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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.
The blessed and happy estate of the godly ⟨p. 59⟩is here in this place notably described, and their undoubted assurance of eternal life, whereby they are as certain and sure of the life to come, as they are either of their present life, or their life past: which they know cannot either be weakened or taken away by strength or craft, either of things above, or things beneath,1 that neither prosperity, nor adversity, neither famine, nor the sword, nor death, nor the banding and fronting of all mischiefs opposed against us, is able to drive us from the fruition of life everlasting. The contrary whereof the Papists teach, which do torment mens consciences with the continual torture of doubting and perplexity. But this ought so much the more to confirm us against all fearful terrors, for that women by nature are fearful and timorous.2 Whereof it is that this is called our goods, even as other commodities of this life, are by our Saviour called others mens and not ours. Which ought to give us courage to seek after those things, which no casualty may take from us, being things which last for ever. In the goods of this life we do covet after those things, which are less subject to change, as unmoveable, rather then moveable. In merchandise those that are most staple are esteemed, ⟨p. 60⟩which will continue longest without corrupting. And rents, and yearly revenues of inheritance are preferred before money: why should we not then use the same wisdom in these things which do never fail.
The blessed and happy estate of the godly ⟨p. 59⟩is here in this place notably described, and their vndoubted assurance of eternall life, whereby they are as certaine and sure of the life to come, as they are either of their present life, or their life past: which they know cannot either be weakened or taken away by strength or craft, either of things aboue, or things beneath,1 that neither prosperity, nor aduersity, neither famine, nor the sword, nor death, nor the banding and fronting of all mischiefes opposed against vs, is able to driue vs from the fruition of life euerlasting. The contrary whereof the Papists teach, which doe torment mens consciences with the continual torture of doubting and perplexitie. But this ought so much the more to confirme vs against all fearefull terrors, for that women by nature are fearefull and timerous.