A14992:118
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.
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
Good Reader: to deal plainly with thee, I was long afraid and ashamed to put pen to paper, about this theme of Mortification. Not because the point is not exceeding necessary to be handled; but because I found my self very unworthy and unfit to entreat of it. Being guilty to my self, of being far from having done any thing worth the naming, in the practice of the duty, I thought it scarce likely, that I should do any great good in writing of it, and I was even ashamed to publish any thing of mortification, finding my self, alas, so little mortified. At last yet, I resolved to adventure on this work for two reasons: One, because I am privy to my self, of having endeavoured (in some poor degree, and with some truth,) to perform my self, what here I have taught, and that also, not without some little success, tho far short of what I ought, and (but for mine own carelessness) might have attained. Another, because I conceived, that as a man, which having but a small stock, can himself make but small gains of its return, may yet give husband like directions to him that hath a larger stock, by which he may improve his ten talents to more advantage, then else he could do: so a man, that having but a small quantity of grace, can do little himself, ⟨image 56⟩may yet give sound directions to those that have received a greater measure of Grace, to further them much in their spiritual thrift. And as he that by some disease or wound, is half lame, and can go but a slow pace in the known right way, may yet direct others to the right way, and quicken their pace, by calling upon them; so may he, whose corruptions suffer him to proceed but slowly in the ways of holiness, show that way to others, and hasten them therein. In a word, he may be a good Drummer or Trumpeter in the war, that hath but a weak body, and feeble limbs to fight. Hinder not thy self therefore, from profiting by this Work, by looking on the weaknesses of him that wrote it; strive thou to run apace in this path, I will either follow after thee, or bear thee company, or, if I can, go before thee, as fast as I can. Fight thou valiantly at the sound of this Trumpet, and I will also strive to use the hand, aswell as the mouth; and the Sword, aswell as the Trumpet.