Christian and conjugal counsell, or, Christian counsell, applyed unto the maried estate by Will. Thomas ...

To the CHRISTIAN READER.

THese Meditati∣ons (Good Rea∣der) were long since conceived and imparted for the use of one entr•• into the Maried state▪

and comming afterward into more hands, the printing of them hath been long since desired, which (the World being full of Books, and my self of Weakness) I di∣verted, and ••••ve hither∣to deser'd.

Yet fearing lest being fixed among 〈◊〉〈◊〉 few in a private place, I should be wanting to more▪ and ••onsidering that what I have here written is so

little, as that it is not like to be tedious; and of such a subject as tou∣cheth upon the substance of Godliness, and so may be some way profitable, I have, at length, adven∣red to let it see the light.

And that the rather, because I would have this imprinted in the harts of Christians, that Re∣ligion is much seen in Relations; Hence the Apostles proceeding in

their Epistles from mat∣ters of doctrine to pre∣scripts of practise, do therein descend, and di∣sperse their directions into several Callings and Conditions, as of Ma∣gistrates and Subjects, Ministers and People, Husband and Wife, Pa∣rents and Children, Ma∣sters and Servants; Many of which are conteined and concern∣ed in the Maried estate:

Even Nature and Rea∣son make Offices and So∣cietie-services the tryal of Vertue, * 1.1 it being an easie matter to creep into a Cell, and under a pre∣tence * 1.2 of Devotion to serve and satisfie Self∣will: but to appear in the sight of the Sun, and to appear approved when there are many quick∣sighted, and some se∣vere observers; this will find work enough for the

greatest grace where it is, and too much for the best nature where it is not.

This difficulty, and the excellency of walking with approbation in the works and offices belong∣ing to all and every one, in their particular place and calling, I am the more willing to note, be∣cause I have heard divers Godly persons complain, that having had in the Single estate much liber∣ty

for sweet and Soul∣refreshing conversings with God, being after∣wards maried, and ha∣ving a Family to look to, they have been so forced from them, as to find a great losse in their ac∣quaintance with God, in regard of that frequent enlarged and un-inter∣rupted communion with him which they formerly enjoyed. But let not such who would fain be

communing with God b 1.3 if they could, and at Je∣sus feet c 1.4 if they might, droop or be disconsolate, much lesse dismayed, for now (being entred in∣to society) they come to make use of that habit, and those helps of holy∣ness, which they got and laid up in the single estate; And this may be a Rule, that the Use of all preparatory exerci∣ses and assistances is bet∣ter

than the Using of them: They therefore that shew forth the pow∣er of their former religi∣ous performances, do not lose, but make a gainfull exchange, They do but come from the exercises of Religion, to the exer∣cise, which is the end, ornament, perfection, and complement of all Exercises.

Its true as the Apostle saith, He that is Un∣maried

careth for the things belonging to the Lord, how he may please the Lord, that is, having not other things to care for, he is more free for it; He doth not say that every one that is maried taketh that care, or that if a man be once maried, he taketh it not, but onely that the Un-maried have an advantage, and may do it more and more easi∣ly

Again, He that is ma∣ried careth for the things that are of the World, how he may please his wife, a 1.5 but then this is to be no∣ted that he performs a good office in it, his Care is not his Sin but his Duty; and every Duty hath its comfort and reward; Yea that care and sorrow which women are called to in the Mari∣ed estate, hath this com∣fort assured to it, that

(their continuance in Faith, Charity, Holy∣nesse and Sobriety being supposed) they shall be saved in Childe-bear∣ing, b 1.6 that is, the con∣scientious and patient performance of the of∣fices, and undergoing the afflictions of Child-bear∣ing women, is their pro∣per way to Heaven; for that's the work which God hath committed to them to do, c 1.7 and the

thing wherein the reality of their Religion is to discover it self.

Yet here there is need to annex a Caution, to wit, that though the ex∣ternal duties of religion be lessened by mariage (I mean to some, for divers that had lesse li∣berty before mariage have more by it,) I say, though religious duties be lessened by mariage, yet they must not be left;

Christians, whether ma∣ried or unmaried must still acquaint their hearts with wise∣dom,d 1.8 and be provi∣dent to preserve their Fellowship with God; They that can be content with an Husband, with a Wife and Children (and all Worldly accom∣modations) without God, never knew what it was to enjoy God. Nay ra∣ther, They that have

Wives must be as if they had none,e 1.9 that is, in regard of their readinesse for the service of God. A Husband must not say, I have maried a Wife, and therefore I cannot come,f 1.10 Nor the Wife, I have a Husband, there∣fore God cannot have me; but though they be not able to take (as some un∣maried may) every op∣portunity, yet they must

not neglect those they may take, nor make themselves lyable to that most sad Charge of ma∣king lightg 1.11 of Gods Ordinances and gracious invitations.

But the Gate growes wide for so little an House (although it may be reckoned a part of the House, I shall hasten therefore; If any re∣quire why I publish this at this time, it might be

enough for me so aged) to answer, Because every man should do what good he can while he hath time; yet something more may be said in regard of the present time, wherein the great God (whose Works are like Himself) by rare providences, I say, rare and admirable providences, both because so high and so dry, hath in such sort altered and bettered the state of

things amongst us, that our rightfull, gracious and accomplished King is returned unto us, which, if our high sins, our broad and spreading prophaness, and deep secu∣rity do not hinder, promi∣seth unto us an happy Settlement. Now, as times of trouble and per∣secution detain and deter from mariage, so times of peace (albeit mariage should have some further

and greater reason than National rest) I say, times of peace and esta∣blishment, give encou∣ragement to it, and con∣sequently make these and the like Scripture-dire∣ctions seasonable for the rendring of it more holy, and thereby more hap∣py.

And to say all, though this advice reflect on the maried estate, yet it is not so appropriated to it,

but that there is use of it, as there is of that godly∣ness and regular Walk∣ing, that it perswades unto, in every estate: It is Christian as well as Conjugal counsell, and though it be composed for, and contrived into the maried condition, yet (that estate being so com∣prehensive) much of it may serve indifferently for Christians in every Condition.

Desiring thy prayers (Christian Reader) that the Author of the Coun∣sell (or rather the weak Instrument) may be Himself the Observer; I rest,

Thy Servant for Jesus sake, William Thomas.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Magi∣stratus Virum indicat
• * 1.2

  He that will prove his yoke of Oxen proves them best by putting them into the yoke, Luk. 14. 19▪ with 2 Cor. 6. 14.
• b 1.3

  Gen. ••8. 33.
• c 1.4

  Luk. 10. 39.
• a 1.5

  1 Cor. 7. 32, 33, 34.
• b 1.6

  1 Tim, 2. 15.
• c 1.7

  Mark 13, ••4.
• d 1.8

  Eccles. 2. 2.
• e 1.9

  1 Cor. ••. 29.
• f 1.10

  Luke 14. 20.
• g 1.11

  Mat. 22. 5.