A20559:432
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandments gathered from the mouth of a faithful pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholar in Cambridge.The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandements gathered from the mouth of a faithfull pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholler in Cambridge.
London: printed by John Harison for Thomas Man, 1603London: printed by Iohn Harison for Thomas Man, 1603
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Next the husband must edify his wife by instruction, for so, 1. Cor. 14. 35. the Apostle saith, If women will learn they must ask their husbands at home. The husband then must be so well furnished with sound knowledge, as that he must be able to teach his wife, and sow the seed of Gods word in her conscience. And one special and chief part of wisdom in the husband, by which he must learn to frame his instruction, is to observe those good things which he seeth in his wife, and to cherish them; for nothing is more forcible to encourage a woman in any good thing, then that she perceiveth that her husband doth work and approve those good things which are in her, as well as the faults to reprove them; and for want of this encouragement that men are continually chiding, and never go about to nourish any good thing, it falls out that many women which by good usage might be brought to goodness, grow too distemperate in rage and passion. And as he must labour to increase the good things that are in her, so also he must seek to amend and cure those things that are faulty, wherein she doth amiss, & for ordinary infirmities he must pass by them; only pray to God for her. But if it be a thing that needeth physic, and must have a medicine; a wise governor, will chose his fittest time, and consider the nature and disposition of a wife; that if she be of a gentle spirit, he may use gentle means which will then do most good, but if she be of a more hard nature, rougher means must be used, and she must be dealt withal after a more round manner, but always provided, that it never be done in passion and before others, but with a quiet and merciful heart, that she may see that he seeketh her salvation and not disgrace; not to ease himself upon her, but to convert her soul. But if the husband be violent in company to reprove, of bad he shall make her worse, and more alienate her from him, because she seeth, that she hath a fool that is not a saviour, but a destroyer. And for want of this diligent care in choosing time and place, and observing the nature of the party, it comes to pass that rebukes which in themselves are good, and ought to be performed, do more hurt then ⟨p. 24⟩good, because he observes not where he doth it, but reproves her before company, to which he should not disclose his and her shame.
Next the husband must edifie his wife by instruction, for so,