A commentary upon the whole book of Judges Preached first and delivered in sundry…A commentary vpon the vvhole booke of Iudges Preached first and deliuered in sundrie…

And indeed, where both are of one mind, and will, in good things, this is no difficult matter, thus to join and work together that natural love and content in each other, and so (which is the fruit thereof) joy and peace in the good success they have in their endeavours and affairs, may be procured and augmented, I say among such as be of one sound mind, it is more easily obtained (though the best had need to watch for such grace, that fickleness, estrangement and weariness, do not break in) but how shall this be found among other couples, wholly corrupt, and void of goodness, such as the greatest number is? Surely not easily, especially if trials come (for alas the worst make a shift to please each other while they prosper) as we see in that foolish woman, Jobs wife, who while things went well with them, is not said to have broken out so grossly, but seeing her husband plunged into misery, added to his sorrow by her unseasonable speech, whereas she should then (above all other times) have spake somewhat in season, to have comforted him, when all other outward helps failed. No man (saith the Apostle) ever hated his own flesh, but nourished and cherished it: so that self-love might somewhat persuade this duty, that couples should seek the peace and welfare of each other. And if the example of our Lord Jesus may prevail (as we know married persons are sent to that rule to learn of him) then let them consider, how tenderly he careth for his Church and spouse, by all means procuring delight to her, and avoiding molestation from her, saying: I charge you wake not my spouse ¹till she please. This chariness and care of removing all such things out of the way, as might cause each others heaviness and grief, and bearing the ⟨p. 628⟩burden of each other, that the afflicted party might be eased, is the best way to witness in them this sympathy of affection, and like mindedness.

And indeed, where both are of one minde, and will, in good things, this is no difficult matter, thus to ioyne and worke together that naturall loue and content in each other, and so (which is the fruite thereof) ioy and peace in the good successe they haue in their endeauours and affaires, may be procured and augmented, I say among such as be of one sound minde, it is more easilie obtained (though the best had need to watch for such grace, that ficklenesse, estrangement and wearinesse, doe not breake in) but how shall this bee found among other couples, wholely corrupt, and voide of goodnesse, such as the greatest number is? Surely not easilie, especially if trials come (for alas the worst make a shift to please each other while they prosper) as we see in that foolish woman, Iobs wife, who while things went well with them, is not said to haue broken out so grossely, but seeing her husband plunged into miserie, added to his sorrow by her vnseasonable speech, whereas shee should then (aboue all other times) haue spake somewhat in season, to haue comforted him, when all other outward helps failed. No man (saith the Apostle) euer hated his owne flesh, but nourished and cherished it: so that selfeloue might somewhat perswade this dutie, that couples should seeke the peace and welfare of each other. And if the example of our Lord Iesus may preuaile (as we know married persons are sent to that rule to learne of him) then let them consider, how tenderly hee careth for his Church and spouse, by all meanes procuring delight to her, and auoiding molestation from her, saying: I charge you wake not my spouse