Marriage not to be made for Money onely. [ 1521]
THere was a Rich Man in Athens, which had a daughter to marry, and he asked counsel of Themistocles,* 1.1 how to bestow her, telling him that there was a very honest Man that made suit unto her, but he was poor; And there was a Rich Man, which did also defire her, but he was not Honest; Themistocles an∣swered, that if he were to choose, he would prefer Monilesse Men, before Ma∣sterlesse money;* 1.2 Intimating thereby, that Marriage is not to be contracted for Money onely; yet the question is now, with what money, not with what honesty, the party (whom they seek) is endowed whether they be rich, not whether they be godly; What lands they have on Earth, not what Inheritance they have in Heaven; It is dos not Deus, all's good enough if there be goods enough, it is Money that makes the Match; But let such know, that as their Money wa∣steth, so their love weareth, neither is there any Love or Friendship constant, but that which is grounded on constant causes, such as Vertue and Godlinesse which will hold out to the last.