A20524:92
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 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 ⟨p. 46⟩of the weakness of their sex, and of their pains of child-bearing: yet are they not freed from those duties, which are joined with some pain and tediousness.
For to what end is it, that it was sayd before that shee girdeth her selfe with strength but that she should haue need of strength to do her worke: Wherto also pertaineth that, which is spoken in this verse that she putteth both her hands to the spindle. For, it is a thing layde vpon all the posteritie of Adam, not only to labour, but to labour hardly and with paine: For, notwithstanding that God hath appointed vnto women, such workes as haue lesse wearisomnes in them, in regard ⟨p. 46⟩of the weakenesse of their sexe, and of their paines of childe-bearing: yet are they not freed from those duties, which are ioined with some paine and tediousnesse.
Furthermore, it is to be noted that by this her working, she is not only her self exercised, but she doth also take away all colour of idleness from her maids: for it were a shame for the maids to pluck their hands from such work as their mistress her self doth not disdain to do. For here is that Proverb true, which is sanctified by the holy mouth of Christ; that it is well with the servant if he be in the same condition with his master, it is well with the hand-maid, if she be in no worse case then her mistress. But this example of pains taking, which she giveth to her maids, is of more force to work in their minds, then many admonitions or chastisements which are used without example.