Bathsheba's instructions to her son LemuelBathshebaes instructions to her sonne Lemuel

Here first of all, is propounded to be considered, her continual and unceasing labour to procure riches ⟨p. 40⟩unto the 20 verse: then doth he add, for what use she getteth wealth unto the 24. v. In the former part are contained two effects of a woman of strength, and a cause of the effects. The effects are comprehended in the 17.19. and latter part of the 18. verse. And the cause of these effects is declared in the former part of the 18 verse. First of all therefore a man may here ask how this manner of speech which is here attributed to a woman, that she grideth her self with strength, and strengtheneth her arms, may stand with the glory of God, forasmuch as that which is proper to God alone is carried to a woman. For even Kings themselves are altogether without strength,¹ saving that God doth gird them with might, whereof being deprived, presently the become weak and feeble. Sure it is that the strength of the body, (even as every good gift) cometh from God above, in whom we live, do move, and have our being: yet so notwithstanding, as God doth not exclude our endeavour, no not so much as in the work of sanctification:² much less in the work of this life, for the performance whereof, there remaineth not so great strength after the blot of sin. And first of all she may well ⟨p. 41⟩be said to gird her loins and her arms with strength, for that she exerciseth her self and her body with labour: for as by idleness & slothfulness the strength is enfeebled in some sort, as iron unused is eaten with rust, so by moderate exercise the strength is increased & augmented. Hereof is it that husbandmen & labourers having their health, the slothful & sluggish are oppressed with sundry diseases.

HEre first of all, is propounded to be considered, her continuall and vncessant labor to procure riches ⟨p. 40⟩vnto the 20 verse: then doth he adde, for what vse she getteth wealth vnto the 24. v. In the former part are contained two effects of a woman of strength, and a cause of the effects. The effects are comprehended in the 17.19. and latter part of the 18. verse. And the cause of these effects is declared in the former part of the 18 verse. First of all therefore a man may here aske how this manner of speech which is here attributed to a woman, that she grideth her selfe with strength, and strengtheneth her armes, may stand with the glory of God, forasmuch as that which is proper to God alone is caried to a woman. For euen Kings themselues are altogether without strength,