Page:The Arraignment of Lewd, Idle, Froward, and Unconstant Women (1622).djvu/58

 tree of good and euill, yet for all that, Adam notwithſtanding to gratifie his wines kindneſſe, and for loue he bare her, refuſed not to hazard his life by breach of that commandement.

But becauſe in all things there is a contrary, which ſheweth the difference betwixt the good and the bad, euen ſo both of men and women there are contrary ſorts of behauiour: if in thy choyſe thou happen on a good wife, deſire not to change, for there is a prouerbe ſaith, Seldome commeth a better. And there is none poorer then thoſe that haue had many wiues. Thou maiſt beare a good affection towards thy wife, and yet not let her know it: thou mayeſt loue her well, and yet nor carry her on thy backe: a man may loue his houſe well, and yet not ride on the ridge. Loue thy wife, and ſpeake her faire; although thou doe but flatter her; for women loue to be accounted beautifull, and to be miſtreſſes of many maides, and to liue without controlement, and kinde words as much pleaſe a woman as any other thing whatſoeuer: and a mans chiefeſt deſire ſhould be firſt the grace of God, a quiet life, and an honeſt wife, a good report, and a friend in ſtore; and then what need a man to aske any more?

Saint Paul ſaith, thoſe that marry doe well, but hee alſo ſaith, thoſe which marry not doe better; but yet alſo he ſaith, that it is better to marry then to burne in luſt. A merry companion being asked by his friend, why hee did not marry, he made this anſwere, and ſayd; That hee had beene in Bedlam two or three times, and yet hee was neuer ſo mad to marry: and yet there is no ioy nor pleaſure in the world which may bee compared to marriage, ſo the parties are of neere equal yeeres, and of good