Contrary is Vashti-like stoutness, when wives think and 1say, it is a servants part to come when they are called or sent for, and they will never yield to be their husbands servants, to come at his command. By the same reason may all duties of subjection be rejected. But for this particular, let such stout 2dames note the issue of Vashti's stubbornness. As many excuses might be alleged for her as I think for any: for First, she was 3royally descended, being the daughter of a King. Secondly, she was then among the honourable women of the kingdom. Thirdly, the King was in drink when he sent for her. Fourthly, he sent for her to show her beauty before multitudes of men, which was not seemly. But all these were not sufficient to excuse her fault, and free her from blame. First, though she were of royal parentage, yet she was a wife, and her husband sent for her. Secondly, being among the noble women of the kingdom, she should the rather have showed her self a pattern of subjection in this kind. Thirdly, though he were in drink, yet remained he an husband: and the thing which he commanded was not such but that she might have done it without sin. Fourthly, if she thought the thing unseemly, she should first have used all the fair means she could to have been spared; but if by all she could not have prevailed, then (the thing being not simply unlawful and a sin) she should have yielded.
Contrary is Vashtie-like stoutnesse, when wiues thinke and 1say, it is a seruants part to come when they are called or sent for, and they will neuer yeeld to be their husbands seruants, to come at his command. By the same reason may all duties of subiection be reiected. But for this particular, let such stout 2dames note the issue of Vashties stubbornnesse. As many excuses might be alleaged for her as I thinke for any: for First, she was 3royally descended, being the daughter of a King. Secondly, she was then among the honourable women of the kingdome. Thirdly, the King was in drinke when he sent for her. Fourthly, he sent for her to shew her beautie before multitudes of men, which was not seemely. But all these were not sufficient to excuse her fault, and free her from blame. First, though she were of royall parentage, yet she was a wife, and her husband sent for her. Secondly, being among the noble women of the kingdome, she should the rather haue shewed her selfe a patterne of subiection in this kinde. Thirdly, though he were in drinke, yet remained he an husband: and the thing which he commanded was not such but that she might haue done it without sinne. Fourthly, if she thought the thing vnseemely, she should first haue vsed all the faire meanes she could to haue beene spared; but if by all she could not haue preuailed, then (the thing being not simplie vnlawfull and a sinne) she should haue yeelded.
- 1Contrary, stoutness in refusing to come.Contrary, stoutnesse in refusing to come.
- 2Esth. 1. 16, &c.Es•h. 1. 16, &c.
- 3Hebraei docent Vast•am natam fuisse ex Baltbasare rege Chaldaeorum. Fevard. in Esth. 1. Alij, ex Cyro. Merl. in Esth.Hebraei docent Vast•am natam fuisse ex Baltbasare rege Chaldaeorum. Feuard. in Esth. 1. Alij, ex Cyro. Merl. in Esth.