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, because this is ^(d)the fountain from whence the rest flow: and the streams can not flow pure and clear unless the fountain be first cleansed and kept clean. The Apostle therefore ⟨p. 4⟩wisely beginneth at the Head-spring, that a good course being settled in this principal society, it may be the better kept and continued in others that issue and flow from it.

Secondly, because this is ^(d)the fountaine from whence the rest flow: and the streames can not flow pure and cleare vnlesse the fountaine be first clensed and kept cleane. The Apostle therefore ⟨p. 4⟩wisely beginneth at the Head-spring, that a good course being setled in this principall societie, it may be the better kept and continued in others that issue and flow from it.

1. (d)Psal. 128.3. & 127.3.

And this point thus observed may first serve to show what is one main cause of much neglect of duty in many families, in children towards parents, in servants toward Master and Mistress; because the governors are not careful of mutual duties betwixt themselves, of concord and agreement the one with the other, of love and fidelity the one to the other, of respectful and regardful carriage the one towards the other. And so neglect of duty and difference between them is a means to breed a contempt of one or both in those that should be guided by them: making servants and children to take occasion of liberty and fail in their duty to them, as they fail in duty either to other. Yea it is a just judgement oft with God to punish the one by the other: as