Two marriage sermons the former on Prov. 19. 14. By Thomas Gataker B. of…Tvvo mariage sermons the former on Prov. 19. 14. By Thomas Gataker B. of…

Of this judgement and affection were these Parties, that at this time invited our Saviour Christ, else they would never have invited him. For far be it that we should think, (yea the Story shows the contrary) that these Persons called Christ to this Feast, to vex and grieve his Soul, with scurrile and ribald merriments, and with wanton and unchaste sports & delights; or that for reverence of Christs presence, they excluded and laid aside any lawful delights fitting such an Exercise; and therefore, though there was a solemn Feast at this Marriage, and though out of question the day was spent in delights and pleasures, (as is most meet for such matters) yet they were such delights and pleasures, as they durst call our Saviour Christ unto, yea and make him a partaker of.

Of this iudgement and affection were these Parties, that at this time invited our Sauiour Christ, else they would neuer haue invited him. For far be it that we should thinke, (yea the Storie shewes the contrary) that these Persons called Christ to this Feast, to vex and greiue his Soule, with scurrile and ribald merriments, and with wanton and vnchast sports & delights; or that for reuerence of Christs presence, they excluded and laid aside any lawfull delights fitting such an Exercise; and therefore, though there was a solemne Feast at this Mariage, and though out of question the day was spent in delights and pleasures, (as is most meete for such matters) yet they were such delights and pleasures, as they durst call our Sauiour Christ vnto, yea and make him a partaker of.

Fie therefore and a shame of such mirth as doth not beseem the presence of Christ,¹ of such words, as beseem not his ears, of such actions and exercises as beseem not his holy eyes; such mirth and pastime is not befitting any Solemnity, much less so honourable a Solemnity, as Marriage is or ought to be, which is a sacred knot, whereby two persons are inviolably knit together by the hand of God. As therefore this day, many of you are called to feast and rejoice with these Parties, that are to be united in a faithful bond: So I beseech you, as you will answer it before the Lord, and look for a blessing upon these Parties, in love of whom you are assembled, that you would look to your mirth, and see whether it be such, as in your Consciences you are persuaded, that Christ Jesus himself, if he were present, would not be offended, but well pleased with it. Consider whether thy mirth and laughter be such, as Christ Jesus would be delighted therein with thee: For Christ our head, mourneth with those that mourn in him, and rejoiceth with those that rejoice in him: Otherwise assure thy self, that that pleasure of thine, with which Christ Jesus is displeased, shall be turned into pain; that that joy of thine, wherein Christ doth not joy with thee, shall be turned into sorrow; that laughter of thine, that is offensive to him, shall be turned into tears. There cannot be a greater wrong offered to a man, then for any to make themselves merry with that, which shall grieve and vex him: How much more is it an heinous wrong unto God, when men shall be assembled to solace & delight themselves in those things,