A17171:289
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.
As for gentle women & such, as are of noble 1birth, whether they may exceed in light & wan ton apparel, or in apparel to costly. I will first as• them whether they be Christen & faithful women or unfaithful? If they be unbelievers then let them walk as they list. And the more gorgeous tenderlings they be, the better shall they please their head the devil. And seeing th y have wanton proud sprites, they must needs have like garments to declare what they b• within in heart and mind, with these women I will not wrestle. But if they be Christen faithful women, they may well know that the holy Apostles Peter and Paul have written their exhortations for sober apparel, unto them which have such rich Jewels, stones, gold & silver, & not to poor women, that have them not. Seeing then that the word of God is principally spoken to you that be gentle women ⟨p. lxxvi⟩of noble parentel which have these riches and Jewels to lay them away with all your pomp and pride, & will be taken for Christen folks, then follow you the exhortations of the ministers of Jesus Christ.2
As for ientle wemen & suche, as are of noble 1byrthe, whether they maye excede in lyght & wā ton apparell, or in apparell to costly. I wyl first as• them whether they be Christen & faythfull wemen or vnfaythfull? If they be vnbeleuers then let them walke as they liste. And the more gorgyouse tenderlynges they be, the better shall they please theyr head the dyuyll. And seynge th y haue wantō proude sprytes, they muste nedes haue lyke garmentes to declare what they b• within in herte and mynde, wyth these wemen I wyll not wrestle. But yf they be Chrysten faythfull wemen, they maye well knowe that the holy Apostles Peter and Paule haue wrytē theyr erhortaciōs for sober apparell, vnto them which haue such ryche Iewels, stones, gold & syluer, & not to poore women, that haue them not. Seyng then that the word of God is pryncypally spoken to you that be ientle womē ⟨p. lxxvi⟩