Deus misereatur

All you that are married, or that intend to take the holy estate of Matrimony upon you, hear what the holy Scripture does say as touching the duty of husbands towards their wives, and wives towards their husbands.¹

Saint Paul, in his Epistle to the Ephesians, the fifth Chapter, does give this commandment to all married men; Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water, by the Word; that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself: for no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the Church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife; and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife, even as himself.

Likewise the same Saint Paul, writing to the Colossians, speaks thus to all men that are married; Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.²

Hear also what Saint Peter, the Apostle of Christ, who was himself a married man, says unto them that are married; You husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge; giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered.³

Hitherto you have heard the duty of the husband toward the wife. Now likewise, you wives, hear and learn your duties toward your husbands, even as it is plainly set forth in holy Scripture.⁴

Saint Paul, in the aforenamed Epistle to the Ephesians, teaches you thus; Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. And again he says, Let the wife see that she reverence her husband.

And in his Epistle to the Colossians, Saint Paul gives you this short lesson; Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Saint Peter also does instruct you very well, thus saying; You wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the Word, they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible; even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands; even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters you are as long as you do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.⁵