A20524:148
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.
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.
So as notwithstanding, a faire and beautifull woman for her beauty may be praised; yet in comparison of that notable and singular commendation which is rightfully done vnto the woman that feareth God, she is not to bee thought praise-worthy. And ⟨p. 76⟩then by a comparison of the greater is lessened the praise of beauty, and comelinesse is beaten downe: and this deniall and lessening of the praise of good fauour and beauty, is more strongly declared, by this word, (she doth get praise vnto her selfe) as if the beautifull and well fauoured woman did not so.
Hereby is refuted not only the vanity of men, but also their ingratitude towards God, which do employ the whole power of their wit and learning, for the praise of beauty and favour, not only generally in the whole body, but particularly in every part of it, from the head to the heel, using thereunto all the flowers and colours of their eloquence, wherewith they garnish and set them forth, who in the mean time in the commendation of virtue, are either dumb, or cold.
Hereby is refuted not onely the vanity of men, but also their ingratitude towards God, which do imploy the whole power of their wit and learning, for the praise of beauty and fauour, not onely generally in the whole body, but particularly in euery part of it, from the head to the heele, vsing thereunto all the flowers and colours of their eloquence, wherewith they garnish and set them forth, who in the meane time in the commendation of vertue, are either dumbe, or cold.