A plain and familiar exposition of the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the Proverbs…A plaine and familiar exposition of the eleuenth and twelfth chapters of the Prouerbes…

A Virtuous woman, which feareth God, and loveth her husband, and is faithful in her calling, is a crown to her husband, she is for his honour and credit, and consequently for his profit and comfort. But she that maketh him ashamed, which either by her lewdness, and rudeness doth bring him into contempt, or at least maketh him to hold down his head, or by negligence, pride, and wastefulness doth weaken his estate, and bringeth him to want, she is a rottenness in his bones, that is, a torment and corrosive to his heart, as grievous as the ache of the bones, or corruption of the marrow, which is more painful and incurable than an ulcer in the flesh. The antithesis is thus: A virtuous woman is the crown of her husband, and so a great joy and gladness to his heart: but a vicious woman is a shame to her husband, and as a rottenness in his bones.

A Vertuous woman, which feareth God, and loueth her husband, and is faithful in her calling, is a crowne to her husband, she is for his honour and credit, and consequently for his profit and comfort. But she that maketh him ashamed, which either by her lewdnes, and rudenes doth bring him into contempt, or at least maketh him to hold downe his head, or by negligence, pride, and wastfulnes doth weaken his estate, and bringeth him to want, she is a rottennes in his bones, that is, a torment and corrasiue to his heart, as grieuous as the ach of the bones, or corruption of the marrow, which is more painfull and incurable than an vlcer in the flesh. The antithesis is thus: A vertuous woman is the crowne of her husband, and so a great ioy and gladnes to his heart: but a vicious woman is a shame to her husband, and as a rottennes in his bones.

Doct. No outward thing in all the world is better than a good wife. It is not so well with a rich man that hath his house stored with abundance of wealth, as with a poor man that hath his house garnished with a Christian wife, so that he be also a godly man, and a faithful husband. By this means he may be made conspicuous, though his state and degree were otherwise obscure: and it is lawful in this sort, for a mean subject, without disloyalty to his Prince, to wear a crown of good reputation and credit. If the value and brightness of pearls and precious stones draw mens eyes to behold them that possess and wear them, much more will this rich jewel, whose price and beauty exceedeth the best of them. For God himself who seeth every sort of them, and every one of them, and knoweth their several worths, and hath made them all, he setteth a gracious wife at an higher rate than any of them, and saith, that her price is far above Carbuncles.