Sermons upon Deuteronomy

but that is because he would therein comprise all the profit which cometh by this means of the husbands joining and uniting of himself unto his wife, whereby there groweth a conformity of manners between them, so as the one is well known to the other, and they are brought §60to this point that they can bear each with other: but yet nevertheless God hath in this place an eye unto the common profit and welfare of all.

but that is because he would therein comprise al the profite which commeth by this meanes of the husbandes ioyning and vniting of himselfe vnto his wife, wherby there groweth a conformitie of manners betweene them, so as the one is well knowen to the other, and they are brought §60to this point that they can beare each with other: but yet neuerthelesse God hath in this place an eye vnto the common profit and welfare of all.

Now it is very true that this law respecteth in such sort the policy and rule of government among the Israelites, that we are not bound thereunto: but yet for all that (as I have declared afore) we must gather some doctrine from that which God had ordained for the people of old time. We must ever have an eye unto the end which God aimeth at, and from thence gather the substance of the law which appertaineth unto us, and is belonging as common unto us together with the Jews. Now in effect it is here declared unto us, that men ought to avoid all occasions which serve to estranging of them from their wives, & to the disordering of their house. We are already of our selves over frail & weak, & though no farther occasion be offered, we see how many swerve aside from their duties, & are so ticklish that they cannot hold themselves quiet & still in their vocation. But now if there be some other temptation & that men wander wilfully & trust to their own constancy, & presume upon marvellous things in themselves, & in the mean time keep not themselves under the bridle of God: what other thing may fall out in the end, but extreme confusion? Let us therefore learn not to tempt God through over great boldness and presumption: but let every one take heed he hold himself within his bounds, to the end he may be the more enabled to discharge himself of his duty. For even when we would use all the means we can possibly to do that well which God hath ordained, yet our flesh hath always such hot boilings, that we are oftentimes as headstrong horses which are broken loose. We have need therefore to be held back by divers & sundry means. And therefore let us look unto our selves as our Lord warneth us. And again on the other side we have also to bear in mind that which Saint Paul declareth in the seventh of the first to the Corinthians, to wit, that they which are married are entangled in many cares, the which according unto rigour might be imputed for sin, except God did use such gentleness towards us, yea, and that such fatherly gentleness, as to wink at our faults: & this ought to be well considered. For when a man entereth into marriage, if he think upon the multitude of troubles & incommodities which it hath, it will breed such a fear in him, that he will wish to withdraw himself far from it.