A20524:125
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 praise of her speech seemeth to consist ⟨p. 61⟩not so much in the common speech of the things belonging unto this life, which may be in infidels, as in another subject of speech, it is a conference of holy matters. For he saith that the doctrine of benignity and kindness is in her tongue. By which manner of speech he seemeth to declare both covenants of works and of grace; whereof in the one the bounty of God towards us doth stand; and in the other our love both towards God, and towards our neighbour for Gods cause is required. For she is not only a hearer and reader of the word of God, but also she conferreth thereof with her children, with her maids, and with her husband, instructing her children and maidens, as we read of Esther, (for except her maids had first been instructed to celebrate the Fast, they had been altogether unfit) and asking of her husband those things whereof she standeth in doubt.1 Whether is to be referred, that in the book of the Kings the name of mother is added, as a furtherer either of piety, or impiety of the children. Whereby the Jesuits are confuted, which do so straightly tie the women to the wheel and spindle, as they do cut them off, and ⟨p. 62⟩bar them from all conference touching the word of God, as absurd and far unbeseeming their sex. See the examples of Anna: 1. Sam. 2. And of the wife of Manoah, 14. of Judges. And of Mary, Luke 1. And of Priscilla, which both instructed and forwarded Apollo in the way of the Lord. Whereby appeareth how careful godly women have been for true knowledge out of the word of God: Whereas he saith that doctrine &c. resteth in her tongue, he doth thereby plainly declare, how often she used speech, and how plentifully it dwelt in her house.
The praise of her speech seemeth to consist ⟨p. 61⟩not so much in the common speach of the things belonging vnto this life, which may be in infidels, as in another subiect of speach, it is a conference of holy matters. For he saith that the doctrine of benignity and kindnesse is in her tongue. By which manner of speach hee seemeth to declare both couenaunts of workes and of grace; whereof in the one the bounty of God towards vs doth stand; and in the other our loue both towards God, and towards our neighbour for Gods cause is required. For shee is not onely a hearer and reader of the word of God, but also shee conferreth therof with her children, with her maides, and with her husband, instructing her children and maidens, as we reade of Hester, (for except her maides had first beene instructed to celebrate the Fast, they had beene altogether vnfit) and asking of her husband those things whereof shee standeth in doubt.