The gold[n] book of christen matrimony most necessary [and] profitable for all the[m], that…The golde[n] boke of christen matrimonye moost necessary [and] profitable for all the[m], that…

For can christen matrimony be any other wise than a thing of great excellency and incō parable dignity, seeing it was not ordained of Minos, of Creta, nor of Lycurgus of Lacedaemon, nor yet of Solon the Athenian, but of ¹the most high and immortal God him self, & by him, yea by him alone commended to mankind in so much that men may seem to be allured, moved and stirred unto this state of living with a certain inspiration of the holy Ghost? In Paradise also that garden of pleasure was it ²instituted, yea and that before any sin reigned in ⟨image 4⟩this world, to show that it bringeth to man great joy, wealth, felicity & quietness. And since that time hath it ever ben had in great estimation▪ yea and that not only among them that profess unfeigned faith in the living God, but also among so many as only were led by y• instinct of nature, insomuch that it was recounted a thing of much ignominy, and reproach to live without the state of wedlock & to be unfruitful. Were not the holy Patriarchs ³married men? Did not the Prophets of God live in the christen state of holy wedlock? Did not God in the old law both will his ⁴priests to marry, & also appoint them, what wives they should have? Was not Christ borne ⁵in marriage? Were not the Apostles of Christ married men? Did not Christ garnish marriage with the first fruits of his miracles, when he with his mother & his Disciples were at a wedding in the City of Cana Galilee? Was not Philip the Evangelist a married man, and had four daughters excellently learned in holy Scriptures: Were not many other ⁶holy men both Bishops and priests married long after the Apostles time, as we read in the authentic Histories? Doth not S. Paul ⁷