An analytical exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustratedAn analyticall exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustrated

Here the Apostle instructs Wives and Husbands in those particular duties which belong unto their conjugal society. And he sets down the duty of wives in the first place, because that comes nearest unto those duties which he had lately spoken of, namely, the duty of subjects towards the•r Magistrates, and of servants towards their Master. For that which is here in general prescribed unto wives, is their subjection to their husbands, Verse 1. Be in subjection to your own husbands. Which subjection he doth afterwards explain by certain adjuncts or properties, which do in a peculiar manner belong to the subjection of wives, and not to the subjection of servants and subjects. The first of these properties is, conjugal fear, vers. 2. The second is chastity of conversation, in the same verse. The third is, meekness and mildness, verse 4. And he doth persuade them unto this subjection together with the properties thereof. 1. By an argument taken from the effects and fruit, which by the grace of God might follow thereupon; for it is a means tending to the conversion of their husbands, if they obey not the Gospel, verse 1. 2. He commends and illustrates it by a comparison which he makes betwixt that pious subjection, & that adorning which women use to make great account of, verse 3, 4. where he shows that outward adorning to be nothing worth in Gods sight. 3. He doth persuade them unto it by the example of those holy women, which God did approve of in old time, verse 5. And in particular by the example of Sarah, and her obedience unto Abraham, verse 6. Of whose example he gives a special reason; because as Abraham was the father of all the faithful, so Sarah in some sort might be called the mother of all holy women. The duty of husbands he sets down 1, in general, in their husbandlike government, which he calls a dwelling with their wives according to knowledge, which knowledge and understanding is the ground of direction, and therefore is more required in a man, then in a woman. 2. In the special manner of this government, to wit, that it should be joined with the honour ⟨p. 67⟩of the wife, in bearing with her infirmities, which he doth persuade them unto by an argument taken, 1. from that society and equality which is betwixt the husband and the wife, in respect of the grace of life, as it is here called. 2.

HEre the Apostle instructs Wives and Husbands in those particular duties which belong unto their conjugall society. And he sets downe the duty of wives in the first place, because that comes nearest unto those duties which hee had lately spoken of, namely, the duty of subjects towards ther Magistrates, and of servants towards their Master. For that which is here in generall prescribed unto wives, is their subjection to their husbands, Verse 1. Be in subjection to your owne husbands. Which subjection he doth afterwards explaine by certaine adjuncts or properties, which do in a peculiar manner belong to the subjection of wives, and not to the subjection of servants and subjects. The first of these properties is, conjugall feare, vers. 2. The second is chastity of conversation, in the same verse. The third is, meeknesse and mildnesse, verse 4. And he doth perswade them unto this subjection together with the properties thereof. 1. By an argument taken from the effects and fruit, which by the grace of God might follow thereupon; for it is a meanes tending to the conversion of their husbands, if they obey not the Gospell, verse 1. 2. He commends and illustrates it by a comparison which he makes betwixt that pious subjection, & that adorning which women use to make great account of, verse 3, 4. where he shewes that outward adorning to be nothing worth in Gods sight. 3. Hee doth perswade them unto it by the example of those holy women, which God did approve of in old time, verse 5. And in particular by the example of Sara, and her obedience unto Abraha, verse 6. Of whose example he gives a speciall reason; because as Abraham was the father of all the faithfull, so Sara in some sort might be called the mother of all holy women. The duty of husbands he sets down 1, in generall, in their husbandlike governement, which he cals a dwelling with their wives according to knowledge, which knowledge and understanding is the ground of direction, and therefore is more required in a man, then in a woman. 2. In the speciall manner of this governement, to wit, that it should be joyned with the honour