The honour of marriage, or, The institution, necessity, advantages, comforts, and usefulness of a married life set forth in a sermon January 27, 1694, at Seven-Oak in Kent / by Joseph Fisher ...
         Fisher, Joseph, d. 1705.
      
       
         
           1695
        
      
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             The honour of marriage, or, The institution, necessity, advantages, comforts, and usefulness of a married life set forth in a sermon January 27, 1694, at Seven-Oak in Kent / by Joseph Fisher ...
             Fisher, Joseph, d. 1705.
          
           [6], 25 p.
           
             Printed for Brabazon Aylmer ...,
             London :
             1695.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- N.T. -- Hebrews XIII, 4 -- Sermons.
           Marriage -- Sermons.
           Marriage -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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             The
             Honour
             of
             Marriage
          
           :
           OR
           ,
           THE
           Institution
           ,
           Necessity
           ,
           Advantages
           ,
           Comforts
           ,
           and
           Usefulness
           of
           a
           
             Married
             Life
          
           :
           Set
           forth
           in
           a
           SERMON
           JANUARY
           27.
           1694.
           
           AT
           SEVEN-OAK
           in
           KENT
           .
        
         
           By
           
             JOSEPH
             FISHER
          
           ,
           Master
           of
           Arts
           ,
           and
           Fellow
           of
           Queens
           Colledge
           in
           Oxon.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Brabazon
             Aylmer
          
           at
           the
           
             Three
             Pigeons
          
           over-against
           the
           Royal-Exchange
           in
           Cornhill
           .
        
         
           1695.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           his
           much
           Esteemed
           Friend
           Mr.
           THOMAS
           LAMBARD
           .
        
         
           THAT
           this
           Sermon
           was
           first
           Composed
           ,
           then
           Preached
           ,
           and
           now
           Published
           ,
           I
           must
           plainly
           tell
           you
           without
           a
           Compliment
           ,
           is
           not
           so
           much
           to
           be
           attributed
           to
           Your
           Request
           ,
           as
           to
           that
           great
           Respect
           and
           Kindness
           I
           have
           for
           You.
           In
           which
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           not
           leave
           the
           Text
           I
           had
           pitched
           upon
           ,
           and
           the
           Bible
           too
           ,
           or
           spend
           upon
           the
           Subject
           a
           meer
           Flourish
           of
           Words
           and
           pure
           Invention
           :
           I
           have
           confined
           my
           Thoughts
           and
           Meditations
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           rather
           fetched
           them
           from
           it
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           that
           only
           Rule
           which
           should
           regulate
           our
           Opinions
           and
           Practices
           in
           the
           weighty
           concerns
           of
           our
           Life
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           which
           ought
           to
           give
           an
           Authority
           ,
           Life
           ,
           and
           Pungency
           to
           all
           Pulpit-Discourses
           .
           A
           Rule
           this
           is
           which
           God
           has
           given
           us
           ,
           and
           which
           every
           Christian
           especially
           must
           consider
           and
           study
           with
           Fear
           and
           Veneration
           .
           I
           know
           there
           are
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           some
           Men
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           (
           witness
           the
           
             Theologo-Political
             ,
             Leviathan
             ,
             Theory
             ,
             Critical
             History
             ,
             Annotation
          
           and
           History-of-Religion-Writers
           )
           
           who
           by
           the
           Power
           of
           Criticisms
           and
           Vpstart
           Notions
           of
           Philosophy
           ,
           either
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           and
           some
           other
           mens
           Invention
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           in
           my
           Judgment
           ,
           by
           the
           Infatuation
           of
           the
           Devil
           ,
           and
           the
           Pride
           of
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           all
           conspire
           to
           ruin
           and
           undermine
           it
           .
           Many
           Books
           of
           this
           kind
           have
           appeared
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           which
           if
           the
           Genius
           of
           the
           Age
           had
           not
           disposed
           men
           to
           receive
           ,
           and
           even
           to
           gape
           for
           ,
           had
           been
           comdemned
           to
           flames
           ,
           of
           which
           they
           are
           worthy
           ;
           and
           their
           Authors
           censured
           ,
           as
           becomes
           the
           Civil
           and
           Ecclesiastical
           Laws
           of
           the
           place
           they
           live
           in
           .
           Curiosity
           knows
           no
           Bound
           ,
           either
           of
           Modesty
           or
           Satisfaction
           ;
           and
           therefore
           ,
           tho
           it
           has
           been
           my
           misfortune
           to
           look
           into
           such
           Books
           (
           of
           which
           I
           desire
           You
           to
           beware
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           follow
           the
           Wondering
           and
           Silly
           World
           ,
           if
           Ten
           thousand
           such
           should
           again
           appear
           in
           it
           )
           and
           in
           some
           measure
           to
           consider
           the
           Subject-Matter
           and
           Tendecy
           of
           them
           ;
           yet
           I
           thank
           God
           they
           have
           no
           more
           influence
           upon
           my
           Mind
           to
           destroy
           my
           Faith
           ,
           or
           lessen
           my
           Veneration
           for
           the
           Holy
           Bible
           ,
           than
           Debauched
           Morals
           ,
           or
           Ingenious
           Discourses
           upon
           the
           Praises
           of
           Vice
           ,
           shall
           by
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           move
           me
           to
           approve
           them
           in
           my
           Judgment
           ,
           or
           in
           my
           practice
           to
           follow
           them
           .
           I
           look
           upon
           an
           Vnsanctified
           ,
           Proud
           ,
           and
           Aspiring
           Head
           ,
           to
           be
           as
           dangerous
           ,
           as
           an
           Vngodly
           Heart
           ;
           nay
           ,
           far
           more
           ;
           because
           the
           issues
           of
           this
           run
           in
           open
           Contradiction
           to
           the
           general
           Reason
           of
           Mankind
           :
           Whereas
           a
           Learned
           Rabbi
           ,
           or
           one
           who
           pretends
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           is
           beyond
           the
           Sphere
           of
           Ordinary
           Intellectuals
           ;
           which
           is
           the
           sole
           Reason
           why
           he
           is
           admired
           so
           much
           ,
           even
           then
           ,
           when
           he
           preys
           upon
           the
           Ignorance
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           spreads
           loose
           Principles
           ,
           Irreligion
           and
           Atheism
           in
           the
           World.
           Now
           some
           such
           Men
           as
           these
           have
           been
           trying
           their
           Skill
           on
           the
           Subject
           of
           my
           Sermon
           ,
           and
           have
           endeavoured
           
           from
           the
           Armoury
           of
           their
           Learning
           ,
           some
           indulged
           Practices
           of
           former
           Ages
           ,
           and
           unwary
           Expressions
           of
           Ancient
           and
           Modern
           Authors
           ,
           to
           overthrow
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           and
           Man
           for
           no
           other
           end
           at
           all
           ,
           than
           to
           let
           the
           Reins
           loose
           to
           Lasciviousness
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           manner
           to
           Brutalize
           the
           World.
           I
           have
           in
           the
           following
           Discourse
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           before
           ,
           confined
           my
           Thought
           ;
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           next
           to
           that
           ,
           the
           Laws
           of
           Men
           ;
           which
           are
           nothing
           less
           than
           the
           Mature
           Deliberations
           ,
           Decisions
           ,
           and
           Responses
           of
           the
           Wisest
           and
           most
           Authoritative
           Persons
           of
           former
           Ages
           .
           For
           by
           these
           are
           we
           to
           frame
           our
           Notions
           and
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           to
           solve
           all
           Doubts
           concerning
           Marriage
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           Subject
           ,
           perhaps
           ,
           that
           affords
           as
           many
           Necessary
           ,
           Vseful
           ,
           and
           Nice
           Enquiries
           ,
           as
           any
           falls
           under
           Humane
           Cognizance
           .
           The
           only
           end
           I
           aimed
           at
           ,
           was
           to
           shew
           the
           Institution
           and
           Design
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           You
           may
           know
           what
           State
           and
           Condition
           of
           Life
           You
           are
           now
           entered
           upon
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           offer
           it
           to
           Your
           serious
           perusal
           .
           For
           I
           am
           perswaded
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           but
           consider
           what
           God
           expects
           of
           us
           in
           every
           Stage
           and
           Station
           of
           our
           Life
           ,
           we
           would
           soon
           live
           as
           becomes
           Reasonable
           Men
           and
           Christians
           .
           Be
           pleased
           then
           to
           accept
           this
           as
           a
           Testimony
           of
           my
           Kindness
           ;
           and
           God
           in
           Heaven
           bless
           You
           and
           the
           Excellent
           and
           Virtuous
           Lady
           ,
           which
           is
           now
           your
           Wife
           ,
           with
           his
           Spiritual
           and
           Temporal
           Blessings
           ,
           and
           give
           you
           Grace
           to
           do
           his
           Will
           ;
           that
           so
           you
           may
           fulfil
           the
           Desires
           of
           Your
           most
           Loving
           and
           Tender
           Parents
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           Wishes
           of
           all
           your
           Friends
           ;
           that
           you
           may
           attain
           those
           ends
           for
           which
           God
           has
           given
           you
           Excellent
           Endowments
           of
           Mind
           ,
           Body
           ,
           and
           Fortune
           ,
           and
           answer
           the
           Expectation
           of
           your
           Country
           ;
           that
           you
           may
           follow
           the
           Example
           
           of
           your
           Great
           Grandfather
           ,
           of
           whose
           Learning
           and
           Charity
           ,
           the
           Books
           he
           writ
           ,
           and
           the
           Colledge
           he
           Erected
           at
           Greenwich
           ,
           are
           lasting
           Monuments
           ;
           And
           lastly
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           not
           frustrate
           the
           earnest
           Prayers
           for
           your
           Temporal
           Prosperity
           and
           Eternal
           Happiness
           ,
           of
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
           
             Your
             Quondam-Tutor
             and
             ever
             Affectionate
             and
             Unfeigned
             Friend
             ,
             JOSEPH
             FISHER
             .
          
           
             From
             Broad-Street
             ,
             London
             ,
             
               Febr.
               2.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           Honour
           of
           Marriage
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             
               HEB.
               XIII
               .
               4.
               
            
             
               Marriage
               is
               honourable
               in
               all
               ,
               and
               the
               bed
               undefiled
               ;
               but
               whoremongers
               and
               adulterers
               God
               will
               judge
               .
            
          
        
         
           IN
           this
           Prophane
           and
           Profligate
           Age
           ,
           wherein
           Men
           generally
           ,
           either
           from
           the
           Pride
           and
           Folly
           of
           their
           Wit
           and
           Learning
           ,
           or
           from
           the
           Open
           and
           Impudent
           Debauchery
           of
           their
           Lives
           ,
           clamour
           against
           the
           
             Holy
             Institutions
          
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           things
           either
           above
           ,
           or
           below
           ,
           or
           contrary
           to
           their
           Reason
           ,
           or
           rather
           as
           Appointments
           to
           curb
           that
           Licentiousness
           they
           give
           themselves
           up
           unto
           ;
           I
           hope
           it
           will
           not
           be
           amiss
           ,
           especially
           for
           Persons
           of
           my
           Function
           ,
           to
           endeavour
           all
           they
           can
           ,
           as
           becomes
           them
           to
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           such
           spreading
           Impiety
           as
           
           now
           abounds
           every
           where
           ,
           but
           more
           notoriously
           in
           the
           most
           populous
           Places
           .
           And
           for
           this
           end
           ,
           I
           think
           there
           can
           hardly
           be
           taken
           a
           more
           effectual
           Course
           ,
           than
           to
           demonstrate
           to
           mens
           Reason
           ,
           That
           Revealed
           Religion
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Moral
           and
           Preceptive
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           injoyns
           no
           Duty
           but
           what
           is
           in
           the
           very
           nature
           of
           the
           thing
           agreeable
           to
           the
           unprejudiced
           Voice
           ,
           and
           promotive
           of
           the
           Common
           Good
           of
           Mankind
           .
           Wickedness
           may
           cloud
           mens
           Understanding
           ,
           and
           somewhat
           Stifle
           the
           Natural
           Dictates
           of
           Reason
           ,
           but
           it
           can
           never
           wholly
           exstinguish
           them
           ;
           and
           therefore
           Divines
           may
           have
           this
           comfortable
           prospect
           for
           all
           their
           pains
           which
           they
           shall
           take
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           force
           the
           most
           Loose
           and
           Unreasonable
           to
           an
           inward
           Self-accusation
           ,
           although
           their
           Arguments
           and
           Dealings
           with
           them
           may
           not
           prove
           Efficacious
           enough
           intirely
           to
           reform
           them
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           our
           Duty
           to
           labour
           in
           the
           Ways
           and
           Truths
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           leave
           the
           success
           of
           our
           Industry
           to
           his
           All
           powerful
           Blessing
           .
           For
           as
           there
           are
           Seasons
           wherein
           he
           
           
             makes
             his
             word
             to
             prosper
             in
             the
             thing
             for
             which
             he
             sent
             it
          
           ;
           So
           are
           there
           times
           of
           Judicial
           Blindness
           ,
           in
           which
           ,
           what
           Prophets
           or
           Preachers
           soever
           God
           raises
           up
           amongst
           them
           ,
           mens
           hearts
           are
           hardened
           ,
           and
           
           
             in
             seeing
             they
             see
             not
             ;
             and
             in
             hearing
             ,
             hear
             not
             ;
             neither
             will
             they
             understand
             .
          
           Thus
           we
           know
           it
           was
           twice
           ,
           if
           not
           oftner
           with
           that
           Nation
           which
           God
           made
           choice
           of
           to
           be
           his
           
             Peculiar
             People
          
           and
           Church
           ;
           and
           if
           ever
           the
           like
           Judgment
           seize
           and
           harden
           any
           other
           Nation
           ,
           we
           have
           the
           greatest
           reason
           to
           think
           it
           is
           then
           ,
           when
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           has
           no
           effect
           upon
           it
           .
           For
           then
           
           Men
           seem
           to
           be
           cursed
           with
           an
           hardened
           Heart
           ,
           with
           an
           obstinate
           and
           rebellious
           Temper
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           given
           up
           to
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Delusion
           ,
           which
           will
           infatuate
           and
           confound
           them
           more
           and
           more
           ,
           till
           they
           are
           ripe
           for
           Vengeance
           .
           God
           in
           his
           Mercy
           avert
           this
           sad
           Judgment
           from
           us
           of
           England
           ,
           which
           has
           been
           heretofore
           peculiarly
           remarkable
           for
           a
           Religious
           Disposition
           .
           And
           therefore
           why
           should
           that
           Complaint
           be
           as
           just
           against
           us
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           once
           against
           
             Israel
             ?
             
             How
             is
             the
             faithful
             city
             become
             an
             Harlot
             !
             it
             was
             full
             of
             judgement
             ,
             righteousness
             lodged
             in
             it
             ,
             but
             now
             murderers
             .
          
        
         
           I
           am
           very
           sensible
           such
           a
           Preface
           as
           this
           ,
           is
           too
           large
           for
           that
           Discourse
           ,
           which
           the
           Nature
           and
           Design
           of
           the
           Words
           I
           have
           read
           ,
           lead
           me
           to
           .
           Be
           it
           so
           ;
           yet
           I
           am
           fully
           convinced
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           wholly
           impertinent
           .
           For
           is
           it
           not
           that
           same
           Prophaneness
           from
           which
           men
           deride
           ,
           much
           more
           refuse
           to
           practice
           the
           Sacred
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Aweful
             Establishments
          
           of
           his
           Will
           ,
           that
           prompts
           them
           now
           to
           revile
           that
           Sacred
           and
           Necessary
           Institution
           and
           State
           of
           Life
           I
           am
           to
           speak
           of
           ;
           which
           one
           would
           think
           needed
           not
           any
           thing
           like
           a
           positive
           Law
           from
           Heaven
           at
           first
           to
           ratify
           it
           ?
           If
           we
           can
           see
           any
           thing
           in
           the
           World
           without
           a
           borrowed
           Light
           ,
           we
           may
           see
           the
           necessity
           of
           this
           .
           And
           when
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Verdict
           of
           Reason
           meet
           together
           in
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           what
           greater
           evidence
           can
           we
           have
           either
           of
           the
           Sacredness
           or
           Obligation
           of
           it
           ?
           There
           is
           no
           curing
           by
           meer
           Natural
           Means
           that
           Blindess
           and
           Boldness
           which
           dare
           rise
           up
           against
           such
           an
           Institution
           ;
           and
           therefore
           when
           the
           will
           and
           Sanction
           of
           God
           
           are
           made
           manifest
           to
           the
           Consciences
           of
           Men
           ;
           if
           wicked
           Wretches
           will
           still
           open
           their
           Mouths
           against
           them
           ,
           it
           is
           because
           they
           are
           judicially
           blinded
           and
           given
           up
           to
           
           
             vile
             affections
             ,
             to
             filthy
             and
             fleshly
             lusts
             ,
          
           and
           
             unto
             lasciviousness
             ,
             to
             work
             all
             uncleanness
             with
             greediness
             .
          
        
         
           I
           have
           said
           thus
           much
           before
           hand
           ,
           because
           I
           am
           sensible
           that
           Marriage
           has
           been
           decried
           and
           reviled
           of
           late
           by
           those
           ,
           who
           abstain
           from
           it
           ,
           not
           for
           their
           Virtues
           or
           Religion
           sake
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           with
           the
           more
           freedom
           of
           mind
           
           
             care
             for
             the
             things
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           but
           rather
           that
           they
           may
           feed
           those
           Vices
           ,
           and
           take
           their
           Pastime
           in
           those
           abominable
           Sins
           ;
           for
           the
           prevention
           of
           which
           ,
           it
           was
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           appointed
           and
           permitted
           to
           all
           Men
           ,
           and
           Christians
           ;
           some
           of
           whom
           perhaps
           might
           otherwise
           with
           more
           Ease
           and
           Undisturbedness
           in
           their
           Functions
           have
           lived
           without
           it
           .
           He
           must
           be
           a
           Man
           of
           strange
           Reservedness
           and
           Solitary
           Life
           ,
           who
           knows
           not
           this
           to
           be
           a
           common
           Subject
           to
           break
           Jests
           upon
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           give
           Entertainment
           for
           Mirth
           and
           Laughter
           ,
           when
           the
           Unfaithfulness
           of
           either
           Married
           Party
           ,
           or
           the
           Violation
           of
           those
           Religious
           and
           Solemn
           Vows
           which
           they
           made
           to
           each
           other
           ,
           is
           either
           truly
           or
           falsly
           talk'd
           of
           .
           But
           believe
           me
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           very
           dangerous
           thing
           to
           jest
           upon
           the
           Iniquities
           of
           Men.
           This
           is
           to
           meddle
           with
           edged
           Tools
           ,
           
           
             to
             make
             a
             mock
             of
             sin
             ,
          
           and
           to
           be
           pleased
           with
           that
           which
           should
           make
           us
           all
           both
           Fear
           and
           Tremble
           .
           Let
           therefore
           men
           say
           what
           they
           list
           (
           for
           that
           wicked
           Men
           will
           do
           in
           spite
           of
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           Sacred
           )
           it
           is
           the
           Duty
           of
           all
           Conscientious
           Persons
           to
           regard
           
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           frame
           Notions
           of
           things
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           a
           Veneration
           for
           them
           according
           to
           that
           Sacredness
           they
           derive
           from
           his
           Will
           and
           Appointment
           .
           Now
           after
           this
           manner
           I
           intend
           at
           present
           to
           consider
           Marriage
           ,
           from
           these
           Words
           of
           the
           Divine
           Author
           .
        
         
           
             Marriage
             is
             honourable
             in
             all
             ,
             and
             the
             bed
             undefiled
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           And
           for
           this
           end
           ,
           I
           design
           to
           premise
           a
           brief
           Explication
           of
           them
           .
           
             Marriage
             is
             honourable
          
           .
           
           The
           Words
           may
           be
           rendred
           either
           by
           way
           of
           command
           ,
           Let
           
             Marriage
             be
             honourable
          
           ,
           and
           so
           those
           that
           follow
           ,
           
             Let
             the
             bed
             be
             undefiled
          
           ;
           or
           of
           Assertion
           ,
           as
           we
           do
           ;
           but
           whether
           Form
           of
           Speech
           be
           taken
           ,
           the
           sense
           is
           still
           the
           same
           as
           to
           the
           genuine
           Signification
           of
           the
           Words
           themselves
           .
           And
           by
           the
           term
           Honourable
           ,
           we
           may
           not
           only
           understand
           that
           Marriage
           is
           lawful
           in
           Opposition
           to
           some
           *
           Madmen
           (
           for
           no
           better
           I
           can
           call
           them
           )
           the
           †
           Haeresiologists
           ,
           *
           Historians
           ,
           and
           other
           †
           Writers
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           mention
           and
           confute
           ;
           but
           also
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           highly
           Expedient
           ,
           Necessary
           ,
           and
           Commendable
           in
           its
           self
           .
           Or
           thus
           ,
           Marriage
           is
           that
           State
           of
           Life
           ,
           which
           is
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           much
           approved
           and
           reverenced
           in
           all
           Civilized
           Nations
           ;
           It
           *
           gains
           Respect
           and
           Priviledges
           amongst
           them
           .
           
             Nature
             ,
             Religion
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Propagation
           of
           Mankind
           require
           it
           ;
           and
           therefore
           for
           the
           good
           it
           produceth
           ,
           for
           the
           Original
           Institution
           
           and
           Design
           of
           it
           ,
           it
           should
           be
           looked
           upon
           with
           Esteem
           and
           Honour
           .
           This
           Author
           adds
           ,
           
           in
           
             All
             ,
             Marriage
             is
             honourable
             in
             all
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           all
           Men
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           unlawful
           for
           any
           ,
           naturally
           considered
           .
           No
           man
           ,
           much
           less
           any
           Society
           of
           Men
           ,
           are
           by
           the
           natural
           or
           positive
           Law
           of
           God
           debarred
           from
           it
           .
           So
           that
           it
           is
           in
           it self
           as
           honourable
           in
           All
           as
           Any
           ;
           or
           the
           Words
           ,
           
             in
             all
          
           ,
           may
           signify
           ,
           
             Omnino
             atque
             perfecte
             ;
             Omnibus
             modis
             ,
          
           or
           
             omni
             ex
             parte
          
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           altogether
           as
           some
           *
           interpret
           them
           ,
           or
           as
           in
           the
           Aethiopick
           Version
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           in
           every
           place
           ,
           in
           all
           Nations
           ,
           Religions
           ,
           and
           Professions
           .
           The
           Arabick
           Interpreter
           ,
           thus
           renders
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           as
           I
           understand
           it
           ,
           in
           all
           States
           or
           Conditions
           of
           Men
           ;
           whether
           they
           be
           High
           or
           Low
           ,
           Noble
           or
           Ignoble
           ,
           Rich
           or
           Poor
           ,
           Old
           or
           Young
           ;
           in
           all
           these
           a
           Married
           Life
           doth
           justly
           challenge
           a
           worthy
           Esteem
           .
           It
           follows
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
           And
           
             the
             Bed
             undefiled
          
           .
           By
           which
           we
           may
           first
           understand
           a
           pure
           Virginal
           or
           Chast
           Life
           ,
           which
           every
           one
           that
           is
           acquainted
           with
           the
           Primitive
           Writers
           knows
           to
           have
           been
           highly
           *
           valued
           and
           extolled
           by
           the
           first
           Christians
           ;
           in
           respect
           of
           which
           Marriage
           its
           self
           was
           accounted
           somewhat
           polluted
           ,
           and
           much
           inferior
           in
           degree
           of
           Purity
           and
           Chastity
           .
           Or
           Secondly
           ,
           By
           these
           Words
           may
           be
           noted
           a
           Bed
           kept
           free
           from
           the
           deadly
           and
           crying
           Sins
           of
           Fornication
           ,
           Adultery
           ,
           Uncleanness
           ,
           and
           all
           manner
           of
           Lasciviousness
           ,
           whether
           in
           Married
           or
           Unmarried
           Persons
           .
           If
           the
           first
           Sense
           be
           taken
           ,
           then
           the
           term
           Honourable
           is
           again
           to
           be
           repeated
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           as
           Rhetoricians
           speak
           ,
           
           after
           this
           manner
           ;
           
             And
             the
             bed
             undefil●d
             is
             honourable
             :
          
           So
           that
           both
           the
           Conjugal
           and
           Virginal
           Life
           are
           to
           be
           esteemed
           .
           Both
           of
           them
           are
           in
           themselves
           lawful
           ,
           in
           their
           ends
           useful
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           several
           Conditions
           of
           Men
           necessary
           .
           And
           therefore
           Marriage
           is
           honourable
           ,
           and
           a
           Virginal
           single
           Life
           is
           honourable
           when
           they
           are
           undertaken
           upon
           good
           Accounts
           ,
           and
           Prudently
           and
           Christianly
           mannaged
           for
           the
           attainment
           of
           them
           .
           But
           if
           these
           Words
           be
           taken
           ,
           as
           I
           think
           they
           ought
           to
           be
           ,
           in
           Opposition
           to
           all
           Uncleanness
           and
           Unlawful
           Beds
           ,
           then
           their
           meaning
           is
           ,
           that
           Marriage
           only
           makes
           the
           Cohabitation
           and
           Mutual
           Knowledge
           of
           Man
           and
           Woman
           lawful
           .
           To
           every
           one
           besides
           the
           Married
           ,
           the
           Bed
           is
           defiled
           either
           by
           Fornication
           or
           Adultery
           ,
           which
           are
           Sins
           of
           a
           very
           heinous
           and
           dreadful
           Nature
           ;
           for
           
           
             whoremongers
             and
             adulterers
             God
             will
             judge
             .
          
           I
           take
           the
           word
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           in
           this
           place
           to
           signify
           Fornicators
           ,
           properly
           so
           called
           ,
           *
           as
           a
           Learned
           Man
           does
           .
           And
           therefore
           in
           this
           last
           Clause
           of
           the
           Verse
           ,
           is
           contained
           a
           dreadful
           Threatning
           or
           Tremendous
           Judgment
           on
           all
           the
           Unchaste
           ,
           whether
           Married
           ,
           or
           Single
           Persons
           .
           God
           will
           severely
           punish
           such
           Sinners
           ;
           their
           Sins
           are
           of
           a
           polluted
           and
           damning
           Nature
           ;
           they
           proceed
           from
           the
           most
           
             vile
             Thoughts
             ,
             unreasonable
             Appetites
             ,
             ungov●rned
             Passions
             ,
          
           and
           
             filthy
             Lusts
          
           :
           And
           consequently
           the
           God
           of
           all
           Holiness
           and
           Purity
           must
           needs
           hate
           and
           abhor
           them
           ;
           and
           pursuant
           to
           that
           Detestation
           and
           Aversion
           he
           has
           for
           them
           ,
           will
           his
           Judgments
           be
           .
        
         
           
           Whoremongers
           and
           adulterers
           God
           will
           judge
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           far
           premised
           an
           Explication
           of
           my
           Text
           ,
           which
           might
           naturally
           offer
           these
           Subjects
           to
           be
           treated
           on
           ;
        
         
           
             1.
             
             Upon
             what
             account
             Marriage
             is
             honourable
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Excellence
             and
             Design
             of
             a
             Monastick
             and
             Single
             Life
             ,
             and
             how
             serviceable
             it
             may
             be
             to
             the
             Holy
             Offices
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             A
             Comparison
             betwixt
             the
             Married
             and
             Unmarried
             Life
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             God's
             Service
             and
             Christian
             Piety
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             horrid
             Sinfulness
             of
             Whoredom
             and
             Adultery
             ,
             and
             what
             dreadful
             Punishments
             God
             has
             provided
             for
             them
             .
          
        
         
           I
           shall
           in
           a
           manner
           wave
           all
           the
           Three
           last
           ,
           and
           pitch
           upon
           the
           first
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           represented
           to
           our
           Consideration
           from
           the
           first
           Words
           of
           it
           ,
           
             Marriage
             is
             honourable
          
           .
           And
           that
           I
           may
           speak
           of
           it
           sutably
           to
           this
           Sacred
           Penman's
           Design
           or
           Assertion
           ,
           I
           intend
           to
           shew
           wherein
           the
           Honour
           of
           Marriage
           consists
           ,
           or
           for
           what
           reasons
           such
           a
           State
           of
           Life
           is
           to
           be
           accounted
           Honourable
           ,
           and
           purchase
           a
           great
           Esteem
           in
           the
           World.
           And
           for
           the
           more
           clear
           and
           effectual
           Prosecution
           of
           this
           Point
           ,
           what
           I
           have
           to
           say
           shall
           be
           cast
           into
           these
           four
           following
           Particulars
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             I
             will
             consider
             the
             first
             Institution
             of
             Marriage
             .
          
           
             
             2.
             
             The
             necessity
             of
             it
             for
             the
             Propagation
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             Mankind
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             Advantages
             ,
             Comforts
             ,
             and
             happy
             Consequents
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             I
             will
             consider
             it
             as
             it
             is
             an
             Antidote
             against
             the
             most
             notorious
             and
             crying
             Sins
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           am
           to
           consider
           the
           first
           Institution
           of
           Marriage
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           ordained
           ,
           and
           as
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           solemnized
           
           by
           God
           himself
           in
           the
           two
           first
           Progenitors
           of
           Mankind
           .
           For
           Revelation
           assures
           us
           ,
           That
           God
           did
           not
           only
           make
           them
           ,
           but
           likewise
           that
           he
           made
           them
           with
           a
           design
           to
           joyn
           them
           together
           in
           a
           Marriage-Union
           .
           He
           formed
           the
           Woman
           out
           of
           one
           part
           of
           the
           Man
           ;
           and
           as
           the
           Scripture
           saith
           ,
           
           
             brought
             her
             unto
             him
          
           ;
           which
           Divine
           Act
           Adam
           interpreted
           to
           intimate
           the
           Solemn
           Bond
           of
           Matrimony
           ,
           whereby
           they
           were
           once
           more
           to
           be
           made
           the
           
             same
             Bone
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             same
             Flesh
          
           .
           *
           This
           I
           take
           with
           Learned
           Men
           to
           be
           that
           place
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           whereon
           the
           Solemnization
           of
           Marriage
           is
           first
           grounded
           ;
           †
           and
           to
           this
           we
           know
           our
           Lord
           and
           Saviour
           referred
           as
           to
           the
           Original
           Law
           of
           Marriage
           in
           a
           Case
           concerning
           Divorce
           that
           was
           put
           to
           him
           .
           Now
           Marriage
           as
           such
           ,
           containing
           a
           Solemn
           Obligation
           of
           Man
           and
           Wife
           to
           each
           other
           ,
           and
           consiststing
           in
           the
           closest
           Bond
           of
           Union
           that
           can
           be
           betwixt
           two
           Individuals
           of
           the
           same
           Nature
           (
           *
           for
           by
           these
           I
           find
           both
           the
           School-men
           and
           Canonists
           
           to
           define
           it
           from
           Isidore
           )
           and
           both
           of
           them
           being
           plainly
           represented
           to
           us
           in
           this
           Matrimonial
           Conjunction
           of
           the
           first
           Man
           and
           Woman
           ;
           I
           shall
           offer
           these
           things
           as
           most
           remarkable
           from
           this
           place
           of
           Genesis
           ;
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           God
           ,
           by
           what
           Manisestation
           of
           himself
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           was
           actually
           interested
           in
           it
           .
           And
           that
           first
           of
           all
           by
           framing
           the
           Woman
           out
           of
           the
           Man
           ,
           which
           made
           her
           the
           more
           an
           affectionate
           and
           suitable
           Companion
           for
           him
           .
           She
           was
           but
           a
           Part
           and
           Portion
           of
           himself
           ,
           beautified
           and
           adorned
           to
           attract
           his
           Love
           ,
           to
           charm
           and
           win
           his
           Affections
           ;
           so
           that
           she
           was
           but
           
           
             himself
             in
             his
             own
             likeness
          
           ,
           being
           originally
           Bone
           of
           his
           Bone.
           And
           therefore
           as
           the
           Apostle
           argues
           ,
           as
           
           
             no
             man
             ever
             yet
             hated
             his
             own
             flesh
             ,
             but
             nourisheth
             and
             cherisheth
             it
             :
          
           So
           it
           was
           impossible
           that
           Man
           should
           not
           be
           enamoured
           with
           a
           Creature
           that
           was
           framed
           on
           purpose
           for
           his
           Society
           and
           Assistance
           .
           In
           which
           Act
           of
           God
           (
           altho
           I
           will
           not
           say
           ,
           that
           Marriage
           is
           a
           Sacrament
           ,
           yet
           I
           think
           it
           may
           be
           affirmed
           )
           there
           was
           something
           Sacramental
           ,
           implying
           that
           
             Mutual
             Love
          
           and
           Dearness
           ,
           that
           
             Familiarity
             ,
             Society
          
           ,
           and
           Oneness
           ,
           there
           ought
           to
           be
           betwixt
           them
           .
           All
           this
           the
           very
           Manner
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           the
           Womans
           Creation
           seemed
           to
           presignify
           ,
           and
           was
           so
           understood
           by
           Adam
           ,
           as
           appears
           in
           the
           Sequel
           of
           the
           Sacred
           Story
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           
           And
           then
           Secondly
           ,
           Whereas
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           That
           
             God
             brought
             her
             to
             the
             Man
          
           ;
           however
           that
           matter
           of
           Fact
           was
           accomplisht
           ,
           I
           take
           the
           words
           to
           denote
           
           God's
           Intention
           to
           make
           them
           One
           again
           in
           a
           Bond
           of
           Marriage
           .
           He
           offered
           her
           to
           him
           like
           a
           Father
           amongst
           us
           ;
           he
           as
           it
           were
           contracted
           them
           .
           and
           gave
           her
           unto
           him
           in
           Wedlock
           .
           And
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           the
           Man
           approved
           and
           consented
           to
           this
           Act
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           received
           her
           to
           be
           his
           Wife
           at
           his
           hands
           ;
           this
           is
           specified
           in
           the
           23d
           and
           24th
           Verses
           of
           the
           Chapter
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           And
           then
           lastly
           ,
           in
           this
           Transaction
           may
           be
           considered
           that
           Bond
           and
           Union
           which
           resulted
           from
           hence
           ;
           even
           such
           an
           One
           as
           seemed
           to
           cancel
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           ,
           *
           to
           take
           place
           of
           all
           other
           Obligations
           .
           
           Therefore
           (
           says
           
             Adam
             )
             shall
             a
             man
             leave
             his
             Father
             ,
             and
             his
             Mother
             ,
             and
             shall
             cleave
             unto
             his
             Wife
             ;
             and
             they
             shall
             be
             one
             flesh
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           from
           all
           this
           ,
           *
           not
           to
           mention
           that
           peculiar
           hand
           of
           Providence
           ,
           which
           is
           observed
           to
           be
           in
           all
           Marriages
           ;
           I
           shall
           infer
           these
           Three
           following
           Observations
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           Marriage
           is
           to
           be
           lookt
           upon
           as
           a
           Religious
           Bond
           and
           Contract
           .
           It
           depended
           at
           first
           upon
           a
           Solemn
           Institution
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           to
           all
           the
           Essentials
           of
           it
           .
           And
           surely
           ,
           amongst
           all
           Men
           ,
           either
           of
           Reason
           or
           Religion
           ,
           for
           this
           Cause
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           highly
           esteemed
           and
           honoured
           .
           The
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           you
           know
           ,
           should
           regulate
           every
           Act
           of
           ours
           that
           is
           governable
           by
           Reason
           ;
           they
           should
           controul
           and
           direct
           our
           Natural
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           keep
           them
           within
           those
           Bounds
           and
           Limits
           which
           he
           has
           set
           them
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
           because
           
           whatever
           has
           any
           Character
           of
           Religion
           stampt
           upon
           it
           ,
           does
           as
           such
           proceed
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           he
           is
           the
           Author
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           use
           thereof
           we
           should
           direct
           it
           to
           those
           ends
           which
           he
           has
           appointed
           ;
           we
           are
           to
           look
           upon
           Marriage
           as
           a
           Sacred
           Obligation
           ,
           and
           to
           observe
           the
           Institution
           and
           Design
           of
           God
           ,
           whenever
           we
           enter
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Whatever
           God
           has
           made
           lawful
           or
           unlawful
           in
           his
           written
           Word
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           Marriage
           ,
           we
           must
           own
           and
           acquiesce
           in
           ,
           as
           such
           ;
           for
           his
           positive
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           Actual
           Revelation
           of
           his
           Will
           ,
           is
           the
           Fundamental
           Director
           in
           this
           case
           .
           I
           mean
           not
           that
           God
           should
           determine
           every
           thing
           that
           belongs
           to
           Marriage-Solemnity
           ;
           but
           that
           whatever
           he
           has
           determined
           at
           several
           times
           ,
           and
           upon
           several
           occasions
           ,
           to
           be
           of
           perpetual
           practice
           ,
           ought
           and
           must
           be
           Religiously
           observed
           by
           them
           ,
           who
           have
           and
           acknowledge
           his
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           All
           that
           are
           Married
           ,
           must
           look
           upon
           themselves
           as
           obliged
           to
           each
           other
           under
           a
           Sacred
           Bond
           and
           Tye
           of
           Religion
           .
           They
           are
           to
           be
           faithful
           for
           fear
           of
           a
           Curse
           from
           God
           ,
           or
           of
           being
           Betrayers
           and
           Perverters
           of
           his
           Holy
           Institution
           .
           They
           are
           to
           drive
           on
           no
           separate
           Interests
           ;
           they
           must
           conscientiously
           discharge
           those
           Duties
           which
           the
           ends
           of
           Marriage
           ,
           their
           Union
           ,
           and
           God
           himself
           ,
           requires
           of
           them
           .
           
             No
             man
          
           should
           act
           contrary
           to
           himself
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           
             no
             Married
             Persons
          
           should
           prejudice
           each
           other
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           made
           One
           by
           Promise
           ,
           by
           Bargain
           ,
           and
           by
           Vow
           .
        
         
         
           II.
           The
           next
           thing
           I
           am
           to
           consider
           ,
           is
           the
           Necessity
           of
           Marriage
           for
           the
           Propagation
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           of
           Mankind
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           if
           God
           had
           left
           Man
           as
           undetermined
           ,
           as
           he
           has
           done
           other
           Creatures
           ,
           which
           multiply
           their
           several
           kinds
           ,
           then
           there
           would
           have
           been
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           Marriage
           ;
           but
           having
           not
           only
           framed
           Man
           ,
           and
           made
           him
           fit
           to
           propagate
           his
           Species
           by
           multiplying
           Individuals
           ;
           but
           likewise
           determined
           him
           as
           to
           the
           Manner
           and
           Lawfulness
           of
           it
           by
           a
           Solemn
           Matrimonial
           Contract
           ,
           which
           he
           has
           done
           in
           no
           other
           Species
           besides
           that
           I
           know
           of
           ;
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           a
           Sin
           in
           any
           to
           break
           the
           Rules
           of
           this
           Determination
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           an
           open
           Violation
           of
           a
           perpetual
           Law
           ,
           for
           which
           an
           Account
           must
           be
           given
           in
           the
           Day
           of
           Judgement
           .
           And
           hence
           is
           it
           ,
           that
           if
           Men
           must
           contiune
           to
           the
           World's
           end
           ,
           't
           is
           necessary
           that
           People
           marry
           ;
           otherwise
           they
           must
           Sin
           against
           God
           ,
           and
           their
           Off-spring
           will
           be
           unlawful
           .
           This
           I
           would
           not
           have
           so
           understood
           ,
           as
           that
           there
           is
           a
           necessity
           upon
           every
           one
           in
           particular
           to
           Marry
           ;
           but
           that
           Mankind
           ought
           not
           ,
           and
           therefore
           cannot
           lawfully
           be
           perpetuated
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           save
           only
           by
           Wedlock
           .
           I
           know
           the
           *
           Jewish
           Canonists
           and
           Civilians
           affirm
           ,
           That
           all
           Men
           are
           obliged
           to
           Marry
           ;
           and
           they
           ground
           their
           Opinion
           on
           these
           words
           of
           Scripture
           ;
           †
           
             Be
             fruitful
             and
             multiply
             and
             replenish
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             subdue
             it
             .
          
           This
           is
           the
           first
           Commandment
           according
           to
           their
           Account
           ;
           and
           is
           by
           them
           from
           the
           words
           of
           the
           
           Text
           ,
           called
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           i.
           e.
           
             Lex
             ad
             procreationem
             &
             multiplicationem
             liberorum
             obligans
             .
          
           But
           I
           think
           they
           mistake
           the
           Sense
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           which
           in
           my
           Opinion
           is
           not
           so
           to
           be
           interpreted
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           laid
           an
           Injunction
           upon
           every
           one
           to
           Marry
           ;
           for
           they
           themselves
           exempt
           from
           it
           ,
           *
           some
           the
           whole
           Female
           Sex
           †
           ,
           others
           some
           Men
           either
           intirely
           ,
           or
           till
           later
           years
           than
           the
           Obligation
           of
           this
           Law
           according
           to
           their
           Decisions
           generally
           commenceth
           .
           And
           *
           again
           ,
           the
           same
           words
           are
           spoken
           of
           other
           Creatures
           which
           are
           capable
           of
           no
           such
           positive
           Law.
           And
           therefore
           I
           judge
           they
           denote
           ,
           by
           a
           figurative
           Manner
           of
           Speech
           ,
           the
           inward
           
             Disposition
             ,
             Frame
          
           ,
           and
           Nature
           of
           Mankind
           for
           multiplying
           themselves
           and
           peopling
           the
           World.
           God
           hath
           
             so
             made
          
           and
           ordained
           Man
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           naturally
           apt
           and
           prone
           to
           propagate
           his
           own
           kind
           .
           
           God
           (
           says
           
             Moses
             )
             created
             Man
             in
             his
             own
             image
             ,
             in
             the
             image
             of
             God
             created
             he
             him
             ;
             male
             and
             female
             created
             he
             them
             .
             And
             God
             blessed
             them
             ,
             and
             God
             said
             unto
             them
             ,
             be
             fruitful
             and
             multiply
             and
             replenish
             the
             earth
             ,
             and
             subdue
             it
             .
          
           Where
           the
           Hebrew
           word
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           which
           we
           translate
           ,
           
             and
             he
             blessed
             them
          
           ,
           seems
           to
           intimate
           Gods
           furnishing
           Man
           in
           his
           very
           Nature
           with
           powers
           and
           willingness
           to
           answer
           the
           end
           of
           his
           Creation
           ,
           particularly
           that
           of
           perpetuating
           his
           Posterity
           to
           the
           end
           of
           the
           World.
           This
           is
           an
           Observation
           (
           *
           tho
           borrowed
           from
           another
           )
           of
           a
           †
           Learned
           and
           Late
           Critick
           upon
           the
           22
           Verse
           of
           this
           Chapter
           :
           Whom
           with
           *
           another
           ,
           that
           is
           ashamed
           very
           often
           of
           his
           Name
           ,
           and
           therefore
           
           *
           goes
           under
           many
           other
           :
           I
           may
           justy
           call
           Audacious
           and
           Ungodly
           Dealers
           with
           the
           Word
           of
           God.
           For
           they
           appear
           to
           me
           to
           labour
           on
           purpose
           by
           their
           Criticisms
           ,
           of
           which
           to
           unbridled
           Wits
           ,
           there
           will
           never
           be
           an
           end
           ,
           to
           undermine
           the
           Scriptures
           (
           as
           others
           do
           by
           their
           Whimsical
           Notions
           of
           Modish
           Philosophy
           )
           and
           to
           render
           them
           altogether
           useless
           for
           the
           ends
           of
           Piety
           and
           Religion
           ,
           which
           God
           designed
           them
           for
           .
           May
           he
           in
           his
           due
           time
           by
           ways
           best
           known
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           agreeable
           to
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           blast
           such
           attempts
           upon
           his
           Sacred
           Oracles
           ,
           which
           these
           men
           look
           on
           as
           a
           
             good
             old
             Book
          
           they
           may
           Criticize
           upon
           ,
           and
           not
           as
           it
           is
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           
             Faith
             and
             Manners
          
           .
           In
           short
           then
           ,
           the
           forementioned
           Text
           containing
           a
           Benediction
           founded
           in
           the
           Nature
           and
           Faculties
           of
           Men
           ,
           the
           use
           and
           exercise
           of
           them
           ought
           to
           be
           ,
           and
           are
           ,
           (
           as
           I
           have
           shewed
           before
           )
           regulated
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           all
           our
           Powers
           governable
           by
           Reason
           must
           be
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           ,
           as
           God
           has
           ordained
           Marriage
           as
           the
           only
           means
           for
           the
           Continuation
           of
           Men
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           none
           can
           violate
           this
           method
           without
           sinning
           most
           heinously
           against
           him
           .
           For
           whoever
           is
           such
           a
           Transgressor
           ,
           turns
           the
           
             Sin
             of
             his
             Soul
          
           into
           the
           
             Fruit
             of
             his
             Body
          
           ;
           makes
           himself
           polluted
           and
           brutish
           ;
           propagates
           the
           Seed
           of
           
             Baseness
             ,
             Reproach
          
           ,
           and
           Corruption
           ;
           lets
           his
           Lusts
           and
           Vile
           Affections
           hurry
           him
           on
           to
           break
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           he
           kindles
           and
           fans
           that
           burning
           Flame
           which
           will
           destroy
           him
           in
           the
           lowest
           Hell.
           God
           has
           restrained
           all
           licentiousness
           by
           a
           
           Maraiage
           Institution
           ;
           and
           why
           then
           should
           men
           transgress
           this
           Law
           which
           is
           so
           Sacred
           and
           Perpetual
           ;
           hardly
           any
           Sins
           are
           more
           provoking
           than
           Adultery
           ,
           Fornication
           ,
           and
           Uncleanness
           :
           God
           will
           avenge
           such
           severely
           ,
           he
           will
           punish
           them
           dreadfully
           ,
           if
           we
           may
           believe
           his
           written
           Word
           ;
           and
           therefore
           those
           that
           are
           guilty
           of
           them
           ,
           cannot
           escape
           Everlasting
           Fire
           .
           Now
           ,
           from
           all
           this
           ,
           you
           see
           what
           an
           Honour
           is
           reflected
           on
           Marriage
           from
           God
           ;
           it
           makes
           the
           Bed
           undefiled
           ;
           legitimates
           the
           World
           ;
           makes
           Parents
           honest
           ,
           credits
           their
           Off-spring
           ,
           and
           derives
           a
           Blessing
           from
           Heaven
           .
           In
           fine
           ,
           it
           gives
           
             Being
             ,
             Honour
             ,
             Priviledges
             ,
             Rights
             ,
          
           and
           Blessings
           to
           Children
           ,
           amongst
           all
           Civilized
           Nations
           .
        
         
           III.
           Having
           thus
           far
           laid
           before
           you
           the
           Original
           and
           Necessity
           of
           a
           Married
           Life
           ,
           both
           of
           which
           proceed
           from
           the
           Natural
           and
           Positive
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           shall
           now
           in
           the
           next
           place
           consider
           the
           Blessings
           and
           Consolations
           of
           it
           :
           For
           it
           is
           a
           State
           which
           has
           its
           present
           Comforts
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           first
           Designation
           thereof
           ,
           was
           ordained
           for
           the
           attainment
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           for
           this
           reason
           neither
           Sex
           can
           complain
           that
           God
           has
           imposed
           a
           burthen
           too
           heavy
           for
           them
           to
           bear
           .
           For
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           First
           ,
           Moses
           says
           ,
           That
           after
           Man
           was
           created
           ,
           
           
             The
             Lord
             God
             said
             it
             is
             not
             good
             that
             man
             should
             be
             alone
             ;
             I
             will
             make
             him
             an
             help
             meet
             for
             him
             .
             It
             is
             not
             good
          
           ;
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           way
           convenient
           or
           comfortable
           ,
           or
           agreeable
           to
           him
           
           or
           his
           condition
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           created
           *
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           a
           
             Help
             meet
             for
             him
          
           ,
           as
           we
           interpret
           it
           :
           But
           the
           words
           are
           variously
           translated
           by
           others
           ,
           viz.
           
             Anxilium
             simile
             sibi
          
           ,
           in
           the
           vulgar
           Latin
           ,
           followed
           by
           the
           Syriack
           Version
           ,
           a
           
             Help
             like
             unto
             himself
          
           ,
           i.
           e.
           one
           of
           the
           same
           Nature
           and
           Constitution
           with
           him
           ;
           one
           of
           equal
           Tenderness
           and
           Regard
           for
           him
           as
           he
           has
           for
           himself
           ,
           or
           one
           created
           on
           purpose
           to
           perform
           all
           those
           kind
           offices
           of
           assistance
           which
           his
           condition
           in
           the
           world
           requires
           from
           her
           ;
           in
           the
           Septuagint
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           an
           Assistant
           according
           to
           himself
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           *
           Nature
           and
           wants
           and
           wishes
           .
           In
           the
           Chaldaick
           Version
           of
           Onkelos
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           in
           the
           Samaritan
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           a
           Help
           ,
           a
           Support
           ,
           a
           Prop
           ,
           
             as
             before
             him
          
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           Arabick
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           of
           the
           same
           meaning
           ;
           so
           that
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           these
           three
           Translations
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Grammatical
           signification
           of
           the
           word
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           is
           expressed
           ,
           and
           therefore
           put
           in
           the
           Margin
           of
           our
           English
           Bibles
           ,
           the
           whole
           Sentence
           implies
           ,
           that
           God
           created
           *
           one
           that
           would
           be
           a
           present
           and
           perpetual
           aid
           to
           man
           ;
           one
           that
           should
           be
           always
           at
           hand
           ,
           in
           his
           power
           ,
           and
           helpful
           .
           The
           
             Jerusalem
             Targum
          
           is
           somewhat
           obsure
           and
           paraphrastical
           ,
           I
           will
           make
           him
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
             a
             Yoke-fellow
             that
             may
             go
             out
             with
             him
             .
          
           *
           I
           shall
           pass
           by
           those
           extravagant
           Interpretations
           some
           Jews
           make
           on
           purpose
           to
           countenance
           their
           Opinions
           concerning
           Divorce
           ,
           and
           shall
           content
           my self
           with
           *
           that
           Gloss
           of
           a
           Rabbi
           as
           I
           find
           him
           cited
           ,
           because
           the
           Jews
           generally
           agree
           in
           it
           ,
           
             I
             will
             make
             an
             help
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
             which
             shall
             be
             always
             with
             him
             ,
             or
             at
             hand
             ,
             to
             minister
             unto
             ,
             and
             to
             observe
             him
             .
          
           But
           what
           needs
           Criticism
           ?
           
           the
           best
           way
           to
           interpret
           words
           is
           to
           confider
           things
           ,
           and
           to
           direct
           the
           meaning
           of
           those
           to
           the
           nature
           and
           use
           of
           these
           ;
           and
           therefore
           by
           the
           word
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           we
           may
           understand
           ,
           that
           the
           Woman
           was
           created
           ,
           to
           perform
           all
           the
           Duties
           incumbent
           upon
           her
           towards
           the
           Man
           ,
           not
           excluding
           his
           towards
           her
           ;
           and
           consequently
           she
           was
           not
           ordained
           or
           given
           to
           him
           for
           the
           Gratification
           of
           his
           Lust
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           Comfort
           of
           his
           Life
           .
           And
           from
           hence
           you
           see
           for
           what
           God
           made
           such
           a
           Fellow
           creature
           ;
           
             It
             was
             not
             good
             for
             Man
          
           to
           be
           single
           and
           solitary
           ,
           he
           wanted
           one
           to
           assist
           and
           cherish
           him
           ;
           to
           be
           his
           individual
           Companion
           ;
           a
           Constant
           ,
           a
           most
           
             Intimate
             Familiar
          
           ,
           and
           a
           Bosom-Friend
           .
        
         
           We
           of
           all
           God's
           Creatures
           are
           born
           for
           Society
           ;
           of
           which
           Husband
           and
           Wife
           are
           the
           first
           two
           ,
           a
           whole
           Family
           the
           next
           part
           ,
           a
           City
           the
           third
           ,
           and
           so
           on
           till
           you
           come
           to
           the
           last
           Complement
           or
           Combination
           of
           it
           :
           And
           as
           all
           Society
           is
           appointed
           for
           the
           good
           of
           every
           Individual
           of
           it
           ,
           so
           is
           that
           of
           Man
           and
           Wife
           by
           the
           express
           Command
           and
           Counsel
           of
           God
           who
           made
           them
           .
           Adam
           in
           a
           Reply
           to
           God
           ,
           calls
           her
           ,
           
           
             The
             woman
             whom
             tho
             gavest
             to
             be
             with
             me
             .
          
           The
           Hebrew
           Words
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             The
             woman
             which
             thou
             gavest
             with
             me
          
           *
           ,
           i.
           e.
           to
           stand
           by
           me
           (
           as
           some
           seem
           to
           suppose
           )
           are
           thus
           rendred
           by
           the
           Samaritan
           Version
           †
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             The
             woman
             which
             thou
             broughtest
             to
             me
             ,
          
           viz.
           which
           thou
           didst
           betroth
           unto
           me
           ,
           give
           to
           be
           my
           Spouse
           or
           Wife
           ,
           and
           join
           to
           me
           in
           the
           strictest
           Bond
           of
           Union
           .
           So
           that
           from
           the
           sense
           of
           these
           two
           places
           ,
           we
           
           fully
           learn
           what
           end
           God
           aimed
           at
           in
           the
           Creation
           of
           the
           Woman
           ,
           and
           the
           Donation
           of
           her
           to
           the
           Man
           ;
           namely
           ,
           That
           they
           should
           mutually
           assist
           each
           other
           ,
           and
           be
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Person
           almost
           in
           every
           Condition
           of
           Life
           .
           They
           were
           to
           communicate
           in
           each
           others
           
             Joys
             ,
             alleviate
          
           their
           Griefs
           ,
           assist
           by
           their
           Prudence
           their
           Labour
           and
           Industry
           ,
           and
           earnestly
           promote
           the
           welfare
           of
           one
           another
           .
           For
           thus
           ,
           and
           thus
           only
           could
           the
           necessities
           of
           their
           Nature
           be
           supplied
           ,
           and
           their
           Infirmities
           supported
           ,
           which
           otherwise
           each
           of
           them
           must
           inevitably
           have
           laboured
           under
           if
           remaining
           Single
           .
           And
           if
           we
           will
           believe
           Inspired
           Writers
           ,
           the
           Woman
           is
           not
           only
           the
           Comfort
           ,
           but
           the
           Ornament
           of
           a
           Man's
           Life
           .
           
           
             A
             vertuous
             woman
             is
             a
             crown
             to
             her
             husband
             ,
             Her
             price
             is
             for
             above
             rubies
             ;
             the
             heart
             of
             her
             husband
             doth
             fully
             trust
             in
             her
             ;
             she
             will
             do
             him
             good
             ,
             and
             not
             evil
             ,
             all
             the
             days
             of
             her
             Life
             .
          
           To
           which
           I
           will
           add
           these
           words
           of
           
             Syracides
             ,
             
             He
             that
             getteth
             a
             Wife
             ,
             beginneth
             a
             Possession
             ;
             a
             help
             like
             unto
             himself
             ,
             and
             4
             Pillar
             of
             rest
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           I
           may
           further
           shew
           how
           joyous
           and
           comfortable
           such
           a
           Life
           as
           this
           is
           ;
           it
           may
           be
           sufficient
           to
           observe
           ,
           That
           Love
           which
           sweetens
           every
           thing
           we
           desire
           ,
           or
           take
           in
           hand
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           ought
           in
           Marriage
           to
           have
           a
           ruling
           share
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           a
           very
           
             large
             Proportion
          
           .
           For
           it
           is
           not
           only
           that
           thing
           which
           may
           ,
           but
           which
           must
           be
           the
           Bond
           of
           Matrimonial
           Union
           .
           'T
           is
           this
           which
           must
           move
           the
           Heart
           and
           Affections
           of
           each
           Party
           ,
           determine
           the
           Choice
           ,
           gain
           Consent
           ,
           (
           *
           which
           is
           the
           most
           Essential
           Part
           of
           the
           Espousals
           )
           and
           which
           will
           cast
           a
           
           perpetual
           Joy
           and
           Delight
           upon
           the
           
             Happy
             Pair
          
           .
           Every
           one
           that
           considers
           the
           State
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           must
           know
           what
           an
           absolute
           Command
           this
           Passion
           has
           in
           the
           Bravest
           and
           Wisest
           Hearts
           .
           'T
           is
           this
           that
           makes
           Men
           ruin
           themselves
           ,
           or
           promote
           their
           own
           welfare
           ;
           for
           we
           often
           love
           what
           we
           should
           hate
           ,
           and
           we
           hate
           what
           we
           should
           love
           ;
           and
           from
           hence
           is
           it
           that
           we
           are
           made
           Miserable
           .
           In
           truth
           ,
           it
           requires
           
             great
             Art
          
           ,
           much
           Watchfulness
           ,
           strength
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           a
           controuling
           Sway
           over
           our selves
           ,
           a
           
             profound
             Fear
          
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Sense
           of
           Religion
           ,
           to
           regulate
           this
           Passion
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           it
           upon
           right
           Objects
           ,
           and
           within
           bounds
           of
           Moderation
           :
           But
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           That
           in
           the
           Married
           State
           it
           can
           hardly
           have
           exceedings
           :
           the
           dearer
           the
           Affection
           ,
           the
           better
           it
           is
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           intire
           ,
           the
           more
           pure
           ,
           the
           more
           lasting
           that
           love
           is
           ,
           't
           is
           the
           more
           commendable
           ,
           and
           makes
           Life
           more
           
             comfortable
             .
             Husbands
          
           
           (
           says
           St.
           
             Paul
             )
             love
             your
             wives
          
           ,
           for
           this
           cements
           them
           together
           into
           One
           ;
           it
           mingles
           their
           Affections
           ,
           gives
           them
           one
           Heart
           and
           one
           Soul
           ;
           and
           whatever
           makes
           a
           Separation
           ,
           is
           either
           the
           bitterness
           of
           Death
           ,
           or
           the
           more
           tormenting
           Flames
           of
           Contention
           .
           He
           knows
           not
           what
           Love
           is
           ,
           nor
           the
           Joys
           that
           follow
           it
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           he
           has
           nothing
           at
           all
           of
           Humanity
           in
           him
           ,
           who
           perceives
           not
           in
           his
           mind
           the
           many
           Consolations
           which
           must
           arise
           from
           such
           united
           Hearts
           ,
           from
           such
           a
           
             redoubled
             force
          
           of
           Kindness
           and
           Affection
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Further
           ,
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           which
           may
           recommend
           a
           Married
           Life
           to
           all
           but
           Prophane
           and
           Lascivious
           Wretches
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           engages
           Men
           to
           
           Industry
           and
           Labour
           ,
           to
           Honesty
           and
           Providence
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           Religions
           and
           Useful
           in
           the
           World.
           For
           what
           are
           all
           Men
           ,
           and
           the
           Riches
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           so
           many
           Monuments
           of
           Marriage
           Blessings
           ?
           What
           is
           it
           else
           that
           maintains
           the
           Port
           ,
           and
           carries
           on
           the
           business
           of
           Humane
           Society
           ?
           The
           Being
           and
           Well-being
           of
           Families
           and
           Kingdoms
           ;
           nay
           ,
           the
           Cloister
           it self
           which
           contends
           for
           Pre-eminence
           ,
           does
           wholly
           depend
           upon
           it
           ;
           dares
           therefore
           any
           be
           so
           bold
           and
           impudent
           as
           to
           think
           slightly
           ,
           or
           talk
           scurriously
           of
           that
           which
           has
           produced
           so
           much
           good
           in
           the
           World
           !
           And
           of
           which
           he
           himself
           ,
           unless
           he
           be
           Bise
           and
           Ignominious
           ,
           is
           a
           Fruit
           and
           Production
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           And
           lastly
           ,
           When
           I
           have
           named
           Children
           ,
           I
           have
           said
           enough
           upon
           this
           Head
           of
           my
           Discourse
           .
           For
           these
           are
           the
           greatest
           Worldly
           Blessings
           that
           God
           can
           bestow
           upon
           any
           ;
           they
           are
           the
           Repositories
           where
           Parents
           bestow
           the
           Fruits
           of
           their
           Industry
           and
           Labours
           ;
           they
           are
           the
           Darlings
           of
           their
           Affections
           ,
           which
           ill
           Behaviour
           and
           Undutifulness
           can
           never
           wholly
           extinguish
           .
           Experience
           teaches
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           young
           Part
           of
           Mankind
           may
           be
           glad
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           nothing
           excites
           greater
           Love
           or
           Care
           in
           Parents
           than
           Children
           ;
           for
           which
           this
           reason
           may
           be
           given
           ,
           that
           Nature
           ,
           whose
           Inclinations
           and
           Propensions
           are
           unconquerable
           ,
           has
           implanted
           in
           them
           a
           deep
           Tenderness
           and
           Love
           for
           their
           Off-spring
           :
           whereas
           God
           knows
           they
           have
           too
           too
           often
           very
           little
           cause
           to
           be
           kind
           and
           loving
           .
           Oh!
           how
           do
           they
           rejoyce
           at
           the
           blooming
           Hopes
           and
           Welfare
           of
           their
           Children
           !
           They
           think
           no
           Pains
           too
           much
           ,
           no
           Labour
           too
           tedious
           
           for
           a
           happy
           Provision
           for
           them
           :
           And
           why
           should
           not
           Fathers
           do
           so
           ?
           for
           their
           Children
           are
           nothing
           less
           than
           themselves
           multiplied
           ,
           their
           Names
           and
           Beings
           in
           a
           manner
           made
           Immortal
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           or
           continued
           down
           from
           Generation
           to
           Generation
           .
           This
           we
           find
           reckoned
           a
           Blessing
           from
           God
           on
           the
           Pious
           Man.
           
        
         
           
           
             Blessed
             is
             every
             one
             that
             feareth
             the
             Lord
             :
             that
             walketh
             in
             his
             ways
             .
             For
             thou
             shalt
             eat
             the
             labour
             of
             thy
             hands
             :
             happy
             shalt
             thou
             be
             ,
             and
             it
             shall
             be
             well
             with
             thee
             .
             Thy
             wife
             shall
             be
             as
             a
             fruitful
             vine
             by
             the
             sides
             of
             thine
             house
             :
             thy
             children
             like
             olive-plants
             round
             about
             thy
             table
             .
             They
             shall
             see
             thy
             childrens
             children
             .
          
           Again
           ,
           
           
             Children
             are
             an
             heritage
             of
             the
             Lord
             :
             and
             the
             fruit
             of
             the
             womb
             is
             his
             reward
             .
             As
             arrows
             are
             in
             the
             hand
             of
             mighty
             men
             :
             so
             are
             children
             of
             the
             youth
             .
             Happy
             is
             the
             man
             that
             hath
             his
             quiver
             full
             of
             them
             :
             they
             shall
             not
             be
             ashamed
             ,
             but
             they
             shall
             speak
             with
             the
             enemies
             in
             the
             gate
             .
          
        
         
           IV.
           The
           last
           thing
           I
           proposed
           ,
           was
           to
           consider
           Marriage
           as
           an
           Antidote
           against
           the
           most
           notorio●s
           and
           
             crying
             Sins
          
           ;
           and
           now
           what
           are
           these
           ?
           Even
           the
           vilest
           that
           man
           can
           be
           guilty
           of
           ,
           and
           which
           God
           has
           severely
           threatened
           and
           censured
           in
           his
           Revealed
           Word
           .
           They
           are
           such
           as
           neither
           Sex
           can
           commit
           till
           they
           have
           cast
           off
           
             all
             Modesty
             ,
             all
             Manners
          
           ,
           and
           
             all
             Fear
             of
             God.
          
           The
           very
           naming
           of
           them
           (
           and
           for
           brevity
           and
           haste
           ,
           I
           will
           but
           just
           name
           them
           )
           is
           enough
           to
           make
           all
           Men
           detest
           and
           dread
           them
           ;
           they
           are
           
             Adultery
             ,
             Fornication
          
           ,
           and
           Acts
           of
           Uneleanness
           ;
           the
           horrid
           and
           
             damning
             Nature
          
           of
           which
           may
           be
           manifested
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           ,
        
         
         
           1.
           
           That
           they
           are
           downright
           Violations
           of
           the
           Marriage
           Institution
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           They
           bring
           an
           infamy
           upon
           Humane
           Nature
           ;
           for
           they
           bastardize
           the
           Race
           of
           Men
           ,
           they
           entail
           a
           Disgrace
           upon
           Posterity
           ,
           which
           is
           counted
           Ignominious
           and
           Base
           both
           in
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           and
           Men.
           And
           then
           ,
        
         
           3.
           
           Lastly
           ,
           They
           are
           Sins
           against
           that
           Purity
           and
           Chastity
           both
           of
           Mind
           and
           Body
           ,
           which
           our
           Lord
           requires
           in
           every
           one
           of
           his
           Disciples
           .
           
           
             Flee
             fornication
          
           ,
           says
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             Every
             sin
             that
             a
             man
             doth
             ,
             is
             without
             the
             body
             :
             but
             he
             that
             committeth
             fornication
             ,
             sinneth
             against
             his
             own
             body
             .
          
           Again
           ,
           
           
             Know
             ye
             not
             that
             the
             unrighteous
             shall
             not
             inherit
             the
             kingdom
             of
             God
             ?
             Be
             not
             deceived
             :
             neither
             fornicators
             ,
             nor
             idolaters
             ,
             nor
             adulterers
             ,
             nor
             effeminate
             ,
             or
             abusers
             of
             themselves
             with
             mankind
             ,
             shall
             inherit
             the
             kingdom
             of
             God.
             O
             sad
             and
             tremendous
             judgment
             !
          
           In
           short
           ,
           Such
           Sins
           as
           these
           when
           indulged
           in
           ,
           and
           not
           punished
           as
           the
           Law
           requires
           ,
           when
           the
           Actors
           of
           them
           are
           discoverd
           ,
           are
           of
           Infection
           enough
           to
           spread
           over
           and
           debauch
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           of
           weight
           and
           guilt
           enough
           to
           sink
           and
           condemn
           a
           Nation
           .
           For
           my
           Text
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             Whoremongers
             and
             adulterers
             God
             will
             judge
             .
          
        
         
           I
           have
           now
           finished
           so
           far
           as
           the
           time
           would
           give
           me
           leave
           ,
           the
           Four
           Particulars
           I
           at
           first
           proposed
           ,
           and
           shall
           hasten
           to
           a
           Conclusion
           .
           You
           find
           from
           what
           has
           been
           said
           ,
           from
           whence
           a
           Marriage
           had
           its
           Original
           ,
           what
           are
           the
           Benefits
           and
           Blessings
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           are
           so
           many
           and
           so
           great
           ,
           that
           to
           men
           who
           consider
           what
           the
           World
           is
           ,
           what
           the
           State
           and
           Condition
           
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           is
           ,
           it
           must
           both
           appear
           Necessary
           and
           Praiseworthy
           .
           God
           and
           Nature
           has
           made
           it
           an
           
             Honourable
             State
          
           of
           Life
           ;
           and
           where
           it
           is
           ,
           there
           is
           Power
           ,
           and
           a
           just
           and
           
             high
             Respect
          
           is
           due
           unto
           it
           .
           So
           that
           every
           Married
           Man
           as
           such
           ,
           
           
             Should
             be
             known
             in
             the
             gates
             ,
             when
             he
             fitteth
             amongst
             the
             elders
             of
             the
             Land.
          
           To
           be
           a
           Father
           or
           a
           Mother
           ,
           a
           Husband
           or
           a
           Wife
           ,
           a
           Master
           or
           a
           Mistriss
           ,
           are
           all
           of
           them
           Titles
           of
           Authority
           and
           Honour
           ;
           and
           some
           of
           them
           are
           communicated
           to
           the
           greatest
           Monarchs
           ,
           as
           Names
           of
           Endearment
           and
           Veneration
           ;
           for
           they
           are
           Fathers
           to
           the
           Kingdoms
           they
           govern
           ;
           and
           when
           they
           are
           such
           as
           that
           Name
           imports
           ,
           they
           then
           have
           Power
           ,
           and
           they
           do
           deserve
           it
           .
           What
           now
           need
           I
           add
           more
           to
           recommend
           this
           State
           of
           Life
           to
           the
           good
           Opinion
           of
           all
           Men
           ,
           seeing
           that
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           so
           much
           Honour
           is
           due
           to
           it
           ?
           Yet
           ,
           however
           ,
           what
           I
           have
           said
           ,
           must
           not
           be
           so
           understood
           ,
           as
           that
           I
           would
           seem
           to
           lay
           a
           Necessity
           ,
           or
           an
           Obligation
           in
           conscience
           upon
           all
           Men
           to
           Marry
           .
           No!
           I
           do
           not
           intend
           that
           ,
           for
           I
           dare
           not
           censure
           Celibacy
           so
           severely
           ,
           *
           as
           the
           Jews
           do
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           sufficiently
           known
           what
           the
           Opinions
           and
           Practices
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           were
           with
           relation
           to
           the
           Unmarried
           and
           Married
           Life
           .
           A
           great
           deal
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           allowed
           to
           the
           Prudence
           or
           Tempers
           of
           Men
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           and
           to
           their
           Circumstances
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           therefore
           ,
           tho
           I
           dare
           not
           condemn
           any
           for
           remaining
           Single
           ,
           yet
           I
           think
           no
           reason
           can
           be
           so
           excusable
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           laudable
           for
           it
           ,
           as
           when
           Men
           continue
           in
           it
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           Religion
           ,
           viz.
           when
           they
           may
           serve
           God
           the
           better
           in
           that
           ,
           than
           the
           Married
           Station
           .
           
           Certainly
           to
           abstain
           from
           Marriage
           ,
           from
           a
           principle
           of
           Looseness
           ,
           a
           sordid
           and
           base
           Temper
           of
           Mind
           ,
           from
           Sowreness
           ,
           ill
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           is
           a
           thing
           very
           sinful
           .
        
         
           To
           conclude
           all
           ,
           I
           shall
           from
           a
           Consideration
           of
           what
           has
           been
           said
           upon
           the
           
             Sacredness
             ,
             Necessity
             ,
             Consolations
             ,
             Ends
             ,
          
           and
           Vsefulness
           of
           a
           Married
           Life
           ,
           shut
           up
           this
           Discourse
           with
           some
           Expressions
           of
           the
           wise
           Son
           of
           Syrach
           ,
           whose
           Rules
           of
           Life
           ,
           Judgment
           of
           Things
           ,
           and
           Elegance
           of
           Speech
           ,
           animated
           with
           a
           strain
           of
           Piety
           ,
           shew
           him
           to
           be
           a
           Man
           of
           an
           extraordinary
           Spirit
           .
           
           
             A
             friend
             and
             a
             companion
             never
             meet
             amiss
             ;
             but
             above
             both
             ,
             is
             a
             wife
             with
             her
             husband
             .
             Blessed
             is
             the
             man
             that
             hath
             a
             vertuous
             wife
             ,
             for
             the
             number
             of
             his
             days
             shall
             be
             double
             .
             A
             vertuous
             woman
             rejoyceth
             her
             husband
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             fulfil
             the
             years
             of
             his
             life
             in
             peace
             .
             A
             good
             wife
             is
             a
             good
             portion
             ,
             which
             shall
             be
             given
             in
             the
             portion
             of
             them
             that
             fear
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           MOnendas
           es
           B.
           L.
           quod
           ob
           defectum
           Typorum
           Aethiopicorum
           ,
           Arabisorum
           ,
           &
           Samaritanorum
           ,
           voces
           istarum
           linguarum
           quibus
           usi
           sumus
           Charactere
           Hebraico
           edi
           curavimus
           ,
           vale
           &
           boni
           consule
           .
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A39528-e330
           
             Isaiah
             55.
             11.
             
          
           
             Isaiah
             6.
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             Matth.
             13.
             14
             ,
             15.
             
             Rom.
             11.
             8.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             1.
             21.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             1.
             26.
             1
             
             Peter
             2.
             11.
             
             Eph.
             4.
             19.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             7.
             34.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             14.
             9.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Encratites
             ,
             Saturninus
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             †
             Epiph
             Haer.
             3.
             
             Sect.
             2.
             
             &
             Seq
             .
             &
             Haer
             47.
             
             Sect.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             Iren.
             l.
             1.
             c.
             22.
             
          
           
             *
             Euseb
             .
             4
             ,
             28
             ,
             29.
             
          
           
             †
             Cl.
             Alex.
             lib.
             3.
             
             Tert.
             contr
             .
             Marc.
             lib.
             1.
             
             Vid.
             1.
             
             Tim.
             4.
             3.
             
             &
             ibi
             Commentatores
             .
          
           
             *
             Ham.
             in
             loc
             .
             lit
             .
             a.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Estius
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             1
             Cor.
             7.
             34.
             
             Chrysost
             .
             de
             Virgin.
             c.
             15
             ,
             16.
             
             Eus
             .
             prop.
             Evang.
             1.
             9.
             
             Grot.
             in
             1
             Cor.
             7.
             34.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Grotius
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             2.
             22.
             
             C.
             1.
             27.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             2.
             21
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             Hiedeg
             .
             Exercit.
             1.
             
             Sect.
             9.
             &c.
             J.
             Meyer
             .
             Uxor
             .
             Christ
             .
             disler
             .
             prim
             .
             Sect.
             1.
             cap.
             3.
             p.
             34
             ,
             &c.
             c.
             2.
             p.
             19.
             
          
           
             †
             Matth.
             19.
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             *
             Lomb.
             4.
             d.
             27.
             lit
             .
             b.
             Aq.
             Sup.
             Q.
             44.
             
             Art.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             Greg.
             de
             Val.
             Tom.
             4
             ,
             disp
             .
             10.
             punct
             .
             1.
             de
             Sponsal
             .
             c
             27.
             
             Q.
             2.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             36.
             24.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             5.
             29.
             
          
           
             See
             Bp.
             
             Patrick's
             Comment
             .
             Gen.
             2.
             22.
             
             Vid.
             Perer.
             in
             dissert
             .
             de
             formatione
             Evae
             ex
             Adam
             .
             l.
             4.
             p.
             157
             ,
             &c.
             in
             Gen.
             
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             Theoph.
             ad
             Aut●licum
             ,
             l.
             2.
             p.
             104.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             2.
             24.
             
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             Pro.
             19.
             14.
             
             &
             ibi
             inter
             Chald.
             &
             Syriac
             .
             item
             Glossas
             Ab.
             Ezrae
             &
             L.
             Gersom
             .
             Waganscil
             .
             Sota
             ,
             p.
             66.
             
          
           
             *
             Tal.
             Babyl
             .
             Tit.
             Jeb
             .
             65.
             2.
             
             Shulcan
             Aruch
             .
             in
             Eben
             .
             Ezre
             .
             p.
             3.
             
             N.
             1.
             
             Sect.
             1.
             &
             sic
             passim
             .
             apud
             .
             alios
             .
          
           
             †
             Gen.
             1.
             28.
             
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             Ja●chi
             in
             Gen.
             1.
             28.
             
          
           
             †
             Maim
             .
             Hal.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             cap.
             15.
             
             Sect.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             Vid.
             Buxt
             .
             de
             Sons
             .
             p.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
             Hottin
             .
             de
             Jur.
             Heb.
             p.
             6.
             &c.
             
             Seld.
             de
             Jur.
             N.
             &
             Gent.
             5.
             c.
             3.
             
          
           
             *
             Gen.
             1.
             22.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             1.
             27
             ,
             28.
             
          
           
             *
             Ex
             V.
             si
             Synopseos
             Authori
             fides
             .
          
           
             †
             Mr.
             Le
             Clerk.
             
          
           
             *
             F.
             Simon
             .
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             def
             .
             des
             Sentemens
             ,
             &c.
             lettre
             1.
             p.
             3.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             2.
             18.
             
             Vid.
             Buxt
             .
             de
             Spons
             .
             132.
             M.
             Ben.
             Israel
             .
             Concil
             .
             in
             Gen
             Q.
             16.
             
          
           
             *
             Ezet
             Cenegdo
             .
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             Lud.
             de
             Dieu
             in
             loc
             .
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             Fag
             .
             &
             Kimchi
             in
             Rad.
             
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             Buxt
             .
             loc
             .
             praed
             .
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             Nold
             .
             conc
             .
             p.
             1003.
             
             Num.
             1381.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             3.
             12.
             
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             Inter.
             Syr.
             Chald.
             
          
           
             †
             Nold
             .
             conc
             .
             p.
             1059.
             
             Num.
             ●830
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             12.
             4.
             
             Prov.
             31
             ,
             10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Ecclus
             .
             36.
             24.
             
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             decret
             .
             ●
             Cans
             .
             27.
             
             Q.
             2.
             
             Matrimonium
             &
             Sufficiat
             .
          
           
             Col.
             3.
             19.
             
          
           
             Psalm
             128.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Psalm
             127.
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             6.
             18.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             v.
             9
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             31.
             23.
             
          
           
             *
             Ber.
             Rabbah
             .
             par
             .
             34.
             21.
             2.
             
             Ed.
             ven
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             40.
             23.
             and
             26.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.