A17171:228
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.
The christen state › Chapter 15: The. xv. Chapter.The christen state › Chapter 15: The. xv. Capter.
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. xv. Chapter.
The. xv. Capter.
¶ How the love, faithfulness, & duty of married folks, may be kept and increased.
¶ How the loue, faythfulnes, & dewty of maryed folkes, maye be kepte and increased.
Herein now ought not a married man to be satisfied, that he knoweth what matrimonial love is, & how he should love his spouse, but he must apply himself to love her in deed, as y• Lord hath commanded him & not that only, but also endeavour himself ever more and more, to keep & increase the same love. For many there be that begin well to love, but they endure not, & some order them selves after such fashion in their living, that they deserve rather to be hated, than loved. Therefore will I now speak a little hereof, how the love, faithfulness & duty of married folk• may be kept & increased. First, forasmuch as true love matrimonial 1cometh of God, & is given of God unto man, there are two special means (namely god des word and the prayer of faith) that do keep […] increase it. For if married folks hearken earnestly unto the word of God, & read it, they learn ⟨p. lvii⟩daily at it, such chynges, as augment conjugal love. And if they pray unto God with a true faith, that he will put away all such things as may minish the love between them, […] help them unto it that may increase the same, doubt less God shall hear them. Only let them give them selves to continual prayer, and to the hearing and reading of God's word.