A14992:45
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. IV. Containing the second doctrine.
Doct. 2 But I go forward, to note what the Apostle principally teacheth, and that is plain enough in express words. Marriage is a lawful ordinance for all sorts: no unmarried man shall sin by marrying; no maid shall sin in taking a husband. Any bachelor may make himself a husband; any virgin may make her self a wife: and for the act it self, no sin shall be imputed unto them, though for the manner of doing, and such common circumstances, as clothe all actions, they may behave themselves sinfully. Offend not in the manner and circumstances, and in the thing it self thou shalt not offend, if thou contract matrimony, whosoever thou be. Paul is always of the same mind, and therefore saith agreeably in another place;1 Marriage is (not alone lawful, but which is more) honourable among all men. It is not alone such a thing as may be done without sin, but without any the least disparagement; nay, of the two, being well performed, it rather winneth more respect ⟨p. 22⟩then otherwise.2 For this cause Paul doth elsewhere condemn the forbidding of marriage, as a doctrine of Devils. Never any heretics did forbid marriage universally to all men; he must needs therefore point at them, who forbid it to some sort of men. And if the condemning of marriage be from the Devil, the allowing of it is from God, and so have all sorts of men universally a full allowance from God to take the benefit of this estate.
Doct. 2 BVt Igoe forward, to note what the Apostle principally teacheth, and that is plaine enough in expresse words. Marriage is a lawfull ordinance for all sorts: no vnmarried man shall sinne by marrying; no maide shall sin in taking a husband. Any batchelour may make himselfe a husband; any virgin may make her selfe a wife: and for the act it selfe, no sinne shall be imputed vnto them, though for the manner of doing, and such common circumstances, as cloath all actions, they may behaue themselues sinfully. Offend not in the manner and circumstances, and in the thing it self thou shalt not offend, if thou contract matrimony, whosoeuer thou be. Paul is alwaies of the same minde, and therefore saith agreeably in another place;