A care-cloth

That is to say, be perpetually molested with an inconquerable desire of marriage. And therefore I pray you conceive of these my words, as nothing contrary to those I spake in the former point; for this exhortation and that, belong to different kinds of men. If thou beest one that feelest in thy self a necessity of marriage, if thou beest one, whose bodily constitution is such, that the best means will not otherwise keep thy mind in a well-contented chastity, then lay aside all the fear of troubles; and pray to God to provide thee of a fit yokefollow, ⟨p. 64⟩fellow, and accordingly endeavour (after his counsel, and with his blessing) to enter into this estate. But if thou find power over thy self, and canst be master of thine own will, and hast the ruling hand over thine own affections, so as though some motions do arise within thee, yet they be neither many, nor violent, nor any, but such, as quickly with a little abstinence, and fervent prayer, thou canst quench and keep down from breaking forth into a flame of sinful wishes or attempts; now do thou consider of Pauls speeches, embrace the more easy kind of living. Gallop not into a brake of thorns, from which thou canst find no way out; and be not over-venturous to rush upon trouble. Let not a certain foolish weariness to be under government; let not a fond conceit, that it is a reproach to thee, to continue so ancient a Maid, or Bachelor; let not a vein of envy to see others wedded, and thy self (their elder) living single; let not the desire of accomplishing thine own desires, or of following the example of others; let not a loathness to labour for the gift of continency; let none of all these things, nor any like to them, persuade thee to fly to marriage; that is to say, to leave rest and ease, and run upon trouble. Beware, my brethren, of accounting that a carnal reason, which you see to be Gods reason. Saint Paul argues thus; Better be single (if you can without sin) because marriage is a state of more affliction.) It is (you see) a godly, holy, spiritual reason, beseeming the pen of ⟨p. 65⟩him that was inspired from above, we may well take boldness to enforce it upon your thoughts, and to tell you, that you err exceedingly, if you count it either a weak, or a fleshly reason: for we all confess, that the God of Heaven useth neither false nor weak reasons.

That is to say, bee perpetually molested with an inconquerable desire of marriage. And therefore I pray you conceiue of these my words, as nothing contrarie to those I spake in the former point; for this exhortation and that, belong to different kinds of men. If thou beest one that feelest in thy selfe a necessitie of marriage, if thou beest one, whose bodily constitution is such, that the best meanes wil not otherwise keepe thy mind in a well-contented chastitie, then lay aside all the feare of troubles; and pray to God to prouide thee of a fit yokefollow,