For if wee be bound to hold out our left cheeke to strangers which will smite vs on the right cheeke: how much more ought wee to suffer an extreme and vnkind husband? But yet I meane not that a man should beat his wife, GOD forbid that, for that is the greatest shame that can be, not so much to her that is beaten, as to him that doth the deed. But if by such fortune thou chancest vpon such an husband, take it not too heauily, but suppose thou, that thereby is laid vp no small reward hereafter, & in this life time no small commendation to thee, if thou canst be quiet. But yet to you that be men, thus I speake, Let there bee none so grieuous fault to compell you to beat your wiues. But what say I, your wiues? no, it is not to be borne with, that an honest man should lay hands on his maide seruant to beat her. Wherefore if it be a great shame for a man to beat his bondseruant, much more rebuke it is, to lay violent hands vpon his freewoman. And this thing may be well vnderstood by the lawes which the Panims haue made, which doth discharge her any longer to dwell with such an husband, as vnworthy to haue any further company with her that doeth smite her. For it is an extreme point, thus so vilely to entreat her like a slaue, that is fellow to thee of thy life, and so ioyned vnto thee before time in the necessary matters of thy liuing. And therfore a man may well liken such a man (if he may be called a man, rather then a wild beast) to a killer of his father or his mother. And whereas wee be commanded to forsake our father and mother, for our wiues sake, and yet thereby doe worke them none iniurie, but doe fulfill the Law of GOD: How can it not appeare then to bee a point of extreame madnesse, to entreate her dispitefully, for whose sake GOD hath commaunded thee to leaue parents? Yea, who can suffer such despite? Who can worthily expresse the inconuenience that is, to see what weepings and waylings bee made in the open streetes, when neighbours runne together to the house of so vnruly an husband, as to a Bedlem man, who goeth about to ouerturne all that hee hath at home? Who would not thinke that it were better for such a man to wish the ground to open, and swallow him in, then once euer after to bee seene in the market? But peraduenture thou wilt obiect, that the woman prouoketh thee to this point. But consider thou againe that the woman is a fraile vessel, and thou art therefore made the ruler and head ouer her, to beare the weakenesse of her in this her subiection. And therefore studie thou to declare the honest commendation of thine authoritie, which thou canst no way better doe, then to forbeare to vrge her in her weakenesse and subiection. For euen as the King appeareth so much the more noble, the more excellent and noble hee maketh his officers and lieuetenants, whom if hee should dishonour, and despise the authoritie of their dignitie, he should depriue himselfe of a great part of his owne honour: Euen so, if thou doest despise her that is set in the next roome beside thee, thou doest much derogate and decay the excellencie and vertue of thine owne authoritie. Recount all these things in thy minde, and be gentle and quiet. Vnderstand that GOD hath giuen thee children with her, and art made a father, and by such reason appease thy selfe. Doest thou not see the husbandmen what diligence they vse to till that ground which once they haue taken to farme, though it be neuer so full of faults? As for an example, though it be dry, though it bringeth forth weedes, though the soyle cannot beare too much wette, yet he tilleth it, and so winneth fruit thereof: Euen in like manner, if thou wouldest vse like diligence to instruct and order the minde of thy spouse, if thou wouldest diligently apply thy selfe to weede out by little and little the noysome weedes of vncomely maners out of her minde, with wholesome precepts, it could not bee, but in time thou shouldest feele the pleasant fruit thereof to both your comforts. Therefore that this thing chance not so, performe this thing that I doe here counsaile thee: Whensoeuer any displeasant matter riseth at home, if thy wife hath done ought amisse, comfort her, & increase not the heauines. For though thou shouldest be grieued with neuer so many things, yet shalt thou finde nothing more grieuous then to want the beneuolence of thy wife at home. What offence soeuer thou canst name, yet shalt thou finde none more intolerable, then to be at debate with thy wife. And for this cause most of all oughtest thou to haue this loue in reuerence. And if reason moueth thee to beare any burden at any other mens hands, much more at thy wiues. For  if she be poore, vpbraid her not, if she be simple, taunt her not, but be the more curteous: for she is thy body, and made one flesh with thee. But thou peraduenture wilt say that she is a wrathfull woman, a drunkard, and beastly, without wit and reason. For this cause bewayle her the more. Chafe not in anger, but pray vnto Almighty GOD. Let her bee  admonished and helped with good counsaile, and doe thou thy best endeuour, that she may be deliuered of all these affections. But if thou shouldest beate her, thou shalt encrease her euill affections: For frowardnesse and sharpnesse, is  not amended with frowardnesse, but with softnesse and gentlenesse. Furthermore, consider what reward thou shalt  haue at GODS hand: For where thou mightest beate her, and yet, for the respect of the feare of GOD, thou wilt absteine and beare patiently her great offences, the rather in respect of that Law which forbiddeth that a man should cast out his wife what fault soeuer shee bee made the combred with, thou shalt haue a very great reward, and before the receit of that  reward, thou shalt feele many commodities. For by this meanes she shall bee more obedient, and thou for her sake shalt be made the more meeke.

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