Afterwards are rehearsed, the virtues which are common both to godly men, and godly women, from the 25. to the 28. verse. So as in this verse, composed with such skill, there are two things contained; first the excellent virtue of a woman to the 28. verse: afterward, the reward of the same to the end of the book. And her commendation is first set forth by her rareness, which is concluded by the difficulty and hardness to find her: which difficulty is declared by a question; Who shall find her? By which question she doth plainly declare, that such a woman as here is described, the King ought diligently to seek after, both by himself, and his friends searching into every corner of his kingdom. For if faithful servants are to be sought for from the utmost parts of the kingdom:1 much more wives, which are joined in a more straight and inviolable ⟨p. 23⟩band: for which cause,2 we see that Abraham sent his servant unto another country, to take a wife for his son Isaac. And if Assuerus for the beauty of a woman,3 did cause all his kingdom to be sought and surveyed: How much more ought Christian Princes to seek her for her virtue. And if we shall well examine the matter, this is one and a chief cause of this rareness; because there are so few men which do seek after such women. For if they were oftentimes, and of many men sought for, no doubt but there would be greater plenty of such women. But now, when women do consider in themselves, that virtue and piety is not regarded, but beauty, nobility and riches; and that if only they have them, they please their wooers: Therefore are they so careful for them, and do set their rest upon them. Whereof also it is, that the chief care of Parents is, to make them most beautiful, & most rich; altogether neglecting piety and good housewifery. Howbeit, in their words, there is so great vanity, in their countenance so deep dissembling, and in their manners, (for the time) so much counterfeiting and hypocrisy, that no man (although of the sharpest wit) is able to judge soundly, and ⟨p. 24⟩perfectly of them. Wherefore they which do take this in hand, trusting unto their own wit, are most grossly deceived, unless the help of God (first craved by prayer) do prosper and give good success unto their labours.
Afterwards are rehearsed, the vertues which are common both to godly men, and godly women, from the 25. to the 28. verse. So as in this verse, composed with such skill, there are two things contained; first the excellent vertue of a woman to the 28. verse: afterward, the reward of the same to the end of the booke. And her commendation is first set forth by her rarenesse, which is concluded by the difficultie and hardnesse to find her: which difficulty is declared by a question; Who shall finde her? By which question she doth plainly declare, that such a woman as here is described, the King ought diligently to seeke after, both by himselfe, and his friends searching into euery corner of his kingdome. For if faithfull seruants are to bee sought for from the vtmost parts of the kingdome:1 much more wiues, which are ioyned in a more straight and inuiolable ⟨p. 23⟩band: for which cause,2 we see that Abraham sent his seruant vnto another country, to take a wife for his sonne Isaac. And if Assuerus for the beauty of a woman,3 did cause all his kingdome to bee sought and surueyed: How much more ought Christian Princes to seeke her for her vertue. And if wee shall well examine the matter, this is one and a chiefe cause of this rarenesse; because there are so few men which doe seeke after such women. For if they were oftentimes, and of many men sought for, no doubt but there would be greater plenty of such women. But now, when women doe consider in themselues, that vertue and piety is not regarded, but beauty, nobility and riches; and that if onely they haue them, they please their wooers: Therfore are they so carefull for them, and doe set their rest vpon them. Whereof also it is, that the chiefe care of Parents is, to make them most beautiful, & most rich; altogether neglecting piety and good huswiferie. Howbeit, in their words, there is so great vanity, in their countenance so deepe dissembling, and in their manners, (for the time) so much counterfaiting and hypocrisie, that no man (although of the sharpest wit) is able to iudge soundly, and ⟨p. 24⟩perfectly of them. Wherefore they which doe take this in hand, trusting vnto their owne wit, are most grossely deceiued, vnlesse the helpe of God (first craued by praier) doe prosper and giue good successe vnto their labors.
- 1Psal. 101, 2, 6
- 2Gen. 24 3, 4
- 3Est. 2, 3
