What and how many are the ends of mariage?
Three, if thou respect the persons themselues: first that they mu∣tually helpe one another both in heauenly and humane things. This God expressed, Let vs make Adam a helper like vnto himselfed 1.1: that humane societie may be familiar and friendly: yet so, as that the hus∣band may appeare to be the wiues head.e 1.2
The second is procreation of children, which may succeed their parents both in name and goods, which end the Lord hath likewise expressed, Increase and multiplyf 1.3.
Thirdly, that it may be a remedie against all wandring lusts, as Paul noteth, For auoiding fornication let euery one haue his owne wife, and euery woman her owne husbandg 1.4.
But if you respect either the church or common wealth, then the end of mariage is that there may be a Seminarie for both Church and common wealth: to which end the Apostle warneth parents to bring vp their children in the discipline and feare of the Lordh 1.5, that so they may become profitable vnto the Church and common wealth. But if you respect God immediatly as the author of mari∣age, then the end therof is the glory of God, that so they may learne to acknowledge, feare and reuerence him who hath ioyned them together: and that they may remember that their mariage is the most sweete image of that secret coniunction which is betweene Christ and his Churchi 1.6, being begunne in this life by faith, loue and obedience, but shall be fully perfected in heauen.