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

4. Resign up your selves both of you unfeignedly unto God, and to his will; until you be savingly regenerated and sanctified, you cannot^(p) please God, nor be entire blessings to one another. You may indeed live together like civil Pagans; but what's this to the life of Christians? Religion will most firmly bind you to God, Religion will most firmly bind you to one another. A good temper may do much, but a new nature superadded to it will do more. The Husband that truly, I say that truly fears God, dares not be bitter to his wife; the wife that truly fears God, dares not be cross with her husband. A Bible placed between you will take up many a difference, comfort you under many a cross and pang, guide you in many a strait, wherein flesh and blood will be confounded, and at a loss. And then in those critical cases wherein Duty and Passion strive for mastery, resolve with your selves, that it is much better for either of you to obey God's will, than to have your own; That as there is the highest Reason in his Commands, so there is the greatest Sweetness in obeying them. Set oft before you that golden Rule, Matth. 7.12. and calmly consider whether you behave your self to your yoke-fellow, as you your self would be dealt with, if you were in their condition. And though you be never so just and good other ways, yet believe that, Jam. 2.10. he or she that keeps the whole law, and yet offends knowingly (and commonly) in one point, is guilty of all. Your Righteousness abroad will not excuse your crossness at home, nor her zeal in prayer make any amends for her heat in passion. But when you are both resolved to study your own duties, and sincerely to do them, how hard soever, you will live together as heirs of the grace of life, and as heirs of the life of glory.

4. Resign up your selves both of you unfeignedly unto God, and to his will; until you be savingly regenerated and sanctified, you cannot^(p) please God, nor be intire blessings to one another. You may indeed live together like civil Pagans; but what's this to the life of Christians? Religion will most firmly bind you to God, Religion will most firmly bind you to one another. A good temper may do much, but a new nature superadded to it will do more. The Husband that truly, I say that truly fears God, dares not be bitter to his wife; the wife that truly fears God, dares not be cross with her husband. A Bible plac'd between you will take up many a difference, comfort you under many a cross and pang, guide you in many a strait, wherein flesh and blood will be confounded, and at a loss. And then in those critical cases wherein Duty and Passion strive for mastery, resolve with your selves, that it is much better for either of you to obey God's will, than to have your own; That as there is the highest Reason in his Commands, so there is the greatest Sweetness in obeying them. Set oft before you that golden Rule,