A20524:131
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.
Verse 28. Her children shall rise and pronounce her blessed, and her husband, which shall praise her. Verse 29. Many daughters have done ⟨p. 65⟩virtuously, but thou hast excelled above all. Verse 30. Favour is deceit, and beauty is vanity: but a woman fearing the Lord she getteth to her praise. Verse 31. Give unto her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Verse 28. Her children shall rise and pronounce her blessed, and her husband, which shall prayse her. Verse 29. Many daughters haue done ⟨p. 65⟩vertuously, but thou hast excelled aboue all. Verse 30. Fauor is deceit, and beautie is vanity: but a woman fearing the Lord she getteh to her praise. Verse 31. Giue vnto her the fruite of her hands, and let her workes praise her in the gates.
The scope and drift hereof is, having propounded a reward to stir up women to higher virtues; it is a true speech that Honour nourisheth arts; and that all men are kindled with a desire of praise, and that those things are despised and contemned which are misliked of every one. Which may be applied unto the desire of virtue and godliness: for although to just and uncorrupted Judges, the fruit of their duty is the duty it self, and it belongeth unto the godly to seek after virtue, for virtues sake, and a conscience towards God; yet God pitying our infirmity and slowness to good works, doth set before us a reward, as it were a crown to be enjoyed both in this life, and in the life to come; to the end he may correct our sluggishness, and drowsiness ⟨p. 66⟩in well doing. Which being a thing necessary for men to whet them on to the desire of virtue, it is manifest that it is more expedient for women, as those which are weaker. Whereof it is that the holy Ghost doth make this garland of praise which he may set upon the head of such a industrious woman, as he hath described that as by her virtue and piety, so also by the reward of condigne praise, she may be discerned from other women.