A17171:253
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 man in his gaining & occupying must be just & faithful, fervent, diligent & earnest, making all thing substantially surely, & without any deceit. For faithfulness ever abideth when unfaithfulness & craftiness destroy themselves: as ye see in the faithful dealing of Jacob and in the covetous deceit of Laban. The word 1& promise of an occupier must be as firm and fast as the rock of stone, faith and trueth conserveth many mens occupying wham uniust de lyng bryng him out of credit.
The man in his gaynyng & occupieng must be iust & faythful, feruēt, diligent & earnest, makyng all thyng substancially surely, & wythout ony deceyt. For faythfulnes euer abydeth whan vnfaythfulnes & craftines destroye themselues: as ye se in the faythefull dealynge of Iacob and in the couetouse disceate of Laban. The worde 1& promyse of an occupyer must be as ferme and fast as the rocke of stone, fayth and trueth conserueth many mens occupyeng whā vniust de lyng bryng hym out of credyt.
- 1Gene. xxxi.
Let not a man meddle with unhonest occupations not necessary for a common weal, but as Paul commandeth, with such as are good and profitable for the city or country without deceit, and every man to meddle with, and in his •ne calling, nether seeking other mens lucre, nor envying other mens profit, but walk ordinately and quietly labouring with their own ⟨p. lxvi⟩hands, avoiding usury, but doing to other as thou wouldest be done unto thine own self. And if thou (for all thy true and just dealing) yet prosperoussest not subject to many evil cha• ces, whereof the world is full, yet be thou content with God's will, for the poverty of the righteous, saith Solomon, is better then the infinite treasures of the ungodly. And a piece of bread or a mess of pottage with quietness, is better then a fat ox with brawling. Many men have great goods with much unquietness and little hone, for he hath set his soul to pledge, forsaken God & taken the devil to help hm to lye & to deceive that he might be rich to leave his good to an unknown heir. David saith, follow not him that doth evil because thou seest