A14992:155
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.
WE have heard how needful,1 and profitable mortification is: let us see also how equal it is. No need, nor profit should draw us to that, which is unequal; but when equity is joined to profit and necessity, then should the work be done, without further delay. Now it is most equal that we kill our sins, whether we consider God, or Christ, or our selves, or sin it self.2 First, for God; He is our Sovereign Lord and King, and sin is his most mortal enemy: wherefore it is most equal, that we should fight against it; for subjects must oppose the enemies of their Prince, with all their power. The Scripture tells us,3 that if father, or mother, or brother, or sister, or kinswoman, or friend, should go about to draw a man from God, his ⟨p. 119⟩hand should be first against them, to put them to death. Now sins of all sorts, do seek to draw us from God, wherefore our eye must not spare them, neither must we favour them, but we must be severe against them, and as it were, stone them with stones, until they be dead. It is a most righteous and equal thing, that notorious Rebels and malefactors should be slain without pity; and lusts are the grossest of all malefactors, which do most provoke God, and oppose themselves against his honour. Therefore if we have any regard of his honour, what should we do, but lay hold upon them, and pursue them to the very death? Should we spare, or forbear to kill the foes and adversaries of the Lord our God? were not this to make our selves his enemies also?
WE haue heard how needfull,1 and profitable mortification is: let vs see also how equall it is. No neede, nor profit should draw vs to that, which is vnequall; but when equitie is ioyned to profit and necessitie, then should the worke be done, without further delay. Now it is most equall that we kill our sinnes, whether we consider God, or Christ, or our selues, or sin it selfe.2 First, for God; Hee is our Soueraigne Lord and King, and sinne is his most mortall enemie: wherefore it is most equall, that wee should fight against it; for subiects must oppose the enemies of their Prince, with al their power. The Scripture tels vs,