MARRIAGE-MUSICK or Nuptial-duties, directed in a fatherly Admonition, to William Beard and Sarah Whiskard, by Z. C. their fatherly friend. THE PREFACE. William and Sarah; both my children dear: Unto the words that I shall speak give ear: Providence (still guiding the Creation) You hath joined; in Nature's next relation: Sith hand is joined in hand; let your heart In no condition from each other part. SECT. I. God that brought you into this relation; Fall down before with daily adoration: The glory of his Name esteem most dear: Let all your ways be guided by his fear: His People prize, to them associate; They will upon you blessings supplicate. SECT. II. Eph. 5.31, 32. Marriage is the explaining History Of Union with Christ; that dark mystery. Heb. 13.4 Marriage is an estate of Honour: Slain you 't not with spot of least dishonour. Marriage for joint help, Gen. 2.20. the Deity designed: To burden bear, your strength must be combined. SECT. III. That of this state, you may reap the comforts: Live each with other, as Christian Consorts. Adhering each t' other, Mar. 19.5. as faithful Doves: Delighting each the other with chaste Loves. Checking, cheering, counselling each other; Duly praying, each with and for the other. The duties all, of this relation near; Yield each to other with affection dear. Crosses, and the cares of this condition: Prepare yourselves to bear; with submission Affections quicken, but your passions curb: Those duty spur; these heart and house disturb. SECT. IV. And now, Prov. 18.22. my son; the wife that thou hast gained, Receive as favour from the Lord obtained. In her alone, (of thy youth the glory) Delight, Prov. 5.19 20. let it be her chiefest Dowry Thee t' enjoy; in Nature's sweet communion: 1 Cor. 7.3 And all the effects of this endeared Union. Thy wise to counsel, Numb. 30 6.8, 11, 13 14. contradict, command; God thee alloweth; as Lord, Head, Husband. In all those actions, see that thou approve; Eph. 5.23 v. 25. The Leading-Line, to be thy dearest Love: Love rendereth meek; all thy contradiction. Love courts, * Col. 3.19 cudgels not; enjoined submission. Loving counsels, will be curtain Lectures: Serious, not passionate conjectures. Love is the limit of Sovereignty: Prohibiting all cruel tyranny. Thou art her Lord: Give with full affection, This thy wife; all cherishing protection. Thy servants and thy children subject make To her, that of thy power may well partake: Thou 'rt her Head: all wants of her condition, Eph. 5.29. Supply with all nourishing Provision. She's vessel weak, 1 Pet. 3.7. her honour still repair; For that she is, of Christian grace an heir. On loving duty, if Comment thou do crave; Review thyself; Eph. 5.28. a Pattern thou shalt have Conformity to this, 1 Pet. 3.7. speaks thy knowledge: Thy wife constrains, thy Headship to acknowledge SECT. V. My daughter, dear, to thee I now apply My counsel; unto which thy heart must ply: Rebecaah-like, Gen. 24. thou hast with diligence Forsaken friends, to follow Providence. This lesson's well learned; take out another: Thy heart give husband more; less to brother. God hath decreed him th' object of thy desire; Gen. 3.16 Him only to enjoy do thou aspire. Sarah, play Sarah's part, 1 Pet. 3.5 give reverence To this thy Lord; who hath pre-eminence 'Bove thee; by the Law of God and Nature: Yield thou it him in heart, word gesture. His counsels hear, Eph. 5.22. contradictions bear, Commands obey, Col. 3.16. in all submissive fear: Usurp not on him, 1 Pet. 3.1.2. 3.4. left authority, To him submit with all alacrity. Nature's God this duty hath assigned thee; This chastisement justice hath designed thee. God made Adam first in the Creation; 1 Tim. 2.11, 12, 13, 14. And placed Eve in this subject relation; Justice found Eve first in the Transgression; For 't assigned her; this submiss affliction: Let thy obedience ever spring from Love: Titus 2.4. It's a principle will carry thee above Difficulties: causing thee consider; Though he command, 1 Sam. 25 18, 19 thou mayst counsel tender. His state to guide, to mutual comfort; Thyself approving a * Prov 19 14. prudent Consort. His secret counsels to thyself reserve Th' honour of's bed and board with care preserve. In all estates be of him most tender, To his household, portions duly render: Thy hand and maids with diligence employ: Prov. 31. from v. 10 to the end of the ch. That penury may not his house annoy; A meek and quiet spirit, (which in God's sight, As pearl of greatest prize doth shine most bright,) Possess: 1 Pet. 3.4 it will dull thy husband's passions, And attract to thee his full affections. These duties well discharged will give the fame, To thee of Sar ' and Scripture-matrons name, Whose pattern thou must with care cut after, As thou desir'st to be deemed their daughter. EPILOGUE These duties now, my children dear, I charge You well consider, and the same discharge; The joint discharge of them will plainly show, You both inherit Grace that Gospel-dew, 1 Pet. 3.7. You will be t' others a living story, To yourselves a crown of constant glory: Prov. 12.4 Your prayers then shall not be interrupted; No, nor comforts of your state corrupted: The object of my hope and intercession, For you'll be Abram and Sarahs' portion. Then will I pray And daily say Psal. 128 barton's Translation. Blessed are all that fear the Lord, And walk as God commands, For thou shalt eat the plenty stored By labours of thy hands; All welfare shall to thee betid, And happy be thy life; Like fruitful vine on thy house side, Lo, such shall be thy wise. Thy children round about thy board, Like plants of Olive-tree, Behold the man that fears the Lord, Thus blessed shall he be; From Zion God shall prosper thee And bless thee every way; And thou Jerusalem's good shalt see Unto thy dying day. Yea, with great joy thou shalt behold A plentiful increase; Of children's children (being old,) And Israel's published peace.