Those dainty Dames who plead her pattern for their ear-rings and bracelets, will hardly plead it for a pitcher and painfulness. Augustus Cesar brought up his daughters in Carding and Spinning. Gentlemen though they are not bound to bring up their Children to low or mean callings, yet are bound to ⟨p. 551⟩keep them out of the snare of idleness, and to take care that they be in some lawful business, serviceable to themselves and others. The Wife as well as Servants and Children ought to be industrious in her station. Spinster is a term given to the greatest woman in our Law. It is said of the good housewife, She seeketh Wool and Flax, and worketh willingly with her hands, she looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness, Pro. 31.13, 27. A Woman's work consisteth in sowing and doing somewhat her self, and overseeing others, as appeareth in the forequoted place, besides the charge of her children; hereby a wise woman is said to build her house, Pro. 14.1. As a Carpenter layeth the plot-form of an house in his head, and so studieth that none of his stuff be cut to waste; So a good Housewife doth so overlook the affairs of her family, and so contrive and order things by a prudent provident forecast, that there may be no waste, but all things disposed for the best. Hence it is that though the Husband is called the guide of the Wife, yet the Wife is called the guide of the House, Pro. 2.17. 1 Tim. 5.14. And for this end they are commanded to be keepers at home, Tit. 2.5. They that gad much abroad, do their families at home but little good; such are according to the signification of the second Wife of Lamech, Zillah's, the shadows of Wives; The Grecians had a custom when the new married Bride was brought home to her Husbands house, to burn the Axletree of the Chariot or Cart in which she was brought, before the door; to teach her that she ⟨p. 552⟩must abide at home. But the main work lieth upon the governor of the Family; Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flock, and look well to thy herds, Pro. 27.23. He that is far from his work, is not far from want. The Jews have a Proverb The Masters foot makes his ground fat; which speaks thus much, that if the Master be not forward with his own hands, all things will go backward in his house. 1[Greek or Hebrew], The Master is the greatest servant in the house.
Those dainty Dames who plead her pattern for their ear-rings and bracelets, will hardly plead it for a pitcher and painfulness. Augustus Cesar brought up his daughters in Carding and Spinning. Gentlemen though they are not bound to bring up their Children to low or mean callings, yet are bound to ⟨p. 551⟩keep them out of the snare of idleness, and to take care that they be in some lawful business, serviceable to themselves and others. The Wife as well as Servants and Children ought to be industrious in her station. Spinster is a term given to the greatest woman in our Law. It is said of the good housewife, She seeketh Wool and Flax, and worketh willingly with her hands, she looketh well to the ways of her houshold, and eateth not the bread of idleness, Pro. 31.13, 27. A Womanswork consisteth in sowing and doing somwhat her self, and overseeing others, as appeareth in the forequoted place, besides the charge of her children; hereby a wise woman is said to build her house, Pro. 14.1. As a Carpenter layeth the plat-form of an house in his head, and so studieth that none of his stuff be cut to waste; So a good Housewife doth so overlook the affairs of her family, and so contrive and order things by a prudent provident forecast, that there may be no waste, but all things disposed for the best. Hence it is that though the Husband is called the guide of the Wife, yet the Wife is called the guide of the House, Pro. 2.17. 1 Tim. 5.14. And for this end they are commanded to be keepers at home, Tit. 2.5. They that gad much abroad, do their families at home but little good; such are according to the signification of the second Wife of Lamech, Zillah's, the shadows of Wives; The Grecians had a custom when the new married Bride was brought home to her Husbands house, to burn the Axeltree of the Chariot or Cart in which she was brought, before the door; to teach her that she ⟨p. 552⟩must abide at home. But the main work lyeth upon the governour of the Family; Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flock, and look well to thy herds, Pro. 27.23. He that is far from his work, is not far from want. The Jews have a Proverb The Masters foot makes his ground fat; which speaks thus much, that if the Master be not forward with his own hands, all things will go backward in his house.
- 1Jo Manlii Loc. Come.Io Manlii Loc. Com.
