A care-cloth

I will not be wanting to my self in striving for continency, and Gods blessing shall not be wanting to mine endeavours, in giving continency. And he that is at his own disposing otherwayes, and enjoyeth convenient means of providing for a Family, shall, for all that, do best to forbear Matrimony, as I suppose, if he perceive no need of marriage for the preventing of sin, or other important consideration. For albeit in such case the Lord hath left a mans conscience at liberty (so that he sins not either by abiding in his present estate, or altering it, which he likes best) ⟨image 6⟩yet it may seem the wisest way to make choice of that part, which the Scripture rather of the twain doth seem to commend, saying, 1. Cor. 7.1. It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 7. I would that all men were even as I my self. 8. I say to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them, if they abide, even as I, that is, single. 27. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. 38. He that giveth her in marriage, doth well; but he that giveth her not, doth better. 40. The Widow is happier, if she abide so, that is unmarried, after my judgement, and I think that I also have the Spirit of God. But yet if God lead any man to marriage, let him follow him, yet so, that he follow him with prudence and discretion. He whom God shall will to fight with an enemy, must furnish himself with fit weapons. David gate himself a sling, and smooth pebbles out of the valley, when he went to encounter Goliath. So men must arm and furnish themselves for marriage, that they may not dishonour this honourable estate, by turning back from it, in their minds and wishes. Specially, he that will be married, must arm himself with patience against the troubles of that kind of life, and resolving, that he shall meet with them, must determine, that he will behave himself, not alone quietly, but even cheerfully, though they come apace about him. Digest in the serious consideration of thy mind, the cause of trouble, sin; the use of trouble, the healing of sin; the Sender and Moderator of trouble, God; the end and issue of trouble, glory; that thine ⟨image 6⟩heart may neither faint nor fret, because of trouble; yea, tho some heavy and more then ordinary calamity should betide thee;

I will not be wanting to my selfe in striuing for continency, and Gods blessing shall not be wanting to mine endeuours, in giuing continency. And hee that is at his owne disposing otherwayes, and enioyeth conuenient meanes of prouiding for a Family, shall, for all that, doe best to forbeare Matrimony, as I suppose, if hee perceiue no need of marriage for the preuenting of sinne, or other important consideration. For albeit in such case the Lord hath left a mans conscience at libertie (so that hee sinnes not either by abiding in his present estate, or altering it, which he likes best)