6. Lastly (to speak all in one) Pray for Wisdom, Humility and Uprightness. 1. Wisdom; for we owe many of our Domestic distempers to our weakness and indiscretion, not wisely preventing or removing things that cause offence. How easily would a wise man avoid distasting words or looks or actions? How easily might he keep his Authority, and never forfeit it, and she submit and never dispute it? wisdom would pick and choose the fittest opportunities to instruct, advise, reprove, and comfort; and would direct to the best manner and method wherein to do it. Wisdom vvill consider, that either party might have found the same or greater crosses in another condition, as in this, or in another person as in this; and therefore things are well in that they are not worse: and however, that marriage which is God's Ordinance must not be charged with their disquiets but themselves. And 2. Humility, that is a singular help for them both, in the discharging of their Duties. This will keep the Husband from the intemperate use of his power, and the wife in a ready subjection to her Husband: For only by pride cometh contention, but with the well-advised is wisdom, Prov. 13.10. A proud Spirit could not agree with an Angel, but the humble will agree with any body. This also will greatly help them to contentment in their Condition: For (says Humility) my Husband, my Wife is a great deal too good for such a sinful creature as I am, my condition is too good for me; these straits and troubles are great, but I deserve greater; this was a sharp reproof, but alas! I deserve hell, and what's a harsh word to hell? That man or woman vvill sit down quietly with great trials, that know they are not worthy the least of mercies. And besides Humility will suggest such a carriage and behaviour in word and deed, as will infallibly oblige each other, and force respect from them. And lastly Uprightness is necessary to the doing of these Duties well: For there is written a conclusive law in an upright heart to do the whole will of God, whether it appear to be with them or against them; it will teach them rather to obey than to dispute; and in obedience to do each more than their part, rather than less. In doubtful cases the upright heart will choose the safest ⟨p. 389⟩course, though it prove the hardest; and resolves to suffer the greatest injury, rather than offer the least:
6. Lastly (to speak all in one) Pray for Wisdom, Humility and Ʋprightness. 1. Wisdom; for vve owe many of our Domestick distempers to our weakness and indiscretion, not wisely preventing or removing things that cause offence. How easily would a wise man avoid distasting words or looks or actions? How easily might he keep his Authority, and never forfeit it, and she submit and never dispute it? wisdom would pick and chuse the fittest opportunities to instruct, advise, reprove, and comfort; and vvould direct to the best manner and method vvherein to do it. Wisdom vvill consider, that either party might have found the same or greater crosses in another condition, as in this, or in another person as in this; and therefore things are vvell in that they are not worse: and however, that marriage which is God's Ordinance must not be charged with their disquiets but themselves. And 2. Humility, that is a singular help for them both, in the discharging of their Duties. This will keep the Husband from the intemperate use of his power, and the vvife in a ready subjection to her Husband: For only by pride cometh contention, but with the well-advised is wisdom, Prov. 13.10. A proud Spirit could not agree vvith an Angel, but the humble will agree with any body. This also will greatly help them to contentment in their Condition: For (says Humility) my Husband, my Wife is a great deal too good for such a sinful creature as I am, my condition is too good for me; these straits and troubles are great, but I deserve greater; this was a sharp reproof, but alas! I deserve hell, and what's a harsh word to hell? That man or woman vvill sit down quietly with great tryals, that know they are not worthy the least of mercies. And besides Humility will suggest such a carriage and behaviour in word and deed, as will infallibly oblige each other, and force respect from them. And lastly Ʋprightness is necessary to the doing of these Duties well: For there is written a conclusive law in an upright heart to do the whole will of God, whether it appear to be with them or against them; it will teach them rather to obey than to dispute; and in obedience to do each more than their part, rather than less. In doubtful cases the upright heart will choose the safest ⟨p. 389⟩course, though it prove the hardest; and resolves to suffer the greatest injury, rather than offer the least:
