If any should be so foolish as to object the unsuitableness of Dedicating a Comment on the Scripture to one of your Sex (as it seemeth some did to *Jerome) I shall not plead, that two of the Books of Scripture are named from Women, Ruth and Esther, that an Epistle which maketh up a part of the Canon in inscribed to an Elect Lady, that if this be a fault *others have faulted in like kind before me, but only that this is a practical Commentary, and surely in matters of practise (which is every Christians Common interest) your Sex hath a full share: though your course of life be more private and confined, yet you have your service; the Scriptures speak of the woman's ⟨image 6⟩gaining upon the husband, 1 Pet. 3. 1. seasoning the children, Pro. 31. 1. 2 Tim. 1. 5. encouraging the servants in a way of Godliness, especially of their own Sex, 'tis said Esther 4. 16. I also and my maidens will fast likewise: these maidens were either Jews, and then it showeth what servants should be taken into a nearer attendance, such as savour of Religion, see, Psal. 101. 6. or else which is more probable, such as she had instructed in the true Religion, for these maidens were appointed her by the Eunuch, and were before instructed in Court-fashions, Esther 2. 9. but that did not satisfy, she taketh time to instruct them in the knowledge of the true God, and it seemeth in her apartment had many opportunities of religious commerce with ⟨image 6⟩them in the Worship of God. Madam, how far you practise these duties, it is not necessary that I should tell the world, persevere with cheerfulness, and in due time you shall reap if you faint not: the good Lord shed abroad the Comforts and Graces of his Spirit more abundantly into your heart, which is the unfeigned desire of him, who is
If any should be so foolish as to object the unsuiteableness of Dedicating a Comment on the Scripture to one of your Sex (as it seemeth some did to *Jerom) I shall not plead, that two of the Books of Scripture are named from Women, Ruth and Esther, that an Epistle which maketh up a part of the Canon in inscribed to an Elect Lady, that if this be a fault *others have faulted in like kinde before me, but onely that this is a practicall Commentary, and surely in matters of practise (which is every Christians Common interest) your Sex hath a full share: though your course of life be more private and confined, yet you have your service; the Scriptures speak of the womans ⟨image 6⟩gaining upon the husband, 1 Pet. 3. 1. seasoning the children, Pro. 31. 1. 2 Tim. 1. 5. incourraging the servants in a way of Godliness, especially of their own Sex, 'tis said Esther 4. 16. I also and my maidens will fast likewise: these maidens were either Jews, and then it sheweth what servants should be taken into a nearer attendance, such as savour of Religion, see, Psal. 101. 6. or else which is more probable, such as she had instructed in the true Religion, for these maidens were appointed her by the Eunuch, and were before instructed in Court-fashions, Esther 2. 9. but that did not satisfie, she taketh time to instruct them in the knowledge of the true God, and it seemeth in her apartment had many oppertunities of religious commerce with ⟨image 6⟩them in the Worship of God. Madam, how far you practise these duties, it is not necessary that I should tell the world, persevere with cheerfulness, and in due time you shall reap if you faint not: the good Lord shed abroad the Comforts and Graces of his Spirit more abundantly into your heart, which is the unfeigned desire of him, who is
- *Hieron. Epist. 140.
- *Hieron, to Celantia Asella, &c.
