The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…

The Apostle saith,¹ that there will be offences in the church: so sure there will be many offences in marriage: but as he saith, these are trials who have faith, so these are but trials who are good husbands, & who are good wives. His anger must be such a mood, as if he ⟨p. 39⟩did chide with himself, and their strife as it were a sauce made of purpose to sharpen their love when it waxeth unpleasant: like Jonathans arrows which were not shot to hurt,² but to give warning.³ Knowing once a couple which were both choleric, and yet never fell out, I asked the man how they did order the matter, that their infirmity did not make them discord. He answered me, when her fit is upon her I yield to her, as Abraham did to Sarah;⁴ and when my fit is upon me, she yields to me, and so we never strive together, but asunder. Me thought it was a good example to commend unto all married folks: for every one hath his frenzy and loveth them that can bear his infirmity. Whom will a woman suffer, if she will not suffer her husband? and whose defects will a man bear, if he will not bear hers which beareth his? Thus much of their duties in general, now to their several offices.

The Apostle sayth,¹ that there will bee offences in the church: so sure there wilbe many offenses in mariage: but as he saith, these are trials who haue faith, so these are but tryals who are good husbands, & who are good wiues. His anger must be such a mood, as if he ⟨p. 39⟩did chide with himselfe, and their strife as it were a sauce made of purpose to sharpē their loue when it waxeth vnpleasaunt: like Ionathans arrowes which were not shot to hurt,²