Page:Wedding-ring, fit for the finger, or, The salve of divinity on the sore of humanity (2).pdf/17

 ſhe a drudge. A man in a married eſtate, is like a chamberlain in an inn, there is knocking for him in every room. Many perſons in this condition, waſte that eſtate in luxury, which ſhould ſupply their wife's neceſſity:—— they have neither the faith of a Chriſtian, nor the love of a huſband! It is a ſad ſpectacle to ſee a virgin ſold with her own money unto ſlavery when ſervices are better than marriages; the one receives wages, whilſt the others buy their fetters.

3. In his covering of her infirmities. Who would trample upon a jewel becauſe it is fallen in the dirt? or throw away a heap of wheat for a little chaff? or deſpiſe a golden wedge, becauſe it retains ſome droſs? Theſe roſes have ſome prickles. Now, huſbands ſhould ſpread a mantle of charity over their wives' infirmities. They be ill birds that defile their own neſts. It is a great deal better you ſhould faſt, than feaſt yourſelves upon their failings. Some huſbands are never well, but when they are holding their fingers in their wife's ſores. Such are like crows that faſten only upon carrion. Do not put out the candle becauſe of the ſnuff. Huſbands and wives ſhould provoke one another to love; and they ſhould love one-another notwithſtanding of provocation.—Take heed of poiſoning thoſe ſprings from whence the ſtreams of your pleaſure flow.

4. By his delighting in her ſociety. A wife takes ſanctuary not only in her huſband's houſe, but in his heart. The tree of love ſhould grow up in the family, as the tree of life grew up