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…

Thirdly; man hath more interest in his wife, than he can have in any other creature. She is appropriated to him with nearest bonds of union. She is not so properly called his, as a part of him, and one flesh with him. As the two parts of man, soul and body make one person; so two persons, man and woman, make one matrimonial body. Then how should he not take comfort in her graces and gifts, which are made his own together with her?

Thirdly; man hath more interest in his wife, than he can haue in any other creature. She is appropriated to him with neerest bonds of vnion. She is not so properly called his, as a part of him, and one flesh with him. As the two parts of man, soule and body make one person; so two persons, man and woman, make one matrimoniall bodie. Then how should he not take comfort in her graces and gifts, which are made his owne together with her?

Fourthly, the benefits which a virtuous wife doth bring to a worthy husband, are manifold, and worthy to be regarded. She will labour to refresh his heart with comfort, and to preserve his body in health: she will be a helper for his family, and provident for his state: she will be tender of his credit, and cheerful to his friends: she will every way apply her self to show her love, and procure his best prosperity. These we shall handle particularly in the one and thirty chapter, if God permit us to proceed so far. Contrary to the ways of this good woman is the behaviour of a bad wife, who worketh both shame and grief to her husband. All her sinfulness maketh him ashamed, unless he be shameless, which is his greater shame. A wicked son is a blot to his father, and a disordered servant is no credit to his master, and therefore much more doth an ungodly wife disgrace and blemish her yoke-fellow. And as she putteth matter of talk into other mens mouths, so she layeth burdens upon his back, and poureth sorrows into his heart by contempt, and wrongs, and ⟨p. 125⟩indignities. Oh the calamity of them that are put to harbour their enemies harlots in their own beds, and bosoms! And what a misery is it for a man to commit the greatest part of his substance to her that is a privy thief, whereby she hath all before her, to choose what she will to rob him of! And hard is their case whose wives are mere spies to know, and discover, and publish abroad their secrets, and faults, and infirmities to their great reproach. And what shall we speak of such as are swinish with drunkenness? and of gadders, and busy bodies abroad? which in all contentions are always parties, and wheresoever they come, they raise contentions? What comfort do these women minister to their husbands that love peace, and sobriety? As for such as are turbulent in their own houses, and froward, and rebellious against their head, the spirit of God telleth us, what profitable, pleasant, and amiable companions they be. In the nineteenth chapter of this book it is said, that the contentions of a wife