Marriage duties briefly couched together out of Colossians, 3. 18, 19. By Thomas Gataker…Marriage duties briefely couched togither out of Colossians, 3. 18, 19. By Thomas Gataker…

Secondly, if a man be bound to love his wife in this sort, then men must take heed how they match with those whom they cannot thus love and affect; whom they cannot thus link their hearts and affections unto. ^gFor ^hthere is no ^*affection freer then love: as there is nothing more forcible, so ^*nothing that can be less forced. This is a fault in many, who to satisfy friends,ⁱ or to advance their estates, or for some other worldly by-respects, match in that manner; and so cast themselves foolishly into a fearful snare, which they are never able after to wind themselves out of again. Men and women therefore are to be admonished here that they look ere they leap: and that they remember that ^*one had need to deliberate long, and advise well on that which but once can be determined: to pause throughly upon that that but once can be concluded; that being once concluded concludeth them; being once done cannot be undone again. And those that have already overshot themselves in this kind, they must now strive even to enforce their affections; and crave grace at Gods hand, ^*whereby they may be enabled to bring themselves to that disposition, that God now requireth of them. In a word, he that is free, may frame his choice to his mind but he that hath chosen must frame his heart to his choice: Before he might conform his actions to his affection; now he must endeavour to frame his ⟨p. 36⟩affection to his action.^*

Secondly, if a man be bound to loue his wife in this sort, then men must take heed how they match with those whom they cannot thus loue and affect; whom they cannot thus linke their hearts and affections vnto.