A17171:153
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…
The gold[n] book of christen matrimony most necessary [and] profitable for all the[m], that intend to live quietly and godly in the Christen state of holy wedlock newly set forth in English by Theodore Basil.The golde[n] boke of christen matrimonye moost necessary [and] profitable for all the[m], that entend to liue quietly and godlye in the Christen state of holy wedlock newly set forthe in English by Theodore Basille.
London: printed for Joha, 1543London: printed for Ioha, 1543
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Both these vices therefore theft and adultery, 1doth Solomon in the si•te of the Proverbs lay upon the balance the one against the other, and showeth how that adultery is the sorer and more tedious, saying: A these is not utterly despised, that when he is hungry, stealeth to feed himself, for when he is taken, he must restore seven times as much, or else all his ⟨image 52⟩substance. But he that is so far out of reason as to break wedlock with another mans wife, both either destroy him self, or else getteth him self stripes and shame, which shame may never be wiped out. For the wrath of jealousy and of the husband (if he have time to revenge) will not be entreated: he will not be persuaded with prayer, ye though thou givest him rewards he will not receive them. This comparison doth every man understand. For though a mans good be stolen, yet if it be restored him again without hurt, he will be entreated, for as much as it was done (haply (through poverty. But if a man take his wife in adultery, he will not be pacified. For it is a very beastly and wicked thing.
Both these vyces therfore theft and aduoutrye, 1doth Salomon in the si•te of the Prouerbes laye vpon the balaunce the one agaynste the other, and sheweth how that aduoutrye is the sorer and more tedyous, sayenge: A thefe is not vtterly despysed, that whan he is hongrye, stealeth to fede himselfe, for whan he is taken, he must restore seuen tymes asmuche, or els all his ⟨image 52⟩substaūce. But he that is so farre out of reason as to breake wedloke with another mans wife, both eyther destroye him selfe, or els getteth him selfe strypes and shame, which shame maye neuer be wyped out. For the wrath of gelousye and of the husband (yf he haue tyme to reuenge) wyll not be intreated: he wyll not be persuaded with prayer, yee though thou geuest him rewardes he wyll not receaue them. This comparison doth euery man vnderstond. For though a mās good be stolen, yet yf it be restored him agayne without hurt, he wilbe intreated, for as much as it was done (happelye (thorow pouerte. But yf a mā take his wife in aduoutry, he will not be pa cified. For it is a very beestly and wicked thing.