Wilfulness and frowardness, grow like two evil branches, out of one root of folly. But wariness of mind, in foreseeing, and forefearing evil, brings quietness of mind, in bearing and sustaining evil: and the expectation of misery makes it, at least, seem lighter, because the mind is somewhat acquainted with it by contemplation. When Israel would needs have a King to rule over them, as other Nations, the Lord commandeth Samuel to testify unto them, what should be the manner of their King, and so he tells them, what heavy burdens their much-desired Monarch should lade them withal. No doubt it is as needful for marrying persons, to know what burdens their wedded condition is like to bring upon them. Wherefore I will make bold to foretell those that will enter into Marriage, that ⟨image 4⟩they must make account in changing their estate, to change for the less easeful; and will advise him that will follow mine advice (if not, let him follow his own mind, and say ten years after, whether was the better counsel) To go unto Matrimony with fear of the worst, and to know before-hand, that there grow Briers and Thorns in this way, whereon he must needs tread, that will travail in it. Yet is not this written by me, to make any man forbear marriage, whom God calleth unto it; nor to make men hazard themselves to wickedness, for fear of the cumbers of Matrimony: but alone to make those willing to want marriage, that may want it without sin, or hazard of sin; and to make men careful not to marry, before God calls them to it; and withal, being called, to fit themselves for it; lest if they marry sooner, or with less wariness, they discredit Marriage after a while, as most do that are married, by wishing themselves single again. Some man, perhaps, upon occasion of these words, may desire to have this demand satisfied, When doth God call a man to Marriage? I answer: First, when he sets him in such a condition, that he may marry, without wronging any other person, that is, when he is now become his own man, not bound by covenant to continue another mans servant: for God never crosseth himself: whom he hath called for a certain time to be servant unto a Master, him he doth not call, during that time, to break from that service, without his Masters liking; ⟨image 5⟩and to think of making himself a Master, before he have fulfilled the duty of a servant.
Wilfulnesse and frowardnesse, grow like two euill branches, out of one roote of folly. But warinesse of mind, in foreseeing, and forefearing euill, brings quietnesse of mind, in bearing and sustaining euill: and the expectation of miserie makes it, at least, seeme lighter, because the mind is somewhat acquainted with it by contemplation. When Israel would needs haue a King to rule ouer them, as other Nations, the Lord commandeth Samuel to testifie vnto them, what should bee the manner of their King, and so hee tels them, what heauy burdens their much-desired Monarch should lade them withall. No doubt it is as needfull for marrying persons, to know what burdens their wedded condition is like to bring vpon them. Wherefore I will make bold to foretel those that will enter into Marriage, that ⟨image 4⟩they must make account in changing their estate, to change for the lesse easefull; and will aduise him that will follow mine aduice (if not, let him follow his owne mind, and say ten yeres after, whether was the better counsell) To goe vnto Matrimonie with feare of the worst, and to know before-hand, that there grow Briers and Thornes in this way, wheron he must needs tread, that will trauaile in it. Yet is not this written by me, to make any man forbeare marriage, whom God calleth vnto it; nor to make men hazard themselues to wickednesse, for feare of the cumbers of Matrimony: but alone to make those willing to want marriage, that may want it without sinne, or hazard of sinne; and to make men careful not to marry, before God cals them to it; and withall, being called, to fit themselues for it; lest if they marry sooner, or with lesse warines, they discredit Marriage after a while, as most do that are married, by wishing themselues single againe. Some man, perhaps, vpon occasion of these words, may desire to haue this demand satisfied, When doth God call a man to Marriage? I answere: First, when he sets him in such a condition, that he may marry, without wronging any other person, that is, when hee is now become his owne man, not bound by couenant to continue another mans seruant: for God neuer crosseth himselfe: whom he hath called for a certaine time to bee seruant vnto a Master, him he doth not call, during that time, to breake from that seruice, without his Masters liking; ⟨image 5⟩and to thinke of making himselfe a Master, before he haue fulfilled the dutie of a seruant.
