A20524:147
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 estimation of favour & beauty, is yet diminished by the unfit praise, which is not meet for a woman endued with them; which is amplified by a comparison of the dislike: because a woman fearing God is worthy of praise: for notwithstanding that favour and beauty (in regard that they are the gifts of God) do deserve commendation, yet she which hath them, seemeth not to deserve praise, seeing they are gotten by no skill or labour of hers, no, not so much as by her will: for except it were given her of God even from the cradle, she should labour in vain to get it: but the fear of God, notwithstanding it be the gift of God, yet is it not given at the first, but to such, as do will and desire it (God inclining their will & affection) & being once begun it receiveth increase through our desire care and industry.
The estimation of fauour & beauty, is yet diminished by the vnfit praise, which is not meet for a woman indued with them; which is amplified by a comparison of the dislike: because a woman fearing God is worthy of praise: for notwithstanding that fauour and bewty (in regard that they are the gifts of God) doe deserue commendation, yet shee which hath them, seemeth not to deserue praise, seeing they are gotten by no skill or labor of hers, no, not so much as by her will: for except it were giuen her of God euen from the cradle, shee should labor in vaine to get it: but the feare of God, notwithstanding it be the gift of God, yet is it not giuen at the first, but to such, as doe will and desire it (God inclining their wil & affection) & being once begunne it receiueth increase through our desire care and industry.
So as notwithstanding, a fair and beautiful woman for her beauty may be praised; yet in comparison of that notable and singular commendation which is rightfully done unto the woman that feareth God, she is not to be thought praise-worthy. And ⟨p. 76⟩then by a comparison of the greater is lessened the praise of beauty, and comeliness is beaten down: and this denial and lessening of the praise of good favour and beauty, is more strongly declared, by this word, (she doth get praise unto her self) as if the beautiful and well favoured woman did not so.