A20524:87
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.
Here the cause (as often else where) is inserted as well of this which hath gone before, as of other effects which do follow: to wit, that she findeth the fruit of her labour to be good, and to have good speed in those things which she hath laboured. And this he amplifieth by a comparison of the like: For as he which tasteth good and delicate meats never proved before: with the sweetness thereof, is enticed and egged on to procure the same again, although it be with some hard and sharp labour; so this woman being taught by the experience of the fruit of her labour and industry, doth the more cheerfully follow the same.
Heere the cause (as often els where) is inserted as well of this which hath gone before, as of other effects which doe follow: to wit, that shee findeth the fruit of her labour to be good, and to haue good speede in those things which shee hath labored. And this hee amplifieth by a comparison of the like: For as hee which tasteth good and delicate meates neuer proued before: with the sweetnesse thereof, is entised and egged on to procure the same againe, although it bee with some hard and sharpe labor; so this woman being taught by the experience of the fruit of her labour and industry, doth the more cheerefully follow the same.
Those therefore which are slothful and idle, for as much as they reap no fruit of ⟨p. 43⟩their idleness, are not stirred up with any desire to labour. Such also as with labour wearying both themselves and theirs, do notwithstanding receive none at all, or very small fruit of their pains (because God not being called upon by them refuseth to give his blessing) these men also must needs faint under the burden of their labours.1 As on the contrary this woman (whose labours God by his blessing doth prosper) making wonderful gain, is encouraged to undergo her pains. And no doubt but the Israelites when they had once tasted of the fruits of the land of Canaan, did the more courageously join battle with the inhabitants thereof. Even as also we see that good scenting hounds, with the only sent of the beast, which they do course, do mend their pace, and with greater swiftness do chase their pray. On the contrary it comes to pass in many, who when as through the blessing of God upon their honest labours, they are groan to some wealth, do give themselves to idleness, and to their pleasures, till they have wasted that which they had gotten with pain.