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…

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, Numb. 36.6, 8. And the Law of our Land showeth it, saying, that the woman is under covert baron, and therefore she may not give, sell, buy, or borrow without her husband consent to it, for otherwise her husband may revoke all again.

For goods that are common, which come eyther by the wife or by the husband; the property, right, and possession belongs onely to the husband, the wife hath onely the vse of them and no more. Therefore doth Iacob call that riches which hee had with his wiues, his riches, Gen. 31.37. and though his wiues called their goods, our goods; yet this prooues not that it was theirs for possession, but only for vse: and againe, this is spoken not in opposition to their husband, but in opposition to Laban their fath•r, that it was none of his. And hence it is, that we neuer read in Scripture, the wife called rich, but onely the husband. This is also proued by that law among the Israelites, that no inheritrix, or daughter heire might marry to one of another tribe, because then the inheritance was to goe away from the wife, to the husband: as the example of the daughters of Zelophehad, Numb. 36.6, 8. And the Law of our Land sheweth it, saying, that the woman is vnder couert baron, and therefore she may not giue, sell, buy, or borrow without her husband consent to it, for otherwise her husband may reuoke all againe.