A care-cloth

But, secondly, a fit person must be chosen with whom to couple ones self. Though all the griefs of marriage come not from the vices and disorders of the yoke-fellows, yet the most grievous, and most bitter of them do. To have a fit yoke-fellow, will prevent many matrimonial troubles, and will make all easier. Now in a yoke-fellow, the main matter to be desired, is virtue and godliness; and he that in choosing, vouchsafeth that the first place, shall surely be blessed in his choice: but whosoever setteth other, and baser things before that, doth deal preposterously and foolishly, and setting the Cart before the Horse (as the Proverb hath it) can never drive comfortably forward in the way ⟨p. 72⟩that he would go. A virtuous, godly person, will allow no sin, will hearken to counsel, will receive admonitions and reproofs. In a word, such an one hath no incorrigible fault, all his diseases be curable. But a wicked and ungodly person hath a deaf ear, a wilful heart, an incurable soul; nothing will make him mend his faults. The curse of God pursues the wicked man, how can any thing, but cumber, and attend such a person into the family? Who would therefore admit such a companion, though laden with precious Pearls, or painted with the fairest painting in the World? Beauty is but painting, age and sickness will wear it away, why should any man make that his guide in choosing a wife? No soldier would choose a leaden sword, because the scabbard is Velvet, and the hilt gilded. A fair countenance will no more help to the happiness of a married couple, if grace and virtue be away, then a fine Haft will make a knife cut well, if it be of evil metal. Wherefore follow not the eye, the most fickle and fond of all senses, in a matter of so great consequence, as the choice of a wife or husband. And surely for wealth, what is it but luggage? If wisdom and virtue be absent, it burdens, and doth not comfort? Better a man without money, then money without a man; could the Heathen say. Should Christians be less judicious? Let not covetousness conduct thee into marriage: It is a blind vice, and will surely lead the man into the pit, that will wink and follow ⟨p. 73⟩it. A virtuous woman is above Pearls. Solomon said so, that knew the worth of all Pearls. A virtuous man must needs be as worthy as a virtuous woman.

But, secondly, a fit person must bee chosen with whom to couple ones selfe. Though all the griefes of marriage come not from the vices and disorders of the yoke-fellowes, yet the most grieuous, and most bitter of them doe. To haue a fit yoke-fellow, will preuent many matrimoniall troubles, and will make all easier. Now in a yoke-fellow, the maine matter to be desired, is vertue and godlinesse; and hee that in chusing, vouchsafeth that the first place, shall surely bee blessed in his choyce: but whosoeuer setteth other, and baser things before that, doth deale preposterously and foolishly, and setting the Cart before the Horse (as the Prouerbe hath it) can neuer driue comfortably forward in the way