Right Worshipful; A former Sermon of mine concerning matter of Marriage being now the second time called for to pass the Press; In stead of adding to that, which some desired, I was advised and requested ⟨image 18⟩rather by others to annex this. Whereunto having yielded, I knew not which way better to direct it than to your selues; ut whose happy conjunction some part of it was preached, the residue through straits of time being for that time suppressed. What then you should have heard, if the time had permitted, both your selves may now read (if you please) with some further enlargement, and others also (if they think it may be of use to them) under your Names. Therein, as in a Glass, as you, Worthy MADAM, may (I doubt not) see your self lively deciphered; so you, Blessed SIR, yea thrice blessed in this your happy choice, might learn, but that (I know) you are not now to learn it, what a precious Jewell God hath in her bestowed on you, and how great a measure of thankfulness you owe to him for his mercy to you therein. Yea both of you may behold here, what a blessed estate and condition of life it is, that GOD hath pleased to call you unto, where the same is managed through his grace according to his will; notwithstanding those vile and foul aspersions here in part ⟨image 18⟩laid open, that those of that Romish faction are wont to cast upon it. If of those that abuse this holy and divine Ordinance, and carry themselves otherwise therein than they ought, there seem to any a Censure over-harsh here to be passed; Let them consider that it is no other than Gods word giveth good warrant for; and let them take heed, lest by censuring it, they give suspicion that themselves come within compass of such Censure. To your selves (I am assured) no Apology shall need either for it, or mine addressing it to you. But hoping it will be accepted, as it is intended, as a testimony of my sincere and entire affection to you both; with hearty prayers to GOD for your happy cohabitation to be long continued to his greater glory, your mutual comfort, and the further benefit of those that may have dependence upon you: I commend you to 1him, and his gracious Word, who vouchsafe thereby to build you further in those good graces that he hath begun in you, that you may have inheritance ⟨image 19⟩with those that are here truly sanctified, and shall hereafter be eternally saved.
RIght Worshipfull; A former Sermon of mine concerning matter of Mariage being now the second time called for to passe the Presse; In stead of adding to that, which some desired, I was aduised and requested ⟨image 18⟩rather by others to annex this. Whereunto hauing yeelded, I knew not which way better to direct it than to your selues; ut whose happy conjunction some part of it was preached, the residue through streits of time being for that time suppressed. What then you should haue heard, if the time had permitted, both your selues may now reade (if you please) with some further enlargement, and others also (if they thinke it may be of vse to them) vnder your Names. Therein, as in a Glasse, as you, Worthy MADAM, may (I doubtnot) see your selfe liuely deciphered; so you, Blessed SIR, yea thrice blessed in this your happy choise, might learne, but that (I know) you are not now to learne it, what a pretious Iewell God hath in her bestowed on you, and how great a measure of thankfulnesse you owe to him for his mercy to you therein. Yea both of you may behold here, what a blessed estate and condition of life it is, that GOD hath pleased to call you vnto, where the same is managed through his grace according to his will; notwithstanding those vile and foule aspersions here in part ⟨image 18⟩laid open, that those of that Romish faction are wont to cast vpon it. If of those that abuse this holy and diuine Ordinance, and carry themselues otherwise therein than they ought, there seeme to any a Censure ouer-harsh here to be passed; Let them consider that it is no other than Gods word giueth good warrant for; and let them take heed, lest by censuring it, they giue suspition that themselues come within compasse of such Censure. To your selues (I am assured) no Apology shall need either for it, or mine addressing it to you. But hoping it will be accepted, as it is intended, as a testimonie of my sincere and intire affection to you both; with hearty prayers to GOD for your happy cohabitation to be long continued to his greater glory, your mutuall comfort, and the further benefit of those that may haue dependance vpon you: I commend you to 1him, and his gracious Word, who vouchsafe thereby to build you further in those good graces that hee hath begun in you, that you may haue inheritance ⟨image 19⟩with those that are here truly sanctified, and shall hereafter bee eternally saued.
- 1Act. 20. 32.
