A Gold Chain OF Directions, WITH Twenty Gold-Linkes of Love, to preserve Love firm between Husband and Wife, during their Lives. Profitable for all, that are already Married, or that intent to take the Honourable and Holy estate of Marriage upon them hereafter. Advising for a Right Choice in Marriage, and how to keep from those sad Consequences have fallen out in too many Families, sometimes upon small dislike between Husband and Wife. That happiness may be the Inheritance of Parents and Posterities, through the Grace of God in Christ Jesus.  Let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself, and the wife see that she reverence her husband, Ep. 5.33. 
By Immanuel Bourne, a Minister of Christ Jesus, our blessed Lord and Saviour.  
London, Printed by J. Streater, for George Sawbridge, dwelling on Clerken-well Green, 1669.   

To the Right Honourable and Noble Lord John Lord Roos, the only Son and Heir; And to the Right Noble young Ladies, the Lady Dorothy, Lady Elizabeth, Lady Anne, and Lady Mary Manors, the eminently virtuous Daughters of the Right Honourable and truly Noble Lord, John Earl of Rutland, and of the Right Noble Lady the Lady Frances, the worthily honoured Countess of Rutland, and my most free and noble Patron and Patroness, and to the rest of their honourable Family and Relations: All health and happiness, with true content and honour unto you all, and to your Noble Parents, and their Posterity in this life, and eternal glory and blessedness in and by the Lord Jesus Christ in the life to come:  
RIght Noble, and my much honoured Lord, It is too apparent, that if this or the like spiritual Gold Chain of Directions, for the happy Choice and enjoyment of a virtuous good Wife and Husband, and the Declaration of their mutual Duties to each other, had been better known unto and observed (after your Marriage) by your late so nobly born Lady; and, no doubt, adorned with a noble and honourable Education, by her honourable, and truly Noble Parents; in her younger days, the too public, and to be lamented Breach between your Honours, might by God's blessing have been saved. Now to prevent the like disagreement, if God in his most wise Providence shall grant you a second Marriage-Union, I have made bold, and thought good humbly to present these twenty heavenly Gold-links of Love, as so many Scripture-Rules of Direction to your Honours & your Noble Ladies Reading, Meditation, and Practice; Pray daily to God for your future Happiness and Contentment, both in your Choice and Enjoyment to the end of your life. And for you, ever to be honoured Ladies, what can your desires be more, or better for this present life, then to live happily in a single estate, whilst the most wise God seethe it best for you so to continue. And to live joyfully, with honourable and truly Noble, faithful, kind, and loving Husbands, when the same most gracious God shall call you to the high and honourable estate of Marriage. The first God hath blessed you with already, living with your tender, loving, and ever to be honoured Parents, providently taking care for your noble and virtuous Education, with all things necessary for your present Contentment. And for the second, that you may be blessed in your right Choice, and happy enjoyment of truly Noble, Religious, Faithful and Loving kind Husbands; I have exercised my spirit in Reading and Meditation, to find out in the sacred Scriptures, and consider what Directions might be most available to further your (or any others) so great a Happiness; and have judged best, and resolved to bind together some easy Rules of Guidance, both for Choice, and Life-lasting Possession, of such an unvaluable Treasure in the mode or term of a rich Chain of Gold, with twenty spiritual Gold-links of Love, more precious than Rubies, or sparkling glorious Diamonds, of high price and value, with the noblest Lords and Ladies in the World. They are a kind of body apparelled, not in Courtly attire of silken Rhetorical Elegancies, or with Ear-pleasing words, and delightful Expressions (like some feigned Pieces), but presented to your Honours in a plain Country dress, as desiring they should more take the Hearts with Divine spiritual Counsels in them; then the Ear with the sound of pleasing words, filled with fancied matters, which often times prove but loss of precious time, without any Soul-profit to the Readers. Now if you honoured Lord, and you noble Ladies, please to accept of this Gold Chain of Love, as the Testimony of my hearty Desire of your true good, both Spiritual and Temporal, and the best Gift I am now provided to present unto you; I shall esteem it a noble Favour, and continue my daily Prayers to God, for his blessing upon my ever honoured Lord and Lady, your Honourable Parents; upon your Honours, and all their Honourable Posterity and Relations, and Remain  
From my Study in Waltham in Leicester-shire, Novemb. 2. 1668. Right Noble Lord, and ever honoured Ladies, Your aged Servant, ready to Honour and Serve you, in and for the Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel Bourne. Aged 78 years complete, if I live until Dec. 27. next, preserved hitherto through God's mercy, Lam. 3. 22, 23.   

THE EPISTLE Dedicatory general. To all honoured Christians, who have taken upon them the honourable Estate of Matrimony, or that intent (if God so order it) to be married hereafter; and desire a blessed Union and Communion in a married condition, that they may live lovingly together as Heirs of the Grace of Life here on Earth, and be happy in Heaven for ever.  
HOnoured Christians, for so I cannot but style all that truly know and believe in God, (through the Lord Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour) since he hath loved us, and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood, and made us spiritual Kings and Priests unto God his Father, (Rev. 1.5.) Marriage is honourable amongst all, and the Bed undefiled; but Whore-Mongers and Adulterers God will judge, (Hebr. 13.4.) And Love is the bond of perfectness, (Col. 3.19.) Now to preserve Love, and prevent dishonouring of this honourable Estate, I have dedicated this Gold Chain of Directions, with twenty Gold-links of Love unto you; I commend them to your serious Reading, Meditation, Application, and Practise: the Phrase is but plain, without inticeing words of man's wisdom; 
1 Cor. 2.4.  but the subject-matter Divine, from grounds of sacred Scripture, that light to our Feet, and lamp to our Paths, as the Holy Ghost by the mouth of King David testifieth, 
Acts 1.16. Holy men spoke as they were inspired by the Holy Ghost, 2 Pet. 1.21.  (Psal. 119.105.) And if God give a blessing, and enable you to tread all your lives in these pleasant Paths of Love; they may bring more Profit and comfort to Husbands and Wives in the married estate, then rich Jewels of greatest value, and high esteem amongst the Princes of this World, which that you may find true by daily Experience, is the earnest Prayer of  
Your most humble SERVANT, in and for Christ JESUS, Immanuel Bourne. From my Study in Waltham, in the County of Leicester, October 20. 1668.   

A COPY OF THE EPISTLE OF The very Learned and Godly Doctor Wilkinson, Declaring his Judgement upon this Gold Chain of Directions, to preserve mutual Love between Husband and Wife. Translated into English by a Friend.  

To the Reverend and Learned my worthy Friend, Master Immanuel Bourne, Rector of Waltham, these present.  
Reverend Sir,  
THe Book which, in your kind Respects, you delivered into my hands, I have with most earnest desiring Eyes perused throughout; which most happy Work, as well of your Heart as Head, more inwardly searching to understand, seemeth to me to be a Gold-Chain indeed; (as much as I conceive and apprehend) like another Iliad, enclosed in the shell of a Nut, comprehending very many things, inservient for the public good; wherefore you are earnestly entreated by me, that this Diatribe (Discourse or Argument) so very profitable and seasonable, which now you have taken care to be perfected, you would take care to be brought to the light; as fitted for the profit of the whole Common Wealth, both the Married, and to be Married will owe very much unto you, as opportunely admonishing every of them of their Proper Duties; That I may declare my Opinion from the bottom of my Heart, I most willingly profess in this little Book (so pithy and full of Juice) you have on each part, abundantly delivered your Faith, truly worthy a Minister of the Gospel; Therefore let it be far from you, that by any means on your behalf it should be hindered by any further delay from being put to the Printer, that the work so prosperously by you finished, may enjoy the public Light. Farewell most learned and pious SIR, to be honoured for your venerable grey Hairs, and embrace me with your accustomed Favour.  
A most studious worthy Respecter of you, Hen. Wilkinson. From Buckminster-Hall, Nou. 4. 1668.   

Reverende Virro,  
QUem mihi in manus pro candore tuo tradidisti Librum, oculis quàm avidissimis perlustravi. Quod ipsum Opus longè felicissimum tam cordis tui quam cerebri, videat mihi penitius exploranti intelligere, Auream esse reverâ catenam & (in quantum sapiam & capiam) Iliadem alteram quam plurima bono publico inservientia vel in nucis inclusam putamine, complectentem: Quocirca à me quam maximè serio exorandus es, ut istam Diatribam apprime utilem & tempestivam (quam jamjam lima curasti donandam) luce donandam è vestigio curares ut pote totius reipublica utilitati attemperatam. Plurimum tibi debebunt tam Maritati, quam Maritandi, cum eorum unumquemque proprii officii tempestiuè commonefeceris. Quòd ab imo pectore emanantem animi mei expromam sententiam, haud illibenter profiteor in ista scriptiùncula ut & nervosa, et succi plenâ fidem tuam omni ex parte te abunde liberasse Ministro dignam vere Evangelico. Absit itaque ut per te quovismodo steterit, vel ex tua parte ulterior Typographo iniiciatur Remora, quo minus opus istud à te feliciter concinnatum luce frueretur. Vale (vir Doctissime juxtà ae Pientissime & veneranda canitie Honorande) neque (ut soles amore tuo complectitor).  
Tui quam animitus cultorem studiosissimum, HEN. WILKINSON. Dabam Aula-Buckminsteri, Nou. 4. 1668.    

A Gold Chain OF DIRECTIONS, WITH Twenty Gold Links of Love, to preserve Love between Husband and Wife.  
FIrst, 
The first Direction, or gold link of Love.  To preserve Conjugal Love between Husband and Wife; the Spirit of God in Sacred Scripture directs, That a special Care be taken in the choice of a Wife, or of a Husband; 
Beza upon that place, Non ut Arabs interpres, etc. sed religiosè & cum Dei timore. So Mr. Calvin, Benedictus Aretius & Pareus.  according to the Rule of the blessed Apostle St. Paul, (1 Cor. 7.39.) That they marry in the Lord; That is, not only a Christian by Profession, and not an Infidel; as an Arabian Interpreter conceiveth (which Mr. Beza noteth). But religiously, and in the fear of God, as other godly and learned Divines judge. That in their choice they respect a Religion; for thus Marriages are Contracted more prosperously, and a blessing may be expected, when the married parties both fear God. Such being pronounced blessed by the Holy Ghost, Psal. 112.1. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his Commandments: His seed shall be mighty upon Earth, the Congregation of the upright shall be blessed: Wealth and Riches shall be in his house, and his righteousness endure for ever. And again, Psal. 128. The same Prophet King David speaketh the same in effect, inspired by the Holy Ghost, 
2 Pet. 1.20, 21.  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 the fruitful Vine by the sides of thy house; thy Children like the Olive plants, round about thy Table: Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord; the Lord shall bless thee out of Zion, and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life; yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel. Thus an excellent blessing comes to them that fear God; But on the contrary part, when the Man or Woman is an Idolater, Atheistical, Profane or Deboist; without the fear of God, any way wicked by Education, Custom, or Condition, a Curse may rather be expected then a Blessing, That Kingly Preacher, Eccles. 8.12, 13. giveth this evidence, That although a Sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged; yet I know it shall be well with them that fear God, which reverence before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. It fell out thus with the old World, 
Gen. 6.1, 2, 3. etc.  when the Sons of God, the Children of religious Parents, Members of the Church did see the Daughters of Men that they were fair; 
Gen 7.1, 3.  that is, the Posterities of Profane and that wicked Cain; and they that were, or should have been God's Children, made choice of these profane irreligious Wives; they provoked God to anger, and he brought in the Flood upon the world of the Ungodly, 
2 Pet. 2.5.  to their Destruction; only religious Noah and his Family were saved alive in the Ark. 
Gen. 7.23.  Again, profane Esau, 
Gen. 24.63.  the Son of religious Isaac, by the evil choice of his Wives, was a grief of mind to his aged Parents Isaac and Rebecka; 
Gen. 26.34, 35.  and too many such like Marriages we read of in holy Scriptures, 
1 King. 11.1, 2, 3.  to have been in the World; as you may find at full if you search the Sacred Records. 
2 Kings 8.26, 27.  And how odious such Marriages are to God, you may find declared by the Prophet Mal. 2.11, 12. And yet how many such are in the World? Families, where scarce a form of Religion is to be found; Strangers from prayers to God, nor Morning, nor Evening Prayer to be heard; although God reneweth his Mercies every Morning, 
Lamen. 3.22, 23.  and continueth his goodness to the Night: Though he declare his most gracious presence with us, 
Exod. 13.21.  as it were by a Pillar of a Cloud by Day, and a Pillar of Fire by Night; although God hath been a Defence to their Tabernacles, and they have dwelled safely by his goodness; yet how many are there who little or nothing take notice of these daily Mercies, or observe God's goodness to glorify him. How far unlike are these in this to blessed Daniel, 
Daniel 6.10.  or religious King David, Psal. 
Psal. 55.17.  55. who kept acquaintance with God three times a day; At morning, and evening, and noon day will I pray, and that instantly, and he shall hear my voice, etc. And therefore they are strangers from God, when they should stand in need of his help, and want that good which they might enjoy by keeping acquaintance with God, of which Eliphaz doth witness, Job 22.21. That gracious practice of secret Prayer which our Saviour directs unto, Mat. 6.6. Thou, when thou prayest enter into thy Closet, and shut to thy door, and pray to thy Father in secret; and thy Father which seethe in secret shall reward thee openly. How many spend so much time openly in vain, that they have no leisure for secret Devotions, to read and meditate of heavenly things, which pertain to eternity, or to pour out their Souls as Hannah did to God in Prayer. 
1 Sam. 1.15.  Alas, if sins of omission were the only irreligiousness or profaneness in some Families, it were less, although for these men shall be called to an account at the Day of the last Judgement, witness what our Blessed Lord and Saviour declareth, Mat. 25.41, 42. But their sins of Commission, common breach of God's Commandments, witness little fear of God to be before their eyes; What common swearing, and taking of God's name in vain, forgetting that God threatens he will not hold such guiltless that take his Name in vain, Exod. 20.7. or did men remember that of the Lord, by the Prophet Jer. 5.7. How shall I Pardon thee for this, thy Children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no Gods. Men, yea Children, would not swear so commonly by those things which they themselves will confess are no Gods: How difficult a thing is it to hire a Servant from amongst the common sort of People, 
Read Rom. 12.14. Psal. 109.17, 18. And Mat. 5.34, 35, 36, 37. James 5.12.  but they are Swearers or Cursers, or both, and so God's Name is dishonoured. Children learn of Parents to be irreligious, and this too often amongst the Rich as well as Poor; I say but little of that common sin too often in greater Families, enticing men to Drunkenness, by that specious pretence of pledging Healths of Friends; pressing men in Drink, 
Read Hab: 2: 2.15, 16. A dreadful Woe to such.  contrary to that Law and Practice of that Moral Prince, King Ahasuerus, that none should compel to Drink, Hester 2.8. But every one be free to drink what he pleased: a shame to men that profess themselves Christians. I know in divers great Families, there is civility, if not a religious respect to avoid these sins; But when these abound, and men, or women rashly unite themselves in Marriage, what hope of constant happy Love to continue between Husband and Wife during life?  
I proceed to a second Gold-link of Love between Husband and Wife, 
The second Gold-link of Love.  that in choice of a Wife or Husband, as respect is to be had for likeness and agreement in Religion, so likewise to equality, or likeness of qualities, and conditions as near as possible.  
For as St. Paul adviseth not to be unequally yoked with Unbelievers, so he presseth his Counsel with a good Argument: What fellowship (saith he) hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and what Communion hath Light with Darkness, (2 Cor. 6.14.) So even right reason will instruct us, and daily experience witness, that contrary Dispositions of nature, or too great inequalities, seldom live comfortably together; as Fire and Water will not agree, the one exsiccateth or quencheth the other. But like rejoiceth, and delighteth with the like. Observe this Rule then, for this is a second Direction or Gold-link of Love, to preserve Love between Husband and Wife.  
A third Direction, 
A third Direction, or Gold-link of Love.  or Gold-link of Love followeth: And this is, That some fit respect be had to the age of the Parties to be married; for a young man of twenty to marry an old woman man of above threescore, or for an old man of fourscore to marry a young woman under twenty, is not agreeable; because one chief end of Marriage is in danger to be frustrate, 
Gen. 1.27, 28.  which is Posterity to be brought up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, as Sr. Paul intimateth, (Ephes. 6.4.) Although it is more fit for a very old man to marry a young woman in hope of Posterity, then for a very old woman past childbearing, to marry a young man. Equality and conveniency do best agree together for the preservation of Conjugal Love between Husband and Wife; and this is a third Gold-Link in this Gold Chain of Direction, to keep and bind Love fast between Husband and Wife during their Lives.  
The fourth Direction, 
A fourth Direction, or Gold-link of love.  or Gold-Link of Love in a marriage Union; there ought to be likeness and agreement of affection, a mutual love and liking of each others persons and qualities, and a knitting and uniting of Hearts together, in a right ordered and well grounded Love before the joining of Hands on the Wedding-Day. For where there is an Antipathy or contrariety of Natures, or dislike of Persons or Conditions, there seldom is a continuance of sweet agreement and satisfaction one to and with another, and so Marriage proveth a Bondage; instead of a sweet freedom in a happy enjoyment of each other in the Lord, as St. Paul desired to enjoy, and have joy of Philemon in the Lord, 
St. Paul his Epistle to Philemon, verse 20.  in whom what we enjoy is a blessing by Christ; whereas if the Hearts be truly knit together, and united in Love, as the heart of Jonathan to David, 
1 Sam. 18.1.  who loved him as his own Soul; the Love will be wonderful, as was Jonathans' to David, passing the love of Women. 
2 Sam. 1.26.  Although the love of good women to their Husbands hath been wonderful, as Records of ancient Histories do witness at full. I mean not a light unconstant passionate Love taken upon sight of Beauty or Riches, or some such uncertain foundation, which is deceitful, and vain as King Solomon witnesses. First of Riches, Prov. 23.5. Wilt thou set thy Eyes upon that which is not, for Riches certainly make themselves Wings and fly away as Eagles towards Heaven. They are uncertain, 
1 Tim. 6.17.  and not to be trusted in. And again, the like for Beauty, Favour is deceitful, and Beauty is vanity; But a Woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised, Prov. 31.30. When a right grounded love in the fear of the Lord (which is praiseworthy) is permanent, and will endure for life: I know upon some occasions, 
A prevention of Objection.  there may want time and opportunity of such a familiar Converse with each other, which may be helpful to such a well grounded love as between great Princes, who are constrained to Woo, and intercede sometimes by Ambassadors, as Isaac, 
Genesis 24 1, 2, 63.  that religious Prince did by the religious Servant of his honourable Father Abraham; I call Abraham honourable, for he is styled a mighty Prince: 
Genesis 23.6.  And this Ambassador went to intercede for a Wife for Isaac. This done by his Master's Command, and no doubt with Isaac's consent, who was advised by his Father in choice of his Wife; as Rebeckah was by her Parents, who willingly sent her with Abraham's Servant, yet so as Rebeckah first was asked her consent also, as you may read at large, 
Gen. 24.57, 58.  Gen. 24.  
Thus religious Isaac walking out into the Fields at Eventide to meditate and pray, 
Gen. 24.63.  espieth his Rebeckah coming, goeth on to meet her, and bringeth her into his Mother's Tent, and she became his Wife, and he loved her, Gen. 24.67. Thus a good choice with love and God's blessing made a happy Marriage to both their joys, and no doubt to the joy of aged Abraham, that blessed Father of the Faithful. And thus you have a fourth Gold-link in this Gold Chain of Love.  
I will give you but one Preparative Gold link of Love more; 
A fifth Direction, or Gold link of Love.  And this is, That not only Parents consent and blessing may be had (if possible) (as no doubt Isaac and Rebeckah had) and their blessing. And she blessed Rebeckah, and said, be thou the Mother of thousands of millions, 
Gen. 24.60.  and let thy Seed possess the Gate of those that hate thee. But that by their Parent's provision, or thy own wisdom, there be care taken that one or both have an estate for convenience and comfortable maintenance, if not of great Riches; yet to have what Agur prayed for, Prov. 30.8, 9 To be fed with food convenient, least want of Necessaries occasion Complaint, and that breed Differences, and Love receive a Damp and an Abatement, and so marriage which should be a Merry-Age, prove an Age of Sorrow, Sadness, and Discontent, (yea, of Sin and wickedness sometimes) for although the Husband taketh the Wife, and the Wife the Husband for better or worse, for Richer or Poorer, yet if God of his free Grace in Christ give not a contentedness of spirit, and humbleness of mind, to submit to Divine Providences, and to know and learn as St. Paul did, 
Phil. 4.11, 12, 13.  In every estate to be content. Both Souls and Bodies may repent such Marriages, and wish they had been wiser, when it is too late. Before God made Man and Woman, our first Parents, Adam and Eve, and married them together; He first made the World, 
Gen. 1.27, 28.  and enriched them with Dominion over the Creatures, 
Gen. 2.23, 24.  for their comfortable living in a married estate; 
Gen. 1.1, 2, etc.  He gave them plentiful Provision for them and their Posterity, 
Gen. 9.1, 2, 3, 4.  as he did after to Noah. Thus should Parents take Care for their Children, or Children for themselves, to preserve Love between Husband & Wife during lives. Thus much for pre-considerations before Marriages.  
Now a sixth Gold-link of Love, 
A sixth Direction, or Gold-link of Love.  for a joyful happy life in a married estate, is that the married Parties ought to labour for a daily increase of Graces, 
1 Pet. 3.7. 2 Pet. 3.18.  and to get assurance that they are both of them married to Christ, 
Eph. 5.31, 32.  and have the Lord Jesus for their heavenly Husband, and so be married one to another in Christ, as Christ is to his Spouse the Church, (Hos. 2.19, 20.) Happy is the Soul which is married to Christ, 
Isa. 9.6.  He is an everlasting Father to take care and provide for his Spouse the Church. 
Rev. 1.18.  A heavenly Husband that never dieth, but liveth ever to provide for his beloved Spouse, for every Soul that is united in marriage to him. 
Isa. 54.5.  He is a blessed Husband, whose Name is the Lord of Hosts, and our Redeemer; 
Mat. 18.20. Mat. 28.20.  a Saviour who hath promised to be present with his Church, his Beloved, to the end of the World. And to deliver in greatest danger, 
Isa. 43.1, 2, 3, 4.  in fiery Afflictions, it shall not burn them, in watery they shall not be drowned: There is no better, yea, none so good a Husband as Christ, none to be loved so much as our heavenly Huband the Lord Jesus. Therefore we ought to labour daily for a blessed increase of our love to Christ, because he loved us first, (1 John 4.19.) And as we ought to be inflamed every day more and more in love to Christ. So ought Husbands and Wives to endeavour truly to cherish, increase, and preserve mutual Love, to and with each other, as the Apostle St. Paul prayeth for his Christian Ephesians, 
Eph. 3.17, 18, 19  that Christ may dwell in their Hearts by Faith, that being rooted and grounded in Love, they may be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of that love of God, which passeth Knowledge; they may be filled (and satisfied) with the fullness of God. So Husbands and Wives being rooted and grounded in Love, may be satisfied with each others Love, as that wise King Solomon adviseth: 
Prov. 5.18, 19  I speak not of a mere carnal Love, which will not make their Souls happy; but of a right Conjugal Love between Man and Wife well rooted, and rightly cherished, which will make their Lives delightful, and hath God's blessing of perseverance in true love united unto it with joy to the end, 
Cant. 2.3. Cant. 8.6, 7.  like the Love of Christ to his Church; A Tree new set or planted, may easily be plucked up again. But if it hath taken root, and be well grown, it will abide both wind and weather; and a true fervent Love, many Waters cannot quench it, as Solomon speaks of that Love between Christ and his Church, it will endure during the Lives of the Lovers, to their rejoicings, as being sealed with Constancy, and settled in the Heart. This is a sixth Gold-link of Love.  
A seventh Direction, 
A seventh Direction, or Gold-link of Love.  or Gold-link of Love, to enjoy happy contentment and continuance of Love between Husband and Wife, is this, That there ought to be free Communication of mutual kindness, and conjugal engagements one to and with another, that mutual Benevolence, and Bond of Marriage-Love, at times convenient, according to the Law of God and Nature; read the blessed Apostles Direction, (1 Cor. 7.2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) and that Law of God, Leviticus 18.19. and Leviticus 20.18. and Ezekiel 18.6. These Rules observed, This Marriage-kindness at fit times is one means to cherish and preserve mutual conjugal Love between Husbands and Wives; when as the denial of this loving kindness is a dangerous occasion of Breach and Disquietness; yea, sometimes it may prove of separation, and an occasion of Damnable sin (if God restrain not by his special Grace); yet a Bridle must be to restrain Intemperance in all Delights, lest excess destroy both Souls and Bodies; That is a general Rule (Phil. 4.5.) Let your moderation be known to all men, the Lord is at hand. He is present to see all our Actions, and to bless or punish, according to our Obedience or Disobedience to his Commandments. Thus you have a seventh Gold-link of Love.  
The eighth followeth; 
The eighth Direction, or Gold-link of Love.  And this is, That Husbands and Wives be careful of, and ready to show their love to each others Souls, as well as to their Bodies or Estates: That Husbands love their Wives as Christ loved his Spouse the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, 
Eph. 5.25, 26, 27.  or any such thing, but that it should be holy, and without blemish.  
Husband's ought to take care for the beauty of their Wives Souls as well as of their Bodies; that they may be lovely to Christ their heavenly Husbands, as well as to them, 
Cant. 4.7.  as the Spouse of Christ is to him: The Husband which taketh no care for his Wife's soul, how can he expect that God should bless him with a good Wife? The Husband should pray daily for his Wife, as St. 
1 Thess. 5.23.  Paul did for his Christian Thessalonians,, That her whole Spirit, Soul and Body be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ The Soul is better than a whole World; 
Mat. 16.26.  What is a man profited, if he gain the whole World, and lose his Soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his Soul? What saith that great and blessed Apostle, He that provideth not for his own, especially for them of his own household; he hath denied the Faith, and is worse than an Infidel, (1 Tim. 5.8.) And if it be a Duty to provide for the Body of his Family or Household, then much more for their most precious and immortal Souls (if it possible be in his power), and most of all for his Wife's Soul, which is his second Self, and is, or aught to be most dear unto his Soul. That her Soul may prosper, as St. John did testify of the Soul of his Beloved Gaius; 
3 John 1.2.  That it may appear, he loveth his Wife in Truth; and so God may bless her unto him, for the good of his Soul, Body, and Estate. And so likewise Wives ought to be studious and careful for the good of their Husband's Souls, as well as of the health of their Bodies and Estates. This is a means by God's blessing, for the preservation of conjugal Love, and gracious affections for true joy of Husband and Wife, by the Grace and Power of Christ. 
John 15.15. Phil. 4.13.  For Husbands and Wives ought to be helpers, and means in their places of each others Salvation; this St. Paul intimateth, (1 Cor. 7.16.) requiring cohabitation and dwelling together; and he expresseth a Reason, What knowest thou, O Wife, whether thou shalt save thy Husband; and how knowest thou, O Man, whether thou shalt save thy Wife; That is, be an outward means of Salvation by good Counsel, or otherwise by God's Blessing, taking care of the means of Salvation for each other to their powers. As the Wives may be a means to win their Husbands by their good Conversations; 
1 Pet. 3.1, 2, 3, 4.  As St. 
1 Pet. 3.7.  Peter directs: So the Husbands may win their Wives, if they follow St. Peter's Counsel; Live with their Wives as men of knowledge, giving honour to the Wife, as the weaker Vessel, that their Prayers be not hindered. And this is the greatest love which is showed to the Souls of each other, and a work of high esteem, and unspeakable benefit. 
James 5.20.  Let him know, saith St. James, That he which converts a Sinner from the error of his way, shall save a Soul from Death, and shall hid a multitude of Sins. And thus may a Husband or Wife be helper, and means for their eternal mutual happiness, if by loving and wise carriage and deportment each to other, they can win and gain one or other, or both from any evil he or she is subject unto, praying to God daily for a Blessing upon their good Endeavours. This is a most precious Gold-link of Love, to preserve love and affection, and happy peace and prosperity with Husbands and Wives during their lives.  
Now I proceed to a ninth Gold-link, 
A ninth Direction, or Gold-link of Love.  in this Golden Chain of Love. This is, that Husband be an example to the Wife of Piety and Chastity, & Religious Love, with care of Cherishing his Wife, as the weaker Vessel, especially in times of Sickness, Weakness, or other Infirmities; as Christ was kind to his Disciples, when they were troubled at the news of his Departure from them, John 14.1, 2, 3. Let not your Hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in Me; in my Father's House are many Mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you; I go to prepare a place for you. And as Christ hath been to his Church; and Children in all Ages, especially in any sad Dispensation; To speak comfortably, as the Lord answered the Angel that spoke for Jerusalem, Zachar. 1.13. The Lord answered the Angel that talked with me with good words, and comfortable words. Or as Elkanah did to Hannah, when peevish and spiteful Peninnah vexed her, because she was barren. And Elkanah said, Hannah, why weepest thou I and why eatest thou not I am not I better to thee then ten Sons, I Sam. 1.8. And the wife ought to be careful, not to provoke her husband by any unkind behaviour towards him, but to be ready to show her love to her husband in sickness and health, and both to look to the example of Christ our heavenly husband. The husband to love his wife as his own Body; for he that loveth his wife, loveth himself: For no man yet ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as the Lord doth the Church, Ephes. 5.28, 29. Each followeth Christ his Golden Rule, 
Mat. 7.12.  to do to each other as they would be done by. And if any unkindness hath been, not to rest quietly until there be a Reconciliation; Sleep not, until they can sleep in Love, and loving Embracements of each other; say in any neglect of Love, or in any occasion of Breach, would I have Christ, my Lord and spiritual husband, so unkind to me, as I am to my wife; and may the wife say, would I have Christ so unkind to me, to forsake my soul, or withdraw his love from me, as I have done from my husband; and so may the husband say in respect of his wife. This mutual care of kindness is a precious Gold link of Love, to bind love fast during life. 
A tenth Direction, or Gold-link of love,   
The tenth Direction, or Gold link of Love. Husbands and wives must take heed their love be rightly qualified.  
First, let Love be without Dissimulation. This is that Rule of the Holy Ghost, recorded by the Apostle St. Paul, Rom. 10.9.  
Secondly, Let love be without Bitterness, so the same Apostle, Coloss. 3.19. Husband's love your Wives; and be not bitter against them. Nor ought wives to be such to their husbands: Love and Bitterness connes agree well together; 
Psal. 64.3.  this is contrary to love, to shoot out Arrows, even bitterness, or bitter actions instead of pleasant and lovely: 
Sinilitude.  This is to mingle Gall with Honey, or sour sharp Vinegar with sweet Wine, it will make all distasteful; a husband must not be like unto a Crab, Orange, or Lemon; fair on the outside to the show, and sour and bitter within; pleasing, with sugared words abroad, Sweetheart before Company, and of a froward and perverse Disposition at home; or in private, nor must the wife be so to the husband; 
Eph. 5.1, 2.  but both walk in true Love, as Christ hath loved us.  
The eleventh Direction, 
The eleventh Direction, or Gold link of Love.  or Gold link of Love, to preserve mutual love between husband and wife is mutually, fidelity and faithfulness each to other, according to the marriage Covenant, they ought to forsake all other, and keep mutually only to themselves so long as they both shall live. Yea, they ought to be very careful to avoid all occasions of jealousies of or against each other, and to hate jealousy as a most dangerous enemy, except there be evident and sure ground of each others disloyalty, and sinful Breach of the marriage Covenant. The Jews were a very jealous People, jealous of their wives upon slight occasions, and often put their wives away with a Bill of Divorce, for slight occasions, and causes which did not break the Bands of Matrimony, against which our Saviour speaks, Mat. 5.31, 32. Mat. 19.3, 4, 5, etc. The Jews were so jealous, That upon small suspicion, they would forbid their wives to keep any Company in secret with any of whom they were jealous, and if after the wife was thus forbid before two witnesses (as the Jewish Doctors declare) if she was proved to be in secret with such a 
Maymony in misn. come. 2. See Mr. Ainsworth, in Numb. 5.  one. The husband brought her before the Magistrate, and she was to be put to the Trial of seu honesti, by the bitter water of Jealousy, which if she were guilty, would cause her Belly to swell, and her Thigh to rot, as you may read in that Law for Trial of jealousy, Numb. 5.11.12. to the end. And ver. the thirtieth, The Text saith, That when the Man is free from Iniquity, 
M●ymo●y in Jota●. cap. 2. sect. 8.  the Woman (guilty) beareth her Iniquity. Therefore amongst the Israelites it is said, 
See Mr. Ainsworth, in Num. 5.30.  That no man which had himself been guilty that way, could bring his wife to this Trial, 
The guilty man could not bring his wife to this Trial of bitter Water. Rom. 2.1.  that is, by this bitter water, according to the Law of Jealousy afore. But it is most certain, That it is the duty both of the husband and wife, to be careful by power from Christ, to avoid all occasions of jealousy in both, according to that Rule of God's word, and Direction of the Holy Ghost by the Apostle St. Paul, To abstain from all appearance of Evil, 2 Thess. 5.22. And that ancient Law of God, Levit. 19.14. Thou shalt not put a stumbling block before the blind; But thou shalt fear thy God, I am the Lord. And pressed again by the blessed Apostle, Rom. 14.13. Let us not judge one another any more, but judge thus rather, that no man put a stumbling block, or an occasion to fall in his Brother's way. I must avoid occasion of sin myself, and I must not give occasion of sin to another, nor of this sin of unjust jealousy to my husband, or to my wife. For many are the miseries may follow to husband or wife; jealousy is the rage of a man, therefore he will not spare in the day of Vengeance: He will not regard any Ransom, neither will he rest content, though thou givest many Gifts; witness King Solomon, Pro. 6.34, 35. And jealousy is cruel as the Grave, the Coals thereof are Coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame, witness the spirit of God, Can. 8.6. This taking care to avoid all occasion of jealousy, is a powerful means to preserve Conjugal Love between husband and wife.  
But much more the Grace of fidelity, and constant care of faithfulness each to other, according to that sacred Bond of Marriage.  
The husband ought to be careful, to be faithful to his wife, forsaking all other, witness the spirit of God, Prov. 5.18, 19 Let thy, Fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the Wife of thy youth: Let her be as the Loving Hind and Pleasant Roe; Let her Breasts satisfy thee at all times, and be thou ravished always with her Love. And the same Spirit of God speaketh the same again, Prov. 6.23.24, 25, etc. The Commandment is a Lamp, and the Law a Light, and reproof of Instruction is the way of life to keep thee from the evil Woman which flattereth with her Tongue, and from the flattery of the Tongue of the strange woman: Lust not after her beauty in thy Heart, neither let her take thee with her Eyelids: For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of Bread, and the Adulteress will haunt for the precious life. Can a man take Fire in his Bosom, and his Clothes not be burnt? Can one go upon hot Coals, and his feet not be burnt? So he that goeth into his Neighbour's wife, whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. This sin of Adultery or Fornication, breaketh the Command of the great God, (Who is a consuming Fire, Heb. 12.29.) The Law of that Allseeing every where present God, 
Jer. 23: 23, 24.  before whose Eye, 
Prov. 5.21. Heb. 4.13. Mat. 12.36. Amos 4.13.  all things are open and naked; whatsoever we can speak, do or think, The command of this Mighty God is, Thou shalt not Commit Adultery, Ex. 20.14. The Lord himself will be witness against such, Mal. 2.14. The Lord, saith the Prophet, hath been a witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously; yet she is thy Companion, and the wife of thy Youth; yea, of thy Covenant, to keep thee only to her: And did not he make one, saith the Prophet, and yet had be residue of spirit; and wherefore one (one man and one woman) that he might seek a godly feed; Therefore take heed to your spirit (saith he) and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth, Mal. 2.15. And the same is the sin of the wife, and her wickedness, if she break the Marriage-Covenant, as you may read, Prov. 2.16, 17, 18. To deliver thee from the strange woman, which flattereth with her words, which forsaketh the guide of her Youth, and forgetieth the Covenant of her God; for her House inclineth to Death, and her Paths unto the Dead; none that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the Paths of Life. And Prov. 7.27. Of the Adulterous woman, the wise wise man concludeth, That her House is the way to Hell, going down to the Chambers of Death: A Whore is a deep Ditch, and a strange Woman a narrow Pit, Proverbs 23.27. Therefore to be avoided as snares, and Pits prepared for thy Destruction: Both the Adulterer and Adultoress they sin grievously, and their punishment will be terrible, except God in time give them true Repentance; for by the Law of God they were both to be stoned to death, Levit. 20.10. and Deut. 22.22. That sentence of the Apostle is terrible, Hebr. 13.14. Marriage is Honourable amongst all, and the Bed undefiled; But Whore-Mongers and Adulterers God will judge. In this life this sin of Adultery and Fornication oftentimes is an occasion of Murder. As Shechem's Fornication with Dinah, Jacob's Daughter, occasioned the Murder of the Shechentites, Gen. 34.21, etc. And Ammon's Ravishing of Tamar, 2 Sam. 13.27, 28, etc. Besides it excludes such out of the Kingdom of Heaven, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. And on Earth it is a cause of Divorce, as our Saviour declares, Mat. 5.32. And thus you see how necessary mutual fidelity is to preserve Conjugal Love between Husband and Wife, while they live.  
The twelfth Direction, 
A twelfth Direction, or Gold-link of Love.  or Gold-link of Love, is, That either of them, or both of them have a special Care of their mutual Duties, to give right and due respect to each other. First, the Wife to honour and reverence her Husband as her Head, and to obey him in all things lawful and expedient in the Lord, as Sarah (that great Lady) did honour and obey Abraham her Husband, calling him Lord, 1 Peter 3.6. I say, Obey him in all things lawful and expedient in the Lord: For as this is the rule of children's Obedience to their Parents, given by the Spirit of God, Ephes. 6.1. So it is the rule of all Inferiors to obey their Superiors in all things lawful in the Lord; yea, expediently also it is to be respected. A Husband may not prostitute his Wife's Chastity or Honour, as he may not prostitute his Daughter to be a Whore, as you may read, Leviticus 19.29. Nor Husband nor Father can lawfully Command a Wife or Daughter to consent to such a sin; nor is either Wife or Daughter bound to obey in such sinful Commands; no Superior hath power to command an Inferior to sin against God's Command: The Answer to such unlawful Commands of Men or Women is set down by the Holy Ghost, Acts 5.20. It is better to obey God then Man. These unlawful Commands will stop the current of Love between Husband and Wife. For as the Wife is to honour the Husband as her Head, so the Husband is no way to dishonour, or seek to dishonour his Wife, but to honour her as the weaker Vessel, as a Coheir with him of the Grace of Life, as the Apostle directs, 1 Peter 3.7. This living together as heirs of the Grace of Life, must be of the Husband to his Wife, as to a Companion, and Fellow in the Bonds of Marriage, as may be intimated, Mal. 2.14, 15, 16. For when God made the Woman, as he did not take her out of the Head of Adam, to be above him, so he did not take her out of Adam's Feet, to be trampled upon; but out of his Side, near to his Heart, Gen. 2.21, 22. to be honoured and loved as his Fellow Helper, and beloved Companion. And this kind respect on both sides is an excellent means and help to preserve Love between Husband and Wife to the end.  
The thirteenth Direction, 
The thirteenth Direction, or Gold-link of Love.  or Gold-link of Love, is, That both husband and wife be mutually careful in their places for the preservation or increase of their Estate and Provision, and Government of their Household or Family, and provide both for the present and for the future. This care of the Husband, and his Duty, we may learn from that great Apostle, 1 Tim. 5.8. If any man provide not for his own, especially for those of his own Household, he hath denied the Faith, and is worse than an Infidel. That was good Counsel of Solomon, Prov. 27.23, 24. Be thou diligent to know the state of thy Flocks, and look well to thy Herds: For Riches are not for ever, and doth the Crown endure to every Generation? Providence is requisite to preserve an Estate.  
I remember it is above threescore years since when I was in Oxford, I did see a little Book of good Counsel, writ by a noble Lord to his Son, in which he advised his Son to divide his Estate into three parts. First, one part he might spend in ordinary Expenses, House-keeping, Apparel, and such like. A second part lay aside for extraordinary occasions for himself and the Church and Commonwealth. And a third part to lay up for increase of his Estate. If a man spend beyond his Estate, or live at the highest rate of his Incoming, he will be constrained to live of borrowing, and so of borrowing in the end, if in time he labour not to prevent. And for the wife also, Solomon giveth an excellent Description of a virtuous woman, as Prov. 31.10, 11, 12. to the end of that Chapter, read it at your leisure, Verses 27.28. He saith a virtuous woman, She looketh well to the ways of her Household, and eateth not the Bread of idleness; her Children rise up and call her blessed, he Husband also, and he praiseth her, etc. He concludeth, Give her of the fruit of her Hands, and let her own works praise her in the Gates. The good wife will consider her husband's estate, and not press him to spend above power; She will do her husband good, and not hurt all the days of her life, Prov. 31.12. Thus whon there is a mutual providential care of husband and wife for themselves, Family and Posterity. This is an especial Gold-link of Love, to bind love fast between husband and wife.  
The fourteenth Gold-link of Love followeth; 
The fourteenth Direction, or Gold link of Love.  There aught to be a mutual care of, and for Education of their Children which God hath graciously given unto them, as Jacob spoke to his Brother Esau, Gen. 33.5. That they be taught and instructed both in civil and spiritual Respects, both in divine and humane Learning, according to the Honour and Dignity of their Places and Calling. It is King Solomon's Counsel, Prov. 22.6. Teach a Child in the way he should go, and he will not departed from it when he is old. Especially, that they be seasoned with the Catechism, and first principles of the Oracles of God, 
Heb. 5.12.  and the Knowledge of God's will in the Sacred Scriptures, as blessed Timothy was, for which St. Paul giveth that excellent Testimony, you may read, 2 Tim. 3.15. That from a Child he had known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus. This is life eternal to know God, the only true God, and whom he hath sent Jesus Christ, John 17.3. For this care of instructing Children and Family, the Lord himself commended faithful Abraham, and maketh him of his secret Counsel; Shall I hid from Abraham the thing that I do? And he giveth this for one Reason, For I know him (saith the Lord) that he will Command his Children, and his Household after him to keep the way of the Lord, to do Justice and Judgement, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him and his Posterity, Gen. 18.19. Again, this was God's Command to his People Israel, That they should teach their Children diligently the Law and Word of the Lord, and thou shalt talk of them when thou art in thy House, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou risest up, as it is recorded, Deut. 6.6, 7. and this no doubt with holy reverence and devotion, as desirous to reveal God's mind to their Children and Family. And Children are commanded to hearken to their Parent's instruction, Prov. 1.8. My Son, hear the Instruction of thy Father, and forget not the Law of thy Mother; And again, Prov. 31.1. you may find the words of King Lemuel, the Prophecy which his Mother taught him. To conclude, the Apostle St. Paul, Ephes. 6.1, 2, 3, 4. presseth the duty both of Children and Parents. First, Children obey your Parents in all things, as it is fit in the Lord; and honour thy Father and Mother, which is the first Commandment, with promise, That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long in the Land: And Fathers, provoke not your Children to wrath, that they be not discouraged, but bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. Thus Children well instructed in the knowledge of God's mind, may be a joy to Parents, and Parents enjoy their Children as blessings from the Lord, and behold them as Olive branches round about their Table to God's Glory, 
Psal. 128.  and as the Pledges of their mutual Love to each other: And this is an excellent Gold-link of Love, to preserve and keep mutual Conjugal Love between Husband and Wife.  
The fifteenth Direction, 
The fifteenth Direction, or Gold-link of Love.  or Gold-link of Love, is, That the Husband and Wife, according to their duty, do live together, and not separate the one from the other, except with consent for a time, upon most necessary occasions, or that they may give themselves to Fasting and Prayer, and come together again, that Satan tempt them not, as St. Paul directeth, 1 Cor. 7.5. That so living lovingly together, as heirs of the Grace of life, they may be mutual Helpers to each other in these Conjugal Duties. This Rule St. Peter giveth, 1 Pet. 3.7. Husband's dwell with your Wives, as men of Knowledge. And St. Paul, 1 Cor. 7.13. If a woman that believeth, hath a husband that believeth not (or is not a Christian) yet if he please to dwell with her, let her not leave him; but continue, that she may be a help to him for his Soul, as well as for his Body and Estate: When God did make the woman, The Lord God said, It is not good for man to be alone, I will make him a help meet for him, Gen. 2, 18. And a good wife will be a Helper for good, not a hindrance to her husband. God did make the woman to be a second-self, 
Mr. Ainsworth in Gen. 2.  like him in nature, knit to him in Love, needful for Children helpful in all Duties, present always with him, and so very mere and profitable as a joyful Companion in all estates, in adversity, as well as in Prosperity, in Sickness as well as in Health, in Poverty as well as in a rich Estate. This requireth cohabitation, That the wife leave not the husband, nor the husband forsake the wife. Because this unjust and unchristian forsaking of husband or wife, for light differences, for any thing less than that which is a sufficient ground for a lawful Divorce by the Law of God. This giveth occasion of sin, abateth love, and cannot expect a blessing from God; yea, this too often doth break off Love betwixt Husband and Wife, when cohabitation doth preserve Conjugal Love, and will do (if they live in the fear of God, and follow his Directions) to the end.  
The sixteenth Direction, 
The sixteenth Direction, or or Gold-link of Love.  or Gold-link of Love, to bind love fast, and prevent sinful Breaches betwixt husband and wife, is for both to learn that first lesson of a Christian, which our Saviour taught his Disciples, Math. 16.24. They must sometimes deny themselves, that is, their own wills and desires, passions and affections, bridle rash anger, and overrule their passions; yea, their right sometimes for quietness sake, they must not be both selfwilled, nor both angry at once, or at the same time. King Solomon witnesseth, That he that is stow to Anger is better than the Mighty, and he that ruleth his Spirit, than he that taketh a City, Prov. 16.32. And a soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger, Prov. 15.1. And again, that wise man, Prov. 19 
Prov. 19.9, 19  It is better to dwell in a Corner of the house top, then with a Brawling woman in a wide House; And again, verse 19 It is better to dwell in the Wilderness, then with a contentious and angry woman. And that Kingly Preacher again, Eccles. 7.9. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, for anger resteth in the bosom of Fools. 
Simile.  It was a witty conceit of the Father, who gave two Caps to his new married Son and Daughter, made fit for Solomon's angry Fools, with this Contract, that they should never put them on both at once. But if the husband had put on his Cap, the wife should let hers lie still, not take it by any means; and the same direction to the wife: This is a means to enjoy peace. It was the moral man's Observation, 
Heratius. Latius regres avidum domande spiritum, etc.  That a man should conquer more by ruling his spirit, then by conquering the greatest Person in the World. And the Holy Spirit of God directs, that we should forbear one another in love, Co. 3.13. and the same Apostle exhorts to be long-suffering, this is our duty as Christian in general, and the same is incumbent upon man and wife in particular, to yield sometimes to each other in love.  
That was an excellent example of Self-denial, 
Example.  which faithful Abraham gave, when his wife Sarah was angry with her Maid Hagar, whom she herself had given to her Husband to get Children, because she herself was barren, as you may read, Gen. 16.1, 2.  
Abraham left her Maid at her Mistress dispose, and she by her hard usage made her fly away. And this must needs be against Abraham's heart, that Hagar should be so hardly used and constrained to fly away; whom he had gotten with Child by his Wife's consent, and no doubt had affection for her; yet Abraham condescends to his wife, for Abraham said unto Sarah, Thy Maid is in thy hand, do to her as it pleaseth thee. Again, when Sarah had brought forth Isaac, and Sarah did see Ishmael the Son of Hagar mocking of her Son Isaac; She calleth to Abraham her Husband, Put away the Bondwoman and her Son, for the Son of the Bondwoman shall not be heir with my Son, even with Isaac, Gen. 21.10, 11. This thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight, because of his Son Ishmael, yet (as God directs him) he yieldeth to his wife; and putteth away Hagar and Ishmael out of doors, and then all was at peace. Thus sometimes a sweet Condescen●sin in things lawful, is a sweet wellpleasing means to preserve Love between Husband and Wife; And as the Husband, so the Wife is to labour by the Power and Grace of Christ to be of a selfdenying, submitting, meek and quiet spirit, which in the eyes of the Lord is a thing much set by, witness Saint Peter, 1 Pet. 3.4.  
For a Wife to deny herself, 
Example.  and her own will, for the love of her Husband, is a means to preserve Love, and prevent the danger of separation. Had Queen Vasti denied herself to please her Husband's fancy of showing her Beauty to his Guests (as he desired) Hester 1.11, 12. she might have prevented his anger, and continued Queen to her death in all likelihood. Thus you see the passing by of occasions of anger, and a loving condescending to each others lawful desires, is an excellent Gold-link of Love, and means to preserve Love between Husband and Wife during Lives.  
The seventeenth Direction, 
The seventeenth Direction, or Gold-link of Love.  or Gold-link of Love now followeth: This is to exercise spiritual wisdom, how and when to speak one to another of any thing that is not well done, or said by either party, or that they perceive is contrary to either of their minds or affections, or not for their profit, safety or honour; A word fitly spoken in due season, how good is it, saith King Solomon? Prov. 15.23. And Prov. 25.11. A word fitly spoken, is like Apples of Gold in pictures of Silver. And the kingly Preacher telleth us, there is a time for all things, Eccles. 3.1. For that which is spoken may be well taken at one time, which will not be so well resented at another time.  
For Example, 
Example.  when Churlish covetous Nabal had used David's young men unkindly, and brought himself and Family in great danger, we see Abigail meeting David with a Present, and pacifieth David, and prevents his shedding of Blood, as you may read, 1 Sam. 25.26. and returning home, she findeth her Husband keeping a Feast like a King, and merry with Wine; for he was very Drunken, verse 36. wherefore she told him nothing less or more, until the morning. But it came to pass in the morning, when the Wine was gone out of Nabal, than she told him these things, and then he was sensible of his folly to the full, 1 Sam. 25.37. 
1 Sam. 25.37.  Thus when a Husband or Wife is in any Distemper, drunken with Wine or strong drink, or with any passion or discontent; it is wisdom to forbear speaking, and to observe a sit time, and in a loving manner to declare mildly and peaceably what was a failing on either part, and that with meekness of spirit; For a soft Answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up Anger, as we noted before, Prov. 15.10. The Apostle St. James his direction is good, James 1.19, 20. Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of Man worketh not the righteousness of God. Thus spiritual policy, yea, even civil wisdom is one special help to quench the fire of jars and unnecessary fall out, and to preserve Conjugal Love between Husband and Wife during their lives.  
An eighteenth Direction, 
The eighteenth Direction, or Gold-link of Love.  or Gold-link of Love, in this Golden Chain of Love, is to be of a wellpleasing quiet spirit toward each other, not seeking quarrels, but rather seeking to please one another in Love in the Lord; this duty St. Paul intimateth, 1 Cor. 7.33, 34. The married man careth for the things of this World, how he may please his wife, and the married woman how she may please her Husband. The Apostle holdeth this out (I humbly conceive) not only as a practice, but as a Christian duty also, to be careful both Husband and Wife, to please one another in all things lawful and convenient in the Lord; for Rom. 15.1, 2, 3. He giveth this Rule for Christians in general, That the strong aught to bear the Infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves; But let every one please his Neighbour to Edification. Now if this be the duty of all Christians to please one another for their good; Then much more of Husbands and Wives to be wellpleasing to each other, not to be contentious or quarrelsome, or cross for Trifles, or small Matters; but to be wise, and seek to please, and give content to each other, according to their Duties and Places. This is heavenly wisdom, saith St. James, which is from above, and is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy, James 3.17, 18. And this wisdom ought to be between Husband and Wife, to be peaceable, not troublesome to each other. For as the wise man speaketh, He that troubleth his own House, shall inherit the Wind, and the Fool shall be servant to the wise in heart, Prov. 11.29. And Prov. 19.13, 11. A foolish Son is the calamity of his Father, and the contentions of a Wife are a continual dropping; it will rot a house in time. And again, Houses and Riches are the Inheritance of Fathers; But a prudent Wife is from the Lord, Prov. 19.14. A contentious Wife will trouble a Family, and bring disquietness to a quiet Husband. Therefore the Wife is to be peaceable, and the same aught to be the care of the Husband, not to be captious & chiding with his Wife for every small thing he seethe amiss; But to follow the Apostles Rule, 1 Thess. 4.11. Study to be quiet, especially with his Wife. This is a hopeful means to prevent disturbance in a Family, and to preserve Conjugal Love between Husband and Wife. 
The nineteenth Direction, or Gold-link of Love.   
The nineteenth Direction, or Gold-link of Love, is to learn and act St. Paul his practice, as it is recorded, Phil. 4.11, 12, 13. If a Man hath married a Wife, or a Woman a Husband, which proveth not according to expectation. First, it may be a cross or careless Husband, or one that is tyrannical over his Wife, to make her his Slave, or his Servant, or otherwise; that is, a daily vexation to his provident and pious good Wife; a common Tavern or Ale-house-Haunter, or a desperate Gamester, a mispender of his precious time or estate in idle or evil Company, neglecting his Calling and Household occasions; 
1 Sam. 25.17, etc.  or a Nabal, a Churlish Clown, and ingrateful as Nabal was: Or that a Husband hath failed of his expectation, and hath met with a riotous mispending Wife, or one that is perverse, and unquiet, or contrary to the Apostles Rule, will usurp authority over the Man, which she ought not, 1 Tim. 2.12. If she prove sickly or diseased, weak, and unable to perform all Duties; yet if she be faithful to him in the Marriage Covenant, to keep her only to him so long as they both shall live. If God lay his Hand upon them with, or in Trials and Troubles, Losses and Crosses in the World, they must both labour by the Power and Grace of Christ, to submit to God's Providence, and to be content with their Lot and Condition. It may be God did leave thee to thyself in the Choice of Wife, or of thy Husband, for trial of thy Faith or Patience, or other Graces: Good Patient Job had not the best Wife, that was so unkind to him in his great Affliction, as you may read, Job 19.17. It may be God saw it best for thee to have such a Wife, or such a Husband, to humble thee, or for other ends, and all for thy good, which all things must be; If thou love God, and art called by Christ to repent and believe on him, according to God's purpose, as St. Paul, Rom. 8.28. Therefore to study Piety and contentment shall be your great gain in the end, as the Spirit of God witnesseth, 1 Tim. 6.6. Labour then by Love to amend what you find amiss in each other, and that by all fair means. This will be a way to prevent worse evils, and to preserve Conjugal Love between Husbands and Wives whilst they live.  
The twentieth and last Direction, 
A twentieth Direction, or Gold-link of love.  or Gold link of Love, to preserve Love between Husbands and wives, which I shall give at this time, is, to pray constantly and piously with Faith and Fervency to God as reconciled in Christ, 
There is Grace, and Wisdom, and strength in Christ to enable you to perform these and all other Duties required of you. Read Joh. 1.16. Joh. 15.5. Col. 1.19. Col. 2.3. Phil. 4.11, 12, 13.  both for and with one another, not in private only in your Family, but in secret in your Closets (if possibly it may be) That the most blessed God will in and for the Merits of Christ, pardon all Sins, heal all Infirmities, and by his free Grace in Christ supply all defects, and reform whatsoever is found amiss either in Husband or Wife, and by the Power and Spirit and Grace of Christ to enable them to perform all Duties; first to God, then to each other with care and faithfulness; yea, to all other Superiors, Inferiors, or equally so to live together as Heirs of the Grace of Life, that your Prayers be not hindered. The Husband may say to the Wife, 
1 Pet. 3.7.  and the Wife to her Husband, as Samuel said to the Israelites, 1 Sam. 12.23. God forbidden I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for you. Prayer is a Duty incumbent upon all to practise daily: And the fervent Prayer of God's Children is effectual, 
James 5.16, 17. If any be tempted to any Sin, pray as St. Paul did, 2 Cor. 12.7, 8, 9  Isaac prayed for his Wife, and God heard him, and gave her Children, Genesis 25.21. Hannah she prayed for a Son, and God gave her the Request of her Soul, 1 Sam. 2.23. What should I tell you, That Monica, St. Augustins' good Mother did pray for her Son, and the Lord heard her; and fulfilled her desires. What greater encouragement can be? or need to be to this duty, 
Pray till God answer. Joh. 16.23.  than that gracious Promise of our Saviour, That whatsoever we ask the Father in his Name, he will give it us, Joh. 16.3. Oh then, my Beloved in Christ, 
Pray as Jacob did. Gen. 32.26. Hosea 12.4.  be sure to practise this duty of Prayer, not only in public in the Congregations, join with the public Prayers of the Church. But in private in your Families, and in secret in your Closets daily. 
Persevere in prayer, until God bless you, Rom. 12.12.  And if you have not Prayer-Books to answer every Dispensation, and to direct you in particular Petitions; according to your present Necessities (as who hath); Then learn and labour to be able yourselves by the help of the Spirit of Prayer and Supplication, promised to God's Church and Children, Zach. 12.10. To make your Request known unto God upon all occasions; 
Read Phil. 4.6, 7. The peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Math. 7.7, 8.  Husbands for your Wives, and Wives for your Husbands; and both for your Children; with the greatest reverence, and the best expressions you can as to your heavenly Father, who biddeth Ask; and you shall have. Thus may you obtain this great Blessing, That Love may continue firm and constant between Husband and Wife, whilst you live to your comfort, and joy in Christ Jesus for ever; which that it may be by God's Blessing, and shall be my daily Prayer for you all. And that all Honour and Glory may be given to God the Father, God the Son, and God the blessed Spirit, now and for ever, Amen.   

Some Divine Prayers for Husbands and Wives, That God will be pleased to give them spiritual wisdom and strength in and by the Grace of Christ, for the faithful performance of their mutual Duties, that a blessing may be from God upon them, and their Posterities for ever. Drawn by the Author according to the matter and end of this Gold Chain of Directions.  

A Morning Prayer for the Husband or wife, or either of them, with their Family; or any other fit Person to Pray when the husband is absent.  
O Lord, 
Zach. 12.10.  prepare our hearts to Prayer, and so assist us with thy holy Spirit of Prayer and Supplication, 
Rom. 8.26, 27.  that our Prayers may be acceptable, 
Rev. 8.3, 4.  and we may receive a gracious Answer in and for the sweet Incense and Merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.  
O eternal, 
Deut. 32.27.  most gracious, merciful; everlasting, everliving, 
Exod. 34.6, 7. Jer. 10.11. 1 Tim. 1.17. Isaiah 46.9, 10. Rom. 8.28. Rom. 11.33, 34, 35, 36.  and only wise God, who orderest all things according to the Counsel of thy own most just and holy Will, and disposest of all for thy own eternal Glory, and the eternal good of thy Church and Children in Christ Jesus, of whom may we seek for Protection, and safety of Soul or Body, or any other blessing, but of thee our God and heavenly Father, in our Saviour Christ; from whom cometh every good and perfect Gift, 
James 1.17.  with whom is no variableness, nor shadow of turning. The last night we durst not lay down our eyes to sleep, 
Psal. 132.4.  nor suffer the temples of our head to take any rest, until we had begged thy gracious Providence, for preservation of us and ours in particular, and of thy whole Church in general. And thou, O blessed God, (who art the hearer of Prayer) hast in thine abundant goodness heard our Prayer, 
Psal. 65.2. Psal. 66.18, 19, 20.  and brought us to the light of this day, blessed be thy great and glorious Name; thou mightest, O Lord, in thy Justice have consumed us [by Fire] to ashes, 
Exod. 12.29, 30.  and made our Beds our Graves; One or more of us might have been stricken with some terrible tormenting Sickness; we might have been found dead in our Beds (as many have been); many other miseries might have befallen us; But in thy great mercy thou hast spared us, 
Lam. 3.22, 23.  and renewed thy mercies to us this Morning: What shall we render to thy heavenly Majesty, for thy Favours? And now we dare not adventure into the World, without entreating thy Protection and Blessing in and upon our just and lawful Endeavours; We confess, O Lord, we are not worthy the least of all thy mercies, 
Genesis 32.10.  and thy loving-kindnesses which from time to time thou hast showed to thy Servants; We acknowledge we have not been sensible of that original corruption of our depraved Natures, 
Eph. 2.1, 2, 3.  and our proneness to Sin, drawn from our first Parents, corrupted by their lamentable Fall; 
Genesis 3.6, 7. Genesis 6.5.  nor have we humbled ourselves in sense of this our misery, as we should have done; we have not kept our Hearts with all diligence, out of which are the issues of death: 
Prov. 4.23  But our Hearts have followed our Eyes, beholding Vanity, 
Jer. 4.14. Psal. 141.3.  and vain thoughts have too long lodged within us. We have not set a watch, O Lord, before our Lips, and kept the doors of our Mouths, but many idle, unprofitable, sinful words (for which we must answer at the Day of Judgement) have been uttered by us, to thy dishonour, 
Mat. 12.36  and evil example of others; yea, 
Eph. 4.4, 29, 30.  too many times corrupt Communications, to the grief of thy holy Spirit: 
Psal. 39.1. Psal. 119.67.  We have not taken heed to our Feet, to walk in the right ways of thee, O Lord, but gone aside from the Paths of thy Commandments, and so have been guilty of many actual transgressions, both in thought, word and deed, breaking thy most righteous Laws; We have failed in the Duties of our several particular Relations, as Husband to Wife, and Wife to Husband, Parents to Children, and Children to Parents, Masters or Dames to Servants, and Servants to them; not performing our Duties in the fear of God, as we ought to have done. We have not walked as becometh Christians towards others, nor done as we would they should do to us (according to that Golden Rule of our blessed Saviour). 
Mat. 7.12.  
Phil. 1.27.  So that by our good Conversation, as becometh the Gospel of Christ, others might have been stirred up to glorify thee our heavenly Father: 
Mat. 5.16.  So that if thou shouldest enter into judgement with us, O Lord, 
Psal. 143.2.  how can we be justified by any our own righteousness in thy presence: 
Phil. 3.9, 10.  O then! behold us we humbly beseech thee in the face of thy Son Jesus Christ, as washed clean by his Blood, and accepted by his Merits, 
Mat: 3.17.  He it is in whom thou art well pleased, 
Acts 5.31.  and him thou hast exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give Repentance to Israel, and remission of Sins. 
Psal. 19.12  Oh give us true Repentance for all the Errors of our Lives passed for Christ's sake, and grant that being delivered out of the hands of all our Enemies, 
Luke 1.74, 75.  we may serve thee without fear of them in righteousness and true holiness all the days of our lives: Bless with us we pray thee all our Friends, 
Psal. 35.11, 12, 13, 14. Mat. 5.11.  and change the Hearts of our Enemies, make them our Friends (if it be thy will); be gracious to our Children and Servants, make our Children thy Children, our Servants thy Servants, 
Isa. 41.8.  and our Friends thy Friends. 
Leu. 19.17.  Let us reprove, we pray thee, and not give evil example, 
Eph. 5.11.  nor suffer our Children or Servants to be profane Swearers or Cursers, Liars, Drunkards, or unjust; 
Joh. 13.15. Psal. 101.6, 7.  But grant that we may be good examples, and that they may be faithful in the Land, such as thy servant David would have; make them religious, like faithful Abraham's servant, praying when they are sent about our occasions, Lord send me good speed this day, 
Genesis 24.12.  that we and they may be blessed. Bless with us thy universal Church scattered through out the whole World; Be gracious we pray thee to the Nations of England, Scotland, and Ireland, pour down thy blessings upon the Kings most excellent Majesty, with his Royal Consort the Queen, and all the Royal Family, preserve Him and Them from all His, 
1 Tim. 2.1, 2.  Their and our Enemies; Bless all the honourable Nobility, the Reverend faithful Ministers of the Gospel in their several places, with all the Magistrates, Gentry, and Commons of the Land, and enable us thy humble servants rightly and justly to do our Duty to all our Superiors, 
1 Pet. 2.17.  Inferiors and Equals; and to this end increase, we most humble entreat thy Majesty, all necessary Graces in all our souls: Give us, we beseech thee, a daily supply and increase of Divine Knowledge, and heavenly Wisdom. Lord increase our Faith, 
Luk. 17.5.  and give us such a Faith as purifieth the Heart, 
Acts 15.9.  and worketh by Loves Give us true Conversion from all our sins, 
Gal. 5.6.  
2 Cor. 7.10.  and Repentance to Salvation, not to be repent of. And adorn, we humbly pray thee, 
Eccl. 12.7.  our immortal Souls with those excellent Graces of true Christian Charity, 
1 Cor. 13.1, 2, 3, 4, etc.  Chastity, Sobriety, Temperance, and holy Moderation; with submissive contentment unto and with thy Divine will and pleasure in every dispensation of thy Divine Providence; 
1 Peter 5.8.  
1 Thess. 4.3, 4. Phil. 4.5.  enable us to wait upon thee in Faith, 
Acts 21.14. Job 14.14.  with patience all the Days of our appointed time, until our change come. It is in thy power, O Lord, to change Poverty into Riches, Enemies to Friends, Sickness into Health, Death into Life; Thou canst kill and make alive at thy pleasure. 
1 Sam. 2.7, 8. Psal. 63.3, 4, 5.  O satisfy our souls with thy lovingkindness in thy Ordinances, and living Graces, and especially with a lively Hope of immortality by the Resurrection of Christ from the Dead, 
1 Pet. 1.3, 4.  and that Inheritance which fadeth not. O cause thy love to be shed abroad in our Hearts by the holy Ghost; 
Rom. 5.5.  give us that peace of God which passeth all understanding, & let the Love of Christ constrain us to live henceforth not to ourselves, but to Him who died for us, and risen again, That when He shall appear at the last day, 
Col. 3.4.  we may appear with Him in Glory. O most blessed God strengthen us, we pray thee, with thy special Grace, for the performance of our works in our particular Family-Duty according to our Places and Callings in thy fear, and in love one to another; Husband and Wife, 
Eph. 6.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.  Parents and Children, Masters and Servants: Make, Lord, our Children thy Children, our Servants thy Servants, our Friends thy Friends; and bless them and us in all our, and their righteous Labours this day, and all the days of our lives; especially those who have desired, or deserved our Prayers; requite and return all their loving favours a thousand fold into their Bosom; succour, we most humbly pray thee, all thy Children in any manner of Affliction. Let the good will of him that dwelled in the Bush, dwell with them; 
Exod. 3.2. Deut. 33.16. Amos 4.12.  prepare us to meet thee in whatsoever trial thou shall prove our Faith, and any other graces with, and give to us, and all thine a happy Deliverance out of all in thy do time and season; and preserve us all in Bodies and Souls to thy heavenly Kingdom: 
2 Tim. 4.18.  We most humbly beg these, and whatsoever thou in thy Divine Wisdom knowest to be needful for us, or any of thine, in the Name, and for the Merits of our blessed Saviour: And in that Prayer he hath taught us, Our Father which art in Heaven, etc.   

An Evening Prayer for Husband and Wife, and either of them, with their Family; or any other fit Person in the Husband's absence.  
O Most might and powerful Lord our God, who art the great Creator, and high Possessor of Heaven and Earth, 
Gen. 14.19. Gen. 17.1.  the All-sufficient God, and gracious Ruler of the whole World, who art the Lord God, glorious in holiness, dreadful in Praises, doing wonders: 
Exod. 15.11.  Thou art the Lord strong, merciful, and gracious, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving Iniquity, Transgression and Sin; 
Exod. 34.6.7.  and who wilt not hold the wicked innocent: Thou even thou art to be feared, and who may stand in thy sight when thou art angry? 
Psal. 76.7  yet thou art gracious to thy Children, showing mercy unto thousands of them that love thee, and are careful to keep thy Commandments. Thou preservest the Feet of thy Saints, and hast preserved us thy unworthy servants this day: 
1 Sam. 2.9.  O let our Prayers come before thee as Incense, and the lifting up of our hands be as an Evening Sacrifice, 
Psal. 141.2.  a Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving for the mercies of this day, thou hast kept us safe at home and abroad, thou hast blessed us in our just and honest occasions and endeavours: If any thing now, 
Gen. 24.12, 27.  or at any time hath fallen out cross to our desires, 
Psal. 119.7.  thou, oh our good God, didst see it good for us to be afflicted; that we might be put in mind of our going wrong, and our too great ingratitude of former day's mercies: But we acknowledge thy goodness, thy mercies to us, and thy people of old; and thy glorious Name, 
Neh. 9.5.  hath been far above and beyond all our Thanksgiving and Praise; yea, that unspeakable Gift of thy mercy; namely, 
John 3.16.  thy only begotten Son, who hath made a gracious Promise, that whatsoever thy servants shall ask of thee in his Name, 
John 16.23.  it shall be granted us. This emboldens us, blessed Father, humbly to supplicate thee, who art so full of compassion, to pass by all our Transgressions, 
Micah 7.18, 19  and to subdue all our Iniquities, and pardon all our Sins of Ignorance and Knowledge, of weakness and wilfulness, of Omission and Commission; Take away our iniquity, and receive us graciously in and for Christ, and we shall render to thee the Calves of our Lips; 
Hosea 4.2.  yea, not of our Lips alone, but of our Hearts, and of our whole Souls and Bodies, a holy, living and acceptable Sacrifice of Obedience in Christ Jesus. 
Rom. 12.1, 2.  Thou, O Lord, art the Fountain, Author and Giver of all Grace, increase thy Graces in us, we most humbly beseech thee, that we may be better enabled to perform our duties to thee our God, and to our Neighbours in general, and one to another in our particular Callings and Relations, Husband to Wife, and Wife to Husband, in true Conjugal love, Parents to Children; 
Exodus 20.12. Eph. 6.2, 3.  in & for the Lord; Children to Parents in due honour, that the blessing of long & happy life may be their portion, according to thy promise: Masters to Servants, 
Eph. 6.9  as knowing they have a Master in Heaven; and Servants to Masters in singleness of heart, as unto Christ; not with Eye-service, as men-pleasers, 
Eph. 6.5, 6, 7, 8.  but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not to men, that of the Lord they may receive the reward of Inheritance, 
Col. 3.24.  because in doing faithful service, according to God's will, they serve the Lord Christ. Forgive, we pray thee our Enemies, and bless our Friends. Now thou, O Lord, art the Keeper of Israel, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Except thou, O Lord, 
Psal. 127.1, 2.  keep the City, the watchman waketh but in vain: It is in vain to rise up early, and late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness, 
Psal. 3.5: Psal. 4.8.  except the Lord bless our Labours. Neither can we lie down and sleep, and take our rest, except the Lord sustain us; except thou, O Lord, make us to dwell in safety. Therefore now we come unto thee, O heavenly Father, most humbly beseeching thee to embrace us in the everlasting Arms of thy Mercy, 
Deut. 33.27.  and to take us with all ours, and all thine, into thy holy Protection this Night: Give us that comfortable sleep and quiet rest in our Beds, 
Psalm 4.8.  that we being refreshed by thy goodness, may be better enabled to do thee faithful service in our several Places, Vocations and Callings; if it please thee to continue, and preserve our Lives and Healths the next day to our comforts, and the glory of thy Name. O our most blessed God, we beseech thee, preserve with us thy Catholic Church all over the World, especially that part of thy Church in these Nations: Keep from all dangers, we humble pray thee, our most gracious King, 
Ezra 6.10.  give him a long life to thy glory; Bless his Royal Queen, and the whole Royal Family, and preserve, we beseech thee, all the honourable Nobility, the Reverend and faithful Ministry in their several places; the righteous Judges and Magistrates, with all the Gentry and Commons of the Land: Give all Wisdom and Power to honour thy Majesty in their Places and Orders in which thou hast set them, to do thee service. Bless we pray thee, the several Cities, Towns, and Countries in the Kingdom, keep them and us out of the hand of all our Enemies, That under his Sacred Majesty, we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 
1 Tim. 2.1, 2.  Be gracious unto all thy Faithful Servants under any manner of affliction, by Sea or by Land, at Liberty, or in Restraint; in Poverty, or in Riches; in Sickness, or in Health; especially any that are known to us, or who have desired our Prayers, 
Eph. 6 18, 19  sanctify thy afflicting Hand unto them, that they may receive the peaceable fruit of Righteousness, when they are sufficiently exercised thereby, 
Heb. 12.11  and in every temptation strengthen them to bear, 
1 Cor. 10.13.  and in due time make a way for them to escape. Prepare us all for those eternal Habitations, those blessed Mansions, which Christ our Saviour hath prepared for us in Heaven. 
John 14.12.  Grant O Lord of glory, 
Eph. 1.17.  that we may be so prepared like wise Virgins, 
Mat. 25.1, 2, etc.  with Oil in our Lamps, that whensoever the Lord Jesus, our heavenly Bridegroom, with his glorious Angels shall come to Judgement, at Midnight, 
Mat. 25.6.  at Cock-Crowing, or in the Dawning; we may be admitted to enter in with him in to that blessed heavenly Kingdom of eternal happiness. Thus by Prayer and Supplication, with Thanksgiving, we have made our Request known unto thee, our heavenly and most gracious Father. O let the peace of God, 
Phil. 4.6, 7.  which passeth all understanding, keep our Hearts and Minds in the knowledge and love of God, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To whom with thy heavenly Majesty, and thy blessed Spirit, be ascribed all Glory and Honour, Might, Sovereignty and Dominion, Victory and Salvation, this night and for evermore. Amen.  Prov. 19.14. 
House and Riches are the Inheritance of Fathers; but a prudent wife is from the Lord. Therefore I desire the Husband, that he will pray to the Lord to bestow amongst other Graces, this Grace of heavenly prudence upon his wife, and increase it in them both, that they may be happy. Again, I desire that both Husband and Wife, will be careful to remember and practice (by the Grace of Christ) that Counsel of that great Apostle St. Peter, 1 Pet. 3.7. Husband's dwell with your Wives according to knowledge, giving honour to the Wife, as unto the weaker Vessel; and as being Heirs together of the grace of Life, that your prayers be not hindered. (Your mutual prayers one for another); for a virtuous wife will be a Helper to her Husband (Gen. 2.18.) and will do him good (by her prayers, as well as otherwise) and not evil all the days of her life, as wise King Solomon witnesseth, Pro. 31.12.   

A special Closet, or secret, Prayer of a Husband, for himself, and his Wife, and Children, and Family, that God will be pleased to enable them to perform their mutual Duties to each other in the fear of God, and by God's blessing live lovingly together during their lives, to be prayed together or asunder.  
O Most blessed and gracious good God, 
1 Tim. 1.11.  my most merciful and loving Father in Christ Jesus, 
1 Tim. 6.14, 15, 16.  
Gen. 1.1, 2.  who in thy appointed time didst make the Heaven and Earth, 
Psal. 136.5, 6.  and Creatures in the World, and in a special manner create our first Parents, Adam and Eve, after thy own likeness, in Righteousness and true Holiness, 
Gen. 1.27.  and in the time of their innocency didst Marry them together, 
Gen. 2.20, 21, 22, 23, 24.  and institute the holy estate of Marriage, which is a mystical representation of that spiritual Marriage and Union between Christ and his Church; 
Hosea 2.19, 20.  
Eph. 5.32.  thou, O our heavenly Father, in thy Divine Wisdom, and gracious Providence hast been pleased to bring me, thy unworthy servant, and my beloved wife, into this high and honourable estate; I confess, O Lord, I am now fully informed, that there are many duties required by thy holy Word incumbent upon me at a Husband, 
John 15. ●.  and upon her as a Wife, which by our own strength we are not able to perform as we ought, 
2 Cor. 3.5.  that thy Divine Majesty might have the glory, and we thy unworthy servants may have the joy and comfort in our married estate; and although we are taught out of thy Word, that in Christ, our blessed Saviour, there is both Wisdom and strength and grace, 
Col. 2.3. Phil. 4.13.  to be communicated to thy servants for the performance of every duty in any condition: and that Christ our Redeemer hath promised; That if we seek, we shall find; if we knock, it shall be opened unto us: 
James 1.5, 6. James 5.16. John 16.23.  If we pray with Faith and Fervency, and in his Name, our Petitions shall be granted. Yet I thy humble servant confess, for my part, that I have not knocked at Heaven doors for wisdom and strength for myself and my wife, that we might be enabled rightly, and in the fear of God, and in true love to perform our mutual duties to each other, as becometh thy Children. And I fear my dear wife hath failed in like manner, 
Isaiah 63.15, 16. Isaiah 64.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.  at least that we have not sought this grace of thee, O heavenly Father, with that sight and sense of our own weakness: And of that need of this wisdom and power, and so not with that earnestness, or with those fervent groans and sighs, 
Rom. 8.26, 27.  or tears, in our prayers, nor with that wrestling like Jacob with God in Christ for this mercy as we should have done, 
Gen. 32.24, 25, 26. Hosea 12.3, 4. 1 Sam. 1.15.  nor poured out our soul to God like Hannah; and therefore if any discomfort or disagreement have fallen out between us, we may well thank ourselves, that we have not had wisdom and power to do better; 
1 Chron. 15.13.  because we have not sought them at God's hand, 
James 4.2, 3.  or not in a right manner; for although thou God dost freely promise Blessings to his Church, yet he will be enquired of, 
Ezek. 36.37.  and prayed unto by his Children for his Graces, or any the like mercies. O therefore most gracious Father, I most humbly entreat thee, give 〈◊〉 me and my wife truly humble and penitent and contrite hearts, 
Mic. 6.6. Isaiah 57.15, 16.  for this and all our former failings, and give us wisdom and strength of grace for the time to come, rightly to perform our duties to thee our God, and mutually one to another whilst we live, that so our Marriage may be a joyful and Christianlike merry-age indeed, 
Prov. 5.18, 19, 20, 21.  to thy glory and our comfort, to the end of our lives. O then give us grace, I most humbly beseech thee, to fly all occasions of discord or disagreement, that there may never be any such breach between us thy Servants, as there hath been between too many Husbands and Wives in the World. Let it be far from us upon any discontent, unkindly to separate one from another, 
1 Cor. 7.5.  except it be with consent for a time, that we may give ourselves to fasting and prayer, and come together again willingly and joyfully, as we ought to do. And if either of us have failed in our Choice, in not following the Apostles Rule, to have been careful to marry in the Lord, or any other Scripture Directions to have been considered better before hand, 
1 Cor. 7.39.  for our comfortable Communion in Marriage; I most humbly beg pardon for that which is passed for the Merits sake of my dear Redeemer. And now, O blessed Lord, give us thy heavenly Grace, that we may follow the Directions of thy most holy word set before us, 
Psal. 119.105.  and truly and religiously seek by all good means the eternal Salvation of both our Souls, that we may be happy here and hereafter. O give us wisdom to cherish love, and increase it in one towards and with the other. And let there be no bitterness between us in word or deed, give us contentedness of mind with our present Condition; 
1 Tim. 6.6, 7, 8.  Keep us truly faithful to each other, according to our Marriage-Covenant, in obedience to thy Command, and fear of thy heavenly Majesty, who art present in all places, and before whose all-seeing-eyes all things are open and naked that we have done or shall do all the days of our lives: 
Jer. 23.23.  Give us I most humbly entreat thee, 
Heb. 4.13. Prov. 6.34, 35. Cant. 8.6.  wisdom and power to avoid all occasions of jealousy, that our hearts may truly trust one another in the Lord, 
Numb. 5.14.  that peace and happiness may be our portion all our days; help us by thy spirits grace to pray one for another, and to seek thy blessing upon our selves, and for our Children, which thou hast or shalt in thy goodness graciously give thy Servants, 
Gen. 33.5.  enable us to bring them up in the fear and nurture and admonition of thee O Lord, that they may fear and honour thee as their heavenly Father, 
Prov. 1.7. Prov. 10.27.  and obey us as is fit in thee our Lord as their earthly Parents, that a blessing may be upon us, and upon them and their Posterity to many Generations: If it be thy blessed will, bless I pray thee our Servants, and our substance which thou hast or shalt bestow upon us. It is thy blessing, 
Prov. 10.22.  O Lord, which maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow with it. Be gracious, I most humbly beseech thee, to thy Church through the World: Bless these Nations, and in them our most gracious King, and his Royal Queen, with his Royal Family, and his Kingdoms, with all Estates and Orders of Men in Church and in Common wealth: Grant, O Lord, that Truth and Peace, 
Zach. 8.19.  Righteousness and Love, with the Gospel of Peace, may be a blessing to these Nations, to Us and Ours to the end of the World, if it be thy blessed will and pleasure. Hear thy unworthy Servant, most merciful God, and grant that what I have asked according to thy Will, and whatsoever else thou knowest necessary for this life, or that happy life to come; I most humbly beg them further, in that Prayer which Christ Jesus hath taught us, Our Father which art in Heaven, etc.   

A special Closet, or secret Prayer for a Wife to seek the Lord for herself and her Husband and Family, that they may have grace and strength from God, through Christ, to perform their mutual Duties to each other, live happily together, and enjoy God's blessing upon them and theirs for ever.  
O Most loving God, 
Isa. 63.16.  and my most tender Father in Jesus Christ; Thou art Love, and thy holy Spirit hath witnessed, that he who dwelleth in Love, 
1 Joh. 4.16.  dwelleth in thee, O God, and thou in him; thou who didst require by thy blessed Son Jesus, 
Mat. 5.44.  That we should love our Enemies; 
Eph. 5.25.  and much more our Friends, Husbands their Wives, 
Titus 2.  and Wives their Husbands, and those that are near related unto them. Behold, 
1 Sam. 1.11.  I thy unworthy Handmaid, a woman feeble in devotion, 
1 Pet. 3.7.  the weaker Vessel, who standeth in great need of thy strength, and the help of thy spirit of grace, 
Rom. 8.26.  to enable me to seek thy face, 
Psal. 27.8.  which I should be fearful to do, but that thou hast not said to the Seed of Jacob, 
Isa. 45.19.  Seek my Face in vain; yea, thou hast promised, they that seek thee early shall find thee. O let me find thee gracious Lord this day, 
Prov. 8.17.  and find help from thee in time of need. 
Heb. 4.16.  Thou in thy most wise Providence hast brought me into the Covenant-Bonds of holy Marriage with my dearly beloved Husband; 
Mal. 2.14, 15.  we have taken one another for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish one another in sickness and in health, and to keep us faithful to each other until death separate us; I find by direction from thy word, that there are many duties both proper to each, and common both to Husband and Wife, which by experience we may find without strength of grace from thee in thy Christ our Saviour, we are not able to fulfil, our very Natures are corrupt, 
Psal. 53.1, 2, 3.  and we are subject sometimes to fretting passions, provocations, and vain desires; 
1 Sam. 1.6. Isa. 32.4.  yea, subject to rashness, and rash anger, peevish discontent, 
Act. 19.36. Pro. 21.19. Pro. 25.24.  contention and frowardness; yea, and many times (at least too often) and upon light occasions, when we should be amiable, kind, and loving to each other, 
2 Tim. 3.6. Pro. 11.20. Eph. 4.31, 32.  with content and quietness; and without thy special Grace, we cannot bridle these unruly Distempers of our spirits: It is in great danger, 
〈◊〉. 12.3.  we did think better of ourselves and of each other in our Choice, than we find by proof to have fallen out since our Marriage-union, it is well if we had right grounds of our Love to each other, and that it was not rather for by-respects, then for the true ends of marriage; namely, that we might be true and meet Helpers one to another for this and a better life. 
Gen. 2.20.  O Lord, I thy most humble Servant, most earnestly beg pardon, 
Isa. 55.7.  if either of us failed in any of these respects (as I fear we did). Now yet there is mercy, O Lord, in thy Christ to encourage us boldly to come to thy Throne of Grace: And therefore now, O Father, let the bowels of thy mercy be moved towards us, 
Isa. 63.15.  and give us those necessary Graces, by which we may be enabled to walk towards thee our God, and one towards an other as becomes the honourable estate of marriage. I bless thy most holy Name, O Lord, that thou hast kept and preserved thy Servant (and I am well assured my dear Husband) from those dreadful Vices which do so highly dishonour this honourable estate. 
Gen. 20.6.  In whatsoever we have failed, give pardon unto us, I most humbly entreat thee, O Father, in Christ our blessed Advocate, 
1 Joh. 2.1, 2.  and heal our Natures, that we may henceforth truly evidence our sincere love one to another, and keep, I beseech thee, that rash, impatient, unadvised, immoderate anger, nor any other distemper may prove a root of bitterness sprung up between us; 
Eph. 4.26.  Let not the Sun go down upon any such wrath, but that we may sleep quietly and lovingly together: And preserve me, I beseech thee, with thy Grace, that I may not by any unadvised words or deeds, provoke my Husband to do that which may prove sorrow, discomfort and disprofit to us both. But give me wisdom at all times, when any thing is said, 
1 Sam. 25.25, 26, 27, to 38.  done, or doing, contrary to the Rules of Love between Husband and Wife, that I may endeavour by all fair means, in love and by sweet allurements or persuasions to prevent any evil, or further him in any good work whatsoever: And, I beseech thee, my God, make me wise as Abigail, to know how and when to speak to him for thy Glory, and the mutual good of us, and all ours; enable me to give him that reverence and honour which is due to him, 
Eph. 5.33.  as my Lord and Husband; and give to him that gracious affection towards me, that he may give me that loving respect and honour which is due to me as the weaker Vessel; 
1 Pet. 3.7.  that he may dwell with me as a man of knowledge, and we may live together as Heirs of the Grace of Life, that our Prayers be not hindered. Give him, O Lord, wisdom with thy blessing, and a faithful provident endeavour to provide for his own, 
Rom: 12.17.  for them of his own house, as a Husband and a Christian ought to do. 
1 Tim. 5.8.  And grant to me wisdom and grace to look well to the ways of my Household; that I may do my Husband good and not hurt all the days of my life. 
Prov. 31.12, 27.  Bless, O Lord, the Children and the Family which thou hast or shalt of thy goodness bestow upon us; Let our Children be as perpetual Pledges of Love between us; make them thy Children, I most humbly pray thee: Lord, enable us with care and conscience, to be provident for the pious and virtuous Education of our Children, 
Prov. 31.28.  according to our Estate and Callings, that they may rise up and call us blessed; I beseech thee bless our Estate, that we may provide for them a comfortable Living in some honourable or honest Callings while we live; and when thou shalt take us from them, take them for thy Children, and give them in thy due time that Inheritance, in which they shall be blessed and happy for ever. And put thy holy fear into the Hearts of our Servants, that they may first serve thee faithfully, and then they will serve us honestly and justly all the time of their habitation with us. Be gracious to thy beloved Children all over the Earth, 
Isa 63.9.  comfort the afflicted Members of Jesus Christ, wheresoever or howsoever distressed amidst the Kingdoms of the World, 
Isa. 12.13.  exalt the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour; Bless our most gracious King, the Queen's Majesty, the Royal Family with all the Estates and Orders of Men in Church and Commonwealth; preserve the Gospel of Peace, 
Eph. 6.15:  and the Peace of the Gospel, in these Nations, until Christ come to Judgement if it be thy blessed will. Remember in mercy all our Relations, and especially all such who ever have desired, or deserved our Prayers; Prepare us all for Eternity, for Christ's sake, in whose name I thy unworthy Mandmaid beg these and all needful Mercies, in that Prayer which our blessed Saviour gave his Disciples, Our Father which art in Heaven, etc.   

BEloved, if any Man or Woman's Devotion be so strict, as to think these Prayers too long, let them search if any thing be begged of God, which neither they nor any they ought to pray for want, they may pass over that Petition.  
And if there want any Petition for any particular thing not prayed for, they may add that Petition if they please, according to their present occasions. The Lord hear, and give a blessing. All glory be to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, now and for ever. Amen.  
So prayers your Servant in Christ, Immanuel Bourne.   
FINIS.