A care-cloth

Hence it is, that many wedded people brook their wedlock in none other fashion, then a dog doth his Chain, at which he never ⟨image 3⟩ceaseth snarling and gnawing, that he may break it asunder, and set himself at liberty. Hence it is, that the little child is no more weary of his fine new gilded book, now a little over-worn & sullied (yea, that the prisoner is no more weary of his gives, nor the Galley-slave of his oars) then many an husband of his wife, and she of him, within an year or two, and sometimes within a month or two, after their wedding. In a word, from this fountain, such a stream of bitter waters do issue, as make the lives of a number in marriage, like the sojourning of Israel in Marah, where almost nothing could be heard, but murmuring and complaining. To redress or prevent, if it might be, at least, some of these many mischiefs, I have been bold (as once Moses did cast a piece of wood into the waters of Marah to sweeten them, so) to publish already to the World, some few directions about the duties of the married, and do now adventure again, to put forth some other advertisements, about the troubles of Marriage. Neither let it seem superfluous to give men tidings of troubles before they come, seeing they are always so much the better borne, by how much they are more expected. Men are indeed desirous to please themselves rather, with the sweet thoughts of comfort, then to embitter their minds with fore-fearful conceits of misery. Also, to a mind fully bent upon a course, dissuasions prove tedious; and he that foretelleth inconveniences, may seem to dissuade. But let it be observed ⟨image 4⟩withal, that likely none do meet with more crosses in marriage, or bear their crosses more untowardly, then those that most dream of finding it a very Paradise: For they strange above measure at the cumbers they never forethought of, and are put out of all patience, by being so far disappointed, as to find thick mire and dirt there, where they would tell themselves of nothing, but fair and pleasant way. And indeed none show themselves less resolute in under-going misery, then those that make themselves most resolute to rush upon it. The same vices that breed stiffness in ones course, will breed impatience under the crosses that he meets with in his course.

Hence it is, that many wedded people brooke their wedlocke in none other fashion, then a dog doth his Chaine, at which he neuer