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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.
for whereas he saith, that she doth these things according to the willingness of her hands, he doth thereby teach, that she doth readily and cheerfully go about her work, wherein above all things her strength is declared. For such things as are laid upon us by reason of our calling, ought to be done merrily and with a cheerful mind, for like as the sun like a giant doth gird it self, that it may in 24. hours run his whole circuit about the world; so likewise ought we to stir and raise up our selves to that work, which is laid upon us. Men therefore (which have a mind of more courage, and are of greater strength of body) may be ashamed to lye down under the burden of such labours, as ⟨p. 34⟩are enjoined them. And this cheerfulness is therefore propounded, that he may show that thereby the work is the more easily and speedily dispatched.
for whereas he saith, that shee doth these things according to the willingnesse of her hands, hee doth thereby teach, that shee doth readily and cheerefully goe about her worke, wherein aboue all things her strength is declared. For such things as are laid vpon vs by reason of our calling, ought to be done merrily and with a cherefull minde, for like as the sunne like a giant doth gird it selfe, that it may in 24. houres runne his whole circuit about the world; so likewise ought wee to stirre and raise vp our selues to that worke, which is laid vpon vs. Men therefore (which haue a minde of more courage, and are of greater strength of body) may bee ashamed to lye downe vnder the burden of such labors, as ⟨p. 34⟩are enioyned them. And this cherefulnesse is therefore propounded, that he may shew that thereby the worke is the more easily and speedily dispatched.
1It is though that the wife hath sufficiently performed her duty, if she do safely preserve and keep those things which her husband hath brought in. But the holy Ghost teacheth us, that it is the wives duty to provide those things wherewith the family is fed; and not such things only as are near at hand, but which also are brought from far countries: from whence he showeth, that she fetcheth them in merchants ships; because she bringeth her food from far. Wherein seemeth some doubt, how a woman being by nature and calling, limited to keep home, should fetch her food from far. Whereto I answer, that she fetcheth her food from far, not by travelling into foreign Countries, or passing the seas, but by sending the works of her hands into strange Countries, from whence she may receive either Corn or other merchandise in exchange; and those things which at home are not to be had, she may fetch from other places commodiously. But those things, when they are spoken of the Queen, what woman is there,