BOAZ AND RVTH BLESSED OR A SACRED CONTRACT HONOVred with a solemne Benediction BY BARTHOLOMEW PARSONS B. of Divinity and Rector of Ludgershall in the County of Wiltes I haue receiued commandement to Blesse and He hath Blessed Num. 23.20 The friend of the Bridegroome which standeth and heareth him reioyceth greatly because of the Bridegroomes voyce Ioh. 3.29 OXFORD Printed by Iohn Lichfield for William Webbe Ann. D. 1633. TO MY MVCH RESPECTED FRIENDS Mr Peregrine Thistlethwaite the yonger Esquire and Mris Dorothy Thistlethwaite his wife GEnerous Sr at the time of your happie Nuptialls when your friends and invited guests filled you with presents of all sorts I amongst the rest had provided such as I haue to giue you even this poore spirituall mite to haue beene cast in amongst your other great gifts had not the lot of that boxe of oyntment powred on our Saviours head in some sort falne vpon it But as little Currents by being stopped rise higher and swell to greater streames so this not finding vent then to runne for that houre is now swolne to that bignesse to become a Torrent and runne some longer time The Presse is now become as the MidWife to deliver this Childe which was then come to the birth had there bin strength to bring forth Yours it was then in the preparation and yours it must be now in the dedication it being at first intended for you could in no good fashion purchase any licence of Alienation to be conveyed from you In it you may see that as stronger blessings then ordinary were powred on the head of Joseph that was separate from his brethren Gen. 49.26 so most powerfull and prevalent blessings are powred on the head of her that was separated from her brethren and fathers house and ioyned to the God of Israell had professed that he should be her God his people her people Ruth 1.16 even of Ruth a Moabitesse who hath the priviledge not onely to be admitted into the Congregation of Gods people Deut. 23.3 * The Hebrew Rabbins say that they haue a tradition of Moses from Mount Sinai that the males of the Ammonites Moabites not the females are forbidden to enter into the Congregation of God Maimony but also the Honour to haue the Saviour of the world come of her according to the flesh and to be named in the line of his Genealogy Mat. 1.5 and of Boaz as godly in life as mighty in wealth Ruth 2. And when such great and good persons blesse such godly persons they are blessed in deed when such faithfull and holy elders sitting in the gate blesse in the name of the LORD such religious and devout Proselites it availeth very much Jam. 5.16 yea they shall be blessed as Jsaacke said of his blessing Iacob Gen. 27.33 How much more then may you both be confident that you shall receiue blessing from the LORD vpon this your coniugall vnion both of names * Peregrine Thistlethwait Dorothy Thistlethwait and houses sith ence Deus est in vtroque parente you are true Israelites on both sides neither of you new Proselites drawne out of Paganisme or Idolatry but may with an holy boasting glory as Paul doth for Timothy 2 Tim. 1. of an vnfained faith that dwelt first in their Grandmothers and Mothers not only so but also in your line and generation on both sides neither is your match like the marrying together of the thistle in Lebanon with the Cedar in Lebanon 2. King 14.9 an vnequall coniunction but like the joyning together of Jsaacke Rebeckah two persons of one kindred and family yet Without breaking downe the Pales of degrees prohibited of two Cardui benedicti that may grow into a multitude and an holy seede in the LORD God hath already begunne to make good this blessing vpon you in giuing you seede and if you feare him keepe his commandernents and dwell together in coniugall vnity hauing one heart and one soule he will command his blessing and life for ever more you the wife shall be as a fruitfull vine your children like oliue plants round about your table you shall see your childrens children and peace vpon Israell I giue you then this gift willingly and desire you to accept it louingly following that divine rule it is accepted according to that which a man hath and lay it vp not only in your chest but also in your hearts And the God of Heaven prosper it to you that it may be a faithfull Monitor to you speake words whereby you and your children may be saued which shall bee the Crowne and rejoycing of him that longeth after you in the bowels of Iesus Christ and desireth to be esteemed Your serviceable friend in Christ Iesus BARTH PARSONS Ruth 4.11 The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachell and like Leah which two did build the house of Israell doe thou worthily in Ephratah and be famous in Bethlem THE Children of this World like to fishes that are in Salo sine sale in the salt water without any salt tast in thē in the midst of the holiest and heavenliest actions and places cannot put of the shooes of their carnall affections Exod. 3.5 but haue too frequently their thoughts and tongues exercised about their worldly wicked affaires and even then and there out of the evill treasures of their hearts bring forth that which is evill Luk. 6.45 Ezekiells auditors even whilest they were sitting before him to heare his words and shewing much loue with their mouthes haue their hearts going after covetousnesse Ezek. 33.31 And whilest our saviour was dividing to his hearers the bread of life one of the company rashly and rudely interrupteth him about speaking to his brother to divide the inheritance with him Luk. 12.13 so hardly can they which are accustomed to evill doe any good Ier. 13.23 even in the best times and places but on the other side the children of light shine still as lights in the world Phil. 2.15 haue sursum corda in civill as well as in sacred businesses out of the good treasures of their hearts bring forth good things Luk. 6.45 whether they are eating or drinking or whatsoever they are doing Gods glory is their aime and end 1. Cor. 10.31 in all these things eructat cor their heart is stil enditing of some good matter Psal 45.1 a divine sentence is ready in their lips Prov. 16.10 and their mouth vpon every occasion is speaking of wisdome and their tongue talking of iudgement Psal 37.30 Let them but passe by the mowers in the field they open their mouth in an holy prayer that may minister grace to the hearers and say the blessing of the Lord be vpon you we blesse you in the name of the Lord Psal 129.8 let them but come to the reapers and their lips are full of grace they say with that good man Boaz the Lord be with you Ruth 2.4 In the same spirit in the same
steps doe the Elders and all the people of Bethlehem walke here Being called vpon to be witnesses about some civill passages of buying of lands by Boaz and purchasing of Ruth to be his wife to raise vp the name of the dead vpon his inheritance vers 9.10 they are not onely ready to doe this good office of bearing witnesse all the people that were in the gates and the Elders said we are witnesses but also blesse them in the name of the Lord power out a most solemne and effectuall fervent prayer to the Lord the father of lights from whom cometh downe every good and perfect gift to prosper the intended matrimony of this present couple with blessings befitting their married estate the Lord make the woman c. Now our Saviour when he would feed the people with the bread that perisheth brake it into peeces Mark 8.6 that every one might haue his portion conveniently I will then be a follower of him and as becometh a faithfull and wise steward in Gods house divide these words aright that every one may the better haue his portion of spirituall food out of them In this faithfull and charitable prayer then I call it so because Necessitas cogit orare prose charitas fraternitatis hortatur pro alio Chrys Necessity compelleth a man to pray for himselfe but charity exhorteth him to pray for others We may obserue the parts and points 1. The petitioners that find in their heart to pray this prayer as David speaketh 2. Sam. 7.27 all the people that were in the gate and the Elders 2. To whom they make their prayers euen to him of whom all things come 1 Chr. 29.14 the Lord the Lord make 3. For whom for the parties here purposing matrimony the woman severally and the man severally 4. For what are the petitions for them 1. For the woman the Lord make the woman that cometh into thine house like to Rahell and Leah which two did build the house of Israell 2. For the man and doe thou worthily in Ephratah and be famous in Bethlehem or that thou maist doe worthily c. The first occurring circumstance that standeth in the doore of the text like Abraham in the doore of his tent is of the persons petitioning and praying all the people that were in the gate and the Elders they will not only be witnesses of the contract but petitioners also for the contracted they will not onely testify the covenant made betweene the parties but also sanctify it with their prayers I may say then to all that are present or any way pertinent to this worthy and weighty worke of contracting and marrying in the Lord as our Saviour to the lawyer about a worke of mercy Luk. 10.37 vade fac similiter goe and doe likewise pray for the peace and prosperity of the parties to be married not with formall but with hearty acclamations not with a superficiall God giue you ioy but with a solemne and substantiall benediction of the parties and invocation of the most high God possessor of heaven and earth to blesse them out of Zion that they may see the good of Ierusalem all the daies of their life and that they may see their childrens children and peace vpon Israell Psal 128.5.6 The God of heaven in his blessing of Adam and Eue the first married persons in whose loynes we then were all of vs and God blessed them Gen. 1.28 hath shewed vs what is good and what he requireth of vs even to be followers of him herein as deare children Eph. 5.1 And in this good and old way did the generations of old walke Abrahams eldest servant and ruler of his house being sent by him to his country and to his kindred to take a wife vnto Isaacke when he cometh to the place beginneth first with prayer to the Lord of his Master Abraham to send him good speed that day and to shew kindnesse vnto his Master Abraham Gen. 24.12 And when the Lord God of his Master Abraham had led him to the house of his Masters brethren and had prospered his iourney and hee had obtained Rebeccah to be wife vnto his Masters sonne her brother mother and friends solemnely blesse her at his departure and say Thou art our sister be the mother of thousands of Millions and let thy seed possesse the gates of those that hate them Gen. 24.60 And when Isaacke being stricken in yeares sent Iacob to Padan-Aram amongst his kindred to find out a wife he prayeth seriously for his prosperous successe God almighty blesse thee and make thee fruitfull and multiply thee that thou maist bee a multitude of people and giue the blessing of Abraham to thee and to thy seed with thee Gen. 28.3.4 And that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 marriage Psalme endited at Solomons taking to wife of Pharaohs daughter being an eminent type of the spirituall marriage betweene Christ and his Church doth omnia fausta precari pray for all happinesse to the married parties is full of supplications for them benedictions of them and propheticall predictions of happinesse vnto them Psal 45. And if all things must be done in the name of the Lord Col 3.17 much more must this great thing bee begunne in the name of the Lord if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 euery creature or ordinance of God must be sanctified with prayer 1 Tim. 4.5 much more must this solemne ordinance of his be blessed and sanctified with prayer It is a good rule giuen by Marke the Eremite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prayer must be the Vsher of all our actions But how are these last and worst daies whereinto we are falne degenerated from this holy course Happily we may heare a formall and superficiall acclamation of God giue you joy drap out of some few mens mouths at such times meetings But most mens vnsanctified mouthes at such times like puddle waters that being stirred send forth noysome sent breath our nothing but such corrupt communications as may rather minister griefe then grace to the hearers which might better befit the vnchast bedde of fornication in the stewes then the vndefiled be dde of honourable matrimony in the house and from the abundance of their polluted hearts they belch forth such vncleane and vnsavoury words as may make their eares to tingle that heare them They cannot speake the language of Canaan at such times any holy and heavenly prayers but the language of Ashdod ribals and scurrilous iests filthy and foolish talking which are not convenient as the Apostle speaketh Eph. 5.3 And as David said of the slanderous tongue Psal 52.4 thou louest all devouring words ô thou deceitfull tongue so may I of theirs thou louest all defiling words ô thou vaine and vncleane tongue The marriage meetings with them are never well seasoned or celebrated vnlesse they be filled with filthy discourses and obsceane songs and of a Bride house a Brothell house as the Idolatrous Iewes turned Bethell Gods house into a Bethauen an house of vanity
Christ being intreated disdained not to goe to a wedding and not only adorned it with his presence but also bestowed that which was wanting to mirth for it is written that wine maketh glad the heart of man And that he might shew that he did this according to the will of God his father hee answered the Iewes about divorces saying that which God hath ioyned together let no man put asunder Marriage then is Gods ordinance the marriage covenant is Gods covenant Prov. 2.17 it is hee that prepareth appointeth the wife for the husband and the husband for the wìfe Abraham saith to his servant the God of Heaven shall send his Angell before thee thou shalt take a wife to my sonne Gen. 24.7 and the servant prayeth that the Damsell that giueth him his Cammels water may be the woman whom God had appointed for Isaacke ver 14. And the Angell telleth Tobias of Sarah that should be his wife shee was appointed vnto thee from the beginning Tobit 6.17 And it is God that knitteth their hearts one to another in loue It was of the Lord that Sampson loued and desired the woman of Timnah Iud. 14.4 Hence then may the tongue of the learned speake a word in season for the stopping of those foule mouths that shoote out their arrowes even bitter words either against the state of matrimony to disgrace it as miserable or against the ordinance it selfe to condemne it as sinfull and abominable For the first we haue a generation in the world who seeme wise in their owne eyes if they can boldly calumniate and smite with the tongue this state and kinde of life as most wretched The old heathens invectiues fill their mouthes with vaine reasonings and janglings against it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 say they with Menander Marriage is the vttermost of misery and with Epicharmus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. there are but two good dayes with a woman when a man marrieth her and when a man burieth her and with another Satyrist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. every woman is bitternesse she hath but two good times one in the bed another in the graue with Ovid Faemina nulla bona est c. No woman is good but if a good wife hath happened to any one I know not how an ill thing is become good and with Plautus in paen act 1. Negotij qui sibi volet vim comparare navim mulierem haec duo comparato c. Hee that will get him store of businesse let him get 〈◊〉 these two things a ship and a wife for no two 〈…〉 more businesse and with Menander in 〈…〉 13. deipnos cap. 13. In pelagus 〈…〉 c. thou throwest thy selfe into 〈…〉 businesse not the Lybucke or Aegean sea where 〈…〉 scarce three ships are cast away but 〈◊〉 â—xorem servatur prorsus nemo no man that marrieth a wife escapeth So whilest they could not or would not distinguish betweene the abuses and faults of the married persons and the lawfulnesse happinesse and commodity of the state it selfe Satan hath beene a lying spirit in their impure mouthes like mills that cannot grinde but with foule water they haue poured out floods of exclamations against the state it selfe But as though this were too little there hath risen in the Church it selfe a worse generation of those heretickes that speaking perverse things nay lies in hypocrisie and hauing their consciences seared with an hot iron 1. Tim. 4. haue called good evill light darknesse heere this ordinance of God the institution of Sathan haue condemned marriage as altogether vnlawfull in any which the Holy Ghost hath commended to be honourable in all Heb. 13.5 I will not spend the time in mentioning nor tire your eares with hearing the names of that rabble of hereticks that in the primitue Church belched out these blasphemies that marriage and procreation was of the divell and that the married persons were excluded from all hope of heauen or happinesse to come Let their memory perish with their heresy and let Gods word be true and every man a lyar And Antichrist of Rome of whom Daniell prophecied that he should not regard the desire of women Dan. 11.37 that is hee should simulare castitatem vt plurimos decipiat counterfeit chastity that he might deceiue very many as Hierome vpon that place interpreteth it with his false prophets that they might commend the single life of their votaries and compell their Clergy to it haue set their mouthes against heauen in vilifying the ordinance it selfe Pope innocent in his third Epistle can find out these texts against marriage of the Clergy be ye holy because I am holy The state of marriage then by this reasoning is vnholy and to the vncleane and vnbeleeuers nothing is cleane and they that are in the flesh cannot please God all married persons then are in the flesh and vnpleasing to God And is it not a wonder that Cardinall Bellarmine himselfe in this cleare light of learning and the Gospell would defend that which the Pope spake in the darke time of ignorance Non male dici possit de coniugatis qui sunt in carne non possunt placere Deo It may not amisse be said of married persons they that are in the flesh cannot please God de sacram matr cap. 5. And c. Nupt. 32. qu. 1. the same Pope like an excellent Arithmetician and Divine too reasoneth thus The Scripture said of the first 3.4.5 and 6. day when God had finished the worke of every day God saw that it was good but it is not said so of the second day signifying that the number of two is not good which doth divide from vnion and figureth the marriage covenant wherevpon all the creatures that enter the Arke of Noah by two are vncleane see we not what a deepe mystery he hath found in the number of two against marriage and he reasoneth there that if lay men must abstaine from their wiues for a time that they may giue themselues to prayer much more ought Priests who must pray and sacrifice daily abstaine from such company which Bellarmine secondeth and supposeth againe lib. de Cler. c. 18. actus coniugalis hominum reddit totum carnalem et ineptum ad divina the matrimoniall act maketh a man wholly carnall and vnfit for divine things and cap. 19. Matrimonium vehementer c. Matrimony vehemently hindreth earnestnesse in praying powerfulnesse in preaching and care of the poore And lastly to fill vp the measure of their iniquity they say that a Priest sinneth more grievously in marrying a wife then in committing fornication and keeping a concubine Coster Enchirid. and that a Digamus which hath had two wiues successiuely is reiected froÌ„ priesthood but not a fornicator because Digamy is more forbidden then adultery or keeping a concubine Bellar de cler cap. I say therefore with Michaell the Archangell imperet illis Deui the Lord rebuke them Iude the 9 verse for casting