vnder the lawe . Therfore for asmuche as aduouterers do walke in the flesh and not in the spirite , they are vnder the law , ne ther hath the Lorde taken the lawe and punyshe ment from them .

Moreouer , as touching the story . Ioh. viii . we must considre that the Lord sayd vnto the wife : woman , hath no man condemned the : And whan she had sayd , no man , he answered : Nether do I condemne the. For wyth this answere layed he before her the sentence of the Iudges . And for as muche as he was not come now to gyue sentence as a Iudge , but to saue , he wolde not condemne her , and so medled nether wyth the lawe nor the acte . The Lord was come nowe to haue mercy vpon synners , and to call them to repentaunce . Therfore sayd he also vnto this woman : Go thy waye , and synne no more . And wythe Repentaunce . these wordes doth the Lorde warne all suche as are tangled wyth aduoutry , to cease from hensforth and to amende . God happely maye haue mercy vpon them , & take from them the shame , dishonour , payne and punyshment , whiche they haue greatly deserued . For God hath no delyte in the destruccion of a poore synner , but wyl rather that they conuerte & lyue . But yfye wyl not turne , yf ye wyll nedes be styffenecked and styll set forth youre shamelles foreheades , then verely doth God watche ouer youer wyckednes , & saith Hieremy . v. In the desyre of vnclenly lust , they are becomel yke olde stallandes : euery one neyeth at his neyghboures wyfe : Shulde not I punysh this ? Wherfore ye aduouterers , looke for none other , but God wyll plage you for shamelesse actes of wickednes & whoredome . For abhominacion , vice , periury , and shameful matters are they , that ye go about wythall .

¶ The. xii . Chapter .

●…ow one that entendeth to mary , shulde chose a mete , honest , and vertuous mate .

ANd hytherto haue I declared whence wed locke commethe , who dyd institute it , what it is , how it ought orderly to be contracted , what be the occasions end and vertue therof . Item howe holy , profitable and good it is . Agayne , howe horrible , noysome and shamefull whoredome and aduoutry is . But forasmuche as in the occasions of wedlocke it is mencioned how the wedlocke was ordined of God , to the intent that maryed folkes shulde spend theyr lyfe in the mutuall participacion of al such thinges as God sendeth , that they may bryng forth chyldren , or they maye auoyd whordome , or for the eschew●…ynge of perellous , solenes , that the one maye be a conforte and helpe to the other accordyng to the wyll of GOD : And for asmuche also as in the meane season there lyethe great importaunce , & wayght vpon it , what manner of companion & mate thou chosest , how thou mayest lyue wythe hym , and ( yf God gyue the chyldren ) howe thou mayest bryng them vp . Therfore in thys parte of ●…y boke followyng , I wyl treate how a mete honest and vertuous spouse ought to be chosen . Afterwarde , howe they ought on both the sydes to lyue well and ryght togyther , to hepe and increace the mutuall loue and trouth of mariage , and fynally howe they muste well & vertuously bryng vp theyr chyldren .

For who so coupleth hymselfe wyth braul●…g Ther●… lyeth muche wayght in the eleccion of thy ●…ate . folkes , & commeth to disquietnes , maye not complayne therof . Why lefce he not such contencious persons wythout his house ? Who so nowe wyll haue a peaceable mariage , must not chose him a restlesse mate . He that wyll plante any thynge , A godly and not a ●…leensā ple: doth fyrst considre the nature of the ground , in the whiche he entendeth to plante . Muche more shuldest thou haue respecte to the condicions of thy spouse , oute of whome thou desyrest to plant chyldren , the frute of honeste and welfare . And lyke as plantynge and carefulnesse hathe great power in al growyng thinges : so hath it greater vertue and strength , yea and better frute in the diligent bryngynge vp of chyldren . Where as mariages and chyldren do sometyme prosper euel the greatest cause therof , is the faulte in chosyng the partie , and in the chyldrens bryngynge vp . Nowe where as we fayle in this behalf , it commeth either of our owne fonde affeccion whiche we folow , and are seduced therby , or els commeth it of ignoraunce , as whan folkes wotte not wher vnto they ought to haue respecte , or howe to do in the cause . And seyng that in these poyntes stondeth the makyng and marrynge of wedlocke , I wyll fyrst note in fewe wordes the moost necessary thyng that maye be spoken hereof : And fyrst wyll I speake of the chosyng of a spouse .

The chosynge , is a receauyng or acceptynge What the elec●…ion is . of suche thynges as we thynke are mete for our ende and purpose . Therfore euery election hath a finall respecte , that it is directed vnto . For as much now as our talkynge here , is of the eleccion of a spouse , we must reduce to our remembrance , the ende of wedlocke , that is to saye , the causes , why and wherfore it is contracted . Nowe haue Why mary●… age is contracted . we heard afore , that the causes why it was ordened ▪ and wherfore it is to be receaued of the two parsonnes , are these , euen to the intent that they shall continually dwell togyther , and spende theyr lyfe in the mutuall participacion of all such thynges as God sendeth , that they maye bryng forth chyldren , or that they maye auoyde whoredome , ( for the eschewyng of per●…llous solitarines ) that the one maye be a conforte a●…d healpe to the other accordyng to the wyll of God .

Therfore thou that wylte chose , muste haue respecte vnto these aforesayde poyntes , as to the finall ende & marke , set before the , & must proue wheth●…r the parsonne , whome thou thynkest to ●…oyne vnto thy selfe , haue these poyntes , whyche thou hast heard now recyted . And the same shalt thou well proue , if thou note diligently the rytches that are in man , of the whych I wyll nowe speake .

Thre manner of rytch●…●…re therin man , the Thre man●… of rytche●… 〈◊〉 man . rytches of the mynde , of the body , and of temporall substaunce . The best & moost precious are the ritches of the mynde , as they without which the other two are more hurteful then profitable . The rytches of the mynde are , the feare of God , faythe , gods glory , gods seruyce , vnderstandyng Rytches of the 〈◊〉 . or knowlege , prudence , trueth , sobernes , righteousnes , liberalite , chastite , humblenesse , honesty and nourtoure , synglenesse and diligence : and suche lyke vertues . These lye not styll , neyther hyde them selues , wher so euer they be , but breake out diuerse wayes , so that they maye well be spyed , but specially in talkynge . For our Lorde Christ dyd say : Out of the abundance of the harte speaketh the mouth . They of the olde tyme sayd , that a mannes talkyng is the myrrour & messanger Language . of the mynd , in the whiche it maye be sene without , in what case the man is wythin . Therfore who so wyll knowe and haue experience howe a The feare of God . mans mynde standethe , let hym diligently note his communicacion , whether it be ioyned with the feare of God , manerly , true , earnest honest , sted fast , and reasonable , or whether it be churlyshe & vngodly , nyce , vayneglorious , fayned , ful of wordes vnstedfast , vnhonest , vnreasonable and ioyned wyth lyghtenesse . And of these fruytes than shalt thou know the tree and roote of the harte . And thoughe ypocrisy vse much disceate in talkyng , yet canne no ypocrite go alwaye so craftely , but he shall sometyme stomble and bewray hym selfe .

But for the more suertye , it is good for the ●…ot only to marke his communicacion , but also other gestures & maners , howe the man nowe behauethe hymselfe , howe he hathe done hytherto , Reputacion . what name and fame he hath had , and yet hath , what opinion otherwyse , and honest men haue of hym , howe he behaueth hymselfe in stondyng and goyng , & in all the partes of his body , what rayment he vseth , whether it be vayne , whorysh , Garmentes . wanton , lyghte , or mannerly and accordynge to his estate , reputacion and power , that is to saye , honest rayment . For rayment doth ofte giue certayne and sure testimony of pryde , lyghtenesse , wantonnesse , inconstancy , vnshamefastnesse , boastyng and of fylthynesse or vnclennesse , and other vices or vertues that are in man . So maye Company . much be spyedalso , by the company and pastyme that he vseth . For a man is for the moost parte condicioned euen lyke vnto them that he kepeth company wythe all . We se that among beastes wylde and tame , lyke wyll to lyke . The education The bryngyng by . also gyuethe great testimonye , namely by whome , & how euery one is brought vp , whether it were among vertuous parsons or euell , whether the partie hathe continued in the nurtoure of the vertuous , & shewed hymselfe obedient , or whether he hath broke out of his disciplyne , and followed hys owne wylfulnesse . For it is but a smale matter for the to haue dwelte among vertuous men , but rather herein lyeth the wayght , howe farre & howe much thou hast folowed them , & bene obedient vnto them . Iudas was amonge the Apostles , brought vp of the Lord Christ , but for all that was he neuer the better . For he lefte not his wicked pran●…es , nether was he obedient .

Thorowe the occasion of all these thynges , & other lyke appartaynyng to the same , oughte euery one to discerne the parsonne , whome he Note : hathe chosen to take to marriage , and to se that she be endewed with the sayd rytches of the mynd and that to his purpose she be ryghte , peaceable , honest , mete and conuenient for hym to lyue with all in wedlocke , as it besemethe , and as GOD hath iustituted . For lyke as in the mynde there are suche vertues as we haue spoken of , so are Frowarde wycked qua lities of the mynde : there in it also noysome wycked vices and destraccions , as vngodlynes , despysyng of Goddes worde , mysbelefe , ydolatry , Ma●…etrye , ignoraunce , churlyshnes , lyeng , falsehood , ypocrisy , vnryghteousnesse , backebytyng , mistemperaunce , dronkennesse , couetousnesse , vnchastite , vnshamefastnesse , mysnurtoure , rashnesse , furyouse wantonnesse , pryde , presumpcion , vayneglorye , ●…hydyng , brawlyng , and vnhandsomnesse . Who so nowe chosethe hym a mate that is tangled with suche noysome vices , seakethe not a spouse for a ryght peaceable and good honest lyfe , but a●… hell a paynfulnes , a destruccion of all expedient●… vertuous lyuyng . Specially there is lytle good to be looked for , where as is vngodlynesse and despysyng of Goddes worde .

For lyke as the feare of God draweth the who The des●…ysing of gods worde . ☜ le garland of ●…ertues wyth it , so bryngethe vngodlynesse all vice and abhominacion , ●…ea and shutteth vp the waye to amendement . For who so wyll not heare Gods worde , refuseth all good enfourmacion , and therfore is there no amendment to be hoped for in hym . And where as is no shamefastnes , there dare the shamelesse personne vnshamefast ness . Lyeng . do euery thyng that lykethe hym . Where lyeng , b●…astyng and lyghtnesse is , there can no certaynete be had , there stondethe all in doubte , Pryde . what so euer is spoken and done . Where pryde is , there is also rashnes , wylfulnes , presumpcion , contempt , disdayne , murmuryng , and obstinate rebellion : And where as suche be , there is nothing but brawlynge , chydynge , and neuer one g●…od houre . Wherfore he that wyll not lacke the ryght poyntes of marryage , and of a commodious lyfe , let hym haue respe●…te ●…o the ryches of the mynd , and chose hym suche a parsonne , as is endewed of God wyth such rytches , and not with a noysome or frowarde mynde . The ryche●… of the body .

After the rytches of the mynde , do the ritches of the bodye followe ne●…te , as is a bewtyfull or well fauoured body , health , a conuenient age &c. A bewtiful body is such one , as is of right fourme and shape , mete and of strength to beare children , and to kepe an house , euen such a personne as thou canste fynde in thyne herte to loue , and to be content wythe all , &c. Of the bewty of the body ( where there is els no good qualite besyde ) Beautye . sayth Salomon , Prouer. xxxi . As for fauoure it is deceatfull and transitory , and bewtye is a vayne thynge , but a woman that feareth god , is to be commended . And Prouerb . xi . A fayre woman without discrete maners , is lyke a ryng of golde in a swynes snowte . Therfore are they all starke fooles , that in chosyng them wyues , looke only to theyr bewty , and regard not the rytches of the mynde . Afterwarde doth the same bewty turne them to disquietnes , to payne and trouble .

Health also must be considred in the eleccion , lest thou with all that thou hast , perysh , and lest Healthe . thy whole house be poysoned and hurte . Neuertheles I speake here of sore contagious syckenesses , not of such dayly infirmitees and small diseases , that all menne are subdued vnto . But I spake of madnesse , frenesy , the fallyng syckenes , lamenes , leprosy , Frenche pockes , or suche lyke , whiche euery manne should greatly abhorre .

Notwythstondyng where maryed folkes , which Marke well now are togyther , be visited wyth suche diseases then must suffre the one wyth the other as they that are in one body . As for the due and conuenient age ▪ we spake of it in the syxt Chapter .

To haue the goodes of temporall substaunce Rytches of temporall sub stau●…e . is to be borne of noble parentes , or to come of a worshypful stocke , to haue rytches , great offices gaynes , or occupienges , and such lyke . The hiest nobilite and moost worthy commendacion , is to be noble in vertues , in good workes , manners and condicions . Who so dothe come also of noble parentes , is the more to be reputed . But to Nobilite . be a gentle borne , and to vse hymselfe v●…gently is euen as muche as to shame hymselfe and his . There haue ben found many , whiche came of a lowe byrth , but they garnysshed theyr kynredde so wyth vertues and noble actes , that they and theyr stocke attayned to great prosperite . Ther are many this daye that come of famous houses & noble parentes , but they leane to muche to theyr byrthe , yea they are wylfull mynded , and thynke , that ( because of theyr nobilite ) they may do what they lyst , and that theyr doinges becommethe them well , and yet are they so noble ( that , is , they so excell ) in all vyce and abhominacion that they brynge them selues to dishonour , and to contempt and hatred of all men .

Let euery man therfore looke ernestly to this matter , lest any manne intendynge to haue the golde , and catchyng the whotte cooles , do burne hy●…selfe wythout recure . For temporall goodes sake , the matter miscarieth and is in daunger . Temporall goodes . There is sometyme great rytches , but wyth lytle honeste is it gathered togyther . And wythe the same rytches , wyll not be al waye prosperite , peace and rest . Many trust to theyr goodes , and nothyng wyll they learne , therfore also can they do nothyng but lyue deyntely , and wyth pryde , excesse and dishonesty , to wayst it awaye , that hathe bene long gathered togyther . Nowe whan Beware or ●…ll be spent . there is all waye taken from the heape , and no thyng layd therto , it waysteth away in processe of tyme , howe great so euer it hathe bene . Then foloweth pouerte , yea an intollerable and vnpa●…ient pouerte . For they that nowe lasshe oute all togyther , haue had no necessite hytherto , but were in all wealth , therfore after suche a Sonne shyne , there commeth euer an intollerable heate , and thense forth begyn they to warme them selues at the bare leaues .

Who so nowe in his eleccion lookethe to the multitude of goodes , and not howe they were wonne , & whence they come , he hath accustomably suche a smoky hat set vpon his head , that all ☞ the water of Ryne can not wash away the soo●… therof . Good wythout God & honeste , is a deadly poyson , & the bodely dyuell hymselfe . Goodes and rytches is in the hand of an vndiscrete & ignoraunt man , is as a sharpe knyfe in the hande of a chylde , that doth no good therwyth , but woundeth and destroyethe it selfe . Wherfore let euery man in the eleccion , haue more respecte to discrecion & knowledge , than to rytches . Moreouer an hand that is occupyed , & wynneth & getteth his lyuing godly and honestly , doth farre excell any rytches Handy craftes . that are wonne . A rytche man which hath great goodes in hys hand , & yet hath learned nothyng wythall ( and nothyng can learne ) whan he once loseth hys substaunce and goodes , he can wynne no more , but commeth immediately to the staffe & wallet , As for suche one as hathe applyed hym Wynnyng 〈◊〉 occupyenge . selfe to learnyng , he is fytte to some office , he can and is able to occupy and laboure : and thoughe he once or twyse loseth that he hath , yet canne he wynne more agayne .

And though no man wyth hys eleccion shulde Honest prouisio nought to be regarded . haue speciall respecte vnto temporall substaunce yet ought no man to behaue hymselfe vncircumspectly , nether lyghtly to regarde honest prouision For lyke as out of great rytches there followeth pryde , euen so of pouertie there folowethe muche euell . Therfore is it not vnryghte , that thou 〈◊〉 thyne eleccion considre how thou mayst honestly wynne thy breade , and wherof thou mayest lyue wyth thy spouse , and what thy spouses substaunce and occupyeng is , & howe the same may be an healpe to thy conuenient lyuynge . If thou nowe wylte not regarde the more excellent and better thynges , but haue onely respecte vnto the goodes , than marryest thou not the parson , but the goodes ? Wherof if there be not so muche as thou wouldest fayne haue , or if it waste awaye , then farewell all the loue . For that loue whiche Whotte loue is ●…one colde . commethe thorowe rytches , beauty , or other lyke smale occasions , is euen as a fyre that is made of stra●… or tow : it groweth soone and is great , but streyghtewaye it vanysshethe . Euen so is that loue shortely extincte , which spryngeth not of durable occasions . If a fyre be made of whole stronge wood , it gyuethe a good naturall heate , lykewyse if thou in the eleccion of a spouse , haste respecte vnto the true , godly & honest poyntes , them is the loue of so muche the longer continuaunce .

And to be shorte , let euery one wyth his eleccion , ●…he effect of the eleccion . haue fyrst respecte vnto those poyntes , for the whiche wedlocke was ordeyned of God . Then whether the partie ( whom thou arte mynded to chose ) be reasonably endewed wythe all , or no. And to the intent that the same may well be Good lessō●… for chosynge 〈◊〉 wyfe . perceaued , let euery man haue faythfull respecte here to the rytches of the mynde , whether the parson be godly , wyse , discrete , true , faythfull , honest , sober , and louyng . Item whether she be whole and sounde , and not laden wyth sore diseases , deformed , sluttysh . fylthy , euell fauoured , & what her estate is , what power and possibilite she is of , how , where , & with whom she hath ben brought vp , whervpon she lyueth , & what she occupyethe . how frutefull , handsome , houswyfely , laborious and quycke she is . If besyde these , thou fyndest other great rytches ( bewty and suche gyftes ) and comest godly & honestly by them , thou haste the more to thancke God for .

But specially and afore all other thynges , we must faythfully wyth feruentnesse and stedfast belefe ( without ceasynge ) make intercession and prayer vnto God , to whome all hartes are open and knowne , that he wyll not suffer vs to go amysse , but as a father , healpe and guyde vs to a ryght mariage , in the whiche we maye lyue honestly and prosperously , euen as we ought to his honoure . For it is God onely that prouidethe the mariage , that hath the hartes in hys hande , and that gyuethe the wyll , as it is sayde in the Chapters afore . But lyke as in other poyntes & matters the ordinaunce of God doth not destroye lawfull instrumentes : Euen so here in this cause the institucion of God denyeth not the ordinate election , but in them that feare GOD they go both togyther .

Of this ordinaunce of God and ordinate eleccion , we haue a very fayre example , Gene. xxiiii . A nota●…le en 〈◊〉 of the election and 〈◊〉 a●…d in the cause 〈◊〉 matr●… . where Abraham sent his seruaunt in hys messa ge , to get his sonne Isaac a wife in Mesopotamia . The same seruaunt begynneth his matter with prayer , & sayeth : O lord god of my master Abraham , send me good spede this day , and shewe mercy vnto my master Abraham . Lo , I stonde here by the well of water ( for he t●…yed there with his seruauntes and camels without the cyty by a welles syde , and the daughters of the menne of thys cytie wil come out and drawe water . Now the damsell to whome I saye , stoupe downe thy pitcher and lette me drincke , yf she saye , dryncke , and I wyl geue thy camels dryncke , therby wyll I know , that she is the same , whome thou haste ordeyned for thy seruaunt Isaac .

Beholde , in thys prayer doth Abrahams seruaunt knowlege the ordinaunce of god , and that god onely prouydeth the mariage , and yet neuer theles he falleth to prayer , and vseth that meane . For it foloweth in the story , And it came to ●…as that yer he hadde left speakynge , Rebecca came forth , & caryed a pitcher vpon her shulder , & she Rebecca . was a verye fayre damesell & vnblemisshed virgyn , & came downe to the well to drawe water . Then ranne the seruaunt vnto her , and asked hir drynke , & she sayde : Drincke syr . And wyth that toke she downe her pitcher , and gaue hym drincke . And whan he had droncken , she sayde : I wyll drawe water for thy camelles also , that they maye dryn●…e . And so she made haste , and poured water out of her pitcher into the trough and gaue the camels drynke : But the man maruayled at her , and marked her well , and hyld his tonge et cete . No doute , he hadde respecte to the The propertyes of a mayde that shulde ●…e chosen wyte . ryches of the mynde and of the body , and perceaued that she was gentle , seruiseable , lowly , geuen to laboure , quycke in her busynesse , louynge towarde straungers , that she was not my ●…taughte or nycely brought vp , ner a hye mynded or deyntye veast , but honeste and handsome . How she was condycyoned , coulde he not knowe better , then by such token . She was yet an vntouched virgin , and therfore also wel nourtoured and no nyce thynge .

Whan she commeth to the well she makethe no stoppe : ner bringeth a sorte of yong fellowes with her , nether standeth she gasyng and wondryng vpon the straunge man , but quyckely and straight goeth she her way , and tendeth her own busynesse . But assone as the olde honeste man ( Abrahams seruaunt ) speke vnto her , she sheweeth herselfe very curtuous and gentle . Full reuerently calleth she hym , syr master or lord and serueth him quickely , asketh no questions at him and makethe no moo wordes . These are righte vertues , highely to be commended in a virgin . Morouer this damsell is praysed for her bewtye and fayrenesse of hir body , whiche was euen asmuch the more excellent , as she exceaded in vertuous condicions .

Thou wilt saye , yee but where are the other gyftes of god and ryches of the mynd , as the feare of GOD , true beleife , et cete ? I answere .

The sayde vertues were not in her wythoute the fear of God and fayth . Abraham also had ta ken an ooth afore , of the same his seruaunte , after this maner . Thou shalt sweare by the lord of heauen & earth , that vnto my sonne thou shalt take no wyfe of the doughters of the Cananites among whom I dwel , but shalte go to my countre and kynrid , and thence bring him a wyfe .

The Cananites were corrupte and loste in The goodes of the mynd are more to be regarded than the go●… des of the body or of the worlde . theyr faythe and manners gyuen to Idolatrye and abhomynacyon , yet were they mighty and rytche . But they in Mesopotamia ( whence Abra ham was ) feared God and were vertuous , not withstandyng they were not of lyke power and ritches . Neuertheles Abraham folowed after the feare of God , & therin leauethe he vs an ensample , that we all shulde be the gladder to haue God , then Mammon . And thus haste thou also , that in this mariage , there was great experien ceof fayth .

Whan the seruasit now had with sylence consydred the excellent giftes in the damesell he asketh her furthermore : whose doughter art thou ? She aunswereth . I am the doughter of Bathuel and Nahor is graundfather . Then Abrahams seruaunt toke out a ryng of gold & other Iewels Gyftes in the waye of mariage are ●…oth laufull and commendable . A prouer●… and gaue her them . For no vncomlye thynge is it to geue honeste presentes to honeste damesels in the waye of honeste , and so to moue theyr myndes vnto the honour and loue of mariage . Els ( or in other wise , & of suspecious personnes , ought honest damsels to take none . For it is no vntrueprouerbe : She that taketh the pedlers ware , must be fayne to haue the pedler himselfe also at the last . &c.

Moreouer , the seruaunt thought he wolde proue , how frendly , mercifull , harbarous , & faithful the damesell was , and sayd : Haue ye rowme in thy fathers house to lodge in ? And she sayd vnto hym : We haue plenty of lytter and prouender , & rowme ynoughe to lodge in , yet because she wold not take much vpon her , she ranne in , and tolde her brother Laban the matter .

Who immediatelye made readye the stable , goeth forth to the well & bringeth the seruaunte into the house , and setteth meat before him But the seruaunt sayde : I will not eate , tyll I haue first done my earand . And so beganne , and tolde how that hys master Abraham had one onelye A fourme of the ●…rande in mariage . sonne : how riche he was , and how he had sente him to Mesopotamia to get hys sonne a wyfe .

Then tolde he howe he made hys prayer vnto god , & came to the well , and how theyr doughter Rebecca came to the well also , how she behaued her selfe and what she dyd , by the vohych he vnderstode , that god had prouyd●…d theyr doughter for his masters sonne : So that now his request was , that they wold geue hym a fynall aunswere , whether they could be cont●…t to mary theyr daughter to his masters sonne , or no. Where vpon the damsells father and brother aunswered . Thys commeth euen of the Lorde , therfore wyll we not saye agaynst it ▪ &c.

And thus out of the story we learne , that whan we haue made oure faythfull prayer vnto God , appoynted oure election ordynatelye , and vsed the other meanes , we must do oure errand vnto the parentes or tutours of the partye , and how and after what maner we ought to do it . The damesel also is enquyred what her wyll is , she consenteth , and ther wyth is the mariage conclu ded . Thus much I haue spoken concerning the chosynge of conuenient and mete spouse , and of the earand appertaynyng to the same .

Yet in thys thynge also must I warne euerye Trueth in cōtrac●…ynge of mariage . reasonable and honeste persone , to beware , that in contractyng of maryage , they dyssemble not , ner set forth any lye , but rather vse trueth , & tell how euery thyng standeth . For they that lye and dyssemble , do afterward cause much displeasure amonge them that are disceaued . Let euery one remembre , how loth he wolde be to be disceaued hymselfe , and that it is comenly sayde : In mariage ought no man to be begyled .

Euery man lykewyse must esteme the parson to whom he is handfasted , none otherwyse , then Marke this well . for his owne spouse , though as yet it be not done in the church ner in the streate . For thus is it wrytten . Deut. xxii . yf a mayde be handfasted to an husband , and then a man fynde her , and lye wyth her , they shall both he caried out of the cytye , and stoned vnto death .

The. xiii . Chapter .

Of the weddyng .

ANd to the intent that all inconueniences for to come which myght afterward growe , eyther touchyng the goodes or the promyses ) maye cyrcumspectlye be preuented , therfore after the handfastynge & makyng of the contracte the church goyng & weddyng shuld not be differred to long , lest the wickedde sowe hys vngracyous sede in the meane season . Likewyse the weddinge ( & cohabitacion of the parties ) ought to be begonne with God , & wyth the earnest prayer of that whole church or congregacion . But into this dysh hath the dyuell put his foote , & myngled it wythe many wycked vses and custumes . For in some places ther is suche a maner , wel worthy to be rebuked that at the handefastyng , there is made a great feast & sup●…rfluous bancket , & euen the same nyght are the two handfasted personnes brought & layed togyther , yea certen wekes afore they go to the chyrch . Which is nothyng els but a wycked lust , and a playne euidence , that thou lytle regardest the blyssyng , euen as dyd Esau , & that in wedlocke thou sekest nothyng but carnall desyre .

Christ commaundethe vs , that fyrst before Maried fol●…es go to the chyrch afore they lye togy ther. all thynges and in all thynges , we shal seake the kyngdome of God . And for asmuche as he hym selfe dyd openly couple the fyrste mariage togyther , and blyssed both the parties , therfore the congregacion thorowe the ensample and spirite of God , hath ordeyned , that the parties shall openly and before all thynges , come to the Chyrche , and there declare and confirme theyr marriage in the face of the chyrche , and of Gods minister receaue the blessyng , and committe them selues to the comon prayers of the congregacion , and enioye the same . This godly ordinaunce ought euery reasonable Christen man to prefer aboue his owne fonde affeccion , and not fyrst to seake the bancket & the bed in his mariage , but Gods kyngdome , and then fyrst to be wedded & dwel to gyther in the name of God .

For in the sayde ordinaunce we must not only The occasions & commodities that commethe of this ordinans . consither , and note the acte and example of God , but also those profitable and christen poyntes followyng .

Fyrst , with this ordinaunce is it openly decla i. red in the syght of all the worlde , that it is God which knytteth the knot of mariage . For that the minister of the churche doth , that doeh he in the name & accordyng to the ensample of God .

Secondly with this ordinaunce is testimony gyuen , that wedlocke is honorable and pleasaunte ii . vnto God , an holy worcke of the lyghte , and no foule worcke of darckenes . For the parties dare syghtly come into the open Churche ( euen in the lyght ) where Gods worckes onely are practised . As for the worckes of whoredome and dishonestye , that hyde them selfes in the darkenesse . It is sene also by the goyng to the churche , who kepith house wyth God and honeste in wedlock●… , and who wyth the dyuell and shame in whoredome : Not only this , but also what they be , that among Christen people are to be suffered togyther as honest personnes : and who , as harl●…ttes and vnthriftes , are to be expelled & dryuen from asunder .

Thyrdly , in this ordinaunce is euery one war iii. ned , faythfully to kepe his promyse , made and giuen to his spouse , before God & the whole chyrch For if a man haue cause to be ashamed , whan he promiseth ought in the presence of honest people , & kepeth it not : Much more ought aduouterers to be ashamed , that breke theyr promyse , made before God and the congregacion .

Fourthly , God wyll gyue his blyssyng to them that contracte wedlocke in the feare of hym , and iiii . that confirme it accordynge to his ordinaunce . Whych thyng the faythfull may assuredly loke for at hys hande Gene. i.

Fyftely , There is Goddes word declared and 〈◊〉 . taught , how holy a thyng wedlocke is , how mar ryed folkes ought to behaue them selues . &c. There euery man that is marryed already , is putte in mynde of his promyse , and they that sometyme lyue well in maryage , are called to repentaunce : lyke as they also that lead an honest lyfe , are confermed in all goodnes .

Syxtely . There is made a generall prayer of the whole congregacion in the name of Christ , vi . for those newe maryed folkes , and for the whole state of matrimony . Now hath the Lorde promi sed , that where two or thre are gathered togyther in hys name , he wyl be in the myddes among them : therfore is it wel to be hoped , that he wyll be much rather in such a whole congregacions , and heare theyr prayer : All these occasion considred , let not the faythfull despyse Gods ordinaunce , but behaue them selues so , that diligē●…ly & afore all thynges , they seke the kyngdom of god , & take that in hand , which is honest profitable & good .

But the dyuell hath crept in her also , & t●…ogh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 weddynges . he can not make the ordinaunce of goyng to the church to be vtterly omitted & despysed , yet is he thus mighty , & can bring it to passe , that the or●…inaunce is nothyng regarded , but blemyshed with all manner of lyghtnes : In so muche that early in the mornyng the weddyng people begynne to ●…xcead in superfluous eatyng & drinkyng , wher of they spytte vntyll the halfe sermon be done . And when they come to the preachynge , they are halfe droncke , some all togyther : therfore regard they neyther the p●…chyng nor prayer , but stond there onely because of the custome . Such folkes also do come to the church with all manner of pompe & pride , & gorgiousnes of rayment & Iewels . They come with a great noyse of Harpes , Lutes , kyttes , basens and drommes , wherwyth they trouble the whole church , & hyndre them in matters pertaynynge to GOD . They come into the Lordes house as it were into an house of mar●…haūdyse to laye forth theyr wares & offer to sell them selues vnto vyce and wickednesse . And euen as they come to the churche , so go they from the churche agayne , lyght , nyce , in shameful pompe and vaine wantonesse . What thinkeste thou , faythefull man , that suche church goyng opteynethe before god ? Uerely more indignacion and displeasure , then fauoure and grace .

Wherfore let all vertuous and honest people How they ●…ught to go to the chyrch for to be ma●…yed . take here monicyon , to leaue such●… abuse , yee such synfull and vycyous church goynge , there as it is yet practysed : And let them take theyr ho nest kynsfolkes & neyghboures with them , & in good season soberly discretely lowlye , as in the syghte of god , without pompe , manerly , and in comely honest rayment , without pryde , wythout drommyng & pypynge , let them go in to the house of the lorde , and there heare the lordes worde , make theyr faithful prayer vnto God with feruentenesse and stedfast beleyfe , receaue the blessynge , and then manerly and wyth sylence to go home agayne .

After the goyng to the church , is there no lesse inconuenience vsed amonge manye multitudes Synne & excesse commytted at weddynges . then in the church goynge . For whan they come home from the church , then begynneth e●…sse of eatyng and dryncking . As for the poore , they are out of remembraunce . And as much is waisted in one daye , as were sufficient for the two newe maried folkes halfe a yeare to lyue vpon . The dayes of Noe , mencyoned in the Gospell , and the parable of the ritch man and Lazarus , haue there rowme ynoughe . Let euery man loke , that with such excesse : he praye not also with the rych man in the pitte of hel . O abhominacion .

After the bancket and feast , there begynnethe a vayne , madde , and vnmanerlye fashion . For the bryde must be brought into an open dauncynge place . Then is there suche a rennynge , leapynge and flyngyng amonge them , then is there suche a liftynge vp and discouerynge of the damselles clothes and of other womennes apparell , that a man might thynke , all these dauncers had caste all shame behynd them , and were become starke madde and oute of theyre wyttes , and that they were sworne to them deuels daunce . Then muste the poore bryde kepe foote with al dauncers , and refuse none , how scabbed , foule , droncken , rudeand shameles so euer he be . Then must she oft tymes heare and se much wyckednesse , & many an vncomely word . And that noyse and romblyng endureth euen tyll supper . At an after supper .

As for supper , loke how much shameles & dron ken the euenynge is more then the mornynge ( so much the more vyce , excesse , and mysnourtoure is vsed at the supper . After supper must they begynne to pype and daunce agayne of the new . And though the yonge personnes , beynge wery of the babiynge noyse and inconuenience , come once towarde theyr rest , yet canne they haue no quietnes . For a man shall fynde vnmannerly & A wicked custome . restles people , that wyll fyrst go to theyr chambre dore , and there syng vicious and noughty Ballades , that the dyuell maye haue his whole tryumphe nowe to the vttermoost .

But here let euery Christen man considre , what an vnmanerly & frowarde custome this is , and how vnmete a thyng it is that suche vnclennes shoulde be practysed amonge Christen peopel , whiche ought to be holy . Maryage shuld be an inhib●…ion & manifest condemnacion of all inor dinate luft , of all excesse , of all wanton & vnshame fast lyuynge . And yet is the same chaist estate begonne wyth suche vayne wantonnes & lyghtnesse , wyth superfluite and royote , to the great hurte of the bodyes , soules , and goodes of the yonge folkes . Or is there ony manneso greatly destitute of vnderstondyng , that he perceauethe not this ? Why doth no man then refourme it ? Or wyl we wyth vyolence prouoke and defy al myghty GOD ? Nowe go to , though the myre fall vpon your heades , we can not do with all . Thou wylte saye : What ? hathe God then forbydden honest folkes to make mery togyther or Conuenient and honeste myrth . to daunce honestly in all good manner : I aunswere . Wh●…t so euer God doth not inhibite and A goodly to enlusion . condemne to be synne , maye not be called synne by ony man . As for myrth wyth honeste , it is a grace and gyfte of God , and hereof commeth it , that they of olde dyd saye : Honest myrthe shulde none forbydde . Wherfore thought a Christen man vse conuenient myrth wyth nourtour , temperaunce and thankefulnes , he synneth not . For God hath not inhibited man to be mery wyth ho neste , and in due season . This is manifest . Hieremy . xxxi . And Salomon saythe , Ecclesiastes . lii . There is a tyme to wepe , & a tyme to laugh , a tyme to mourne , and a tyme to daunce : a tyme to embrace , and a tyme to refrayne from embr●…cynge . In conuenient tyme therfore and place , maye faythfull Christen men haue ordinately all maner of myrth in instrumentes wyth honestye , at mariages or other ioyfull tymes , whan God gyueth peace , prosperite and fayre wether . The abuse , the royot and excesse ( agaynste the whiche onely we her●… speake ) marrethe all , and bryngethe inconuenience in theyse and all other thynges . And so after great vntemperate , and vnmeasurable myrth , ther●… foloweth commonly exceadyng great and perpetuall sorowe . Wherfore lette all faythfull Christen men take here a monicion at theyr weddynges to put awaye all vntemperaunce , and wyth nurtour and honoure to begyn that honourable state , so shall God increace his grace in them , and graunt them to lyue in long & honest myrthe : Or els if they fall into trouble , he shall not leaue them without conforte .

¶ The. xiiii . Chapter .

Of the fyrst cohabitacion or dwellyng togyther , and loue of marryed folkes .

AFter that we nowe hyther to haue brefely spoken of the eleccion of a comely spouse , & of the earand in the cause of maryed folkes . church goyng also , and of the declaryng and con firmacion of the parties in wedlocke : I must declare , howe they bothe maye lyue well and ryght togyther , and faythefully kepe and increace the loue and dewty of mariage .

And here the fyrst dwellyng togyther is moost ●…aunger in the fyrste ●…o a habitacion . daungerous of all For where folkes neuer came togyther afore , & the one is not yet accustomed wythe the other , and where sometyme also they are of contrary condicions and natures among them selues . There or euer they can dwell vnder one rofe , and afore theo ne learneth to know the other : much contencion happeneth many tymes and if the same be not preuented at the begynnyng , there spryngeth worsse thynges therof .

For the dyue●…the enemy of all vnite crepeth in here also , and laboureth fast , that he maye lykewyse haue hys porcion , and that he maye make the marryed folkes not to agre well the one with the tother . Agaynst whome , they that are nowe marryed , must diligently watch and fyght , and gyue the Dyuell no place , but remember well , what maye followe vnto them by suche to early discorde . And the same maye they learne by thys ensample followyng : if two boordes at the fyrst be not well cowpled and ioyned the one to the Marke thys example well . other , they neuer are fastened right afterwarde . But if the fyrst couplyng & ioyning togyther be good , than can there afterward no violence driue the boordes asunder , yea the whole boorde dothe sooner breake , than the glewyng of them togyther .

They therfore that are marryed , must apply theyr speciall diligence , that theyr fyrst cohabitaci Howe marryed folkes ought to behaue them selues whanne they fyrste dwell togyther . on & dwellyng togyther be louyng & frendely , & not separated thorow ony spytefull contencion , for so shal the whole estate of your mariage prosper the better , and haue the more tran●…ilite & rest , as longe as ye lyue . And though there happen to aryse any clowde of discorde , yet let them beware , that at the least there be not to muche displeasure , disdayne and inconuenience . For yf at the begynnynge of mariage there chaunse suche rudenes and vncomely discorde , then wyll it alwaye be breakyng oute , euen as it is wythe great woundes and broken legges , whyche seldome are so thorowely healedde , but sometyme hey haue payne at the chaunge of the wether . Euen so yf married folkes behaue them selues thus vnhonestly the one toward the other at the fyrst & if discorde be once begonne betwene them , the olde cancker wyll breake agayne , thoughe it be scaled afterwarde . Then come suche vnsemelye wordes as these be . Thus dyddest thou serue me also afore . It were my parte to learne to gyue lytle credence vnto the. &c. And after this manner doth that to early discorde make the whole lyfe . & the whole state of mariage , bytter and sower .

Let euery one consither this aforehande , and Howe they must behaue themselues at theyr fyrst beyng togither refrayne , forbeare and suffer : And if all be not after his mynd , let him remember the wordes of S. Paule . One beare anothers burthen , and so shall ye fulfyll the lawe of Christ Let one suffer wyth another . In the meane season let eche one learne to be acquaynted with the nature & condicions of the tother , and to apply hym selfe to the same , in asmuch as they must nedes dwell togyther , one enioye another , and the one dye & lyue with the other . Remember youre selues well on both the sydes , that if ether of you wyll be so styffe mynded , & stand so in his owne conceate , A good lesson both for the man and the wyfe . ye shall neuer haue good nor good dayes to gyther . What auaylethe you then youre owne noysome condicions ? Whan thou perceauest thy selfe to haue ought in the ( whiche dothe displease thy husbande , the best is that thou amende it . Yf any thyng them do displease the , speake thy mynde , & that discretely vnto thy husbande , to the in tente that he may leaue it , yf sensualite go to , it marreth all . Wyth the first can we not opteyne , alwaye , & of euery man , what so euer we wolde fayne haue . Contracy wyse : Chastening hath yet hyr owne dew tyme & place . The tyme also and your dwellyng together shall minister much occasion , so that in processe of tyme manye thinges shall be more tollerable vnto the that at the fyrste thou thoughtest rough , & couldest not suffre . But afore all thynges , the prayer of fayth vnto god , shall make moost peace & rest . God only hath oure hartes in his hande , be can bowe them & alter them as he wyl : Leaue not thou now thy callynge . What soeuer we desyre of God in a true beleue , yf it be not agaynst his glorye and oure saluacion , he will geue it vs . But thys prayer maye not ceasse , as Christ teacheth . Luke , xviii .

As for such as in theyr owne inordinate lustes not regarding thys our instruccion and warnynge go on styll , and as soone as in theyr first Mark the●… g●…odly exa ple. dwelling together they fynd ought in theyr spouse that is agaynst them , do braule and crye . Noman , but euen the deuell himselfe sente the ( vnto me , etc. Those men do , euen , lyke as yf one had bought a vyneyarde , and shulde go into it afore the tyme , to proue the grapes , which yf they What maried folkes ow●… one to another . were yet hard and sower , that is vnseasonable and not rype ) he shulde therfore plucke vp the vynes , and destroye the whole yarde . For lyke as here the tyme muste be consydred , so muste the one forbeare the other in theyr fyrst comming together . And though the grapes be rype , yet is not the iewse immedeately wyne at the begynning , but first , is it must , then sweter , at the last wyne : yee the yeare and age maketh it in manye places , the longer the better and the more pleasaunt . He that will not now tary the tyme , but cast out the wyne , because it is not wyne by and by , but is must first , and then sweter wyne that man must nedes lacke wyne at his nede : Euen so yf thou wylt suffre no infirmyte ner blemishe thou must take none to be thy spouse . For almen are tempted and euery one hath his own speciall blemysh and fault , ouer and besydes the weakenesse and imperfection that we haue of our first father Adam . Wherfore let not euery man speake and do here what so euer commethe into hys brayne , but remembre that we all are men , and that accordynge to the olde Prouerbe . In space commeth grace .

And to the intent that euery man in this enfourmacion and in the state of mariage , maye behaue hymselfe the more handesomlye and the better , I wyll nowe brefelye declare , what maryed folkes ( because of gods commaundemente ) do owe one to another , namely ordinate ob●…dyence , & coniugall loue mutuall , whiche is of all loues , the greatest For who so euer doth earnest ly pondre these thynges , and consydreth them well shall not onely behaue himselfe ordinately and louyngely at theyr first dwellynge together , but thorow out the whole state of mariage ( as long as he lyueth he shall spend his tyme well in vnite quyetnesse , and in all good maner . Touchynge this obedience and loue matrimoniali , I wyll all ledge the verye worde of God , to the intente that this instruccion may generally take the more effect , and that euery man ( not folowynge here the same , may know , that he synneth openly agaynste god and agaynst hys holy ordynaunce .

Paul , Ephe. v. sayeth thus : ye wyues , submytt The dewtye & obedience of wyues . your selues vnto your husbandes , as vnto the lorde . For the husband is the wyues heade , like as Christ also is the head of the congregation , & sauyour of hys body . Now as the congregacion or church is in subiection vnto Christe so let the wiues also be in subiection to theyr husbandes in all thynges . First doth Paule speake of the obedience , that maried wemen owe to theyr husbandes . Let the wemen sayth he be in subiection , that is to say , seruiseable & obedient vnto their husbandes . And addeth therto , that they must esteme this obedience none otherwyse , then yf it where shewed vnto god himselfe . Wherout it foloweth , that the sayde obedience extendethe not vnto wickednesse & euell , but vnto that whiche is good , honest , and comely . In asmuche as god deliteth onely in goodnesse , and forbyddeth euell euery where . It foloweth also , that the disobedience , whiche wiues shew vnto their husbandes displeaseth god no lesse , than whan he is resisted hymselfe .

Secondly , Paul doth lykewyse adde the occa ●…he husband is the heade of the wyfe . sion , whye wemen oughte to be subieccion to theyr husbandes . Euen because the husbonde is the wifes heade . Whych , sayenge he toke oute of the thyrde chapter of Gene , where it is wrytten thus : And the lorde sayde vnto the woman . Thou shalt depend and wait vpon thy husbandes beck , him shalt thou feare , and he shall haue aucthori te ouer the. Thus wryteth Paule himself . i. Ti moth . ii . I suffre not a woman to teach or preach or to haue dominion ouer her husband . For Adam was first made and then Eua. And Adam was not disceaued but the woman was disceaued , and brought in the transgressyon . For asmuch then as the mastershippe and takynge of auctorite vpon her could not well be dryuen out of the woman , therfore god to punyshe the sinne , humbled her , made her fearfull and subdued her . Such punyshment and ordinaunce of God ought they to regarde , and wyth a good wyll ( ac cordyng to the commaundement of the Lorde , to obey theyr husbandes , leest they fall into Gods wrathe and into further punyshment .

But to the intent that the husband shall not Howe the husbande 〈◊〉 the head . turne hys aucthorite vnto tyrany , therfore doth Paule declare , after what maner and howe the husbande is the wyues heade . The husbande ( saythe he ) is the wyfes head , euen as Christ is the head of hys congregacion . Nowe is Christ so the heade of the congregacion , that he shewethe vnto it the same thyng , whiche the head sheweth vnto the bodye . The head seeth and hearethe for the whole body , ruleth and gydethe the body and geueth it strength of lyfe . Euen so doth Christ defende , teache & preserue his congregacion . To be shorte , he is the sauioure , conforte , eye , harte , wisdome and gyde therof . Therfore muste the husbandes be heades vnto the wyues in lyke ma ner , to shewe them lyke kyndenes , and after the same fashyon to guyde them and rule them with discresion for theyr preseruacion , and not wyth force and wylfulnesse to entreate them .

Thyrdly , Paul setteth an ensample to the wiues howe they must be obedient & behaue them selues vnto theyr husbandes , & saythe : Lyke as the chyrche is in subieccion to Christ , so let the women How the wyues muste obeye and behaue them selues . be in subieccion to theyr husbondes in all thinges But howe is the chyrche in subieccion to the Lord ? She hath respecte only vnto hym , & dependethe vpon his worde . As for straunge & fond husbandes , she harkeneth not vnto them , but kepeth her selfe pure and cleane ( and that continually ) vnto hym in all faythfulnes : Loke what Christ commandeth her , the receueth she into her harte , & doth it : Contrary to Christ and wythout his wyll & worde , dothe she nothyng . For in euery thyng that she goethe aboute , she seakethe and requireth for Christes worde , she loueth Christ only & aboue al thynges , she is glad and wyllyng to suffer for Christes sake , she doeth all for the loue of hym . Christ only is her conforte , ioye and altogither . Upon Christ is her thought day & nyght , she lōgethe onely after Christ , for Christes sake also ( if it maye serue to his glory ) is she hartely well content to dye , yea she gyueth ouer herselfe wholly therto for Christes loue , knowyng assuredly , that her soule , her houour , body , lyfe and all that she hathe , is Christes owne . Thus also must euery honest wyfe submit her selfe , to serue her husband wythe all her power , and gyue herselfe ouer frely and wyllyngly , neuer to forsake hym tyll the houre of death : to hold her content wyth her husbande , to loue hym onely , to harken vnto hym , & in all thynges to order her selfe after hys commaundement . &c.

Nowe followeth it in Paule lykewyse , what The dewtys and loue of husbandes . the husbandes owe to theyr wyues , & how they ought to loue them . Ye husbandes , sayth he , loue your wyues , as Christ loued the congregacion , and gaue hymselfe for it , to sanctify i●… , and hath clensed it . &c. The husbandes dewetye is to loue hys wyfe . Nowe is loue gentle and frendly , she is not disdaynefull , she seketh not her owne profyt she is not proude , she is not pufte vp , she is not hastely prouoked vnto wrathe , she takethe not a thyng soone to the worste , she is not lothsome & tedious , but feruente & seruiseable , and therfore ( as we sayde afore ) the husbande is the wyues head , that is , her defender , teacher and conforte . Yet nedeth it no farther declaracion , for as muche as Saynt Paule hymselfe sheweth the maner & fashyon of the loue , that is , howe they oughte to loue theyr wyues , and sayth : Ye men loue youre How menne shoulde loue theyr wyues . wyues , as Christ loueth the congregacion . Howe dyd Christ loue the congregacion . It is wrytten : No man hath greater loue , than he that ieopardeth his lyfe for his frend . Such loue hath christ shewed to his congregacion . For it followeth in Paul : Christ gaue hymselfe for it . For what in tent : Euen to sanctify it and to clense it .

This is then the measure of the mutuall loue matrimoniall , that eche party haue nothyng to ☞ deare , whiche he can not be content to gyue and bestow vpon his maryed spouse , in as much as it is required of hym , that if n●…de be , he shall also not spare his owne lyfe for hys spouses sake .

And lyke as Christ thoughte no scorne of hys churche , despised her not , neyther forsoke her because of her vncleannes and synnes . So shoulde no Christen marryed man spurne at hys wyfe , nor sette lyght by her because that sometyme she fayleth or is tempted & goeth wronge : but euen as Christ norysheth and teacheth his church , so ought the husband also louyngly to enfourme 〈◊〉 instructe hys wyfe .

But marke & consyther this well : O ye Christen ●…ow holy 〈◊〉 thynge loue matrimoniall i●… . maryed folkes , that Iesus Christ the sonne of God , and the holy Christen chyrche , and the holy body of them bothe , are set forth for an ensample or myrcoure to the state of wedlocke and co●…gall loue . A more excellent , a more holy , a more goodly and purer ensample coulde not be shewed . Thus truely must it nedes folow , that loue matrimoniall is highly accepted vnto God as an ordinate , holy , and godly loue : Contrary wyse it must followe , that vnquietnesse , hatred and frowardnes in mariage displeased GOD exceadyngly . For an hyghe loue is it that God requireth of marryed folkes , therfore synne they not but do well and ryght , whan they , because of Gods commaundement , beare great frendshyp and loue , the one to the other .

It followeth moreouer in Paul : So oughte A man 〈◊〉 loue his wife as his owne body . the husbandes to loue theyr wiues , as theyr owne bodyes . He that louethe his wyfe , louethe hymself . For no man hath at any tyme hated his own fleshe , but doth norysh and cheryshe it For this cause shall a man leaue father and mother , and kepe hym to his wyfe , and they two shall be one fleshe . Therfore ought euery man to loue hys owne wyfe as hymselfe . All theyse are the holy Apostles wordes , which haue this consideracion : Wedlocke maketh of two personnes one : For they two , sayth the Lord , are one flesh . Therfore must the husband loue his wyfe no notherwyse then his owne body . And as it is a very vnnaturall thyng for a man to hate hys owne flesh & bloud , euen so is it to be estemed vnnaturall , that one spouse shulde hate the other . All we cheryshe our owne bodyes and norysh them . Reason is it then that we cheryshe oure wyues , and do them good , for they are our owne bodyes . And as ther is great vnite and mutuall loue among the partes of a mans body , so ought there to be also betwene them that are maried togyther . Euery membre healpeth a nother , they are sory & mery togither , there in not one that checke the and obbraydethe another , euery one hath his place & office in the body , and doth his dewty wythout grudgynge : Euen so lykewyse must it be betwene man and wyfe . Thus much haue I shortly spoken out of Paule , towthynge that loue which is due to be had in wedlocke .

The. xv . Capter .

¶ How the loue , faythfulnes , & dewty of maryed folkes , maye be kepte and increased .

HErein now ought not a maried man to be satisfyed , that he knowethe what matrimontall loue is , & how he shuld loue hys spouse , but he must apply hymselfe to loue her in dede , as the Lord hath commaunded hym & not that only , but also endeuour hymselfe euer more and more , to kepe & increace the same loue . For many there be that begynne well to loue , but they endure not , & some ordre them selues after suche fasshion in theyr lyuing , that they deserue rather to be hated , than loued . Therfore wyll I nowe speake a lytle hereof , how the loue , faythfulnesse & dewty of maryed folk●… maye be kept & increaced . Fyrst , for asmuche as true loue matrimoniall The worde of God and prayer . commeth of God , & is gyuen of God vnto man , there are two speciall means ( namely goddes worde and the prayer of fayth ) that do kepe 〈◊〉 increace it . For if maryed folkes harken ernest ly vnto the worde of God , & read it , they learne dayly at it , such chynges , as augment comugall loue . And yf they praye vnto God withe a true fayth , that he wyll put awaye all suche thinges as maye mynysh the loue betwene them , 〈◊〉 helpe them vnto it that maye increace the same , doubt lesse God shall heare them . Only let them giue them selues to contynuall prayer , and to the hearyng and readyng of Goddes worde .

Secondely . For asmuche as wedlocke m●…keth One harte 〈◊〉 wyll . of two persons one , for they two are one flesh , saythe the Lorde , therfore muste they be of one harte , wyll and mynde , and none to caste another in the tethe with hys faulte , orto pryde him of hys gyfte . Yf thy wife be not al togyther circumspecte and handsome , and God hath endewed the wyth wysdom and actiuite , than boast not thy selfe agaynste thy wyfe , but remember howe God hathe prouided the for her in maryage , to the intent that thou shouldest supple her imperfection , and that ye both doynge your best togyther , myghte be one perfecte bodye . If the wyfe be rytche , and the husbande poore , then let not the wyfe boast her rytches agaynste the husbande , One castuo●… another in the teth . but considre , that thorowe mariage , her goodes are become her husbandes also . For mariage is a mutuall felowshyp & partakyng of al thynges . The bodye lyke wyse is more of value than the goodes . Seynge , then that thy body is thy husbandes , muche more are thy goodes his . And thus must euery one of you iudge in others giftes , that what so euer the one spouse hathe more excellent then the other , the same , thorowe mari age , is his spouses aswell as his owne .

Thyrdly , it doth greatly increase loue , whan ●…eruice and ●…wshyp . the one faythefully seruethe the other , whan in thynges concernyng mariage the one hideth no secretes nor priuities from the other , whan of all that euer they optayne or get , they haue but one comon purse togither , the one lockyng vppe nothyng from the other , whan the one is faythfull to the other in eatynge , drynckynge and all necessite , whan the one harkenneth to the other , & whan the one thyncketh no scorne of the other , & whan in matters concernynge the rule of the house , the one wyll be councelled and aduised by the tother . But muche discorde commeth of it , whan the one hateth and wyll not suffer them , whome the tother loueth and can not forsake , as namely a mans frend , father , mother , syster , bro ther , and such other lyke .

Fourthely , let the one learne euer to be obsequious Obsequiou●… 〈◊〉 . & seruiseable to the other in al other thinges And this shall come to passe , yf the one note what thyng the other can awaye wyth all , and what pleaseth him . And so from henceforth to meddle with the one and eschew the other . Some wiues are so frowarde , that whan theyr husbandes are mery , they are sadde : And contrary wyse , there be diuers men , that fyrst desyre to meddle wythe that thyng , whiche they perceaue that theyr wyues Thynges 〈◊〉 be eschewed can not awaye wythal . Some nether canne nor wyl heare theyr infirmities more nor lesse . Som tyme whan the wyfe is sad and disquietted , then wyll the husbande haue to muche sporte and pastyme of her . And sometyme if the husbande be displeased , than the wyfe wyth spytefull wordes and wanton fashyons prouokethe hym to more anger . Some hadde rather haue theyr backe full of strypes , than to holde theyr tonges and forbeare a lytle . But where the vnderstondyng of obsequye and obedience is , then lette euery one remember that the other hath the nature of mankynde in hym , and is tempted , lette the one lende to the other somewhat in temptacion , forbeare wythe hym , & gyue hym the place gentylly for a tyme . And thoughe thy spouse in hys displeasure do happen for to speake an vnkynde or vnientyl worde , yet thynke that it was not he , but wrath that spake it .

Fyfthly . There is no manner of thyng , that Humilite 〈◊〉 gentylnes . more strongly kepethe and increasethe loue matrimoniall , then doth curtesy , kyndenesse , playnnesse and gentylnesse in wordes , manners and dedes . But there be diuers marryed parsonnes , among whome is not found a good worde , but al way brawlyng , chidyng & discorde . And yet fyll they all the world wyth complayntes , what a miserable lyfe they haue togyther . And they them selues neuerthelesse are gylty of theyr owne mis chefe . Let them leue theyr churlyshe fashons , and be frendely and louyng one to another , and then shall they come to rest . And if happely they can not excell in that behalfe , yet lette them shewe a good mynde and louynge wyll in theyr wordes and dedes , & so shall an honest vertuous spouse be contented therwythe . For euident it is , that many a man wolde fayne be endewed wyth humanite and gentlenes . And yet by the means of imperfeccion , not for any frowardnes , he canne not . One man also is of an heuyer nature than another .

Syrtely , it lykewyse heapeth and encreasethe They muste secretly ke●…e no euell ▪ myn des , but tell theyr grefe . loue matrimoniall , whan the parties swell not one agaynst another , and whan eyther openeth to the other theyr grefe in due tyme , and wythe discresion . For the longer a displeasure or euell wyll reygnethe in secrete , the worsse wyll be the discord . The dyuell also sometyme maketh theyr hartes so hard & styffe , that at the last they both become croked vessels . Therfore ( I saye ) woulde I haue the due tyme obserued , bycause that there is some season in the which yf greues were shewed , it shuld make greater debate , as yf thou shuldest tell it thy husbande , when he is oute of pacience , or moued . And specially who so speaketh to a dronken man , talketh wyth hym that is not at home . Therfore Abigail perceauyng Naball her husbond to be dronken , wolde not speake her mynde vnto hym vntyl the mornyng . i. Reg xxv . Thus ought euery one to wayte his conue nient and due tyme .

Wyth discrecion , I saye , must it be done also for some shewe theyr grefes so vnmannerly , so spytefully , and so vncurteously , that they make nowe a greater discencion , than was afore . And yf the one , of a good faythfull meanyng , begyn to speake of the tother , the same shall not onely take indignacion at hym wythout pacient hearyng oute of his tale , but also begynne to make spytefull rehersals agayne of the newe . Remember your selues well both of you , for if ye so continue in dissencion , brawlyng and chydyng the one wyth the other , truly ye can not haue Gods fauoure . For who so wyll be forgyuen of God , must and ought fyrst to be at one with his neghboure , and also to forgyue hym hys trespasse & faulte . Accordynge to the wordes of the Lorde . Math. v. vi . xviii . So sayth Paule . Ephe. iiii . Thoughe ye be angrye , yet synne not Lette not the Sonne go downe vpon yourewrathe , neyther gyue place vnto the backehyter . &c. Lette all bytternes , fearsnes & wrath , roaryng and cursed speakyng be put awaye from you . Be curteous one to another , and mercyfull , forgyuynge one another , euen as God for Christes sake hath for gyuen you .

Seuently chyldren begotten in wedlocke , are a very sure bonde of matrimoniall loue . And Chyldren 〈◊〉 gottē●…n mariage therfore the Latinistes call them Pignora . Now is pignus as muche to saye , as a pledge , or gage or pawne . And the chyldren begotten in lawfull Pignus . marriage , are as a pledge and suerty of the loue that can not be parted asunder . For howe canst thou at ony tyme be deuided from the marryed spouse , by whome thou haste chyldren : yf thou wylt saye . Take thou one , & I wyll take another yet hath ech of you in that one chylde , somthing which pertayneth to yourselfe . For certayne it is , that the chylde cometh of you both . God also bryngeth it so to passe , that somtyme the children looke lyke the father , sometyme lyke the mother , sometyme they haue the condicions and similitude of you both : And this God ordeyneth that the loue maye be the greater in marryage . Nowe Mark thou wyf●… . when thou wyfe doste loue those youre chyldren as thou shuldest , bryngest them well vp , arte diligent in lookyng to them , and canst take payne wyth them , then louest thou thy selfe in thy chyldren , and geueste hym also an occasion to loue the better then he dyd , so that wyth the payne & trauayle that thou hast aboute the chyldren , he is pacyfyed : Lyke as it is in dede the dewetye of euery maried man , not to be vnpaciente wythe his children , or churlish to his wyfe , which hath laboure and payne ynough all readye wyth the chyldren , al though her husband were of a gentle nature , and not doggishe .

And those wyfes , whych beynge made frutefull To brynge forth children is the blessyng of god . of god , do bring forth manye chyldren , and haue all theyr dayes much greate payne , trauayle laboure and disquietnesse wythe them , maye not thynke ( as some do ) that they he more vnhay pye and infortunate , then those are that haue no chyldren at al. They shulde rather consydre , that to be frutefull , is in gods true eternal worde , commended as a bl●…ssynge of god , and that all such wyse and noble men as feared god haue euer estemed it for a singulare prosperyte , honoure and welth . Item that all holye & famous wemen of the olde testament , dyd mourne , complayne , and were ashamed of theyr vnfrutefullnesse . Upon a tyme there came a famous woman to Rome , to the noble Corne●…ia Grachi , & shewed her hir treasure , as namelye hir precious Iewels , rynges and cheynes of golde , precyous Children are wemens be●… Iewels . stones , and ornamentes , and requyred Cornelia that she shoulde shewe her hyr Iewelles also . Then that noble Cornelia brought forthe hyr chyldren , shewed her them , and sayde , lo , thys is my worthy and precious treasure , that all my mynde standeth vnto , yee the treasure that one ly reioyceth me , and is to me dearer then all the Iewels vpon earth .

This dyd an Heithenish woman , What shuldest thou then do , thou christen wife , whiche oughtest by ryght to know , that god vseth y● to greate honoure , whan he causeth the to beare chyldren , which afterward may serue him and the whole countre , and maye come to be honeste folkes , & a perpetuall commendacion to the ? The holy scripture also saieth euidently , that a wife is in the worke of God and seruethe hym , whan she bringeth forth chyldren , and gydeth them well . Therfore what so euer she there in dothe and suffreth , she must gladlye do it and suffre it for gods sake , & put her trust in god , that he whiche puttethe her to the payn and laboure , can also shew her both comforte and helpe , yee she may not doubte , but be certayned at goddes hand , the Paynes takyng about chyldren : is the crosse of the wyues . what soeuer she faythfully and obedientlye suffereth and doth with the children in mariage it is no lesse good worke in the sight of god , then allmes geuyng , prayer , or mortifieng of the bodye . For that is hir crosse which the lord hath layed vpon her to beare . Paul sayeth also . i. Timoth ii . The woman brought transgression into the worlde , but she shall recouer her honoure agayne by bearyng of chrildren , yf she contynue in the fayth , in godly loue , in the sanctifieng , and in nourtoure . This shulde Christen wiues remembre in all their crosse , and to be glad , wyllynge , & of a good courage therin . And who hath shewed the O woman ) all the grefes , anguysshes 〈◊〉 troubles , all the paynes and miseries , that those wyfes haue which bring forth no chyldren ? It maye chaunce , that they haue more myserye and payne in another sort , then thou hast with thy children . And that happely they haue here rest & good dayes , and yet fynne therin wythe pryde , deyntynesse , voluptuousnes , wantonnesse , ydelnesse , nycenesse , & such infirmities , so that here vpon earth they get lytle honoure and worshyp therof , & must haue eternal payne in the world to come . This I say agaynst froward & wicked wifes , and not agaynst those that would be glad to take any payne & laboure so that they might haue chyldren and to lyue mekely , vertuouslye and honestlye .

The wemen also , whiche are maried vnto such men as haue had children by their former Step chyldren & ster●… mothers . wyues , must be ernestly exhorted , to shew them selues vnto those motherles chyldren , no steppe●… mothers frendshyppe , but a ryght motherly faith ful kyndnesse . Haue compassion ( oh Christēwomā ) vpon those yong innocent orphans , whyche knowe not ner haue any conforte ner helpe vpon earthe , saue only the. Consydre , that god the lorde hathe ordeyned the ( in steade of theyre owne mother ) to be vnto than a right true mother , & requyre the the to loue them , & to do them good . Wo vnto the yf thou do the poore motherles chyldren harme . Remember , that they are thyne owne husbandes naturall flessh & bloude , & that it is an vnnaturall Marke well ye Mothers in lawe . thing to hate them whych on thy husbands behalf pertayne partlye to thyne owne bodye , & are thyne owne : thynke vpon the worde of truth . With what measure ye meate , wythe the same shal it be measured to you agayne . What a great grefe wold it be to thine hert , yf thou knewest now that thine owne children whom thou bareste in thy body , shulde ( after thy death ) haue a step mo ther , whiche wold be rough and churlyshe vnto them ? Doutles those chyldrens mothers that deed is had in hir deth no lesse care for hir children .

Therfore as thou woldest haue thine owne children intreated ( yf thou shouldeste now dy ) so deale thou also with them that were hers & thy husbandes tegether . Or els loke verelye to haue of god the same measure that thou hast gyuen . Be sure also , that god will not heare the , whan thou prayest thy Pater noster , for as muche as thou wylte not heare the poore Orphans that cry vnto the. O dere mother . This I saye , because expe rience lea●…eth , that by the reason of steppe chyldren the loue matrimoniall is not onely ●…inyshed , but euen vtterly excluded . Neyther gendreth it vnite , whan a man intendynge to commend his fyrst wyfe , doth it ether out of mesure , or els fyrst of all whan he fyndeth faulte in hys newe wyfe . For such prayse doth she cō●…ter to be made to her dishonoure a●…d shame . Namely that her husbande in commendyng hys fyrst wyfe , dothe it to her reproche . I speake not this to the int●…nt that a maryed man shulde speake euell of hys ho nest wyfe whiche is departed , but that euery man which is nowe maryed agayne , maye commend hys former wyfe in due season and wythe measure , yea & in suche a sorte , that hys present newe wy fe haue none occasion to thyncke , that it is done to her disprayse .

Eyghtly . The loue matrimonial is excellently Trouth and faythe must be kepte . well kepte and increaced thorowe nurtoure , , trouthe and faythe , yf they be stedfastly obserued togyther . Let the husband content hym only wyth hys wyfe , and so order hymselfe with wordes , manners and gestures , that the wyfe maye perceaue , that he holdethe hym onely vnto her . Let the wyfe kepe no lesse trouthe and fayth beyng honest and not shameles toward her husband . Agayne , let her gyue hym due beneuolence , and be not contrary vnto hym , nor brawle with hym . For suche frowardnesse gyueth ofte great occasion , and ministreth improiment to matrimony . Wh●…rfore lette euery one here remember the wordes of S. Paule . For the auoydynge of whordome , let euery man haue his wyfe . There hath not the wyfe power of her owne body , but the husbande . Agayne , the husband hath not power of hys owne bodye , but the wyfe . &c. as we sayd afore in the tenth Chapter .

Let euery woman also beware of misgouernauuce Clenlynesse . & sluttyshnesse in rayment , yea in euery thyng , that wythe vnclennesse she make not her selfe hated of her husbande . Lykewyse must they bothe beware of euery thyng that prouokethe to aduoutry , or ministreth any vnfaythfull suspicion . As it is to be droncken , to haue wanton or priuy communicacion , to vse euell company and lyke pastyme to haue fellowshyp wyth lyght per Note thys well . sonnes , to resorte vnto suspicious places , to stond wyth suspicious folkes , to were wantonne rayment to be euer at lyght games , to renne to euery daunce , to playe in euery strete , to tary lytle at home , to be lesse content at home then any where , to murmour , chyde , and to sygh at home . et cetera .

An honest wyfe ought not behynde her husbandes backe to haunt ony euell company , to be Conuersacion bancketted , nether to go ony where wythout her husbandes knowledge & leaue . Much lesse ought she to take vpon her ony farre iourney . And if her husband be gone forth , or be not at home , let her holde her selfe as a wydowe and lyue quietly , & bryng no man into the house in the meane season , nether ronne oute : nor byd gestes , to the intent that ther grow no euel name nor fame vnto her therthorow . Nether shulde the one to the other , boast or shewe of suspicious gyftes & presentes . Nether the husbande to commende other wiues afore hys owne or aboue his owne . Nether is it the wyues parte to excead in praysyng another womans husbande , lest the one suspecte the other . Thy wyfe must take the for fayrest , & Good 〈◊〉 thy husband must holde the for the best fauoured .

And for asmuche as gelousy is a speciall euell Gelousy . disease , and a great noysome plage in wedlocke , therfore maryed persons must put it awaye , or at the leest , and asmuche as in them lyeth tame it and suppresse it : And namely beware thou wyfe that thou impute not aduoutry vnto thyne husband , because he sometyme hath spoken with ano ther woman , or looked at her . Agayne , thou husbande must not be so sore tempted , as to mysintreate , to blame or to smyte thy innocent wyfe , nether to laye vnto her suche thynges as she neuer thought vpon . Lykewyse thou husband mayest not deny thy wyfe to make conuentent and honest chere wyth honest folkes . For though all Women and horses muste be wel gouerned . olde wyse and prudent men would haue women & horses kepte in good nourtour & gouernaunce , yet maye there be to mu●…he done herein , as well as in other thynges . There is an old Prouerbe also . The bowe wyll breake , if it be to sore bent . Item , No thyng maye continue that is not borne vp . Therfore an honest marryed man shulde forbyd his wyfe no conuenient honest myrthe , but gyue her leaue , to the intent that she maye afterward be the more wyllyng wyth the chyldren , and in other trauayle & paynes takynge●…

It besemeth no discrete honest husband , to com Boasting or pray●…ynge . mend his wyfe to much before other men . Collatinus Tarquinius lost his noble wyfe Lucre tia , thorow his inordinate praysyug of her . Yet much lesse becommeth it the to be shamelesse in disclosynge the priuities of mariage , as many fylthy personnes vse to do . Lykewyse besimethe it no man to prouoke hys wyfe in bryngyng in naughty personnes , or in kepyng them styll there in his house , nether to cause his wife to be spoken of . Yf Menelaus had kepte Paris without , he had saued Helena his wyfe . Neuerthelesse euery honest wyfe muste faythfully and at all tymes kepe her honeste , thoughe her wycked husbande gyue her many prouocacions . Remembre all waye the sentence of Salomon . Whan a woman Honeste is 〈◊〉 womans chefe treasure . leaseth her honeste , than hathe she lost her chefe treasure , nether hathe she any more , but is contempned & despysed , as the myre of the stretes .

Hereto seruethe it also , that the wyfe maye Behhueours wyth seruauntes . not make her selfe to familiare , to frendly , or to pryuy wyth her seruauntes or housholde folkes , leest they shoulde be bolde to talke , to ieaste , or without reuerence to behaue them selues withe her , as one seruynge mayde woulde do wythe another . Thou wylte saye : I canne not be so ●…oysterous nor shewe my selfe so terrible . Nowe go to , if thou wylte not be feared in the house as a dame , yet hold the so vnto them , that they may stande in awe of the , that they be not to rashe and to bolde of the , but shewe the reuerence , beyng shamefast and well manered towarde the , as to the mother in the house . For thou oughtest A good lesson for wyues . with no man to be so familiare , so frendely , and so homely as wyth thy husband . Lykewyse also must menne behaue themselues vnto theyr maydens in the house , and commyt all the rule and punyshment of them vnto theyr wyues , and not to meddle wythe the seruauntes agaynste them , excerte the wyfe wolde deale vnreasonably and wylfully wyth theyr poore seruauntes . Contrary wyse , the wyfe must not take vpon her the rule or punyshment of the men seruauntes . For hereof commeth great vnite : Lyke as whan the husband medleth to muche with the women seruauntes , and the wyfe wyth the menseruauntes , there ryseth great suspicion and discencion amonge marryed folkes .

¶ The xvi . Chapter .

Of conuentent carefulnes , and iust kepyng of the house lyke Christen folke .

IF thy wyfe be vertuous and trusty , let her be also carefull in kepynge and prouydynge for thy house . For such study & ordinate care gendreth great loue & encreaseth thy substaunce For such study and care is not forbydden . For the godly Patriarch Iacob thought it necessary for hym & his wyfe to be studious for theyr hou sholde . Paule affyrmynge it , If a man prouide not for hys owne housholde , he denyeth the fayth Gene. xxx . and is worse than an Infidel . Wherfore all that Christ speaketh agaynst carefulnes , he speaketh it agenst all inordinate mistrustyng & to muche couetous care and sorow , that desperately & Math. vii . insaciably tormenteth & vexeth the mynde . Ordinate care expelleth idle slouthfulnes and monysheth vs of our duty & iust vocacion . Which care only loketh vnto God , the author & gyuer of all , to him she prayeth to prosper & blisse al that she goeth about . Whych prayer of fayth hath her forme & Pro. xx . circumstances tendyng to Gods glory . Two thinges I aske of the , o Lorde . remoue fro me vanite and lyes , gyue me n●…ther pouerte , nor rytches , onely graunt me a necessary lyuyng , lest I beyng to full , deny the sayeng , Who is the Lorde . And lest I constrayned thorowe pouerte fall to thefte and forsweare the name of my God .

This ordinate care and study must be taken , that ye maye haue to socoure the nedye and to Ordinate care set forthe youre chyldren , and that youre selues want not , and so by your idle ignauy , ye be onerouse and a burden to other good menne . Labour to haue wherwithe to lyue in age , yf God call you to it . Who so hath stolen , sayth Paule , let hym nowe stele no more , but labour with his Ephe. i ii . handes some good occupacion that they maye haue to healpe the nedy . And as for them that inordinately care and study to be rytch , and to haue more than is necessary , they fall into the temptacions and snares of the dyuell , and into many lustes ( as saythe Paule ) which drowne men into perdicion and damnacion , sodenly fall these rytch welthy bullockes from theyr goodes & goddes , Luke . xii . euen theyr euell gotten , worsekepte , & worst of all bestowed mammons .

What so euer is to be done wythout the house that belongeth to the man , & the woman to study for thynges wythein to be done , and to se saued Theoutwar de busynesse pertaynethe to the man , the enward to the woman . or spent conueniently what so euer he bryngeth in . As the byrde flyeth to and fro to brynge to the nest , so becommeth it the man to applye his out ward busynes . And as the damme kepeth the nest ●…atcheth the egges , and bryng forth the frute , so let them bothe learne to do of the vnreasonable fowles or beastes created of God naturally to obserue theyr sondry properties .

The man in his gaynyng & occupieng must be iust & faythful , feruent , diligent & earnest , makyng all thyng substancially surely , & wythout ony deceyt . For faythfulnes euer abydeth whan vnfaythfulnes & craftines destroye themselues : as ye se in the faythefull dealynge of Iacob and in the couetouse disceate of Laban . The worde Gene. xxxi . & promyse of an occupyer must be as ferme and fast as the rocke of stone , fayth and trueth conserueth many mens occupyeng whan vniust dealyng bryng hym out of credyt .

Let not a man meddle with vnhonest occupacions not necessary for a common weal , but as Paul commaundeth , wyth such as are good and profitable for the citie or countrey wythout deceyte , and euery man to medle wyth , and in hys ●…ne callyng , nether sekyng other mens lucre , nor enuieng other mens profyt , but walke ordinately and quietly labouryng wyth theyr owne handes , auoydynge vsurye , but doynge to other as thou woldest be done vnto thyne owne selfe . And yf thou ( for all thy true and iust dealynge ) yet prosperoussest not subiect to many euel cha●…ces , wherof the world is ful , yet be thou content with Goddes wyll , for the pouerte of the ryghtous , sayth Salomon , is better then the infinite treasures of the vngodly . And a pece of bread or a messe of potage with quietnes , is better then a fatte oxe with brawlyng . Many menne haue great goodes wyth muche vnquietnes and lytle hon●…e , for he hath sette his soule to pledge , forsaken God & taken the dyuell to helpe h●…m to lye & to deceaue that he myght be rytch to leaue his good to an vnknowen hayer . Dauid saythe , followe not hym that doth euell because thou seest Psal. xxxvi . hym prosper in his wyckednes : for he shall sone be cut downe lyke grasse , & lyke the floure faad awaye . But put thou thy trust in the lorde & do ryght , dwell in the Lorde & get thy lyuynge wyth trueth and iust dealynge . And freat not nor be agreued wyth hym that prospereth in his owne waye , and leadeth a wycked lyfe . &c. Unto thys holye Psalme let euery Christen man attende . The wyues worckynge place is wythein her The wyues must worcke wythein the house . house , there to ouerse and to sette all thynge in good ordre , and to beware that nothyng be lo●…t , seldome to go forth , but when vrgent causes call her forth . And therfore Phidias that ingenous Phidias . worckemanne entendynge to describe an honest faythefull housewyfe , dydde sette her ymage vnder the shel of a snayle , signifieng that she shulde euermore kepe her owne house . Necessaryly it is Comonsentē 〈◊〉 far the ke ●…ng or thy ●…ouses . that she knowe these common sentences & learne them by harte . Thou muste not regarde what thynge thou woldest fayne haue , but what thou canst not lacke . Stretche out thyne arme no far ther than thy sleaue wyll reatche . What so euer thou ne●…est not , is to deare of a farthyng . Who so spareth not the penny , shall neuer come by the pownde . Sparynge is a rytche purse . A thynge is sooner spared then gotten . Spare as thoughe thou neuer shuldest dye , & yet as mortall , spende measurably . To spare , as thou mayste haue to spende in honeste for Gods sake , and in necessite , is well done . Thy sparing is but vayne , when thou arte come to the bottome . Begynne euery thynge in oue season . What so euer thou mayst do to nyght , dyffer it not tyll to morow . Mathe these sentences wel That whiche thou cannest do conueniently thy selfe , committe it not to another . If thou wylte prospere , than looke to euery thyng thyne owne selfe . Lette it not be lost , that maye do any good in tyme to come . Spende no more than thou wottest how to get it : whan thyne expenses and receytes be alyke , a lytle losse maye ouerthrow the. Spare for thy age . Take paynes in thyne yougth . Bye such thynges as thou nedest not to repent the therof . Uyle pedlary bryngethe beggery . Araye thy selfe honestly . Holde thy chyldren in awe , and they shall haue the in reuerence .

Muche spendynge and many gyftes , make bare cellars and empty chystes . Euellfellowshyp & vayne pastyme maryeth pouerte and begetteth a sonne called derision , lyuethe gorgiously and costely in excesse , and leauethe the a fare well , whose name is this . In thyn age go a beggyng : Such and many mo godly and wyse sentences are found in Salomons Prouerbes , and in the Precher , and in Iesus Syracke , which an honest housewyfe must take hede vnto .

¶ The. xvii . Chapter .

¶ Howe maryed personnes shall behaue them selues not only in workes of mercy , but also in the crosse and aduersite , and wythe theyr seruauntes .

IF Christen maried folkes thorow theyr iust laboures and Goddes blyssyng obtayne ritches aboue necessite . then let them remembre Paules exhortacion , sayeng : Commaunde the i. Timo. 〈◊〉 rytch men of thys worlde that they be not hygh mynded nor trust in transitory rytches , but in the lyuynge God , whyche giueth vs all thynges abundantly to enioye them . Charge them to do good & to be rytche in good worckes , to gyue wyth good wyl , to distribute , layeng vp tresure for them selues agaynste the tyme to come that they maye laye hand of eternall lyfe . For when Math xxv . the Lorde shall come to iudge the quicke & dead , he shall saye to the mercifull . Come hyther , ye blessed of my Father and take the kyngedome prepared for you from the begynnynge of the worlde . For whan I was hongrye ye fedde me , I was thyrsty and ye gaue me dryncke &c.

Gyue almes therfore of thyn nowne substā●…e and turne not thy face awaye from the poore Shewe mercye after thy power . If thou haste much , giue plenteously . If thou haste lytle gyue therof after thy power . For a good treasure shalt thou lay vp in store for thy selfe agaynst the day of trouble , yea that small substance wherof a poore man giueth almose pleseth the Lord much better then when welthye men gyue theyr lytle of theyr great rytches . Example in s. Luke : Remember Luke . xxi . the comon Prouerbe . That thou sparest from gyuyng for Gods sake , shall the dyuell cary another waye . So saythe Salomon . Some man gyueth out his goodes and is the rytcher , but the nyggarde hauyng ynough wyll departe from no thynge : And yet is he euer in pouerte . He that is lyberall in gyuynge shall euer haue plenty . God increaseth loue and fauoureth maryed ryed folke bycause they shewe mercy & charite to the nedy .

And yf God maketh the ritch man poore , he doth well : For he seeth that if he shuld haue ritches Affliccion tech to know god he would be to proud and forget God and himselfe to , with pouerte therfore and adfliccion wyll he nourtour his chyldren so to teach them his wayes , lest in abundaunce and wealth they runne after theyr owne wayes and lustes . For Tribulation is fyer and salte . tribulacion and aduersite are the fyer and salte that purge & preserue vs from stynkynge & not destroye vs , but they teache vs to put our trust in God and not in oure selues nor in no creatures , they draw vs from transitory thinges to fasten vs sure to God , and because we shoulde not be condemned wyth the worlde , he plucketh i. Cor. xi . vs wyth his Crosse from the worlde . Into the which troublouse state of the crosse , whan maryed cowples be cast of GOD , then haue they the moost present consolacions out of s●…riptures to conforte them , and to cause them to reioyce in theyr affliccion , as are the holy Psalmes of Dauid , we haue also the godly ensamples of the deare beloued faythefull seruauntes of God as were Iob , Abraham , Iacob . &c. Item the wordes Math. xvi Ioan. xvi . of Christ . Who so wyll serue me , let him dayely take his crosse vpon hym and folow me . And in Ihon , and Paule is full of conforte in hys epistles specially . Hebreus x. Whan ony of the H●… . xi . xii . xiii maryed personnes be tempted or troubled wyth syckenes or any other fortune , then shulde the to ther , conforte hym or her wythe these confortable ensamples , Psalmes and sentences of gods Syckne●… spirite of all consolacion , one suffryng wyth the tother , for so shall the affliccion and Crosse be the easylyer borne , and loue mutuall the more encreased . Trewe loue sheweth her selfe moost clearely in trouble and syckenes . And yf the one grudge at the tothers syckenes , he doth agaynst Gods wyll . And if he reioycethe at her , or she at hys affliccion , it is a token of lytle loue excepte hys reioyce be in the Lorde , so to conforme hym to the similitude of hys sonne Christ , that he myght be lyke hym in glory .

Paul commaundeth you to do to your seruauntes , that that is iust and equall , louyngly & frendly How seruauntes must be in treated . Iob. xxxi . vsynge them , remembrynge that ye your selues haue a master in heauen , learne of Iob also the same , for your seruauntes are of Goddes creacion as wel as ye , derely beloued and hys chosen children also , yea and your brothren and systers in Christ . Let them therfore for theyr laboures haue theyr conuenient food and wages , be not bytter , harde , nor iniuriouse vnto them in no wyse .

A great offence it is before God to kepe the labourynge seruauntes wages from hym . Iames Iac. v. sayth vnto such rytch men . Beholde the hyer of the labourers that haue reaped downe youre feldes which hyer ye haue kept backe by fraude , cryeth and the complaynt of the labourers is entred in to the eares of the Lorde of Sabbaoth .

Ye haue had good dayes vpon erth , and lyued at your pleasure and delyghted your hartes , but it is only agaynst the daye of your slaughter . So Iames sayth that the defraudynge of mens wages wyll be at last a slaughter . Many men vse theyr seruauntes as slaues and beastes , and therfore is theyr ertorted seruyce vnprofitable & vnfaythfull to suche cruell masters , more faythfull is the seruice done of loue , than for feare & compulsion .

Agayne the seruauntes must laye a parte all euel condicions , prydevnfaythfulnes , brawlyng The dewty●… of seruaunte●… and murmurynge , pyckyng and tales tellynge , remembryng Paules exhortacion , sayeng , ye seruauntes be obedient to your masters with feare and tremblynge in singlenes of youre herte , as vnto Christ , not with eye seruice as men plesers , but euen as the seruaunt of Christ , that ye may do the wyll of GOD from your hartes wyth●… good wyll . Thyncke that ye serue the Lorde and not men .

¶ The. xviii . Chapter .

How chyldren shuld be well and godly brought vp .

GReate ioye & quietnes it bryngethe to the Women shuld ●…ourse theyr own chyldren parentes to se theyr children godly & vertueously brought vp . And agayne , besydes the sorow that euell brought vp chyldren bring to theyr parentes , yet shall they render a strayght rekenyng to God for theyr euell bryngynge vp of them . The women shulde noryshe theyr owne chyldren wyth theyr owne brestes or els yf they maye not for weaknes , yet oughte they to seke honeste and godlye nourses of sober lyuynge that wyth theyr mylke they myght drinkin also vertewe . And the parentes especiallye the mother must endeuour to speake fyrst to the chyld perfectly playne and ●…ncte wordes , for as they be fyrst enformed to speake so they wyll contynew . Caius and Tyberius the sonnes of Caius & Ci berius . Cornelia Grachy were ornate and eloquent in theyr speche for theyr mother was eloquent of tongue .

And euen from theyr infancy forth let the parentes teach theyr ●…hyldren no fables nor lyes nor no vayne nor lyght communicacion but that onely which is godly , honest , graue and frutefull let it be planted in theyr new hertes .

They must teach them fyrst certayne godly sentences , though they yet can not vnderstande them , yet let them commende them to memory and practyse them in speche tyll they maye here after the better perceaue them , as are these folowyng .

As certaynely as thou seyst the heauens and Sentence●… to be taugh●… chyldren in theyr fyrst●… yonge age . the earth : so certaynly muste thou knowe , that ther is one īuysyble god , one alone for all suffycient , hauing hys beyng of himselfe , & all creatures ther being of him .

Heauen and earthe and all that was made , is of goddes owne creacyon . God is the mooste hyghe goodnes . Wythout God ther is nothing good . God nedeth no creature to be ioynedde wyth hym in hys dedes and cownselles to forgeue , dampne saue or healpe . It is he alone that vpholdeth all the wor●… preserueth it , and gyueth euery thyng the lyfe & beynge , whyche it hath . He is louyng graciouse and mercyful to them that so beleue and trust vpon him .

God is trewe , and iuste , and holye in all hys workes , God loueth vertue , and hateth synne 〈◊〉 vyce . It is good that God commaundeth , and euell that he forbyddeth God punysheth synne & euell . A man must loue God aboue all thynges . He may not murmur agaynst god , but be wyllynge and thankfull in all aduersite to beare it . He must call onely vpon God , and complayne to hym onely in all hys nede . And here muste the chyldren be taught thus to praye . Oure father The Lorde●… prayer The articles of the fayth●… The ten com ma●…demētes The prouerbes of Salo mon. which arte in heauen . &c. And to expresse the articles of our fayth distinctly & perfectely . And in processe of tyme lerne them truly to vnderstand them , and the ten Commaundementes also by harte . Then teache them the Prouerbes of Salomon and the boke of the preachet , and such comonsentences as are these : Uertue excelleth all thynges . To lye is the moost shamefullvice of all . Thou shalte hurte no man , but profyt euery man . Speake euell of no man . Backebyte nor curse no man . All men are brethren . And suche lyke godly sentences , lette them be planted into yonge hartes . Aboue all thynges shall the parentes vse godly & honest conuersacion in the presence of theyr chyldren , teache them more vertue & goodnes , than theyr wordes . For wordes althoughe they maye do muche , yet shall good ensamples of lyuynge do more to the yougth . Let not your chyldren be conuersaunt wytheuell persons and lyght company , lette them not heare vicious nor wanton communicacion , nor se no synfull syghtes . The parentes must vse them selues before Cato . them as before GOD and all honest people . Cato the wyse Senatour of Rome expelled Ti tus Flaminius out of the counsell , only because that in the syghte of hys yonge doughter he embrased his wyfe .

Christen folke shulde remember the fearfull Mat. xviii . sentence of Christ , sayeng : Who so euer geueth occasion of euell to any of these yonge chyldren that beleue in me , it were better forhym to be drowned wyth a mylstone tyed about his neck ▪ Thou must diligently beware , lest any in thyne house gyue any euell ensample and speke that at naught is in theyr presence . And take hede leest thou receaue any persone into thyne house , that maye ether by worde or dede corrupte thy chyldren or seruauntes . Remember that euell speach maye soone corrupte & destroy that which thou hast bene long in plantyng & buyldynge . Wanton and euell communicacion ( sayth Paul ) conrupteth good manners . And begynne by tymers Begynne b●…tymes . to plante vertue in thy chyldrennes brestes : for late sowynge bryngethe a late or neuer an apte haruest . Yong braunches wyl be bowed as thou lystest●… , but olde trees wyll sooner breake than ●…ow . And what soeuer good liquour is put first into a newe ●…arthen potte , it wyll kepe the sent therof euer after , if it therin stand any ceason .

And as for the yeares to set the chylde to the scole , fyrst considre the apte , sharpenes of witte therof , for some are apte at fyue yeares , & some not before syxe or seuen yeares . And what they shall be fyrst taught , it is tolde before .

And here must ye chose out discrete , learned & godly masters for your chyldren , which shall 〈◊〉 The scole master . cordyng to theyr capacities ●…ently & wysely enstructe them , as is contayned in theyr primers in Englysh and dialoges as are there made for them , whiche whan they can read both prynted and written letters , and can well commyt that that they haue l●…rned to memory , sayeng it distinct ly & perfectly by hart , t●…ē let them learne to write to cas●… a compte , to ●…yfre , adde , subtray , &c. And let them exercyse theyr penne and theyr tonges Godly councell for the ryghte bryn , gynge vp of yougth . in readyng diuerse prynted bokes pertaynynge to the holye scriptures , and come to & heare the trewe prech●…rs of Gods word , and in ony wyse let them not heare the papistike preachers , and whan they come home from any good sermone aske them what they haue borne awaye , & exhort them to marke diligently another tyme and to rehearse it when they come home . Let them saye the gra●…es at the tables . Let them prepare the table & serue you therat clenly and manerly . Let them spend all the tyme in vertuous vses & neuer be ydle , for the tyme of yougth is preciouse and Math. x. passeth away swyftly . Be ye circumspecte , o parentes in fedyng and apparellyng your children let them not be paumpered vp to dilicately withe meates & wines , nor yet arayed to sumptuously & proudly . Daniel was as wel lyking & as pure of complexion with a messe of potage euery daye 〈◊〉 a draft of water as were they that were fedeuery Gorgio●… apparell & deliciou●… fare oughte to be exchewed in chyldren . daye of the kynges table . Excesse of meates & drynckes in yougth and gorgious apparell is the dore vnto glotony , dronckennes & lecherye , and the way to pryde & al maner of vyce neuer to be pluckte from them in age . For the which enormities & vyces , theyr parentes & vp bryngers shal gyue strayght rekenyng vnto God , let not thy yougth runne out of thy dores nether by day nor nyght without thy lycence : and take a rekening of theyr behauyoure in thyne absence . Suffre them not to come into any lyght wanton company .

Se that ye correcte them dewly & discretely for Correction . theyr faultes , so that they stand in great feare & awe of the , and if wordes wyl not reclayme them than take the rod or weapon of correccion discrete ly vsed . For the rodde of correccion ministreth wysedome , but the chyld suffred to do what he listeth , is the confusion of his mother . And who so spareth the rod hateth the childe , but he that loueth pro , xxix . and xiii . xxii . and xxiii . him , nourtereth him in tyme : the childes hert is ful of folyshnes , but the rod of correccion driueth ●…t forth . Better it is that chyldren wepe them olde men . Se that they pycke not , steale not , nor vse no vnlawfull games , be not to rough nor to hastye weth them , but so order your selues to them that they maye both loue and feare you .

¶ The. xix . Chapter .

Chyldren wher vnto they be apte , lette them learne that science or handye crafte .

COnsyther well wherevnto thy chylde is naturally enclyned . And vnto that occupacion let him be put to : many men nowe a dayes al be it they se theyr chyldren apt vnto letters & good learnyng hauyng substaunce ynough to fynd them therat , yet wyll they not suffer them to continewe therat , because them selues can not fauour it , or els they se no aduauntage worldly f●… low , but great trouble & ●…secuciō , which worldly men in thus doyng declare them selues vngodly destroyers both of them selues theyr children & of all common weales & congregacions . For what publique weal , towne , cyte or parysh can be wel gouerned , wythout the Prince , ruler , preste , or bi Why menne nowe set not theyr chyldren to scole . shop be lerned in gods lawe , Prophetes and in his gospel ? what is the cause of all this dissension cruell persecucion , tyranny , euell lawes making vniust actcs , false religion , wycked ordinaunces & vngodly decrees & institucions , but onely the blynd ignorance of vnlerned rulers ? which mea sure all thyng after theyr owne fonde fleshly affectes and reason besydes all scriptures : & wolde haue theyr owne carnal wylles to stonde in the steade , yea rather to be aboue God & hys lawes . In tymes paste , when men sawe so many spirituall promocions vnto rytch bysshoprykes , benefices , deanrykes , Abbayes ; Pryories , chauncelershyps . &c , then they dyd set fast theyr children to scole , to make them popysh prestes , ydelly to lyue by other mennes sweates , but nowe they se howe laborouse and perellouse an office it is to preach and to teache Gods worde purely , freely and faythfully . And how vnthankeful an office it is to rule cominalties after iustyce and equite , and what an heuye intollerable laboure it is to minister iustyce and iudgement after Gods worde , lookyng for no aduauntage , but to be a comon seruant for the comon wealth sustayning suche intollerable burdens , labours and perels , as the offyce dewly ministred askethe , no man is glad to haue his chylde learned vnto such vnprofitable and laborouse endes . It was once an holy sacrifyce to God for a manne to dedicate his doughter or sonne vnto Frances , Clare , Benet , Thomas , Austen , Mary . &c. ydelly to lyue in all fylthines , whan riches , dignites & worldely vayne worshyp and priuate profyt followed or rather when they gredely aspired and folowed it . But nowe whan the comon laboure , godlynes , and the publique profit of all comon weales & congregacions depend vpon it , no man regardeth nether good learnyng nor vertue , so far of are they nowe to set theyr chyldren to godly sco les . When yougth was nothynge apte to good letters , and when there was no good learnyng nor no good teachers , then well was he that might sette his chyld to scole . But nowe when yougth was neuer so apteto good learnyng as it is this daye , learnynge , & good letters neuer so plenteously floryshyng , restored and redact into such acompendious clere brifnesse , neuer so good , diligent and learned masters , neuer so plenty of so good and playn bokes prynted , neuer so good cheape , the holy Ghost as it were into mennes mouthes mercifully offerynge hys gyftes , and yet wyll there no man open his mouth , his eyes to se so cleare lyght , nor his eares to heare so pure , manifest and holesome doctrine , euen the worde of theyr owne saluacion . For oure vnthanckefulnes , therfore all these infinite heauenvly benefites shall be taken from vs , & giuen to some other nacion , as to the Turkes & Iewes , whyche shall thanckefullyer then we receaue them . And we shall haue the popysh prestes wyth all papistrye haltered and captiued vnder hardenecked Pharao in myer and claye neuer to be delyuered out of that yerney seruitude of his intollerable bondage .

But nowe therfore O ye Christen parentes seyng that your yougth is now by the fauoure An exhortaci on to the chri ●…en parēte●… . of God endewed wyth so good wyttes & enclyned vnto good letters , let not the graces & gyftes of God be offred you in vayne , but exercyse them in good autors both Greke & Latine , and in noble hi●…ortes , in Logyke , Rethoryke , and in the tonges , let them read the holy Byble , and commend it to memory , & so shall they in tyme to come be profitable vnto the comon wealthe , whervnto they be borne .

And such as are apte to handy occupacions , let them b●… set to them which be moost profitable & necessary for a common weale , as for payntyng & keruynge wyth suche lyke , they are more ●…ucyouse than necessary , And consyder that al●…ust and true occupacions iustly erercysed and vsed , Goddes blessyng maketh them to prosper , and the truedoers and labourers in theyr callynge hys blyssyng make them rytch Euery man to put his chyld to that master which is moost ex cellent and connyng in that craft , it is no nede to monyshe , nor to exhorte your chyldren to be trewe , of fewe wordes , faythfull in dedes and promises , diligent and seruiseable to euery man obedient to theyr masters , clenly , quycke , handsome and wyllyng to do theyr commaundementes .

Nowe when thou hast perfectely learned thy Trauayling among strangers . crafte , it shall be profitable for the to trauel into straung countryes , to se the workyng and handlynge therof amonge other nacions , wherby ether thyselfe mayst lerne both a perfayter practyse and also more experience , or els they of the maye learne the same into thy nowne profyte . And in so trauaylynge holde thy selfe modeste , styll and sobre , medlynge not beyonde thyn own facultye . Be ientle , frendely , faythfull and curteous to them , conformynge thy selfe vnto theyr honest fashions and godly manners , Beware of euell company & dronkennes , beware of lyght & wanton women , learne no vyce nor euell maners of them , but only vertue & such occupacions as are profitable , bryng home connyng & vertue & no syn nor euell maners , of which thou shalte se to much , & to lytle of that good is . Cutte clothes & iagged & al to hagged hosen disfigure and deforme honest persons , & declare lyght men and wantonnes in thy harte .

But before all these experiences seakynge , se that thou prouidest thy chyldren honest mates ( if they desyre it ) and let them rather togither liue at home , and not the one to departe anye longe tyme from the tother for trauaylynge in straunge countreyes , bryng some yonge euell disposed per sons into great inconueniences and noughty liuyng , as it was wonte to be sayde of the Rome runners neuer to be good after .

¶ The. xx , Chapter

LEt not your yong daughters be to proudly yong wem●… apparell . & costly appareld , but modestly & honestly for thys gorgyouse apparel is not els but a minstrelsy , pypyng vp a daunce vnto al lechery i. Pet iii. Remember that Peter saithr That the apparel of wemen maye not be vtwarde inbroydred , oute layd hear which is an whorishe fashyon , nor in hangyng on of golde , or puttynge on of costelye gorgious flaryng clothes , &c. The vtward light apparell declareth a corrupt proude and sinfull inward hert . Let shamefastnes chastite , modesty , mekenes few wordes sadnes and sobryete be the yong womans aparell to sette forthe hyr bewtye . For after thys maner , in the olde tyme sayth Peter were holy yonge wemen decked of theyr matrons , & were obedient to theyr housbandes , As was Sara vnto Abraham , callynge hym Lorde , whose doughters ye are as longe as ye do well : Let the examples of Rebecca and Rachell be at youre eyes , whyche godlye and fayer women desyryng and sekynge the loue of theyre husbondes were glad to please them , Learne also i. Tim. ii . of Paul howe to tyer your selues : Bewar●… ye wound not your pouerty and proud hert and to precious and sumptuouse apparell , yf ye wyl go forthe in your prowde araye , so neglecte you the doctrine of god and procure youre selues damp nacion .

But yf ye saye , ye decke your selues to be the more clenely , & so to please youre husbandes , I tell you agayne , that ther is a meane & measure in euery thynge , & accordynge to euerye state & degree theris a comlye apparell , whych comelynes and measure no honest husbond nor honest wyfe wyl be glad to transgresse & exceade . Such eccesse & pryde maye procure the dyshonestye & harme to thy husbonde .

As for ientle wemen & suche , as are of noble Whether gentle , wemenne ●…ay go so ●…y ●…ly appa●…eled . byrthe , whether they maye excede in lyght & wanton apparell , or in apparell to costly . I wyl first as●… them whether they be Christen & faythfull wemen or vnfaythfull ? If they be vnbeleuers then let them walke as they liste . And the more gorgyouse tenderlynges they be , the better shall they please theyr head the dyuyll . And seynge they haue wanton proude sprytes , they muste nedes haue lyke garmentes to declare what they b●… within in herte and mynde , wyth these wemen I wyll not wrestle . But yf they be Chrysten faythfull wemen , they maye well knowe that the holy Apostles Peter and Paule haue wryten theyr erhortaciōs for sober apparell , vnto them which haue such ryche Iewels , stones , gold & syluer , & not to poore women , that haue them not . Seyng then that the word of God is pryncypally spoken to you that be ientle women of noble parentel whych haue these ryches and Iewels to laye them awaye wyth all youre pompe and pryde , & wyl be taken for Chrysten folkes , then folowe you the exhortations of the mynysters of Iesu Christ . What 〈◊〉 the true nobil●… te .

Moreouer ye shulde remember what is the very nobilite , & what maketh gentle men and wemen , that it is not apparell , but m●…kenes , gentle behauyour , discrete conuersacyon , prudence , wysdome , lernynge & vertue . And they that in Chryst Iesu are baptysed , are baptysed into one body of Chryst , where we are all one & no difference betwixte noble nor bloude , poore nor ritch Galat. iii. And therfore in thys respecte there is no boast to be made of bloude , but remember y ● ●…oble quene Hester , whych sayde : Thou knowest my state o Lorde , & that I hate the sygne of preemynence & worshyp whych I beare vpon my head , what tyme I must go forth to be sene & that I abhorre it as an vncleane clothe , and that I weare it not whan I am quyet alone by Why ritche●… be gyuen to menne of no bilite . my self . GOD therfore hath geuen you ryches to dystrybute them to the poore , & not to mayn tayne your pryde therwyth . So were Iewelles bestowed euen amonge the Heathen , for at Rome was a lawe called Lex Oppia , wherby all pompe & excesse of rayment was forbodden all honeste wemen , & they were commaunded that none ( how myghty or rytche soeuer they were ) shulde not weare aboue an vnce of golde vpon theyr bodies .

Cypriane sayeth that wemen , albe it they ●…yprian . be ryche , yet therfore ought they not to vse the more pompe & pryde , but to knowe those onelye to be riche , which are ernest in godlye workes , & helpyng the poore . A shamefull and blasphemous thynge it is , to weare syluer , golde , veluets Mark thys well o ye gē●…il women and sylkes , and to suffer the poore to want clothes & foode . yee she that proudlye decketh her selfe , destroyeth hyr owne soule , & geuethe other folkes occasyon of destruccyon . For she stereth vp euell affeccyons and lustes in them that beholde hyr , yee such one is poyson and swearde to them that se her . Nether may suche gorgyouse flarynge wemen be iudged godlye nor honest . i ▪ Cor. xi . And therfore sayde Paul , That euerye woman comming into the church to pray or to heare the worde preached must be honestly coue red , and especially hyr heade , for yf she come in bare headed or shewyng any parte of her heare Marke Mala. ii . ( as some saye it out , and manye haue borowed heare ) she dishonest hyr head whych is hyr housband : let them therfore be decked and koueredde wyth comely veales for the angelles whyche are then ministers and messangers of God And what madnes were it to come into the church vnder a pretence of humblenes to pray to God for grace , wher by such proude fashyons thou prouokest hys heuy wrath vpon the ? It were better for such people to be thrust into a sacke , with a myl stone hanged aboute theyr neckes ( as Christ saieth ) drowned , then thus to offende anye one of the least in the congregacyon .

What shame God threateneth vnto suche prowde personnes , ye maye reade Esa. iii. sayynge : That for theyr chaynes of golde the shall haue halters of hempe and fetters and colers of yerne for theyr muske and pomaunders , they shal haue stynke for theyr brodred heare euerye man shall se them balde , and for theyr stomachers of golde they shall weare sack , whyche all wythe a myserable destruccion of Israhell and Iuda by theAssiryans and Babylonites came iustlye to passe in the dayes of these kynges Ioa chas Ioakim and Zedechias , Wherfore let xxii . cha. iiii . Lib. Reg. 〈◊〉 . ●…o forth . euery honest woman accordyng to hyr state & abilite be comely clenly and honestely apparelled auoydynge all sluttishnes and vnclennelyenes , and so teche theyre chyldren and refrayne from all excesse and super fluite , that God may be praysed & noman offended at your apparel , ra ther garnished with vertue & vtward honestye than with pryde whych procureth you euuye , and it wyll in conclusion haue a shamefull fall .

¶ The. xxi . Chapter .

¶ Howe daughters and maydens must be kepte .

NOw to returne to yong daughters how 〈◊〉 . they shuld be enstru●…t in prayer & know lege of theyr christen religion according as it is set forth in dialoges & institutions of the christians , yet shall they not be to busy in teachyng & reasoning openlye , but there to vse sylence and to learne at home , openly to heare , and at home let them reasone and teache eche other . Neyther wold I nothaue them euer shutte vp , as it were in cage , neuer to speake nor to come forthe , but Good counsel for mens daughters & maydes . sometymes to se the good fasshions and honest behauiour of other for to kepe than euer in mew is ynough eyther to make them starcke fooles , or ●…lles to make them naughtes , when they shal once come abroad into company . As for this thyng , euery discrete parente shall knowe by the aforesayd rules howe to order them , to auoyd all wantonnes and nycenesse in wordes , gestures and dedes , to eschewe all vnhonest games and passe tymes , to auoyd all vnhonest loues and occasions of the same , as vnhonest daunsynge , wanton communicacion , company wythe rybaldes and fylthy speakers , teache them to auerte theyr syght and sences from all such inconueniences , let them auoyd ydlenes , be occupied ether doinge some profitable thyng for your family , or e●…es Bokes of 〈◊〉 bles of fon●… & lyght lou●… women ought not t●… reade . readynge some godly boke , lette them not reade bokes of fables , of fond and lyght loue , but call vpon God to haue pure hartes and chaste , that they might cleue only to theyr spouse Christ vnto hym maryed by fayth , which is the moost pu rest wedlock of vs all , pure virgins , beyng both maried and vnmaried . Euell wordes , saythe Paul , corrupte good manners , vnclennes and couetousnes , let them not once be named among Ephe. v. you , nor no foolysh rybaldry talkyng , nor light testyng , which are not comely , but be occupied in prayers and thankesgyuynge . Bokes of Robyn hood , Beues of Hampton , Tro●…us , & such lyke fables do but kyndle in lyers lyke lyes and wanton loue , which ought not in yougth wyth theyr fyrst spettle to be droncken in , lest they euer remayne in them . If ye delyght to synge songes ye haue the Psalmes and many godly songes & bokes in Englysh right frutefull & swete . Take the new Testament in your handes , & study it diligently , & learne your profession in baptyme to mortify your flesh , and to be reuyued in the spirite , learne the vse of the Lordes supper , to remember his death , and to gyue hym perpetuall thankes for thy redempcion . Mothers must also teache theyr doughters to worcke , to loue theyr husbandes and chyldren . And lette them laye their handes to spynne , sewe , weaue . etc , For Lerne them to worke . the noblest wemen , bothe amonge the Heathen Romans and Grekes & Hebrewes had greate commendacyons for theyr houswyfly working wyth theyr handes , as ye maye reade of Salomon , sayenge : He that fyndeth an honest faythfull Pr●… . xixi. woman , she is more worth then precious perles . The herte of her husband maye safelye trust to her . All the dayes of hyr lyfe wyll she seke hys profit . She occupieth woll and flaxe , and laboureth gladly wyth her handes , She is lyke a marchauntes shippe . et ce. It is expedient that a man handfast not his daughter before he hath good experience of hyr housewyfrye , & go uerning of an house . For it becometh hir better to haue a payer of roughe and harde handes , then to be fayer & softe glisteryng with rynges Fay●… handed and tender fyngered women are not to be praysed . or kouered contynually wyth smothe gloues . And let the parentes be ware that they bryng them not vp to tenderly wantonly and delicately or to nycely . And at dew tyme let them be prouyded for so that they maye gouerne theyr owne houses wyth theyr owne husbandes .

Thus moche haue I spoken concernyng holy wedlock accordyng to the Scriptures of god Desyryng all men , that shall reade thys lytyll treatyse hereby to take an occasyon to hate and deteste all vnclennes , & godly to embrace holye wedlocke , which is honorable among all personnes , and so to lead theyr lyfe here in all godlynes and honeste , that after theyr departure oute of this world , they may reygne for euermore in perpetuall glorye with the Bryde . grome Iesus Christ , to whome be all honoure and prayse worldes without ende .

AMEM.

¶ Gyue the glory to God alone .