Some general directions for a comfortable walking with God delivered in the lecture at…Some generall directions for a comfortable walking with God deliuered in the lecture at…

4. Let the parties deal plainly and faithfully one with the other, in respect of their bodies, souls, and outward state. I mean it thus; That they should not deceive and cozen one the other by a crafty concealment: of some foul disease, special deformity, natural defect, &c. in body; especially, which they think in their consciences, and impartial consideration, if it were their case, would breed intolerable distaste and discontentment: or of some secret maim and crack in their outward state, which neither the other party, or friends, do either expect, or suspect: For so they may bring a great deal of after-misery, and too late repentance upon the match. For naturally we hate them which beguile us. And a man or woman is most impatient of failing, and being disappointed of their hopes and expectations, in so great and weighty affair as Marriage is. And therefore it were very convenient, and much better to disclose the one unto the other, the material infirmities and wants in either of their bodies or goods, though with hazard of missing the match; rather then the one to obtain the other, with guile, cunning, and after-discomfort. I said also, in respect of their souls; by which I mean; that for the time of Wooing only, as they call it, they should not put on a visor, flourish, and show of Religion, conversion, and grace; when in deed and truth, there is no such matter. For this execrable imposture also, is sometimes villainously practised, to the infinite prejudice, and perpetual hearts-grief of the deluded party. And not only some parties are cunning, reserved, and faulty this way; but even Christian friends are too often too forward, peremptory, and audacious, in giving testimonies and assurances in such cases. Now this is the greatest guile, and most cursed cozenage of all; when one conceives, by the present cunning carriage of the party, and ⟨p. 239⟩partial information of friends, that he or she hath met with a soul beautified with grace; whereas when it comes to the trial, hath just none acquaintance with God at all.

4. Let the parties deale plainely and faithfully one with the other, in respect of their bodies, soules, and outward state. I meane it thus; That they should not deceiue and coozen one the other by a craftie cōcealement: of some foule disease, speciall deformity, naturall defect, &c. in body; especially, which they thinke in their consciences, and impartiall consideration, if it were their case, would breed intolerable distaste and discontentment: or of some secret maime and cracke in their outward state, which neither the other partie, or friends, do either expect, or suspect: For so they may bring a great deale of after-misery, and too late repentance vpon the match. For naturally we hate them which beguile vs. And a man or woman is most impatient of failing, and being disappointed of their hopes and expectations, in so great and waighty affaire as Marriage is. And therefore it were very conuenient, and much better to disclose the one vnto the other, the materiall infirmities and wants in either of their bodies or goods, though with hazzard of missing the match; rather then the one to obtaine the other, with guile, cunning, and after-discomfort. I said also, in respect of their soules; by which I meane; that for the time of Wooing onely, as they call it, they should not put on a visour, flourish, and shew of Religion, conuersion, and grace; when in deed and truth, there is no such matter. For this execrable imposture also, is sometimes villanously practised, to the infinite preiudice, and perpetuall hearts-griefe of the deluded partie. And not onely some parties are cunning, reserued, and faultie this way; but euen Christian friends are too often too forward, peremptory, and audacious, in giuing testimonies and assurances in such cases. Now this is the greatest guile, and most cursed coozenage of all; when one conceiues, by the present cunning carriage of the partie, and