A09377:328
Christian economyChristian oeconomie
Christian economy: or, A short survey of the right manner of erecting and ordering a family according to the scriptures. First written in Latin by the author M. W. Perkins, and now set forth in the vulgar tongue, for more common use and benefit, by Tho. Pickering Bachelor of Divinity.Christian oeconomie: or, A short survey of the right manner of erecting and ordering a familie according to the scriptures. First written in Latine by the author M. W. Perkins, and now set forth in the vulgar tongue, for more common vse and benefit, by Tho. Pickering Bachelar of Diuinitie.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston, 1609
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
II. To honour his wife: 1. Pet. 3. 7. Giving honour to the woman.
II. To honor his wife: 1. Pet. 3. 7. Giuing honor to the woman.
This honour stands in three things: First, in making account of her, as his companion, or yoke-fellow. For this cause, the woman, when she was created, was not taken out of the mans head, because she was not made to rule over him; nor out of his feet, because God did not make her subject to him as a servant; but out of his side, to the end that man should take her as his mate. Secondly, in a wise & patient bearing or covering of her infirmities, as anger, waywardness and such like, in respect of the weakness of her sex, 1. Pet. 3. 7. Giving honour to the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, seeing ye are heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered. Thirdly, by suffering himself sometimes to be admonished or advised by her. It was Gods commandment to Abraham concerning Sarah his ⟨p. 126⟩wife; Let it not be grievous in thy sight for the child, and for thy bond-woman: in all that Sarah shall say unto thee, hear her voice; For in Isaac shall thy seed be called, Gen. 21. 12. Thus Elkanah was willing to subscribe unto his wife Anna's advice, for her tarrying at home till the child was weaned, 1. Sam. 1. 23. And Elkanah her husband said unto her, do what seemeth thee best: tarry until thou hast weaned him: only the Lord accomplish his word. Hereupon the Heathen Philosopher said,1 That the master of the family exerciseth (after a sort) a power Tyrannical over his servants, a power Regal over his children; because Kings are fathers of their Common-weals: but in respect of his wife, he exerciseth a power Aristocratical, not after his own will, but agreeable to the honour and dignity of the married estate; and consequently, that he ought not in modesty to challenge the privilege of prescribing and advertising his wife in all matters domesticall, but in some to leave her, to her own will and judgement.