The reason whereof seemeth to be that small inequality 1which is betwixt the husband and the wife: for of all degrees wherein there is any difference betwixt person and person, there is the least disparity betwixt man and wife. Though the man be as the head, yet is the woman as the heart, which is the most excellent part of the body next the head, far more excellent then any other member under the head, and almost equal to the head in many respects, and as necessary as the head. As an evidence, that a wife is to man as the heart to the head, she was at her bfirst creation taken out of the side of man where his heart lieth; and though the woman was at first cof the man created out of his side, yet is the man also by the woman. Ever since the first creation man hath been borne and brought forth out of the woman's womb: so as neither the man is without the woman, nor the woman without the man: yea, as dthe wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband, so the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. They are also eheirs together of the grace of life. Besides, wives are mothers of the same children, whereof their husbands are fathers (for God said to both, fmultiply and increase) and mistresses of the same servants whereof they are masters (for Sarah is called gmistress) and in many other respects there is a common equity betwixt husbands and wives; whence many wives gather that in all things there ought to be a mutual equality.
The reason whereof seemeth to be that small inequalitie 1which is betwixt the husband and the wife: for of all degrees wherein there is any difference betwixt person and person, there is the least disparitie betwixt man and wife. Though the man be as the head, yet is the woman as the heart, which is the most excellent part of the body next the head, farre more excellent then any other member vnder the head, and almost equall to the head in many respects, and as necessary as the head. As an euidence, that a wife is to man as the heart to the head, she was at her bfirst creation taken out of the side of man where his heart lieth; and though the woman was at first cof the man created out of his side, yet is the man also by the woman. Euer since the first creation man hath beene borne and brought forth out of the womans wombe: so as neither the man is without the woman, nor the woman without the man: yea, as dthe wife hath not power of her owne body, but the husband, so the husband hath not power of his owne body, but the wife. They are also eheires together of the grace of life. Besides, wiues are mothers of the same children, whereof their husbands are fathers (for God said to both, fmultiplie and increase) and mistresses of the same seruants whereof they are masters (for Sarah is called gmistresse) and in many other respects there is a common equitie betwixt husbands and wiues; whence many wiues gather that in all things there ought to be a mutuall equalitie.
- 1Of all that are inferiors, the wife cometh nearest to a paritic.Of all that are inferiours, the wife commeth neerest to a paritic.
- bGen. 2. 21.
- c1 Cor. 11. 12.
- d1 Cor. 7. 4. Cùm de pudicitia sermonem habet, magna paritas. Chrys. hom. 19. in 1 Cor. 7.
- e1 Pet. 3. 7. [Greek or Hebrew].1 Pet. 3. 7. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- fGen. 1. 28.
- g& 16. 4. Object. Answ.& 16. 4. Obiect. Answ.