The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in…The second tome of homilees of such matters as were promised, and intituled in…

Furthermore, consider what reward thou shalt have at Gods hand: For where thou mightest beat her, and yet for the respect of the fear of God, thou wilt abstain and bear patiently her great offences, the rather in respect of that law which forbiddeth that a man should caste out his wife what fault soever she be cumbered with, thou shalt have a very great reward, & before the receipt of that reward, thou shalt feel many commodities: For by this means she shall be made the more obedient, and thou for her sake shalt be made the more meek. It is written in a story ⟨p. 493⟩of a certain strange Philosopher, which had a cursed wife, a froward, and a drunkard. When he was asked for what consideration he did so bear her evil manners? He made answer. By this means (said he) I have at home a Schoolmaster, and an example how I should behave myself abroad. For I shall (saith he) be the more quiet with other, being thus daily exercised and taught in the forbearing of her. Surely it is a shame that paynims should be wiser then we, we I say, that be commanded to counterfeit angels, or rather God him self through meekness. And for the love of virtue, this said Philosopher Socrates would not expel his wife out of his house. Yea some say that he did therefore marry his wife, to learn this virtue by that occasion. Wherefore, seeing many men be far behind the wisdom of this man, my counsel is, that first and before all things, that man do his best endeavour to get him a good wife, endued with all honesty and virtue. But if it so chance that he is deceived, that he hath chosen such a wife as is neither good nor tolerable, then let the husband follow this Philosopher, and let him instruct his wife in every condition, and never lay these matters to sight. For the merchant man, except he first be at composition with his factor to use his interaffayres quietly, he will neither stir his ship to sail, nor yet will lay hands upon his merchandise. Even so, let us do all things, that we may have the fellowship of our wives, which is the factor of all our doings at home, in great quiet and ⟨p. 494⟩rest. And by these means all things shall prosper quietly, and so shall we pass through the dangers of the troublous sea of this world.

Furthermore, consider what reward thou shalt haue at Gods hande: For where thou myghtest beate her, and yet for the respecte of the feare of God, thou wilt abstaine and beare patiently her great offences, the rather in respect of that lawe which forbiddeth that a man shoulde caste out his wyfe what faulte soeuer she be combred with, thou shalt haue a very great rewarde, & before the receipt of that rewarde, thou shalt feele many commodities: For by this meanes she shalbe made the more obedient, and thou for her sake shalt be made the more meeke. It is wrytten in a storye