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…

Then it is honourable for the place: For whereas all other ordinances were instituted out of Paradise, marriage was instituted in Paradise, in the happiest place, to signify how happy they are that marry in the Lord, they do not only marry one another, but Christ is married unto them: and so marriage hath the honour of the place above all other ordinances, because it was ordained in Paradise.

Then it is honourable for the place: For whereas all other ordinances were instituted out of Paradise, mariage was instituted in Paradise, in the happiest place, to signifie how happie they are that marrie in the Lord, they do not onely marrie one another, but Christ is married vnto them: and so marriage hath the honour of the place aboue all other ordinances, because it was ordained in Paradise.

As God the Father honoured marriage, so did God the Son,¹ which is called the seed of the woman: and therefore Marriage was so honoured amongst women because of this seed, that when Elizabeth brought forth a son,² she said, that God had taken away her rebuke: counting it the honour of women to bear children, and by consequence, the honour ⟨p. 4⟩of women to be married; for the children which are borne out of marriage, are the dishonour of women, and called by the shameful name of Bastards.³

As God the Father honoured marriage, so did God the Sonne,¹ which is called the seed of the woman: and therfore Marriage was so honored amongst women because of this seed, that when Elizabeth brought foorth a sonne,²