Christian economyChristian oeconomie

Reasons are these. First, because the comforts of this society in likelihood will by this means always be equal, and consequently bring the more contentment to either party. Secondly, these unequal marriages are often times offensive to others. Thirdly, they cannot but in some cases prove offensive even to themselves. For when a man of great years matcheth with a woman very young, or a young stripling marrieth an aged woman; the elder party growing weak and impotent, may the sooner come to be unfit for marriage duties; and the younger being of greater strength and ability,, the more in danger of being exposed to incontinence, and that in the highest degree, unless he be restrained by Gods special grace. For this cause it was a great fault, wherewith one Apuleius was justly charged, that being but a very young man, he was married to a wife of 60. years of age.

Reasons are these. First, because the comforts of this societie in likelihood will by this meanes alwaies be equall, and consequently bring the more contentment to either partie. Secondly, these vnequall mariages are often times offensiue to others. Thirdly, they cannot but in some cases proue offensiue euen to themselues. For when a man of great yeares matcheth with a woman very yong, or a yong stripling marrieth an aged woman; the elder partie growing weake and impotent, may the sooner come to be vnfit for mariage duties; and the yonger being of greater strēgth and abilitie,, the more in danger of being exposed to incontinencie, and that in the highest degree, vnlesse he be restrained by Gods speciall grace. For this cause it was a great fault, wherewith one Apuleius was iustly charged, that being but a very yong man, he was married to a wife of 60. yeares of age.

Secondly, of condition and estate. For this also is answerable unto the Apostles rule, who exhorteth men to think of, and to do those things which are true, just, commendable, and of good report, Philip. 4. 8. Thus it is a seemly and commendable practise, that, the Prince, the Noble man, the free-man, the gentleman, the yeoman, &c. should be joined in society with them, that are of the same or like condition with themselves, and not otherwise. For this cause are the ancient Romans greatly to be commended, who (as we read in their stories) had such a careful respect of their marriages in this behalf, that they made laws and constitutions for the restraining of inequality of worldly estate in such societies, by this means preventing much confusion and disturbance in families, and other orders of men. Whereunto agrees that of Tertullian,