A20524:91
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.
Hereof may be gathered that she breaketh her sweet sleep, For rising so early and going to bed so late; especially when she hath been painful in her work; the sounder ⟨p. 45⟩sleep must needs fall upon her, so as she (but with some violence) doth not awake. Which thing is to be observed of all, both men and women. For as it is not lawful to eat unto a fullness: so likewise it is not lawful to sleep so long, till we have satisfied our lust. It hath bin said before, how this woman of strength appointed maids their task: he now addeth further, that she doth her self set her hands to work. Hitherto also pertaineth she busieth her self in the same kind of work; with her maids, handling the wheel and the distaff, one after another. Although it be not unlikely that she did spin finer and costlier wool and flax, yet it is certain that it was laboursome, and painful, both the wheel & the spindle, whereto she was to put her strength, and use her might.
Hereof may be gathered that she breaketh her sweete sleepe, For rising so early and going to bed so late; especially when she hath beene painefull in her worke; the sounder ⟨p. 45⟩sleepe must needes fal vpon her, so as she (but with some violence) doth not awake. Which thing is to be obserued of all, both men and women. For as it is not lawfull to eate vnto a fulnes: so likewise it is not lawful to sleepe so long, till we haue satisfied our lust. It hath bin said before, how this woman of strength appointed maides their taske: he now addeth further, that she doth her selfe set her hands to worke. Hitherto also pertaineth she busieth her selfe in the same kinde of worke; with her maides, handling the whele and the distaffe, one after another. Although it be not vnlikely that she did spinne finer and costlier woole and flaxe, yet it is certaine that it was laboursome, and painefull, both the wheele & the spindle, whereto she was to put her strength, and vse her might.
For to what end is it, that it was said before that she girdeth her self with strength but that she should have need of strength to do her work: Whereto also pertaineth that, which is spoken in this verse that she putteth both her hands to the spindle. For, it is a thing laid upon all the posterity of Adam, not only to labour, but to labour hardly and with pain: For, notwithstanding that God hath appointed unto women, such works as have less wearisomeness in them, in regard