A20559:703
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.
This is added as the next chief thing, and a thing in desiring whereof one is next wronged, and indeed especially though the house be set first for the generalness of the hurt. So that hence we may gather that the wife ought to be more dear to one then all his substance. So Proverbs. 19. 9. House and riches are the inheritance of the fathers, but a wife is the gift of God. House and lands are the gift of God too, but he meaneth a good wife is a more special immediate and excellent gift. And Proverbs. 31. A virtuous woman is more precious then pearls. And so it is noted that Adam was not in his full happiness till God had given him Eve, she was given as the special outward comfort and upshot of the rest. Men therefore must hence learn to make account of their wives more then of any earthly thing besides, for she is flesh of his flesh, a part of him, and a member of his body which cannot be said of parent or child, or brother, or any kindred. And she may be well valued above the pearls. For no Jewels can do that good that a good wife can and doth. For if he have grief within, or business and troubles in his outward estate, Other things be dumb, and cannot help him, but she can refresh his soul with good counsel, oversee his business in wisdom, help his body against incontinence, and encourage him in his calling, and be a stay and succour to him in all things. Therefore also those be most miserable and base men that set their desire so much upon the outward things of the world, that if their wife and their wealth were laid in the balance together, they would sooner part with ten wives one after another, then ⟨image 196⟩loose any parcel of their commodity. They would think it an injury in the wife if she should choose rather to have her husband die, then her wealth be taken from her. And why then do they bear this affection in themselves? Therefore one must pray God to give him that affection which is due to his wife. For if he love not at home, he will lust abroad, and if she have not her allowance, others shall have more then their allowance. And it confutes those that make it so light a thing to wrong an other in his wife the most precious thing.
This is added as the next chiefe thing, and a thing in desiring whereof one is next wronged, and indeed especially though the house be set first for the generalnesse of the hurt. So that hence we may gather that the wife ought to be more deare to one then all his substance. So