A20524:149
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.
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.
He goeth §31forward in the reward and recompense of this woman of strength, where the holy Ghost by the Prophet doth call upon all men, that they should yield unto her the praise due unto her virtues and notable works. The holy Ghost therefore doth exhort her husband, that both while he liveth, & when he is going to death, he should deal liberally with her in diet, clothing and other ⟨p. 77⟩lawful and honest delights of this life, and should grant them unto her bountifully & plentifully for her use. He exhorteth her children and servants, that they do use all singular reverence and obedience towards her: neither doth he exhort only those of her family, but also all others; yea even the Magistrates themselves, so often as occasion is offered (as when women are brought in judgement before them, for some slip in their manners, it is not unseasonable to set before their eyes the laudable conversation of this virtuous woman) that they do employ themselves to set forth her praise: For notwithstanding that this woman, together with her notable works be shut up and limited within the walls of her own house, yet her praise passing forth, and climbing up the top of the house cometh & appeareth at the holy seat of Justice.