Bathsheba's instructions to her son LemuelBathshebaes instructions to her sonne Lemuel

Moreover, it is very truly called deceitful and vain, because as it were a flower, it perisheth, with the least blast of the wind of the judgement of God, indeed favour and beauty is the gift of God, wherefore it is before compared by Solomon unto a ring of gold yet hath the holy ghost thought it unworthy to be reckoned among the former virtues.

Moreouer, it is very truly called desceitfull and vaine, because as it were a flower, it perisheth, with the least blast of the winde of the iudgement of God, indeed fauour and beauty is the gift of God, wherefore it is before compared by Salomō vnto a ring of gold yet hath the holy ghost thought it vnworthy to be reckoned among the former vertues.

But by this former Judgement of the holy Ghost, God would note the folly of men, who in choosing their wives, do principally inquire after that, whether she be fair and well favoured, so as if she have those, although she be endued with none of the former virtues, yet she is accounted fit for them. And contrariwise she which is endued with the former virtues, unless she have also favour and beauty, is scorned and despised of all men: wherein the madness of men do notably bewray it self, that they do carry themselves soe carelessly and dissolutely in a matter of great weight, and wherein consisteth the quietness of this whole life, and no small help to the life to come. If a man buy a horse, is he so mad that he will rest only in the colour and shape of his body never looking whether he be lame or broken winded. Or if a man buy a gold ⟨p. 75⟩ring, doth he think himself satisfied that in show only it glistereth like gold? or doth he not rather bring it to the touchstone, to try whether it be pure gold or gilt only.

But by this former Iudgement of the holy Ghost, God would note the folly of men, who in choosing their wiues, doe principally inquire after that, whether shee bee faire and well fauoured, so as if shee haue those, although shee bee endued with none of the former vertues, yet shee is accounted fit for them. And contrariwise shee which is indued with the former vertues, vnlesse shee haue also fauour and beauty, is scorned and dispised of all men: wherein the madnesse of men doe notably bewray it selfe, that they doe carry themselues soe carelesly and dissolutely in a matter of great weight, and wherin consisteth the quietnesse of this whole life, and no small helpe to the life to come. If a man buy a horse, is he so mad that hee will rest onely in the colour and shape of his body neuer looking whether he be lame or broken winded. Or if a man buy a golde