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…

But specially and afore all other things, we must faithfully with ferventness and steadfast belief (without ceasing) make intercession and prayer unto God, to whom all hearts are open and known, that he will not suffer us to go amiss, but as a father, help and guide us to a right marriage, in the which we may live honestly and prosperously, even as we ought to his honour. For it is God only that provideth the marriage, that hath the hearts in his hand, and that giveth the will, as it is said in the Chapters afore. But like as in other points & matters the ordinance of God doth not destroy lawful instruments: Even so here in this cause the institution of God denieth not the ordinate election, but in them that fear GOD they go both together.

But specially and afore all other thynges, we must faythfully wyth feruentnesse and stedfast belefe (without ceasynge) make intercession and prayer vnto God, to whome all hartes are open and knowne, that he wyll not suffer vs to go amysse, but as a father, healpe and guyde vs to a ryght mariage, in the whiche we maye lyue honestly and prosperously, euē as we ought to his honoure. For it is God onely that prouidethe the mariage, that hath the hartes in hys hande, and that gyuethe the wyll, as it is sayde in the Chapters afore. But lyke as in other poyntes & matters the ordinaūce of God doth not destroye lawfull instrumētes: Euen so here in this cause the institucion of God denyeth not the ordinate election, but in them that feare GOD they go both togyther.

Of this ordinance of God and ordinate election, ⟨image 63⟩we have a very fair example, Gene. xxiiii. ¹where Abraham sent his servant in his mesa ge, to get his son Isaac a wife in Mesopotamia. The same servant beginneth his matter with prayer, & sayeth: O lord god of my master Abraham, send me good speed this day, and show mercy unto my master Abraham. Lo, I stand here by y• well of water (for he t•yed there with his servants and camels without the city by a wells side, and the daughters of the men of this city will come out and draw water. Now the damsel to whom I say, stoop down thy pitcher and let me drink, if she say, drink, and I will give thy camels drink, thereby will I know, that she is the same, whom thou haste ordained for thy servant Isaac.