A20524:132
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 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.
THe scope and drift hereof is, hauing propounded a reward to stirre vp women to higher vertues; 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 cōtemned which are misliked of euery one. Which may be applied vnto the desire of vertue and godlinesse: for although to iust and vncorrupted Iudges, the fruite of their duty is the dutie it selfe, and it belongeth vnto the godly to seeke after vertue, for vertues sake, and a conscience towards God; yet God pittying our infirmity and slownesse to good workes, doth set before vs a reward, as it were a crowne to bee enioyed both in this life, and in the life to come; to the end he may correct our sluggishnesse, and drowsinesse ⟨p. 66⟩in well doing. Which being a thing necessary for men to whet them on to the desire of vertue, 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 vpon the head of such a industrious woman, as he hath described that as by her vertue and pietie, so also by the reward of condigne praise, she may be discerned from other women.