The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…The keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…

Answ. There is a difference to be put between Queens, Princesses, Ladies of great Honour, (such as the Church is to Christ, Psal. 45.9.) and Country housewives, poor mens wives. Queens and great persons have several offices and officers for every business and service about the house, as Chamberlains, Stewards, Treasurers, Comptrollers, Ushers, Bailiffs, Grooms, and Porters, who have all the authority of ordering the affairs of their Lords house in their hands. There is not a key left in the Queens hand of any office, but only of power and liberty to call for what she wanteth according to the Kings royal allowance: which if she exceed, the officers have power to restrain her by order from the King. But country housewives, and poor mens wives, whose husbands have no Officers, Bailiffs or Stewards, to oversee and order their estates, they may carry the keys of any office at their own girdles, which the husband keepeth not in his own hand. Not because poor housewives have greater authority in the house then Queens; but because of their poverty and mean estate, they are fain to be in stead of many servants to their husbands.

Answ. There is a difference to be put between Queens, Princesses, Ladies of great Honor, (such as the Church is to Christ, Psal. 45.9.) and Countrey huswives, poore mens wives. Queens and great persons have severall offices and officers for every businesse and service about the house, as Chamberlains, Stewards, Treasurers, Comptrollers, Vshers, Bayliffs, Groomes, and Porters, who have all the authoritie of ordering the affairs of their Lords house in their hands. There is not a key left in the Queens hand of any office, but onely of power and libertie to call for what she wanteth according to the Kings royall allowance: which if she exceed, the officers have power to restrain her by order from the King. But countrey huswives, and poore mens wives, whose husbands have no Officers, Bayliffs or Stewards, to oversee and order their estates, they may carry the keyes of any office at their own girdles, which the husband keepeth not in his own hand. Not because poore huswives have greater authoritie in the house then Queens; but because of their poverty and mean estate, they are fain to be in stead of many servants to their husbands.