A bride-bush, or A wedding sermon compendiously describing the duties of married personsA bride-bush, or A vvedding sermon compendiously describing the duties of married persons

10. But how shall one that wants this love, attain it, and he which hath some portion thereof, gain a larger increase? I answer, there be two things which will even cement and glue the fowls of man and wife together; the first is, that they take special notice of Gods gracious providence, for good in their match. They which look to God as the match-maker, and that in favour take each other as love-tokens from Heaven, and therefore cannot but love that well, which comes as a sign of his favour, whom they strive to love above all. But they which see not his hand mercifully coupling them in this fellowship, must needs fall out speedily, seeing they want this third thing, as it were the ligament and juncture of their affections. A matter of small value is not smally respected, when it comes in good-will, from a great friend, and dear withal. He that loves the giver, will love his gift also, though not so precious: So the husband or wife. though not of the best parts, shall be dear to the yoke-fellow that loves God, if he or she resolve in their hearts, God in great goodness hath bestowed this man or woman upon me. Yea, say he or she be somewhat froward and sullied (as I may say) with ill conditions, the dearness of the giver will countervail some blemishes in the gift. Say the Lord did correct thee, in giving thee this husband, this wife: It was in savour, and for thy good. Canst thou choose but kiss and love even the rod that comes from a fathers hand? But to this means add a second (which will also further unto this) and love shall grow without fail: Let married couples join together in private prayer, good conference, singing of Psalms, and other like religious exercises betwixt ⟨p. 10⟩themselves alone.¹ S. Peter would not have the prayers of the married interrupted: for he knew full well, that these were the best means of nourishment to their loves. In these things, the bright beams of Gods Image will shine forth, which have power to make them amiable each to other. Here they shall bring so much profit and good to each others soul, even to their own feelings, as will effectually provoke their affections to be mutually fervent. Here they shall see themselves to be children of the same father, servants of one Master, strangers of one Country, & Pilgrims travailing both to one & the same home.

10. But how shall one that wants this loue, attaine it, and he which hath some portion thereof, gaine a larger increase? I answere, there bee two things which will euen cement and glew the foules of man and wife together; the first is, that they take speciall notice of Gods gracious prouidence, for good in their match. They which looke to God as the match-maker, and that in fauour take each other as loue-tokens from Heauen, and therefore cannot but loue that well, which comes as a signe of his fauour, whom they striue to loue aboue all. But they which see not his hand mercifully coupling them in this fellowship, must needes fall out speedily, seeing they want this third thing, as it were the ligament and iuncture of their affections. A matter of small value is not smally respected, when it comes in good-will, from a great friend, and deare withall. Hee that loues the giuer, will loue his gift also, though not so pretious: So the husband or wife. though not of the best parts, shalbe deare to the yoke-fellow that loues God, if he or she resolue in their hearts, God in great goodnesse hath bestowed this man or woman vpon mee. Yea, say hee or she be somewhat froward and sullied (as I may say) with ill conditions, the dearenesse of the giuer wil counteruaile some blemishes in the gift. Say the Lord did correct thee, in giuing thee this husband, this wife: It was in sauour, and for thy good. Canst thou chuse but kisse and loue euen the rod that comes from a fathers hand? But to this meanes adde a second (which will also further vnto this) and loue shall grow without faile: Let married couples ioyne together in priuat prayer, good conference, singing of Psalmes, and other like religious exercises betwixt