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…

Hitherto have I declared how greatly y• ho nour and renown of holy wedlock is decayed. ⟨image 15⟩and by what means it is come to pass. What remaineth now but that some remedy be found? And would God that all men would employ their endeavour in this behalf. Would God y• ¹whoredom and adultery were so detested among us, that it might not once be named, as the Apostle faith. Would God that all whorehunters & adulterers were so abhorred among christen men, that no man would vouchsafe to eat with them ²nor to keep them company, no nor yet to bid them God speed. Certes it is a thing much to be wondered at, that whoredom should grow up into such height, among them that profess ³the fruits of the spirit. But what marvel is it, seeing that whoredom now a days is become, but a lusty courageous pastime of youth & reputed almost for no sin at all. We read, that if a man among the Egyptians had been taken in adultery, he should openly in the presence of all the people have been scourged naked with whips unto the number of a thousand stripes. The woman that was taken with him, ⁴had her nose cut of, whereby she was known ever after to be an whore, and therefore abhorred of all men. Among the Arabians, they that were taken in adultery, had their heads stricken from their bodies. Among the Athenians adulterers were punished by death without mercy. In like manner ⟨image 15⟩is it at this day among the Tartari•s, & yet ⁵are they Infidels. If a woman among the Germans in times past, had been convict of adultery, she had all the hear of her head cut of, being striped stark naked, her husband put her out of his doors before his neighbours, and in the sight of all the people he scourged her with whips about the city or town, and ever after she was so despised, that no man would wouchesafe to marry with