The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…

In the seventh Commandment there are many things to be noted, but I can but touch¹ some one or two at this present for want of time: the special use and substance of it is this much: that you live chastely in this estate, and that you keep the marriage bed undefiled; and let me give you both this warning, that you take heed in the beginning, mark what I say, least that which ought to be a means to further chastity, should turn to the hinderance of you. Therefore pray to God to give you grace that you may be soberly affected in all things, and namely, in the use of marriage: and repent of that which is past, if you have any way offended the Lord in this behalf. For many failing in repentance for their former sins, fall afterward unto their uncleanness again. As for you Brother, true love towards your wife, will be a notable stay from all corruptions: this we read of Isaac, Gen: 24. 67. because he loved Rebecca very dearly, he had no more wives but her; albeit in those days (it was a grievous sin) even amongst many of the faithful, they had at once more wives than one. Therefore when you are from her abroad, make a covenant with your eyes, and let not your heart wander after any other, but think upon your own wife, and delight your heart in her continually, and pray earnestly unto God for her, and so will the Lord increase your love unto her, and move her heart also to delight and long after you. So must you sister, that the same blessings may overtake you: as surely if you ⟨p. 127⟩embrace his fear, and walk in his ways, he will bless you as well in bearing of children, as in other his manifold graces which he hath in store to bestow upon you.

In the seuenth Commandement there are many things to be noted, but I can but touch¹ some one or two at this present for want of time: the speciall vse and substance of it is this much: that you liue chastly in this estate, and that you keepe the mariage bed vndefiled; and let me giue you both this warning, that you take heede in the beginning, marke what I say, least that which ought to be a meanes to further chastitie, should turne to the hinderance of you. Therefore pray to God to giue you grace that you may be soberly affected in all things, and namely, in the vse of mariage: and repent of that which is past, if you haue any way offended the Lord in this behalfe. For many failing in repentance for their former sinnes, fall afterward vnto their vncleannes againe. As for you Brother, true loue towards your wife, will bee a notable stay from all corruptions: this wee reade of Isaack, Gen: 24. 67. because he loued Rebecca very dearely, he had no more wiues but her; albeit in those dayes (it was a grieuous sinne) euen amongst many of the faithful, they had at once more wiues than one. Therefore when you are from her abroade, make a couenant with your eyes, and let not your heart wander after any other, but thinke vpon your owne wife, and delight your heart in her continually, and pray earnestly vnto God for her, and so will the Lord increase your loue vnto her, and moue her heart also to delight and long after you. So must you sister, that the same blessings may ouertake you: as surely if you