Love and Fear the Inseparable Twins of a Blessed Matrimony, Title page – Dedication 2
LOVE and FEAR The inseparable Twins OF A BLEST MATRIMONY.
Characterized in a SERMON Occasioned by the late Nuptialls between Mr William Christmas and Mrs Elizabeth Adams.
Preached in St. Dionis Backe-Church by NATHANAEL HARDY, Mr of Arts and Preacher to that Parish.
COLLOS. 3. 18, 19.
Wives submit your selves to your own Husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands love your Wives, and be not bitter unto them.
foreign. Chrysost. Hom. 20. in Ephes.
Quoniam una natura in viro & faeminâ est, idcirco vir quasi seipsum ita mulierem diligere commonetur; mulier autem quia persona inferior est conditionis causâ non naturae viro subjecta, timere cum jubetur. Ambros. in Ephes.
LONDON, Printed by T. C. for Nathanae Webb and William Grantham, and are to be sold at the Sign of the Black Bear in S. Pauls Church-yard near the little North door. 1658.
To the Generous Mr WILLIAM CHRISTMAS Merchant, and the Vertuous Mrs ELIZABETH CHRISTMAS his Wife, many comfortable dayes and a blessed Eternity.
Worthy Friends,
PArdon me that I joyn you together in one Dedication, since God's ordination, and your mutual affection have made you one. It was your undeserved respect honoured me to be the Instrument of accomplishing your nuptials. It was my Cordial desire of testifying my gratitude, and promoting your welfare, made me so bold as to become your humble remembrancer of those duties, which I doubt not you both knew, and resolved to practice before. Finally it was your unexpected acceptance and approbation of my weak labours put you on requiring, and me by that means on effecting the publication of them.
What hath caused my delay in fulfilling your desire, I suppose you already know: Being now through God's wonderful mercy raised from my sick nay almost dying bed, I have made what hast I could to finish the work.
This plain and home-spun piece, such as it is, I present Sir, to your candid eye, Madam to your fair hands, together with my humble thanks for your noble favours. As the hearing it did affect you, so I hope the reading it will profit you, and not you alone, but others who shall vouchsafe the perusal of it.
And now Courteous Friends, my hearts desire and prayer to God for you is, that you may be ravisht each with others love, that your quiver may be full of those Prov. 5. 19. Psal. 127. 5. 122. 7.harmlesse arrowes, to wit, Children; that peace may be within your walls and plenteousnesse continue in your habitation: Finally that you may live long together in Earth, and for ever in Heaven. I rest,
Yours to be commanded in the Lord, NATH. HARDY.
To the Right Worshipful THOMAS ADAMS, formerly Alderman and Lord Mayor of this Anciently Renowned City of London, saving health, sweet contentment, eternal felicity.
Right worthy Sir,
DId not speaking or writing truth of them that are alive incur a suspition of flattery, had not the beames of your Graces been abundantly resplendent to this whole City from those Orbs of Authority wherein you were justly placed; Finally, were it not that I know how repugnant the publication of your worth is to the humility of your mind, who desire laudanda facere non laudata audire, to doe things praise-worthy, not to hear or read your own praises; an Encomium had been the Proemium of this Dedication.
But though upon these considerations I shall forbear to characterize those eminent vertues, by which you oblige all that know you: yet give me leave (Honoured Mecaenas) to make a publique acknowledgement of those munificent favours by which you have engaged me, since I had the honour and happinesse of enjoying you as a Parishioner; an ingenuous recognition being as the least so the utmost payment that I can return.
In testimony of my Gratitude, and observance of your desire, I here present to your Judicious eye what not long agoe was offered to your Religious ear. What should render this unpolished discourse acceptable to you I cannot conceive, unlesse it be the special Interest you have in the joyful occasion of it; namely the happy marriage of your deservedly beloved Daughter. Indeed matrimoniò prospicere, to provide fit matches for their Children, is the last but not the least care that lieth upon the Parents: well may it be a just cause of singular joy, when a marriage is consummated with the Parents consent and to the Childes content. May your joy be still multiplied in their mutual loves, prosperous estate, and an hopeful progeny descending from their loyns.
And now Worthy Sir, give me leave in few words to tell you what great things the Lord hath done for me. It is not many weeks since by a violent Fever I was brought low, very low, so that my soul drew nigh to the grave: But it hath pleased the powerful mercy, and merciful power of my gracious God to deliver me from going down to the pit, so that my life seeth the light; and (praised be his goodness) I am in some measure restored to health. God hath done his work of mercy, mine of duty remaineth, to be thankful and fruitful. It is no small piece of Christian skill, rightly to improve mercy when conferd; this is my task, which that I may be enabled to perform, I earnestly desire both yours and the servent prayers of all God's people.
I have nothing further to add, but only my prayers for you, which shall never be wanting at the throne of grace, that your days on earth may be lengthened, external enjoyments sanctified, spiritual graces increased, inward comforts enlarged, and your good works at last rewarded with a Crown of glory.
So prayeth your affectionate servant in Christ, NATH. HARDY.