A14992:104
A care-cloth
A care-cloth: or a treatise of the cumbers and troubles of marriage intended to advise them that may, to shun them; that may not, well and patiently to bear them. By William Whately, preacher of the word of God in Banbury, in Oxfordshire.A care-cloth: or a treatise of the cumbers and troubles of marriage intended to aduise them that may, to shun them; that may not, well and patiently to beare them. By William Whately, preacher of the word of God in Banbury, in Oxfordshire.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1624
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
CHAP. XI. Containing one use to the married.
CHAP. XI. Containing one vse to the married.
Use 3 WE have finished our speeches to the single folk. 1Now you that are married, hear your part of instructions. And first, be advised to take the best course that may be, of preventing so many as may be prevented, of the troubles of marriage. I know, you will all confess at first hearing, that this is good advice: but strait you will ask further counsel, and say, How shall I do this? I will therefore show you the way, see that you walk in it. The first means to prevent the troubles of marriage, is this, to fear God, and walk in his ways. This is a common help to make all estates comfortable: for the blessing of God attendeth them that fear him, and comfort attends his blessing. The man that feareth God, hath this promise from God, that his wife shall be like the fruitful Vine, comfortable aswell as fruitful: His children like the Olive plants, profitable and beneficial, as well as many. Godliness is good for all things; it hath the promises of this life, and of that which shall be, and these promises must needs be fulfilled. An holy conversation of life, a well ordered and religious carriage, in ⟨p. 76⟩[…] ⟨p. 77⟩[…] ⟨p. 78⟩the whole frame of life, this makes life sweet, & all the comforts of life comfortable. If thou walk in Gods ways, he hath undertaken to make all you do, prosperous. Lo, a sure way of attaining as much happiness, as this lower world can yield. For why doth God send troubles, but to correct sin, and to redress disorders, and to draw men to godliness? If they follow godliness of their own accord, by hearkening to the counsel of his Word, fewer afflictions will be needful, and fewer shall be sent: for he corrects not willingly, but as Parents give bitter draughts to their children, even for the health & profit of their children. But secondly, the man & wife that would live cheerfully, must love each other tenderly and plentifully. Much, hearty, and holy love to one another, will sweeten all crosses, and keep out the worst and greatest crosses. Let the husband love his wife, as Paul enjoineth, and let wives be lovers of their husbands, as the same Apostle prescribeth, charity will cover all things, and hope all things, & believe all things, and suffer all things, and so will mend very many things, y else would surely go amiss.