Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 39
The .xxxix. Sermon, which is the seuenth vppon the fifth Chapter.
22. VVyues, bee subiect too your husbandes, as too our Lord.
23. For the husband is the head of the vvyfe, as Christ is the head of the Church, and lykewise is he the sauiour of the bodye.
24. Therefore as the Church is subiect vntoo Christ: so also let vvyues bee subiect to their husbands in all things:
25. Yee husbandes louelove your vvyues, as Christ loued the Church, and gaue himselfe for it.
26. Too sanctify it, clenzing it in the vvashing of vvater through the vvoord.
WEe hauehave seene heertoofore how eueryevery of vsus is subiect too his neyghbours, and that wee cannot otherwyse lyue one with another, than by dooing some duetie as of subiection. And forasmuch as that mislyketh vsus, bycause eueryevery of vsus coueteth too bee aboue his fellowes, and wee set so much store by that loftinesse, that it is hard for vsus too stoope: wee hauehave seene also that if wee feare God, wee must not thinke it straunge, that wee should submit our selues too our neyghbours, for God created vsus with that condition. Yee see then in generall, that charitie doth so bynd vsus one too another, that we ought not too disedeyne this man, nor too loth that man, or too count the third man vnworthie to hauehave any seruice done vntounto him. For as in respect of God, wee must eyther bow downe our necke, or else our stubbornnesse wil turne too our decay. And now Saint Paule passeth further, and sheweth that there are certein degrees among men. For although the foresayd rule doo stand generally: that is too wit, that eueryevery of vsus must indeuer too performe his duetie: yit notwithstanding, there is also a greater subiection particularly of the sonne too the father, of the wyfe too hir husband, and of vnderlings too their superiours, than there is indifferently among al men. I hauehave told you ere this, that there is a brotherood euen betweene the furthest straungers on the earth, bycause they bee all of one common nature, and eueryevery man must needes acknowledge himself indetted too other. Howbeeit when God hath knit folkes togither in a streyter and holyer band: eueryevery man must looke neerlyer to himself. For when a wyfe is matched too hir husband, shee is giuen him for a help, and shee is a part of his bodie. Also there is a speciall subiection, so that although the husband bee superiour in authoritie: yit is that no let but that he also is bound too his wyfe: for shee is his companion both too lyue and dye with him. Lykewyse is it with children towardes their fathers, and with fathers towardes their children, eche one in his behalfe and calling: as subiects towardes theyr princes and superiors, and seruantes towardes their maysters. Yee se then that the thing which we hauehave to treate of as now, is, that we must generally liue in charitie one with another, indeuering too discharge the duetie that God byndes vsus too, according too our abilitie: and therewithal, not de…pyze the order that God hath set among vsus, but rather bee prouoked so much the more too doo our duetie, knowing that if wee refuze that condition, wee make warre ageinst God.
And now let vsus come too mariage: which is not a thing ordeyned by men. Wee knowe that God is the author of it, and that it is solemnized in his name, and the Scripture sayeth, it is a holy couenant, and therefore dooth it call it diuine. Now then, if a wyfe bee stubborne and froward, and cannot fynd in hir hart too beare the yoke: although shee doo wrong too hir husband, yit dooth shee more wrong too God. And why? For it is his will that that bond should bee inuiolable: and behold, a mortall creature will needes breake it, and plucke it asunder. Wee see then that in so doing, shee bendeth hirselfe ageinst God. On the other syde, when the man will needes rule after his owne lyking and fancie, and despyze his wyfe, or vsus… hir cruelly and tyrantly: he sheweth himselfe too despyze God, and too defye him openly. For he ought too knowe too what end he was created, what the state of wedlocke is, and what lawe God hath set in it. The thing therefore which Saint Paule calleth vsus vntoo, is that in all states wee should hauehave regard of God. For so long as our eyes rest vppon them with whom wee bee conuersant, surely wee shall alwayes fynd excuces ynow & too many, to exempt our selues from all lawe. The husband may alledge, I hauehave a spytfull and stubborne wyfe: or else shee is proud, and coy▪ or hath a wicked head of hir owne: or else is talkatiue. Agein, another perhappes is a drunkard, another an ydle huzwyfe, & another of some other leaud disposition. To be short, there is not that man which may not hauehave some colour, if hee keepe not the faythfulnesse and honestie of mariage, as becommeth him. The wyfe also for hir part shal not bee vnprouyded. For now and then hir husband may hap too bee testie and riottous, and too hauehave small regard wheretoo God hath called them. Some are ill husbandes and hunters of Tauernes (and ale houses:) or else playe the vnthriftes in gaming and lyght behaueour. Some are whoremongers, some gluttons, and some drunkardes. And so eueryevery woman myght pretende some excuce too exempt hirself from hir dewtie. But when wee come too God, wee must bee fayne too cast our heades in our bozom, for it will not boote vsus too stand checking ageinst him. Although the men misbehaue themselues on the one syde, and the women on the other▪ yit wil not God hauehave the mariage to be brokē or dissolued therby, sauing the diuorce (I meane) which our Lord Iesus declareth. But the (other) vyces that are in a husband must not impeache the wyues subiection & obedience vntounto him. Agein, though the wyfe bee not found to bee as shee ought too bee, yit may not the husband shake hir of, and rid his handes of hir, what shift soeuer he alledge: but Gods ordinance must alwayes stand firme, and the bond which wee hauehave by his woord, must be inuiolable. This is the thing that wee hauehave too remember vppon that sentence.
The world seeth how ill this lesson is put in vre: but wee must consider, that the roote of the mischeef is, that in mariage fewe or none hauehave an eye vntoo God. In deede Gods name shall runne roundly ynough, and euen the wickeddest could fynd in their harts that he should blisse them & make them to prosper: but that in their marying they put themselues intoo his hand and guyding, and call vppon him vnfeynedly: that is no poynt of their meaning. Some seeke welth and gayne, and othersome pleasure and voluptuousnesse. In lyke cace is it with the women. And no maruell though the ende bee out of all order, when the beginning was so out of square. For God must needs bee reuenged on his part, when he is so lyghtly esteemed and despyzed. Therfore let vsus learne too mark well this lesson of Saint Paules, that lyke as mariage was ordeyned of God: so they that are too enter intoo it, must betake themselues wholy vntoo him, and make him their refuge, knowing that it is he which byndeth the man and the wyfe the one too the other, and which knitteth them toogither, and therfore that eyther of them looke too their owne dewtie.
Wheras he sayeth concerning wyues, that they owe subiection too their husbands: wee hauehave too mark, that this subiection is dubble. For man was alredie the head of the woman euen before the sin and fall of Eue and Adam.3. Tim. 2. d. 13. And Saint Paule alledging the same reason, too shew that it is not meete that the wyfe should reigne in equall degree with hir husband, sayth, that the man came not of the woman, but the woman of the man, and that shee is but a peece of his body. For God could hauehave created Eue of the earth as well as he did Adam, but hee would not. Nay rather he matched the man and the woman toogither with such condition, that the man knowing his wyfe too bee as his owne substance and flesh, should bee induced therby too louelove hir, (as wee shall see agein heereafter:) and that the wyfe knowing hir…elf too hauehave none other being but of the man, should beare hir subiection paciently, and with a willing mynd. For if the hand being a member of the bodye, shoulde refuze too stande in his owne place, and woulde needes settle itselfe vppon the crowne of the head: what a thing were it: So then if wee looke backe too the creation of man and woman: the husbande on his syde o…ght too bee induced too louelove and cherishe his wyfe as him selfe: and the wyfe seeing shee was taken out of the substance of the man, ought too submit hir selfe quietly vntoo him, as too hir head.
But there is also another bond,Gene. …. a. 6. & 1. Tim. … ▪ d. 14. which dubbleth still the subiection of the wyfe: for wee knowe that shee was beguyled. Women therfore must remember, that in being subiect too their husbands, they receyue the hyre of Eues sin: and they must consider, that if mariage had continued sound and vncorrupt, there had bin nothing but ioy both for man and wyfe. For knowe that things were blissed of God, and there was not any thing which shoulde not hauehave turned too gladnesse and felicitie. But now although Gods blissings shyne foorth eueryevery where bothe aboue and beneathe: yit are there alwayes tokens of cursing imprinted in them, so as wee cannot behold nother heauen nor earth, nor any other creature, but wee may partly perceyue that God is become a straunger too vsus, bycause our father Adam fell from that noble and excellent state, wheruntoo he was created afore. This is too bee seene eueryevery where in all things, and specially in mariage. For women ought too feele the frute of their sinnes: and men feele ynough of it for their parte. For surely if Eue and Adam had continued in the ryghtuousnesse that God had giuen them, the whole state of this earthly lyfe had bin as a Paradise, and mariage had bin so beautifyed, that man and wyfe being matched toogither, should hauehave liued in such accord, as wee see the Angels of heauen doo, among whom there is nothing but peace & brotherly louelove, and euē so had it bin (with vsus.) Therfore as now when a man hath a curst and shreud wyfe, whom he cannot weeld by any meanes: he must consider with him self, Lo heere the frutes of original sin, and of the corruption that is in my self. And the wyfe also on hir side must think, good reason it is that I should receyue the payment that commeth of my disobedience towards God, for that I hild not my self in his awe. Thus much concerning the woord subiection, which is set downe heere.
Now Saint Paule in saying, As too the Lord, meaneth not too make men equall with God, or with our Lord Iesus Christ: for that were too greate an ouersyght: but he sheweth that the feare and reuerence which a woman ought too beare vntoo God, and the subiection which shee oweth too hir husband, are twoo things that cannot bee put asunder: lyke as when he exhorted vsus erst too link toogither in mutuall subiection:Ephe. 5. d. 21. he added this saying, in the feare of God. And why? For if wee pretend too honour God, and to obey him, and in the meane whyle reiect and despyze our neyghbours, so as eueryevery of vsus is wedded too him self, and will needs be exempted from all lawe and rule: it is too grosse hipocrisie. Also if a wyfe pretend neuer so great deuotion, and seeme too bee throughly seasoned with the feare of God, and in the meane whyle bee a feend, so as there is nothing but scolding and brauling, and wrangling, and such other thinges with hir at home in hir owne house: therin shee shewes hir selfe not too hauehave one sparke of the feare of God, forasmuch as shee dooth so holde scorne of hir husband who is hir head, and as it were Gods lieftenant in that behalf. Therfore let vsus marke that Saint Paule hath not set downe this similitude too match husbandes (who are mortall creatures, yea & very woormes of the earth) in equall degree with Iesus Christ: but too shewe breefly, that forasmuch as our Lord Iesus hath authoritie ouer mariage, men must hauehave an eye vntoo him, and eueryevery person submit himselfe paciently, bycause no man can refuze his part, without despizing of him which wyll hauehave wedlocke maynteyned with mutuall dewtie, so as the man louelove his wyfe, and the wyfe be subiect too hir husband. That is the pith of the matter which wee hauehave too remember vppon this streyne.
Now then let wyues looke well too their dewties, and vnderstand that when they contend with their husbandes, it is all one as if they would reiect God▪ bycause he hath not created them otherwyse than with condition, and too the end they should bee subiect too their husbandes. Trew it is that they will bee soo proud and stately, as to say, Should my husband hauehave my head vnderunder his girdle? Yea, but the wyfe that dooth so, sheweth that shee is loth that God should hauehave any authoritie ouer hir, and would fayne put Gods Lawe vnderunder hir foote. Howbeeit, forasmuch as there is none other shift but women must needes stoope, and vnderstand that the ruine and confuzion of all mankynd came in on their syde, and that through them wee bee all forlorne, and accu…sed, and banished the kingdome of heauen: when women (say I) doo vnderstand that all this came of Eue and of the womankynd, (as Saint Paul telleth vsus in another place:) there is none other way for them but too stoope,1. Tim. … ▪ d. 14. and too beare paciently the subiection that God hath layd vppon them, which is nothing else but a warning too them too keepe themselues lowely and myld. But if they lyft vp themselues ageinst their husbandes, and cannot fynd in theyr hartes too bee ruled by them: it is as it were a setting of their seales too the sinne of Adam and Eue, and too the disobedience by them committed, too declare that they be not willing that God should heale that wound agein, notwithstanding that it bee deadly. Now, when they doo so make warre ageinst the grace of God: what can come of it but vtter confuzion? But the wyues that are leaud headed, will not think of that: but yit is it registred before God, and they must bee fayne too yeeld an account of it too their vtter confuzion. And therefore let vsus looke that wee keepe this warning better, too the end that eueryevery man may glorify God in his owne house.
Also let the husbandes thinke vppon their duety. For although (to speake properly) they be not subiect to their wyues, bycause their wyues hauehave no authoritie ouer them: yit are they aduaunced too that honor of superioritie with certeyne conditions: namely that they should not bee cruell towardes their wyues, nor thinke all things graunted and lawfull which they lift, but that their authority should rather bee a companionship than a kingship. For doubtlesse the husband in not his wyues head, too oppresse hir, or too make none account of hir: but let him vnderstand, that the authority which he hath, dooth bynd him so much the more too hir. For seeing he is the head, he ought too hauehave discretion and skill how too guyde his wyfe and his houshold. And what is the way too bring that too passe, but too vse gentlenesse and myldnesse, and too beare discreetly with the frayltie which he knoweth too bee in his wyfe,1. Pet. 3. b. 7. according as Saint Peter exhorteth vsus. Yee see then that husbandes must so requyre obedience at their wyues handes, as they themselues must therwithall doo their owne duetie, and consider that they shall not bee borne with before God, if they giuegive their wyues cause too lifte vp themselues so ageinst them. For it is certein that if the husband deale discretly and vpryghtly, the wyfe shall stoope too him, and our Lord will so dispoze hir hart, as the house shal bee quietly guyded. But the first and cheefe poynt is, that God bee called vppon. For though a man vse all the meanes that can bee, yit if he trust to his owne wit, he shall but loose his tyme. And why? Bycause God will laugh his presumption too scorne. But if husbandes consider that God holdeth folkes hartes in his hand, and boweth them as he listeth, and thereuppon doo pray him too giuegive them grace and power too win their wyues, that they may agree with them, and humble themselues too them: them shall they perceyue that God woorketh in that behalfe. But most commonly it is to be seene, that men deale roughly with their wyues, and thinke too win them by playing the termagauntes, so as they sticke not too brooze their bodies, yea somtymes that the blud followes. These are hangmen and tormentors that will so martir their wyues: asd yit notwithstanding they will alledge the superioritie that God hath giuen them. That superioritye is not diuelish, nother serueth it too make men lyke brute beastes: but too maynteyne good order and gouernment.
But the women on their syde doo for the most part inharden themselues: and when rhey are too marrie, they neuer thinke vppon the things that God sheweth and teacheth them by his woord: hardly shal a man fynd one among a hundred, that prayeth vntoo God when shee is vppon the poynt of mariage. No boubt but they heare it well ynough sayd, that the husband must be the head: and (they themselues will say,) very well: it is true, that if I hauehave a husband, he must bee aboue mee, for so is the fashyon of the world, and I must abyde it. But in the meane whyle there shalbee such ouerweening, or rather diuelish stoutnesse in them, as they could fynd in their hartes too plucke God out of his seate, and they would fayne that this matter which wee reade now, were razed out (of the Scripture,) too the intent they myght not bee subiect too it. Yea and they make a confederacie among themselues in that cace, saying: tush, I warrant thee, I will hold myne owne, and if my husband play the Churle with mee, he shall well perceyue that I passe not for it, and I will hold him at a bay so long, that when he sees he doth but looze his labour, he shalbe fayne to giuegive ouer his game, and too let mee alone. After this manner (say I) doo women begin too enter intoo huswyfrye, so as a man shal scar…ly fynd one among a hundred, which is not of that mynd, and dooth not fully determine vppon it.
Also the husband on his syde thinks thus: Tush, let mee alone, I will compasse hir well ynough. As who should say, he were God: who hath told vsus that there is another maner of discretion too bee vsed in this behalf. For the way for men too win their wyues, is not too step too them with stoutnesse, and too play the bedlems with them, or too vse tyranny ouer them: none of that geere will boote: and yit men thinke themselues so wyse in their owne conceyt, that they shall scare their wyues with a grim looke. Too bee short, they dispute of the matter, & in the meane whyle rob God, as though he had reserued nothing to him self, wherby to teach vsus to repayre vntounto him, to pray him to meeken their harts, and to bow them to obedience and myldnesse.
Therfore it behoueth vsus to remember the lesson so much the better, which is shewed vsus heere. And for the same cause dooth Saint Paule apply the similitude of our Lord Iesus Christ, as well too the one side as too the other. For he telleth the women that it is for their benefyte too bee so subiect too their Husbands. And why? Let vsus consider the spirituall state of the Churche. How miserable were our state if wee were separated from our Lord Iesus Christ? For we should be bereft of all hope of lyfe, and of all Gods benefyts. And although wee inioyed many gifts in this world: yit should they turne all too our displeasure, if wee were not members of our Lord Iesus Christ. Too bee short, without the sonne of God, there is nothing but scattering heere beneathe. For he was sent too gather toogither all things that were scattered afore, insomuch that all our happinesse, ioy, and rest, is too hauehave Iesus Christ reigning ouer vsus and ruling vsus. Now then, there must be an answerablenesse hereunto in mariage, and the women must vnderstand, that forasmuch as wedlock is as an image of the spirituall vniō, which is betwene vsus & the sonne of God: it is for their benefyte to be vnderunder their husbands, & to yeeld thē obedience, & that it shalbe much more for their profit, than if they were at libertie too gouerne themselues, and too doo what they li…t, without brydling or controlment. Trew it is that they cannot conceiue it, but who shalbe found wyzer in the end? God, or Women? If they will needs reply, that it were better for them too bee in no subiection at all too their husbands, wheras God for all that hath ordeyned otherwyse, yea euen for their welfare, and hath declared and giuen sentence that it is so: weene they too get the vpper hand in pleading so ageinst God? Yee see then that Iesus Christ is set downe as the sauyour of the bodie, too the end that wyues should knowe, that God hath preuyded better for their necessities, than they bee aware of. When they hauehave well chawed their cud, and debated what they can with themselues, and gathered all the reasons that are possible too bee had: yit is it certein that they knowe not so well what is for their owne profit, as God dooth, who hath put them in subiection too their husbands, yea euen for their owne welfare, too the intent they should bee maynteyned, which otherwyse could not bee.
Agein on the other syde, Saint Paule alledgeth our Lord Iesus Christ too the Husbands also, too the intent they should not abuse the authority that is graunted them, nor breake the frendship which ought too bee maynteyned in wedlocke, by being ouer churlish as they are woont too bee. And the thing that he setteth them downe in our Lord Iesus Christ, by demaunding how he hath loued his Churche: is first and formest that he hath giuen him self for it, and that he spared not himself when he tooke mans flesh vponupon him. In deede al power and dominion were giuen vntounto him, so as all knees must needs bowe before him,Phil. 2. b. 10. (as Saint Paule him self sayeth) and all of vsus both greate and small must doo him homage: but yit notwithstanding, what hath hee doone for his Churche? Listed he too reigne in such sort as too exercyze tyrannie ouer vsus? No: but contrarily he humbled him self, and wheras he had souerein dominion ouer the Angels of heauen, he became subiect too the Law,Gala. 4. a. 4. and was called a Seruant, yea and he was vtterly emptyed for our sakes. Now when wee see that God beareth vsus so inestimable louelove in our Lord Iesus Christ,Phil. 2. a. 7. that he hath put himselfe in the person of a husband, and voutsafed that wee should bee as a wyfe vntoo him: I say, when wee see that, should we now which are but woormes of the earth and a thing of nothing, refuze too follow the example of the sonne of God, who had no regard of his heauenly glory and maiestie, too the end too abace himselfe in such wyse for our sakes? So then, it is ynough too meeken the hartes both of the one partie and of the other, if there be not too beastly leaudnesse, or rather stark diuelishnesse as wel in the husbands as in the wyues. For considering that our Lord Iesus Christ dyd so abace himselfe, for the louelove that he bare vntounto vsus which are but carions and nothing woorth: and also hath told vsus that there is nothing better, than for the wyues too bee subiect too their husbandes, and the husbandes too beare with their wyues: if that moue them not, it is a signe that they bee too beastly hygh mynded, or rather that there is nother wit nor reason in them. For were there but one drop, surely the thing that Saint Paul telleth vsus, ought too make vsus amend all things, that myght hinder the doing of our dewties, as well on the one syde as on the other. And were this well regarded: doubtlesse men shoulde see much more quietnesse in their houses then they doo: and man and wyfe should not bee as Cattes and Dogges in snatching and byting one at another. But the very mischeefe is, that a man can see no feare of God among them. For ought not men too call too mynd both euening and morning, the grace that is shewed vntoo vsus by the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ? And when all toogither had well thought on it, and set their myndes too it, the maryed men ought also too thinke (particularly) with themselues, to what end hath God shewed himselfe so louing, so kynd, and so pitifull towardes mee? Seeyng he hath aduaunced mee too such dignitie, it is good reason that I should fashion my selfe lyke vntoo him. Now he will hauehave mee too behaue my selfe towardes my wyfe, as Iesus Christ hath behaued himselfe towardes mee. Is not this ynough too breake the hartes that were as hard as stone, yea or as steele? Yis surely. Likewise if the women on their syde were myndfull of their redemption and saluation: then should their hard hartes needes bee softened, and they would not harden themsel…es any more too such stubbornnesse, as they doo, but they would submit themselues too the yoke of our Lord Iesus Christ, that they myght bee parttakers of the benefyte which he hath purchaced for them by his death and passion. Wee see then that when the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ is preached too vsus indifferently: most men gayne nothing by it, for they forsake it in all their lyfe.
And by the way wee hauehave too marke further, that although husbandes bee froward, and wyues vntoward too bee ruled, yea and vtterly vncorrigible: yit is that no release too them, that eyther of them both should not doo their duetie. As for example: It may bee, that if a husband had a gentle and tractable wyfe (as I touched afore,) he on his syde could beare with hir, and there should bee a maruelous good lyking and lyfe betwixt them. But peraduenture one man will say, he hath a drunkard or a glutton, another, that his wyfe is giuen too garishnesse and ouer much brauery, so as all that shee can rap and rend, is too little too trim hir and decke hir withall: and another, that his wyfe is an ydle huzwyfe, and will doo nothing. Well, these things may hauehave some colour before men: yea and (as I sayd afore) if the matter concerned but the parties themselues: eueryevery of them myght hauehave their defence at hand, to cast of all yoke. But the husband must thinke in that cace, I hauehave an ill dispozed woman, or a sot, or one that hath nother manners nor good behaueour, nor any care at all of hir houshold: but how doo I also behaue my selfe, not only in these worldly affayres, but also towardes God? Now when the husband shall hauehave bethought himselfe well, and examined his owne faultes throughly: he will hold his peace, & paciently beare with his wyfes faultes, vntyll God giuegive her the grace too amend them. And in the meane whyle, howsoeuer the world go, let him not ceasse too play the good husband in applying himselfe too his wyfe, too win hir vntoo God. For he is not set in degree of superioritie, but for the benefyte and welfare of his yoke fellowe. And forasmuch as it is an inuiolable law, the same reason also must perswade the women. Insomuch that if a woman hauehave a drunkard, or haunter of Tauernes and Tippling houses, or a Gamester, or a Spendall, or an vnthrift and a ryotter, or a Churle that is neuer in quyet with her, so that, do what shee can too obey him and to please him, shee can neuer hauehave any peace or good wyll at his hand: let hir consider, Alas, it is Gods squoorge vppon mee, for I hauehave not bin as I ought too bee in obeying my God, and in submitting my selfe to his wyll. For how hauehave I applyed my selfe too serue and honour him? How hauehave I quitte my selfe of the charge that he hath committed too mee? Let the wyfe thinke vppon those things, and then let hir conclude, that howsoeuer shee fare, yit is it not for mortall creatures too breake the bond wherin God will hauehave vsus bound: for that were a stryuing ageinst him. And therfore must I submit my selfe too him that is my head: and although he bee terrible, yit becommeth it mee too bee subiect too my God, who hath my husbandes hart in his hand, and can alter it when he listeth. And I must not prouoke him too win mee with strokes of the Cudgell: for in so dooyng God would bee discontented both with him and mee. So then the faultes of the wyfe cannot discharge the husband from keeping the lawe vnbroken which God hath ordeyned, that is too wit, from lyuing toogither both in one accord. Lykewise the vyces of the husband, shall no… excuze the wyfe from yeelding subiection & obedience in all things on Gods behalfe, as is sayd of it heere.
Now Saint Paule too confirme this exhortation the better, declareth how our Lord Iesus Christ is the Sauyour of the body: namely bycause he gaue himselfe for the Church, too Sanctifie it, (or to make it holy.) In deede the whole doctrine hereof cannot bee dispatched as now. Yit notwi…hstanding wee hauehave too marke …, that heere S. Paule sheweth more at large the thing that he had … in one woord afore: which is, that both the husband and wyfe may brydle their wicked affections, and that when they bee tempted too go …, or too fall out one with another, the very meane too … all wicked passions, is too hauehave an eye too the pledge of the spirituall vnion betweene our Lord Iesus Christ and vsus, whereof wee will speake more fully hereafter. For heere first of all it is sayd, that we must consider that our Lord Iesus Christ gaue himselfe for vsus, wherein he beginneth at our redemption. And therefore wee must marke that word for an end as yit, tarying tyll after dinner for the dispatch of the rest: for vnderunder that woord it is shewed vsus first, that our Lord Iesus Christ was (after a sort) myndlesse of himselfe, and regarded not his owne person, when he went about our saluation. Trew it is that he was giuen vsus of God,Iohn. 3. b. 16. who (as it is sayd in the third of Saint Iohn) dyd louelove the world so well, that he spared not his onelyonly sonne, but gaue him too the death for our sakes. Yit notwithstanding, our Lord Iesus Christ also did gyue himself.Iohn. 1…. d. 18. No man taketh my lyfe from mee (sayth he) but I lay it downe. For it was requisite that the sacrifyzce which he offered for the remission of our sinnes, should bee willing. Yee see then, that Iesus Christ gaue himselfe too the death: and if wee de…aund the cause, surely it was first too fulfill the will and euerlasting dete…ination of God his father. Neuerthelesse lyke as God the father inte… ded the saluation of mankynd: so Iesus Christ shewed how deere wee were too him, and how precious our soules are in his syght, sith he voutsafed too giuegive himselfe after that fashyon. Now then, on the one syde the husbandes must consider well heere what they owe too their wyues: that is too wit, that they should bee as …eere too them as their owne lyues at the least. (And though they doo so,) yit shall they not come too the perfection of our Lord Iesus Christ, but followe him a great way behynde. And the wyues also on their syde, must beare well in mynd, that forasmuch as it is Gods …ill that … wedlocke there should bee as it were a figure of the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ: they bee too farre …, if they submit not themselues where God calleth them too it. And by the way let vsus knowe also, that Saint Paule ment too magnify Gods goodnesse towardes vsus, and the louelove that Iesus Christ beareth vsus, in saying that h… gaue himself for vsus. And therefore let vsus acknowledge that it came of the free merciemercy of God his father, and also that our Lord Iesus Christ respected nothing but our miseries, when he shewed himselfe so pitifull too succour vsus. If wee mynd these things, on the one syde wee shal bee moued too our dewtie without geynsaying, and on the othersyde inflamed too glorify our God, and acknowledge both with our mouthes and also by our whole lyfe, how much wee bee beholden too him, seeyng he hath powred out the treasures of his mercy vppon vsus, in so much that he hath not onelyonly discharged vsus of the condemnation wherin we were, and drawen vsus out of death: but also hath voutsafed too giuegive vsus his welbeeloued sonne for a pledge of his louelove, and Iesus Christ hath taken vppon him the office too bee the borrowe and raunsome for vsus, too the end too set vsus cleere before God, that the diuel also myght not hauehave any more ageinst vsus, notwithstanding that he bee our aduersary, & we bee subiect vntounto him, tyll we be set free from that bondage by meanes of the sayd Redeemer.
Now let vsus fall downe before the Maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our faultes, praying him to make vsus so to knowe them, as wee may aske him forgiuenesse of them, and reforme our selues more and more by amending them, and so profit in the doctrine of saluation, as our lyfe may alwayes bee fashyoned after his law, according to the meazure of the grace which wee hauehave receyued of him. And so let vsus all say, Almyghtye God heauenlye father &c.