A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

2. Free, without being prevented before, or likely to be rewarded after. For ver. 26. he gave himself that he might cleanse his Church, which implies that she was in ill plight, when he began his motions. She was no beauty; no, we loved him, because he loved us first. The Husband must precede, and by his love draw out the love of his wife; for⁽ⁿ⁾ Love is the whetstone of Love. And if she appear weak, as their sex by constitution is, both in wisdom, strength, and courage, or prove unlovely, and^(o) negligent of her duty; yet he must love her: For love seeketh not her own. True love doth more study to better the object beloved, than to advantage the subject that loveth. And to love a Wife only in hopes of some Advantages by her, is unworthy the heart of an Husband, and no way like the example of Christ.

1. (n)Ego tibi monstrabo amatorium sine medicamento, sine herba—Si vis amari, ama. Hec in Sen. Ep. 9.
2. (o)[Greek or Hebrew]. Chrysost. in Eph. 5. hom. 20.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Chrysost. in Eph. 5. hom. 20.

3. Holy without impurity. For ver. 26. He loved his Church, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that is, by the use of the Word and Sacraments. The Husband cannot have a better Copy, and is taught hereby to endeavour at any cost and pains whatsoever to further the sanctification and salvation of his wife: Of which before.