A17171:161
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.
¶ The. xii. Chapter.
•ow one that intendeth to marry, should chose a mete, honest, and virtuous mate.
•ow one that entēdeth to mary, shulde chose a mete, honest, and vertuous mate.
And hitherto have I declared whence wed lock cometh, who did institute it, what it is, how it ought orderly to be contracted, what be the occasions end and virtue thereof. Item how holy, profitable and good it is. ⟨p. xxxvi⟩Again, how horrible, noisome and shameful whoredom and adultery is. But forasmuch as in the occasions of wedlock it is mentioned how y• wedlock was ordained of God, to the intent that married folks should spend their life in y• mutual participation of all such things as God sendeth, y• they may bring forth children, or they may avoid whoredom, or for the eschew• ing of perilous, soleness, that the one may be a comfort and help to the other according to y• will of GOD: And forasmuch also as in the mean season there lieth great importance, & weight upon it, what manner of companion & mate thou chosest, how thou mayest live with him, and (if God give the children) how thou mayest bring them up. Therefore in this part of •y book following, I will treat how a mete honest and virtuous spouse ought to be chosen. Afterward, how they ought on both the sides to live well and right together, to heap and increase the mutual love and truth of marriage, and finally how they must well & virtuously bring up their children.