An exposition on the whole fifth chapter of S. Johns Gospel also notes on…An exposition on the vvhole fifth chapter of S. Iohns Gospell also notes on…

This may be further amplified by some particulars: as, 1 in disposing of the goods of the family: Wherein she hath not liberty to do what she will: but these goods are two-fold, either proper, or common. Proper goods are such as the wife hath a property and right, not only in the use, but in the possession of them; and they are either such as the husband before his marriage binds himself by obligation, either upon his own voluntary motion, or by the persuasion of friends to give unto her, to be disposed at her own mind and pleasure: or such as he husband in kindness after their marriage gives unto his wife; as the rent of such a house or field, or the like. In all these it's left to the wives liberty to do therewith what she pleaseth, and not what her husband would have her.

This may be further amplified by some particulars: as, 1 in disposing of the goods of the family: Wherein shee hath not liberty to doe what shee will: but these goods are two-fold, either proper, or common. Proper goods are such as the wife hath a property and right, not only in the vse, but in the possession of them; and they are either such as the husband before his marriage bindes himselfe by obligation, eyther vpon his own voluntary motion, or by the perswasion of friends to giue vnto her, to be disposed at her owne minde and pleasure: or such as he husband in kindnesse after their marriage giues vnto his wife; as the rent of such a house or field, or the like. In all these it's left to the wiues liberty to doe therewith what shee pleaseth, and not what her husband would haue her.

For goods that are common, which come either by the wife or by the husband; the property, right, and possession belongs only to the husband, the wife hath only the use of them and no more. Therefore doth Jacob call that riches which he had with his wives, his riches, Gen. 31.37. and though his wives called their goods, our goods; yet this proves not that it was theirs for possession, but only for use: and again, this is spoken not in opposition to their husband, but in opposition to Laban their father, that it was none of his. And hence it is, that we never read in Scripture, the wife called rich, but only the husband. This is also proved by that law among the Israelites, that no inheritrix, or daughter heir might marry to one of another tribe, because then the inheritance was to go away from the wife, to the husband: as the example of the daughters of Zelophehad,