A20524:74
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.
We read of Sarah, 1who being a great Princess, yet she kneaded dough,2 and dressed meat. Of Rebecca we read, how by her cunning in cookery, she was able to counterfeit meats, to cause that to appear to be venison, which indeed was not.3 Of Tamar the Kings daughter, how she was so well practiced in cookery that she was able to make dainty and pleasant meats for her brother, feigning himself sick. In this our age, if any woman be of more noble birth, or have riches above others, their manner is to be so proud and disdainful, that they think nothing may ⟨p. 32⟩beseem their greatness; but what is joined with notable idleness, and ceasing from all honest business, they may handle nothing which may make their hands hard, do nothing which may impair their beauty.4 It appeareth by holy Scriptures, that Sarah and Rebecca, even in their old age kept the traces and features of their beauty they had in their youth: and therefore no doubt but they had a care to continue their beauty, that they might be most gracious and pleasing to their husbands: but that through this care of their beauty, they did cease from all honest labour and business; it neither can agree with their duty, nor with those excellent virtues wherewith they were endued. But if to Princesses and honourable women, it be not allowed to be idle, and to cease from honest business (whereas they notwithstanding, in regard of the weakness of their sex, both are and ought to be favoured above others) can it be lawful for men to take unto them this licence to live at their pleasure, without any employment. Wherein the men of our age do more grievously offend then the women. For what man is there that hath rents and possessions above the common sort, which by this bountifulness ⟨p. 33⟩of God towards him, doth not think himself freed and discharged from all honest employment: so as he thinketh he is in good state, if abstaining from doing wrong to others, he do in the mean time give himself to all looseness of mind, spending his time both in hunting, hawking, and other pleasures of this life. Furthermore whereas she doth her self seek wool and flax, not staying till they should be provided by her husband: hereby is set forth her readiness to labour, which is proved by the words following;