Christian Reader; Marriage hath scarce more that use, then that accuse it. Most men enter into this estate, and being entered complain thereof. They should rather complain of themselves. It is an unjust thing, and a fruit of ignorant pride, to cast the blame of our grievances upon Gods ordinances. I had been happy (saith one) had I not been married. Then wast thou foolish both before and since thy marriage. Use it well, it shall add to thine happiness. We make bitter sauce, and cry out that the meat is bitter. Thou livest in Matrimony not after Gods direction, but the rules (crooked rules they be) of thine own lusts, and then sayest, Oh that I had never married, Oh that I were unmarried. For shame keep silence, thy crying shows thy disease. Thou art indeed married to an ill companion (thy wicked flesh, that body of death, that old husband) and art pestered with its brood, and neither seekest a divorce from this tyrant, nor endeavourest to crucify the wicked off-spring thereof. Hence are thy woes; not thy Husband, not thy Wife, but thy pride, thy passion, cause all this annoyance, all this discontentment. I labour in this little Treatise to plead the cause of marriage: not so much directly in speech, as indeed actually, by directing the married to the knowledge and practise of their duties, which would mend all. These what soever man and woman endeavour to follow, if they prove not marriage a solace to their souls, and refreshing to their other griefs, let me never but grieve.
CHristian Reader; Marriage hath scarse more that vse, then that accuse it. Most men enter into this estate, and beeing entred complaine therof. They should rather complaine of themselues. It is an vniust thing, and a fruit of ignorant pride, to cast the blame of our greeuances vpon Gods ordinances. I had bene happie (saith one) had I not bene married. Then wast thou foolish both before and since thy marriage. Ʋse it well, it shall adde to thine happinesse. We make bitter sawce, and cry out that the meate is bitter. Thou liuest in Matrimony not after Gods direction, but the rules (crooked rules they be) of thine owne lusts, and then sayest, Oh that I had neuer married, Oh that I were vnmarried. For shame keepe silence, thy crying shewes thy disease. Thou art indeed married to an ill companion (thy wicked flesh, that body of death, that old husband) and art pestered with its brood, and neither seekest a diuorce from this tyrant, nor endeauourest to crucify the wicked off-spring thereof. Hence are thy woes; not thy Husband, not thy Wife, but thy pride, thy passion, cause all this annoyance, all this discontentment. I labour in this little Treatise to plead the cause of marriage: not so much directly in speech, as indeede actually, by directing the married to the knowledge and practise of their duties, which would mend all. These what soeuer man and woman indeuour to follow, if they prooue not marriage a solace to their soules, and refreshing to their other greefes, let mee neuer but greeue.
