A20524:72
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.
Verse 13. She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh it according to the willingness of her hands. Verse 14. She is like the ships of the Merchant: She fetcheth her food from far. Verse 15. And rising while it is yet night, she giveth the portion to her house, and the ordinary to her maids. Verse 16. She thinketh of a field, which she taketh, of the fruits of her hand she planteth a Vineyard.
Verse 13. She seeketh wooll and flaxe, and worketh it according to the willingnesse of her hands. Verse 14. Shee is like the ships of the Merchant: Shee fetcheth her foode from farre. Verse 15. And rising vvhile it is yet night, shee giueth the portion to her house, and the ordinary to her maids. Verse 16. She thinketh of a field, which she taketh, of the fruites of her hand she planteth a Vineyard.
This care for providing of wool and flax, seemeth little to agree with the wife of Solomon, so magnificent a King; for whom it should seem to be more fit, to be careful to deck and trim her self by the glass, that her beauty might be the more gracious, and pleasing unto the King: but especially, it seemeth to differ much from the royal dignity, and Princely majesty, that she should with her ⟨p. 31⟩own hands handle the distaff; and as it followeth after in the 19. verse, that she should put her hands to the wheel, & her hands hold the spindle. For it seemeth she should sufficiently discharge the duty of a mother of a family, if she do cause her maidens and servants to do this. But howsoever things may seem to us and our carnal judgement, judging of duty according to the present show; notwithstanding the wisdom of God hath thought this to agree with the Majesty of the greatest Princes, that they should exercise themselves both in these, and other duties belonging to women.
THis care for prouiding of wool and flaxe, seemeth little to agree with the wife of Salomon, so magnificent a King; for whom it should seeme to bee more fit, to be carefull to deck and trimme her selfe by the glasse, that her beautie might be the more gracious, and pleasing vnto the King: but especially, it seemeth to differ much from the roiall dignitie, and Princely maiestie, that she should with her