Of domesticall duties eight treatises. I. An exposition of that part of Scripture out…

Fitly doth this agree with that which followeth (they two shall be one flesh) Our English cannot well express the Greek ¹in good sense word for word (which is thus, they two shall be into, or in one flesh) the meaning is, They which were two before marriage, by the bond of marriage are brought into one flesh, to be even as one flesh: as nearly united, as the parts of the same body, and the same flesh. This unity is not in regard of carnal copulation (for if they be married they are one flesh, ²though they never know one another) nor in regard of procreation, because one child cometh from them both (for though they never have child, yet are they one flesh) but in regard of Gods institution, who hath set it down for a law, and as another nature, that man and wife should be so near one to another. Their consent in marriage (by virtue of Gods institution) maketh them to be one flesh.

Fitly doth this agree with that which followeth (they two shall be one flesh) Our English cannot well expresse the Greeke ¹in good sense word for word (which is thus, they two shall beinto, or in one flesh) the meaning is, They which were two before mariage, by the bond of mariage are brought into one flesh, to be euen as one flesh: as neerely vnited, as the parts of the same body, and the same flesh. This vnitie is not in regard of carnall copulation (for if they be maried they are one flesh, ²though they neuer know one another) nor in regard of procreation, because one childe commeth from them both (for though they neuer haue childe, yet are they one flesh) but in regard of Gods institution, who hath set it downe for a law, and as another nature, that man and wife should be so neere one to another. Their consent in mariage (by vertue of Gods institution) maketh them to be one flesh.

1. 1[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
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