A20524:113
Bathsheba's instructions to her son LemuelBathshebaes instructions to her sonne Lemuel
Bathsheba's instructions to her son Lemuel containing a fruitful and plain exposition of the last chapter of the Proverbs. Describing the duties of a great-man, and the virtues of a gracious woman. Penned by a godly and learned man, now with God. Perused, and published for the use of Gods church, by John Dod, and William Hind.Bathshebaes instructions to her sonne Lemuel containing a fruitfull and plaine exposition of the last chapter of the Prouerbs. Describing the duties of a great-man, and the vertures of a gracious woman. Penned by a godly and learned man, now with God. Perused, and published for the use of Gods church, by Iohn Dod, and William Hinde.
London: printed by John Beale for Roger Jackson, 1614London: printed by Iohn Beale for Roger Iackson, 1614
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.
But here some man may move a doubt, how it may stand with the duty of a loving wife, that first she provideth ornaments for her self, and afterwards for her husband. Whereto I answer, that the outward ornaments of the body, are more fit for women then men, and that there cometh credit and praise to the man by the comely apparel of his wife, even as it would be to his discredit, if he himself being gaily apparelled, his wife should be without ornaments. She doth therefore trim her self not so much for her own, as for her husbands both credit and delight.
But here some man may moue a doubt, how it may stand with the duty of a louing wife, that first shee prouideth ornaments for her selfe, and afterwards for her husband. Whereto I answere, that the outward ornaments of the body, are more fit for women then men, and that there commeth credit and praise to the man by the comely apparell of his wife, euen as it would be to his discredit, if hee himselfe being gaily apparelled, his wife should be without ornaments. Sheee doth therefore trimme her selfe not so much for her owne, as for her husbands both credit and delight.
From all which things it appeareth that there is nothing so great or so small in the household, that there is none from the highest to the lowest, from the head of the family even unto the foot, whom her care doth not reach unto. For even as in the common wealth those that are so careful for one part, as they neglect another, they do grievously offend: and contrariwise they do safely govern the same, which do extend their care over all. So likewise in a family, she which is so careful for her husband and children, that she neglecteth her servants ⟨p. 55⟩and maids, doth very dangerously offend.
From all which things it appeareth that there is nothing so great or so small in the houshould, that there is none from the highest to the lowest, from the head of the family euen vnto the foote, whom her care doth not reach vnto. For euen as in the common wealth those that are so carefull for one part, as they neglect another, they doe grieuously offend: and contrariwise they doe safely gouerne the same, which doe extend their care ouer all. So likewise in a family, shee which is so carefull for her husband and children, that shee neglecteth her seruants