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…

Fourthly, let the one learn ever to be obsequious ¹& serviceable to the other in all other things And this shall come to pass, if the one note what thing the other can away with all, and what pleaseth him. And so from henceforth to meddle with the one and eschew the other. Some wives ⟨p. lviii⟩are so froward, that when their husbands are merry, they are sad: And contrary wise, there be divers men, that first desire to meddle with that thing, which they perceive y• their wives ²can not away withal. Some nether can nor will hear their infirmities more nor less. Some time when the wife is sad and disquieted, then will the husband have to much sport and pastime of her. And sometime if the husband be displeased, than the wife with spiteful words and wanton fashions provoketh him to more anger. Some had rather have their back full of stripes, than to hold their tongues and forbear a little. But where the understanding of obsequy and obedience is, then let every one remember that the other hath the nature of mankind in him, and is tempted, let the one lend to the other somewhat in temptation, forbear with him, & give him the place gently for a time. And though thy spouse in his displeasure do happen for to speak an unkind or ungentle word, yet think that it was not he, but wrath that spake it.

Fourthely, let the one learne euer to be obsequious ¹& seruiseable to ye other in al other thīges And this shall come to passe, yf ye one note what thyng the other can awaye wyth all, and what pleaseth him. And so from henceforth to meddle with the one and eschew the other. Some wiues ⟨p. lviii⟩are so frowarde, that whan theyr husbandes are mery, they are sadde: And contrary wyse, there be diuers men, that fyrst desyre to meddle wythe that thyng, whiche they perceaue y• theyr wyues ²