Fifthly, we must consider in what manner wives must be subject; and so, divers things are required of them: for their subjection must have in it, care, honour, and sincerity. First, they must be subject with care and study,1 to do and dispose of all things so, as the husband may not be displeased or disquieted. A wise woman is said to build her house, Prov. 14.2. which notes, that she studies in every business how to set every thing in order; as the Carpenter doth study how to set every part of the frame in joint. Oh, that this word Study, could be carved upon the hearts of women, that they might never forget it: what a world of unquietness and inconveniences might be prevented, if care and study did enter into their hearts? Secondly, they must be subject with honour to their husbands: now, wives honour their husbands, and show it divers ways; as, by giving them reverent titles, as Sarah called her husband ⟨p. 14⟩Lord; and by modest and shamefast behaviour in her husbands presence: her husband should be the covering of her eyes; and by striving to imitate what is excellent in her husband, so she should be his image and his glory, as man is the image and glory of Christ; and by avoiding all company, that is suspected or disliked by the husband, and by concealing and hiding his infirmities as much as she can. Thirdly, the sincerity of her subjection must appear many ways; as first, by being subject to him: not in some things, but in all things, as the Church is subject to Christ. Secondly, by being subject at all times, and in all places; at home aswell as abroad, and always, aswell as for the first quarter of the year. Thirdly, by practising this subjection, not in outward show only, but in her very spirit, Mal. 2.15. and that not for fear or shame; but for conscience sake, and willingly, out of the love and honour she bears to her husband: performing this subjection to her husband, as it were to the Lord himself, Eph. 5.12. Finally, she must make conscience to obey and be subject, though the husband did not find fault, or much require it, even because God doth require it.
Fifthly, we must consider in what manner wives must be subiect; and so, divers things are required of them: for their subiection must have in it, care, honor, and sincerity. First, they must be subiect with care and study,1 to doe and dispose of all things so, as the husband may not be displeased or disquieted. A wise woman is said to build her house, Prov. 14.2. which notes, that she studies in every business how to set every thing in order; as the Carpenter doth study how to set every part of the frame in jointe. Oh, that this word Studie, could bee carved upon the hearts of women, that they might never forget it: what a world of unquietnesse and inconveniences might bee prevented, if care and study did enter into their hearts? Secondly, they must be subiect with honor to their husbands: now, wives honor their husbands, and shew it divers waies; as, by giving them reverent titles, as Sarah called her husband ⟨p. 14⟩Lord; and by modest and shamefast behaviour in her husbands presence: her husband should bee the covering of her eyes; and by striving to imitate what is excellent in her husband, so shee should bee his image and his glory, as man is the image and glory of Christ; and by avoyding all company, that is suspected or disliked by the husband, and by concealing and hiding his infirmities as much as she can. Thirdly, the sincerity of her subiection must appeare many wayes; as first, by being subiect to him: not in some things, but in all things, as the Church is subiect to Christ. Secondly, by being subiect at all times, and in all places; at home aswell as abroade, and alwayes, aswell as for the first quarter of the yeare. Thirdly, by practising this subiection, not in outward shew only, but in her very spirit, Mal. 2.15. and that not for feare or shame; but for conscience sake, and willingly, out of the love and honor she beares to her husband: performing this subiection to her husband, as it were to the Lord himselfe, Eph. 5.12. Finally, shee must make conscience to obey and be subiect, though the husband did not finde fault, or much require it, even because God doth require it.
- 1The manner how they must submit.The maner how they must submit.
