A14992:64
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. VII. Containing a third use to them that are married.
CHAP. VII. Containing a third vse to them that are married.
Use 3 WE must say something also to those that are already married,1 whom it behoveth so well to inform themselves by this and other Scriptures, of the lawfulness of their society, that they may both holily and with good conscience, ⟨p. 35⟩enjoy this ordinance, and also fence themselves so much the more strongly against all wandering and inordinate desires. All creatures must be sanctified to the users, by the Word of God, and by Prayer: and how sinless soever any thing is in it self, yet doth he sinfully abuse it, that careth not in this sort to sanctify it. Now that is sanctified to a man by the word, whereof his conscience is truly informed by the testimony of the Scriptures, that it is warrantable & well-pleasing unto God, so that he can do it with an heart, resting it self in this assurance, that God is not offended the rewith. And by prayer that is sanctified, for the using of which, a man doth humbly beg the favourable and gracious leave of the Lord, that he may not by his sins, be excluded the comfort of Gods benefits; but through the grace of God forgiving his sins, may enjoy his liberty, and the comfort of the creature. And that is sanctified by thanksgiving, for which the user (taking notice of Gods goodness and wisdom, and other excellencies) doth return the tribute of praise unto him, ascribing all honour and greatness to him, as to the fountain of all comfort. Now seeing he that is married, hath not sinned in marrying, let him sanctify this lawful ordinance unto himself, that he may be sure to find the blessing of God upon it, and upon himself. A man may truly say, He that eateth, sinneth not; yet if any man eat profanely (not considering that God hath vouchsafed him the freedom of ⟨p. 36⟩partaking in his benefits; not praying God for his blessing; nor returning praise unto him for his goodness,) he shall sin in so eating. The like must needs be said of marriage, which being a lawful ordinance, is much abused, if it be not used (as all lawful things should) in an holy manner: for sinless things unsanctified, do become sins. And this is the rather to be pressed upon mens consciences, because the neglect of it is very dangerous, causing matrimony to be ineffectual for its proper ends, for want of Gods blessing; which, how can we have, if we do not crave it?