The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in…The second tome of homilees of such matters as were promised, and intituled in…

For if it be not lawful for the woman to have her head bare, but to bear thereon the sign of her power wheresoever she goeth: more is it required that she declare the thing that is meant thereby. And therefore these ancient women of the old world called their husbands lords, and showed them reverence in obeying them. But peradventure she will say, that those men loved their wives in deed. I know that well enough, and bear it well in mind. But when I do admonish you of your duties, then call not to consideration what their duties be. For when we our selves do teach our children to obey us as their parents, or when we reform our servants, and tell them that they should obey their masters, not only at the eye, but as to the Lord: If they should tell us again our duties, we would not think it well done. For when we be admonished all our duties and faults, we ought not then to seek what other mens duties be. For though a man had a companion in his fault, yet should not he thereby he without his fault. But this must be only looked on, by what means thou mayst make thy self without blame. For Adam did lay the blame upon the woman, & she turned it unto the serpent: ⟨p. 486⟩but yet neither of them was thus excused. And therefore bring not such excuses to me at this time: but apply all thy diligence to hear thine obedience to thy husband. For when I take in hand to admonish thy husband to love thee, and to cherish thee: yet will I not cease to set out the law that is appointed for the woman, as well as I would require of the man what is written for his law. Go thou therefore about such things as becometh thee only, and show thy self tractable to thy husband. Or rather if thou wilt obey thy husband for gods precept, then allege such things as be in his duty to do, but perform thou diligently those things which the lawmaker hath charged thee to do. For thus is it most reasonable to obey God, if thou wilt not suffer thy self to transgress his law. He that loveth his friend, seemeth to do no great thing: but he that honoureth him that is hurtful & hateful to him, this man is worthy much commendation: Even so think thou, if thou canst suffer an extreme husband, thou shalt have a great reward therefore. But if thou lovest him only because he is gentle & courteous, what reward will God give thee therefore?

For if it be not lawful for the woman to haue her head bare, but to beare thereon the signe of her power wheresoeuer she goeth: more is it required that she declare the thyng that is meant thereby. And therefore these auncient women of the old world called their husbandes lordes, and shewed them reuerence in obeying them. But peraduenture she wyl say, that those men loued their wyues in deede. I know that wel enough, and beare it wel in minde. But when I do admonishe you of your dueties, then cal not to consideration what their dueties be. For when we our selues do teache our chyldren to obey vs as their parentes, or when we refourme our seruauntes, and tell them that they shoulde obey their maisters, not only at the eye, but as to the Lorde: If they shoulde tell vs agayne our dueties, we would not thynke it wel done. For when we be admonished al our dueties and faultes, we ought not then to seeke what other mens dueties be. For though a man had a companion in his fault, yet should not he therby he without his fault. But this must be onlye loked on, by what meanes thou mayst make thy selfe without blame. For Adam did lay the blame vpon the woman, & she turned it vnto the serpēt: