A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

This was Rebecca's care.^a If Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, what good shall my life do me? Manoahs for Samson, ^bIs there not a wife among thine own people but thou must go to the Philistines? Is there no friend but an enemy? no tree, but the forbidden? no helper, but a tempter? no wife but the Canaanite? can none please us, but such as displease God?^c He that is married to such a wife, careth more to please •er, than God. Of all the guests bidden to the great feast, he that was married, (likely to such a wife) desired not to be excused; but impudently protests, that he cannot come. If from Ish, and Isha, you cast out Jod and He, there remains to that couple nothing but fire; say the Rabbins. So wretched is it to couple without God. When the eye makes the match for beauty, or the ear by hearsay, taking a wife upon trust •or the hand for money; marrying (though not by picture, yet) for pictures. Themistocles being consulted, whether it were better for a man to marry his daughter to an honest poor man, or to a rich of small virtue and goodness; answered; I had rather have a man that wants money, than money that wants a man. How base is that love, which hath no other weight than riches! How do parents breed an A•gue in the bones of their children, that shall shake them to their very graves! When the tie of their loves is either portion or proportion only, without regard of either religion or conscience. One said truly; He that weds for state or face, buys a horse to lose a race. There is Caesars stamp, and Gods stamp: most men marry for Caesars stamp, and these are worse than the old world; for they married for Adams stamp. Gods stamp is grace, Caesars money, Adams beauty.

This was Rebecca's care.^a If Iacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, what good shall my life doe me? Manoahs for Samson, ^bIs there not a wife among thine owne people but thou must goe to the Philistines? Is there no friend but an enemy? no tree, but the forbidden? no helper, but a tempter? no wife but the Canaanite? can none please us, but such as displease God?