A20524:133
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.
1The chief good of all is, that she thinking and feeling her self happy, standeth not in fear of any danger which may befall her. But it is to be accounted in some degree of happiness, if in regard of her good works she be worthily commended of good men: especially, when as by this commendation of her excellent facts is sealed up the approbation of her good works by God himself. But that her own children, are here brought in by the H. ghost for spreaders of her praises, it may seem somewhat strange. For, whereas (according to the testimony of the Prophet, (as we have heard before) A mans own praise in his own mouth hath no grace; It must needs be that the commendation of those of her own family; especially, such as are more nearly joined unto her, is but of small force ⟨p. 67⟩to set her forth, as that which may seem to proceed, either of self-love, or flattery, that they may gain somewhat of her. I answer, that besides the proper sense, here is a figurative speech, wherein by children is understood, the diet and apparel of her children, the honesty of the children's manners; but chiefly their piety and fear of God, wherewith by her careful education; she hath endued them, which are as it were so many mouths and tongues, whereby the praises of a woman of strength are published.
1The chiefe good of all is, that she thinking and feeling her selfe happy, standeth not in feare of any danger which may befall her. But it is to be accounted in some degree of happines, if in regard of her good works she be worthely cōmēded of good men: especially, when as by this cōmendation of her excellēt facts is sealed vp the aprobatiō of her good works by God himselfe. But that her own children, are here brought in by the H. ghost for spreaders of her praises, it may seem somewhat strange. For, whereas (according to the testemony of the Prophet, (as wee haue heard before) A mans ovvne praise in his ovvne mouth hath no grace; It must needs be that the commendation of those of her owne family; especially, such as are more neerely ioined vnto her, is but of small force ⟨p. 67⟩to set her forth, as that which may seeme to proceed, either of selfe-loue, or flattery, that they may gaine somewhat of her. I answer, that besides the proper sence, here is a figuratiue speech, wherein by children is vnderstood, the dyet and apparell of her children, the honestie of the childrens manners; but chiefely their pietie and feare of God, wherewith by her carefull education; shee hath endued them, which are as it were so many mouthes and tongues, whereby the praises of a woman of strength are published.