A20547:403
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 plain and familiar exposition of the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the Proverbs of SolomonA plaine and familiar exposition of the eleuenth and twelfth chapters of the Prouerbes of Salomon
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Henry Sharpe, 1607London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Henrie Sharpe, 1607
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.
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.1
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 poore man that hath his house garnished with a Christian wife, so that hee be also a godly man, and a faithfull husband. By this meanes hee may be made conspicuous, though his state and degree were otherwise obscure: and it is lawfull in this sort, for a meane subiect, without disloyaltie to his Prince, to weare a crowne of good reputation and credit. If the valew and brightnes of pearles and precious stones draw mens eyes to behold them that possesse and weare them, much more will this rich iewell, whose price and beautie exceedeth the best of them. For God himselfe who seeth euery sort of them, and euery one of them, and knoweth their seuerall worths, and hath made them all, hee setteth a gracious wife at an higher rate than any of them, and saith, that her price is farre aboue Carbuncles.1